Page 27 of Just Breathe

One continued up and the other went straight behind the waterfall. I walked straight on, when I decided I wanted to challenge myself a bit. I climbed up and the incline got a little harder. The trail became narrower, making my heart race with adrenaline. I slowed down, being extra cautious, realizing this was probably a bad idea.

If I didn’t reach a stopping point soon, I was going to have to turn around. I was tiring myself out. I was obviously not fit enough for this, and being this high up was scaring me.

“Son of a bitch, this was a stupid idea,” I huffed out, talking to myself.

“Jane?”

I jumped at the sound of my name, leaning too much on the cliff as I lost my balance and slid down, feeling my skin getting shredded. The pain was sharp, making me grunt as I tried to hold on to anything, so I wouldn’t fall. I caught myself on a piece of rock sticking out, cutting my palm. Callum appeared from up top, making his way towards me, quickly.

“Shit, I’m so sorry, Jane.” Callum helped me up, giving me support as we walked up to a small ledge. I winced when I tried to sit down. Looking down at my left thigh, it was a little shredded and so was my palm. “I didn’t mean to scare you.” Callum kneeled by me, inspecting my leg and hand. I felt a little embarrassed at how closely he was looking; all that cellulite was just staring back at him.

“It’s ok, I scare easily, and how could you have known? I was the idiot who thought I could climb this.” I tried to get my breathing under control.

“This looks pretty bad, Jane.” He ran a finger over the edge of one scrape, making me jump. The scrape was bleeding but didn’t look too bad.

“I’ll be fine. I just need to rest for a bit before I head back down because if I don’t, I just might fall off. Plus, I want to enjoy the waterfall. This is so cool.” I admired the water flowing down. It was very peaceful.

“You should have gone down to the ledge a little lower.” Callum sat down next to me, looking out to the waterfall.

“Yeah, I know. I don’t know why I thought it was a good idea to come this high, but to be honest, I probably would have escaped unscathed if you hadn’t scare me,” I joked, hoping he knew I was being playful.

He frowned. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t expect you.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. Nathan suggested it, but I’m sure he meant for me to try the not so high ledge.” I tried to stretch my leg out, but the scrapes burned. “It’s been a while since I’ve exercised or even attempted any physical activity, unless you call drinking exercise.”

“You didn’t intrude. I enjoy coming back here, but it’s more than just being alone.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Sometimes I need...”

“You need the noise to drown out the thoughts in your own head?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

He looked at me with no emotion on his face, like he didn’t have any emotions left to give. “They keep the demons at bay,” he whispered.

Goosebumps flared on my skin. I should have been weirded out or even scared a little, but I knew what he was talking about. The demons that I kept hidden, the demons that occasionally liked to peek out telling me to do stupid shit. I knew this man saw into my soul. We fought within ourselves every day and, for once, I was relieved. I used to think I was the only one who went through shit like this, even though my therapist said many people suffer from inner demons.

“Those damn demons never go away, huh?” I looked up at him. His hazel eyes bore into mine and I couldn’t hold his stare any longer, for fear he might see that I was broken with missing pieces that meant I would never be whole again.

“Only when I cum.” I glanced back at him, not expecting him to say something like that. I laughed.

“I guess that’s one thing I haven’t tried.” I smirked.

“I highly recommend it. It’s just a minute or two of bliss with nothing else to think about.” He shrugged as he tried to keep from smiling.

“I guess I’ll have to try it out.”With you?Ugh, of course my brain went there. Callum looked like he knew what he was doing, and he knew how to do it well. I’m sure all three of them had lots of experience. Aiden looked like he was a man who liked to take charge, boss you around, and he definitely gave off Dom vibes. Nathan looked like he was into some kinky things but could also make love, and Callum. Gosh, Callum looked like he could fuck you until you forgot your name, your legs were jelly, and you probably couldn’t walk properly for days.

My body flushed with arousal just thinking about it. Since Henry died, I hadn’t thought about sex with another person. It surprised me and it didn’t disgust me as I thought about it. I bit my lip at the image of fucking all three of them. I closed my eyes, hoping he wasn’t aware of the thoughts racing through my head.

“So, thank you.” I opened my eyes to see him staring at the waterfall.

“For what?” I asked, confused.

He took a breath and looked at me. “That crib you gave away; it went to my baby sister.”

“Your sister?” It was a little shocking to think of Callum with a little sister. I almost felt sorry for her and their high school years. He probably scared away all the boys with just a look.

He scowled. “Why do you look surprised?”

“Well, I was actually just feeling sorry for her because I figured with you as her brother, she probably was cock blocked a lot.” I smiled, picturing him scowling and glaring at all those guys.

“Obviously not enough. She got pregnant on a one-night stand and now she’s about to become a single mother.” He looked stressed out.

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