Caught in Us (Caught Series Book 4)

by Kacey Shea

  Caught in Us

  Kacey Shea

  Copyright © 2021 by Kacey Shea

  Caught in Us

  Kacey Shea

  All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect is appreciated. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Editing: Brenda Letendre

  Proofreading: Laura Martinez & Melissa Hake

  Cover Design: Sommer Stein

  Photography: Wander Aguiar

  Cover Models: Dina & Jonny

  Created with Vellum

  Also by Kacey Shea

  Standalones

  One Good Thing

  The Perfect Comeback

  Dirty Dealer

  Firefighters

  Caught in the Flames

  One Hot Night

  Caught in the Lies

  Caught in the Chase

  Caught in Us

  Rock Stars

  Detour

  Derail

  Hinder

  Replay

  Uncovering Love Series

  Uncovering Love

  Uncovering Desire

  Uncovering Hope

  Uncovering Forever

  Dedication

  To Kerry and Vivian,

  I could not have finished this book without your constant support and encouragement.

  Thank you.

  Contents

  Prologue

  1. Chase

  2. Alicia

  3. Alicia

  4. Alicia

  5. Chase

  6. Alicia

  7. Chase

  8. Alicia

  9. Chase

  10. Alicia

  11. Alicia

  12. Chase

  13. Alicia

  14. Alicia

  15. Alicia

  16. Chase

  17. Alicia

  18. Chase

  19. Alicia

  20. Chase

  21. Alicia

  22. Alicia

  23. Chase

  24. Alicia

  25. Chase

  26. Alicia

  27. Chase

  28. Alicia

  29. Chase

  30. Alicia

  31. Chase

  32. Alicia

  33. Chase

  34. Alicia

  35. Alicia

  36. Chase

  37. Alicia

  38. Chase

  39. Alicia

  40. Chase

  Epilogue

  Also by Kacey Shea

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Prologue

  Chase

  It’s a strange sensation, being back in my hometown and not having even one tiny urge to drink. Not that I’m under some false impression this summer has magically cured my alcoholism. That shit’s sticking with me for life. But it’s a nice reprieve to not fight tooth and nail to stay away from the bottle. Facing the past does that.

  Spending this week in Richmond allows me to begin the process of making amends with the people I’ve hurt most. I use the time well, setting myself up for success once the summer is over by connecting with a local AA group and meeting a therapist who specializes in recovery. I visit Maverick every day, and Cam helps me make a plan to talk to Dad about returning to the department at the end of the summer. I doubt I’ll be brought back on as captain, but I’m willing to start from the bottom again and prove my worth.

  Through it all, I think of her.

  Alicia.

  My bright light in the storm.

  By the end of the week, I’m ready to get back to the community center and complete my service hours. I’m dying to see her. To fight for us. By the time Cam drops me off at my uncle’s house at the end of the week, I’m determined.

  “Thank you,” I say and hop from the cab.

  “You want me to come in?” He has to work in the morning. I won’t keep him; besides, we got lots of time together this week and I know he’s dying to get back to Jill.

  “I’m good.” I grab my bag and sling the strap over one shoulder. “I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

  “Sounds good.” He smiles, a real authentic one that’s devoid of worry and stress. It hits me that I haven’t seen my brother smile like this in far too long. My addiction has been rough on him in ways I don’t yet fully understand.

  I walk up the path with a renewed sense of purpose. So much has happened in this place. This summer has been life-changing, and for the better. I’ve become a man I’m proud of. One who’s committed to working on himself. Someone who is a worthy partner.

  I slide my key into the door, turning back to offer my brother a wave before pushing inside. Music—a popular seventies rock ballad—streams over the speaker on the kitchen counter. For a second I think it’s her. That somehow she’s come back and is waiting for me.

  “Hello?” I drop my bag and keys by the door, then walk through the house.

  The doors to the back patio are open and outside my uncle lays out on one of the chairs, his feet propped up on a ledge, skin glistened with sweat, and a beer bottle lifted to his lips.

  “Uncle Rob.” I force the disappointment from my tone. It’s not her. Of course it isn’t. She doesn’t have a key and I still haven’t apologized. Hell, she hasn’t even answered any of my texts. Why would she? Words mean nothing to a fellow addict. We’re good at using them to our advantage. I’m going to have to show her I’m serious about my sobriety with my actions.

  “Chase!” He sits up and reaches for a towel to wipe the sweat from his face. “How are you, kid?”

  “I’m good.” I grin and settle into one of the empty deck chairs. “When’d you get back?”

  “A few days ago.” He takes a swig from his beer. “Had a break between projects so I decided to soak up some of this good weather before hitting the road again.”

  “Where are you off to next?”

  “Japan for three months.”

  “Damn.” I wonder how much time he even spends here. Or if it bothers him. “You really get around.”

  He chuckles. “Yeah. Oh!” He flashes me a grin. “Speaking of that. You had a visitor this week.”

  “Yeah?”

  “A pretty young thing with purple hair.”

  Alicia. I shoot up in my chair. “What did she say? When did she come by?”

  “Oh, you like this one?” He chuckles. “She left something for you.” He pushes to his feet and heads toward the open door. “You want a beer or something?”

  “I’m good.” I can’t help but follow him inside. I have no interest in playing it cool when it comes to Alicia.

  He walks over to the counter, sets his empty bottle down, and riffles through a stack of mail. “Here it is.” He holds out a letter.

  I stare at my name inked in black. Apprehension mixes with excitement for what’s inside.

  “You gonna read it?”

  “Yeah.” I decide against an audience. “I’m gonna drop my bag upstairs first.”

  He nods, his gaze steady and calculated as he takes in my appearance. “You look good, Chase. Your dad said you had a rough start to the summer. I think Kitty Hawk did you well.”

  The understatement of my lifetime.

  As he heads to the fridge, I grab my stuff and race upstairs. I take one of the guest rooms, selecting the one Cam always used to take. I
’m going to miss the top floor and I need to get the rest of my stuff out of my uncle’s bedroom, but that can wait.

  My fingers shake as I tear along the sealed envelope. I can’t imagine what this is. What she has to say. But it’s important. It’s from her.

  I drink up her words like a man starved for water, only they don’t quell my thirst. No, this is the opposite of anything I want to read right now. Everything I’ve visualized all week, gone.

  Dear Chase,

  We promised to always tell the truth, no matter how hard or how much it hurts.

  I never imagined I’d be writing this letter, yet here we are. Your sobriety is important to me, but not at the sake of my own. I can’t go back. I can’t risk my own salvation. Not even for us. Because I’ve lost myself and it was hell getting to this place. If I have to do it again, I’m not sure I’ll survive.

  This last week has been hard. I’m not sure whether you heard, but my father had a stroke. It’s incredibly humbling watching a man I viewed as a superhuman most of my life now struggle to swallow food. It’s made me realize how short life is, how there are no promises, and how now more than ever I have to go after my dreams.

  I’ve been accepted into a Master’s program overseas. It’s my dream program. My application was a long shot, but they want me. I won’t be coming back to Kitty Hawk or Richmond for the foreseeable future. This is what I want. What I’ve spent the last year working for. I have to go. If I don’t, I’ll always regret it.

  Please don’t try and convince me to stay.

  This summer you showed me a side of you I will always treasure. You’re a good man, Chase Matthews. You’re also an addict. I like the person you are when you’re sober, but I refuse to stand by and watch you destroy yourself.

  I can’t be the one to rescue you. You have to save yourself.

  I hope you fight. I hope you prove yourself and everyone wrong. You have so much good to offer to the world and I want you to have a full and joyful life. It’s something we both deserve.

  Alicia

  1

  Chase

  Three years later

  “Hello.” I knock at the back door to my brother’s house. Through the screen door, Cam’s profile comes into view from behind the kitchen counter.

  “Come in!” he shouts over the music playing from their living room.

  I pull open the door and step inside. The aroma of smoked meats and spices causes my stomach to grumble. The counter is filled with vegetables, sliced pork, and roasted chicken—it’s enough for our dinner tonight and his food prep before spending the next two days on shift. My brother is a damn good cook, and staying in his guest house sure has its advantages.

  “I hope you’re hungry.”

  “You know I am.”

  “Good.” He grins before turning his back to retrieve the tray of seasoned potatoes from the oven. “How are things at Station Thirty? Roddy still giving you a hard time for the time off?”

  I chuckle, taking a sip from the insulated water cup I brought over. “Yeah, but I don’t give a shit. You know I wouldn’t miss your wedding for anything.”

  “Thanks again for agreeing to help with all this.” He nods to the living room where it’s been taken over and turned into wedding prep central.

  “Hey, Chase.” Jill emerges from the hallway and lifts her hand in greeting. She pauses to slap Cam’s ass, then steals a bite of food from the counter. “Oh fuck, that’s good,” she says through a mouthful and turns to open the fridge. “What do you guys want to drink?”

  “I’m good.” I lift my water.

  “I’ll take a beer.” Cam’s gaze darts to mine. Uncertainty and apology are clear in his wide-eyed expression. Doesn’t matter how many times I tell him, or how many days sober I am, some moments continue to be filled with uncertainty. I can’t fault him. He cares deeply and doesn’t want to do anything that might make me relapse.

  “You’re good.” I reassure him after Jill hands him a cold one.

  “You ready to be my errand boy for the next eight days?” Jill flashes me a grin.

  “I’m officially on vacation and all yours.”

  She laughs, taking a sip from her own beer and then setting it down on the counter. “You’re probably going to regret that.” She walks past and waves for me to follow her into the living room. “So, I am sure there will be some last-minute adjustments, but I’ve got everything broken down. After dinner we can go over your binder.”

  “Binder?”

  She picks one up with my name printed on the cover.

  “Damn.” I chuckle, accepting the binder that is much heavier than I expect. “You don’t mess around.”

  “I want to enjoy the wedding.” She saunters back toward the kitchen and pulls out a chair at the dining table. “I figure, the less I have to remember to remind you and everyone else, the better. The binders are more for my sanity than anything. Callie was the one to implement the color-coding.”

  I take a seat across the table and chuckle picturing Jill’s best friend—who also happens to be one of my ex-girlfriends—putting all of this together. She always did have a thing for organization. Examining the daily to-do lists, color-coded and tabbed, I let out a long whistle. Damn. It’s gonna be a busy week. Not that I mind. I’d do anything for Jill and my brother. “I’m impressed.”

  “At my organizational skills?” Jill lifts her brows in challenge.

  “No, at the fact you still want to marry my brother.”

  “Hey!” Cam calls from the kitchen counter, his hands covered in mitts as he brings over a steaming platter of food. “Not cool. You’re supposed to be on my side.” He sets the tray on the table.

  “I’m sorry?”

  “No you’re not.” Cam hurdles one of the oven mitts across the table, laughing as it connects with my chest. I pick it up, ready to retaliate, but he dodges behind Jill’s chair knowing I won’t throw it with her in the way. Yes, I might be a tiny bit scared of my future sister-in-law. I abandon the oven mitt and return to flipping through the binder.

  “Be prepared for updates,” Jill warns. “I’ve already had two people cancel and the seating charts are gonna have to be re-done.”

  “Anyone we care about?” Cam asks, filling the table with the rest of the food and retrieving his beer.

  “One of the executives at my office and her husband.” She shrugs and hands me an empty plate. “And your cousin Larry.”

  “I can live with that. Oh! Shit.” Cam’s eyes go wide. “That reminds me.” He rushes to the front room, riffling through a stack of mail. “We got another late RSVP.”

  Jill’s brow furrows. “Who’s it from?”

  “It came with a note from the post office. Apparently, it got re-routed and took the long way here.” He returns with a slight grin and plops it down on the table. “I’m just glad it didn’t get lost.”

  Jill rips open the envelope with more exuberance than I expect for a late RVSP. Cam watches her expectantly, leaning against the counter with the hint of a smile. Something’s up.

  A squeal, part scream, part laughter, bursts from Jill’s mouth. Her lips part with a smile that takes over her entire face as she jumps from her seat.

  I give Cam a look. He must know what this is about.

  “It’s Alicia!” Her voice cracks with emotion. “Fuck! I can’t believe it!” Jill waves the invite and then launches herself into Cam’s arms. “She’s coming to our wedding.”

  What?

  “I thought you might be excited about that.” Cam rubs his hand between her shoulder blades, hugging her close.

  Past memories slam into my mind. I can’t find my breath. My heart drums against my chest as if it’d like to escape. Alicia. Here in Richmond. She’s going to be at the wedding. I can’t decide whether I’m elated or panicked by the idea.

  She’s been gone so long. She essentially cut everyone out, even her best friends, Jill and Callie, after the summer we spent together. Not that anyone knew Alicia and I were togethe
r together.

  I’d almost settled on the idea of never seeing her again. The letter she left for me just over three years ago should have been the closure I needed to move on. Or at least that’s how she likely intended it. I tried reaching out but she never answered my calls and texts. When I found out she’d moved halfway around the Earth, I thought my chance was over.

  I moved on.

  Created my own life. One that didn’t include her. I found love again.

  Only because I gave up.

  I thought I had moved on. But now? Fuck. The feelings expanding my chest speak of hope and longing. Of promises unkept and love that burned with wild abandon.

  “Chase. You okay?” Cam asks.

  I’m frozen, filled with a shock I can’t try to hide. Fuck. I need to say something. Make an excuse. Act like my world hasn’t been rocked by one little RSVP. Because Cam and Jill don’t know about Alicia and me.

  “Fine. I’m great. Just wondering. Is there a plus one?” Fuck. What is wrong with me? In a day or two I’ll get the updated seating chart.

  “Um, yeah.” Jill looks down at the card still gripped in her hands then back at me. She studies my reaction, her interest clear. “Hey. You and Alicia worked at the same community center the summer before she moved, right?” Jill asks the question as if she doesn’t already know the answer.