Chapter 33
Everly
Five weeks later
“Tell me what’s bugging you.” His arms snake around me as he drops his chin on my shoulder and meets my eyes in the mirror.
I shrug because I don’t have an answer. But something is bugging me—maybe literally.
I’ve been feeling off since we got back from our honeymoon.
Achy, sluggish, foggy brained. Maybe I caught some airplane cooties.
“Maybe I’m coming down with something.” He presses his lips to my temple, and I shoo him.
“Maybe you shouldn’t do that in case I’m contagious. ”
He doesn’t shoo and instead grips me tighter, trailing kisses along my ear and neck. “I’d catch germs from you anytime, baby.” He turns me in his arms and kisses me sweetly.
My head throbs and spins when I tilt it to deepen the kiss. I plant my hands on his chest and shove him back nicely but firmly. “I’m really off. Gonna try the ocean, catch a couple waves, see if that snaps me out of it.”
It’s November, so the water will be cold, colder than normal.
California oceans are always cold, but nothing a wetsuit can’t cure.
I already miss the climate of Costa Rica.
After ten days of nonstop honeymooning in the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen in person, I’m dreading the icy waves but craving the salt.
And hoping the negative ions of the sea will cure what ails me.
“Want me to go with?” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear and cups his hand around my neck, searching my eyes. Before I can answer, he amends his question to a statement. “I’ll go with you.”
But I’m already shaking my head. “No, they want you in the studio. You go. Tell them I’m not feeling that well and ask if I can make it up to them tomorrow.”
“Babe, we’re the talent. We can take a day off if we need it.” One side of his mouth crooks as he winks at me.
“Ew, let’s not be those people. And we just had ten days off.” I grab a handful of the longer hair on top of his head and pull his lips to mine again, then grimace as my stomach coils. “Okay, I need air. I’ll be at the beach if you need me.”
The waves are mostly closed out today, but I find a couple I can ride.
Mostly I float with my cheek resting on my board, dragging my hands through the water, trying to ground myself and shake the malaise.
A perfect set looks to be rolling in, so I stretch out and begin to paddle.
On top of the wave, I swing the board to stay there and coast, but a blinding pain stabs my abdomen.
I double over, throwing off my balance. I almost recover when a rush of dizziness blurs my vision and sends me tumbling under the surface.
Twisting and turning at the whim of the sea, I finally resurface to be slammed in the ribs by my board.
Hooking my arms over it, I kick my feet till I can stand up and scoop the board under my arm and scramble onto the shore.
Flopping the board down first, I fall to my knees in the wet sand and collapse next to it. I roll onto my back and catch my breath. Before I can, another stabbing pain folds me in two.
Something is seriously wrong. I need help.
I look around. The beach is all but deserted.
My cinch sack with my phone is farther up on the beach in the dry sand.
I try to stand but double over with another pain so searing, my vision closes in on me.
I drop back to my knees and crawl to my bag, rummage for my phone.
I unlock it and tap Julian’s name to call him.
It rings three times before he answers, breathless. “Hey, babe. Feel—”
“Something’s wrong. Help me.” Another pain stabs my right side, and the phone slips out of my hand right before everything goes black.