Body Shot (Last Shot)(60)

“I like this man.”

“He’s crazy. I’ll never go skydiving. He does insane things like rock climbing and scuba diving and mountain biking.”

“Paddleboarding must have been pretty tame for him,” Carrie said dryly.

“True.” Hayden paused. “That was probably for me.”

“Hmm. I like him even more for that.”

Something fluttered in Hayden’s belly. “Yeah, see, that’s the problem. I like him too.”

“Nothing wrong with that.”

“He’s not part of my plan, Carrie.” Her voice came out sounding a little desperate. “I have to stick to my plan. Aunt Gina falling and breaking her hip wasn’t part of my plan either. Everything is getting messed up.”

“You know it’s not up to you to do everything for your aunt and uncle.”

“They need help right now. I can’t blow them off because I want to risk my life skydiving.”

“Relax your foot.” Julia tapped her instep, making Hayden aware of the tension that had tightened her body. She sank back into the chair and Julia dug her thumbs into Hayden’s sole.

Hayden closed her eyes and swallowed a moan. “Sweet Jesus, that feels good.”

The massage continued up her calf, working at tight muscles there too.

“Calm down, Hayden. Just because something happens that you didn’t plan for doesn’t mean your entire life plan is ruined. You can help your aunt and uncle and still have time to go out with Beck. And your work will get done. You can’t cure cancer overnight.”

“I know that,” Hayden mumbled. She stared at her feet being wrapped in a towel. She did know that. She knew that her goals were very long-term. She’d had to learn patience. “But life’s not one big party either.”

“No. It’s not. There are parts of life that are shitty and tough as hell. You know that. Which makes it even more important to enjoy the fuck out of the parts that aren’t.”

Hayden nodded. “So you’re saying I should see Beck again and let him take me on some crazy adventures.”

“Yes, I am.”

Hayden nodded slowly, even though her insides were in knots. “I’m not sure if I can do that.”

“I know it’s hard for you to let go and loosen up.”

“It’s not just that. It’s…well, having all these feelings is…frightening.”

“And yet your dude is jumping out of a plane right now.”

Hayden pushed out her bottom lip briefly as she contemplated that. “That does make me sound pretty gutless, doesn’t it?”

“It does. Go for it! Just enjoy it!” Carrie looked at the girl now painting her toenails Pinkalicious. “What do you think, Adena?”

Adena smiled. “Well, it’s none of my business for sure, but this guy sounds really hot, so I agree.”

“Me too,” said Julia, one hand holding Hayden’s foot, with the bottle of Candy Apple polish expertly supported, her other hand with the tiny brush poised above Hayden’s toes. “It sounds like you need fun.”

“That’s exactly what I’ve been saying!” Carrie said.

Hayden drew in a long breath and let it out as Julia stroked glossy red polish onto a nail. She wasn’t even sure she’d ever hear from Beck again, but whatever crazy idea he came up with next, she would go for it.

Maybe.

No, she would.

Probably. Depending.





Chapter 16


Beck drove along Otay Lakes Road after the tandem jump, feeling alive with adrenaline buzzing in his veins. Alive and horny.

He grinned. Adrenaline did that to him.

He passed by scrubby brown hills dotted with chaparral¸ the grass dry and dusty. On the other side of the road the water of Lower Otay Lake sat still and calm, reflecting images of the trees and sky.

Telling Hayden about his fear of heights had made him reflect back on his first time jumping out of a plane and how he’d been sure he was going to piss himself. Or puke. Or both. But he’d done it and now there was nothing like it.

People paid big bucks to tandem jump with a Navy SEAL, and the money they paid went to the Trident Foundation. It was a win-win-win way to give back.

He imagined giving Hayden that experience—her strapped to him as they jumped. His grin broadened. Christ, going to the beach for a walk spontaneously was an adventure for her. He couldn’t even imagine the rush she’d get from skydiving.

But yeah, when she’d turned him down he’d known it was too soon. He wanted to open her world to some of the crazy things he liked, but he knew he couldn’t do that all at once. And again, he wasn’t sure why he had an intense need to do this for her. With her. Exploring those hidden depths to her, depths she didn’t even seem to know she had.