Page 42 of Surviving Love
He didn’t say anything; he just studied me, his expression emotionless.
Giving an exasperated look at the clouds, I asked, “How long do you think we’ll be stuck here?”
“Not sure.”
I hugged myself, shivering. “What should we do first?”
“We need to build some type of shelter.” He took a step back the way we’d come and stopped. “Are you coming?”
My teeth chattered as I said, “Yes.”
“Then come on.” He strode away with long strides.
I watched him go, disheartened at the situation. Of all the people to be stranded with, it had to beJack? I glanced back across the creek, unable to see much because it was raining so hard. Would the show send people out to search for us? Or were we on our own? Surely they’d notice two of the contestants were missing, right? If James had tried to follow us, he’d have seen how awful the creek was. He’d probably tell the producers where we were.
Feeling depressed, I turned and followed Jack. I found him in a small clearing, already in the process of building a lean-to shelter. I began to gather palm fronds and told myself I’d be back in the game before I knew it. While I didn’t get along great with Jack, if I had to be stranded with someone in the elements, he was probably the best person. He brought more to the situation than I did. Frankly, he’d have been better off if he was alone.
We hadn’t eaten much the last four days, and I was feeling the effects. I was shaky, and my body couldn’t seem to warm up because of a lack of fuel. Regardless of that, I kept working. We really needed shelter. The rain was getting worse, not better.
After an hour of straight work, we had a sort of shelter. It wasn’t watertight by a long shot, but it did provide some protection. Jack made sure we were semi-sheltered from the rain on all sides. There was a door of sorts made from a bunch of palm fronds.
We climbed inside, and he pulled the makeshift door closed. The ground shook from the thunder as we sat in the damp darkness, shoulders and hips pressed together. I couldn’t stop shaking and really wished we could have built a fire. Not that there was room inside for a fire, seeing as we were practically sitting in each other’s laps.
“We’ll warm up in a minute,” Jack said softly.
“Okay.” My teeth chattered annoyingly. I didn’t have any fat on my body to help keep me warm, and I’d even lost a few pounds since I’d arrived on the island. I was also having a little trouble breathing. Exercise in damp weather could exacerbate inflammation in my bronchial tubes. While I hadn’t had an asthma attack in ages, I’d brought my inhaler with me just to be safe. Unfortunately, it was on the other side of the creek in the medical supplies chest.
Jack must have noticed me wheezing because he said, “You doing okay?”
I cleared my throat. “Uh, yeah. I’m fine.”
He hesitated. “You can tell me if you aren’t.”
All I needed was for him to think I was weaker than he probably already did. “I said I’m fine.”
“Yes, you did. But I can hear you’re struggling to breathe, Mason.” He shifted toward me, and our knees pressed together. “I won’t use anything you tell me against you in the game. I promise.”
Not sure I believed him, I remained silent.
He sighed. “I know you think I’m a total dick, but I’m really not. I’m not going to think less of you if you’re honest about your health.”
“Myhealthis just fine,” I rasped.
“I’m legitimately concerned for you. That’s the only reason I’m asking if you’re okay.”
I gave a gruff laugh. “Just drop it, Jack.”
He shrugged. “Okay, but you’re not fooling me.”
I groaned. “Fine. I had asthma when I was younger. I haven’t had problems in a long time, so don’t go thinking I’m weak. It’s just the damp weather getting to me a little.”
“I don’t think you’re even a little weak.”
“That’s not what you said a few days ago.”
“I was playing things up for the camera. That’s all.”
I wasn’t sure I believed him. “Maybe I’m not like you, but I’m strong. Usually. You don’t have to judge me.”
