I finish my dinner, leaving the plate clean enough to see the ornaments on the trees. An army marches better with a full belly as my grandfather used to say.
Allendale leans forward. “Since Sawyer’s gone to bed, maybe I’ll join you for that swim?”
“Sure.”
“Do you need to borrow swim trunks?”
“Nah, I’m grand. Not the first time I’ve swum in mykex. Won’t be the last.” I catch myself smirking and nearly curse. Being friendly is a habit and seeming relaxed is what I want, but it’s a kick in the balls to think this man might get the impression I’m after being his friend.
Allendale says he’ll bring the towels out.
An uneasy feeling causes me to head upstairs to check on Sawyer. It’s a hard thing I’m asking of her, even if it is only for a night.
I enter her darkened room and sit next to her on the bed. “Cranberry Sauce, you still awake?”
“Yeah, just resting.”
Setting my hand gently on the side of her head, I stroke her hair. “Almost done. I promise.”
She turns her head and kisses my palm. “I’m all right. Just need a break from it.”
“Take your break for as long as you like. Till it’s time to pack if you want.” I lean down and kiss her temple. “I can’t say I’ll be able to make up for this. Not sure anything could. But I will take you away for Christmas if you’ll allow it. Anywhere you’d like and sparing no expense.”
“Dangerous offer. I used to be an Allendale. I know the most expensive holiday destinations in the world.”
“Do your worst. I plan to prove you won’t miss a thing by trading them for me.” Licking my lips, I study her. “I love you, Sauce.”
Her eyes widen, and I nod to emphasize how serious I am.
She sits up and kisses me. “Same.”
50
SAWYER
Acrashing sound makes me jerk up in bed.
For a second, I’m not sure if I heard something or dreamed it.
When I remember what was happening before I laid down, all my uneasiness comes rushing back. I climb from bed and walk to the window to look outside.
It takes a moment for me to process that Jamie’s passed out—or something. My breath catches. He’s half on the end of a lounger that has one side cocked into the air from him landing on it.
Sucking in a startled breath, I scan the area. From several feet away, my dad wobbles toward Jamie.
What the fuck is happening?
Nothing good, that’s for sure. My body lurches into motion. I need to get down there.
I rush from the room and down the stairs. Flinging the back door open, I propel myself outside.
Across the yard, my dad rolls Jamie over onto the lip of the pool. The lounger bangs back to the ground.
My dad doesn’t notice me as I hurry toward them, so he continues, swaying unsteadily as he pulls Jamie onto his side so he’s perched on the edge. Is he going to dump him in the fucking water?
“Stop!”
Dad’s head jerks up to look at me as Jamie’s body falls into the pool with barely a splash.
