Page 144 of Whispers of You
“And we would still have no control over where I got placed.”
After the incident with my dad, I’d been placed in a group home a town away. I shuddered at the memory.
Nash pulled me tighter against his body, my tank top riding up a bit with the movement. It was my favorite feeling in the world, being engulfed by Nash—his comfort, his protection, his care.
His fingers tangled in my hair. “What did she say this time?”
I tensed.
“That bad?”
I swallowed the sting in my throat. “That she hates me. That I ruined everything for her. Nothing new.”
A low growl rumbled in Nash’s throat. “She never deserved you. God, I’d like to—”
“Don’t.” I squeezed the arm he had wrapped around me. “She’s not worth it.”
Nash pressed his lips to my hair. “You’re not alone. You have me. Always.”
I let those words sink into my skin, reveling in the feel of them. But if I’d known they wouldn’t always be true, I would’ve held on to them a little tighter.
1
MADDIE
THIRTEEN YEARS LATER
My SUV hugged the familiar curve of the mountain road. As I passed theWelcome to Cedar Ridgesign, I expected to feel relief, but my fingers stayed locked around the wheel, knuckles bleached white.
I forced my hand to release its grip so I could lower my window. Breathing deeply, I pulled the familiar scent of pine into my lungs. I swore I even got a hint of lake water. The mixture of the two would always feel like home.
A home that I hadn’t been back to in over two years. I swallowed hard.
That length of time hadn’t entirely been my choice, but it had been for the best for all sorts of reasons. All of that had been shot to hell, though.
Now, I craved the familiarity of home. Knowing these roads like the back of my hand, being able to paint the landscape in my mind, and knowing at least half the residents of the small community by name brought a feeling of safety. I needed that now.
There was something else I needed, too. Something my soul craved with a ferocity that nearly stole my breath. But I couldn’t find it in myself to even speak his name.
Maybe that was why I hadn’t managed to text my best friend and tell him I was headed home. Because I was terrified that one text from him would be the thing that broke me—and I couldn’t afford to break.
My SUV took the final dip that brought me into downtown Cedar Ridge. The lake peeked between the trees and buildings that held the standard offerings of a small, touristy town. Art galleries, gift shops, restaurants, even a little salon and spa. I was relieved that most hadn’t changed since I’d last been here. I needed the predictability right now.
My fingers flexed as I ran my thumb across the spot where a ring used to rest. My hand felt lighter since dropping it on the kitchen counter ten days ago. Maybe because the diamond had been ridiculously large. Maybe because it had been more of a shackle than a promise of forever and love.
I guided my SUV past my favorite pizza place. My mouth curved as I thought about the number of times Nash and I had sat in one of those booths, devouring a pie with all the toppings—aside from anchovies—and laughing our heads off. I passed the dock where I’d pushed Nash in the water when he told me that my crush on Cooper Sullivan was stupid. And Dockside Bar & Grill, where we’d stopped for milkshakes practically every day after school.
So many beautiful memories. But they made an ache take root in my chest—one of regret and longing.
Maybe it was dumb to come back here. I probably should’ve picked somewhere entirely new—a place where memories didn’t haunt me, both the good and the bad.
But when everything blew up in my face, this was the only place I’d wanted to go, even if it’d meant driving more than two thousand miles to get here.
I pulled off Main Street and onto a road headed into the forest. I welcomed the coverage the trees brought. As if they were a blanket that could hide me from the world.
My foot eased off the accelerator as I searched for the cabin. I knew roughly where it was, but I hadn’t seen it in over a decade. A gravel driveway held a mailbox with the address I was looking for.
I flicked on my blinker and turned into it. The trees grew thicker as I navigated the winding, makeshift road. Finally, a cabin came into view. It looked older and a little rough around the edges, but I’d be living off my meager savings until I found a job, so this would have to do.
