From Breath and Ruin, page 3
The other girl shook her head. “Not this time. It’s not for me.” She met my gaze with those piercing blue eyes and didn’t blink. “But soon, I believe. Soon.”
And with that, she turned and walked away without another word. The Luce siblings didn’t look worried about what had just happened, but Emory rolled her eyes.
“No wonder they call her a witch.”
“Be nice,” I whispered. “Stop being so mean.”
“Whatever. I have a thing with my parents tomorrow, so count me out.” Emory looked over at me as if I should say no, as well.
I truly didn’t understand the girl who had once been my closest friend and my first girlfriend. She wasn’t who she once was. But the thing was, I wasn’t either. Maybe that’s why it was good that things were changing as quickly as they were.
“I’m in,” I said quickly.
“Me, too,” Braelynn added.
“What time and where should we meet you?” I ignored Emory standing at my side, trying to push back the little twinge inside me that indicated that this was just one more symbol of the end of an era.
Rosamond clapped her hands. “Oh, yay! I can’t wait.”
Rhodes looked at me, his eyes flashing that silver I thought had to be contacts. “I can’t wait either.”
I bit my lip as they told me the details, and I did my best not to look too excited. Because this wasn’t a date. It wasn’t something that was a new beginning. Not really. It was just a hike, a day out in the mountains, something all Coloradoans did as much as possible—at least the ones who loved nature.
And yet, even as I told myself that, I wondered if it was the truth.
Because this felt different. It felt important.
And for some reason, I didn’t think it was only about the boy with the silver eyes in front of me.
Chapter Four
I wasn’t a good hiker, but I was at least good at trying. Or so I told myself as I searched in my closet for my hiking boots. I had other shoes that would work for the day, but I knew somewhere in the back of my closet buried under my discarded shirts and pants, I had an old pair that I’d used a couple of years ago that were well-worn enough that I wouldn’t end up with blisters.
The last thing I needed was to end up limping around a mountain looking like a dork in front of Rhodes.
Not that today would be about time with Rhodes. He was just going to be there with his sister, the one who had invited Braelynn and me. I hardly knew him. He might be the star of a few of my less drama-filled dreams, but that didn’t mean I actually knew anything about the guy other than the color of his eyes, and the way his voice made me feel.
Really, I only had an inkling of who he was. Like how he was a couple of years older than Rosamond. But I didn’t know where he went to school now, or even if he went to college or a trade school. I knew he must work out a lot since no one had that kind of body if they didn’t at least try to take care of it, but I’d only seen him running in the neighborhood a few times over the past couple of years. I didn’t know his hobbies, what his favorite foods were, or anything else about him outside of how he made me feel when I was near him.
Considering that I hadn’t had that tingly feeling around anyone else, it had to mean something. Or it just meant that I had a giant crush and needed to get over it before I ended up making a total fool of myself and ruined any chance I had with Rhodes. Not that I really thought I had a chance, but I wanted to know more about him and, I had to face the idea that I really liked the tingly feeling he gave me.
Even if all today gave me was a few hours with said tingly feelings before I ended up in college, and he ended up…wherever and we never saw each other again, then it would be worth it.
I grinned in triumph as I pulled out my old hiking boots from beneath a scarf I’d forgotten I owned, and quickly put them on. I wasn’t disorganized, but the back corner of my closet was forever the place that things went to hide—and perhaps never be found again. A shelf had fallen down a year or so ago, and I’d never fixed it. Because of that, it wasn’t the cleanest, but I could close my closet door and pretend it wasn’t there. I’d cleaned the rest of my room earlier today, and since I still lived under my parents’ roof and therefore abided by their rules, I made my bed every day no matter what.
I didn’t know exactly who I’d be or how I’d react to my own room when I lived in a dorm, but I figured I’d still end up making my bed every day. I enjoyed sliding into straightened sheets, and I liked the way my room looked when I didn’t have my comforter in a ball on the floor. Since my dreams tended to make me roll all over the place and I kept sweating through my sheets, it only made sense.
I still didn’t know what I was going to do about the whole roommate situation. The school hadn’t given me a name yet since, apparently, something was still pending. I knew I had a room, I just didn’t know who I shared it with. That meant I didn’t have time to plan how I was going to ease the new person into my endless nightmares and dreams. I could barely handle them myself, and I’d lived with them my whole life.
How was I supposed to let someone else in on that part of myself?
Too bad I hadn’t known Rosamond was going to the same school. If I had, maybe I could have asked to be her roommate. It still would have been awkward, but at least I’d seen her around school and talked to her many times before. She wasn’t a stranger.
This whole growing-up thing and having to make your own choices that could change your destiny wasn’t easy.
With a sigh, I pushed those thoughts out of my head because I needed to get a move on if I was going to meet everyone at the Luces’ to catch a ride to the trail. I didn’t need to think about what-ifs and what-could-bes when all I really needed to think about was trying to have fun before everything changed.
I had an interview at a local café in a couple of days so I could actually get a job with enough hours that I could save some money for school. But, until then, I was going to try and have a summer vacation. I’d just be.
And think about dreamy Rhodes, who I was trying really hard not to think about.
The doorbell rang, and I quickly tightened my ponytail and scurried to the front door. I hadn’t bothered with makeup or anything special with my hair and had lathered on sunscreen, but now I was afraid that I hadn’t tried hard enough with the whole looking-presentable thing.
Braelynn was at the door when I opened it, and she smiled brightly at me, her crossbody bag an older one I knew she’d taken on hikes before.
“Hey! I’m so glad you didn’t go all makeup and glitter for Rhodes.”
I rolled my eyes and let her in. “Am I that obvious?”
“Only because I’ve known you forever. You had those heart eyes. Or maybe unicorn eyes that are all glitter and like, boy-crazy. Rhodes is cute for sure, and that deep voice is something else. I think that’s one reason Emory’s not going, by the way. Not the only reason, because she’s Emory and I’ll never understand her, but she probably saw it, too.”
I winced as I stuffed two water bottles into my backpack. We weren’t going out for long, but the sun was bright, and I needed to stay hydrated, or I’d trip over my own two feet. I knew myself.
“Yeah, I can’t help that. She’s already dated two other girls since we broke up, so it’s not like she’s pining for me.”
“Maybe not, but she also likes to keep you close. She already hates sharing you with me, and in the fall when we all go our separate ways, she’s going to hate it even more. You know Em, she has certain boxes for everyone, and we need to stay there, or she stresses out. I know she’s mean to me sometimes, but I kind of get it. Her parents throw money at her so they don’t have to be there themselves, and in the end, she clings to you because she knows you won’t fight hard to get away.”
I frowned as we walked out of the house and I locked the door behind us. “I don’t know if I like that assessment of who I am to her. I mean, you’re right about her parents and the whole boxes thing. I was the friend, then the girl she liked. Now, I’m permanently in the girl-she-used-to-have box. I’m the ex, yet she needs to be my friend. And I know we won’t be friends forever. I’ve seen the writing on the wall for a while now on that front, and it hurts to think about, but I get it. I don’t know if I like the idea that I don’t fight now, though.”
We turned the corner and headed down the street toward the Luce house. We’d planned to walk there instead of leaving Braelynn’s car at their place. It just didn’t make sense.
“I said that wrong,” Braelynn said. “I don’t think she thinks you’ll fight back because she doesn’t have you in that box. I didn’t mean you won’t.” She paused, and I frowned at her. “She underestimates you.”
“Most people do, yet sometimes, I feel like I earn that.” I shook my head when she gave me a questioning look. We were at the Luces’, and I didn’t have the time or the inclination to explain my weird thoughts about myself. I was in a time of self-discovery or whatever I read on that pamphlet Mom had given me. I just needed to start it. But today on a hike with a boy I liked and the girl I thought I could be friends with during college, as well as my best friend, maybe I could actually start the journey.
Rhodes was outside leaning against his SUV when we walked up to the house. I ignored those tingly feelings inside me once again. Or I tried. He was just a guy. A hot guy with wicked amazing eyes…but a guy.
I’d get over my crush and learn not to be a dork, but today, I could at least imagine what it might be like to get to know him better.
Just today, I promised myself.
Tomorrow, I would do the other things I had on my list when it came to the new Lyric—no matter how many times I had to rub my temples and grit my teeth to do so.
“Hey there,” Rhodes said, his mouth quirking into a smile at the sight of us.
I once again ignored my body’s reaction. This wasn’t the first hot guy I’d seen, and hopefully wouldn’t be the last. Today was about hiking and new friends, not wherever the hell my mind went when it came to Rhodes Luce.
“Hey,” I said, hopefully sounding casual.
“Oh, good, you’re here!” Rosamond skipped out of the house and locked the door, her backpack dangling from her arm. “We’re all packed up, and have sandwiches and other snacks in the cooler in the back. We figured we’d either stuff them into our packs or come back for them after a shorter hike. It’ll depend on how we feel when we get there, I guess. The start to the trail is only about thirty minutes away since we live so close to the foothills. I’m really excited!”
Rosamond’s smile and enthusiasm about the day was contagious, and soon, we were climbing into Rhodes’ SUV. Rosamond slid into the back seat, claiming car sickness, though I always thought sitting in the back made it worse, and Braelynn soon followed her. I found myself sitting in the passenger seat next to Rhodes. He had sunglasses over his eyes, and I missed seeing the color, though I didn’t say that aloud. In fact, I didn’t say much of anything as Rosamond and Braelynn took up most of the conversation. Every once in a while, one of them would say something, and Rhodes would look over at me, smiling as if I were in on the secret, and I’d smile back.
I continued ignoring the warm feelings in my gut. This was nice, though. And crushes were meant to be fun as long as you were careful.
After Emory, I was going to be really careful.
When we got to the place, I found out that the trailhead wasn’t a marked one for the public, but one that only guides and advanced hikers knew about.
“Are you sure it’s okay we park here and take this way?” I asked.
Rhodes nodded as Rosamond and Braelynn talked about what food to bring and what to keep in the SUV.
“We’re fine here. We know the owners of the property since it technically begins on ranch land and goes into public land. They let us hike here as long as we keep it like we see it, and we do. We don’t really bring anyone up with us, you know? So, it stays special.”
He smiled at me, and I swallowed hard. I really needed to get my head out of the clouds when it came to this guy if I wanted to keep from tripping over a rock or something. I should be focused on other things. Having a thing for Rhodes wasn’t going to help me make life choices or stay on track. Or even find a track I wanted. But, I could smile today. Tomorrow, I needed to get my butt in gear.
“Sounds like fun. We aren’t taking an advanced hike, though, right? Because I’m a good runner, but I’m not so good with the whole direction thing.”
“The mountains are always to the west,” Braelynn called out, and I laughed.
“That helps in Denver when we’re driving, not when we’re actually in the mountains.”
Rhodes chuckled. “These are the foothills, actually.” He pointed to a large peak in the distance that seemed a whole lot bigger than I remembered when seeing it from farther away. “That’s a mountain. We’re not actually going there today. Maybe one day if you’re in the mood, but that one we have to start way earlier, and I need to bring camping gear in case the weather shifts. Not today, though, so get that look off your face.” He winked behind his glasses—I could barely see it through the lenses—and I held back a swoon.
Seriously, what was with this guy?
The four of us started off on the trail, Rosamond being our nature guide as she explained where we were going and what trees we saw and all that stuff. I knew most of it already, but she seemed excited to talk about it, so I didn’t interrupt. She led while Braelynn walked behind her. I was behind Braelynn, while Rhodes brought up the rear. Every once in a while, when there was room for two-by-two, Braelynn and Rosamond paired up, and that left me with Rhodes. I wasn’t sure if that was on purpose or not, but I didn’t mind…much.
Only when I tripped over a root, and he had to reach out to catch me.
“Sorry,” I said after the fourth time. “I’m not usually this clumsy.”
“No worries. You’re looking all around you rather than at your feet.”
“There’s so much to see,” I countered. “I don’t want to miss it.”
“I know what you mean.” He still held onto my hand, and I looked down at my feet so I didn’t fall again. The heat of him was distracting. “It’s beautiful for sure.”
I ignored the fact that he was looking at me when he said it. Yes, it was a line, and yes, I totally liked it, but still.
About two hours into our hike, we were just about getting to the point where the Luce siblings said we should stop for lunch. I was thrilled because my stomach was not happy at the moment, and I knew I looked a mess with dirt on my face from rubbing my hands over it through my sweat. I’d put on two more layers of sunscreen during our hike, even though we spent most of the time under the shade of the trees. I couldn’t help but be cautious when it came to my skin and the number of freckles I got.
I stood on the edge of a rock face, the incline far steeper than I remembered from when we’d walked up it. Suddenly, my vision blurred. I blinked, wondering if I’d gotten too much sun, and I heard Rhodes shout for me.
My foot slipped down the embankment, and I reached out to try and stop my fall.
But I knew it would be too late.
I looked down at the ever-growing abyss and swore I saw a shadow wrapped around my foot, pulling me down farther.
It couldn’t be, though, because shadows with spindly hands did not exist.
But girls falling down the mountain because of a loose rock did.
I screamed, but it did nothing.
My head slammed into a rock as I fell, and only Rhodes’ voice reached me, my name a shout on the air as darkness threatened and I succumbed.
I knew this was the end.
My end.
Before I’d even had my beginning.
Chapter Five
Screams.
Not my screams. Not anything that could come from my mouth. I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t be.
Strong hands wrapped around me, pulling me, tugging me.
There were scrapes, someone calling my name, someone else patting at me, touching my head, my arms, my sides.
I could feel it all, and yet, at the same time, I couldn’t feel anything.
I was awake, but I wasn’t. Something tugged at me, but I couldn’t tell what it was, or what or who it could be.
The darkness came again, and I fell once more.
When I was finally able to open my eyes, I groaned, slamming them shut again at the bright light hitting my eyeballs. Bile filled my throat and coated my tongue, and I tried not to throw up.
I couldn’t tell what was happening, but I remembered starting to fall down the incline, and I knew that once I opened my eyes again, it could be bad. Really, really bad.
I could feel someone next to me, their hands hovering over my body as warmth spread through me. I didn’t understand what was going on, and I figured the odd heat flaring through certain parts of me where the hands touched had to be part of some weird dream I would likely forget once I woke up completely.
If I woke up.
No, no…I couldn’t think like that. I would wake up. I had to.
I opened my eyes, and this time, the sun didn’t blind me. Instead, a dark head of hair, the softest brown skin, and silver eyes filled my vision.
Rhodes.
Either I’d died and this was my heaven, or I was waking up, and he was there for me.
I didn’t think I’d hurt this bad if it were heaven, though, so I had to hope that he was here to help after my fall.
“Lyric? Keep your eyes open for me, baby. That’s it.”
Baby? How hard did I hit my head? Surely I was imagining Rhodes’ deep croon of a voice calling me baby.
I tried to swallow, wincing at the sour taste on my tongue and the papery feel of my mouth. “What…what happened?”
I focused on Rhodes’ face, trying to get my bearings as the world slowly stopped spinning around me so I could see better.
“You’re going to be okay,” Rhodes said softly, his eyes narrowed.
