Chapter Sixteen
Beck glances between Raina and me as she approaches.
I do my best to stay composed, even though I’m a whirlwind of emotions inside.
I step forward, reaching out for a hug, trying to avoid soaking her with my wet clothes.
But she quickly pulls away, looking up at me.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, pressing for answers.
She shoots a wary glance at Raina, then back to me.
“I was on my way home from Blake’s and saw your bike.
I tried calling and texting you multiple times, but you didn’t respond…
it worried me, so I wanted to check on you.
” Damn. My phone’s in my jeans pocket, and I haven’t even bothered to look at it since arriving.
I notice Raina stepping up beside me, extending her hand toward Beck. “I’ve seen you at the bar, but I wanted to introduce myself. I’m Raina,” she says with a friendly grin.
Beck hesitates, her body language telling me she’s trying to keep her cool. She crosses her arms and forces a tight smile instead of shaking Raina’s hand. “Yeah, I know who you are,” Beck replies, her tone flat.
Raina quickly retracts her hand, tucking her damp hair behind her ears.
“Right…” she says, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
Turning slightly, she looks up at me, “I’m going to grab my things…
it’s probably time to take me home before it gets dark.
” I press my lips into a thin line and nod in agreement.
Returning my gaze to Beck, I try to convey my apology through my expression.
I see a mix of anger and hurt in her blue eyes.
I shouldn’t have brought Raina here without at least giving Beck a heads-up.
It looks like I’ve been sneaky, and the timing couldn’t be worse, considering I was just here with her and Blake, having a heart-to-heart.
We’ll need to sort this out later, but not here, not now.
The walk back along the trail is eerily quiet; even the forest creatures have gone silent, amplifying the tension in the air.
Beck has deliberately kept her distance ahead of Raina and me the entire way.
When we finally step out of the woods, I feel a sense of relief wash over me, like I can breathe again.
Beck doesn’t look back as she heads straight to her car.
I pause at my bike and tell Raina to hang back for a moment.
I rush over to Beck’s car just in time to catch the door before she slams it shut.
She doesn’t even acknowledge my presence, crossing her arms and resting against the headrest.
I lay my head against my hand, gripping the door and let out a heavy sigh.
“Beck…just look at me, please.” She hesitates for a moment, then finally meets my gaze, remaining silent.
“I’m sorry…I should have talked this through with you.
It’s complicated…and it doesn’t mean anything—” I’m cut off by her scoff.
“It doesn’t mean anything? Seriously, Ezra?
” She turns her attention away for a moment, staring off at Raina by the bike.
Shaking her head slowly, she pinches the bridge of her nose.
“I knew it…I saw the way you looked at her, the way you reacted when she first came to the bar.” Her eyes lock back onto mine.
“And now this…don’t lie to me. I know you well enough to see that if you’re investing this much energy into something, it’s way more than just complicated.
Bringing her here just proves how wrong you are. ”
I straighten my posture, focusing entirely on her. “I know how this looks, and I’m sorry. You’re right…you’ve known me long enough to realize that this won’t lead anywhere,” I admit.
She chuckles dryly, running her fingers through her hair and flipping it to one side. “It’s already gone somewhere. You’ve never pursued anyone…not even me.” The last words slip out almost as a whisper. Anger simmers beneath my skin.
“That’s not true, Beck. You know I tried, what I wanted for us…Don’t throw that in my face.”
Frustration flashes across her expression. “Yeah! That was like eleven years ago…then you gave up on us.”
I shake my head at her response. I thought we had already discussed this days ago, that she understood my choice and the reasons behind it.
I open my mouth to respond, but she raises her hand, signaling for me to stop.
“Don’t…just don’t.” She grabs her keys, slots them into the ignition, and grips the steering wheel tightly.
“I’ve known for a long time that chapter was closed for us.
I guess I just needed to hear it from you.
When we talked the other day, I sensed there might be a chance for you to eventually fall for someone and actually try to be happy.
Even if you say this is nothing…it still hurts not to be…
her.” She glances toward Raina, but quickly looks back at me, fighting back tears.
All I want to do is lean down and hold her, but I know she’ll see it as pity and not genuine comfort.
“I meant it when I said I want you to be happy, Ez. I just need some time to process everything…okay?” I breathe deeply and nod in understanding.
She starts the car and waits for me to shut the door.
I linger for a moment longer, but finally close the door and step back, allowing her to drive away.
This isn’t easy for me. I never wanted to put her in this position, but it’s too late now.
She needs her space, and as much as I hate it, I know that’s what she requires.
And I’ll respect that. I run my hands through my hair, tugging at the roots in frustration.
My anxiety is through the roof, and I’m torn between wanting a cigarette and feeling like I want to set myself on fire.
When I reach the bike, Raina watches me, chewing on her lip.
The same lips I caressed with my finger in the lake.
I bite down on my tongue and turn my attention to my bike.
“Are you okay?” Raina asks, concern lacing her voice.
I swing my leg over the bike, keeping my gaze straight ahead.
“Just get on the bike,” I say flatly. She follows my command.
The evening chill has set in against our clothes that are still slightly damp.
I glance back at Raina, offering my leather jacket for extra warmth, but she shakes her head, declining the offer.
We stand in the elevator, both of us silent since the lake.
I can tell Raina would have preferred to walk in alone, but she knows I’m not letting her do that.
An eternity seems to stretch on until the elevator finally dings and the doors slide open.
Raina makes a beeline for the exit, clearly eager to escape me.
“Wait,” I mutter, catching the doors to keep them from closing again.
She halts and sighs, glancing back at me.
Even when she’s trying to look angry, she’s still cute.
I can’t blame her, though; I really messed up.
I dragged her into the middle of something without meaning to, between someone she doesn’t even have the context of.
I press my lips together, making a choice that I suspect will haunt me later. “Can I show you something?” I ask.
Her brows knit together. “What? Where?” she presses.
“Just trust me...I’ll show you.”
She studies me for a moment, clutching her backpack then glancing over her shoulder toward her room.
“Okay,” she replies flatly. Reluctantly, she steps back onto the elevator with me.
I shift back, allowing the doors to close, and press the button for the eighth floor.
I expect a barrage of questions, but she remains quiet.
Once we reach the eighth floor, I look around to ensure we’re alone.
Raina stays right behind me as I approach the door leading to the roof.
I can see the confusion written all over her pretty face as I open the door to the stairs.
Holding it open, I gesture for her to go ahead.
Once I close the door behind us, Raina turns to me, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.
“Where are you taking me? What do these stairs lead to? Isn’t there only eight floors? ”
There’s the questions she was harboring. I can’t help but laugh. I step past her and head up the stairs, glancing over my shoulder. “Just come on...you can fire off all your concerns once we get there.” She rolls her eyes, but follows me up the stairs.
I approach the door, typing in the code. I hear the lock click, indicating it’s now unlocked. “How do you know the code? Did you work here or something?” she presses.
I pause. “No, Raina, I’ve never worked here.
It took me maybe five tries to get the code right.
” I push open the rooftop door, holding it for her as she steps outside, her expression filled with awe.
The sun is just about to dip behind the mountains, and I’m grateful we made it in time.
The view is nothing short of breathtaking.
Instead of taking it in, my gaze is drawn to Raina’s profile.
A smile plays at the corners of her lips.
She shoots me a sideways glance, arms crossed.
“So this is the friend you were visiting?” Shit.
I forgot I mentioned that when I found out she lived here.
She looks at me, clearly waiting for an answer.
I give a slight nod. She steps closer to the railing, her eyes scanning the mountains and the town below.
Her hair, now fully dry, is wavier than usual, and her messy bangs rest softly on her brow as she takes in the view.
She adds her own charm to the breathtaking scenery.
“Oh, my gosh…how did this happen?” She edges closer, prodding at the loose, bent railing. My heart drops.