Page 73 of Adrift

Zane snuggles back into me.

But I’m drifting off to sleep, listening to their sounds and the ocean in the distance. I’m grateful to be alive. I try not to think about all the things I miss. My dog, but he’s with Steven’s mom. Is it weird I miss Sam too? I try to remember what Zane said. Until we know he’s neither alive nor dead, he’s alive. I chant it over and over in my head until I wake.

There is a warm body behind me, but it’s not Easton. The arm over my waist is Calvin’s. I lift my head to make out the tattoo that starts on his wrist. My hair is covering most of it. It’s a mermaid with a purple tail. Vines wrap around her like they’re pulling her to the bottom of the ocean. But I can’t see her face. I brush my hair to the side, and Calvin stirs behind me. A girl could get used to waking up beside a hot guy. His chest rises and falls against my back. He pulls me tighter to his chest like a stuffed animal. And that’s when I remember—I left it inside my jacket, stuffed in the life vest.

I lift my head. Somehow, I’ve missed everyone else getting up. Dante, Zane, and Easton are all moving around outside. It sounds a little like Dante orchestrating the smoking of the leftover meat. I roll over onto my back.

“Good morning, beautiful,” Calvin says without opening his eyes.

“Good morning, Calvin. But Easton already went outside.” I’m poking the bear, and I don’t care. I should, probably.

“Not even. You know I’m talking about you.” His voice is gravelly, like he just fell asleep. Which he probably just did. And then he rolls over on top of me in a plank. A wall of muscle. My senses are firing in fear and excitement. I’m wet. It’s a permanent situation on this island, and it has nothing to do with the ocean.

I push at his chest. It’s too much to take. I want to grind myself against him. But that’s too much. And then I remember the stuffed animal, again. He moves reluctantly off me.

“When’s your birthday?” I ask.

“Please tell me you’re not into that astrology shit?”

“Sort of, but that’s not why I’m asking.”

He grunts but doesn’t roll too far away. I raise my eyebrows at him, waiting for him to respond.

“Fine, July 6th.”

“Seriously? That’s next week.”

“Yup, it’s next week.”

“Well, I have an early present for you.”

His eyes dilate in the red-filtered early morning light. My pulse races. I didn’t think he would assume the gift is me. I roll onto my stomach, fiddle with my life vest, and pull out his bear.

“What?” His chin ticks with irritation. That isn’t what I expected. I don’t know what I expected, but irritation wasn’t it.

I hold it out to him, and he just stares. “I thought you’d be happy.”

He takes it from me. Holding it, his eyes glaze over. “I am, but I’m mad you endangered yourself by grabbing something unnecessary.”

“It was lying on top of my jacket. When I grabbed my jacket, I just shoved it in my bra. Really, he’s a bit soggy because he kept me dry.”

“He’s good like that.” Calvin blinks and holds the bear to his chest. “Thank you. I’m glad you didn’t do anything stupid to save it. It’s bad enough you went back into the boat for Dante.”

My jaw drops.

“He can cook, though.” Calvin rolls toward me, his large hand holding the side of my head. He leans in and kisses my cheek. It’s light and soft and not how I thought Calvin would be.

Butterflies migrate through my body. The excitement of being near him, touching him, echoes through my bones. I want him to kiss me.

But he runs his hand down my cheek instead. “Thank you for this, Haley.” He rolls away, and my body longs for his warmth.

“Hey.” Zane ducks his head in the flap. “Dante’s got breakfast if you want some. Easton caught some crabs, and Dante cooked them up in pig fat. I’m not sure how long I can fight Easton off them if you want some.” He laughs.

“I’m coming out. You should get some more sleep.” I put my hand on Calvin’s shoulder.

“Yeah. And tonight, you should actually wake someone else up to take a turn.” Zane points his finger at Calvin.

“What?” I give him my best I’m-not-happy-with-you-young-man face. “I’m getting up. Go to sleep.” I crawl to the opening, keeping the pressure off my ankle. It’s really not too swollen.

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