Page 16

Chapter 16

Onloading

Zane

“Holy shit.” I look up at the sleeping loft, and the window is filled with mosquito netting. “That’s fantastic.”

Easton pokes his head through the window. “No, what you’re holding looks fantastic.”

“It’s a great addition to the new yoga mats.” I’m holding the new extra-large cushion above my head.

“Hold on, let me help you,” Easton calls down.

“Can I come the rest of the way up?” Haley’s waiting on the living room platform with Pepper curled asleep on her lap. It’s still early, but it feels like it’s the middle of the night. And I’m ready to go to bed. But more importantly, I want to fix our connection with Haley. I know we all showed how we feel during the day. I tried to, at least. The captain’s eyes glared at every passing touch. But tonight is going to be different, and I sure as hell hope she’s willing to let us prove how much we need her. I need it. We all need it.

“Give us a minute.” I pass the cushion to Easton and kiss her temple. I charge up the ladder with two grocery bags over my arm. I found some of the solar charge twinkle lights that the interior uses for parties on the sun deck. They were brand new since we’d never had a party. They’re not super charged up right now, having spent their entire existence in a box, but they’ve got a little glow around the mosquito net. There’s also a few of the fake solar-battery-powered candles. I have them in the corner, on the three-legged stool that we found under the bed in the fishing boat. The best part is the new pillows and blankets on top of the new big cushion. It’s perfect. Like a tree house in the movies. “Ready,” I call out.

“Hold on a second. I need to add something.” Calvin’s hair is wet. When he pushes past me, he doesn’t smell like shit. Having soap is a freaking game-changer. He puts the picture of Haley and her mom on the little stool next to the solar-operated candle.

“Okay, now we’re ready.” Calvin crosses his arms over his chest. And I don’t even care. He’s not stealing my thunder; he’s being Calvin, a guy who was smart enough and brave enough to tell her he loves her. I fucking love her too. But I can’t tell her now. Not today. Maybe tomorrow. She’s freaking out about the captain. I mean, I understand why. He’s a good man, and they had a thing first. I don’t care about who was first. I just want to be part of the last. That’s the only thing that matters to me. I want to be part of her endgame―and I don’t mean the movie.

Haley comes up the ladder. “It’s amazing. This, this is...” Tears roll down her face. “Sorry, happy tears. OMG, is that my picture?” She storms to it. “It’s my mom. Thank you for getting it.”

“Zane grabbed it. The lights, the cushion. It’s all him.” Calvin throws his arm around me.

I glance at Calvin. He’s giving me all the credit, I guess because of our chat in the tender.

“Oh, he grabbed your wets, some shoes, and your robe too. They’re in the bag over there.”

“Really! Thank you for getting them, Zane.” She throws her arms around my neck, and this time she kisses me. Her soft lips take me in, and I get butterflies. I pull her closer, but then Dante jumps next to us, landing on the new bed.

“Can we go to bed now? Damn, that feels good.” Dante pulls back a blanket and lies on his back. He’s naked because that’s how Dante rolls most of the time now. Unless he’s cooking, he’s living his best nudist camp self. Him, Haley, the rest of us, and his massive dick. “Come here, Haley. This mattress is the same thickness as our two little cushions together. The idea of not rolling off it into a desert of sand is f’n fantastic.”

She unzips her new crew jacket. And I can die now. Underneath isn’t her old shirt. Haley has on a white lace bra. The rest of us freeze. No movement at all. Until Easton moves first, and then we’re all pulling clothes off, in a race. Until we’re all naked.

All but Haley, who has her hand over her mouth, laughing. “Really?”

“What else is in that suitcase of yours, Chiefie?” Calvin’s the first to grab her around her waist. He dips his head and kisses her.

She pulls back and looks up at him. “Toothpaste. Do we have toothpaste?” She smacks her lips.

Calvin laughs. “I think Zane got you some. It’s in the grocery bag with your shoes.”

Haley looks between him and me. She holds her hand out for me, and I take it. With my other hand, I trace down the white satin strap of her bra, letting my pinky slip under the edge. Goosebumps rise down the side of her breast. She places her hand on my cheek and stares into my eyes. “You’re a good man.”

My heart stutters. “As long as I’m your man, I don’t care what anyone else thinks.”

She gives me a little nod, and I take her lips in mine.

She tastes of home. This place is more home to me than any home I’ve had with four walls and running water. The captain’s arrival has done more than change the dynamic with Haley. It’s made me question what I want out of life. I’ve been saving for years to buy my own boat. I pictured myself running day charters. Somewhere in the Caribbean.

Now I’m thinking I want to go back to school and get an advanced degree. In architecture.

Or maybe I want to be a househusband. My hands settle round her waist. “How you feeling? Okay?”

“As good as... No, I’m not putting on my stew face and pretending everything is okay.”

“You’re the same person you were yesterday, Sassy. You haven’t changed. You were happy yesterday. Don’t let someone else’s expectations upset you. You’ve got a brilliant brain and a better understanding or moral compass than most people I’ve ever met. Definitely you’re more pulled together than most of the misfits in this industry. Present company not excluded.” Dante stands and puts his hand on her back. “If Sam can’t see that, he’s a fool. Screw him.” Dante clears his throat. “Actually, don’t screw him.”

She nods, and her chest heaves. There’s more she wants to say, but her head flicks to the picture on the stool. “Zane, there was another picture with this one. I’m standing with my college roommate at her wedding. Was it there?”

My lips thin, and I turn to Calvin lying behind her. He shakes his head no.

“Sorry, I didn’t see it.”

“You know, I really appreciate everything you’ve done. You’ve worked hard and made us a beautiful home. But just because Calvin tells a lie doesn’t mean you have to go along with it.”

I laugh. “Noted.”

“It wasn’t on the floor? I know you didn’t have long. I’m just wondering.”

Calvin breathes out. “I’m sorry, Chiefie. I didn’t see it.”

I turn my head away. I know if I was alone on a ship for months on end, I’d collect a picture of Haley. Penny’s a pretty dog, but Haley’s everything.