The Truth About Ever After by Rachel Schurig Read Free Book Online Page B

If
the concierge at the hotel was to be believed, we’d
all be a whole lot more drenched than this soon.
    The
ride took about twenty minutes—not nearly enough time for me to stop
enjoying it. In the distance I could see a small undeveloped island ; our destination. But the ride wasn’t over yet, not by a
long shot.
    “Okay,”
Billy called, standing up to face us. He braced himself with both hands on the
two front seats, the speed of the boat threatening to send him sprawling into
Carl if he let go. “We’re about to enter the bay. Everyone hold on, and prepare
to get soaked!”
    Billy
sat down next to the driver. I looked over at Eric; he had a massive grin on
his face and was holding onto the straps of his restraints like his life
depended on it.
    “Scared?”
he called over the wind.
    “Not
even close!” I yelled back.
    “Let’s
SPIN!” Billy called from the front of the boat.
    Suddenly
the world tilted around me as Carl pulled a complete three-sixty. The speed we
had going into the spin combined with the suddenness of his execution created a
giant splash of water to cover the boat. It was terrifying and exhilarating,
just like being on an amusement park ride but faster—much faster.
    As
we came out of the spin I heard laughing and cheering all around me. The other
passengers had enjoyed it as much as I had.
    “How
was that?” Billy called, standing again. We all hooted our approval.
    “Not
very excited,” he said, shaking his head in mock sadness. “You must not have
liked it. We’ll head to the beach now.”
    We
all howled and screamed, making Billy grin. “Again?” he asked.
    For the next ten minutes or so Carl raced
the little speedboat across the water, executing perfectly timed three-sixties. By the time he slowed down I felt dizzy
and giddy—and was also soaking wet. No wonder they had us stow our
belongings at the front of the boat.
    Carl
took us smoothly to the small dock at the little island. “Thank you for being
our passengers!” Billy called out. “We hope you enjoyed your time on the Ripper !”
    We
applauded for Carl and Billy once more as they made their way through the boat,
helping us undo our restraints. When I finally stood I felt a little shaky.
That was intense.
    Off
the boat we were led over to the beach, where another group of guides was
standing next to several large bins. They waited for the entire group to join
them before they began their explanation on snorkeling equipment and the proper
way to handle the stingrays.
    “I’m
not so sure about this,” Ginny was saying, eying the water with apprehension.
“Aren’t stingrays dangerous?”
    “Our
stingrays are as friendly as our locals,” a guide said, stopping in front of
her to adjust the straps of her life belt. “You’re in no danger here,
gorgeous.”
    He
let his hands linger on her shoulders for a bit longer than was strictly
necessary, causing Josh to grimace. I laughed to myself—Ginny was
completely oblivious. Being ogled by every man she met was probably old news to
her by now.
    The
guides led us all out into the water. From here I could see that the area we
were in was fenced off with nets in the water. I figured that must mean that
the rays were already here, that we were, in fact, in their cage. The
realization sent a little shiver of fear down my spine.
    “Okay,”
the guide called out. “You can all head out and start swimming. Feel free to
touch the rays as they pass, but make sure you don’t step on any of them or try
to lift them out of the water. That’s the only way you’ll get hurt.”
    “Yeah,
I have a feeling I’m not touching anything ,”
Nate muttered. “This is sounding like a pretty stupid move on our parts, guys.”
    “Don’t
be such a wuss ,” Annie said, popping her mask over
her eyes. “I’m going to find some rays.”
    She
dove gracefully into the water, using her flippers to propel herself smoothly
along. I could see her snorkel jutting out above the water. Nate