by Olivia Evans
Wary of Walker’s driving, Anders eased toward the path’s edge. He looked in Walker’s direction to gauge their distance, his eyes widening at what he saw. “Look out!”
Anders’s warning came at the same moment the front of Walker’s four-wheeler dropped, sending him flying over the handlebars. Walker sailed through the air before landing flat on his back in the middle of the trail. The group slammed on their brakes and jumped down, rushing to where he lay motionless.
“Walker.” Nathan hovered above him, quickly followed by Anders, Reid, and the rest of the group. Walker sucked in a few short breaths before his chest finally expanded with a lungful of air. Anders shook his head as he reached down and helped Walker to his feet. As funny as it was seeing Walker fly through the air ass over feet, he couldn’t help but think how easily that could have been him had Reid not taken him for lessons.
“Are you okay?” Nathan asked, his expression full of concern.
Walker shook his head and waved for everyone to get back. “Jesus,” he gasped, pulling in another gulp of air. After several deep breaths, he looked at Anders, his eyes narrowed. “Tell me again why we couldn’t do normal shit like strippers and drugs for your bachelor party?”
Anders chuckled and pulled Walker to his feet. “Because Josie would have my balls in a vise.”
Walker grumbled and wiped the back of his shorts clean before walking back to the four-wheeler. Anders looked away, trying to hide his laugh when his eyes landed on Nathan, whose face was bright with amusement.
“Remember that one time you said you wanted to do your own stunts?” Nathan asked. “Think about this the next time you have another idea like that.”
The memory made Anders grimace. “I damn sure dodged a bullet there. I can’t believe people do shit like this voluntarily. What kind of maniacs do we work with?”
Nathan chuckled and adjusted his helmet. “The kind that actually goes to their training sessions.”
Not wanting to argue with Nathan for the hundredth time about his less-than-perfect attendance to his sessions, Anders adjusted his helmet and started up his four-wheeler. The smell of dust and gas burned his nose as the group continued toward the village closest to the cave’s entrance, this time at a much slower pace.
Thick vegetation surrounded them, bright green moss-covered rocks, tree trunks, and everything in between. Small animals scurried to safety as the line of four-wheelers made their way to a small village hidden in the middle of the island. As they’d been instructed when leaving the resort, they drove to the house at the end of the street surrounded by a wire fence, a large wooden arbor-like structure in the front.
“Where the hell are we?” Owen whispered, his eyes moving over the people in front of the house, who stared at the group with mild curiosity.
Anders shook his head, his brows pulled low as the group climbed off their ATVs and removed their helmets. “How the fuck should I know? I didn’t plan this train wreck.”
“I swear to God, Anders, if they want a sacrifice or some shit, I nominate your brother-in-law,” Walker whispered, moving to Anders’s other side.
Anders looked from Owen to Walker, his expression incredulous. “Are you both high?”
Owen laughed. “I can’t speak for Mr. Rehab over there, but I’m straight as an arrow.”
“Seriously, though,” Reid said, joining the others. “What are we doing here?”
“It’s some sort of ritual we have to do before we’re allowed to enter the cave. This is where the priest lives. We’ll eat, he’ll bless us, then we can swim.” Everyone looked at Nathan like he had two heads. He shrugged. “I took the time to look this stuff up before we left.”
“Look it up? How did you know what they had planned?”
Nathan laughed and clapped Anders on the back. “I helped plan everything.”
“Traitor,” Anders muttered as everyone followed Nathan to where Holden and Keith stood with a group of locals. After everyone shook hands and sized each other up, they made their way inside the house.
Wood carvings and paintings covered the walls of the small house. Knickknacks littered the tops of every surface, most appearing to be handmade. Anders dropped his eyes to the scuffed wooden floor, watching as their steps caused the layer of dirt to swirl into the air. Filing in the dining room, the group took their places around a large table. Reid moved next to Anders and bumped his shoulder. “This should be interesting.”
Anders’s brows furrowed then relaxed as he followed Reid’s line of sight. Walker, Owen, and Greer were on the other side of the room, chatting with a couple of girls who couldn’t have seemed more disinterested. Behind them were two guys who were obviously the girls’ boyfriends.
Anders smirked. “Twenty bucks they get their asses kicked before we sit down to eat.”
Reid laughed. “I’m not taking that bet. They’re totally going to get their asses kicked.”
Anders nodded. “Can’t blame a guy for trying to make a quick buck. Let’s move closer so we can actually hear them crash and burn.”
With their hands shoved into the pockets of their shorts, the pair moved closer to where Owen, Walker, and Greer were obviously making fools of themselves.
“You can’t be serious,” Owen said. The look of disbelief on his face was comical.
The girl in front of him shrugged. “Are we supposed to know who you guys are?”
“Well, yeah,” Walker said like it was the most obvious thing.
“Should we apologize?” the other girl asked, her words weighted with restrained laughter. Anders had a feeling those girls knew exactly who Walker and Owen were but had no intention of letting them know.
“We know who you are,” Girl Number One said with a smile as she looked at Anders. He couldn’t have stopped the smirk that stretched across his face if he’d wanted to, not that he’d ever want to in the first place.
“Sorry, guys,” Anders chuckled, but before he could gloat further, the girl spoke again.
“You’re the groom. Congratulations, by the way!”
Next to him, Reid coughed into his hand in a pathetic attempt to hide his laughter. Anders pursed his lips and cut his eyes to Reid. “I don’t see them throwing their panties at you either, Mr. Rock Star. Looks like you’re as unknown as the rest of us.”
“Not true,” Girl Number One sang, her fingers laced in front of her, a shy smile on her lips. “You’re Reid Ryder.” Tipping her chin to the other side of Reid, she continued. “And you’re Greer Lawson. We’re big fans.” Greer winked at the girls, eliciting a giggle from them, while Anders, Owen, and Walker rolled their eyes.
“Now I know they’re fucking with us,” Owen grumbled.
Anders chuckled. “Probably, but you two are the only ones who care.”
“Do you guys want a drink?”
Anders jumped at the sound of the unfamiliar voice, his eyes landing on one of the two guys standing behind the girls. He’d forgotten they were there, and from the looks on their faces, they weren’t very pleased about that oversight.
“A drink sounds like a great idea,” Reid said, clapping Anders on the shoulder. “We’re here to celebrate this guy getting married, after all.”
Reid’s wide smile and friendly voice made it clear to Anders that Reid was trying to calm what any idiot could see was the beginning of a very strained situation. Well, any idiot who wasn’t named Walker Hayes; he was completely fucking oblivious.
The guy smiled, seemingly appeased by Reid’s friendly disposition. “You guys have a seat. We’ll grab some punch.”
“So what tortures do you guys have planned after this?” Anders asked as everyone found a seat at the table.
Keith, Holden, and Nathan laughed. “I promise the rest should be fairly tame. Once we eat and have the priest's blessing, we’ll go down to the cave. We can swim or do a little exploring, whatever you’re up for. After that, we’ll pack everything up and head back to the resort,” Keith said, nodding in thanks as a drink and a small pl
ate of food were placed in front of him.
“Then the real party can start,” Owen said, raising his glass in cheers. Anders couldn’t help but agree as he raised his own glass.
For the next half hour, they ate lunch while chatting with their hosts. Once the table had been cleared, the priest, along with a few of his family members, accompanied the group to the mouth of the cave where the blessing ceremony was performed. It took less than five minutes, and while Anders didn’t understand half of what was said, he couldn’t help but have respect for their culture.
“What is that?” Walker asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Anders blinked and looked from Walker to where he pointed by the cave. The heat from the sun made the air shimmer, and the rocks almost appeared to be dancing. Anders shook his head, certain his eyes were playing tricks on him.
“It’s nothing. Come on, let’s move inside. It’s hot as fuck out here. I want to swim.” He took a step forward and stumbled. “The fuck?”
“Dude, is it just me, or is the water singing?”
Anders looked at Greer like he’d grown a second head. “Are you high?”
Greer shook his head and swallowed. “Nah, man. I’m just hot. I think you’re right. We should go swim.”
“What’s wrong with you?” Nathan asked, moving next to Anders.
“I’m fine. Let’s go.”
One by one, the guys filed into the cave, some steadier than others. Once they’d shed their shirts and shoes, Reid, Anders, and Greer dove into the cool water.
“I think they spiked our drinks,” Reid said, his eyes darting around the cave. “It’s either that or I have a brain tumor.”
Anders laughed, a wave of euphoria washing over him. He lifted his hand out of the water and turned it from side to side. “The water’s thick.”
Greer gasped and lifted his hand out of the water just as Anders had done. “It is,” he whispered, his voice filled with awe.
For a brief moment, the trio was silent, hypnotized by the water around them. Then the screaming started. It was high-pitched, ear-shattering, and terror-inducing.
“Bat! Bat! We’re all going to die!” Walker screamed, his eyes wide as he flailed his arms in the air, fighting off an attacker only he could see.
“Get out of the water!” Nathan yelled. “Anders, do you hear me? Get out of the water!”
“What’s in the water?” Reid choked, splashing around. “Is it a snake? A crocodile? Is something going to eat us?”
Panic began to work its way through Anders as shadows took shape and moved closer. “What the fuck is happening?”
A loud splash by the rocks caused the three guys to jump and kick away from whatever was moving toward them. “I can’t die. Josie will be so pissed.”
“Then I suppose you’d better get out of the water before you drown,” Holden said, tugging on Anders’s arm. “Come on, all of you.”
Walker continued to scream and fight off the bats as Holden and Keith helped Anders, Reid, and Greer out of the water. Huddled together, they sat with their arms wrapped around their legs and rocked back and forth.
“What did you find out?” Keith asked, his eyes focused on Nathan.
“They’ll be fine,” Nathan sighed, taking a look at his watch. “In about three more hours.”
“What happens in three hours?” Greer whispered. “They’re going to sacrifice us to the cave gods, aren’t they? I’d be a terrible sacrifice! Tell them! Do you have any idea how many bad things I’ve done? They’ll be cursed forever.”
Nathan groaned. “There are no cave gods, and no one is sacrificing anyone. In three hours, you’ll be good as new.”
“How do you know?” Anders asked, his eyes fixed on Walker as Holden struggled to keep him from punching a rock he swore was a large killer bat.
“Because that’s when the shrooms will wear off.”
“Shrooms,” Keith muttered, nodding. “Of course. Any idea why?”
“The guys back at the house thought it would be funny. They knew who we were. I’m sure the fact that Owen, Walker, and Greer were flirting with their girlfriends didn’t help either.”
“Jesus.”
Greer looked from side to side. “Where is Owen? Has anybody seen Owen? They sure as hell don’t want to use him for a sacrifice. He’s worse than all of us!”
Nathan sighed. “I told you no one is being sacrificed, Greer. And Owen is fine.”
“Where is he?” Keith whispered to Nathan.
“He’s tucked away in a little hole by the entrance with what I’m praying is mud smeared all over him,” Nathan answered, trying to keep a straight face. “He’s also naked, which is why I thought it would be best to leave him where he is.”
Anders scrubbed his hands over his face. “This is so fucked up,” he muttered before closing his eyes and willing the flying snakes to disappear.
As Nathan promised, three hours later, the world began to return to normal. What transpired during that time was something none of them wanted to talk about ever again, but no one less than Owen.
Once everyone was dressed and seated on their four-wheelers, Owen looked around the group, traces of mud still smeared on his face and neck. “Not a word about this. Ever. Let’s get the hell back to civilization.” Without a single objection or comment from anyone in the group, the guys headed back to the resort, ready to put the whole ordeal behind them.
Chapter Three
Josie stretched out in her chair and flexed her feet. Her eyes were closed, and her lips were upturned in a satisfied smile. Soft music filtered through the speakers of the spa, and the fluffy robe wrapped around her body felt as though it was made from clouds.
“Where are our moms?” Chloe asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Josie shrugged. “If we’re lucky, my mom is removing that stick your mom has lodged up her ass.”
Madison scrunched up her face. “And setting fire to that outfit she showed up in.” The girls all laughed in agreement.
“So, what do you think the guys are up to?” Lori asked.
Josie tried not to shudder as she thought about the possible hell her father and brother were subjecting Anders to. “I’d rather not think about that. Right now, I want to relax and enjoy some serious-business pampering.”
“Thank you for inviting me,” Lori said, the sincerity in her voice causing Josie to lift her head and face Lori.
“I couldn’t imagine not having you here.” Lori had interned for Josie during the beginning of her relationship with Anders and the aftermath that followed. Through it all, Lori had stayed by Josie’s side, even when Josie had been turned into a villain by the media. When the opportunity presented itself for Lori to become more of a permanent fixture on Josie’s team, Josie didn’t hesitate to bring her on board.
“It’s an added bonus that you don’t take shit from Anders,” Madison piped in with a chuckle.
“I wish we could say the same thing for Owen,” Josie mumbled. Lori groaned when everyone turned their full attention to her.
“Please tell me she doesn’t have a thing for Owen,” Chloe said, shaking her head.
Josie widened her eyes and pointed at Chloe. “See? Even Chloe’s got his number, and she hasn’t known him nearly as long as you have.”
“I’ve only met him like five times, and I wouldn’t go there. And my standards are pretty low these days,” Inky added, her expression colored in shame.
Josie’s curiosity perked up at Inky’s comment, as did everyone else's. “Care to explain?”
Inky fell back into her chair and closed her eyes. “I do not.”
The other girls exchanged glances but decided to let things go for now. There would be copious amounts of alcohol over the course of the next few days that would surely loosen Inky’s lips. For the next couple of hours, the girls sipped champagne while they had manicures, pedicures, and massages. It was the perfect way to start what would eventually become a very hectic but amazing weekend.
Once they
arrived back at the resort, Josie, Chloe, Madison, Inky, and Lori decided to move on from champagne to rum punch, or just rum, from the taste of it, while Elizabeth went to her room to rest. Josie’s and Chloe’s moms had yet to return, although Josie’s mom did send a picture of a rum bottle with a winky face emoji, so she assumed they were fine.
After their third round, Josie looked at her watch and blinked in confusion. “Shouldn’t the guys be back by now? Has anyone heard from them?” Chloe and Madison pulled out their phones before shaking their heads.
Just as Josie started to call Anders, Inky gasped. Everyone looked in her direction, but she wasn’t looking at them. Her eyes were solely focused on her phone.
“Holy shit!” She giggled, turning her phone around. There was a collective gasp from the girls, their expressions ranging from shock to amusement to concern.
“Is that Owen?” Lori whispered.
“Yeah,” Josie answered.
“He’s naked, right? I’m not seeing things?” Madison asked, her hand cupped over her mouth.
“Nope,” Inky choked. “He’s naked as a jaybird.”
Chloe opened and closed her mouth. “But why?”
Inky turned the phone back around and shrugged. “I haven’t the slightest idea, but I’ll be damned if I’m not going to find out.” A moment later, her phone dinged with another alert. When she saw the picture, she doubled over in laughter as Chloe pulled the phone from her hand.
Chloe narrowed her eyes and leaned closer. “What the hell is Walker doing?”
Josie mimicked Chloe’s posture and shook her head. “Is he choking the…air?”
“What the hell happened out there today?” Madison whispered as Josie’s phone vibrated beside her. Looking at the screen, Josie’s confusion increased.
“It’s from Anders. He and the guys just got back. He’s going to shower and lie down.”
“That’s weird. What’s the time stamp on those pictures?” Madison asked.
Chloe fumbled with the phone. “These are from, like, three hours ago. I guess they didn’t have service until they got back to the resort.”