Page 24 of Timber's Line

Ever is sitting on the porch, and she waves me over.

I sink down into a seat across from her, and she hands me a glass of sweet tea.

“Thank you,” I tell her.

“Something going on?”

I follow her eyes to the barn.

“I . . . I . . .”

“Dayton, let me guess. Your heart and head are torn in different directions. You want to move on, you know we’re all right in that matter, and on the other end, you’re hoping Snow will come back.”

“Yes,” I say sadly.

“Maybe you need to see Snow and figure out if that might happen or not. Go see her, talk to her, and then make a decision.”

I nod. I need to do that.

“You owe it to yourself and her,” she says, nodding at Timber.

“I know.”

“You were really mean in the beginning to her.”

“I know. I’m angry at the world, and myself. I take it out on people who care.”

“Her included?”

“Her especially. She’s the only one who doesn’t look at me like I’m going to lose it. She doesn’t treat me with kid gloves. I actually liked it when she stood up to me.”

“She brings you calm?”

“Timber does.”

“I think you need to see someone,” she says, touching my cheek.

“Cabin five,” Sal calls out, and I nod.

Tonight is my underground fight. After the dates, I can go fight, and then see Snow. I need to see her. I know she wrote that letter, but I always hoped. Should I still hope? I don’t know.

I knock on cabin five, and someone I haven’t seen in a long time opens the door.

My brother, Brice.

“Dayton.”

“Brice.”

My past has come back to smack me in the face.

“Why are you here?” I ask him.

“Hello to you too.” He chuckles darkly. We used to be close until he kicked me out of his life.

“Why are you here?” I repeat.

He sighs. “I’m here because I knew you would be here.”