Page 71 of Tide and Seek

“It’s almost over,” Royce whispered as we stood near the railing.“We’ll just stay a little longer.Were you going to try and talk to James like C.J.wanted?”

“God, I don’t know.I don’t want to.”

“I know.”His gaze was understanding.“She might be right though.He might actually listen to you.He cares what you think, Max.”

I sighed, glancing around.“I don’t even know where he is.He seems to be avoiding me now.”

Before Royce could respond, Luke suddenly stood up from his table, swaying slightly.His face was pale and covered with a sheen of sweat despite the cool ocean breeze.

“Luke, honey, are you okay?”C.J.appeared beside him, her hostess instincts clearly activated.

“I’m fine,” Luke mumbled, but his hands were visibly trembling as he set down his plate.“Just need some air.”

“You’re already outside,” C.J.pointed out, moving closer with obvious concern.

Luke looked around as if just realizing where he was.“Right.”He sat back down heavily, running his hands through his hair repeatedly.

I caught Royce’s eye and saw my own concern reflected there.“I think he’s going through withdrawal,” I said softly.“He’s exhibiting textbook symptoms: sweating, shaking, he’s disoriented.”

“Yes.”

C.J.gently patted Luke’s bony shoulder.“Luke, honey, maybe you should head home and get some rest.”

“Can’t,” Luke said quickly, a note of panic entering his voice.“Can’t go home right now.There’s...people might be...I just can’t.”

It hadn’t been obvious at first, but I could now see there was a dusky smudge under his eye, like the remnants of a black eye.Had Ethan clocked him with a punch I hadn’t seen the other day when they’d been arguing out on the beach?

“People might be what?”James asked, coming up behind C.J.

Luke’s eyes darted around the deck as if checking for threats.“Nothing.Forget it.I’m fine.”

But he wasn’t fine, and everyone could see it.

“Luke, I’ll walk you home,” C.J.said firmly, “I’m worried about—”

“I said I’m fine,” Luke snapped, then immediately looked embarrassed.“Sorry.Sorry, C.J.I’m just...tired.I’m really sorry.I’ll be quiet.I’ll just sit here.Don’t make me go home, okay?”

“Okay, okay.”C.J.gave a worried glance in our direction.

I couldn’t ignore her silent plea and I moved over to where Luke was.I took the chair across from him, and when he looked up at me, I gave what I hoped was a reassuring smile.

“You’re going through withdrawals, aren’t you, Luke?”

Luke blinked at me.“Says who?”

“Says me.I’ve seen it enough times to know.”I hesitated.“If you want to get clean, you should probably do it in a clinic where they can keep an eye on you and keep you safe.”

He scowled.“I’m not trying to get clean.I’ve just had a little trouble getting… what I need lately, that’s all.And I’m not going to some damn rehab, so don’t even think about trying to force me into that.”

“Of course not,” I said.“But I would like to make sure you’re okay.”I turned to C.J.“Do you have a small flashlight?”

“A flashlight?”She knitted her brows in confusion.

“I’d like to check Luke over to be sure he’s not in any immediate danger.”

“Oh.Yes, I’ll go get it.”She hurried off.

I turned back to Luke.“Is that okay with you, Luke?Will you let me make sure you’re not in any danger?”