Page 61 of Adrift

“Yeah, fine.” He’s hugging Haley. Like he’s won some sort of prize.

“You could have died. Are you trained for deep sea swimming?”

“I’ve got my scuba cert.”

I give him a nod. “From where? A five-star hotel off Oahu?”

“Maui, actually, if you want to know. Dad’s last wife had a thing for Hawaii.”

“Yeah, well, we aren’t that way here. There’s a hierarchy in a crew. And you’re the fucking bottom. Keeping your fancy ass alive is our job, so pay the fuck attention when I tell you something.”

Easton slowly blinks at me and steps away from Haley. “You got a beef with me? Come at me. I know you want to hit me.”

“Stop.” Haley jumps in between the two of us. Her ponytail’s flopping. She’s taken off her life vest and her long shirt with it too. She’s wearing a purple sports bra and black underwear.

“Move, Haley.”

“You have a problem with rich guys or just all men who don’t think you know everything?” Easton yells. “Because as far as I can see, there’s no fucking boat.”

“Cal,” Zane barks at me.

“Shut it, Zane. He’s right. There’s no fucking boat.” No boat means I can handle this the way I want to. With my fists. I’ll beat some sense into him if I have to. I pull back my arm, but Haley runs in between the two of us. I react fast enough, tilting my hips to avoid hitting her.

She skids to a stop, but a stone in the sand catches her leg and she goes flying forward. It all happens in slow motion. I reach for her at the same time Easton does, and the three of us land in a pile, the waves crashing around us.

Stumbling, I stand, pulling Haley with me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see her bandana floating away near Easton. He’s able to snatch it out of the water.

Haley’s struggling to stand. No, she’s limping.

“Are you okay?” Easton is there by her side.

I try to take her arm.

She shakes me off and then pushes him away, too. “Stay away from me. Both of you.” A wave crashes around her ankles, and she collapses forward.

I pick her up. “Where does it hurt?”

“Put me down. I don’t want either of you thugs touching me.” She pushes at my chest, reminding me how we were on the raft not too long ago. The anger in her touch makes me almost regret trying to hit the prick. But if she’s really hurt, I won’t forgive myself. “Put me down.” She smacks my chest.

I grip her tighter. “I will. Let me get you to the raft. Out of the sun and sand.”

She glares but stops struggling. I set her down on a towel Dante has laid out.

Easton drops to his knees in front of her. “Is it your left ankle?”

“Yeah.” She’s glaring at him too.

“How’s this feel?” He moves her ankle around side to side.

Haley winces.

“Watch it.” I’m ready to pick him up and throw him in the ocean if he hurts her.

He ignores me and moves her foot, feeling around like he might actually know what he’s doing. “It hasn’t had time to swell. I don’t think it’s broken. But since we don’t have any ice, put it up.”

Zane has the bag of supplies under her leg, and Dante’s got the cushion on top of it. I have to admit, I thought throwing the towel and the cushion into the raft was stupid, but they’ve already come in handy.

Easton sits down next to her on one side, and I’m on the other. Dante’s lying on the towel. He’s got his hand over his eyes.

---