Page 322 of Boots, Bucket Lists & Bad Ideas
“Calm down, Mommy,” Josie says to Jade, rebalancing, before taking a paddle from Celi. “Hurry up. Get in,” Josie hisses at Celi. “We’re not going to lose to these two.”
“I think you are.” Each stroke of Bronx’s paddle slaps harder against the surface.
Celi hands Josie her oar so she can climb into the canoe.
“Paddling canoes in the water after dark is against the campground’s rules and none of your are going out there.” Jade climbs down the ladder onto the canoe dock and points at her sister. “Don’t you dare, Josie.”
Josie pushes off the dock, and Celi falls into her seat. “High risk, high reward.”
Thank god these aren’t my brothers.
“Get out.” Jade grabs the line still half-tied to the dock.
“Let it go, Jade.” Josie yanks the rope out of Jade’s hand, nearly pulling her in. “We don’t have time for this. We’re already behind them.”
“That’s because you’re going to lose.” Bronx’s voice ripples over the water.
“Or drown,” Jade hisses.
“Don’t be chickens!” Bronx shouts. “There’s a canoe there. Race us, forest fuckbuddies.”
Aw, shit, did he see us making out? It wouldn’t surprise me.
Their canoes drift away into the dark water, and the faint stroke of paddles hit the surface behind them.
Jade turns to me with a scowl. “They’re gonna drown.”
“I feel like we’ve all done worse,” I say, watching the pond ripple as their canoes get closer to each other. “And they’re gonna win.”
Her eyes widen, and her head snaps to where Celi and Josie have blocked Bronx and Daisy’s path, and have started a sword battle with their oars.
We both look down at the last canoe, still tied up. It sits there like it’s waiting for us.
“They’re going to win, and we’re going to be stuck giving the presentation.”
“We can’t let them win.” I hear the spark of mischief in her voice.
I clutch the sides of the ladder. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“Grab the paddles.” She turns to start untying the rope.
“We’re going to get banned from this place.” I grab the paddles.
“High risk, high reward.” She grabs the canoe by the middle and drops it in the water.
And just like that, we’re racing.
54: MINE
JADE
WE SNAG THE inflatable and make it back to the dock before the others even make it halfway to the pier.
I climb out of the canoe, and Hart hands me the swan. We flip the canoe back on the small dock, and I start up the short ladder.
“Should we brag?” Hart’s palm presses against my lower back, and in one smooth motion, he lifts me the rest of the way.
I turn, and Hart takes the ladder two steps, maybe three, and is right beside me. “We should definitely brag.”
