Page 74 of New River Gorge(ous)
I grimace. “Past tense there is pretty crucial.”
“So you’ve done this before?”
I bob my head. I’ve done more than this before. I’ve rafted the Upper Gauley with Logan during Gauley season. A feat Ido not recommend to anyone except the most experienced of rafters.
“Interesting.” She studies me, then whistles, loud and shrill. “Logan! Give us some actual directions this time!”
Logan’s laughter floats on the breeze as he shouts instructions for the next set of rapids, still Class III, but a little more technical.
The white water sloshes over the boat as everyone tries to follow Logan’s calls. It’s not effective, and Melanie whoops before hanging onto my shoulder to stay in the raft. Although I had good balance, the extra weight throws me off-kilter, and I’m pitched out of the boat. I have a moment of panic when I hear Brooke scream my name, but the truth is, I grew up on this river, and I know what to do. It’s probably in my DNA.
I swim to the side of the river, letting the current carry me downstream to the next stretch of calm water. I manage to get there before the boat, so I wait, treading water. I take a moment to watch the people on the raft as it comes close enough that I can see everyone’s faces. Logan’s is not the jolly good time face he usually wears, Ben’s is stricken, and Melanie and Matt don’t say anything. But it’s Brooke’s face that clues me into what they think happened.
Brooke’s eyes are huge as she searches from side to side, looking everywhere along the river. She didn’t see me swim away; she only saw me go under.
“Hey!” I shout. “Hey, I’m ok.”
All the heads in the boat snap toward me.
“Get back in this boat, you…” Ben growls, and I know he has several colorful words he’d like to use but is refraining from since there are ladies present.
I swim over, and Ben reaches out to help me get back in. I’m dripping and a little cold in the air, but Brooke grabs my handwhen I pass. As soon as I sit down, she launches herself into my arms and wraps me in a hug.
“I thought you’d drowned,” she whispers against my shoulder while I rub soothing circles on her back.
“It would take more than that to do me in, love,” I whisper back, forgetting where we are and who we’re with.
When I look up, I find four faces gaping at me. Logan and Ben knew I loved Brooke, but I don’t think they anticipated how deep I’d jumped in. Hint, guys: forever.
Matt breaks the silence first. “Love?”
Melanie frowns as she turns toward Matt. “Some men don’t have commitment issues, apparently.” She flips her hair over her shoulder.
Logan and Ben look at each other for a brief moment before looking back at me. Ben raises his eyebrows, but Logan frowns.
“Uhh. Yes?” I say to Matt. “I know we haven’t spent much time together, but what did you think it meant when I called to tell you I was dating your sister and that I wanted to know you better?”
“I don’t know,” Matt sputters. “But I didn’t think it meant you were already inloveterrain.”
Brooke lets go of me and turns to face her twin. I can’t understand everything she says because she says it rapid fire, and I think it’s nonsense, but Matt shrinks back from her fury.
“Ok, sorry,” he says, holding his hands up. “Mel, I … don’t say those words until I mean them.”
“Then what am I even doing with you?” Melanie snaps.
Strange things happen on this river, but witnessing a couple fight in between rapids has to be the strangest thing I’ve ever seen.
“Melanie,” Brooke cuts in. “Matt is the taller twin, not the smarter one. He might not have told you it yet, but he clearlyloves you. You’re the only girl he’s dated for longer than a week in…” She closes her eyes and ticks off her fingers. “Ever.”
Melanie’s delicate eyebrows draw into sharp carats above her nose. “Really?” she asks as she swipes the back of her hand across her eyes. Mascara runs down her cheeks.
“Really,” Matt says, which results in Melanie throwing herself on Matt for a lengthy kiss.
Brooke averts her eyes after whispering, “Ewww.”
Logan and Ben look at each other, and then Ben calls, “Nope,” and dives out of the boat.
“Ugh. Can I join him?” Brooke asks, looking longingly at the water. “This is indecent.”
