Summer Secrets - Barbara Freethy [103]
How would she get through the next five minutes, much less the next few hours? There was so much going on in her head. So many things she wanted ... no, needed. The craving started deep in her soul, an itch that couldn't be scratched. She had to do something to stop it. Before she could move, the doorbell rang, followed by a pounding knock and a loud voice that belonged to her oldest sister.
"Would you shut up already?" Caroline snapped as she opened the door. "I'm here. What do you want?"
"I want to come in." Kate walked into the apartment, shutting the door behind her. "I want you to tell me what's going on with you and Mike."
"It's none of your business."
"I'm making it my business."
Caroline flopped down on her secondhand couch. "I'm not in the mood for a lecture."
"I don't care if you're in the mood. Tell me what's going on."
"Nothing."
"Caroline Marie McKenna, you are going to talk to me. I'm not leaving until you do." Kate sat down on the other end of the couch, folding her arms in front of her chest. Caroline knew that stubborn look well. But she preferred this look to one of disappointment, disgust, and embarrassment, which were exactly the expressions she'd see as soon as she told Kate what was really going on.
"I'm an adult, Kate. I can see who I want."
"I don't care how old you are. I'm your sister, and I won't stand by and let you make a huge mistake."
"The mistake was made a long time ago."
"Caroline, I love you. But I'm worried and scared. I love you. I know this guy is up to no good, even if you can't see it."
"Because he has a snake tattoo and wears an earring?"
"No, because he has a criminal record and a history of drunken brawls. I want more for you. I won't apologize for interfering. You need someone to give you a good kick in the butt. And if I have to be the one, I will do it."
"You're so strong," Caroline said wearily. "Where do you get that from? Dad or Mom? Or maybe both of them? Maybe you got everything, and there just wasn't enough to go around for Ashley and me."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about why I never measure up. Why I can't seem to do the right thing. Why I need someone to swoop in and rescue me."
"We all need that at times."
"You never do."
"I've had my share of weak moments, Caroline. You know that better than anyone. You were there for most of them." Kate paused, letting her words remind Caroline of all they'd been through together. "I know something's wrong. I won't leave here until I find out what it is."
"I don't know where to start."
"Start with Mike."
"I've told you a dozen times that Mike is just a friend, and that's what he is -- a friend." As she finished speaking, her stomach rebelled once again, the nausea overwhelming this time. She ran into the bathroom and threw up until she was shaking. Dimly, she was aware of Kate handing her a towel and helping her into the bedroom and into bed.
"Do you want anything? Do you want me to call Dr. Becker?" Kate asked.
"I don't need a pediatrician. I'm grown up," Caroline grumbled.
"He's a family doctor. Maybe you have the flu."
"I don't have the flu, Kate."
"You can't be sure."
"I'm sure."
"Caroline, I don't want to argue, but --"
"Then don't." Caroline put up her hand. "I'm not sick, at least not in the way you think. Don't You get it? Isn't it clear?"
"Oh, my God! You're not pregnant, are you?"
"No, I'm not pregnant," Caroline said in exasperation.
"Then what?"
"I'm an alcoholic, Kate. Your baby sister is a drunk."
Chapter Eighteen
Your baby sister is a drunk.
Kate couldn't believe the words ringing through her head. Yet the evidence was right in front of her. In fact, faced with the actual words, she wondered why she hadn't seen it earlier. Or had she?
"I think I've left you speechless for the first time in your life," Caroline said.
"I knew you drank, but I didn't think