Paradise Lost (Private 9)

"Well, you can count me out," I volunteered, dropping down on a lounge chair. "I'm not up for any more high-speed sports today."

"You have to come," Upton entreated.

Noelle stepped up next to him and looked down at me. "You do realize the alternative is hanging out around here," she said under her breath, "with the Ryans."

I glanced over at Paige and Daniel's parents, who gazed steadily back at me as if they knew what I was thinking. I reached my hands toward Upton, and he obligingly pulled me up.

"Okay, then! Jet Skiing it is."

Honestly, I may have even gotten back into Misty's saddle if it would have gotten me away from those two creeps.

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CHAPTER 23 SANE LOGIC

Jet Skiing was way better than horseback riding. Rather than being at the mercy of an animal, I had complete control over my speed. Within fifteen minutes, I was racing with the guys, weaving in and out, jumping their wakes. Skipping over the water with the salty spray hitting my face and my wet hair whipping back was the most exhilarating feeling. If I ever won the lottery, I was going to buy myself a beach house and get

one of these bad boys. Or two.

But not twenty of them like Daniel. That was overkill.

"You're a bit of a daredevil, aren't you?" Upton shouted, racing up next to me.

"What?" I shouted back with a laugh, veering around Daniel and Paige, who had slowed just ahead of us. Upton shot between the two of them--a rather close call as far as I could tell--and zoomed out to catch up with me.

"You're quite good with that thing!" Upton shouted.

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"You're not too bad either!" I replied.

I revved the engine and sped toward the open ocean, daring him to follow me. Of course he did. I was on one of Daniel's older models, so Upton quickly jumped ahead, laughing over his shoulder. I pulled back and turned, cutting a wide arc so I could see the shore. As soon as I did, I became mesmerized by the gorgeous view of the island and slowly pulled to a stop. My Jet Ski let out a kind of coughing sound while I idled.

Just ahead of me was a pristine white beach enclosed by palm trees and wild vegetation. Beyond that were the rocky cliffs that seemingly climbed up into the sky. And above it all, looking like some sort of modern castle, was the Ryan's estate. Upton pulled up next to me.

"What's up?" he asked.

I pushed back my wet hair. "I just wanted to take it all in for a second."

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Upton said. "I've been coming here my whole life, so I suppose I've stopped noticing."

"How can you not notice this?" I said, throwing up a hand toward the shore where the water grew lighter and greener in color as it lapped against the sand. "This is freaking paradise!"

"Freaking paradise? How poetic," Upton teased with a laugh.

I blushed, feeling unsophisticated. But the moment quickly passed. Who cared? I was who I was and Upton liked me. I noticed that Noelle, Tiffany, Kiran, Taylor, West, and Dash were heading to the shore and felt a sudden surge of independence. I didn't want to be the girl who was always tied to her guy. The Billings Girls, former and current, were the people I'd come here to be with.

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"I think I'm going to go in with them," I said, revving the engine. "You staying out here? "

"For a little while," Upton replied. "I'll catch up soon."

I nodded and started toward my friends, zooming over the waves. As I got a bit closer to the shore, I pulled back on the handlebar throttle to decelerate. Nothing happened. I blinked and tried again. Still nothing.

"Stupid ancient Jet Ski," I said under my breath. I tried one more time, but if anything, I seemed to be going faster. My heart started to slam against my rib cage as some rocks flew by me. Rocks meant I was getting dangerously close to land. I had an eerie sense of deja vu. This thing was out of control. Just like Misty had been.

"Reed!" someone shouted behind me. "Slow down!"