Page 26 of Far From Sherwood Forest
I push myself off the forest floor and wipe as much of the dirt and leaves from my backside as I can. There’s a constant dull ache in my feet and new, sharp pangs with every step I take. I’d be surprised if they weren’t bleeding. I probably should’ve thought of that. I had everything else planned out pretty well except for running barefoot through the damn woods.
It takes me nearly twenty minutes of hobbling through the forest—grabbing both bows on the way—before I finally make it back to where I left Henry’s truck. I’m relieved to see what I recognize as Laura’s car, even more so to find the keys still in the ignition. If Henry had been in his right mind, he probably would’ve taken them just to be a dick.
I grab my duffel bag I left stashed behind a tree and limp back to the car, sagging down into the driver’s seat, weighed down by exhaustion. I throw a shirt on and shove my feet into my boots, hissing and groaning. I don’t want to look at them yet.
Driving through the park, I squint against the setting sun and wonder how Henry’s doing.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
He kidnapped me and shot me twice, and I felt sorry for him. Now I’m concerned with his mental state after…whatever the hell that was?
I’ve always been pretty empathetic, but forhim?
I guess I really have let go of a lot over the past five years.
I wish I could say the same about Henry. Instead, he’scarrying evenmore.
Laura is standing outside with her cell pressed to her ear when I pull into the lot for the office. She doesnotlook happy, her eyes narrowed and her mouth set in a thin line. When she sees me, she says something into her phone before hanging up and marching over.
“That fucking asshole couldn’t even bother to bring my car back!” she shouts as I climb out. “See if I ever do anything nice for him ever again.”
“That doesn’t include me, does it?” I ask with a sheepish smile.
She rolls her eyes. “Get in.”
There are no other cars around, so it’s pretty obvious I need a ride.
“That fucker sped by in his truck just as I came outside,” she says as she drives away from the office. “I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t wreck it.”
I grimace, unable to stop myself from feeling guilty. I mean, it’s notmyfault his dick got hard, but maybe it’s a little my fault for taunting him so much. If hedidget into an accident from driving recklessly, that sure would solve a lot of the issues currently going on in my life.
But…I hope he doesn’t.
When we’re nearing the visitor’s center, I see Spencer’s truck and let Laura know she can drop me off there. I get out, grab my bag, and thank her before she drives away.
“What the hell happened to you?” Spencer asks when he steps outside as I’m putting my bag in the bed of his truck.
“Do I look that bad?” I ask, peering down at myself.
“You’re in swim trunks and covered in dirt. Yeah, you look like shit.”
“Thanks.” I laugh and walk over to the passenger door. “Just took a swim and a hike.”
We both get into the cab, and he starts the engine. “That water must’ve been freezing.”
I shrug because it wasn’tthatbad. But, yeah, the water was probably a bit colder than I should’ve been swimming in. If John finds out, he’s going to kick my ass.
“How’d Henry take you stealing his truck?”
Another laugh tries to work its way up my throat when I answer his question silently in my head.
He chased me down, and his dick got hard.
“I’m probably lucky to be alive,” I answer instead, and it’s most likely the truth.
Spencer laughs this time and nods like he believes it.
I’m grateful when he changes the subject to the wildlife tour we did this morning. It wasn’t as exciting as some of the others we’ve done together since we’re so deep into fall, but we did see a beautifully vibrant violet-green swallow that I was instantly enamored by. Spencer makes fun of me a little for how enthusiastic I got.
