“People always say they care, but it’s a lie. We all sit around lying to each other, keeping secrets… We put up this wall of what things are supposed to look like and pretend things are perfect, but at the end of the day, someone always cares less and someone always gets hurt.”
“Should we give you two a little priv—” Laura started to say, pushing her chair back, but Emily interrupted.
“I just don’t want either of us to get hurt here.”
“I know that, but I would never hurt you,” I vowed, reaching for her hands, but she pulled them back. She pushed her chair away from the table and stood abruptly. “Emily, please…”
“I need to go back to the hut and lie down. I’m not feeling well.”
“Okay. I’ll come with you. Should I ask for a to-go box in case you get hungry later?” I stood, too.
“No, Andy, please don’t,” Emily said, hurrying past me. She lowered her sunglasses over her eyes and stormed away. When she was out from underneath the pavilion, she called over her shoulder, “Please don’t follow me. I just need a minute.”
I watched her disappear, her shape overshadowed by the sun on the horizon as she got further away. Then, feeling awkward, I smiled feebly and sank back into my chair.
“What the hell was that about?” Nick asked, brows raised. Jaren shook his head slowly, looking back toward the huts.
“I’m sure she’s just tired, Andy,” Laura said, staring at me as if I were a hurt animal rather than a grown man who’d just had his shit handed to him in front of his friends.
“Did something happen while you were at the spa today?” I demanded, my voice a low growl. Nothing else made sense. They had to have done something. What was I missing?
“No,” Megan answered quickly, and the girls shook their heads in unison. “She seemed fine. Honestly. We all had a great time.”
“So it’s something I did, then? It has to be.” I felt tears prick my eyes and looked away, frustrated at myself for getting so upset. I barely knew her. I shouldn’t care. It had been so long since I had. Why had I let myself care about her so much?
“No. I don’t think you did anything, Andy,” Natasha said, her tone less harsh than usual. “She was being kind of weird at the spa, too. Not upset or anything, just…well, she kept talking about secrets there, too. I thought she was joking, but maybe I was wrong.”
I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. “What did you tell her?” What do they know? I looked at Brad, the keeper of all my secrets and the one who knew every stupid or embarrassing thing I’d ever done.
“Nothing, Andy. We swear she seemed fine. I don’t know what happened to upset her. Just…” Laura paused. “Just give her a bit to collect herself, okay? I’m sure she’ll be fine with a bit of time to clear her head. It’s been a long day for us all.” Her eyes turned weary as she said it, the crow’s feet on either side deepening as she watched me closely.
“A long few days. We’re all still exhausted from the flight and the boat ride. Plus spending all this time in the sun and heat. We’re not used to it. Any of us,” Brad added, clearing his throat and rubbing his palm over his lips. “I’m sure that’s part of it.”
I picked at my food, scooting further into the table. Emily vacationed for a living. She should’ve been used to it, but I wasn’t going to argue. “Thanks, guys. I’m sorry about…that.” My skin burned hot with embarrassment, anger, and confusion. I wanted to follow her, if not to confront her then to hide away from the scrutiny of my friends’ gazes after what had just happened, but I couldn’t.
“Don’t mention it,” Nick said.
“Just don’t try to one-up us for public fights,” Natasha joked, trying to get me to smile. It was no use.
“Yeah, we hold the title for that,” Jaren said, smiling at her. “Reigning champs.”
“Seriously, Andy, it’s fine,” Laura said when I couldn’t bring myself to smile.
The waiter appeared with refills for those of us who’d already emptied our glasses, and Brad sighed. “Right on time.”
Everyone laughed.
Everyone but me.
Chapter Sixteen
Laura
I slid under the covers next to Brad, curling up in the bend of his arm, and felt his warm breath on my scalp. Staring through the glass of our windows, I could vaguely make out hints of light on the ocean’s surface, though it was almost entirely a black abyss out there. The moon was covered in thick clouds, giving an eerie glow to the places the light touched.
“You’ve been quiet tonight,” Brad said, interrupting my racing thoughts.
I swallowed, unable to say anything. If I did, I feared everything would come roaring out of me, and I couldn’t have that. I had to figure out what to do—what to say.
“Have I? Sorry, I guess I’m just tired.”
He nodded, his stubble rubbing the top of my head. It had been years since I’d seen him with a beard, but during our time on the island, he’d decided to give up his morning shaving routine. By the end of the week, I was sure he’d have a full face of hair.
Think about that. Think about something else. Think about anything else.
“Oh, yeah? Did you have a big day relaxing?” He was teasing, but he had no idea what my day consisted of, not really. “How long’s it been since you’ve been to the spa? Years, right?”
I sighed, forcing a smile, though he couldn’t see it. “Yeah, I guess so. I’m not used to that much pampering anymore. Ever, maybe. They really dug into my back during the massage, too, so I’m sore.”
His fingers traced a line across my upper arm. “I’m sorry, babe.” He paused.
