Page 90 of Crash into me
We’ve been in a constant state of racing, ballet, school. Repeat, sleep, repeat.
But we’ve stolen time for just us.
I figured out what I wanted to do for our dance since I’m in charge of this season’s performance. The routine had been playing like a movie reel in my mind ever since the last practice. We already started choreographing it when we got back from vacation.
We even recorded the sample dance, so everyone can watch it in between our practices. All in all, things are going okay. The farther we get from that night, the more relaxed I become about the Keeper.
Which is probably the opposite way of what I should be feeling, but I’ve been scared my whole life.
And I refuse to let it envelop me again.
We’ve hit up every race we could get to and won them all. I never place anywhere near Foster when I race with his circuit instead of amateur, but I think he enjoys me being there.
* * *
I really lovedour little vacation, but no beaches match how beautiful ours are. Miami is home to white sands, turquoise waters, and a sun that beats down to keep all of it warm.
We’re taking advantage of that today and spending it well.
We didn’t want to take everyone to our hidden spot, but we did find a beautiful tucked away section far from any tourists or families. Today, we’re letting loose.
We have a grill going, blankets laid out, sunscreen slathered on.
Foster pulls up, with Sophie in tow beside him. He leans down to whisper in my ear after planting a kiss on my cheek. “Grandma’s coming to pick her up in an hour.” He flashes a half smile. “Hope you don’t mind?”
“Of course not!” I grab Sophie’s hand. “I’d rather hang out with her than you,” I tease, sticking my tongue out at him.
“Same,” Sophie agrees, sticking her tongue out as well.
“Now you’re in for it,” Foster threatens, chasing us both down to the water.
Her little legs can’t keep up, so I toss her over my shoulder and barrel into the ocean. She’s laughing so hard, and I nearly forget she was on her deathbed just a short time ago. But months of recovery have turned her back into the happy little girl I know.
“Shark!” Sophie screams, and I nearly toss her and run until I see Foster with his hands clamped together as they surface the water.
I splash him. “Not funny!”
“It was kinda funny.” A saltwater grin makes his sharp features more playful. He sets Sophie on his shoulder.
Kate dives in beside me, with her flowing red hair.
“Hey, Ariel.” Sophie grins.
“I just need a fork to brush this monstrosity!” Kate looks to the beach. “Ryder! One fork please!”
“Why would you need a fork in the ocean?” he yells back.
She feigns annoyance, tossing her palm to her forehead. “Do not ask why, just provide me the brush!”
Ryder steps into the water, a confused expression on his face “Why are you talking like that?”
Sophie bubbles over in laughter as Kate snatches the fork from him and pulls it through her salt drenched hair. “Humans,” she sneers, making us all laugh.
We play with Sophie for the hour, tiring her out so Adeline can get some well-deserved sleep. Once she leaves, we pop open a few beers and chow down on the food from the grill.
The sunset bursts with shades of fiery red and tangerine orange, casting a golden hue over everything in its sight.
“This is so good.” I swoon over my second hot dog.