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“You said he had cancer?”
I nod.
“He looks like he’s in great health. Is he in remission?”
“Yes. He’s lost a lot of weight though.”
“Hmm,” he responds. I glance up, wondering what’s on his mind. Does he not believe me? He rolls us both over, hovering over me with questions in his eyes. “Are you still going through a stage?”
I blow out a heavy breath, furious my dad threw that in my face. In front of Ryker. Pushing him over until he falls on his side, I sit up, clinging to the comforter.
“That stage is in my past. You don’t want the details.” I draw lines in the blanket with my finger, focusing on the indentions.
“Were you hurt?”
I jerk up to meet his concerned expression. “No. It’s not like that.” There are horror stories of women from the island getting raped by foreign men. It’s why my father taught me self-defense. I’ve made some stupid decisions, but I’ve been lucky. “When I first started working at the hotel…” I pause, hating how I’m about to sound.
“Whiskey, it’s okay. You don’t have to continue.”
But I do. I don’t want him to think he’s one of those men. “I wanted to leave the island so bad that I would have done almost anything. Men promised me things.” I drop my chin to my chest again, ashamed.
Ryker lifts my hand and kisses my palm. “I remember when I first entered the NFL. I thought I was the shit.” I lift a brow. Seems not much has changed. He chuckles. “Oh, it was way worse. I was living high on the hog.”
I roll my lips to not laugh but fail miserably. “What does that mean?”
“I was making lots of money. And I did some stupid shit. Things I’m ashamed to admit, too.”
I sigh, respecting that he’s trying to make my mistakes seem inconsequential. “My father was furious when he found out.” Because nothing on this island stays a secret.
“You don’t say? I’m slightly scared that I’ll wake tomorrow morning missing a couple fingers.”
I snort out a laugh and push him on the shoulder. “My dad is a big softy. He just takes it to heart when it comes to my well-being, but he wouldn’t hurt anyone.” Ryker rubs his chin and nods like he has doubts. “But you’re different. I’m here because I want to be with you, not what you can offer me. I know what this is.”
His grin turns down. “Can you tell me, ‘cause I’ve yet to understand.”
I swallow the emotional rock choking me. Saying goodbye will scar my heart, but I couldn’t walk away if I tried. “Two people enjoying each other’s company?” I didn’t mean for it to come out like a question.
He hums and pushes up to give me a quick kiss. “I’m definitely enjoying your company.” But then he leans back, resting his hands behind his head. Early dawn light filters in from the wall of windows, highlighting his perplexed expression.
“Ryker, what’s wro—”
My brain catches up to what’s happening outside. Daylight. I jump up out of bed, scrambling to find my panties. When I find them balled up under the dresser, I lift the soaked flimsy material and groan.
Ryker sits up. “What’s going on, Whiskey?”
“I have to go,” I panic, bunching them in my hand. I am not putting these on. I shimmy into my dress and glance in the mirror, throwing my hair in a bun. “Thank goodness I baked all my cookies yesterday. But I have to deliver them this morning.” I rush outside with Ryker on my heels and freeze on the platform. What? No, this can’t be happening. “Ryker, my canoe is missing!” My gaze jumps around the water and other huts, looking under their platforms.
“I’m sure I saw you tie it up.”
“I did!”
Pinching the bridge of my nose, replaying the events of last night and how this could have happened I come up empty. There’s only one thing I can do. Spinning on my toes, I shove my panties in Ryker’s hand. “You hold on to these.”
I laugh at his boyish grin. “I can’t very well be walking around with wet panties in my hand.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I’ll call Dante. He’ll be up already.”
