Underwater

by Doe, Anna B.

  I feel myself relax. I didn’t even realize how much this was bugging me until her words filled me with warmth and love. “I love you, Mar.”

  “I love you, too, Caleb.” She looks over her shoulder, her plump lips brushing over mine. “To the bottom of the ocean and back.”

  “To the bottom of the ocean and back,” I whisper in return to her, my mouth claiming hers in a heated kiss.

  It’s been a year, one year, since we got together, and every time I kiss her, it feels like the first time. I can only hope that feeling never goes away, because I’m sure my love for her will never change.

  * * *

  THE END

  Acknowledgments

  Writing Marissa’s story has been a true delight, and once again, this story came to me just when I needed it the most! Underwater brought me back to younger days when all I was reading, and all I wanted to write, was young adult fantasy. And although this story isn’t a young adult fantasy per se, it does carry traces of one of my favorite genres. A genre that I hope I’ll return to in the future. Little Mermaid has always been my favorite fairy tale, and when another, my version of the story started popping up in my mind, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Couldn’t stop thinking about these characters.

  At the time I was struggling with writing Habits, so I decided to let it go for a while and concentrate on the characters that were speaking the loudest to me. Although I knew this story would have to wait for a while before being published, I had to write it. And now, almost a full year later, you got to read it!

  I really hope you enjoyed this sweet, mystical summer romance. Marissa and Caleb’s story is full of angst and heartache, friendship and love, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.

  As always, big shout-out to my betas: Nina, Andrea, Stephanie and Caitlinn for helping me shape this story into what it is now.

  Thank you to Najla for creating this stunning cover for Underwater. It’s a pure delight to work with you and watch you give face to my stories.

  To my editor Tricia, I’m so lucky to get to work with you. You take the mess I send you and turn it into something worth reading. You make me challenge myself as a writer, and I can’t wait to read your next comment!

  A big thank you to my dear Supergirls and Bookmantics! Thank you for all the help and support you give me daily. I love you guys!

  And finally, THANK YOU to you, my readers! Going with you on this adventure is the best gift I could ever receive.

  If you loved this book, please consider leaving a brief, honest review if you have time.

  * * *

  Until the next book!

  xo,

  Anna B. Doe

  Playlist

  JoJo – Say Love

  JoJo – When Love Hurts

  Halsey – Eyes Closed

  Anna Clendening – Boys Like You

  Maria Mena – I Don’t Wanna See You With Her

  James Arthur – Can I Be Him

  Ruelle – Secrets And Lies

  Shawn Mendez – Because I Had You

  Jessie Ware – Hearts

  Gabrielle Aplin – Please Don’t Say You Love Me

  Ally Barron – Just Friends

  Selena Gomez – Back To You

  Chris Young – Tomorrow

  Chris Young – I’m Comin' Over

  Other Books By Anna B. Doe

  New York Knights series:

  #1 Lost & Found

  #2 Until

  #3 Forever

  * * *

  Greyford High Series:

  #1 Lines

  #2 Habits

  #3 Rules (coming late 2019)

  * * *

  Standalone:

  Underwater

  Did you like Underwater?

  Here’s the first chapter of Lines, my sweet YA sports romance! Hope you enjoy it!

  Amelia

  “Stone Cold” is playing on the radio as I drive my Volkswagen Golf to the school. The car may be old, but it’s reliable. Kind of. Maybe I heard some strange noises coming out of it a time or two. But it’s something normal, right? Strange noises coming out of old things give them charm, give them character. People say it all the time.

  Anyway, the car is mine, and that’s all that matters to me. The last three summers I was working my butt off helping my aunt in her hair salon and saving money so I could buy myself a car.

  It’s the first day of school and the first day of my senior year. The beginning of the end. I’m one step closer to freedom, one step closer to getting out of hell and starting a new life—life away from this city and its people.

  The phone on the console in front of me starts ringing. Lowering the music, I give a quick look at the screen before connecting the call and putting it on speaker.

  “Where are you, Lia?” My best friend’s voice comes from the speaker.

  “On my way to school, Brooks. Where would I be?”

  “You’re late.” I can hear the noises around her, meaning she’s already there. I roll my eyes at her accusatory tone. “I was worried,” she adds, this time a little softer.

  “No need to be. I simply overslept,” I reassure her, feeling slightly guilty. Brook is my best friend, always there for me and standing by my side, even when things aren’t pretty. How many people do that? She knows how difficult it is for me to return to school each fall, so of course she’s worried. “I should be there in time for homeroom. Save me a seat, will ya?”

  It’s not like somebody is going to take the front row seats anyway. Most of the time, the two of us are invisible. Most being the keyword.

  Some strange noises start coming from my car, and a light on the console turns red. “Ohh shit!” I groan loudly. “Not now.”

  “What’s going on?” She sounds worried. “Why are you yelling?”

  “Something’s wrong with the car. I have to pull over. I’ll see you later in class, okay?”

  “Later.”

  She hangs up, and I pull over to the side of the road. Not knowing what I should do, I simply stay in my seat. Looking in front of me, my hands grip the steering wheel tightly, turning my knuckles whiter than they already are.

  “You can do it, Lia,” I murmur to myself as I take one deep breath and open the car door. “You can do it.”

  Going to the front of the car, I lift the hood and look inside. All those wires and tubes and… whatever. Blackness and dirt, that’s all I understand about it. How the hell should I know what’s wrong with this thing?

  I bite into my lower lip to stop it from wobbling. I’m already tired and frustrated from my dream and from oversleeping. The last thing I need today is to be late for class or to have a mental breakdown—and here I am on my way to both.

  Taking the phone out of my pocket, I try dialing my dad, but it goes straight to voicemail. “Just fucking perfect,” I swear under my breath. After the beep, I explain to him what happened and where my car is.

  If I start walking now and hurry, I’ll be late for class by just a few minutes.

  I’m about to close the hood when I hear the sound of a bike nearing. It’s some kind of fancy, sleek, black bike. It starts slowing down, only to stop next to my car.

  The driver’s also dressed in all black—black helmet and leather jacket, black jeans and biker boots. He takes off the helmet and holds it against his side while he runs his right hand through messy strands of dark brown hair.

  He’s handsome, so handsome he looks like someone who should be on the cover of a magazine.

  “Need help?”

  His voice is smooth, easy-going. He gives me a crooked smile, and his almond-shaped, gray eyes have a hint of teasing light in them.

  “If you know how to get this thing going.” I shrug, pointing with a thumb over my shoulder at my good-for-nothing car. I’m not usually so careless to talk to or accept help from a complete stranger, no matter how hot they are, but I don’t have much choice right now. Not if I want to get to school on time and not draw attention to myself on
the first day of classes.

  “Let’s see. What happened exactly?”

  He gets off the bike in one smooth motion, like he’s done it a hundred times before. He probably has. I tell him about the strange sounds and the light going on as he gets under the hood.

  I look at him while he works.

  He’s around my age, but could be older. It’s hard to guess because he has this whole older, bad-boy vibe going on, and I’ve never seen him around school or town. I would know; everybody knows everybody around here, all the way back to diapers.

  Add to it that he looks a little bit dangerous. Everything about him screams beware, bad boy, trouble—all dark and mysterious, giving sexy half smiles and trading fingers through hair. And is that a tattoo peeking through the sleeve of his shirt?

  He turns around, startling me. “It’s definitely the oil.” Gray eyes narrow, looking at me. “Were you just staring at my butt?”

  “What?” A shriek leaves my lips. “I did no such thing!”

  His smile grows even wider, confidence oozing from every pore of his body. “You so were.” He leans into the car. “But it’s okay. Good to know all the workouts pay off.”

  He winks at me playfully, and I can feel my cheeks getting hot with embarrassment. What did I do to deserve this kind of day? And it’s just beginning! “So can you do something or not?”

  “If you have extra oil in your trunk, then yeah I can do something.”

  I bite into my lower lip, uncomfortably switching from one foot to the other.

  “I guess you don’t.” The tone of his voice clearly states what he thinks but is too polite to voice—typical girl behavior.

  “Well, I called my dad. He’ll come later and take care of it,” I sigh, going to the backseat to get my backpack. Walking it is. Is there anything else that can happen to ruin this day even more than it already is? “Thank you for stopping to help and wasting your time, but I should really go. I’m already late for school.”

  “You go to Greyford High?”

  Throwing my backpack over my right shoulder, I close the door and turn to look at him, but he isn’t where I left him at the hood of the car. No, he’s right there behind me.

  This close, I have a good look at his face.

  He’s handsome, his facial features movie–worthy. Strong jaw hidden behind light stubble; straight, white teeth; his lower lip slightly fuller. His nose is straight, no bumps or any imperfections, and his gray eyes stand out even more against his dark, prominent eyebrows and olive skin. Also, he’s tall, over six feet and even behind his clothes, I can see he’s well build.

  “Why?” I ask carefully.

  “Are you afraid?” he teases. The back of his finger is caressing my cheek, and I feel my body tense, then shudder slightly from his touch. What is he doing to me? How is it that this guy that I just met has this kind of power over my body? “If I wanted to kidnap you, I would have already done it.”

  “Then?”

  “I’m going there myself.” He shrugs like it’s evident or something. His finger falls from my cheek as he takes a step back. “I just moved here, so it’s my first day. It’s your call, Freckles.”

  I watch him go back to the bike. I could easily take his offer and maybe get to school on time. Or I could refuse him and walk twenty minutes with a backpack full of books over my shoulder.

  “I don’t know you,” I say, hoping to convince, I don’t even know who really, that this is not a good idea.

  This is the first time I’ve seen the guy. Yeah, he’s polite and helpful. Kind of like a knight in shining armor—or knight on a sleek bike—but I learned a long time ago that knights are just a myth, and if you want to survive, you’ll have to do it on your own.

  “Max Sanders.” He offers me his hand, and I take it in mine. It’s big and warm, enveloping mine completely.

  “Amelia Campbell.”

  “So, Freckles, which is it? Bike or walking?” Max is still holding my hand as he asks the question.

  “Why do you keep calling me that?” I ask, trying to contain the small shudder that goes through my body. That name reminds me too much of another not-so-cute pet name I’ve got. I look him in the eyes, hoping to find something, anything actually, that will tell me what he’s thinking.

  “You have them all over your nose and cheeks.”

  “It’s hard not to notice when you’ve looked at this face every day for 17 years.” My tone is sarcastic, but he ignores me.

  “They’re cute.” He gives me yet another shrug and a half-smile. “So?”

  Taking one deep, shaky breath, I put backpack over both of my shoulders. “How good are you at driving this thing?”

  “The best,” he replies with a big, goofy smile. “Hop on.”

  I’m so going to regret this.

  “So…” Nervously, I look from behind Max.

  People started staring from the moment we entered school property. Not hallways. Parking lot.

  It was like a scene from one of those chick flicks I make Brook watch with me where everybody turns around and stares at the hot new guy or girl, and then they turn around and start to gossip.

  It’s insane and makes me jittery. No one ever pays attention to me, except when Derek and Andrew are around, then they do. Pay attention that is, watching from the side and smirking like they know something, when in reality they know nothing. Some also enjoy getting in my way. Apparently, I’m too close to them, so their foot finds a way in front of my legs, making me trip, or their shoulder pushes against mine as I walk by in the hallways. As I said, I’m in their way.

  Why were they even still in the hallways? The bell is about to ring any second now.

  “Thanks again for the ride.” I try smiling, but it feels forced, even to myself. Max turns around and looks at me with his brows raised. “I guess I’ll see you around.”

  I try to pass around him, but he catches my hand and makes me stop. “Not so fast. What do you have first period?”

  “Homeroom, Mrs. Rayan.”

  “Great, me too.” He gives me a wide smile, one filled with mischief. This guy was born up to no good. “You can pay me back for saving your ass this morning by showing me how to get there. My personal guide for the day. What do you say, Freckles?”

  We look at each other. It feels like an eternity, but I know it’s a matter of seconds. Every time he calls me that my stomach begins tumbling and a sour taste erupts in my mouth. I lick my suddenly dry lips before answering. “Okay,” I agree. “But you have to stop calling me that.”

  His smile falls. “Why would I do that?”

  “I…” I bite into my lower lip, almost making it bleed, and slowly shake my head. “Just don’t.”

  Insightful, gray eyes look at me for a few long seconds before he finally nods his head, even if reluctantly, in agreement. “What do I call you then?”

  “Lia. My friend calls me Lia.”

  The bell starts ringing loudly, startling me. People around us break from whatever spell they were under and hurry to their own classes, although I see a few curious faces giving us a backward glance.

  “This, Lia, is your clue to start leading the way.” He throws his hand around my shoulders, tugging me into his side. He towers over me, and I can feel the heat radiating off his body. Masculine scent surrounds me. I don’t know what it is exactly, but I want to burrow my nose in his neck and inhale him in. But I don’t because it would be extra creepy. “I didn’t break a few laws so that you’d end up late for class.”

  A giggle escapes my lips. It’s soft, almost inaudible. I don’t know who is more surprised to hear it—me or Max.

  “Come on. It’s this way.”

  I walk, thinking he’ll move his hand off my shoulders and follow me, but he surprises me, as he did from the moment I met him. His hand stays firmly in place as he follows next to me, taking smaller steps to accommodate my pace.

  I don’t know what to make of him. One moment he’s teasing me like he enjoys mocking me and s
eeing me blush, but in other situations, he’s really nice and considerate.

  “We’re here,” I say, stopping in front of homeroom.

  Mrs. Rayan’s voice is calling names from the other side of the door, a door that leads to a classroom full of students who will turn around and stare when I open it.

  Max is standing behind me, his hand on the doorknob. “Come on. It’s nothing serious,” he assures me, his relaxed and composed voice calming my rapidly beating heart. “Everyone’s late every once in a while.”

  He turns the knob and softly pushes me inside. Everyone turns around just as I knew they would, looking at me, looking at us standing at the door.

  “Miss Campbell.” Mrs. Rayan voice is impassive. “I’m glad you could join us. Go in and take your seat.”

  Buy Lines here

  About the Author

  Anna B. Doe is the author of the New York Knights series, Underwater and brand new Greyford High series. She’s a coffee and chocolate addict. Like her characters, she loves those two things dark, sweet and with little extra spice.

  When she’s not working for living or writing her newest book you can find her reading books or binge-watching TV shows. Originally from Croatia, she is always planning her next trip because wanderlust is in her blood.

  She is currently working on various projects. Some more secret than others.

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