Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
MALLORY
T he sun feels warmer, the air fresher, and the world somehow seems to be a better place. My heart and head have been on cloud nine since making things official with Mic.
I have a boyfriend. That’s a new one for me. I’ve never trusted anyone the way I do, Mic, and over the last three days, we’ve shared more than just stolen moments at night. He told me that he became a welder because his grandfather was a welder and a far better man than his father was. Apparently, he loves hearing stories of my childhood adventures with my parents because his were so absent growing up.
Work has gone smoother, with Nelson keeping to himself and Mic and making sure his team is on their A-game. They even finished yesterday, which means we can load the ship up with floaters and bring the ghost ship back to the surface. It won’t be an easy job and the investors agreed to keep the welders on standby for any issues that are sure to arise. I just like having Mic around. Things are still uncertain between us because I’ll be headed to New York to help the Museum set up the artifact and provide them with any historical background they don’t already know. I also want to make sure my parents are credited for their research on Nazar City, which no one would know anything about.
“Coffee?” Savannah asks with an outstretched cup.
“Definitely, yes. Thank you,” I reply and immediately sip the hot beverage, hoping for more energy. Mic snuck into my room again last night after making sure I ate the hot dinner of pasta Alfredo with chicken. I showed my gratitude for hours and made good on that shower he promised me. Needless to say, we both got very little sleep and had several orgasms before finally passing out together. He snuck out at dawn, and I wanted him back in my bed as soon as he left.
“Why are you so smiley?” Savannah asks, shaking me out of my fantasy.
I shrug my shoulder, hiding my perma smile behind another sip of coffee.
We’re on deck watching the crew of divers through in the floats. I’ve retrieved most of the artifacts and secured the crates I couldn’t bring up.
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with the bearded welder staring at you, does it?”
“What?” I ask, looking around. That’s when my eyes lock on Mic, who is indeed staring at me as if I’m a meal to be had. And oh, has he been feasting lately.
My smile is a dead giveaway, and Savannah starts to giggle and rocks her shoulder into mine, forcing me to look away from him.
“It’s nothing,” I say, trying to play off our obvious chemistry.
“It doesn’t seem like nothing to me.”
“Okay, so, maybe not exactly nothing, but please keep this between us,” I counter, realizing I don’t want to lie to her. Honestly, I’m at the point where I want to run into his arms and kiss him right in front of everyone, but I hold back. The job is almost done. Then we won’t have to worry about what everyone thinks.
“My lips are sealed, boss. It’s just nice to see you so happy.”
Her words warm my heart, and for a moment, I wonder what would happen if I did run over to him. I don’t plan on ever seeing any of these crewmen again, so fuck it.
“Thank you. You know what, who the fuck cares, right?” I say with a newfound bravery.
“I wouldn’t care what everyone else thinks. You deserve to be happy with whoever you want. You do you, boss.” She winks. “I got your back.”
“You know what, I’m going to do just that,” I say, handing her my cup. “Will you take this back for me?”
“Of course,” she says, her smile widening, waiting to see what I’m about to do.
I turn to where Mic and his crew are sitting around, waiting with nothing to do. When I walk closer, it gains the attention of the guys, and they start talking.
“Guess it’s time to pay up. Here she comes for her man.”
The shorter man in the group spouts the words, making me halt in my steps. My bravery falters. What the fuck is that supposed to mean. Pay up?
“Damn it!” I hear from the other man and watch him pull out his wallet. Mic has his back to us while he talks to Cassandra, who I’ve easily become friends with. But this doesn’t seem friendly at all.
“Thank you very much.” The short one takes the money. “Told you, he always gets the girl.”
I know I’m not meant to hear it, but I’ve started walking closer, so I hear every word. My smile is long gone, as I remember the first night we met when Mic had two women fighting over him. He always gets the girl.
Mic turns around just in time to see my red face.
“Am I a bet?” I say, feeling numb as everything comes rushing back to me. Our sweet moments in secret. Here I was about to declare my love for him without a single care about the men on this boat. I thought it was bad enough that I had slept with him, but he love bombed me so hard, that I fell. As much as it seems impossible the moment, I realize I love him is the same moment I realize he doesn’t love me.
“No!” He says quickly, shooting a glance at the two men who at least have the sense to cower.
“Your boys here don’t know how to whisper,” I declare, crossing my arms but wishing I was anywhere else than toe to toe with Mic. Honestly, I want to run to my room and cry like the broken little girl I suddenly feel like.
“It’s not what you think, Mallory.”
“Mallory? You two are on a first name basis now?” The snotty voice of none other than Nelson makes my heart drop.
I’m losing whatever fight I had in me, and embarrassment creeps up my neck. I’m flushed and gritting my teeth, telling myself to stand my ground even as tears prick my eyes.
“Absolutely not. I was just dismissing Mr. Steel and his crew. Their services are no longer needed.”
With that, I turn and leave. A stunned Savannah stands in shock, still holding both coffees, her mouth wide open. As I pass, she mouths what looks like ‘I’m sorry’, but I keep moving. I don’t run to my room but head to the public restroom just inside the doors and quickly shut the lid to sit and cup my face. It still burns with embarrassment, but now anger mulls its way in, making me feel unhinged. Tears roll down my cheeks without restraint, and I find myself in a state of self-pity when I hear someone open the cabin door. Luckily, they walk past the bathroom, boots stomping by without a word. Then the door opens again, and I hear his voice.
“I have to find her. If I could just explain myself.”
I hear Mic’s voice on the other side of the door. He must have gone to my room, and I’m so thankful I chose this bathroom instead.
“How could you do this to her? She was about to declare her love for you in front of everyone, you fucking idiot,” Savannah’s voice follows.
“She what?” Mic asks.
“Yeah, dude. I saw the two of you making heart eyes and asked her about it. She didn’t want to admit it until she did, then she was all in. When she handed me her coffee, she marched over to you for everyone to see. Basically, giving zero fucks what everyone thought because she trusted you. Wanted to be with you, and your d-bag friends exchanged money. I saw it with my own eyes. Again, what the hell is the matter with you? Just leave her alone. Mallory’s not a woman you can just fuck around with, she might act all tough, but she’s never been vulnerable with anyone, and she was happy to do it for you.”
“Fuck.” I hear Mic whisper.
“All for you just to prove you didn’t deserve her. That she trusted the wrong person. Well played, I guess. Hope it was worth it. Now get off our ship,” she says with finality, and I hear the door open again.
“Wait. I have to make this right, Savannah. She didn’t trust the wrong person. I fucking love her. I’m not lying. I’m head over heels for her. If it would help, I’d jump off the ship, but I have to at least tell her the truth. The guys made the bet, not me. I mean, I didn’t exactly stop them, but I always wanted her, but she was acting like we had never met when I hadn’t stopped thinking about her.”
“What are you talking about?” Savannah asks. She didn’t know about our one-night stand before he came to work here. I didn’t tell anyone. To hear he was still thinking about me makes me grow warmer. It shouldn’t make a difference, but what if he’s telling the truth. What if I wasn’t a careless bet to him? He can get any woman he wants, but if he chooses me and no one else, how can I hold that against him? His men are idiots. I’ve heard them talking about strippers when they thought I couldn’t hear them. I wouldn’t put it past them to be this crude.
“We met before; she never told you?”
“No, but don’t let that surprise you. She’s an extremely private person. Hence it was such a big deal for her to want to claim your dumb ass.”
I can hear Mic’s heavy sigh from the other side of the door and almost laugh.
“Yes, I’m a dumb ass for letting Karl and Brian take bets on us, but don’t you think she at least deserves to know how sorry I am, and that I love her like crazy.”
A beat of silence passes. Do I believe him? Dare I trust the words of a desperate man? But he can easily just leave and move on to the next woman. Why bother to fight for me if he isn’t serious? Why would he bother to make sure I ate a real meal with him instead of cold sandwiches by myself? Why would he care if I got hurt on a dive or keep us a secret so the others wouldn’t lose respect for me?
All the memories rush back to me. His gentle touch. The way he got after me when I wanted to do anything he deemed too dangerous. A man who didn’t care for me wouldn’t have put in the effort or energy he did. It wasn’t just about sex to him. I know it in my bones.
“Even if I believed you, I don’t know where she is,” Savannah says, sounding softer. As if she too believes he has my best interest at heart.
“Then I’ll turn this place upside down looking for her,” he declares in a booming voice that’s filled with emotion.