Page 38 of When The Mountains Held Us

I think I left the old me behind at the top of that cliff. When I sprang up out of the water, spluttering and gasping for breath, I emerged as someone new. Sure, everything I’m running from is still behind me, if the near-constant buzzing from my phone is any indication. But right now, I don't care. I’m unwilling to give it any more of my time and energy.

I don’t have any space left in my mind or heart for Travis. He made sure of that the second he laid his hands on me. I might very well eat those words when I finally come down from this high, but maybe I’ll find the strength to push through and deal with it the way I should have in the first place. I need to change my number. I need to disappear once and for all. Wasn’t that the whole reason for coming here?

I silence the latest call on my phone as we approach the trailhead, Jessie and Levi’s vehicles slowly coming into focus in the near-black night. A warm hand on the small of my back sends frantic butterflies fluttering throughout my limbs, his gentle touch burning like a brand. Every nerve ending gathers in the place where his skin brushes the sliver of mine, and I lean into the touch, enjoying the quiet possession it asserts.

Undeniably, something changed between us in that cave surrounded by floating rainbow prisms and the roar of the falling water. Any apprehension I felt at allowing myself to get close to someone melted into the damp stone beneath my feet at the dominating way he held me beneath the falls.

He steers me towards the passenger side of his truck as Justin follows Jessie over to her car. I look up at him questioningly, but his expression is hidden by rapidly falling shadows.

Justin whistles for Bandit, and the pup bounds over to him without a second thought. He leaps through the open door of Jessie’s car before she closes him inside.

“We’ll drop Bandit off on our way,” she says, and my confusion mounts.

“I’ll take you home,” Levi says.

Without waiting for a response, he opens the truck door and steps back, allowing me to climb up. I hesitate for a moment, and with him as close as he is, I can see his eyebrows quirk in question.

“Is there a problem?”

I shiver at the suggestive playfulness and quickly grab the handle, hauling myself up into the seat like a pro. Like every other time before, he checks to make sure I’m settled with my seatbelt in place, before closing the door with a smirk.

Before I know it, we’re cruising down the two-lane road back to town. I can’t wait to take a hot shower and relax with my Kindle and my latest spicy romance book. Suddenly, my stomach drops.

Because Levi is taking me home.

Except I don’t have a home. I have a motel room.

Embarrassment threatens to drown me as my heart races and I frantically search for some excuse as to why I need to be dropped off anywhere but at the goddamn apartment complex.

How could I be so stupid? I was so busy enjoying myself that I let my guard down and didn’t think.

I mean, it’s not the end of the world, really. So what if Levi finds out I’m living out of the motel and not the quaint and comfortable apartment I let him think I was settled in?

No need for the dramatics, Oakley. I silently berate myself as I stare out the passenger window.

“Are you warm enough?” Levi asks, and I nod my head yes. Out of the corner of my eye I catch a glimpse of a disapproving frown. “You’re shivering.”

“I’m fine.”

“You have goosebumps running up and down your legs.”

My eyes flash to his accusing look directed at my bare legs, the skin indeed raised with goosebumps. It has nothing to do with the chill mountain air that streams in through the cracked windows and everything to do with the intense stare from the man seated next to me. And he damn well knows it.

We pull onto the main road, and Levi pulls the truck up in front of the apartments, throwing it hastily into park.

“Which one is yours? I’ll walk you to your door,” Levi says, and the click of him taking off his seatbelt jars me back into the conundrum I’ve found myself in.

“No!” I exclaim. His brows shoot up, and I hurry out an excuse. “I mean, it’s not that far. Plus, the apartment is an absolute mess right now.”

“It’s not too late. I can help you straighten up if you’d like.”

“Nope. Uh… I mean… No, thank you. You’ve done so much for me already. A girl’s gotta do something on her own.” I give a half-hearted laugh that’s not at all convincing. “I had a really nice time today,” I add, needing to get the hell out of this conversation, but not wanting to leave him thinking I didn’t enjoy myself.

His lips press together in a firm line, like he wants to say something but doesn’t dare open his mouth for fear of what might come out. Finally, after a resigned sigh, he speaks. “I had a good time too. Are you sure I can’t walk you to your door?”

I’m staring, spending entirely too long looking at the man to my left, my hand suspended halfway to the door handle. I plaster a forced smile on my face. “Positive. See you around, Levi!” With that, I wrench open the door, hop down, and close it behind me.

There was a slight shift in Levi just now, but I can’t put my finger on what it was. He felt altogether the same as, and different from, the man who nearly kissed me under the falls.