The Engagement Game

by Talia Hunter

  When his father would leave, his mother would sit at home and cry. Hendrix and Jake would tell each other stories about all the exciting things he was doing. As kids, they’d convinced themselves the construction company was a smokescreen and their father was really an international spy, capturing bad guys in exotic locations. He kept company with beautiful women because he was a real life James Bond.

  As he got older, Jake started wondering why his mother didn’t leave. Why sit at home suffering, instead of having some fun of her own? Wouldn’t it be far better to be the one playing around than the person being cheated on?

  “Who said that, Jake?”

  Instead of answering, he waved a dismissive hand. But he couldn’t keep from glancing over to where Sally was sitting. Sally caught his look and shot him a secretive half-smile before he could look away.

  “I don’t believe it,” said Carin.

  “You’re a good person, Carin, and you think other people are as honorable. You’re too trusting.”

  “Am I?” She studied him from behind her sunglasses, her excitement gone. She must have caught the look he’d accidentally exchanged with Sally. “Am I too trusting of you, Jake?”

  He was silent. Carin’s gaze pressed on him, and it seemed to have a physical weight. An image flashed through his mind of watching her fight to catch her breath.

  Would Penelope tell Carin she’d seen him kissing Sally? She had no reason to keep quiet. The longer he and Carin stayed on Lantana, the greater the chance she’d spill the beans. Maybe Jake should just come clean and tell Carin himself. Better than if she heard it from Penelope.

  “Jake?” Carin asked again.

  Realizing he’d retreated behind his mask, he forced his face to relax. “I want you to be able to trust me.”

  As she examined him, he could read the emotions warring across her face. She was trying not to be suspicious of him. They both wanted to believe he wouldn’t turn out to be like his father.

  “If we win this challenge, we’ll have another week here together,” she said after a minute. “Enough time to work things out.”

  “We can’t stay. This place isn’t good for us. Being here makes things harder.”

  She snorted. “If we can’t work things out on an island, there’s no hope for us. Once we get home, things will get even more complicated. I’ll have work and the kids at the hospital. You’ll be getting ready to go away.”

  “We’ll make time.” He reached for her hand and covered it with his. “Carin, let’s go home. Away from Bozier, and… everything that’s making this hard.”

  “What are you talking about? Bozier isn’t making this hard. He’s been nothing but nice. All he said was that we’re coming across well and he wants to see more of us. This could be big for me. Staying another week could make my career.”

  The speedboat was slowing down. Ahead was an island, and in front of the island was a large pontoon. Attached to the pontoon was some kind of structure, so low in the water it was difficult to see. It looked like floating planks, tethered by buoys and floats. Red roses had been fastened at regular intervals along the narrow planks. Today’s challenge seemed to be a floating maze.

  The boat’s engine went into reverse before cutting off. Suddenly the only sound was the slapping of water against the hull. Below the surface of the clear blue water, a reef was visible. An underwater coral shelf teemed with fish, and where it ended was nothing but the darkness of deep water. It looked like an incredible dive or snorkeling site. Thousands of small, colorful fish darted this way and that in the shallows. Underneath them were the dark, shadowy bodies of bigger fish. Monsters lurking in the deep.

  Benchpress was in the seat opposite Jake, craning his head over the side. “Look.” He pointed at the water. “Is that a shark?”

  Jake leaned over and caught a glimpse of a shape bigger than any he’d yet seen. It was almost the size of a man.

  “Definitely a shark,” agreed Treadmill.

  Carin drew in a sharp breath. She hadn’t moved to look, but her hand gripped Jake’s arm, squeezing hard.

  “How big do you think it is?” Treadmill’s voice rose, but with excitement rather than fear. “You think we’ll get to swim with it?”

  Carin made a choking sound in the back of her throat.

  “It’s okay,” murmured Jake. She was squeezing his arm so tight, her knuckles were going white. He covered her hand with his. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  Behind her sunglasses, Carin’s eyes were wide. “You don’t think we’ll have to get in the water, do you?”

  “We’ll sit this one out and stay dry on the boat.”

  She pressed her lips together, then shook her head. “We can’t lose this challenge. Bozier mentioned his new show, which means I’m in with a chance.” She lowered her voice. “Besides, this could be the last time we have together for two years.”

  “If we leave now, I’ll make sure we get some time together before I go away.”

  “This must be the place they do shark dives.” Benchpress turned to Treadmill. “Remember we saw those tours? And why else would there be a pontoon here? I bet those shark tour boats tie up here, feed the sharks, then drop the tourists in with them.”

  “Why’d it need to be sharks?” Carin asked. “Rats, spiders, or snakes I could handle. Anything but sharks.”

  Jake tightened his grip over her hand. If Carin panicked in the middle of the course, she could fall in and drown. “We’re dropping out of the challenge,” he said. “I’m not letting you get on those planks.”

  “Everyone onto the pontoon,” yelled Bozier. “Let’s get started.”

  Carin tugged her hand out from under his. “We’ve got no choice. Let’s get it over with.” She jumped up and was on the wooden platform so fast, he knew she was trying not to lose her nerve.

  Jake followed, cursing under his breath. Carin stood rigid on the pontoon, her face pale but her expression determined. He knew her well enough not to keep trying to change her mind. The only way he’d get her off the pontoon was if he picked her up and carried her.

  There was the inevitable long, hot delay while the cameras moved into position, the sound guys got their microphones and booms where they wanted them, and various other people rushed around doing who-knew-what. Carin stood straight-backed through the whole thing, her fists clenched and her chin lifted. Her gaze didn’t drop to the water, even when the other contestants excitedly pointed out larger and larger sharks.

  Finally, Timmy stood in front of them and the cameras started rolling. “The keys to a happy marriage are communication and trust. On the Marriage Maze you’ll need to demonstrate both. You’ll be guiding your blindfolded fiancé along the maze.” Timmy gestured to the floating planks. “And let’s not forget to include some romance. The partner going through the maze will collect red roses as they go.”

  “Shit,” muttered Carin. She lifted her hands to her chest, pushing over her heart as though pain was stabbing through her. She was breathing fast and loudly, almost panting. But it was the fact she wasn’t smiling for the cameras that worried Jake most.

  He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him. A flotilla of boats were bobbing around the pontoon, filled with dozens of crew members. Jake searched for the doctor. There he was, on one of the boats, and the psychologist was with him. Good. At least help was close at hand if Carin needed it.

  “The goal is to make it to the end with the fastest time while collecting the most roses,” said Timmy. “If you fall into the water, your team will be disqualified.” He waved his hand at the dark shapes cruising under the planks and shot them a toothy smile. “And of course, there’s another incentive not to go for a swim. This is the Shark Reef Marine Reserve, an area that’s been set up for the protection of sharks. There are eight different species of sharks in these waters, including Bull Sharks and Tiger Sharks. They’re fed daily from this pontoon.”

  Carin shrunk closer against him and he tightened his
grip on her shoulders. This had gone far enough.

  “Jake and Carin.” Timmy nodded at them. “You’ll go first.”

  “No,” Jake said firmly. “We’re pulling out. We forfeit the challenge.”

  “We’re not pulling out.” Carin spoke through clenched teeth. When she glanced up at him, the determination in her eyes made his heart sink. “I refuse to serve coffee for the rest of my life.”

  “Sweetheart, you can’t do this.”

  “Watch me.” She dragged in her breath and pulled loose from his grip. “I’ll go first, get it over with. We need to win this thing, Jake.”

  “No, I’ll go first.” He moved to the start of the course before she could object. A member of the crew wrapped a blindfold over his eyes and he waited while the cameras adjusted their positions.

  When Timmy fired the starting gun, he stepped onto the first plank, adjusting his balance as it wobbled under his feet.

  “Keep going straight ahead,” said Carin, a sharp edge of fear in her voice. “I’ll tell you when to turn.”

  He took his time moving along the course. Not only because the planks were tricky to keep his balance on, but because his mind was working over what he intended to do. There was a simple way to make sure they were disqualified. Not only would it spare Carin from having to attempt this challenge, but they’d get to go home. All he had to do was make his fall look accidental.

  “There’s a rose on your left,” said Carin. “Bend down now. Just in front of your hand. That’s it.”

  He unfastened the rose and she guided him onward. Sweat prickled his forehead, not just from the hot sun, but from the effort of keeping his balance. He could only walk slowly, but that was okay. He wasn’t in any rush.

  “Crouch down now,” called Carin. “There’s another rose on the right side of your foot.”

  When he bent, the plank wobbled enough that it wasn’t going to be hard to fake taking a dive. He pictured the maze in his mind. Three roses, and then a sharp turn to the right. That would be a good place to go in the water.

  “Another step, then bend to get a rose,” said Carin. She sounded so earnest he felt guilty. But the fallen angel part she was so set on getting would only be hers for a price. If what Sally had told him about Bozier was true, he’d never give Carin what she wanted anyway. He was doing her a favour.

  “Turn right,” she called. “Ninety degrees.”

  This was the spot.

  Jake tilted his foot to make the plank wobble, then he waved his arms too wildly, overcompensating. Deliberately falling off the plank with a blindfold on was a stomach-lurching drop into darkness. There was a long, frozen moment of wondering if he was going to smash into wood. When he hit the water and went under, the cold shock was a relief.

  “Jake!” Carin’s cry was so shrill and terrified, he heard it underwater.

  Holding his blindfold on with one hand, he broke the surface. “I’m okay,” he called back. “Don’t worry, I’m—”

  “Take my hand, Jake.” Her voice was closer, and it sounded breathless, like she was moving fast. Was she scrambling from the pontoon out onto the maze? “I’ll pull you out.”

  “Stay on the pontoon!” He snatched the blindfold off and blinked in the sudden brightness. Treading water, he saw her on one of the planks, crawling toward him. The plank was bobbing up and down over the waves he’d made by jumping in.

  “Carin, get back.” Heart pounding, he swam toward her. He’d taken a dive to keep her out of danger, not put her in it. “I’m fine. Look, I’m climbing back on the wood. Get back on the pontoon. Now.” He shouted the last word in the tone that always made his staff jump to obey. But his frantic swimming was making waves. The plank underneath Carin rocked. With a cry, she pitched into the water.

  Shit.

  He surged toward her. She was spluttering, but already striking for the pontoon. He took her around the waist from behind, helping propel her. “You’re okay. Out in a moment. Grab hold. That’s it.” He helped her scramble onto the wood, then pulled himself up too. She sat trembling, her face pale. But her eyes blazed and her chin was tilted high.

  “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” She pulled her wet T-shirt away from her body then used one hand to wipe water off her face. “I saw you pretend to lose your balance.” Her voice rose, seemingly oblivious to the microphones and cameras pointed at them. “What the hell, Jake? Why would you do that?”

  “Come on, let’s get out of range of the cameras.” He offered his hand to help her up, but she ignored it, surging onto her feet. She was trembling, but he couldn’t tell whether it was from the aftermath of fear, or a result of her rage.

  “You owe me an explanation.”

  Some of the crew and the other contestants had moved toward them to make sure they were okay, but Bozier was motioning them back. No doubt he was relishing this moment of unscripted drama.

  Jake leaned in close to Carin. “Let’s talk in private,” he murmured. Then, in a louder voice, “I fell, that’s all. It was an accident. There’s nothing to explain.”

  She drew back, her eyes blazing, then clambered into the boat and snatched a towel offered by one of the crew. She dried herself with violent, furious movements, and sat stiffly in the back of the boat.

  Jake took his time to dry himself. When he sat next to her, he didn’t look at her or try to talk. She was staring straight ahead, her cheeks flushed. It wasn’t until Bozier finally called for another couple to take their turn and the cameras focused on their new targets, that she spoke.

  “So?” she hissed.

  “We need to get out of here,” said Jake. “It’s time to go home.”

  “And you get to make that decision for both of us?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?” She fixed him with a glare. “Tell me the truth, Jake. Tell me everything that’s going on in that brain of yours. Because if you don’t, I’m going to think you’d rather swim with man-eating sharks than spend any more time here with me.” Her brow creased and she looked suddenly more afraid than angry. “Is this you pushing me away again? Trying to end it?”

  “No.” He took her hand and held it between both of his. The words, I love you were on the tip of his tongue. But how could he love her when he’d been tempted to kiss Sally? What kind of shitty love was that?

  “Then what?” she demanded.

  “I have a confession to make.” He sucked in a deep breath, bracing himself for her reaction. “Sally kissed me. And I kissed her back, just for a second or two. I’m sorry. It really was only a couple of seconds before I pulled away.”

  She blinked at him, the hurt already darkening her eyes. “She kissed you,” she repeated slowly. “But you pulled away?”

  “Yes. Penelope saw it happen and got the wrong idea. I didn’t want her to tell you and for you to think I was sneaking around behind your back.”

  Carin yanked her hand out of his. “Penelope saw you kissing Sally, and that’s the only reason you’re telling me? Where was this? When?”

  “On the beach, while you were seeing Bozier.” He shot a look at the TV crew, checking to make sure nobody was paying them any attention. “It’s time to go home, where we can talk without cameras and microphones. And where there are no shark mazes.”

  She was frowning, her face pale. The puzzled hurt in her expression sent a lance of pain into his heart. “So you lied and deliberately lost the challenge. And that was to cover up the fact you’d kissed Sally.” She was sitting very straight in her chair, her hands clasped tightly enough that her knuckles were white. “When we were just friends you didn’t lie to me, Jake. You didn’t mess with me like this.”

  “Let’s get out of here, Carin. Once we’re home, things will be clearer.”

  “Things are pretty clear right now and going home won’t help. Subconsciously, you’re doing everything you can to end whatever this is between us. What’s next? You accidentally have sex with Sally, just for a minute or two? Maybe she’ll fall on you and that’ll
make it okay?”

  Jake opened his mouth to protest, then closed it again.

  He’d always loved Carin. She was the only woman he could imagine ever being able to settle down with. But maybe she was right. Perhaps, deep down, he wanted to be just like his father.

  And if he knew he’d only hurt her, then the biggest act of love he could show would be to end things with Carin now.

  He swallowed and looked away, over the water, buying time. When he’d promised her they could go back to being friends if this didn’t work out, he couldn’t have been more wrong. He was screwing up so badly, their friendship couldn’t possibly survive it.

  If he couldn’t fix this, Carin would be out of his life for good. The thought made him feel as though part of him were dying.

  27

  Carin stared at the rack of wedding dresses in front of her. Dressing up in costumes was usually her favorite pastime, but right now it was the last thing she felt like doing.

  Jake had barely spoken to her while the other contestants completed the challenge. They’d sat in silence all they’d way back to the Lantana Resort. She hadn’t pressed him. She’d needed time to think.

  The speedboats had docked at Lantana Resort’s main wharf and instead of heading back to the beach on the other side of the island, Bozier had told the female contestants to go into one of the resort’s bures. There they were supposed to each pick a dress to wear during tomorrow’s elimination ceremony.

  The male contestants were in another bure, probably having to put on wedding suits. The elimination ceremony was obviously going to be a ridiculous spectacle. What a surprise. And she and Jake would be the couple being eliminated, even though Bozier wanted them to stay.

  “Are you okay?” asked Treadmill.

  Carin realized she’d been staring sightlessly at the dresses for a long time. She shook her head, pulling her focus back to the room. “I’m fine. Just trying to choose one.”

  She glanced at Sally and She-Wolf, who were in front of the mirror, zipping each other into dresses. Sally’s dress showed off her tall build and slim figure. The woman had legs like a giraffe and was flawlessly beautiful. Not a scar, freckle, or blemish to be seen.