The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller by L. B. Simmons Read Free Book Online

about five-hundred feet below. Okay, not really. I don’t know how high I am because my eyes are sealed shut and my breathing is panicked as I hesitantly take a step and lower myself down the wall.
    “Yeah, Raven!” Kaeleb yells. “I’m sure you can see the mountains from up there!”
    My voice is shaky as I rappel a little further. “Shut up, Kaeleb.”
    His laughter bellows from below me. “Just wait until we do the Leap of Faith!”
    My body shivers with the thought of standing on a fucking telephone pole and jumping off with nothing other than a cable and the people holding onto that cable to provide me safety. I can’t believe I let Linda talk me into this shit.
    “Am I almost done?” I ask, sliding the rope between my hands and pushing off. I think I just flew down about ten feet.
    My feet land hard, sending me spinning, and I don’t stop until my body bounces off the wall. All with my eyes still closed.
    “Not even close! I’m surprised you can even breathe with how thin the air is up there!” Kaeleb’s mocking tone furthers my aggravation.
    After taking a deep breath—thankfully, the air is just fine—I push off again, unsteady with jerky movements. “Shut. Up.”
    And just when I think Kaeleb can’t possibly irritate me further…
    “That harness is giving me a great view of your ass by the way. Your cargos are usually way too baggy.”
    A loud gasp escapes me and I quickly let go of the rope to cover said ass with my hands, the release catapulting me further down the wall until I’m practically upside down, all the while subjected to heinous cackling from below. At least Kaeleb somehow managed to stop my freefall during his fit of laughter.
    “Kaeleb, enough,” Palmer reprimands. “Raven, you’re going to have to open your eyes and right your body. You can do this.”
    With his tone full of encouragement, I try to grab whatever shred of dignity I still have and pull myself upright with the help of the rope. Once I’m set, I lean back and rest my weight in the harness as I try to catch my breath.
    My legs are straight against the wall as I allow my torso to gingerly recline and my eyes to open slowly. The view isn’t of mountains, but I can see the tops of the trees and the people walking through the courtyard area aren’t nearly as small as I imagined they would be.
    I breathe in deeply.
    I can do this.
    Kaeleb manages to finally stop his theatrics long enough for me to get my bearings, then I give the rope a little slack and kick my feet off the wall. My hands are shaking, but I keep a firm grip as I sail downward a bit and then land firmly. I repeat these motions until I’m about ten feet off the ground.
    Blood is rushing through my veins, the adrenaline coursing through me, and for about five seconds I feel like I can do anything.
    That is until Kaeleb completely drops his very important anchor role, releasing the rope and throwing me into another freefall. An unexpected squeal escapes me as I plummet the remainder of the way down, only to land in his arms with an oomph .
    His scent stirs all around me, and as my arms fly around his neck, I find myself inhaling deeper than probably appropriate. And when my lungs can take no more air, I enjoy its soothing effect until I remember that I’m pissed.
    He could have killed me.
    And now I’m going to kill him.
    “Kaeleb! Asshole!” I yell, jumping out of his arms and planting my feet hit on the ground. I haul my arms back and shove as hard as I can. “You could have dropped me!”
    His shoulders shake with his silent chuckles. “No way. I’m 6’3.” That was like a two foot drop.”
    Palmer watches our interaction with interest. I swear I spot the tiniest of amusement flash across his features as he states, “Something tells me that Kaeleb would never drop you, Raven.” He directs his eyes in Kaeleb’s direction; all amusement lost and replaced with caution. “That being said, your actions were not at all conducive for this