Page 143 of Unleashed

As I hiked, I met a few other brave souls venturing along the trail. It was comforting to know I wasn’t the only one crazy enough to do this in cold weather. My destination for the night was a small hostel, Collier’s Rock and Rest. It was nothing fancy—just a large white house with a few rooms and hot water—but at this point, it might as well have been a five-star hotel.

By the time I reached the hostel, my muscles ached, and a blister had formed on my right foot. I winced with every step, but the thought of a hot shower kept me moving. Fifty-two dollars a night was a steal for a warm bed and a private bath. I usually bypassed Collier’s in the summer, but now, I craved their lumpy mattresses and the warmth of the boisterous dining room.

As soon as I checked in, I headed straight for the shower. The hot water felt like salvation, cascading over me as I leaned against the tiled wall. I closed my eyes and let the steam work its magic, loosening the tension in my body. When I finally stepped out, wrapped in a white towel, I felt human again.

Dinner was served promptly at five-thirty—hearty beef stew with freshly baked sourdough bread. I chuckled to myself, remembering I had eaten beef stew the night before as well. Still, the hot meal was welcome, and I joined the small group of hikers, listening as they shared stories of the trail. After a half hour and several stifled yawns, I excused myself. Exhaustion was setting in.

Back in my room, I called my parents first, assuring them I was alive and in one piece. Then I dialed Erika.

"How goes it?" she asked, her voice bright despite the distance.

"It’s okay. I’m exhausted, though." I rubbed my temple, feeling the weight of the day pressing down.

"Kincaid, you’re nuts. Why the hell would you willingly go out in the cold like that?" She laughed, but I could hear the concern in her tone.

"You know why," I sighed. "We talked about this when I was packing."

"Yeah, yeah. You needed time to think. So, has any clarity hit you yet?"

"No," I admitted, feeling a wave of frustration. "I still can’t make a decision."

"It should be easy. Slade cheated on you!" Erika’s voice sharpened with annoyance.

"I don’t know that, Erika. He said he didn’t, and without proof?—"

She cut me off. "Come on, wake up! Do I need to catch him in the act and send you the video?"

"I love you, but I can’t rule him out just because of a suspicion," I whispered, my voice strained.

"Michael’s twisting in the wind, Kincaid. What the hell did you tell him?"

"What do you mean?" I frowned, the pit in my stomach deepening.

"He called Lincoln the night you left. He was drunk, rambling about having you in his bed. Please tell me you didn’t—" She paused, and I braced myself. "You didn’t sleep with him again, did you?"

I swallowed hard. "I did."

A string of curses flew from her mouth. "You’re a fucking idiot! Why would you do that?"

"Because I love him too!" I shot back, my voice breaking.

"Michael’s a wreck! Lincoln had to go over there, dump all his whiskey down the drain, and put him to bed. He’s torn up!"

"I don’t want to hear this right now," I muttered, closing my eyes against the guilt that surged in waves.

"You need to! You’re not thinking clearly, and someone’s life is falling apart because of it. Michael’s going to be my brother-in-law. I don’t want him miserable."

"I know, Erika. That’s why I’m out here—to think."

"Then do it," she snapped. "And make a decision already."

"I am," I said through gritted teeth. "I have to go. Parlor games in ten minutes."

"Where are you?"

"Collier’s."

"I thought you didn’t stay at that place."

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