Page 101 of Totally Wrecked
???
“You want to come to the pool with me?” I ask Keyara.
“I’m OK! I’m going to stay in bed for a while.”
“Fair enough!”
And actually that suits me. I need a little alone time. I haven’t had a period since we’ve been on the island; not really surprising, with all the stress and low calories. Today I feel crappy, though, like I’m on my period without actually bleeding. I tell the guys I’m going to the waterhole. Maybe a soak in fresh water will help my aches.
Harvey is off fishing; I can see him in the distance, so I don’t have to worry about him. Some days I function just fine, but other times I’m done. Overwhelmed.
Harvey ruined me.
No, I ruined myself by playing this game with Brooke. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. I’m just stupid Daisy who does stupid things, and ends up a mess.
Water helps. The pool more than the ocean.
I close my eyes, lower down, and let the water swallow me up. I’ve found a weird sense of peace when I’m under the water and hold my breath as long as I can. I hold my breath until I almost panic. I’m writhing around, the last tiny bit of oxygen in my lungs evaporating when a hand pulls me up and out.
Behind me, someone grabs hold and pulls me out of the water.
Instinct kicks in. I fight and scratch. Panic claws at me. I’m not going to let it happen again.
“Daisy? Breathe.”
I hit and I kick and I bite.
“Daisy.”
I blink, my chest heaving. Who? The red haze fades a little.
Oh my god, it’s not Harvey.
It’s Gray.
“I’m so sorry, Gray.” My whole body is shaking with fear.
Gray’s eyes connect with mine, and I can’t stop the reaction that happens; I shudder and collapse into his arms, sobs wracking my body.
I don’t know how long I cry, but at some point we must have gotten out of the water. I’m naked in Gray's lap. He is still fully dressed, his clothes soaked through.
He continues to rock me from side to side.
“Hush now, Daisy. I’ve got you. Shhh, you’re safe, baby.”
My hands are gripped onto his shirt like claws. He must feel the change in me because the rocking stops. “OK now?”
“Don’t let me go.”
“I won’t. I’m here.”
The fact he says that lets me relax my fingers so I’m no longer hanging on to him like a maniac.
Gray looks down at me and I see I’m being evaluated.
“I’m OK,” I tell him.
“You clearly aren’t. Would you tell me about it?”
