Page 35 of Baby, It’s You (Clairesville #1)
Hunter
B y the time I’m done skiing, I’m out of breath and my muscles ache from holding onto the handle so tightly, but I couldn’t be happier.
I tread in the water, waiting for Donovan to pull me back in, and hope that Olive was fine on the boat.
When I pull my body up onto the back of the boat, I see her smiling ear to ear.
Good. Her fair skin is starting to turn red, so I need to remember to grab the sunscreen out of my truck when we get back to shore.
I unclick from the skis and take the towel that Parker tosses to me.
“Thanks, man,” I tell him.
“You killed it out there,” Parker says. “I think you've chosen the wrong career.”
I laugh. “Nah, I’ll stick to being behind the camera and filming other people.” I shake my hair in the towel and slide down next to Olive as Alice moves to the side to make room for me.
“That was impressive.” Olive nudges my shoulder playfully with her own. “Who knew you could walk on water?”
Alice cuts in, “You should see him skate; he’s just as good at that, too.”
“Wow, look at you, quite the overachiever.” Olive raises an eyebrow. “Is there anything you can’t do, Curls?”
I think to myself, Yeah, make you mine, as I grin and respond, “Plenty. I can’t play an instrument to save my life or even draw a straight line.”
“Yeah, he’s bad with his hands,” Wes teases.
“I doubt that,” Olive rebuts and I turn to her in shock as she continues, “He has very steady hands when he films.”
“Ha! I thought you were going to say you knew firsthand .” Eddie winks at her.
Instead of shrinking back at what he said, Olive states firmly, “No. We’re just friends. Right, Hunter?” She turns to face me.
“Right,” I respond, trying to muster as much enthusiasm as I can while I can feel Wes and Eddie’s yeah, right stares penetrating through my skin.
Ezra asks, “You guys ready to get the tube out?”
Ysabel jumps up. “Yes!” she says, grabbing Olive’s hand, pulling her up as well. “We are going together first.”
I stand, hearing that, and grab a woman’s life jacket. “You’ll need this. Here let me help you.”
“Thanks.” Olive nods her head and walks in front of me, holding her arms out.
I slide the jacket over her arms, and she pops them through the holes, then I click the buckles, making sure they are tight and secure to her. She looks up to me when I finish. I can see she’s anxious—her big doe eyes always show her every emotion.
I lean in and whisper in her right ear, “You okay?”
Her warm breath tickles me as she reaches on her tippy toes to respond back, “I’m scared. What if I get eaten by a shark?”
I chuckle as I say, “Don’t worry, it’s a lake in the middle of Tennessee. Shark free.” I squeeze her shoulders. “I have an idea. How about together we lean into something that scares us today? Instead of shying away, we commit and do it.”
“Okay. Deal. But if I do this, you must do yours later. What is it?” She looks at me, curious.
“I’ll tell you later, just focus on your mission right now.” I smile down at her and nudge my head towards the back of the boat where the tube is now attached.
Ysabel plops onto the giant yellow tube. “Come on, girl!”
After one final look at me, Olive turns and grins at her. “Coming!”
I watch her sit next to Ysabel, who grabs both of her hands and says something to her that causes Olive to smile in response and scoot closer to Ysabel.
Donovan gently pushes their tube off into the water and they float back behind the boat. “We’re ready!” Ysabel screams and Ezra takes off.
Instant screaming comes from the girls, as they hold on for dear life.
Both of them are laughing and squealing together hysterically as they hit the wake.
I wish I had my camera right now to film this moment.
Olive has had an undercurrent of stress around her since I met her—who can blame her with what’s going on with Jane and the bar.
But right now, she looks alive and carefree.
I take a mental picture, so I never lose this moment, promising myself that this must be enough for me, getting to see her like this, but not having her.
By the time we get back to the lake shore hours later, the sun is starting to go down.