Page 32 of Reclaimed Roots

Chase snorted beside me, nearly spitting out his beer. "Oh shit, here we go."

Elliot's taunts only seemed to spur Tessa on. She andSarah took the next three tricks, winning them the hand and the final game needed to secure the victory in their best of five matchup.

They high-fived while Elliot and Andy sulked. "I'm the birthday boy. You could've let me win."

"Not a chance, big boy," Sarah said with a wink.

"Alright, let's get back to our game," Jim said, pulling our attention back to our own table.

After a few more hands, Chase and I beat out Jim and Laurie in a much more underwhelming fashion. I headed up to the deck to tell Sarah and see who our next matchup was. When I checked the board, a weight dropped into my stomach.

Jasper and Sammy.

"I'msurprised to see you here," Sammy said sweetly.

"Are you? Pretty sure we talked not twenty minutes ago."

She shot me a venomous look and took the seat across from Jasper. I sat between them then twisted to look around the backyard for Chase. He stumbled toward us from the side of the house. At the same moment, I glimpsed a strange figure disappearing in the opposite direction.

When he made it to our table, he plopped down in the chair across from me. He was grinning like a maniac, and his pupils were like saucers.

I shot Jasper a worried look, and he narrowed his eyes at his brother.

"You okay, Chaser?" I asked.

He sniffed and swiped a hand under his nose. "I'm amazing, Natty Light. Let's mop the floor with these fuckers."

"You don't look alright," Sammy said, wrinkling her pretty nose.

Chase scowled and flexed his jaw. "Fuck off, Sammy. Why are you even here?"

"I'm here with Jasper, obviously."

I felt rather than saw Jasper stiffen next to me. "How is that obvious?" he asked.

"Don't be silly, baby. Everyone knows what happened at Andy'slastparty," she said with a giggle. "You weren't exactlyquiet."

My blood ran cold, and I cast my eyes down to the deck of cards in my hand.

"Jesus fucking Christ, Sammy, please stop talking," Jasper gritted out.

Sammy mimed zipping her lips shut.

"Someone fucking deal while we're still young." Chase shifted in his seat and drummed his fingers on the table.

I was shuffling the deck when a hand entered my field of vision. "Here, I'll deal the first hand," Jasper said.

When I looked up, his gaze was tender and apologetic. A flurry of emotions overtook me. Anger. Jealousy. Regret. Longing. It was all too much. I pushed back from the table, knocking my chair to the ground.

"Be right back," I muttered.

"Nat!" I heard Jasper call as I scurried away.Please, god, don't let him chase after me.

I made my way into Andy and Sarah's house, quickly locating the empty bathroom. I locked the door behind me, but I was startled by a knock only seconds later.

"Nat, it's me," Chase said from the other side.

I opened the door just enough to drag him in with me.

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