Chapter 7 Austin #2
I took a steadying breath. “I’m an adult now, and my failed marriage and alcoholism taught me that I need to make my own decisions and take responsibility for my actions.
That’s why we’re having this conversation today.
This isn’t going to get fixed overnight—it’s going to take a hell of a lot more work and a lot more conversations.
When you helped me with the money, getting me into rehab—that’s the kind of relationship I want from you. ”
I lifted my head and squared my shoulders.
“What won’t work is asking me to come back here and then keeping me in the dark about critical things that affect my health and my life.
It’s my job and my responsibility to take control over my own health.
But if you both keep treating me like a child who doesn’t know better, then you’re not giving me the foundation I need to stand on my own. ”
“I know. I see that now.”
I nodded. “I need to figure out this insurance issue. Having access to mental healthcare is crucial for me and my addiction. I’ll start looking into options, but if either of you knows of any programs or resources, I’d appreciate the support—since I’ve been away from this state for so long.”
My mom nodded quickly, “I can do that. I’ll ask around the café. Maybe I can even hire you—”
“Please, stop pitying me. I want to do this on my own, but—”
“He needs our support.” Ledger cut in. “Not our judgment or micromanagement. Just . . . support.”
I glanced between the two of them, feeling the shift. Maybe, for the first time, we were actually starting to understand each other.
Ledger sighed heavily. “I’m sorry, Austin.
I haven’t been what you needed—supportive.
I know I have a lot to make up for, and the last thing I ever wanted was for you to feel left out.
I know actions speak louder than words, so I’m hoping that by hiring you and being there for you as you navigate all this, I can start to make things right.
” He paused, his expression filled with sincerity.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t do more about the insurance situation.
I should’ve been upfront. I’ll talk to HR tomorrow, see if they have any thoughts or resources that could help you.
It’s not much, but I want to do everything I can. ”
It wasn’t a fix, but it was a start. I looked at the half-eaten food on the table but wasn’t hungry. “I, uh, do you guys mind if I take a walk down to the lake for a bit?”
The beaches in the suburbs were usually closed, but if I was going to break any rules, it might as well be to ground myself in the sand. I missed the water hitting a shoreline.
“Are you okay? I can come with you? We can continue this conver—”
Ledger wrapped his arms around my mom and gave her a squeeze. “I think he wants to go alone.”
“Yeah. I just—”
“It’s heavy.” Ledger finished for me.
“It is.” I paused, shifting my gaze between them. “I’ll be back to grab my car and then I’ll see you in the morning at camp if y’all are sleeping.”
My mom wrapped her arms around Ledger. “I’ll ask at the café tomorrow, Austin.”
“Thanks, Mom. Tell Evie I said I’ll see her tomorrow.”
“I’ll make sure she knows you’re the one picking her up.”
I smiled as I grabbed keys from the counter and my shoes and headed out the door. They lived a couple miles from the lakefront, but the walk was going to be nice.
The sun had set, painting the sky in soft pinks and purples, like cotton candy spread across the horizon. I walked down the narrow path between the houses. A cool breeze rustled the leaves, and the sounds of the streets faded as I got closer to the lakeshore.
The neighborhood eventually opened up to the water, where the lake shimmered with the last bits of daylight. It felt calm, a stillness I needed after the chaos of the day.
The conversation with my mom and Ledger had been painful—like ripping open a wound I’d tried to ignore for years. Yet, in that pain, there was a sense of relief too.
I hadn’t solved the main issue because my lack of health insurance was still a problem. The way Ledger and my mom responded made me feel like we were finally getting somewhere, like they understood the gravity of what I was dealing with. It wasn’t a solution, but it was a small step forward.
I had walked to a grassy park where a large sign told me the beach below wasn’t open, but as I looked out and didn’t see anyone below, I wanted to take a dip. Touch my feet to the sand.
I slipped off my shoes and left them at the top of the stairs before climbing over the low fence.
I made it down to the shore, pausing to take in my surroundings.
It was deserted as I headed toward the shoreline.
I sat on the sand and realized how much I missed California.
It was so safe out there. There were people, a community, and safety surrounding me.
There were also a lot of ways to slip, but there—
A huge splash in the water took me out of my thoughts, and I looked up, immediately wondering what the hell kind of fish would make that loud of a noise.
That’s when, through the night sky, I saw someone running into the water. Even though Lake Michigan was a lake, there were gnarly riptides, so any locals knew that if you were going to go in at night, it was best to bring a buddy with you in case you happened to run into one.
“Hello?”
I stood from the sand, making my way to the person splashing in the water. They had to be on something, drunk or on drugs, because there was no way someone was this fearless and laughing alone.
“Are you okay?” It was a silly question because clearly they were fine in the moment, but—
As I moved closer, I glanced down and noticed a dress tossed carelessly onto the sand. Leaning down, I spotted the bright yellow lace thong half buried in the sand. It was impossible to miss—vivid, even in the moonlight.
Looking back at the water, I saw the person splashing and twirling in the waves, completely absorbed in her own world.
As I took another step, it hit me—she was completely naked.
Her blonde hair looked like spun gold, catching the moonlight as she moved gracefully, her figure illuminated against the dark backdrop of the lake.
“You should be careful out there,” I called out, averting my gaze to give her privacy.
I waited for a response but none came. Just the gentle sound of waves.
I turned around and caught sight of her again, her hands lifted high above her head, but that was about all I could make out.
She’d gotten pretty far out—far enough that she looked like a tiny speck against the moonlit waves.
I squinted, trying to figure out if she was laughing or moving with the water, but she was too far away now.
“Are you okay?”
She was drifting farther, and I couldn’t hear her laughter anymore. It was like she was slipping farther into the darkness.
I stood there, debating my next move. Did I keep an eye on her and hope she came back? Did I call the police and risk looking like an idiot if she was just taking a midnight swim?
The silence felt heavy, and my heartbeat picked up, thudding in my chest. I glanced toward the lake, and she kept drifting farther out. My eyes flicked back and forth between the dark water and the clothes on the shore, my gut telling me something wasn’t right.
“Fuck it.”
I stripped down to my boxer briefs, the cold night air biting at my skin as I stepped into the water. The waves lapped gently, but thankfully, no sign of a rip current.
“Miss,” I shouted, but there was no response.
I took a deep breath and dove into the cold lake water, kicking hard. My arms burned, the urgency pushing me forward.
The darkness of the lake made it impossible to tell how far she’d drifted or if I was close enough to reach her. Every time I lifted my head, I squinted into the shadows, searching for any sign to let me know she was still out there.
It felt like it took hours, but finally, I saw her, a blur of movement. I popped my head up, bracing myself for the worst, but instead of flailing or panicking, she was laughing, kicking joyfully in the water.
Relief flooded me for a split second, but it was immediately replaced by anger. I couldn’t believe I’d swum out here, half expecting to pull her from the water. I paused, checking again—no rip current.
I pushed forward, coming up behind her, my voice sharp. “What are you fucking doing out here?”
She squealed, spinning around, splashing water at me like I was the Loch Ness monster and swimming away.
I yelled after her, frustration sharp in my voice, “I thought you were drowning.”
She stopped swimming and popped back up. I followed her, finding my footing in the sand. We must have been on a sandbar because we were both standing in the water . . . which meant . . .
“I’m naked, you perv,” she shouted, leaping off the sandbar into the water, disappearing until only her shoulders and head were visible.
Despite the moonlight making it hard to see her clearly, I caught sight of her golden hair cascading down her back and the curves of her figure right before she jumped. My body responded instinctively, my dick twitching at the sight.
“I wasn’t fucking looking.”
She squealed, splashing water in my direction. “Oh my god, it’s you.”