Page 19 of Hopeless
Bar, drink, till.
Bar, drink, till.
Bar, drink, till.
My body knows the motions and the feelings and the pattern so damn well that I can’t escape it.
The river is my reset.
My palm wraps around an offshoot attached to the large log that lies halfway across the river. I grip it and let my body flow back with the icy water.
When I hear the crunching of shoes on pebbles coming from the opposite side of the river, I freeze. I’m fairly hidden, but my heart thunders in my chest at the prospect of being caught. Alone, and in the dark.
I’ve never encountered a single person down here, so, of course, it happens on a night when I’m already jumpy thanks to my shitty brothers.
The world is silent for a few beats as I try to hold my breath. It’s just the soft rush of cool water and the echo of crickets rubbing their legs together.
“Who the fuck is in my river?”
Relief courses through me, and I smile.
Sure, the raspy tone is pissed off, all gravel and steel.
But it’s the voice I’ve come to associate with safety.
And if I had to get caught trespassing naked in a river, I’m glad Beau Eaton is the one to catch me.
6
Beau
Harvey:Checking in on you. You missed another family dinner. Just wanna know you’re okay.
Cade:What Dad is trying to say is that he wants you to stop being a total dickhead and come around now and then.
Willa:What Cade is trying to say is that he misses you and worries about you.
Rhett:What Willa is trying to say is that she thinks you’re the sexiest Eaton brother and misses seeing you around because she’s stuck living with an ogre.
Cade:Get fucked, Rhett.
Summer:Cade, what Rhett is trying to say is that you’d be sexier with long hair.
Winter:Wrong.
Beau:Oh good, the family chat. Also, I agree with Winter.
Summer:We’re just worried about you, Beau. We like having you around.
Beau:Don’t worry. I’m fine. I’ll make the next one.
The giggle that filters back catches me off guard.
“First of all, it’s notyourriver.”
I expected it to be one of those Jansen assholes. But no. It’s their little sister with the wide eyes that stare at me from the other side of the bar. The one who doesn’t take my shit but tolerates my presence. Even when it’s stormy.
One reason I can’t sleep tonight.
