Everything for You (Unforgettable)

by Natalie R Allen

  He let out something between a laugh and a groan, shaking his head at me. “Alright, enough of that. Come on.”

  I grinned, feeling I’d won that little game.

  Simon reached into his truck for the wheeler key. He turned to me, looking me up and down. “Uh…” He looked like he was having some inner battle with himself. “I think you’d probably better put something else on. That’s not really riding gear, if you know what I mean.”

  I looked down at my swimsuit cover and flip-flops. “Oh, you’re right,” I agreed. “I’ll just go change and meet you back out here.”

  He nodded, a hint of regret in his eyes.

  As I changed into a T-shirt and jeans, I couldn’t help but worry again about Simon’s sudden return. What did it mean that he was here? A small part of me hoped he was here for me, but I shook the flicker of hope away as soon as it made my heart leap. I couldn’t get pulled in by this new version of this Simon. I had enough to figure in my life; I didn’t need to pile on a complicated romance from a man who’d left me without looking back. Did he even feel bad at all for that? I sighed as I headed for the door, ready for our ride. If anything, hopefully I could find the closure I needed to finally move on from Simon Curtis.

  Chapter 7

  Simon had his orange side-by-side wheeler ready when I went back outside. I stopped at the cooler and got a couple of bottles of water before climbing into the passenger seat. Simon was already seated and without warning, he leaned across me and reached for the glovebox. I hoped he didn’t hear my sudden intake of breath, or my heart suddenly pumping at double its normal pace. His face was so close to mine, I could feel the heat coming off him, and his smell had me turning my nose to get a quiet fill.

  I stared at his profile and decided I liked his five o’clock shadow. It gave him an almost rugged look and suited him better than most men’s. A sudden urge to reach up and stroke his jaw had me balling my fists tight enough that my fingernails were marking my skin. Touching him like that was much too intimate—at least, it would be for me. That my stomach was suddenly in a frenzy was proof enough that he still had some kind of effect on me.

  Simon pulled safety glasses out and closed the glovebox. He turned his head, our faces only inches apart, and as if I wasn’t in enough disarray already, he placed a pair of clear safety glasses on me with a little smile. “There,” he said softly. I held my breath as his fingers lightly trailed my cheek when he let his hand fall away, and I was left wondering if he’d done that on purpose. “Alright, are you ready?” he asked with sudden excitement.

  I took a breath, clearing away my dizziness. “I’m ready!” I called over the rumbling of the wheeler.

  “Let’s see what this thing can do!” He gunned it, and we took off, leaving a cloud of dust to follow.

  With a shriek, I grasped the handle bar in front of me and turned to Simon, who had a huge smile on his face. “This has a lot more power than Bryce’s wheeler!” I praised.

  I’d been around the men in my family enough to know that they liked hearing how great their toys were.

  Simon grinned. “Do me a favor and say that again later when Bryce is around.”

  I laughed and gave him a thumbs up.

  We started on the loop trail first and then turned off to another trail that arched and put us back on to the loop again. Simon swerved expertly into each turn and curve we met. Never once did I feel like the machine was out of his control, but I wasn’t sure if that was his driving expertise or the trust I was placing in him to keep us safe.

  “Well, how do you like it?” I yelled over the noise.

  “This is awesome!” he crowed. “Bryce is going to be so jealous. Maybe he’ll want me to spruce his up after he takes this one for a spin.”

  I humored him with a smile and a nod. I’d never understand what the deal was with some men and their I bested you mentality.

  We passed the grouping of trees that hid the trail leading to the mine, and Simon slowed to a stop and turned around. We maneuvered around the trees to the mine trail, and once we made it to the end, Simon parked and turned off the wheeler.

  “What are you doing?” I asked, puzzled, as I removed the glasses I was sure looked ridiculous on me.

  “I want to show you something,” he said simply as he climbed out and shut the black metal door. “Come on. Come with me.”

  A little reluctant because of our location near the mine, I stepped out, meeting him at the front of the wheeler. “What is it?” I asked as I folded my arms and looked around uncomfortably.

  He was quiet for a moment, and when I turned to him, his voice was soft and serious, and he was watching me closely with those eyes. “Do you remember that day in the mine?”

  I stared at him, wondering where he was going with this. I hadn’t been back to the mine since the day he was referring to, and to my knowledge, that day had been Simon’s first and last time visiting the mine.

  I shifted anxiously, remembering the fear that had consumed me that day I’d gotten lost in the horrid mine. I gave him a stiff nod.

  “I want to show you something in there,” he said carefully.

  “In the mine?” I was right, then. I felt sick at entering the endless tunnel of black. Simon knew what I’d gone through that day—how could he ask me to go there again? My heart beat uncomfortably just thinking about venturing in there again. I pressed my lips in, wondering how to kindly refuse him, and hoped he wouldn’t pressure me. “You know I hate the mine,” I said, but then I wondered if he did know. Did he remember all the things I did? Had he lain in bed at night these past years, thinking about the way I’d felt in his arms as we’d sat on the cold mine floor? Did he still know my pet peeves or remember I had a fear of the dark?

  The light flecks of gray in Simon’s eyes became more prominent as he softened them, and he nodded. “I remember. And I promise to keep you safe. Come on.” He smiled softly and gestured for me to follow.

  I was torn. For one, I wasn’t completely comfortable around him. I didn’t know who he was anymore, and this situation made me feel vulnerable to a person I’d once cared about more than anyone. Aside from my moment of insecurity, I really didn’t like that dark mine. I stayed rooted where I was and looked down at my feet. “Simon, I’m sorry, but I really don’t think I’m up for it.”

  He was quiet for a moment, but I heard him step closer. “Kate?” he said quietly.

  A younger version of his face flashed in my mind a hundred different ways when he said my name in that intimate way. This situation was too much. I didn’t want to be around him when I wasn’t completely in control of myself, and this was causing old memories and feelings to creep up on me. I wasn’t ready for a trip into the mine, let alone with him.

  I cleared my throat and took a step toward the wheeler, forcing my lips into a small smile, trying to keep my voice light. “I don’t think so. You’d have to carry me to get me in there again.” I laughed nervously and settled into the wheeler once more.

  Simon sat beside me a moment later; I was startled when he took my hand. I looked over with quiet surprise, and he smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you still had an aversion to this place.” He squeezed gently before letting go of my hand, and I fought against the sudden, confusing surge of anger toward him. Because he was right, he didn’t know about that, or anything else about me anymore.

  “Oh, Simon!” Aunt Chantelle squealed and bustled toward him when we returned to camp.

  “Mrs. H,” he said, smiling as my aunt pulled him in for a long hug. Simon had been like another son to my aunt and uncle, and they’d been just as sad about losing him as they’d been to lose his parents’ friendships.

  I stood next to Simon near the wheeler and smiled as I watched their reunion, wishing I’d reacted the same way when I’d first seen him, rather than making a fool of myself the way I had.

  I had a handle on myself again, not angry anymore, though it had taken some real effort and talking myself through thin
gs. I hoped being around my family would help me not feel so out of sorts. At least with others around, I’d have someone else to talk with and focus on. Although, as I stood with everyone now, I was just as aware of Simon standing beside me as I was when it was only the two of us—more, even.

  Simon seemed happy to see my aunt and as I watched them hug, I wondered when his own mother had last embraced him that way.

  “Oh, you’re so tall and handsome! Katie, isn’t he so handsome? What a lady killer you must be!”

  Simon smirked at me and danced his eyebrows in my direction.

  While I agreed wholeheartedly with Aunt Chantelle, I laughed and nodded. “Yes, yes, he’s very handsome.”

  Amy came over next, her excitement at seeing him sounding in a squeal of delight, and she threw herself at Simon. I had the sudden urge to peel back every inch of her that was pressed against him and push her into the lake. I quickly folded my arms to keep my jealousy from causing bodily harm. I was also jealous she was able to express herself so openly and not care one iota what everyone thought. I wasn’t the type to show so openly with everyone what I was thinking and feeling.

  The two of them remained in their lengthy embrace, and I had to look away when it went on and on. I reminded myself it wasn’t my place to be jealous of anything where Simon was concerned.

  “Hey, big brother.” Amy finally giggled. I looked at them again. She stepped back and ran her gaze over him from head to foot. “You got hot,” she sang.

  Simon laughed, and my head shot back in surprise at Amy’s boldness.

  “You look good too, Amy,” he said, folding his arms. “I’ll have to let Caleb know. He was asking about you…”

  Interesting. Amy had been hung up on Caleb for a long time after he’d spent the week with us camping. Amy’s smile slipped in surprise, and I knew she must be working furiously to not let her true feelings show. She recovered quickly, flipped her hair dramatically, and sighed. “Well, he’s too late.” She shrugged and patted Simon’s upper arm. “I’m spoken for. I guess you’ll have to settle for Katie instead. She’s still single.” She tipped her head in my direction and winked at me.

  I stared at her with wide eyes and felt my face burn with embarrassment at being put on the spot in that way. I ignored Simon when I saw him watching me with a curious quirk of his lips. Amy gave me a tiny evil smile, and I glared in return.

  “Well, who’s the lucky guy, Amy?” Simon asked.

  “Here I am.” James was striding toward us now with Trent in tow. Trent strutted forward, a lazy smile as his gaze shifted between Simon and me, and I groaned inwardly. The last time I’d been around Trent and another man was when Jesse had met me at my apartment to give me a lift to work. Trent had stood dominatingly at my side and hovered with a not-so-hidden scowl.

  James and Simon shook hands while Amy introduced the two of them.

  “So, you’re the guy to know for a deal on one of these things?” James gestured toward Simon’s wheeler.

  Simon grinned and slipped his hands into his pockets, seeming completely at ease. “I sure am,” he answered.

  I smiled proudly, unable to help myself. He was doing something for work that he enjoyed so much, and he seemed to be equally as proud of himself.

  James stepped toward Trent. “We should go in together and get a wheeler like this one.”

  Aunt Chantelle patted Simon’s arm; I’d almost forgotten she was here. “Well, I’ll let you catch up with these kids.”

  “It’s good to see you again,” Simon told her.

  She smiled at him, and when she looked my way, her lips fell a little. She turned quickly and headed for the trailer. I stared after her, wondering if she knew how his return would affect me. I was already in a bit of a rut with life, and this was just another complication.

  “How’s it going?” Trent smiled, though his eyes held a challenge as he shook Simon’s hand.

  “It’s going good, thanks. Kate and I did some kayaking and then took this thing out for its first ride.”

  Trent stiffened slightly and turned his attention to me. “Oh, so you’ll give this guy the time of day, huh?” He laughed lightly, but there was an edge to it that made me uncomfortable, on top of his ridiculous comment.

  Simon’s head whipped in my direction, and I glared daggers at Trent as a warning not to say anything more. It wasn’t just because Simon was there; I didn’t want to be put on the spot Trent.

  “Oh, Trent, she gave you a date and it didn’t work out. Get over it.” James teased his brother and playfully punched his shoulder.

  “Not if I can help it.” Trent laughed. “She’ll give in one of these days,” he said confidently.

  I closed my eyes, trying to hide from the awkward situation, and when I opened them again, Simon was watching me, but his face was too passive to decipher what he might be thinking of all this.

  “Simon! You made it. Good to see you.” Bryce came out of nowhere and gave Simon a short hug with a slap on the back.

  “I did, a little while ago. Kate’s been keeping me company.” His eyes shifted to Trent and back to Bryce. Trent’s scowl seemed to be waiting just below the surface, but he didn’t comment.

  “What is this, you brought me an upgrade?” Bryce teased and opened the passenger door to Simon’s wheeler.

  Simon laughed. “Yeah, I just bought it.” His eyes flickered to Trent. “I took Kate for a ride.”

  And there was the scowl. Trent opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. “Bryce, you couldn’t handle a wheeler like Simon’s. It has way too much power for you.” I grinned and winked at Simon. There, I’d kept my promise to praise his wheeler in front of Bryce, and earned myself a very pleased smile from Simon.

  My smile vanished when I saw Bryce shake his head and start toward me. I shrieked, backing away, and a laughing Simon caught Bryce by the arms.

  “Run for it, Kate!” Simon yelled.

  I ran and hid behind the trailer, poking my head back around in time to see Simon release Bryce, who laughed and made his way back to the wheeler. Simon got in the driver’s side, and I watched them drive away.

  I immediately noticed James and Trent arguing. James pointed in my direction and stopped talking when he saw I was watching them. Amy pulled on James’ arm, and they left Trent standing there glaring, first after them, and then at me. I stared back, letting him know he didn’t intimidate me, and after a moment he turned and walked away. I wished he’d get over it already. Maybe I needed to give him a clean sign that I held no interest. Although, I didn’t know how much clearer I could make myself.

  Aunt Chantelle was getting herself a snack when I entered the trailer a minute later. “Hey there, do you want anything to eat?” She sat at the booth, and I slid in across from her.

  “Sure,” I said absentmindedly. I reached for a handful of grapes and put one into my mouth. I chewed slowly and stared at the table, completely lost in the last couple of hours. Now that I had a minute to sit and think, I found myself getting more upset by the minute.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked knowingly.

  I didn’t even know where to start. “It’s fine,” I lied.

  Aunt Chantelle pelted me with an I-know-better gaze. “If you don’t want to talk, that’s fine. But I can see his return is having some kind of effect on you.”

  I met her gaze and shrugged slowly. “There really isn’t much to say. Simon’s here.” I looked out the window, seeing nothing. “Simon’s here,” I murmured, seeing his face from his return earlier. I closed my eyes and let out a breath, and then laughed shakily. “You know, I really don’t even know him now.” My heart sank, feeling just how true those words were. I folded my arms and looked back at Aunt Chantelle. “I mean, it’s not like he’s here for me. Besides…” I sighed. “I have enough going on in my life. He’s just another complication. Did you know he’d be here?”

  Aunt Chantelle shook her head and pressed her lips in a pitying smile. “I didn’t. It doesn’t su
rprise me Bryce didn’t tell us, though. You know how he can be. Maybe you could take some time while he’s here and at least get what closure you can.” Uncle Borys called for Aunt Chantelle from outside. She sighed again and stood, looking down at me. “And don’t say you don’t know him,” she said gently. “Sometimes, all it takes it meeting someone one time, and you feel like you’ve known them your entire life.”

  I stared after her when she left, irritated and confused by her comment.

  The door opened, and Amy came in. “There you are. Can you believe Simon’s here?” she said casually and walked past me.

  “Uh-uh. Stop…sit,” I said, pointing to my aunt’s abandoned seat.

  Amy turned reluctantly but sat down and avoided my eyes.

  “Did you know he was coming?” I narrowed my eyes at her. Amy knew full well I’d have wanted some warning.

  She squirmed in her seat, unable to hide her guilt completely, and I rolled my eyes in irritation. “I’m sorry, Katie. I really am. And you’re right, I had heard he might come, but I wasn’t sure of it, and I didn’t want to get your hopes up unnecessarily.”

  I put a hand up. “Stop right there. When have I ever given the impression that I wanted Simon to pop up in my life, that I’d get my hopes up?” I raised my brows at her. “I’m fine. Simon is here, and I’m fine.”

  Amy pursed her lips, studying me. “And?”

  I shrugged, “And I don’t even know the man. It’s not like we started something back then, anyway. So yes, I’m fine.” I was trying to be, anyway. It was hard not to imagine falling right back in with him, but I wasn’t a teenager anymore. I had a career, patients to worry about, and Jesse. While it was fun to ogle at the man Simon had grown to be, he wasn’t in my life anymore. And what about Jesse? Had I not just been contemplating another go with him? Jesse was real. He lived where I lived, and even though we were friends, he fit in my life.