Page 12 of Hearts on the Line (The Maverick Key #1)

Maddie

Adeline glides through the waves as we head toward Carter’s Drop.

I grip the railing. No one knows about my crippling aquaphobia.

After Nathan’s death, in my nightmares, I was always drowning—alone in the dark, in the cold merciless waters of the blue hole.

I’d wake up breathless. Covered in sweat.

Simple things like brushing my teeth or showering would trigger panic attacks.

It’s taken years, but I’ve fought my way back.

Today, I’m going to take my biggest step yet.

Into the ocean.

The crew is busy preparing for the dive. Scott’s steady gaze fixes on the horizon. It’s too soon to have these strong feelings, but I want to get closer to him. I’m enjoying the thrill of our encounters and the attraction. Maybe it’s just physical for him, but I believe it could be more.

I put on my wetsuit, adjusting my arms and pulling up the zipper with trembling fingers. Today, everyone is diving in wetsuits.

“You ready for this?” Hannah asks. She’s wearing a pink sundress, she doesn’t swim. “By the way, you look great in the suit.”

“Thanks. I think I’m ready. It’s been a while.”

“Don’t worry.” Jamie walks by us. “Like Scott said, diving’s like riding a bike. Except it’s underwater, with tanks and no wheels.”

“Smartass,” Hannah quips.

“That’s… not as reassuring as you think, Jamie.”

Liam adjusts his mask. “Relax, Maddie. If you forget anything, we’ll just point at you and laugh. Then we’ll rescue you. You’re safe with us.”

Margaret rolls her eyes. “Just ignore them. You’ve got this.”

Scott walks over. He hands me my mask and places the tanks by my feet. Resting his hands on my shoulders, he rubs them before letting his hands glide down my back, lingering a moment before pulling away. I hold my breath.

He takes my hand and gazes into my eyes. A question flashes across his face.

“Were you thinking of your first dive or the last one?”

We both sit down on the boat bench.

“My first, how’d you know?”

He watches me for a moment. “Your face… I know that look.” He glances out at the ocean. The waters are calm, broken only by the wake of small waves and the froth trailing behind the Adeline .

“You always remember your first dive and your last. I was fourteen when my dad took me out for my first time. Hard to believe from looking at me, but he was a Wall Street banker.” He laughs, shaking his head. “He loved the sport. How old were you?”

“I was ten,” I tell him proudly.

Scott’s brows lift and he opens his mouth in surprise. “Really?” The word slips out on a breath, and a faint flush climbs his neck. His eyes are gleaming.

“Nathan was already a pro by the time he was fifteen. Already diving solo. Mom and Dad let him take me out for my first swim.” His lips curl, and I shoot him a don’t lecture me stare. “I know it wasn’t legal, but they trusted him. It was a special day—just for us. They were on the boat.”

His grin widens.

“My parents were so young back then. They were both marine biologists, and they raised us to be fearless.”

“You’re full of surprises.”

His face is relaxed. His pupils push aside the hazel in his eyes. My breath catches. I lean in.

“Returning to this place, to Maverick Key…” My chest is lighter as the words leave me, saying them out loud—it’s intimate. I want to share this with him. “I’m returning to myself. The person I was before… life got hard.”

He’s quiet. A steady, thoughtful gaze. Then he stands and reaches out for my hand. I take it.

“This is a shallow dive. It’s going to get you back in the water. There’s no pressure today—just an easy swim. Let’s enjoy the reef.” The tone of his voice is steadfast. I exhale.

“Thanks… I need to get in there and remember why I used to love this.”

He cups my face with his strong hands, sharing all his confidence with me.

“Trust me, Maddie.”

His simple, sincere words fall over me like a warm blanket. I believe him. He’ll keep me safe.

“I do.”

I take hold of his hands and close my eyes. Breathing in. He brushes his lips across the top of my head. This makes me jump, and we pull away from each other, taking a parting glance. Then he returns to the helm to steer. My heart is beating in my ears, and my hands are shaking.

Adeline slows as we reach the descent point. The sea is a brilliant turquoise, with sunlight filtering through its surface, creating watercolor patterns beneath.

The blue hole is down there.

Waiting for me.

My heart is still racing as Liam tosses the anchor and the boat rocks.

“All right,” Scott announces over the engine thrum. “It’s the buddy system, as always. Stick together, watch your gauges, and enjoy the dive. This one’s just for fun. Maddie, you’re with me.”

I put on my tanks, then turn back to the water. The dark ripples appear benign, welcoming even. But the surrounding air is thick, and it’s hard to breathe. I pinch myself, trying to push the fear from my mind.

This is where Nathan took his last dive. It’s where he died. Will the blue hole look the same as it did in my nightmares? Will it take me too?

Scott returns and checks my gear. I shiver at his touch as he brushes back the loose hair that’s fallen over my eyes. He tilts his head.

“You good, sweetheart?”

“I think so.”

“You’re gonna be fine. We’ll take it slow.” He squeezes my hand. “Nathan wants you to live, Maddie… let’s go.” I put on my mask.

We enter the water, and the sea wraps around me, cool and weightless. The noise of the boat disappears. I stay close to Scott as the rest of the team follows.

The underwater world opens up, vibrant and alive. Schools of brightly colored fish dart around us, their scales shimmering like tiny rainbows. I move cautiously at first, my breathing loud in my regulator. Then I relax and look around.

Scott points to a cluster of yellow fish that scatter as we approach. A sea turtle glides past, slow and majestic, its flippers moving in unhurried strokes.

This is incredible. Can you see this, Nathan? Wonder fills my chest, replacing some of the fear. For the first time in five years, I’m happy to be underneath the water.

Scott writes on his dive slate. Beautiful, isn’t it?

I nod, grinning behind my regulator. He grins back, and everything around us feels natural. I watch all the weight on my heart, carried for years, float away into the abyss like rising bubbles.

We swim farther, the underwater landscape shifting beneath us.

The light dims as we approach Carter’s Drop, and the water grows cooler.

The entrance to the blue hole looms ahead—a vast, dark void in the ocean’s floor, its coral and barnacle-covered edges teeming with life.

Crabs scuttle across the sand. Fish dart through the crevices.

A bounty of color surrounds a pit of endless black.

I hover near the edge, a wave of emotions crashing over me. My heart freezes. This is where Nathan disappeared, where the unknown swallowed his final moments.

Scott places a hand on my arm, his touch calming me. He writes on his slate. We’re not going in. We’re just taking a look.

I swallow hard, staring into the depths, half expecting Nathan to emerge from the void, his face breaking into one of his lopsided grins. But there’s only darkness, vast and unyielding.

Scott motions for me to take my time, his gaze tender. I stare into the hole for a few more minutes, then relax. The weight of Nathan’s loss eases just a little bit more.

This is what he loved. This is where he wanted to be.

Scott holds my hand, and we glide around the hole, taking in all the beauty surrounding us. For the first time in years, I feel pure joy.

We linger there awhile before Scott signals to the group it’s time to ascend. As we move away, I glance one more time at the blue hole.

Back on the boat, my limbs are heavy with exhaustion, but my spirit is lighter than it’s been in years.

“Not bad,” Hannah says, handing me a towel.

I wipe the water from my face. “Thanks. It felt good… better than I expected.”

Scott appears beside me, his expression thoughtful. “You did good out there. You’re a natural.” I catch my breath at his words. You’re a natural, Maddie. That’s what Nathan told me—when we dived the first time—when I fell in love with the ocean.

“Thanks.” For a moment, the noise of the boat fades. He moves closer like he’s about to say more.

Then the sound of wakes crash beside us. A sleek black and silver boat approaches, cutting through the water. Wes stands at the helm, his face visible from the distance. He waves.

“There’s your new best friend,” Hannah teases.

I lift a hand to wave back. Wes salutes before turning to his crew. Beside me, Scott’s jaw tightens. Not saying a word, he starts securing the gear.

As Adeline heads back to Maverick Key, the team’s focus shifts to preparations for the evening.

“Bonfire tonight, anyone?” Jamie calls out.

Hannah claps her hands. “I live for those.”

Scott glances at me, his tone lighter than usual. “Are you up for an island tradition?”

After today, I’m ready to leave my comfort zone.

“Why not?”

Scott pulls me into his arms and gives me a squeeze, his nose brushing against my neck. I want to stay there, wrapped up in the strong warmth of him, and never let go.

“Today was amazing,” he murmurs, his fingers raking through my hair. “Let’s do this again.”

“I’d like that.”

He smiles and walks off to the helm.

As the boat nears the island, I lean against the railing, the wind teasing my hair. It’s soft, but not the same as Scott’s fingers. He stands at the helm, steering us home. Our gazes meet a few times, charged but still hesitant. What are we afraid of?

When we pull into the docks, his eyes are closed, and when he opens them again, he doesn’t notice me. His gaze is fixed on the horizon.