Page 42 of Adrift

“It’s not American Chinese food he’s made?—”

“I want something French,” Candy interrupts.

I glance at Rocky, who is staring at Easton.

“Candy, if you could quit interrupting Haley, I’m sure you’ll like the meal,” Easton says.

“Do you hear how he’s talking to me?” Candy bangs on the table to get Rocky’s attention.

“Would you shut up, Candy? Thank you for getting the food I asked for, Haley. I know it will be lovely.” Emily smiles at me.

“You shouldn’t order food for us, Emily. You don’t know what I like.” Candy is pointing her finger.

“Don’t point your finger at my sister.” Easton crosses his arms over his chest and glares at his dad, waiting for something I think we all know won’t come.

“Babe. I don’t like Chinese food,” Boyfriend Brick complains.

“I hate it,” Candy says.

“Oh my God.” Emily pushes back from the table. “I’m sorry, Haley. I can’t eat with these two. When you get a chance, wouldyou bring me my food in my cabin?” She’s talking to me, but she’s glaring at her dad.

I nod.

“Babe?” Brick doesn’t stand to go after her.

Candy storms off in a competitive way. Rocky goes after her, while Easton stares at Brick until he leaves too. Only, Brick doesn’t head for the cabins but rather the top deck. I saw him puffing on his vape up there earlier.

Shayla fills Easton’s glass. “Do you want dinner?”

“I would love it, if it’s not too much trouble. I’d say I’ll take it in my cabin too, but this table is far too nice.” Easton taps the paper lanterns over the table.

“We’ll bring it right out.”

Shayla and I wash up in the kitchen. We put away the tables as the clock turns eight.

“This is batshit crazy,” she grumbles.

“I know. You go to sleep. I’ll take the late shift in case any of them get back up.” I head upstairs and finish the last of the dishes. The digits on the butler’s pantry clock flip over to eleven. I might as well make the rounds and see what cabins have light or sound coming out of them.

The owner’s cabin is dark, but it’s also huge. They might have lights on in the back that I can’t see. I go down a level to where Emily, Brick, and Easton are. It’s quiet in Emily’s cabin, but Easton’s door is shaking.

I knock. “Easton, do you want some help?”

Chapter 18

Confined to Quarters

Haley

“Easton?” Candy had a fit earlier and we moved him from the Golden Tire suite to Fortune.

“Yes, please, some help.”

I pick up the handle, lean, let it open a little, and then push down. I don’t know what it’s doing, but it works. The door pops open. And I stumble into Easton.

He catches me before I go tumbling into his room. “Are you okay?”

“Fine, thanks.”

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