Page 11 of The Game
‘Cheer up,’ he said, giving her hand a squeeze as they moved in the direction the others had gone. ‘Anyone would thinkyoudidn’t want to be here.’
‘I’m not sure I do. Not when you look like you’re about to pass out.’
‘I’ll tell you what, I’ll try as hard as possible not to vomit, if you promise you’ll forget what a wimp I am and enjoy yourself.’
She couldn’t help the smile that tugged at her mouth. ‘You’re not a wimp. You’re incredibly brave.’
She’d remember this moment; when she was deep in the midst of her treatment and hating life, she’d remember Dean’s bravery and draw strength from it.
Inside the hangar, they were given a safety briefing and were told what to expect and what they’d need to do from the time they got on the plane to when they finally had two feet planted on the ground again. As they’d already changed into their jumpsuits, there was only one thing left to do.
Dean boarded the plane first, and Alyssa climbed in after him. Once they were in the air, the noise was so intense, it was difficult to communicate. They were each strapped to their tandem instructor, and Dean kept yelling over his shoulder at his, clearly looking for reassurance that everything was fine, that they’d be safe, and all would go according to plan. Each time, the instructor nodded, but Dean’s look of terror didn’t subside, and Alyssa feared he’d pass out at any moment.
She had to do something. After everything he’d done for her, unwittingly helping to ease her troubled mind, she had to alleviate his fear—or at least give him something to look forward to. But all too soon, it was her turn, and her tandem instructor moved them into position. The wind whipped and slapped against her face, her jumpsuit, her safety glasses. She glanced back at Dean, who sat with his eyes closed, looking a shade too green.
‘Hey!’ Yelling over the noise of the engine and the wind, she reached out to grab his ankle.
His eyes cracked open.
‘I’ll make it worth your while.’ She grinned, trying to ease his nerves. ‘I’ll give you a big kiss when you land.’
Probably not the best idea, but right now, she’d do anything to make him feel better.
Dean’s brows rose, and his instructor punched his arm. ‘Nice one, dude! You’re about to have a ripper of a morning. A sixty-second freefall and a big smooch!’
Then Alyssa was out the door and flying. The ocean below was immense and majestic and blue. She threw her arms wide and whooped, her voice lost on the airstream. This was freedom. Nothing but her and the guy strapped to her back, the sky above, and the earth fifteen thousand feet below. She felt invincible as she hurtled towards the beach, and in that moment, everything else seemed insignificant. If she could throw herself from a plane, she could do anything. If Deancould face his fears, then she would summon all her courage and determination to beat her illness.
Her instructor set the ’chute free, and in the next moment it caught the wind, sending jolts through her body and causing her legs to swing wildly beneath her. She squealed and shouted and laughed with the thrill of it, then glancing up, she witnessed the moment Dean’s ’chute was pulled. He’d done it!
Knowing he’d be fine and this would all be over quickly, Alyssa soaked in the view as they floated and swirled through the air. She glanced in the direction of home and tried to catch a glimpse of her parents’ house. Then her gaze shifted to the beach, and she stared mesmerised at all the teeny people clustered along the shore. When her instructor pulled a cord and caused them to spiral, her attention was drawn higher, further afield to the surprising length and vastness of Garden Island, and she marvelled at how miniscule so many prominent landmarks appeared. This was what she’d wanted—to see this place, her home, from a new perspective. It made her think about how much things had changed in the last few months.
When she’d received her diagnosis and had put her life on hold to come home, it was as if she’d been forced through the open doorway of the plane, instead of leaping willingly like she’d just done. And instead of enjoying the freefall, she’d been floundering, hurtling towards the earth at terminal velocity, terrified there’d be no ’chute to catch her. But then she’d run into Dean, and now she was coming at life from a new angle. And though things might never be the same, she was adjusting to a new way of being, finding beauty in places she’d never thought to look. Yes, life had changed and she was facing new challenges, but that didn’t mean it had to be any less rewarding than a career in the orchestra.
Now, as her heart soared, the ground was fast approaching, and her instructor pointed out the landing zone—a narrow strip of beach near the grain terminal. The first jumper had already landed, and the second was getting into position to do the same. It was her turn next, and though it seemed like an eternity had passed since she’d left the plane, she knew it had been only a matter of minutes.
Just over the shoreline, they turned in the air, rounding on the beach and the small crowd gathered there. Alyssa lifted her feet as instructed, and a second later, she was back on solid ground.
She shook, adrenaline still coursing through her body, as she glanced up to watch Dean coming in to land. The ground crew worked on releasing her harness, tugging her this way and that while her instructor offered his congratulations. But she had eyes only for Dean. As he landed, the last of her straps was released.
‘Go get him then!’ Her instructor gave her a gentle nudge, and she set off running.
‘Dean!’
He looked up, and his face broke into a radiant smile when he saw her.
‘You did it!’ She bounded towards him.
He caught her in his arms and, burying his face in her neck, held her tightly. ‘I am never doing that again.’
She pulled back to look at him. ‘But you did, and I’m so proud of you!’
He smiled softly, his gaze dropping to her lips. ‘How ’bout that kiss?’
A warning in her gut niggled. Yes, she wanted this, and she was pretty sure Dean did too, but she had to protect them both.
She lifted her hand to his cheek. ‘What are the rules, Dean?’
He stared at her, and for a moment, she worried that he was too serious, too intent. But then he grinned, put his hand to hers, turned and smacked a loud kiss to her palm. ‘Fun. Casual. No hearts.’
