I pull out the list and my phone before plopping down in the chair next to Grinder. By the time Nova gets back with a mountain of waffles topped with whipped cream and berries, my face is all scrunched up as I study Grinder’s list.

Nova’s voice snaps me away from my device. “Shit. What did Grinder do now?”

“Nothing,” Grinder snaps back. “Stop stirring shit.”

I take a drink of my coffee and put my phone down. “You have some pretty long stretches here,” I remark. “Some I get. But are you not stopping between Hikertown and Kennedy Meadows?”

Grinder shrugs as he takes a bite of a bagel, chewing and swallowing before answering. “Why should we?”

My mouth drops in shock. “That’s almost two hundred miles.”

“And?”

“It’s going to take almost two weeks,” I say, stating the obvious. “I can’t do that.”

“What? Hike two weeks?” Grinder asks with an amused smirk, not nearly as inviting as his earlier smile. “We’re three weeks in. I think you can hike two more.”

“Not in one go,” I protest. “Even if I had the pack space for that much food, which I don’t, I can’t carry that much weight.”

Grinder wipes his mouth with a napkin and drops it on his tray. He leans back and crosses his arms across his chest, leveling a look at me that says he’s not liking where this is going. “What do you suggest, Belle? There’s no good place to stop along that stretch.”

I fidget in my seat, uncomfortable beneath Grinder’s glare. But I stop myself, because fuck it. I was submissive to Bryce. Obviously way too submissive. I’m not doing it again. Grinder needs to know I’m not interested in his alpha male bullshit. “We’ll need to stop in Tehachapi,” I say. Grinder rolls his eyes. “And Onyx. I won’t make it otherwise.”

“That’ll add two days to the trip,” Grinder scoffs. “Maybe three. Not happening.”

Nova glares daggers at Grinder, almost on par with Bats’ scowl. Almost. “Didn’t you hear her?” Nova snaps. “She can’t carry the weight.”

Grinder matches Nova glare for glare, leaning in for good measure. The air is getting thick with big dick energy. “We don’t have the time,” Grinder spits out between gritted teeth. “As you’re well aware. Princess will have to reroute her packages.”

“Excuse me?” I snap back. Also, when did we get back to princess? I should have known the nice guy act was just that. An act. The asshole had me fooled there for a moment.

Grinder turns his glare toward me. “Reroute your boxes. We don’t have time for those stops.”

“And do what? Throw out my tent? Maybe my sleeping bag? Why don’t I get rid of all my clothes while I’m at it?” My brain catches up to what I’ve said as embarrassment flushes my cheeks. There’s a flash of heat in Grinder’s eyes, but I blink and it’s gone. Next to me, Nova hums like it’s the best idea I’ve had all day. “I mean, of course I’m not,” I backpedal. “So tell me, Gaston, how I’m supposed to carry all of that weight? Oh yeah. I can’t.”

“I will,” Bats says, snagging a slice of bacon from Grinder’s tray. Bats bites the piece in half before Grinder can notice.

“You’ll what?” I ask, turning to blink in confusion.

Bats shrugs and swallows, like his suggestion is no big deal. “I’ll carry your extra food. I have plenty of room in my pack, and I can carry another twenty, maybe thirty pounds. No problem.”

Grinder leans back with a victorious grin. “Problem solved.” He reaches for his bacon. When he finds his plate empty, his eyes snap up to Bats as the big guy finishes the piece.

“No,” I say, trying to remain calm. “The problem is not solved. I don’t need you three doing shit for me. I came here to prove I could do this. By myself.”

Nova places a gentle hand on my thigh. “But you’re not by yourself.” My eyes snap to him, as he’s clearly not getting my point. “Don’t get me wrong. You’d kick this trail’s ass if you had to. But you don’t have to. You’re with us now. If you don’t want help, we won’t help. But if you need help, we’re here. We’re all in this. Together.”

I take a deep breath as my eyes drift from one guy to the next, trying to get a read on where we stand. Nova’s face is gentle and full of concern. I know he’s trying to placate me. To ease the sudden tension. But also, he genuinely wants me to succeed on my terms.

Grinder isn’t angry, if I’m being honest. A little annoyed, perhaps, but not like he has been for the past few weeks. Maybe I haven’t been imagining things. Something is different, but we’re going to need to find some private time to sort out what that is, and what it means for me and Grinder going forward.

Bats is casual as always, leaning back in his chair watching me. But he’s ready to jump in to intervene at any moment. I only have to say the word.

I would have gotten here without them, eventually, but I’m here now. And I know deep down I’m at least a little better for it. Maybe even on the right track to being a lot better. They deserve at least a little something back. This is important to Grinder. I don’t know why yet. Until I do, maybe I can show him a little trust.

“I appreciate the offer,” I tell Bats. “This trip, it’s something I have to do. For myself. But you’re right. You guys have been patient with me, and I appreciate it. A lot. I’ll call Rachel before we leave. She’s been handling all of my boxes. I’ll have her reroute my boxes to your locations. However, I’m serious when I say I’m carrying my weight. Or at least, as much as I can. Anything that goes in your bag, I’m eating first,” I tell Bats, who nods in understanding. “And the jerky goes in my bag.”

The corners of Bats’ lips tilt up in amusement, like he’s accepting a challenge. Damn jerky thief. But who am I kidding? I’d probably give him a whole bag for one of his smiles.

***

It’s a little past eight before we check out and head back to the trail. We make good time climbing out of Cajon Pass and into the hills, reaching a bend about four miles into our day. I come to a complete stop, taking in the canyon below. “This is it,” I murmur, pulling out my phone.

“This is what?” Nova asks, turning to look back at me.

“It’s a canyon,” Grinder remarks. “It’s gray and tan and like all the others we’ve seen for the last three weeks. Can we keep going?”

I spin and level a glare at Grinder. “It’s not just a canyon. This is the San Andreas Rift Zone. On this side, we’re standing on the North American Plate,” I explain, then point to the far side of the canyon. “Over there, we’ll be on the Pacific Plate. And down there,” I say, pointing to the canyon floor, “We’ll be standing above one of the largest faults in the world.”

Grinder groans, rolling his eyes skyward. “We’re stopping for photos. Aren’t we?”

“Hell, yes,” I exclaim, my smile growing larger. “Come on.”

Tags: Chris Mor Thriller
Source: readsnovelonline.net