Page 73 of Surviving Love
“I… I do like Jack,” she said quietly. “Of course I do—I mean, he’s gorgeous.” She gave a nervous laugh.
I didn’t know how to respond, so I just smiled politely.
“So, I guess I can admit at first maybe I hoped he and I could… be more than just friends.” She bit her lip. “But, of course, that was because I didn’t realize he was married with a daughter.”
I almost dropped the machete but caught it just in time. “Wait… what?”
She laughed. “I know. I was shocked too. I didn’t realize he was married because he never mentioned it.”
I felt like I couldn’t breathe as I held her gaze. “Jack ismarriedwith a kid?”
She nodded. “Yes. Oh, my goodness, his daughter is cute as a button too. Just adorable. She has the same blonde hair Jack has.”
The blood seemed to drain from my face, straight to my feet. I would never in a million years have had anything to do with him sexually if I’d known he had a wife and a kid back home. Why hadn’t he said anything to me? Why the hell had he pushed for sex with me? Guilt gnawed at me, followed closely by seething rage. How dare he put me in this position?
“He… he actuallytoldyou he’s married?”
Her smile faltered. “Well, I saw the photo he keeps tucked in his shaving kit, and so I asked. He didn’t just volunteer the information.”
I felt sick at the realization I’d apparently cheated with a married man. Unwittingly maybe, but it had still happened. Mixed in with my anger and humiliation was a sadness that took me by surprise. I’d told myself my feelings for Jack were just sexual, but in reality, I’d really liked him. I’d felt very close to him, especially when it had just been the two of us during the storm. He’d been so tender with me back then.
And this whole time, he’s had a wife and kid waiting for him back home.
I avoided Sherry’s gaze as I struggled to contain my anger and feelings of betrayal. When I’d looked into Jack’s beautiful brown eyes, I’d never seen a hint of duplicity. He’d seemed earnest and nurturing. How many times had he done this kind of thing? How many people had he cheated with besides me? I felt foolish when I remembered how I’d behaved with him just the other day in the ocean.
Sherry sighed. “I don’t think he wanted anyone to know about his family because he lookedreallyuncomfortable when I asked him about the photo. I think he wanted them to be a secret. I’m not sure why.”
How will he seduce unwitting idiots like me if we know the truth?
“I… I can’t believe he’s married,” I mumbled, trying to focus on the fish I held. I needed to be careful not to cut my fingers off. I felt dazed.
“You should have seen his face when he looked at the photo of his wife too. It was obvious he misses her like heck. He looked brokenhearted just staring at that photo.” Sherry pressed her hand to her heart. “He’s a beautiful, beautiful man.”
There were a few other choice words I’d have used to describe what kind of man Jack was. But I didn’t think Sherry would appreciate them very much. She obviously still had stars in her eyes where Jack was concerned.
Somehow I managed to finish cleaning and gutting the fish without losing a hand. It wasn’t easy because my fingers were shaking so bad. I felt like the biggest fool on the planet. I’d been completely duped by Jack.
Again.
Chapter Fifteen
Somehow, I managed to hold my tongue around Jack. It wasn’t easy. A part of me wanted to publicly call him out for his lying, cheating behavior. But I bit my tongue, and we all went to bed like one big happy tribe.
I slept with my back to Jack, unable to even look at him. I was so angry, I was almost trembling. When Tony had turned his back on me after my accident, I’d been horribly hurt. But for some reason, knowing everything Jack had ever said or done to me had been a complete lie felt even worse. I’d been with Tony for two years, but the feelings that had started to grow toward Jack had seemed more intense. I’d only known the man nine days, and yet he’d wormed his way into my emotions. If I was honest with myself, I’d hoped we might have something with each other outside of the game too.
My god, I’m so gullible.
A small part of me wanted to quit the game, but a bigger part of me was now determined to beat Jack. He thought he already had this win in the bag, but he was dead wrong. Even if I didn’t win, I’d make sure anyone but Jack did. He didn’t deserve the money or the attention the game would bring.
The next morning, I woke up way too early again. The sun wasn’t even up yet, and I lay in the dark with my eyes open, listening to the waves breaking on the shore. I wasn’t getting enough sleep in this game, which wore on me physically and emotionally. But even so, I couldn’t lie down next to Jack one more second, so I got up.
James was on a cot outside our shelter, and he looked borderline annoyed that I was up so early. He yawned, scratched his belly, and picked up his camera. “Would it kill you to sleep in once, Mason?” he whispered.
“Can’t sleep,” I mumbled, walking past him to put some wood on the smoldering coals of the fire. It was too soon to start the rice, so I grabbed one of the coconuts from the day before and ate some of that.
While the others slept, I gathered firewood and fresh drinking water for the tribe. Then I decided to explore the island because I was buzzing with anxiety. The stars were out, so I knew rain wasn’t a possibility at the moment. I crossed the creek, which had returned to its usual serene state, and moved through the trees, keeping my eyes peeled for snakes.
James followed me silently, and I glanced at him irritably. “There must be more interesting things to film than me wandering aimlessly,” I said.
