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As Yvie giggles, I have to look away. Seriously, put some clothing on.
The boat roars into action, and Tyler hangs on the back by the tow rope. He glides through the water, pushing waves of water to each side of the skis. I can’t help joining in with the other’s hoots and hollers, because I’m downright impressed.
When the boat swerves by the shoreline, Tyler glides to the edge, never losing his balance.
“Okay, who’s up next?” Tyler’s dad asks over our raucous applause.
Parker is quick to get up. “Me.”
He pulls off his shirt, clips on the lifejacket, and disembarks the boat. For a moment, Lewis and Yvie disappear. I’m focused on Parker attaching himself to the skis and giving Tyler’s dad a wave when he has the tow rope in his grip.
I grip the edge of the boat as we take off. My heart pounds to a low beat as I watch him glide across the water. My muscles tense as one of his hands loses grip on the rope. I sit on my knees as he regains control of the rope. As the boat swerves, Parker gains air, flicking the skis to the left before hitting the water again.
“Woo, Parker!” Yvie cheers through cupped hands.
Parker glides across the water, seemingly making ‘S’ patterns with his skis. As the boat swerves again, he pulls up the skis for more air, but something goes wrong. As if he miscalculated, he stumbles and loses grip on the rope.
He falls backwards into the water and I emit a shriek. With my hands planted over my mouth, I rush to the back of the boat.
“Is he okay?” Yvie yelps.
“Parker?” Lewis calls out.
Parker bounces up in the water, waving at the boat.
My hands fall over the space above my heart. “Thank goodness.”
“We needed our first wipeout of the day,” Tyler’s dad says with a laugh. “Can you reach the rope, Parker?”
Parker gives another wave, gesturing with the rope.
“Here we go!” our skipper calls out.
The boat takes off again, and Parker lifts into the water. He keeps his grip on the rope the entire time, until the boat nears the shore and he skids to the edge.
While the boat idles, I jump off the back and wade my way back to shore. I don’t care about staying close to Lewis. I want to hug Parker and make sure he’s okay.
Kai and Tabitha meet Parker on the shoreline as he unbuckles his lifejacket.
“Parker!” I call out, my dress sticking to my thighs as I bound through the water.
He turns and double takes at me. “Hey. What are you doing? You jumped off the boat?”
I wring out the bottom of my dress as I hit the shore. “I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
He sheds the life jacket. “Oh, that was nothing. I’ve smacked into the water worse than that.”
Kai laughs. “I can vouch for that.”
I shift awkwardly. “Oh. Okay then.”
Parker looks out at the boat. “You didn’t want to stay with the others?”
I bite into my lip, knowing he means Lewis.
Tabitha huffs and rolls her eyes. “Dude. Your girlfriend is obviously dying to hug you.”
“Oh.” Parker laughs, stepping close to me with arms out. “Come here.”
