Make Me
"I can't."
"Oh, quit being such a baby. Really. Look," she pointed randomly, "that kid did it."
"No." His voice was quiet, and quite pitiful, and she told him so, ignoring the glare he shot in her direction.
"For me?"
He scowled in reply.
"It's not that hard. Do you want me to demonstrate?"
"There's too much free space," he stated matter-of-factly in the manner of a five year old.
"I've done it a million times, Garret, and I can assure you it's perfectly safe; honestly."
He shook his head vehemently. "Leave me alone. I don't even know why I'm here in the first place."
"It was your idea," she pointed out with ill-concealed impatience.
"That's because I didn't count on being here," he muttered, suddenly seeming to take a great interest in the floor, shuffling his feet back and forth. "I hate this."
"Fine. Watch me; just once."
Her entry was clean and precise, and he had to admit, it looked sort of fun, but when she didn't come up immediately, his eyes widened in horror.
She gulped in a lungful of air, hauling herself up. "What? My god." She laughed at him. "I can't believe this. Everyone's doing it. Even Seely."
"That's because he looks good."
Jordan rolled her eyes. "He does not. Jealous much? Besides, he's only trying to impress Lily."
"Why the hell do you think that?"
"Chicken."
"Am not."
"You're scared. Chicken-shit," she teased mercilessly.
He frowned at her. "Go away."
"I'll go with you," she offered. "I know you can, Garret, come on."
"What do I get for it?"
"What am I, your- never mind." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Twenty bucks."
"Cheap."
Sticking her tongue out, she shook her head. "Take it or leave it, buddy."
He observed his target warily. "You'll never stop, will you?"
She grinned evilly. "Nope. Go," and gave him a little shove.
"You win," he sighed resignedly, and walked up the steps, gripping the railing so tight his knuckles turned white. He blinked, determined to go through with it, and continued, ignoring the stares he got from surrounding colleagues. Finally, he reached the top, and his eyes met Jordan's. It's too high, his eyes said, and hers countered, it's too late now.
He grimaced. Tiny steps eventually carried him to the end of the platform, and he looked down. Oh my god, he thought in horror…
And jumped into the water.
She was cheering ecstatically for him when he came up for air, and he spat water out of his mouth as he swam to the ladder and climbed out. "That was hell."
"Oh, but it was amazing!" she grinned, and planted a lingering kiss on his lips. "See, it wasn't that bad."
He fought the answering smile, but it broke through, and his arms encircled her, dripping wet and all. "Maybe not."
I have no idea if Garret Macy is afraid of heights.
