Page 88 of Point of No Return

“Awfully considerate,” I mumble toward Aleks. His mouth is already chock-full of chips, and I shake my head as I unwrap the food she made. It looks surprisingly delicious.

Aleks props an arm against the table as he wolfs down more food. I’m careful not to startle her as I walk and sit on the towel beside her, still a safe distance away.

“You boys sure you don’t want the last day to yourselves?” Charlie says, looking out over the river.

“I didn’t think I bored you that much,” Aleks swallows another mouthful.

Considering they spent most of the morning arguing about which adaptation of a movie is better? I’d say neither of them was bored.

“I think a swim sounds nice though,” he adds.

She hums in response, and we’re all fairly quiet as we eat. The wind is gentle, tugging the ends of my hair as I finish my last few bites. It’s hard not to keep watching her. She leans back, letting the sun warm her skin, and her curls brush down her shoulders. She almost looks content, happy.

“Are you getting in?” Aleks tugs off his shirt, asking no one in particular. He glances at Charlie and smiles before jumping in and splashing us both.

She hisses, yanking her feet back up and scooting further from the edge as he dives under the water, swimming away.

“He seems to be getting back to normal again,” she’s saying in my direction.

Though she’s no longer smiling, there’s no sign of a frown on her face. She just absently presses her thumb against the two jagged cuts on her foot.

It’s still bothering her after yesterday.

I shrug, watching as Aleks swims to the other side of the river. “We used to come here when he was a kid.”

“It reminds him of your mother,” she whispers. “Lorelai.” For the first time, my heart doesn’t still at the mention of her. I watch Charlie for a long time before I nod, wondering if she sees the same things in Aleks that I do. “So, what happens when we get back?”

I raise a brow at her. “What do you mean?”

“Even you are different at Viserion.” She narrows her eyes at me. “You think things will be like they are here?”

My brows furrow. I haven’t really considered what will happen when we get back, but I can only hope that things get better.

“What changes, Charlie?” She scoffs, not looking at me, and I sit up, leaning toward her. “There’s something I’m missing here.”

“He’s not happyhere, Skar. He’s happy because he’s with you. You are quite literally the only thing he has left. This week has meant so much to him because you’re here.”

“I-” I’m at a loss for words, and the longer I look at her, the more confused I become. “I’m trying. There’s only so many vacations I can take.”

She shakes her head again, her eyes growing distant, cold. “You are more a Benenati than you will ever know.”

What the hell does that mean?

I frown, shaking my head. “I don’t understand.”

“There is more to life than work and duty, Skar.”

Something about the way she says it has my muscles clenching. It’s not an accusation. It’s not even a question. Just clear-cut, brutal honesty.

“You mean like family.” I say, and she stills like I’ve slapped her just before Aleks reappears in front of us. Her frown melts into a smile.

“I haven’t seen you swim once. Get in. It feels nice!”

She smiles sweetly, jutting her chin toward me. “Maybe you should ask Skar to. He could use a good waterlogging.”

I shake my head, a grin cracking at my mouth as I look at her, but I can see that she’s smiling too. “Such a smartass.”

By the time it happens, I’m too late to stop it. Her hands have shoved me off the dock, and I’m falling. But while she’s quick on the draw, I latch onto her, dragging her into the water with me. And then it’s just cold. We’re underwater, and Charlotte’s latching on to me like a vice.

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