Losing Ansley (Coming Home Series) by Nicole Abrams

Author:Nicole Abrams [Abrams, Nicole]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-21T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

ANSLEY

LINCOLN AND I are sitting on Dylan's balcony. All of us awkwardly staring at each other. We decided to do this before Lincoln drove back home today. I sip at my coffee, unsure how to start, but I've had enough of the silence.

"What do you want to know, Dylan?" I question, and his eyes volley between Lincoln and me.

"What happened that day? You don't have to tell me the details, but no one talked about it. I know Ivy drowned, and you almost drowned, and Lincoln was able to save you." I exchange a look with Lincoln before squeezing my eyes shut.

"Ivy and I were jumping off the two big rocks into the lake. She jumped off and never came back up. So I jumped in, and I could feel her but couldn't get her to come up. I kept screaming for help and pulling at her. I finally realized it was because her foot was stuck between the rocks, so I tried to swim down to get her foot out. The next thing I knew, I was in the car being taken to the hospital." I say it all robotically because it's the only way I can. I open my eyes again, and Dylan stares at me in horror while Lincoln has detached.

This is how we used to handle things but not anymore. I want to sit in Lincoln's lap, but it's still weird, even if Dylan does know. So, I sit next to him and grab his hand. Life returns to his eyes, and he brings my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles. He takes a deep breath and tells his side of it.

"I heard Ansley screaming. So I ran to the water as fast as I could. She must have gotten Ivy's foot loose because I didn't have a hard time getting Ivy out. I grabbed Ansley first and threw her up on the rock. I wasn't sure if she was okay, but when I got Ivy. Well, I knew." Lincoln states, and a sob catches in my throat. Lincoln runs his finger up my arm, and Dylan watches us with a hand over his mouth.

"After that, I wasn't allowed to step foot in the Holloway house again," I tell him, and Dylan tilts his head in confusion.

"You always hung out in Lincoln's room with us," Dylan states, and I huff.

"Yeah, because I'd climb the terrace and crawl through the window." I remind him, and Dylan rubs his jaw like he's thinking back.

"I never realized that's why you did that." He admits, and I shrug.

"Yeah. And if you and dad went to one of your football games or something, mom would usually leave me home by myself. At the same time, she'd see Ms. Holloway, and I hated being home alone. So, I'd hang out in Lincoln's room even if he wasn't there. He always kept his window open for me." Lincoln's hand tightens around mine.

"As I got older and started talking back, mom would grab me, scream at me, and leave bruises on my arms.

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