Page 5 of Only Everything
“You promise?”
No…
The trees and mountains in the distance returned.
I couldn’t think about that night. About how although we didn’t go all the way and have sex, everything changed in that moment.
I loved her. Despite knowing it was wrong, despite having a girlfriend who I cared for…despite morality, I gave myself to Tauren—my mind—my body—every dark little piece of me that shouldn’t have been broken to begin with. I poured out every secret to her, every desire, when I should have been guarding what the two of us finally had. I got so lost in having her that I hadn’t protected her.
I condemned her.
No…I condemned us all.
CHAPTER 2
TAUREN
“I feellike I forgot something. Did you see me pack extra socks?”
“Tauren, you packed them.”
My brow drew in as I glanced at Emmett, shaking my head. “Sunscreen?”
“It’s in my bag.”
“Bug spray.”
“There it is. That’s it. We’ll grab some before we take the mountain turn. After that, we won’t come across a store for a while.” He smiled even though his blue eyes were narrowed. “I’m glad I could talk you into this trip. I know you’re not much of a hiker or rock climber, but I figured the view would more than make up for the trouble.”
I forced a grin, not so sure. Emmett was right. I wasn’t big into the outdoors. I wasn’t athletic. I never cared to be. I was content with my everyday life… in the air conditioning…away from the mosquitos, snakes, and spiders.
“I’m surprised Mr. Darcer even let me off. It’s cold and flu season, you know. We’re already short staffed at the pharmacy.”
Emmett huffed under his breath, rolling his eyes as he stared ahead. “You’re a pharmacy tech, Tauren. Your job isn’t that important. Anyone could do it. I’m sure it was easy for them to cover for you.”
“I keep telling you; I do a lot more than you think I do.”
He glanced over. “Which means nothing. Let’s not fight. You’ve had your time to learn what you can. You’ll just continue school. Then, you can actually make something of yourself.”
“I like what I do now.”
“We’ve talked about this. It’s nonnegotiable. You need drive. Goals. You haven’t been motivated to do anything since?—”
“Don’t.”
Emmett’s hand tightened on the steering wheel and surprisingly he changed the subject. “This is a good little vacation for us. We haven’t had a break for months. We hardly even see each other now that I’m working nights.”
“It won’t last much longer.”
“Too long for my liking.”
“Yeah.”
The word came out more as a sigh than a response.
“That’s all you have to say about it? Yeah? Maybe youpreferwhen I’m not home. Maybe you’re waiting for your brother’s keeper to reach out to you again. Unless your brother already contacted you and you’re not telling me about it.”
I tried not to flinch at the increasing anger in his tone. He just couldn’t let it go. “Why wouldn’t I tell you? I haven’t heard from Reid in months. Lucus called last week because he was concerned for my brother. He asked if I had heard from him since supposedly he’d come back to the area. I told him no; we hadn’t talked since my birthday. Lucus was coming down to check on him, so he told me not to worry. I don’t hide things from you, Emmett. You know that.”
