Page 48 of Explorer’s Revenge

Turning to Aiyaret, I wait for permission, and when he offers me his cheek, I lean down to press my lips there, but he turns his head as if to check on me, and our lips meet. I pull away immediately, feeling guilty as he stares at me, but he isn’t panicking.

“Sorry,” he murmurs. “I didn’t . . .” He stops as we stare at each other, and I glance at Way, but he doesn’t seem bothered. He’s simply observing us with a little smile on his lips.

“If we are done with the kissing booth, we should get moving,” Wilder whispers, and I clear my throat and stand, going to my bag and slipping it on. I started it, but I’m the one left embarrassed and shy until I pull up my big-girl panties. I kissed them all. So what?

We’ve almost died a hundred times on this island, so what’s a few friendly kisses?

Once we are off this island, this strange bond we built will be gone. They will go back to their team, and I’ll return to being alone, so I’m going to make the most of having them on my side while I can.

Checking my GPS, I nod north. “That way. We should get there before nightfall if we move fast.”

We’re silent as we walk—not uncomfortable, just quiet.

Way falls into step at my side, and I glance at him, but he seems lost in his own thoughts, so I leave him to it until he’s ready. “I told Aiy.”

“I noticed.” I nudge him with my arm. “It went well?”

He looks at me with an embarrassed, happy smile that warms my heart. “It did. He felt the same. You knew, didn’t you?”

“Even the croc knew,” I scoff. “I’m glad you two sorted it out. So you’re dating?” I wiggle my eyebrows, and he looks away as I chuckle. “I’m happy for you both. You deserve to be happy. I hope you know that.”

“Are you?” He takes a deep breath, meeting my eyes. “I know you like Aiy.”

Well, shit, I guess we are going there.

“Maybe we should talk when we are off?—”

“We have nothing better to do while we walk. You like him?” he presses, refusing to let me shrink away from the truth.

“I do,” I admit as I glance at Aiy in front of us, but he’s chatting with Logan about something.

“And Wilder?” Way continues, and I blink at him again. “I’m not shaming you. I’m just asking.”

“Yes,” I reply.

He nods, looking at them then me. “And Rick? Logan?”

“Yes to both,” I respond, shocking myself. I haven’t spent a lot of time with them, but what we have has been intense and hot, and I’ll admit I like them a lot.

He nods like he already knew. I wait, but he doesn’t ask about himself, so I do instead.

“You didn’t ask about you,” I say, biting my lip, and he stumbles, his head jerking around so he can gape at me, and I smile. “You didn’t ask if I like you too.”

“Do you?” he whispers.

“Yes,” I answer, “but I also know you love Aiyaret, and I will never get between you two. I like you both, and I want you to be happy, which you are together.”

“You like me?” He looks so incredulous, I can’t help but laugh.

“You look surprised,” I tell him.

“Well, I knew you liked Wilder, but me?” Shaking his head, he walks silently for a bit, then he comments, “This is so confusing.”

“True, but when do we ever take the easy route?” I tease, and he shoots me a smile. “Besides, it doesn’t matter. When we get off this island, we’ll go back to our own lives, and you’ll return to hating and avoiding me.” I meant it as a joke, but it is a very real fear, and he must hear it.

“Do you really think that? Do you think we ever really hated you? Carter, we didn’t, and being here with you changed everything.” He reaches out and tucks me under his arm, offering me comfort. “We’re not going anywhere, no matter what happens.”

His words settle something inside me that I refuse to look too closely at right now.

“And I promise I won’t say or do anything with Aiyaret. I really mean it. I want you both to be happy together.”

He lets out a breath and is quiet for a minute.

“He likes you too, you know? I know it. I’m jealous, but it’s my own fault.

I waited too long, and it gave him time to make room in his heart for you.

I can’t hate that. How could I when he’s struggled so much and is finally learning to let people in?

I thought I was hurt, but when I saw him kiss you earlier, I was happy to see him being so brave.

I don’t know what it means, but it’s the truth. ”

I don’t know what to say to that, so we just focus on our steps. Aiyaret glances back at us and smiles, seemingly unbothered by Way’s arm around me, but I move out from under it anyway, and he looks at me, confused. When Aiy focuses on walking, I feel Way’s eyes on me.

“I like you too, Carter.” This time, I stumble, and he grabs me before I fall.

“I didn’t realize it at first, and then I tried to ignore it because I love Aiyaret and have for a long time.

I couldn’t believe that I started liking you, but I do.

It’s all messed up, and I’m confused as hell, but I need you to know, just in case, that I feel the same. ”

“Well, shit, we really don’t do anything the easy way,” I respond when I can speak again without sounding like an idiot.

He likes me. They like me.

I don’t know what that means, so I focus on getting us out of here and nothing else. Once we are safe, maybe I can think about what to do, but for now, we need to get off this island alive.