"Julieta," I faintly hear Ryker's voice.
"No," she sternly tells him. "You don't know what any of us have been through."
"Because you won't tell us," Hunter shoots back.
Everything starts to blur. Their argument over our lack of disclosure and then Julieta and Hunter getting into it over who is capable of helping me all add to my stress.
The chest pain gets more intense, and everything turns black.
6
Hunter
Vanessa is rocking back and forth on the dirt, gasping for air, crying and repeatedly whispering, "I'm sorry."
"See what you've done now," Julieta accuses me.
"What is your problem?" I crouch next to Vanessa again and put my hand on her back, but she retreats further into her shell and cries harder.
"Get away from her," Julieta practically yells.
"Stay out of this."
"You're hurting her."
Anger grows. "I am not hurting her. I would never hurt her."
"Look at her!" Julieta points to Vanessa, and my heart splits into more pieces.
"Hunter," Ryker barks.
I helplessly glance up at him.
"Back away from her. Let Julieta help. She's scared of you right now."
"Scared of—"
A wail comes out of her, and Ryker yanks me up and drags me backward. He holds me back and orders, "Take a breather."
It's a real-life nightmare I'm stuck in. Vanessa is rocking in the dirt. Julieta calmly talks to her so low I can't hear. I don't know how long it lasts, but it feels like forever.
Julieta finally helps her up, and as if she's in a trance, they walk to the tent and go inside.
I turn to Ryker. "I don't know what I did."
"She crouched when you threw your hands in the air."
"What are you talking about? I didn't."
"You did. You went like this." He demonstrates.
"I don't remember doing that."
"You're a handsy person, in general."
I scrub my face and growl.
"One more thing. And don't forget this," Ryker adds.
I remove my hands. "What?"
"Don't ever get into it like that with Julieta again."
"What are you talking about? You were right here. She went on the attack."
"She didn't attack you. She was trying to explain things."
"No, she wasn't."
"She was. And she's just as broken as every other woman here."
I snort. "She seems to hold her own."
Ryker steps closer and gets in my face. "Do not argue with her, ever again."
"Don't get in my face."
He grabs my shirt.
"What the hell are you two doing?" Dirk steps between us.
"Stay out of it," we both yell simultaneously.
"Knock it off," Dirk growls. "Andre's going to have a fit if he sees you two acting like this."
"Where's Vanessa and Julieta?" Zoe asks.
"In the tent. Vanessa's having some sort of episode. Julieta is with her," Ryker says.
Zoe's eyes widen. "What happened?"
"Julieta started insinuating things," I say.
"No, she didn't." Ryker sticks up for her.
"Is there something wrong with your ears?" I ask him.
"You two have your boy fight. I'm going to check on Vanessa and Julieta."
"I didn't do anything," I insist.
Zoe briefly smiles. "I understand how Julieta gets. She and I have gone head-to-head before. But she's dealing with things we aren't."
"Like what?" Ryker asks.
"You'll have to get that information from her. I don't know any details."
"Of course you don't. No one will tell us anything, so none of you should expect any help."
Zoe crosses her arms and tilts her head. "Does that include Vanessa?"
You're such an idiot.
"You don't need to answer that." She pats Dirk on the cheek. "Your stock just went up, country boy." She turns to leave.
Crap. I like Zoe.
I reach for her arm. "Zoe."
"Don't touch her," Dirk growls, and I release my hand.
She spins and raises her eyebrows.
"Sometimes I'm a dick. I'm sorry."
She smiles. "Yeah. Sometimes I'm a diva. You're forgiven." She winks and turns again.
"Zoe." I call out.
"Hmm?"
"Will you tell me when I can go in and see Vanessa?"
"Sure. You need to suck it up and make nice with Julieta though."
"Fine," I grumble.
She smirks. "Don't worry. I've had to do it a lot. I'll coach you on what to say."
I snort. "Deal."
She leaves, and we watch her until she is inside the tent.
Dirk points to the fire. "I think those pancakes are burnt."
"Oh shit," I mutter, and the three of us move to the bonfire pit and take care of disposing of the burnt food.
Ryker hands me a bowl. "Guess we're on food duty."
We make up without saying a word and cook enough food for the entire camp, including the guys on the team who are guarding the perimeter under Kalim's orders. Malin and Emilia come by and they volunteer to deliver them a stack of pancakes.
The entire time we cook, I rehash every moment I've spent with Vanessa. Every jump or flinch or retreat away from me I replay. I wish anything I've done wrong to cause her to react that way would light up like a red blinking light, but it doesn't.
Confusion over what I've done to harm her eats at me.
I need to figure this out.
Stop moving my hands.
Stop talking so rough.
Put her needs first.
I said I would never hurt her. I promised her.
It hasn't even been twenty-four hours, and I broke my promise to her.
I obsess over her and pace the camp, waiting for her to come out or one of the ladies to tell me I can go in.
It's mid-morning when Zoe and Julieta come out.
Julieta and I ignore each other. She walks past me and over to Ryker.
"Saved you a plate of pancakes," he tells her.
"Thanks."
Zoe purses her lips and nods toward Julieta.
"Later, I promise."
She sighs. "Fine."
"Is Vanessa all right?"
Zoe hesitates. "She's embarrassed."
"She shouldn't be."
"I know, but she is."
"Can I go in?"
"Yeah. She's waiting for you."
"Thanks. I owe you."
"I don't keep tabs."
"Such a laid-back diva you are," I tease her.
She gives me a little salute.
My palms turn sweaty, and when I get to the tent, I pause.
Don't screw up again.
How do I make up for what I did?
Be a man and go make this right.
I step inside.
She's in the corner of the tent with her hands over her face.
Keep my voice soft.
"Knock, knock."