Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 74940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
“Just exactly how does a snorkel malfunction?” I demand.
“I don’t know! But my God, do you really think I could do such a thing?”
At the moment, Evangeline looks like a good stiff wind could knock her down, so probably not. I’m still not letting Misty off the hook.
“Sienna has a family emergency and needs to leave,” I say to Evangeline, “but she’s not in any condition to travel alone. I’ll take her.”
Sienna drops her jaw. “No, River. I mean, I don’t need you to... I’m fine to travel. I—”
“I insist,” I say.
“Riv...” Sebastian begins.
“You know the deal, and since you’re here”—I gesture to Evangeline—“let me make this clear. If Misty stays, I leave. I’m done. Out. Finished.”
Sebastian glares at me. “River, we need you here. Evangeline can make the arrangements for Sienna. You have to stay.”
“Then you know what you need to do.” I stand. “I think we’re done here.”
Seb stands then and he gets a little too in my face for my liking. “No, Riv. The four of us have an agreement.”
Yeah, he’s asking for it. I don’t want to smash in the pretty face of one of my oldest and dearest friends, but I’m well on my way. If I don’t smash him, I’ve got to smash something, and I’d rather not do it in front of these two women.
“Evangeline,” I say, taking care to keep my voice even, “please take Sienna to your suite and make the arrangements. Then come back and tell me when the ferry will be here to take her to the mainland for a flight.”
Evangeline stands, looking frailer than ever, and nods. “Come on, Sienna. We’ll figure things out.”
Once they’re gone, I turn on Seb. “God fucking damn it! Who the hell do you think you are, talking to me like that? And in front of them! I ought to fuck up that pretty face of yours so none of your fans will recognize you.”
“Easy...” Seb backs away. “Let me explain.”
“Explain what? That all of a sudden you can tell me what to do? What has this place done to us? First Brett, and now you?”
He cocks his head. “What about Brett?”
I shake my head. “Never mind.” My word is gold, a lesson from my old man. While Brett didn’t tell me his feelings for Jake were a secret, I’ll take them to the grave unless I hear otherwise from him. “Just know this. Either Misty’s going to be on that ferry to Jamaica...or I am. You choose.”
“I’m sorry, Riv. I am. But we’ve got to see this through. We’ve got to keep Misty here and find out exactly what she knows...and you’re the best person for that job.”
“I don’t fucking want that job.”
“But you’re the only one who can do it.” He takes a step toward me, grips my shoulder.
I scowl at him. “She may no longer have the hots for me. I told her to leave.”
He nods. “I heard all about it. She showed up in Heather’s room last night. Claimed you did something to her.”
“She’s got a lot of fucking nerve. All I did was tell her to leave.”
“I believe you. She cried to Heather, and I left, so I didn’t hear everything. I haven’t seen either of them yet this morning.”
“You’re better off for it.”
“Hey, leave Heather out of your wrath. She’s a wonderful woman. She and I had a great time last night.”
I should be happy for my friend—happy that he may be making a connection.
But I’m still pissed.
“Look, we’re in this together,” Seb continues. “We came together, and we leave together. It’s the only way, Riv. Tell me you understand that.”
“Fuck off.”
Seb shakes his head, his long hair like a fucking lion’s mane and the muscles in his shoulders rippling. He’s tough. I went against him at football practice back in the day. He’s not quite as tough as I am, but he’s meaner. He always has been.
I can handle mean. One rock star is nothing compared to an angry bull out to stud.
I draw in a breath and I stomp out of Sebastian’s room, slamming the door behind me.
EPISODE 68
THREESOME FOR THE ROAD
Ariel
My alarm goes off at seven a.m. sharp. I jump in the shower, and when I’m done, I blow my hair out and put on some blush and lip tint. Then I dress in a bright-red string bikini and wrap a black sarong around my waist. I’m tired, and I could use some coffee, but that will have to wait.
June and I have a date with Alex.
He doesn’t know that, of course, but we do. It’s not fair that June has to leave the island just for telling Evangeline about her experience with Misty. Alex seems to be on our side, so we’ll start with him.
I quietly leave my suite and meet June at the top of the stairs. She dazzles in a dark-blue bikini with a thong bottom. If I wear a thong, Alex will see Tweety Bird... But maybe it’s time.