Dissolve by Andrea Heltsley Page A

she was white as a sheet.
     
    “He is telling the truth. He just forgot about everything after he was drugged. I think you both know what that means. He has some sort of ability he has yet to discover.”
     
    “That means we need to keep ours on the down-low until he figures it out. We can’t afford to freak him out and have him running around by himself now,” I said.
     
    “Nessa, will you take him to the beach? Cora can come with me to see that my brother is okay and get the taillight fixed. Then we can meet you at the beach later,” Noah suggested.
     
    “That sounds like a solid plan. I can read his mind so it isn’t like he can catch me off guard,” Nessa replied.
     
    The water in the shower turned to a trickle then came to a stop. An eerie silence settled over the room as we all waited for Shane to come out. When he did, we let out a collective breath.
     
    He was wearing a pair of Noah’s sweatpants and a Mizzou tiger’s tee. It didn’t exactly look like his style but would work for now none the less. He dried his shaggy blonde hair with his towel and knocked the dirt of his shoes over the tub before putting them back on.
     
    “It is dawn now so we can head out if you all are ready,” Noah said.
     
    “Let us just change and then we will be ready,” I replied handing Nessa her swimsuit and cover up.
     
    I opted for jeans and a tee since I wouldn’t hit the beach for a while but managed to put my swim suit on underneath for later. When we were finished, I tucked our dirty clothes back in the bag and closed it.
     
    “We need a thrift shop and a laundry mat soon. These clothes are starting to smell,” I commented as I crinkled my nose.
     
    “Agreed, I smell like a sweaty sock,” Noah confessed.
     
    I took one last look around before shutting the door and herding everyone to the mustang. Nessa drove as usual and we put the boys in the back together. Then we pulled onto the highway and into the morning sun.
     
    The sun was rising and illuminating the palm trees. The beaches were full of early morning beach combers looking for the perfect sea shells. It was early enough that the traffic was just beginning to start up, yet not congested. I counted the cars that rolled by in silence, not sure what to say. We passed a sign signaling sixty miles to Sarasota and I finally felt relief. We were getting close.
     
    We went through to a truck stop on the highway and I was relieved to see a Starbucks in the window. I was craving the taste of a creamy vanilla latte. I hopped out in a hurry to get my coffee, and I just about forgot everyone else.
     
    “Does anyone want anything from Starbucks?” I asked.
     
    “A Venti drip coffee with cream if you don’t mind,” Shane said.
     
    “I want something too, I will go with you,” Nessa said as she pulled her door open and headed around the car to join me.
     
    The guys didn’t argue and I was relieved. I missed time with just Nessa and it seemed now days it was few and far between. I bumped her shoulder and gave her a weak smile.
     
    “Thanks for going in with me,” I told her.
     
    “No problem, there is too much testosterone in the car without you. I am outnumbered. Besides, coffee sounds perfect,” Nessa said as she got in line for our drinks.
     
    When we reached the register, I let Nessa order. She already knew what I wanted and had Shane’s order as well. “I need a Venti drip coffee with room for cream, a Venti vanilla latte and an iced Venti caramel macchiato please.”
     
    A few minutes later, Nessa was paying and we were waiting at the other end of the counter for our drinks.
     
    “A Venti vanilla latte for Nessa, an iced Venti caramel macchiato for Nessa and a Venti drip with room for cream for Nessa,” the barista called.
     
    We grabbed our drinks and Nessa poured creamer into Shane’s drip coffee before we headed out the door and into the warm daylight. When we got back to the car, Shane grabbed his and began to sip on it