The Pact

by Brenna Darcy

Not wanting to be alone, she spent the night in his arms. The innocence of holding one another—the most intimate night Flic had ever spent with anyone. The honesty. The raw exposure of wounds so deep hurt and brought everything she’d been through to the surface again. Yet somehow, talking with Dave and sharing the grief helped. Maybe because he too knew what it was to experience life with no control over the outcome, or what came after.

  Not knowing where they’d stand with each other by the morning, Flic was willing to take the risk. Inothing else they were friends. She liked to think she was helping him, and perhaps she was, but deep down she knew he was helping her too.

  Chapter Fourteen

  FLIC WOKE TO THE RHYTHMIC breathing of Dave wrapped around her like vine to a trellis.

  Dave stirred, feeling her next to him he nuzzled in to her neck, ran one hand over her body and groaned.

  Flic stifled a giggle.

  His eyes fluttered open, and as though realising she was really there and his desire for her now exposed, he quickly moved away to the area of bed that hadn’t been touched all night. “What the hell am I doing here?”

  Flic swung her legs from the bed, picked up her dressing gown and wrapped it around herself before turning to face him. “You came to me last night, and that’s your good morning?”

  “Flic, I’m sorry. I don’t make a habit of late night house calls. I have no interest in taking advantage of you.”

  “I’ll let you know if I was unwilling.”

  She didn’t believe his lame excuse and left the room before an argument broke out. Locking the door to the bathroom she stayed in the shower long enough for him to leave. She had no interest in fighting with him. What they’d shared the night before was obviously a reaction to the grief they were both feeling over Lacey’s situation, and their own need for comfort.

  When she finally emerged, Dave was gone.

  The cottage was too quiet, and Flic had no interest in encountering Dave in one of his bad moods. Besides, time alone spent dwelling wasn’t good for her either.

  Her thoughts wandered to Lacey. She now understood why she’d been so eager for Flic and Dave to hit it off. Not only would Dave be Ty’s guardian, but whoever came into his life would also become an influence. She couldn’t blame Lacey for wanting someone she was close with to fill that role. Still, it was no reason to encourage a relationship built from hostility, held together simply because their path crossed regularly. Lacey often commented about how her poor example in love had disadvantaged Dave. Why would she support and encourage the same for Ty?

  Flic needed time to process, and space to clear her head. The expanse of white beaches—the perfect place to rediscover clarity. She could walk undisturbed for hours. Instead, spying a path edging a small rock cliff, decided to venture up in hope for an even more spectacular view.

  Out of breath, yet exhaustion seemed to stimulate and spur on a newfound energy. Flic reached the top and admired the magnificent scene in front of her. Endless white beaches met by foaming waves, the view was one she would never tire of, and took time to appreciate. Nature at its finest. Flic crouched down and folded her arms around herself. The salty breeze was crisp against exposed flesh. The sensation was like the caress of Dave’s touch. Flic rocked back on her heels, she didn’t want to go home yet, and glanced along the cliff side to find somewhere to sit and admire the view for a little longer.

  Despite the cold wind, the sun was warm. The mix of temperatures pricked at her skin even more. Not finding anywhere safe enough to rest, Flic turned and spotted a wooden bench set back in the shade of a tree. Realising she wasn’t alone, the very confrontation she’d been avoiding shared her view and stood by the bench she intended to sit on.

  Dave smiled, leaving her no choice but to speak to him. She walked over, slowly, her joy to be out in the fresh air evaporated.

  “Good morning,” he said, as she got close enough to hear him.

  “It’s getting there.” She wanted that to be the truth, and yet she was caught in the middle of nowhere by the one person she really didn’t want to deal with at the moment.

  Dave closed the distance, standing directly in front of her, brushed the stray strands of hair from her face and bent his head to kiss her.

  “What was that for?”

  “Do I need a reason to kiss you?”

  “I guess not.” Flic shrugged.

  “That should’ve been how I greeted you this morning—and about that —”

  “Let’s not spoil a nice day,” Flic interrupted.

  “Always so negative. All I was going to say was I like waking up next to you, actually a little too much, which was embarrassing. I hoped you wouldn’t think last night was a ploy to sleep with you because that was never my intention, I assure you.”

  “Nothing happened, so it’s no big deal.” There was no point denying herself the truth. Waking up next to Dave was something she could easily become accustomed to. However, the unpredictable moods would take some getting used to.

  “I’m sorry I was such a grouch.” Dave wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. “I was pretty messed up and you made me feel like there was hope.” Dave sighed. “That sounds really corny, but I don’t know how else to describe it.”

  “Don’t try, I know what you mean. I never feel good after talking about Ellie, but last night with you it was different. It helped me too.”

  Sliding his hand around to the back of her neck, he pulled her to him, His mouth was soft on hers, desire kicked in and his kiss became more demanding.

  Interrupted by the sound of laughter, he released her, taking a step back as a group of teenagers appeared from the path Flic had taken. Dave grinned like a naughty little boy up to mischief.

  “You want to do something today, something different?”

  “What do you have in mind?”

  “You up for those lessons?”

  “What lessons? I’m not coming to your writing class.” Flic was even more determined to hide her writing now that he’d become the hero on the page.

  Dave shook his head. “Kiting?”

  “Are you serious?” Flic squealed. She’d hoped his offer was genuine. All previous agitation toward him dissipated.

  “We can give it a try, depends on the winds, but it should be okay.” Taking her hand he led her in the opposite direction to the one she’d come.

  IT WAS MORE INVOLVED than Flic anticipated, and was pleased she didn’t have to set the kite up. All the lines and the harness Dave strapped to himself looked too complicated.

  “Now as this is your first time, I’ll give you a choice. I can teach you how to surf on your own, or we can tandem this time and I’ll teach you properly at a later stage, if you enjoy it.”

  “Tandem sounds good.” Flic dreaded handling the kite on her own. The wind had picked up, which was perfect according to Dave, but she guessed it meant for faster, more extreme surfing conditions.

  “Good choice. It takes time to master flying the kite. I had lessons for months when I first started, but I learnt tricks and jumps as well.” Dave continued setting up before pulling the board from the cover.

  “It has footpads?” Flic was under the impression the board was as a normal surfboard, instead it resembled a wakeboard used for water skiing behind a boat.

  “I thought they’d be restricting, but it’s what you get used to. They also make it easier to tandem.”

  “You predicted I’d choose not to go on my own?”

  “Hoped really, more fun than standing on the beach and talking about what you’re supposed to do—I’d prefer to just do it.” Dave grinned. “I’ll sort the kite out. Once we’re in the water, all you have to do is swim up behind me, tuck your body underneath mine and climb on my back like a koala.”

  Flic nodded, his instructions were vague, but she figured they’d make more sense when she was putting them into practise.

  “Positioning of your arms is probably the most important thing to remember, it’s best to drape one ov
er my shoulder and tuck the other under my arm and clasp your hands together across my sternum, the kite will pull us out of the water and this will stop you from choking me.” Dave laughed as Flic’s frown deepened. “It’s not difficult, you’ll see.”

  Flic was pleased she chose the tandem option, the whole process turned out to be more complicated than she expected. Perhaps she’d stick with regular surfing, should she feel inclined to revisit her desire to ride waves in the future. The equipment looked expensive, requiring more patience than she was willing to devote to something that would no doubt turn out to be a passing phase.

  Dave was meticulous in his set up, checking each line and connection thoroughly. It took away the spontaneity she loved about using the traditional method, involving a board and good balance.

  “When we get passed the break it’ll get easier. Make sure you wrap your legs around my waist nice and tight, and press your body firm against my back to squeeze out as much water from between us as you can.”

  Flic nodded again, the instructions sounded more and more intimate as he dished them out. Nerves spiked and fluttered by the mere thought of entangling herself, wet and slick around him, and made focusing difficult. “Okay, do I swim out past the break and meet you?”

  “If you want to we can try to tandem over it, the wind is strong but I can’t guarantee it’s enough to pull us both.”

  “Let’s not risk it. I don’t fancy getting dunked by a wave whilst clinging to you like a koala. I imagine it’d be painful.”

  Dave laughed. “Fair enough, you start swimming and I’ll get this baby off the ground.”

  Flic wanted to sit and watch, some other time she was sure, especially if she decided to take him up on the lessons he offered earlier.

  The water was cold against her sun-heated skin. Ducking under the surface to reduce her chances of being dunked, Flic swum out beyond the peaking waves.

  Controlling the kite with precision and skill developed from many hours of practise, Dave dropped into the surf only meters from where she was treading water. Swimming up to him as he held the kite steady overhead, she waited until his feet were secure in the footpads, and his body floating on the water’s surface, with the assistance of the kite. Following his instruction, she gripped his shoulders, tucking her body under his and wrapping her legs firmly around his waist locking them in place by crossing her ankles. Pressed up against his back she slipped her arms around him as he’d told her to do.

  “You ready?” Despite how close they were, Dave had to yell to be heard over the wind and waves crashing in the distance, onto the shore.

  Flic nodded and held on tight, her body like a glove around Dave’s.

  Moving his arms to bring the kite out in front of him, the wind caught, snatching them from the water. Flic felt Dave shift beneath her, the muscles in his back tightened as he manoeuvred the kite above to keep them upright and moving.

  Soaring across the water, Flic loved the feel of the wind as it skimmed across her face, whipping her wet hair around behind her.

  “You okay?” Dave shouted, turning his head toward hers.

  “This is awesome,” she didn’t shout back, conscious her mouth was close to his ear.

  It was bright out, and the sun danced across the ocean in front of them. Flic shifted slightly, tightening her legs around Dave.

  “Had enough yet?”

  “Never.” Flic didn’t want the ride to end even though her arms were beginning to ache. She couldn’t complain, after all, he was the one doing all the work. “Unless you have.”

  “No way.” Dave moved again, picking up speed. “Hold on,” he warned.

  Flic didn’t think she could hold on much tighter, but tried anyway. Not knowing how he did it, the kite lifted them into the air slightly, and touched down again without any drama. She wasn’t certain that was all Dave had in mind for them, convinced he was working up for something much more spectacular. As the adrenaline kicked in, Flic could feel her heart begin to race, tightening her grip around his chest Flic rested her head on his shoulder, as the kite lifted them again and he twisted in the air to spin a somersault with her still clinging to his back. With impressive balance he landed, and raced them across deep water, they slowed and the kite dipped close to the sea. Flic lifted her head, hoping he would pull it up in time. She didn’t know how they would get a drenched kite in the air after landing in the water. It’d be a long swim back to shore.

  She needn’t have worried. Dave handled the situation with ease, changed direction and headed back the way they’d come. He didn’t try any more stunts, no doubt tired from carrying the weight of her on his back.

  It wasn’t until they got closer to where the waves were beginning to swell and roll did Flic realise he was heading straight into them.

  “Hold on,” he yelled.

  Flic turned her face to see a huge smile spread across his. He was as spectacular looking as his skill, all wet and tousled from wind and ocean spray, his eyes filled with excitement. Flic leaned over and kissed the line of his jaw at the same time as he followed the wave beyond its peak and they were airborne. Turning his head Dave kissed her on the lips quickly before touching the board to water again. Bringing the kite overhead to slow them up, Dave sailed into shore, slipping his feet out from the pads and stepping off the board before it stuck to wet sand. Flic loosened her grip and slid down, holding his shoulder for support as she regained her balance.

  Dave released the hand controls, catching her around the waist, drew her against him. His touch wandered over exposed skin as he kissed her. His lips like salted ice on hers. With heart thrummed and adrenaline cased through her, from the thrill of the ride, or the aftermath, she wasn’t certain. Brushing it off as a combination of the two she turned her full attention and returned his enthusiasm.

  Flic was the first to pull back, arms draped around his neck. “Thank you, that was the best ride of my life.”

  Dave tipped his head back and laughed. “That’s only the beginning, baby.”

  Whilst Dave handled the kite, Flic picked up the board, making sure it wasn’t covered in sand before tucking it under her arm like a surfboard and carrying it up the beach.

  Dave packed the kite into a bag before walking over to her.

  “So what did you think?” He grinned, obviously having enjoyed himself.

  “It was fabulous. Those lessons paid off. You’re pretty impressive, I must say.”

  “Thanks, and you act the perfect koala.” Dave laughed, as Flic screwed up her nose.

  Making their way back to the car they walked in silence.

  “I have to stop in at the shop for a bit, do you want to meet me there, or are you heading home?” The smile was gone, replaced by the frown Dave got whenever his mind wandered to Lacey.

  “Can we stop in at home so I can change? I don’t like to go to the store looking so casual, especially if it’s busy.”

  Dave nodded. Reaching his car, he opened the boot. Dumping the kite first he slid the board in, the back seat still folded down from earlier. Closing the boot he turned to face Flic. “I told Lacey I opened my mouth, and she was okay about it. Said she’d wanted to tell you on many different occasions but didn’t, the timing always off.”

  “I know the feeling.” Flic looked up at him, “Thanks for today, I had a wonderful time.” Running her fingertips down the side of his face and across his bottom lip before leaning in to replace them with her mouth. Dave scooped her up in his arms and returned her kiss.

  LACEY WAS DELIGHTED to see the two of them together, the smile and instant glint in her eye proof. Flic told her to relax whilst she put the kettle on. Dave shook his head. “Nope. I’ll do it, you two need to talk.” He disappeared around the back before either could argue.

  “Dave told me about last night—at least the part about sharing my news.” Lacey raised her eyebrows. “He left out a few other major developments though.”

  Flic flashed a small smile, trust Lacey to make light of the si
tuation, to steer the focus toward their relationship and away from her self. Flic dropped into the chair opposite to were Lacey sat. “After the accident I hated hearing how sorry people were, it made me angry, but now I don’t know what else to say. It came as a shock and I hope the doctors have got it wrong—and I’m rambling.” Flic slumped back into her chair. Glancing down at her fingernails she picked at the skin of her cuticle. With bottom lip trembling and vision blurred, she raised her eyes to meet Lacey’s. She too looked to be fighting back the tears.

  “I planned to tell you, but was waiting for the right time. I don’t suppose there is one.”

  “No, not really. I wish I could do something to help.”

  “You are. Coming into the shop, and giving my brother reason to smile means more to me than anything. I didn’t think I would ever hear him laugh again and you made that possible, so thank you.”

  “I’d say it was no problem, but I’d be lying, he’s a hard one to crack.”

  Lacey laughed. “I know and when he gets in one of his moods, look out.”

  “Yeah, but I noticed Ty has him worked out. Does he know?” Flic knew it was none of her business, and didn’t want to appear nosey.

  “We’ve tried to be as honest as possible, and he’s known almost as long as I have. I’ve come to accept it now. I don’t like it of course, but crying and feeling sorry for myself won’t buy me more time.”

  “And how’s he taking it?”

  “I don’t think he understands, but I explained it in a way I believe is true, and hope he finds comfort in knowing that even if he can’t see me every day, I’m not far away and I’m okay.”

  Flic looked up, knowing if Lacey wanted to share she would, and if not, that was okay too.

  “I explained that when I die I’d go to a fairy realm sort of like the shop, and I’d be happy with all the other people who are lucky enough to be sent there.” She paused. “I hope you don’t mind, but I told him about Ellie and how she was already they’re waiting for me, and one day you’d all join us.”