Chapter35
Boden
“You are insane!” Lakelyn all but cursed as I turned onto the road leading to my surprise date destination.
“And here I thought that was one of the many endearing qualities you loved about me?” I couldn’t help but smirk.
With our forearms resting on the center console of my truck and our fingers already linked, her attempt at pulling away was fruitless and only gave me a leg up when I tightened my grip as I lifted her hand to my mouth and kissed her palm.
“I’m re-evaluating that list as we speak.”
“Nah, come on, you’re going to love this.”
“Doubtful.”
“Trust me; there is nothing more freeing, all-encompassing, and the feeling afterward—”
“Yeah, if I survive,” she quipped with a dose of humorous venom that I ate up.
God, I loved her, sass.
I reached across my lap and put the truck in park, refusing to let go of my hold on her nervous grip. “Lake, do you honestly think I’d put you in harm’s way?”
“I think your definition of harm’s way currently is a far contrast from my viewpoint.”
She looked out the passenger window at the open field, and the need to wrap her in my arms took over. I hopped out of the truck and made my way around to her side, draping her legs over my hips after I opened the door and pulled her close to the place I forever wanted to be nestled.
“Yes, accidents happen, there’s no denying that, but if I truly believed this experience would end in any other way other than with both of our feet firmly planted back on the ground safely afterward, I wouldn’t entertain it. Promise.” I held her cheeks in my palms and stroked my thumbs across her plump bottom lip. “You’re the love of my life, Lakelyn. You told me you wanted, and I quote, ‘to feel alive, free, unrestrained.’ While I want to share this experience with you, I won’t force you. If you’re opposed to it, I won’t push. We can turn around and go home. Just say the word.”
She leaned her forehead against mine and sighed nervously. I felt her retreat inward slightly as she fought with the indecision weighing on her posture. Lakelyn hated feeling out of control. And right now, I was willing to bet she was trying to channel that fear to her advantage by allowing it to be the driving force, steering her natural-born strength to a place where she didn’t box herself in with limitations.
“Have you done this before?” she asked.
“I have.”
“Will we be jumping together?”
“I’m not certified or trained to tandem jump. However, I will be jumping with a partner to ensure being close to you the whole time.”
“And you swear it’s safe?”
“Yes. Brooke and I did this a few years ago.”
“For real? I’m torn on picturing it as, on the one hand, it’s badass, but on the other, I can’t help but think of—” Her voice faded in question.
“My parents?”
She nodded.
“That’s precisely why we did it. Our parents loved everything about flying, from the experience in general to the epic scenic views. They wouldn’t have wanted us to stop living, and they sure as heck wouldn’t have wanted anything to hold us back. “
“But this?” The soft lines around her eyes creased.
“Is it extreme? Abso-fucking-lutely, but that’s precisely why we did it. Sometimes, a breakthrough requires a breakdown. It pushed the array of our emotions to the edge of the cliff till we had no choice but to face our pain head-on. It taught us that even when you’re in the middle of the storm, there’s always beauty outside of the pain.”
“Boden, that’s—” Her eyes became glossy. “I’ve never thought of it that way, yet it makes so much sense.”
“Stick with me, beautiful. I’ve got you.” I palmed her backside. “Now, what do you say? Do you still trust me?”
