I couldn’t talk to anyone now. I needed to drown out the whole world as I checked my bike and pulled out all my gear. My bike didn’t really fit in any one camp. Part mountain bike, part BMX creation, it had everything I needed to pull tricks in whatever environment I wanted, but I could also do straight-ahead trail riding.
Once I checked it over, I moved on to my gear. I slid the knee pads over my leggings. Then the shin guards. And, finally, I wrapped braces around each ankle. The movements were almost meditative. I was so practiced now. I could find that bit of peace as I went from one piece of equipment to the next.
I pulled my Kevlar pants on over everything. The last thing anyone wanted was road rash or to be impaled by a branch. The final two touches were my neck brace and helmet. I slid my earbuds out just before I put the helmet in place.
Toby walked up to me and slapped my helmet. “Ready?”
I nodded and climbed on my bike. “I’m taking the full approach.”
He rolled his eyes. “You and your Zen zone.”
“Don’t knock it.”
“Never.”
I took off down the trail. I didn’t need to do the complete loop for the approach. All you needed was a good hundred yards to pick up speed, but I didn’t like missing any part of the journey. It was like life. There were peaks and valleys. Times to slow down and appreciate the beauty around you, and times to ride like hell.
I picked up speed as I headed down the trail. Inhaling deeply, I took in everything around me. I could get lost here, the trees engulfing me with their branches. The scent always helped ground me—that mixture of pine and something that was uniquely Wolf Gap. As much as I’d tried to fight it, that smell would always mean home.
I pushed myself harder, bouncing my bike off a log and then back onto the path. My muscles strained as I climbed, and I knew I’d pay for it later, but an ice bath cured just about anything.
The peak of the trail called out to me just ahead. I didn’t have time to stop, but that didn’t keep me from enjoying as much of the view as I could. The blanket of forest that gave way to a meadow. The creek below, flush with spring rain.
I jerked my gaze back to the trail at the last possible second and started the decline. Each second, I picked up speed, jumping dips in the path and launching myself off tree roots in my way.
I could just make out the telltale sound of Jinx’s drone and knew he’d found me. I grinned. It was time.
I picked up even more speed. There was only me and the trail. Everything else faded away. My friends. Work. My mother’s texts. As I barreled down the path, I was free again.
My gaze zeroed in on the sort of half-pipe the trail made just before the parking lot. I’d run through all kinds of possibilities in my head as I’d talked things out with Toby and Jinx. But now, I had to let it all go and trust that my body knew what to do.
I dropped into the dip with all the speed I could muster. The world slowed around me as I propelled up the other side. And then I truly was flying. I leaned back, letting go of the handlebars, my hands falling free above my head as I balanced the bike with my feet. There was a blur of sky above me as I rotated in a complete flip.
It was magic. I wasn’t worried about how I might land or dinner tomorrow night. The only thing I left room for was how alive I felt. I wanted it to last forever.
Far too soon, I landed with a jolt. The action jarred me from my ankles through to my spine and up to my molars. But I stayed upright. After a few seconds, I heard whoops and hollers.
I skidded to a stop, pulled off my helmet, and let my hair fly free.
“Holy shit, Hads! You did it!” Toby ran over to me and hauled me off my bike and into a hug.
“That was so seriously dope!” Jinx hollered as he enveloped me in another hug.
Calla’s face was a little pale as she hurried over. “That was…I don’t even know what to say.”
“It was freedom.” That was the only way I could describe it. Only seconds had passed, but that high would stay with me for days to come.
The sound of a car door slamming echoed in the forest. And then a figure stormed towards me. “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Calder. His dark eyes blazed, making them appear almost amber in the afternoon light. His anger poured off him in waves, grating against my skin. The man who had once been my partner in crime. The person who had taught me how to tune out the world and let it all go. But he wasn’t that anymore. Because everything had changed four years ago. Now, he didn’t know me at all.
Falling Embers is available for purchase by tapping HERE.
Acknowledgments
I’m a big fan of acknowledgments and as I’m sitting down to write these (at the beginning of 2021) it’s been a rough few months. There has been so much pain in our world and some tough things in my own life. So, I want to take a minute to shout out to some women who have been an amazing support through it all.
First, in my writerly world. Emma, for being encourager, confidante, sounding board, and forever safe space. What would I do without you? Whatever it was wouldn’t be good or fun. Grahame, for always being there to answer one question or fifty, for beta listening to all my books, for always being willing to toss ideas around or just cheer me on. Willow and Laura, what a gift you both are! Your positivity, light, and friendship mean the world.
Second, in my non-writer world. My STS sisters: Hollis, Jael, and Paige, you have been the bright spot of this quarantine. I love chasing dreams with you and sharing whatever might be in our hearts. Thank you for the gift of twenty years of your friendship and never-ending support. My Charshie. Oh, how I love you and am in awe of how you have walked through life these last months. You are an inspiration and force. And I love that these books have connected us when I couldn’t be with you in person.
And to all my family and friends near and far. Thank you for supporting me on this crazy journey, even if you don’t read “kissing books.” But you get extra special bonus points if you picked up one of mine, even if that makes me turn the shade of a tomato when you tell me.
To my fearless beta readers: Angela, Crystal, Emily, and Trisha, thank you for reading this book in its roughest form and helping me to make it the best it could possibly be!
The crew that helps bring my words to life and gets them out into the world is pretty darn epic. Thank you to Susan, Chelle, Janice, Julie, Hang, Stacey, Jenn, and the rest of my team at Social Butterfly. Your hard work is so appreciated!
To all the bloggers who have taken a chance on my words…THANK YOU! Your championing of my stories means more than I can say. And to my launch and ARC teams, thank you for your kindness, support, and sharing my books with the world. An extra special thank you to Crystal who sails that ship so I can focus on the words.
Ladies of Catherine Cowles Reader Group, you’re my favorite place to hang out on the internet! Thank you for your support, encouragement, and willingness to always dish about your latest book boyfriends. You’re the freaking best!
Lastly, thank YOU! Yes, YOU. I’m so grateful you’re reading this book and making my author dreams come true. I love you for that. A whole lot!
Also by Catherine Cowles
The Tattered & Torn Series
Tattered Stars
Falling Embers
Hidden Waters
Shattered Sea
Fractured Sky
* * *
The Wrecked Series
Reckless Memories
Perfect Wreckage
Wrecked Palace
Reckless Refuge
Beneath the Wreckage
* * *
The Sutter Lake Series
Beautifully Broken Pieces
Beautifully Broken Life
Beautifully Broken Spirit
Beautifully Broken Control
Beautifully Broken Redemption
* * *
Standalone Novels
Further To Fall
* * *
For up-t
o-date information on all Catherine Cowles titles please visit catherinecowles.com
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About Catherine Cowles
Writer of words. Drinker of Diet Cokes. Lover of all things cute and furry, especially her dog. Catherine has had her nose in a book since the time she could read and finally decided to write down some of her own stories. When she's not writing she can be found exploring her home state of Oregon, listening to true crime podcasts, or searching for her next book boyfriend.
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