Page 60 of Every Sunset
“Nothing.” I gave my head a shake to clear it. “I was just thinking about us, all of us, and how far we’ve come since I met you. I was terrified of the both of you in the beginning.”
“We noticed,” Madd laughed.
“You were brave to stand up to us both the way you did, especially after what you’d been through. Just reinforces what we always knew – that you’re a tough cookie,” Logan added.
“Ourtough cookie,” Madd corrected him.
“I might be yours, but I’m far from tough. I have no idea why either of you put up with me and my hysterics,” I sighed. “But since neither of you seem in any hurry to be rid of me, I’m not letting either of you go either.”
“Hey, we talked about this,” Madd scolded me, and when I glanced to him he was watching me in the rearview mirror with that intense look in his eyes. “Stop talking like that. There’s nothing wrong with you, baby. You’re perfect and you’re ours. We’re not going anywhere.”
“How about we all spend some time together today while Max is at school?” Logan suggested.
“Good idea brother. We could all do with having some fun for a change,” Madd heartily agreed.
“What would you like to do, sweetheart?” Logan asked me as he turned in his seat to look at me again.
“Could we go down by the water when we get back to the house? I got used to going out there, and I’ve missed it this week,” I told them.
It had been amazing in almost every way to be staying in the big house with the guys, not least of which because I could relax a little when we were all there together, knowing Max and I weren’t alone if anything happened. It was also a truly beautiful home to live in, and with the four of us there, it had been filled with noise and laughter, which I’d never really had before, and had discovered I loved. But I did miss my little cottage at the endof the garden. Even though we’d only lived there briefly, it had been the nicest home Max and I ever had, and it too had been beautiful, cozy, and so comfortable. It had also allowed me to be so close to the calm and peace that the water could offer me, and the small and tranquil beach that had been just a very short walk behind our cottage. I missed going out there to do yoga, or even just to think when everything became too much for me.
“Sure sweetheart, I think we can manage that,” Logan agreed.
“We could pack up a picnic to take with us. Spend the day out there. It’s gonna be pretty warm today and it’s years since I had a swim in the lake,” Madd added.
“Swimming?” I laughed. He was right, it was a warm day, but summer was beginning to pass, and the long, hot days were over. There was already a chill in the air now, even though the sun still shone. “You’re crazy. That lake’s gonna be freezing,” I laughed.
“It’s still summer!” Madd protested.
“Barely. Just so you know there’s no way I’m donning my swimsuit. It’s too cool,” I told them both firmly, but I was smiling and feeling relaxed again. They did that for me – Madd and Logan. They made everything seem so much better just by being near me. Just one smile from them and my worries started to ease. One touch and I felt safe. They could make me smile when I was sure there was nothing but darkness before us, and make me laugh even when things were terrifying. I had no idea if those things were a part of what made you love someone, but those things definitely added to the many reasons that I loved the both of them.
***
I was screaming at the top of my lungs from where Maddox had thrown me over his shoulder. I’d been shouting and bawling athim since the moment he walked out of the water - his perfect, sun-kissed skin dripping wet and on full display in nothing but his swim shorts - scooped me up from the picnic blanket, which Logan and I had been happily laid out on, and threw me up there. I knew what he was going to do. He’d been trying to convince me to go into the lake since we arrived there hours earlier. He and Logan had happily dived in off of the jetty and swam around, but there was no way I wanted to. It was just too cold with the strong breeze that was blowing, and I’d been more than happy enough relaxing on the small sandy beach and just watching the two of them. They’d both dried off to join me for lunch as we ate the food we’d worked together to pack before we headed down there, then Madd had dived right back into the water.
“Madd! Don’t you dare! Don’t you…” That was the last wail I got out before Madd picked me up from his shoulder, adjusted me in his arms, then tossed me into the lake like I weighed little more than a damned football. I screamed as loud as I could as I flew through the air, then I hit the water, and I was right - it was freaking freezing!
But that was the least of my concerns because Madd had obviously thrown me some distance and I was deeper in the lake than I thought I would be. By the time I realized my feet didn’t reach the bottom I was panicking about the fact I couldn’t breathe, and that just had me flailing and panicking more.
I was in the middle of trying to calm the fuck down and remember how to swim when strong arms wrapped around me and thrust me upwards out of the water. I felt the sun hit my face as I gasped in desperately for air, then choked on the water I’d swallowed. I was still panicking, my arms and legs kicking andflailing to push me up towards the surface, even though I was already at the surface.
“Anna? Anna, stop! Anna, it’s me. You’re okay. It’s me!” I heard Madd. I felt the arms around me tighten a little and sense started to prevail. I stopped fighting and instead grabbed onto the arm around me with both hands, clutching the tanned skin tightly.
“Madd?” I gasped.
“I’m here. I’ve got you. Don’t you swim, baby?” he asked. He had my back pressed to his front so I couldn’t see him, but I heard the note of panic in his voice.
“Not really. I…I never really learned,” I replied between coughs. My chest was burning as I continued to bring up water.How much had I even swallowed?“I t-told you n-not to throw me in.”
“Jesus, Anna. Why the fuck didn’t you say you can’t swim instead of screaming?” he demanded.
“Madd? Is she okay?” That was Logan. Madd turned and then I could see the beach, and Logan stood at the edge of the water watching us.
“I’m fine!” I called back.
“She can’t fucking swim!” Madd added, then we were moving as Madd strode through the water towards his brother and the safety of dry land.
“I can swim a little. I…I just….I was in shock and I c-couldn’t touch the ground,” I defended myself.
