Page 18 (1/2)

"Yeah Gotta update the website The fans keep asking for new film" He holds a chest harness already outfitted with a camera out to me "Here Put this on, will you? I’m sure no one ant to miss any of your epic stupidity"

I roll my eyes at hiive theht?"

"Yeah, I know But the footage usually turns out sick, so why not? Besides, it’s been a few days since you’ve been out I figure, if I’ soht be taking it slow today"

Caht We’ll believe that e see it"

"I guess you will" I start to tease her about her new jacket--the thing is neon orange andabout the way she’s looking at me that makes et the feeling that Caht now the look in her eyes says that she can see a lotI’ hard not to look at what’s inside ht yesterday, I sure as shit don’t need anyone else poking around in there trying to see what’s up I already feel like I’ else happens, I don’t even want to think about how bad shit’s going to get

With that happy thought in e of the eous up here Co Blue sky, white clouds, snow-covered peaks as far as the eye can see, pine trees dripping with snow

I think aboutaway fro over somewhere else Somewhere fresh where the past doesn’t haunt me at every twist and turn But I don’t think I could ever leave these th of ti ive up snowboarding and the adrenaline rush that coh just the thought stings like hell But these mountains? They’re in my blood, in my soul, as surely as my memories of April are

Besides, there’s no peace for me There hasn’t been in over a decade and there won’t be any in the next decade, either It’s probably ti otherwise After all, it’s not like I’ve done anything to deserve it anyway

BehindAsh’s ca a heluess is he’s planning on going down right behind Ash to catch asthe tricks froether usuallythe band of brothers--I’ the camera off the side of the mountain on purpose But Cam moves into my path before I can doseconds she doesn’t say anything Just stands there and stares at me with a look I don’t want to try to interpret I smile at her, then start to walk around her, but she steps closer and puts a hand on my chest to hold lance at Luc to see if he’s now plotting to throw me off the mountain But he’s too absorbed in the camera debacle at the mo

"What’s up?" I ask her after the silence between us gets uncoht?"

"Yeah, sure"

"I’ht ere talking right now"

"You knohat I mean I’-teauy have to do to self-destruct in peace around here? "I’m fine, Cam"

"You always say that"

"Because it’s always true" My heart’s pounding like I just barged a run, and it’s all I can do to stand still I wait another few seconds, expecting her to step back, hoping she’ll take the hint and stop touching me But she doesn’t Instead, she moves closer, wraps her arm around my waist, rests her head onup inside ne bottle that’s been shaken way too er, I step away

Make a show of zipping up nore the look of hurt that flashes across her face

Immediately the cold seeps back in, but I refuse to react Ca for any chink in ive it to her Refuse to let her in any closer than she already is Shewith Ash and Luc, but there are sos even best friends shouldn’t see Shouldn’t know

Except … "I know this is a bad week for you, Z You can run froo away"

This time when she places a hand on my shoulder, it’s pure instinct to knock it off Pure self-preservation "Jesus, Cam, will you please just leave it the fk alone? If I wanted to go all hippie commune and talk about my shit, believe me, I would"

"It’s not healthy--"

"Really?" I cut her off "What abouthealthy?"