Page 49 of Entwined Hearts

“Who’s your partner?” he asks.

I take a deep breath. “Jake.”

A long pause where I can hear the whirr of cars passing on the busy thoroughfare a block away and the sound of someone’s sprinkler. I frown—we’re not allowed to use sprinklers because of the water shortage, and I wonder which neighbor is breaking the rules.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Colby shake his head. Then he turns the ignition.

The hot evening air sticks to my throat as Colby pulls away from the curb. “Have you been climbing?” I ask to break the silence.

“Some,” he says. After turning onto the main street, he accelerates, laying one hand on the windowsill while his other relaxes on the wheel.

“You’re moving, right?” he asks. “How’s that going?”

“Okay.” With every box, I find more of Jake’s stuff. Little things like a bookmark he left in his bedside table drawer, a movie ticket stub tucked under a book, a raincoat hidden inside the layers on the coatrack.

I’m wearing the bracelet Jake gave me. I don’t know why I put it on tonight. Is it because I’ll be seeing him soon? Or because he agreed to pair with me on Widow’s Walk? I tell myself not to read any more into the excitement in his voice. He needs a partner and knows I can perform, end of story.It doesn’t mean he wants you back, a voice inside my head says.

“When do you leave for the Valley?”

“Sunday,” I say. “That should give me enough time to move out and get my gear ready.”

“Well, if you need any help, let me know.”

“There’s not much left to move.”

He shrugs like it’s not a big deal. “Well, I’ll be around this weekend, so let me know.”

I shoot him a look. “Where are you staying?”

“My truck,” he says easily.

A slow burn of heat rises in my chest when I remember riding Colby on the bed behind us.

I wonder if Colby is in town to climb with Kabir, or if it’s something else.

Someone else.

I remember that girl he brought to Kabir’s party. What was her name? Samantha?

The strip of bars and shops comes into view. Soon, we’re pulling into the parking lot one row away from Kabir’s Subaru.

“You have a list of songs you’re gonna sing?” Colby asks, his half-smile crooked, almost playful. It’s a smile that makes me believe things I shouldn’t.

I shake my head. “I’m just here for the peanuts.”

“Aw, come on, Anya,” he says. “I was counting on you for “Love Shack”.”

I gulp because “Love Shack” would be a perfect nickname for Colby’s bed on wheels. “I’m not here to sing,” I say firmly, giving him a hard stare.

He winks, and I realize he’s teasing.

Inside, the bar is loud, but not smoky like all the casinos. The purple lighting makes it hard to see. After we find our friends and order beers, soda water for me, Colby is the first to volunteer to sing. The minute he’s gone, Marisa turns to Kabir.

“Nice move,” she hisses.

His deep brown eyes go wide. “What’s up?”

“Inviting Colby here without asking Anya first.”

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