Page 44 of The Plus One

He sped off laughing. I chased him down the trail and splashed him back the first chance I got. Ace wiped mud from his helmet and pointed at me. “You finna pay for that.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Keep that same energy when we get back to the room.”

I wanted him to do something to me when we go back to the room so I egged him on. “Is that supposed to scare me?”

“Nah.” His eyes moved over me. “I don’t need you scared. Just prepared.”

The guide motioned for us to keep moving before I could respond. We eventually stopped in an open area surrounded by trees. My legs felt like jelly when I climbed off. Ace removed his helmet and walked toward me. Mud covered his shirt, arms, and part of his face, but somehow the nigga still looked good. “You had fun?” he asked.

“It was alright until you threw mud on me.”

“Hell you threw it right back. I thought you were having fun.” He wiped some mud from my cheek with his thumb. “You still look good.”

I hated how easily he could make me smile. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”

“Oh I know a nigga look good.”

I tittered, hitting his chest. “I was trying not to inflate your ego.”

“Too late. You already fucked me.”

I looked around to make sure nobody heard him. “Ace!” He laughed and handed me a bottle of water. “You have no home training.”

“You ain’t say that when—”

I covered his mouth. “Finish that sentence and I’m pushing you off the cliff.”

He pulled my hand away. “You wouldn’t do that. You like me too much.”

My smile slipped because he wasn’t wrong. Before I could respond, Sierra walked over looking entirely too happy. “See? I told you this would be fun.”

“I haven’t forgiven you.”

“You were screaming and laughing the whole time. I heard you.”

“I was briefly confused.”

She rolled her eyes. “Come on. We still have to hike to the cliff.”

My happiness disappeared. “We still doing that?”

“That’s the whole reason we came.”

I looked at Ace. “Tell her I’m not going.”

“You’re going.”

“Whose side are you on?”

“Yours.” He took my hand. “Come on, scary ass.”

“I’m not scared. I just don’t wanna die. This is called being responsible and making good decisions.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

The hike wasn’t long, but it felt like forever. The trees eventually opened to a clear blue swimming hole surrounded by rocks. It was beautiful. Unfortunately, the cliff beside it looked high as fuck.