“Excuse me?” said a voice behind us. We turned to see Sam bearing down on Hayley. “Did you just say what I think you said? You’d better be damned sure of your facts before you accuse any girl of that. What if someone slips you a roofie? Worse yet, rapes you while you’re dosed? Would you want anyone even suggesting you faked it?”
I expected Hayley to tell Sam to go to hell. She didn’t. She actually flushed, gaze dropping as she muttered, “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I bet you’d never have said it if it wasn’t Maya. What’s your problem with her, anyway? Some kind of clichéd popular girls rivalry? Cheerleader versus valedictorian? News flash, Hayley—rivalries only work if both sides realize they’re rivals.”
Hayley walked away.
“See,” Sam said, “that’s why I don’t want to be popular.”
I laughed, and we headed to class.
I decided to track Rafe down after lunch, when everyone had gone outside to play basketball. I excused myself from the game and went in search of him, planning to repeat my offer to visit Annie. I suspected he wouldn’t take me up on it, but I’d make the effort.
It took me a while to find him. Finally, I rounded the back corner of the school to see him there, hidden in a doorway. He was leaning back, smiling his fake sexy smile—not at me, but at the girl standing in front of him. He leaned toward her, talking, his fingers resting on her arm, enrapt in conversation … with Hayley Morris.
TWENTY-ONE
I BACKED AROUND THE corner so fast I stumbled into one of the little kids. I apologized, then broke into a fast walk and didn’t stop until I was in the bathroom. I would say my humiliation was complete at that point. But it wasn’t. The end of lunch bell rang, we went back to class, and there were two empty seats in our class—Rafe’s and Hayley’s—and they stayed empty for the rest of the afternoon.
I was looking forward to my visit to Mina with Daniel, which I hoped would slap thoughts of Rafe out of my head. Then, in last class, the boxing coach came by and told the guys that he needed to reschedule tomorrow’s early morning meeting for four thirty today. So no visit.
Daniel knew something was bugging me and insisted on driving me to the park gates. He promised to call me later so we could pay Mina a visit that night.
Kenjii had been waiting at the gate and walked home beside me as usual. Otherwise, the woods were silent and still. I caught a whiff of what could have been smoke. I hoped not.
Last night Dad had said a small outbreak of fire had been spreading inland. Luckily, that’s mostly uninhabited wilderness, and they hoped to have any blazes under control soon. Salmon Creek had once been evacuated for wildfires—before we moved here—but it had just been a precaution. Still, it worried me. Nothing is more devastating to a forest than fire. It was enough to make me wish for our typically rainy fall weather.
As I approached the house, I heard someone sawing wood. Had Walter—Dad’s seasonal assistant—come back to Salmon Creek to help Dad because of the wildfires? Was he working on Fitz’s tree house in the meantime? It would be a good ending to a lousy day, but when I didn’t see Walter’s truck in the lane, I figured Dad was cutting up firewood.
When I rounded the house to say hi to him, I saw a figure in the yard, using a handsaw on a small stack of boards. Fitz was stretched out in a sunny patch by his feet. I stopped and stared. Stared so long that Kenjii whined and nudged my hand.
Rafe turned and saw me. He brushed his hair back and smiled, the crooked “real” smile that made my breath catch.
He waved at the pile of wood. Beside it was the blueprint for Fitz’s tree house. “I owe you a birthday present. You mentioned this yesterday. I asked your mom, and she said it would be all right if I gave it a shot. Can’t promise anything, but I’m pretty good with a hammer and saw.”
“Oh.” A stupid thing to say, but all I could think of.
The smile fell. “Or if you’d rather I didn’t …”
“No, that’s … Thanks. It’s just …” It’s just that I have no idea where this came from, and what you’re doing here, and why you’re doing this. I looked at him. “You didn’t say a word to me at school today.”
“You didn’t say a word to me.”
“I was going to. I wanted to talk to you about visiting Annie, but you were with Hayley.”
“Yeah, I heard the rumor that she’d been the one who dosed you. I figured if I could prove it, that might help. She thought I was mad at you, so I used that, chatting her up, trying to get her to admit she’d done it. Nothing, though.”
“You didn’t come back after lunch.”
“Came here to see if I could work on this. Surprise you.”
“Hayley left, too.”
“Yeah, she’s, uh, over by McGill Lake waiting for me. Or she was. I said I was cutting out early, heading there for a swim, hinted she was welcome to join me. I was hoping that would get her to spill about the drugs. Not the nicest thing I’ve ever done, but if she did dose you, she deserves it, and if she didn’t, maybe she’ll decide I’m a total jerk and back off.” He stepped toward me. “I was a jerk yesterday, Maya, and I don’t blame you for backing off. But you said you were confused, and so was I.”
“Because of the drug thing.”
“Not just that. I wasn’t sure about the party, if you were inviting me because you wanted me there or you just wanted to be nice after meeting Annie. I finally decided to go and I wasn’t expecting anything, but then it started out good. Really good. The climb and us talking. And then you went back to your friends, which I totally understood. But I figured maybe it was a hint, too—you’d played good hostess, and your job was done. So I took off for a while. Checked in on Annie. Came back and, bam, everything was good again. We go up to the roof and things are really good, even after I made an ass of myself confessing all that stuff. But then I find out you were drugged, so I don’t know if you do like me or it was the dope. I spend the night worrying about it. I talk to you. Everything seems cool again … only it’s not cool and I get the feeling you’d be a whole lot happier if I just went away and stayed away.”
He wasn’t wrong. About any of it. Even the last part. But happier wasn’t the right word. More like relieved. Whatever was happening between us, it was too much, too fast, and I worried I was going to get hurt. I’d never been hurt before, not like that.
When I went out with guys, I liked it fun and casual. I had a good time while they were around, and when they left, I was okay with that. But if Rafe said he was leaving, I wouldn’t be okay with that and it scared me.
“So …” he said when I didn’t answer. “I’m here doing something to apologize, because I know that I handled yesterday badly. I pushed too hard, too fast, and stormed off in a temper when you needed me to slow down. It won’t happen again. I’d like to turn back the clock to Saturday night, when we were talking, hanging out. I promise not to try to get you back into the woods.” He paused. “For at least forty-eight hours.”
I laughed. “So you are on a schedule.”
“No, I’m impatient. But I will wait.”
“For forty-eight hours. And if there’s no make-out session by then, time’s up.”
“No. I said I won’t try for forty-eight hours. What happens after that is up to you.” He met my gaze. “It always will be.”
My cheeks heated. I glanced over at the pile of wood and tools. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to.” He picked up the saw as I crouched to pet Fitz. “Like I said, Mom was a carver. Annie got her creative talent, but I learned the woodworking stuff.”
He placed another plank on the saw boards.
I straightened. “I should probably say hi to my parents. Can I get you a drink?”
“Water would be good.”
I picked up my backpack and went in the rear door. My parents were in the kitchen. Mom was chopping vegetables at the sink and Dad was sitting at the table, both facing the window with a clear view of the backyard … and Rafe.
<
br /> We did the usual “how was your day” stuff, but it was awkward, like we were all trying very hard not to be the first to mention the new guy in our yard. Finally, I thanked Mom for letting him take a shot at the plans.
“He seems to know what he’s doing,” she said. “And it is a nice gesture. Very sweet.”
She said sweet in a weird way, like it surprised her or like she wasn’t sure what to make of it.
Dad said, “I’d be a lot more impressed if he wasn’t skipping school to do it.” His tone told me he wouldn’t be impressed at all, school or no school.
Neither seemed particularly thrilled to have him in our backyard. I wondered what they’d heard about him. No, strike that. I didn’t need to wonder. If anything negative was being said about “the new boy,” they’d heard it. My parents weren’t as involved in the town as others, but that only meant they heard gossip the next day rather than within the hour.
“So …” Mom said, chopping a pepper from the garden. “I didn’t know you were friends with Rafael.”
I shrugged as I added ice to an empty glass. “It’s recent.”
She pushed the peppers into a bowl. “That tree house is a big undertaking. More than I’d expect from a new friend.”
“Are you seeing him?” Dad cut in. “Dating?”
“I don’t know.”
“How can you not know? Either you are or—”
“Rick,” Mom said.
I filled a glass with water and took a couple cans of pop. Grabbed granola bars, too. Then I said, “It seems to be heading that way. Is it a problem?”
Dad looked like he wanted to say “Hell, yes,” but only pressed his lips together and looked at Mom. She took a cucumber from the pile of vegetables, and I knew I’d hurt her feelings. Normally, I’d come home and say, “Hey, Mom, I met this guy,” and tell her all about him. But this was different. I wasn’t ready to talk about Rafe until I had it worked out myself.
“If you have a concern …” I didn’t finish, because I wasn’t sure how to. Was I saying I wouldn’t go out with a guy if they were worried? Normally, yes. With Rafe, no. It wouldn’t matter what they thought or said. I had to make my own choices here, pay the price if I made the wrong ones.
“Just be careful,” Mom said.
“I always am.” I kissed her cheek and gave Dad a hug, and I’m not sure if that helped or not.
Rafe and I talked for over an hour as he worked. Once we started, the conversation just kept going, from one topic to another. I sat on the grass, dividing my attention between Fitz and Kenjii.
It was after five when he looked up at the blazing sun, wiped his forehead and said, “I was just thinking about this afternoon, when I mentioned that swim to Hayley. I could really go for one now, if you’re game.”
When I didn’t answer, he glanced over, squinting as he tried to see my expression.
“I don’t really swim.”
“Me neither. Just paddle around, cool off. We could—” The sun went behind the clouds and he got a good look at my face. “That’s not what you mean, is it?”
“I just don’t swim much lately, and the only lake in easy walking distance is the one—”
“Where your friend drowned last year.” He put down the hammer and shook his head. “I’m sorry. That was really inconsiderate.”
“No, it wasn’t.” I got to my feet. “We could, but I’d just rather not. If you want to do something, there’s a place I can show you. For climbing. Not exactly the break you had in mind, but there’s an overlook at the top. It’s a great view.”
“Sure.”
I had to tell my parents. I stepped just inside the screen door and said we were going for a walk, which got a long moment of silence.
“Just to the overlook,” I said. “We’ll take Kenjii.”
“And your cell phone,” Rafe said, coming up to the door. “Don’t forget your cell, because if I fall, I’m screwed. I don’t have one.”
Smooth. He obviously knew my parents weren’t impressed with him. If he took any offense at that, he didn’t show it, just added, “I’ll have her back by dinner.”
“Would you like to join us, Rafael?” my mom asked. “Or do you go by Rafe?”
“Usually.” A disarming grin. “Unless I’m in trouble.”
I opened the door and motioned him in as he continued, “About dinner, I appreciate that, but my sister will be expecting me.”
“Another night then,” Mom said. “Maybe on the weekend we can have a barbecue, and invite your sister.”
“Or,” I said, turning to Rafe, “if you want to skip the whole awkward meet-the-family social event, you could just submit your life story, including your views on politics, religion, and every social issue imaginable, along with anything else you think they might need to conduct a thorough background check.”
Mom sighed. “I really don’t know why we even bother trying to be subtle around you.”
“Neither do I. It’s not like he isn’t going to realize he’s being vetted as daughter-dating material.”
Rafe grinned. “So we are dating?”
“No. You have to pass the parental exam first. It’ll take you awhile to compile the data. They’d like it in triplicate.” I turned to my parents. “We have Kenjii. We have my cell phone. Since we aren’t yet officially dating, I’m sure you’ll agree that’s all the protection we need.”
Dad choked on his coffee.
Mom waved us to the door. “Go. Have fun. Dinner will be at six thirty.”
TWENTY-TWO
THE CLIFF WAS ONLY a ten-minute walk from the house. There was no easy way up, so Kenjii had to stay at the bottom. She was used to that and just staked out her customary spot. I left my jacket with her. Rafe did, too.
This was tougher than the wall—natural cliffs don’t come with conveniently spaced holds and holes. I’d done it hundreds of times, though, so I knew the easiest path and showed Rafe.
It didn’t matter that this wasn’t a race. When we started climbing, it was like the first time—a heart-pounding, palms-sweating, adrenaline-pumping dizzy runner’s high.
I didn’t deliberately check my speed, but when we neared the top, Rafe was still beside me. I slowed and he was right there, his face inches from mine. He grinned, that blazing grin now, hair plastered to his face, eyes glittering.
I leaned over and kissed him. He hesitated for about a nanosecond, like he really hadn’t expected that, and I laughed. Then he kissed me back, a light kiss, almost teasing, making me shiver.
“Probably not the safest place to make out,” I murmured, pulling back to glance at the ground, fifty feet below.
“I don’t care if you don’t,” he said.
We kissed until he tried to shift closer and nearly lost his foothold. I pulled away and scrambled up the last few feet. When he reached the top, I was standing there. He grinned and stepped toward me. I stepped back. His grin widened. I glanced over my shoulder. The cliff topped out on a hill, with forest stretching behind us, the mountains a distant backdrop.
“Uh-uh,” Rafe said. “If you run, I’ll chase. You know how much I like that part.”
“All the more reason to do it.”
His breath hitched and the look in his eyes made me want to run. I didn’t care how silly or childish it was, I wanted to run so badly I could imagine it, the smell of the forest, the wind rushing past, the pounding of his feet right behind me.
Suddenly he was right there, his mouth on mine, my arms around his neck. Then he stopped. He caught my arms and backed up, studying my face.
“Has anyone had access to your drinks recently?” he said. “Any strange allergic reactions? Bug bites?”
“Shut up.”
He ducked out of the way as I took a mock swing at him. Then he realized we were closer to the edge of the cliff than he thought, veered fast, and stumbled, toppling into the brush.
“Sorry,” I said, hurrying over to him. “Are you—?”
As I bent, he tried to snag my
leg and yank me down, but I danced back out of reach.
“Did you really think I’d fall for that?” I said.
“Hoping.”
I laughed. He got to his feet. I backed up and glanced over my shoulder.
“I’m warning you,” he said. “You don’t want to run.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m faster than you.”
“Think so?”
“Know so, and when I catch you—”
I took off. I ran across the open field atop the cliff, and quickly realized that was a mistake. He might not be faster than me, but he was fast enough that I could hear him right on my heels. I swerved into the woods.
Normally, that’s where my advantage lies. Runners are accustomed to open ground. I actually prefer the forest, and I can dodge and dart around trees with barely a hitch in my pace. That’s why hurdles are my best event.
Rafe fell back a little, but then gained on me when I slowed to skirt thick brush.
As we ran, bits of my dream slid back, and everything seemed to get sharper, more vivid. The bright greens of the conifers and the yellows and reds of the rare deciduous trees became a blur of color. Our pounding footfalls muted into the rhythmic thump-thump, thump-thump of a heartbeat.
I could hear him right behind me. More than that, I swore I could feel his breath on my neck, and it made me run faster, the air slicing past me, that thump-thump filling my head, pulse racing, knowing that when he caught me—
A yowl stopped me short. Rafe’s sneakers crunched dry needles as he slid to a halt behind me.
“Maya?” Rafe said. “Look up.”
There, crouched on a branch ten feet above us, was Marv. Something lay at his feet. Something bloody.
Marv picked up his kill. Then he leaped. I stumbled back. Rafe yanked me against him, his arms around me, both of us still facing the cougar.
The cat looked at Rafe, yellow eyes narrowing. His lips curled. He dropped his meal and snarled.
“Step back,” I whispered.
Marv paced to one side, gaze locked on Rafe, still growling.
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