Chapter 12
LAUREL
I slept like a log.
The guys had made me come my brains out, carried me to my bed, and tucked me in, and I slept for a full ten hours. It was like waking up in a different century.
What had I done? Had it been stupid? Would I pay for it? I should be panicking.
But, Lord, I felt lovely. So relaxed and mellow. I’d slept through the night for the first time in months! The universe seemed to agree with me that everything was peachy since the sun shone brightly today after a mostly gray, cloudy week.
I took a long shower, checked the forecast, and dressed for another hike. Downstairs, I found a covered plate and a note. Monty had made me a quiche and a salad before he left. If he only knew that most mornings, I barely managed to eat a cereal bar for breakfast.
He treated me like royalty—at an ancient court where sexual favors were included.
The memories… I was getting wet again just thinking about it. Jordy’s piercing rubbing along the front wall of my hole, Monty’s groans vibrating up my guts…
Could I ask them for a repeat?
Two hunky bears taking care of me, spoiling me… And what about a fuck? Jordy would rail me like a demon, maybe smacking my ass with his large, long-fingered hands, and Monty would move carefully but deeply, feeding his thick cock into my hole to the hilt.
The bar counter was too high for getting fucked, but maybe I could lean on it and push my ass out or somehow use a barstool for support.
Great, now I was hard, staring at random furniture.
I shook myself and adjusted my dick. I needed to get out and clear my head.
The coffee maker was ready with a clean mug under the nozzle, so I only had to push a button.
I ate the delicious breakfast and made myself a sandwich with the staples in the fridge.
The cheese box held some aged cheddar that was too crumbly to slice, but I tasted a piece and couldn’t resist cutting off a few cubes for my lunchbox. I’d bring it with me on the hike.
The dishwasher was on, so I left the dirty dishes in the sink. Mindful of Monty’s safety instructions, I scribbled a note about which trail I was taking. Then I shrugged into my waterproof jacket, threw my backpack over my shoulder, and went out.
The mountains weren’t welcoming me with open arms, that was for sure. Despite the sunbeams lighting up the fall landscape in gorgeous colors, the breeze felt frigid. It had a way of crawling beneath my layers and cooling my very bones.
I set a brisk tempo to warm myself up. According to the map I found on Beauville’s website, there was a freshly marked trail that started behind the school and led up to a viewpoint above town. The paw-print markers were blue on this one, and too cute for words.
When I passed the last cluster of cottages, the forest hugged me, and my chest expanded with a blissful wave of fresh energy.
The path was covered with a layer of wet leaves, quieting my steps, and I could listen to the soft breeze making its way between the maze of branches.
Here I was safe, mountain lions and grizzlies be damned.
Looking up at the tall trees, I thought of how old they were, surely older than me, and I imagined the forest still standing here long after I’d be gone. It didn’t care about who I was, didn’t judge; it just was, offering me its beauty and peace for free.
Amazing what a few orgasms and a good night of sleep did for a guy. I found myself smiling for no reason.
Until my phone rang, disturbing my moment of peace.
Seeing my manager’s name on the screen, I rolled my eyes.
“Hi, Ulrich.”
“Laurel, hello. How’s the vacation?”
“Good. I’m on a hike.” How come I had cell signal outside of town, dammit? My mood plummeted, and I stomped forward, glaring at my boots.
“A hike? Wow. That’s…unusual.”
“It’s very common up here, I assure you. What do you need?”
Ulrich’s sigh made an ugly buzzing sound in the phone. “Look, Laurel. You said a month, I know, but things are happening over here that should interest you. Will interest you.”
“I said a month to start with. Probably longer.”
“Tiero wants to work with you. And Allard Robert’s manager booked a meeting with me. They’re not happy that you won’t be there.”
“They can wait.”
“It gives the impression you’re snubbing them. What if they won’t wait?”
“Then there’ll be others. Or not.”
“Laurel, have you been talking to your therapist?”
“That’s private.”
Ulrich’s tone softened. “I thought we were friends.”
“Then act like my friend and give me the break I need. That I specifically asked for.”
“Okay. Okay. I hear you. But I need a date. When are you coming back?”
I didn’t know. The notion of going back to the city, to the studio, events, parties…
and making music. New, exciting, amazing music, better than what I’d done so far, and after that, better still…
I’d left my favorite guitar at the chalet, hoping I’d miss it.
I didn’t. I definitely didn’t miss the daily reminder about what I should be doing but couldn’t.
When I didn’t say anything, Ulrich cleared his throat. “Laurel? Can you give me a date?”
“Like I said, I need at least one month.”
“Very well. I’ll call you in three weeks. But I don’t know how long I can hold the fort here. Already, we have rumors circulating about rehab and whatnot.”
Disgust made my stomach roll. Fucking vultures. “I don’t care,” I spat.
“You should care about your public image.”
“More than my sanity and health?”
“Your fans understand taking a break, but you can’t just disappear altogether. You have to give people something.”
Did I have to? What would happen if I just disappeared for real? The forest seemed to whisper around me. I could almost distinguish the words: Tell him to fuck off. Let them all fuck off.
“Call in three weeks, Ulrich.”
“Wait! We’re making a post on your official account about your well-deserved vacation after the tour. A selfie would make it a tad more believable. Please, Laurel.” Ulrich sounded desperate.
I squeezed my eyes and inhaled through my nostrils. Don’t swear at him. Hold it. One, two, three, four, five. Exhale. “I’ll send you one. Happy?”
“Thanks. Enjoy your hike.”
He was mad at me, but that wasn’t my problem. “Bye, Ulrich.”
I ended the call and pointed the camera at me.
I snapped a pic of myself with the hood over my hat, the fall forest behind me, sunbeams filtering through the canopy like searchlights.
I looked a little tired, but my cheeks were pink and my eyes bright.
I made sure there was nothing in the picture that would suggest a specific location, just a forest that could be anywhere in this part of the world. I sent it to Ulrich and muted my phone.
Three fucking weeks. Was that too much to ask? I’d been working my ass off nonstop for ten years.
I marched up the trail, savoring the burn in my legs. I imagined my anger as an icy crust weighing my body down, and if I moved fast enough, it would crack and start to fall off me, shattering against the rocks.
It was easy to forget about everything up here.
In the mountains, mundane shit like careers, managers, record companies, and fandoms held no power.
The trees didn’t have eyes, but even the people in Beauville, including those who stared and whispered, left me alone.
I had no idea how much of that was Monty’s work, but I was immensely grateful to him anyway.
I’d forgotten how it felt—the freedom of being unknown.
Yeah, I wasn’t sure a month would be enough for me. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go back, ever. Which sucked, because I’d have to.
The path narrowed and grew steeper. Bare pine roots crisscrossed the ground, resembling stairs, and I started sweating under my jacket. This hike was a proper workout.
When the canopy opened, I paused to look at the view. The valley spread out underneath, and a golden sheen blanketed the forest.
I took a picture but didn’t send it to anyone. That was just for me so I could look at it later and remember.
God, I loved going out and not having to meet a single soul. If only I didn’t feel pathetically lonely during my sleepless nights, I’d move out here for good, hide in my chalet, and spend the rest of my life just walking these paths with no worries on my mind.
But I would get lonely, I knew, and bored.
Would I miss the constant attention? My success and fame? Right now, those things felt like a burden, but they didn’t used to.
I pulled out my water bottle and took a few deep gulps. Just because I didn’t feel thirsty in the cold didn’t mean I couldn’t get dehydrated. I screwed the top back on and stuffed the bottle into my backpack.
I was a little hungry, so I popped a few cheese cubes into my mouth. I’d eat my sandwich at the viewpoint, which should be close.
The trail turned left and right, zigzagging up the slope. After the third turn, I stopped in my tracks.
Higher up, maybe twenty feet in front of me, stood a bear. He looked a little like Jordy, but he was smaller. He lifted his head, staring at me with dark, clever eyes, and his nose twitched as he smelled the air.
“Hello,” I said, waving my hand. “Which one are you?”
The bear tilted his head to the side like a confused puppy. I grew a little nervous.
“Dammit, I don’t know how polite I should be. What if we don’t know each other at all? Sorry. I’m Laurel. I’m staying at Monty’s, down in Beauville. Maybe you’ve seen me at the pub.”
Sniffing, the bear made a couple of steps toward me, blocking the path. Was he trying to tell me something?
“Um. I was just going to…” I pointed behind him. “Squeeze past you? I’m going to the viewpoint up there.”
But as soon as I moved toward him, the bear snarled, spit flying from his muzzle.
Shit.
My stomach dropped, and it hit me. What if this was an actual bear?
Fucking shit.
“Wink if you’re a shifter?” I tried in a shaky voice.
The beast growled, showing its teeth.
Nope. This one wouldn’t change into a hairy hunk.
It was black. So I should…fight back? How?