25. Chapter Twenty-Five
The next day we drove back into Yellowstone. Tory wanted to hike more, and I couldn’t sit around the cabin another minute. We’d spent yesterday evening watching movies, and I’d had to actively avoid sitting next to Grey for fear of picking up where we’d left off in my bedroom. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep my hands to myself if I sat next to him. Instead, I waited until everyone else was settled on the couches before claiming my spot next to Alex, a nice neutral third party in whom I had no interest and whom I didn’t have a history of falling asleep with. Kylie was more than happy to take my place, attempting to turn her close seat next to Grey into a snuggle session that he quickly shutdown, shoving several pillows between them.
I’d spent the duration of the superhero movie pretending not to look at Grey, watching his every move, though I was sure to look away quickly every time he caught me staring. I couldn’t repeat a single detail about the movie, but I noticed every time Grey shifted in his seat or looked my way.
I’d claimed a headache and gone to bed early, but that hadn’t turned off my churning thoughts. Instead, I’d found myself staring at the ceiling. Normally, I would have used yoga to calm my mind, but after my struggle earlier in the day, I’d known better than to attempt a yoga flow in such close quarters. Not to mention it would have likely led to more thoughts about a bearded-man who smelled like comfort and the kiss we’d almost shared. Instead, I’d tried turning on a meditation app, but the soothing voice of the narrator had done little to quiet my thoughts.
For once, I hadn’t been the first one awake, and yet I was still tired, as evidenced by the bags under my eyes, which I hadn’t bothered to conceal. No amount of makeup could hide my exhaustion.
Adding to my mood was an odd phone conversation I’d overheard Grey having with his brother as I’d grabbed my drawstring bag for the hike.
I’d been in my room, making sure I had everything I needed, when Grey’s quiet words outside my cracked door had caught my attention.
“I told you, Mason, now’s not a good time.” He’d paused, presumably waiting for Mason’s response. “I need to look into the offer further. I’m not moving to Oregon on a whim.”
My gut clenched at his words. Grey, moving? He hadn’t mentioned it as a possibility when explaining his family situation, but maybe something had changed. Though surely he would have told me if it had.
A shuffling sound indicated he had begun to pace. I knew I was intruding, but there was no way to make my presence known without interrupting the conversation and making it clear I’d overheard him. So instead of leaving my room, I settled on the bed, scrolling through vacation photos on my phone while I waited for Grey to finish his phone call.
“It’s a great offer, but I can’t do that to Mom.” Pause. “Do you really think she’d want to relocate? Leave Dad’s grave and all the places connected to his memory?” Pause. “A fresh start could be good for her.” Pause. “Yes, having you there to help with the meltdowns would be nice, but what happens when you get overwhelmed again?” Pause. “I’m not having this conversation right now. I’ll think about it, but that’s all I can promise.”
The sound of retreating footsteps followed this declaration, leaving me alone in the bedroom to process what I’d heard.
My brain was already swirling too much without the added anxiety of wondering if Grey would be sticking around. But I couldn’t forget what I’d heard. Was Grey leaving? If so, how soon? Knowing there might be a time limit on whatever this was between us made my stomach clench and led to worries I couldn’t ignore.
The car ride into the park was quiet, with Tory and Trent in the front and Grey and me in the back. Brad, Alex, and Kylie had piled into Brad’s car, Kylie hinting that she wouldn’t mind switching vehicles. I spent the drive staring out my window and soaking in the terrain we passed. I refused to look away from the window, telling myself I didn’t want to miss any wildlife. In reality, I didn’t want to look at Grey and see his expression after the tension and emotion in my room the day before.
The line to get into Yellowstone was shorter today, though it still took some time for us to enter the park. This time, it was a bison causing the traffic jam. He stood next to the road, unbothered by the vehicles passing within inches of him.
We parked a short distance away from the Grand Prismatic Overlook trailhead and I climbed out of the car, stretching as I did.
“Are we okay?” Grey asked, making me jump. I’d been so busy soaking in the scenery that I forgot to keep my distance.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t we be?” My voice came out strangely high-pitched. I worried he would read in my face the conversation I’d overheard, a conversation I wasn’t sure how to ask about.
“Things felt weird yesterday after—” He broke off, ducking his head. “I just wanted to check.”
“I promise we’re fine.” I had spent the last several hours thinking about what his lips would have felt like, but he didn’t need to know that.
“Good, good.” He nodded a couple of times, looking like a flannel-wearing bearded-bobblehead, and I bit back a smile. That was one bobblehead I’d want in my car. “I don’t want things to be weird between us. I want—” He broke off, looking uncertain, and in that moment I decided to forget about the conversation I’d overheard. It was probably nothing, just more drama connected to his brother and mom. If it was something I needed to know about, he’d tell me. I was going to enjoy this moment and embrace whatever adventure lay ahead.
“We’re good.” I gave his hand a squeeze, trying to communicate my emotions with the simple gesture.
We joined the rest of our group and made our way to the trail. We made up a motley crew, our manners of dress ranging from high-end outdoor gear to gym shorts. I’d opted for leggings, a tank top, and hiking boots with my jacket tied around my waist in case of a chill at the higher elevation, my drawstring bag over my shoulders. I looped my thumbs in the straps as I followed the group up the trail, hanging towards the back to soak in the moment.
Outside of our hike earlier on the trip, I hadn’t spent much time on the trails this summer. I’d gone on one hike with my roommate, Mallory, and her boyfriend, Ridge, before they’d started dating but I really hadn’t made time for the mountains, something this trip reminded me of at every turn. I’d forgotten how nature settled my anxiety, pushing it from the forefront to the background and allowing me to breathe deep. It was almost as effective as yoga in helping me settle my thoughts. Maybe I really should consider Tory’s park ranger career suggestion. At least it would come with health insurance.
We walked up a slight incline, and my calves strained with each step. While not an overly difficult trail, my lungs still burned with effort, the summer air warm on my skin.
“This view is a bit more baren than I anticipated,” Grey said from my right. He’d hung back with me, and I was shocked at how long he’d remained quiet.
I looked around at the handful of trees and the mineral-encrusted plains surrounding us. “It might not look like much now, but the view at the top is stunning. Probably one of my favorite views in Yellowstone. Trust me, the effort is worth it.”
“I’ve found the best things in life often require a bit of effort.”
I was startled to find Grey looking at me as he spoke, not the gravel trail we were walking. His golden-brown eyes sparked with an intensity that sent my pulse racing.
I cleared my throat, turning back to the trail. “How was the rest of the movie last night?”
“I’d seen the movie before, so I went to bed shortly after you did.”
“Not worth a rewatch?”
“Not if you weren’t there to enjoy it with me.”
I tripped on a rock but managed to catch myself before face planting on the trail. Who said things like that? And why did I love it so much when Grey used his pick-up lines on me?
“That’s too bad. We’ll have to watch it another time then.” My voice sounded weird to my ears, breathy and intense.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
We continued talking about innocuous subjects until we reached the turnoff for the Grand Prismatic Overlook. The steeper hill stole our breaths, and we fell into companionable quiet as our leg muscles worked to carry us to the view point. At the top, we found our group leaning on the weather-worn wooden railing, gazing over the plain. I waited for an opening at the railing and then pushed my way forward, eager to soak in the familiar view.
A rainbow of color exploded in front of me, the spring a vibrant blue in the middle and ringed with green, yellow, and orange. Steam drifted up into the summer air. From this distance I could see the boardwalk ringing the spring, filled with tiny people walking around. No matter how many times I saw the Grand Prismatic, it never ceased to amaze me.
The first time I’d done this hike, it had been just me and Mom. She’d quit yet another waitressing job, and I’d spent the entire trip fighting back worry over how we’d survive this latest setback. There was something about the spring and this view and the time spent with my mom that had made those worries disappear. I’d known in that moment that we’d make it work, even if I hadn’t known how yet.
I pulled out my phone, capturing a quick selfie to send my mom, before Grey grabbed it from my hands.
“Smile big.” He trained the camera on me, a giant grin splitting his face.
“I already got one of me,” I protested, knowing it would be futile but trying all the same.
“Everyone deserves at least one good picture of themselves on vacation. One that isn’t a selfie,” Grey insisted, taking a step back for a better angle.
“I’ve never heard that rule before,” I muttered, noticing that our group had vacated the railing and was making their way back to the trail.
“You can use it for a dating profile picture. It’ll help you snag your unicorn. Show off how beautiful and well-traveled you are.”
I snorted. “Trust me, no one would want to see this.” I gestured at my dust covered leggings, messy bun, and makeup-free face.
“I would,” Grey said, the words so quiet I wasn’t sure I was meant to hear them.
I gave in, leaning against the fence and giving Grey my biggest smile. He moved back, taking picture after picture, coaching and teasing me into different poses until a laugh burst from my lips and the people around us were watching with curiosity.
“Enough,” I finally said, my smile splitting my face as I pushed away from the railing.
“One more, I promise!” Grey said, stepping up to me and wrapping his arm around my shoulder, the camera flipped to take a selfie. “Say ‘bison’!”
“Bison,” I echoed, the largest, cheesiest grin stretching across my face as I looked into the camera and Grey captured the two of us standing in perhaps my favorite moment of the trip, the view behind me only a small piece of the reason why.