Page 87 of Through the Storms

“If there’s no further questions, let’s do this.” Oakley motioned toward the vans.

A lump formed in Riley’s throat. She couldn’t avoid Chloe any longer. Not that she really wanted to, but butterflies danced in her stomach. Riley lingered back and waited for Chloe to get inside.

Once all the passengers had boarded, Riley took a tentative step toward the van. Oakley stood beside the open door and made no attempt to hide her stare.

When Riley arrived at the entrance, Oakley put her hand on Riley’s back. “Everything okay?”

Riley swallowed hard. She wasn’t sure she could endure kindness without losing her resolve, so she put on a smile and nodded.

Oakley narrowed her eyes. No doubt, she sensed Riley’s lie, but instead of calling Riley out, Oakley patted her back. “Give her some space, some time.”

What?Did Oakley know? When Riley had come down from their room, she’d seen Chloe talking to Lana. Certainly, Chloe wouldn’t have told Lana their secrets, would she?

“Thanks.” Riley stepped into the van.

Chloe sat in the aisle seat with her knees drawn together and her hands clasped in front of her. She wore an oversized zippered hoodie, even though the temperature was warm. Riley figured it was Chloe’s way ofhiding.

When Chloe looked up, Riley couldn’t escape the pain in Chloe’s eyes. Riley wanted to look away, but she couldn’t. No, she wouldn’t. A line from her favorite poem came to mind. Ittalked about not shrinking away from pain or trying to fix it, but instead being willing to sit with someone in their sorrow. But did Chloe want her here?

“Is it okay if I sit here, or would you like me to switch with Peggy or Sandy?” Riley asked.

“Please, sit.” Chloe moved her legs and motioned toward Riley’s seat next to the window.

Riley stepped past Chloe, careful not to brush her legs. As soon as her buttocks hit the seat, Riley moved as close to the window as possible, leaving a large gap between them. Riley’s heart ached. It felt so unnatural since they’d been huddled together like two kids at summer camp for the past four days.

Four days.How come it felt like so much longer?

Riley could save the situation or at least make it palatable. “Is everything okay with Mia?”

“Yes, thank you.” Chloe smiled, but her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Riley debated on asking another question, but Chloe’s response told her everything she needed to know. Chloe didn’t want Riley prying. Riley smiled. “That’s good.”God.It felt so stiff and formal.

Chloe held on to the bottom hem of her sweatshirt and squeezed it between her fingers. “Typical teenage crisis, trying to find her place in the world.”

“Did Sara or Lucas do something?”

“You remembered their names?” Surprise registered on Chloe’s face.

“Of course, how could I forget the name of eighth-grade royalty or the cutest boy in the world?” Riley hoped her attempt at levity would ease the tension.

When Chloe drew further into herself and fidgeted more with her sweatshirt, Riley’s chest tightened. Obviously, it had the opposite effect.

“I just can’t believe you remembered. Paid attention to my rambling.” Chloe didn’t look at Riley.

“I listen to everything you say.” Riley knew it wasn’t a fair response, but it was true.

“I know.” Chloe’s voice was barely over a whisper. There were tears in Chloe’s eyes when she looked up and met Riley’s gaze.

Oh, god.Riley wanted to wrap Chloe in her arms and take the sadness away, but that was what caused this problem in the first place. Riley slid her hands under her legs to stop herself from reaching out to Chloe.

Chloe looked down at Riley’s legs, and the sadness in her eyes deepened. “I’m sorry,” Chloe said softly.

Thank god her hands were under her legs because Riley so badly wanted to pat Chloe’s leg or hand or shoulder or something and tell her it was all right and things would be okay. But would they? Riley took a breath. “I’m sorry, too. I didn’t mean to make you miss Mia’s calls.”

“No.” Chloe shook her head, and a deep crease spread across her forehead. “None of that’s on you. It’s all on me.” Chloe glanced around at the others in the van.

They had just pulled out of the hotel parking lot, and the group was chattering, so they’d likely not hear anything Riley and Chloe were talking about.