Chapter 19

Chapter

Nineteen

Aelin woke to the sound of an alarm. An actual alarm clock, since her phone was spooning Ryan's in the kitchen junk drawer. She blinked the sleep from her eyes and flicked the switch. The mattress was soft, the sheets cool against her skin, but none of it felt familiar. It took her a minute to remember where she was.

Aelin threw off the covers, only then noticing the lump on the floor near the door. A rumpled, plaid blanket. Dirty blond hair splayed out on the pillow. She pushed up to sitting and leaned closer.

Right.

They'd decided that Ryan would bring in the couch cushions and sleep on her floor.

She slid to the carpet and tiptoed closer. The couch cushions were pushed off to the side and Ryan was smashed against the radiant heater, his feet curled against the door.

She hadn't heard a thing after she'd crawled into bed fully dressed and pulled the covers up to her chin. Had he woken up? Seen her sleeping?

Ryan stirred, his eyelids fluttering as he rolled over under the blanket. Aelin jumped back as he yawned, then winced and stretched his arms over his head. He was like a bear waking up from hibernation. He rubbed his neck, then his back, his movements slow and deliberate, like he was testing each joint to see if it still functioned.

Aelin bit her lip, then crept across the room to the dresser. She pulled out the olive green version of her bikini along with a pair of running shorts and a tank top, then tried to sneak to the washroom. Ryan was already turning his head.

"Morning," she whispered, her cheeks flushed as she held her clothes to her chest. Hopefully hiding that she was definitely not wearing a bra.

"Morning." Ryan's voice was thick with sleep. He pushed himself up from the floor.

Aelin slipped into the washroom and exhaled. It was fine. They were sharing space, it wasn't a big deal. She cringed as she stripped off her cotton shorts and shirt imagining what Ryan's night must've been like. The reason she didn't take Bailey tent camping anymore was that she felt geriatric after one night on the ground. And that was on a camping pad. She had been a gymnast. Her joints were decidedly worse than most adults she knew.

Aelin pulled on her bikini, her shorts, and tank top, then quickly washed her face and brushed her teeth. She pulled her hair into a ponytail and opened the door to the bedroom just in time to catch Ryan standing with his back to her, his arms over his head as he pulled on a heather grey T-shirt.

Mmm. Okay. His muscles shifting over his shoulder blades. The tight taper of his waist. Was it possible for women to get morning wood?

She exited the washroom, humming to herself. Because humming the theme from a children's TV show would prove how far she was from having visceral sexual fantasies about her daughter's friend's dad.

"I'll go wake the girls!" she said in a tone worthy of a newly hired ride operator at Disneyland and escaped into the hall.

____ _

The boat bobbed gently as Aelin's dad pulled on his wetsuit, his slalom ski resting against the side. Her mom adjusted her sunglasses, one hand on the throttle, the other on the steering wheel of the sleek Mastercraft. "Ready when you are," she called back, grinning in the rearview mirror.

Bailey and Amaya were already in their spots, their life jackets secure. They chatted hesitantly with Mariah's girls, Alicia and Mary. When the kids had dipped their feet in the water, they'd opted to let the adults go first. So kind of them.

Mariah nudged Aelin, hugging her knees closer to her chest. "Mom still does that thing. Where she puts her foot up like she's pressing the gas pedal."

Aelin snorted, then pointed it out to Ryan. Mariah's husband Leo was at the back of the boat keeping the rope clear. He always let their parents drive for each other. Mostly out of self-preservation.

"Hit it!" their dad called out, and the engine went from a soothing thrum to a full roar. Dave pulled against the rope, keeping his knees curled to his chest until he popped up and straightened. The girls cheered, and Aelin grinned, smoothing the hair that escaped her elastic and whipped against her face.

The sun shimmered across the water, making a path of melted gold. Aelin shifted in her seat, and her calf brushed up against Ryan's. She pulled away, then knocked into him again as the boat jostled.

He leaned in. "It's fine."

Her cheeks flushed, and she forced herself not to make it more weird by shoving herself further into Mariah's lap. People touched. They were in close quarters. It's fine .

No amount of self-talk convinced her skin to stop tingling where it touched his. She fiddled with the zipper on the lifejacket in her lap, remembering what she'd agreed to the night before.

If they were both boring and sad and decidedly not living up to even a fraction of their fun potential, what if they did the opposite? For the whole week, what if they decided to do what they didn't think was the practical choice.

They'd both agreed it should start in the morning since they were exhausted from driving all day and extroverting at the campfire, but tomorrow they would be the fun versions of themselves.

Well, now it was tomorrow. And she could barely force herself to make skin-to-skin contact with someone on a boat. Not off to a promising start.

"I texted you about lunch!" Mariah called, holding her hair out of her eyes.

Aelin held up her phone. "It's on airplane mode. Pictures only for the week." It felt strange not to be connected to home, but she'd sent texts to Megan and her lawyer Jules letting her know what the number was for their cabin. Ryan had done the same with his in-laws. If there was an emergency, they'd hear about it.

Mariah's eyes widened. "The whole week?"

Aelin shrugged. "I needed a break." A spray of mist hit her face as her mom curved the boat toward the centre of the lake, cutting through the glassy surface like a knife. Her dad looped his arm through the triangle at the end of the rope and adjusted the shorts of his wet suit.

"Your grandpa is so good!" Amaya yelled over the engine.

The boat hit another wave, and when her arm shifted to the side, she left it there, pressed against Ryan's side. She could feel the steady rise and fall of his breathing as his warmth seeped into her.

Her dad cut back and forth across the wake, his movements fluid and controlled. Her mom kept the boat steady, giving him a thumbs-up every thirty seconds. It was adorable. Finally, her dad slid his hand over his throat and let go of the rope, striking an Archer pose as he sank into the water.

Amaya and Bailey did rock, paper, scissors to see who was up next. They were both obviously hoping to lose, and Ryan laughed when Amaya chose paper, covering Bailey's rock for the tie breaker.

Amaya pursed her lips as Mariah did a test run with the skis, making sure they fit her feet properly. She walked her through the process, then sat on the back of the boat and showed her how to hold herself in the water. Amaya nodded, then dipped her foot over the edge.

"Just jump in! It'll be easier that way," Ryan called. She flashed him a look, then took her time, dangling her legs.

"One does not simply walk into Mordor!" Dave called out, and Amaya finally dropped into the lake. She squealed.

"Don't worry, the sun's getting higher!" Mariah called, tossing her the skis to put on. "It'll be toasty in here when you get out."

Amaya looped the rope over her arm and put the skis on.

"Remember to keep your knees bent and your arms straight," Aelin's dad called out as he towelled off. "Push into the waves, don't let them push you."

Amaya nodded, her ponytail bobbing. She wobbled in the waves as Leo switched back into the driver's seat. "Take your time, we're in no rush!" He called back. Amaya's teeth chattered.

"She'll be okay, right?" Ryan murmured. "She's never done something like this before."

Aelin had the urge to put her hand over his, and just as she was about to swipe the thought away, she paused. What would Fun Aelin do? She didn't think, just did it. Ryan's eyes flared.

"She'll do great. Kids pop up so easy." She smiled and stared off the end of the boat, watching as Amaya took instructions from Mariah and her dad. Everything inside her seemed to power up as Ryan's finger lifted, lacing between hers. It was like the speakers had been on half volume and were suddenly cranked to full blast. It had only been an hour and already Fun Aelin was so much better than Sad, Practical Aelin.

This was a game. An experiment. It was only for this week at this place, which meant she didn't need to worry about who they were in the real world. Not until Sunday, at least.

Amaya yelled, "Ready!" and the boat revved. Her eyes widened as the rope grew taut. Amaya's body tensed, her skis slicing through the water. Aelin held her breath, willing her to pop up, but it wasn't that simple. Her skis wobbled, and within seconds, she was stretching forward and splashing into the lake.

Aelin winced, but any disappointment was quickly drowned out by encouragement. "You almost had it!" Mariah yelled as the boat circled. Her dad shouted, "Just like that, but keep your tips up!"

Amaya nodded, a little shell-shocked. Ryan leaned over the side, making a point to keep his hand linked with Aelin's. "You okay?"

Amaya smiled up at him. She tried again. And again. Then, on her fifth try, she shot up like a cork from a bottle of champagne. The whole boat erupted with cheers. Amaya stared at them, wide-eyed, as if she'd just wandered into a foreign country.

"You're doing great! Relax!" her dad gave her two thumbs-up.

Amaya grinned as she got used to the sensation of flying over the water.

"She did it!" Bailey swivelled to face them, ecstatic.

Amaya lasted thirty more seconds, then mimicked what she'd seen Dave do. She second-guessed herself twice, then finally released the rope and dropped into the lake. They laughed and cheered as the boat puttered up next to her.

"That was amazing!" Ryan stood and walked to the back of the boat. Aelin immediately felt the loss of him.

Aelin's dad turned to face Bailey. "You're up kiddo!"

Bailey got up on the third try. She took one long run, then opted to get back in the boat and save her energy for knee boarding. " It's so easy Amaya, and we have two. We can both do it at the same time."

Aelin checked her watch. They'd only been out for forty-five minutes.

"Who's next?" Leo scanned the boat. His girls avoided his eyes, and Tucker, who was thirteen and definitely too cool for school, said he wanted to go last.

Aelin nodded at Ryan. "I think he's up."

"Yes, Dad!" Amaya cheered.

Ryan's jaw tensed, and Aelin raised an eyebrow, sending him a silent challenge. He read it loud and clear.

He took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the water, then stood. He caught her eye, then pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it to the bench. Oh, she liked Fun Ryan. She liked him a lot. His skin was light from an Alberta winter, but his arms were already starting to tan. He looked like he did push-ups regularly but wasn't so well-defined that a woman would have to worry about competing with a gym membership. Her eyes dropped to the trail of hair on his stomach, and she forced them back to his face.

He smirked as if he knew exactly where she'd been looking. "I'm only doing this if you're going next."

Aelin nodded once. "Sure. I'll ski." Ryan didn't sound like he had much experience. It was her preferred expertise ratio. She could stay in her comfort zone and still look slightly impressive. Ryan looked skeptical, so she took off her shorts and shirt, pulling on her life jacket.

Ryan nodded approvingly, then slipped his feet into the adult skis and adjusted them, then took them off and looked straight at Amaya before flipping off the back of the boat. Aelin grinned. Show off.

Dave handed him the skis, and Aelin moved to the back of the boat with the sunscreen, helping the girls apply while Ryan got settled.

He nodded. "Hit it. "

Leo hit the gas, and Ryan's body surged out of the water, first try. His form was perfect, knees bent, arms straight, and within seconds, he was skimming across the lake.

"Holy shit, that little liar."

"Mom!" Bailey gave her a look.

She winced. "Sorry."

"What did he lie about?" Bailey asked.

Aelin backpedaled. "He didn't lie, he just made it sound like he didn't have much experience skiing."

Amaya laughed. "He grew up with a boat. They had a private lake."

Aelin's jaw dropped as she turned back to find him grinning at her. He held on with one hand, leaning back with his hair whipping behind him as he casually crossed the wake and cut into the pristine blue.

The boat picked up speed, and Ryan leaned into the turns, slicing through the water. He jumped the wake, his body momentarily suspended in the air, then landed with only a slight wobble. He cut back and forth, his body fluid and strong, and Aelin cursed under her breath, grateful for the white noise of the engine.

Ryan finished his run, and Leo rounded toward him. The boat slowed as they approached.

Aelin shook her head at him, floating triumphantly in the water. "I feel like you forgot to mention something. Specifically about your time on a private lake?"

Ryan laughed. "You never asked."

"Right. That should always be my first question."

Ryan pulled off his skis and sent them floating toward the boat, then swam after them. He stopped at the ladder, the water lapping at his chest. "Your turn now, I think."

Aelin shrugged. "I think I might wait. Let my mom go first."

Ryan's eyes narrowed. "Hmm."

Aelin scoffed. "Oh please, I will do it, just not right now."

Ryan flicked his hair back and grabbed onto the ladder. "Sure, I get it. No pressure." He winced and hissed air through his teeth, looking down at the water.

"Are you okay?" Aelin tucked her phone into her shirt and climbed up onto the back of the boat.

"Yeah, I just—" His hand slipped on the ladder. "Here, can you—?" He motioned for her to come closer.

"What—?" She leaned forward to see what he was trying to show her, and as soon as her hand hit the boat, Ryan's hand circled around her wrist. He tugged, and Aelin went flying over his head into the lake.

Her body hit the chilly water like a sledgehammer, and she gasped, her vision blurring. The cold seeped into her bones as she kicked, spluttering as she broke the surface. She launched herself at him. "What the hell?"

"Mom, don't swear!" Bailey yelled over the side.

Ryan caught her wrists, laughing as he lowered her arms to her sides and pulled her against his chest. "I'm sorry, I had to."

"Had to? That's a lame-ass explanation," she hissed.

His jaw brushed her cheek as he bobbed, treading water. "It was what Fun Ryan would've done." He released her, then climbed up the ladder, his legs disappearing over the side. Aelin's teeth chattered as she looked up at her sister. "Mariah, can you hand me the skis?"

Mariah pursed her lips, trying not to laugh. "Mmhmm."

Aelin shook her head. "Don't."

Mariah scoffed. "I wasn't going to say anything." She handed her the skis, and Aelin fit them in the water.

"This is so much easier to adjust in the boat," she grunted, listening to Bailey still laughing her head off, reliving the moment she flew over the side.

Ryan's head appeared over the edge. He handed her the rope.

She lowered her voice. "Is Fun Ryan an asshole?"

He shrugged. "I think we're all excited to find out."

Aelin rolled her eyes and gripped the rope as the boat floated away from her. She waited until the rope went taught, then balanced in the water. "Hit it!"

_____

She was mostly dry when they got back to the dock. Mariah's friends from the night before were chatting on the beach, the teens engaged in an intense game of chicken on the dock.

Aelin dragged her fingers through her damp hair and turned to Ryan. "Seems like your kind of crowd."

Ryan fought a smile. "I regret nothing." He scrubbed his hand over his jaw. "Especially because you were planning to show me up."

She scoffed. "I wasn't planning anything."

He gave her a sidelong glance. "Sure! I'd love to ski! Hmm . . . maybe I'll wait till later."

Aelin smacked his chest, then stood and handed Mariah their life jackets while her dad hopped out and pulled them into their mooring.

Bailey and Amaya jumped ship and ran straight to the beach to continue their shipwreck game from the night before. Aelin and Ryan grabbed their towels and clothes, then walked to the cabin to prepare sandwiches for lunch.

Once Aelin was warm and had food in her stomach, she felt much less murdery toward Ryan, though the fact that he seemed utterly unconcerned made her want to punish him a little.

Unfortunately, it was impossible for her to be in anything other than a downright pleasant mood. The afternoon was perfect. They set up the hammocks in the trees near the beach where the girls were playing. She read a third of a novel she'd been trying to get to for months and fell asleep twice.

When she woke the second time, she walked to the cabin to use the washroom, then returned to find Ryan playing sea monster. The girls squealed as he disappeared under the water, then exploded next to their makeshift rafts.

Aelin laughed, sitting back in the hammock, swaying as she watched. Clouds were rolling in over the lake, and she grabbed her phone, searching the weather for Bigfork. She frowned. Severe Thunderstorm Warning. Not great considering they were planning to have dinner at the campfire again, followed by cards and s'mores.

"You good?" Ryan walked up the beach, his hair dripping on his shoulders.

She glanced up from her screen. He'd asked her that at least twice since they'd arrived. She used to hate it when Clark asked. It always felt like a judgment, like she was inconveniencing him somehow by having emotions that weren't pure adoration. When Ryan asked, she felt . . . warm. Like he was watching and actually cared what the answer was.

"Yeah." She set her phone in the hammock next to her. "Just checking the weather."

Ryan grabbed his towel and looked up at the sky as he rubbed it over his chest. "Doesn't look ideal for a fire."

Aelin nodded. "Or skiing." She chewed on her lip and scanned the lake.

"I'm sure they're on their way back."

She stood from the hammock, then lost her balance and fell back. Ryan pretended not to notice, but she saw the curve of his lips. "I'll tell the girls to finish up. Just in case." Aelin grabbed the girls' towels.

Ryan dropped his towel and started gathering the sand toys and floats as Aelin walked over the smooth rocks. "Hey girls! Storm's coming in. Let's go back to the cabin."

Amaya and Bailey looked over their shoulders. They seemed convinced by the angry clouds and didn't argue. As Aelin wrapped the towels over their shoulders, the roar of a boat sounded in the distance. She looked up and saw the Mastercraft heading in toward the dock.

She breathed a sigh of relief, then led the girls up the beach to grab their shoes.

Thunder was already booming across the sky by the time they made it through the front door.

Ryan glanced out the window. "I'm going to go help them get the boat covered."

Aelin nodded. Bailey's shoulders drooped as she slipped off her sandals and trudged into the living room. "I wanted s'mores."

"Yeah." Aelin sighed. "You never know. Maybe the storm will blow through. Why don't you girls go get cleaned up?"

"I don't want to shower. I'm just going to get smoky."

That was a fair point. "Okay, just don't get water on your beds."

Bailey grinned, and the girls ran up the stairs. Aelin waited by the window for a moment, then put on her sandals and stepped out into the wind.