Page 20 of Wet and Welder
“Am I a bet?” I say, feeling numb as everything comes rushing back to me. Our sweet moments in secret. Here I was about to declare my love for him without a single care about the men on this boat. I thought it was bad enough that I had slept with him, but he love bombed me so hard, that I fell. As much as it seems impossible the moment, I realize I love him is the same moment I realize he doesn’t love me.
“No!” He says quickly, shooting a glance at the two men who at least have the sense to cower.
“Your boys here don’t know how to whisper,” I declare, crossing my arms but wishing I was anywhere else than toe to toe with Mic. Honestly, I want to run to my room and cry like the broken little girl I suddenly feel like.
“It’s not what you think, Mallory.”
“Mallory? You two are on a first name basis now?” The snotty voice of none other than Nelson makes my heart drop.
I’m losing whatever fight I had in me, and embarrassment creeps up my neck. I’m flushed and gritting my teeth, telling myself to stand my ground even as tears prick my eyes.
“Absolutely not. I was just dismissing Mr. Steel and his crew. Their services are no longer needed.”
With that, I turn and leave. A stunned Savannah stands in shock, still holding both coffees, her mouth wide open. As I pass, she mouths what looks like ‘I’m sorry’, but I keep moving. I don’t run to my room but head to the public restroom just inside the doors and quickly shut the lid to sit and cup my face. It still burns with embarrassment, but now anger mulls its way in, making me feel unhinged. Tears roll down my cheeks without restraint, and I find myself in a state of self-pity when I hear someone open the cabin door. Luckily, they walk past the bathroom, boots stomping by without a word. Then the door opens again, and I hear his voice.
“I have to find her. If I could just explain myself.”
I hear Mic’s voice on the other side of the door. He must have gone to my room, and I’m so thankful I chose this bathroom instead.
“How could you do this to her? She was about to declare her love for you in front of everyone, you fucking idiot,” Savannah’s voice follows.
“She what?” Mic asks.
“Yeah, dude. I saw the two of you making heart eyes and asked her about it. She didn’t want to admit it until she did, then she was all in. When she handed me her coffee, she marched over to you for everyone to see. Basically, giving zero fucks what everyone thought because she trusted you. Wanted to be with you, and your d-bag friends exchanged money. I saw it with my own eyes. Again, what the hell is the matter with you? Just leave her alone. Mallory’s not a woman you can just fuck around with, she might act all tough, but she’s never been vulnerable with anyone, and she was happy to do it for you.”
“Fuck.” I hear Mic whisper.
“All for you just to prove you didn’t deserve her. That she trusted the wrong person. Well played, I guess. Hope it was worth it. Now get off our ship,” she says with finality, and I hear the door open again.
“Wait. I have to make this right, Savannah. She didn’t trust the wrong person. I fucking love her. I’m not lying. I’m head over heels for her. If it would help, I’d jump off the ship, but I have to at least tell her the truth. The guys made the bet, not me. I mean, I didn’t exactly stop them, but I always wanted her, but she was acting like we had never met when I hadn’t stopped thinking about her.”
“What are you talking about?” Savannah asks. She didn’t know about our one-night stand before he came to work here. I didn’t tell anyone. To hear he was still thinking about me makes me grow warmer. It shouldn’t make a difference, but what if he’s telling the truth. What if I wasn’t a careless bet to him? He can get any woman he wants, but if he chooses me and no one else, how can I hold that against him? His men are idiots. I’ve heard them talking about strippers when they thought I couldn’t hear them. I wouldn’t put it past them to be this crude.
“We met before; she never told you?”
“No, but don’t let that surprise you. She’s an extremely private person. Hence it was such a big deal for her to want to claim your dumb ass.”
I can hear Mic’s heavy sigh from the other side of the door and almost laugh.
“Yes, I’m a dumb ass for letting Karl and Brian take bets on us, but don’t you think she at least deserves to know how sorry I am, and that I love her like crazy.”
A beat of silence passes. Do I believe him? Dare I trust the words of a desperate man? But he can easily just leave and move on to the next woman. Why bother to fight for me if he isn’t serious? Why would he bother to make sure I ate a real meal with him instead of cold sandwiches by myself? Why would he care if I got hurt on a dive or keep us a secret so the others wouldn’t lose respect for me?
All the memories rush back to me. His gentle touch. The way he got after me when I wanted to do anything he deemed too dangerous. A man who didn’t care for me wouldn’t have put in the effort or energy he did. It wasn’t just about sex to him. I know it in my bones.
“Even if I believed you, I don’t know where she is,” Savannah says, sounding softer. As if she too believes he has my best interest at heart.
“Then I’ll turn this place upside down looking for her,” he declares in a booming voice that’s filled with emotion.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
MIC
After searching the entire vessel, I put on my wet suit. Mallory must have gone for a dive, and my worry rises about the possibility that she’s upset down there. She’s strong and more than capable, but I can’t help the sinking feeling that something could go wrong with her being upset. I’m also not above taking accountability for myself in this screwed-up scenario. I hurt my girl, and my stomach is in knots over it. Somewhere in this thick skull are all the right words to tell her how I feel and somehow make her realize I’m not just saying it. Words are empty, especially after the stunt she saw between Karl and Brian, but how can I show her?
Without thinking twice, I jump into the cold Indian Ocean, my heart in my throat.
Right before my head goes under, I hear her voice yell my name and swing back to look at the boat.