Page 37 of Nothing But Air

“You’re an amazing climber. You read the rock like no one I’ve ever met.” He adjusted his grip, jaw tight. “I trust you completely. And you know everyone—to me, they’re just names on a list.” A pause. His hands flexed on the leather. “My only request is that I’d prefer you on my team.”

Something else lurked there. Something he held back.

She wouldn’t push. Not yet.

“I’m good with that.”

More than good. Because if Teague was climbing with Marcus Roosevelt, she wanted to keep an eye on that man. The passing days hadn’t dimmed the warning bells in her head every time she talked to him.

“So we need one more on our team,” Teague said, some tension leaving his voice. “And three on Liam’s. Keep your friends together and take Xander? Or move Xander to Liam’s team and take one of your friends?”

“Keep the other three together. We take Xander.” The words tumbled out quickly. Too quickly.

She’d made the leap to get back on the rock—that was one thing. But climbing with Kyle, Trey, or Sierra? Having Landon’s memory wrapped around every belay, every anchor, every shared glance? She wasn’t ready for that.

Teague nodded, gaze fixed forward.

The ranger-station parking lot came into view—and so did a familiar silver Suburban. Three figures climbed out as Teague pulled in beside them.

Eden’s chest tightened.

Talk about flashbacks.

Sierra was practically bouncing, her pixie-cut dark hair flopping in the breeze. Same boundless energy. Same fierce grin. Her arms were already spreading for a hug before Eden had opened the truck door.

Beside her stood Kyle Morrison—tall, broad-shouldered, an easy grin that she’d seen him share often with Landon. The memory made Eden’s stomach clench. His dark-blonde hair was longer than she remembered, and he’d filled out a bit more in two years. More muscle. More presence.

And then there was Trey.

A carbon copy of Landon. Same height. Same build. Same easy stance, with his weight shifted to one side—exactly how his brother used to stand.

Eden’s throat tightened.

No more avoiding the past. No more pretending she could keep her old life and new life separate.

She popped the door open and slid out.

“Eden!” Sierra wrapped her in a fierce hug that smelled of lavender shampoo and cinnamon gum. “Oh my word, you look amazing. The canyon air agrees with you.”

“Thanks for coming.” Eden’s voice came out rough. She pulled back, forcing herself to look at Kyle and Trey.

But Kyle was already moving.

He pulled her into an embrace that was longer than necessary. Tighter. His cologne—woodsy and expensive—wrapped around her.

“Eden.” Low. Warm. “Man, it’s good to see you.”

When he finally pulled back, his hands lingered on her shoulders. His eyes studied her face with an intensity that made something uncomfortable twist in her gut. “How have you been? Really?”

“I’m good. Getting by.”

Over Kyle’s shoulder, she caught Teague. He was unloading gear from the truck bed, movements a little too deliberate. A little too focused on the ropes and quickdraws.

But his eyes flicked toward them. Toward Kyle’s hands still resting on her shoulders. His gaze sharpened—watchful. Assessing.

Eden stepped back, putting distance between herself and Kyle, and turned to Trey.

The resemblance hit harder up close. Same warm brown eyes. Same crooked smile. Same single dimple in his left cheek.