Page 30 of How You See Me (You and Me Duology #2)

Hayes

U p for doing something adventurous today?” I ask as Josie tucks her phone away. Her fingers pause mid-reach, head snapping toward me like I lit a match and tossed it into the back.

”She’s quiet, her lashes unmoving. “How adventurous? Are you talking about a cliff diving level of adventure or something less . . . I’m too young to die ?”

“It’s safer than it looks. But . . .” I continue quickly to cut off her forming rebuttal. Her eyes were already narrowing. “Less death-defying.”

I take the exit, pointing to a sign on her side of the road.

“An adventure park? What do they have there?”

“The billboard said something about fossil digging.”

Her hands clap together, folding under her chin. She’s glowing again in the way that yanks words right out of my brain. “How cute is that? Did you like dinosaurs growing up?”

“Doesn’t everyone?”

“True. Jordan was obsessed. Every book he checked out from the library for years had to have dinosaurs. He even loved the boring educational ones.” Her nose wrinkles, making me chuckle. “I hated school so much I wanted to set those on fire. It was too structured.”

“That’s what I liked about it.”

She laughs. “Of course you did. Does your sister like dinosaurs, too?”

The question hits me like the first blow starting a pillow fight—soft but unexpected. Enough to knock me off balance. I hadn’t planned on talking about Ava, even though she’s why I picked the fossil dig.

“When she was five, she fell in love with a dinosaur comforter she saw at the store. Mom caved, and soon, the dolls were gone, and every flat surface was covered with plastic dinosaur figurines. That was also when The Land Before Time stayed on an endless loop. I thought it was cute, but I only got to experience it sporadically. Mom wasn’t upset when she switched to another obsession. ”

“Your mom doesn’t like dinosaurs?”

“I think it was more she already lived through the dino phase with her four other kids, and when Ava likes something she goes all-in.”

“Your sister sounds like my kind of kid.”

“Yeah,” I say, voice rougher now. “Mine, too. ”

Josie beams at me. “Sounds like Ava and I have a lot in common. Is that why you like me, Hayes Montgomery?”

“Fortunately,” I begin with a smirk, “when I look at you, I don’t think about my little sister.”

It takes a moment for that comment to sink in along with embarrassment. Both hands cover her face, and she shakes her head, hair spilling everywhere.

I squeeze her thigh and let her know it's okay, and her hands drop. “She would love you.”

“I hope to meet her someday.”

And I hope Ava kicks cancer’s ass so she can.

◆◆◆

We pull into the adventure park, pay for half a day’s worth of activities, and head straight for the dig site. I’m not risking running out of time. Another thing to cross off Ava’s list. Another memory to send home.

While Josie’s distracted with tying up her hair, I snap a selfie with my little dig tools and send it off to Mom.

Me: How is she?

Mom: Stable. I’ll call if anything changes. Don’t worry. Nice hat, by the way!

Mom: Ava says good luck. [four leaf clover emoji]

Shaking my head, I shove the phone away and drop to the red dirt. Josie’s right beside me, bare knees, scuffed boots, and a sparkle that shoots caffeine into my bloodstream.

She’s not the type to care about dirt under her nails or sweat on her skin. She’s real. Raw. Radiant.

We dig under the hot sun surrounded by families.

One little boy, maybe five or six, decides his favorite spot is in Josie’s shadow.

Every time she shifts, he follows, ignoring his mother’s calls to leave her alone.

When she catches him staring at her with those big, puppy-dog eyes, she flashes him a smile that almost shatters me.

She looks up to share her excitement with me, her bottom lip poked out in awe of her new friend.

I crawl over to join them. “Mind if I help?”

The boy beams, and just like that, the three of us are a team.

His mother soon stops by to check on him, and she and Josie strike up a conversation.

They flow from one topic to the next, laughing and carrying on like they’ve been friends for years.

I’m half listening, half searching for the elusive fossil that I’m not leaving here without when my pick clinks against something solid.

Carefully, I brush away the dirt until the rigid surface of a fossil emerges.

I grab the brush, moving over the shape to reveal more symmetrical lines. I use the pick to chisel out the harder dirt around it, bringing the entire shape into view.

A park employee in an all-khaki uniform and floppy sun hat leans over me. “Great job. You found a brachiopod. ”

“What’s that?” the boy asks.

“A sea creature from the Paleozoic era.” He points at the sunburst ridges with his pinky. “See how the lines fan out like sunrays?”

The boy nods, soaking it all in.

“Looks like you have a couple more to dig out.” The park employee motions to the evidence in the hard sand. “Maybe the mirrored side of this fella. Congratulations.”

When it’s just us again, I wave the boy over. “Wanna help me dig out another one?”

He nods fast, and we work side-by-side. I show him how I removed the dirt without damaging the fossil. He listens to every word and in no time, he’s holding a small gray shell-like fossil similar to mine.

“Twins.” He sets his fossil on the tray with the other.

Over the next twenty minutes, we find three more.

“One for everybody.” He snatches up the tray, displaying our treasure, and delivers it to his mom and Josie. They both swoon over his thoughtfulness.

“Which one do you want?” I ask him when he runs back to me, giving him first choice as reward for his selflessness.

He takes the biggest of the remaining three.

“I’m going to give one to my little sister.

She’s nine years old but too sick to come here.

She asked me to find a fossil for her. Which one do you think she will like? ”

He studies the last two fossils on the tray, picking each one up and examining both sides. “This one.” He thrusts his palm toward me, the larger fossil he chose for himself resting in the center .

“That one is yours. You dug it out and took great care of it. You should keep it.”

“I got to do the funnest part.”

“The digging?”

“Yeah. With you. She can have it.”

Touched, I take the fossil and hold it inside a fist against my chest. “Thank you. She’s going to love it because it came from the coolest little boy.”

Before I know what’s happening, he lunges forward and tackles me in a bear hug. I tip backward, my hat flying off, and land with a thud on the hard ground, making him giggle.

I lift him back to his feet, airplane style, and drop him before me. “You take the last two home, okay?”

He collects the two smaller fossils and runs back to his mother.

“It was nice meeting you both,” she says, hugging Josie and waving to me. “Thank you for helping him.”

I set my hat back on my head and tip it like it’s my whole personality now.

The boy hugs Josie and rushes off so fast she barely has time to react, but it was enough to touch her sensitive heart. “That was the best thing that’s happened on this trip.”

“The best?” I tease. “What about our first kiss? The concert with your favorite singer? Dancing on the bar? Me in this ridiculous hat?” I point to it. I’m not wearing this thing for fun.

“All amazing." She lowers to my lap, her knees straddling my hips to face me. “But he’s what I want most. Sweet babies to love and a husband who does the same. I didn’t know that until today. You were good with him.”

“I’ve had plenty of practice with my sisters.” I brush a long curl from her forehead, leaving a streak of dirt behind.

“Getting a glimpse at the kind of dad you’d be bumped your sexy score up at least fifty points.”

“Fifty? And here I thought I was already off the charts.”

She leans closer. “Arrogance isn’t you, Staff Sergeant. When you say stuff like that it just comes out charming.”

Something in me snaps. I cup the back of her neck and pull her into a kiss that’s messy and frantic. She grabs the brim of my hat and shoves it off my head, claiming me fully.

It’s not enough. Not even close.

I grip her hips as my body comes alive and anchor her against me. A tremor runs through her when she deepens the kiss, and somewhere between the dirt and the rush of her surrender, I realize . . .

I’m already half gone for this girl.

◆◆◆

Josie breaks the kiss first, breathless, her forehead dropping to mine. “It’s not private here,” she whispers, but the way her fingers twist in my T-shirt says she’s not fully committed to what she’s about to say next. “We should probably head to our next adventure.”

She’s flushed, covered in dust, and looking like she wants to devour me. Without hesitation, I’d follow her anywhere.

“After that kiss, I could do anything. ”

“Look at you, embracing the fun. I’m proud of you.”

Those four little words shouldn’t make me as happy as they do, but she does crazy things to me.

She rises off my lap, grabbing my hand and tugging me to my feet.

At the outdoor washing station, we rinse off the worst of the dirt and sweat and stop by the restrooms in the main building.

I keep close while she ducks inside, grabbing us both cold drinks from the concession stand.

With a few minutes to myself, I pull out my phone and snap a close-up of the fossil, shooting it off to Mom.

She doesn’t respond by the time Josie emerges, and I try not to let that get to me.

“Bless you,” Josie says, twisting off the top of the water bottle I pass her and taking a long drink that does nothing good for my self-control. “Where to next, Cowboy?”

“What happened to Hot Stuff?”

“You’re both, especially when you embrace the hat.”

Noted. “Come on. I want to show you something.”

I loop my fingers with hers and lead the way to the back patio where the land stretches out in golden waves, melting into the lavenders and pinks of the sunset sky.

A breeze sweeps across the open plains in the empty lot on our right, swaying the tall prairie grass and brushing her curls across my arm.

She grins up at me while she removes her phone from her back pocket. “This definitely deserves to be painted.”

As she takes photo after photo, something deep in my chest shifts. Maybe it’s the new space there, allowing me to breathe. Or the relief of setting aside my responsibilities for a few hours. Maybe it’s the comfort Josie gives me.

“This day just keeps getting better.” Her head drops to my shoulder.

“Does that mean you’re up for more?”

“Oh yeah. It’s been a while since I felt this free.”

“Good. I have an idea.”

She straightens to see me, curiosity lighting her face more than the rose-gold hue of the setting sun. “What is it?”

“I’ll show you.”

With her hand in mine, we head across the park. But when she spots where we’re headed—the revving engines, the crowded and chaotic go-kart track—she skids to a stop.

“Please tell me your idea does not involve those.”

“I thought we could try.”

“Me?” She jumps back as if a swarm of bees surrounded me.

“What better way to conquer your fear of driving than in fun little cars on a safe bumper track?”

“It’s not even close to the same thing.”

“No, but it’s a start.” Pulling her into my side, she trembles against me, and I tuck her closer. “To ease into it, you can ride with me first. Get a feel for it.”

“Then, you’ll ride with me when I . . . drive?”

“Sure. After that, you can go on your own. You already know how. You just need to do it. Don’t think about it.”

“How can I not? ”

Her chin wobbles, and it’s almost enough to make me back down. But this is good for her. She can do it.

“When you’re scared, tap your chest like this.” I cross my hands and link my thumbs together, pressing my palms against my chest.

“Like a butterfly.” She does the same, mirroring me. “Or the moth in your tattoo.”

I nod and start alternating taps. “Now, breathe in over four slow taps, and breathe out four.”

We continue together, eyes locked, until she’s smiling again.

“You can do anything, including this,” I say. “This is one more step on the mountain you’ve already climbed. Through grief, foster care, starting from nothing, you’ve fought for yourself. For Jordan. For your dreams. You don’t even know how strong you are, but I do. I see the warrior in you.”

Tears glisten but don’t fall. She’s too brave for that.

“Josie. Are you ready to kick this fear in the ass?”

“I want to. I’m tired of it controlling me. But—”

“No buts . If you want things to be different, it’s time to act. What are you going to do?”

Her spine aligns, determination locking in, and her hands drop to her hips. “I’m going to show up for myself and conquer something new and petrifying.”

I kiss her forehead. “That’s my girl.”

“Aww. I am?” She melts at the words, pushing a tear over the edge.

I brush it away with my thumb. “Yeah. I think that’s a done deal.”

She launches herself into my arms and wraps around me. “Finally. You’ve been mine for a long time. You just didn’t know it.”

Before I can respond, question, or even process what she said, she kisses me hard, stealing my strength and the last piece of my heart.

She drops back to her feet without warning, fierce and beautiful and all mine .

“Are we going to do this or stand here kissing all day?”

“Both sound like viable options. Your call, warrior girl.”

“Conquer fear first.” She takes my hand. “Get my kiss reward in private so we can do it right.”

A wicked smile emerges. “I love the way you think.”

“Okay, Staff Sergeant.” Stepping back, she squares her shoulders and presses her arms tight to her body. “I’m ready for my mission. How do I face the enemy and kick it in the buttocks?"