I heard the strength in his voice, the confidence that had led us through wars and blood and loss. If he said we’d survive, I’d let myself believe it.
Maybe.
“We got through worse,” Bronc said. “We’ll get through this.”
“Sure hope so,” I muttered.
I felt Savannah’s anxiety spike through our bond, pulling my attention. She was stressed, and I had to get back to her.
“You’re lucky, Menace,” Bronc said, standing to go.
“Not luck,” I said, my thoughts already on Savannah. “Pure fucking stubbornness.”
The two of us went way back. But she was my future.
The thorns of Savannah’s stress cut deep as I drove to the school. I found her outside, tension in her stance and eyes. She was silent during the ride home, an air of resignation heavy around her like dust on old furniture. I pulled into the drive, the colonial house’s black shutters stark against the white exterior. She lingered in the truck, unwilling to move. “Made dinner,” I said, waiting for her to follow me. The steaks had gone cold by the time she sat at the table, her mind a million miles away. I felt the distance like a wound.
“Did you hear me?” I asked, searching for her gaze.
“What?” Her eyes were vacant.
“I asked how today went,” I said.
“Oh,” she replied. “Fine.”
Her mouth said it, but everything else told me it was a lie.
“Looks like it,” I said, my sarcasm not lost on her.
She poked at the steak. “Sorry, Bridger. I’m trying.”
“I know you are.”
Her silence stretched between us, a void I didn’t know how to fill.
“Not much of an appetite?”
She shook her head, the barest movement.
“School’s tough?”
She paused, considering how to answer. “Tough,” she said finally, the word too small for the weight it carried. Her thoughts were elsewhere, and I had a damn good idea where.
I reached for her hand, feeling the reluctance in her touch.
“Nothing you can’t handle, Red.”
She gave me a weak smile. “I want to believe that.” Her voice was a ghost of its usual self.
“C’mon,” I said, pulling her up. “Need to show you something.” I led her outside to the woods, the crisp air biting through our clothes.
Her reluctance followed us like a shadow. “Where are we going?”
“Run,” I said, watching her surprise flicker to life. “Need it more than you know.”
I stripped down, feeling her eyes on me. “Your turn.”
“Here?” she asked, glancing around.
