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“I was just waiting for your stipulations. You’re never easy.” I grin.
“I don’t know about that. You got me in bed on day four.”
“If you think that was easy, you need to experience a hard-on for four days. I was in fucking agony.”
Our laughter must be Max and Sydney’s cue. They both walk in.
“If you plan on us getting to the beach house before midnight, we need to get moving,” Max states.
Syd’s face jerks to Max. “What? You’re going to the beach house?” She looks quickly to me and Addison, her eyes wide.
Addison hops down out of my arms and shrugs. “I didn’t know, but there are three rooms there. Plenty of room,” she says, trying to reassure her. She mumbles something under her breath, and Max laughs and shakes his head.
Addison doesn’t get it. Doesn’t see it yet. But I know Max better than anyone. There’s a shit storm brewing, and I’m not sure I can even stop it. Damon and Max are going to have to figure this out on their own.
Addison claps her hands. “I’m ready. Let’s go,” she says, grabbing my hand.
After going through our checklist of making sure everything is set, we head to the plane. Stone is checking off his own list with the plane. I’m relieved he’ll be flying us up. Hudson, the other guy on Max’s team who can fly, thinks he’s Evil Knievel. I’m all about an adrenaline rush when I’m by myself, not so much with Addison.
Stone wraps his arms around Addison and gives her a hug when she comes up. I tilt my head, wondering what the hell. Jealousy. I can mark that one off the list now. He looks at me and winks. I narrow my eyes. He laughs, letting her go.
“You doing okay?” he asks her. I’m not surprised by his question. Hell, he knows everything she’s been through.
“Better than I have been in a long time,” she says, looking at me. I stand a little taller hearing her say that. I want to beat my chest and yell, “She’s mine.”
Then, I about fall over when he says, “Hey, Syd, you’re looking pretty hot in that jumpsuit.”
She giggles and says in her southern accent, “Thanks, Stone.” Oh, shit. I shake my head. Stone has no idea what’s about to happen.
I glance over at Max, waiting. Because it’s coming. His expression is solid. I’ve been trying to read Max for over half my life. I still don’t know what the hell he’s thinking half the time, but I know his reactions. Precise and to the point.
“Stone, I need you to do the parameter check when you get back. Hudson had something come up this afternoon.”
There it is. Stone’s eyes go wide in surprise, but he knows not to question it. I want to laugh at the whole situation, but I think it’s best I keep quiet.
The parameter check is the shit job. And usually you get it when you screw up. Max has acres of land, and the check consists of riding along the parameter, checking each of the security checkpoints for hours on an ATV in the rain, sun, snow … doesn’t matter. It sucks no matter what the weather is.
I help the girls get on the plane after Stone stomps his way to the front of the plane. When Max gets behind me, I turn and smile. “Strong-arming it, huh?”
He pats me on the back. “Don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.” He laughs.
“Well, you could’ve waited until we were ready to jump to issue a punishment, asshole.” Now I have to fly in a plane with a guy who’s really ticked.
He freezes, just realizing his mistake. “He wouldn’t dare.” I shrug. Too late now.
The engine starts up. “Maybe I should get Hudson.”
“No fucking way. I’m more afraid of what he’d do than Stone,” I say, hopping in the plane. He’s right behind me because I’m sure he agrees.
I sit behind Addison, pulling her into me. She relaxes, rubbing her hands down my legs. We watch out the window as the ground gets farther and farther away and the sky opens up, welcoming us. The ride is smooth, and we reach our targeted altitude.
I make sure we’re attached and whisper, “Just you and me, sweetheart. Leave everything else up here.”
Clarity. I’ve decided to name my jumps. This one is definitely clarity. My mind is free of the fog that has been taking up space for too long. Eight seconds of free falling seems to clear my mind. At least for the moment.
I’m a survivor. What happened to me, happened. Nothing will change that. But I am in control now. Memories can trip me, but I won’t let them make me fall. I’m breaking free. It’s time to let go. Free fall.
As we drift closer to the ground, Aiden instructs me to hold the handles. This time, I’m excited to be in control. I know exactly what’ll happen if I move them side-to-side. Instead, he weaves his fingers through mine. The warmth of his hands covering mine feels good. Everything about Aiden feels good.
