Chapter 35
thirty-five
If I’d known the prep for skydiving involved another bungee jump, I might not have been so eager to get started. This time, though, I’d have to jump solo. Tripp said it was to ensure I’d be up for the diving part of skydiving.
“Won’t you be the one jumping, though?”
“Yes, but I need to know you’re really up for it.”
“I am.” At least, I think I was. I’d been hyping myself up through every single training session. I’d watched dozens of skydiving videos and read the training manuals. I knew how parachutes worked. My heart no longer threatened to jump out of my chest every time I thought about the actual jump. But when I imagined it, it was also in the safety of Tripp’s embrace. “I will be.”
“Great, then this should be the easy part. You’ve already jumped off this bridge before. And think of all you’ve accomplished since that first time.”
I slipped on the harness and walked toward the edge of the bridge where we’d kicked this whole thing off. “Can we just go back to the trampoline park? I know I can handle that now.” I was mostly joking, but it didn’t sound like a terrible idea. He shook his head and leaned in to kiss my cheek before going to talk with the bungee jump crew. In the two weeks since the rock climb, we’d stopped trying to pretend everything between us was strictly professional. Neither of us could keep our hands to ourselves, but we had to when the cameras rolled. It was one thing for those around us to know, but I wasn’t ready to break the hearts of all two million Take the Leap followers.
Liam and Ava stood near the edge of the bridge like they had the night we’d filmed the first adventure. We planned to film four videos for the skydiving challenge. We filmed the first two during the initial training, which involved me learning how to put on a parachute, watching a dozen safety videos, and then walking through the plane we’d be flying for the final jump. This was the third and final before the dive. Two more sleeps until I’d be jumping out of an airplane. I still couldn’t believe any of this was real.
“Are you sure you don’t want the boat down there this time?” Ava asked. “You know they have to pull you all the way back up, right?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure of anything right now,” I admitted. “But I think it will be okay. I watched some videos of how the whole process works, and it seems like good practice.” At least, that’s what Tripp and Liam had told me.
“Last question,” Liam asked, directing me toward the platform where Tripp waited. “How are you jumping?”
“Headfirst.” Though, I’d never done anything head-first in my life. I’d always been a dip a toe in to test the waters first. “Then I’ll spread my arms wide and tuck my chin.” I held my arms out to my side and pulled my chin into my chest to show him. We’d gone over all of this the last time, but since I hadn’t jumped solo, I didn’t have to use any of the techniques.
“Perfect,” Liam said, smiling. “Go get ‘em.”
I slipped the helmet on and adjusted the chin strap. This time, there wouldn’t be multiple cameras. It was completely up to me to gather everything we needed for content. If anything went wrong with the camera on my head, I’d have to do it all again. No pressure.
Tripp stepped aside to let them hook the bungee cord to my chest harness. I tilted my head back as he leaned down for one last kiss. I was sure the camera was already rolling, but I needed one last taste of his lips before jumping. He started to pull away, but I placed my hands on his face and held him in place. His warm lips crushed back against mine. I wasn’t ready to let go yet. Finally, I let out a soft sigh and released him.
“I think I preferred the palpable sexual tension to the actual kissing,” Liam said, mock gagging. “You do realize I’m going to have to watch this footage again and again while editing.”
“Sorry,” I said. Grinning mischievously, Tripp pulled me in for another kiss. This one was deeper and even more intense. I lifted on my tiptoes to get closer to him. I was acutely aware of Liam’s continued overreaction, but I tuned him out. I never thought I’d be one for public displays of affection, but it was impossible to resist the magnetic pull of Tripp’s lips.
“I’m not sorry,” Tripp said when he released me.
“I am.” Liam groaned and rolled his eyes. “Are you done making out now? Some of us would like to get back to work.”
“Yes,” I said at the same time Tripp said, “No.” We laughed but pulled ourselves apart. I gently pushed him back and nodded for him to leave.
“I’ve got this, okay? You just watch.”
“Always.”
“I’m going to throw up if you two don’t stop this mushy crap.”
“Whatever, Liam. You’re such a grump,” Ava said, “But let’s get a move on things. I’ve got a date to get to.”
I gave Tripp one last smile before walking toward the platform's edge. I didn’t allow myself to look down. I kept my eyes locked on the horizon and the tree line. I didn’t need to look down to know the lake was waiting for me. I felt a tug on the bungee cord and heard the crew member give me the go-ahead. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. The wind brushed my hair away from my face, tickling my skin. The weather was perfect and clear. I opened my eyes and smiled up at the serene blue sky. All I had to do was jump. I scanned my body from head to toe, checking in on every sensation. Anticipation tingled in my toes. I was ready for this. There wasn’t an ounce of hesitation or tangible fear. I tipped my head back and held my arms out wide. I took one step forward and then another. Then, I jumped off of the platform.
The blood rushed in my ears, leaving me unable to hear for a moment as I fell through the air. This time, I didn’t squeeze my eyes shut as I jumped. I kept them open and focused on the surface of the lake. It called my name, inviting me in. As I drew closer, I held my hands out. My fingers grazed the water’s surface. The cold sent a shiver up my arm. A flash of the first jump passed through my mind. I remembered how I’d trembled with fear and how Tripp’s arms held me tight. A bubble of laughter rose from my throat and exploded from my mouth as the cord pulled me back up. I was yanked away from the water and then dropped back toward it. Each time, my hand dipped deeper and deeper into the water.
My racing pulse slowed to a steady pace as I caught my breath. Suddenly, I understood the appeal of chasing an adrenaline rush. The moment I’d jumped, everything else faded into the background. I wasn’t worried about life, bills, my family, or anything. The only thing on my mind was how my body fell through the air. It was so much more than a rush. It was freedom. Nothing I’d ever done in my life had ever given me that feeling. It was as if I could fly. If I spread my arms wider and tilted my head back, I just might soar into the sun. The exhilaration was intoxicating. If I could gather all of these sensations into a pill, I’d take it every day for the rest of my life.
Somewhere between the platform and the lake, the cracks inside of me healed. Every piece of my broken heart stitched itself back together. I knew without a doubt that I’d never go back to the controlling fear I’d once embraced, as if my life depended on it. It had all been a lie. I wasn’t protecting myself from anything. I was hiding and running away from my actual life.
When the bouncing stopped, I was left dangling a few feet above the water. For a moment, the world seemed to stop. Silence and calm enveloped me like a mist of peace. I’d done it. I hadn’t panicked or given in to the fear like I had the first time.
“You did it!” Tripp said as he wrapped his arms around me.
I startled. One of the random crew members was supposed to pull me back up. I’d resigned myself to not feeling Tripp’s touch until I was safely back on the platform but seeing him beside me now sent a rush of heat through me.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Taking you back to solid ground.”
“Can we just hang here for a minute?” As much as I’d loved the feeling of solitude I’d felt in the moments before he joined me, having him here with me now was even sweeter. I didn’t wait for him to answer. I adjusted my body so I could face him and wrap my arms around his neck. I pressed my lips against his and sighed. I’d never get tired of kissing him.
I was acutely aware of being pulled back to the bridge, but I leaned deeper and deeper into him. I didn’t care who saw it or what Liam would have to edit out later. Everything I needed and wanted was right here.
I released him when we reached the top as the crew pulled us back on the platform. Ava pushed them aside and pulled me into a hug.
“Sadie! Did you enjoy that?”
The answer came to me in a rush. “Yes.” I’d loved every second of the jump and the ride back up. “Can I go again?”
A chorus of laughter surrounded me.