Chapter 2

Someone gently set a pair of soft-soled sneakers in front of me. They looked like my size.

I looked up without thinking.

Ethan had crouched in front of me. I hadn't even noticed him arriving. He was slightly out of breath, as though he'd hurried to catch up from farther down the trail.

He frowned at my swollen ankle, studying it so closely he seemed unaware of anyone else.

I caught a faint scent of mint and sniffed hard.

Ethan glanced up at my eyes. His frown eased.

“Don't be scared, Nora. It doesn't look too bad.”

“Let's get you into lighter shoes. I'll carry you down, and we'll have a doctor check it. Okay?”

Before I could answer, Connor gave a harsh scoff behind me.

He stood to one side with his arms folded, smiling derisively.

“You're carrying her?”

“Don't say I didn't warn you, Ethan. Nora weighs about two hundred pounds.”

“We were partners at field day once. She nearly broke my back. You're so skinny. Think you can handle her?”

“You'll end up needing someone to rescue you too.”

Humiliated and angry, I frowned. I was about to snap back when Ethan spoke first.

His voice was so cold it hardly sounded like the same person who'd just reassured me.

“She's not heavy. I can carry her easily. You're the one who can't manage it.”