Page 35 of Broken Trust

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We splash our way toward the bathroom.

The floor squishes beneath our boots. The drywall is soaked. The baseboards are already swelling.

Bryce crouches behind the toilet. Then mutters the exact thing I’m thinking. “Shit.”

“That’s what I said.”

He reaches behind the tank. “The supply line completely burst.”

“Yep. I shut down the well pump and the hot water heater,” I tell him.

He stands.

Water drips from his jeans.

“Well, nothing we can do about it tonight. We’re gonna need a plumber and probably an electrician.”

I groan.

“An electrician?” Charli repeats.

Bryce glances behind me to where she is standing in the doorway. “Yeah. The water reached the outlets.”

I look toward the wall.

Damn.

He’s right.

Several outlets sit partially submerged.

“Wonderful,” I groan.

“Then we’ll need a restoration company,” Bryce continues. “They’ll need to dry all the wood out and address the water damage. Treat everything for mildew and mold.”

I drag a hand down my face. “Great.”

Bryce snorts.

“Look on the bright side,” Charli chirps.

Both our eyes go to her.

“There’s a bright side?” Bryce asks.

“At least Axle caught it before everything inside floated away. We can save the furniture and appliances.”

He gives her a small smile. “I guess that’s a bright side.”

We head back outside.

At least out here, everything isn’t soaked.

Charli folds her arms. “Okay.”

I don’t like her tone.

“You’ve got three options.”

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