Chapter Six - Julianna

“They never said we would be hiking through a river,” Julianna said, her arms out to her sides as if she were a tightrope walker. “I mean seriously, this is crazy.”

Penny was just in front of her and slipped, barely catching herself before falling. “I feel like we’re walking over waxed bowling balls.”

That was an accurate way to describe it. They had descended into a slot canyon, the walls looming high above them, and a river at the bottom replacing the smooth trail they’d started out on. The high canyon walls blocked out much of the sun, and water had worn down the rocks so well that they were completely smooth. Great for the rocks. Not so great for anyone trying to walk over them. After thirty minutes of hiking on an actual trail, it had turned into this.

A large splash exploded from behind them, followed by gasps and laughter. Looked like someone had finally succumbed to the bowling balls. When Julianna glanced back to see who it was, guilt settled over her.

Scott sat in the water, spluttering, his face contorted in pain. But no one was helping him. Instead, because he was who he was, everyone had pulled their phones out of their waterproof bags and were taking pictures. Okay, maybe not everyone. Sandra, Amanda, Blair, and Cameron weren’t. Julianna had to give them credit for that. But they seemed conflicted about whether they should approach the rock star to help. Like they wondered if they were allowed to. Maybe others were having the same thoughts. Like the guy was untouchable.

Anger replaced Julianna’s guilt, and she wished Jimmy and Kat hadn’t handed out those waterproof bags. Everyone’s phones being ruined would have been better than letting them take advantage of someone else’s misfortune.

Her mind made up, Julianna turned and made her way to Scott as quickly as possible—which wasn’t at all fast. As she stumbled along, she called, “Break it up, people. If I see any of those pictures show up online, I will personally throw your phones off the top of the barn.”

Julianna thought Scott would be grateful for her standing up for him. The look he threw her said otherwise.

“How funny is she?” Scott asked, his lips quirking up into a half-smile as he attempted to stand. He lost his balance and fell again, resulting in more pictures from the gathered group. “I don’t mind a few pictures. In fact, make sure to tag me in them.” He threw another smile as he finally regained his balance.

Assuming that the show was over, the group turned to resume the hike, and he promptly fell again.

Now Julianna didn’t know who she was angrier with, the people taking the pictures or Scott. When she finally reached him, she stuck out a hand. “You look like you could use some help.”

“No thank you.” He ignored her hand and made another attempt at standing. Which failed.

“Why are you acting like this?”

Guilt flashed across his face, but it was quickly gone. “Like what?”

“Like what they were doing was okay? Taking pictures so they can throw them on social media or sell them to the press, without even trying to help. And then you rejected the one person who acts like they care.”

Scott glanced around, as if making sure no one was watching. “Fine.” He stuck his hand out, and she helped him up.

“Oh my gosh, you are freezing,” she said. Scott’s hand was ice-cold from his multiple attempts at pushing himself off the rocks. Without asking, she wrapped his hands in hers and rubbed them. “What they did, it wasn’t right.”

Scott was studying Julianna, his expression indecipherable. And yet it made Julianna’s heart pick up speed. Left her breathless.

He glanced away. “I know. But in my line of work, appearances are everything. And if people see I can laugh it off when I fall down and make a fool of myself, it makes me more likable. If I’m mad that no one cares that I just bruised my tailbone and it hurts to walk, then I come across as a jerk.”

Julianna shook her head. She didn’t understand show business. And she really didn’t want to. But she also saw that Scott was more complex than she had wanted him to be. It was easier when she saw him as a spoiled rock star who expected everything to be handed to him.

“You good?” she asked, opening her hands so Scott could remove his.

He didn’t move.

“They’re warm, thank you. But,” he paused, “would you mind not letting go? I’m serious about the bruised tailbone, and I’m not sure if I can walk on my own. I know you don’t want people to think we’re friends…or more than friends…but I’d rather people see us holding hands than me using you as a human crutch.”

Julianna didn’t know how she felt about that. Oh, she certainly wouldn’t mind holding Scott’s hand for the next few hours. In fact, she would enjoy it. A lot. But it would also make her a target and ensure that she wouldn’t make another friend the rest of her time at the ranch.

“It’s selfish, I know,” Scott said quickly. “We both have an image to keep, and it’s not fair for me to ask you to give up yours.”

Julianna hadn’t thought of it like that—like she was trying to appear as something other than what she was. Hadn’t she been angry with the others who had just watched Scott when he fell, not offering to help? Were those really the type of people she wanted to be friends with?

She already knew the answer. Julianna couldn’t allow herself to do the same—to refuse help to someone who needed it.

Even if it was Scott Dallenforth.

Julianna hesitated, then reached out and interlocked her fingers with his.

“I guess physical coordination isn’t a requirement for being a rock star?” she teased, trying to distract herself from her quickening heart rate. She could already feel her hands getting sweaty.

Scott snorted and threw her a dimpled grin. “No one can be coordinated in this insanity.” He held her gaze for a moment before pink tinged his cheeks and he turned away. Julianna didn’t have time to decipher what the reaction could have meant because Scott’s gaze landed somewhere ahead, and he groaned. “Oh, great. Just what I need.”

Up ahead, the river dropped over a wall of rocks, and the rest of the group was taking turns sliding down a boulder that was about as tall as Julianna. Jimmy and Kat were standing at the bottom, assisting and making sure everyone got down safely.

“It’s fine. We’ll slide down together.”

Even though they were already moving at a snail’s pace, Scott somehow managed to walk even slower. “They’re going to get more pictures,” he said, his voice soft. Julianna was unsure if the words were meant for her, but she couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Scott. As tough as he tried to act, as much as he pretended that he hadn’t been bothered by everyone’s actions earlier, the look in his eyes told a different story.

Right now, Scott wanted to be anywhere but here.

“Let’s not give them the chance.”

Scott’s eyebrow rose. “What do you mean?”

“Let’s just wait for a few minutes. Wait until everyone has already gone ahead a bit, and then I’ll help you down.”

He hesitated, like he was unsure if he was okay with having to rely on Julianna—possibly afraid that someone would see. But he ultimately agreed. When Jimmy and Kat had helped the last person in front of them, Scott told them he needed to sit down for a moment, but they’d catch up.

Jimmy gave his head a vigorous shake. “No way. I’m not about to lose one of our employees. And frankly, you’d be the worst one to lose.”

Scott scowled, making him look like the spoiled celebrity he probably was, but Jimmy didn’t seem to care, and he didn’t back down.

Time for Julianna to turn on the charm—not that she’d had much practice. It couldn’t hurt to try, though. “He injured himself on the rocks back there. Can’t he have just a minute?” Her tone was ridiculously sweet, and she attempted to dial it back a notch. “I don’t think his parents, or the media, would appreciate if he were injured even worse because you pushed him beyond what he should do.”

Scott turned his scowl on Julianna, and she wondered if she’d made a mistake by interfering again. He never seemed to appreciate her efforts. But he needed to finish this hike, and he didn’t want anyone else to see her help him down this rock. What else was she supposed to do?

“I can hang back with them,” Kat said, placing a hand on Jimmy’s arm. “Why don’t you go ahead with the others?”

Apparently the rest of the group wasn’t even aware that their fearless leaders were absent, because they were already nearly around the next bend.

Jimmy released an annoyed breath but said, “Fine. Don’t take too long, though. I don’t like when the group is separated.”

And then Jimmy hurried to catch up with the others at a surprisingly quick pace, considering the slick rocks that had been giving everyone else trouble.

As soon as he disappeared around the bend with the others, Kat said quietly, “Which is hurt worse? You or your ego?” She didn’t sound like she was trying to be mean but like she really wanted to know if he was hurt.

“Both,” Scott said. When Kat raised a skeptical eyebrow, he folded his arms across his chest. “I’m serious. It hurts to walk. I’m pretty sure I bruised up my arms and legs trying to get back up.” He pulled in a long breath. “But if we’re being honest here, I can only afford one screwup a day. One fall is endearing. Multiple falls get me labeled as the rock star that must have been drunk when he went on the hike because he couldn’t stay on his feet. There’s a very thin line between reality and what the media will label me as.”

Julianna hadn’t spent much time with Scott, but even in this short amount of time, she realized how exhausting his life must be. She couldn’t imagine having to be so aware of what others’ perceptions of you were all the time. Julianna had thought it bad that everyone always ignored her. But maybe being invisible wasn’t all that bad.

Kat nodded slowly, like she understood his perspective. “Let’s get you down here and then I have to catch up to the group. I’ll come back and check on you every so often to make sure you’re doing okay—I can’t have you lagging too far behind.” She turned to Julianna. “It’s easier with two people. Mind joining me?”

Julianna slid down the slick rock, Kat catching her around the waist and slowing her descent. When she splashed at the bottom, Julianna felt invigorated, almost like she’d just got a kick of adrenaline. That showed how many adventurous things she’d done in her life. She realized she needed to do more because she loved this feeling and wanted to know where she could get more of it.

Scott seemed less sure about sliding down, but with both Julianna and Kat catching him, he reached the bottom unscathed and still standing.

“Remember, don’t get too far behind. Can’t have an international incident on our hands, right?” And then Kat moved up the river, not waiting for an answer.

As soon as she was gone, Julianna laughed. “Hear that? You are an international incident.”

Scott didn’t answer right away, instead taking her hand like it was the most natural thing in the world and beginning to move up river. “My mom is always telling me that I need to plan my life as if my success won’t last. Like it could all be taken away tomorrow. That’s why I’m here. She wants me to remember what it was like before all”—he waved a hand through the air—“this.”

Julianna felt Scott lose his footing, and she tightened her grip, steadying him. “You don’t want to be here?”

“Nope. I was given an ultimatum.” He threw a curious glance her way. “Why are you here?”

Julianna hesitated. She liked talking about Scott and his issues more than her own. When he finally nudged her in the side, reminding her that she was expected to answer the question, she threw him a smile. “Because I wanted to learn to use a lasso. Same as you.”

Scott gave a single, loud “Ha!” that he morphed into a smaller chuckle. “Liar. We both know that you’re already an expert. You promised to teach me, remember?”

“I believe I was volunteered for the position.”

He raised a shoulder. “Same difference.” He then got quiet and asked, “No, seriously. What brought you here? You and Penny thought you’d come and do something exciting before heading off to college or something?”

“I didn’t come with anyone, same as you. Didn’t meet Penny until yesterday.”

Scott’s lips parted in surprise. “Oh. You two get along so well, I just assumed.”

Julianna smiled at the thought. “Penny’s awesome, and I’m lucky to be bunking with her. I just… I don’t make friends so easily.”

Scott was quiet, like he was thinking, before he snapped his fingers. “Those people at breakfast. At the next table over. You acted like you knew them. See? You got friends.”

She snorted. If he only knew. “Um…no. Those were not my friends.”

“That’s too bad. Though I can’t say you’re missing out on much. Those guys keep thinking I’m here to steal their girlfriends. As if. I’m not really into the skulls and crossbones thing, you know?”

Julianna couldn’t tell if Scott was just trying to make her feel better or not, because really, Sandra was gorgeous, goth vibe aside. She appreciated the effort, all the same.

Except, that did give her an idea. A way for Blair to finally notice Julianna.

“Are you sure you aren’t into goth girls? Because she isn’t the type to worship vampires or anything. Although she’s really into something called Day of the Dead, so not completely clear on that.”

Flashbacks hit Julianna of when she’d texted out a picture of Sandra and Blair so that his mom, the principal, would find out about their secret relationship. Julianna hadn’t been the only one who didn’t approve of their dating. She could now admit that it had been a horrible thing to do. The guilt had settled heavily over her for months. Just another thing she’d been trying to escape that had followed her.

“What are you saying? That I should try to hook up with her?” Scott had stopped walking and was now giving her the most intense stare she had ever received. It made her pulse spike, and she knew they needed to keep walking, or she’d end up kissing him instead. Which was absolutely not something she could do. Ever.

Julianna released a heavy sigh and pulled on Scott’s arm to get him to keep walking. She liked this. Holding a boy’s hand. Why did it feel so intimate, like it meant more than if she had kissed him? “No, I’m not. It’s just…” She gave a quick shake of her head. “You asked why I came here. And believe it or not, you were right. It wasn’t to learn to use a lasso. It was to escape home. My town. And the people in it. Miraculously, though, the two people I needed to escape the most managed to follow me here.”

“Sounds like they have a purpose in being here, just as much as you do.”

She threw him a side glance. “What, like we were all destined to come here at the same time—like, fate?”

Scott shrugged. “I just think there is purpose in everything. And if you are all here, despite your best efforts to get away from them, maybe there is something you need to work out. And I don’t think it involves me breaking them up.”

Julianna didn’t believe in God or purpose or fate or destiny. She didn’t believe that the universe arranged everything for a reason. Because her life never went the way she wanted it to—needed it to. Even now, fate was laughing at her. Mocking her. Telling her, Better luck next time.

“I was in love with him for three years,” she said after a few minutes of silence. “Even was assigned to a school project together. I thought that was fate. It wasn’t. Unless you consider it fate that we would work together at the library, and that was where he met Sandra. And then I had to pretty much do the entire project on my own because he was too busy drooling over her to think straight.”

“Unrequited love. That’s the worst.”

Julianna had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. Maybe he was trying to be nice—show some empathy—but it only managed to make her feel worse. “You wouldn’t know anything about that.” She couldn’t imagine anyone not being in love with the famous Scott Dallenforth. He could get any girl he wanted.

“Sure I do. I’m looking at her.” And then he grinned in a way that said he was totally messing with her.

And it was in the worst way possible.