"Hang on tight," I told her. Riley just ahead of us, I swerved through a series of narrow bends and hairpin turns, barely keeping the wheels on the ground.
As far as I knew, he and I were the only ones to use this track, if you could call it that. Every few weeks, we'd go up to the lookout and come back down this way. We'd like to explore all over the mountain, but the quad bikes would damage too much of the pristine nature.
Even assholes like us had our limits.
Leah squeaked and squealed every few swerves, clinging to me even harder. As if somehow I might let her get thrown off. I wouldn't tell her, but we were riding a little slower than usual. Taking the curves with a little more care.
We were going to wreck her, not with reckless speed.
Finally, the smaller track led out to the bigger one, and then the paved road. This part was always an anticlimax. Coming down from the high like an addict. Adrenaline running with nowhere to go. If it wasn't for the promise of the next adventure, I'd lose my mind. Days like this made life worth living. One day, I'd have the funds to buy multiple quad bikes and take tourists through the forest on them. And over the frozen lake. Motorbikes too. Anything that went fast.
The engine thrumming, we followed Riley past his house and around the back to park beside him. He was grinning like the idiot he was.
"I won this time." He was practically crowing like the neighbour’s rooster.
Stupid fucking thing crowed at three o'clock in the afternoon like it didn't know what time it was. He had one redeeming quality; he liked to chase Riley every time he saw him. I'd be okay with it if he didn't end up roasted too soon. The animal was good for a laugh.
"Won what?" I killed the engine and jumped off. "I couldn't get past you if I wanted to." Not without damaging the habitat the animals relied on. I was competitive, but that was a line I wouldn't cross, even to win a race with him. On the wider track, all bets were off. No way in hell was I letting him beat me there.
He didn't stop grinning. "I don't care, I still won."
I glanced over to Leah and shrugged. "Some people are too impressed with themselves."
She gave me a meaningful look and smiled. "I've noticed."
Riley laughed. "Burn. She's got you there, Con."
"I think she was talking about both of us," I said. She wasn't wrong though. He and I were way too impressed with ourselves most of the time. Fair enough, we were pretty fucking impressive if you asked me. Of course we were, we made her soaking wet without even touching her.
"There you are." Whitney appeared from around the side of the house. "I've been trying to get a hold of you. I figured you'd be with Riley." She raised her eyebrows at seeing Leah in our company, but didn't say anything before turning back to me.
She glared at me like I'd done something wrong by existing. "Have you got your phone turned off?"
I patted my pocket. "I must have left it at home. What's up?"
"It's Dad. He's in the hospital. He had a heart attack."
16
LEAH
"Thanks for sticking around."Whitney looked over at me and offered a smile.
"I know I haven't been in town long—" I started.
"It feels like you have." She leaned over in the worn, plastic waiting room chair and hugged me. "You're practically part of the family now." She sat up and gave me a meaningful look before sliding her gaze towards Connor.
He was pacing through the corridor outside their father's hospital room. Deepening the already worn path in the faded blue linoleum.
"There's nothing going on," I said.
Okay, not exactly nothing. Hehadeaten me out on the back of his quad bike. But, in spite of his claims I belonged to him, we were barely friends, much less anything more.
Sure, I'd been quick enough to come here and sit in the waiting room that smelled like hospital grade disinfectant and starched sheets to be with them while they waited. I told myself I was here for Whitney, not Connor. I didn't think I convinced myself.
"Did he and Riley take you up to the lookout?" she asked a little too loudly.
Connor stopped mid-pace to glare at us both. "Whit…"
