Page 75 of Explorer's Revenge
“Maybe we should talk when we are off?—”
“We have nothing better to do while we walk. You like him?” he presses, refusing to let me shrink away from the truth.
“I do,” I admit as I glance at Aiy in front of us, but he’s chatting with Logan about something.
“And Wilder?” Way continues, and I blink at him again. “I’m not shaming you. I’m just asking.”
“Yes,” I reply.
He nods, looking at them then me. “And Rick? Logan?”
“Yes to both,” I respond, shocking myself. I haven’t spent a lot of time with them, but what we have has been intense and hot, and I’ll admit I like them a lot.
He nods like he already knew. I wait, but he doesn’t ask about himself, so I do instead.
“You didn’t ask about you,” I say, biting my lip, and he stumbles, his head jerking around so he can gape at me, and I smile. “You didn’t ask if I like you too.”
“Do you?” he whispers.
“Yes,” I answer, “but I also know you love Aiyaret, and I will never get between you two. I like you both, and I want you to be happy, which you are together.”
“You like me?” He looks so incredulous, I can’t help but laugh.
“You look surprised,” I tell him.
“Well, I knew you liked Wilder, but me?” Shaking his head, he walks silently for a bit, then he comments, “This is so confusing.”
“True, but when do we ever take the easy route?” I tease, and he shoots me a smile. “Besides, it doesn’t matter. When we get off this island, we’ll go back to our own lives, and you’ll return to hating and avoiding me.” I meant it as a joke, but it is a very real fear, and he must hear it.
“Do you really think that? Do you think we ever really hated you? Carter, we didn’t, and being here with you changed everything.” He reaches out and tucks me under his arm, offering me comfort. “We’re not going anywhere, no matter what happens.”
His words settle something inside me that I refuse to look too closely at right now.
“And I promise I won’t say or do anything with Aiyaret. I really mean it. I want you both to be happy together.”
He lets out a breath and is quiet for a minute. “He likes you too, you know? I know it. I’m jealous, but it’s my own fault. I waited too long, and it gave him time to make room in his heart for you. I can’t hate that. How could I when he’s struggled so much and is finally learning to let people in? I thought I was hurt, but when I saw him kiss you earlier, I was happy to see him being so brave. I don’t know what it means, but it’s the truth.”
I don’t know what to say to that, so we just focus on our steps. Aiyaret glances back at us and smiles, seemingly unbothered by Way’s arm around me, but I move out from under it anyway, and he looks at me, confused. When Aiy focuses on walking, I feel Way’s eyes on me.
“I like you too, Carter.” This time, I stumble, and he grabs me before I fall. “I didn’t realize it at first, and then I tried to ignore it because I love Aiyaret and have for a long time. I couldn’t believe that I started liking you, but I do. It’s all messed up, and I’m confused as hell, but I need you to know, just in case, that I feel the same.”
“Well, shit, we really don’t do anything the easy way,” I respond when I can speak again without sounding like an idiot.
He likes me.Theylike me.
I don’t know what that means, so I focus on getting us out of here and nothing else. Once we are safe, maybe I can think about what to do, but for now, we need to get off this island alive.
FORTY-THREE
WILDER
We haven’t heard or seen signs of the croc for miles, but that doesn’t mean anything. It’s probably waiting and watching. It won’t let us go.
Maeve is hanging back. She said it’s because she has a gun, but I’m worried it’s due to her leg. One week of rest in a hospital doesn’t miraculously cure someone with an injury as severe as hers, so I ask Way to take the lead for me and slip back, matching her pace.
Her eyes scan the jungle, her grip on the gun tight, but I know she senses me. “What is it, Wilder?” she whispers.
“How’s your leg holding up?” I ask quietly so the others won’t overhear. It’s clear she doesn’t want them to worry, but that shit doesn’t work on me.
