Page 131 of The Long Way Home
“Oh my God, that is not what I was saying,” she mutters, swatting at him, though the corner of her mouth betrays a smile. He climbs up the ladder and holds out a hand. She takes it, rolling her eyes, muttering something under her breath.
They flop onto the boat deck, dripping and laughing, settling into the sun-warmed cushions. Lexi nudges him with her knee. “Next competition, you’re going down.”
“I always am. I’m surprised even a smart girl like you hasn’t picked that up yet. I keep losing to you on purpose.”
She blinks. “Why would you be dumb enough to lose on purpose?”
Wes grins. “Because I’m not sure I like to see a losing Lex. She’s not a very gracious loser.”
“Don’t you dare make it easy for me, Wes. I’m not fragile. I can take it.” I watch as they sit so close together.
The hours tick away, the sun burning in that slow, late-afternoon way, turning the lake into a molten mirror. Rachel is stretched out nearby, arms reaching above her head, eyes closed, hair slicked back and glinting in the sunlight like something out of a dream I have no business having.
I force myself to look away, then jab at the water with a hand to break the spell. “Wanna go for a Jet Ski ride?”
Her eyes snap open, sharp and teasing. “Only if you promise not to cry when I throw your ass off.”
God help me, I love her mouth when she says shit like that.
“Oh, I’m the one who’s gonna drive,” I toss back.
And then I swim away, hoping the water cools me down.
Chapter Tweny-nine
RHETT
To my surprise, she doesn’t fight me on driving. She seems perfectly content with sitting behind me.
There are only a few better feelings in this world than the one I’m experiencing right now. The lake stretches out before us in endless ripples of silver and blue, the afternoon sun scattering diamonds across its surface. My grip tightens on the handlebars as the Jet Ski roars forward, slicing through the water with a hiss and spray. The wind lashes against my cheeks, carrying the scent of sun-warmed pine from the shore.
Rachel’s arms are wrapped tightly around my waist, her laughter tumbling into my ear every time we hit a wave and lift for a breathless second before crashing back down. I can feel the press of her chest against my back, the way she instinctively leans when I turn, trusting me to keep us steady even as we skim the edge of control. Her fingers curl into my body when the speed kicks up, and I can’t help grinning. Half from the thrill ofthe ride, half from the fact that she is here, holding on to me like she never wants to let go. The sound of the engine is a constant growl beneath us, but it’s her laughter that cuts through it and makes this moment lodge itself in my memory for good.
If I could bottle this feeling—the rush of speed, the weightless jumps, the solid warmth of her holding me—I’d never need another thrill again.
I ease back on the throttle, the engine quieting to a gentle hum. Rachel’s grip on me loosens, but her body stays pressed against my back, chin resting lightly on my shoulder. Her breath is warm, teasing, and God, I can feel her in a way that makes every rational thought leave me.
“Not bad,” she murmurs. “But I think I could have done it better.”
I glance back, smirking, trying to act casual. “Oh? And is that why you didn’t fight me on driving?”
“Maybe.” Her eyes jump down to my mouth. “Or maybe I just wanted an excuse to touch you this time.”
Her laugh, drifts across my back. We make it back to the boat and take a moment to just sit on the cushions. The sun has started to dip by the time someone finally says what we’re all thinking.
“I’m starving,” Anderson announces, stretching his arms as he leans against the side of the boat.
“Same,” Lexi adds. “All I’ve had today is a bag of chips and half a case of hard seltzer.”
Wes floats past on a noodle, raising a finger. “That was a personal choice. I offered you half my sandwich.”
“You offered me a bite, Wes.”
“A big bite.”
“Children,” Slone cuts in, eyes still closed behind her sunglasses. “Focus. Food.”
Margo pulls out her phone. “There’s this place about fifteen minutes from the marina. It’s a local spot. Burgers, seafood, salads, all the basics. Says they’ve got live music on Saturday nights.”
