“I’m here, Joyful,” I murmur into the waterfall of her silky ponytail. It still somehow smells incredible. “I’m back.” She nods, hiding her face in my neck, I think so that no one sees her getting emotional. “I came back for you, okay? I’m so fucking sorry I left you guys…”
That gets her to pull back, her brown eyes locking on mine. “What? No way, bitch.” I laugh. “Don’t say you’re sorry, because you’re not. It’s fine. We get why you left—”
“Fuck that,” I argue. “Leaving wasn’t the right move, for anyone. Not me, not you…” My eyes fling to Dash. “Not him.”
“He made it too,” she says with surety. “I’ve gotta give him credit. He’s a lot stronger than I thought when I met him.”
“Um, I’m right here.” Dash smiles at Joy as I put her down. “God, why are you so obsessed with me??”
She cackles, hugging him tight. “Oh, 101… How come you can escape, but I can’t escape you?”
He laughs out loud. “Is that our sappy romance line? Like, ‘I can’t quit you,’?”
“I like it,” she chuckles, then drawls, “I can’t escape you!”
“You don’t want to.” He beams.
“I’m honestly so glad you guys are here,” she sighs. “I mean, I hate it for you, but love it for us. We need all the help we can get.”
Dash is practically vibrating. I know he wants to ask her a million questions about where his friends are, and if they’re safe. But my phone ringing interrupts it all.
Dash frowns. “I thought you powered it off?”
“I figured there was no cell service…” I grumble, pulling it out of my pocket. My eyes widen. “Oh, shit…”
“What??” Joy asks.
I hold up the screen to display her name. “It’s you.”
She gapes for a split second. “Answer it!”
I swipe quickly to answer the call, placing it on speaker. “Hello?”
“Hi, uh… Is this Kellan Kemper?”
The deep male voice is unfamiliar to me. But Joy’s face drops, then flings to Felix, who’s darting over to us, damn near tripping over his feet.
“Yes, it—”
“Baby?!” Felix shouts. I canseehim shaking. “Baby, oh my God, is that you??”
“Felix?? Oh, thank fuck…”
“Lemuel, how the hell do you have my phone?” Joy squeaks.
Dash and I balk at each other.
This must be Felix’s boyfriend… Dr. Lemuel Love.
“Long story,” he grumbles, barely audible. “I can’t really talk, but I’m so glad to get you all. I was trying Kellan Kemper in hopes he could somehow get in touch with Velle. I really didn’t expect you to… already be together.”
“Perfect fucking timing.” Joy shows Felix a small smile while he cries happy tears.
“Is… is Felix okay?” Lemuel asks, and I swear, it’s the most heartwarming thing ever.
From what I understand, he’s another robotic personality on this island. But right now, he sounds beside himself.
“I’m fine, Dr. Want,” Felix sniffles.
