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I was missing something major, but it was none of my business what the deal was about Jamie’s birthday. He’d been crystal clear last night. There was nothing between us.
Still, he was a guest who was in danger out there alone. I was just as worried as his friends were. Jamie was an asshole to me, but I didn’t want anything bad to happen to him.
“I have to go get him,” I said. “It will be near impossible for a guest to navigate the terrain in this downpour but… where exactly did he go?”
“He headed in the direction of our first hike,” Spencer said.
“What makes you so sure?” I asked.
“We discussed the scenery and the serenity after the hike. Jamie mentioned wanting to trek the same path again and go further.”
I let out a long exhale. “Crap.” That particular path was already washed out. I was certain of it. Jamie must have been spinning in circles as we spoke. “Okay, no problem. I’ll go get him.” I was already heading over to where I stashed my backpack earlier. There were raincoats and water boots in the storeroom.
“We’ll go get him,” Lincoln said, coming up behind me.
The others followed, nodding their agreement.
I scoffed as I turned to face them. Five guests in danger instead of one? If anything happened, I bet I’d be the one to catch all the shit.
“Absolutely not. You guys are going to go back to your rooms where you’ll stay nice and dry and safe because I’m sure the resort isn’t looking for a lawsuit.”
Lincoln huffed. “He’s our friend, Char. We’re not leaving him out there in possible danger. Alright, what do you say just you and I make the trip? The others can stay here if that will make you feel better.”
My eyebrows furrowed as I considered. Lincoln was probably more athletic than the others. He could handle the walk but not the unfamiliar and hazardous terrain. “No.”
“Charlotte.” He had that edge to his voice. The one where easy-going Lincoln took a back seat and he got all stubborn and incredibly bossy. “You are not going out there alone.”
“Why? Because I’m a girl?” I was kidding, but I still watched him closely to see if that was really it.
His eyebrows snapped together into irritated lines. “Because you said it’s dangerous.”
“Yeah, for someone who isn’t familiar with the place. I can hike those woods with my eyes closed, rain or shine. I’ll move faster alone, and you know it. We’re wasting time standing here arguing about it.”
Lincoln ran his fingers through his hair as he warily looked outside. It wasn’t a hurricane, just a surprise tropical storm but it looked like all hell had broken loose out there.
“Fine, just be careful.”
I gave him a grateful smile. No matter what, I’d always care about Lincoln and he’d always care about me.
“I will. I promise.”
I quickly gathered my gear and went on my rescue Jamie mission.
15
JAMIE
I was so fucked… from all angles. I did a three-sixty, blinking rapidly as water assaulted my face, obscuring my vision. Which direction did I come from again? The path that I had followed was gone, wiped away by the heavy rain, and the wind was strong enough to move a damn house. I was completely lost.
One minute, I was enjoying my time alone in the tranquil forest, which did wonders for my peace of mind. The next minute, I was soaked and shivering. The rain came down without much warning and it worsened pretty fast. I’d taken a handful of steps when I realized that I had no idea which direction the resort was in. At that point, I wasn’t sure if I’d ventured closer to or further away from the hotel.
This was a nasty storm. However, it had only been mildly overcast this morning when I left the hotel. I assumed the weather would stay fair for a hike. It was like the universe was sticking it to me for hurting Charlotte’s feelings last night.
Heaving a sigh, I walked aimlessly, thinking that it was better than standing in one place. However, I learned that walking had become highly dangerous. My foot slipped in mud and I almost lost my balance. I eyed the ravine to my left warily and felt that familiar nausea that overwhelmed me when I was high up without a barrier protecting me. If I took a tumble, I’d probably be done for.
“It would be just my luck to die on my birthday,” I said as I carefully navigated my steps. Maybe I’d deserve it… I shook my head.
Push away the negative thoughts. Find your happy place. That was what my therapist, the one Dad forced me to go to as a teen, told me to do. Dr. Anya was alright, a pleasant lady. However, I started ditching my sessions with her shortly after I started. I didn’t need a damn therapist. What I needed was for my father to stop being a frigid asshole. If he’d been a decent parent, I wouldn’t have been such a sad kid.
