Page 114 of Body Shot

“I’m here for the tandem skydive. To raise money for the Trident Foundation. Hayden Miles.”

He taps away on a computer, peering at the screen, and nods. “Perfect. The training session will begin in about half an hour. I just need your credit card and for you to read through and sign this waiver.”

I hand over my card.

“First time skydiving?”

“Yes.”

“Terrified?” He grins as he passes me the credit card slip to sign.

He has no idea. “Yes.” My fingers shake so badly my signature is nothing like it normally is.

“We take pride in all our safety procedures; you’ll be very safe. You’ll jump from about thirteen thousand feet. You’ll free fall for a minute or so, and at about five thousand feet your tandem partner will deploy the parachute. Then you’ll have a nice five- or six-minute ride over some amazing scenery. Our drop zone is soft and grassy. And when you’re done, you’ll get a certificate you can show off to friends and family.”

I nod, and swallow through a tight, dry throat.

“And it’s for a good cause. The Trident Foundation was started by Beck Whitcomb as a way to support Navy SEALs and their families. Your generosity will help with that.”

My head rears up from the waiver document. “Wait, what? Beckstartedthe Trident Foundation?”

“Yeah.” The guy nods and smiled. “He does tons of stuff to support it.”

I suck in a breath. Something else he didn’t share with me. Wow.

I flip through the ten-page waiver document. Jesus Christ! The words all blur together and bands tighten around my chest. Whatever. Undoubtedly it says I can’t sue them if I crash and die. Well, if I die, I won’t care about that.

I’m not going to die.

Itotallycould die. How crazy is this?

I scrawl another illegible signature onto the waiver form. A group of three young guys arrive, who are cracking jokes and laughing nervously. I’m not going to be the only one in that plane ready to pee my pants.

I wander around, looking at a picture on the walls as the other people sign up. As the door opens again, I turn around . . . and in walks Beck.

25

BECK

I want to feel alive. I want that adrenaline rush that’ll remind me I’m still living. I need the intense distraction of focusing on inspecting equipment and following procedures to ensure safety.

I walk into Suncoast Skydiving, ready for the tandem jump they scheduled for today. A few other guys are participating, too. I step inside from the bright sunshine and blink. As my vision adjusts, I find myself staring at Hayden.

I blink again and give my head a hard shake.

What the fuck?

I prowl toward her. “Hayden? What the hell are you doing here?”

Her throat works as she swallows, and she wraps her arms around her waist. “I-I’m your tandem skydiving partner today.”

I stare at her. My mind empties. I cannot fucking figure out what is happening.

“Why?” I ask stupidly.

She swallows again. “Because I want to be brave.”

Something cold and hard in my chest softens and warms. “Baby,” I murmur.

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