29. Bearing North
Chapter 29
Bearing North
Haley
I love snuggling. It’s odd. I’ve never met so many guys who like snuggling too. But when Easton tugs me up against him and pulls me even closer, the chill in the evening air is gone. Even my toes, which were on the verge of freezing, are heating up. And my core is more than heating up.
Zane has given up on the cushion and is lying in front of me. “Sweet dreams, Haley.”
“You too, Zane. Are you cold?”
“A little.”
“Snuggle with us for warmth.”
Behind me, Easton stiffens. Odd. I’m not sure why he wouldn’t want Zane to be warm too. A guy like Easton couldn’t be interested in me. I’m just what’s available. His hand is on my stomach. Oh lord, Steven used to complain about my stomach. But Easton’s full-out pressing into me. It was different last night—the life vests kept us apart a little—but now there’s no doubting what’s going on. I should stop it.
“Thanks, Haley.”
When Zane pulls in close to me, the raft sways on the sand. But I don’t because Easton has a firm grip on my side. And my front is warm. Zane’s backside is up against me. I’m a sandwich with some high-end, good-looking bread.
I don’t know what to do with my arm, but Zane solves the problem for me. He tucks it between his arm and chest, holding my hand to his stomach. For warmth , I repeat over and over in my head. But then Easton moves, and his hard length is nestled between my butt cheeks. I freeze, still not knowing what to do. Nervous butterflies flit around my stomach. This is less than what happened this morning, but half-awake Haley who thinks she might die is a hussy. And right now, while I’m tired, I’m not her. I want to be her. With a shot of tequila, I could be her. But the good girl in me isn’t going to let that happen. Being attracted to four guys is wrong. Not that anyone is going to blame me.
I let my breath out slowly. Why do I always think about what other people are going to think?
“Are you comfortable?” Zane rolls over, and he’s facing me. While it’s dark, it’s extra dark from the raft’s red canopy. But the moon has come out, casting a light glow around the raft. His eyes are open, and he smiles at me. “You okay, Haley? We’re not crowding you?” His eyes flit down to my lips.
Now Easton has his chin nestled into my neck, his fingers spread over my stomach. His breaths are long and warm beneath my ear, but they’re not the breaths of someone asleep.
“I’m good.”
“Good night, then.” Zane smiles at me.
And I hear their breath changing. I’m nuts. I really thought Zane was going to do something. Make a move. Or Easton. More than snuggling. What was I thinking? That two handsome guys would both want me? One maybe, but two? I laugh out loud.
Zane snuggles back into me.
But I’m drifting off to sleep, listening to their sounds and the ocean in the distance. I’m grateful to be alive. I try not to think about all the things I miss. My dog, but he’s with Steven’s mom. Is it weird I miss Sam too? I try to remember what Zane said. Until we know he’s neither alive nor dead, he’s alive. I chant it over and over in my head until I wake.
There is a warm body behind me, but it’s not Easton. The arm over my waist is Calvin’s. I lift my head to make out the tattoo that starts on his wrist. My hair is covering most of it. It’s a mermaid with a purple tail. Vines wrap around her like they’re pulling her to the bottom of the ocean. But I can’t see her face. I brush my hair to the side, and Calvin stirs behind me. A girl could get used to waking up beside a hot guy. His chest rises and falls against my back. He pulls me tighter to his chest like a stuffed animal. And that’s when I remember—I left it inside my jacket, stuffed in the life vest.
I lift my head. Somehow, I’ve missed everyone else getting up. Dante, Zane, and Easton are all moving around outside. It sounds a little like Dante orchestrating the smoking of the leftover meat. I roll over onto my back.
“Good morning, beautiful,” Calvin says without opening his eyes.
“Good morning, Calvin. But Easton already went outside.” I’m poking the bear, and I don’t care. I should, probably.
“Not even. You know I’m talking about you.” His voice is gravelly, like he just fell asleep. Which he probably just did. And then he rolls over on top of me in a plank. A wall of muscle. My senses are firing in fear and excitement. I’m wet. It’s a permanent situation on this island, and it has nothing to do with the ocean.
I push at his chest. It’s too much to take. I want to grind myself against him. But that’s too much. And then I remember the stuffed animal, again. He moves reluctantly off me.
“When’s your birthday?” I ask.
“Please tell me you’re not into that astrology shit?”
“Sort of, but that’s not why I’m asking.”
He grunts but doesn’t roll too far away. I raise my eyebrows at him, waiting for him to respond.
“Fine, July 6th.”
“Seriously? That’s next week.”
“Yup, it’s next week.”
“Well, I have an early present for you.”
His eyes dilate in the red-filtered early morning light. My pulse races. I didn’t think he would assume the gift is me. I roll onto my stomach, fiddle with my life vest, and pull out his bear.
“What?” His chin ticks with irritation. That isn’t what I expected. I don’t know what I expected, but irritation wasn’t it.
I hold it out to him, and he just stares. “I thought you’d be happy.”
He takes it from me. Holding it, his eyes glaze over. “I am, but I’m mad you endangered yourself by grabbing something unnecessary.”
“It was lying on top of my jacket. When I grabbed my jacket, I just shoved it in my bra. Really, he’s a bit soggy because he kept me dry.”
“He’s good like that.” Calvin blinks and holds the bear to his chest. “Thank you. I’m glad you didn’t do anything stupid to save it. It’s bad enough you went back into the boat for Dante.”
My jaw drops.
“He can cook, though.” Calvin rolls toward me, his large hand holding the side of my head. He leans in and kisses my cheek. It’s light and soft and not how I thought Calvin would be.
Butterflies migrate through my body. The excitement of being near him, touching him, echoes through my bones. I want him to kiss me.
But he runs his hand down my cheek instead. “Thank you for this, Haley.” He rolls away, and my body longs for his warmth.
“Hey.” Zane ducks his head in the flap. “Dante’s got breakfast if you want some. Easton caught some crabs, and Dante cooked them up in pig fat. I’m not sure how long I can fight Easton off them if you want some.” He laughs.
“I’m coming out. You should get some more sleep.” I put my hand on Calvin’s shoulder.
“Yeah. And tonight, you should actually wake someone else up to take a turn.” Zane points his finger at Calvin.
“What?” I give him my best I’m-not-happy-with-you-young-man face. “I’m getting up. Go to sleep.” I crawl to the opening, keeping the pressure off my ankle. It’s really not too swollen.
“Let me help you out.” Zane reaches for me.
“Thanks.”
He lifts me out and carries me to a new log that’s next to the fire.
Dante is stirring the coals, but next to our little fire ring is the long pit the guys dug yesterday. Easton is tending another fire, and there’s a trellis leaning over it, one side covered in palm fronds.
“While I slept, you guys made a whole meat-smoking setup?”
Zane puts me gently down next to the log.
“Your breakfast, my lady.” Dante hands me the coconut bowl. Crab meat, coconut, and a little pork.
“It smells amazing.” I pick up a little with my fingers.
“Wait.” He hands me a small wooden spoon.
“Where did this come from?”
“Calvin carved a set last night, while he kept watch. Full moon and all.” Dante sits down next to me. “How’s the leg?”
“Good. I should be perfect by tomorrow.” I pat my leg and hope I’m not lying.
“You’re perfect now.”
I groan.
“What, too much?” He nudges my shoulder.
“How do you feel?”
“I’m getting better, but it’s going to take time. You know I can never repay you for coming to get me.” He kisses my cheek. “You’re something else. I’m going to run these down to the water and wash them out.”
I watch him go. Easton and Zane are stringing up little bits of meat using what I think is seaweed? I turn back to the ocean. The wind is blowing softly, and it hasn’t heated up too much yet. It’s a good breakfast even if we weren’t shipwrecked. Moreover, the spoon is perfect. But it makes me wonder: if Calvin is whittling spoons and the rest of the guys are smoking meat, do they really think we are going to get out of here?
I put the bowl on the log next to me. Dante’s not back yet. I hobble over to the other fire. “What can I do to help?”
Easton picks me up before he answers. “You, young lady, can stay off this ankle and get better.”
Zane hollers at my back. “If you watch the fire over there, we could use Dante’s expertise at smoking meat here.”
Zane gets me. I need something to do.
Easton lowers me to my feet. “We just need you nice and healthy for when the rescue boat comes.” He holds on to my shoulders. “How does your ankle feel today?”
“Good,” I answer, but I’m kind of lying because the little trip over to the other fire has it throbbing.
For the next few hours, I keep the cooking fire going until they have a full process set up for the smoking of the meat. It’s not long before Calvin joins me. It’s not enough sleep, but I get it. We’re used to being sleep-deprived in our business.
“I brought you your shirt,” he says. “You don’t want to get burned.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“That’s Daddy to you.” Calvin’s cheeks are red as he says it.
“Yes, Daddy.” We share a stare. And then I laugh. Because the zinging in my core is something I don’t want to think about right now. “I like the spoon.” I hold it up.
“Thanks. If the moon is out tonight, I’m going to try making a fork and something Dante has requested, like a I have a full-blown workshop.” He shakes his head. “Can I get you something?”
“I’m good.”
“You should put your leg up.” He touches my ankle lightly.
“I will.” Mostly because the other guys are circling any time I move.
“All right then.” Calvin goes over to the other fire and then disappears into the woods.
If we are rescued today, the fire from the smoking will have played a part. Zane and Easton are running to the jungle and back with more and more wood. But all the guys are sweet and check in on me. Lunch is more pig meat, but Calvin isn’t back to eat. Not yet. And I’ve been glancing over my shoulder every few minutes, looking for him.
“How you doing?” Calvin’s voice booms and I jump. He appears from behind me and shares the log.
“Where did you come from? I’ve been watching for you.”
“I know. I ran into Zane collecting firewood, and he told me. I’m fine. I was checking out the island a little. The last thing we want is to be stranded here for weeks and there turns out to have been a town on the other side.”
“Well?” I lean into him.
“No town. But the island is a lot bigger than I thought it would be. And there’s a whole section that’s really rocky. I saw some goats.”
“Really, goats?” I scrunch up my nose.
“Yeah. What’s the face for?”
“Goats are cute.”
“And tasty.”
“You’re the worst.” I lean back into him.
“Hey, you two. We’re thinking of taking a pre-lunch swim.” Easton stands behind both of us. He puts his hand on my shoulder, and a zing of desire zips through me. Calvin gives Easton a look.
“Play nice, you two.” I wag my finger.
“That’s the plan.” Easton smiles. “Now about that swim...”
“I’m in.” I peel off my yoga pants and shirt, standing on one leg. But when I try to hop to the water with my crutch, Calvin throws me over his shoulder and we run. I’m bouncing, holding him around his waist. I glance up, and the other guys are smiling a lot.
Calvin slides me down his body. “How you doing?” I loop my arms around his neck. He leans forward. “Look out, little fishy. Here comes the audience. But that can be fun.”
My core clenches, and I look at Zane and Easton swimming out to meet us. Dante is being more cautious.
Calvin holds me, and his hand eases around to my bottom. “You’re doing amazing, Haley. A lot of girls would have folded under the pressure.”
“I like pressure,” I say. “It gets shit done. It’s weird here because there are no rules.”
He pulls me closer. “Pressure is useful for a lot of things, and there is one rule: stay alive.” He eases away, and I’m not sure if he meant to be sexual or not. “Watch out for them. I’m going to help Dante get dinner going.” Calvin calls out to Easton and Zane bobbing nearby. He takes off, swimming the free stroke.
The water is cool and a welcome relief from the sun. The first aid kit from the raft has two big tubes of sunscreen, but even so I’m a little pink. Even with the shade screen Zane made for the fire. But swimming with little fish darting between my feet feels amazing.
Easton strokes over to me, so graceful. “Who knew the big guy had some swimming form?” He nods to Calvin on the beach.
We aren’t out long before Dante waves us in for dinner.
The setting sun bursts with color over the ocean as we finish eating. “So pretty.”
“Yes,” Zane agrees with me. But when I look up, he’s staring at me and not the sunset.
“Shut up.” I push at his shoulder. He laughs; it’s deep and rich and all Zane. He sits next to me on the big log. I yawn. “I’m so tired, and I didn’t do a quarter of what you guys did today. Are you tired?”
“I could sleep,” Dante says.
“You guys go ahead. I’ll take the first watch and clean up here.” Calvin jumps up, taking the bowls to the water. A new pile of twigs and branches is already beside his seat.
“Okay, but you should wake up someone else to help with the watch.” I take my crutch and make my way to a spot behind the raft to answer the call of nature. And when I’m ready to get in the raft, Zane is waiting to help me in. I dust the sand off my feet and look around the raft.