He covers it with his hand. Covers mine too.
Soon he will take me down the mountain.
Tonight, I lean into the only steady thing I know and let myself believe I will not have to face the past without him.
Chapter Twelve
Briar
A week later, I reach for the pencil on the nightstand and scratch shakily across the page in my lap:
GO TODAY?
Rafe winces as he stares at me. “When you go is up to you, Briar. You deserve choice.”
Choice
I don’t know how to hold that word. I clutch it anyway.
I point at him, then at the door. My fingers tremble.
TODAY. WITH YOU.
His exhale shakes. He nods instantly. “Of course. I’ll take you. I’ll stay with you. Every second. You’re not doing this alone.”
A knot unclenches inside me. One I’ve carried so long I forgot it wasn’t part of my bones.
He waits, searching my eyes, letting me lead.
I close the distance between us and rest my forehead against his chest, needing him to hold me together for this. His arms wrap around me slow, careful, steady. His heart knocks against my cheek—strong, certain, terrified of losing me.
I write one more word on the page.
READY.
Rafe lifts my chin with two fingers, eyes warm and fierce at once. “Alright, sweetheart. Let’s go find your people.”
He stands, laces his fingers with mine, and leads me toward the door. My legs shake, but I walk anyway.
Down the path. Toward the past. Toward the girl I used to be.
And then I’m coming back with the man I choose now.
The truck door closes with a thick, heavy thump that makes my pulse jump.
Rafe circles to the driver’s side, moving slowly. I sit stiff in the seat. I’ve ridden in cars before. I remember that. But my body doesn’t.
The truck groans when he turns the key, and I flinch hard.
His hand comes to rest on the seat between us—palm open. A silent offer.
My hand hovers over his, fingers trembling. I want to grab, to hide my shaking in his warmth, but I can’t make contact. Not yet. Too much noise inside me.
The truck rumbles down the path. Trees thin. The sky widens. My ears ring.
The world looks wrong without the mountain wrapped around me.
Rafe keeps his eyes on the road. “If you get overwhelmed, sweetheart, you touch me. Anywhere. Just let me know you need me.”
