Page 45 of Hot Shot
“Where are we going?”
“Down to the water’s edge. It’s turned out to be a nice afternoon. I thought sitting in the sun and watching the water might be a nice break.” I draw in a breath and force out the next words. “And there’s something I need to tell you and I don’t want to do it locked inside. I’d rather set this last skeleton free outside where it can be blown away by the breeze.”
“That’s rather poetic. And also a little scary. Is this about Celeste?”
“In a way, yes, but mainly it’s about Laura.”
“Then yes, Laura should be out in the fresh air, the sunshine.”
My eyes meet hers. “How do you do that?”
“What?”
“Understand what I’m thinking before I do.”
With a shrug she says, “I don’t know. I’ve just always read your actions easily. I think it’s why we’ve always been in sync. On and off the ice.”
“I should never have shut you out.”
“I’m not going to argue with that.”
“It might have turned into a nice day, but it’s still cool out, do you want to grab a coat? It might be colder by the water,” I say as we move through the house.
“We’ve had the doors and windows open all afternoon, I think I’ll be fine.” She pauses by the door to the laundry room. “Should we put our boots on?”
“Are you planning to wade in?”
“No, are you?”
“No. The water is too cold this time of year and I’ve got something else in mind.”
“The boulder to the north?”
There she goes again. Reading my mind. I wish I had the same ability when it comes to her, and I think at times I do. The one thing I definitely can’t do is predict how she’ll react to what I have to tell her.
That’s a skill I’d give all my money to have right now.
“Yes. The boulder to the north is a great spot to sit and watch the water from. I’ve spent many spring days perched there gazing at the water, watching the breeze ripple the surface. It’s a good thinking spot.”
“I thought that the first time I saw it. Even imagined you there.”
She smiles at me with the same love and affection I remember from years past and I wish with everything in me I didn’t have to do this, that I wasn’t about to risk losing it again.
“If we’re not wading, I’ll stick with my runners.”
“We’ll keep to the tree line where the ground should be dry.”
Decision made, we walk in silence as we leave the house and head into the trees. We’re in the cooler shade for a few minutes before I begin to talk. I didn’t plan to start this conversation until we reached our destination but now that I’ve made up my mind to tell her about Laura, I want it done.
And Blake’s hand in mine, the muted light filtering through the branches above our heads, feels safe—right.
“I told you I didn’t remember fucking Celeste.”
“Yes. I remember.”
“I don’t remember it because I didn’t do it.”
“But—”
