Page 34 of Diving In

“Actually, I do get it. I really do, and I’m so fucking sorry. I miss Fletcher too, every damn day. I would’ve never put you in that position had I known that was how it was going to end. It absolutely destroyed me seeing you so scared, but you have to know that I wouldneverlet anything happen to you. You simply mean too much. Can you just trust me on that?” he begged.

As much as I wanted to trust him, I was scared.

I avoided his question. “I don’t need your help, nor do I need Jack’s. I’m not putting myself through this just so Jack can feel better about how much he hurt my mom and me. I’m done with these letters, I’m done with Jack, and quite frankly, I’m done with this entire fucking island. It’s brought me nothing but pain, heartbreak, and more loss than I thought humanly possible. I don’t have to be here, I don’t have to do this anymore, and I’m not going to.”

“Jesus, Georgia,” Cal said, grabbing my face. “Nobody said anything about mehavingto help you. Did it ever occur to you that I’m invested in all of this because of you? Because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since you arrived back on this island? At the end of the day, it’s your decision if you want to go through with Jack’s little scavenger hunt. All I’m trying to do is be by your side while you make up your mind.”

We stared at each other for a moment, lost to the rawness we’d both just put out there. In an instant, our lips connected, pressing furiously against each other. Even with my eyes closed, I could feel the electricity releasing from his body and penetrating mine. His lips were securely against mine, his hands bracing both sides of my face, gently but with enough force that allowed me to feel his emotions, his apologies—all of it.

A little moan left the back of my throat. The passion was fiery and alive, pulsing between our bodies. I just wanted more—more of this kiss, more of this feeling, and more of him—but I couldn’t.

I yanked my head back and looked up at him, tears swelling in my eyes. “I can’t.”

He immediately dropped his hands from my face, his large frame moving away as he released his breath. “I’m sorry.” His voice wavered as if he had more to say, but instead, he turned toward the exit and walked right through it.

A part of me wanted him to look back, but I knew if he did, I’d never leave him. And if there was one thing I was sure of, it was that I had to get off this island.Now.

CHAPTER 14

Running out of the aquarium, I grabbed the pastel bike I’d ridden from Jack’s and started pedaling as fast as my legs would go. A storm rolled in while I’d been in the aquarium, dark threatening clouds looming overhead and a deep roar of thunder flirting through the sky. Raindrops the size of sand dollars began smashing down, pelting me in the face like little airsoft pellets, the ones that Fletcher used to shoot me with when we were little. I didn’t know if it was my tears or the rain unpleasantly piercing my face, but I didn’t care, I just kept pedaling. I had no idea what I was going to do, but I was determined to get back to Jack’s and figure it out on my own.

Unfortunately, the flavor of Cal’s kiss was the core memory that I couldn’t get out of my head—sweet with just a hint of mint. His lips had morphed to fit mine perfectly, soft but hungry. His body aligned flawlessly with mine, matching together like a puzzle piece.

These weren’t feelings anyone who’d gone through a recent breakup should be experiencing. I should feel shitty about the kiss that I just shared with Cal, but I didn’t… Not even in the slightest, because that kiss was fucking spectacular, something I wasn’t aware could actually occur in real life. It only lasted a few seconds, but those few seconds revealed so much about Cal. He started slow, gentle almost, and then he got greedy, and you could tell he wanted more. We both did.

I knew I had overreacted by taking it out on Cal when he was clearly just trying to help. I felt so guilty, I just wanted to apologize to him—again.

Somewhere between the aquarium and Jack’s house, I came across what used to be The Scoop. What was once a place full of sweet memories and delicious treats had long been replaced by an empty building full of nothing but dust and cobwebs. The only sign of life was a low-top wooden table equipped with two metal chairs that sat directly in front of the store.

My bike tires came to a halt as I placed my feet onto the paved road underneath me, the familiarity swimming through my veins. Just as I sat, I heard the sound of footsteps behind me and snapped my head down, hoping whoever it was wouldn’t stop to chat.

“Well, that was unexpected,” a familiar voice uttered from behind me. “I figured you were headed straight back to Jack’s.”

My heart sank.

“How’d you find me?” I asked Cal.

“You think I was going to let you run away from me again?I already made that mistake once before at breakfast this morning,” he said as he took the seat next to me. “I followed you from the aquarium. I just wasn’t expecting you to turn onto Blue Fin.”

I finally looked up, capturing his eyes in one swoop, taking my breath straight from my chest. You’d think I’d get used to those indigo eyes, but I swear they got deeper each time I looked into them.

“Cal… I’m so sorry. I’m sorry for treating you the way I have and for continuously taking my anger toward Jack out on you. You’ve done nothing but try to help.” My voice trailed off as my shame filled the space between us.

“It’s okay, Georgia. I appreciate the apology, but I also understand that there is a lot at play right now. I’m here for you in whatever capacity you’ll let me be.”

“I’m terrified, Cal. Everything about this island, the letters, the memories… It’s all really fucking scary,” I blurted out. “I have no idea how to do all of this, and that kiss was—”

“Fucking mind-blowing? Yeah, I agree, but that’s not the point. You can’t avoid everything forever, Georgia,” he interrupted. “I know it’s always been easier to run away when things get scary, but I’m afraid you’re going to let your fears dictate your entire life.” He paused, staring at me as if he wanted to say more but couldn’t decide what. “I want to show you something. Will you come with me?”

I hesitated as he reached for my hand, but he pulled me up to stand before I could express my reservations. “Cal—” I started.

“Please, just trust me, at least for the next ten minutes,” he pleaded.

I abided and walked closely next to him, hoping his presence would offer some comfort.

“What were some of your favorite memories from Sullivan’s Island back in the day?”

His question made me pause. This whole time I’d been so focused on all the shitty memories that I’d barely revisited any of the good ones. I thought about his question for a few minutes, trying to land on one that I wanted to share, and I realized in that moment just how many goodtimes I used to have here. My mind wandered until I landed on the perfect memory.

---