Fighter {Completed}

Chapter Twenty-Seven: I'll Just Hang On To You {Ellie}

Chapter Twenty-Seven: I'll Just Hang On To You {Ellie}

The boat begins vibrating beneath my feet as it's started, and I take a seat in order to avoid being tossed over the edge. That'd be about my luck.

It doesn't take long before Asher has the boat pulled out and headed away from the cove that hides the cabin. As he moves us out into open water, I spot numerous boats, some with children jumping off the back into the water, others pulling a tube behind them as they try to fling off the people riding it. As one of them hits a huge wave left by a boat only a few moments before, the entire float lifts, two teens flailing off of the sides with a joyful scream. The boat circles back around to get them, an older gentleman extending a hand down to pull them up.

Suddenly, our own boat veers to the left, jostling me slightly. Asher takes us to an even larger portion of lake, filled with even more boats cruising about. He places us out of the way about 50 yards from the treeline surrounding the lake, where it's relatively empty save for one boat about the same distance away.

"Here," Scarlet extends a hand down to me, handing me a bottle of water. I take it, thanking her. Her smile is kind as she says, "Come on. Let's swim." I stand, smiling and sitting the bottle of water in my spot, kicking off the pair of Chacos that Scarlet lent me. "Taylor, are you swimming with us?" Scarlet calls.

I pull the t-shirt over my head, revealing the top of my swimsuit. My shorts are next, before I make my way towards the end of the boat, where a small, knee-high gate is open and leads to the back edge free of any railings. The three of us step to the edge, looking down the short distance into the water.

"Jump in, you pansies," Sebastian yells. I turn to face him, a smile on my lips. He shakes his head, a bottle of beer in his hand as he pops the cap off with the other. Directly to his left, Cole bends over the cooler, grabbing himself a beer as well. As he straightens, his eyes meet mine, that familiar lighting coursing through my veins caused by those steel gray eyes of his.

I don't miss the way his eyes scan my entire body, igniting every insecurity within my mind as they do so. They darken heavily, and his jaw clenches with an emotion I can't identify. I know he doesn't mean to, but when Cole looks at me, I feel both incredibly beautiful and horrendously ugly. Does that even make sense?

Ugh, why do my words always feel so... lacking when it comes to Cole?

I know I turn bright red as Cole sits the bottle down, pulling his shirt over his head as he does so. Something about that simple act is so ridiculously attractive that it makes the entire world stop around me, but as quickly as it stops, it starts again as I force myself to look away from him. Now isn't the time to be ogling Cole.

"Alright," Sebastian snaps, sitting his beer down and making his way toward us with a grin.

"Sebastian, don't you da-" Scarlet's threat falls short as she's shoved into the water, Sebastian's hands reaching for Taylor next. She lets out a playful scream as she, too, is pushed into the water. Sebastian turns to me, but before he has the chance, I put my hands on his back and shove him in. Asher snorts with laughter behind me.

Seb comes up spluttering and laughing, giving me a playful glare.

"Dammit, Ellie. You're going to pay for that," he warns, soaking wet as he climbs back onto the boat using the small ladder. "Watch your back, brat." Ruffling my hair, he makes his way back up front, grabbing his beer again. Watching him move back up front was a mistake because as soon as Cole's in my vision, my eyes are on him.

"Ellie, come on!" Scarlet yells, splashing water up on my feet.

"How deep is it?" I ask, forcing myself to face her.

"Deep enough, El. Nothing is going to touch you."

The words only bring me very slight relief. I don't like swimming in places where I can't see the bottom. There could be a dead body or a giant fish just waiting to snack on one of us for all we know. We'd never see it coming since we can't see the bottom.

I force my fear down, getting ready to jump in. Before I have the chance though, I'm grabbed from behind, a scream leaving my lips as I'm pulled into the water. The slightly chilly water sends a shiver up my spine, but after a moment, it feels nice compared to the hot Sun. As I break the surface, I'm left to find Cole and Asher on the back of the boat, looking over the edge.

Which leaves Sebastian...

He breaks the surface, laughing as he shakes his hair out.

"Told you to watch your back, Ellie."

"Did you just tackle me into the water?" I ask, splashing water toward him. He turns his head, laughing. Curses from the boat get my attention so I turn my gaze back to the two left on the rig.

Asher has his arms around Cole's waist, trying to pull him towards the water. Cole on the other hand, fights him, hanging onto to the railing of the boat.

Sebastian bumps my shoulder in the water.

"Watch this." He faces the two boys. "Ellie, put your top back on!" I gasp.

My top never came off, nor did it even loosen, but apparently that sight is enough for both boys to pause, eyes turning toward me. I whack Sebastian in the arm as he laughs.

"Why are you looking, Asher?" Scarlet splashes water toward them, grinning.

"Yeah, Asher. Why are you looking?" Cole glares at him, crossing his arms.

"Cole, you looked, too, you bastard!" Asher grins, his face turning red. Cole blanches, the slightest tinge of red blossoming on his cheeks and the tips of his ears. The rest of the group laughs as Cole shoves Asher into the water. I turn my head as the splash sprays me. Just as I look up again, Cole dives into the water, joining us.

We stay there for a while, playing games, teasing each other, and having a blast. I'm not sure how long we're there before I notice the dark blue clouds swirling in the sky. We knew it was supposed to storm sometime today, and it seems that it's finally reached us.

As everyone climbs back onto the boat, a hand appears in my vision. It attaches to the arm of Cole, who waits patiently for me to take it. I do, ignoring the way butterflies dance in my stomach as our skin touches. He pulls me up easily, before leading me to the seats before gesturing for me to sit down.

"Cole, help me get the anchor." He moves away from me without a word as I sit, the tension in his shoulders easy to see.

"Hang on," he tells Asher, reaching into the small cupboard beneath the opposite seat. Pulling out a life jacket, he comes toward me, holding it out for me to take. "Put it on." It's not a question, but I'm in no mood to argue with his bossiness, so I accept it, thanking him and slipping the jacket on over my swimsuit top. I try not to stare as Cole begins to pull on the anchor, his arms flexing with every tug, and yet the anchor refuses to move.

"What the fuck?" Cole swears, dropping it.

"Probably stuck on a rock or something. Let me back up a little." Asher starts the boat as the clouds get even closer, the lightning now visible in them as little drops of rain begin to fall. He propels us backwards ever so slightly, and finally, Cole is able to pull the rope, the anchor now free.

They work together to pull it up, getting it done and secured quickly. Cole makes his way to the seats, sighing.

Asher begins the race home to beat the storm, the thunder clapping behind us.

"Shouldn't you get a life jacket?" I ask Cole, glancing at him. He looks at me, a playful smile on his lips. It puts me at ease when I didn't even know I was tense.

"I'll just hang onto you," he says, scooting closer and slipping a finger through the loop of the strap to tighten the jacket. Gray eyes swim with emotions that I can't identify as he stares at me.

Heat creeps up my cheeks, and I turn from him, unable to hold his gaze any longer.

Soon enough, we're back at the dock, pulling in, unloading, and entering the cabin just as the rain begins pouring down.

I head straight for my room, getting my clothes and getting in the shower quickly to warm up. As the water cascades over me, I can't help but feel giddy.

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