Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
His words hit the group hard enough to render us all silent. I do understand the need to get away. I understand the need to explore and become an adventurer, if only for a while. This place is my home now and I’m settled, but there is still a part of me that wants to wander and see new things. Maybe Dawn’s the same. Maybe she’ll never be happy resting her hat in one place.
Logan might be right.
But I’m not a quitter. I believe that life can become something we shape rather than something we sit back and allow to form.
Dawn might not want to share what she’s avoiding, but I will find out. Whatever it takes, I’ll find out.
25
DAWN
Kyla doesn’t immediately search me out, which I’m grateful for. I don’t want her to find me in a blotchy, tear-stained heap. But I know it probably means that she’s talking with everyone, most probably talking about me, and that I don’t like.
The boys will definitely want to know why I’m upset, but will Kyla tell them? I doubt it. She knows how private I am about my personal life. She’ll figure out they don’t know about anything serious, and she’ll make excuses. She’ll keep my secret because that’s the kind of friend she is.
Eventually, when I’ve wept until there aren’t any tears left and I have a pounding headache, I sit up, head to the bathroom and wash my face. As I’m drying it on a comforting soft white towel, there’s a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" I call out.
"It’s me," she says. "Let me in."
As soon as I open the door, Kyla barrels in and pulls me into a fierce hug. "I’m so sorry, Dawn. I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize. I’m so dumb, I just didn’t think about the timing. I didn’t put two and two together."
"You mean, you didn’t figure out that I’m in Australia to avoid my dad?"
She shakes her head. "I thought you were looking for some adventure. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own complicated life that I just didn’t think. I’m so sorry." Pulling me tighter against her, she pats my shoulder. "You know, you should talk to me about this stuff. I’m always around, even when I’m on the other side of the planet."
"I know," I say. "But I’ve been okay."
"Okay?" She pulls back, studying my face. "You mean you’ve been okay while you’ve had your head firmly in the sand?"
"The sand is very soft," I say. "I like the sand."
Kyla shrugs, brushing her hand over her arm and trying to avoid eye contact with me. "You can’t run forever, Dawn. You know that, right?"
"Running’s fun. Haven’t you heard? It helps to keep us fit."
"Very funny."
I take a step back and perch on the edge of my mattress, my muscles and bones feeling suddenly weary and weak. Rubbing my hands over my face, I grimace at the puffiness left behind by my tears. What must Kyla think? It’s her first day here and before I’ve even had a chance to catch up on her news, I’m having an emotional breakdown.
She takes a seat next to me and rests her hand on my leg. "You know, you should be honest with those men out there. They obviously care about you a lot, and yet you’re hiding this important thing that’s happening to you."
"I can’t," I whisper. "That’s not how things are between us. We’re just not on that page."
"I think you are," Kyla says, squeezing my knee. "At least, I think they are."
Turning my head to look at her, I blink in surprise. "You think they are?"
"Yeah." She nods to emphasize the point and I really look at my friend, feeling like I’m seeing her for the first time. Gone is the shy, insecure Kyla. She’s been replaced by a self-assured woman, ready to give me difficult advice without worrying about the consequences. Advice is usually my area of expertise. "They’re worried about you, honey. They’re ready to shoulder some of your troubles."
"It’s just sex," I say.
"Really? That hug you got didn’t look just like sex to me. I saw all the lingering looks they gave you, and the small affectionate touches. You all move in sync, anticipating each other's moves. It’s how I am with my men."
I shake my head, denial coming easy. "Your situation is totally different, Kyla. You wanted to fall in love. You were looking for a relationship. I couldn’t be further from that place if you tossed me into space."
Kyla folds her lips and raises her eyebrows. My friend doesn’t believe me, but that’s okay. It doesn’t matter. It won’t change anything at all. "If you don’t want to talk to them, at least let me help you. I can stay with you while you call the doctor."