Chapter 7
Jake
“Even the mightiest oaks bow under the force of a storm, their leaves trembling, their roots gripping the earth. Yet it’s the same rain that nourishes their growth, that fills their veins with life.”
-The Forest-
H er laughter trails off as she walks away, curls bouncing with each step. I watch, captivated by the sway of her hips in those biker shorts that hug and highlight her ass, so perfectly round and plump. The back of her shirt says, I got the sass and the ass. I laugh because she sure has both.
My pants tighten at the view as needs stiffens my dick. Okay, I need to get laid; it’s been two days too long.
I run a hand through my hair, taking a deep, steadying breath. I don’t understand how she does that. One second she’s crying, and the next she’s laughing, which makes me wonder if she’s okay. And I’m not even sure why I care.
I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. Giving her space is best for us both. My gaze shifts toward the waterfall, sparking my curiosity. It’s been years since I last visited, yet I’m certain there was no waterfall here before. They don’t just appear out of nowhere.
Lying back on a patch of grass, my eyes follow the canopy of trees above. I usually hate the quiet and the stillness, but this is different. This is peaceful. The sound of rushing water in the background is oddly comforting. It’s a break from the constant urge to keep moving to outrun the thoughts and the pain I’d rather not face.
Since my father died, I’ve avoided this darkness that’s been swallowing me whole. But right now, I allow myself to sink into the memories.
Growing up, Dad and I were very close. We would go camping, it was my favorite. Those weekends in the woods were magical. Sitting by the campfire, listening to his stories and gazing at the stars while roasting marshmallows That’s what started my love for the outdoors.. But as time passed, those moments became rare, then stopped altogether.
He started leaving before dawn and would come back long after I had gone to bed. Days turned into weeks where I barely saw him. Mom would always say he was busy with the hotel, but the tension between them told a different story. Their late-night arguments, muffled by the walls, hinted at deeper issues. His “business trips” over the weekends became more frequent, and I missed the bond we once shared. My resentment grew with every missed birthday and every unattended school event.
Eventually, I learned the truth about why he’s never home, and that realization cut deeper than any neglect. That betrayal, more than the distance, changed everything. I couldn’t look at him the same way again, and in turn, our relationship suffered.
It wasn’t the hotel. He found someone else, and he stopped caring about us.
Sitting up, my eyes drift to the waterfall. I’m a little jealous of it, how it makes falling look so effortless and beautiful. When it’s nothing but. Falling is messy and painful. I crave control. That’s why I love climbing; when everything around me was falling apart, climbing gave me a sense of control. I’ll never forget my first climb.
My parents had a fight the night before, and the next morning my Uncle Mark truck pulled to our house to pick me up like he always did after their fights. My dad’s car was not in the driveway, and Mom hid in her room.
“ Hey, Jake. ” Uncle Mark crouched down to my level and placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “ How about we try something new today? There’s an indoor climbing gym nearby. Want to give it a shot? ”
I looked up at him, raising my eyebrows. “ Climbing? Am I a little too young for that? ”
He chuckles. “T rust me, you’re not, and you’re going to love it. ”
“ Okay . ” I nodded, following him to the truck. Anything to take me away from the house.
We walk inside a gym. My heart pounded as I stared up at the towering walls covered in brightly colored holds. The smell of chalk and the faint sound of people cheering filled the air. Uncle Mark helped me into a harness and buckled me in.
“ Uncle Mark, are you sure this is safe? ” I looked around, I was the smallest person here.
“ Yes, ” he said, his voice calm. “Just focus on the next hold. I’ll be there to guide you. ”
“ Okay.” I nod. I trusted U ncle Mark.
I reached up , my hands shaking, and my palm a little sweaty, making it harder to grab my next hold . Uncle Mark stood below, his eyes following my every move, guiding me with encouraging words. “ One step at a time, Jake. You got this .”
“Okay,” I said. Each movement demanded my full attention, pushing all my worries and fears aside. My breathing steadied as I found solid handholds and footholds, repeating Uncle Mark’s advice in my head.
“ One step at a time, ” I whispered to myself, feeling a strange sense of control and accomplishment with each successful step. The rough texture of the holds pressed against my fingers, grounding me.
When I finally reached the top, I looked down, my heart swelling with pride. Uncle Mark cheered, his face lighting up with joy and clapping loudly. For the first time in months, I was happy.
Climbing became my refuge, my escape from the chaos at home. It gave me control.
After a few seconds, I pull out my laptop to go over the hotel’s financial spreadsheets. My chest tightens, and it’s worse than I thought. We’re spending more money than we are bringing in. We have too many empty rooms for what should be a peak season. Summer it’s usually when we fully book.
I might need to let some employees go, but only if it comes down to it. Most people that work at the hotel relied on the job to support their family. The bank loan we’re counting on needs to cover the renovations, but even that seems like band Aid on a gaping wound.
After replying to a few emails and messages, hoping for some financial lifeline, I pack up. I throw my shirt over my head, struggling to pull it down as the fabric sticks to my damp skin. Bending down, I grab both my bag and Mia’s, before heading back.
Reaching the entrance of the cabin, I open the door. I find Mia in the kitchen, chopping veggies and singing along to a song on the TV. She’s so absorbed that she doesn’t hear the door open. Her voice sounds good though, a smile lights up her face. Seeing her like this makes my stomach flip. What the hell was that?
“Whatcha cooking?” I lean against the kitchen island, unable to peel my eyes away from her. She looks up and our eyes lock, the smile gone from her lips. She looks down, and her attention is back to chopping her red peppers and onions.
“Pasta,” she says as she adds sausages into the pan.
My mouth waters at the thought. That smells so good. “Will I get some?”
She sighs. “I guess. I can’t eat all of this food alone anyway, and my dad did teach me to share.”
“Thanks, be right back,” I tell her, heading upstairs to change my clothes.
On my way back, I grabbed a bottle of wine we had tucked away in a room. Back in the kitchen, I find the table set, with pasta and salad waiting. This is not the regular pasta I’ve seen before. It has onions, sausages, green and red peppers. Everything mixes so well and smells delicious.
I take a seat and make myself a plate. “Oh my God,” my eyes wide as I take a bite. It’s cooked to perfection, with flavors bursting into my mouth, a delightful blend of herbs and garlic. “This tastes amazing.”
Her lips curve into a smile. “Thank you.”
“What kind of pasta is this?” I say, muffled with food in my mouth.
“It’s Haitian pasta, my dad taught me.” She is smiling.
“I didn’t know you were Haitian.”
“My grandmother was Haitian.”
I nod before opening the wine and pour her some and some for me. For a moment, we are two people talking and eating, and she doesn’t look at me as though she wants to stab me.
The doorbell rings, interrupting the moment. “I’ll get it,” she shouts, eager to open the door. I guess the boyfriend finally made it. That’s why she is so happy and cooked dinner.
“This is a pleasant surprise.” The voice sounds familiar. “Is Jake here?”
Alex? What is he doing here?
I get up and walk towards the door. “Did you get a girlfriend and forget to tell us?” He is grinning at me.
Mia crosses her arms, “I’m not his girlfriend.” A look of pure distaste crosses over her face.
A little harsh.
Alex laughs, oblivious to the tension. “Sorry, it’s just that Jake’s flings rarely stick around. Heck, I doubt he remembers their names.”
I grimace, wishing he’d just stop talking.
Her lips press together tightly, and she lets out a small huff. “I’m not sleeping with him either.”
“I’m Sarah, and this is Alex.” Sarah steps in, saving me from this awkward situation.
“This is Mia. She is staying here for the summer. It’s a long story.”
Sarah pushes me out of the way, stepping inside the house. She probably smells the food. She never jokes around with food. I don’t know how she does it; no matter how much she eats, she still stays so skinny—high metabolism, I guess.
My gaze shifts back to Mia, telling her I’m sorry , but she quickly looks away, heading towards the kitchen.
“Oh my God, this is delicious.” Sarah chews slowly, her eyes widening. “You made this?” She takes another forkful, filling her mouth.
Mia nods, twirling the pasta around her fork.
“You’re officially my new best friend,” Sarah says, wiping her mouth with a napkin.
Mia forces another smile, shifting in her seat. I love my friends, but they have the worst timing.
We eat our dinner, and Sarah chats away as usual, this time about curly hair. And no matter how hard I tried; my eyes keep drifting back to Mia. She’s quiet, occasionally tucking her hair behind her ears, just like when I first met her at the gas station.
Alex catches me staring and chuckles, which catches Mia’s and Sarah’s attention. “Now I want to know the entire story,” he whispers low enough for only me to hear as he leans closer.
Sarah cuts off whatever Alex was getting at. “How about you boys clean up? Mia and I are going to have some more wine by the pool.” She reaches out for the bottle on the table, and grabs Mia along with her.
“Yes, ma’am,” Alex and I say at the same time. Sarah might be small and petite, but she’s bossy.
“Women and wine by the pool, that can only mean one thing…”
“Trouble.” We both laugh.
I stack up the plates and gather the forks. Alex grabs a dishcloth and wipes down the table while I carry the dishes to the sink. He soon joins me as I load the dishwasher, leaning against the kitchen island.
“Come on, spill it. How did you two end up sharing a cabin together?” A smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. He’s not going to let this go.
I sigh before sharing everything.
“She was ready to stab you. I think I like her already.” Clearly, he’s enjoying the image.
Then he pauses, peering at me with a serious look. “You like her, don’t you?”
“I like all women.” I shrug off his comments, leaning against the counter. But my mind betrays me as images of her keep floating around.
Those big, beautiful brown eyes that seem to stare into my soul, and those curls that bounce with her when she moves. The memory of her calling me an asshole with the right mix of sass and anger almost brings a grin to my face. I catch myself before it fully forms.
“And if she didn’t have a boyfriend, and we weren’t staying in the same cabin, I would definitely be interested.” A slight tightness grips my chest that I can’t explain. But I push the feeling aside and mask it with a smirk. “But I don’t sleep with the same girl twice, and they definitely don’t stay over. I don’t want anyone getting attached.”
He gives me another side eye. I ignore his knowing gaze, grabbing two beers from the fridge and tossing him one.
We head outside to join the ladies by the pool. The place is a slice of paradise, with a hot tub burbling away to one side and the mountains stretching up in the distance, their silhouettes a dramatic contrast against the twilight sky. The pool itself is a crystal-clear invitation.
I slip out of my clothes and into my shorts, aware of Mia watching me from the corner of my eyes. I dive into the pool, the cool water great against my skin. Alex isn’t far behind.
“Are you two going to join us or keep chatting there?” I shout to the women by the poolside.
Mia looks up at me with a slight frown. “I don’t have a swimsuit.”
“Who needs one? We’re not on the beach. You can go skinny dipping if you like.” I throw in a bit of charm, making note of her reaction. Sarah, sitting on the lounge chair next to Mia, leans forward with a knowing smile. Alex, floating in the pool, catches my eye and smirks.
She laughs, a beautiful sound to my ears. “I bet you’d love that?” Maybe it’s the wine, but I’m liking flirty Mia.
“Very much!” I wink, giving her a once-over look.
She giggles again. Standing up from her seat and walking over to me. She kneels at the edge of the pool, right in front of me.
Leaning forward, her eyes sparkle mischievously, her lips curling into a teasing smile. “That’s never gonna happen,” she says loud enough for Sarah and Alex to hear.
Sarah bursts out laughing and claps her hands together. Alex lets out a hearty laugh, splashing water as he does.
Apparently, a few glasses of wine makes her bold.
I grin back at her, slowly backing away in the water, my eyes still lock with hers. She clearly doesn’t know me well yet–because one thing that I love is a good challenge. This summer just got a little more interesting. I might make an exception just for her.
She and Sarah walk inside. They’re probably gonna change into bathing suits. Shaking my head with a half smile, I mutter “Women,” under my breath.
Thirty minutes go by before they come back. Not that I’m counting or anything. The moment she steps into view, time slows down, and everything else fades into the background.
She stands out like an eclipse, where the moon and sun converge, her presence in an orange one-piece bathing suit beautifully complementing her skin. The fabric clings to her body, highlighting every curve. Her curls are wild and free, shaping her face. She’s effortlessly gorgeous, and I can’t take my eyes off her.
I hear Alex chuckling next to me. “You’re staring.” He nudges my shoulder.
“Go away,” I push him. He joins Sarah on the other side of the pool. Still laughing.
Jerk.
Mia sits at the edge of the pool, her legs swinging in the water, making soft splashes. I swim over to her. “You gonna jump in or what?” I tease with a playful grin. “Unless you don’t know how to swim.”
Her eyebrows raise and she shoots back, “Are you saying I can’t swim because I’m…” She points at herself, not finishing the sentence, but I know exactly what she’s trying to say.
“No, that’s not… I didn’t mean…” I stutter, my brain scrambling for the right thing to say.
She bursts out laughing, clearly enjoying the panic on my face. Before I can dig myself into a deeper hole, she jumps into the pool, and cuts through the water effortlessly. Her strokes are confident and strong.
I let out a chuckle, relieved she’s pulling my leg. “Show off.”
She stops in the corner of the pool, and her laughter fades away. Something shifts in her expression as she stares into the distance.
I swim over to her with a sudden urge to make sure she’s okay. She’s so lost in thought that she doesn’t hear me until I’m beside her. “You okay?”
“I’m fine,” she snaps back at me even as she brushes away what might be tears or pool water. Her trembling hands betray her.
I swim a little closer. “You’re a terrible liar.”
Our eyes lock, and her shoulders drop, and an invisible wall crumbles down between us. “Why do you care?” Her eyes glisten under the light beneath the pool.
“I don’t know…but I do.” It’s odd caring this much about someone I barely know. Her eyes search mine for a few seconds before she glances down.
She attempts to swim away, to escape the conversations, but I catch her arm. Now, so close. Her chest rising and plunging against the cool water, mirroring my own sped up heartbeat.
“Was it because of your boyfriend? Did something happen?” I search her face for clues.
She shakes her head.
I lean in, our faces so close that to anyone watching, it’d seem like we’re about to kiss.
“So that’s a no?”
Being that close to her sparks a thrill that’s not just from the cold water but from something electric in the air between us.
My eyes are drawn to her lips, craving the touch of them against mine. She catches the bottom lip between her teeth, stirring a bold desire to free them myself.
Her next words, though sharp, come out as a breathy whisper. “It wasn’t because of him.” She edges closer. “I don’t need you to care about me. You don't even know me.” Bitterness clings to her words.
“Mia.”
Her name feels intimate in my tongue. My fingers rest lightly on her arm, sensing the subtle tension beneath her skin.
“Please, just leave me alone,” she pulls away from me —the vulnerability in her tone affects me more than I know it should.
It’s unsettling how this woman whom I just met seems to get under my skin. I tell myself to back off, keeping my distance from whatever this is. But deep down, I already know it’s a battle I’m already losing. There’s something about her pulling me in, and I’m powerless, unable to resist.
Maybe I don’t want to.
I don’t know.