Page 89 of Crash into me
It’s intimidating, and rusty, and honestly looks kind of fun. I give a singular nod. “Let’s go!”
Butterflies flutter in my stomach as we climb into the old, rusty bucket. I keep my bear tucked into my side, and I squeeze as close as humanly possible to Foster.
We lift up, and my stomach drops from the height.
“You’re okay.” Foster puts his arm around me, trying to calm me.
The full moon illuminates the dark water below. Large rocks line the coastline, and salty waves beat against them. It’s a beautiful display of nature, the way that no matter how strong the rocks are, after time the water will win the battle and wear them down.
A soft and gentle heart can win the battle, always.
I lean forward to get a better view and the bucket moves a little, but I don’t care. I’m not scared anymore; I’m enthralled. “This is gorgeous.”
“Umm, Sky,” Foster attempts to break me from my trance. “Get away from the edge.”
I look at him, a cocky grin adorning my lips as I see his face white as a ghost, his fingers gripping the thin bar that holds us in. “Foster! You ride motorcycles. Hell! You race them in storms.” I laugh. “And you’re scared of a little Ferris wheel?”
* * *
“Foster got scared of a Ferris wheel,”I tease as we walk back into the condo.
Everyone’s in full celebration mode. Liquor bottles line the tables, with mixers all around. Kate rushes over. “I’m so glad you’re back!” She pinches my nose, a little drunk.
“What are we doing?”
“Getting drunk before we leave tomorrow!” She downs a shot.
This is what we should be doing, college students drinking way too much on vacation.Thisis normal.Thisis expected.
One day, when all of this Keeper business is behind us, maybe I’ll be able to fully enjoy moments like this. Although I’ve left the prison my parents confided me in, there’s a new monster lurking in our lives.
And I’m so scared he’s going to strike again.
“You okay, Freckles?” Foster wonders, wrapping his arm around me.
I look around to our friends and lean in to whisper, “I’m still scared.”
He nods. “I get it, but every race gets us one step closer. I didn’t want you to get involved.” He sighs. “I never wanted this.”
I shake the chills from my body. “No, this is how it will work. We’re not separating again,” I tell him, putting on one of my signature fake smiles and grabbing the nearest bottle of alcohol. “Let’s drink!”
* * *
Thanks to the storms,the sand is a little damp, but luckily there were some beach chairs tucked under the porch. We grab blankets, firewood, marshmallows, and drinks and head out to the sand.
Foster sits down beside me on a large, weathered branch. He’s got his guitar slung over his back. “Any request?” he asks.
“Anything you play is perfect,” I assure him.
Callum lights the fire, holding close to a girl he met last night. I wonder why he never grows serious with anyone; he’s a nice guy. A little wild, like any single college male, but he’s a good person.
Ryder and Kate are in their own little world, holding each other to the backdrop of the forever ocean.
Our night is spent like this, simply living.
33
We’ve been back home from the outer banks for a few weeks now. And because I’m caught up on schoolwork and ballet, we’re taking a real beach day since the hurricane ruined that option when we were out of town.