Page 59 of Explorer's Revenge
“I could really get used to this service,” she teases around bites. “Maybe I should get chomped on more often.”
“Or get a butler,” I scoff.
“In the buff? Good idea.” She nods as she takes a bite from Aiy.
“I volunteer!” Logan yells, making her grin. She shakes her head as Aiy offers her another bite.
“Eat,” I order in a tone that brooks no argument. Her eyes narrow, and I wait, but then she grumbles something about asshats under her breath before she eats. I nod in approval, and then she glares at me like a kitten, only this kitten knows how to kill me. She’s still adorable though.
By the time everyone has finished, Maeve is asleep again, and Aiy and Way lay her down in the shelter and cover her while I check the satellite phone. The distress signal went out, so now it’s just a waiting game, and hopefully they will find us in time. With nothing else to do, I watch her sleep, check her pulse as often as I can, and try to make her comfortable.
By nightfall, she still hasn’t woken up, and everyone is worried. Logan tries to start a game, but no one wants to play, so they eventually sleep as well while I keep watch. The fire we built burns brightly enough to scare off any other predators, apart from the creature who attacked us in the first place.
There’s a beep, and I search around until I realize it’s coming from Maeve’s bag. I hesitate, but I don’t want to wake her, so I open it and find her camera beeping as it uploads. She must finally have a signal. I should put it away, but it’s frozen on a recording. Sparing her a look, I give them my back and load it, keeping it quiet.
It’s a message to her dad, and it breaks my heart. I scroll through her footage, seeing snippets and clips of her adventure here. She’s smiling in the ones before, the sunlight bathing her, and I click them at random, watching the journey she took.
She truly is a force of nature—fearless and skilled.
I scroll further back and pull a video up at random. She’s sticking her tongue out, and when she turns the camera, I see Ajax talking and walking in front of her. Grinning, I watch her mock him behind his back, and when he turns, his eyes narrowed, he yells her name. She laughs and races away with the camera.
Chuckling, I spare her a glance as I keep scrolling, picking another one at random.
She’s somewhere icy and wearing a hat, goggles, and a big jacket. Her nose and cheeks are red, but she’s grinning widely as she looks into the camera.
“Hey, Dad, how did the doctor’s appointment go? I’m sorry I couldn’t be there, but you know how it is. We both know you would rather be here with me.” She pans the camera around to show a mountain completely covered in snow, and there isn’t another soul in sight. “Apparently it’s the gnarliest slide ever, but we shall see.” She grins at the camera.
“I miss you so much, Dad. I wish you could be here with me. I always do, but I’m doing this for you. I’ll leave your name everywhere, so you’ll see it with me.” Her smile fades a little. “I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t know what to say when you told me. I’m sorry you’re hurting and it stole your dream, but I loveyou. I will always love you, and whether I’m across the world, trekking through jungles, or in your living room, enjoying the crackling fire, we’ll always be together. My adventures are yours, and I’ll love them all for you. I love you, Dad, so much. We’ll get through this together. See you when I’m home. It will be soon, I promise.” She’s gone, and I glance back, her camera falling into my lap.
I could hear her heartbreak and loneliness in every word despite her smile. I guess I never realized Maeve Carter was struggling before, so intent on hating her. She’s looking for a place to belong, just like us.
She groans, and I hide her camera, turning to her just as her eyes open. “Hey, are you okay?” I ask.
“I need to pee so badly,” she admits, making me grin.
“Come on.” I help her up, and her hand shakes in mine, something I don’t like. I guide her behind the nearest trees so she can have some privacy, and she looks at me.
“I can pull my own pants down,” she mutters when I just stare.
“Carter, I think we are past boundaries now,” I retort, but her eyebrow arches, so I turn my back. “I’m not going any farther. You’re hurt.”
“Perv,” she grumbles. I hear her fumbling, and then she groans and hisses, no doubt struggling to crouch since her leg is bad.
“Lean on me,” I murmur softly.
She hesitates but finally rests her head on my lower back, leaning against me as she does her business. When she stands, she rests against me for a moment more, her head on my shoulder as she pants. “I fucking hate being weak.”
“You’ve never been weak a moment in your life, Carter, not even now,” I tell her, and I turn, catching her as she stumbles at my sudden movement. She looks up from the safety of my arms,her nails digging into my skin. I let her leave her physical mark on me, since she’s already left a mental one.
My entire life has revolved around Carter for years, whether I was hating her or competing with her. It’s strange how easily my feelings went from hate to something . . . more.
“Liar,” she whispers. “Look at me, I’m useless right now?—”
“Never,” I interject, cupping her chin and tilting her head back until she meets my eyes. “Even injured, tired, and smelly”—she huffs, and I grin—“you’re the strongest person I know. Look at how far you’ve made it. No one else I know would have endured what you have. You brave, foolish, perfect woman.”
We both freeze as the words slip out, the warm darkness of the jungle closing around us, and my eyes lower, tracing her lips.
“You hate me.” I watch her mouth form the words, and I can’t help but swallow, wanting to feel them against mine.
