Mom: I don’t ask you for much, Hadley. But I’d like my family together for Sunday night dinners.
I didn’t begrudge her that. Yet, if Hayes had a shift at the sheriff’s department, or Shiloh took off on another of her trips, they wouldn’t get chewed out. I was the only one who was a massive disappointment. There was nothing I could say. Instead, I powered off the phone and climbed into my SUV.
Tossing the device into the cupholder, I started the engine. That telltale itch started at the back of my neck. Soon, my skin would feel too tight for my body. I needed to move. To feel that hit of adrenaline. The rush that reminded me I was free, and no one could steal that freedom from me.
I started down my dirt drive and headed for national forest land. The trip didn’t take long, less than thirty minutes. But by the time I pulled into the makeshift lot, my hands were trembling. I shook them out, hoping it would make them stop. I needed every ounce of control I could find if I were to pull this off.
I turned off my SUV and climbed out. A whistle sounded from my left. “Easton,” Toby called.
“Hey,” I greeted as he made his way to me.
He pulled me into a back-slapping hug. “You ready for this?” Toby’s massive grin told me he couldn’t wait.
“Born ready.”
“Always thinks she’s such hot shit,” Jinx said as he walked up.
Calla followed him, finding her way to Toby’s side.
I rolled my eyes at Jinx. “I learned from the best.”
“Damn straight.” He grasped my hand and pulled me into a half-hug.
I sent Calla a smile. “Sorry you had to put up with these two alone.”
She ducked her head. “They are kind of annoying.”
“Hey,” Toby complained, pulling her into his arms and kissing her soundly. “That’s not nice.”
I scoffed. “It’s the truth. It’s a miracle Calla hasn’t left your ass in the dust.”
Jinx sent Calla a wink. “You could always leave that loser and take up with a real man.”
Toby clutched his chest. “You assholes wound me. You’re supposed to be my best friends.”
I chuckled and bumped his shoulder with mine. “Don’t worry. I’ll never leav
e you. I need your camera skills too much.”
Jinx barked out a laugh. “And because we know all your secrets.”
They didn’t know all of them, but they certainly knew one of the biggest—this double life I’d started living the moment Calder had taught me how to fly. Just the thought of that night had a fissure of pain slicing through me. I shoved away the avalanche of memories that could fall with the barest breath.
I didn’t need him. Because when Calder had bailed on our friendship, I’d found other people to fill the void. I’d found Toby and Jinx while riding this very trail. And Toby had brought Calla home with him after college last year. They were the friends I needed. The people who let me be whoever I wanted to be and cheered me on the whole way.
I met Jinx’s gaze. “Is the drone charged?”
“This ain’t my first rodeo, cowgirl.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I mumbled.
Toby motioned for us to follow him. “I’ve been checking out the angles, and I think this is where I’ll set up.”
There was a clear line of sight to the dip where I’d be pulling the trick. “Looks good to me.”
Calla shuffled her feet. “What can I do?”
She wasn’t as into all of this as the boys and I were, but she was supportive and rode with us for fun. But Calla’s fear kept her restrained. If you wanted to soar, you had to let go of every what-if that held you back. It was the thing I loved the most. There was no space in your brain for all of the weight life threw at you—it forced you to be fully present and alive.