Page 86 of This Blood That Binds Us
“Yeah, that’s him.” Aaron’s voice was cold.
“What do we do?” I muttered. My heart started beating faster as I remembered the night before.
William turned around and spotted us. He smiled nonchalantly and waved at our group.
“Oh. He is definitely following you, huh?” Presley’s voice was concerned. “Isn’t that the guy you were dancing with at the formal?”
“Who is following you?!” Chelsea’s face lit up with excitement.
“Uh . . . yeah, he turned into a stalker.”
The words came out awkwardly, the simplest definition I could muster.
“Stay behind me,” Aaron said.
“Uh oh, someone’s getting protective.” Presley snickered.
Luke and Zach huddled in closer, shielding me from my surroundings.
Aaron propelled forward, and Chelsea stayed closer to the back of the group.
I struggled to keep pace as we pushed forward indefinitely. Just when I thought my life couldn’t have been more complicated, William had to show up.
“What the hellare you doing here?” Aaron’s voice echoed in the canyon walls. He stopped in front of William with a straight spine. William and Aaron were virtually the same height, but Aaron had a slightly smaller build. That didn’t stop him from getting in William’s face.
“Oh, hello, I just noticed you guys over there.” William peeked behind Aaron to speak to me. “Traveling with the pack today, I see.”
He was tossing around a coin between his fingers. His lingering accent was long gone. He was back to hiding and playing the role of a regular college student.
“Yeah, you could say that.” I forced a smile.
I was thankful Chelsea was there. Things might have gotten a little messy if she wasn’t.
“Are you following Kimberly?” Luke said.
“Why would I do that? You must be Aaron’s brother, Luke. I’ve heard so much about you.” The smug smile never faded from William’s face.
I watched Luke’s face closely. I wanted him to remember what happened on the stairs, but after a few seconds, I gave up on that hope.
“From who?” Zach studied him.
“Come on, you’re holding up the line!” a random guy from behind yelled.
I hadn’t noticed, but we were standing right in front of the entrance booth.
“Oh, don’t worry. I already paid for them.” William held up the passes and flailed them in the air. “Here, keep the change.” He took the coin and flicked it toward Aaron with his thumb.
In the blink of an eye, Zach grabbed the coin before it reached Aaron’s face. He held it tightly in his fist before letting it drop. His shoulders grew stiff, and his frame moved to protect Aaron. I couldn’t see his face, but the tension grew.
Luke placed his hand on Aaron’s shoulder. “Come on, Aaron—Zach, let’s go inside.”
William’s smile grew, and his eyes darted between the three. Aaron grunted but let his brother push him forward and away from the booth. Zach loosened his stance but kept his eyes firmly on William.
We entered the park, and I nearly stopped in awe. I had seen the mountain but not like that. A lush enclosure towered above, casting shade over us in front of the walking area. The canyon walls surrounded us on both sides. Somehow, the park was wedged right between the entrance of the canyon. As the walls expanded, so did the park. There was tall iron fencing stretching along the border that disappeared into the trees.
We followed the walking trail and stopped in front of a large tree. Vines wrapped around its trunk and covered it in little pinkand white flowers. A division forked the trail, and we huddled at its crossing. I could finally get a good look at William. His hair was smoothed back, and he had on dark long sleeves and black board shorts that displayed the university swim logo in big white letters.
William’s dark eyes ran through me. “I think camping is this way.”
