Hunter: And I need saving from Connor.
Hunter: Why aren’t you replying?
Hunter: BABBBYYYY SAVE ME!!!!!
A laugh bursts out of me, loud and uncontrollable, and I have to clamp a hand over my mouth. I hold my phone up, showing the girls Hunter’s texts.
“I’m not related to him,” Halle mutters, rolling her eyes as she heads for the door.
That only makes us laugh harder, and I clutch my stomach, trying to catch my breath. We follow her outside, sunlight hitting our faces, the warm air wrapping around us. My thumbs fly over the screen as we walk down the street.
Me: We’re coming now. Don’t be such a baby.
Me: Also… how can you possibly miss me?? You were just inside me an hour ago.
His reply comes instantly.
Hunter: Damn straight I was and I can’t wait to be back inside you. Fucking love your pussy.
Heat floods my face so fast, it makes my head spin. Ichoke on a breath, nearly tripping over my own feet as I lock my phone and shove it into my bag.
My pulse drums in my ears as we step onto the dirt path, sticks crunching under my shoes. Halle links her arm through mine, steadying me, and I take in a deep breath.
“You okay?” she asks.
I nod, not trusting myself with words, and we keep walking. The rush of the creek and the roar of the waterfall fill the air, mingling with the squeals of kids darting through the shallows and the splashes of locals running in. The sunlight dances across the water, and the air carries that crisp, earthy scent. I expect my body to tense, to recoil in panic, but it doesn’t. Instead, it comes alive. A smile stretches across my face. This place… this is home.
“Madi!”
My name cuts through the noise. I scan the park, heart lifting when I spot Charlie sprinting toward me.
“Charlie girl,” I call, arms wide.
She throws herself into my hug, tiny arms wrapping around me.
“Are you having fun?” I ask, holding her at arm’s length to look at her face.
“So much fun! I’m going to eat ice cream now,” she says, grinning.
“Charlie, come on,” her dad calls from across the park, waving. I wave back, squeezing her one last time.
“See you later,” I say, letting her go.
We wander over to the table the guys have snagged for us and drop our bags. Sarah scoops Remi up from where he’s playing with Ace, plopping his hat on his head with a grin.
“You ready for this?” Hunter whispers into my ear, hisarms wrapping around my shoulders, pulling me close into his chest.
Feeling the steady beat of his heart against my back, I inhale, exhale, and nod. “Let’s do this.”
Peeling off my shirt and shorts, I stand in my blue bikini. Hunter groans, biting his lip, and pulls his own shirt over his head.
“No time like the present, baby. Let’s go face our fears,” he says.
One by one, everyone steps forward, hugging me, wishing me luck. Their support wraps around me like a shield. I glance at Hunter, squeeze his hand, and let him lead me up the path to the lookout.
We pause for a second when we reach the spot where I fell. A sturdy railing has been built into the trail, and the tension in my shoulders loosens knowing that no one has to go through what I did. Hunter’s fingers brush over mine, and I nod, not wanting to linger.
The view from the lookout steals the breath right out of my chest. I forgot how stunning it is up here. Water stretches wide and endless below us, the waterfall thundering as it crashes into the creek. Our crew stands knee-deep in the shallows, eyes lifted, waiting. The sun kisses my skin, and I smile at Hunter, adrenaline washing through me.
