Page 8 of Just Between Us

We ride for at least twenty minutes like this, up one street and down the next, my heart lodged in my throat. Finally, I’m brave enough to crack one eye open. It’s unnerving seeing the pavement zip past so quickly, the houses we pass reduced to a blur. But then my grip loosens as we cross a bridge, beautiful silver moonlight reflecting off the water below like liquid mercury. A lone sailboat floats along the edge of a rocky bluff, and for a second, I forget to be scared.

“You okay now?” Liam yells over his shoulder.

“I think so,” I yell back, loosening my death grip. “Or getting there.”

Liam takes a right turn, and we’re climbing a hill, windingup a street that overlooks the bridge we crossed seconds before. Veering onto the grass, we come to a gnarled willow tree and Liam cuts the engine. The absolute quiet after the roar of the bike is almost deafening, ringing in my ears. My pulse still races, adrenaline fizzing in my veins.

Liam dismounts first, takes off his helmet, then begins working the chinstrap of mine with nimble fingers. He lifts it from my head and extends his hand to help me off the bike. It seems, in Singing River, chivalry is still alive and well.

After he’s stored both helmets away, he walks to the tree, and once again, I follow.

“Cassandra, places like this”—he sweeps his arms magnanimously—“are where you find yourself. Under a summer sky that overlooks the most magical river you’ll ever see.”

Liam stretches out on the grass, crossing his riding boots at the ankles and pats a spot beside him for me to do the same. Lying there, he looks completely at ease, like he’s the kind of person who belongs anywhere he wants to be.

I take a seat, the cool grass tickling the backs of my thighs as we sit gazing up. Above us, the night sky holds stars, strewn like jewels tossed across black velvet. And below, the river laps against the rocky bluff. It’s impossible not to be impressed with Mother Nature.

Liam begins to speak, and it takes a second before I realize he’s reciting a poem.

Though my soul may set in darkness,

It will rise in perfect light;

I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.

My nose starts to burn at how lovely it all is, not just his words but also this impossible night. Rather than voice that thought, Ibump his elbow with mine. “You’re a regular Shakespeare,” I quip, causing Liam to laugh, a low rumble.

“Nah. Just a guy who knows a poem or two,” he deflects, but his tone says otherwise. “Cassandra, these days everyone is looking down. But in my experience, it’s nice to look up, look around you. Pause in your busy life to stare at the stars every once in a while. We all need a reminder of how small we really are. I’ve spent many nights up here.” Liam pauses, his voice rough-hewn. “And sometimes, darkness doesn’t tell us lies the way the light of day tends to.”

His words cause a stab in my chest, sharp and sudden. How many times have I thought something similar? I’ve lain in bed, enveloped in complete darkness, and only then had the courage to untangle my jumbled thoughts, to admit things that only come under the cover of night.

“What makes it magical?” I gesture to the water. “The river, I mean.”

“There are stories. How it hums and sings, guiding your feet where you belong.”

“And you believe them?”

“With all my heart. It’s happened to too many people.” He’s still looking out at the view below us, the town spreading out like a constellation of streetlights, twinkling to match the stars overhead. Then Liam turns, eyes searching my face. I like hearing him talk, voice deep with a Southern lilt. There was a time my voice had a similar lilt, but after staying in the city after college, that’s another thing I lost along the way, I suppose. And I especially like how Cassandra sounds, falling off his lips. “It might happen to you, you never know.”

I scoff. “I don’t even know who I am or where I belong anymore.”

His eyes drop to my lips but dart back up to my eyes so quickly I’m sure I imagined it. “Close your eyes and focus.”

I tilt my head, confused, and his brows rise. With his forefinger and pinky extended, he reaches up and gently closes bothmy lids, his touch featherlight. Together, we fall silent, listening to the sounds around us.

An owl hoots in the distance mixed with a chorus of crickets and frogs. I listen more intently, hoping to hear something, anything from this magical river. At first there’s nothing. But then, a whisper. And for the first time since I left Dallas, it truly hits me with a force so strong I suck in a sharp breath. I might not know much at present, but there is one thing I know with absolute clarity.

I’m free. I’m truly free to do and be whoever I want.

“You’re thinking something,” Liam murmurs. “I saw it cross your face.”

Blinking my eyes open, I meet his. “I’m free,” I say on a tremulous breath.

The next thing I know, Liam jumps to his feet, hauling me up with him.

“Yell it.” He leads me closer to the edge, meanwhile my fear of heights sinks its claws in. I tug my hand back, planting my feet.

“What? I’m not yelling at nine p.m. I’ll wake someone.” I grab his wrist, pulling him away from the edge. “And come back here. You’re too close.”