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Chapter 37: Island Complications
🕑 Added 2025-04-07 14:43:11 +0000 UTCThe rain finally slowed down the next morning—not stopped, just downgraded from apocalyptic to mildly miserable. I took it as a win.
Breakfast was served in the resort’s ocean-view dining hall, though the “ocean view” looked more like a gray smudge today. Alan, Grandma Evelyn, and my mom were already seated. Charlie, of course, stumbled in last wearing sunglasses indoors, like that helped anyone forget he wasn’t exactly drinking juice last night.
“Rough night?” I asked with a smirk.
Charlie grinned. “I’ve had worse. At least nobody got arrested.”
Judith raised an eyebrow. “That’s your bar for success now?”
“Always has been,” Charlie replied, sliding into his seat.
Evelyn, meanwhile, had her nose buried in some travel brochure, already plotting the next stop on her empire tour.
As I was buttering a piece of toast, I noticed movement near the entrance. It was Ross and the rest of the group—the six infamous friends plus David and Dr. Charlie Wheeler. Or not, this time it was Mike next to Phoebe.
Rachel gave a small wave when she saw me, while Monica looked like she was ready to wrestle the humidity into submission. Seriously, her hair was its own zip code.
“Morning, Jake,” Chandler greeted. “Still raining?”
“Less rain, more tropical sadness,” I said.
A few minutes later, something unexpected happened. Rachel walked over to our table and, without a word, sat down right next to Charlie. Not across from him. Not casually on the edge. Right next to him—like it was completely normal.
Charlie blinked, pleasantly surprised. “Well, good morning again.”
Rachel smiled and rested her elbows on the table. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“Mind? I insist,” Charlie said, ever the flirt.
Across the room, a few of the others—Monica, Chandler, and Ross—gave each other looks. Joey raised his eyebrows, clearly impressed. Monica’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly, and Ross blinked slowly, as if trying to process what he was seeing.
I leaned over and muttered to Charlie, “You’re gonna start a war if she keeps sitting here.”
Charlie whispered back, “What can I say? I’m irresistible in island lighting.”
Rachel turned to me with a smirk. “You two done plotting?”
“Plotting? Nah,” I said. “We’re just watching the show.”
Charlie raised an eyebrow at her. “So... you sitting here just for breakfast company, or is this part of a larger plan to stir up drama?”
Rachel grinned. “Maybe both.”
“Oh boy,” I muttered, sipping my juice.
———
Later that afternoon, I ended up at the poolside lounge with Chandler, Monica, Phoebe, and Mike. The rain had paused just long enough for everyone to pretend we were actually on vacation again.
“So,” I asked, leaning forward slightly, “only Ross doesn’t know about you two?” I pointed subtly between Monica and Chandler.
Monica froze mid-sip.
Phoebe gasped. “Jake!”
“What?” I said innocently. “Everyone else knows, right?”
Mike raised an eyebrow. “Wait—I didn’t know.”
Phoebe elbowed him. “Yes, you did. I told you last night.”
“Oh right. Yeah. Totally knew.”
Monica groaned and covered her face. Chandler just sighed.
“Ross can’t find out,” Monica said. “Not yet.”
“Not until it’s official,” Chandler added.
I raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t dating already official?”
They looked at each other, visibly panicked.
“Okay, fine,” I said, chuckling. “Your secret is safe with me. For now.”
I leaned back and smirked. “Wanna play a little guessing game?”
They looked at me, confused.
I twisted my mouth to the side, stuck out my tongue, and pulled a face full of sarcasm and awkwardness.
Monica burst out laughing. “That’s Chandler!”
Phoebe giggled uncontrollably, even Mike let out a surprised chuckle.
Chandler frowned, utterly offended. “When have I ever done that?”
I shot Monica a playful glance, then turned to her with an exaggerated wink and my best Joey impression. “How you doin’?”
Monica cracked up, nearly spilling her drink. “Oh my God, Joey would be proud.”
Phoebe was practically wheezing from laughter. “Jake, you’re dangerous.”
Even Chandler couldn’t help it this time—he laughed too, shaking his head. “Okay, I walked into that one.”
I wasn’t done yet. Putting on my most neurotic expression, I wrung my hands together and said in a high-pitched voice, “I need to wash the toilet 17 times a day—even if people are still on it!”
"That's Monica!!!" exclaimed Phoebe while crying out loud.
Chandler fell off his lounge chair, laughing uncontrollably. Monica just gave him a long, unimpressed stare.
“That’s not funny,” she said, but the corner of her mouth was twitching.
Phoebe was doubled over, and even Mike had to wipe his eyes.
Then I sat up straighter and adjusted my imaginary glasses. I dropped my voice into a nerdy drone. “Well, actually, the Mesozoic era is divided into three periods: Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous. Which, coincidentally, are also the stages of my dating life.”
Chandler let out a snort. Monica choked on her drink. Phoebe started clapping.
“That’s Ross!” Mike said between laughs.
I continued in the same tone, “And don’t even get me started on the sedimentary rock formations in southern Patagonia. Fascinating.”
“Jake, you’re killing us,” Chandler said as he stood up to sit properly again.
I leaned back dramatically, placed a hand over my chest, and exclaimed in mock agony, “Oh my God, I love Ross! I hate Ross! I love Ross! I hate Ross!”
“That’s Rachel!!!” Monica said, practically falling apart from laughter.
The entire group collapsed into laughter once more, tears rolling down cheeks, drinks forgotten.
Still chuckling and catching my breath, I turned to Phoebe and Mike. “Sorry, guys—I don’t know you well enough to impersonate you… yet.”
Phoebe gave me a thumbs-up between her giggles. “Just wait, you will.”
Mike grinned. “We’ll give you material soon enough.”
