Chapter23
“Sierra!” Chase shouted as he sprinted toward her.
She had crashed hard against a tree, her back slamming into the trunk like she’d taken a punch to the gut. But she just gritted her teeth and stayed silent.
By the time she pushed herself off the ground, Chase had already reached her side, flashlight trembling in his grip.
“Sierra, are you okay?” he asked anxiously, his hands fumbling to steady her.
She brushed off the dirt from her clothes and waved him away. “I’m fine. Let’s just get back on collecting firewood.”
She stepped out of his reach and kept walking.
This kind of thing had happened too many times before. She was used to it.
That fall? It was her own mistake-she should’ve been more careful. There was no excuse for that kind of slip-up.
Chase stared at his empty hands, the chill in his chest matching the night air.
It took him a long moment to snap out of it.
After that, he didn’t dare get distracted again. He followed her quietly, helping gather dry branches.
By the time the two of them made it back, the rest of the group had nearly finished setting up camp.
Rowan was the first to notice something was off. He rushed over and took the bundle of firewood from Sierra’s hands.
“What happened?” he asked, concerned.
“I’m fine,” she said quickly, brushing him off. “No need to make a fuss.”
But Chase wasn’t as calm. “We ran into a venomous snake earlier. Sierra-uh, Miss Hayes-pushed me out of the way and
ended up tumbling down the hill.”
Rowan’s face darkened immediately, and the others looked up in shock.
Sierra gave a helpless shrug. “Seriously, it’s nothing. I got the firewood, so hurry and start the fire. It’s freezing out here.”
Rowan didn’t argue. He ordered the others to start cooking and grabbed a tube of ointment for her.
“You’re hurt around your waist, right? Let me help.”
Sierra looked a little embarrassed. “It’s really fine. I’ll do it myself. Just a few bumps and bruises.”
She’d been injured worse before-no need to act fragile now.
Rowan didn’t push it. Remembering the whole “men and women” line he shouldn’t cross, he let it go. “Alright, but tomorrow, you’re staying in the tent. I’ll take the team out for the herb search.”
“No need,” Sierra said quickly. “I think I spotted some sulfur polypore mushrooms on the way back. I want to check it out.”
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She was the TA-she couldn’t just show up and then duck out of the work.
The next morning, she and Rowan led the team into the forest. But the mushrooms she’d seen the night before weren’t the ones they needed.
Still, they pressed on. The group trekked through mountains and thick underbrush for over two weeks.
Whenever Sierra looked exhausted, Rowan called for a break. When she was thirsty, he handed her a drink. When she was hungry, he shared his food.
The others couldn’t help teasing. “Rowan, are you here to help us with fieldwork, or are you just trying to win over Miss Hayes? You’re literally glued to her side every second.”
Rowan didn’t respond. He just looked at Sierra again, softer than before.
And Chase… he saw all of it.
He watched Rowan take care of Sierra like she was made of glass.
And he he couldn’t do a damn thing about it.
His chest ached like someone was carving it open with a dull knife.
He was losing her.
He could feel it.
He couldn’t take it anymore.
He stepped in front of Sierra, blocking her path.
“Sierra, stay away from Rowan. He’s not right for you.”
He wanted to say more-wanted to say Rowan was a player, too smooth for his own good. That he didn’t mean what he said. That she’d get hurt.
But all he could do was clench his fists.
Sierra didn’t even look at him.
She sidestepped and kept walking.
“My choices are none of your business,” she said coolly.
Chase reached out and grabbed her wrist. “I’m just looking out for you. Please, Sierra. Trust me.”
“Looking out for me?” She yanked her hand back. “Let’s be honest, Chase. You’re just jealous, aren’t you?”
She saw right through him.
When you couldn’t have someone, it was easier to tear down whoever they turned to instead.
Chase’s face flushed red. “I… I’m not-”
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He tried to explain, but her phone buzzed loudly, cutting him off.
“Sierra-your family. Something bad happened!”
