I shrugged. “You seem…I don’t know…”
He shook his head. “How are you?” His attention wandered along my neck, my cheek.
It was like he touched me. I breathed, “Fine. Good. Better.”
“I’m glad.” His voice was rough.
“Staying for dinner?” I asked.
“Can’t.”
“Oh.” Why not? Say something. Anything. I couldn’t make him talk to me.
“I got to get back to it, before the concrete sets up.” He grabbed the bucket handle, lifting it easily.
“Sure.”
He put his earbud back in and went back to work. And I stood there, like an idiot, waiting…for what?
I started back for the house but didn’t make it very far before I turned back. Wyatt had his back to me, all his energy focused on the task at hand. He was keeping me out. Why wouldn’t he? I’d made it perfectly clear I wasn’t interested. I might not have acted like it, but I’d told him “we” weren’t going to happen.
Maybe he’s just accepting what I told him?
I waited, hoping he’d turn around, hoping he’d look at me. Instead, I felt three pairs of eyes—all not Wyatt’s—watching me. Dax looked concerned. Dad thoughtful. And Levi…he was pissed.
I gave them a small wave. “I think I’m going to lie down.”
“Good idea,” my dad said.
11 CHAPTER ELEVEN
Wyatt was there every day, working, like normal. But everything was different. He brought his lunch and ate outside. He was still super polite to my parents, just distant. Every night my mother tried to convince Wyatt to stay for dinner. Every night he smiled, thanked her, and went home. I hated it.
Levi didn’t show up to help out again. That, I didn’t hate.
By the end of the week, the pasture was secure and ready for cows. Dad and Wyatt were going to buy calves early Saturday at some big sale…meaning Wyatt wouldn’t be going to the river with us. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t think of a way out of Saturday.
I was awake before my alarm went off but lay there, staring at the ceiling. I knew I needed to do this, to get out of the house and away from Wyatt before I made the huge mistake of telling him or showing him how crazy I was over him.
I’d get over it and he’d never know and life would go on. If there’s one thing I’d learned it was that life always goes on.
Dax was up—and whistling—at his end of the hall. Of course he was happy. Molly would be there, smiling at him, staring at him with her huge brown I-love-you eyes. I rolled over, punching my pillow.
The bounce of headlights and the telltale rumble of Dad’s truck drew my attention. I peered outside, into the still dark sky. I narrowed my gaze. The headlights were sort of blinding, enough to make out Dad…and Wyatt. They were checking the trailer, the tires, making sure everything was good before they hit the road.
They talked for a minute or two, and Dad went into the barn they’d started rebuilding. Wyatt stood there, hands on his hips, staring at the hood of the truck.
Not awake yet? He rubbed a hand over his face. I smiled as he yawned.
I sat up, moving forward to the edge of the bed. I’d missed him, being close to him, talking to him, looking at him. I can’t love you, Wyatt.
He turned, looking up at my window.
But I do.
Could he see me? Did I want him to see me? I stood up, hugging myself.
I saw him straighten, knew he’d seen me.
“Wyatt…” My voice trembled, I heard it. “Dammit.”
“Al?” Awesome. And Dax heard it too. When had he come in? What did it matter? “Go,” he said, motioning down to Dad and Wyatt and the truck.
“I can’t,” I murmured, frozen in place.
“You can.” Dax sounded so confident. “He…he needs you.”
“He does not—”
“Seriously, Allie.” He wasn’t joking. “Go.”
I saw my dad come back from the barn and knew they were going to leave. I had no idea what Dax was talking about, or if he was just trying to manipulate my newfound weakness. But it didn’t matter. If Wyatt needed me…
I didn’t stop to think about it. I ran down the stairs and out the screen door. Dad and Wyatt stopped talking to stare at me. “Need anything?” I asked, breathless.
From the corner of my eye, I saw my father frown. I was standing there in a tight tank top and boxer shorts… I hadn’t really thought through this whole running outside before I’d even brushed my hair and put on decent clothes.
“N-no.” Poor Dad. He had no clue what was happening.
“You’re sure?” I asked, stalling.
“Your mom says you’re going to the river.”
I nodded at my dad. Wyatt headed to the passenger door of the truck. He can’t leave.
“Be care—”
“I’ll be careful,” I finished his sentence quickly. “Dad…” I looked at my father, hesitated, then whispered, “Can I…can I have a minute with Wyatt, alone?”
I kind of felt sorry for him then. His frown faded, his eyebrows rose, and his expression… He nodded, hesitating for a moment before walking into the house. “Getting some…soda,” he called out as he headed inside. Subtle.
Wyatt had walked to the end of the trailer, so I followed. He stood there, hands on his hips, staring at the pink-kissed horizon, doing nothing.
My heart was thumping as my thoughts came spilling into the quiet morning. “Are you…are you hiding from me?”
He turned, his wide eyes sweeping me from head to toe. “Um…no.” I saw him swallow.
“That sounded like a question.” I tried to sound calm—like it was an everyday thing to stand outside barefoot in my PJs talking to the guy I—
“Nope,” he said.
“Are you sure?” I pushed. I don’t know why.
His cheeks puffed up and he blew out a long, slow breath.
“So…you’re…going to buy cows?” I asked. Talk about smooth.
“Yep,” he responded, a small smile on his tired face.
“I’m going tubing.”
“Levi’s excited.”
I frowned. He waited, his jaw locking. “Wyatt?” I cleared my throat. “You…you know how I said—” I swallowed. Why was my throat so tight? His eyes fell to the ground at his feet. “How I said I couldn’t…th-that I’m a selfish bitch?”
His shoulders were shaking. He was laughing. “Yep.”
I relaxed a little. “How I said I don’t want to…to date anyone? I think…” I tried again. “Things have changed.” I paused. “I just…I guess I’m worried.”
He looked at me then, concerned. “About?” He crossed his arms over his chest, uncrossed them, and put his hands on his hips. “Everything okay?”
I laughed, an awkward, strained laugh. “No…God, Wyatt…” I shook my head. “This is so hard to say.”
His expression hardened, like he was bracing himself for something.
“We need to hit the road,” my dad interrupted. “Now.”
I jumped, glancing at my father. “But—”
“Yes, sir.” Wyatt nodded. He waited until my father had moved before he said anything. “It’s fine, Allie. You don’t owe me any explanation. Levi’s a lucky guy.”
I felt my mouth fall open. “What?”
He smiled, a really heartbreaking, sad smile. “I just want you to be happy.” And he walked away.
***
“You’ve got such a pretty tan,” Molly said. “I just burn, freckle, and peel.”
“I’d normally have white shins.” My head rested on the bouncy surface of the inner tube I’d inhabited for the last gazillion hours—however long we’d been floating. I turned my head to look at her, the black rubber hot against my cheek. “Soccer tan.”
She laughed, her cat-eyed sunglasses slipping down her pink nose. “You going to play on our team?”
“I don’t—”
“Yes, she will,” Dax spoke up. “Dad’s put his foot
down.”
I sighed, closing my eyes under the beating sun.
“I’m glad,” Molly said. “Just hope you won’t be too disappointed. The Bobcats—”
“Is that our mascot?” I asked. “Huh.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Molly laughed. “The Black Falls Bobcats. Girls’ teams are always Lady Cats.”
“You’re a Lady Cat.” Dax pushed my inner tube, separating me from the two of them and bouncing a group of teens I didn’t know were coming with us. I was fine with it though; it kept Levi occupied—until my inner tube bounced off of his.
“Hey there, gorgeous.” Levi hooked his arm through my inner tube, his forearms pressed against my thigh.
I looked at him over the edge of my black-rimmed aviators. “Hey. I didn’t know you were here.” I smiled.
“Ouch.” He laughed. “I noticed you. I’ve been enjoying the view just fine from over here.”
I splashed him, sending a spray of surprisingly cold river water over his head. “How’s the view now?” I asked.
“I needed to cool down.” He shook his head, his curly dark blond hair scattering drops all over me. “Can’t believe your dad let you leave the house like that.”
I didn’t say anything. My bikini was completely acceptable. It was a little plain, even, according to Lindie. Blue with white polka dots, not cut too low or too high. I didn’t need to worry about falling out or having anything ride up. I didn’t do embarrassing bathing suits—that was Lindie’s department. Her idea of a bathing suit had been fabric triangles and string.
“Blondie’s showing off a lot more skin than I am.” I pointed to the very loud, very curvy girl who was part of our group. Her name was Amanda or Mandy or Amber or something. Her inner tube was surrounded by guys.
Levi looked at me like I was crazy. “Been there. Done th—”
I held up a hand, splashing him again. “Do not finish that sentence.” He laughed. Seriously? What a tool! I splashed him again. “You just lost major points with me,” I added.
He stopped laughing then. “Well, shit, Allie. What do I need to do to earn them back? I didn’t think I had any points to lose.”
I sighed. “Levi, I’m not really the relationship type.”
He shook his head, spinning his tube so we were face to face. “Bullshit.”
“Excuse me?” I tried to spin away, but he held the tube in place.
“You heard me, darlin’.” He smiled. “Don’t go gettin’ your feathers ruffled.”
I smiled. I couldn’t help it.
“If I was Wyatt Holcomb, trying to get in your pants, I bet you’d be the relationship type real quick.”
I stared at him. Was it that obvious? “You’re a prick, you know that?” I asked, hearing the telltale waver in my voice.
He shrugged, smiling. I splashed him again. “Thought so.” He laughed, wiping water from his eyes.
“What?”
Levi sighed. “You’ve got the hots for my boy Wyatt.”
“So I have to like someone else to not like you?” I asked. “You’re such a…a…guy.”
“Guilty.”
“You’re an ass because you immediately go…there.” I sighed. “Wyatt isn’t the get-in-your-pants sort of guy.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth I knew I’d made a mistake.
“He’s not? Wyatt?” Levi’s face turned serious. “He is one of my best friends.”
My stomach tightened. So my first impression had been right? Wyatt was a player, trying to schmooze the parents just to get in good with me?
Levi was watching me closely. “You sure about that?”
Not really, no… “Yeah, I’m sure,” I bluffed, hating the knot in my stomach.
“Huh.” Levi smiled, a huge smile. He let himself spin slowly in a circle, making me want to hit him. It was only after he said “You nailed him,” that I relaxed. “Well, you didn’t yet…”
I splashed him again, relieved and irritated.
“Look at you, all quick to defend him.”
“I’m not—”
“You are.” He winked at me. “Even though he’s a big boy…I mean, a big boy.”
“Oh. My. God!” I covered my ears. “Stop.” I flipped out of my inner tube, letting the cold water close over my head.
What was it about boys talking about their equipment? Why did they think we’d care? I opened my eyes under the water, amazed at how clear the water was. Clear enough to see Levi’s hand reach down into the water. I grabbed it and pulled hard, flipping him out of his inner tube while I popped up and climbed back onto mine.
He came up laughing. “So, did I just lose more points?” he asked.
“What points?” I quipped back. “Zero points balance, bucko.”
He hung on the side of his inner tube, watching me for a minute. “The thing is, Allie, Wyatt’s nice. A good guy that’s been through a helluva lot of shit.” His lips pressed flat and he shook his head.
“Like…?” I wanted to know.
He smiled at me. “He’ll tell you if he wants you to know. Or you’ll hear it from my grandmother.” He wasn’t playing when he added, “Just…seriously, Allie, don’t screw him over, okay?”
I felt my eyebrows rise. “Okay.”
He nodded. “Cool. Guess I’ll have to wait a little longer.” He hooked his foot through my inner tube and paddled. Everyone seemed to be paddling together into a group.
I didn’t respond to Levi; what was the point? “What’s up?” I asked.
“Hook up,” Molly squealed. “Rapids coming up.”
I glanced ahead. The water was definitely moving faster, with white frothy peaks colliding into one another. The river seemed to disappear, dropping away. “Rapids?”
Levi rolled his eyes, shaking his head. Okay, so nothing to worry about then.
I don’t know how many of us there were, but there were a lot of us, linking our tubes together as the river picked up speed. I hooked my feet through Dax’s tube, ignoring Levi as his arms looped mine, and braced as we hit the thrashing, rolling water.
Levi was a dick. There was definitely something to worry about.
We didn’t stay connected for long. I got pulled to the left while they hung to the right. Because on the right side you didn’t get smashed into rocks, wedged between two boulders, or stuck in a current you had to fight your way out of. I ended up with a scraped knee and elbow by the time my tube shot over the edge of the small river that fed a large pool—down a four-foot drop.
I lost my tube in the fall, swallowed a lungful of water, and plunged deep beneath the surface. I couldn’t reach the bottom to push off, it was too deep. When I broke the surface again Dax was waiting, still sitting in his tube.
“Having fun?” he asked, pushing my tube toward me.
I coughed. “Loads.” More coughing. I heard Levi laugh, but decided I needed to chill out before I acknowledged his existence. Instead I hung on to my tube, resting, and stared around me.
The pond, or pool, or mini-lake, or whatever it was, was big. Another finger of river picked up on the other side, I could see it. The whole pond was encircled, like it was part of a rock bowl. Gnarled trees, cactus, and plants grew out of the crevices but there was only a small patch of shore. It was more mud than sand, though the kids splashing in it didn’t seem to mind. Other than that, people sat or tanned on one of the long, flat rocks that stuck out into the pond here and there.
On the far side, a black rock wall rose up and a huge waterfall streamed into the almost-black depths of the pond. We’d come from a small fall, a trickle by comparison. No way anyone could go over the big falls, it was way too high. It was all familiar…unchanged.
“Black Falls,” Molly said. I stared up at the falls.
“Grandma brought us here to swim,” Dax said. “Over there, in that shallow area.” He pointed to the muddy area full of kids.
“I remember biting flies.” My skin itched just thinking about it. Levi started laughing again. I ignored him, climbing back on
to my inner tube. Asshole. “Dad took us fishing here too, right?” I asked, vague memories surfacing. “A few times.”
Molly nodded. “Fishing’s pretty good.”
“You fish too?” Dax asked.
Molly laughed. “Of course.” She probably hunts, too.
I wasn’t going to touch that. Dax wasn’t wearing his P.E.T.A shirts anymore, but I suspected their relationship might take a turn for the worse in the end. They were too different.
Levi paddled over to me, hooking his foot under my inner tube, but I continued to ignore him. A shrill whistle echoed off the cavern walls.
Dax spun. “Well, Dad’s here.”
“Shit,” I heard Levi mutter and I turned toward him. He was frowning in the direction of the falls, so I looked up to see…Dad and Wyatt. Watching us.
Dad sat with his legs hanging off the edge of the rock ledge they were using. He was smiling, his favorite cap on his head, his favorite fishing rod in his hand, and an insulated jug in reach. His beaten-up tackle box was open at his side, a bucket—probably bait—sitting between him and Wyatt.
I risked glancing Wyatt’s way…because I had to, even though I really shouldn’t. He was looking at me. Staring at me. I didn’t like the way my heart lodged itself in my throat. Or that my sun-warmed skin felt hot.
Dax and Molly began paddling our linked tubes in their direction. All I did was sit there, trying not to look into those intense eyes. Instead I stared at his broad, golden, shirtless shoulders. Oh hell. I swallowed, forcing my eyes back to the water, and away from his tan…strong…hot-ness.
“We shouldn’t get too close,” I murmured. “The fish.”
And Wyatt. Can’t get too close to him.
“I think Dad’s piercing whistle took care of that,” Dax said dismissively.
“We’re packing up,” Dad called, stretching as he stood. “Your mom needs me to go by the store to get stuff for lasagna tonight.”
Mom’s lasagna. Cool… Why can’t I look away?
“I give.” Levi sighed before pushing off my inner tube. “Don’t break his heart.”
I shot him a frown before glancing at Wyatt. Wyatt, who was trying not to look at me, I could tell. He was busy securing the hook on the pole so the line wouldn’t get loose or tangled, but his gaze kept wandering to me.
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