I sprint to the shore, scanning wildly. Nothing.
Panic flickers in my chest. Then it ignites.
I rush toward Jason, who’s at the coconut tree. “The jet ski’s gone!”
Blood drains from his face. “For real?”
I nod. “I’m sorry.”
“I-I should’ve secured it better. It’s my fault. The waves were terrible last night, and the tide...”
“...swept it away.”
His face turns a gray shade I despise.
“It’s fine. Just thought you should know.”
“I’ll get coconuts.” I grab a stick. I don’t want Jason to think I’m weak. Or annoying. Or more of a mistake than I already am.
“Cal...” Jason’s voice is too gentle.
“I want to help. I am helpful.”
“You are.” His voice has a soothing quality I despise.
God. He can tell I’m rattled.
I jab at the sand with my stick. “I played hockey too, you know.”
“You were good.” He drops the rocks he’s gathered. “Want me to show you my technique?”
“Yeah. I’d like that.”
“You were a good hockey player. Everyone in that group was.”
“I’m not in the NHL.”
Jason smiles. “Pretty sure you don’t need to be in the NHL to knock a coconut out of a tree.”
The warmth in his voice settles in my chest.
“You’re being nice to me,” I murmur.
“I’m a nice person.”
I raise an eyebrow.
“Usually,” he adds with a sigh. “Look, I didn’t exactly come off great to my teammates.”
“I don’t think ‘quiet’ was the issue.”
He hesitates. “I was... jealous.” His own words seem to surprise him. “Never mind.”
“We can talk about it.”
He eyes me warily.
“Off the record,” I promise. “I’m sorry I didn’t let you jet ski alone. You probably wouldn’t have gotten stranded.”
