I twisted out of Jase’s hold and strode towards the rope swing. “When I do this, you have to stop giving me shit for the rest of the night.”
“Aw, come on, that’s no fun.” He ran a hand through his blond hair, the strands long on top and shaved on the sides. A look he thought was the epitome ofcool.
“You being silent sounds like plenty of fun to me,” I called back.
I heard a grunt and curse that I was pretty sure meant someone had gotten punched in the gut.
“That’s what you get for being a jackass,” Jase muttered.
I tugged off my t-shirt and tossed it onto my bag near the fire, leaving me in only my bikini. Lisbeth let out a loud whistle. “Get it, Laik.”
I shot her a grin. “Take a picture of Mitch and Isaac’s faces when I put them to shame.”
She held up her phone. “I’m going full video on this one.”
“Smart. We can post it everywhere.”
“You girls are brutal,” Mitch muttered.
“And it would do you well to remember that,” I called.
Before I could let myself have second thoughts, I grabbed hold of a wooden plank nailed to the tree. I hoisted myself up, rung after rung. My friends’ voices lifted on the early summer air, but I tuned them out, focusing only on my next steps.
I reached the platform in a matter of seconds. Who knew how long it had been up here? At this point, there were layers of boards reinforced by every generation who had frequented the spot.
I grabbed hold of the rope, the rough surface biting into my palms. Any blisters would be worth it for this minor moment of glory and bragging rights for the rest of the summer. I adjusted my grip and stared down at the water. It took a few moments to discern where the shore ended, and the water began.
My heart picked up speed as I stretched up onto my tiptoes, preparing to jump. I didn’t give myself a chance to reconsider; I let myself fly.
The wind whipped against my face as I swung through the night air. My palms burned, but I held tight to the rope, waiting for the moment when I knew I was fully over the lake. The rope gave a jerk, and I released my hold.
I arched into a backflip, the stars blurring overhead. Instead of releasing my tuck for a dive, I stayed in a tight ball for a second rotation, then opened into that extension. My hands and head hit the surface with a sharp sting.
The lake was colder than expected, stealing the breath right out of my lungs. I kicked towards the surface as my chest burned. Panic started to set in as my muscles seized. My face met air just in time, and I took a sharp breath.
I heard splashing by the shore as Jase waded into the water, his bare chest on display. I swam towards him. “I’m fine. Told you.”
Jase hauled me into his arms. “I think that’s enough daredeviling for tonight.”
I wrapped my arms around his waist. “Think Mitch and Isaac will keep their traps shut?”
Jase shook his head and nuzzled my neck. “If they don’t, I’ll shut them for them.”
I ran my fingers through his longish, dark hair. “What does it say about me that I support that move?”
He chuckled and kissed me as he strode towards the shore. “That you’re my girl.”
“I am, aren’t I?”
“Forever and a day.”
My stomach gave a healthy flip as if I’d taken another tumble from the rope swing. “Forever and two days.”
“Deal.”
Isaac chuckled. “Does she wear his balls on that necklace of hers?”
Jase smirked at him. “I know you’re jealous that you don’t have a girl as hot as mine, but you don’t have to be so obvious about it.”