Page 68 of Pumped

Everest—I need him, with all my heart and soul, with my whole mind and body. Because I love him—deeper, stronger, more thoroughly than I’ve ever loved anything else in my life.

“Boys?”

We jump apart, startled, and Everest lets out a little squeal of surprise. Spinning around, we find both of our moms standing there, grinning at us.

“Jesus Christ,” Everest mutters, holding his chest.

“A little warning next time, please?” I shoot our moms an unimpressed look.

“Uh no, no next time at all, please,” Everest objects.

“Sorry about that.” Nell winces sympathetically.

My mom, however, just smirks at us. “We just wanted to tell you that we’re all done with lunch.”

“Ivy’s getting restless,” Nell adds. “So we’re going to take her to watch the penguin feeding.”

“You guys take your time with…” Mom waves her hand vaguely at us. “Just catch up with us when you’re done.”

“Byeee!” Nell waves her fingers and the two of them dissolve into giggles as they retreat.

I drag a hand over my face. This weekend could not be any more disastrous. I have an emotional breakdown and realize I’m in love with the one guy I’m supposed to hate more than anything in the world. We can’t keep our hands off each other, even when we’re supposed to be fighting. And now Mom and Nell know all about it.

Roughened fingers wrap around my wrist and pull my hand away from my face. Everest slides his palm against mine and intertwines our fingers.

A shiver runs up my arm. It’s so intimate, so vulnerable, holding hands with him like this. Who knew such a simple thing could have such an outsized impact?

He takes my other hand and holds it the same way.

“Sorry I ran off,” Everest murmurs.

A hint of grumpiness trickles back through me. “I was worried.”

“I know you were, but…”

“You needed time to sort through your feelings.”

“Yeah.”

I peer up at him as my chest tightens. “And have you? Sorted through your feelings?”

Everest nods, a wry smile on his lips. “We should probably talk.”

I harrumph. “Probably not behind a shrub in the middle of a public zoo, though.”

Everest laughs, warm and low. The sound is a balm to my soul.

“Come on,” Everest tugs me out from behind the bush. “I’m starving.”

“Serves you right for missing lunch.”

Everest gives me some playful side-eye. “You could’ve saved something for me.”

I snort. “And it would be cold and gross by now if I did.”

Everest’s expression turns saccharine. “Aw, you do care about me.”

I roll my eyes and bite my tongue because even though I do love him, I’m not about to admit it for the first time in the middle of the goddamn zoo.

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