I Was Never One of Them novel · Chapter 5 of 24

Chapter 5: The Creek

We got nine miles before the creek stopped us.

The storm had taken the little bridge out, and brown water ran fast and loud across the road where it had been.

Rhys cut the engine.

"The highway's three hundred yards past that," he said. "A car can pick you up there."

"You can't drive across?"

"Not a chance."

"Then I'll wade."

"It's up to your thighs and moving."

I looked at the water.

I looked at my suitcase in the truck bed, and at the veil box, and at my own sneakers.

"Fine," he said. "Hold on to the box."

He picked up my suitcase with one hand.

Before I understood what he meant, his other arm went around my waist, and my feet left the ground.

I made a noise I had never made in my life.

"Put me down."

"In a minute."

He stepped into the creek.

The cold came off the water in a wave.

He took each step slow and sure, one big hand spread flat on my ribs, the other arm locking my hips against his body.

I could feel the heat of him through the wet coat.

I could feel his heart going, hard and fast, against my side.

He was not breathing evenly.

I told myself it was the current.

Halfway across he stumbled on a stone, and his grip tightened, and for one second his face was against my hair.

I heard him take one slow breath in.

Then he was walking again.

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