Falling Embers (Tattered & Torn, #2)

by Catherine Cowles

“There’s no shame in fear. It’s how you tackle it that counts.”

If you wanted to soar, you had to let go of every what-if that held you back.

“It was freedom.” That was the only way I could describe it. Only seconds had passed, but that high would stay with me for days to come.

“You don’t know what it’s like to almost lose the people you love most in the world. I do. That’s what will kill you. Not taking up a normal sport that won’t get you paralyzed.”

Because I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you. Calder’s words had replayed themselves over and over in my mind all week. I knew the accident had marked him.

I’d been half in love with Calder Cruz from the moment he’d taught me to chase the stars.

I held firmly to his shirt. I was scared to even breathe too deeply, that it might ruin this moment. But I was scared to lean into it, too. Terrified to trust he would be there for me when I needed him.

I’d had to lock it all away. The memories. And everything I felt for Hadley Easton.

I’d run until I no longer felt Hadley’s pull. Until the temptation to ask her to chase the stars with me wasn’t quite so strong. It might take hours, but I’d get there.

My gaze locked with hers in the mirror, a million different things passing between us. Questions and pleas. Uncertainties and vows.

I’ve wanted you for longer than I should’ve. But it’s more than that. You’ve always been more. You own my fucking soul, and I don’t ever want it back.”

I cried out against his shoulder as I came apart. And I never wanted to be put back together. Not as I was before.

There was so much more balance and peace when Hadley was in my life. When I was truly open with her. From the tiny details to the life-altering decisions, she made me see everything more clearly.

We had always been more. Something that transcended friends or even lovers. Hadley knew every corner of my soul, even the darkest, hidden ones.

You’re like a fire that lives inside me. Even when I thought it was all burned out, there were still embers that lived in my bones. They’ll always be there, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

“Love is pain. One can’t exist without the other. The more you expand your heart, the more you have the possibility of being hurt. The deeper you let someone into that space, the more it will kill if anything ever happens to them. That’s life.

I had fallen in love with him one mountain at a time. From snowcapped summits to the cliffside plunges. One ride after another had carved him into my heart.

What was it about being sick or hurt? The only person you wanted was your mom. I didn’t think that would ever change.

Some sort of minor disaster would sideline some part of the ceremony or party. But that imperfection would only make today more meaningful, burning it into our memories a little bit more.