Page 37 of When The Mountains Held Us

Fuck, I feel like a teenager again.

I take a few deep breaths and focus on something—anything—else besides the woman that’s got her presence wrapped around my mind. When I’ve sufficiently calmed down enough, I emerge from behind the waterfall. I make my way over to the rest of the group who are picking up our towels and a few stray food wrappers.

Oakley bends at the waist to retrieve the towel we both used to dry off after swimming, and my gaze zeroes in on the fabric as she stuffs it unceremoniously into her hiking pack. I want to yank the towel from her hands and press my face to it, try to inhale the smell of her and ingrain it under my skin like a tattoo.

When we’ve gathered everything, we follow Jessie back to the trail. The sun is sinking in the sky, but it’s still warm, and the sunshine slowly evaporates the droplets of water still coating my skin.

“How was the view?” Oakley asks, curiosity and excitement flavoring her words as she looks at Jessie.

“It was gorgeous. You’ll have to come up with us next time.”

Oakley smiles warmly at Jessie as they make their way down the trail. Justin hangs back to walk with me, but his attention is fixed on Jessie as she walks. Just like on the way up, Bandit walks up ahead of us with the girls.

“So… what did you two get up to?” His suggestive tone has me rolling my eyes, but deep down I like that he cares enough to ask.

“Showed her the cave behind the falls.”

“You never take anyone there.”

“Yeah, but I don’t know. I thought she might like it.”

“Levi…”

“Justin…” I trail his name off the same way he had mine, adopting his warning tone in an attempt to break the tension. He blows out a long breath.

“She’s got you wrapped so tightly around her finger already. You’re like a live wire. I can feel the tension rolling off you in waves.” His voice is low, clearly not wanting his words to carry over to the girls, but it’s not unkind.

In fact, there’s a quietness to it, like he’s trying to make his statement in a way that lets me know he’s not judging or criticizing, merely making an observation. Any irritation ebbs from my body before it has a chance to take root.

“I don’t know what it is about her.”

Justin doesn’t respond, deciding instead to leave me with my warring emotions. I’m grateful for the momentary silence, so long as it’s still punctuated by the sweet sound of Oakley’s laughter flitting back to meet me.

Twenty

Oakley

“You’re insufferable!” I laugh, playfully swatting at Jessie’s arm as she shoots a devilish smirk in my direction while wiggling her eyebrows like a cartoon character.

“What?! All I’m saying is next time, you should shoot me a text and tell me to give y'all a little bit. Though, I am grateful that I interrupted before anything had really started. There’s no way I’d be able to live with knowing what my cousin sounds like when he’s⁠—”

“Okay, that’s enough. Geez, did you drink the whole bottle at the top of the cliff with Justin?”

Jessie giggles, and I roll my eyes in exasperation.

I know how it must have looked, to emerge from behind the waterfall with Levi following only seconds behind me. Her lighthearted teasing fills me with the warm and fuzzies.

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this kind of camaraderie; it’s a welcome change to what I’ve gotten used to.

“I had no choice after you turned me down. How else was I supposed to get through one-on-one time with Justin?”

“Oh, you poor thing,” I deadpan, and my friend erupts into a fit of alcohol-fueled laughter.

We make our way down the trail, Jessie swaying slightly as she tries to keep her balance. My legs shake with muscle fatigue as we race the rapidly setting sun back to our cars.

Here in the mountains, it gets dark long before sunset. If I was afraid the other night on the side of the road, I certainly have no interest in sticking around the actual woods now. The last thing I need is a run-in with a mama bear.

It’s been a good day. The strenuous hike to the swimming hole was filled with equal parts excitement and nerves, but it was nothing compared to the trepidation of standing at the edge of that cliff and peering down to the deep water below. And then there’s the overwhelming exhilaration and sense of freedom as I jumped. I’ve never felt anything like it.