“I would love your room all to myself,” Collin, teased. “Hey, Bre, maybe we should mess it up right now!”
Austin smirked. “All right big brother, but if you do that then I would suggest you sleep with one eye open.”
Collin smiled and shoved him back playfully.
“Hey, speaking of messes.” Austin spoke again. “Did you fix the mess you were in with that girl April?”
“Who’s April?” I asked, worried.
“She’s...” Austin paused and glanced at Collin. “Or maybe was, Collin's sort of girlfriend.”
“That would be a ‘was’,” Collin corrected. “We’re not together anymore.”
A sense of relief passed over me.
“So...” Austin continued, “anyone else you’re interested in?”
The pit of my stomach sunk. Please let the answer be no. Please let the answer be no.
He paused for a moment and looked at me.
“No,” he said slowly. I felt my shoulders relax. He smiled and then added, “None that are as beautiful as your girlfriend over here.”
My heart stopped for two reasons. One, he thought I was beautiful; those words coming from him crippled me. And two, he thought I was Austin's girlfriend.
This was everything I had feared. I took an awkward step away from Austin.
“I am the luckiest guy in the world,” Austin smiled at me affectionately. He looked back to Collin, “There's someone out there for you. Who knows, she might be right in front of you and you might not even know it.”
“We’ll see.” Collin shrugged and turned to face the window.
I just stood there, staring at Collin. I wanted to know what he was thinking. If he could feel what I was feeling, he’d know that he didn't have to look anymore. I am right here! I’m right in front of you! I screamed in the quietness of my aching heart.
“So I was thinking we could take Collin to the caves tomorrow,” Austin queried me.
“Austin, it's freezing outside. What if it rains?” I objected.
“Oh, come on. A little cold never hurt anyone, and besides, we’d be in the cave the whole time,” Austin said.
“I don't mind cold weather,” Collin spoke up and turned around to face us. “In fact, I love it.”
“All right,” I agreed. I really didn't care what we did as long as I got to spend it with Collin. Anything was fine with me.
My cell rang and I excused myself from the room. I went to the bathroom and shut the door.
“Beck!” I whispered excitedly.
“So what happened? It’s killing me,” she asked loudly.
“Well...” My heart was pounding.
“Come on, tell me. Did it happen?”
“Beck...C-Collin is real. He’s here!” I stammered and it still sounded insane.
“Come on, Bre, stop it.” She sounded irritated and with good reason. It was crazy.
“No, I’m telling you that Collin, my Collin, is in this house right now. He’s…Austin's…brother!” I slowly said each word, emphasizing the last part.
There was silence on the other end.
“Beck…Beck! Are you still there?”
“So you’re telling me that Collin, the one that you’ve been having all these dreams about for months...is Austin's brother?”
“Yes, that’s what I’m telling you,” I said.
“Oh…my…gosh!” she finally screamed. “So what…I can't believe it! What does this mean? You and Austin aren’t...” She let that sentence hang in the air, but that was the one question I really didn't want to think about. Since she wouldn't let me drop the conversation here, I answered.
“Well, Austin didn’t ask me tonight because he thinks we’re already a couple.”
“Why do you think that?” she asked, confusion.
“Because Collin thinks I'm his girlfriend.”
The next morning was typical. Mom and Dad were still not on speaking terms. Caleb was in his room, secluding himself. And I was frantically getting ready, trying to get out of the house as fast as I could.
“Bre, Austin's here,” Caleb yelled.
“Coming!” I shouted back. The nervousness flared up as I pictured Collin standing in my living room. I hurried, grabbing my jacket and camera. Not wanting to waste any more time without Collin near me, I dashed out of my room and down the hall. Austin was standing in the doorway, but Collin wasn’t there. For a split second, I feared my worst nightmare was beginning. The one where I questioned the entire night, worrying I’d wake up and realize I had dreamed up the whole encounter.
“Where's Collin?” My voice was tense.
“Out in the truck.” Austin nodded toward the door.
I breathed out a sigh of relief and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.
Caleb followed me into the kitchen. “Where's Mom and Dad?” I asked him.
As I said that, my dad's voice billowed from the living room. “Hello there, Austin. It's good to see you again.”
“You too, sir,” Austin said politely.
I popped the cap and took a drink. I met them in the front room.
“So, what’re you kids doing today?” My father asked.
“My brother’s in town and I was thinking we’d take him up to the caves today.”
Dad glanced at me. “The caves, huh. There's supposed to be a really big storm coming in this afternoon,” he mentioned, a little concerned.
“I don't know, I’ve been watching the news and they keep on going back and forth.” Austin had this way about him that Dad liked and trusted.
“Well, all right.” I could tell he was a bit worried but he didn't object, which I was thankful for. “Don't let me keep you.” He walked behind Austin as he went out the door. “Have fun today and be careful.”
“We will,” I responded, a little impatient.
Approaching Austin's truck, I tried not to stare at Collin, just taking one quick glance before I dropped my gaze. His model face and breath-taking eyes were completely mesmerizing. His dark hair fell perfectly in place, like someone had taken a pen and drawn it there purposely. His thick, black down jacket made his ivory skin stand out. When he caught me looking at him, he revealed his illuminating smile. I smiled faintly back at him before dropping my sight to the ground quickly. Austin opened the driver’s side door for me and I climbed in.
“Good morning,” Collin's musical voice filled the cab.
“Good morning, Collin.” I slid in next to him and fastened my seatbelt.
His scent hit me right away. It was fresh and cool, with a hint of citrus, but the fragrance was masculine. I breathed it in, imbedding it into my memory.
“Did you sleep well?” He asked. I could feel the heat of his gaze on the side of my face.
“Yes,” I lied. “And you. How was your first night here?” My hands started to shake. I folded my arms, tucking my hands under them.
“To be honest, I didn't sleep at all. I don't know how you guys sleep with all this quiet wilderness around. I can't sleep unless there are planes flying overhead, sirens going off, and people yelling outside my window in the middle of the night.”
“Oh,” I breathed out a laugh. “I couldn't do the city then because I need absolute silence.” I turned my head and looked at Collin’s face. His bright, blue eyes captured mine. Austin interrupted by saying something and Collin looked away from me, keeping his eyes forward. I sheepishly turned my head back down to my fumbling fingers.
“It doesn't matter to me whether or not alarms are going off or there’s complete quiet. I can sleep anywhere,” Austin laughed.
“I can believe that one,” Collin laughed with him. “You snore louder than anyone I have ever known.”
“I don't snore!” Austin objected.
“Yes, you do,” Collin said, still chuckling under his breath. I glanced back at Collin who shook his head ‘yes’ to me and smiled wide. I smiled back and looked at Austin’s disagreeing face.
“Bre, I don't,” Austin tired to convinc
e me.
“Sorry, but you do and if you don't believe me then I guess I will just have to video tape it,” Collin warned.
Austin quickly changed his mind. “Alright! I give up, I believe you.”
I looked up at the dark clouds that hovered over us.
“Bre, are you going to be warm enough with that thin jacket?” Austin asked, noticing my windbreaker.
“I'll be fine.” I considered wearing my thick jacket today, but I was more concerned about looking good for Collin than warmth. I would just have to suffer through it.
It was going to take us an hour and a half to get to the caves. Austin talked mostly about his parents. Collin had a lot of questions about them and it was strange to me to hear how much he really didn't know. Katherine seemed like such a great mother. I thought Collin would’ve been closer to her.
Coming over Barlow Pass, white flurries started to lightly dust the road, blanketing it with a thin layer of snow. The traffic began to slow and within seconds it was difficult to see what was ahead of us. I suggested we turn around, but Austin said it would let up and we’d be fine, so we pressed forward.
Austin was right about it clearing up. Once we were over the pass, the bad weather seemed to be behind us. The dark clouds were still overhead, but it had stopped snowing and there was just a light mist of rain hitting the windshield for the remainder of the drive.
Austin pulled into a parking spot and we all got out of the truck. Immediately, I felt the temperature difference from Rogue River. It felt like it was fifteen degrees out and the air was icy. The only good part was it’d stopped raining and we were finally here at the caves.
I shoved my freezing hands into my coat pockets and walked up to the small office at the foot of the mountain. The mountain sat right in the center of the land’s vast lush greenery; it was gorgeous. I was glad we hadn’t turned around, despite the freezing cold weather. I was looking forward to seeing the caves.
We paid for our tickets and the attendant at the desk handed us maps and information pamphlets. She had to review some safety rules and precautions before we were allowed to enter the caves, particularly warning us that sometimes they housed cougars and bears. Then we were set, and we headed into the base of the caves. It took a minute to adjust our eyes to the dimness, but it was incredible being under this enormous mountain.
“Wow, this is great!” Austin scanned the walls and different designs that nature had carved out over the years.
There was a thick musty smell that hit my nostrils as soon as we entered. It reminded me of old musty laundry that had sat in the washing machine for a few days.
“Bre, you’re freezing! Look at you, you’re shaking,” Collin said, taking notice of my involuntary shuddering. Unzipping his jacket and placing it between his legs he pulled his hooded sweatshirt off, revealing some of his chiseled abdomen. I bit my bottom lip. “Here, you’ll be warmer in this.”
“N-no I’m f-fine,” I stammered.
He ignored the objection and pulled it over my head. I slid my arms through the sleeves and looked up at him. The sweatshirt was toasty warm inside and the aroma of Collin infused my senses.
“There,” he said, smiling at me, and I swallowed. He brought up his hands slowly and removed the hood from my head, brushing his wrists against the sides of my face. The knots in my stomach flared up at his touch and his eyes settled on mine. Then he dropped his hands down my arms and back to his sides. We stood there for about ten seconds not saying anything. My stomach twisted and I couldn’t feel my legs. His expression confused me, because there seemed to be something there that I recognized. It was almost like his eyes were trying to tell me something unspoken, but his lips remained motionless.
“Thank you,” I finally said.
His lips curled over his teeth, taking my breath away again.
“You’re very welcome,” he answered tenderly, and for a second I had forgotten we weren’t alone.
“Are you guys coming?” Austin yelled. He’d already climbed to the second story. “It’s awesome up here. You have to come see it.”
Collin and I exchanged another glance.
“Ready?” He asked.
“Sure,” I followed him up the stairs, wishing that moment had never ended.
At the top, Austin pointed out the different plaques that provided information about the history of the caves. For a little while, Collin hovered close by but didn’t join in the conversation at all. Every time I glanced at him, he looked like he was deep in thought, looking at the formations but not really seeing them. I wondered what the sudden shift in behavior was all about. I wanted to ask, but as I was about to, he headed passed us and disappeared around the corner.
After about five minutes, he hadn’t come back and I began to worry.
“Shouldn’t we go find Collin?” I asked.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Austin assured me. But I didn’t hold the same confidence. The more time that went by without him, the more I thought about the cougar and bear warnings the lady gave us.
“Besides, it’s kind of nice being just us, alone.” Austin took my hand in his and intertwined our fingers. He pulled my hand up to his lips and kissed the back. I waited for some type of reaction: butterflies, heart racing, but I felt nothing.
I pulled my hand away.
Austin creased his forehead, a little hurt. “Is something wrong?”
I hesitated, wrestling with the decision to tell Austin we were just friends and nothing more. But I rejected the thought when I remembered the hour and a half drive home and how awkward that would be.
“I’m just worried about Collin,” I finally said with regret. “Let’s go find him.”
“All right.” Austin’s voice was low and uneasy, but he didn’t question me anymore. We made our way through the cave, but every turn was an empty tunnel with Collin nowhere in sight.
“Collin?” I yelled, but all we heard was the sound of my voice bouncing off the cave walls. It would echo loudly then fade until all we heard was the water trickling down from the inner ceiling and onto puddles on the cement floor.
I started to speed up, taking long quick strides. Austin’s steps were in sync with mine, and his rapid breathing was loud enough for me to hear.
“Where is he?” My voice was edged with panic. “How long is this thing?”
“I’m sure he’s fine,” Austin muttered.
“Collin!” I yelled again.
“He’s probably made it all the way out of the cave.”
We walked for about twenty minutes in silence and I was beginning to think the worst. With every corner I turned, I pictured him lying on the cold stone floor. No matter which way we turned, we always ran into another long walking path that was empty and cold.
“We should be getting close to the end here. At least that’s what the map says,” Austin said a little out of breath. I think he was getting tired as we climbed higher and higher, but I wasn’t about to stop now.
I could finally see a light up ahead and I knew that had to be the way out. I started running to the light as fast as I could.
“Bre, wait up,” Austin called from behind me, but I didn’t stop. I was too anxious.
I flung myself outside into the chilly air, gasping for breath. I wasn’t expecting the temperature to be so much colder than inside the caves.
“Collin!” I sagged with relief.
He was sitting on a large rock overlooking the valley. His lips in a straight line, his eyes strained.
I ran right up to him. “There you are! Why’d you go off by yourself like that?” I stopped just shy of slapping his arm.
He looked at me wordlessly.
“Collin?” I questioned again, shaking my head.
Standing to his feet, he looked down at me. He was so serious and I felt like I had something to do with what was troubling him.
“Bre I have to…” he started to say, but then his eyes flashed back behind me and he didn’t finish.
“Man,
there you are!” Austin made the last climb up out of the cave.
Collin stepped past me. “Sorry I went off by myself. I didn’t think you guys would be so worried,” Collin apologized, his voice somber and deep.
Austin took a deep breath, resting his hands on his hips. “It’s okay, I knew you were fine. Breanna was just being a typical girl and panicking.”
I gave Austin a dirty look, then felt two sets of eyes on me.
“Is that true…you were panicking?” Collin wore a half-smile but still indecipherable.
“No,” I said at first, but Collin lifted one eyebrow, insinuating that I wasn’t telling the truth. “Well…maybe a little.” I smiled slightly back at him, somewhat embarrassed, then my smile faded as I wondered what he was about to tell me before Austin walked up.
Collin didn’t look away as the second passed, but held onto my gaze as if searching for an unanswered question.
“We should probably start to head back and find a nice place to eat,” Austin said as he walked up to me and put his arm around my shoulders.
“I agree,” Collin announced, swiftly heading out in front of us. Was he bothered by Austin’s affection or was I just imagining it? The entire time we were hiking back my thoughts went over and over the events of the day.
After hiking through the cave, the trip to the truck was longer than I remembered. If it wasn’t for Austin’s arm on me, I would’ve fallen a couple of times. But there he was, walking steadily with me. It was as if his fingers were tiny spiders crawling all over my shoulder, making me feel edgy and restless. All I wanted to do was push them away, yet I couldn't. Having the "let's just be friends" talk while we were stuck in the middle of nowhere with Collin nearby would be painfully awkward for all of us, so I said nothing. Strangely, the whole way back to the truck Collin stayed well in front of Austin and I ― almost as if he was trying to avoid being near us entirely.
We finally made it back to the truck and decided to eat at a little diner just up the road from the caves. I was glad to be indoors where it was warm and cozy. The temperature had dropped drastically. The winds had picked up and snow began to drift out of the sky just as we drove into the restaurant’s parking lot.
Awaken (Awaken Series Book 1) Page 24