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I get a better grip on the foundation pile and take hold of her leg with my other hand. When I hoist her up, she grabs hold of the jetty, then pulls herself up onto it. She stands no chance of lifting me, so I swim to the water’s edge, where I’m forced to navigate the mud. My legs and feet are covered in it by the time I step onto dry land. I look back at Annie and see she’s untied the rope we use to secure the tinny.
‘What are you doing?’ I call to her.
She glances in my direction. ‘I’m going to tie it to the oarlock. Then we can pull it up.’
I watch as she prepares to dive in. ‘Absolutely not. Stay where you are.’
‘It’s not that deep.’
I head for the jetty, eyes locked on her. ‘Wilson.’ Her name is a warning from my lips—one she doesn’t heed.
She dives, disappearing into the murky water.
I take off at a run, feet slippery with mud, looking for her the whole time. When I don’t see her, I dive in. I’m not exactly sure what my plan is given I can’t see my own hand in front of my face, but I search for her anyway. I search until I can no longer hold my breath, then surface with a sharp inhale. And there’s Annie, treading water a few feet from me.
‘What are you doing?’ she asks. ‘I was going to throw it up to you.’ She holds up the end of the rope. ‘I’m not the best at knots, but it should hold.’
I swim to her, snatching the rope from her hand. ‘What the fuck? I told you not to get in.’
She backs up from me. ‘And I ignored you.’
‘Why?’
‘Because I knew I could do it.’
I run a hand down my face and draw a calming breath. ‘I want you out of the water.’
She watches me with this wounded expression.
‘Now,’ I tell her.
She swallows. ‘Can you help me up again?’
I’m tempted to make her go through the mud but nod instead. Once she’s safely on the jetty, I’m able to relax a little.
‘Throw the rope up,’ she calls.
I toss it to her. ‘Don’t do anything until I get there.’
She listens this time.
When I reach her, she hands me the rope. It takes us a few attempts, but eventually the rusted tinny surfaces. We drag it alongside the jetty until it’s safely lodged in the mud.
‘What if you hadn’t surfaced?’ I say, turning to her. ‘I couldn’t see a thing down there.’
‘I know I’m not known for my athletic abilities around school, but I can swim.’
‘Why didn’t you just leave it?’
She searches my eyes. ‘I didn’t want Santa to get mad at you.’ She looks down at the boat. ‘Your recent behaviour hasn’t been great. Anything we can do to get you off his naughty list is helpful at this poi—’
My lips crash down on hers. She tastes of muddy water and bad jokes, and I can’t get enough of it. My hands go into her wet hair, my body seeking hers. It’s not cautious this time—it’s urgent. I’m pissed off and falling for this girl harder by the minute.
Annie doesn’t pull away. She doesn’t ask what I’m doing. Instead, she fists my wet shirt, drawing me closer, teeth scraping my lips with a hunger that matches my own. We go to our knees, and she brings my hand to her breast.
‘I can’t…’ she pants, momentarily breaking our kiss.
‘I know.’ No sex. The line hasn’t moved. And that’s fine. I’ll take whatever she’ll give me and satisfy her in any way she’ll let me.
