Page 4 of Backwater Bachelor

“Sounds like you’ve had quite the life out here,” she says, her eyes sparkling with something obscure.

“It’s not as glamorous as what you’re probably used to but I like it,” I reply, chuckling. “What about you? You seem like you’ve got a story or two.”

She hesitates, a shadow crossing her face. “Yeah, I guess you could say that. But that’s for another time.”

There it is again. That feeling that she’s hiding something. A secret she’s not ready to share. I want to press, to ask her what’s bothering her, but I hold back. She’ll tell me when she’s ready.

A sudden tug on my line pulls me from my thoughts. “Got one!” I shout, reeling in the fish. Jane watches with wide eyes, clapping when I pull a decent-sized fish out of the water.

“That’s impressive,” she says, her smile genuine.

“Your turn,” I reply, handing her the rod. “I’ll help you.”

I move behind her, guiding her hands on the rod. Our bodies are close, and I can feel her warmth seeping into mine. I’m being forward, I know but at the same time I don’t care. She’s tense at first, but then she relaxes, leaning into me slightly. I can’t help but notice how good she feels, how right it seems to be here with her.

“Just like that,” I murmur, my lips close to her ear. “You’re doing great.”

She shivers slightly, and I hope it’s not just the breeze. She follows my instructions, and soon enough, she’s got a fish on the line. She laughs in delight as she reels it in, her face glowing with excitement and my heart squeezes.

“I did it!” she exclaims, holding up the fish.

“You sure did,” I say, grinning. “Told you the fish here were easy.”

We spend the next few hours like this, fishing, laughing, and talking. Every now and then, I find an excuse to touch her—a guiding hand on her back, a brush of our fingers as we pass the bait. Each touch sends a jolt through me, and I can tell she feels it too because each time I feel that jolt, her lids flutter and a flush spreads on her face.

When the sun starts to set, casting a golden glow over the bayou, I realize just how much I like her. More than I expected. More than I’ve liked anyone in a long time. But I can’t shake the feeling that she’s got a secret, something she’s not ready to share yet. It doesn’t matter that much, I’m willing to wait.

Besides, I’ll coax it out of her. One way or another.

5.

Jane

Fishing in the swamp with Danny is a pretty nice experience so far. The air is thick with the scent of wet earth and blooming wildflowers, and every now and then the buzz of dragonflies hits my ears. Danny, with his easy grin and sun-bleached hair, sits across from me in the boat, his eyes glinting with mischief every time our gazes meet.

“How about you cook me a feast later?” he teases, casting his line effortlessly into the murky water.

“You wish, swamp boy,” I retort, fumbling with my fishing rod. “Besides, nobody in their right mind would ever ask me to cook.”

We both laugh, the sound blending into the calls of distant birds. Despite the playful jabs, there's a warmth to our exchanges that feels like home, even out here in the middle of nowhere. The sun climbs higher, turning the air into a stifling blanket. Sweat trickles down my back, making me squirm.

“Whew, it’s getting hot,” I say, fanning myself with my hand. “Do you think it’s okay if I take a dip?”

Danny looks around theatrically, then back at me with a grin. “No gators in this part, promise. Go ahead.”

“Alright, but if I get eaten, I’m haunting you,” I joke, standing up and peeling off my tank top and shorts, revealing my underwear underneath. Most girls wouldn’t probably go this far but I’ve never been shy with my body, thanks to my wonderful hippie aunt who raised me.

“I’d expect nothing less,” he replies, his voice suddenly husky and that playful glint in his eye is gone, replaced by something that makes me desperate to cool off.

With a mock salute, I dive into the refreshing water, sighing in relief as it envelopes me. I swim around for a bit, relishing in the freedom, while Danny stays in the boat, occasionally making a comment that makes me laugh.

“First time swimming?” he teases, leaning over the side.

“Nope, but this might be the first time I ever drown someone,” I shout back, splashing water at him but quickly stop when something bumps against my leg. Panic shoots through me like lightning.

“Danny!” I yelp, my heart pounding. “Something just touched me!”

”Shit.” Danny pales. ”Jane…I need you to swim toward me as fast as you can.”

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