She slowly nodded. “It was a disaster. I got stage fright and just stood there. Everyone started laughing and saying what a pity I wasn’t more like Zac. Suddenly I couldn’t breathe and everything began to spin. Next thing I knew I was waking up backstage.”
“Hell, Via. I had no idea.”
“I don’t really talk about them much. We went to a few doctors, but I found it easiest to manage them myself. I-I don’t get them very often these days.”
“Only when idiots throw water on you.” He clenched his fists, but she shook her head.
“I wish it hadn’t taken us so long to talk about it. That one’s on me.”
“It was worth the wait.”
“I forgot what a nice guy you are. I…I’m pleased we’re friends again.”
He swallowed. Her hand was resting inches from his. The same hand that had wrapped around his waist the other day. If he reached out and touched her, would it burn his skin again? Would she feel it too?
He forced himself not to. Instead he held her clear, steady gaze.
“Me too,” he said. Whatever this was, he didn’t want to mess it up.
6
“Via, are you even listening to me?” her mom said the next morning. The day was already warm, and the blue sky was dotted with bright tufty clouds drifting by. Tiny insects winked in and out through the long grass that had turned brown from the heat.
“Of course,” she lied while dragging her mind back to the present moment. They were standing not far from the tree she’d fallen out of, and her mom and dad were studying a map, trying to decide which trail they should hike.
Oh yes, that’s why she’d drifted off.
“Any preference?” Her mom eyed her suspiciously.
“She wants to do the shortest one. Always,” Zac said with a lazy yawn, and bumped Via’s shoulder as if to say, ‘you’re welcome.’
Thank you. She mouthed back to him.
Totally worth buying him all the candy yesterday.
“That’s decided then. We’re off to the waterfall.” Her dad turned left and headed toward a rocky trail.
Their mom went next, and she and Zac slowly followed. Actually, out of all possible day trips, going to the waterfall wasn’t the worst thing that could happen. It didn’t involve too many steep hills, and it was gorgeous. Plus, she could find a shady spot and read her book.
“You okay?” Zac said in a low voice. “You were miles away.”
“Yes, dreaming of the library,” she lied, not wanting her nosey twin to know she’d been dreaming about Hudson. “Thanks for picking the track.”
“No biggie.” He rolled his shoulders, but his mouth was tight. It was very un-Zac-like. She frowned. He’d been quiet all morning.
“Hey, big brother. What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?” she said. He was silent, eyes not quite meeting hers as they walked. “Zac?”
He sighed. “Diana dumped me last night.”
“What?” she yelped out. Her parents both swung around. Via quickly held up her hands. “Sorry. I…er…stepped on a big rock.”
“Be careful. One sprained ankle in the camp is enough,” her dad said, then slung an arm around their mom’s shoulder and kept walking. Via lowered her voice.
“What happened? You two seemed like you were getting on fine.”
“Turns out she had a boyfriend at home, and when I wasn’t cool about it, she stormed off.”
Via widened her eyes. “She played you?”
“I know. Total karma, right?” He shook his head, blond hair glinting in the bright sunlight.
“No,” she instantly replied. Her brother was the king of flirts, but he’d never cheat on anyone. Unless there was something he wasn’t telling her. “I mean, you wouldn’t—”
“Mess around behind someone’s back?” he finished off in an unnaturally blunt voice. “Not on purpose. Not that anyone believes me. Diana said it was my fault because I was the one who pursued her.”
“Only because you thought she was single.” Via growled and tucked her arm through his. Then she craned her neck up to catch his gaze. “You okay?”
He shrugged. “Yeah. Just wounded pride. Besides, I liked her, but something was missing. Besides, now I’m free to get to know Ally,” he said, cheering up at the idea.
“You can really switch over, just like that?” she said.
“What’s the problem? Diana was nice, and so is Ally. Best of both worlds.”
Via frowned as once again Hudson darted into her mind.
Yesterday she’d only agreed to go to Shallow Falls with him to avoid canoeing, but it had ended up being…amazing. So amazing she’d told him the truth. How hard it had been.
He hadn’t laughed or looked at her like she was a freak. He’d understood.
Renewing their friendship was like forgetting about a favorite sweater and discovering it again.
Except Hudson wasn’t a sweater.
And, unlike her fickle brother, she didn’t think Hudson was interchangeable with anyone else. There’d been a moment in the cafe when she’d thought he was going to kiss her. His head had tilted and his mouth had parted, showing a hint of his teeth.
He had really great teeth. And lips.
I’m so out of my depth.
“Have you ever really liked someone?”
“Why?” Zac said in a sharp voice.
“No reason,” she quickly said, mentally kicking herself. He’d tease her forever if he knew. “I was just wondering.”
The tension left his jaw. “Not really. What can I say? I’m an equal opportunity dater.”
His voice was light, but he avoided her gaze. There was something he wasn’t telling her. Interesting. Still. She kept secrets from him; it was only fair he had a few of his own. The path narrowed not long after. He ushered her on and took up the rear guard.
He’d started doing it when they were kids, after she’d gotten too far behind the rest of her sporty family. She’d taken a wrong turn, and it had taken her dad half an hour to come jogging down the trail and find her.
Zac
