Chapter 16
“It’s. Not. Safe.” Oscar spells it out for me as if I’m five, resting his hands on his desk and leaning forward like a stern boss.
“Don’t you get it? He’s just dropped a pin on my location. It’s not going to be safe after the next embarkation day.”
He sighs. “We’ll take it one week at a time.”
“You can do that, but I’m going home!” I stride to the door.
“Gemma…” There’s a warning in his tone. “You’re going to stay here and keep your head down.”
“Until when! The paps could literally turn up on Monday, and if not then, it’ll be the week after. And even if it’s not some creep with a camera, the crew could start selling stories about me, or guests will hear the news and look for me. Either way, I’m going to be hunted down like a bloody Pokémon.”
He doesn’t have a comeback for that.
“I’m screwed, and you know it. So send me to another ship or send me home.” I grab the door and fling it open.
“For God’s sake, Gemma!” he shouts and bangs his fist on the desk.
I freeze, my heart hammering in my chest. He’s never raised his voice at me before.
“Shut the door, please,” he asks softly, and I do, but I can’t look at him.
“Why won’t you just let me leave?”
“Because I can’t look out for you if you go.” His voice breaks, and I face him again, noticing his eyes have turned a little red. “I tried to tell you not to go on the show, and you didn’t listen. I tried to tell you not to mess around with Tom, and you didn’t listen. And now I’m telling you not to leave, and I need you to listen.”
I step away from the door.
“I’m all for you making your own mistakes and learning things the hard way, but you’ve made some big mistakes.”
“Oh, have I? Thanks, I hadn’t noticed,” I snap, then I regret it, bowing my head. “Sorry.”
He goes quiet. Both of us are aware the wave’s about to come crashing down, but neither of us know how to protect ourselves from it.
“I wish they’d left me to die on that mountain,” I murmur. My lip trembles and tears spill down my cheeks.
“Take that back.”
I glance up, finding tears threatening to fall from Oscar’s eyes too, so full of pain. Guilt stabs me in the chest, but I can’t take back something I meant.
“I ruined everything.”
He steps out from behind his desk and rushes to wrap his arms around me. I put down my sword, unable to fight anymore. I break down and sob into his chest as he holds me tight.
“I’m so tired.”
“I know. But I’m here this time. We’ll work it out together, okay? You’re not alone.”