Summer Secrets - Barbara Freethy [64]
Oh, what did it matter? Her life was falling apart.
She couldn't believe her father wanted them to race again. She couldn't believe that K.C. had somehow been involved with her mother. What was that all about? Was it a lie? Or something more? And did she really want to know?
She had to get away. The walls were closing in. Just like before, during that terrible storm, when she'd seen the water slipping in under the door. She'd had the terrible feeling they were already underwater. She wouldn't be able to get out. She wouldn't be able to breathe. She'd die slowly, suffocating, the way she was suffocating now.
"Ashley -- open up." She heard a male voice and a pounding on the door. The voice brought her back to reality, and she ran out of her bedroom before the memories could come back.
Sean was at the door. Her jaw dropped in shock. "What are you doing here?"
"I want to know what happened," he said, his eyes determined.
"About what? Are you talking about K.C.? He just showed up with the Moon Dancer. My father wants to race him, and he wants me onboard. It's crazy. I don't know what's happening. Everything is changing."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Ashley stared at him. "K.C."
"I didn't come here to talk about K.C., but about Jeremy. I'm talking about my brother, and that little bombshell you dropped last night."
It seemed like a million years ago since she had spoken to Sean. Had it only been last night?
"You said you kissed him." Sean planted his hands on his hips. "I want to know why and when and all the rest. So start talking."
"I don't have time," she said, making a quick decision.
"Make time."
"I can't. I'm leaving." She walked into the bedroom and began emptying her drawers into the duffel bag.
"Where are you going?" Sean asked from the doorway.
"Away."
"Why?"
"You always have so many questions for me," she said, pushing her hair out of her face.
"And you never have any answers."
Sean crossed the room as she yanked open another dresser. "Stop it, would you?" He grabbed her by the arm. "Stop packing and talk to me. I want to know what happened between you and my brother. And why you decided to tell me now."
"Let go of me." She tried to free her arm, but he held on tight, so tight she felt trapped. Acute panic set in. "Let go!" she yelled. "I have to get out of here." She finally yanked her arm free.
"Ashley, wait! Where are you going?"
"I don't know." She tossed more clothes into the bag, some falling on the floor, some on the bed, but she didn't care. "I have to get out before I lose what little is left of my mind. If you care at all for me, you'll help me."
"Ash, I don't know what you want me to do."
What did she want him to do? She drew in a deep breath, forcing herself to think. She knew the last ferry had already left the island. If she wanted to leave Castleton, she needed a boat. "I want you to take me to the mainland."
His jaw dropped. "You're willing to get on my boat?"
"I just said that, didn't I?" But could she get on his boat? It was dark now. The water would be black. She wouldn't be able to see the horizon or where she was going.
Sean gave her an uncertain look. "Maybe you should talk to someone, call Kate or Caroline. You're obviously upset about something."
"Upset? You think I'm upset?" Was that her voice screeching like a maniac? It must be, because Sean was staring at her like she'd gone over the edge. "I'm sorry. I can't do this anymore. It's too much for me." She felt overwhelmed, exhausted, terrified, and almost wished she could cry to release some of the tension, but her eyes were dry. Her tear ducts as empty as everything else.
"Look, I don't understand half of what you said before, but just take it easy, okay? Don't do anything rash. There's always tomorrow, if