Chapter 15
Brooke
* * *
We went to the north end of Wrightsville. Apparently there was more chance to catch shrimp there, and if you were fishing, this was the spot to hit.
We passed a few people fishing, and Ryan took me to a spot where we could hang out by ourselves. It being late afternoon helped because most people came in the morning and midday.
“I can’t believe you can’t swim,” Ryan chided, stepping into the water. It swished around his calves, soaking the hem of his jeans even though he’d rolled them up.
“No, I don’t swim.”
“And you won’t come in the water with me?”
I shook my head. The seashore was beautiful, screensaver beautiful with its clear water and golden sand. I could only imagine what the actual water looked like, but I couldn’t go in.
The memory of watchingJawswith Jayce came to mind, and I knew I couldn’t do it. I didn’t know these waters. Anything could be lurking within the depths and we wouldn’t know.
“So how am I going to talk to you?” He smirked.
“I’ll just watch you from the beach.”
He stared at me like I’d just said something ridiculous.
“What?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. Then, before I could take my next breath, he rushed me football style. I screamed when he picked me up and hoisted me over his shoulder.
“Ryan, you’d better put me down now before I scream bloody murder.”
He laughed. “Go ahead—no one will hear you. You could try calling the cops too.”
I smacked him on his shoulders but he answered by proceeding into the sea with me.
I, of course, started to freak out.
“Ryan, I’m going to drown!” I yelped.
He walked out until he was waist deep. With the water on my legs and my hair hanging forward, I shuffled around him so I was on his back.
“I can’t believe you brought me out here. Jesus Christ, take me back.” The water soaked my shorts and slapped up my back. I squealed from the coldness on my skin.
“Can’t take you back now, Brooke.”
“Why?”
“Well, I gave you three chances to tell me what’s bugging you, and you sidestepped me every time.”
He had. I still wasn’t ready to talk about Sally though. I would now, however, if it meant he’d take me back to shore, which now seemed so very far away.
“I’ll tell you now,” I pleaded.
“Too late—you’re in my class now. I noticed your attendance has been very poor, but you can start making up the time now. Welcome to Ryan 101. In my world, water is my element. The only thing I would have done in life other than becoming a cop was join the Navy.”
I circled my arms around his neck, and he looked back at me and smiled.
It was so hard to be annoyed at him when he smiled at me like that.
And that smile…I could have gotten lost in it forever.
