Page 7 of Promise Me Never

I hate this question because the answer hurts. They just didn’t want me to go along with them. I asked, and they said they were looking forward to reconnecting. Too bad they’ve never wanted to be connected to me.

“I just decided a change of scenery would be great after working so hard at school the past two years. If I had stayed in LA, I would have just taken classes and kept going at the same pace. I need a little break.”

I look over at Luke quickly, just a glance. His gaze is pointed in the direction of Hayes Peak. I’m torn between relief and a tiny bit of offense that he seemingly couldn’t care less about what I’m saying.

“You’ll definitely be living slower here,” Sam says, drawing my attention back to him. His brown eyes are warm and friendly as they move over my face. He’s actually pretty cute, maybe I’ll put him at the top of the list of prospects.

“You should come out with us tonight.” Colton pops a grape into his mouth and bites down around a flirty smile. “We can introduce you to everyone worth knowing around here and steer you clear of the ones you shouldn’t hang with.”

Luke snorts derisively. “I’m sure she’s not going to want to spend the night at Bugsy’s Tavern surrounded by a bunch of idiots.”

“Actually I’d love that.” I turn my head and meet his scowl with a sweet smile.

“Perfect.” Sam jumps to his feet and offers a hand to help me up. He and Colton start packing all our lunch wrappers up and putting them away in a sealed Ziploc.

“I’m going to do one last walk of the fence.” Luke walks off before anyone can reply.

Neither Colton nor Sam seem put off by his personality, so I have to assume it’s not just me. He must always be like this regardless of who’s around. I turn around and peer through the trees toward the pond.

My curiosity is piqued enough to begin walking toward it. As soon as I’m surrounded by the forest, I hear the distinct burble of water over rocks. I only have to travel another ten yards until the trees open up to the pond. Snowmelt feeds the pond through a stream leading from the mountain peak above down to the rocky valley.

I find a boulder to scramble up onto and take in the majestic sight before me. The serenity and beauty are enough to bring tears to my eyes. I can only imagine how much more beautiful it will be in a month or so when all the wildflowers erupt from the ground.

A gust of wind blows several hairs loose from my braid as clouds roll in. I shiver and wrap my arms around my chest. The flannel I tossed on this morning is not cutting it without the warmth of the sun.

I hear my name called in the distance and hop down from my perch. Just as I land, a rock rolls out from under me. I try to catch myself but slip again and fall sideways onto another boulder. My head cracks against the granite. I don’t lose consciousness, but the pain leaves me breathless for a few seconds.

Blood rolls down from my temple into my right eye. I try to wipe it away but notice my palm is also bleeding in the process so now I’m twice as bloody. I hear my name being called closer, and unfortunately I know the voice yelling it.

This is going to be so embarrassing. Maybe if I close my eyes hard enough I’ll just melt into the rocks. I shut them and count to ten, but opening them is all I need to do to know that it didn’t work.

I push to my feet and walk carefully back down the trail toward the field. I keep my hand pressed over the gash in my forehead watching Luke’s reaction carefully.

He blanches as he looks up, going from his standard look of annoyance to worry in the blink of an eye. He races the rest of the way to me, his eyes scanning the rest of my body with concern.

“What happened?” he asks gently as he wraps his hand around my wrist.

“I fell on some loose rock. It’s just a little cut.” I hold my hand firmly in place, so painfully embarrassed. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

“Let me see, okay?” His tone is much gentler than I would have thought possible. He crouches down so we’re eye level, his glacial blue eyes bounce back and forth between mine.

Tears prick my eyes because his compassion is so unexpected. It overwhelms me. I was always the kid cleaning her own scrapes after falling off my bike or from the tree in the backyard. It’s not that I think my parents didn’t care, they just weren’t there.

“Okay.” I nod as the first tear rolls freely down my cheek. I slowly lower my hand and blanch when I see it covered in blood. “Fuck.”

He steadies me when I start to sway.

“Don’t pass out,” he barks the order sternly. His tone is harsh, but it works as my eyes go from unfocused to looking at him. He yanks a handkerchief out of his back pocket and presses it to my forehead. “Can you walk?”

“All signs point to that being a questionable skill of mine.”

The corner of his mouth quirks up for a split second. Maybe I imagined it. I did suffer a head injury after all.

“Good point.”

Before I can even come up with a reply, he scoops me up into his arms and starts striding back through the copse of trees. I hold his handkerchief to my forehead as the world continues to swim around me.

“Hey, hey.” He jostles me gently in his arms. “Don’t pass out on me. You could have a concussion.”

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