Page 43 of Hunted (Desert Island Duet #2)

Chapter twenty-eight

Darla

I stand in front of my mirror and stare at my costume.

I can’t believe today is Halloween. Not only have I not celebrated one in over fifteen years, but I also kinda forgot about it.

Even in my own head, that sounds stupid, but with survival constantly at the forefront of my mind, I seemed to have forgotten some things completely. That is until I’m reminded about them.

Take today, for example. It wasn’t until Bower presented me with two costume choices this morning and explained the reason, that I even remembered Halloween and that dressing up was a thing.

I’m just glad we’re having our own private party with just the five of us.

I’m sure someday I’ll feel brave enough to go out to a club, but today is not that day.

This whole week has been a little exhausting. I feel like ever since the guys found out about everything that happened on the island, they’ve been looking at me with worried glances, as if they think I’m going to suddenly break.

The strange part is, before I told them, that was exactly how I felt. Like one small crack of thunder might send me over the edge. But since I’ve told them, I feel… lighter. I’m sure it helps that I had my first two therapy sessions this week.

They took place online, and most of the time was spent with me talking about myself. But Dr. Larson was a great listener and gave me a few small pieces of advice that have helped.

The one I keep reminding myself of is that there is no right or wrong way for me to feel or act.

If I want to cry or scream, then I’m entitled to do that.

If I want to feel sad or angry, then I’m justified in doing so.

Somehow allowing myself to feel those emotions makes them pass quicker.

Knowing it’s okay to be sad makes me happier. It’s weird, but it’s working.

I pull my braid over my shoulder so I can see it in the mirror. It’s much shorter now, but I still look like Zee. I don’t feel like her all the time anymore, which I think is a good thing. I’m still trying to find the balance between Zee and Darla. Most days, one wins out over the other.

When Bower showed me this cavewoman costume, he said it was the closest thing to my jungle look. He thought I might like dressing up as the old me. The other option he gave me was a sexy bunny. I immediately took the cave woman outfit and decided to modify it.

I cut the dress in half so it was now a crop top and skirt, and I’ve attached my sheath to my waist so McStabby is hanging on my hip. It’s like a cleaner version of the old Zee.

I smile at myself in the mirror, then head downstairs. The best part about today is that I've finally finished my period. I forgot how annoying they were; it’d been so long since I had one.

Going to see Dr. Reynolds was slightly terrifying, but she had such a calm presence that she made the whole day we spent there slightly more bearable. It seems like she did every possible test on me and by the end of the day, I was completely exhausted.

The good news is, there’s nothing wrong with me.

Dr. Reynolds explained that when I was on the island, my body was reacting to the extreme trauma combined with the drastic food change, and that’s why I didn’t have my period for such a long time.

It wasn’t until I was in a safe environment for an extended length of time, and eating regular food again, that my body started to normalize and reset itself.

She did a very thorough check up and said the miscarriage didn’t damage anything inside of me.

If I ever wanted kids, it should be possible.

I asked for the birth control implant immediately.

I’m not sure if kids are in my future or not, but I need to get myself stable long before I can even think about children.

Besides, I have four boyfriends, how would that even work?

“Tink! You look hot!” I lift my head as I step into the living room and freeze in my steps, my eyes wide with amused surprise. Bower is dressed like the male version of me.

“Are you… Tarzan?” I ask, tilting my head as I get a good look at him. His hair is down for once, and it brushes the tops of his shoulders, and he’s styled it in a messy way, which adds to the wild look he’s got going on. On his body, he’s sporting a loincloth… and nothing else.

“You like it?”

He lifts his arms out to the side and spins. I choke on a laugh when I see the back part only covers half his ass, his butt cheeks clearly visible on either side.

“Where did you even get something like that?” I ask as I step closer to take a good look. He has a smattering of hair on his chest, and it just makes him look even more rugged and sexy .

Damn… this look is really doing it for me.

“I have my sources.”

“You look… good,” I say, my mind unable to come up with a better adjective.

“Just good?”

“Uhh… really good? Sexy as sin? Completely fuckable?” His eyes widen then he smiles down at me, pulling me against his chest in a hug.

“You know, this loincloth definitely has its advantages.”

“Oh? Like what?” I ask, pressing myself right up against him.

“Easy access.” He dips his head and kisses me. I reach one hand behind his neck and hold him to me as his mouth explores mine.

“You two starting the party without us?” Kingsley asks, making me reluctantly pull back from Bower, who gives me a wink.

I step back and turn towards Kingsley. “Of course n—” My words cut off when my eyes land on him, Weston, and Reece, all standing in a row, dressed in furry lemur onesies. “Ohmygod!” I squeal before laughter erupts out of me.

Reece crosses his arms, pretending he’s not amused, but I can tell his fake scowl from his real one now, and he’s enjoying my reaction to him. Kingsley smiles and spins around, clearly pleased with my laughter, as Weston just stands there with a sliver of amusement on his face as he watches me.

Seeing my big guy in a lemur onesie is just about the best thing I’ve ever seen, and I never want to get this image out of my head.

“Pictures!” I yell, running back upstairs to grab my phone. When I come back down, Kingsley takes my phone and sets up the self-timer then finds somewhere to place it that’s the right height .

“Come here, Tink,” Bower says, motioning me over to him and the others.

He kneels down and pats his knee. I sit on it and make sure my legs are covering his loincloth area, not wanting to get every part of him in the picture.

Weston stands directly behind him, and Reece stands to one side.

Kingsley presses the button on my phone, then jogs over to Weston’s other side.

“Everyone say Zee!” Bower says, and the five of us say it loudly as my phone flashes several times. Kingsley puts on some Halloween music, and we spend the next half hour taking photos. I get one of just the guys, then make sure to get multiple photos with each of them and me.

When I’m finally done with that, I climb into Weston’s lap and curl up against his furry chest. “Isn’t this hot?” I ask, running my hand over the soft costume.

“Very.”

“You could take it off.”

“No, it makes you happy.” I lift my head from his chest and look up at him.

“I love you, Weston.”

“I love you, too.” He gives me a quick kiss, making me blush for some reason.

“You don’t have to be uncomfortable for me, though. Besides, I already got lots of photos of you.”

“I don’t mind.”

I press my lips together, knowing he isn’t going to budge on this right now. I scan the room and see the other three chatting about something as the spooky sounds of Monster Mash play in the background.

“Is this what Halloween parties are normally like? ”

He takes a second to think before he answers. “No. Adult parties normally involve a lot more liquor.”

I gasp in excitement! “Yes! Can we do that?”

“Do what?” He frowns down at me.

“Drink liquor! It’s still on my bucket list! Plus, didn’t you guys promise to play drinking games with me?” I bite my lip as I look at him hopefully.

He doesn't say anything, and I smile. “You don’t have a reason to say no, do you?”

“Fine, but I’ll be monitoring how much you drink. If I tell you that you’ve had enough, you listen to me, okay? I don't want you getting sick.”

“I promise!” I say excitedly. I don’t want to get sick, either.

We stand up, and he heads to the kitchen as I run over to the others. Reece pulls me into his side as he asks, “What’s got you so excited, darling?”

“We’re going to play a drinking game!”

“Oh, we are, are we?” His eyebrow raises as he watches Weston pull out some bottles from the fridge.

“What’s that?” I ask, immediately going to see what he’s got. He places four beer bottles and one blue one on the counter. “Why haven’t I noticed those before?”

“Because we feed you. Have you even opened this fridge before?” Weston says with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes! Maybe?” I reply, my answer getting less sure as I try to recall ever actually doing that. It’s not my fault they’re always bringing me food and drinks. “What is that?” I ask, pointing to the blue bottle and changing the subject .

“It’s a cooler. We’ve had it here for when you were ready to try drinking. It’s got a lower alcohol content than hard liquor like whiskey. I don’t think you’ll like beer; the cooler is sweeter.” He uses a bottle opener to open the cooler and pushes it across the counter to me. “Try a sip.”

I take a small sip, and my eyebrows raise in surprise. “That’s really good!” I lift it back up to my lips and take a few gulps, but Weston pulls it back and puts it down on the counter.

“You can’t drink it like juice, Darla. You have to take small sips. You could get sick if you chug it.”

I nod my head. Even though I want to drink the whole thing right now, I’m learning to trust his judgement, especially on things like this that I have no first-hand knowledge about. “Okay.”