Broken Bond by C.J. Primer

32

VANESSA

“You’re really not going to tell me where we’re going?” I laugh as Vienna pulls me by the hand down a well-worn forest trail. Half an hour ago, she busted into my room and told me to put on a bikini, all cloak and dagger about giving me any details as to where she was taking me. All she said was that it’d been too long since I’d had any real fun, and since I couldn’t disagree with that, I humored her.

I put on my favorite white crochet bikini and my second favorite pair of cutoff jean shorts – since my favorites were a casualty of my hasty shift to run away from Callum last week- and hopped into Vee’s Jeep with her. I thought it was safe to assume we were going swimming, so imagine my surprise when she pulled into the parking lot of the squad complex in Goldenleaf. Then my confusion only multiplied after we got out of the car and she bypassed the entry gate for the complex to head for this trail instead.

“You’ll see,” Vee answers conspiratorially, shooting me a devious smirk over her shoulder.

My arm jerks in her grasp as she continues tugging me along, my flip flops slapping against my heels with every step. If I knew we were going for a hike, I would’ve chosen more comfortable footwear- but given the fact that Vienna also wore sandals, I can’t imagine that wherever we’re going is a far jaunt.

Though we’re putting more distance between ourselves and the complex, I swear the dull hum of music is getting louder. I start to hear voices too, clueing me in that we won’t be alone once we reach our destination. What’s this girl up to?

“C’mon,” Vienna urges, veering sharply off the trail onto a narrower path and nearly pulling my shoulder out of its socket in the process.

I stumble to follow her, a rogue branch catching in my hair. “Slow down!” I laugh as I pull it free, wrenching my arm out of her

grasp. We’re headed down a gradual incline, I realize, and the music and chatter in the distance are now unmistakable. It sounds like there’s a full-blown party happening in the woods and we’re headed right for it.

My suspicions are confirmed when we hit the end of the path, a break in the trees revealing our destination: a swimming hole. I skid to a stop, my jaw going slack as I take in the scene before me.

For starters, the swimming hole itself is beautiful. It’s bordered on one side by a tall rock face, a thin waterfall cascading down over the stone into the large pool below. The side we’re on boasts a wide, flat bank, and both the bank and the swimming hole itself are packed with bodies; guys in board shorts flaunting their bare, muscular chests and scantily clad girls in skimpy bikinis.

“What is all this?” I ask incredulously, lifting my aviator sunglasses to rest atop my head as my eyes ping from the throng of people to the beer kegs floating in tubs of ice, to the big speaker playing music.

Vee grins proudly, linking her arm with mine. “Party for the squad. They randomly throw these when it’s too hot to train outside and we all need a break. Boosts morale.” She tosses me a wink, taking a step forward and urging me along with her.

Now that I’m here, I vaguely remember Vienna telling me about a party like this once before. Hearing about it and seeing it with my own eyes are two different things, though- the scene before me is straight out of a movie, hands clutching red plastic cups, couples canoodling, and groups of friends splashing around in the water. I can’t help but grin as we wander down the bank; this is definitely the pick-me-up I’ve been needing lately.

“Hey, you made it!” Levi greets, approaching us with his signature charismatic grin. He’s carrying a plastic cup in each hand, foamy beer sloshing out of the tops with each step.

wrap around her torso from behind, lifting her off the ground. She giggles and kicks as Chase hauls her up to nuzzle into her neck, nipping her skin playfully.

one of the cups of beer in my

eyes. I whip my head back around with a barely disguised wince, taking the cup from Levi gratefully and raising it to my lips. He gives me a little nod,

we talk?” he asks, my muscles

on the rim of the cup as I slowly

I was avoiding him because I was still fuming over the stupid

sip from the cup

out a breath, hanging his head sheepishly. “I know I fucked up with that

being watched, and immediately, I know who it is. Just as before, I feel Callum’s presence before I even see him. I turn to seek him out, my eyes drawn to his like a magnet. My breath catches in my throat

with their chiseled, tattooed bodies, and I can’t help the way my own body reacts to the sight of Callum.

we talking about,

have to be blind not to pick up on the reason for my distraction. His gaze bounces from Callum to me, his throat bobbing with a hard swallow. The look on his face betrays his emotions, and damnit if I don’t feel even more guilty when

down the rest of

Miles

The people pleaser in me wants to say something to soften the blow and spare his feelings, but I know giving him false hope won’t do either of us any favors. I tried with Miles, I really did, but I just never felt

a listening ear when I needed it. I doubt anyone else would’ve been as patient with me as he’s been. He would be the sensible choice, but

say. “Miles, you’re a great guy, but I’m not him,” he finishes.

Exactly.

pricking with

a sigh, hanging his head and kicking at the sandy bank dejectedly. I half expect him to get defensive or angry, but when he looks up at me again, his gaze is resigned. “Hey, no hard feelings,” he offers. “I kinda saw it coming. I want you to be happy, you deserve that. But I deserve it, too.” His eyes slide between Callum and I once more. “I hope I’ll find someone someday

doesn’t stick around for a response. The blow to his ego is probably too much. Miles just offers me a weak smile and shuffles away without another word, only to

asks, wide-eyed in

grimace, shrugging a shoulder. “Better than expected. Guess

keep telling yourself that.” She smirks knowingly, reaching forward

look to know that Callum is still posted up by the keg; I’ve felt his eyes burning into the side of my face ever since I looked his way. I’m not quite ready to go over there and talk to him yet. I wrap an arm around my waist, fingertips

make him work for it,”

a wink as she heads over to the keg