Page 43 of Ex Marks the Spot

“That wasamazing! I wish I had time to do it again.”

Her cheeks are pink and her bright white smile takes up the entire lower half of her face, but knowing she didn’t die is little comfort.

“Are you so excited?”

I laugh (a little maniacally if I’m being honest) while Court nudges me forward, where I learn that instead of standing on a solid floor, I get to ride out to the jump pod on a metal grate with guardrails.

Who is AJ Hackett and why is he this cruel?

Kennedy gives me a thumbs up and a far-too enthusiastic, “You’re going to have a blast!” as the cable car starts its return to New Zealand’s highest bungee jump, AKA: the world’s third-highest bungee jump, AKA:what in the actual hell am I doing right now?A fresh wave of terror rolls through me, forcing my hands to white-knuckle the frigid guardrail while I focus on not puking.

“Damn, this is a beautiful view,” Court says.

I wouldn’t know because I closed my eyes as soon as we started moving.

“Hey.” He pokes my side. “You’re missing out.”

“I’ll see it plenty enough on the way down, I’m sure.”

Did I mention I’ll freefall for eight-point-five seconds? SO MUCH FUN.

“On the bright side, we’re officially ahead of three teams. The Bombshells just got to the cable car platform.”

“I’m about to jump to my death, Courtney. There is no bright side.” Especially considering they’ll feel bad he doesn’t have a teammate, so he’ll join their team and they’ll win the race, become a throuple, and live happily ever after.

Or maybe that’s the bright side he’s referring to, in which case I’ll haunt his ass out of sheer spite.

“Are you really that scared?”

My eyes pop open so I can glare at him because seriously? “You’rejust nowfiguring that out?”

He lifts one shoulder and lets it drop. “I kind of thought you were being dramatic.”

Un-freaking-believable. “Contrary to what your idiotic pea brain thinks, not everything I do is about you. This”—I make a trembly circle around my head and chest—“is aboutmeand howIfeel. Which, in case you haven’t figured it out yet, isreally fucking terrified.”

My tirade is just gaining steam when we reach the jump pod. An employee opens the gate and unclips us, but Court holds me in place.

“If you want to take the time penalty and go back, I’ll respect your decision. But I also know you can do this.”

Hot tears prick my eyes as I shake my head. “I don’t think I can,” I whisper.

He lifts my chin and cups my face in his hands. The gesture is oddly calming, and I feel myself pull in a deep breath.

“I know you, Hartley. You don’t half-ass anything. Even if we took the penalty and still ended up winning the race, you’d kick yourself for the rest of your life for backing out of this jump. Nod if I’m right.”

I let out a watery laugh when he moves my head up and down for me.

“How about this. When you get back on the platform after you’re done, I’ll let you kick me in the balls.”

I wait for the “just joking,” but it never comes.

“You’re serious? I can kick you in the balls?”

“Yep.”

I turn to our crew. “Did you get that on video?”

Our camera guy nods while subconsciously covering his groin.