Free Against All Odds by Angie McKeon Page A

Don’t ever hide anything from me. Do you understand?”
    “Yeah, sorry. I’m all over the place. I don’t know anymore.” And I don’t.
    I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. I feel as though I’m floating on a life raft, but the damn raft has sprung a leak. I’m sinking, desperately trying to scoop out water, but with every man and every day, I’m descending further.
    Gray takes a deep breath and sits beside me. He grabs my hands and lays them on his chest. “Listen to me. You’ve been through so much shit. I know you’re trying to work it out, but I don’t want you holding back from me. Ever. We’re friends. I think what I said to you in the Keys has made you feel uncomfortable, maybe even a little unsure of us. But nothing has to change, sweet cheeks… unless you want it to. I don’t expect anything from you. I just want my open, candid Kylie back.”
    A smile tugs at my lips. He’s always unconditional. He never makes me feel like less. He always tries to find ways to make me feel good and relaxed. I wrap my arms around his neck and hug him. “Thank you for always being here for me.”
    “There’s nowhere else I want to be, Ky,” he murmurs into my hair. We hug for a minute, then he pulls back. “Okay, you rest.” He points at himself and grins. “And I’ll clean.”
    I giggle at his goofball expression. “Well, that’s a first. You, cleaning…”
    His eyes flash with mirth. “First and last.”
    “I’m going to take a picture of this,” I taunt, laughing.
    “I love that sound.” His face softens.
    “What sound?”
    “You laughing. It’s music to my ears.”
    I avert my eyes and hear his soft chuckle as he walks into the kitchen. I lay back against the sofa, closing my eyes. I’ll use the time alone to purge the anxious thoughts that remain deep in my belly. I just want to have fun.
    Maybe, just for today, I should let go and just be . Maybe I can be happy and carefree without doing anything toxic. Just be normal for a day.
     

     
    The sun beats down on us as Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball” croons in the background. We’re on the deck with the grill open and steaks sizzling. It feels good, calm, and almost blissful. There’s nothing like a beautiful day at the lake.
    I glance at Gray, zoning in on his black licorice-colored hair and toned back. I watch him lift the spatula to flip something, and his muscles showcase how ripped and rugged he is. I swallow hard, my face flushing, and peer at the tattoo on his back. It’s a black tribal inspired cross.
    The design is so delicate and intricate, I have the urge to trace it with my fingers. My eyes travel from his back to half-sleeve tattoos. They begin at his shoulder blades and dance to his elbows. The deep red, burnt orange and black swirls, create a design of thick flames that lick up the sides of his arms. They stand out against the sun kissed hue of his skin. His body is divine, a work of art, and watching him stand around shirtless feels dangerous. But I continue my seductive sweep of his body, landing on his plump, tight ass.
    Mmm…
    I should stop staring, but I can’t. His thighs are thick, firm, and I can picture him standing in front of that grill naked. I feel my arousal simmer, and I internally slap myself. I flip my eyes to the crystal blue water. What the hell am I doing? This is Gray… He’s just Gray.
    Feeling irritated with myself for looking at him, I decide to go for a swim to cool my raging libido. “Hey, how long before the food’s ready?”
    “Another twenty, I think.” Beer in hand, he turns to me with a lazy smile. “It’s hot out here. I’m surprised.”
    “Yeah, it’s really hot. I think I’m going to take a quick dip.” I point at the lake and stand.
    “It’s going to be cold,” he warns.
    “Ah, I’ll make it.” I wink and saunter off the deck.
    When I get to the edge of the water, I shrug out of my sundress, leaving me in a black bikini adorned with turquoise gems. I dip my