A sudden squeal snapped me back. Sabrina, frozen mid-stride, pointed into the shadows at the edge of the trail. My heart fluttered, breath catching, as I pushed past Shane and peered between the trunks.
A doe stood there, backlit by slanting sunbeams. Its ears quivered, velvet soft against a spine of dusk-brown fur. Time slowed; I could almost hear my own blood pulse in my ears as I lifted a trembling hand, afraid to break the fragile spell.
Then a twig snapped like a pistol shot. The deer bolted, hooves thundering against rock, vanishing in a rustle of leaves.
I whirled on Caiden. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction, lips curved in a smug half-smile. I knew that sound. He’d done it on purpose.
“You scared it off,” I hissed, fists clenching. “We were watching it.”
“Oops. My bad,” he drawled, voice silky, utterly without guilt.
Sabrina’s bright voice chimed in obliviously: “Don’t worry, Amelia—we’ll see more wildlife soon!” Her cheer grated on me like nails on slate. I glared at Caiden, venom hot behind my eyes, longing to tear away his calm veneer and reveal the stirring cruelty beneath.
But Sabrina had already turned to lead us further up the trail, her laugh echoing through the pines, and Caiden—ever my constant tormentor—fell into step just inches behind me.
We pressed on, Shane and Sabrina bounding ahead for a moment, leaving me alone with the beast. I resorted to pretending he wasn’t there, taking the opportunity to absorb everythingaround me.
The clouds hung in the sky, stretching across the expanse, casting a gray hue that hinted at the possibility of rain.
The weather report had assured us of a rain-free day, so I figured it was merely a temporary cluster of dark clouds.
“It’s been a few minutes. I wonder what they’re up to,” Caiden mused, breaking the silence. He raised his eyebrows in a mischievous manner, and I rolled my eyes.
Typical men.
“I’m sure they’re not doing what you’re thinking.” My cheeks flushed as I spoke. Just the hint of that subject with Caiden made my stomach twist uncomfortably.
Caiden opened his mouth to respond, but at that moment, Sabrina and Shane returned. I sighed with relief; moments alone with Caiden turned my blood to ice.
My heart felt entwined with darkness, the fury simmering just beneath the surface. I mustered the strength to swallow it back down.
As we neared the end of the loop, dangerous sparks simmered between Caiden and me. We were engaged in a game of who could irritate the other the most. He would say something to rub me the wrong way or shove past me on the trail, muttering a fake “oops, sorry” to make it seem harmless.
I had tried being the bigger person, but I was only human. Ahead, a low branch extended from a tree, its jagged edges threatening to snag anyone who dared to pass.
I hurried in front of Caiden, ducking beneath it just as he approached. The branch brushed against my body before snapping back, colliding into Caiden.
“Ow! Dammit,” I heard him groan, disoriented. A smile crept across my face, a small victory in our ongoing game.
“You're still the same bitch you've always been,” Caiden whispered bitterly, stepping back to allow Sabrina and Shane to take the lead.
“You started it,” I shot back.
“I did not,” he countered, his tone dripping with false innocence.
Lies.
“Yes, you did.”
“Okay. Believe what you want, Amelia.” My name rolled off his tongue angrily.
I turned to face him, stopping him dead in his tracks. I could feel the heat radiating from my flushed cheeks, a simmering rage boiling just beneath the surface.
“Are you kidding me? You’re the one who wants to play childish games. I’m just following your lead, buddy. I never wanted to see you ever again.” The tension was cold and harsh, I let it fuel me.
He offered no reaction, as usual. “I’m childish? Sure. Okay. I didn’t plan to see you either. But here we are.” His dark gaze pierced through me, haunting me.
“You're unbelievable. I never wanted to hate you. But you took the first step. You lit the match. I never asked for this,” I screamed the last part, shoving past him and striding ahead.
