Free Fight the Tide by Keira Andrews Page B

that it’s November, but I wouldn’t rule it out. And it’s always a risk sailing offshore. You never know what can happen out there. We can’t anchor, so we’d sail through the nights. Staying out of shipping lanes was a big concern. Not now, I guess.” He unwound the rope from his hand. “It’s weird, isn’t it? Hard to believe how fast the world went to hell.”
    “Everything we thought was important.” Adam shook his head. “It feels like another life now. Surreal. I’ve only known you two months .”
    “That is seriously so fucking weird. I can’t imagine not knowing you.”
    The thought of living through this new world order without Parker rocked Adam with nausea. He hungered to crush Parker against him and climb inside his skin, but Parker was talking again, and Adam refocused.
    “So, I don’t think it’s a good idea. I’m not some expert sailor. I know a fair bit, but I could get in over my head fast out there. We’ve been lucky so far.”
    “Okay. So we go south along the coast. Stick close to land?”
    Parker nodded. “Normally, I’d take the ICW. Sorry, Intracoastal Waterway. It’s basically a safer way to get to Florida. It follows along the coast, but it’s rivers and lakes and canals.”
    “Why can’t we take it now?”
    “There are a bunch of locks. You know, on canals, where the water level changes? I don’t think we can open or close the gates ourselves. And some bridges need to be raised since they’re too low for masts. There are risks either way we go, but getting trapped in a lock or cracking our mast on a low bridge are not scenarios I want to deal with.”
    Adam could imagine creepers swarming toward them from either side with arms outstretched, fingers bloody. Even though he could fight them, he’d rather not. “Agreed.” He looked up at the Big Dipper arcing through the heavens. “So we stick to the ocean. The question is, do we do it alone?”
    Parker clutched the rope. “I want to say yes. We do it alone.”
    He waited. “But?”
    With a sigh, Parker shook his head. “They seem like decent people. They have kids. They need our help. Plus, they could help us. Having a paramedic could be really important. Could be strength in numbers.”
    “I think we can trust them. Jacob didn’t say much when we were up on deck, but I got a little out of him. I don’t think they’ve hurt anyone. We’ll take it slow. Keep separate boats. And we won’t tell them about me.”
    “Definitely not,” Parker said sharply. “They have to earn that. We’ll see how it goes. Any time either of us feels like we should cut the cord, we do it. Snip, snip. Okay?”
    “Okay.”
    Parker blew out a long breath. “Fuck, what a day. I hope their boat is still there.” He rubbed a hand over his face.
    “Go to sleep. It’s late.”
    “You should too. Come on.” He took Adam’s hand and pulled, but Adam stayed put.
    “I’ll keep watch. Not tired.”
    Parker shoved his fists back into the big pocket on the front of his sweatshirt. He watched Adam for a long moment. “What’s—” He broke off, shaking his head. “Okay. Come wake me up in a few hours and we’ll switch.”
    Adam nodded, and Parker disappeared down the hatch. There was no chance he’d wake Parker, and they both knew it. He stifled a yawn and stretched his neck. Sleep would be wonderful, but it was his job to protect. He wouldn’t fail again.
    *
    As Bella swayed on the waves’ gentle rolls, Adam spread his feet and cast out again, relishing the sound of the fishing line zipping out from the reel. He’d never fished growing up, but still associated the distinct sounds of it with relaxation.
    They were far enough out that he couldn’t hear any chattering of infected from the mainland. Along with the plaintive cries of distant gulls and water slapping the hull, the only sounds filling his ears as the day waned were Parker’s voice across the span of water between the two boats, and the heartbeats of Abby, Craig,