Page 36 of Make Me Want it Too

I recoil at the contact. “I’m fine. Go socialize. I just kind of want to be alone.”

“Are you sure?”

Bile rises in my throat. “Yes! Please, I don’t need you right now. Leave me alone.”

Wood flinches. I didn’t mean to snap at him. But I did. I’m also about to puke and I really, really don’t want anyone to witness that.

Especially him.

“Okay.” He holds his hands up and backs away from me, like he’s protecting himself in case I explode again.

He gives me the smallest lopsided grin before he looks down and turns away. I didn’t think I could feel any worse. I was wrong.

I instantly want to tell him to come back, but now saliva is filling my mouth and I’m definitely going to throw up.

We’ve been on a loop and are now heading back toward the house. Maybe I can make it.

Please don’t throw up. Please don’t throw up. Please just don’t let me puke on this boat.

When I glance back over to Wood, he’s been cornered by Margot. Spencer is at the cockpit area nearby and I’d save Wood from them, but I don’t think I can move.

Please, please, please just let me make it to a bathroom to vomit. Preferably behind a locked door.

Wind whips over the water as the house comes into sight. I think I might make it.

Nope. Not going to make it.

I lean over the side of boat and, holding on for dear life, vomit over the edge into the water.

Thankfully, when I stand back up, wiping my mouth, it seems no one heard or saw me.

Wood and Spencer are talking about something but I can’t hear them. I move a little closer, keeping my hand on the rail.

Spencer raises his voice. “I should have been the row team captain instead of you, and you know it.”

“Why is that?” Wood asks, unfazed.

“It wasn’t based on merit. It was a popularity contest.”

“So you admit nobody liked you.”

Spencer shoots Wood a death glare, the muscles in his jaw popping.

Wood’s expression is relaxed as he finishes his champagne.

Fortunately, as we come up to the dock, Spencer has to redirect his attention to getting the boat lined up, and then Jake and Margot help get it tied off.

Wood approaches me cautiously. “Can I help you off the boat?”

I nod, too afraid to open my mouth.

“Are you going to tell me what’s up?”

I shake my head.

He sighs and takes my hand, steadying me as I step onto the dock. Stepping from the gentle rocking of the boat to the solid dock makes the sickening feeling in my stomach come back with a fury. I’m spinning and I stumble forward.

Spencer grabs my shoulders and rights me. “I forgot you get seasick.” He says it in a way that makes it sound silly. Like it’s my choice. Like it’s another one of my faults.

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