Page 36 of Hear Me Roar

“To make some new memories. I’ve never been to an all pebble beach before.” Heshrugged.

Neither had I. The thought behind his intention was sweet, too, and at this point, anything that would take me away from this nagging feeling was welcome. Plus, it was probably one of the only times we would have to be alone. That is, of course, if Maya didn’t come withus.

“I’ll be ready in five,” I said with a soft smile before padding out of our room to where Maya was, across the smallhallway.

The door was slightly cracked open, prompting me toknock.

“Come in,” her voice rangout.

Poking my head in, I found her unpacking her dufflebag.

“You know we’re only here three days,right?”

She nodded, hooking a shoulder. “I hate living out of a bag. OCD and allthat.”

“I can relate, trust me. Listen, Knox and I are gonna head down to the beach. Wannacome?”

“I’ll pass. I can’t remember the last time I traveled so much. I’m actually kindatired.”

I knew that feeling all too well. “It’s definitely not for everyone, and to think that’s all I did with The Underground. So glad it’s a different story this timearound.”

Maya plopped down on the bed with a yellow sundress in hand. “My dad probably loved that, though, huh? All the traveling. When my mom was still alive, he’d promised her they’d travel the world once I had gone off tocollege.”

I stood there motionless, completely taken aback by her question. It was the first time she’d really brought him up since coming to stay with us, and I didn’t know whether to roll with it or deviate to something else. I decided now was the best time to test thewaters...

“Yeah, he did; at first, anyway. After two years or so, I think it started taking a toll onhim.”

“You think that’s where his heart attack stemmed from?” She glanced up to where I stood, not so far away. “The constanttravel?”

“I think it played a role in it, yes, but I don’t believe it was the primaryreason.”

With a solemn nod, she laid her dress out on the bed and smoothed it out. “Thank you for loving him so much, Hazel. I’m not sure how you two found each other, but I’m thankful he had you when I failedhim.”

“You didn’t fail him, Maya.” I sighed and dropped down at the opposite end of the bed. “You were young, in love, and Dimitri blinded you with promises of a beautiful happily everafter.”

“I was stupid, is what I was. Dad tried warning me more than once and I fought him every step of the way. I even called him crazy before Dimitri and I finally left to NewYork.”

“We all make mistakes,” I pointedout.

“Some more thanothers.”

“True… But for what it’s worth, he’d forgivenyou.”

She scoffed and turned her head away. “You thinkso?”

“I know so. He was worried but work kept himbusy.”

“He was still worriedaft-”

Knock,knock.

Maya’s mouth was popped open we both turned our heads to thedoor.

Knox poked his head in, but kept his eyes trained on me. “Ready?” heasked.

Nodding, I rose to my feet and watched as he and Maya simply regarded one another with indiscernible expressions. No words were exchanged, not even a quirk of their lips, and although the vibe wasn’t hostile, it wasn’t pleasant either. I had it in my right mind to ask him what had him so wound up, once and forall.

But did I really want to know theanswer?

---