Don't Explain by Audrey Dacey Read Free Book Online Page B

it took to climb the mountain.
    While she knew the best thing that she could do for him right now was to be
a friend, she occasionally would look up at him and shudder at the sight of his
hard body. Secretly, she hoped that despite having a night to rest and reflect,
he would still want her as much as the previous day. If nothing else, he could
blow off some steam. She could feel he was carrying a lot of stress the night
before.
    When they reached the top, they walked around the peak to see all the
views. From most areas they saw hills of reds, oranges, and yellows, which were
also reflected in the reservoirs. At one point, in the distance they could see
the faint outline of Boston, though it was very difficult to catch a glimpse
through the haze. They wasted some quarters in the viewfinders, but the scene
was more beautiful taken in all at once.
    After a while, Caitlyn sat down on a bench and started digging through
her knapsack. She pulled out two turkey, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches, a bag
of apple slices, and two bottles of water. She gestured with her head for
Michael to take a seat next to her as she handed him a sandwich.
    “Had I known all of this was in your pack I would have carried it for
you.”
    Caitlyn grunted at the thought that she was too weak to carry a couple of
sandwiches.
    “It's beautiful out here,” he said, entranced by the landscape. “It's a
lot different than the west. I can see why you wanted to come back here.”
    “I ended up here because I was too afraid to try anything new. Arizona
was more trouble than it was worth to me,” she admitted. “I do like it here, though.
It is a part of me that I can't seem to let go of. Unless my mother drives me
away, I doubt that I will ever leave for an extended period of time again.”
    “How is Cat?”
    “She’s a pain in the ass.”
    Michael laughed. Caitlyn had only introduced him to her mother and father
once during Family Weekend the fall of their freshman year. It was exactly long
enough for Cat to insult Michael on everything from his hair to his choice of
major, and her mother didn’t dislike him. That didn’t happen until Michael
didn’t come to Caitlyn’s father’s funeral in the fall of their junior year. He
wanted to go, but his teachers were less accommodating than Caitlyn’s, and one
threatened to fail him if he didn’t show up for class. The fact that Caitlyn’s
best friend didn’t show up to her father’s funeral was not acceptable to
Catherine Murphy.
    Michael stared out at the skyline. “I could see not leaving here.” He
paused. “I don't know if this vacation is going to cut it. I feel like I need
something new. Some place relaxing.” His revelation startled Caitlyn. She had
always seen Michael as a hustle-and-bustle type who took brief retreats in
nature.
    “I don't see you moving here. You’re in your element in Sacramento. I don't
think you could give that up so quickly,” she admitted frankly.
    “So you are trying to get rid of me. I thought you might be after
last night. I'll go away on my own. You don't have to push me down the
mountain.” He flashed a smile that showed that he was joking, but it had
apologetic undertones.
    “Last night you were overloaded by what was going on in your life. We had
a moment of faux intimacy. A rebound kiss. It isn't anything that should
prevent us from being friends. It just shows what good friends we are.” She
shook her head knowing that what she had just said sounded incredibly childish
and was a half lie. She let out a brief, breathy laugh. She was unsure of why
she had just passed off one of the most anticipated and intimate moments of her
life as proof of their platonic friendship. A friendship, she remembered, proven
unable to withstand time and distance. After a few moments she asked, “You
ready to head back down the hill?”
    “Let's do it.” He half hid a smile. They walked their trash over to the
nearest receptacle, and then headed to the trail. The walk