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Chris fake-yawned. “Big day tomorrow.” He joined Noah, walking away from the fire, and muttered, “Awkward.”
“Ha. No kidding.”
“See you in the morning,” Chris said, beelining to his hammock.
Noah lifted a hand and made a trip to the bathroom before sliding into his own hammock—another loan from Matt. The air was still warm, so he stayed on top of his bag, wondering how many years it would take for the stars to stop reminding him of Grace. He thumped his head a few times with his fist before allowing it to rest there, his arm stretched across his head.
His resolve was slipping.
Without the possibility of being with Grace to motivate him, it would be so easy to slip back into old habits. He gritted his teeth, promising himself he wouldn’t let that happen. She might have been the inspiration behind all the progress he’d made over the summer, but he hadn’t done itforher.
He’d done it for himself.
As hard as it would be to get her out of his head and heart, he resolved to stay the course without her.
Make it through tomorrow, he thought,and then I’ll figure out how.
Chapter 59
Possum
Too hot to get insidemy sleeping bag, I’m zoning out on a stupid phone game in an attempt to quiet my thoughts when a text comes through.
Alec:All tucked in? Need anything?
Me:I’m good! Thanks. Hope you get some good rest. G’night!
Alec:You too! We’re going to need it!
I doubt I’ll get it.
At the sound of Melissa approaching our tent, I lock my phone and feign sleep. The hushed conversation and quiet laughter at the fire died down a while ago, but I’m still wide awake. She eases the zipper closed and slips into her own bag with a contented sigh.
Have I ever felt that content with Alec?
Noah’s smile from tonight flits unsummoned into my head, and knowing I shouldn’t, I let it linger. That brief connection—the depth of understanding he conveyed with one short look—warmed me more than the fire. More than Alec’s aloof form had, pressed against my side.
With a mental slap, I chase the image away. I flood my head with Alec, trying to put myself to sleep with a list of his many great qualities, replaying moments of kindness and sincerity and fun, reminding myself how good and strong and handsome he is and howhewants to work things out withme.
Even though we don’t always get along. Even though our primary shared interest is a conflicting volleyball ideology. Even though he hates the job I love.
Chapter 60
Let’s Ride
Noah tossed off his blanket,making a mental note to removehammockfrom his growing wish list of adventure gear, and eased out of the torture device. It might be nice for lounging, but for a belly sleeper like himself, a whole night in a hammock was awful.
Pale-pink light illuminated the few clouds in a clear blue sky, complementing the pink-orange rocks and sparse vegetation on the sand flats. Noah tiptoed past his companions on his way to the facilities, wishing they’d wake up but not wanting to be the reason. The other guys had yet to move from their hammocks, and the girls’ tent sat silent.
Back at the car, he fished through his duffel for Matt’s biking gear and changed in the back seat, watching with vigilance for anyone who might wander by at an inopportune moment even though the windows were tinted. Once changed, he dug a protein bar and water bottle out of his food stash and decided to go for a walk to loosen up.
The diaperlike pad in the biking shorts felt strange and bulky as he walked, but if it prevented serious damage from the torturous seat, it would be worth it. Thankfully, Matt had included a pair of trail shorts to wear over the spandex. Stretchy pants in public was not a fashion statement Noah was ready to make.
He wondered if Grace felt the same.
With a growl, he sank his teeth into the protein bar, cringing at the texture. Matt had insisted that this particular bar was best, but maybe he hadn’t been talking about taste. A long draw on Noah’s water washed down the lump of almost-chocolate-tasting, chewy, grainy protein and left him wishing he’d packed some cereal.
Though the sun had yet to dawn, most of the campers at other sites he passed were up and moving, checking gear and eating breakfast. It was already warm; that slickrock would be blistering hot by midday.
