Page 3 of When We Are Falling
We weave through the crowd and take our seats. “Evening, fellas.” Jimbo greets us with a nod.
“Evening,” I reply, settling in. We chat about today’s jump and the loads for tomorrow. The conversation flows easily until Jimbo shifts gears, leaning in slightly as he looks at me.
“You know, with your skills and eye for business, you could really take this to the next level. Ever thought about teaming up with other operators or expanding your services?”
I take a sip of ice cold beer, shaking my head. “I prefer to keep things simple. Keep control so there’s less scope for mistakes. Besides, Liam and I have got a good thing going.”
Liam nods in agreement, echoing my sentiments. “Yeah, we’ve got a solid operation and bookings through to the end of the season. No need to complicate things.”
Jimbo studies us for a moment, then shrugs. “Fair enough. But just think about it. You’ve got potential for something bigger.” He finishes his drink and stands, giving us a casual salute before heading off through the crowd.
I watch him go, mulling over his words. Expanding is tempting—more opportunities, bigger business. But the thought of having to rely on others twists something in my gut. I know too well the chaos that can come from too many moving parts, too many people trying to take charge.
Partnerships mean complications. The more people involved, the higher the chance of things going wrong, and I’ve seen enough of when it goes wrong to know I don’t want any more.
Liam leans back in his chair, looking out over the crowd. “He’s got a point, you know. We could get bigger, and bigger means more money.”
I shake my head, more firmly this time. “No. We’re doing fine. No need to change what works.”
Liam shrugs, his usual easygoing self. “You’re the boss.”
I appreciate his support. Our partnership works because he trusts my judgment, and I value how hard he works, how he’s not afraid to go all-in on one of my ideas.
Liam says goodbye, leaving me to finish the last of my drink as the sun sets. I take a moment to savor the peace, the horizon stretching out over the marina, a blend of colors that promise adventure and freedom.
The music continues to play, laughter and chatter filling the rooftop. But I block it all out as the colors of the sunset deepen. Tomorrow brings another jump, another rush, and another chance to live life on my own terms.
And that’s exactly how I like it.
Chapter 2
Ethan
The next morning,I’m up early and at the marina with my Blue Heeler, Bandit, just as the sun is coming up. The boats shift on the small waves slapping against their sides, and I take a moment to lean against the external wall of my office, waiting forher. Bandit lies at my feet, staring down the boardwalk like he’s waiting, too.
A long drag on my vape. Smoke curls lazily in the salt air. Then Blake appears on the boardwalk on her way to the market to buy supplies for the Tavern. We usually cross paths at this time a couple days a week. Not that I need to be here this early, but she doesn’t have to know that.
She’s a vision, as always, the dawn sun catching her hair and sending flames of brilliant red through her ponytail. She’s slim and only comes up to my shoulder, but there’s something about her—so full of enthusiasm and energy—that makes her seem larger than life.
As she continues toward me, a cheerful look on her face, the usual familiar reaction echoes through my body: intense attraction followed by a slight nervousness, which always leaves me disconcerted. Women don’t usually have that effect on me.
Blake stops a few feet away, her emerald eyes roaming over me as Bandit sniffs her and waits patiently for a pat, his tail thumping against the ground. She’s so pretty I just stare at her like an idiot, taking in the smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks, her tanned skin that practically glows. She’s wearing her standard work outfit of jeans and a tank top, holding a black apron in one hand.
“Morning, boys.” She scratches Bandit behind the ears and his tail wagging increases in enthusiasm.
“Morning. How are your moms doing?” Blake’s adoptive moms own the Tidal Tavern.
Something flickers behind her eyes. It’s only there for a moment, but I can tell she’s forcing her voice to be light when she replies. “They’re great. Nothing to report.”
“Say hi from me.”
“Will do. You really should quit smoking, you know.” There’s a hint of genuine concern in her voice.
Opening my mouth to respond, trying to come up with something witty, but the words get tangled on my tongue. “Yeah, well... old habits die hard,” I finally manage. “At least I’m vaping now. Better than cigarettes, right?”
Blake just laughs, the sound bright in the quiet of the morning, and shakes her head. “You’re hopeless, Ethan. And I don’t get you at all. You run your business like you’re in the military, but you smoke and jump out of planes like it’s nothing.”
“I guess I’m just an enigma.”