“Really?” I huff out a cold laugh. “Even bigger than the guy you were ready to marry?”
“I—”
“The guy who’s probably balls deep in your friend right now. Fucking her in your own bed. Telling her how she’s the best sex of his life, and he can’t get enough of her.”
It’s harsh and uncalled for, but I can’t stop myself with her. She pushes every last one of my damn buttons when she starts demanding. Starts asking questions I can’t answer.
“Maybe he’s even got her fucking pregnant already!” I yell.
Her hand whips up fast, and I brace myself for the crack across my face that I deserve.
But it never comes.
Instead, she pinches her nose and throws herself over the edge.
Her name rips from my throat in a panicked scream.
“Jude!”
21
JUDE
My chest feelslike a truck has driven over it. I thrash around the surface of the water in vain, like something will miraculously appear for me to hold onto.
The sound of water being hit nearby barely registers as I slip beneath the surface again, then fight back up.
“Uh, uh…” I try to get my breath, but my lungs aren’t working. Nothing is coming in. And everything has been punched out of them judging by the crushing sensation in my chest.
“Jude!”
The sun is so bright, like sparkling diamonds dropping through the water as I’m pulled under the surface once more.
I stare at the sky moving away from me as the sounds from above the surface muffle in my ears until they’re nothing but a distant memory.
Something grips me underneath the armpits, and I’m hauled up.
My head breaks the surface moments later, and I erupt into a burning cough.
“Fuck!” a voice roars.
Deep, labored breaths echo around me as the top of the cliff disappears into the distance. I struggle to drag in a breath as I slide through the water with impressive speed.
Short, shallow breaths slowly punch through the barrier in my lungs, bringing with them more burning coughs, followed by a deep belch that brings the taste of saltwater to my mouth as it spills from my lips and coats my chin. I manage a deeper breath, my chest finally expanding and allowing much needed oxygen to reach my lungs.
“Jesus.”
The deep voice joins forces with a strong, solid grip around me, and I’m lifted from the water and carried out.
“Don’t do that to me. Don’t fucking do that, Jude.”
Something smooth and warm from the sun presses into my back and I sag against it in relief. Incensed brown eyes search mine as I realize I’ve been laid against a giant sloping patch of smooth rock.
“What the hell are you doing?” he rages, cupping my face and tilting it, inspecting inside my mouth. “You got more water to get out?”
I stare at him.
“You got any more fucking water to get out?” he snaps.
