My brain completely short-circuits.
A wave slams into the back of my legs, shoving me hard into Easton’s chest.
Thanks, Mother Nature. You won’t hear me complain.
His arm wraps around me, and holding me tightly to his body, he moves us deeper until the water reaches past my thighs.
Another wave knocks into us, and Easton falls backward, letting me use his body like a surfboard while the water pushes us back to the shore.
Laughter explodes over my lips, and even though I swallow some of the salty water, I couldn’t care less.
“It’s my turn,” Lainey calls out as Easton helps me to my feet.
With a wide smile around my mouth, I look up at him. “That was fun.”
There’s a hot smirk on his face, and drops of water run down his body. “Yeah?”
Oh yeah.My eyes rake hungrily over every hot inch of him.Definitely yeah.Like a lovestruck fool, I stare at all his bare skin, my hands splayed over his pecs.
“Watch out,” Lainey shouts, laughing.
Another wave plows into us, making Easton hold me tighter, and we stare at each other for the longest minute. It feels super intense, and I’m unable to gather enough brain activity to pull away.
“My turn,” Lainey says behind us, and only when Easton glances at her am I able to let go of him. Confused with what just happened and totally overwhelmed by the fluttering in my stomach, I quickly walk away and head straight for Rachel.
I grab a towel and wipe my face before wrapping the fabric around my body. Sitting down, I just stare at my best friend while my mind catches up to what happened.
She grins at me, a mischievous light in her eyes. “Fun?”
“Yeah.” My head bobs up and down, then I lean forward and whisper, “I’m trying not to see things that aren’t there, but it’s hard.”
“Not . . . imagining.”
What?
She reaches her left hand out to me, and I take hold of it. “Good ... for ... him.” She gives me a pleading look. “You ... belong ... with them.”
Knowing Easton is with Lainey, I pull my chair closer before sitting down again. Staring at Rachel, I ask, “How are you doing?”
She shrugs. “It is . . . what it . . . is.” She lets out a soundless chuckle. “At least . . . there’s a . . . silver lining. I get . . . to kill the . . . tumor . . . when I die.” The corner of her mouth lifts. “And . . . I can . . . rest . . . knowing you’re . . . with Easton . . . and Lainey.”
“I’ll stay with them as long as they’ll let me,” I assure her.
She nods, and sucking in a deep breath, she looks at where they’re playing in the waves.
Within seconds, Rachel falls asleep, and I take the time I have to just stare at her.
Harlow comes to adjust the blanket over Rachel and checks her pulse.
“Will she feel any pain?” I ask, my tone brimming with fear.
The nurse shakes her head, then meets my eyes. “You should prepare yourself. It won’t be long now.”
“How long do you think we have?”
“Days. She knows, and that’s why she wanted to give you all today. I don’t think she’ll be able to leave the house again, and we can’t stay out here too late.”
Even though I nod, I struggle to accept what Harlow’s telling me. Getting up, I keep the towel wrapped around me while I walk down the beach until I can’t hear Lainey’s laughter anymore.
