“I’d rather choose life. Even if that life is shorter than I hoped.” Without another word, I jumped. I pushed off the cliff as hard as I could. Hoping and praying I would clear the rocks and land in the water. But even if I didn’t, I would die as my own woman. The one who played violin and sat for paintings. The one who fed chickens and learned how to grow a garden. The one with friends and a man who loved her with his whole heart.

And as I fell, I could’ve sworn I heard Brody yell my name.

51

Brody

My muscles seized, but I kept running as I yelled Shay’s name. I was too late. Just a few minutes earlier, and I would’ve made it. Would’ve been able to save her.

I barely noticed Griffin taking Shay’s attacker to the ground. I only had eyes for the cliff. I skidded to a stop at the edge, searching the water below. I couldn’t see a damn thing. The only thing I knew was that she wasn’t on the jagged rocks. She had to have made it to the water. There was only one thing to do now.

I jogged away from the cliff just as Griffin called, “I got him.” I think I gave a nod and then started running, hoping I would clear those same rocks Shay had. Griffin yelled for me to stop but I didn’t. I hurled myself over the side, arms windmilling as I kept my gaze on the water below.

The force with which I hit pushed all the air from my lungs. Ice-cold seawater surrounded me as I struggled to break the surface. I clawed at the water as I reached for sunlight. My head broke through, and I sucked in air with a desperation I’d never experienced before.

The moment my lungs filled, I began scanning the waters around me, searching for any sign of Shay. Nothing. I was just about to dive under the waves when I caught a glimpse of brown hair against the rocks.

No. I swam as fast as I could, fighting the waves as I went. I sent up a silent prayer as I reached her. “Shay, can you hear me?” I lifted her unconscious head above the water, using my other hand to press two fingers to her neck. There was a faint pulse. But I didn’t feel any breath against my neck where I’d rested her head.

We needed to get to shore. Anywhere I could give her mouth-to-mouth. I locked my arm around her body and begun swimming parallel to the shore so I could round the rocks. With each stroke, I willed Shay to stay with me. I needed her. More than she would ever know.