Page 18 of The Lucky Heart (Jamison Valley 3)
“Don’t cry. He’ll sober up.” Silas took my hand in his.
“He better or I’m dumping him.”
By the time we pulled off into an empty campground overlooking the river, my eyes were dry and I could take in the view. Moonlight shimmered on the rippling water. The light dusting of snow on the riverbanks was glittering. The serene setting was just what I’d needed to feel better. Somehow Silas had known the perfect place to bring me.
“Sorry,” I said. “I’m really glad you were there tonight.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I’m just glad Jess is at the academy. He would have beat the piss out of Wes for what he said to you. I was about five seconds from doing it myself.”
“Please don’t tell Jess.” I turned on the bench seat and begged. “Please, please, Silas. He’ll freak out.” Adding my brother’s temper to the mix would make everything worse. He’d go ballistic and demand I tell him the whole story. I’d never be able to lie and he’d hate me if he knew I’d been wanting to try drugs. Then he’d be livid that Wes had done it instead and then they’d get in a fight. Jess could not find out about this. “Please, Silas.”
His jaw locked tight but he gave me a short nod.
I sighed. “Thank you.”
I kicked off my shoes, pulling my knees to my chest, and pointed my eyes back to the river. We both watched it flow as country music played softly on the radio.
“I’m sorry for wrecking your night,” I said.
“You didn’t wreck my night.”
“Sure I did. Andrea was hanging all over you tonight. You totally could have scored.”
He made a sour face. “I don’t want Andrea.”
“Oh, is there somebody else?”
He blew out a long breath before muttering, “Yeah. There’s somebody else.”
“What? Who?” I was shocked.
Silas had always been one for the casual flings and I’d never seen him seriously interested in a girl. If he was actually crushing on someone, that was a major development. Maybe if I knew who this girl was, the unexpected twinge of jealousy stuck in my side would go away.
“Not telling.”
“What? You can’t do that to me. Tell me. Tell me right now.” I started shaking his shoulder.
He laughed and pushed me away. “Knock it off and maybe one day I’ll tell you.”
“Don’t make me wait. Please tell me.”
He shook his head. “Nope.”
“You really won’t tell me who this mystery girl is? Even if I crossed my heart, my fingers, my toes and my eyes, swearing not to tell a soul for the rest of my life?”
He laughed as I tried to cross everything. “You’re going to hurt yourself. No, I won’t tell you. That secret’s mine for now, Felicity.” That was his final answer.
“Okay, fine.” I pouted but knew I’d pester it out of him eventually. We went back to watching the river until a random thought popped in my head. “You know, I’ve always wondered. Why don’t you call me ‘Lissy’ like everyone else?”
“You don’t like that nickname.”
My eyes widened and my chin fell. “What? You noticed that?”
“It’s hard not to notice you.” His eyes were pointed at the river and I couldn’t quite read him.
“Oh.” I studied his profile for a moment before looking to my lap. There was something behind his tone but I wasn’t sure what to call it. I’d never heard Silas talk like that before, all gentle and soft.
We sat quietly again and I started yawning. “I’m tired.” The clock on the dash read 2:41 a.m. “Can I lay down for a while?”
