Chapter 18
Isat on the bed in my stateroom and felt ill.
I didn't remember Sophia showing me the bracelet. Maybe I had taken all these different inputs and processed them into one big hallucination. I wasn't entirely sure that Vanessa hadn’t slipped something into my drink yesterday. But with the way things went, she wouldn’t be about to admit to it now.
To be honest, I felt like I was losing my grip. I called Tyson. He could calm me down and would have a rational take on this.
"How's the trip?" he asked.
"Not great."
"Oh, no. What's wrong?"
I told him.
"Do you think I'm crazy? Do you think I've lost my mind?"
He was silent for a long moment. "I think now is not an appropriate time to make jokes, so I will say, no.
I don't think you're crazy. But I know you’ve been under a lot of stress.
I think you blew off some steam and got a little out of your head.
" Then he added, "You know how you are always talking about getting visions from time to time?”
"Yeah.”
"Well, maybe this wasn't a vision as much as it was an active imagination.”
"You're saying I hallucinated.”
"Maybe it was your subconscious. Perhaps a way of dealing with all the stress. You were in a vulnerable position when Earl kidnapped you. Powerless. Maybe this is your way of trying to take back power.”
"What, by solving a nonexistent crime?"
"I'm no psychologist. I don't know how these things work. But I think your brain was just working through a scenario with the help of a lot of alcohol.” Then he added, "At least that sounds better than you went batshit crazy for a night."
I frowned and said dryly, "Thanks." I paused. "I think I'm getting off at the next stop and flying home."
"I hate to see you cut your vacation short, but if that's what your gut is telling you to do, follow it."
"It's more about what the owner of the boat is telling me to do. They don't want me around any longer than necessary. I'm a troublemaker."
"Well, that much is true."
"Shut up.”
"Where's the next stop? You want me to meet you there?”
"No. That's not necessary. I'll be fine.”
"You sure?"
"I think so.”
He chuckled. "That doesn't sound confident."
"Right now, I'm not sure of anything. This all seems like one big mindfuck.”
"Hey, Daniels is calling. I gotta take this. I'm a phone call away if you need anything."
"I know. You're the best. I miss you guys. Tell JD I said hello."
"I will.”
A knock at the hatch startled me.
I ended the call, then moved to the hatch and peered through the peephole.
Part of me wanted to stay in my stateroom for the rest of the trip and not talk to anybody.
But I decided to pull open the door and speak to Vanessa.
"Don't yell at me. I don’t think I can take that right now. I know I screwed up. I'm sorry."
She gave a sympathetic frown. "I'm sorry too. I said some pretty mean things. I just freaked out. So much is riding on this deal for Declan. I'm so in love with him. I don't want anything to screw that up either."
"I'm so sorry."
She gave me a hug. "I know you've been through a lot, and I should be more understanding of that. Give you a little grace.”
We broke apart, both of us with misty eyes.
"I promise, everything is in the past,” I said. “I've embarrassed myself enough. I’ll be out of your hair soon. How far is the next port?”
"Declan was pretty pissed off. But I calmed him down. My BJs are phenomenal,” she said with a saucy grin. “I explained your situation. I know it's a bit awkward, but I’m going to keep working on him. He’ll come around. I really would like you to be my maid of honor.”
"Still?"
"How about we put everything behind us. And I mean everything. Even that shit in high school. Let's start fresh. You know what they say, you can't make new old friends. We go way back, you and me.”
I hesitated for a moment. "Yes, let's start over.”
Vanessa smiled and hugged me again. "Good. Will you be joining us for dinner?”
"I don't know. I kind of just want to hole up in my room for the rest of the trip.”
"Look, Declan and I are the only ones who know about your little heist. Nobody else is going to find out. Not the crew, certainly not Luciano and Sophia. In their eyes, you’re a hero.”
"Well, in my eyes, I'm a zero.”
"Don't be so hard on yourself. We all make mistakes. Come on, get dressed and join us on the bridge deck aft for dinner.”
“Declan hates me now.”
“He’s understandably upset. But if he wants to keep getting phenomenal BJs, he’ll learn to love you.”