Jessica didn’t follow. She must’ve known I needed the space.
At least both guys were alive. Two less people I had to consider casualties of Autumn.
But would Marcus be paralyzed forever? And how much blood had Joey really lost? It looked like a lot to me. Plus, besides what we did know, we had no idea what else they had hurt during their fight and fall.
And they were fighting about me. Again.
This was why I didn’t want a boyfriend. It hurt too much to let anyone get close to me, only to see things end like this. Everyone I loved seemed doomed because of the poison that flowed through my veins. Dad was dead because of me. Mom was in a coma because of me. Joey’s heart was broken because of me. And Jessica was stuck dealing with a selfish, bitchy teenager.
Me.
All I wanted was to fix things. I really did. I just didn’t know how. The only thing I could think of that would make everything better for everyone else would be taking myself out of their lives.
I climbed onto the ledge and steadied myself. I peered down at the vast ocean. It beckoned me to join it.
What could it hurt to jump? Maybe it would be like bungee jumping or jumping out of an airplane. Maybe it would feel like riding a roller coaster. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt as much as my life did. And since none of this trip was real, maybe it would just knock some sense into me and I could wake up to what I knew—my life.
A thought occurred to me. As I suffered through each day and had no control over what was happening, nothing I’d done or said changed things. What if jumping was the answer to resetting my life?
To make everything right again?
“Autumn, don’t!” I thought I heard Joey scream as I took a deep breath, spread my arms wide, and leaned into the darkness.
The wind bit my face. I kept hearing Joey’s voice call my name over and over, his voice losing volume as the distance between us increased. The weightless feeling as I floated through the air, the desire of gravity to take me, and the feeling of freedom from my life settled a calmness over me I hadn’t felt in years.
My final thought was to wonder how Joey was calling for me when he was in the hospital. Maybe it was a hallucination, and I just wanted him to want me.
To need me.
To love me.
Finally, icy pain and darkness ended everything that was Autumn Rayne Taylor.
Seventeen
“Get up, you bum.” Jessica’s voice, muffled as if it were spoken through cotton, sounded irritated.
I slowly opened my eyes and blinked a few times. Sunlight streamed in through the cruise ship window, showering my face with heat. I glanced over at Jessica. She was brushing her hair into a sassy ponytail. The pink sundress she wore added to the innocent little girl picture she was painting.
I coughed, and the taste of salt water stung my tongue. The events of the night before hit my brain like a deadly virus. I shot up in bed and gasped.
Jessica dropped the brush and looked at me. “What’s wrong?”
“What day is it?” I asked.
“Thursday. It’s the last day of the cruise. We left Bermuda last night and will spend today at sea.” She picked up the brush and fluffed her ponytail. “Why?”
I shook my head, attempting to clear out the memory of my leap over the edge of the ship. I could feel and remember every detail of it, though it clearly hadn’t happened since I was still alive, still here. Was it just a terrible nightmare, like the rest of the trip?
I wrapped my arms around my chest and shivered. Falling like that was something I never wanted to experience again. I pulled the blankets up around my face and suppressed the urge to scream. “Jessica, don’t ever let me go skydiving, okay?” I slid back into bed and closed my eyes.
Jessica rested her brush down on the counter. “Are you just going to sit in that bed all day again? God, Autumn, just take that medicine for seasickness. Can’t you try to enjoy this vacation just a little? I want you to have some good memories, because God knows when we’ll ever get away together again.”
My eyes shot open. Was she serious? I wished I’d spent the cruise in bed. I’d be a lot better off. More normal. Less psychotic. Hopefully healthy.
I snuck a peek at my body. No bruises. I glanced at my pillow. No hair.
Thank God.
“Um, sorry Jessica. I’m just…I’m fine. I’ll get out today. Promise. I feel much better.”
She smiled. “Good. Glad to hear. You’ve missed so much the past few days.”
Ha. I wish. “What about Joey and Marcus?” I asked.
“What about them?”
I didn’t know what to ask. Was I carrying one of their babies? Engaged or married to one of them? “Have you seen them much this trip?”
She shook her head. “Marcus spends all his time with his family reunion people. Joey and I hung out a few times and went to the comedy show last night together. He’s been asking about you a lot, but that’s no surprise. Why?”
I shrugged. “Just wondered.”
She picked up her lip gloss and tossed it in her beach bag. “Well, I’m going to enjoy this weather and our last day. Come on out when you’re ready.”
I started climbing out of bed. “Hold up, Jessica. I’ll come with you if you wait for me.”
She stopped and smiled. “Cool. You got it.”
“Give me twenty minutes.” I rummaged through my clothes and picked out a hot-pink tankini and white terrycloth cover-up. I stopped right before I went into the bathroom. “Jessica?”
“Hmm?”
“I’m sorry.”
She stared at me with confusion splashed on her face. “For what?”
I looked at the floor. “For everything.” For an awkward moment, we stood there like strangers unsure of each other.
“Were you drinking last night?” she asked. But when I glanced at her, a smile spread across her face even as she tried to look mad.
I chuckled. “No, but maybe you can slip me one of your drinks to loosen me up, huh?”
I hopped in the shower while Jessica read the latest issue of People magazine. The warm water pulsating on my face felt like fingers beating some sense into me. I knew I needed it.
I got ready in fifteen minutes and followed Jessica to the pool deck, wondering what horrible reality awaited me. Had I escaped them, or had one of them followed me out of the Triangle?
We chose chairs that were out of the way of the crowds but still in the sun. I broke out the book of conspiracy theories about the Bermuda Triangle and kept reading, looking for any clues about what might happen next. The giant gas bubble theory made me laugh and reminded me of Nisha. Large amounts of methane gas released from the ocean floor supposedly made the water unable to hold up boats? Really? The ocean floor was farting people to death? Give me a break.
Jessica worked on a crossword puzzle next to me. The calm turquoise ocean rocked tiny waves all around us. The clear sky held the sun in the perfect position to warm me.
I finally felt some sense of relief from the past few days. I put the book down and tapped Jessica on the shoulder. “Remember when you used to do my hair?”
She stuffed the pencil behind her ear and smiled. “Sure. Why?”
I shrugged. “I just wanted to say thanks for all that time you spent helping me. You were a good sister, Jess. Are a good sister, I mean.”
Her smiled widened. “I knew that. It’s about damn time you figured it out!”
First step is always admitting there’s a problem, right? Or was it admitting that I was the problem…
I stuck my tongue out at her and leaned back into my chair. She put her puzzle down and closed her eyes.
A tear slid down my cheek. Strength began building up inside me. Dad had told me nothing was my fault. I needed to confirm that when I got home before I could believe it. What if the Triangle was just messing with me? I considered ‘fessing up to Jessica. I peeked at her in the chair next to me. Her sunglasses sat on her nose, sliding down the sweaty slope.
Her mouth hung open. Drool slid down her chin.
I wiped the tear with the back of my hand and stared out over the ocean.
“Hi, Autumn. Mind if I sit?”
I turned to see Joey pointing to an empty chair next to me. I nodded and motioned toward the seat.
His eyes widened as he sat. A grin settled over his tanned face. “Thanks. How’s your trip going?”
I shook my head. Were things normal now? How would I even know? Jessica seemed more like herself today. No one tried to claim I was their girlfriend. Yet. But Jessica said we’d left Bermuda behind last night, so maybe, just maybe, the craziness was over.
“Words cannot describe what I’ve been through over the past few days. You?”
He chuckled. “All right, I guess. My grandparents are nice, but they’re old and not interested in anything I want to do. I hung out with Jessica a bit, but mostly I’ve been at the pool.” He glanced at the ground. “I was hoping to spend a little time with you, too.”
Yeah, I figured. Obviously, he wasn’t aware of my Twilight Zone experience, because I’d spent plenty of time with him. My thoughts shuffled back to yesterday when I’d realized I had feelings for Joey. Looking at him now, bare-chested and tan, with a pair of cut-off jeans shorts and flip-flops, I felt them again. I wasn’t ready to admit it to him, but I couldn’t deny it to myself any longer.
I sighed, warring with myself over whether or not to let him into my life. My real life.
Here goes nothing. “Want to get something to eat?”
His smile threatened to swallow his face, it was so big. “Yes! Burgers? No, you like pizza. Pizza and hot dogs. I can get us—”
I put my hand up to stop him. “Don’t try so hard, okay?” I put my book away. “Burgers sound good. Let’s go.”
We walked over to the Burger Bar and ordered cheeseburgers and fries. We stood in awkward silence as we waited for our food, glancing around at the people scattered all over the place. For once, he wasn’t trying to pursue me. And for once, I wasn’t running from him.
Man, that Triangle messed things up good. Or did it fix things? I had no clue.
“I’m going to get a table.” I pointed over my shoulder toward the bistro tables with their colorful umbrellas. “I’ll get some ketchup, too.”
“Okay. I’ll bring the burgers when they’re done.”
I grabbed salt, napkins, and ketchup and found an unoccupied table. I sat down and looked up just in time to see Marcus approaching.
“Hey there.” The sight of him sped up my pulse. His bare chest was even more muscled than Joey’s. Wearing wet swim trunks, with a towel thrown over his shoulder, he looked like he just stepped out of an ad for men’s cologne.
I threw a glance toward the Burger Bar. Joey still waited for our lunch with his back to me.
“Hi, Marcus. Enjoying your trip?”
“More so now.” He reached out for the chair across from me. “I’d been hoping to spend more time with you, Rayne, but you were stuck in that cabin with your seasickness. You feeling better today?”
“That seat’s taken,” I said.
He rested his hand on the back of Joey’s chair. “Oh? By whom?”
Another voice answered. “Me.”
Marcus and I turned to see Joey heading toward us with two plates in his hands.
Marcus looked at him, then back at me. “You’re kidding. Him?”
“Yeah,” Joey answered him. “Me.”
He set the plates down in front of me and the empty chair, then stood in front of Marcus, waiting for him to move so he could sit.
Ugh. Not this shit again. “Marcus, let him sit, please.”
Marcus smirked at Joey. “Having your girl fight for you, eh? Pretty cool, man.”
I stood up. “Marcus, please. I asked Joey to have lunch with me. So, if you don’t mind, would you leave and let us eat?”
Marcus winked at me. “Only if you agree to have dinner with me later.”
The look Joey gave him could’ve frozen a lion in the jungle. “You need to learn some respect, little man. She asked you to leave.” He pointed away from the table. “Show a little consideration and get going.”
Marcus laughed. “Yeah, sure, buddy. You gonna help me out of here?”
Joey put a hand on Marcus’s shoulder. “If I have to, I will.”
So much for a nice last day. I shoved my chair into the person behind me and headed toward the bar, ignoring their testosterone-fueled competition. As I waited for my drink, someone tapped my shoulder.
I jumped and turned around to see Marcus smoldering at me. “Hey. Sorry about that. It’s just…” He lowered his head and sighed. “I really like you. And if you go out with Joey, you’ll end up some motorhead’s girl. I could offer you so much more than he can.”
I frowned at him. If only he’d known what I had seen of him these past few days. I think I knew just what he had to offer.
The bartender slid my iced tea across the counter. I reached for it, but Marcus grabbed it first. “Rayne, give me a chance. You deserve someone who can treat you like a queen.”
I rolled my eyes. “Can I have my drink, please?”
I tried to grab my glass again, but he pulled it away from me. The playful smirk on his face made my stomach quiver.
“If you want it, come get it.” He stepped around the side of the bar.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Marcus, come on. Give it to me!” I followed him around the bar. He set my drink down, grabbed my arms, and pulled me to him.
“Are you ready for it, Rayne? I’ve been waiting for this moment.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but Marcus’s mouth met mine and stifled the sound. He kissed me gently at first, then harder, pressing me against the wall, making escape impossible. I fought against him, but he was too strong for me. The struggle made my bathing suit top ride up, leaving more skin exposed than I’d intended.
He pulled away from my face and smiled. “That’s what you’re missing.” His body held mine hostage. “And it only gets better, babe.”
With my body still pinned, all I had was my voice. I sounded out every single word so he wouldn’t misunderstand. “Get. The. Fuck. Off. Me!” If I’d had more leverage, I would’ve headbutted the bastard.
“Come on, Rayne. Give me a chance. I’ve had my eye on you for a while.” He leaned in to kiss me again.
I turned my head to the side in time to see Joey walking past with drinks in both hands. Our eyes connected. I didn’t have to speak; he knew I needed him.
He dropped the drinks. Ice and brown liquid sprayed some kids playing on the ground. One of them yelped.
Joey was next to us in a heartbeat.
“Get off of her!” He grabbed Marcus by the arm and pulled him back. Marcus stumbled and caught himself on the edge of the stairs.
I gasped for breath. I didn’t realize how hard he’d been pushing to hold me in place. With my boobs practically giving everyone a free show, I yanked the edge of my top down.
Before Marcus could stabilize himself, I pushed Joey out of the way, pulled my arm back, and punched Marcus in the mouth with every muscle I had. He fell to the ground and clapped a hand over his mouth. “Don’t you ever touch me again!” I screamed. I shook out the sting that was flooding my fist.
He rubbed his quickly-reddening lip and glanced at the other passengers. “I’m sorry. Geez, Rayne, you didn’t have to hit me.”
I leaned in to his face. “Next time, it won’t be your face I’m aiming for. You’ll be impotent for a month.” I straightened up and grabbed Joey’s hand. “Let’s get out of here.”
I led him to my chair by Jessica and sat down. My hands shook as I tried to reclaim my sense of calm.
Joey sat next to me and took both my hands in his. “I’m so sorry he did that to you. Are you okay?”
I looked at his hands around mine. They shook from my shaking. “I never hit anyone before.” I let out a little laugh, shocked at my actions. “Damn, it hurts!”
I took a few deep breaths. “Could you just get me another iced tea and my burger, please? I’m still hungry.”
He smiled and released my hands. “Sure. Be right back.”
I checked out my boxing hand as he walked away. Little areas of purple and red popped up here and there. Ugh, I hoped nothing was broken. I flexed my fingers and they all seemed to work, but they felt tight and swollen. “Hey Joey, yeah. Bring that ice for my hand too, please.”
Jessica stirred and sat up. “Hey, Raynie. What’s going on?” Her voice drawled with sleep as she wiped her chin with the back of her hand.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Same old shit.”
My right hand throbbed. I rubbed it with my other hand and looked for Joey.
He juggled two glasses of iced tea and a steaming plate of fries. I hopped up and took the fries with my left hand, carrying them to the table we’d occupied before Marcus decided to ruin our day with his bullshit. Our burgers were still there, beckoning me to take a bite.
I looked toward the bar for Marcus. The ice from the tea Joey had dropped was melting into little glistening puddles near the bar, but Marcus was gone.
“I’ll go get that ice for you.” Joey ran to the bar before I could say anything.
I suddenly remembered what Joey had said when the cruise started. When he came back a minute later, I took the cup of ice and plunged in as much of my hand as could fit. “Can I ask you something?”
He nodded. “Anything.”
“When we got on the ship, you said you and Marcus were brothers, yet you guys seem to hate each other. What’s the deal?”
His face darkened. He picked up his burger and took an angry bite, chewing for a minute before answering.
Triangles Page 17