Page 50 of Protected

He shrugs, drawing me even closer to him. He smells like dirt and effort, but the whole world smells that way now. It’s not as unpleasant as I would have assumed three years ago. People adapt. Change. In all kinds of ways.

I’m quite sure Deck is planning to kiss me again, even deeper this time, but one of the guys camped out nearby laughs with a mildly raunchy comment about morning wood.

That’s enough to dampen all romantic inclinations. I roll my eyes and pull away while Deck gives the guy a rude gesture.

Deck was simply being sweet. He wasn’t initiating sex. But it’s still a reminder that we might not be able to have sex again for a while. Even if outdoor sex was easy and comfortable, it’s certainly not very doable with a large group of other people present all the time.

One of the more inconvenient features of traveling like this.

Maybe soon we’ll come across an intact building with enough rooms to give us privacy again.

Logan’s voice across our campsite, telling someone that we’re going to try fishing in the nearby river before we leave this morning, is our sign that it’s time to get up and start the morning.

Kissing will have to wait for a more opportune time.

I don’t know how to fish and I don’t have the required equipment, so I can’t help with the fishing.

I take inventory of our stock of food in the second Jeep instead.

One or another of us does it every morning so we can keep track of what’s available as we eat our daily rations and scavenge extra provisions. It’s not a popular job because it takes intentional focus, but I’ve never minded it. I like keeping things organized and checking items off a list.

This morning I count and recount each can and package three times because some of the numbers seem lower than they should be.

Afterwards, I’m looking around for Logan to mention the count is slightly low when I see Trisha appearing out of the woods to the east. She must have gone farther than usual to go to the bathroom since there’s no other reason for her to be on her own in that direction.

Shrugging off the trivial aberration, I continue my search for Logan, finding him with a fishing rod on the riverbank. He nods in silent reflection as I mention thefood count and, after a minute, asks me to keep an eye on it.

My duties accomplished, I walk back toward the camp to find something useful to do until the others are done fishing. I haven’t cleared the trees when I hear voices that bring me to an abrupt halt.

Well, one voice. Trisha’s.

“I’m not talking smack about her. You know I love Lilah to death. It’s just that she seems to have a grudge against me. I’ve really tried to be her friend, but she’s not having it.”

Sharp resentment clenches in my chest and rises into my throat. I peek around a tree so I can see who she’s talking to.

Deck, leaning over beneath the hood of one of the pickups and tinkering with something.

Trisha is standing way too close to him, stretched out to make the most of her impressive figure.

Deck doesn’t say anything. Of course not. He’s not even looking at her, his attention on whatever in the truck’s engine needs work.

But he’s also not shooing her away.

I can’t help but think that’s what he should be doing, since she might be faking sweetness but she’s also bad-mouthing me.

“It’s frustrating. Maybe you can put in a good word for me.” The flirtatious smile on Trisha’s face makes me want to gag.

Deck again doesn’t make any gestures in response.

He keeps working without acknowledging Trisha so long it’s got to be deeply uncomfortable for her because the prolonged silence makes me want to squirm.

“Now you’re mad at me,” Trisha says at last with a put-on pout. “I thought maybe you’d understand.”

Deck straightens abruptly, so quickly it startles Trisha, who jumps back but quickly regroups.

She puts her hands on his chest with another artificial smile. “I knew you’d understand.”

Deck stares at her for a few seconds. Then with calm, deliberate motions, removes her hands from his chest one by one. He takes a step away from her and raises both palms in her direction in a universal gesture.Stop!

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