Page 50 of Places I've Never Been

“Youarea dead fish,” Cooper said.

Brandon laughed. “Yeah, let’s hang him upside down like they do the really big ones.”

They shuffled around, but in the end Brandon and Cooper weren’t tall enough to hang Flynn upside down so they woundup holding him lengthwise, with his body stretched in front of Mattie and Tina. Adam stood behind the girls and puckered his lips.

Mattie giggled the entire time, and even Tina smiled with genuine amusement.

“Fantastic! You are going to love these shots, I guarantee it.” Don put the lens cap back on his camera. “I’ll make sure you get prints for your wall and a thumb drive to take home before you leave.”

Adam shook his hand. “Thanks, man. That would be great. Maybe we could try another one tomorrow night. We need one with LT.”

“You got it,” Don said. He nodded and waved to everybody. “If you want more shots, just ask any of the staff. I’m always around. Have a great time, everybody.”

Bayo stepped forward. “And now we are ready, yes?”

Nassor stepped forward and passed out the life vests and safety tips, and then Bayo helped everyone board the Jet Skis. Brandon and Flynn claimed the one-seaters before anyone else could while Cooper put Tina on one of the two-seaters, then climbed on behind her. She beamed at him as he put his hands on her hips.

That left one two-seater for Adam and Mattie to share.

Mattie stared at it doubtfully. “Maybe I should just…”

Brandon revved his engine. “Come on, Mattie, it’s fun.”

“No way we’re leaving you behind,” Adam told her. He climbed on, taking the front position while he avoided his brother’s knowing gaze. He held out a hand. “Come on. I’ve got you.”

“No need to worry, Miss Mattie. It is like riding a bicycle. You can do that, yes? Here, I will help.” Nassor held Mattie steady while she climbed on behind Adam.

She slipped onto the seat and grabbed Adam’s life vest with both hands. “I’d feel better if it didn’t rock so much.”

“Just hold on tight.” He glanced back at her. “Don’t worry. I won’t bite. Yet.”

She huffed out a nervous laugh, then wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed.

“Ack. Can’t. Breathe,” he teased.

She let go with a giggle. “Sorry!”

“Around my waist.” He guided her hands until they rested below the vest, where she could squeeze without cutting off his oxygen. “There. Think of it as a horse on water. Roll with the motion.”

“There’s no chance of drowning if you fall off a horse,” Mattie grumbled.

“No chance of being eaten by a shark either,” Flynn called out in an overly cheerful tone.

Adam glared at him. “That’s not helping.”

Flynn glanced at Mattie and winked.

“Don’t listen to him,” Adam told her. “He’s an idiot who won’t be alive much longer.”

Mattie tightened her grip.

Bayo waved her hand to get their attention. “Ready?”

Everyone nodded and shouted, “Yes.”

“Here we go,” she called out, then pulled away from the dock and out onto the open water.

One by one, they all took off. Brandon and Flynn got an early lead as they raced each other in the general direction Bayo indicated.

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