Everything for You (Unforgettable)

by Natalie R Allen

  “Are you going to be okay?” he asked as we headed back to Aspen for camp.

  I’d been quiet for a few minutes, weary from our late night, and my mind full with too many thoughts. I worried about Samuel, although Jesse said the sweet boy was able to keep down the new nutrition they tried with a feeding tube. That was something, I supposed. Anything Samuel could keep down would give his body strength.

  Aside from Samuel, I had new worries. Before Simon had come, I’d been lonely and had struggled off and on, unsure why. Aunt Chantelle thought perhaps it was time for a relationship in my life, but I had some clarity on that now. That gaping hole that presented itself every so often had been fulfilled by reconnecting with Simon. I felt whole with him. I couldn’t pinpoint it before, but did now. It was as though a part of me had been missing, and now I had it; in Simon. He’d always been my other half, so it made sense in hindsight that his extended absence had been the cause for my suffering.

  Where were we to go from here, though? While he spoke of missing me, returning for me, and wanting me in his life, he hadn’t spoken about the future. Was there a future to be had between us?

  I looked over at Simon, and the thought of not seeing him caused its own sort of heartbreak.

  “Kate?” Simon asked again with concern.

  I bit my lip and nodded. “I’m fine.” I thought I had all my questions answered, but I wasn’t so sure now. I didn’t want to dampen our ride with such serious conversation, so I tucked the questions away for this evening, when we could snuggle one another and have a real discussion. “I’m alright. Just a little sad about going back to camp with everyone there. And I don’t think my worry for Samuel will ever go away.” I shrugged, and Simon smiled sweetly as he brushed his fingers along the back of my face for a moment.

  Simon’s phone interrupted us, and when I saw Caleb’s name, I snatched it. “Can I?” I grinned, wiggling the phone in my hand.

  Simon chuckled and shrugged. “Go for it, baby.”

  I grinned at him. “I love that.”

  He winked as I answered. “Caleb Weslyn. I heard you and Simon caught a peek at my sixteen-year-old self.”

  There was a laugh on the other end, and I grinned at Simon, who was trying to scowl but his lips were twitching. “Don’t remind him of that,” Simon said. “I don’t want him thinking about it.”

  I giggled and focused on Caleb again.

  “This must be Katie. How are you, girl?” His voice was deeper, smoother than I remembered, and I knew even though Amy had a boyfriend, she’d swoon when I told her about this.

  “I’m good. How are things up there?”

  “Good, good. Simon must’ve weaseled himself back in your good graces if you're answering his phone.”

  I laughed, tossed a glance at Simon, and said, “I guess you could say that.”

  Simon frowned. “What’s he saying that has you smiling like that?”

  I winked and settled on ignoring Simon’s grumblings each time I laughed at something Caleb said. We chatted for twenty minutes before I handed him off to Simon. It was nice to talk with Caleb. He was as fun as I remembered and seemed easygoing. I’d definitely have to fill Amy in when we got back.

  “You talked to him!” Amy said with astonishment. We’d only returned to camp an hour before, and after relaying our visit about the twins to my aunt and uncle, I’d stolen Amy away for a short stroll by the water.

  I smiled curiously at her. While I knew she’d find the news interesting, I was surprised to see the genuine delight in her blue eyes. Amy had had a hard time after the weekend she’d gotten to know Caleb years ago. She hadn’t talked about him for a long time, but with the look in her eyes now, I wondered if she still felt for him. “I did,” I said. “For twenty minutes. He’s still as sweet and charming as he seemed to be back then.”

  Amy was watching me with wide eyes full of wonder. She reached up and released her hair from her ponytail to massage her scalp. “That doesn’t surprise me. Caleb wasn’t your typical guy.” She slanted a glance my way while running her fingers through her hair. “Enough about Caleb, though. You and Simon seemed to have come to some sort of understanding. What happened between you two?”

  We weaved our way through the trees near the shore. The long grass tickled my legs as we strolled, and I reached down to rub the sensation away. “I had a lot of things I wanted to know from him, and I did get some answers I wanted.”

  Amy’s fingers worked as she braided her long, golden hair, and she quirked a brow. “What did he say? What did you even ask?”

  We resumed our walk, and I filled her in on a lot of what was said between Simon and me. I didn’t give her all the details, though; some of them were too private and sensitive to share. What I did share with her left her doe-eyed and mouth gaping.

  “He came here for you?” she said, breathless. We were ankle deep in the water with our shoes in our hands. “Did he say he loves you?” Amy gasped and gripped my arm with wide eyes. “Did you find out what happened the day they left?”

  I frowned. “Uh, no.” I squinted my eyes as I tried to remember everything Simon and I’d talked about. “I didn’t even ask. I was too caught up with his admission in why he came back here. I really wasn’t even thinking about that day.”

  “Maybe he’ll tell you…”

  We walked quietly for a few minutes. My mind was on Simon, and I had an inkling that Amy’s head was years back, with Caleb.

  I thought about what she’d asked, and the day Simon’s family had left camp was suddenly at the forefront of my mind.

  Four years ago…

  I woke Amy early so we could watch the sunrise from the east trail up the mountain. Usually, I wouldn't get up at this hour, but I felt giddy at the thought of seeing Simon again, so I rose willingly. The sunrise wasn't only beautiful, it brought warmth with it, which I was grateful for.

  Bryce and Parker wanted to hike farther along the trail, but Amy and I were hungry and decided to part ways with them.

  "I hope we can find your locket today. I can't believe it came off in the mine!" Amy offered as we headed back to camp.

  "I know," I said solemnly. "You know what the stupid thing is? I felt it come off and fall to the ground, but I thought it was a snake or a bug or something!" I scrunched my face in disgust at the thought.

  "Are you serious? That sucks! Well, we'll find it," she said, determined. I hoped she was right.

  We took our time making our way back down the trail toward camp when we heard muffled voices from that direction. I left the trail, shortcutting through the trees.

  "Katie! What are you doing?"

  I glanced back at Amy and shrugged. "Let's cut through and go see what's up."

  Amy grumbled as she followed behind me. The foliage was thick here, but this cut out a good portion of time. As I got closer, I could hear Simon's father shouting; it echoed through the trees. "We’re leaving, Simon! Get in the truck, now!"

  My stomach dropped, and I paused midstep. Leaving? I quickened my pace. What had happened that they’d cut the trip short? And what had his dad been so upset about?

  "No!" Simon shouted. "You don’t have to do this."

  "You don't have a choice. Now get your butt in the truck!" His father was raging.

  "Donna, it doesn’t have to be like this." Aunt Chantelle?

  What could’ve happened in the short time we’d been gone? I’d never heard our families fight over anything. Whatever it was, must’ve been really bad.

  I forced my legs to take me faster, hurtling the bushes that tried to slow me down.

  "I don't see any way around it. You’ve known for a long time that we wouldn’t approve of this!" Simon's mother snapped.

  "I won't leave!" Simon again.

  My heart thumped and pulled me faster.

  "Simon, now!" Donna hissed.

  "I won't leave her!" he shouted. Mild panic was causing my hands to tremble. He was talking about me; I knew it. Simon would never just leave me without
our usual goodbye.

  "You get in this truck, or you'll be sorry!"

  They were leaving. Simon would be gone. I heard the slamming of truck doors. I wasn’t going to make it.

  “Simon! Simon!” I screamed as I broke through the trees. His parent’s truck was circling camp to leave. I turned right, running through the trees and up the hill arching back down to where I could cut them off. They’d have to stop; I wasn’t letting Simon leave without saying goodbye. It’d be a whole year before I’d see him again, and the thought that I wouldn’t get a goodbye was blinding me with tears. I ran down the hill, panting; I could see I wasn’t going to make it in time.

  My legs gave out and I fell to my knees, short of breath, my heart breaking. The truck drove slowly around the bend, and I saw Simon in the back seat, staring out the window looking angry and upset. He really was going, then. A sob broke free, and I reached a hand out as though that would stop them somehow. Simon turned his face, and his eyes widened in surprise when he saw me. Our eyes locked only for a few moments, and he looked back at me as they passed. I sobbed again, feeling sick, and shook my head. Simon mouthed something to me, but I couldn't make out what it was. In the last second before he was out of my sight, I watched his face crumble. I sat crying and breathing hard for a long time with my head on my knees. “Simon.”

  I looked at Amy after thinking about the day the Curtis family left and bit my lip in concentration.

  Amy’s brows came together and she searched my face. “What?”

  I hadn’t pressed my aunt for a long time about what had happened that day so many years ago, but I wanted to know, and I wanted to know today. I grabbed Amy’s arm and led her toward camp. “We’re asking your mom to tell us what happened. I want to know what it was all about before I go questioning Simon.”

  I couldn’t shake the feeling that that day had been kept from us for a reason. Either we’d been too young to know the details, in which case we were old enough now, or whatever that argument was had something to do with me, and I had a pressing feeling it was the latter.

  When we came around the trees, I groaned out loud and grimaced at Amy. “The next time you want to bring your boyfriend, leave his obnoxious family at home.”

  Amy looked up and frowned when she saw Simon and Trent talking. They weren’t alone in the circle of chairs around the empty fire pit; everyone seemed to be there. Their conversation seemed casual, by the looks of them, but I didn’t like that they were talking at all. Trent couldn’t have anything good or intelligent to say. He always seemed to have an ulterior motive. I’d have to warn Simon not to take anything Trent said seriously.

  Simon glanced up as I approached the group, and the appraising look in his eyes was enough of a hello without drawing too much attention. Spotting Aunt Chantelle, I headed toward the empty seat beside her, but she stood suddenly as though she’d been waiting for our arrival.

  “There you two are.” She smiled. “We’ve decided to spend the afternoon at the waterfall.”

  “Oh.” I frowned lightly, not able to ambush her yet, but the idea of Simon and the waterfall was much too enticing. “Let me just go to the trailer and change.” I glanced at him, fighting a smile, and wondered if he’d be thinking about my sixteen-year-old self. When he put a hand over his mouth as though to hide a smile, I knew I was right. He winked, and I hurried away before Parker caught us and made another fuss.

  Chapter 18

  Simon and I brought up the rear of the two-mile hike to the waterfall. It wasn’t a strenuous hike by any means, which left us free to stroll beside one another. It was strange yet familiar to be so near him. Natural, even after all this time. We walked so close that our shoulders and arms would come together, sending a tingling warmth all the way up my arm and to my fluttering heart. How embarrassing that it was affecting me this way. We’d spent two nights together, and more than once, we’d been entangled in very passionate kisses. I couldn’t have been the only one struggling.

  After a few minutes, Simon let out a sigh and took hold of my hand. “I’m sorry.” He chuckled and looked over with no regret whatsoever. “Parker will have to deal with it.” He brought our intertwined hands to his lips and kissed mine.

  I grinned wryly. “It’s about time you held my hand on this trail, Simon Curtis.”

  He laughed and drew me closer to his side as we continued. I saw Trent glance over his shoulder at us as he spoke to Bryce and was reminded about their conversation.

  “What did Trent have to say earlier?” I asked quietly.

  Simon shrugged. “I’m not sure, really. He was asking about my parents and where they live. He also wanted to know what I was doing before I moved to Montana.”

  I frowned at him. “Why? What does he care?”

  “I don’t know. He seemed to just be making conversation.”

  I looked forward again with my lips pursed as I narrowed my gaze on the back of Trent’s head. While I didn’t like the man, I couldn’t see how asking about Simon’s family was anything underhanded.

  Simon chuckled and changed the subject; sort of. He asked who I’d dated before Trent, and I reminded him I’d only gone out with Trent one time, and it had been a very lousy date. Jesse was the only person I’d gone out with before Trent, and I bit my lip, waiting for Simon’s response.

  He actually paused on the trial. He wore a look of amused disbelief. “Jesse?”

  I wasn’t sure what to make of his reaction yet, but I nodded slowly.

  He shook his head a little and chuckled. “You might’ve mentioned that before I was nice to the guy. He didn’t seem your type.”

  That caught my attention. I raised a single eyebrow at Simon. “And what is that supposed to mean? What would you know about my type of man?”

  Simon worked his mouth, his teeth scraping his bottom lip, but after a moment of silence, he looked a little chagrined and rubbed the back of his neck. “I, uh…” His focus skimmed the ground before he peeked up at me, and after I winked at him, he stood a little straighter. Simon took a step toward me, closing the gap between us, and smiled down at me. My heart fluttered, and I wondered briefly if this was the reaction I’d experience every time he came near. “You only have one type, Kate, and I hope to high heaven that I fit that role.”

  Simon’s hands found my waist, and I trailed his upper arms before giving them a light squeeze. I made a small noise of contemplation and smirked. “I guess you’ll do.”

  After shaking his head lightly, his lips settled on mine, and I gripped his arms tighter to hold myself up from the lightheaded feeling spreading through me.

  "I want to show you something." Simon pulled back with a mysterious smile. "Come on." He took my hand and led me from the trail.

  I was pretty sure I knew where we were headed. Years ago, he’d helped me carve my name on an aspen tree, and he’d scratched his name underneath mine. I hadn’t been back to see it at all, in Simon’s absence. “Are we going to see our names?"

  "Yes," he said, though he seemed a little hesitant, which made me suspicious.

  When we made it to the stand of trees, Simon paused to let me go ahead of him. I walked through the gathering of white trunks. It took me a moment to remember where to look, but I spotted it and after a second, stopped short. Our names were there and the date remained, but there was more. Carved between Kate and Simon, was a small plus sign. It now read, Kate + Simon, and there was a heart carved around it. The carving had grown over the years, now more legible at a distance. When aspen trees healed a wound to the bark, it did so in a thick black color, which made it easy to read as time went on.

  I stood rooted as the happiness spread through me, and twirled around to face Simon, who had his arms across his chest, watching me closely. "Simon Curtis," I said, shaking my head while trying to keep my smile at bay. "You’re the absolute sweetest guy on the face of the earth." I walked up to him, quickly taking his face between my hands, and kissed him hard. When I pulled back, he had a shy smile for me.
>
  "You like it then?" he murmured.

  I shook my head. "I love it."

  His smile stretched fully now.

  "But wait, when did you even do that?" The carvings he’d added weren’t fresh, so I knew it couldn't have happened recently.

  He smiled sadly. "My last visit here, years ago."

  My lips turned up matching his sad smile; no wonder I hadn’t seen it before now. These past years, I’d avoided all these places that held special moments between Simon and me. "Well," I said in a light voice. "We should make another one while we’re here." I held out my hand. "Give me your pocket knife."

  Simon’s serious eyes were all over my face; he wasn’t here with me. I could see it in the way his eyes focused but unseeing.

  "Simon," I said with a small laugh, waving a hand in front of his face. He didn't even blink, but I watched his eyes come back to the present.

  "I should never have left," he whispered.

  "What?" I asked, coming closer to him so our faces were only inches apart.

  He studied me. "I never should’ve left. I should’ve fought my parent’s control. I should’ve stayed." Simon's eyes glistened, and I wondered what was going through his head to make him so upset. "I've wasted years, Kate—” His voice broke, and he turned his head away from me, jaw clenching as he tried to gain control of his emotions.

  My heart twisted with him being so upset. This seemed to come out of nowhere. On the other hand, my moments struck whenever they chose to. I had no control over them. I supposed it was the same for him. "Simon?" I placed a hand on the side of his face and turned it back to me.

  He looked down, avoiding my gaze.

  "Hey," I said quietly. "Don't beat yourself up about it; you’re here now.”

  Simon sniffed quietly and looked me in the eye. "You're right. We can't go back and change things, so there’s no point in wallowing."