Page 27 of Surviving Love
“Lonely,” Thomas said, and his tribe laughed.
Larry yelled. “I’m sorry. Hang in there, Tom.”
“I’m doing my best.”
Shep turned his piercing gaze onto me. “How are your feet, Mason? Can you still feel them?”
“Barely,” I said, wincing.
“How about you, Jack?” Shep asked. “Feeling any pain?”
Jack shrugged. “I could stay up here all day, Shep.”
Luciano scowled. “The only thing that hurts more than my feet right now is having to hear Jack brag.”
“Ooh, is that right?” Shep perked up, probably loving the potential drama heading our way. “Shouldn’t you want your teammate to be confident?”
“There’s confidence, and then there’s arrogance,” Luciano mumbled.
Jack glanced at Luciano. “Do we have a problem with each other that I don’t know about?”
Luciano avoided his gaze. “I’m sure you’re in pain just like the rest of us. You’re only human.”
Jack laughed but didn’t say anything.
“Do I sense some friction in the Matapang tribe?” Shep asked, leaning forward eagerly. “Please, spill the tea, Luciano.”
Luciano shook his head. “No friction.”
Looking disappointed, Shep turned to me. “What about you, Mason? Have anything you’d like to get off your chest?”
“Nope.” I pressed my lips tight and adjusted my footing carefully. I glanced up and caught Rob watching me from the platform. He mouthed something to me, but I couldn’t tell what.
“That’s part of the challenge ofDevious Island—living with strangers for thirty days. It takes a toll,” Shep said. “You can grow to either hate or love your fellow tribe members.”
Rob caught my eye again, and he pointed down toward the water. Frowning, I shook my head. His mouth thinned, and he pointed more forcefully. Gritting my teeth, I shook my head once more. I knew he wanted me to purposely fall in the water, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Not yet.
“Thomas is Karangalan’s only hope of avoiding the Fire Council tonight,” Shep said, oblivious to Rob trying to coerce me to throw the game. “Will he be able to hang on against the three Matapang tribe members still in the game?”
Luciano gave a sudden yelp. He waved his arms wildly, as if trying to steady himself, but then he jumped from his platform right next to Jack’s. The splash rocked Jack’s platform, and while Jack scrambled valiantly to stay upright, it was no use. His feet slipped off, and he plunged into the water headfirst.
Resentment at how Luciano had sabotaged Jack bubbled inside of me. If that had been an accident, I’d eat a bug. Rob and Luciano were playing dirty, and it went against my code of honor.
Jack came to the surface, and for one second, he looked pissed. But somehow he managed to plaster a fake smile on as he faced the cameras. “I guess it’s up to you now, Mason,” Jack called out.
“Thomas still hanging in there for his tribe, and Mason giving it his all for his tribe,” Shep announced, rubbing his hands together. “Things are getting interesting now, folks.”
Luciano was on the platform now, looking like a wet rat. He gave me a dirty look and made the same pointing gesture Rob had made. If I ignored them and didn’t let Thomas win the challenge, I’d probably be their next target. My stomach churned as I considered ignoring them, but logic told me to stuff down my emotions and do what they wanted. Maybe I could figure something out before tonight to thwart their plan, but public mutiny would just getmein hot water. Even if I didn’t approve of how they were going after Jack, I had no desire to sacrifice myself for him.
Swallowing my pride, I knew what needed to happen. I began to flail my arms, pretending my feet were slipping. Avoiding eye contact with any of my tribe, I did a dramatic body flop into the water.
When I came to the surface, the Karangalan tribe was cheering, and my tribe looked dejected. Guilt ate at me as I swam over to the main platform. I hoisted myself out of the water, avoiding Jack’s gaze.
“You did your best, Mason,” Sherry said, smiling sympathetically. “You hung in way longer than me.”
And I could have hung in even longer, but I’m a fucking coward.
Heat seeped into my face. “Thanks.”
