Faking Forever: Book One by Bee Lynn

Author:Bee Lynn [Lynn, Bee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-08-21T00:00:00+00:00

13

rough terrain

JOSHUA

I press my thumb against the side button on my phone, rechecking the time. It should only take a few minutes to take a piss. I realize it’s different for women in the woods, but she should’ve been back by now unless she was up to something else. Nick and Darcy had already caught up and passed us, and they were ages behind us on the hike. My instincts are always spot on, and I knew I should’ve just gone with her. I hate making her feel like she can’t do things alone, though, and she despises it like a bad cold.

When I feel the anxiety coming on, I like the pace to try and ease whatever jitters are taking control of me. Walking around is like the cure for my mind when it’s restless. For all I know, she could be on her way back. I also said that to myself about two minutes ago, and still, I’m waiting to see her walk out of those woods.

“Josh, come look at this!” Darcy’s voice echoes as she comes 182

ROUGH TERRAIN

running my way.

Her body crashes into mine as she grabs my arm, pulling me in the opposite direction of where I saw Paisley runoff.

“No—Darcy, something is wrong.”

“Wrong with what? Your dad wants you. He won’t stop yapping about getting the fish ready. C’mon, the site is like five minutes away.”

She begins tugging on my arm again, managing to pull me finally.

“Wait a minute, would you? Paisley’s in the woods still.” I exclaim, prying her fingers from my arm.

“She’ll be fine. I drew a circle that’s closer for her to find her way back.” she shrugs.

“Come again?”

A circle? What is she on about now?

“I saw that Paisley drew a circle to mark the spot she was at so she could find her way back. It was in a stupid place, so I scribbled it out and drew her a new one closer to the site.”

Her eyes twinkle as she twists side to side, innocently smiling at me.

“Darcy she’s gonna get lost now, what’s your problem?!” I cover my face, taking the deepest breath that I can inhale.

I’m starting to unfortunately learn why Paisley’s hatred for Darcy is so strong.

“I was trying to help! She knows the woods, so I thought it would make it easier!” She battled my aggression.

“Get out of my way— now.”

I lightly shove her to the side, unhooking my flashlight from my bag to turn it on. Now, I have to consider the worst possible outcome. The bullshit out here would tear her to shreds. Bears, hunters—you name it. Nothing that she’d ever be able to 183

FAKING FOREVER

compete with on her own. Today would not be the day she’d get introduced to those dangers either.

The deeper I got into the woods, the daylight faded into night, more and more, and even calling her name was useless.

I’d been yelling for the entire walk and hadn’t gotten a scream, noise, or even a possible phone call. Internally, I was having a full-blown panic attack—turning my insides into the barrel of a washing machine.

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