I felt panic encompass me, my lungs were burning. I tried to kick up to the surface, but my hoodie had caught onto something. The water was murky brown, and I saw the dark shapes moving in on me.
Darkness was closing in on me. Well this sucks, I thought as I fought against it. Who knew water and a river monster was going to be the death of me?
Chapter 27
I threw up my entire banana, along with all the water I had inhaled. I blinked as I looked around. My connections, my family, my friend’s mouths were moving, but I didn’t hear anything.
Looks like rain is coming in. The clouds are moving in. Angry, angry sky. Time for the heavens to weep. Oooh, maybe I can have a rainy day. I’ll ask Jace to play the violin for me. I’ll lay in Remy’s lap, so he could play with my hair while Troy gives me a foot massage. I can curl up with a book while I rub my hands through Noah or Jaxson’s hair. I’ll ask Drake for one of his kisses and his famous chicken soup.
I’m cold. Soup sounded good. On second thought, maybe I would like a hot bath and ask Drake to join me. We could read together in companionable silence.
Damn, my ribs hurt. I had my ribs fractured before. One of Heidi’s boyfriends kicked me once. He thought it was funny when I feared him. He was a big man. I was eleven, maybe. I could barely breath and Heidi wouldn’t take me to the hospital. It hurt to breath. It hurts to breath now.
“Blake!” Drake’s voice sounded so far away as his face came into my vision. I loved the sound of his voice. I mean, all my guys had great voices, but Drake had this Zen, relaxing, musical quality to his.
“Blake,” Drake repeated. Why did he sound so scared? I hated seeing him scared. His mom did a number on him. Why did she leave him? Who would ever want to leave him? Who would ever want to hurt him, period? He’s sensitive. I loved that about him.
“Blake.”
I heard his voice again, and it finally seemed to clear my mind of all its ramblings. Everything came rushing back to me. I remembered how the water had churned. How waves had appeared from nowhere. I lost my balance, dropped my barriers, panicked, and then I almost drowned. Drake’s hair was wet soaking wet, his hair dripped into his face, so I assumed he had jumped in after me.
I blinked again and tried to sit up. “Oww,” I hissed in pain. “What happened? Why were there waves?”
“That bitch is what happened!” Jemmy screamed across to the other side. My head felt fuzzy, I had no clue what she was talking about.
I vaguely saw the other team on the opposite team screaming and crying.
“Enough, Jemmy, let’s go,” Drake said looking at me with guilt-filled eyes. “Blake, do you want me to carry you to the finish line? We’re almost there.”
I nodded, too tired, too hungry, too cold. My teeth chattered. My body shook. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t stop it.
“You two need to get out of those clothes,” Jace insisted as he tore off his sweatshirt.
“Everyone in a circle around her, backs turned unless you’re her connected,” Terrance said gruffly.
The sky was blotted out as the other members from my team formed a circle around us. I was touched by their thoughtfulness. My guys knelt around me within their circle.
Remy lifted me by while Jace took off my sopping wet clothing. “Noah,” Jace stated as he pointed to my ribs.
I hissed as the chilly air hit my bare skin.
Noah placed his hands on my ribs, and I felt the warmth seep in at his touch. The pain in my ribs receded.
I watched Drake strip down to his boxers and couldn’t help but admire his broad shoulders and lean muscled build. He blushed when he caught me looking at him. I attempted to grin at him.
Troy came into my view, dressed only in his sweatshirt and boxers. “Here, Misty,” he insisted as he slid his sweatpants on me.
“She’s good, let’s go,” Jace stated urgently as some of the other team members started crossing the obstacle.
“I got your clothes, babe,” Remy grunted beside us as Drake lifted me. “Want me to take her?” he offered.
“No, no I got her,” Drake insisted, guilt in his eyes once more. Why did he look so guilty?
Remy looked at him for a moment then nodded. Damn their bro code and their silent conversations. I inwardly rolled my eyes. They had been together for so long, they often communicated with each other with no words.
I was lulled to comfort by Drake’s easy gait. I was warming up. I looked around and noticed my guys surrounding me as they ran. I looked down at my newly acquired sweatshirt. I breathed in the neckline. Citrus, leather, and Jace. He had clearly sweat in it, but it still smelled good, manly. Troy’s pants were too big on me, but the lining was warm and thick. I looked over Drakes shoulder and noticed Troy running along in just his boxers, occasionally I saw the flash of his manhood. I started to giggle, not able to help myself.
Jaxson raised a brow at me.