The ride lasts just long enough to be exciting but not too long to make me regret the whole thing. As we approach my cabin, Finn slows down, pulling into the driveway with that effortless ease that makes it seem like he was born on a bike.
“Here we are,” he says, killing the engine, and I can hear the smile in his voice as he turns to face me. “How was that? Worth the ride?”
I laugh, still buzzing from the rush of it all. “Definitely worth the ride. But don’t think you can convince me to do this every time you want to distract me.”
He leans back slightly, giving me a mock pout. “I’m just getting started.”
I roll my eyes playfully, but there's a warmth blooming in my chest. Finn’s easy charm and carefree nature have a way of making everything feel lighter, even when the world around me still feels heavy.
“Thanks for the ride,” I say as I climb off the bike, feeling like maybe I’ve been swept off my feet a little more than I intended.
“Anytime,” Finn replies, his grin never leaving his face. “I’ll be here, making sure you don’t miss any more fun.”
I glance back at him, about to say more, but instead, I just give him a nod and a smile. “See ya, Finn.”
“See ya, Aurora,” he calls out as I turn toward the cabin, and the way he says my name sends a little spark through me that I can’t quite shake off.
As I walk up to the door, my heart still racing, I can’t help but think that maybe Coyote Glen is doing a better job of distracting me than I expected. And actually, I’m okay with that.
I open the door to my cabin and step inside, the familiar, cozy space offering some semblance of comfort. I take a deep breath,still feeling the rush of the bike ride pulsing through me. Finn’s infectious energy lingers in the air, and I think maybe I could get used to this distraction.
I close the door behind me, leaning against it, letting the quiet settle in. The place feels empty, though. Not in an eerie way, but in thatI’m still adjusting to this townway. I glance around the cabin, taking in the soft light of the lamplights and the few belongings I’ve unpacked. It’s starting to feel more homely, but something is still missing.
I pull my jacket off and hang it up, my eyes drifting out of the window, still buzzing from the evening. That’s when I notice it.
A truck.
A dark one, parked on the road just outside my cabin, near my car. It’s idling, the engine running in that low hum.
I frown, squinting as I try to get a better look, but it’s too dark outside. I don’t recognize the vehicle.
I shake my head, quickly dismissing the thought. It’s probably just someone passing through, maybe a local. It’s a small town; people drive by all the time. Right?
I tell myself it’s nothing. It’s probably nothing.
But then I watch it for a few more seconds. The truck doesn’t move. It just sits there, the headlights cutting through the darkness, the engine’s idle hum echoing in the quiet night air.
I bite my lip, hesitant.
I tell myself again,It’s fine. You’re just being paranoid. It’s nothing.
Maybe it’s someone waiting to make a turn or just parked. Maybe they're waiting for someone. But my stomach churns slightly, and I can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t quite right.
I glance back at the door, then back out the window again. The truck is still there, but just as I think about stepping outside to take a closer look, the truck slowly begins to move. It pullsaway, driving down the road at a leisurely pace, fading into the distance.
I force myself to settle back into the evening, trying to relax as best as I can. But the unease, the quiet nagging at the edge of my mind, won’t go away completely.
CHAPTER SIX
Finn
I knowCoyote Glen is a small town, but damn, it feels even smaller when you’re trying to avoid running into people.
It’s been a couple of days since Aurora and I spent that evening together. She’s still got that pull on me, the way she laughs as if she doesn’t need anything from anyone, but at the same time, I can feel she’s been holding it together, waiting for the right moment to crack.
And I’ve been making myself available, too available, just to watch her unravel, bit by bit.
Not in a creepy way, okay?
