Page 136 of Don't Look Down

“No. Fuck, no. I’ll never be ready for this, but I’m going to do it.” He looks back at Frankie. “Fair warning, I might shit my pants, but it’s happening.” Frankie cackles. Landon beckons me over, softly kissing my lips and brushing his fingers across my cheeks. “I love you, Skylar. I’ll see you soon.”

Frankie lightens the moment. “That almost felt like a threesome for a minute. I was scared things were gonna get awkward.” Landon’s laugh loosens some of his tension.

“I’m ready," he says. He assumes the position, eyes tightly closed. “Don’t look down, don’t look down, don’t look down,” he mutters.

Time slows as they tilt forward. Landon’s eyes open wide, and they jump.

Oh my god. He really did it. He fucking jumped out of a plane for me. My feet are glued in place. I’m frozen. I should follow him, but I can’t. This view normally excites me, but I feel sick to my stomach. My heart isn’t racing with excitement, but with nerves. What if something goes wrong?

My hands tingle and my legs are shaky. Rationally, I know I can do this. I’ve done it a million times, it feels like, but I can’t stop remembering Andrew’s lifeless body. His blank eyes. I wasn’t fast enough to save him.

But… What if Landon needs me? I’m twiddling my thumbs in this fucking plane. He’s way ahead of me at this point. I have to do it. I have to jump.

Landon’s in good hands, but things happen. He needs me. I need to be there for him like he’s always there for me. I make my way toward the hatch. I’ve got this. Everything is going to be okay.

“I’m going, Gary,” I yell.

“Fuck yeah!”

After one final check of my equipment, I fly.

Adrenaline courses through my blood. The wind catches me like a long-lost friend. I’m flying. Gliding in the sky, freefalling closer to the earth below. Slightly hysterical laughter bubbles up out of my chest. I visualize the fear that’s still present, but I consciously box it up and shove it further back into the recesses of my mind. I don’t have time for fear.

I’m looking for Landon and Frankie.

Their parachute deploys, springing up above them and slowing their fall.

Fuck yes. No issues with that, thankfully.

Two other canopies are fully deployed. All of my people are safe in their glide to the ground.

My altimeter beeps a warning, and I slow my descent, bracing for deployment. A little farther, and I pull the ripcord. I cackle like a crazy person.

A broken piece of my puzzle slots itself into place.

Fucking Landon.

God, I needed this. Cayden, Luc, and Landon made this happen.

I’m nowhere near healed from the trauma of the day Andrew died, but I feel a little bit more like myself, and I don’t hate it.

Their canopies approach the landing zone, and my heart takes off in my chest. Visions of Andrew landing flash before my eyes. Their landings are smooth, but I come to the realization that Landon has been right this whole time. I need help.

Professional help.

It’s time I take care of myself and my mental health. I need therapy to help me work through the memories, the lingering guilt I shouldn’t be feeling. There’s a lot to unpack, and I can’t do it on my own. I’ll be strong and take that step.

My feet hit the ground a few moments later, my landing smooth as can be. Landon’s arms are around me before I can even process. He’s trembling, shaking in my hold. Laughter bubbles out of him.

“Holy shit, babe, that was insane. Fucking terrifying. Awesome, but insane.” He kisses me again. “And I’m never fucking doing that again.”

EPILOGUE

Landon

Sky seemed to hit a breakthrough after our jump. He scheduled an appointment with a therapist. He’d opened up about scenes from the accident replaying over and over in his head. In his nightmares. It’s completely understandable. He witnessed something tragic, something nobody should ever have to see. His grief still tries to drag him down.

I see his struggle. There are days when he’s not his usual sunshine-y self. On those days, I cuddle him extra close, but don’t rush his process. There’s no easy fix for what he’s experiencing. I’m ready to listen to him on days he wants to talk about it. They’re few and far between, but it’s amazing seeing him share. Therapy is helping.

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