chapterseventeen
Nick
After ripping me a new one, Jonah disappears for nearly two hours. I don’t know where the hell he goes, because the island is not that big and he’s the size of a linebacker, but somehow he manages it.
The turtle rescue sanctuary consists of only a few building nestled up against the jungle, along with the boathouse. Once I search all the buildings and don’t find him, I take the hint.
Sure, I could try to hunt him down in the jungle, but what would be the point? I might find him, but I might not. And if I do find him, it’ll probably only piss him off. Clearly, he’s as annoyed with me as I am with myself. And with everything else in this situation.
Here’s the thing about being a SEAL. You learn to trust your instincts. Your life depends on them.
Okay, it’s not just your instincts. It’s that, plus your teammates, your plan, and your training. If you come up against a problem that can’t be fixed with one of those three things, you’re fucked.
Trusting those things has gotten me this far. But none of that works when it comes to Cassie.
My plan was to take it slow. To play the long game. My instincts fuck that right the hell up. And I have zero training when it comes to romance.
Women? Sure. But actual love? Romance? Happily ever afters? I don’t have shit there.
But, despite Jonah’s assessment of the situation, I am not a pussy. Therefore, I have no intention of cutting and running. Which means I need to figure out how to win her heart in the next couple of hours.
So yeah, the first thing I do is call Remy.
The cell service on the island is shit, but there’s a Wi-Fi signal in the little bungalow where Jonah lives, so I from there I log on with my phone and pull up the video chat app I use when I’m traveling. I want to do this right.
Unfortunately, Remy doesn’t answer.
But ten minutes later, I get a message from him in the messaging app we both use.
Remy: I’m busy. This better be good.
Me: I need to talk with you.
Remy: Okay, talk.
Me: On the phone. Video chat would be better.
Remy: Like I said. I’m busy. I literally have my hands full.
Remy: Just say whatever you have to say.
Me: Okay. I’m in love with Cassie.
Remy: Jesus. Is that all?
Me: WTH? You’re my best friend. I’m not going to propose to your sister without getting your permission first.
Remy: You are such a fucking moron sometimes
Me: ???
Remy: you honestly think I didn’t know you were in love with her?
I don’t respond right away. Because, yeah, maybe I was being a dumbass, but it never actually occurred to me that he was paying any attention to my growing friendship with Cassie.
When I don’t answer, Remy sends me another message.
Remy: I’m not a moron. And I have eyes in my head. Every time you got a package or an email from her, you lit up like a damn Christmas tree. Or a kid on Christmas morning. Or whatever.
