Page 14 of Speak No Claim

My jaw tightened. “Which is?”

He held my gaze. “The one you’re afraid to ask.”

My patience broke like a thread. “Do any of you answer the questions you’re asked?”

He leaned back against the tree, getting far too comfortable. “Only when it’s earned.”

“Yeah,” I mocked. “Well, I don’t owe you anything.”

“No.” He cocked his head further, studying me as if he already knew the answer. “But you do owe yourself honesty.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“You’re wondering why you’re still up here with me.”

“If I had another choice⁠—”

“You do.” His words cut through mine. “Just jump.”

Two words that hung heavy between us like a bomb. My grip tightened around the bark. He was fully aware I wouldn’t do it.

With that, a smile actually crossed his face, calling me out, “Exactly.”

My stomach twisted into knots as his stare dropped to my hands. “You’re holding on too tightly. Your fingers are going to go numb.”

Subconsciously, I glanced down at how far I’d fall.

“You don’t trust me,” he said out of nowhere.

“No shit.”

“Good,” he mused. “Trust only gets you killed. It’s instinct that keeps you alive.”

I flinched. “My instinct is why I’m here.”

“This is where you thought no one would find you?”

“I’m not hiding.”

“No?”

“I just wanted to be alone.”

“There’s a difference?”

“Yes.”

His stare lingered on me for a moment. “Convince me why.”

I repeated, “I just wanted to be alone.”

“No, you wanted to disappear. That’s the difference.”

I ignored his observation and made my own. The forest seemed to breathe around him. It knew him. It was how he could climb this tree in the first place.

Reading my mind yet again, he suggested, “You should’ve picked another tree.”

“You were watching me,” I accused. “That’s how you found me?”