Slow No Wake

EIGHT

Reaching

Thursday was the day of our Ropes Challenge Course Training. It was the day I had been dreading all week. I would be seeing both Eddie and Daniel together again for the first time since the night I found out they were roommates.

As I got ready for work, I stared at myself in my bathroom mirror. How had I gotten into such a terrible mess? As much as I loved pickles, this was one pickle I wish I had avoided. There wasn’t going to be a way to hide the feelings I had for the two men. Somehow I knew neither one of them were going to hide the feelings they had for me. I knew I was wishing for too much when I hoped the two of them would try to keep things civil and professional since we were at work. Unfortunately, I was giving them both too much credit.

Earlier in the week, Tom emailed the clinical team with some rules and instructions for the day. We were to wear casual athletic wear and comfortable shoes. I decided on some biker shorts and a fitted T-shirt and pulled my hair back into a ponytail. It wasn’t really something I would wear if I was going to work out, but I wanted to display a bit of modesty, since it was still considered the work environment and I would be spending the day with my professional colleagues.

The Ropes Challenge Course was located several hundred yards behind the school. The mental health facility used it for both adult and youth treatment clients, mostly the inpatients, and they also rented it out for companies and other organizations for retreats.

I purposely arrived early so I could get myself together mentally and emotionally before I had to face Daniel and Eddie.

As I walked over to the Course, I was immediately intimidated by some of the course elements. There were wires high in the area that I sensed we would be climbing. Fear gripped me as I thought about myself high in the air like a tightrope walker. Then I noticed a large freestanding wall, which I assumed at some point we would have to climb. When I stood next to the tall structure, it towered over me. I thought about all of the comedy movies I had seen in which bumbling army or police recruits would try unsuccessfully to maneuver themselves over a similar type of structure. I was no doubt going to look just as ridiculous trying to get over the thing.

I could feel a presence behind me and I immediately froze. I knew it was Eddie even before I turned around. He got so close to me, I could feel his breath on my neck.

“You look exceptionally hot in your tiny shorts and tight tee,” he said. “Every time you look at me today, I want you to know that the only thing I’ll be thinking about is ripping them off and taking you right behind this wall.”

I gulped. How was I ever going to make it through this day? I already felt like I was going to pass out.

Eddie grabbed my elbow and turned me around to face him. His eyes were on fire. A wave of panic surged through my body. He gently ran his index finger from the sensitive spot behind my ear all the way down my neck. “This ponytail makes me want to kiss your delicious neck.”

Shivers ran through me and I tried to back away from him, but I was stopped by the wall behind me.

“Daniel will be here any minute. He’s right over there, doing his internship hours in the inpatient building.” Eddie pointed to a building on the other side of the school. What kind of sadistic jerk would say such a thing and why was I still immensely attracted to him? I was starting to hate myself for allowing Eddie into my life. But trying to get rid of him seemed to turn him on even more.

The last thing I wanted was for Daniel to see me in a compromising position with Eddie. I just couldn’t take hurting him any more than I already had. He was too nice of a guy for that kind of treatment. He deserved the very best. I just wondered if that was me.

I gathered my courage and looked up at Eddie. “Why are you doing this? Why can’t you just leave me alone?” I tried to move past him, but he put his arms on either side of me and trapped me against the wall.

“I want you, Alexandria. I’ve wanted you from the very first day I saw you moving in and I still want you. Don’t think I’m going to give up without a fight.”

I glared at him. The lust I had felt just seconds ago was now replaced with anger. “I told you that I want to be with Daniel.”

He dropped one arm but kept the other one firmly in place on the other side of me. “This isn’t over, sweetheart.”

I knew he was right. It wasn’t over. But I didn’t know what to do about it. At that moment, though, I knew I had to get as far away from him as I could. I also wanted to make sure I was nowhere near Eddie when Daniel arrived.

Too late.

When I eased away from Eddie, Daniel was practically sprinting toward us.

“What’s going on over here?” Daniel inquired, his tone clipped.

Eddie turned and gave his roommate a pat on the shoulder. “Hey, Danny-O. I was just giving your girlfriend some pointers on the climbing wall.”

Daniel’s eyes narrowed and he glared at his roommate. “I bet you were.”

The two men stared at each other for a long moment and I could feel tension fill the air between them. It was going to be a very long day.

Daniel then turned his attention toward me. His eyes appeared to be filled with sadness and I was suddenly flooded with guilt. I never wanted to do anything to hurt Daniel and I wanted him to know that, but now was not the time or place to have that conversation. I wanted to do something to reassure him, though. I felt like I had to do something to take his pain away. I stepped close to him and placed a kiss on his cheek.

Daniel quickly put his arm around me and pulled me in close to his chest. I could feel tension drain from his body as he drew me in, then placed a light kiss on the top of my head.

When I snuck a quick glance at Eddie, he was staring at me. I thought he might say some kind of snide comment, but he just shook his head, turned and walked away.

It wasn’t long before we were joined by the twins, Brad and Ricky, and the fun times really began.

“I don’t plan on teaming up with anyone but my sister,” Serenity announced as she looked around nervously. “No offence, but she’s really the only person I trust in situations like this.”

“But there are six of us,” Trinity added. “What if we have to get into two teams of three?”

Serenity’s gaze immediately turned to me. “Then we should take Lexie. Keep the girls together.”

Eddie walked back over to the group. He looked like nothing strange had happened just a few minutes previously. He was Mister Cool and Charismatic again.

I, on the other hand, was a nervous wreck. And when I glanced over at Daniel, I could see his entire body go tense and his jaw clench at the site of his roommate. Oh, to be a fly on the wall in their apartment. I did have a glass I could put up to the wall. I pocketed that plan for later.

“Tom was very specific about the groups he wanted assigned,” Eddie said. “It isn’t a choice.”

The twins went wide-eyed and they both stared at Brad. I finally noticed he was wearing basketball shorts and a tight-fitting tee shirt that showed off a more muscular physique than I would have thought. He actually looked more normal than I ever imagined he could, and a bit attractive.

It was interesting how different my perception of my colleagues could be when they were outside of their work clothes and the traditional office setting. Except for the twins, who hadn’t seemed to change a bit. Trinity was still in all black, even though she was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. She was even wearing her black boots, which on anyone else might have seemed weird, but somehow suited her. Serenity was wearing white knee-length shorts with a flowing flowery blouse. Not exactly the outfit conducive to the day’s activities, but certainly something I would have expected her to wear.

When I glanced at Ricky, he gave me a half smile. He was wearing what could have been a jogging outfit. Maybe he did jog because I noticed how muscular his legs were. Not that his top half wasn’t just as muscular. He was definitely an attractive guy and I could understand why Daniel said he got the girls.

When I glanced at Daniel, I noticed how fine he looked in his khaki shorts and tight white polo shirt. There was something about tanned men in polo shirts that really turned me on. I guess Daniel could sense I was staring at him because he glanced over at me and gave me a sly grin. I gave him one back and the sparks between us began to ignite.

Eddie interrupted our eye flirting. “If I could have everyone’s attention.” Eddie glared at me. “I’m going to assign the groups. Group One, if you could stand to my right. Trinity, Serenity and Brad. And Group Two, if you could stand to my left; Daniel, Ricky and Lexie.”

I could see Trinity and Serenity both give Brad a death stare when he stood next to them. Daniel stood about as close as he could to me and Ricky stood next to him.

Eddie’s eyes moved back and forth between Daniel and me and his eyes narrowed. I got the feeling he didn’t like seeing the two of us together. Something he would have to get used to, I thought.

“The first exercise is one for trust building,” Eddie said. “It’s called the Trust Fall. This will involve all six of you. If you’ll follow me.”

We all followed Eddie over to the trust fall platform. “Each of you will have an opportunity to stand here.” He motioned toward the platform. “You’ll stand with your back toward the other members of the group, cross your hands across your chest and fall backward, allowing the other five members of your group to catch you.”

Every one of us looked at the other members of our group. If everyone else was thinking what I was thinking, it was that there was no way in Hell I was going to trust my co-workers to catch me.

“Which brave soul would like go first?” Eddie asked and looked directly at me. I averted his glance and looked down at the ground.

When I looked back up, I saw a hand slowly rise. To my surprise, it was Brad. “I guess I’ll give it a try,” he said. My opinion of him rose a few notches.

Brad hopped up on the trust fall platform, turned his back toward us and crossed his arms over his chest.

Eddie asked the twins to stand next to each other with their arms out, parallel to the ground. Ricky and I did the same thing, but stood opposite of the twins. Eddie asked Daniel to get to the head of the pack. With all of our arms outstretched, it was almost like a cradle for Brad to fall into.

“Brad, are you ready to fall? Do you trust that your teammates will catch you?”

“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” Brad responded.

“Whenever you’re ready, go ahead and fall,” Eddie instructed.

I could see Brad take a deep breath and then he fell backward into our open arms. To my surprise, we all caught him; even the twins didn’t let him drop to the ground.

We all propped Brad back up on his feet, then he turned to us and gave us a big grin. It was the first time I had ever seen him smile. His face actually lit up.

“Great job, everyone,” Eddie said. “Who’s next?”

Daniel leaned close to me and whispered, “I don’t think you should do it.”

I frowned. “Why not?” I whispered back.

“I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I don’t think I have a choice.”

“You always have a choice.”

When I glanced at Eddie, he was glaring at me. “Is there something you want to share with the group, Alexandria?”

Everyone turned their gaze toward Eddie, no doubt because he just called me Alexandria.

“I thought your name was Lexie?” Brad asked as he looked over at me.

“My name is Alexandria, but everyone calls me Lexie.” I purposely glared at Eddie.

“No secrets, Alexandria, and no whispering to your teammates.” Now Eddie was glaring at Daniel.

“Why don’t you call her Lexie like everyone else?” Daniel shot back. “That’s what she likes to be called.”

“And you think you know everything she likes?” Eddie taunted.

“I know what she doesn’t like,” Daniel snapped back.

“Her name is Alexandria,” Eddie insisted.

“Call her Lexie,” Daniel demanded.

The two men were now toe to toe glaring at each other. The already heavy air grew thicker with the tension between them. When I glanced over at the twins, they were both wide-eyed, mouths agape. Ricky was smirking and Brad was shaking his head in disbelief. It looked like I was the only one who would, or could, do anything about the debacle taking place in front of us.

“Enough,” I said as I marched up to the two guys. “Why are you both talking about me like I’m not even here?” Both of them turned to face me. “My name is Alexandria, but everyone calls me Lexie. Got it?”

Both of the men nodded. Daniel bit is lower lip when he looked at me, his expression like a scolded child. Eddie glared at me with a flash of anger in his eyes.

“Now I’m going to get on that trust fall platform like everyone else and my teammates are going to catch me. Is that clear to everyone?” When I looked at everyone else in our group, they all nodded at me. I think they could tell I was in take-no-shit mode.

I hoisted myself onto the platform. Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see Daniel and Eddie on either side of the platform, watching closely to make sure I didn’t fall. Did I really come across as that delicate and unathletic? I made a mental note to check out gym memberships.

I crossed my arms over my chest as Eddie had suggested and readied myself for the trust fall. I could hear Eddie instructing the others to get into their positions.

“Don’t drop her.” I heard Daniel warn the rest of the group. I knew if all else failed, he would definitely be there to catch me, so I wasn’t worried. I fell back and was caught by my teammates. When they placed me back down on the ground, Daniel was immediately at my side. “Are you okay?” he asked anxiously.

“I’m fine,” I reassured him. “Don’t worry.”

A look of relief spread across his face.

“You can’t worry like this about me all day, Daniel. I’m not that fragile.”

He looked embarrassed and I immediately regretted saying it. “Not that I’m not flattered,” I quickly added. “I know you care about me and don’t want me to get hurt.”

That got a half smile out of him.

We all lined up again as Trinity got ready to do her fall. And we caught her when she did. We also caught Serenity, Ricky and finally, Daniel.

Eddie gave us a small round of applause when we finished the exercise. “See, you all worked together and trusted each other and no one got hurt.” Eddie glared at Daniel when he said the last part. I thought Daniel might give him the finger and probably would have if we weren’t in a work setting. I wondered how the two of them still managed to live together with all of the animosity that was now between them. It was kind of scary.

The next element was the swinging log. We each had to make our way across a giant log that was suspended with cables between two poles. Brad went first again and made it across the log in what seemed like record time. Even though he wasn’t a big guy, there was no doubt he was athletic. Ricky went next and also made it across the log with ease. The twins looked at each other and shook their heads simultaneously.

“Can we pass?” Serenity asked.

“I would prefer you didn’t,” Eddie replied. “At least give it a try.”

“This is a disaster waiting to happen,” Trinity said.

“Maybe you want to be a little more positive,” Eddie encouraged. “Thinking and believing you can make it across is half the battle.”

“I think and believe I’ll most likely fall on my ass,” Trinity mumbled.

“Maybe Daniel can hold your hand while you do it?” Eddie suggested. Daniel glared at him.

“Maybe Ricky can do it,” Daniel suggested. He gave Ricky a pleading look.

“Sure, no problem,” Ricky said and glared at Eddie.

The tension between Eddie and Daniel was getting ridiculous. I almost wanted to take the rest of the day as a sick day.

Ricky helped Trinity climb onto the log, then he held her hand as she walked across the length of it to the other side.

I noticed when Trinity jumped down from the log on the other side, she nearly thrust herself into Ricky’s arms and spent a few too many seconds hanging on to him. Hmm. It would be interesting to see if Serenity had a similar attraction to him.

Ricky went through the same routine with Serenity and just as I anticipated, Serenity jumped into his arms and spent a few too many seconds in his embrace. When I caught Ricky’s eye after he let go of Serenity, he looked flattered by the attention. He certainly did have a way with the ladies.

Only Daniel and I were left to make the trek across the log. Daniel jumped on the log and hurried across it with ease. It almost looked like he was going for a morning stroll, he was so comfortable on it. With Daniel at the other end, Eddie grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the log. As he helped me up, I could see Daniel hurry over and get into Eddie’s face.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Daniel demanded.

Eddie clamped my hand in his. “What does it look like I’m doing?”

“Let go of her hand,” Daniel insisted.

Eddie’s eyes narrowed. “No.”

Daniel pointed a finger in Eddie’s face. “I don’t want you touching her.”

“You don’t get to make that decision.”

I tried to pull my hand from Eddie’s but he just tightened his hold on me.

“I’m going to help Alexandria across the log,” Eddie said.

“No, you’re not,” Daniel countered.

I suddenly felt like a bone that two dogs were fighting over. Finally, Ricky stood between the two men. “Because I’d like to get this over with and get home sometimes before it gets dark, I’ll help Lexie across the log.”

Eddie dropped my hand, but his eyes remained fixed on Daniel’s. Ricky shook his head then grabbed my hand. “Come on, kiddo,” he said. “Let’s rock and roll.”

With Ricky helping me to balance, I made it across the log quickly and relatively easily. When I got to the other end, Daniel was waiting for me and I noticed he made sure that Ricky dropped my hand as soon as I hopped down from the log.

“My man,” Ricky said to Daniel. “You’ve got it bad.” He patted his friend on the back as he passed by him.

It took so long to do the first two elements, by the time we all finished walking the log, it was almost time for lunch.

“We don’t have enough time to start the climbing wall,” Eddie said. “So why don’t we break for an early lunch?”

The twins both applauded that idea.

“Tom gave us money to get subs or pizza,” Eddie said. “Who has a preference?”

“My preference is for food,” Ricky joked. “I’m starving. How about pizza and subs?”

Brad raised his hand. “If we have to make due with fast food, I would prefer subs.”

“Pizza,” said the twins in unison, which earned a death stare from Brad.

“What would you like, Lexie?” Daniel asked.

I shrugged. “I don’t have a preference. I could go either way.”

That earned a snicker from Ricky. Now I was the one giving him the death stare. I was clearly talking about food, not Daniel and Eddie.

“My vote is for pizza,” Daniel said. “Sorry, Brad.”

Brad heaved a sigh. “I supposed I can make do with the excessive cheese and grease for one day.”

“Alexandria, would you like to come with me to pick up the pizzas?” Eddie raised an eyebrow in my direction.

“I’ll go,” Daniel said.

“I don’t recall inviting you,” Eddie said.

I placed a hand on Daniel’s shoulder. “It’s okay. I can go to pick up pizzas.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Daniel said through clenched teeth.

“It’ll be fine,” I reassured him.

“I don’t mind tagging along,” Ricky suggested.

“I’ve got the old Mini,” Eddie said.

Ricky threw ups his hands. “Okay, then, you guys are on your own.”

I gulped, wondering what I had gotten myself into.

***

Eddie and I stood in front of his 1976 Mini Cooper. “Does it run?” I asked. The thing looked like it should have been in a junkyard rather than a parking lot.

“Of course it runs,” Eddie scoffed. “How do you think I got it here this morning?”

Good point.

“There is one catch,” he said. “We have to push start it to get it running.”

“Seriously?”

Eddie nodded.

“Maybe we should just take my car,” I suggested.

He shook his head. “This is something I want you to experience. A ride like this will get your adrenalin pumping.”

The last thing I wanted was to be alone with Eddie with my adrenalin pumping.

“And maybe we can get something else pumping in the back seat later.” He gave me one of his irresistible dimple grins. Oh, God.

“Let’s just get the pizzas,” I muttered.

A few seconds later, I saw Daniel running toward us. “I’m going with you,” he said firmly.

“Don’t you trust your girlfriend?” Eddie taunted his roommate.

“I don’t trust you,” Daniel shot back.

“Takes two to tango,” Eddie said. “That little lady of yours isn’t going to do anything she doesn’t want to do. Maybe you’re just afraid she wants what you don’t have or can’t give her.”

Daniel’s jaw was clenched and I could see he was seething. I decided to take control of the situation again.

“We have hungry teammates to feed,” I said as I marched over toward my Kia Soul. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Daniel and Eddie reluctantly follow me. Daniel was a little quicker than Eddie and he made it to the front passenger door before Eddie, who resigned himself to taking a back seat.

I started the engine as the guys buckled themselves in place. “I don’t want to hear another word from either one of you until we get back with the pizza,” I warned them. Neither one of them said another word.

***

Thirty minutes later, we arrived back to the Ropes Challenge Course with one pepperoni pizza, one sausage pizza and one vegetarian pizza. The others had already set up a picnic table with paper plates, plastic ware, napkins and drinks.

Ricky was seated between the twins and Brad was at the other end of the table. I sat down directly across from the twins and Eddie and Daniel took either side of me.

“Did you get vegetarian?” Serenity asked.

“Of course,” I said. “I’ve got your back.”

She smiled and grabbed a slice.

Brad also took a slice of the vegetarian and Trinity grabbed two slices of the pepperoni. I also took a slice of the pepperoni. I noticed that Ricky, Eddie and Daniel filled their plates with all the remaining slices with meat.

We all ate in silence for a few minutes then Ricky glanced at me and said, “I heard a rumor that you were traveling with us this weekend.”

I cringed. I didn’t know how much I wanted my co-workers to know about my personal life, not that it wasn’t completely on display anyway, thanks to the feud brewing between Eddie and Daniel.

“Lexie’s accompanying me,” Daniel interjected.

“And we’re not supposed to look at her, speak to her, or touch her,” Eddie said dripping with sarcasm.

I suddenly regretted agreeing to go up North with the guys. What was I thinking? Why did I ever think it would be a good idea to go on a trip with both Eddie and Daniel? Was it too late to cancel? I couldn’t do that to Daniel. I knew how much he was looking forward to me going with him.

Then Brad saved me by saying, “So, what do you think about the town’s plans to attract a new super mall? They say it will rival Mall of America.”

The other staff members jumped right into the conversation and I breathed a sigh of relief.

When the lunch had been completely devoured, the twins grabbed me for a potty break.

“What the hell is going on?” Trinity asked as she pulled me into the ladies room. “If Eddie and Daniel had swords and it was a few hundred years ago, they’d be dueling over you.”

“It’s kind of romantic,” Serenity said.

“It’s kind of like being in the middle of a Shakespearian tragedy,” Trinity said.

“Or maybe a Renaissance Festival,” Serenity said.

“I thought things were cooling with Eddie,” Trinity said.

“That’s what I thought, too,” I said. “I made it clear to Eddie that I was with Daniel, but he just won’t give up. He’s persistent.”

“And a bit crazy,” Serenity added.

“That, too,” I agreed.

“You’re really going to go away with all three of them for the weekend?” Serenity asked.

“All four of them,” I corrected.

The twins both raised their eyebrows. “There’s another one?” They asked in unison.

I nodded.

“You’re a brave woman,” Trinity said.

“Or maybe I’m the crazy one,” I said.

The twins both laughed at me.

***

After lunch, it was time for the climbing wall. This time, we broke into our groups of three and Eddie gave us instructions that each group had to figure out a way to get all of their members over the wall.

Brad and the twins went first. Brad brought the twins into a huddle, apparently to discuss their strategy. I couldn’t hear what was being said, but I could see the twins nodding their heads in unison. It was nice to see Brad being civil, even cordial, with the twins. I was seeing sides to Brad I never realized existed.

When the huddle broke, Brad bent down and Trinity put her legs around his neck. I cringed as Brad got up holding her on his shoulders. He was a little wobbly at first, then righted himself. I held my breath when Trinity rose to her feet on his shoulders. I had to give Brad credit for being a lot stronger than I would have ever thought. I couldn’t see his face, but I imagined it was probably pretty red.

Trinity was raised high enough that she could lift herself up onto the small platform at the top of the wall. When Brad turned to face us, he looked a bit winded. I could see he was trying to compose himself and catch his breath. Trinity wasn’t a big girl, but Brad wasn’t a big guy either. It took some strength and fortitude on his part to get Trinity high enough to climb up the wall.

Serenity was next. She didn’t appear to be as strong or physically fit as her sister, so I could understand why they placed her second. She would have Trinity at the top to give her a hoist.

Brad and Serenity repeated the same moves that Brad and Trinity had just done. When Serenity was high enough to lift herself, Trinity grabbed hold of her and helped her up the wall.

Brad now stood staring at the wall. I wondered what his next move was going to be. The twins both got on their stomachs at the top of the wall, but they couldn’t quite reach Brad to give him a hoist up. Brad then backed away from the wall and tried to make a running start. He was able to walk up the wall a few feet, but it still wasn’t enough for the twins to reach him.

Brad shook his head and threw up his arms. “We just don’t have enough people to do it,” he said.

Eddie nodded in agreement.

We were all silent for a minute staring at each other.

Then Eddie said, “It’s okay to ask for help.”

Brad looked at Eddie then looked at our team. “From you or from them?”

“Either or both,” Eddie replied.

Brad thought about it for a minute. I could see the wheels spinning in his head. He asked Daniel to remove his belt then he held on to one end then tossed the other end up for Trinity to grab. Using the belt, Trinity was able to pull Brad up enough for Serenity to grab hold of his arm. Then Trinity grabbed the other arm and with Brad half climbing the rest of the way, the twins were able to get him high enough so that he could lift himself over the wall.

Ricky and Daniel didn’t have any trouble hoisting me high enough that I could make it up to the top of the wall. Then Ricky got a push up from Daniel and I was able to pull him a bit until he could hoist himself the rest of the way. Ricky then used the belt to pull Daniel part of the way up and I grabbed his arm and gave him a bit of a pull until he was over the wall with us.

When we were all at the top of the wall, Eddie started a round of applause. We all joined in clapping, then laughing. We were all exhausted, but we’d done it.

We took a short break and Eddie gave us all bottled water from a cooler. I swear we all downed our bottles in one gulp.

Then it was time for the final element of the day. The overhead ropes. As we all stood under the massive ropes structure, I wondered what I hell I had gotten myself into.

“There are several ropes elements. Today, we’re going to do the tight-rope walk at the top,” Eddie informed us.

I gulped. I had seen people walk tightropes, but they were in the circus. They had practiced their whole lives and tightrope walked on a daily basis. My feet never left the ground if I could help it.

When I glanced over at Daniel, he looked like he was gleaming. Of course, he’d be excited about a thing like this. He did kite surfing, which was an extreme sport. This probably seemed like nothing to him. Ricky was also grinning. I noticed the twins looked as dumbstruck as I did. Good, at least I wasn’t alone in my lack of enthusiasm and downright fear.

Eddie glanced in my direction and gave me his dimpled half smile. A shiver ran through me. I tried to play it off as fear of the tightrope wall, but deep down, I knew better. Eddie still had the ability to turn me to jelly with just one sexy look.

“You don’t need to worry too much,” Eddie said. “You’ll each be strapped to a safety harness, so if you fall off the rope, which I hope you don’t, you won’t fall to the ground. It’s a safety precaution so you won’t get hurt.”

The thought of being strapped to a safety rope didn’t lessen my fears very much. It was still a very long was up there and it seemed like a long way back down to the ground.

Serenity raised her hand.

“Yes,” Eddie said acknowledging her.

“Can we give it a pass if we don’t want to do it?”

“You can always give it a pass, but I would prefer you didn’t. I’d like to see you move beyond your comfort zone.”

As soon as he said move beyond your comfort zone, Eddie stared right at me. He was definitely outside of my comfort zone, but I wasn’t planning on moving beyond it any time soon.

I glanced over at Daniel and he was staring daggers at Eddie. I guessed he wasn’t too thrilled about the thought of me moving beyond my comfort zone either. Daniel was definitely firmly within my comfort zone. In some ways, he was my comfort zone.

Eddie gave us a demonstration about strapping ourselves into the safety harness. Then he asked for a volunteer to go first. I must have been momentarily possessed because I raised my hand.

I could hear Daniel let out a small gasp. I glanced over at him and he had worry in his eyes. I gave him a reassuring smile, but it didn’t seem to ease his fears much.

Eddie got me strapped into the safety harness and then I climbed the small ladder up to the top of the end pole. I noticed Eddie was climbing up the ladder on the other side to meet me.

Panic set in as I looked down and realized how high up I was.

I could hear Eddie’s voice say, “Don’t look down.”

Too late.

I could feel myself wobble a bit, so I looked over at Eddie and tried to steady myself. For the first time, he wasn’t looking at me lustfully. He wasn’t trying to seduce me. He was actually looking at me more like a friend. And there was something else in his eyes. I couldn’t quite place it because I had never seen it in his eyes before, but it may have been love.

I slowly stepped onto the tightrope and told myself I could do it. I continued putting one foot in front of the other until I was about a quarter of the way there.

Terror gripped me again as I realized I was in the air without the safety of the large end pole behind me.

“You can do it,” Eddie reassured me. Just hearing his voice and seeing that loving look in his eyes was enough for me to gather the strength I needed to make it the rest of the way.

When I got to the other side, Eddie embraced me in a hug. He felt warm and safe.

As good as it felt to be in Eddie’s arms, I suddenly felt uncomfortable when I remembered the rest of the staff, and Daniel, were on the ground watching us.

“You should probably let me go,” I said.

Eddie kept me in a tight embrace. “I don’t want to let you go.”

I knew he meant more than just that moment. “You have to let me go.”

“I can’t.”

“Please.”

I could feel the breath leave his body but he was still holding me. I was so caught up in the moment of feeling Eddie so close to me and the tenderness between us, I hadn’t even realized that Daniel had climbed up Eddie’s end pole.

“Let Lexie go,” Daniel said.

Eddie did as he was told then he looked over at Daniel. “You shouldn’t be up here, man.”

Daniel let out a single laugh. “Like you have anything to say about what someone should and shouldn’t do.”

“You need to get down so Lexie can climb down.”

Realization crossed Daniel’s face. “Right, sure.”

Daniel climbed down the pole and I climbed down right after him. Eddie stayed at the top for a moment, then climbed down after us.

Daniel was now standing so close to me we could have been attached at the hip. When Eddie returned to the group, I noticed ‘old’ Eddie had returned. There wasn’t a trace of the loving man, who had embraced me at the top of the pole. He was a charismatic a*shole again.