On Dry Land (Swimming Upstream #3)

by Rebecca Barber

  “Well, I think you’ll look stunning in whatever you choose.” Tyler kissed her passionately.

  Ava knew what he was trying to do. He was trying to distract her. Unsuccessfully.

  “You may be a little biased, though! But thank you,” Ava forced a smile.

  “You’ll be fine, Short Stack. I have to go call Mum, why don’t you give Amanda a call? I’m sure she can help you choose. She’s got an opinion about everything.”

  “You’re probably right. I’ll give her a buzz.”

  Ava felt lighter with Tyler’s words. She hadn’t considered calling her best friend for advice. Normally, Amanda would have been her first call. The first person she’d turn to for advice. Being in Tyler’s apartment had shaken her. Tipped her off balance. For the first time in as long as she could remember she’d gone days without any contact with Amanda. Even if it was just to share a funny joke or cute cat picture on Facebook, but with everything that had happened, Ava felt like she’d fallen off the face of the planet.

  Reaching for her phone on the night stand, Ava noticed a message which had been sitting there, unread for hours.

  Amanda: U alive???

  Ava didn’t bother replying; instead she dialled Amanda’s number. “Hi!”

  “Where the hell have you been?”

  “Calm your farm, Amanda! I’m at Tyler’s.”

  “So basically you’ve spent your long weekend wrapped up in your hottie?”

  “Jealous much?”

  “Fuck yeah!”

  Ava giggled. This was exactly what she needed. Amanda’s enthusiasm. “The reason I was ringing…”

  “Was to share the dirty details?”

  “No! We’ll catch up tomorrow and I might give you some then.”

  “Spoil sport!”

  “Seriously though, I need help. You know I’m headed to Sydney for that damn training course, but I accepted that appearance invite on Early Birds. Well, my issue is what do I wear?”

  “Don’t panic, Ava! This is easy. What are our options?”

  “Well, Tyler took me shopping…”

  “I know!”

  “How?”

  “Twitter.”

  “Fuck me!”

  “Yep! Pictures and everything. Tyler looked damn sexy holding your purse!” Amanda giggled. “But back to the issue at hand. Text me through pictures of our options and I’ll let you know.”

  Heaving a deep sigh, Ava quickly agreed and ended the call before dropping her head in her hands. She didn’t know if she’d ever get used to having her life publicized. It seemed even a simple shopping trip became news. Feeling drained, Ava stripped off and tried on dress after dress, snapping selfies in the mirror and sending them through to Amanda. After the last photo had been sent, Ava plugged her phone in and slipped into the bathroom before sinking into the tub, overflowing with vanilla scented bubbles.

  Chapter 15

  Tyler

  When he heard Ava shut off the water, Tyler grabbed his phone, stepped out into the darkness, and dialed Katie. He needed an accomplice if he was going to pull off his next scheme. As he waited for Katie to answer, guilt briefly passed through him. Ava had no idea how devious he could be. She was about to find out. What was worse, Katie was even more cunning than he was. She was always up for shenanigans and unfortunately for Ava, she’d become an easy target.

  “Hey,” Tyler said as Katie’s giggle came through the line. “Bad time?”

  “Nah, all good. Just let me go outside so I can hear.” Tyler heard the noise being shut out, presumably with the shut of the door. “So, baby brother, what do you want this time?”

  “Why do I have to want something?”

  “’Cause you always do? So tell me, what did you do that I need to undo? What do you want to do that I need to organize? Or what have you done that she doesn’t know about yet and you want to be prepared for the moment she finds out?”

  “Do you have no faith in me?”

  “Nope!”

  “Why? What the hell did I do to deserve that extraordinarily low level of support?”

  “You’re a guy!”

  Brushing aside Katie’s snarky comments, Tyler explained what he was up to and where he needed her help. Katie, true to form, agreed quickly, even adding her own special touches, enhancing the plans. After thanking her and ensuring her silence with threats of grievous bodily harm if she blabbed, something she’d been known to do in the past, Tyler ended the call.

  Almost an hour later, Tyler stumbled back into the bedroom only to be comforted to see Ava snoring softly in his bed, her hair fanned out across the pillow, the sheet draped low enough to show the creamy skin of the top of her breasts, which rose and fell with her every breath, hypnotizing him. Tyler wasn’t sure how long he stood there, but for a couple of minutes he just remained frozen, silhouetted in the doorway watching her sleep. Moments later he’d turned off all the lights and stripped down to his black boxer briefs before sliding into the cool sheets beside her.

  Four in the morning came much too quickly for Tyler. It felt like his eyes had barely been closed for a breath when his alarm broke the quiet. Silencing it as quickly as he could, Tyler took a moment and turned to Ava. She shifted in her sleep and moaned as she rolled over, taking most of the blanket with her. Tyler stifled the chuckle that bubbled in his throat as she started to mumble in her sleep. Forcing one foot in front of the other, Tyler scooped up his clothes and dressed hastily in the lounge room. Twenty minutes later, he was stripping off again and diving into the pool.

  Three exhausting hours later, every muscle in Tyler’s body burnt. He’d lapped up and down, been yelled out, had a kick board tossed at his head, and copped a ribbing from team mates. As soon as they’d found out that Ava had all but practically moved in the ball and chain jokes began.

  Luke grabbed Tyler’s elbow and looked behind him. “What the fuck are you doing?”

  “Just looking.”

  “For what?”

  “The ball and chain.”

  Over Sam’s laughter, Tyler growled, “You think you’re funny, don’t you?”

  “Well, yeah.” Luke shrugged, stepping back and rubbing his hair with the towel.

  “Ava doesn’t need a ball and chain…” Tyler saw the confused looks cross their smug faces. He couldn’t help himself. “She knows how to use hand cuffs.” As Luke and Sam’s mouths gaped open, Tyler shrugged, scooped up his bag, and headed for the exit.

  Sliding into the front seat of his Jeep, Tyler dug out his phone and texted Ava good morning. He wasn’t expecting an answer, he knew she was working, but he couldn’t stop himself from sending the sappy message. Dropping it in the console, Tyler spun the wheels and headed for home. He needed to pack.

  Tyler: Heading out of town for a couple of days. Training with Sydney squad.

  It didn’t take long before Jonathan blew a fuse.

  Jonathan: WTF???

  Tyler: Back next week. Don’t worry.

  Jonathan: U can’t blow off your commitments.

  Tyler: What commitments?

  Jonathan: U have an appearance on Friday night.

  Tyler: Cancel it.

  Jonathan: Is she worth it?

  Tyler: Fuck you, Jonathan.

  Tyler: Don’t you ever go there again.

  Tyler: & yes. Ava’s fucking worth it.

  Pissed beyond comprehension, Tyler threw his phone against the wall and watched as it clattered to the tiles in pieces. He didn’t give a shit. Phones could be replaced. Even Jonathan could be replaced. But Tyler knew there was one thing, one person in his life who couldn’t be. Ava. Ava was his life. She had him by the balls and she had no idea. It was more than that, though. She had his heart. And in that moment, Tyler confirmed the decision that had been gnawing in the back of his mind for weeks now.

  When his flight landed in Sydney, Tyler grabbed his suitcase as aggressively as he could and yanked it from the conveyor belt. Steam was still billowing from his ears. He’d been pissed at Jonath
an before but never to this magnitude. This time Jonathan had crossed the line and for the entire flight Tyler had been debating whether or not they could get past this. Whether they wanted to get past this. Or if it was just time to call it.

  Pulling his baseball cap low and settling his dark sunglasses over his eyes, Tyler marched determinedly from the arrivals gate. Standing on the street, with the wind howling around him, and being jostled back and forth from the chaotic passengers who went every which way, his frustrations escalated with every moment that went by.

  “Where the fuck is she?”

  “Did you say something?” an elderly gentleman dressed in a brown velour suit asked as he shuffled towards Tyler.

  “Sorry, sir, no. I was just talking to myself.”

  “Well, all right, then. You have a good day.”

  “You too,” Tyler replied automatically feeling like a scolded school boy.

  Swallowing down his embarrassment, Tyler scoured the car park looking for Katie. She was supposed to be here by now. Every moment he stood on the kerb waiting was another opportunity for him to be recognized. Right now he was not in the mood to smile and sign autographs.

  Another ten minutes standing there, exposed and simmering, Tyler heard a piercing whistle echo across the asphalt. Instinctively, Tyler spun at the sound and saw Katie waving from the front of a sleek silver Jeep Compass. Without hesitating, Tyler made a beeline towards her.

  “What took you so long?” he grumbled as he tossed his bag on the back seat.

  “Do be pissy at me, Tyler! I’ve been here, trying to call you. Why aren’t you answering your damn phone?”

  “I don’t have it with me.”

  “Why the fuck not?” With a screech of the tires, Katie cut three cars off as she merged across the lanes to get to her exit.

  “It’s broken.”

  “It’s broken? Or you broke it?”

  “Does it matter?”

  “Guess that’s my answer.”

  “Just drive, Katie. I don’t need a lecture right now.”

  Without another word, Katie twisted and turned her way through the narrow Sydney streets. When they pulled into the shopping centre car park, Tyler, quirked an eyebrow at Katie before jumping from the front seat and stalking into the shops. Twenty minutes later, he reappeared, carrying a small paper bag. Katie fired up the ignition and they headed for home.

  Chapter 16

  Ava

  Ava had never been so happy to have a moment to herself. She’d spent the last four hours on a smelly, squashed bus filled with people eating the foulest smelling food she’d ever encountered. The three hour trip had blown out to four, when halfway down the freeway they’d been held up by road works as far as she could see. But that wasn’t the worst part. The worst part about the trip was the tiny Chinese lady on the seat beside her, squashing her against the window who insisted on eating the most disgusting colored eggs the entire journey. Every time Ava caught a glimpse of them, or a caught a whiff she wanted to gag.

  Thankful to get off the bus, Ava heaved her overnight bag over her shoulder, took hold of her suit bag, and started the slow walk towards her hotel, hoping for a soft bed and a hot shower. If Ava thought things would be simple and straight forward then she was very mistaken. When she finally reached the hotel it was brimming with people. Getting through the front door proved to be a challenge in itself. The group of sweaty, smelly men blocked the doorway, smoking cigarettes. Eventually she managed to get through the heavy, dirty glass doors. Kids ran riot, knocking down anything in their way as they darted back and forth, their parents oblivious to the mayhem they were causing. After twenty minutes of shuffling her bag from one hand to the other when her fingers went white and numb, Ava finally made it to the counter.

  Needing to raise her voice over the incessant chatter and incomprehensible babbling, Ava managed to hand over her credit card in exchange for her room key. Within minutes she was squishing herself into the elevator and on her way to her top floor suite.

  After a quick shower and a change of clothes, Ava headed back through the chaotic lobby and burst out onto the bustling street. With her stomach grinding, dinner was a necessity. Within one hundred metres of her hotel, Ava had passed more than a dozen different restaurants serving cuisine from all over the world. But for some reason, nothing captured her interest. Grabbing a chicken sandwich and a bottle of juice, Ava headed back to the hotel and fired up her laptop. Maybe it was the change of scenery. Maybe it was the stillness in her suite. Maybe it was the silence that helped her hear James and Anna’s voices, because right now they were screaming. They wouldn’t be ignored and Ava wasn’t about to start now.

  The next time Ava looked up it was almost three in the morning.

  Collapsing into the bed, Ava’s set her alarm before her bleary eyes fell shut and she passed out.

  When the sun broke through the gap in her curtains and the alarm destroyed the silence, Ava was startled awake. Swinging her arm out, Ava flailed about desperately, trying to shut it up, managing to knock the glass of water all over the bedside table and the pillow beneath her head.

  “Shit!” she grumbled as she sat up and kicked back the covers.

  Stumbling across the room, Ava caught sight of her reflection and couldn’t contain her shudder. After a restless night, tossing and turning and fighting the comforter trying to fall asleep, she’d barely had a couple of hours and the huge black bags under her eyes would ensure that everyone knew it. Her stomach lurched and Ava grabbed at it, trying to hold everything together. Running to the bathroom, Ava slammed the door behind her.

  Fifteen minutes later she emerged from the bathroom, her dripping hair wrapped in a towel. Staring into the mirrored doors of the wardrobe, Ava hated what she saw. She dropped the towel and stared at her pale skin but couldn’t see past the imperfections. Hating herself wasn’t a new thing for Ava. Dealing with her shortcomings was a daily battle. In some moments it was bearable and in others it was so overwhelming it was almost paralysing. Taking in her flabby thighs and too wide hips, Ava cringed. Unable to look a moment longer, Ava grabbed her clothes from the pile on the floor and pulled them on as quickly as she could manage.

  Dressed in a knee length navy blue dress and black heels, higher than she’d ever tried to walk in before, Ava wobbled bleary eyed down the corridor and stepped into the elevator, the exhaustion weighing heavily on her. But Ava was determined. She was to make the best of this even if she could barely see straight. A moment later, she emerged on the street, only to be surprised to see how crowded it was, considering it wasn’t even five in the morning yet. Thankfully it wasn’t too long before a yellow taxi cab pulled up in front of her. Slipping into the back seat, Ava quickly gave the driver her destination before settling herself against the tattered plastic covered seats and shot a text to Tyler.

  Ava: Hi

  Tyler: Been waiting to hear from u.

  Ava: ???

  Tyler: Freaking out yet???

  Ava: More than you know.

  Tyler: Don’t.

  Tyler: You’ll do great. You always do.

  Ava: Thx.

  Tyler: Anytime Short Stack.

  Ava: Gotta Go. Just arrived.

  Tyler: Knock’em dead. Talk later.

  Ava: <3

  Tossing some cash at the driver, Ava slipped from the cab, feeling at ease for the first time since she’d arrived. Tyler made everything better. He just made Ava’s life easier. Even swapping a few meaningless texts with him first thing in the morning made her smile, and today that was a miracle.

  Tightening her grip on her bag, Ava strode as confidently as she could toward the security guard at the door.

  “Name,” he demanded brusquely.

  “Ava. Ava Jacobs.”

  Straightening her dress and squaring her shoulders, Ava forced herself to at least appear to be confident.

  He stuffed a lanyard into Ava’s clammy hand. “Here. Down the hall then turn left. Third door. They’re expectin
g you.”

  As Ava shuffled down the deserted corridor, her heart pounded and it was taking everything she had not to vomit. The voices in her head were screaming, telling her to turn and run. Gulping down the lump in her throat, Ava forced her feet to keep moving forward.

  Forty-five minutes later, with her hair fluffed, a thick coat of makeup plastering her face and her knees white from the moments spent bent over the toilet bowl emptying her nervous stomach, Ava was led through a maze and onto the set of the breakfast program.

  “Hi Ava,” a rich voice greeted her. The voice belonged to a man wearing fitted jeans and a striped shirt. Ava opened her mouth to reply but nothing came out. “Nervous?”

  “Petrified.”

  “Don’t be. We’re harmless.” His perfect brunette co-host appeared. “This is going to be relatively simple. I’m Quinn.”

  Wiping her hands on her thighs, Ava reached over and accepted Quinn’s immaculately manicured hand. “I know.” Ava giggled at her own pathetic fan girl moment. “Ava Jacobs.”

  “And you’ve already met my bonehead of a co-host, Adrian. You ready for this?”

  “Honestly? Not at all.”

  “You’ll be fine, sweetheart. We’re just going to have a chat. You’ll be great.”

  With greetings out the way, Ava was ushered into a red leather armchair and handed a glass of water. Taking a sip, Ava coughed as the crew ran through a list of instructions. Answer the questions in full sentences. Don’t stare directly into the camera. Try not to stutter. Don’t fidget. Smile. And whatever you do, keep your knees together.

  Before Ava had a chance to panic, the lights became even brighter and Quinn and Adrian stopped talking between themselves and snapped into reporter mode. “This morning we welcome to our couch Ava Jacobs, an emerging Australian author whose first book, Perfection is Just an Illusion, has just been released and is doing amazing things. Good Morning, Ava.”