Page 81 of Hawaii Can Suck It

I join her at the edge, and suddenly every survival instinct I possess starts signaling internal alarm bells as if it’s a freaking fire drill. My brain flashes back to that ominous sign at the trailhead—the one with the waterfall image with the skull and crossbones.

“Uh, Cam? I don’t know if this is such a great idea. That’s… that’s a lot of down between here and there.”

She snorts. “Okay, yeah, right. Wait. Are you serious right now?”

“I just… Who’s to say if it’s safe for you to jump. I think you should—”

“Ohhellto the no. The guy who literally tied me to a bungee cord and launched me off a bridge for the Will This Kill Us? video. You thinkthisis too dangerous?”

I open my mouth. Nothing comes out.

Cam takes a step closer. “Do not start with that overprotective machismo crap, Dare. Or did you forget about Jamaica? You know, when your genius self belly-flopped from fifty feet up and I had to fish your unconscious ass out of the water while still holding the camera steady?”

“Yeah, well, that was different.”That was before the thought of you getting hurt made me want to build a fortress of bubble wrap around you and hire a squad of superheroes as your personal security detail.

I’ve spent my entire career laughing in the face of danger. Heights? Just another Tuesday. Wild animals? Bring it on. But this is different. This fear is foreign. Overwhelming. Bone-deep terror.

Picturing something bad happening to Cam feels like someone reaching into my chest and trying to rip out my fucking heart.

I swallow the lump in my throat. “Let’s hike down to the bottom. Could be fun? Lots of… walking… and… safety?”

“Oh, that’s cute.” She pats my chest. “You want to take the scenic route? Maybe stop for a snack? Sing to all the woodland creatures on the way down?”

I scowl. “I’m serious.”

“So am I. How about you take your little leisure stroll and enjoy the show from down there?”

Shit.The livestream. Our audience:

MOMMY AND DADDY ARE FIGHTING.

Protective Reece is making me feel things.

JUMP CAM, JUMP!

She’s not your property!

If this is about her thong, blink twice.

Oh, good. The internet thinks I’m a joy-blocking control freak.

The determination blazing in her eyes tells me I’m fighting a losing battle. I could throw down the authority card—play the boss angle—but that would only make her more likely to do something reckless the instant I turn my back.

“Fine.” I snatch the selfie stick. “But I’m jumping first. When I decide it’ssafe, then you can jump.”

“Whatever you say, boss.” She crosses her arms under her chest, giving her cleavage an extra boost that’s impossible to ignore.Talk about a power move.

Focus, dammit.Someone’s gotta protect those magnificent boobs, and apparently, today that someone is me.

I edge closer to the drop, mentally calculating trajectories. The water below is crystal clear—thank fuck—making it easy to spot the deepest section. My eyes scan for any hidden rocks, debris, or other threats. The darker blue patches signal deeper waters, so I map out the safest entry point with military precision.

“Listen…” I turn back to her. “You don’t jump unless I give the all-clear. Got it?”

She rolls her eyes but doesn’t argue.

“Squad, I do tons of stupid shit on this channel, but quick PSA—I’m a professional stunt person, and I take safety very seriously. Please, for the love of God, don’t try this at home. Unless you want your mom to hunt me down and shave off my eyebrows.”

I take off running.

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