Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76006 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 380(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Damn, was parenting tough. But he loved it.
Grinning to himself, he remembered the conversation he and Emerson had one night about having kids of their own someday, far into the future. Granted, he’d picked a particularly rough time to bring it up—after Emerson grounded Audrey from phone privileges—so his expression had been pretty hilarious.
After strapping the helmet on, Rhys lifted his foot to the first peg and shut his eyes to center himself. This was nothing compared to what he’d done over the years. It’s time.
“Follow my lead,” he said to Audrey as he stepped higher, using the pegs directly in his path.
When she stepped up and matched his elevation, he grinned. She’ll be just fine.
“Just focus on your next hand and foothold, and keep going until you reach the top.”
“Okay,” she replied hesitantly. “I’m not gonna look down either.”
“Good plan.”
And then he started climbing, and it felt so natural, he could’ve probably done it in his sleep. Okay, not exactly a good idea. But there was this adrenaline rush he hadn’t experienced in almost…well, two years, he guessed. It was actually one year, but since those months before the accident were still a blank page in his brain, he could only think back to the times before. Don’t focus on that. You’ve already made your peace.
He glanced to his side where Audrey stepped level to him, breathing hard, her fingers trembling either from fear or the effort. Maybe both. Rock climbing used muscles you didn’t even know you had, and right then his were getting a workout as well.
Then that thing happened where he got lost in that climbing subspace and it was just him and the mountain—or in this case, the wall. Still, it did the job well enough, mimicking the conditions even if a bit too perfectly. No way would these footholds ever be this precisely placed or smoothly polished in nature.
He panted softly at the top, waiting for Audrey.
Audrey squealed as she approached. “I did it!”
When he saw the huge grin on her face, he felt a deep satisfaction that made his chest all achy. “Yes, you did.”
“And so did you,” she replied in a smug voice.
“Wait a minute,” he scoffed. “Was this some devious plan to get me climbing again?”
“Maybe.” She turned away to hide her smirk. The little devil.
“Well, it worked.” He sighed, feeling fucking awesome, which could’ve partly been from the adrenaline rush. “Were you only pretending to be afraid?”
“Heck no! That was real.” Her eyes widened with anxiety. “I have no idea how you do this. Now get me down.”
Rhys laughed as he signaled to the instructor below, and they slowly lowered her to the floor. Rhys took one moment longer to look around the large gym, imagining what it might be like if he were instead inhaling clean mountain air and feeling closer to the heavens.
Goddamn exhilarating.
He might consider giving climbing another shot in the summer months, but on a smaller foothill. He was no longer suffering from scary dreams, and his ribs and head were holding steady, so he’d consider it. Maybe.
Back on solid ground, everyone was cheering and hugging Audrey. A couple of kids even patted him on the back. By now they knew the story of his accident and might’ve appreciated how big a deal that simple climb would’ve been for him.
Once all the kids were accounted for by parents, he got Audrey and Maddy back in the car and pulled out his cell to check a text from Emerson.
How did it go?
Great. Audrey was a bit scared, so I climbed with her.
I know. She texted me.
He glanced over his shoulder with a smirk, but she was busy checking something out on Maddy’s phone.
Bet you looked awesome up there. How did it feel?
Good. Really good.
His heart emoji was followed by something that made him chuckle. Bet your ass looked good in that harness too.
Wouldn’t you like to know?
He could imagine the flush crawling across Emerson’s cheeks.
Tease. You’re welcome to surprise me sometime.
Fuck, this man was going to be the death of him.
Deal. I’m going to drop Maddy off, and then we’ll head home.
Home. He loved that word.
Rhys’s mom had created a home again across the street—as opposed to the bachelor pad he’d left her—and seemed more active than ever. Guess finally taking charge of your own happiness did that. She entertained her friends from work and even dated a little—with more caution, he’d noticed. Carl had taken their breakup hard and had flown back to try and work it out. Rhys had thought they’d gotten back together during the holidays, until she told Rhys she thought she deserved better and sent Carl packing again. He didn’t know the finer details of their relationship, only that she’d been a doormat far too many times with men, so damn it, he was proud of her.