Free The Moment She Knew by Christine Farrey Page A

never learned how to swim.
    Lucy was trash talking Ricky when he jokingly threatened to let her go. Callie looked at Connor and he said he wouldn’t even joke like that. He knew she was terrified. Everyone was bouncing around in the water when some yelled there was a massive wave coming. Callie saw Ricky and Lucy head for the shore. Connor looked at the shore and knew he couldn’t get them back in time. Callie started to tense up.
    “Look , the wave is going to crash over us. Just hold on to me and when I say so, I want you to hold your breath and close your eyes. I will get us above water but you can’t let go of me. Ok?” He didn’t look worried at all, like he had it all figured out. Callie agreed because she didn’t have a choice. So far this trip was going down as the worst trip ever. The wave was coming and Connor calmly told her to hold her breath. She closed her eyes and did as he instructed. She held on to him and felt his grip tighten around her. They went under water for what seemed like forever. They bobbed up closer to shore but not close enough for Callie’s feet to hit the ground. They were both coughing a bit but made it to shore.
    Ricky and Lucy didn’t have much luck. Lucy got scared and let go of Ricky. Ricky and some of the other guys went after Lucy. She was coughing up water and had scraped her shin on a rock under water. Connor grabbed a first aid kit and another guy patched Lucy up. There was lot of blood but she was declared fine and it was announced she was going to live. For the rest of the day Lucy sat on the sand, avoiding the water. Connor and Callie stayed closer to shore at knee height as did everyone else.
    When it was time to start cooking, everyone got out of the water and Bree was there to greet Connor. She reminded him they needed to talk and he excused himself. They went for a walk and Callie headed inside to help. After helping Ricky prep for dinner, she went to shower. She came out to an empty room. She was slightly red from the sun; she took her mother’s advice and brought aloe lotion with her. Callie stood in her towel rubbing on her lotion on when the door opened. Connor came in the room with a heated expression on his face that instantly vanished as he noticed Callie in her towel.
    “You don’t have to stare you know ,” she said as she turned her back.
    “I think this makes us even now ,’ he said as he passed her, taking off his clothes and heading for the shower. She remembered her sight of Connor in a towel. She subconsciously licked her lips.
    While he showered , she got dressed and headed down stairs to help Ricky finish dinner. She went upstairs informing Connor dinner was ready when she found him staring out the window. She cautiously walked over to him. “Are you alright?” She thought maybe it had to do with his walk with Bree but didn’t want to ask, it wasn’t her business.
    “Yes. I’m good. After dinner you want to go for a walk ? There is a firework show at the end of the beach.” He wasn’t looking at her. Of course she wanted to go; the fourth of July was her second favorite holiday right after Halloween.
    Dinner consisted of Lucy, Ricky and a few others talking to Callie while Connor stayed silent. He smiled and nodded a few times but it was obvious there was something else on his mind. After dinner they started walking to the pier, Connor remained quiet. She decided to turn the tables on him. “Ok out with it.” She nudged his shoulder. He smiled and didn’t waste any time.
    “Bree wants to know if we are dating. I told her we weren’t. She want s to spend the night in my room,” he said rubbing the back of his neck.
    “Oh well why did n’t you just say so? I can stay in another room or even on the couch.” She didn’t want to and the thought of Bree and Connor made her nauseous, but they weren’t dating and it wasn’t her room or her bed to have a say.
    He snickered, “yea that’s not going to happen. She isn’t staying in my