Page 11 of Out of Bounds

"Well that was fast … faster than I had planned," Hal smiled.

My mouth flies open as I stare at Hal.

"What do you mean, ‘faster than you’d planned’?" At this point, I was beyond confused.

"I knew that you two would be perfect for each other. And I was right."

I look at Hal in bewilderment. The shock of what he’s done hits me hard. "Wait. Did you plan this?"

"Maybe. A little. Oh come on, I did but that wasn't my only reason. I have been thinking about a way to get you both together but it's been tough because we live miles apart from each other. Then I thought about the cabin and it hit me. I waited for the season to be over to make sure you both would come."

I sigh with relief and jab him in the arm. He laughs and I embrace him. I couldn't have dreamed that things would turn out this way at all.

"So, what made him run away from you? You guys fighting already?" Hal says as we continue into the foggy woods.

"He saw this," I say and hand over my phone to Hal with the text display.

"Oh, shit! You told Elizabeth that you slept with Jesse? Liv!”

"It’s all been completely taken out of context. Look at my message.” We stop walking for a second as I open the text thread for Hal to read.

"Oh, I see. Jesse can be a bit of a hot head at times.”

"He didn't even give me a chance to explain."

"He just needs to cool off. He'll be fine. You both will. When we find him, just show him the rest of the messages. You have nothing to hide."

"Thanks, Hal … it looks like his tracks stop here," I say as we get to a fork leading to two paths.

"How about we split up? We'll find him faster that way. If you find him first, just call me okay?"

"Got it," I say and race down the path on the right, keeping my eyes out for any sign of Jesse.

Chapter Seven

Jesse

The storm swirls down flakes around my face and I impatiently beat them away. I just need some time to cool off.

I wish I’d listened to my instincts and refused the interview. I should always listen to my gut, but I was trying to be a good friend to Hal. I guess next time I should just stick to my guns. I just can't believe she fooled me into trusting her. What was I thinking?

I look around to find the path to the hillside but all I can see is white. Perhaps I should go back. I’m still not in the mood to see Olivia right now. But, despite how angry I am, I can't shake how I feel about her. The Olivia I spent the last few days and nights with just doesn't fit into what I saw in that text. Or was it all a lie? It couldn't be. What we shared was too real, too true. A part of me wants to hold on to that, but another part of me can't shake off the thought of her playing me.

“Jesse?” I hear a voice coming from behind me.

“Hal?”

“Thank goodness I found you. Liv has been worried sick.”

“Well she should have thought about that before trying to use me for her own gain.”

“What? She wasn’t using you, man. She fucking loves you bro.”

My ears prick at his words.

“Olivia loves you and she’s looking for you too. Whatever you saw on her phone, you’ve got it all wrong. Come with me, we’ll find Liv and she can explain better than I can.”

Chapter Eight

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