Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Oh fuck.
He’s alive.
A garbled cry escapes me as I move his head to the side. River water rushes from his lips, followed by the most beautiful whine in the world. Music to my ears.
I’m so tired.
He starts shuddering, choked sobs coming from him, and all I can do is fall against him, desperate for warmth now that the chill from the air on my wet body is making me colder. Sleepiness hits fast. My eyes flutter closed until a bunch of voices surround us.
Gio.
He’s so loud.
Barking out orders left and right.
I’m lifted by Terrence and Cal. Two other guys come for Hollis. I try to open my mouth to speak, but my teeth are chattering too hard. Sidney and Wendy both are sobbing hard nearby.
What the fuck just happened?
Where’s Jordy?
I grow dizzy and dazed on our journey. We’re led to someone’s Tahoe and then pushed inside. They drive like bats out of hell until we’re back at the cabin. Once more, we’re led inside.
“We should call an ambulance.”
“We can’t call this in.”
“Holy shit, we’re going to be in so much trouble.”
“What the fuck is wrong with Jordy?”
“Stop talking and get their clothes off?”
All the voices are talking at once. It’s confusing and maddening. I’m blinking hard trying to stay awake as Cal and Terrence practically rip all my clothes off. Why are they getting me naked? It’s fucking cold. I glance over to see some guys from the team doing the same for Hollis.
His ribs.
I can see his ribs.
Why is he so blue?
“Don’t touch him,” I snarl, my voice but a whisper.
“We’re touching you because we have to get you warm,” Cal says, lowering me onto the cabin bed.
Not me.
Him.
Hollis.
“Get him in here too,” Cal instructs.
The guys lower Hollis into the bed beside me. It’s weird as fuck that we’re all naked. Cal’s body is warm though as he curls around my body. The other guy, Gage, is coming in behind Hollis. Terrence and Gio are throwing blankets on us. It’s like some fucked up, warped wannabe orgy.
But no one is having sex.
Gage’s arm brushes against mine and I bristle. I don’t like the fact he’s in his fucking boxers, rutting against Hollis. I don’t care if it’s for warmth, I don’t like it. My arm slides around Hollis’s cold, limp body and I pull him to me.
His head turns toward mine. Blue eyes the same color as his lips now are glassy, but they assess me in a way that makes me think he’s okay. I try to get closer to him. I need to feel him—to know he’s alive. His cold hands find mine, clutching weakly. Cal is a wriggly fucker behind me but damn if I’m not enjoying every second of his warmth.
“Who ever knew we’d end up spooning and I’d be the big spoon?” Cal’s drunk ass breathes against my hair. “I know I’m taller, but you’ve always been the big spoon type. Wanna switch places?” He pinches my frozen nipple, making me growl in warning. “I’ll take that as a no, big boy.” The drunk fucker tries to bite my shoulder.
I manage to pull myself closer to Hollis. Our noses are cold as they touch, but I need to be able to feel his breath on me. To remind myself he didn’t drown. Everyone is loud around us—hell, even the two idiots in this little naked blanket fort—but it all kind of becomes muted as I focus on Hollis’s ragged breathing.
In and out.
In and out.
Alive.
So fucking alive.
Hollis
I blink awake when someone shakes me. Roan’s golden-brown eyes blaze with fire as he stares me down.
“Don’t go to sleep,” he orders, his words gravelly.
Funny how just a couple of days ago, I said the same thing to him. I’m not sure how much time has passed, but Cal and another guy are no longer in the bed with us. The cabin has been darkened and the fire from the fireplace glows brightly. People are hooting and laughing beyond the cabin doors. It’s then I realize I’m alone with Roan.
Naked.
Heat burns up my spine, warming my still chilled flesh. My lungs hurt from sucking in so much water and my extremities still tingle. As though in tune to my thoughts, Roan rubs his cold feet against mine.
“I can’t swim.” I don’t know why I need to say the words, but I do. “My, uh, my dad tried to teach me, but I always panicked. When I would panic, he’d get pissed off. I knew it would happen, so I started coming up with excuses not to go in the first place. I wasn’t a disappointment if I never gave him anything to be disappointed about.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, hating that I see my dad’s scowl as we stand in the middle of our pool. Him yelling at me to “fucking try.” Me trying and failing. The crying. The pain in my stomach, which is always worse when he’s angry.