10_Taking A Dive
1179 Words
Reeva POV
The water wraps around me like a blanket when I dive in, and I quickly paddle up for air.
“Holy s**t, the water’s cold,” I gasp, pushing my hair out of my face. “You could’ve warned me.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” He chuckles.
“You’re an ass,” I laugh, splashing him with water, and he ducks.
I swim to shore, climb out and sit beside him on the rock, basking in the sun’s warmth. I do not know if it is nature or the polar plunge, but I have never felt this alive. Not even when I heard I was pregnant.
“Thank you for bringing me here,” I say, looking at him. “I feel better.”
“You’re welcome,” he replies softly, and I am again struck by the clarity of his blue eyes. Dammit, I hate that his presence has this effect on me.
“I’m sorry for my behaviour earlier,” I say, staring at the lake, but I decide it is safer to look at the green trees, because the water reminds me of his eyes. “I know I’m all over the place and unreasonable. I’ll try to do better.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he replies, playfully bumping his shoulder against mine. “There are medications for bipolar.”
“I’m not bipolar,” I protest, slapping his arm, and his warm laugh echoes around me.
“I know, I’m teasing,” he chuckles.
A comfortable silence nestles between us as we sit quietly and drink in nature’s beauty. I let go of my sorrow and my worries and concentrate on nature’s sounds. The rustling of the leaves and the birds chirping.
“Do you think humans appreciate nature like we do?” He asks as if he is reading my mind. “Or is it a wolf thing?”
“It’s not a wolf thing,” I answer after a moment of thought. “You and I don’t have wolves; we’re technically human, and we appreciate this.”
“I don’t know if my wolf is dead or dormant,” he blurts out, and I look at him. I do not know what to say or do. Does he want me to comfort him, or is he only sharing his thoughts?
“But I think he’s dormant,” he continues. “I felt him when I found you. That’s why I’m helping you. Not because I’m good or selfless. Because I hope you can wake him up.”
“Why are you telling me this?” I ask, my voice hoarse with anticipation. I am not angry at his confession. The opposite, actually. Now it makes sense. He is honest, and I appreciate it more than he would ever know. I had had enough of lies to last me a lifetime.
“Because I’m not the good Samaritan you think I am,” he grins sourly. “Now you have a reason to be mad at me.”
“It’s okay, I’ll be mad later,” I grin. “I had enough outbursts for one day.”
“So, you’re going to make me wait for the other shoe to drop?” He gasps theatrically. “How diabolical.”
“I would’ve done the same thing,” I admit. “I can’t be mad about that. It would make me a hypocrite, and I don’t mean to be negative, but I don’t feel my wolf around you. So, I don’t think my presence will help.”
“I chose to hope,” he sighs. “Because it’s all I have left.”
“That’s not true,” I argue softly.
“I appreciate that you’re trying to be nice,” he grimaces. “But I don’t scram away from the truth. My mother’s dead, and my father and brothers hate me.”
“I know something about family turning their back on you,” I say sourly. “But you still have friends. Loyal friends.”
“I know,” he replies. “But that doesn't take away the sting when your family turns their back on you, poisons you, and kills your wolf.”
The irony is too much, and I burst out laughing. A loud, ugly, harsh, and humourless laugh. I notice Hayden looking at me as if I have lost my mind.
“I’m sorry,” I say, sucking back my laughter. “It’s not funny, and I’m not laughing at you; it’s just … that’s exactly what happened to me. They took my wolf with silver and wolfsbane.”
“Well, then I know you’ll believe me when I say I know how you feel,” he replies dryly.
“I guess so,” I smirk.
“Come on,” he says, standing up. “One more dive, and then we should start a fire.”
“Wouldn’t they see the fire at night?” I ask curiously, standing up.
“No, the waterfall is too dense,” he explains. “I tested it years ago.”
“Okay, but I have one more question,” I say, suddenly feeling nervous and awkward. “There’s only one bed. Does that mean …”
“We’re sharing,” he cuts me off. “Believe me, it’s too cold to sleep on the floor. But don’t worry, we’ll create a barrier so that you don’t snuggle up to me during the night.”
“I will do no such thing,” I protest indignantly, slapping his shoulder from behind, and his laugh carries over the lake.
“Hey, a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do to protect his virtue,” he teases.
“Oh, please, your virtue?” I laugh carefree as we reach the tunnel, enter the cave and walk to the edge. “Are you telling me you’ve never been with a woman before?”
“That’s very impolite and insensitive to laugh at me because I’m still a virgin,” he says, looking at me thoughtfully, and I swallow my laughter.
I feel like a worm. There is no shame in being a virgin; in fact, it is admirable, but I assumed we were still joking. If I knew he was serious, I would not have said it.
“I’m so, so sorry,” I say apologetically. “I didn’t mean … I wouldn’t have said it if I knew. I … uhm, I thought …”
“I’m messing with you,” he laughs, his eyes mocking me. “I’m not a virgin.”
“Ass!” I grunt, shoving him away from me.
“I’m sorry,” he chuckles. “I couldn’t resist.”
“And I can’t resist this,” I say, pushing him through the waterfall. I stick my head through, watch him scream as he falls and splashes into the water.
“Ass!” He shouts, looking up.
I laugh, take a step back, run and jump, joining Hayden in the icy water.
- Writer
