On Dry Land (Swimming Upstream #3)

by Rebecca Barber

  “Morning, Quinn. Hi, Adrian.”

  Ava heard her own voice and didn’t recognize it. It was pitchy and squeaky. She could hear the blood gushing in her ears and the impulse to throw up was stronger than ever. She forced herself to take a huge gulp of air.

  “So Ava, your debut novel, Perfection is Just an Illusion, went live a couple of months ago. How’s it all been so far?”

  Forcing out the lung full of air she’d been holding, Ava squeezed her hands together and looked directly at Quinn. “Honestly, it has been an unbelievable rollercoaster ride, that’s for sure.”

  “What do you mean?” Adrian probed.

  “When I started this, all I really wanted was for someone to read it. And after that the dream was to be able to walk into my local bookstore and see it sitting on the shelves with the real books.”

  “And now it is,” Quinn added with a dazzling smile.

  “So I’ve read the story of Anna and James and I have to say, Ava, I felt so sorry for them. So many ups and downs and that horrible ex of hers—well, he just gave me the creeps. But I have to ask what’s next? Is there more Anna and James to come? I know I want to know what happens next.”

  “Absolutely. All the reviewers were very clear about what they thought and it was exactly that. A sequel? I hadn’t given a sequel any thought at all to tell you the truth, but after some hinting from the publishers and the reviews not being quite as subtle, I’m attempting to write the follow up at the moment.”

  “So what you’re saying is that you’re not going to let us in on the secret how it all turns out?”

  “I would if I could, Adrian.” Ava’s words evoked a chuckle from the hosts.

  “So Ava, where do you get the ideas from?”

  “I don’t really know. Some of it starts off with a line or a couple of words, others with that feeling in the pit of your stomach. Writing isn’t something new to me. It’s something I’ve always done. The only difference now is it’s out there for the world to see and judge.”

  “Does that scare you at all? Being judged?”

  “Absolutely!” Ava was thankful that the filter between her brain and her mouth was working this early.

  “But you do it anyway.” Ava would have sworn she heard admiration in Quinn’s delicate voice but she couldn’t be sure. “What made you take that leap of faith and put it out there, knowing that you’d be judged and criticised?”

  “I don’t know, really. I was sitting in my apartment one cold, wet, miserable Saturday afternoon and I’d just finished reading this amazing book by another Australian author and for some reason I found myself looking at who her publisher was. When I found it, I sent them a submission. Four months later, Perfection is Just an Illusion went live on Amazon for the world to see.”

  With a deep, hearty chuckle, Adrian added, “Now I understand the rollercoaster!”

  Ava giggled and she felt herself relax for the first time. It was just like talking to a friend without the swear words.

  “Did your life change once your book came out, Ava?”

  “Oh my god, everything changed. Before it was published, writing wasn’t something that many people knew about me. It was something I did just for me, you know. But the moment it was out there and the promotion started, it just snow balled.”

  “Including meeting Tyler Andrews?”

  At his name, Ava felt her cheeks burn and all the calm evaporate from her body. She should have known she wouldn’t get through this without her life with Tyler being brought up. That would have been asking too much. Balling her fists and squaring her shoulders, Ava held her head high. “Yes. Since the book was released I’ve been lucky enough to meet Tyler.”

  “I’d say more than lucky.” Adrian grinned as the white wall behind him was covered by the photo Tyler had tweeted only days earlier of them having breakfast.

  Ava was overheating. She could feel the sweat beading on her brow and she wasn’t sure if it was the lights setting her temperature sky rocketing or if it was the scrutiny she was under. Her mind was buzzing in a million different directions and she was overflowing with emotions but the most dominant was regret. She was regretting everything. Coming on the show. Writing the damn book. She was even questioning her relationship with Tyler. But national television was not the place to fall apart. That would have to wait until she got back to the privacy of her own hotel room.

  “So Ava,” Quinn addressed her, snapping her attention back to the perfectly made up host across from her. “I’ve got to ask, are you dating Olympic swimmer Tyler Andrews?”

  Ava wanted nothing more than to crawl under the sofa cushions. Tyler had tried to warn her that this was a topic they would more than likely bring up, but Ava hadn’t wanted to hear it and dismissed his warnings. Now she didn’t know what to say. She didn’t like lying but a huge part of her wanted to. Desperately.

  “Um…Tyler and I…” Ava’s voice was strained. In her lap she was picking at her fingers absentmindedly.

  Chapter 17

  Tyler

  “Are very happy together,” a deep voice finished Ava’s stumbling.

  With a satisfied smirk, Tyler strode confidently across the stage, fully aware the camera was tracking his every move. But then again, so did the presenters’ gaze. Only Ava hadn’t looked up. Tyler knew his girl better than she’d ever willingly admit. She knew he was there. She had to. He could feel the crackle in the air between them and Tyler believed with everything he was that Ava could too.

  “Tyler,” Ava whispered breathlessly as he sunk onto the sofa beside her, laying the huge bouquet of white roses in her lap before wrapping his arm around her shoulders. He felt her tremble beneath his touch before she sighed heavily and sunk against him. Tyler knew Ava was using his strength right now and that was something he had no intention of denying her. Not now. Not today. Not ever.

  “Good morning, Tyler,” the host chirped, dragging his attention from the beautiful woman in his arms.

  “Morning, Quinn. Adrian.” Tyler nodded in their direction while his fingers traced circles on the top of Ava’s arm, leaving her covered in a million tiny goose pimples.

  “Thanks for joining us this morning.”

  “My pleasure.”

  “So, we’re guessing that you can confirm the status of your relationship?”

  “Absolutely I can. I shouldn’t have to, but I will. Just this once,” he added with a wink.

  Tyler found it completely ridiculous that his personal life was open to scrutiny and even worse that as a result Ava’s was too, but he wasn’t about to lose his cool. When he’d planned on crashing Ava’s interview it wasn’t because he had any doubt that she couldn’t do it on her own, but more the fact that she shouldn’t have to. Tyler knew she wouldn’t handle the personal questions well and if he could make that easier for her, then nothing was going to stop him.

  He heard Ava suck in a deep breath and stole a glance at her. He’d never seen someone so beautiful. Her cheeks were rosy and her pupils dilated. Beneath the nervous exterior Tyler could see the happiness in her eyes. With a nod that would have been unnoticeable to anyone who didn’t know her, Tyler forced his attention back to Quinn and Adrian.

  “The lovely and talented Ava Jacobs and I are just taking things one day at a time right now.”

  “So you are officially together?” Adrian clarified.

  Tyler wanted to laugh. In all the years hanging around the guys at the pool he couldn’t recall one conversation about being official. Luke and Sam often boasted about their latest conquests and bedroom antics but it was never so politically correct and formal.

  “Yes, Adrian. I’m the lucky guy who gets to call the beautiful Ava my girlfriend.”

  Squeezing her close, Tyler held on with everything he had and when he pressed his cool lips to Ava’s temple, he knew without a doubt that being there had been the right thing to do. With fascination, Tyler watched as Ava stopped fidgeting and her whole body relaxed against him. He’d done and said t
he right thing. And the smile that covered her face was proof of that.

  “Well, ladies, I’m sorry to say that you heard it here first. Tyler Andrews is officially off the market. We’ll take a break and be right back.” Quinn smiled daintily and waited with a perfect smile covering her face until it was safe to relax.

  When one of the cameramen confirmed it, Tyler turned Ava towards him and kissed her properly. He’d been dying to do it since he’d stepped to the side of the stage and watched her begin the interview.

  When she pulled away her cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen, and she was short of breath, “What…are…you…doing…here?”

  Tyler’s heart soared. She looked thoroughly kissed, something he was damn proud of. She might not have said it in words, but her whole body was screaming at him. Every thought that was running through her mind was mirrored in his own.

  “I have an interview scheduled.”

  “Here?”

  “Yep.”

  “This morning?”

  “Yep.”

  “And you didn’t tell me because…”

  “I thought you’d like the surprise?” Tyler offered, raising a hopeful eyebrow.

  Tyler knew he should be embarrassed. He was acting like a love drunk idiot, but he couldn’t summon the energy to give a shit. He was happy. Anyone who wanted to make anything more of it could get fucked.

  “Did you now?”

  “Yep!”

  It came out as a barely audible whisper. “Thank you.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t catch that?”

  “Thank you, Tyler. For being here. For always being there. For me.”

  “Anytime, Short Stack. There’s nowhere I’d rather be.” With another not so innocent kiss shared, a coughing interrupted them.

  Adrian was standing there watching their every move, his arms folded across his chest. He was trying to look intimidating and in control, but the light in his eyes gave him away. There was happiness and playfulness there.

  “Tyler, you ready to do this?”

  “Yep. Let’s do it.”

  “All right then. Ava, are you staying?”

  Tyler didn’t give her a moment to answer. He wasn’t finished with her yet and he wasn’t about to let her out of his sight. Or his arms. Whether it was the dress, the lighting, the confidence of just Ava being Ava, she looked damn fuckable right now and he wasn’t about to risk having someone else think so.

  “Yes. She is,” he growled out as he laced his fingers with hers.

  “Okay then.”

  Tyler watched as Adrian stepped backwards and out of the firing line. Tyler had just gone all caveman and claimed Ava publicly and he’d never felt better. To Tyler the next ten minutes felt like a waste of time. Answering questions about the upcoming Olympic trials, his times, and his fitness before publicly announcing his latest sponsorship deal—a three year deal with the car manufacturer Jeep.

  With a sigh of smug satisfaction, Tyler felt Ava tense beside him at the announcement. Tyler knew he would have some explaining to do and he was looking forward to it.

  With a fake smile plastered across her face, Quinn turned towards them and shot Ava a look that Tyler hadn’t been expecting. It was tortured and he felt Ava stiffen beside him. He needed to get her out of there as quickly as possible. “Well, we thank you for your time today Tyler, and of course, Ava. Good luck with your future endeavours. We wish you both all the best.”

  Swallowing the sarcastic comment on the tip of his tongue, he forced himself to remain calm. “Thank you, Quinn and Adrian, for having us. I think I can speak for both Ava and myself when I say it’s been a pleasure.”

  Glancing down at Ava, Tyler didn’t miss the forced smile she flashed him and he squeezed her hand supportively. It took another few seconds before the cameras stopped rolling and they were ushered off the set. Barely five steps into the deserted hallway, Tyler pinned her against the wall with his hard body, his hands cupping her face.

  “You were amazing out there, Ava…”

  “No…”

  “Don’t. Don’t do that.”

  “Do what?”

  “Think less of yourself. Convince yourself that you’re not enough.”

  “I…I wasn’t.”

  “Nice try, Ava.” Tyler’s forehead came to rest on hers and he breathed in her scent. “But you forget, I know you.”

  As Ava opened her mouth to protest, Tyler covered hers with his own. The kiss was more than he’d expected and when Ava arched against him, he heard the groan rumble from the back of his throat. Pulling back before he embarrassed himself, Tyler dropped a kiss on Ava’s forehead before he put some much needed distance between them.

  “Wow!” Ava exclaimed as she pressed her finger against her swollen lips.

  “That’s one word for it,” he countered breathlessly, running his hands down Ava’s arms before settling on her hips. “I need to get you out of here. What time does your training start?”

  “Nine-thirty.”

  “Perfect!”

  “Perfect?”

  “Come on, Short Stack. I’m taking you for breakfast!” Tyler declared, intertwining his fingers with Ava’s and leading her down the hall. Without giving her a chance to object, Tyler led Ava down the corridor, offering all those who stared a tight smile.

  Pushing open the heavy glass doors, Tyler stepped out onto the busy street, not surprised to see it bustling with people dressed in their designer pinstriped suits, with one hand clutching their phones and the other a steaming paper cup. When Ava dropped his hand he felt a chill. Maybe he’d gone too far. Pushed her too fast. Outing their relationship so publicly seemed like a good idea at the time, but Ava’s silence made him question everything.

  Spinning on his heel, Tyler was visibly relieved to see she was simply fishing through her handbag before pulling out a pair of oversized sunglasses. Slipping them into place, she was barely recognizable. Tyler felt a tug of at his heart.

  “Should we grab a taxi?” Ava’s voice sung sweetly as she slipped back to his side.

  Wrapping his arm around Ava’s shoulders, Tyler dipped his head. “I’ve got a better idea.” The curiosity that consumed Ava’s face made him smile widely. “Trust me.”

  “I don’t know…”

  “Come on.”

  With measured strides, Tyler led Ava across the concrete walkway and into the busy car park. Digging through his pocket, he pulled out a set of keys and clicked the remote. A sleek silver Jeep Compass beeped to life as Tyler opened the passenger door.

  “What? Who? What?”

  “Come on, Ava. Let’s get some breakfast and I’ll tell you all about it.”

  Tyler wasn’t surprised to see reluctance etched all over Ava’s face, but she remained silent as she slipped into the front seat. Once she settled, Tyler pushed closed the door before he scurried around and started the engine.

  A few moments passed before Ava said, “Nice car.”

  “Glad you think so,” he replied with a wink.

  Without another word, Tyler navigated his way through the traffic, taking them to breakfast. He’d planned this. Down to the last detail. He knew exactly where he was going and already had a reservation waiting for them.

  Chapter 18

  Ava

  Tyler was up to something. Ava knew it with every fibre of her being but he was being coy. Or at least trying to be. Stealing a worried glance at her watch, Ava knew she really didn’t have time for this. Being late on her first day of training wasn’t something she was interested in. As her nerves increased, she forced herself to take a deep calming breath and remembered what she’d just done. It was something she’d never wanted to do. Something she’d never intended to do—go on live national television and pimp herself out. That’s how she felt about promotion. Ava wasn’t dumb and she knew that PR was a necessary evil, but she’d naïvely hoped that she’d be able to remain faceless behind the book. Let it be promoted without her.

  And then Tyler appeared.
>
  Twenty minutes later, Ava was still more than a little off balance that he’d so publicly and confidently outed their relationship. It was as if he didn’t have a care in the world. If anything he seemed the exact opposite. Proud to have it all out there for the world to see. Sadly, Ava couldn’t feel the same. She shook her head, hoping to dislodge the feeling of dread that had settled over her.

  “Ready?”

  Tyler’s voice shook her from her own thoughts and she finally saw what was in front of them. He’d managed to score a parking spot with a view. Only Tyler would be able to do that. Had Ava been driving, she’d be circling the car park for an hour and still end up having to walk a mile.

  Nodding her head, Ava grabbed her handbag and pushed open the door. The first thing she noticed was the sea air. It just smelt different. Stronger. More refreshing. Or maybe it was the scent of coffee that the breeze carried. As she smoothed her dress down, Tyler appeared beside her and wrapped her up in his arms. Everything else around them faded away and Ava was lost. This man could be the death of her, but she couldn’t bring herself to care.

  Without a word, Tyler led her through the throng of people as they hustled and bustled from the ferries that bounced in the harbor. Ava may have been caught up in Tyler but that didn’t mean she was oblivious to the glances and fingers pointed in her direction. Thankfully, everyone seemed to have enough manners to keep their distance, and for that Ava was grateful. She couldn’t deal with overzealous fans right now. She needed Tyler to herself for a while.

  As a seagull squawked with delight as it pilfered an abandoned piece of doughnut, Tyler pulled out a chair for Ava to slip into. “You know I have to be there shortly?”

  “I know.”

  “Do we have time for a sit down breakfast? I mean, I’m not really hungry. I mean, at all. I could just grab a coffee, so…”