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“I promise,” I kiss her on the forehead and slowly head back to the shack.
Chapter 24
I wake up the following morning pretty late. The alarm clock lazily tells me that it’s almost noon, not even apologizing for letting me sleep this late. I put on just a tank top and some cutoff jeans, as the previous few days were pretty hot. The events from last night come back to me slowly, like taking photographs out of an old family album, one by one. I remember moment by moment, then words and smiles. Then, I realize I fell asleep in his arms.
“Great, just great, Isabel,” I tell myself loudly, because if I just think it, it won’t be nearly as scolding. “You forgot to kiss him.”
I quickly glance at the door, to make sure it’s closed and sigh with relief when I see that it is. I feel a sudden need to talk to Vanessa, so I head on over to Dex’s shack. I catch him on his way out.
“Hey, little lady,” he grins at me cheekily. “Where you headed?”
“Morning,” I smile.
“No, it’s not morning anymore,” he chuckles. “Did you just wake up?”
“Kinda,” I reply, blushing a little. “Listen, do you mind if I call my sister?”
“The phone’s on the table. Help yourself,” he nods. “I’m going to the lake for a dip. You coming when you’re done?”
“Um… sure,” I nod, uncertain whether I’ll really be going. That kiss got me all confused and with Theron last night, I think it might be a good idea to just spend the day on my own, to clear my head a little. “I’ll see you later.”
He waves at me and I enter his shack, closing the door behind me. I sit down on the chair and immediately dial my sister.
“Please, pick up, please, pick up,” I say loudly after the first ring.
“Hello?” Vanessa’s cheerful voice flows out of the phone.
“Vanessa!” I shout her name loudly.
“Isabel!” she replies by calling out my name. “Mom told me what happened. My gosh! Are you OK? When are you coming back?”
“Hopefully, soon. It’s the weirdest thing,” I reply, a little calmer now that I’ve heard her voice. “I feel fine. I mean, my jaw has healed nicely, but I think there’s something wrong with my head.”
“Your head?”
“I think my mind doesn’t want to go back yet.”
“What do you mean?” she sounds more and more confused.
“I think I can’t leave this place before I face what’s happened.”
“So, face it and come on back. We miss you, Isabel.”
“I know,” I nod, feeling saddened by her words. “I miss you, too, so much. But, it’s not that easy. I mean, I don’t have any nightmares, I barely even think about it. I’m focused on wanting to come back home.” This is a lie, but she can’t tell. It’s so easy to weave a tapestry of half-truths over the phone.
“Mom says we should come and get you.”
“Mom feels guilty that she allowed me to do this in the first place, doesn’t she?” I frown.
“Of course.”
“So, she wants to come here and rescue me. But, she can’t. Someone already rescued me.”
“You’re talking about those bikers?” Vanessa sounds intrigued. I know she wants to hear all about them and I’m dying to dish, but I can’t. It’s only the three of us here now, but I can never be sure that one of them isn’t just around the corner. Who knows what they might overhear?
“If I told you half of it, you would
n’t believe me,” I chuckle, pleased.
