Page 206 of Always Love You More

I could just climb out.

Escape.

Why didn’t I think of that before now?

I rush over to the window, seeing Jameson and Billy running up the lawn. Just as I push it open, they disappear out of view.

“I know you fucking took ’em!” Carson continues to rant. He just keeps repeating the same thing over and over again, like he’s completely losing it.

I stand still in the space between the door and the window, not knowing what to do.

Suddenly, Carson goes quiet. I move closer to the door, hearing shuffling on the other side.

Something hits the wall before Carson starts back up again, but this time he’s not talking to me.

“Who do you think you are coming into my house?” he spits. “This is none of your fucking business.”

Jameson.I sag forward.He’s talking to Jameson.

“Baby.” I hear his voice against the door. “Open up.”

I shove the dresser aside, letting him in and slipping my gaze into the hall to find Billy standing over Carson’s slumped body.

Jameson crowds me, pushing the door shut behind him, his hands coming to either side of my face. “You okay?”

I nod.

“What happened?”

“His pills …” I answer. “He … he thinks I took his pills. But I didn’t. Jamie, I didn’t take them.”

“I know, baby. I believe you.”

“He wanted me to help him look for them, and I tried, but he …” I shake my head. “I don’t know … He … he just lost it.”

I don’t mention the fact that he chased after me or the bruise that’s surely forming on my knee. I can tell Jameson is barely holding it together as it is, and I just need to get out of here.

I need to get Cathleen and Jace out of here.

“My sister”—I swallow—“and the baby. They … they should still be in the bathroom.”

Jameson nods. “We’ll get ’em out.”

He steps back, grabbing my hand, watching me with a question in his eyes, asking if I’m ready to go out there.

I dip my chin, which is all he needs before he pulls open the door and moves into the hall.

Cathleen is standing in the bathroom doorway with Jace, who’s wrapped in a towel, in her arms. He’s quieted down, but he’s still fussing, his face buried against her chest.

Her eyes catch mine for just a second before they shift to Carson. She inches back into the bathroom. I follow her gaze and see him pushing up onto his feet.

He flails his finger in front of him, pointing it in my direction. “This is all your fault.” He shakes. “If you didn’t take my fucking pills …” He steps forward, and Billy moves with him. “Look at what you did to Jace.” He raises a hand to his face. “And this. You called your fucking dogs and had me jumped. Just give them back! I know you—”

“She didn’t take your goddam pills,” Jameson mutters. “She isn’t like you.”

I drop my eyes to the floor, embarrassed by the situation. Embarrassed by my fucking life.

Carson laughs, pulling my attention back to him.