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We’re safe…
Yet safe is the last fucking thing I feel in this moment.
And still, I can’t let go.
I won’t.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
SKYLER
Everything hurts.
My breaths rattle and my stomach churns, pushing more ocean water up my throat. All I taste is salt.
Dry drowning. What if I’m still drowning? That’s a thing isn’t it?
I shiver, digging my nails into the strong, ripped arms hugging me from behind in a death grip. It’s already hard enough to breathe, and his hold on me makes it near-impossible.
But I don’t tell him to let go or ease up.
How could I, when no one’s ever held me like this? I can’t even remember the last time someonehuggedme, period, and isn’t that just pathetic?
I almost died—again—eighteen and never even been huggedproperly.
Virgin, too, don’t forget that,a voice pipes up.
Ugh.Again, pathetic. And definitely not the time to be thinking about that.
Saltwater and tears cling thickly to my lashes. Now that I’m safe, it’s as if all the panic of drowning—of dying—is returning ten-fold. I can’t help but compare it to when they pumped my stomach. I barely remember it, but I remember how scared I was. How much it hurt.
I’m choking on sobs, and Nolan’s petting my hair, hushing me. “I know, I know. I’ve got you. You’re safe now.”
He keeps saying that.I’ve got you.
More sobs rocket up my throat. So forceful, my stomach roils, protesting.
I try to push away, but Nolan’s grip is unyielding.
“Nol,” I murmur tightly. “Sick.”
He stiffens and mutters a curse, releasing me, just in time for me to lunge to the side, and heave what’s left of my guts onto the cave floor. More water sputters out, mixed with vomit. My nose runs, my eyes leak. My whole body trembles.
Finally, when I’m nothing more than rough dry heaves and crackling breaths, and I feel thoroughly empty, my shoulders slump.
Wiping the back of my hand over my face, I sniff and swallow a couple times, testing my breathing.
Better…but still a little rattley.
“Okay?” Nolan whispers. The storm and waves are loud, yet his ragged voice carries, bouncing off the cave walls.
I nod. “Th-think so.” Turning, I fall back on my ass, facing him. “You j-jumped in after me?”
I don’t mean to say it like a question. Obviously he did.
He shrugs, running a hand through his damp hair, pushing it back. “Yeah,”—he shakes his head—“well, sort of. Climbed down the cliff and then dove in.”
My throat tightens. “Smart,” I murmur.
