Fall from Love

had fallen a lot farther and Carter almost died himself trying to get to him. There wasn’t anything anyone could’ve done. It was Carter’s call to head back down the mountain, but he made the call based on what he was trained to do. Being a part of the rescue team is risky—plain and simple—and unfortunately, accidents happen. Adam knew that, too.” He sighs. “Listen, Holly. Carter has questioned that night so many times, in so many ways... he believes that if he could’ve gotten to Adam sooner, then maybe things could’ve been different. If they had just waited out the storm, or if Adam had never been called to take Carter’s place, it’s possible that Adam could be here today,” he pauses for a moment, “I just don’t want you to blame Carter.”
    “I don’t,” I whisper, wiping away tears from my cheek. “I don’t blame him.”
    He clears his throat. “Well, he’d probably like to hear you say that. The way you left here the other night, I’m pretty sure he took it that way.”
    I swallow the thickness in my throat. “How is he?”
    “I don’t know. He’s been on the mountain the last few days. This is what he does; he’s pretty good at escaping life. I’ve tried calling him, but he won’t answer his cell. I’m gonna go up there tomorrow if I don’t hear from him.”
    “Will you call me and let me know. I mean, when you finally talk to him.”
    “Yeah, no problem.”
     
    ❧
     
    I spent the rest of the day trying to keep my mind off what Josh told me earlier in the day. Even though I know I needed to hear it, it hurts too much to think about. Luckily, Jenna comes home and distracts me. She has bags full of junk food and, even then, she still insists on baking the chocolate cake with strawberry icing.
    Jenna spends most of the afternoon trying to convince me to go with her to Josh and Carter’s later that evening. If I thought there was the slightest chance Carter would be there, I would’ve gone, but after talking with Josh earlier in the day, I know he won’t be.
    “You sure you won’t come with me? I think we’re just going to watch movies,” Jenna says slinging her purse onto her shoulder. Translation: Josh and I are going to put a movie in and make out like two sex-crazed teenagers. My heart aches because I can’t help thinking of the inside joke between Carter and me.
    “No, I’m good.” I smile. “Go already. It’s been three days since the two of you have seen each other. I don’t know how you’re not climbing the walls.”
    “I’m not that attached to him,” she argues.
    “Whatever.” I roll my eyes playfully at her.
    “C’mon, I’ll even have Josh sit on the floor or something so we won’t be tempted to even touch each other.”
    I laugh. “No, really, I’m okay here. Now, go before you get on my nerves.”
    “You’re such a bitch,” she says it like she means it, but the smile on her face tells me differently. “Just call me if you need anything, okay?”
    “I will,” I say, smiling back.
    I’m not really in a happy smiling mood, but I do it to make her feel better and so she’ll go actually have fun tonight. I know she misses Josh. She hasn’t seen him for a few days, being my babysitter and all.
    When she leaves, I turn on the T.V. and start folding the pile of laundry on the couch. A loud beeping noise brings my attention to the screen and I glance over to see a weather alert flash across the screen.
    WINTER STORM WARNING: FREEZING TEMPERATURES AND HEAVY SNOW FOR DENVER AND SURROUNDING AREAS
    I glance out the window and see the snow has already started to fall and I’m thankful that Jenna got out of here before the storm hit.
    The hours pass slowly and it’s around eleven when I finally give up for the night. My thoughts have been on Carter for most of the night and, as much as I want to call him, I’m still not sure what to say to him.
    Dragging myself to the bathroom to get ready for bed, I flick on the light and smile at the message that Jenna has written on the mirror with bright red lipstick. How had I missed her doing this?
    CALL CARTER, YOU’LL FEEL BETTER
    God I love her. I’m not sure why it takes seeing that message to know what I have to do. It’s the same thing I have been fighting doing all night. Running back to the living room, my eyes scan the couch and coffee table for my phone, but I don’t see it. I run back to my room and see it lying on my bed and my whole body aches from the anxiety of hearing his