Page 112 of Somewhere We Belong

“Ok, keep telling yourself that,” she said, getting her own things. “I know we don’t talk much, but I’m always here.”

“Thanks, Stacie,” I said, appreciating her being so sweet.

“I’m sure having three boyfriends, and a daughter is hard,” she said with a cheeky grin.

I laughed. “I will neither deny nor confirm.”

“Oh, come on, at least give a girl something good to think about.” She waggled her eyebrows.

“If one ever tires out you have two more to keep you company,” I said, attempting to keep a straight face.

Stacie’s eyes lit up and I knew it was enough to quench her thirst for gossip.

“Well, shit. Go home and rest, stretch and drink lots of water,” she chuckled. “But I’m serious, if you ever need anything, just let me know.”

“Thanks, Stacie,” I grabbed my things. “Have a good weekend.”

She waved as I left.

The air was a lot crisper than when I had arrived, and when a gust of wind hit me, it was downright freezing. This was a lot colder than what the forecast had said this morning. I tossed my things into Atlas’ car, that I had yet to give back because it was so much better than my car.

Four missed calls and ten text messages.

My heart dropped.

Colt: Call me.

I dropped my phone trying to dial his number and as I tried again my hands started to shake.

“Nova,” Colt said, and I knew immediately something had happened.

“What happened?” My voice shook.

He took a deep breath. “Can you come to the fire station, that's where they are having us all meet.”

“Colt, tell me something cause I’m thinking the worst.” I took a shaky breath in.

“All I know is they lost contact with them, and they haven’t returned,” he sighed.

“Oh god, Colt.” I cried.

“Come to the station or I can go get you,” he said, his voice gruff.

“I’m on my way,” I said, hanging up before he responded.

The fire station was just down the road, but it felt like an eternity to get there as my mind thought of every scenario I could think of. The worst being where I lost the three of them. The fire station had a few more cars than usual outside as I spotted Colt’s car. I ran towards the door, and it opened, revealing Jude. We stared at each other for a beat before we embraced each other.

“Tell me something, anything,” I cried.

“We haven’t heard from them since two and there was an accident on the freeway behind the mountain that triggered an avalanche,” he said, squeezing me tight. “We don't have confirmation it hit them or that they were anywhere near there.”

“Fuck,” I cried into his chest, holding onto him tightly.

The door opened and we looked to see Colt in the doorway.

“Cielo.” His voice cracked, and I pulled him into our hug.

We didn’t speak for a while until someone called for Jude and Colt led me inside the station to a few moms who were also waiting for news. I had never been particularly close to any of them, but we all hugged. We tried to stay positive but our eyes said it all. We were fucking terrified.

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