Page 19 of Stuck With the Smokejumper

Someone yells go. Dani swings first. I move sideways. Water surges up my back. Still cold. I've stopped expecting otherwise. Ivy ducks, then smacks Dani across the shoulder.

“Left,” Ivy says.

I move left, wading against the drag of the current. Ivy swings. Dani nearly goes over. Reid catches her, blinking water out of his eyes, one arm locked around Dani's legs so he can't do anything about it but shake his head like a dog.

“Okay,” Ivy says. “Now we're winning.”

“What changed?”

“She hit me.”

“You're just like your brother.”

Her knees tighten slightly against me. “Take that back.”

I laugh and move before Reid can get close enough for Dani to strike again.

“Duck,” Ivy calls.

I drop. A pool noodle whistles over her head, and the motion sends a wave up my neck, straight up my spine. My whole body feels the cold.

“Right.”

I move right. She lands a hit. Trevor and Cassidy go out first when Nolan manages to keep Tessa stable long enough for her to knock Cassidy sideways into the water.

Nolan throws both fists up. “Yes!”

Tessa wobbles.

His hands shoot back to her legs. “Sorry.”

“Celebrate later.”

They last another minute before Reid and Dani take them out. Which leaves us.

Ivy leans forward slightly. “We can beat them.”

“You sound very sure.”

“I usually win.”

“With Reid.”

We close the distance. Dani swings. Ivy blocks. I shift left. Then Reid changes direction unexpectedly, plowing a wave straight into his own face. He sputters, blinded for a second, both hands full of Dani's legs.

Ivy tilts. Her legs clamp around my shoulders. I catch her calves and plant my feet against the pull of the water. For half a second, all I'm aware of is the pressure of her legs and my hands holding her steady.

Then Ivy straightens. “I’m good.”

Back to the game. Dani comes in again. Ivy swings hard enough to knock the noodle out of her hand. Dani reaches for it. Bad decision. Her weight shifts. Reid tries to compensate. Too late. She hits the water.

Ivy throws both arms in the air. “Yes!”

I tighten my grip on her legs before her celebration takes both of us down.

Reid stares at the crew. “Who decided giving Ivy another smokejumper was fair?”

Tessa shrugs.