Page 19 of Surviving Love
“Suit yourself, I guess,” I murmured. “I need some food for energy.”
Jack smirked. “Yeah, back home, you’d probably have your face in a bowl of granola and oat milk by now and then run to your yoga class.”
My face warmed. “I’ve never taken a yoga class in my life.”
“Jazzercise, then?” Jack arched one brow.
“You’re a riot, Jack,” I grumbled.
Sherry gave an uneasy laugh. “I guess you’re not besties after all.”
“Yeah, no kidding.” Jack laughed and strode out of camp.
I watched him go, wondering why he’d felt the need to pick on me. First he complimented me and put a bullseye on me; then he turned around and mocked me. I couldn’t figure out what made Jack tick yet.
Rob watched Jack disappear into the trees, and he turned to us. “Hey, guys, if we lose this upcoming challenge, what would you think about getting rid of Jack first?”
Shocked at his suggestion, I froze. “Really?” I’d fantasized about getting rid of Jack from the moment I’d met him, but our camp wasn’t even fully set up yet. It seemed premature to get rid of Jack this soon. We needed him at the moment; how did Rob not know that?
“Works for me,” Luciano said softly. “I don’t like the guy.”
Sherry raised her brows. “But it’s so early in the game, and Jack is the only one of us who knows anything about surviving in the elements.”
“She’s right,” I said softly.
“I’m sure we can figure stuff out if we try.” Rob frowned.
Seriously, Rob?
“We didn’t do so great yesterday. We wouldn’t even have any shelter at all if not for Jack… and Mason.” Sherry shot me a weak smile. “You two really saved our butts.”
I grimaced. “Jack did way more than me.”
“You still stuck it out in the foul weather,” Lydia said softly.
I hesitated. “I… I couldn’t have done much without Jack directing me.”
“Jack definitely knows his stuff.” Harold met my gaze.
Sherry nodded. “I agree.”
“Don’t you guys think he’s annoying?” Rob frowned. “He keeps implying we’re lazy. I mean, yeah, maybe we didn’t all pitch in much yesterday. But that was just because it was pouring buckets, and we were exhausted from swimming to the beach.”
“Jack still worked hard, and he had to put up with all that too.” Sherry lifted her chin. “I’m definitely not ready to vote Jack off.”
I felt grateful that Sherry was defending Jack so vehemently. We needed Jack right now, but I was reticent to speak up and defend Jack too much, in case they all went back to thinking Jack and I were pals. But it definitely irked me that Rob was nervy enough to suggest voting out someone who’d built our shelter and started a fire so we could eat. Where did he get off thinking he deserved to stay over someone who worked as hard as Jack? Lazy people weren’t any more pleasant to be around than arrogant ones.
“Well, if we lose the challenge today, someone will have to go home,” grumbled Rob. “I sure don’t want it to be me.”
“How about we do our best today and win the challenge?” I said. “Then no one from our tribe will be eliminated.”
“Plus, I like Jack.” Sherry’s cheeks were pink as she admitted that. “He’s cool. He just acts tough, but he’s a good guy.”
Luckily, the majority of our tribe nodded in agreement. I was no fan of Jack’s, but I was relieved there were more people who wanted to keep him for now. He was useful, and I didn’t like the idea of starving this early in the game. We had plenty of time to get rid of Jack.
Rob shrugged. “Well, okay. I guess I’m outvoted.”
Luciano said, “I’m with Rob, and if we lose the challenge today, maybe we can revisit this idea. Jack rubs me the wrong way too.”
