Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 298(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 298(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
I squeeze her hand. “I’m happy for you.”
She beams. “Me, too.” Then, lowering her voice, she adds, “So are you and Ace like... a thing now?”
“God, I have no idea,” I whisper. “But I think we are. I kind of hope we are. He is under my skin.”
“Ugh, we’re so fucked.”
“We really are.”
We hug, and it feels good to have a moment where it is like being back to normal girls, talking about boys and gossip. It seems like such a long time since we have been able to do that. We make our way back toward camp, still giggling and trading secrets, and when we reach the fire Kellen is telling some filthy joke that has Rachel’s eyes wide.
I settle in next to Ace again, and this time he puts his arm around me and holds me close. I let myself relax into his warmth, his body, and I let myself believe, just for tonight, that this is exactly where I am supposed to be.
If only I knew what was coming.
I might have enjoyed that moment for a second longer.
15
IT’S EARLY, TOO EARLY.
I tiptoe down the beach, desperate to pee.
Rounding the corner, I pause when I see Kellen and Rachel standing by a large rock, talking. It’s not that they’re talking that halts me, no, it’s the position they’re in. Kellen is in front of Rachel, whose back is pressed against the rock, her head tipped back as she looks up at him. His hand is pressing against it, right beside her head, and he is leaning in, saying something.
She looks frustrated, and is clearly telling him off.
They’re arguing about something, yet the position they’re in indicates that there is far more to that argument. It’s screaming sexual tension.
My heart skips a beat.
Is Kellen messing with Rachel, as well as Aggie?
I am about to turn away when Kellen leans down, capturing Rachel’s mouth in his. He kisses her, almost ferociously, and she responds for a few seconds before pushing him back, saying something angrily in his direction before slipping out. Oh. Shit. I turn and rush away before they notice me, making it back to camp just in time. Kellen and Rachel return only seconds after me, and Rachel turns away, going back to her bed.
Kellen watches her, mutters a curse under his breath, then disappears down to the fire.
What the hell is going on there?
I glance over at Aggie, who is sleeping on her side, hands pressed under her face. She really likes Kellen, at least, she likes the distraction he brings. I wonder if she knows about Rachel, because there is clearly something happening there. Do I tell her, or do I claim ignorance? I don’t like keeping anything from her, but at the same time, I really don’t know if there is anything to tell.
Maybe it’s nothing.
“One of you fuckers is lying.”
I flinch, shocked by the sudden burst of a voice.
It’s Zeke.
I turn just in time to see him coming out of his section, first aid kit in hand, waving it around. Confused, I shake my head. “What are you talking about?”
Ace comes up from near the fire, his eyes narrowing on Zeke, and Tatiana slowly wakes from her sleep. Aggie is out, unbothered by the little outburst. Sitting up, Tatiana rubs her eyes, trying to focus. Rachel crosses her arms, glaring at Zeke like she’s already sick of his shit even though he just started speaking.
“Someone is taking medication, and I am certain of it. I have been keeping track, counting, and there are painkillers missing. Someone is fuckin’ stealing.”
Everyone falls silent.
We let it go last time, but to be fair Zeke has been over the top keeping everything under lock and key so that we have it if we need. He is a survivalist, and the fact that he has noticed, means he’s right. Someone is taking pain medication. But who?
“Okay, let’s calm it down and see if we can figure out what’s goin’ on here,” Ace says, putting his hands up.
Kellen joins the group again. Zeke glares at all of us, his eyes fixing on Adrian.
Adrian throws his hands up. “Don’t look at me. You know I suffer from constipation, Zeke.”
God, he’s strange, but we love him all the same.
“Someone better speak up,” Zeke goes on, glaring at all of us.
“Don’t look at me,” I throw my hands out. “I’m with Adrian on this one.”
“Okay, look,” Ace says, always the peacemaker even though right now, his face is black and blue. “Here’s the thing, we’re all here together and we’re all goin’ through it, so we should be able to rely on each other and help each other through whatever shit times we’re having. So, if you took them, just speak up and we can work it out.”
More silence.
“Just fuckin’ speak up,” Zeke barks.