14. Chapter 14

Chapter fourteen

T he front of the resort slowly came into view, its grand windows gleaming under the late afternoon sun. Sleek glass doors reflected the lush palm trees that lined the entrance, and the faint sound of water trickling from a nearby fountain mingled with the low hum of cars idling in the drop-off area.

“Fancy,” Tiana crooned from the seat beside her, leaning her head out the open window to get a better look.

The car slowed to a stop under the large canopy, and Sam leaned forward from the back seat, thanking the driver.

She hopped out of the car, meeting Tiana at the back to grab their bags. Sam pulled out her one small backpack before helping Tiana with her two large suitcases.

“You know we’re only here for the weekend, right?” she mumbled, struggling to pull the second suitcase out.

“Yes,” Tiana answered, rolling her eyes. “But some of us like to have more options than the same plain t-shirts every day.”

Sam huffed as the second suitcase finally slid free, landing on the ground with a dull thud.

“Careful,” Tiana scolded.

“Maybe pack lighter next time,” Sam shot back as she handed Tiana the handle of the bag.

They shut the trunk and made their way toward the resort’s entrance, where tall glass doors glided open automatically. The cool air-conditioning was a sharp contrast to the warm breeze outside.

“Checking in?” A woman asked from behind a tall black marble desk.

“Yeah,” Sam answered with a smile, pulling her wallet out of her back pocket.

A few moments into the check-in process, a familiar voice called out from behind them with a squeal. “You’re here!”

Sam glanced behind them to see Scarlett running up, with Jess laughing a few feet behind. Trailing a little farther back was another woman, shorter and more reserved, her dark mid-length hair brushing her shoulders as she moved. She had a delicate resemblance to Terrence—the same dark rich skin tone and almond-shaped eyes—but the shy, tentative way she took in her surroundings was a stark contrast to her brother’s bold, easygoing presence.

Tiana grinned as Scarlett pulled her into a tight hug, as if they’d been best friends for years.

“This is really nice,” Sam said, as Scarlett pulled her in for the next hug.

“I know, right,” Scarlett gushed, waving a hand around the lobby. “My man has good taste.”

Jess smiled as Tiana hugged her, mumbling something that Sam couldn’t quite make out. But Jess laughed at it, shooting her an amused look.

Then Jess stepped toward her.

“Hey,” she said softly, wrapping her arms around her torso in a gentle hug.

Sam hugged her back, the familiar comfort making her chest flutter in a way she didn’t quite want to name.

Scarlett stepped back, motioning to the woman behind them. “This is Terrence’s sister, Jasmine.”

Jasmine hovered near the edge of the group, hands clasped in front of her as she gave a small, polite nod.

“Jasmine, Sam—and Tiana,” she said, waving a hand at each of them.

Sam smiled warmly at her. “Nice to meet you.”

Jasmine nodded again, her tight smile faltering for a moment before she managed a quiet, “You too.”

Tiana wasted no time as she stepped forward, wrapping her in a big hug.

Sam choked back a laughat the way Jasmine’s mouth fell open in surprise. But luckily, after a moment, she seemed to relax into it, letting out her own soft chuckle.

“Good to meet you guys,” Jasmine muttered, her smile slowly brightening.

“Okay ladies,” the woman behind the front desk cut in. “Your room is all ready,” she said, handing a key to Sam, then Tiana.

“Oh, you guys are in the same room?” Scarlett asked.

Tiana nodded, then narrowed her gaze on Sam. “But if you wake me up at the crack of dawn with your loud ass typing, I’m kicking you out into the lobby.”

Sam snorted a laugh. “You sleep through anything. Pretty sure I could start a motorcycle up in there and you still wouldn’t wake up.”

Tiana waved her off, grabbing the handle of one suitcase while Sam took the other one for her.

“Okay,” Scarlett started, checking her phone. “We have a boat picking us up in like thirty minutes, so drop off your stuff real quick and get your bathing suits on, then meet us out there at the docks.”

“Oh, fun,” Tiana said, clapping her hands.

“What’s the boat for?” Sam asked, adjusting the backpack on her shoulder.

“Terrence booked it for us. It’s gonna take us to some little beach where they have cliff jumping and jet skis we can ride.”

Sam’s smile grew as Tiana frowned beside her. It’d been too long since she’d been able to go for one of her late night rides to relax. Especially with all the stress of work. But the jet skis sounded like a perfect alternative.

Jess chuckled, giving Sam a knowing look. “I knew you’d be excited once you heard that.”

“Yeah,” Tiana muttered, “I’ll leave the jumping and fast things to you while I lay out and relax.”

“Okay, okay,” Scarlett cut in, “hurry and drop your stuff off! The boat’s gonna be here soon.”

***

The midday sun warmed the side of her face as the boat slowed, the hum of the motor softening to a gentle purr. Ahead, the beach stretched in a crescent of golden sand, bordered on one side by a towering rock wall.

The driver tossed out the anchor, then gestured toward the beach, pointing out the rock wall and the three jet skis parked in the sand.

Sam hopped off the side of the boat, landing with a splash into the calf deep water. She turned, watching as the driver slowly helped Scarlett step off the boat, with Tiana and Jasmine waiting behind.

Jess approached the edge of the boat where Sam had jumped off, pausing as she eyed the water below. Sam reached up, offering her hand. Jess immediately took it, her fingers curling around Sam’s as she stepped carefully down into the shallow water.

They waited a moment until the others were all off, then waded up onto the sand.

“The reservations for dinner tonight are at seven,” Scarlett said, pushing her sunglasses up onto the top of her head as they laid their towels out. “I figured we could just take it easy and have an early night. But tomorrow, I wanna go up to the rooftop bar and club they have at the resort. I saw some videos, and it looked super fun.”

Sam sat down on the towel beside Scarlett, listening to the plans.

Then, after a few minutes, Scarlett stood, brushing the sand off of her hands. “I’m taking a jet ski out. Who’s in?” She looked between them, and Sam waited to see if the others would want to take them out first. “Jess?”

“I’ll go,” Jess said, taking a quick sip from her water bottle before tucking it back into her bag.

“Jasmine?” Scarlett asked, turning to her with a smile.

Jasmine shifted where she sat, giving her a timid look. “I don’t know,” she muttered. “I want to, but I’ve never driven one before.”

“Want me to go with you?” Sam asked. “It’s really easy. I can show you.”

“Oh,” Jasmine muttered, hands fidgeting in her lap. “Um—yeah, okay.”

Sam stood, and they all walked over to where the jet skis lined the edge of the sand.

Jess and Scarlett easily pushed theirs into the water, while Sam tugged her shirt off, quickly replacing it with one of the life jackets.

She pushed the last jet ski off into the water, helping Jasmine up onto the front while she climbed on behind her.

“Okay,” Sam said over the soft rumble of the engine. “Just use this to speed up, and don’t take the turns too sharp.”

“Like this—”

Jasmine hit the throttle before Sam could brace herself, the jet ski jerking forward with a sudden burst of speed. Sam’s hands shot to the sides of the seat, gripping it tightly as they shot across the water.

Jasmine let out a startled squeal that quickly turned into an exhilarated laugh, her hair whipping wildly in the wind.

Sam couldn’t help but laugh with her, adjusting her balance as the spray of saltwater misted against her skin. “See!” she shouted over the rushing wind. “Easy!”

The jet ski cut cleanly across the waves, carving a path toward Scarlett and Jess, who were further ahead. Within moments, they were soaring alongside them, Jasmine pressing the throttle just a little harder.

“Well, that didn’t take long,” Scarlett called out as she circled back around them. “You like it?”

Instead of answering, Jasmine shot them forward once again, laughter bubbling from her throat. Within moments, they were all speeding ahead, weaving in and out around each other.

And the moment Sam saw Scarlett making sharp turns, splashing water high up into the air, she knew Jasmine would want to do the same. She braced herself as the jet ski shot ahead near where Jess had slowed to a stop.

Then, right as she’d expected, Jasmine took a hard turn, cutting too sharply.

Sam squeezed her eyes shut as she felt her body rip off the jet ski, tumbling out into the water.

The world spun in a chaotic blur of cold, rushing waves. For a split second, everything was quiet, muffled beneath the surface of the water as she clawed her way up. She broke through, immediately wiping the water from her eyes.

“Oh my gosh,” she heard Jasmine’s frantic voice from somewhere far off. “I’m—I’m so sorry—I didn’t—”

Sam let out a laugh, shoving the soaked hair back from her face. “It’s fine!” she called, grinning despite the chill biting at her skin. “It happens!”

A low hum grew louder behind her, and Sam turned just as Jess pulled up on her own jet ski, stopping beside her with a smug, amused look. “Guess you’re not as strong as you used to be.”

Sam barked out a laugh, shivering as the cold sank deeper into her bones. “I wasn’t ready,” she lied.

Jess smirked, shaking her head as she extended a hand. Sam grabbed it, pulling herself up and settling into the seat behind her.

Looking back over her shoulder, Sam spotted Jasmine slowly circling back toward them, her expression a mix of guilt and embarrassment.

“You good to ride on your own?” Sam called out.

Jasmine gave her a sheepish, apologetic look. “Yeah. Probably safer that way.”

Sam smiled, wrapping one arm loosely around Jess’ waist in front of her.

And by the slight smirk she caught on Jess’ face, she knew what she was about to do.

The jet ski lurched forward, sending her body backward as she clung with one arm to Jess. Then it immediately slowed, sending her slamming forward.

“Shit,” she muttered, her body tensing as she threw her second arm around Jess, holding her tightly.

Jess glanced back over her shoulder, a wide grin stretching across her face. “Now you know how I felt the first time I rode on your bike.”

Sam snorted a laugh. “Yeah, right,” she muttered, relaxing her arms around her waist. “I’m a much better driver than you.”

They rode for a while longer, cutting through the sparkling waves as the sun inched higher, warm against their backs. The rhythm of the jet ski and the wind against her skin made it easy to lose track of time until Sam spotted Scarlett and Jasmine heading back to shore, their figures small against the bright sand.

“Ready to go back?” Jess called over her shoulder.

“If you are.”

Jess turned the jet ski toward the beach, slowing as they neared the shallows. Once they were close enough, Sam hopped off, landing with a splash as the water lapped against her legs. They secured the jet ski on the sand, the sound of waves crashing gently filling the surrounding quiet.

They made their way across the beach, the sun drying their damp skin as they trudged through the warm, uneven sand.

“Why are you the only one that’s wet?” Tiana asked from where she laid on her back, blocking the sun with one hand.

Jess chuckled as she sat down, and Sam caught the slightly embarrassed look on Jasmine’s face.

“Slipped,” Sam said, shivering as water dripped down from the life jacket onto her bare thighs. She glanced down, realizing she’d forgotten to take it off and leave it with the jet ski.

She unzipped the front, pulling it off her shoulders and dropping it into the sand at her feet.

“Thought you were supposed to be the athletic one,” Tiana muttered.

Sam shot her a half-hearted glare, and when she looked up, she caught Scarlett staring at her chest and ribs, lips parted slightly.

Sam followed her eyes, peering down at the angry scars cascading across her body. In the cold of the water, they’d taken on a deep purple hue, making them stand out much more than usual against her skin.

Scarlett blinked, slowly closing her mouth, but her eyes remained on the scars. And that’s when she realized that Scarlett was probably the only one in that group who hadn’t seen the full extent of them. She couldn’t blame the reaction.

She remembered the way Tiana had frozen up the first time she’d seen her without a shirt after the accident.

And she couldn’t even bring herself to think about the day Jess had first seen them.

After a moment, Scarlett seemed to snap out of it, catching herself. But she didn’t look away the way everyone else usually did.

Instead, she met her eyes with an intense look, giving her a small genuine smile.

It reminded her of one other smile she’d given her in the past. The first time they’d seen each other after her and Jess stopped speaking.

Not a look of pity. But of understanding. Of caring.

Sam sat down on the towel beside her, and Scarlett immediately put an arm around her waist, leaning her head against her shoulder.

And Sam became all too aware of the way the rest of the group had clearly caught on to what had happened. Tiana and Jess both watched them, each with an entirely different look.

“Sorry,” Scarlett whispered beside her. “I guess I didn’t realize how much—”

“It’s okay,” Sam cut in, wanting nothing more than for the conversation to change to something else.

She took a drink from her bottle, looking off into the distant water.

“I think they make you look badass,” Tiana said nonchalantly. “They make you seem mysterious or something.”

Sam grimaced, twisting the cap back onto her water.

And when she looked back up, she caught the way Jess’ jaw flickered. The look on her face that said she had something to say and was trying desperately to hold it back.

Scarlett seemed to be watching her too, and quickly cut in, asking Jasmine something about her extended family that was attending the wedding.

Some of the tension seeped out of her shoulders as they went back and forth, discussing different family members and how long it’d been since they’d all been together.

And soon enough, Jess seemed to relax back to normal as well, joining in the conversation.

They laid out, talking and enjoying the midday warmth.

But eventually, Sam sat up, ready for the next thing. Laying out had never been her thing. She needed something to do.

“Anyone ready to jump off the rocks?” she asked, blocking out the sun with one hand as she peered up at them.

Jess smirked as she leaned up on her elbows. “I was wondering how long you’d last just laying here.”

“Not me,” Tiana muttered, sitting up and pulling out her phone. “I’ll take pictures though.”

“I’m ready,” Jasmine said, quickly standing.

Scarlett grinned up at her, clearly pleased with how she’d relaxed into the day. “Me too.”

Sam stood, then took Scarlett’s hand, pulling her up.

“You coming?” Sam asked as she trudged through the thick sand past Jess.

Jess looked back and forth between her and the cliff with a slight frown. “I don’t know.”

“She’s scared of heights,” Scarlett called back over her shoulder as she followed Jasmine to the base of the cliff.

“No, I’m not,” Jess shot back, although her face told a different story. Still, she stood, joining in beside Sam.

“You sure?” Sam asked with a chuckle as they approached the area where the guide had told them would be the easiest to climb. “You look scared.”

“I’m not scared,” Jess muttered, as if working to convince herself.

They all climbed up the rock wall to the first ledge, where the guide had shown them to go.

“Who wants to go—”

Jasmine suddenly leapt off, arms swinging wildly in the air as a high-pitched yelp escaped her throat.

Scarlett burst into laughter, along with Tiana, who stood on the beach off to the side, phone held high in the air, pointed at them.

Sam laughed, leaning over the edge to peer down at where she’d landed in the water. “I guess the adrenaline of the jet skis really got her going.”

“I’m next,” Scarlett said with a wide grin. Then she called down to Tiana, “Make sure you get this!”

Tiana gave her a thumbs up. Then Scarlett took a few steps back before running and launching herself off the edge. She screamed, dropping into the water with a splash.

Sam leaned over the edge again, checking the foamy white water Scarlett had disappeared into. Then a moment later, her head popped up, and she instantly laughed, swimming off to the side where the sand met the water.

Sam turned back, looking up to the next highest rock ledge. It was probably only a few feet higher, and she could spot an easy way to climb up.

“You’re up,” Sam said to Jess as she began climbing up the wall to the next jumping point.

“Where are you going?” Jess asked, standing with her back flat against the wall, at the point farthest from the edge.

Sam grunted, hoisting herself up onto it. “I’m jumping from here.”

“What— Sam, ” Jess snapped, her tone sharp with a deadly seriousness that only made Sam’s grin widen.

She chuckled, stepping up onto the last part of the rock and planting herself on the edge of the cliff. The wind whipped at her damp hair as she glanced over her shoulder.

“Sam,” Jess commanded again, her voice edged with frustration. “Come back down here.”

Sam turned back toward the drop, hands resting casually on her hips. “You know, it’s fine if you’re too scared to jump,” she called over the edge with a teasing smile. “You can climb back down.”

Jess glared up at her, but Sam only laughed, thoroughly entertained.

Then a moment later, Jess began climbing up toward her.

Her brow lifted as she watched her. “What are you doing?” Sam asked, cocking her head as Jess closed the distance, each hand and foot finding the rocks with ease.

Jess breathed heavily as she pulled herself up each part of the rock wall. And when she neared the top, Sam put a hand out, helping her up the last few feet.

“If you’re gonna be stubborn and do it,” Jess started, her breathing slightly labored, “then I am, too.”

Sam watched her, unable to stop herself as she held a protective arm out between Jess and the nearby edge.“Okay, fine. I’ll go back down with you.”

Jess glared at her again, but this time, it looked more like a challenge. “No.”

Sam watched her, the amusement falling from her eyes as a slight anxiety entered her chest at how high up Jess was from the ground.

She frowned, peering over the edge into the water once more, checking for the clear, rockless area below.

“What? You only care how safe it is once I’m up here with you?” Jess asked.

“Come on, what’s taking so long!” Tiana called from below, the phone still pointed up at them.

Sam pursed her lips, checking the water once again to ensure there was nothing they could hit.

“Okay,” Sam muttered. “I’ll go first. Watch where I go, so you know where to land.”

Jess scoffed. “Absolutely not.” Then she stepped forward, her shoulder brushing against Sam’s back.

Sam glanced over her shoulder, frowning. “Same time?”

Jess didn’t answer. Instead, her warm fingers slid into Sam’s, lacing around her hand.

Sam glanced down, smiling slightly at the familiar feeling. Then she looked away, clearing her throat.

“On three?” Jess asked, inching farther out.

Sam nodded once, peering out into the water below. “One. Two. Three—”

They jumped.

The air rushed past in a split second of weightless silence, and even as they plummeted toward the water, Jess’ grip on her hand didn’t falter.

The crash into the water knocked the wind from her lungs, but Sam surfaced a moment later. Her free hand shot out instinctively, tugging Jess up with her.

Jess emerged sputtering, hair plastered to her face as she reached blindly for Sam’s shoulder to steady herself.

“You okay?” Sam asked breathlessly, keeping them both afloat.

Jess pushed the wet strands out of her eyes, blinking wildly as she looked at Sam—and then she laughed. It started small but grew louder, rippling across the water between them.

Sam’s own laughter followed, the sound blending with Jess’ in a way that made the cold water and aching muscles completely irrelevant.

Jess finally caught her breath, still grinning as she clung to Sam’s shoulder. “You’re insane.”

“Lets do it again—”

“No way,” Jess cut her off, laughing as she splashed a handful of water at Sam’s face.

They swam to the side until Sam felt the soft sandy bottom beneath her feet.She ambled up onto the dry beach, bending over to shake her wet hair out.

“Let me see the pictures,” Scarlett said to Tiana as they approached.

She took the phone, swiping through. “Oh my god,” she gushed. “These are so good.”

Scarlett reached out, handing the phone to Jess as she shook her wet hands off.

Sam came up behind Jess, looking over her shoulder at the pictures. She swiped through, laughing at the few of Scarlett screaming in midair. Then she swiped to the next and stopped.

It was a picture of them, standing at the top ledge, hand in hand, with Sam turned, smiling at her.

She hadn’t seen many pictures of herself in recent years. Or actually—ever. The only photos she’d had were either taken for official school things, or for business functions as she’d gotten older. And in the only candid photos she had as a child, she never seemed to be smiling.

Sam swallowed, realizing for the first time that she’d never really seen herself that happy. At least not in a photo.

Jess’ thumb hovered over the picture, as if she was having some realization of her own. Or maybe she was thinking something entirely different.

Jess cleared her throat softly. “Um—do you—do you guys want one together?” she asked, looking between her and Tiana.

“Yes!” Tiana said immediately. She crossed the few feet to her, engulfing her in a tight embrace. “We don’t have any good pictures together.”

Sam wrapped one arm around her as Tiana struck different poses before ending with one kissing her cheek.

She chuckled as Tiana pulled her head down, laughing into her neck.

Then finally, Tiana released her to retrieve her phone from Jess.

“So cute,” she squealed, swiping through them.

They made their way back down the beach as Tiana continued through the photos.

“I’m surprised you jumped from up there,” Scarlett said to Jess. “I didn’t even think you’d make it from the smaller one.”

Jess grunted. “Me either. Can’t let this one show me up, though,” she muttered, nodding her head at Sam.

Tiana snorted a laugh, glancing up from her phone. “You’ll drive yourself crazy trying to follow that. Trust me, she can’t help it. Danger attracts her like a moth to a flame.”

Sam shot her a look, her brows crinkling together. “No, it doesn’t.”

Tiana gave her a pointed look, then rolled her eyes. “Yes, it does. You’ve always been like this.”

Sam frowned, not ready to give up the argument.

But Tiana waved her off. “It’s fine. I’m not saying it’s your fault. Think about the other kids in the foster home with us whose parents were addicts,” she continued nonchalantly. And the mention made something tighten in Sam’s chest. “You guys all did it—or—” she paused, thinking. “At least some version of it.”

Sam looked away, an icy wall building up within her by the second. “That’s not true.”

Tiana seemed to grow serious then, as if she’d been forcing herself to act like she didn’t care. And now, she was letting that facade finally drop.

She gave her a challenging, almost angry look that Sam hadn’t seen in years. “Right,” she muttered. “So then, why do you still go for midnight rides on your bike?”

Then her eyes flicked down the scar across her neck and chest. They lingered there for a moment before meeting her eyes again. And then, Sam knew. At least some of that carefree attitude toward the whole thing was a front for how much she cared.

Sam softened slightly, releasing a breath.

And she noticed then that while Jasmine and Scarlett had continued walking up the beach, Jess had lingered there with them, hearing every word.

Sam’s eyes flicked to her, and Jess seemed to be watching her with a weary, but curious, look. As if she was turning over some puzzle in her mind.

The sound of an approaching boat caught her attention, and she looked up to see the guide approaching.

“You guys ready to go back?” Scarlett called out to them. “I’m hungry.”

Sam cleared her throat. “Yeah. Me too.”

Jess continued walking, leaving her and Tiana standing there in silence.

“Sorry,” Tiana muttered, although she held a hard look that offered no real apology. “I didn’t mean to say all that.”

Sam shook her head slightly. “It’s fine,” she muttered, draping her arm over Tiana’s shoulders as they walked back to the rest of the group.