Free Forget You by Jennifer Snyder Page A

was trolling Facebook.
    “Still, having it in summer, or spring even,
when there’s a semblance of warmth would be ten times better. I
hate the cold.” I walked to where Lauren sat, and tossed the jeans
onto the table.
    “I like it.” Paige shrugged.
    Making a face at her comment, I pushed the
clothes toward Lauren. “Ring me up. I’ve got to run a few
errands.”
    “Are we still all on for tonight?” Lauren
asked.
    “I’m in,” Paige answered. “Whose place?”
    My apartment was way too small, that was for
sure. I didn’t bother offering.
    “How about yours?” Lauren suggested, pointing
to Paige. “It’s the largest.”
    “I don’t know about that, but that’s fine. We
can all have some wine and take-out or something.” She smiled.
    Paige was modest. Her apartment was really
the largest out of the three of ours. Blaire and she had been
roommates for a while—since their freshman year in college, I
think. When Blaire and Jason got engaged, Blaire decided a few
months after to move into Jason’s house since she was practically
living there anyway. Paige had opted to stay behind and foot the
bill for the place on her own, while turning Blaire’s old room into
an office and more storage space for her shop merchandise.
    “What time?” I asked. I watched Lauren scan
and fold my new clothes before placing them into a plastic bag.
    “How about six? I’ll text Blaire and see if
she’ll be off in time,” Paige said.
    After paying for the clothes—which with my
fifty percent off friend discount only cost me eleven bucks—I
scooped up my bag, and headed toward the door.
    “Sounds good. I’ll bring the wine. I have to
head to the grocery store anyway,” I insisted.
    “All right, see you soon.” Paige smiled.
    “Bye.” Lauren waved.
    Pushing the glass door open, a blast of icy
wind slammed into my face. Ugh, I hated the cold. Rushing to my
vehicle, I climbed in, Sawyer’s guy smell wafted to my nose and I
inhaled deeply. I glanced at the passenger seat, remembering our
little talk on the way to MacDonald’s this morning. A smile
stretched across my face at the thought of our texting conversation
before that. I couldn’t believe he didn’t like coffee. It was a
mind-blowing notion to me. I lived for my cup of coffee in the
morning.
    The desire to send him a quick text, asking
how his day was going or something, anything, was nearly
overwhelming. Popping my Escape in reverse, I was suddenly thankful
for girls’ night, because now I wouldn’t be tempted to seem so damn
clingy. I was never clingy with guys, and I wasn’t about to start
with this one.
     

CHAPTER TEN
    SAWYER
     
    The vibration of the handlebars had made my
hands numb long ago. Just like driving my car too fast, racing out
here alone was another thing my parents wouldn’t be happy
about.
    This was where it had happened, where Ryker
had taken his final breaths.
    In some weird way, being out here made me
feel as though I was closer to him—as if his sprit was with me,
urging me on to make each jump a little higher than the last. If I
thought about it hard enough, I could almost hear him telling me
so.
    God, I missed him.
    I revved the engine on my Suzuki, and the
dirt beneath the tires spun out as I launched forward. Racing over
the peeks and dips of the crazy track Ryker and I had built when we
were both still in high school, I lost myself in the moment. Ryker
and I had been so proud of this place. This place had been our
sanctuary for years. It was on a piece of property our uncle owned
and never used for anything, out in the middle of nowhere
Coldcreek. Not only had we ridden here, but we’d also hung out with
our friends and thrown many parties here.
    This place was home.
    Pushing my bike as hard as it would go, I
hunkered down and eyed the bend coming up. At this speed, and with
the ground as frozen as it was, I should let up some. I should move
to the inside, where my tires would have the best chance to grip,
but I didn’t.