Tripping (Iced #2) - Kristine Allen Page 0,25

stuck in my memories longer than I’d realized.

“No,” I croaked. The truth was, I was terrified she’d blame me and not speak to me. She’d told me it was a mistake. It was evident she hadn’t been excited about the prospect of skating, but I’d been driven by blind excitement.

My rationale was if I didn’t try to contact her right away, I could fool my heart into thinking she’d be okay with a little time. Maybe she wouldn’t hate me. Except I wasn’t stupid, and I knew that was utter bullshit.

“Cameron!” Sydney admonished. “She’s going to think you don’t care. She might be afraid.”

“Her family showed up in the ER. She wouldn’t look at me when they were fussing over her. I left, and she hasn’t called or messaged me. It’s been five hours.” With each minute that passed, it became harder and harder to reach out. It seemed like her silence spoke volumes.

“More reason for you to call her! Make sure she’s okay.” Sydney was exasperated, and I didn’t blame her. I knew I was being an idiot.

Swallowing with difficulty, I slid my phone across the table from where I tossed it. I’d gone to Alex and Sydney’s after leaving the hospital and driving around for an hour. I’d been shaken, and my brain had been jumbled between the present and that lake in Ontario.

“I’m going to go out back,” I said as I stood. Neither of them said anything; they simply watched me walk out the patio door. Head bowed, I stared at my phone as if it would dial itself.

A cool breeze gusted and sent a shiver down my spine.

With a sigh, I opened her contact information and hit Send.

It rang a few times before I heard a breathy “Hello?”

“How are you feeling?”

A chuckle was followed by, “I’m doing just fine, but I think you were calling for my sister.”

“Oh, um, yeah. I’m trying to check on Bleu,” I stammered like a damn moron. Rolling my eyes heavenward, I tipped my face up toward the sky.

“Hold on,” she said, then I heard rustling as the speaker was obviously covered. There were muffled voices that I couldn’t distinguish, then the rustle of the phone being uncovered. “She’s got a headache and asked if she can call you back.”

“Yeah, sure,” I flatly replied. “Tell her I’m worried about her.”

“Will do,” she said.

She ended the call, and my arm dropped. I sat on the patio chair and stared blindly out across the yard. Lost in thought, I jumped when my phone vibrated with text message.

Unknown number: This is Crimson, Bleu’s sister. Hope you don’t think I’m being a creeper, but I stole your number from when you called.

Me: okay?

Shit, I hoped Bleu’s sister wasn’t a crazy bitch who was going to force me to change my number. That had happened before, which was why I rarely gave out my number anymore. I saved her contact info just in case.

Crimson: Don’t give up on her

Me: There’s not much to give up on

Crimson: There’s probably more than you think

Me: Aren’t you being a little traitorous by telling me stuff?

Crimson: lol no this is me looking out for my sister because she’s being stubborn

Me: Well, I think it’s pretty evident that she doesn’t want to talk to me. Sorry to have wasted your time and hers. Probably time to throw in the towel

Crimson: Don’t! She’s embarrassed that she got hurt. She’s not mad at you

Me: but it wasn’t her fault. I took her skating when I knew she didn’t know how and didn’t really want to

Crimson: Trust me. Don’t give up

My pulse raced at the thought that things might work out. I was afraid to have hope because it might jinx me. Except, the weight in my chest had lifted, and excitement took its place.

Feeling damn near giddy, I tapped out a message to Bleu.

Me: Your sister said you were resting and you had a headache. Can I bring you anything? I’m worried about you and I’m so very sorry that you got hurt. I feel like shit

There was no response, but I saw that she’d read my text. I decided not to be negative and took it that at least she read it. Jumping to my feet, I burst into the house.

“Gotta go,” I said as I passed Alex and Syd. Victor chased after me, swatting at my feet. I chuckled as he lost interest and wandered regally off to do whatever it was that strange big-ass cat did with his time.

Out