“So you think you’ll be here for awhile,then?”
“Honestly? I don’t know. I’m not really sure what I’m doinganymore.”
I didn’t have a response for that and she didn’t offer up anything else. It wasn’t quite comfortable silence between us. I struggled for words to put her at ease, but was at a loss. I wasn’t ready to open up just yet, as I had promised. I offered up my only solution. “Want to listen to somemusic?”
“Sure,” she answered, but made no move to turn on the radio or plug in herphone.
I reached over turned the radio to a classic rock station. I didn’t even like it, but I had been blaring it ever since the rumors had started to circulate. Rock screamed rebel, tough guy. Might as well play the part if everyone thought it was true, right? I didn’t have to wait long to see Katie’s reactiontoit.
I was surprised when she started to sing along. I thought she might scrunch her nose up at it. Her voice was soft and had the music been any louder, I would have missed it. She began to bob her head a little. It was cute to watch and I couldn’t help the smile that hitmylips.
“I didn’t peg you as a fan ofTheWho.”
“Oh, I’m not really, but my ex–” she bit her lip and stopped midsentence.
She was going to say her ex-boyfriend had been a fan. The idea of her with someone else didn’t sit well. I hated that my mind created a mental image of her laughing with another guy,kissinganother guy. I didn’t have the right to bejealous.
I had dated; she haddated.
Right now, it was the twoofus.
“It’s okay,” I said, hoping to reassure her. “I mean, it’s not like we need to pretend we haven’t dated anyone else. I do wish you’d start singing again, though. It was adorableashell”
She pressed her lips together, fighting a smile and shook her head, seemingly embarrassed. But a few seconds later, her voice started again, singing along with the band. I listened as songs changed and she sang to each one. Her voice was sweet and in stark contrast to most of the lead singers belting out theirballads.
This went on the rest of the drive out to the caves. We didn’t talk, but even in this, I could feel myself growing closer. I liked seeing this part of her. Carefree, uninhibited,comfortable.I didn’t want the drive to end, but when we pulled up to the caves, I turned the car off and the musicstopped.
The caves were underground in the middle of nowhere. To find them, you literally just drove until you saw the top of a metal ladder sticking out of the ground with a few rocks around it. No fancy signs orparkinglot.
It wasn’t a secret. In fact, people from all over the country would come and check them out. It just wasn’t a big attraction. If you didn’t already know it was out here, you wouldn’t just stumbleacrossit.
In recent years the city had tried to discourage people from coming out, but it didn’t stop wannabe explorers, and it sure as hell didn’t stop thelocals.
I was relieved to see my car was the only one parked out there. I wanted this moment to be ours. Something only the two of us would experience. That and the fact my entire plan would be ruined if another personshowedup.
“Did you bring flashlights?” sheasked.
“Of course,” I said, reaching for my bag in the back seat. It had a couple of flashlights, batteries and some bottled water in it. The underground cave got pitch black once you walked far enough in. Flashlights, and backups, wereessential.
“I can’t believe you brought me here.” She said as she got out of the car and walked toward the entrance onthecave.
I followed her, after grabbing our supplies. “Don’t be. I’m here and I won’t let anythinghappen.”
Katie’s smile was tentative as she walked closer to the ladder. I watched as she wiped her hands on her jeans several times. She was anxious about something. Whether it was the cave or being alone out here with me, Iwasn’tsure.
“You’re not nervous, are you,Katie?”
She peered over the hole and looked over at me, biting her lip. Once again, I found my eyes drawn to her mouth. “I might be. Isn’t thathorrible?”
“No way. You’re fearless, Katie!” Iteased.
“I wouldn’t say I’m all thatfearless.”
“Really? Because the Katie I remember would be racing me down thatladder.”
She smiled, but it looked sad. “Remember, I’m not that girl anymore. I wish I was but…” She trailed off and looked at me, begging that I not push it. Istopped.
“Fine. How about this? I’ll go first. You can come down after me. That way, if you fall, you’ll land on me. Plus, I’ll get to check out your ass without you knowing,” I said winkingather.
