Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
NATALIE
"Alright, Natty Light, let's make some bad decisions."
I rolled my eyes as I tossed back my second shot. I was definitely done after that.
My stomach was rolling. I wasn't sure if it was from the alcohol or watching Sammy drape herself all over Jasper. Either way, I was ready to hurl.
Someone whistled loudly, and I looked up to see it was Elliot. When he passed me sitting on the front porch of Mom's house, he'd practically dragged me to Andy's birthday party. It'd be good for you, he'd said. I wasn't so sure he was right.
Once Elliot and Andy had the party's full attention, Andy began his little spiel for the tournament.
"There are sixteen teams. Sarah is drawing matchups at random now and writing them in the brackets. Check the board for your starting table. Winner takes all. Grab a drink, have fun, and no cheating! "
A chorus of hoots and hollers sounded off as everyone grabbed a drink and found their tables. Elliot and Andy were paired up against Sarah and Tessa Belmonte. I half wished I wasn't playing that round so I could sit back and watch Elliot and Tessa trade barbs. I'd missed their verbal sparring almost as much as I'd missed?—
"You ready, Nat?" Chase asked. "Table four. We're up against Jim and Laurie."
"Let's do it." We made our way to table four, and I gave hugs to our opponents. It was nice seeing everyone, being surrounded by friendly faces who expected nothing more from me than catching up over a few beers and a game of cards.
Games were underway at all eight tables. Chase and I were handing Jim and Laurie their asses, but we frequently paused our game to snicker at the table next to us.
Elliot took a trick and smirked up at Tessa.
"Look at you," she quipped. "Paul Bunyan, finally learning how to play cards." Her lips curled into a mischievous grin as she tapped her perfectly manicured nails against her beer bottle. "Too bad your lumberjack skills won't help you win this hand."
Elliot's jaw tightened the way it always did when Tessa got under his skin.
"At least I don't need daddy's money to fund my hobbies, princess."
Chase snorted beside me, nearly spitting out his beer. "Oh shit, here we go."
Elliot's taunts only seemed to spur Tessa on. She and Sarah 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'm surprised 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's last party," she said with a giggle. "You weren't exactly quiet ."
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.
"You okay?" he leaned against the door, his blue eyes bloodshot and unfocused. A fine sheen of sweat glistened on his forehead.
"Yeah, sorry. I just needed a minute." I gripped the edge of the sink, knuckles white against the porcelain.
"Sammy's a fucking bitch."
A very ladylike snort escaped my throat. "Understatement of the century."
"Don't let her get to you. That's what she wants."
I nodded, and Chase shifted behind me, wrapping his big arms around my shoulders and resting his chin on my hair. He was clammy, and he reeked of booze, but his solid warmth against my back was soothing.
"I'm okay," I said, patting his forearm where it stretched across my chest. "Let's get back out there."
"You got it." He kissed the crown of my head and turned to open the bathroom door, gesturing for me to lead the way.
We headed out through the sliding glass door off the kitchen and onto the deck. Chase detoured toward the bar, pouring himself another shot. "One for the road," he said with a wink .
A chill ran through me as I watched him stumble around. His drinking had escalated since he visited me in college. The past few years had changed him, and not for the better. Maybe his antics just looked more out of place in a sleepy little town gathering than in the midst of a raucous frat party.
"Might wanna slow down on the shots."
"Yes, mom ." He saluted me before bounding down the stairs toward our table.
I took my seat, and the tension was thick as molasses. Until Chase spoke up, of course.
"So, who's ready to lose some money?" He grinned, rubbing his hands together with exaggerated glee.
Sammy sneered. "You're the only one who's going to lose anything tonight, Chase."
Jasper and Sammy took the first trick. When Chase started dealing the next hand, his movements were clumsy. One card flew off the table entirely, and he giggled—actually giggled—as he retrieved it.
Something's really wrong with him tonight.
I glanced over at Jasper. His shoulders lifted in a helpless shrug, but the concern on his face matched my own.
Chase and I went on to lose spectacularly, which was no surprise given his state. When they won the final trick, Sammy jumped from the table and threw herself at Jasper. He rolled his eyes, and when he saw that I'd caught him, he gave me a small smile.
"Well, this was fun, but I think I'm going to head out," I said.
"What? No!" Chase cried. "Stay. Have another shot. "
"I'll pass, and I think you should too. Do you want to walk home with me?"
"Nah, I'm good. See ya later, Natty Light." He kissed me on the cheek and headed back toward the liquor. I watched him go, worry whirling in my gut.
"I'll make sure he gets home," Jasper said, interrupting my thoughts. Sammy was no longer hanging on him, thank god.
"Okay. Good luck with the tournament."
Jasper nodded and gave me that same wistful smile. I hated that things were so awkward between us. But after last night on the porch and seeing him with Sammy, I didn't know where we stood.
In some moments, it felt just like old times.
In others, we were like strangers.