Chapter 34

                                    

                                          
ROBBIE

                          
“I’m pretty sure we talked about this sweating thing last night.” Clementine stops to take another gulp from her water bottle. I actually feel kind of bad. When I was talking to Graham about the best hikes with the best views, but not too difficult for the novice hiker, he told me about this path through one of the national parks and it sounded amazing.

                          
The hike leads to a grotto and a small pond area that is supposed to be really serene. I guess I should have been more specific with Graham because he is clearly more athletic than I am or something. I’m trying to hide my level of pain right now, but the truth is that my leg and hip are screaming at me. 

                          
“You can blame your cousin when we get back to their place. He told me that he’s done this hike with Akira a couple of times and it is no big deal. He even said they came the first time with a few teammates and their kids did the trail.”

                          
“How the fuck did kids do this trail? Am I this out of shape?” She huffs again and slams her hand on top of the water bottle to close it. 

                          
“I’m sorry, we can head back if you want.” I step forward and wrap my arm around her waist and kiss her forehead. “I love you and I don’t want you this upset.”

                          
She shakes her head and looks up at me with a little more a determined look. “Oh hell no, if little kids can do this trail, I’m going to make it my bitch.”

                          
“That’s my girl.” I tilt up her chin and press my lips against hers. She slides her hand into mine and we start back up the trail. 

                          
Another twenty minutes in, we hit what should be the last incline before we get to the grotto. I stand behind Clementine and hold her hips while she carefully moves up the stairs made of rocks. We get about halfway up and my foot slips, causing all my weight to fall back onto my bad leg. I end up falling down a few feet and land on my ass.

                          
“Fuck!” My voice echoes through the mountainous area probably pissing off some families in the area, but the pain is radiating down my entire leg. 

                          
“Robbie!” I turn and see Clem slowly descending back down my direction. “Are you okay?” She kneels down next to me and places her hands on my leg.

                          
“I’m fine, just give me a second, okay?” I place my palms on the ground and try to lift myself up, but another bolt of pain shoots down from my hip to my ankle and I land right back on my ass cursing under my breath.

                          
“Don’t do that again, Robbie. You’re going to cause even more damage.” Clementine pulls her phone from her backpack and holds it up in the air. “Of course there are no bars here.”

                          
“Put your phone away, Clem, you don’t need to call anybody.”

                          
“Uh, clearly I do because you are not able to stand up and I might act tough and shit, but I can’t carry your fat ass back down this trail.”

                          
I smirk up at her, “Fat ass?”

                          
She smacks against my chest, unamused. “I’m serious! Don’t joke. I’m going to head back down until I can call for help or run into somebody else.”

                          
“Clementine,” I reach out and grab a hold of her as she tries to stand up. “We’re finishing this hike, I just need a few minutes to rest and then I’ll be good to go. I promise. I didn’t reinjure anything, swear.”

                          
I’m trying to make her feel better, but the truth is I don’t know what kind of damage I may have done. I’ve worked through a lot of pain though and this will be no different. Come hell or high water, my ass is making it to that grotto today. Hopefully, I’ll make it back down too.