Page 63 of Uncharted

I raise my now empty glass back. Calvin leans into Haley and whispers something. She laughs, and my dick goes hard. Because it’s a real laugh, one without reserve for what others think about her. When she stops laughing, she finishes her wine. “Dante, that was amazing. Thank you.”

“Oh, that’s not it, Sassy. Sit still.”

“More, okay.” She beams at him and watches as he jogs to the galley.

“Oh no you don’t. No peeking. Make sure she’s not looking.” Dante points.

“Done.” Calvin wraps his hand around the back of her neck and devours her in a kiss. Calvin ends the kiss and moves his hand round and in front of Haley’s eyes. “No peeking. You heard Dante.”

Dante’s almost out of the salon with a lopsided cake on a platter. He stands behind her and places it in front of her. “Okay, open.”

“Oh... oh,” she says. “Oh?” Her tone is more inquisitive now. “Wait, how did you know? I mean, thank you!” She jumps up and pivots in the air. Her arms cling around Dante’s neck. “You not only knew it was my birthday, but you baked me a cake. You hate baking. How did you know it’s my birthday?” Haley’s back is to me, but I can read his face as clear as day. Dante had no idea it was her birthday. I certainly didn’t.

“You must have mentioned it,” Zane pipes up.

“I think we’ve talked about birthdays. Haven’t we? We had that talk about astrological signs. I’m still not sure if I’m a Scorpio or something else.”

“Sagittarius, Easton,” Haley tosses to him. “And no, I’ve never said when my birthday was. In my head, I guess I decided if I didn’t mention it, we’d be home by now. And then I woke up yesterday and realized what the date was... I didn’t want to make a big deal of it. But this is so special. Thank you, Dante.” She gazes up at him, and I see the second she realizes he didn’t know. “Oh shit... I?—”

“Happy Birthday to you...” Zane starts loudly, and we all pick it up. Of course, when we get to the part where they should say “Haley,” they all say some damn other thing—Sassy, Chiefie, Little Bird, Firefly. I’m not going to be outdone, so I sing “Haley” loudly.

She shakes her head. I’m not sure if she’s happy or frustrated. Zane raises his water glass when we finish singing. “To the best damn woman on the planet.”

“Hear, hear,” I say.

“All right, thank you now. Can I have some of this cake?” She pulls the cake platter closer to her.

“Yes, Sassy. Here you go.” Dante hands her a silver cake knife and a plate.

When she takes a bite, we’re all watching again, just like we did when she took the first bite of pasta. “Mmm.” She pulls the fork out slowly. “It’s so good everyone. Eat.”

The rest of them all dig in, but I can’t stop thinking about how it’s her birthday and she didn’t tell anyone. My ex had hers on every calendar, sent me a daily text countdown, and was never happy with a single present I bought her. I feel the bubble inside of me, and it’s more than food or the sugar. I’ll admit there were five cans of frosting, but somewhere during my tequila week, I ate one with a spoon. Which is why I’ve got the smallest piece of cake on my plate. The way my gut is clenched, I realize, is left over from my ex. It’s Haley’s birthday, and I don’t have a present. Forget that we’re on a rock in the middle of nowhere. She deserves more, with all that she’s been through.

It’s then that I notice Calvin is eating with his right hand when he is left-handed. He takes a bite of cake, puts his fork down, and then takes a swig of his warm beer—bottle down, and he repeats. Haley, on the other hand, has stopped eating all together. Shit. I catch her eyes and hold them. Am I an asshole for letting her know I know exactly what’s going on under the table? Possibly. Probably. I don’t fucking care. There’s a pink tinge going up her neck.

“Dante, this cake is really moist.” Calvin nods, putting a large bite in his mouth. “Isn’t it moist, Haley?”

She makes a gurgling sound that might be interpreted as a yes.

Dante’s eyes flick up and down Haley and land on her lap. “I do like a moist cake.” Dante takes Haley’s fork and feeds her a large bite.

I’m hard and fucking conflicted. But I didn’t tell her no. And I don’t think I can. That’s what this means. Easton and Zane are watching now. Their own plates are clean.

“Right, well, that’s a good cake.” Calvin takes his left hand and licks his fingers. Haley’s shoulders drop. She glances at the other guys. No one says anything about it, but there are a lot of smiles going around the table. “Happy Birthday, Chiefie.” Calvin leans over and kisses her cheek. “We should play some games before we head back.” He stands and clears the table onto a tray which he puts on the counter behind the table.

“Games?” Dante growls. “Like Monopoly or charades?”

“What are you, ten? Let’s age it up a bit, middle school. We’ve got what? Like an hour before low tide? Let’s celebrate Chiefie’s birthday with some fun.”

“Who are you and what have you done with Green?” Dante laughs.

“I’ve had some beers, Jones. This is what happens when I drink. I forget I’m a fucking mess.”

“You’re not a mess?—”

“Rule number eleven, Little Bird, never argue with a drunk person.”

“Still, Calvin’s not a mess.” She stands and holds on to his arm. “You want to play a game? I’d like that too. What game?” She bounces on her toes and takes Dante’s hand.

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