Chapter 35
Chat asked if they could go to the movie theater room. He said he was hot and tired and it was his favorite place in the house.
Danika was surprised, but as they pushed inside the secret door, entered the windowless room, and settled into the recliners,
she relaxed, too. It was as if they were closed off from the world.
They didn’t speak at first; the only sound was the AC humming above. Eventually, Chat cleared his throat.
“Before you say anything, I want to tell you the full story. You deserve to know the truth, to understand what really happened
with Trey.”
Danika leaned back and closed her eyes, listening carefully as he relayed everything he had learned. It wasn’t until he got
to the part about Joshua Mike meeting Trey the day after the accident that she felt sick.
“Why didn’t he tell me?” she whispered. “That Josh Mike was on the boat? That he took that money?”
Chat ran a hand down the back of his neck. “I think he felt too guilty. Once he took the money, he realized he was complicit.
He was scared, and ashamed. He was a dumb nineteen-year-old.”
Danika’s heart lurched—she’d loved that dumb nineteen-year-old—before her mind kicked into gear. She remembered how rich they’d felt that year after receiving Trey’s hockey signing bonus. Now she realized most of it had been from Joshua Mike. She’d bought a dress for their wedding with that money.
Finally, his guilt made sense. Finally, she understood.
“Did he know who I was?” Danika suddenly asked. “Joshua Mike? All this time? Is that why he’d never leave me alone?” Hearing
her words aloud, she realized it was true.
Chat looked ashamed. “He helped Trey with the visa and everything. He wanted Trey settled and far away. So, yeah, he probably
knew who you were.”
Danika sank deeper into the chair. She hadn’t known it was possible to hate Josh Mike more.
“But, Danika.” Chat glanced at her through the dim room. “For what it’s worth, I know Trey still cares about you. He’s never
gotten over you, any of it.”
Danika’s stomach flipped at the thought of Trey thinking about her—a feeling like an old high school crush, which was also
how she’d felt after first seeing Chat’s photo, his application.
“Does he know you’re here?”
Chat stretched his arms over his head, letting them hang off the top of the recliner.
“I never told him, or my parents. I knew they’d tell me not to come to Aldon Lakes and stir things up. I wanted to see if
I could help before I said anything.”
Danika felt another swirl in her stomach as she imagined Chat telling everything to Trey. There were so many emotions now
piling up inside her, she didn’t know where to focus. But it was time; she had to confess, too.
“You know, Chat. I knew all along. I knew who you were from the start.”
Chat turned to her, propping up on one elbow. His face remained still until he lifted half his mouth in a smile.
“I wondered. At the luau, when Augie said Trey was my uncle, you didn’t react. Of everything, that didn’t seem to surprise
you. I had no idea before, though. I kind of feel like an idiot. Here I thought I was so smooth.”
Danika couldn’t help it then. It all felt so outrageous, she laughed. She laughed so hard she couldn’t stop.
“Okay, I know you and Trey aren’t exactly twins.” She caught her breath; Chat was laughing now, too. “But come on, you look
like him. Act like him. And your name—of course I knew. How many Chats are there? You know we’ve met before.”
Chat gripped the recliner’s armrests. “Are you sure? I feel like I would have remembered you. Even as a kid.”
“Well, it was only once. Trey, your dad, you know . . . But yes, it was Halloween one year. You were about eight. Trey and
I came to hand out candy while you all went trick-or-treating. You were dressed like—”
“Buzz Lightyear?” Chat sat higher.
“You do remember.”
“I remember those photos—that was the only year my parents dressed up together. They were . . .”
“Woody and Jessie.”
Danika and Chat studied each other. Smiled.
“Well, damn. I just figured that if you did know who I was, you never would have wanted me around. You never would have hired me in the first place. Trey said it ended
badly, and you acted so normal and nice, I assumed you didn’t have a clue.”
“I’m glad you thought I was acting normal.” Danika crossed her arms, hugging herself. “I was so nervous the first time I called.
I worried you knew who I was. Bunch of liars we are, huh?”
“White liars, I’d say.” They sat in companionable silence for a moment, letting the relief of the last ten minutes settle.
“I do want you to know, though,” he said, lower, “everything I said in that interview was true. I really do love kids. I really
did need a summer job. My friend really was a manny. And I really did have a good summer with you. I wasn’t trying to be dishonest.
I appreciated getting to know you. All you shared with me.”
“I had a good summer with you, too, Chat.”
“And, you know, Trey will want to talk to you. Once I tell him everything, I know he will. He’s never wanted to intrude on
your life, but he misses you.”
Danika felt as if she were hovering outside her body, listening to everything unfold. Yesterday, she’d sensed her life was
about to change, but she’d never expected this.
“He’s still teaching English, by the way. He’s a director at that program he started with after hockey. He’s doing well. I’ll
let him tell you about it.”
Danika softened, a peace coming over her.
“Chat, I—” she finally said. “I also have to apologize. About . . . Augie.” She forced out the words. “For overreacting this
summer. It wasn’t fair and I, well, I apologize.”
Danika sensed Chat’s surprise.
“I know it’s embarrassing,” she continued, equally surprised by her admission, “but I felt threatened by her. I was afraid
to lose you. To lose you . . . too.”
Chat paused, but then reached out between them, opening his palm, and once again, like at the model home, they held hands.
This time, she squeezed once and let go.
“I guess what I’m trying to say is”—she swung her voice—“is that of course you don’t have to come to Hilton Head, if that trip is even still happening. You should stay here with her. If there’s anything else I can do to make it right, please tell me.”
A second later, Chat suddenly sat up. He said he did have one small favor to ask.
“Have you ever been to Noelle’s?”