Page 30 of Accidentally Joining His Cult

I glance up at him, and he looks so proud of me for that one step, that I decide to go for the next one. Then I kind of blackout until I’m on the platform with Cody, and he wraps his arms around me in a big bear hug.

I immediately sink into the embrace, appreciating how secure I feel in his arms after being so unsteady on the bridge.

“You did amazing,” he encourages after pulling back. “Wasn’t it exhilarating?”

“Wait, wait. I wasn’t done.” I pull him back in, not ready for the hug to end. Or to continue this stupid course.

Cody laughs, giving me a tight squeeze before he steps over to the next obstacle. This one involves a rock wall.

Great. Let’s go even higher.Just what I wanted.

Cody’s already clipping in, and I decide to focus on the bright side of the situation: at least I get to watch him climb. And what a sight it is.

I’m probably drooling, but the course is big enough that we have some space to ourselves, and no one can call me out on it.

Before long, Cody is at the top of the wall, kneeling over the side of what I assume is another platform.

I don’t want to give myself more time to freak out before I begin, so I grab onto a rock and begin my ascent. Thankfully, the wall that the stones are attached to doesn’t move, and I get to the top without incident.

Between the humid Florida air and the surprising amount of strength this climb demands, I’m sweating when I reach the top. At least wearing all black hides how much effort this actually took.

Cody helps pull me up into a standing position, and I’m confused by the lack of obstacles in front of us. “Are we supposed to climb back down now?”

“It’s a zip line.” He chuckles, gesturing to the platform about fifty feet ahead and slightly below us. He tugs on his cords, making sure that the clips are secure, and squats down a bit like he’s preparing to jump.

“No fucking way, absolutely not,” I say as I grab Cody’s arm, preventing him from leaping and abandoning me up here.

He returns to his full height and looks down at me with concern. “What’s wrong?” Then, his expression shifts as he seems to understand. “I’m so sorry, Beck, are you afraid of heights?” He looks so apologetic, and I hate that I’m the reason his gorgeous smile is gone. “I should have asked what activities you wanted to do instead of assuming,” he continues.

“To be fair, I saw it on the schedule. I could have said something,” I grumble.

“Is there a reason that you didn’t?”

Groaning, I rest my head back against the tree our platform is built on and cover my face with my hands. “I wanted to spend time with you and didn’t want you to think I’m a coward” I mumble through my hands.

He peels them away from my face, still holding onto them as he meets my gaze with a small smile. “I could never think you’re a coward, Beck,” he says so earnestly, and my heart starts to race for new reasons.

Whatever connection we have seems way too intense for the few weeks I’ve known him. Especially since so much of that time has been apart. He looks at me with such adoration and fondness, and I really want to deserve that look from such an amazing man.

“Okay, I’m ready. Let’s jump.” I try to sound confident, but it comes out as defeated.

“Beck, I’m sure that we can climb down. You don’t have to do this.”

“No, I know.” I take another deep breath. “But I want to prove to myself that it’s okay to do scary things,” I say.

Totally only talking about the zip line.

It's not at all about the feelings I’m having for him.No scary feelings happening over here.

“Do you still want me to go first? Maybe it will help to see how safe it is,” he offers.

“Only if you promise to catch me if I fall,” I wink at him while I gesture for him to go ahead.

He’s laughing as he leans back a bit, squatting down with both hands holding the cords attached to the clips, and jumps right off the platform. His laughter turns into loud whoops as he descends onto the next platform, and I have no control over my smile at his pure, unfiltered joy.

When I’m sure that he’s finished and it’s my turn, I tug my clips to triple-check I’m secure. I look across the space to Cody, and even with the distance between us, I feel a strange sense of peace wash over me as our eyes lock.

And I jump.

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