Page 38 of Broken on the Mountain
"This one's extra strong," she says, eyes twinkling. "So you don't fall over when she smiles at you this afternoon."
I swallow quickly and the scorch of heat burns my throat. "I don't know what you're—"
"Save it, honey."
Knox snorts into his sandwich. "She's right. You've been checking that phone all day. Or is your eye twitch permanent now?"
"It's a new medical condition called 'Friday.'"
"Fri-yay," Travis deadpans, reaching for his third sandwich. The man can eat. "You coming to Timber tonight?"
"Nope." My lips pop the word out with an unusual pride that the guys totally pick up on. "Can't."
"Can't?" Knox raises an eyebrow. "Or won't?"
"Won't."
"Because…?"
"Because I have plans."
"Plans that involve airport pickups?" Travis grins. "And flannel retrieval?"
The new guy—Garrett, ex-Army, beard like a lumberjack, permanent scowl—glances up from his coffee. "Uh huh.Women.They're all trouble. Who's 'she'?"
Knox and Travis answer in perfect stereo: "The reason we rush the Friday drills now apparently."
Garrett blinks and looks at me. "Seriously?"
"It's not that bad. Ignore them, assholes are just jealous."
"Can't ignore the truth, Morrison." Knox leans back against the equipment rack, grinning. "You've been useless all week."
"I have not—"
"You absolutely have."
Martha pats my shoulder, supporting me in a motherly way that I've never even felt from my own goddamn mother. "Don't listen to them, kid. I think it's sweet."
"It's pathetic," Travis offers helpfully.
"It'snormal," Martha corrects, shooting Travis a look that could strip paint. "And you boys could learn a thing or two about showing up for someone you care about."
Shit. That's exactly what this is, isn't it? Showing up. Being there. Choosing someone and meaning it. Following through with promises, words and trust.
Even when the voice in my head has constantly haunted me this week with whispers ofwhat if she doesn't come back?
What if Chicago pulls her back in like Germany stole my family? What if she realizes thiswasjust a weekend escape, and I'm not worth the complications that drove my own flesh and blood away?
My phone buzzes, and this time, I know it's not my imagination.
I pull it out, heart hammering as Piper's name lights up the screen.
Piper:Wheels down 6:20. Tell your flannel to kindly remove itself. At the airport now, I'll be there soon. (kiss emoji)
I grin like an idiot.
"There it is," Knox announces. "The smile."
