A New Hope (The Second Chance Series Book 2) by Christina Escue Page B

close again. When I tried to pull away he grabbed me and told me that if I didn’t stop being a baby he was going to dump me and find a real woman.” Callie stopped talking when sobs overtook her.
    “Callie, you need to talk to your mom and dad. I know how much you care about Chase and if he’s drinking he needs help. I’m sure that`s the change you’ve been seeing in him. Until that day at the movies, has he made any kind of sexual advances toward you?”
    “Well, no. I wonder if he’d been drinking that day. I also wonder why I can’t smell it on him.”
    “Mind if I offer some advice?” Kiara asked from the desk chair.
    “Umm..sure. Go ahead.” Callie answered.
    “I dated a guy when I was fifteen who had a problem with alcohol. When he wasn’t drinking he was loving and attentive. He always put me first and never complained about hanging out with my friends or doing what I wanted. When he was drinking he was different. He talked down to me and made me doubt myself. He threatened the same thing Chase did and I gave in. I gave myself to him and two weeks later he broke up with me. A week after that he was drinking with his friends and they stole a car. He was driving and it was raining. They were on a coastal road and he lost control of the car. All five of them were killed. I still blame myself for their deaths. If I had just told someone about his drinking, if I had just taken that step instead of hoping it would go away, he and all of his friends may still be alive. Please don’t make the same mistake I did.”
    Callie and Karla sat there in silence for a minute before they both got up and walked to Kiara. “You aren’t responsible for his choices.” Karla told her sister.
    “Kiara, I know we don’t know each other, but I feel as if I do know you because Karla has told us all about you. Thank you for sharing that with us. I know I need to tell someone, but I’m afraid that I’ll lose him if I do.”
    “Callie, would you rather lose him as a boyfriend and a friend or live with the fact that you chose to ignore a problem and something happened to him?” Kiara asked her.
    “You’re right. I can live without him being my friend, but I don’t think I could live with it if he got hurt in any way. Thank you for coming with Karla today.”
    “She’s my sister and you’re her friend. I’m just glad I could help some.”
    “You’ve helped a lot. Thank you.” Callie told her. “Now I need to tell Conner and my parents what’s going on. Do you two want to come with me?”
    Karla wrapped her in a hug and said, “We’re here and we aren’t leaving until we get something worked out.”
    “I love you, Karla. I know I have a sister, but you and Rylee are more like my sisters than she is.”
    “I love you too, Callie. Now let’s go talk to your mom and dad. We’ll be beside you every step of the way. I promise.”
    Callie wiped her eyes, took a deep breath and opened her bedroom door. Together they walked downstairs and told her parents everything.     

Chapter Twenty-Three
     
    After Kiara and Karla got back to the house Karla told Leslie, Andrew, Elliot and Manuel what was going on. Andrew immediately called Dr. Newberry to see if he needed someone to go with him to talk to Chase’s dad. When he immediately agreed they decided on a time. They wanted to wait for Chase’s dad to get home. They didn’t really know his dad, but they knew he was a successful criminal defense attorney and that he worked long hours, just like they did.
    “When are you going?” Karla asked as soon as Andrew hung up the phone.
    “Tomorrow morning. We’re hoping to catch him at home, before he goes in to the firm. We’re also hoping Chase is there too.”
    “Ok. Can I ride with you to stay with Callie while you go?”
    “You could, but Callie, Conner and Rylee are all coming over here in just a few minutes. Rylee finally made it home and went straight to Callie’s.”
    “Are they planning on staying