Free Secrets & Surrender: Part One by L.G. Castillo Page B

looked toward the riverbank. It was lit by headlights. There was a line of rainbow colors waiting. Then an idea hit me. I could actually use this situation to my advantage. I mean, who could say “no” to a dying man? Or maybe it would all backfire. Who knew, but I had at least try.
    “Cody, wait.” Treading water, I paused, letting the plan formulate in my mind. “Do you know Mandi?”
    “Yeah. She’s good friends with Cassie.”
    Something inside of him seemed to light up his face when he said Cassie’s name, and I wondered if those two had ever been a couple.
    “I’ve been trying to find a way to get her to go out with me. I don’t think she has a boyfriend. Does she?”
    “Not that I know of. Why don’t you ask her out?”
    “I did.” Why do people keep asking me that? “Look, I know you don’t know me, but you’d really be doing me a solid if you carried me.”
    He blinked. “Uh, sorry, man. You seem cool and all, but I’m not into that kind of...uh...you know.”
    “What? No! No! Not that.” I laughed. I could see why Cassie liked him. He seemed to be a nice guy. Any other guy would’ve decked me, and then let me drown for even mentioning something like that. “What I meant to say was that if Mandi thinks I’ve drowned, then she’d have to face her real feelings about me.”
    “I don’t know. Sounds kinda mean to do that to someone.”
    “I’m desperate, dude. Didn’t you ever want something bad enough that you’d do anything for it?”
    He stared out toward the riverbank, his face twisting with longing. “Yeah, I get your point. But Mandi ain’t gonna like it. And she may be a little thing, but man when that girl is mad, you don’t want to be anywhere near her.”
    “That’s the point. I want to be near her: happy, mad, I don’t care. Anything but the cold shoulder she’s been giving me since I met her.”
    “Maybe she just ain’t interested.”
    “She is. I know she is. Something is stopping her. I just don’t know what.”
    He nodded as if he understood. “Okay, come on. Just remember I tried to warn ya.”
    It was pretty impressive how Cody lifted me into his arms with ease. I made a mental note to remember to ask him why he wasn’t on the football team.
    “Look! Over there!” I heard a voice shout when Cody emerged from the water and placed me down on the side of the bank. I sifted through the chorus of anxious voices, listening for Mandi’s. It was starting to get cold. My fingers dug into the ground, trying not to shiver. I hoped it was dark enough that no one noticed.
    “Nic, wake up! Nic!”
    In that brief moment, I felt a pang of guilt hearing Bianca’s cries. Maybe I didn’t think this out carefully enough. She sounded so scared. I was about to get up when I heard Mandi barking orders. I bit the inside of my mouth, fighting back a smile at her words.
    “I’m giving him CPR. Cody, drive to Mr. Wilson’s house and call 911. It’s the closest. Cassie, go with him and show him where it is.”
    I peeked through my lashes as Mandi explained to Cassie how she’d learned CPR from an episode of The Love Boat . I let out a quick breath, choking back a laugh. I was surprised she didn’t hear me and that no one seemed to notice. She was too busy yelling at Cody. “Why are you still here? Go! Move!”
    A pair of warm hands touched my chest, making my stomach quiver. It took everything I had to stay still while I listened to Mandi mumble as she pumped my chest. “Come on, Nic. Wake up.”
    I almost lost it when she pinched my nostrils closed and I couldn’t breathe. But then warm lips touched mine, and I was on fire. I clenched my fists, fighting every fiber of my being that wanted to throw my arms around her and kiss her senseless.
    When Mandi lifted her head, gasping for air, I shivered. It wasn’t the cool night air or because I was wet. It was deeper than that. I couldn’t put my finger on why I felt so empty. It was as if Mandi’s touch had awakened a part