Page 39 of Drop Three

I promised Callaway I’d take care of her. I won’t break that promise to my best friend, even if I can’t have her how I want to, even if she hates me for sending her mixed signals right now.

Navy evidently finds me amusing because she erupts into hysterical laughter, deciding to plead the fifth. “Hilarious. Tenley, Gus, Bodhi…it’s been fun, but I’m going to call an Uber and head out. There’s a warm bed at the Motel 6 with top-notch service calling my name.”

Her soft frame presses against mine, urging me to move and let her out. I’ll give her this for a second, then strike when she least expects it.

Letting her out of the booth, I choose to keep quiet as she waves sarcastically at us before heading to the exit. “Tell Briggs I’ll be seeing him,” she announces with a wink.

Yeah…we’ll see about that, my little earthquake.

You can’t get away from me that easily.

12

BODHI

3 MONTHS EARLIER

Fiji

“Run, B! It’s pouring!”

I follow behind Navy, running toward the showers to avoid the incoming thunderstorm.

What were Kodi and Callaway thinking when they booked us a hot springs and mud pool treatment in Fiji? They likely wanted to give us the best experience possible, but Fijian afternoon showers are unpredictable.

I can’t believe they’re married.

It feels surreal.My best friend is a married man.

He found his soul mate, and I couldn’t be happier for him and Kodi.

They wanted their guests to have an authentic Fijian experience while they honeymooned on the opposite side of the island.

It’s convenient for them and a cool advantage for us.

The purpose of a mud pool is to soak yourself in the mucky mud, allow it to dry, and then switch to the multi-level temperature hot spring to rinse and give your body time to slowly release its toxins.

However, we didn’t make it that far.

We started the experience with Navy and Cal’s parents at a brunch hosted by the resort at the springs. The food was delicious but didn’t seem to sit well with Mrs. Hayes seeing as how she only made it thirty minutes before hurling up her meal.

In turn, leading Mr. Hayes to escort her out and leave Navy and me here—alone.

We only got as far as soaking in the thick brown mud pool and letting it harden to concrete on our skin before a staff member forced us to evacuate the hot springs area due to potential lightning.

A storm is rolling in, and we’re covered in filth, without a spring to clean us.

Damn. I was really looking forward to it.

The resort staff reassured us when we got here that they have a section closed off for the hot springs customers to utilize in the event of bad weather.

This is looking like one of those moments.

However, Navy runs without an established destination to guide her, and I trust her anyway.

The side reserved for us is scarce of people, likely because our group was in the last session of the day. The Fijian culture is private, and they seem to show genuine appreciation for intimacy—hence only four to a party, and now we’re down to two.

I don’t understand the urgency in Navy running, but it’s liberating. It’s been years since I’ve had this kind of fun. Since we arrived on the island, we’ve been together every second.

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