Page 33 of Surviving Love

Jack narrowed his eyes. “Why do you say that?”

“I don’t know.”

He chewed the inside of his cheek, watching me. “You have to do what you think is best.”

“Is that what you’re doing tonight?”

He nodded. “Absolutely. I’m also sending the tribe a message.”

“What message?”

He leaned in and whispered, “Don’tfuckwith Jack.”

I shivered as his warm breath wafted against my ear, but I kept my eyes pinned on the fire pit. “You sound like a mafia boss.”

“Works for me. So long as I’m still here tomorrow, I don’t care what people call me.”

Twist the knife, why don’t you, Jack?

“All right, guys, thank you for your patience,” Shep interrupted. He stood at the altar, wearing a safari hat. “Let’s get started, shall we?”

Our tribe nodded agreeably.

“Harold, how has it been for you so far?” Shep asked. “You’re the oldest of the bunch. Has that been an issue?”

Harold shook his head. “Not yet.”

“Do you think as you get further in the game, your age might come into play?”

Harold laughed. “You mean when I start sucking at the challenges?”

Shep grinned. “Bingo.”

“I hope not.”

Rob cleared his throat. “He needs to do better.”

Shep brightened and leaned forward. “Is that right, Rob?”

“I think so.” Rob glanced up at Harold. “Once we merge, it’ll be about the individual game. There won’t be any hiding behind the stronger players in the tribe.”

Scowling, Harold said, “I’m not hiding.”

“Well, you’re not performing well at the challenges. If it was just up to your performance in the challenges, you’d be gone tonight.” Rob laughed.

“You’re not pulling any punches, are you, Rob?” Shep seemed to buzz with excitement. “How are the other people on your tribe getting along?” Shep turned to me. “Mason, how has it been for you? I know you and Jack don’t jibe, right?”

I winced. “I think we’re better now.”

“Really?” Shep raised his brows. “You’re buddies now?”

“Well, no.” My face warmed. “But we’ve learned to tolerate each other.”

Jack chuffed. “He’s just pretending he doesn’t love me. How could he not?”

The tribe laughed.

“I love you, Jack,” Sherry called out cheerfully.