Page 59 of Explorer’s Revenge

FIFTY

MAEVE

T he last two weeks have been so calm and peaceful, I should have known something was occurring.

My dad had to fly back two days ago for his appointments, but I chose to stay with the guys, promising I would return home when they did, but as I stare at Ajax, I know my choice is being taken away from me.

He pulled me from Logan’s room not long ago, claiming he needed to speak to me.

“Don’t do this,” I beg as we sit in the hallway.

“Carter, I tried my best to delay it. The board has tied my hands. They need reports and answers and to go over the footage. You also need to be checked out over there. It won’t be forever, just for now,” he explains. “They’ll be coming home soon as well?—”

“But you want me to fly back now and leave them?”

“Please, I’ve tried everything to put this off, but I’m at a loss. Wilder can’t leave his brother, so that leaves you. The public wants answers, as does the board. I don’t know what else to do,” Ajax admits, stress lining his features.

I’m surprised my reprieve lasted this long, but maybe Ajax has been running interference on our behalf.

“They will be left here?” I ask, my eyes dropping to the floor as my heart aches with the idea of spending even a minute away from them. We’ve been inseparable, and my life has begun to revolve around them.

Maybe that isn’t a good thing, since it will change when we go back. I should get used to this now before it’s too late and I’m in too deep.

My mood spirals, and I clench the armrests of the chair I’m on.

“I’m leaving a team behind, so they won’t be alone, and when they can fly, we’ll get them straight home.

We don’t want to risk further injury. They also won’t need to report as quickly since we will have your account,” Ajax rationalizes.

“But I’m on your side, so if you say no, I will find a way around it.

I had to ask, especially since your dad has returned.

I figured you would want to go back too. ”

Usually I would, but they are here, and that makes me hesitate.

“Maeve?” Ajax prompts.

“If I want to stay?” I see the stress triple on his face and he sighs. “I don’t really have a choice, do I?” Ajax’s expression tells me I don’t. “Fine, I’ll leave with you. When?”

“You’re leaving?” My head jerks up, and I see Aiyaret in the doorway of Logan’s room, looking betrayed.

“Who’s leaving?” Way asks as he appears behind him and sees me. “Maeve? Maeve’s leaving? What do you mean?”

Sighing, I rub my face and stand, dragging ass as I trudge into their room to see the others, not wanting to discuss this in public.

“What’s going on?” Wilder asks, glancing between Ajax and me.

“The board is demanding one of you return to report what happened and do some interviews. Logan can’t fly, so I can’t ask you.

I asked Maeve,” Ajax replies as he hesitates in the door, sensing he wouldn’t be welcome right now.

It’s become public knowledge we are not to be separated, even for treatment.

Wilder’s eyes land on me, anger and hurt in his gaze as he silently pleads with me to deny Ajax. “You’re leaving with him?”

It’s almost an accusation, and the atmosphere in the room intensifies. I feel their eyes on me, and I’m filled with guilt, but my thoughts circle back to earlier.

Maybe having some time to myself to think about my future would be good.

“I have no choice. You all need rest, and Logan needs you here, so if I can take this off your plate, then I will,” I answer.

“Tell the board to go fuck themselves!” Wilder roars. “We just went through hell and barely survived. They can wait.”

“Wilder,” I caution, and he calms at my voice. “I can do this. It will be okay.”

“M,” Logan protests, but he says nothing else.

“Don’t go,” Aiyaret murmurs, and Way wraps his arm protectively around his shoulders. I hate it.

I smile softly, but it feels wobbly. How did they come to mean so much to me in such a short amount of time?

They need me right now, and I can’t be here.

“It isn’t forever, just for now,” I tell them, repeating Ajax’s earlier words, but it doesn’t make me feel better, and from their expressions, it clearly doesn’t pacify them either.

“We’ll come back too,” Wilder states.

“Logan can’t fly yet.” Ajax sighs. “I thought about that too. I’ll take care of her, and it won’t be long, just a few weeks apart. You guys can manage that. Hell, you never even used to want to be around each other.”

“It’s different now,” Wilder grumbles.

“He’s right. We’ve spent longer apart,” I reason. “I’ll go back and sort everything out so you guys can rest. We’ll see each other again when you’re home.”

Looking at their anguished expressions, I feel my heart sink. I don’t want to go either, but if I can take care of this for them, then I will. They don’t need any more stress than they already have.

Logan is quiet and withdrawn, and I worry. Walking over to his side, I take his hand and say, “Tell me you need me to stay and I will. Fuck the board, and fuck Ajax—no offense, Ajax. Tell me and I will.”

“How long until I can fly?” Logan asks, looking at my hand on his.

“A few weeks at most,” Ajax murmurs.

“I suppose I can bear that,” Logan concedes as he squeezes my hand. “Go, you need to. We’ll be okay, trust us.”

“Logan!” Rick protests.

“She has no choice. If she doesn’t, the board could punish her. I’m not wrong, am I?” Logan looks at Ajax, who shakes his head. “She’s already in trouble for using funds to come back and help us. We’ll follow her as soon as we can.”

We are both trying to protect each other. He wants to make sure I don’t lose my job, and I don’t want him to have to think about work while he heals.

I kiss him, uncaring that Ajax is watching. “I’ll see you back home, okay? Call me day and night, whatever you need.”

“You bet,” he replies as I step back and look at the others.

“That goes for all of you. Don’t go back to radio silence,” I warn.

Arms wrap around me, and I realize it’s Wilder, his mouth brushing my ear. “Let us know when you get back. If the board gives you shit, then kick their asses. Wait for us, okay? We’ll be back soon.”

Nodding, I sink into his embrace, and the others join us, holding me until Ajax clears his throat. “The plane will be here soon,” he says.

Pulling away, I look over them and step back. “I’ll see you at home,” I tell them as I hesitate, my heart torn. “Bye.”

Turning away before I cry or do something stupid, I stride swiftly past Ajax and into the corridor, their chorus of goodbyes chasing me.

Why does this feel so final?

Why does it shred me to pieces?

I haven’t seen the guys in three weeks. I heard they are back in the US now, but I feel weird just appearing at their door. What if things have changed? It was easy to go along with this when we were together constantly, but after spending time apart, I started to question everything.

I’m scared, which isn’t something I’m used to.

It took a week of meetings and interviews before Ajax let me go home, and I went to my dad’s to spend time with him.

I’ve texted the guys a few times, but I never know what to say anymore, and they were so busy preparing to come back that we didn’t have a lot of time to call despite our parting promises.

Instead, I throw myself into looking after my dad and rehab for my leg.

I can walk a lot better now. I think I will always have twinges of pain, but I’m not going to let it stop me.

Reaching over, I push a mug closer to my dad’s shaking hand. “Drink. Green tea is good for you,” I admonish. It’s the same fight we have every day.

“No offense, Maeve, but you’re annoying me. Go on, get out of here,” my dad snaps, and I jerk my head up from fussing over the tea.

“Gee, thanks, Dad,” I mutter, feeling hurt.

“You’ve been flitting around me with nerves for weeks. It’s time for you to get back out there. What did I always teach you?” he asks.

“Face your fears,” I grumble when he stares at me with a hard look only a parent can manage. “It isn’t that simple.”

“Like hell it isn’t,” he retorts. “No daughter of mine will mope around like this. Don’t use me as an excuse, Maeve.

I don’t want you here.” I flinch, and he softens.

“I love you, and I’d love to have you here forever, but this isn’t where your heart belongs.

I don’t want to be your crutch. I’d never forgive myself. What are you so afraid of?”

That’s the question, isn’t it? I was so certain in the hospital and on that island, but everything is different now.

I don’t know if it was the board’s analysis and questions or facing reality in the interviews, but it feels .

. . strange, like it’s wrong to want to be with them.

Maybe things should go back to the way they were before.

Maybe they don’t need me like I need them. It could have just been the desire to survive driving us.

“Have you spoken to them?” he asks when I don’t respond, smiling gently. “Kid, I saw you with them in the hospital. You care for them, so why are you pushing them away?”

Again, I have no answer, just worries and regrets.

The doorbell rings, and I stand, happy to escape my dad’s prying and knowing eyes. “I’ll get it. It’s your prescription.” Shuffling down the corridor, I open the door and freeze.

Five familiar faces stare back at me. “Surprise.” Rick grins.

I gape like I’m seeing ghosts, and Wilder smirks. “Since you didn’t come to us, we came to you.”

“Are you going to let us in?” Way mutters. “These bags are heavy.”

Aiy waves at me happily, and Logan grins at me from his wheelchair, and yet I just stare.

“Who is it? Oh, hey, guys! Glad you made it. Did you find us easily from the address I gave you?” my dad calls, and I whirl around, shocked as I peer at my grinning father.

“Easy-peasy. We can find mountaintops, so your house was simple,” Wilder teases.