I look from one to the other as it dawns on me what is happening. The jealousy between them is growing, causing a rift. Before, Ben was the weak one, the distant one, and Ryan was right by my side supporting me. But now, after his near-death experience, Ryan’s the one who’s becoming withdrawn, and Ben isn’t hesitating for a second to step into his shoes.

“You know, there’s a lake a little farther north,” Zeke says. “Maybe we should send someone to fish as well.”

“I’ll go,” Stephan says. “I know how to fish.”

I look at him skeptically. I still don’t trust him, even after he led us to the motorbikes and let us eat his food.

“I’ll go with him,” Zeke says.

“I don’t need a chaperone,” Stephan replies.

“You don’t get a choice,” I say to Stephan. Then to Zeke, I add in a hushed tone, “Don’t let him out of your sight.”

Ben and I collect the bows and arrows and head into the forest. The thick canopy of trees above us provides a nice, cool shade.

We walk quietly through the forests, making sure not to startle any birds. The silence between Ben and me has never been awkward. Our friendship has never needed many words spoken. Ben feels like my companion, like an extension of myself. He’s been there since the beginning, since everything changed for me and Bree. He helped me through some terrible times. He’s seen me at my absolute worst and he’s always been by my side. If he wasn’t there, I wouldn’t feel right.

I pause and gesture for Ben to do the same. He freezes and we both listen to the twittering coming from the trees above us. I recognize it as the call of grouse.

Slowly, imperceptibly, we both move into position with our arrows poised and ready to fire. The second the grouse take flight, we let the arrows go. They sail through the air, side by side, and each one hits its target.

Elated, I swirl on the spot and embrace Ben. His arms encircle me, holding me close. It feels so good to be reunited with him. Being in his arms feels so right.

I hear a twig snap and leap away from Ben, suddenly filled with guilt. I look up and see Stephan standing there, his eyebrow raised, a row of fish hanging from his line. Zeke’s a few steps behind.

“Don’t let me interrupt,” Stephan says, amused.

“You’re not interrupting anything,” I mumble, feeling uncomfortable and awkward, putting some extra space between me and Ben. I don’t meet anyone’s eye as I add, “Let’s get the food back to the others.”

Ben and I grab the grouse from where they fell, then the four of us head back, not saying a word as we go.