Page 47 of F*cking Shattered

He pulls away suddenly. “Are you serious?”

I laugh and nod. “Want to go for a naked swim?”

“Hell yeah!” He pulls his shirt above his head. His shoes, socks, jeans, and boxers follow quickly after.

I pull my shirt off and toss it on top of his clothes. “Oh, go ahead. I’m going to grab us some towels and I’ll catch up to you.”

“Alright.” He presses one last kiss to my lips before unlocking the door and sliding it open.

A wide smile covers my face as I turn around and cross my arms over my chest, waiting.

“Five.”

“Four.”

“Three.”

“Two.”

“On— ”

River rushes back into the room. He closes the door quickly behind him and pulls the curtain closed. He spins around and presses his back to the glass like he can’t even stand anymore.

“What’s the matter?” I smile.

His eyes are wide and his face is slightly pale, almost green. “You…you did that on purpose.”

“Did what?” I move towards him and try pushing him out of the way to look out. I know what I’ll see. “I promise it is a nude beach, was everyone else wearing suits?” I feign innocence.

He turns around to stop me from opening the curtain. “No. This is a retirement home, isn’t it?”

I bust out laughing. “It’s assisted living!”

His hands fly to his hair, making it stand in all directions. “It was horrible. I’ve never seen so many saggy, wrinkly breasts in my whole life.”

I fall into the floor, holding my stomach from laughing so hard.

“Balls swinging between two little, boney knees.” His voice is filled with disgust and fear, and it only makes me laugh harder.

My eyes are leaking tears faster than I can wipe them away, and my lungs burn for oxygen.

“It’s not funny. One old man dropped his sunglasses. He bent down and I saw things…” his words are cut off by a loud gagging sound.

“Stop! Please stop!” I say around a fit of laughter. “I can’t—I can’t take anymore.” I’m shaking my head, unable to move from the floor.

Suddenly, River looks pissed, but even that doesn’t stop the tickle in my stomach from getting him back.

“Why’d you do that? You had to know this is a nursing home and not regular apartments. How’d you even get us in here?”

I hold out my hand for him to help me up as my laughing dies down. “I didn’t get this place to burn you, but I had to take the opportunity. I know how you hate missing out on once in a lifetime chances.” Another bout of laughter escapes me.

“Jovi?”

Oh my God! I have to stop laughing. Think of something sad.

Katie.

My laughing slows, allowing me to wipe the tears away from my eyes, and I take a deep breath.

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