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Telling those over the radio that I’ve found her, I tell them to wait on medical. Is anything broken? What if she fell hours ago and hit her head? So many injuries cross my mind as I make my way to her.
“Ryder?” My name comes out in a bubbled sob before she covers her face, relieved tears flooding her cheeks. “I thought I was going to die out here.”
I can’t even be mad at her, or upset. Instead, I collapse on my poor knees and pull her to my chest, thankful that I can feel her breath against my throat. It’s a sign that she’s going to be okay.
“I’m so sorry,” she bubbles on, snaking her arms around my neck. “I’m so stupid and stubborn-”
“Stop,” I order, my voice raw as I shake my head. “I don’t want to hear any of that.”
Seconds pass of her trying to collect herself and I know she’s making the collar of my shirt absolutely filthy. It’s worth the damage. When she pulls away, her eyes are puffy.
“I got lost and I fell,” she admits before glaring down at her feet. “I tried walking as much as I could in hopes of finding those stupid blue spray painted rings, but I saw a green one and knew I messed up. Then my ankle started hurting more and I sat down.”
I pull away, moving to look at her feet. One of her ankles is definitely swollen. When I give it a light squeeze, she whines but doesn’t fight my touch. It’s not broken, thankfully. Probably a stress fracture since she decided to keep walking on it.
“You’re okay,” I breathe out, relieved at the new knowledge. “I’m so relieved.”
Cassi’s smile remains and not even her injury is enough to dull the brightness on her face.
“I really wanted you to be the one to come and rescue me,” she admits before gasping when I pick her up. “Wait, you aren’t going to carry me, are you?”
“Every step of the way,” I grunt, ignoring the pain. “After that, you’re not leaving my sight.”
She nods her head before tucking her face in the crook of my throat. If she notices the way I walk, she doesn’t comment. She’s too busy whispering her thanks to say anything else.
Cassi
I’m experiencing such a high right now that I hardly even feel the way Dr. Kumav squeezes my ankle for the second time. My thoughts are on the man who is hovering closely at my side.
The woman in the white coat releases my injury and goes back to her computer, rolling the cart around so both Wesley and Ryder can see the x-rays. She points to a lovely mark on one of my bones.
“Not too much damage, but she needs her rest. We’ll send her out with a boot, but she really needs to stay off her feet.” She looks at me now, her smile growing. Yeah, I can see why my brother has the hots for her, she’s gorgeous. “You’re very lucky you aren’t in worse shape, Cassi.”
I nod, already knowing I can’t thank Ryder enough for finding me.
The doctor starts to push her cart toward the door, giving us one more look. “I’ll have one of the nurses go over prescriptions and get you walking out of here hopefully within the hour.”
Once she’s gone, Wesley doesn’t hold back from scolding me.
“Reckless,” he huffs out, scowling at me. “What were you even thinking to make the crazy choice to go up there by yourself? You’ve never hiked a day in your life and now look what happened as a result.”
I purse my lips and look away. How embarrassing. Ryder has looked like he’s wanted to explode ever since he found me and he hasn’t even yelled yet. I don’t want to look at either of them, not without wanting to die.
“I made a mistake,” I huff out, “but it’s fine.”
“Fine?” Wesley repeats, ready to pop a blood vessel.
“Don’t forget it’s my fault,” Ryder interrupts, speaking for the first time since he carried me out of his truck and into the clinic. “She asked me to go with her and I declined.”
No, he can’t really be blaming himself right now. I’m the stubborn one, I went out on my own. Despite crying a bunch already today, I’m ready to cry again. It’smyfault, dang it.
Wesley looks like he wants to argue but cuts himself short when I look his way.
“Can I talk to Ryder alone, please?” I beg. No way am I about to embarrass myself in front of my sibling. “Go ask the doctor about a follow-up appointment or something.”
My brother’s ears turn red as his scowl deepens. I know his weakness and it pisses him off, clearly. Still, my words give him the excuse to leave the room.
“You are not blaming yourself,” I huff out the moment Ryder and I are alone. “It’s my fault and if you’re going to be mad at anyone, it better be me.”
