“Far away,” she commented absently, looking at the books.
I shifted myself, moving closer to her. There was enough room for two people to lay comfortably with space to spare, but the damp air had brought a chill and it felt better to sit closer.
“I go where the money is.”
“Decent books.” She took one out and looked at the spine.
“Surprised that I can read?”
She shook her head. “Surprised that you like to read Jonathan Franzen.”
I snatched my copy of Freedom from her hands and tossed it across the car. “He’s fine. The self-sufficiency thing works for me.”
She laughed. “You’re basically a wild man.”
“That’s what the ladies tell me.”
“Good one.”
I moved closer to her. “You’re actually the first person I’ve showed this to.”
“Why? I mean, why me?”
“You know why. We’ve been doing this for way too long.”
“Reid.” Her lips parted slightly as I reached up and took her chin in my hand.
“You know what I want.”
“I’m afraid.”
“I’m not.”
I pressed my lips against hers. She kissed me back, and for a few seconds the world was right.
Until she pulled away. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I can’t do this.” Avoiding eye contact, she pushed her way out of the van.
“Becca, wait,” I called out.
I ran to catch up with her. I didn’t want her to get lost on the way back.
We didn’t talk the whole way home.
That hadn’t been our first kiss. But it was the most recent, and it was the one that made it clear what she wanted.
“Woodpecker,” she said.
I followed her gaze, back in the present. “Oh yeah. Big one, too.”
“Your mom really does look awesome, by the way.”
“Thanks. She fucked cancer up.”
Becca laughed. “Really, she’s amazing. I think I would have just rolled over and died, but not her.”
“I doubt that. But you’re right, she is amazing.”
We walked in silence for a few steps. “How’s it feel to be home?” I asked.
“Good, I guess. Feels weird that I’ll be here for longer than a week or two.”
I nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep you occupied.”
“Oh yeah? And how will you do that?”
“Splitting wood. Scrubbing floors. I’ll put you to work.”
She laughed. “I forgot we lived in colonial times.”
“It’s Ridgewood. We haven’t evolved much since then.”
“So while I’m cleaning, you’ll be out hunting?”
I nodded. “Killing bears with my bare hands.”
“Oh wow. So strong.”
“Damn right. I have a reputation to uphold, you know.”
“I forgot about that. Everyone knows you’re a famous bear killer.”
We laughed together and I took a deep breath, enjoying the crisp air. The rain had slowly let up and Becca let her hood fall back.
Up ahead I saw the fence leaning up against a tree, the wires bent slightly where I’d been pushing them out of the way. I paused there.
“What?” Becca asked.
“I actually have some shit to do,” I said. “I’m going to leave you here.”
She frowned. “Where are you going?”
“It’s nothing, just meeting some guys. You know the way back?”
“I grew up around here, you know.”
“Good. Don’t get lost, college girl.”
“Have fun doing whatever.”
“I will. See you around.”
She gave me a look like she was hurt that I was leaving her.
I wanted to tell her the truth, wished I could, but I knew that would be the end of everything. I had to keep my secrets.
It’s almost over,
I reminded myself.
She turned and walked back down the path as I moved through the fence. I watched her walk away for a minute, admiring her firm ass. I wished I could take her back farther into the forest and fuck her up against a tree, rough and hard.
Instead, I walked off, heading north toward the van, nervous excitement running through my veins.
Chapter Three: Rebecca
As I unzipped my suitcase, my hair drying for the second time that day, I couldn’t help but wonder where Reid was going. It wasn’t like him to just disappear on a hike like that. Yeah, he could be mysterious, but that was a little rude.
I guess I couldn’t blame him. Not after what happened the last time I had seen him.
There wasn’t a single day that went by when I didn’t think about that kiss. It wasn’t our first, but it was the most dangerous one. We were stepsiblings, our parents were married, we couldn’t be kissing in a van out in the middle of the woods. It was wrong.