Chapter 57 Aspen
Aspen
Idon’t move.
Not even when my legs start to ache.
Not even when my hands shake.
The radio stays pressed to my ear.
Like it’s the only thing keeping me connected to him.
“Talk to me,” I say.
There’s a pause.
Then—
“What do you want to talk about?”
His voice is rougher now.
More strained.
“Anything,” I reply.
“Just keep talking.”
Because I know what happens when people go quiet.
I’ve seen it too many times.
He exhales slowly.
“Buddy tackled a guy last night,” I say.
A small laugh slips out of him.
“Yeah. Buddy thinks he’s a Ranger,” I say, just to get another small laugh.
That small noise eases something in my chest.
Just a little.
“Dylan said you promised to come back,” I say.
Another pause.
Longer.
“I did.”
“You'd better keep that promise.”
My voice almost breaks.
I force it steadily.
“I will,” he says.
And this time—
It’s not just confidence.
It’s something deeper.
Like he knows what it means now.