“It’s not the time.”
“Kane,” she says with exasperation and sadness.
“Maybe one day.”
I can tell she wants to press the subject further, but she stays quiet. The only thing I can hear is the river flowing by that runs parallel to the highway.
“Where are you?” she asks. I’m quiet for too long, so she adds, “You’re out on your bike, aren’t you?”
She doesn’t hate that we all ride, but she worries when we ride in conditions she deems less than ideal. “There isn’t any snow or ice on the roads.”
I glance around, seeing only a few tiny patches of snow along the side of the road that are left from the last snowfall. It’s a chilly day, but it was as perfect a day for a ride as you can get this high in the mountains this time of year.
“You boys are going to make me go gray.”
I laugh loudly. “We’ve been doing that since we were five.”
“True.” She lets out a breath as she laughs quietly. “Just be careful, okay? I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to you.”
“Promise. I will.”
“Good. Video call me this weekend, so I can talk to my grandson.”
My parents have worked so hard at maintaining a strong relationship with Oliver since the move. Their video calls might not have a back-and-forth verbal conversation, but they all enjoy spending time together.
“Will do. Give Dad a hug for me.”
“I will. Love you.”
“Love you, too, Mom.”
With my phone secured in my jeans pocket and my helmet back in place, I pull out onto the highway. I need to head back into town, but I want to finish this last loop around the lake first.
I’m not quite ready to rejoin society with my thoughts raging so loudly in my mind.
I can’t even lie to myself anymore and say I don’t want anything to happen beyond friendship with Abby. I absolutely do.
Things are messy with Wyatt and Linc in the mix now, but attempting to lie about it to myself isn’t doing anyone any good.
I have feelings for her, and I have since the first time I saw her. Things might have changed and shifted to the background over the years when we weren’t in each other’s lives, but the feelings never went away.
Having her back in my life has just brought all of that into stark clarity. All of this is still a horrible idea, but at least I can be honest with myself.
My speed drops as I drive into town. A sense of comfort hits me because this town has truly become a safe landing after so many obstacles being thrown in our path.
One second, I’m appreciating the old-school feel of the buildings leading to downtown. The next, the world seems to move out from beneath me.
Searing pain explodes through the right side of my body as something hot and unforgiving collides into me.
I’m vaguely aware it’s a car slamming into me, but I don’t even have time to process it before I’m sliding across the asphalt and away from my bike.
A series of faces flash through my mind, like a strobe light.
My parents.
Linc and Wyatt.
Abby.
