Chapter 28

Emerging from beneath the surface of the cool river, I pushed my wet hair from my face. It'd gotten longer since I'd been out here and was due for a cut. It wasn't anywhere as long as Chase's, but just thinking about his hair had me thankful that I was under the water and nowhere near my uncle.

Max paddled around in the water, panting happily. His brown fur was soaked as he swam after a stick that Uncle Drew had been tossing back and forth for him. Today couldn't have been more perfect.

When I swam back to shore, I flopped onto the rock that Uncle Drew sat on and let the afternoon sun dry my skin.

"Is there a reason for this outing today?"

I laughed and looked up at my uncle, shielding my eyes from the brightness of the sun. "Nah, just thought it would be good. For old times' sake."

Uncle Drew nodded before pulling a pack of cigarettes from his breast pocket. He smacked the pack against the palm of his hand before peeling back the plastic wrapper, pulling one of the long cigarettes out, and placing it between his lips. I tried to my best not to let it show how much it bothered me when he flicked his lighter, catching the end and taking a lengthy draw.

Instead of addressing the issue of his smoking, I stood from the rock and waded back into the water. Max took it as an invitation to follow me. He splashed in the shallow water excitedly, letting out a loud bark. For a dog that was as old as he was, he sure acted like a puppy again. Something told me he needed today just as much as the both of us.

"That boy ever talk to you?" Uncle Drew called out, his smoke dangling from his fingertips.

I nodded, kicking absently at the water. "He did. We went out to the tree, and he told me about what happened. Did you really buy their house?"

Uncle Drew's laugh was interspersed with a few coughs before he put out his half-smoked cigarette against the rock. "I did. But I never intended to use it as a rental. Chase knows that."

And I knew that as well. Chase had explained it. "So why are you keeping a hold of it?"

When my uncle stood and dusted off his jeans, he whistled for Max, who came bounding over to him. The dog shook out his fur, sending droplets of water flying everywhere. "That boy could ask for that house back today and I'd give it to him. Bottom line, he wasn't in any sort of condition to handle it when his parents died. He barely managed to keep it together to sell their shop."

"Have you told him that?"

Uncle Drew shrugged and then headed to his truck. "We should get heading back to town. It's getting late and I'm hungry."

I followed him out of the water and over to the truck. I was mostly dry, so I grabbed my shirt and threw it back on, shoving my wallet and phone into my pockets. It was so secluded out here that my phone had no signal. If anyone had tried to reach me, they wouldn't have been able to. I missed the simpler times when I didnt worry about constant accessibility.

The non-interview left me feeling down, like my whole life recently. It's what I had been trying to tell Mom since graduation. It wasnt okay, but it helped that my friends had similar issues.

The truck rumbled to life, and I stared at the trees on the side of the road. The sunlight streamed down between the branches and a sudden pang of sadness washed over me. Did Chase feel the same when looking at the wilderness now, knowing that his parents crashing into that tree was what took their lives?

"Any more word about a job?"

My attention was back on my uncle. "It all feels hopeless. I keep applying and nothing is happening."

Uncle Drew laughed. "Some big rush for the fancy high-paying job, and it'll all fall into place when it's meant to happen."

"I'll take any job at this point as long as it gets me experience using my degree."

Uncle Drew's hands tightened on the steering wheel momentarily as he cleared his throat. "I get it. But don't settle."

I sank back into the bench seat, playing with the frayed threads that were escaping from the fabric. "I might not have a choice soon."

As we pulled back into town, we turned into the Homeport restaurant. It was a local favorite. It boasted the best prime rib in town, but I remembered that Dad was never a fan of ordering it. He'd made the mistake once, and it had been delivered severely overcooked. The nice part about the place was that you could get just about anything.

The hostess sat us quickly and Uncle Drew ordered us both a beer and we were left to pore over the menu. "So, do you have any plans when you go back to Seattle?"

My heart thudded at the question because I'd stopped thinking about going back home. Going back meant leaving Chase behind, and I'd already sworn that I'd never do it again. He'd never leave the beach and join me.

"Uh..."

Uncle Drew nodded, setting his menu on the table and crossing his arms. "You gotta have a plan, kid. There's nothing for you out here besides that boy. He's made his choice and as much fun as you two seem to be having..."

The waitress returned at that moment, setting the bottles of beer in front of us. She smiled at my uncle, her cheeks turning pink. She was young, probably closer to my age, but when Uncle Drew winked at her, I kicked his foot under the table. She took our orders and walked away, her face still flushed.

"What the hell was that?" I asked, bringing my drink to my lips and taking a long sip.

Uncle Drew laughed before copying my move. With the beers back on the table, he leaned in, as if to share a secret. "I may be an old man, but that doesn't mean that I don't like to have my fun."

A shudder raced down my spine. I didnt want to hear about my uncle getting it on with some young girl. He laughed at the face I made.

"Calm down, kid. I can't stay lonely forever."

He wasn't wrong, and I wasn't about to judge him for the way he chose to live his life. If the last couple of years had taught him anything, it was that things could be fleeting. Not only with the loss of the Dawson's, but when he'd had that stroke.

The waitress returned with a plate piled high with steak and potatoes. It was steaming and smelled absolutely amazing. My mouth watered as it was set on the table, and I unwrapped my knife and fork so that I could dig in.

Out of the corner of my eye, Uncle Drew slid a piece of paper to the waitress. It was like living in some sort of romantic movie. She opened it and giggled before stuffing it into her pocket and walking away. I rolled my eyes before taking a big bite of my dinner.

"Did you just give that girl your number?"

He grinned. "Gotta shoot my shot when I can."

We ate quickly and then paid before leaving. As we climbed back into the truck, my uncle turned to me. "Am I taking you back home, or somewhere else?"

I pulled out my phone and checked to make sure Chase was home. When he gave me the affirmative, I asked to be taken there. It was finally time to see my man.