What Lies Beneath (Count on Me Series #7) by Melyssa Winchester Page B

topics.
    “So after we get back from visiting Sam, I’m going to love you and leave you.”
    “Why?”
    “Mom called while you were in the shower. She needs someone to look after Tristan.”
    Well, this is different. It’s not exactly the first time Belle has had to watch her brother since she moved in with me, but it is pretty rare. Usually when they’re together it’s because she’s the one wanting time with him and not because her mom needs help.
    If there was ever a parent that needed a break, it’s definitely Grace Reagan.
    Glad she’s finally taking it.
    “What’s going on?”
    “She’s got a date?”
    “Say what?”
    “Yeah. That’s what I said when she told me.” Belle laughs. “It blew my mind.”
    “That’s a good thing, right?”
    “A great thing. She’s been alone for too long.”
    We don’t really talk about Belle’s dad. The same way I am about my own piece of shit father, she seems to be with her old man. It’s not a topic that comes up, unless it’s in passing. All I know for sure is that my girl made the choice years ago to distance herself from him for everyone’s sake and hasn’t looked back since.
    “Alright, well why don’t you just bring him over here when we get back? It’s been awhile since he’s been over.”
    “I thought about it, but didn’t want to push.” She admits softly and her words are like a punch to my gut. No matter what way I look at them, it all comes back on me.
    Tristan’s lack of trust in me and my episode last night. They’re causing her to react in ways she shouldn’t have to.
    “Belle, if this is about last—”
    “It’s not.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “I’m positive.”
    “Then bring him over. Unless you just want to spend time alone with him. I’m good either way. You know how I feel about him.”
    “I do.” She agrees. “I also know he feels the same.”
    Jury is still out on that . I disagree silently. Choosing instead to smile and accept her lips on mine before she busies herself making another tea. This one in her go mug.
    Looks like Sammy’s not the only one I’ve got to get on my knees and beg forgiveness from today.
    I’ve gotta figure out how to earn Tristan’s too.
     
    *****
     
    “Is that him?” Belle asks, tapping me on the shoulder before pointing out the window at the guy crossing the street in front of the car.
    Taking him in the closer he gets to the car as he passes and catching the familiar freckles that Belle spoke of when we first got into it, I swallow the lump in my throat and nod.
    “Yeah, it’s him.”
    Hearing the pop of the seatbelt as she unclicks, she slips it off her and before I can call out and stop her, she’s pushing the door back and stepping out.
    Crap.
    I was hoping for a few extra minutes to get my shit together, but apparently that was asking too much.
    Looks like this is happening now.
    Making quick work of the belt, I get out of the car, slamming the door shut right at the moment she calls out to the man now climbing the stairs to head into the house.
    “Sammy!”
    Watching as the boy I once knew tenses and turns slowly around to face us, I reach out to take her hand, but she slips just out of my reach and makes her way toward him.
    “Samuel.” I hear him reply evenly when I finally move to catch up. “No one calls me Sammy anymore.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry. Samuel.” Belle apologizes and with that simple move, just like she does with every person she’s been around, his shoulders relax and the faintest trace of a smile appears.
    “It’s alright. I’m sorry. You seem to know my name, but I don’t know yours. Do we know each other?”
    I could step in right now and take it from here, but before I can so much as get the words straight in my head, Belle is at it again.
    “We did.” She tells him. “Before. My name is Isabelle.”
    “Belle?” Samuel asks as recognition dawns in his eyes. All traces of his earlier reaction erased and the soft look I remember him having when