Page 23 of Lust & Lollipops

“Nah. Just a little,” Kyle said.

“We need to find something to eat,” Julian said, as he joined us by the fire. Three more were behind him. Cam followed them in, like he hadn’t been sleeping away from everyone. “We’re out of food, unless we count the melted gummy candy.”

“The water fae need to go fishing,” Kaden, the guy with furry wings, announced.

Kyle scoffed at him. “I’m not wasting my energy like that.”

A few heads turned toward the only other guy on the island with scaly wings.

“Come on, Jim,” one of the guys said.

Jim looked at me. “What do I get in exchange?”

My irritation rose.

Kyle scooted closer to me.

“Back off,” I snapped at him.

He blinked.

I stood.

Though I was frustrated, I wasn’t so frustrated that I couldn’t put Cam’s plan into action a little further.

I strode to Julian’s side and folded my arms. Though I didn’t touch him in any way, the statement seemed pretty clear. I didn’t trust Kyle, but I did trust Julian.

Or at least, I wanted everyone to think I did.

I said, “I’m not giving anyone anything for keeping all of us alive. You bastards knew what you were signing up for when you joined this show. I didn’t. I’m not considering anyone who doesn’t contribute as a potential mate.”

A moment of silence passed.

“I’m going,” Jim finally grumbled.

“I’ll go too. I should be able to help a little,” Chris said.

“Fine,” Kyle grunted.

The other guy with golden wings stepped up to Cam’s side and whispered, “Want to bet we could bring home twice as much fish as them?”

Cameron grinned at him, and the two of them headed off after the other guys without so much as a glance in my direction.

It was hard to believe that was the same guy whose lap I’d sat on the night before.

And I had to try not to think about that, because it gave me feelings I didn’t know what to do with.

I went back to weaving palm fronds while everyone else refocused on the shelter, firewood, and such.

The morning passed slowly.

We had fish for lunch. It wasn’t enjoyable, and we were all still hungry when the poor creatures had been reduced to bones.

But it was better than nothing.

The rest of the day was filled with small talk, and me sticking with Julian whenever possible.

I ate next to him.

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