One Temptation

Team Debrief (Chapter 80)

Song for this chapter is PILLOWTALK by ZAYN 

*CHAPTER NOT PROOF-READ*

Sorry for any mistakes or bad writing beforehand 😭

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Madison's POV:

We had been swimming around for a while now. It was much later in the night but the conversations kept floating around, people still energetic and loud. The lake was still lit, and it didn't look like it was going to stop anytime soon.

And then West leaned in.

"Wanna go somewhere?"

I tilted my head suspiciously, squinting at him through the water dripping into my lashes. "Where exactly?"

He gave me a smug smile and nodded toward the rocks where we'd jumped off a few days ago. "Over there."

My brows shot up, "Are you serious? That's a long climb. In the dark? Absolutely not."

"Trust me, babe." His grin was wicked, water glistening across his chest. "I wouldn't take you if it wasn't safe."

"That is exactly what people say right before they slip and fall off a cliff." I shot back.

"It's safe," he repeated, easy, no argument in his tone. 

I groaned, head falling back. "You're serious?"

"Very serious."

He was so bloody confident. I stared at him for a moment before sighing dramatically. "Fine. But if I fall it's your fault."

"Deal." He chuckled. "Let's go," he said, making his way out of the water.

I walk out with him until I say. "I'm going to grab my shirt, and tell Em and Lia or they'll start thinking I drowned."

I dragged myself out of the lake, tugging on the oversized white tee I'd brought. It slipped down one shoulder, hem brushing the tops of my thighs.

"Going somewhere with West," I told Em and Lia, handing them my bag.

They gave me matching looks—too knowing.

"Don't trip and die," Em said casually.

"Thanks for the optimism," I muttered.

West was waiting, dripping wet, shorts hanging low on his hips. He didn't bother with a shirt. He just reached for my waist like it was second nature, and I let him.

The walk wasn't as bad as I'd imagined. More of a grassy incline, with a few rocks. He steadied me when I needed it, and didn't let go of my hand once, and I didn't ask him to.

At the top, the view knocked the air out of me.

The camp looked alive, glowing under strings of lights. The music drifted faintly up, laughter carrying like echoes. Above us, stars sprawled across the sky, the moon washing everything silver. It felt... magical

"Yeah" I whispered. "The climb was worth it."

"Not bad, huh?" He dropped onto the grass, patting the spot beside him.

I lay down, and he immediately pulled me against him, arm wrapped under me, fingers brushing up and down my arm. My head fit against his shoulder like it belonged there.

For a while, we just lay there, breathing, watching the sky.

I finally broke the silence. "How the hell did you even find this place?"

He smirked, eyes still on the stars. "Remember the day you guys were doing jumps?"

I groaned. "How could I forget? Nearly died."