Page 31 of No More Words

Blaze set down the oar and dropped into the water. He sank below the surface and came up for air on the other side of the tree. “I don’t see him. He’s not here.”

He has to be. “Keep looking.” She wasn’t ready to give up. They couldn’t. She wouldn’t lose her brother.

Blaze took a deep breath and went below. Olivia stood in the canoe to get a better look. Legs braced, she balanced in the boat. Blaze came up for air again and again.

“Any luck?” she asked.

He shook his head and she started shaking. She felt sick and prayed out loud they’d find him alive. She’d never been so scared.

Blaze disappeared below the surface and she counted to thirty. It was the longest thirty seconds in her life before he surfaced beside the canoe. She released the breath she’d been holding and almost cried. Their eyes met.

“He’s not here,” he said.

“Don’t say that,” she cried.

“We should get my dad.”

“No! He’s here. He has to be. We can’t leave him.”

“Liv—”

A loud roar burst behind her with a wave of water. Olivia felt herself going over. She sank below the surface, kicking and twisting. A hand grabbed her under her shoulder, fingers digging into her armpit, hauling her up.

She gasped when she surfaced.

“You okay?” Blaze asked.

“Yeah.” She sputtered, wiping water from her eyes. Turning around, she looked back at the canoe. Lucas sat in the middle seat hugging his sides, laughing.

“Fucking idiot,” Blaze grumbled.

“You should have seen your face.” Lucas pointed at her.

“Where’ve you been?” she asked, her teeth chattering. She was still in shock. They’d almost lost him.

“Watching you doofuses freak out.”

“Asshole.” Blaze swam to the canoe.

“That wasn’t funny.” Olivia swam around the stern, hoping she was hidden from view. She was about to burst into tears. She really thought he’d drowned.

Blaze pulled himself into the canoe. “We’re late. Let’s go back.”

In their haste to return before anyone noticed they were gone, they forgot to put their life vests back on. Olivia paddled aggressively, throwing off their rhythm. She was furious with Lucas. This time he’d gone too far. Lily and Tyler were waiting on the dock. Mr.Whitman watched for them from the deck.

“We’re screwed,” Lucas muttered.

“It’s your fault we took so long,” Olivia hissed.

“There you are,” Tyler said when they were within earshot.

“We’ve been calling and calling and calling,” Lily added.

“Blame Lucas.” Olivia got out and stomped down the dock.

Lucas followed, giggling. “You should have seen your faces. Lucas! Lucas!” He mimicked Olivia.

“Not funny, douche.” Blaze was angry. But not as angry as Olivia. Blaze wouldn’t lose his summers at the lake. His parents owned the house.

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