44: Book Six by Jools Sinclair Page B

have picked up on my mood.
    “Is that it?” David asked, pointing.
    “Yeah, that’s it,” I said, letting out a long sigh. “We crashed over there. And that’s where I fell in.”
    As I pointed, I noticed my hand shaking. I looked over at David, his face a few shades whiter than usual.
    “I’m so sorry, Abby,” he said, his voice cracking.
    He had never called me that. Just plain Abby.
    “That’s awful. So awful. You want to stop or something. Say a prayer or give thanks or something like that?”
    “No,” I said. “I’m okay.”
    David pulled out his necklace and then whispered something. 
    “So what’s up lately with your new religion?” I asked.
    “Oh, I’ve been reading a book,” he said. “See. This is a symbol for gratitude. I touch it every time I remember to be grateful about something.”
    I smiled.
    “So you were grateful we didn’t just veer off the road and plunge into the lake and drown?” I said, forcing some humor where there wasn’t any. Where there would never be any. It was something Jesse might have said. But I wasn’t Jesse.
    I regretted having said it even before the words fully left my mouth.
    David looked at me, his eyes serious.
    “I’m grateful that I have you as a friend, Abby Craig. That’s what I was just telling the universe.”
    I looked over and could see his eyes grow shiny.
    “I mean that. I asked the universe to keep you safe. You know, with all those ghosts and investigating murders and all. It seems like it’s become your job. You should be getting paid for it. Handsomely.”
    “I wish,” I said.
    There was that word again. And here I was back in that place again. The place where wishes came to die.
     
    ***
     
    The scene played out again in my mind as we approached Mt. Bachelor in silence. It was all so long ago, but still so close. I could almost touch that one memory it was so vivid and big and real, slicing at my heart.
     
    He was going too fast.
    He passed cars that were going slow as Metallica filled the car, drum solos pounding behind our conversation. We were talking about school, about Amanda, about how she didn’t like that we were hanging out together so much. Amanda knew what was developing. She had sensed something was happening between us. She knew that Jesse loved me.
    “Okay, don’t get mad,” he said as we drove. Big flakes were falling and sticking to the car. There were thick patches of ice on the road. “I didn’t tell her you were coming up with me today. I told her I needed to think about our relationship on my own. So if she asks, you weren’t here.”
    A wave of guilt flooded through me. I didn’t like lying, didn’t like sneaking around. And I didn’t want to be the cause of the breakup. It made me feel terrible. But it was obvious, and Jesse knew my feelings for him had changed since the night when we had kissed.
    We loved each other.
    “Don’t worry, Craigers, I’ll fix this. It’ll all be fine,” he said as he placed his hand on my thigh and the music was loud and my heart thumped like crazy and I felt so good inside.
    “I don’t love her. I love you. I always have. I wish it hadn’t played out like this, but I’ve been waiting for you since we were kids,” he said, his green eyes melting into mine. “I’m not ever letting you go.”
    And then we hit the ice.
     

 
     
    CHAPTER 28
     
    “So the most important thing is to be flexible,” I said. “Today, we’re going to see if we can get you down the small hill. And I’m going to teach you how to fall. Hopefully after a little while, we can get you going down a real hill.”
    “Like that one?” David asked, followed by a laugh.
    He was pointing at one of Jesse’s favorite runs. It was strictly for experts, the longest and toughest run on the mountain. I remembered the crazy expression of pure joy on Jesse’s face whenever he talked about it.
    A small smile formed on my lips. This place had good memories too.
    “No, David. I don’t even go down