Page 49 of Crew Princess
“Yeah.” A long, drawn-out sigh. “My parents were up here. They’re working on a more hands-on project. I kinda got brought with them.”
Four more steps, down a sudden steep incline, and she paused. “It’s right here.”
Here?
I lit my phone up, swinging it over the land. She was right. There was a hole smack in the middle, and it was just big enough for one person to jump in at a time.
Zellman and Cross came up behind us. He bent down, helping Jordan to his feet.
Zellman stepped up, shining his phone directly over the hole. “Shit.” He looked up. “You can’t see anything in there. You sure that goes to water?”
She took a deep breath, stepping forward. “Yeah. I mean, I saw it yesterday.”
“Yesterday? You’ve never jumped in it?”
“No…” Her head suddenly popped up high. “But I’ll be the first now. I promise. I’m just…” She was still wavering.
“What’s the problem?” asked Cross.
“I’m, uh…” A laugh hitched on a slight sob came from her. “I’m scared of heights.”
“Oh. I’m sure jumping in a dark hole at night is totally helping.” Zellman was sarcastic.
I hit his arm.
He shot me a glare. “She’s a stranger, and now she’s trying to get us to jump into who knows what? Is that a bear hole? Could be a bear hole.”
Jordan frowned. “Are bear holes a thing? Really?”
“Oh my God! I’m going.” And without further ado, she did just that. She rushed forward and disappeared into the hole. A second later we heard a splash and then, “I’m okay. I’m swimming to the side.”
Now we really did have to jump.
Cross’ arm brushed mine. “Our phones.”
I finished for him. “Will be destroyed.”
“Nope! Nope! Hold on.” Zellman was reaching into his pockets, fishing things out. “Aha!” He produced three condoms. He waved them, grinning. “I knew these would come in handy.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah.” He shrugged, already ripping open one and stuffing his phone inside it, then double tying the end. “I might even have more to double wrap them. We gotta try, at least.”
He was right.
I hated that he was right, but I didn’t know why.
It was wrong, putting our phones into condoms, but desperate times, desperate measures.
“Oh!” Jordan dug in his pockets now too. “Wait. I have a baggie. Hell yeah!”
“Uh… guys?” Her voice rose up from the water. “What’s going on?”
“We’re coming,” I called, handing my phone to Jordan. “Here. One of us has to go down there with her.”
As soon as he took it, Cross grabbed my hand. He pulled me in, his lips brushing mine, and then I grinned, stepping backward. I was airborne for a second.
“Oh!”
