The air was thick with salt and regret, and Chase hated how much it reminded him of her.
Sara plopped down on one of the old wooden chairs, tucking her legs underneath her, the glow of the dock light casting soft shadows across her face. Jaxon leaned against the railing, arms crossed, his gaze sharp, unreadable, watching Chase with that same knowing look he had been giving him all fucking night.
Chase ran a hand down his face, dragging it over the stubble on his jaw.
“If you’re here to give me some ‘everything happens for a reason’ bullshit, I’m gonna need you to save it,” he muttered.
Jaxon smirked. “Oh, trust me. That is not why I’m here.”
Chase exhaled sharply, dropping down onto the edge of the dock, letting his legs dangle over the water. The wood beneath him was worn, sun-bleached from years of salt air and storms.
Just like him.
Worn down. Weathered. Fucking tired.
Sara tilted her head, her voice softer now. “Mallory told me everything, Chase.”
His stomach twisted.
He already knew that. Knew Mallory had been the one to drag Jaxon and Sara into this mess.
But hearing it out loud still stung.
“She’s struggling too, you know,” Sara continued.
Chase’s jaw clenched.
“She’s still gone, though, isn’t she?” His voice was hoarse, thick with something he hated admitting.
Sara sighed. “Yeah. But that doesn’t mean she wanted to leave.”
Chase let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head.
“That doesn’t change a damn thing, Sara.”
Jaxon, who had been quiet up until now, let out a slow breath. “Yeah, it does.”
Chase scoffed, but Jaxon didn’t let him spiral. Instead, he walked over, dropped down next to him, his voice steady, unwavering.
“You think I don’t know what this feels like?” Jaxon asked, his tone softer now. “That I don’t know what it’s like to wake up every fucking morning and feel like you’re missing the best part of yourself?”
Chase didn’t answer.
Because he knew.
Everyone knew what Jaxon and Sara had been through.
Sara had left once. Had walked away from him. And Jaxon had been just as wrecked as Chase was now.
The only difference?
Sara had come back.
“I was you once,” Jaxon continued. “I sat right here, in this same damn spot, feeling like I’d never fucking breathe again without her.”
Sara’s expression softened as she leaned forward. “And you were the one who pulled him out of it, Chase.”
Chase swallowed hard. He remembered that time too well. Remembered dragging Jaxon’s ass out of bars. Remembered watching him fall apart.
