Page 23 of Take the Plunge

“You can hang out in the house,” I suggest.

He sighs. “No. If you’re hell-bent on swimming, I’ll come and make sure you don’t drown.”

“You’re awesome.” Hopefully, he knows I mean that.

The gravel driveway still hurts my feet, but the thin flip-flop soles offer protection. It’s a five-minute amble through the forest to the lake. The moon is bright, and the monochrome forest is beautiful, if a little creepy. Animals snuffle around in the undergrowth, and a hunting owl hoots.

I stop at the jetty. “Wow.”

“Fuck,” Jett says in an awestruck voice.

I bite my tongue to stop myself from making a glib response. I inhale deeply as I stare at the lake. The moon hangs above us amid a blanket of stars. The dark water, still as glass, provides a perfect reflection. This must be what it’s like to stand on the edge of infinity. So beautiful.

It’s almost a shame to wreck the stillness, but I came here to swim, and I can’t think of anything more stunning than swimming in infinity. I do pause for a few moments to give us time to soak up the stunning scenery. I’ve been here dozens of times over the years and spent several weeks here, but I’ve never seen the lake look so beautiful before.

I slip the ill-fitting flip-flops off, put the spare towels down, and stand on the edge of the jetty. I grin at Jett over my shoulder and drop the towel from around my waist.

“Cannonball!” I jump, pulling my knees up to my chest and hugging them as I hit the water.

I sink beneath the surface, bubbles rising around me as I drift down. I can’t see anything except the distorted light from the moon. My chest burns, and I release my knees and kick upwards, reaching for the surface. I break free of the water and gulp air into my lungs. I wipe my wet hair away from my eyes and relax with my head and shoulders on the surface, my body carefully angled so that although I’m lying, everything from the waist down is hidden in darkness.

“The water’s lovely. You should join me.”

Jett doesn’t look convinced.

“It’s not cold,” I say.

He stares at his lap, fussing at his towel with one hand.

“Do you want me to turn around?” I ask.

It’s not like I haven’t seen his dick and sucked it, but if he needs me to look away while he gets into the lake, I’ll do it. He stays quiet and unmoving.

I swim closer to the jetty and tread water. “Are you okay?”

He nods.

“Sure?”

“Yes. I—” He gestures at the water. “I don’t do crazy stuff like this.”

“Skinny-dipping?”

“Yes.”

I swim backwards a short way. “There’s a first time for everything.” I tread water again. “Or not. It’s fine if you want to stay there. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable.”

I sink under the water for a few seconds and pop back up. I have to brush my hair out of my eyes again.

“Kian.”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

I frown. “For what?”

“Being you.”