“I trust you.” My heart breaks with every step I take.
Chapter 17
Finn
My gut twists uncomfortably when Presley’s phone goes to voicemail again. This is the fifth time I’ve called since she and Reese drove away this morning.
“Babe, it’s me again. I’m starting to get worried. If you’re still with Reese, text to let me know you’re okay.” I hang up and run my hands through my hair. Something isn’t right, and I regret not following them home. Even though Reese was the one feeling sick, it was Presley who was unusually pale.
I rack my brain, thinking back on this morning, and try to pinpoint when exactly things changed. The image of Presley walking out of the bathroom with tears in her eyes sent my heart racing. She looked around nervously and motioned for me to follow her. I replay every word and the sadness on her face.
“Babe, what’s wrong?”
“I hate to do this, but Reese is sick.”
“How sick?”
“She’s throwing up and sweating like crazy. I’m pretty sure she has a fever. There’s no way she can go on the rafts today, and I’m not leaving her alone.”
“No problem. We’ll stay with her. She can get back in the tent and take a nap. I’ll run to the store and get whatever you need.”
“Honey, she wants to go home. And I need to drive her.”
“Really?”
“Finn, she doesn’t want to lay on an air mattress in a tent. She wants her own bed and bathroom. It’s kinda gross to throw up in a communal toilet.”
I cringe at the thought. “Okay, give me a few minutes to get our stuff, and we’ll go.”
“No!” she says a little too quickly. “You have to stay. These are your friends. Everyone’s having a great time. Max has to go back to North Carolina on Monday. Spend this time with him.”
“Babe, I’m not sending you alone.”
Her back straightens, and she looks at me with determination. “You’re staying. Enjoy the day. Raft the full course and grill steaks tonight as planned. I’m taking Reese home and staying with her until she feels better. It’ll embarrass her to death if you leave.”
It’s in my heart to argue, but Reese comes out of the women’s bathroom looking a little green so I reluctantly agree. “I’ll help you two pack what you need. We’ll bring the rest home tomorrow.”
“Thank you, Finn. I’m sorry it turned out this way.” She squeezes my hand and walks to Reese, who’s in the tent packing her bag.
Tripp, Max, and I load her car, and I’m surprised she’s packed everything, even her cooler.
“Presley, I told you I’d get the rest of your stuff to you tomorrow.”
“That’s okay. I didn’t want to inconvenience anyone.” She walks away to say goodbye to the group. I watch Ember hug her tightly and swear Presley wipes her eyes before she waves and comes back to the car.
“I’m going to call you as soon as we get back to camp. If you need me, just say the word.”
“Thank you.” She rubs her hand along my jaw and then looks back over her shoulder. “Do me a favor.”
“Anything.”
“I think Raven has some things to say to you. It seems your heart to heart a few weeks ago didn’t go as well as we thought. She’s a beautiful woman, and I know why you love her like you do.”
Without another word, or even a kiss goodbye, she got in the car and drove away. I was left standing there with a sinking feeling and nothing but questions.
A flash goes off in my head, and my instincts kick in. I look around the campground and catch Ember, Abbi, Harper, and Charlie watching me closely. Robbie is sitting behind Ember looking into the woods, and Max and Tripp have blank faces as they drink their beers.
Cruz and Alex are sitting close, but no one is talking. Cruz looks away quickly when he meets my gaze.