Page 8 of Heart So Hollow

“A lot of things don’t seem like a good idea at first,” he takes a step toward me, “and then afterward, you kick yourself for almost missing it.”

“The first rule of hiking,” I retort, “is don’t leave the trail.”

He tips up his chin and looks down at me, “I don’t get lost. I do this all day without trails. And you think I’d bring you all the way out here just to let you fall off a cliff?”

“Like you said, I don’t know you.” I arch an eyebrow, throwing his own commentary back at him.

“OK, look,” Bowen nods up at the ridge, “follow me up. I’ll go slow the entire time, and I’ll help you. I promise.”

I shift my gaze back to the rocks, gritting my teeth in reluctance. It’s not safe, and I should just say no. But it does seem kind of…fun.

“You know you want to,” Bowen looks me up and down, “you’re thinking about it.”

I exhale, contemplating. He’s right, I am thinking about it. Then he steps in front of me and brings both his hands up to the sides of my face. I flinch as his unexpected touch sends a jolt from my neck all the way down to my legs.

“I promise,” he murmurs, his face mere inches from mine, “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

I shouldn’t do this. It goes against my entire being. Well, most of it, anyway. There’s a little part of me I try not to acknowledge anymore, but I know it’s there. I’ve spent the last three years trying to ignore it and now it’s creeping back up from the recesses of my brain, clawing and begging for a taste of adrenaline—a rush. And something about Bowen is coaxing it out.

That feeling is what propels me up the rocks, testing the same footholds Bowen uses as he forges a path to the ridgetop. Once at the ledge, he reaches down and pulls me up the last few feet. He’s so strong it feels like my toes just brush the edges of the rocks as he lifts me onto level ground.

Bowen lets go of my hand and turns to explore the rest of the ridge, “You trust me now?”

“So far, so good,” I smile to myself and follow him, listening to the faint flow of water somewhere beneath us.

I kneel behind a thin tree jutting out from the ridge and peer over the edge. There is indeed a waterfall flowing, and I can see it from our new vantage point, whereas it was obscured by trees before. I can’t look away; I’m so mesmerized by the colors and sounds and the feeling of being at the top of the forest where only beautiful things exist.

Focused on the steep drop off the sandstone ridge, I slowly rise from my crouching position and take a step back to turn around.

“HEY!”

I let out a shrill scream as the shout hits my eardrums and something jabs both sides of my rib cage. I crumple in on myself, screaming and thrashing as I nearly drop to the ground. I can’t breathe, all the air forced from my lungs as I’m squeezed around the shoulders by two muscular arms. Once I realize I’m not freefalling off the ridge, I whip my head from side to side, trying to look over my shoulder.

It’s Bowen, and he can barely speak through gasps of laughter. I don’t know whether to be relieved or enraged. He presses my back against his chest and backs further away from the edge of the ridge as I try to catch my breath. I furiously try to twist around, but Bowen knows if he lets go, he’ll probably catch a fist to the jaw. He might be a jerk, but he’s no idiot.

Staggering beneath his hold, I try to tear my arms from his grip but it’s no use, he’s taller and much stronger, “Are you fucking kidding me?” I scream over my shoulder, unable to see him.

“OK, OK, seriously, please don’t hit me!” Bowen tries to stifle his laughter, but to no avail. His breath rushes over my ear, making me shiver, “Can I let you go?”

I’m not dead. That’s a plus. So, I finally relax and stop fighting him enough to catch my breath.

Taking a deep breath, I exhale and with a long blink, “Yes.” I say, almost in a whisper.

Bowen loosens his grip and his arms slowly fall away from me. I run my hands up my cheeks and over my eyes, brushing the loose hair up and away from my forehead. I rest my hands on my hips and slowly turn around. Bowen is standing behind me, his body tilted slightly. He watches me with apprehension, trying to read my expression.

WHAP!

My arm flies up and I backhand his bicep. The crack echoes through the forest as he recoils, erupting in more laughter.

“God damn!” Bowen shakes his arm, backing away from me.

“Have you lost your damn mind?” I seethe.

Bowen goes silent, looking me up and down. I realize my fists are clenched at my waist, squaring off with him, as if I would win any fight. Then again, I have a pure line of adrenaline still running through my blood, so who knows what kind of response that’ll conjure up. But Bowen isn’t looking for a fight.

“I shouldn’t have done that, OK?” His tone is much softer now.

Still, what a dick.

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