Page 20 of Hunted (Desert Island Duet #2)

“It belonged to your dad, so you should have inherited it. It only went to my dad because you were presumed dead, and my dad was named next in his will. We need to wait at least a few days, though. Until you can move more easily.”

“The doctor said you should stay lying down for two weeks to make sure you don’t pull your stitches,” Kingsley adds, making my eyes bulge.

“Two weeks? In here?” I ask, looking around the cold sterile room. I’ll go insane in here. As much as the plants Bower brought in help a bit, it’s still a drastic change to my jungle.

“No,” Reece shakes his head. “Hopefully later today, if the doctor clears you, we’ll leave the hospital and go to a rental house until your stitches are healed. Then we head to Kenya.”

“Then home,” Bower adds with a tight smile.

I try to imagine what a rental house will look like, but I have no idea. More walls and more civilization, that was for sure.

I glance around at the guys as I consider the fact that we’ve all been rescued, we’re finally off the island, and yet… “You’re all still here,” I whisper with a bit of confusion and surprise in my voice.

“Where else would we be, Tink?” Bower asks, giving my hand a squeeze.

“I—” I swallow the lump in my throat, unsure of how to answer that without upsetting him.

“Did you think we’d leave you once we got off the island?” King asks in confusion.

Dropping my eyes, I give him a small shrug. “I mean, I hoped you wouldn’t.”

“Awe, Tink, you’re stuck with us now,” Bower says, leaning forward to hug me again.

I stick my nose in the crook of his neck and inhale deeply. “You smell good. ”

He pulls back with a laugh. “Yeah? A shower will do that to a guy.”

My eyes go wide for what feels like the hundredth time since I woke up as I turn to the bathroom. “A shower? A real one?”

“Uh-huh,” he says with a grin.

“When do I get one?”

Reece sighs before telling me, “Sorry, Darla. We have to keep your stitches completely dry for another day. When we get to the rental house you can shower. I made sure it has a nice one. Way better than the tiny one in there.”

“The water pressure was terrible anyway,” Bower adds, trying to make me feel better.

But I just narrow my eyes at him. “I’m so sorry your shower was inadequate, Bower.”

“Apology accepted, now why don’t you get some sleep. It’s late.” I roll my eyes at his dismissal of my sarcasm as he stands up.

He moves to the door and flicks off the light, leaving the room dimly lit by the lights on the machinery, then he and Kingsley move to the bench seat in front of the window to get comfy, as Weston and Reece lean back in the chairs, watching me with those intense gazes of theirs.

I am tired, but I also feel wired. There’s a lot of new information for me to process right now. I’m out. I’m never going to have to mark another notch on the hut wall before crying myself to sleep, alone and scared.

My mind races for what feels like hours, wondering about what life will look like now, if everything will look different in my hometown, if I’ll have a hard time eating rich food and cold drinks forever.

Gingerly, I roll onto my good side, facing Reece’s direction, as I try to get comfortable.

I dig my fingers into the firm mattress and realize I’m missing Steve.

Oh no! He got left back on the island. My hand trembles, realizing I’ll never see him again.

But I can’t be ungrateful that the guys got me here as fast as possible.

I’m sure their quick actions saved my life.

It doesn’t mean I don’t feel the loss, though. My mind wanders to everything else I won’t see again. Kevin, my least favorite palm tree, Bob the seagull, even if he was an ass. All the stuff I’d made over the years. McStabby and… I gasp, my hands flying up to cover my mouth, so I don’t wake anyone.

Mo-Mo.

Have could I have forgotten about Mo-Mo? I didn’t even get to say goodbye. He’ll be so worried. I’m unable to stop the tears this time, as a pained whimper leaves my lips. I bury my face in my pillow, trying to muffle my sounds as I think about my little buddy.

Something touches my head, and I flinch back, my eyes meeting Reece’s deep brown ones, filled with concern. He strokes my hair back from my face as he whispers, “What’s wrong, darling? Are you in pain?”

“Mo-Mo,” I whisper through my shuddering breath. His eyes turn understanding as he strokes his hand down the back of my head.

“I’m sorry you didn’t get to say goodbye.”

“H-he’s gonna be s-so worried,” I stutter out as I sniffle.

He manages to grab a tissue from somewhere and helps me blow my nose. “Can you move back a bit? I need to hold you right now.”

I don’t even question it as I slowly move backwards, making room for him.

When we were younger, he would always hold me when I was upset.

He quickly climbs in the bed in front of me and wraps his arms around me, careful to avoid my side.

One hand holds my head against his chest as I continue to sniffle, thoughts of Mo-Mo plaguing me.

“He’ll be okay, darling. He’s the smartest animal I’ve ever met. He was probably even watching the whole time and saw you leave. ”

Of course, there’s no way to know if that’s true, but I want to believe him. I need to believe him. I squeeze my eyes shut tight as I try to think about anything else, but it doesn’t work.

Soon I realize Reece is whispering something, so I tune into what he’s saying.

“...with french fries and ketchup. For breakfast there're pancakes. I know they were always your favorite. But you also have eggs, waffles, french toast, crepes… hmm what else? I know, the internet! I bet you’ve missed that. There will be a lot of viral videos you’ll want to catch up on.

I bet you’ll love all the lovey dovey shows on Netflix now, too.

You used to love stuff like that. We’ll have to get you a new onesie.

Your last one was a unicorn. Do you want the same one again, or something new this time? Hmm… that gives me an idea.”

He moves, and I hear him clicking away on his phone as he continues talking about random things I can do now I’m off the island. Eventually, the soft murmuring of his voice lulls me to sleep.