Chapter 29 Captain Clarke

Westly pushed open the heavy oak door leading to Luka’s side of the cabin. The air hung thick with a stifling silence, broken only by the rhythmic creak of the ship. His gaze fell on the neatly stacked suitcases, a contrast to the usual clutter of Luka’s belongings.

A cold knot twisted in his gut. With trembling hands, Westly flung open the closets, each empty hanger a confirmation of his growing fear. He checked drawers, bathroom shelves—all meticulously cleared. Luka was going to leave him when they landed in St. Lucia. The enormity of it crashed over him like a wave. Shock made him momentarily immobile, his mind struggling to grasp the harsh reality.

Then came the devastation. A crushing weight settled on his chest, squeezing the air from his lungs. He sank into the plush armchair, its softness a stark contrast to the storm raging inside him. The weight morphed into a searing pain, a white-hot agony that radiated from his core. Tears welled in his eyes, further blurring his teary image of the empty room.

Regret, sharp and bitter, clawed at his throat. The captain, a man who navigated treacherous seas with unwavering resolve, found himself lost in a sea of his own making. He’d been a fool, a coward, letting his fear of losing Luka keep him from confessing the truth—that he was a free man, and it was Luka’s choice to stay, not an obligation. Now, he was left with the horrifying possibility that Luka planned on leaving, to escape a life chained to a man who couldn’t be honest.

A sob escaped his lips, raw and uncontrolled. The silence of the cabin amplified the deafening silence in his heart. Luka, the man who’d brought laughter and warmth into his life, would take with him a piece of Westly’s soul.

The sudden creak of the door opening shattered the heavy silence and sadness in the room. Luka paused in the doorway to take in the sight before him.

“Good morning,” Luka said.

“Is it?” Westly’s eyes were bloodshot and swollen. His complexion was pale, and his appearance screamed exhaustion.

“What do you mean?”

“Is it a good morning for you?” When he spoke, his voice was filled with pain.

“I don’t know if it is or not.”

“So, you’ve decided to leave me today instead of touring the island?”

“No. I want to tour the island with you.”

“But you’re packed to leave.”

“I haven’t made my decision yet. I thought I would give you one more chance on the island while I decide what I want to do.”

“Then why did you pack if you haven’t decided yet?”

“If I decide to leave, I’ll leave tomorrow. There’s a flight out to LAX at noon.”

“Do you want separate rooms for tonight?”

Luka shook his head.

“We’ll disembark in an hour on Saint Lucia. Do you want to have breakfast with me?”

“No. I had breakfast with Charlie.”

“I see. Will you be ready in an hour?” He must have gotten up very early.

“I have a backpack for the night.” Luka swung his backpack over his shoulders and said, “I’ll meet you at the end of the ramp on the island.”

“Can’t we leave together?”

“I have some things to do.”

“See you there then.”

Without a word, Luka turned and walked away, leaving him longing for a goodbye kiss. He sat there, pondering his next move, unsure of what to do. The reason he had hesitated to tell him he was free was because of his current behavior, which was concerning. It was too soon for him to choose their relationship over his home. He had everything there he loved. On the ship, he had Westly if he even wanted him anymore.

Westly had lost his appetite, so he settled for a cup of coffee. He met Brock briefly on the bridge where they stepped out to talk privately.

“What’s going on?” Brock asked.

“I think Luka is going to leave. He packed all his things and I mean all. There’s no way he’s staying.”

“Are you guys going to Saint Lucia for the night?”

“Yes, we are.”

“Then maybe you can win him over again. Charlie told me they went out drinking last night.”

“How nice for them. He told me he had a headache and wanted to stay on his side to sleep. So, he lied.”

“He needed a friend to talk to. Charlie is a good friend for Luka.”

“I suppose so. I didn’t hear him leave, nor did I check on him, since he was no longer under my watch. I hope today works out.”

“Charlie said the flight was four thousand dollars and Luka told him he could get the money if he needed to. So he hasn’t gotten his ticket yet.”

“If he wants to leave, I’d pay for his ticket.”

“My point is he didn’t buy one. I think he doesn’t want to leave you. If he really was angry, he’d have left sooner.”

“He can’t until we disembark.”

“I meant he’d have told you he was leaving when he found out he was free.”

“Do you think we have a chance?”

“Yes. I can’t believe he was with Maleko. He sure looked different. I didn’t recognize him with the long hair.”

“Luka loved him, and I think Maleko loved him in his own way.”

“That may have been true, but now he wants to be with you.”

“I need to meet him now. Call if there are any problems.”

“Have fun.” Brock hugged Westly goodbye. “It’s going to work out.”

Westly swung by his cabin to grab his suitcase, then headed towards the gangway. He took the time to say his goodbyes to those who stopped him along the way. Luka, looking incredibly stylish, stood confidently in a pair of sexy jeans. Luka’s face lit up with a smile as soon as he noticed Westly, which was a positive sign that filled him with hope for a second chance.

“Let’s check our things into the hotel first so we don’t have to carry them,” Westly suggested, trying to sound casual.

“Good plan, sir,” Luka replied, his voice neutral, but the formality of the word “sir” stung Westly like a slap.

He’s back to calling me sir. What does that mean? The distance between us is more than just physical, and it is growing.

As they continued their journey, Westly pointed out the azure waters hugging the coastline. “Look at that view, isn’t it something?” He hoped to elicit a shared sense of wonder, a connection.

Luka acknowledged the surrounding beauty with a nod, but his gaze kept gravitating back to the ground beneath his feet, cautious and apprehensive.

“Do you still want to teach swimming or do something else? That is, if you stay.”

Luka shrugged his shoulders, not willing to discuss it.

Westly’s offer of an excellent job on the ship was more than just a position; it was an olive branch, a plea. He wanted Luka to stay, not just for the job, but for the chance to mend what had been broken. The silence that followed was filled with words unspoken, the future of their relationship hanging in the balance as they arrived at the hotel.

Westly checked in at the desk, where the receptionist handed him the key to their room. They walked into the room on the first floor and were greeted by a breathtaking view of the beach. Just outside the room, a pathway of sand led directly to the vast, sparkling turquoise water. No wonder Luka loved his beach house and the ocean. They were his constant companions. How could Westly compete by offering him a job on the ship? He couldn’t.

“How would you like to go zip lining?”

Luka nodded, his gaze fixed on something in the distance, avoiding eye contact once more. They left the room and walked to the street where they flagged down a cab, eagerly hopped in, and directed the driver to Treetop Adventure Park. Once they arrived, they stood in line until it was their turn.

While standing in the line, Westly peered down at the dizzying descent.

From the platform, nestled high in the emerald canopy of the rainforest, the ground appeared miles away. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple, and his heart hammered a frantic rhythm against his ribs. He took a deep breath, the lush St. Lucian air thick with humidity and the sweet scent of hibiscus flowers. It was undeniably beautiful, but the height…Westly swallowed hard as his throat suddenly dried.

“Ready, Captain?” Luka’s voice, laced with amusement, drifted over from beside him. Unlike Westly, Luka practically vibrated with excitement, a wide grin splitting his face. Zip lining was his happy place.

“Yeah, yeah,” he muttered, unconvincing even to his own ears and trying to project nonchalance as they stepped off the platform.

For a terrifying moment, Westly felt like he was falling, his stomach lurching into his throat. Then the sensation shifted. The wind whipped through his hair, carrying Luka’s laughter back to him. They soared through the air, sunlight through the leaves overhead, casting an ever-shifting mosaic of light and shadow on the rainforest floor far below.

Westly squeezed his eyes shut, battling a rising tide of nausea. He could hear the rush of the wind, the rhythmic creak of the zip line, and Luka’s whoops of delight echoing through the trees. Slowly, he relaxed, his tense muscles loosening their grip. A sliver of exhilaration peeked through the fog of fear.

He cracked open one eye, then the other. The world tilted beneath him, a breathtaking panorama of lush green. They were flying, skimming the treetops like giant birds. Houses peeked through the dense foliage, miniature cars crawling along roads like colorful ants. A thrill, unexpected and exhilarating, bloomed in his chest. Maybe, just maybe, this isn’t so bad after all.

“This is amazing!” he yelled, surprised by the joy in his voice.

“See? Told you! It’s the best feeling ever, right?” Luka hollered back.

Westly grinned. It wasn’t quite the best feeling ever, but it was better than he’d imagined. The fear hadn’t vanished entirely, but it was overshadowed by the thrill of the ride, the wind in his face, and the sheer beauty of the world unfolding beneath him. As they zipped towards the landing platform, a newfound confidence bloomed in Westly’s chest. Maybe heights weren’t so bad after all, at least not when shared with Luka, who knew how to make him laugh, even when he was scared out of his wits.

As they reached the end of the line, Westly landed with wobbly legs but a triumphant grin. His palms were slick with sweat, but a giddy laugh bubbled up in his chest.

“That was…” he began, searching for the right word.

“Awesome?” Luka supplied.

“Yes!” Westly agreed, his voice tinged with wonder. He might not be a natural zip liner, but he had to admit, that was incredible. Next time, he promised himself, I won’t hesitate to try new things, especially with Luka.

“I’m starving,” Luka said.

Westly checked the time and realized it was already lunchtime. His stomach growled in anticipation. “Let’s take care of that right now.”