The water hits my feet and splashes around me as I run deeper.
Another wave crashes.
Her head disappears from view.
Fuck!
“Everlee! I’m coming!”
I hear the faint screams of the girls behind me, but I don’t turn around. I need to stay focused on Everlee. She’s my priority.
After the next wave crashes, I dive over it and into the water and swim towards her. Peeking up quickly, I still don’t see her, but I’m laser focused on where she was. Another wave is coming and I dive under just as it crashes. This water is murkier than shit, but it’s not my first time in dark water. Flashbacks of my times with the SEALs come back, but I push them out of the way.
Breaking the surface of the water, I take in a gulp of air. Callum is pushed further to the right of the kayak, still trying to paddle back to where Everlee is.
“Jax!” He yells, “I can’t get to her. The fucking current.”
“I got her! Go to shore!”
Diving under the water again, I push through and see her looking at me, gasping for air. Her eyes look tired and panicked.
I’m coming for you, Squirt. Keep fighting.
My muscles strain against the waves and the current trying to push me away from her. But nothing can stop me. Nothingwillstop me.
In the distance, I see her body floating above the water, but she’s face down.
Fuck!
Pushing forward and paddling with all the strength I have, I don’t break my eye contact with her, scared that if I do, she’ll disappear.
Her arm feels like a limp noodle under my rough grasp, but I flip her onto her back, then slap her face a little. But she doesn’t come to.
Goddamn it, Everlee. You better wake up. I’m not fucking losing you.
Looping my arm around her, I swim parallel to the shore. I need to get her back, but we’re in the middle of a rip current and need to get out of it first. In the distance, Knox is pulling Callum out of the water, and pointing further down the shore, so I follow. He sees it and is guiding me away.
He dives into the water and starts swimming straight out, giving me a point to meet him.
“Come on, Squirt. Don’t leave us.” I glance down at her and her head is still lolling from side to side and my stomach is twisting into vicious knots. Damn it! Why can’t I swim any faster? I’m a fucking SEAL. Swim, you piece of shit!
Let’s go tadpole! You’re nothing more than a piece of shit. Swim. You think because you grew up without a mommy and a daddy that makes you special? Makes you different? Let’s go!Instructor Bradford’s voice echoes in my head on repeat.
Shifting Everlee in my arms, I paddle harder, ignoring the waves crashing around us with my sights set on Knox up ahead and waiting.
Push.
Kick.
Paddle.
Kick.
“Come on, baby.”
After a few more minutes, Knox is swimming over to us and grabs her from me. “I got her.” His eyes are intense and focused as I let her go.
Everything inside of me is telling me to fight to keep her, but I know she’s better off with him right now. I swam us through the current and my body is tired and screaming at me.
