Page 1 of Meet Me in the Valley
Prologue
LOGAN
THEN
A reckless, selfish question rips through my mind, even as my lungs shriek for oxygen and the edges of my vision start to blur.
What if I don’t come up to the surface?
What if I stay here, submerged underneath the frigid water, until my body surrenders to the pain and gives way?
It’s easier to imagine myself sinking further and further down into the inky water until my back hits the earthy muck. Gritty and slimy between my fingers and toes.
All the noise would stop if I’m under here. It’s almost like I can erase bad memories. Memories I wish would leave my mind forever.
I focus on the pulse in my ears, a steadybum bum, bum bum. Then Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You” plays a perfect soundtrack to my proverbial, slow descent to the bottom, where I don’t have to face reality. I don’t have to faceheranymore.
She left you. She’s gone. You don’t mat?—
“Hey!”
My eyes fly open at the sudden intrusion, blinking rapidly until I make out the dark outline of someone hovering over me. Even upside down, the dim light from the rickety wooden dock I’m lying on doesn’t hide her faint scowl and long dark hair.
I rip my earbuds out, pausing my music to see who the mystery girl is that tore me from my decrepit thoughts. Perhaps I should thank her. It was getting a bit morbid in there.
I sit up, turning my body to face her. She has one eyebrow raised in question, arms crossed over her chest with her hip popped out as if I’m the one who rudely interrupted her night of deranged dreaming.
She’s pretty. Really pretty. Straight, long onyx hair, cat-like eyes that regard me with annoyance—cute. Slender and athletic, she’s got the kind of figure you notice without meaning to—her shirt riding up just enough to reveal a toned stomach, those jean shorts hugging legs that look like they’ve put in serious time at the gym or on a running trail.
We stay in this stare off for a couple beats when I realize I know her.
“Tia?”
“Yeah. Want to tell me why you’re here in my spot, Logan Harper?”
I let out a chuckle, clearly amused by the bite in her tone. I make no moves to stand, keeping my spot on the edge of the dock as the moon beams like a spotlight over the quiet lake.
Her spot?
I didn’t think anyone would come out here. Especially this late at night. Even though it’s summer and sophomore year is over, I figured kids our age are out at some random party or sneaking off through vineyards drinking and smoking weed.
I suppose I’d be one of those kids, but not tonight. Tonight, it’s me, myself, and I on Mr. Torren’s private property.
Well, me—and now, Tia Young.
“Your spot, huh? I’ve been coming to Torren’s property since the seventh grade. I’ve never seen you here before. How’d you even find out about it?”
Mr. Torren is an old-timer, a local favorite in our hometown of Oakwood Valley. His family property is massive. A couple hundred acres. This lake isn’t huge, but it’s been a place of solace for me in the valley for a long time.
“Mr. Torren is a good friend of mine. He always comes to the diner every Sunday morning when I’m working. He lets me come here whenever I want to…”
“Escape?”
There’s a shimmer in her eyes, widening ever so slightly as I finish her sentence for her. I know that look. She’s broken, too. Not sure why, but I won’t be the one to make it worse for her. Tia nods, a flash of vulnerability crossing her face.
“There’s room for two on this dock,” I say with a smirk, patting the space next to me.
I see a hint of a smile on her lips, and I don’t know why that sends a comforting warmth through me. Taking my invitation, Tia lowers herself next to me, our legs swinging in time over the edge of the dock. My lonely night becomes more interesting by the minute. I know Tia Young, but I don’tknowTia Young.
