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Distracted? Distracted how?

Naomi gives out an evil little laugh. “Don’t worry, we’re trying. I have Serena working on it. By the time she’s done, he won’t even think about the little slut, but she feels bad, like she’s betraying James. We have to watch out for James. I don’t trust him.”

I grip my spear so hard, my knuckles turn white. I’m so close to her, I could easily turn and gut her. Instead, I stand ghostly still and try to ignore the intense jealousy I feel at the thought of Serena touching Maison. I’ll get caught, and Thomas will die. Naomi will have her moment of reckoning, but this isn’t that moment.

They finally move on, and I let out a deep sigh. To my relief, she and Ezra head back toward the fire, giving me perfect access to root through her shelter quickly. It sounds like James might be someone we need to talk to. I still have hope for Maison. He knows where our camp is and hasn’t said anything.

I creep back to my original spot and lie on my stomach.

I listen and watch.

The first voice is Maison’s, and my stomach wrenches when I see him. He looks relaxed but sad, sitting in our regular spot. And he’s sexy as ever, wearing his tight-fitting sweats with one knee up. He looks cuddly, like I could just walk up to him and sink my hips into his and everything will be okay. If only I can get him alone. I know I can try to talk some sense into him. Ezra and Naomi are across from them, their faces tight and grim from the fight I just heard them having. Now that I have a better look at them, they both look like utter shit. Naomi’s once plump face is skinny, void of any color, and they are all oblivious to the fact Micah and I are buzzing around them like hornets, while one of our classmates may lose his life. After a minute, like some holy miracle, Ezra and Naomi wave Nigel over, and the three of them walk toward the creek.

Plotting, no doubt.

But they left Maison alone, and his adorable face is so sad, it breaks my heart. I want to reassure him about Olivia and bring a smile to his face. I want to tell him I forgive him, even if I don’t truly understand it.

Fuck it. I’m going to see him. He and Micah will have to figure their shit out. I’m not giving up this opportunity to get to him.

I don’t think; I react, hopping to my feet like a gazelle. I leap toward him and am basically mid-air when strong arms wrap around my waist and a hand goes right over my mouth.

I didn’t even hear Micah coming.

“Let’s go, London,” Micah whispers in my ear and plucks me away, keeping his hand firmly planted to the point I can barely breathe.

I wince when he picks me up and carries me into the cover of the forest, ready for the shit I know he’s about to give me. He doesn’t put me down, he doesn’t let me speak; he carries me all the way to the cove, all while I grip my spear, imagining myself poking him with it.

When he finally puts me down, I whip my head at him and my nostrils flare. “Why did you stop me?”

Micah’s eyes are dark, and I hitch a breath at the intensity of them. “Are you regretting your decision already?”

He seems to have this weird ability to know exactly what I’m thinking, especially with Maison. I blink a few times before narrowing my eyes. “He was alone. He could have helped us get the first aid kit.”

“Liar. I told you this wasn’t about Maison. You could have fucked this all up, London. I saw Serena. She was ten steps away from him, not to mention Nathan and Ollie, who were literally watching.”

“If I had been quiet, I could have forced him to come with me.”

Micah shakes his head. “We can’t trust him right now, not when he’s like this. You have to do better tonight. We’re not here for Maison, we’re here for Thomas. You can’t get distracted like that again. Keep your fucking wits about you.”

“I know, Micah,” I snip. “It’s just…” The tears flow out of me now, the pressure of the past two days hitting me so hard with the realization I lost Maison. I realize the impact of that decision now. Clearly, I still love him.

He softens his intense, angry glare, and I can barely look at him as he stands behind me and wraps his hands around my waist. I know this type of affection isn’t natural for him, so I appreciate the gesture.

My breath hitches, and I lean my head back into his chest. “I want to get him back,” I breathe.

He flinches at my inner turmoil, and I know it hurts him, even though he’s utterly wrong to think that my loving Maison means I don’t love him, too.

More even.

His hand squeezes mine. “We will, but not today. Thomas needs the medical kit. Right now, nothing is more important than that.”

I nod. He’s absolutely right. Now isn’t the time, and I’ve been selfish enough on this island. “It’s just Ollie and Nathan watching over the supplies.”

He keeps his arm around me, but his face is distant. The awkwardness of this situation must be weighing on him, too. “Yeah, I saw that, too.”

“So, what’s the plan?” I ask.

“We’ll hang here for a few hours till they eat, and their guard will be down.”