the trip, SFO, and trustworthy Luna. At least until we return home. Moffy and Jane said if we tell our parents, they’ll book the first flight to Montana, which will bring a fuck ton of paparazzi with them.
Our parents are the true famous ones.
And I can’t climb with the media hovering around. As much as I’d love for my parents to be out here with me, I’m not sure I should fly back into the nest this soon. It hasn’t been that long since we left Philly. I’ve barely been out here without them.
“Don’t know what to say to her?” Banks wonders since I’m stalling.
“I’m just nervous she’ll bring up things I can’t answer.” I don’t mention how I’m a shitty liar. That is already known.
His eyes are on the woods behind me, scanning the area as he talks. “Want some advice?”
“Yeah, I’d love anything.”
His gaze lands on me. Older. Protective. I want to walk into his embrace again. Feel the warmth of his arms around me, but the phone in my hand feels like a barrier.
“When you talk to your sister,” he tells me, “don’t think of the cougar attack as a secret you’re keeping from her. The things you aren’t ready to tell people, they’re not really secrets. They’re just vulnerable parts of you that need time to be shared.”
That hits me because I know he’s talking from experience.
Skylar.
His older brother that he doesn’t talk to anyone about. He must be one of the most vulnerable parts of Banks.
I inhale a stronger breath, smiling. “That’s some good advice.”
Banks smiles into a soft laugh. “I’m full of advice. Not sure if it’s all good, but I don’t mind giving it.”
My lips haven’t dropped, a giddiness suddenly surging through me. I hesitate to call my sister again, only this time it’s because I don’t want this moment with Banks to end yet.
I check our surroundings. No campers are hiking to the corkboard, so I look back at him and say, “I liked last night in the tent.” We all haven’t talked too much about what we did together. And I know it existed inside this dream world. In the shelter of the woods. Something that’ll be left behind in the wilderness. Because once we’re home, I’ll have to choose.
“I’m glad.” He smiles. “I enjoyed it too, mermaid.”
My eyes glass in a bigger smile. That feels good, knowing he doesn’t regret anything.
And then a faraway gunshot splinters the air.
I flinch.
“Probably hunters,” Banks says, eyes on me.
“Yeah,” I nod, trying to shake off the sudden jolt. “I’ll call my sis.” I dial Nona’s number and squat down, fully hidden behind the information board and a couple shrubs.
When I look up, I catch Banks’ shadow of a grin.
“What’s so funny?” I ask him.
“The squat and talk.” He gestures to my position. “Not funny but cute.”
He said I’m cute. If my heart were a cheerleader, it’d be performing a winning routine right now. “Want to squat with me?” I ask.
Banks has trouble looking away. “You know I would, but I’m supposed to be protecting you. I won’t see who’s coming.”
I can’t reply, my sister cuts over the line. “Sulli?”
“Squirt,” I greet, phone to my ear.
Banks turns his back to me. To give me privacy and protect me, I think.
I’m dying to gush to my sister about him. Focus. Concentrate. “You’re not at school yet, are you?” I didn’t calculate the time difference, but it’s super early here.
“Not yet. I’m about to carpool with the babes soon.” The babes are our cousins and her best friends: Vada Abbey (Aunt Willow’s daughter), plus Kinney Hale and Audrey Cobalt. “Just eating a bagel with almond butter.” She clicks onto FaceTime.
Fuck.
I hold the camera close up to my face. Only a small scratch on my cheek and forehead. Stuff that she’ll chalk up to thorns or rocks from hiking and climbing.
I accept the FaceTime call.
Her camera is zoomed in on the bagel and almond butter. Then she flips the view to her face. Dirty-blonde hair wet from a morning shower, Winona smiles at me with almond butter spread over her teeth. “Am I beautiful, Sulli?”
I laugh. “The most beautiful land crab I’ve ever seen.” It’s an inside joke, and I hoist the camera closer to my face. Just to be safe. “So Dad’s really cutting out eggs and diary?”
“Yeah, for real,” Winona says into a gulp of water, her smile still present. “He said he’d try harder than last time. He even shook on it. And you don’t