Chapter 8 #2
But it was like a miracle to Eli’s ears and he felt his shoulders slump as he let out a relieved sigh.
Maybe Shaw was on the path to feeling better.
And it was due to her.
Something sparked inside him. Growing hotter. Becoming bigger.
It was more than gratitude or appreciation.
It was . . . affection?
Nope. That made no sense. He barely knew her.
Carrie walked up. “Hi all, what can I get you?” Then her gaze zeroed in on Shaw.
Eli tensed and Kellan shifted so he was covering their younger brother from her sight.
“Shaw Jones? Is that you?” she asked, smacking her gum. “How are you? Jeez, you’re looking a bit tired. Been partying too hard, huh?”
“Something like that.” Shaw hunched his shoulders.
Arabella tensed next to him and Eli was about to shield her, although he had no idea why when she spoke up.
“Actually, it’s my fault,” she said quietly.
Carrie’s gaze shot to her. “Oh. I didn’t see you there.”
Eli scowled at the younger woman. That was rude and uncalled for.
“Shaw and I went on a safari in Africa and while we were there, Shaw contracted campylobacter. I don’t need to tell you how bad it is to be that sick while on a safari where you have to dig your own toilet.
It sucked. I mean, the stories I could tell you.
As you can see, he’s lost weight and sleep.
” She shook her head as the whole table stared at her.
What was she doing?
There was no way that Carrie would believe that bullshit.
“Oh my God! Africa? Really? I’ve always wanted to go there. I love hippos,” Carrie said.
“Very smart animals. Deadly, though,” Arabella said seriously.
“I bet.” Carrie nodded. “I’d love to see any photos if you have them.”
“Absolutely,” Arabella replied without missing a beat. “I’ll get that organized for another day. But Shaw needs to eat. The doctor said he can’t wait too long between meals.”
“Of course, of course. Urgh, that camplo-thing isn’t contagious, right?”
“No,” Kellan said. “You can only get it by eating something contaminated with feces.”
“W-what?” Carrie said.
“I didn’t do it on purpose,” Shaw said.
“Nobody said you did,” Kellan replied. “Why would you?”
“Well, monkeys often do,” Arabella said. “Gorillas too.”
“Luckily, I’m not a monkey or a gorilla,” Shaw said dryly.
“Indeed.” Arabella gave him a regal nod.
“Um, right,” Carrie said. “Can I, um, take your order?” She was staring at them all like she thought they were about to ask for some poop on a plate.
Eli shook his head while he watched Arabella hide her smile behind her menu.
The minx.
She was trouble. They all ordered, even Shaw, and then turned to her.
“I cannot believe you told her I ate poop,” Shaw said with a groan. “I went to school with her older brother. That’s going to go around the town.”
Arabella’s face closed down. All the amusement drained out of her face until she seemed like a shadow of the person she’d been before.
Fuck.
Eli couldn’t help but level a glare at Shaw. He needed to bring that smile back. He didn’t like that she’d shut down.
“I’m so sorry,” Arabella said in that formal tone he was starting to dislike.
Ease up.
Remember that you only just met her.
How can you hate a tone of voice when you barely know her?
“Would you like me to go and tell her that I made that up?” she asked, trying to stand. “Excuse me, please.”
“No,” Eli replied.
“What?” she asked.
“I’m sorry, did you not hear me? I said, no.”
“Please move so I can go and talk to our server.”
“No.”
“Eli Jones, move.”
“Nope.” He knew it was wrong, but it was a relief to hear the flash of temper in her voice. At least it meant that cold demeanor was cracking and her real feelings were slipping through.
Why had she learned to mask her feelings, though? What or who had taught her to do that?
Kellan masked his emotions because of their asshole of a father. Was that the same for her?
Not your business.
Except he felt like he had a vested interest in her care.
Maybe that was it. Perhaps having helped her, he simply wanted to ensure she thrived. Plus, in this town, it was his duty to help any female who lived here and needed it.
He conveniently ignored the fact that he didn’t actually live here anymore. So that rule didn’t apply to him.
Unless you move back.
No. That wasn’t happening.
And even if he could stomach the idea of doing that, he knew that Kellan could never live here.
He’d never leave his brother. It was the two of them.
Always.
“Eli, get out of my way,” she said firmly.
“I think we’ve established my answer.”
“Eli,” Shaw said. “You can’t trap her.”
“Sure he can,” Kellan said.
“See?” Eli said with a grin. “I can.”
Shaw sighed and looked over at Arabella. “These two like to stick together. Give me a signal and I’ll rescue you.”
“What? Like, help? Rescue me!” she cried.
“Not much of a safeword, but I guess it works.” Shaw winked at her.
To Eli’s surprise, her cheeks turned red. Hmm. Was it the mention of a safeword?
Or Shaw winking at her? Was she attracted to Shaw? Was he interested in her?
Eli knew that he should be happy if Shaw felt that way about Arabella. It would give him something to focus on. Someone to think about and devote himself to.
But all he felt was a raging jealousy.
“Don’t worry, though,” Shaw said. “The campylobacter story is preferable to the real story of what happened to me.”
Arabella grimaced. “Ouch. What really happened was worse than eating something infected with feces and then spending a safari pooping into a hole in the ground?”
“Hmm. Well, when you put it like that I’m not so sure,” Shaw replied.
“I thought she would understand that I was joking. And, well, you were looking so uncomfortable that I just wanted to turn her attention away from you.”
“I know that, darlin’. And I appreciate it. Leave the story. It’s fine.”
“I feel terrible, though.”
Eli didn’t like the anxiety he could feel coming off her. Was she really that worried about trying to help Shaw by making up a crazy story?
“Look at me,” he said firmly.
She jolted and turned to look at him. But her gaze was only on his chin.
“Eyes on mine,” he ordered.
She sighed, but raised her eyes to his.
“Good girl.”
Her eyes widened as she stared up at him. “W-what?” she asked quietly.
“He called you a good girl,” Kellan told her. “Because you did as you were told. After a second prompt. Although Eli should have been more specific in his instructions the first time.”
Eli shot him a look, but didn’t say anything.
Because he kind of had a point.
“I’m not a good girl. You shouldn’t call me that,” she whispered.
Eli caught her chin in his hand. “You don’t think so?”
She shook her head.
“No? Are you naughty then?” Shaw asked, sounding amused.
Eli moved his gaze to his younger brother. Shit. He had almost forgotten that he was there.
She attempted to pull away. But he held onto her a moment longer.
“Listen. You don’t need to worry about what you said. Shaw isn’t upset. If he was, he would tell you.”
This time when she attempted to move her face away, he let her.
Reluctantly.
Very. Reluctantly.
“You’re sure?” she asked Shaw.
Shaw shrugged. “If people want to believe that crazy-ass story, that’s on them. Yeah? Now, stop stressing. It will ruin your appetite. And they really do serve the best breakfasts here.”
She gave him a small smile. “All right.”
“Now we need to have another chat,” Eli said. “Kellan rang the hotel and they told him that room was no longer occupied. So where are you staying, Arabella?”