Page 201 of Beyond the Blue Horizon
I guess I’d never been so good at facing my problems.
But these were the kind of problems that were insurmountable.
And the only battle tactic I knew was running from them.
I stumbled forward and dropped to my knees so I could drag the suitcase out from where I had it stored underneath, frantic as I tossed it open in the middle of the floor.
On my knees beside it, I stared at the emptiness inside. A reflection of me.
I tried to force myself back up to standing.
To move.
To pack our things so we could leave at first light.
Instead, I reached back under the bed and pulled out the duffel.
Through bleary eyes, I stared at it before I finally worked the code into the lock and peeled back the zipper.
I pulled out the sweaters and set them on the floor, dug through the money and the locked case with the jewelry, then I pulled out my sketchbook.
With my vision blurred, I flipped through the pages like it might take me back to that time.
Like I might be given the chance to make a different choice.
“Go. Try to save your life. Just like I’m going to try to save mine.”
Grief and guilt clutched me.
And I was sure it would always be the fear and shame and loneliness that would be my constant partner.
THIRTY-NINE
PIPER
NINETEEN YEARS OLD
“Mmmm…lookslike there’s a bit of trouble waiting for you out at the curb.” Nelly hummed as she peered out the front window of the house.
Piper could see the red sports car parked on the street.
Butterflies tumbled in Piper’s stomach. Excitement scattering through her, though she attempted to play it off as she walked through the living room and grabbed her bag from where she had it ready on the table.
“He’s just a friend,” she muttered casually.
Total lie.
Justin was a whirlwind she’d gotten caught up in over the last three weeks. She’d spent a ton of time with him.
Night and day.
She bit down on her bottom lip to hide the blush that rushed to her cheeks at the thought.
She’d never experienced anyone like Justin before.
The thrill.
The passion.
