Page 101 of River & Rue

“Aaaand you’ve lost me.”

Smiling for the first time in hours, I yank my phone from my back pocket. My pulse pounds as I quickly type the most impulsive text message of my life. It might blow up in my face—it might not. Regardless, a weight lifts off my shoulders when I send it.

I tuck my phone away, then clap Dan on the shoulder. “Appreciate you listening, man.”

“I’m always down to listen to your woo-woo gibberish.” His teasing grin mellows. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think Rue meant that—that you weren’t worth the risk. Fear is a blindfold, ya know? Sometimes we need someone on the other side to help us take it off. From that wild shit about your granny, seems to me like you’re on the right track.”

I bark a laugh. “You’re a good one, Dan. Thanks for putting up with me.”

He grins. “You’re a fuckin’ weird one, but same.”

I’m still smiling when I glimpse Rue’s ponytail swaying as she turns back around. Maya glances at us. She’s too far away for me to get a read on the look she gives me, but it doesn’t seem hostile.

The look she gives Dan, however, is unmistakable.

When she turns back around, I whistle softly. “Want to catch me up? Last I heard, you two were keeping things casual.”

Dan flushes under his beard and proceeds to tell me just how not casual he and Maya have gotten. They’ve even talked about him delaying his return to Boston so they can road trip down the California coast together. I tell him how happy I am for him and suggest a few places they should stop. And I ignore the sting of envy.

Our conversation tapers off as the trail becomes a switchbacking incline. The canopy grows higher, thicker, and finally closes, swallowing us in a world of cool shadows and draping moss. Beyond fir, hemlock, and a host of other trees I can’t identify, I see hints of distinctive, rust-colored bark.

We catch up to the group in a clearing with a footbridge that spans a small ravine. They must have been farther ahead than I thought they were; backpacks are off, everyone sitting in the sunlight eating snacks.

“Howdy, fellas!”

Kirk waves as we cross the groaning planks of the bridge. When I step back onto solid ground, my gaze finds Rue. Her eyes sparkle in the sunlight as she sips water and listens intently to the person sitting beside her.

Matteo.

A sting in my chest makes my breath catch. I turn away and unclip my pack, sighing as I lower the substantial weight to the ground. In addition to my own shit, I’m carrying one of the five tents and a portion of the supplies and food. The rest is spread between Dan, Jae, Elio, and Kirk’s right-hand man, Gavin. Matteo weaseled his way out of the responsibility because of an alleged shoulder injury from yoga.

Dan and I drop to the ground. As we pull out our water bottles, Kirk tosses granola bars into our laps.

“I’ve already told the others, but this is the last spot for cell service until we reach camp. So if you have goodbyes to say, now’s the time.” He cackles at his bad joke. “Kidding, kidding. About the doom and gloom, not about the service. Since you were lollygagging , you have five minutes to get some grub and find a bush to pee on.”

The word service finally lands, and I jolt upright. Adrenaline surges through me so fast my mouth waters. With a twist of my hips, I retrieve my phone and tap the screen.

I take a steadying breath and open our text thread. My heart kicks when I see the message I sent earlier, then soars when I read her reply.

I’m in love with Rue

Obviously Tell HER ya dummy. xo

A breathless laugh coasts out of me. I type fast, hoping to catch her before the next leg of the hike.

How long have you known?

She answers within seconds.

I’ve suspected for a while but knew for sure the last time u came to San Diego. Hence my deep rage when u started dating that evil person whose name shall never be spoken again

But I’ve ~known~ since I saw u side by side at the first Thanksgiving she came to. Your auras together are legit INSANE

Insane how?

You’re not two halves of a whole like Wilder/Eva or mom/dad. It’s more like u guys are made to dance energetically and balance each other. The shadows in your aura wipe out hers and vice versa

Together = blinding dancing rainbow magic