Page 33 of Unraveling Rain
I press my palm to my chest. “I can defend myself now.”
He starts to protest, but I cut him off, my voice gentle.
“What’s the point of giving me a knife and teaching me how to use it? You have to trust me.”
A soft, broken chuckle escapes me. I bump my fist lightly against his shoulder.
And finally—a small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, tentative but real.
“Yeah, okay. I’ll try,” he says, voice rough but lighter now. Like maybe, just maybe, he’s starting to believe it.
He stands, slow and heavy, like the conversation has worn him out.
“Just promise me you’ll be careful. And if you’re ever in a situation where you don’t feel safe, call me.”
He looks at me with those gray eyes, so much like mine, still bloodshot and weary from crying.
My heart aches for him, but I’m not going to call him.
He needs to focus on himself now.
“Deal,” I say, forcing a soft smile as I squeeze his hand one last time.
He nods once before stepping out of the van.
The door clicks shut.
And just like that, the heaviness swells in my chest again.
Wow.
Talk about an emotional conversation before a hike.
I lean back, breathing deep, trying to shake the lingering weight from my body.
I press my palms against my cheeks, grounding myself before I glance around and make sure everything is packed up and secure.
Then I hop into the driver’s seat, heart still pounding but lighter now.
It’s time to pick up Hotshot.
“Hello?” I call out as I enter the lobby of Serene Lookout.
I know the other patients left yesterday, and no one works here on weekends except those who prepare meals. I don’t know which room is Xander’s, and I don’t feel like knocking on every door.
I hear footsteps on the second floor, and my heart kicks up a notch.
Really, girl? Chill.
“Hey there,” he says, appearing at the top of the stairs—and oh my, I might get palpitations just from looking at him.
He’s wearing black shorts and a white T-shirt sporting the Carolina Red Wolves logo. His hair, still damp from a shower, curls slightly at the ends. The black hat he wore the other day is back, but this time the bill faces forward.
He looks goodenough to eat.
“Ready for our hike?” I ask as he reaches the last step.
Before I can say anything else, he pulls me into a hug, and all the air rushes out of my lungs. I didn’t even realize I was still holding my breath. I need to stop living in the past and focus on right now.
