Page 20 of Second Chance Savior

While Ross stumbled into the hall to use the bathroom, I changed my clothes and ran my fingers through my unruly hair. Little help that did, but whatever. I didn’t have anyone to impress here. No school uniform or rules about scuffs on my shoes. Or my father examining me with a critical eye, never satisfied with what he saw.

Funny that the Navy would be much worse about those kinds of expectations, yet I looked forward to it. The challenge of proving myself to my superiors while my own name, history, even my personality faded into the background. It wouldn’t matter where I’d come from. Only what I could do. I’d be giving up my freedom, but it would bemychoice.

Just one more year of high school to get through. And this summer, of course.

Here we were again in Colorado.

My gaze fixed on the wall that separated the boys’ bunk room from Charlie’s. Unlike her sisters, she got a room to herself. She liked to be in charge. Shedefinitelydidn’t want us here.

But guess what, Grumpy Charlie? I didn’t want to be here either.

When I’d been younger, I’d loved these annual trips. Get away from Dad’s demands and my mother’s moodiness? The brattiness and taunts of the kids in our social circle? Sign me up. It had been a long time since Ross and I had anyone at home who cared if we were around. Nonna Sophia and Grandma Ji-woo had passed away years ago.

But now, I was far too old to be shipped off like anuisance. I could’ve been doing my own thing this summer. Could’ve gotten a job and done something useful. But no. Natalia, aka Mom, always insisted that Ross and I visit the McKinleys and spend time in nature like toddlers with too much energy.

Ross returned, scratching his armpit through his T-shirt. “Ready to head down?”

“Yep.” I switched off the light on our way out. My brother led the way down the hall, but I stopped at Charlie’s closed door.

Was she asleep? What did a sixteen-year-old homeschooled girl dream of? Unicorns and glitter? My lips closed on a laugh. I could just imagine Charlie’s indignant expression if I’d said that to her face. Maybe I would.

I had to havesomethingto keep me entertained during this trip.

Ross took a few steps back. “What’s up?” he whispered, glancing from me to Charlie’s door.

I brought my fist to the door and knocked hard.

“River,” my brother hissed.

But her door swung inward under the pressure, revealing an empty room, bed carefully made. She wasn’t there. Huh. I didn’t hear her voice downstairs in the kitchen either. Where was she?

I leaned forward, peering inside.

“What’re you doing?” Ross asked.

“Just gathering intel.”

Of course her room didn’t have a single item out of place. Handmade artwork decorated her walls. I knew some of it was cross-stitch, the same thing her mom made and sold at local markets. These had quotes from female writers and politicians, all stitched in brightly colored thread. That made me smile.

“We should head down.”

“In a sec.” I stepped into the room to see the rest of it. Caught a glimpse of a poster on the other side of the door. It was some cheesy boy band. Like she’d put it there to keep it hidden.Cute. My smile widened.

“You know she’ll kill you if she sees you.”

“She won’t know unless I say something about her unfortunate choice of wall art. Which I will.”

“Why do you have to be such an ass sometimes?” Ross grabbed my arm and tried to yank me back to the hall. He failed. He was only a year younger than me, but he hadn’t caught up to my height or size.

“You don’t have a crush on Grumpy Charlie, do you Ross? Are you afraid I’ll ruin your chance with her?”

“Fuck off,” he muttered. “Charlotte and I are friends. It’s not our fault that you’re miserable. You don’t have to spread it around.”

My smile stayed in place, but it wasn’t real anymore. “What are you talking about? I’m fine. No misery here.”

“Right. Just like Mom and Dad.” Ross stormed off toward the stairs.

The grin dropped from my face. The urge to slam Charlie’s door closed was almost unstoppable.

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