Page 53 of Twice as Forbidden

“Don’t worry.”

Don’t worry? His psychotic friend has turned his Wave Runner around and is speeding straight at us. “Yeah, I’m past that. Are you gonna move?”

“He’s not gonna hit us.”

“Great. For my sanity, move!”

“George, I can’t. He’ll win.”

Jesus Christ. “Noah, I don’t care if you—”

“I’m not fuckin’ movin’!” Vince is gunning toward us at an unsafe speed.

“He doesn’t look like he is. Seriously, this isn’t funny—”

“Fuckin’ chill. I got this—”

“No, you don’t! You’re scaring me. Move!”

“He’s not—”

“Noah!” I scream as Vince turns his Wave Runner too late and clips the front of ours. My grip on Noah loosens, and my body jerks, catapulting me off the runner. I slam into the water, engulfing a mouthful as I go under before the life jacket thrusts me back to the surface.

“Georgia!” Noah yells, but I’m too discombobulated to focus. My heart pounds in my ears, and I splutter, trying to breathe while blinking away the water in my eyes. “Fuck! George, are you okay?” Noah dives in and swims toward me, pulling me to him. “Hey, talk to me. Are you okay?”

I can’t help it. My lower lip begins to quiver. “Fuck you, Noah.”

“George, I’m sorry.”

I thrust my fists forward, hitting him in the chest. “You’re not sorry! I told you!”

“I didn’t think—”

“That’s the problem—you never think.” I wipe at the mixture of water and tears. “I want to go back.” He nods without another word and swims back to the Wave Runner, helping me climb on. I look over at Vince, and my skin runs cold at his smirk. Noah maintains a slow pace on the way back. When we arrive, I spot Jackson walking down to the boat ramp.

“Didn’t expect you guys back so—what happened?” His eyes land on me, the intensity I love and fear spreading across his face. “What the fuck, Noah?”

“It was an accident—”

“Accident? What the fuck happened?” Noah ties the WaveRunner up and attempts to help me off, but Jackson reaches out and takes my hand. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Fine.” Though, I can’t hide the distress in my voice. Jackson’s expression is murderous, and I don’t want to be the reason they fight.

“It really was an accident,” I fib.

“See? Simple oopsie-daisy. No one got hurt.” I hold in my own scowl at Vince. He climbs off his Wave Runner and jumps onto the boat, nudging my shoulder with his. “Right, Georgia?” His smile turns my stomach. He walks off in the direction where Noah left.

“Look at me,” Jackson orders. “Are you really okay?”

“Yeah, just freaked me out.”

“What happened?”

“It was an accident.”

“Peach, the truth.”

“They were playing chicken. Noah swore Vince would give in, but he didn’t.”

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