At least the spot across the road where the others seem to have camped out has some shade.

I walk toward them. My heart thuds in time with my pounding head.

A cheer goes up, and a woman near the front chants, “Josh, Josh, Josh.”

Well, I guess I know why they’re here. I knew he had fans, but this is crazy.

As I reach a large rock to lean on, I stumble.

“Hey, are you okay?” The young woman who chanted for Josh looks at me with a concerned expression.

“I’ve got a pounding headache, and I feel …”

Turning back toward the bush, I lose the contents of my stomach. It almost immediately lightens my headache a little, but I still feel gross.

“Want some water?”

I nod. “Please.”

She hands me a water bottle. The cap’s a little chewed, but I’m past the point of caring about someone else’s germs.

“Have the whole thing. I haven’t had anything out of this one yet. I filled a ton of bottles this morning with ice and water.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. First day here?”

I nod, and take a long drink from the bottle. It’s not ice-cold, but it makes me feel a little better.

“I’ve been here for the past three days. Ever since I heard Josh Carter was staying.”

“Three days?” I croak.

“I’m his biggest fan. Although, I’m sure you want to argue that with me.”

“No, I think you’ve got that over me right now.” I look back over my shoulder and glower at the guard.

“I’m not sure about that. Your accent tells me you’re not from around here.” She smiles. I’m sure she wouldn’t smile if she knew who I was.

“I’m from New Zealand.”

“New Zealand? I’ve always wanted to go there. I’m Becky.”

“Delaney.”

“You’re not looking too good. Are you staying far from here?”

At her question, my eyes sting with tears. I can’t take much more.

The pressure in my head builds again. I hold my hand to my forehead, as if it makes any difference. What I need are painkillers and a long sleep.

“Delaney?”

I look up to see two Beckys in front of me.

“I … I …”

She’s shouting as my legs go out from underneath me, and the last thing I’m aware of is hitting the gravel at the side of the road.

Hard.

Thirty-Five

Josh

Delaney’s been gone for hours, and the longer she’s away, the more anxious I become.

She said she needed some space, and I’ve been happy to give it to her. I never meant to make her think I doubted her word; it was the shock of hearing what Mac had done that hit me hard.

I love her. I trust her.

And now I have to make sure she knows that.