Taking the Heat (24 page)

‘Tell me what you'll use the money for, Jen.'

Her voice trembling, she said, ‘A HIV awareness clinic. Where people can go for treatment and education, a place where they won't be judged.'

‘You'll save lives. Keep thinking of that.'

We watched as Nik jumped first, sailing out into the clear air like a pro. He grabbed a key and bounced up grinning.

‘I can go next,' I told Jen.

‘No, if it's okay, I'll go. That way, you'll still be up here to encourage me.' She smiled weakly at me.

‘Saving lives through bungy, Jen.'

‘Saving lives through bungy, Tara.'

I released her hand as the bungy guy beckoned her forward. Her legs trapped together, Jen waddled over slowly.

‘Okay, man,' yelled the instructor cheerfully. ‘Watch out you don't bump your cord—if that goes over, so do you. You can jump whenever you're ready.'

Jen leaned over, looking down. Her face filled with terror and she flailed backwards, tears rushing over her high cheekbones. ‘Oh god! I cannot! I can't do this! May the people forgive me!'

‘Alright, alright,' soothed the bungy dude, clearly used to last-minute back-outs. ‘Just step back and we'll get your leg harness off.'

Jen relaxed slightly, but before she could hop away from the edge, movement caught my eye. Dante was stealthily pushing at the coil of bungy rope with his foot.

I tried to cry out, but it was too late; the cord dropped over, its heavy weight falling away. The other end attached to Jen yanked fiercely, ripping her legs from under her. She smashed to the ground, then slid screaming, over the edge into the abyss.

Chapter 23

People screamed and rushed to the edge, myself included. Peering over, I watched as Jen fell feet first, her arms clawing at the air. As the still-attached cable pulled tight, she was viciously ripped upside down, her neck snapping, limbs flailing limply. Dunked into the water, she travelled up again, and as she drew closer to the bridge, we could see she had passed out.

The little boat pulled out swiftly and as Jen was unhooked, people on walkie-talkies communicated within my earshot. ‘Yeah, good. Just shock, you think? Okay. Keep us posted after she's seen a doctor.'

Contestants and crew milled around, uneasy at the frightening turn of events. I honed in on the person responsible.

‘You,' I seethed, trapping Dante against the rail where he stood smirking.

‘Me? I don't know what you're talking about.'

‘You're fucking lucky, mate. If they had unhooked her cord, she could have died!' I had never felt such rage, raking through me, cold and white. ‘If they've got you on film, I'll make sure you're charged.'

‘My foot-a! She slipped!' He waved his hands and increased his accent, doing a perfect imitation of a confused foreigner. ‘You've got nothing. Besides …'

He leaned in close and whispered vile words in my ear. ‘The black bitch had it coming for interrupting us.'

Logic left me and a violent hatred took hold. ‘How many strikes do you have left, Dante? I have two, and I would gladly use one of them to mess your face up right now.'

He drew back slightly, his eyes wide. I raised my fist, but Chris stepped in between us.

‘Chris, move.'

‘No, babe. He's not worth it.' Chris' kind eyes tried to calm me.

‘You don't know what he's done!' I cried. I tried to step around him, but he steered me away.

‘Do you think I don't want to beat him stupid for what he almost did to you? Do you think it doesn't tear me up every minute of every day that he got away with hurting you? But not every problem can be solved with fists, babe.' Chris' face was ripping in two, torn by conflicting emotion. ‘Dante will get his, eventually. It's how karma works. Don't risk your prize on him.'

‘Talk me through some breathing,' I said, my chest tight, my wrath too close to the surface for me to think. ‘Please.'

He smiled shallowly. ‘Of course. Breathe in for five …'

Twenty minutes later, I stood on the edge of the bungy platform, feeling strong. Putting everything else out of my head, I told the bungy guy, ‘Don't count me down. I'll jump when I'm ready.'

As silence blanketed the bridge, I swan dove off.

***

Knocking on Jen's cabin door, I heard her call, ‘Come in! It is open.'

‘Jen, are you okay?' I exclaimed, rushing to her, tucked up in bed.

With grace, she nodded. ‘The doctor explained that I passed out from shock, but my neck might be sore for a little while. They have given me some delightful medicine so I can relax. I feel quite good …' Her beautiful face clouded. ‘Except for letting down my people. To go through all of that and not have anything to show for it, is very disappointing.'

‘You do have something to show for it.' I laid an iPad on the sheet. ‘Check your bank account.'

‘I don't understand …' She logged in and studied the screen. ‘There is fifty thousand dollars here!'

‘I jumped and got a key. I don't want more cash, and I don't need another name. I've arranged to donate my win to you.'

Black eyes filling with heavy tears, Jen shook her head. Pushing the tablet into my hands, she said, ‘No … Tara, my friend, it is too much.'

‘Jen, I'm not taking no for an answer.' I struggled to explain. ‘I'm here for my sister—one person. You're here for your whole city. You could affect thousands.' I squeezed her fingers. ‘Keep the money.'

She hugged me fiercely as she cried, ‘Oh, Tara! You are very wonderful!'

‘I don't know about that, but I know this is the right thing to do.'

‘Unlike the producers. They told me you accused Dante of pushing the rope over, but he said it was an accident. He is still here, that dirty pile of warthog dung.' She looked so fierce, I was glad it wasn't me who she hated.

I stroked her hair, trying to brush away her anger. ‘He's a dick; don't worry about him. You're fine and that's what matters.'

‘Thank you, my sister. Now, you must go, or you will miss the boat party,' she said, waving me away.

I shrugged. ‘Nah. I'd rather stay here with my friend and talk about her dreams.'

***

Transcript of Tara M's video diary: Day 17

The beauty team came knocking on my door at 4:45am, and as my best friend Serena says, ‘Anything that happens before five is still yesterday.'

‘Whose idea was this, anyway?' I grizzled, as Mama Ruby dumped me in the chair.

‘Child, Mama just follows the run sheet. You got a date coming in an hour.'

Knowing that the guys get to choose date details, I narrowed my eyes. ‘Whoever he is, he's a dead man.'

With tendrils of my hair pinned softly to the top of my head and the rest curling around my shoulders, I checked out my vibrant green bikini in the mirror. The tiny scraps of fabric skimmed over my cheeks and breasts, and the gold-flecked sarong around my waist shimmered softly. My eyes were highlighted in emerald and looked much larger than normal—although I was more impressed the makeup people had managed to hide my tired bags.

Pale gold sandals waited for me by the door. Slipping them on, I leaned on the frame, and it vibrated under my arm from series of knocks.

I pushed the door open, ready to tear strips off the guy brazen enough to drag me out before dawn.

‘Hey, babe.' Chris stood there looking like a vision of manliness, in green and gold boardies and a cream sleeveless shirt.

‘Oh my god!' I squealed. ‘It's you! Wait—are you here for a date or are you just visiting again?'

‘It's you and me today,' he smiled wolfishly. ‘Well, you me and these guys.' He indicated the small crew behind him and Greg waved goofily.

‘Bring it on!'

I jumped into the waiting buggy with him and the crew, shivering slightly in the pre-dawn air. Chris produced a blanket and draped it over my shoulders as we sped away into the jungle. ‘I hope you don't mind the early start; I have a full day planned.'

‘You're the only one who could get away with it,' I laughed, happy to be by his side.

The world had begun to lighten around us as we whipped along the paths, traveling high up into the hills. As the buggy struggled to navigate up the steep inclines, I began to worry it might just buzz itself to death.

Just before it gave out, the ground levelled flat and the sound of rushing water greeted us.

‘Waterfalls?' I questioned.

‘Come and see,' Chris answered.

We left the buggy, pushing giant leaves aside as we followed a narrow trail through the trees. The roaring grew closer, the smell of wet earth and something tangy wafting in the breeze.

We emerged on the banks of a gently flowing river, separated into levels by small waterfalls. Rising from the surface of the water were curling tentacles of steam.

‘Hot springs,' said Chris, close to my ear. ‘The temperature is just like a bath.'

I shivered, and said, ‘What are we waiting for?'

Stripping off my sarong and sandals, I shamelessly watched Chris tug his shirt over his head, perving at his gorgeous rippling abs. He stepped down onto the rocky river bed, then turned to make sure I got in safely.

Lowering my legs down, I moaned as the crystal clear and piping hot water flowed around my feet. It was almost scalding, in the best possible way. As I stepped out deeper, following Chris, the level rose to cover my backside and stomach, cleansing me and washing my worries away.

‘Over here,' Chris called, wading to the closest waterfall. Leaning back, he let the rushing flow cascade over him, dripping down his defined chest as he raised his arms.

I could have stared at him all day, but I wanted to try as well. Scooting in beside him, I tilted my head and felt the pounding liquid pummel my skin. Every cell stimulated and burning, I gasped, tuning to Chris in wonder. He stared back at me, his aqua eyes the exact colour of the pale morning sky.

The sun broke through the tree, bathing us both in golden light, the water droplets shining and turning us into sparkling statues. Chris led us into deeper water and we dove under the surface of the mineral spring, playing like happy seal cubs in the warm, bright liquid.

We swam and played until the sun was high in the sky. A whistle from the bank caught our attention, as a crew member waved to us. We paddled over, finding an entrance to a quiet side pool, away from the rushing waterfalls. There, the water was shallow, just deep enough to sit comfortably, and breakfast had been placed within easy reach on the edge.

I hadn't realised how hungry I was until I saw the food. Grabbing a banana muffin, I swallowed it just about whole, while Chris watched me, grinning.

‘Hungry, much?'

‘Swimming always makes me ravenous,' I explained, my mouth full. ‘When I was a kid, I would swim in the morning and then demolish anything I found in the fridge.'

‘Same. My parents moved us to near Bells Beach when I was thirteen, so I surfed all the time. The local Maccas saw a lot of business from me post-surf.'

Momentarily distracted by the sight of Chris eating round, red strawberries, I answered, ‘God, I wish I'd learned how to surf. Ella and I always planned on it, but we didn't get there.'

Tragedy is strange. Sometimes, you'll be paddling along, fine, and then
BAM!
—it sneaks up and smacks you.

The memory of my sister, happy and whole, waving Gold Coast surfing holiday flyers at me, whipped me across my heart. My face fell and Chris noticed.

‘Hey, what's wrong?' He slid closer to me, concerned.

‘Nothing.'

‘Tara,' he said, blue eyes penetrating. ‘Tell me, what's in your head right now?'

‘I just … I forget, okay? I try and try to not allow myself to enjoy things, because she can't anymore, but I forget, and then I feel horrible!' I turned away from him. ‘I don't deserve this. Any of it.'

‘Okay, enough!' Chris raised his voice, cutting through my self-loathing. ‘Right, babe, this is it. Here and now, we lay everything out on the line. No more secrets, no more avoiding the topic. Tell me; what happened with your sister?'

I deflected. ‘Nothing. She's in a wheelchair, isn't that enough?'

‘No, it's not. Babe, this isn't just guilt because you can do things she can't anymore. There's something else. Tell me.'

I seem to be crying an awful lot lately. Fresh tears brimmed in my eyes, falling away and joining the water around me. ‘I can't. You'll hate me.'

‘I could never hate you. Tell me.'

‘Chris … I don't think I can!' Weeping, I hid my face in my wet hands.

‘Tara, listen to me: whatever you are carrying around inside yourself, whatever you're punishing yourself for, I can't help you unless you tell me.' He moved through the water until he was right in front of my face. ‘Talk to me, babe. Close your eyes if it helps. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere.'

Shaking, I closed my eyelids, and told him the story.

Ella stood in front of me, glorious in her yellow tunic dress. ‘Hey, sis! Are you ready to go?'

Rubbing my feet, I tried to catch the eye of my cousin's best friend, Max, the guy I'd been dancing with all night. He looked up and winked at me, heading our way.

I answered Ella. ‘Why don't you head home without me?'

Max sat next to me and Ella ceased to exist. ‘Hey, beautiful,' said Max, reaching for my feet and drawing them into his lap. ‘Can I help you with that?'

As he began to rub my feet, I surreptitiously pressed my toes against his groin. ‘Mmm … that feels good …'

‘I'm told I'm good with my hands.' Max let his hand slide up to my calf, teasing the skin.

‘Okay, wow! Get a room, you two!' My sister intruded on my sexy little moment with Max.