I told the guys that I’d need some time to myself after speaking to Elliot, and I message them as soon as I get back to my room.
Needing to talk through this with someone I video call Shiloh, and she answers on the third ring. I can hear voices in the background and I know my brother and her other mates are around, so I’ll keep everything PG.
“Claire! How are things going? Your skin is glowing, you look amazing.”
“Thanks, Shy. Things are…complicated.”
She takes the phone along with her as she moves into another room, keeping her prying pack’s ears away from our conversation. It’s what I love about her. She might be mated to my brother, but she takes our friendship very seriously.
“What’s going on?” she asks, her big brown eyes full of concern.
“Elliot’s onboard,” I tell her, and she just blinks at me.
“Elliot Smith? Jonah’s best friend? The guy who’s clearly in love with you and you’re in love with him. That Elliot?”
“I definitely would not go that far. He’s never outright said that, and I’ve never really told him in so many words either. He caught me in the hallway making out with Forrest and made this whole big show of trying to bring me back home and that he’d be staying on board for my safety.”
Shiloh snorts and shakes her head. “Sometimes Alphas can be really fucking obtuse.”
“I told him that if he stays on the ship, that means he’s interested in being in my pack, but if he isn’t interested in that, then he needs to go.”
“As you should,” Shiloh says, pursing her lips. “Hold on a second.” She walks back into the family room. “Did you know Elliot was going to be on the ship that Claire was on?” She directs it at my brother in an accusatory tone.
I groan, but this is also the type of investigative journalism I need to get to the bottom of everything.
“He what? Let me see the phone,” Jonah tells Shiloh, and she complies.
My brother’s face takes up the screen. He’s a near replica of our dad, Grayson, but with short hair. Seeing him has me longing to come back home, too. But I won’t be leaving here without Forrest and Wells, for that I’m certain of.
“Hey Claire Bear,” he says with a smile.
“Jonah,” I greet him, unsure of his motives.
“I’m not going to try and convince you to come home,” he says, though he’s looking over the phone and I wonder if Shiloh is threatening him with violence. “Elliot came on board?”
“He said he was here to take me back home.”
Jonah groans and rubs the back of his neck. “Do you want me to speak with him?”
“No. I’ve got it covered.”
“Well, if you ever need me to, all you have to do is ask. And not that it matters, but if you were to have Elliot in your pack, I think it would be a good thing.”
My cheeks heat, and I guess I really didn’t give a shit what Axel or Jonah thought about me and Elliot being together, but it is nice to have his blessing. I suppose I have Axel’s too, based on the car ride over here.
“I appreciate that, but there’s a good chance he won’t stay,” I tell him, and he can clearly read the sadness written on my face.
“You deserve the best, Claire. If he doesn’t stay, then he isn’t the best for you. It’s that simple.”
“Thanks, Jonah,” I say, trying not to get choked up. “Now, can you give me back to your better half?”
Jonah laughs. “Just promise me you’ll continue to stay safe and you can call one of us if you need anything. Love you.”
“Love you too,” I reply as he gives me back to Shiloh, and she heads back to the other room so we can have privacy and I can tell her all the juicy details of the past few days.
Tonight we’re trying the southern restaurant. This place is smaller, and every table has a view of the water. Forrest makes sure that my back is to the window, Wells sits next to me and Forrest shoves himself into the booth.
I’m pretty sure I’d be fine looking at the water. I haven’t felt nauseous since that first sleepover with Wells and Forrest. Though I’m not sure if it’s because Forrest’s scent is almost always with me, or because we’re slowly cruising through the Caribbean with little motion. Either way, I’m definitely not about to complain.