A Good Chance (The Siren Island Series Book 3)

by Tricia O'Malley

  “You’re not old, you’re timeless,” Avery said, smiling back at her.

  “Be that as it may, I am still older than you. And I know a sulking woman when I see one. I have two daughters who are experts at it.”

  “Is that what I’m doing? Sulking? Maybe.” Avery shrugged. “I guess I just needed some space from all the chatter and gossip to clear my head. I’m used to spending more time alone, and I like quiet spaces. It’s why I like being in nature so much. Fewer distractions.”

  “I can understand that. It must be tough sharing that villa with so many strong personalities.”

  “It is. But I think what I’m realizing is that it’s also good for me. I’ve had some hard truths I think I needed to confront. I’m not totally there yet, but I’m starting to.”

  “Want to tell me about it?” Irma asked, and Avery found that she did.

  She told her everything. Starting with her accident, she led Irma all the way up to the point last night where she had seen the mermaid. There she stopped, not sure if she should continue.

  “Did something catch your attention?” Irma urged her on.

  “I… I think you may think I’m silly,” Avery said.

  “Silly is not the word that comes to mind for you. Brave. Strong. Those are words that come to mind when I think of your journey.”

  “Ha – thanks, but not really. I’m not even being truthful with Roman about who I am,” Avery said, picking at a blade of grass at the base of the tree. “I’m here on false pretenses.”

  “Well, a bit, yes, but you haven’t misrepresented who you are as a person. Sure, you’re not Ruby, but you aren’t pretending to be Ruby’s personality or job or anything else. I’d say it’s a fairly small thing, when it all comes down to it. Unless you’re hiding more?” Irma peered at her.

  “No, I’m not. Everything else has been true, except my name. And I’ve told people I came here on a dare, which is pretty close to the truth anyway, since all this is quite daring for me.” Avery sighed, and trailed the blade of grass over her toes one by one. “I think Ruby was right, though. I may have needed this.”

  “Sometimes we need a nudge or two to get us unstuck. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

  “Going on a reality TV show in another country is more than a nudge.”

  “Fine – some of us need a swift kick in the ass to get back to living life. And it sounds like you did. Now, what were you saying about last night? You stopped so suddenly when you were talking about being awoken from a deep sleep. Was everything all right?”

  “I… oh god, you’re going to think I’m crazy.” Avery buried her face in her hands for a moment and then rested her chin on her knees, meeting Irma’s calming eyes.

  “Try me.”

  “Um, well, I think I might have seen the… siren of Siren Island? Not the rocks that everyone talks about. But like… um, well, a real, actual mermaid?” Avery’s voice squeaked at the end of that, and she couldn’t actually believe she was saying that out loud.

  “It’s entirely possible,” Irma nodded, shocking Avery to her core.

  “You can’t be saying… wait… no way,” Avery said, joy blooming deep in her core. It seemed silly, sure, but believing in mermaids was not a gift she’d ever thought she would get in this lifetime. It was kind of like a child believing in Santa Claus and all his little elves. The joy around that idea was just so untouched and pure. Eventually, it wore off, as people were told that Santa wasn’t real. But… this… this was something that maybe nobody could take from her. If she just allowed herself to actually believe it.

  “I am saying it. What did it feel like to you?” Irma asked, her eyes still holding Avery’s.

  “It felt real,” Avery admitted. “And I woke up wishing it hadn’t all been a dream.”

  “Why do you think it was a dream? You just told me it felt real.”

  “Because… but…” Avery stammered, “It’s hard for me to believe that mermaids are real. I want to believe they are. I feel like they could be.”

  “So why don’t you let yourself believe?”

  “Irma, you’re driving me crazy here. Please, can you just tell me if you believe they’re real?” Avery begged. She was too tired and too on-edge to go in circles.

  “Of course I believe they’re real.”

  “You do?”

  “Unequivocally, yes.”

  “You’ve seen them, then?” Avery asked.

  “Of course,” Irma said, a knowing smile crossing her beautiful face. Though lines creased her skin and luscious grey hair, Avery couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful woman sitting in front of her. If anything, her age and wisdom made her more stunning. She almost seemed to glow, much like the mermaid last night, while Avery stared at her in shock.

  “I swear, you could be a mermaid.” Avery laughed, shaking her head at her ridiculousness. “You just glow.”

  “Who says I’m not?” Irma said.

  Avery’s eyes widened. “Um, what would you be doing on land if you were?”

  “Who says mermaids can’t be on land?”

  “I don’t know… I thought all the myths and legends said mermaids had to stay in the water.”

  “Sometimes. Not all the time,” Irma said, shrugging a delicate shoulder.

  “Irma, you’re kind of rocking my world a bit right now. I… I just… okay. You’re a pretty badass woman, from what I can tell. You’re smart. You’re stunning. You’re kind. And you’re telling me that without a doubt you believe mermaids to be real. As in actual living beings, not mythological characters, that exist in the here and now.”

  “Yes.”

  “And you’ve seen them.”

  “Of course. Many of us here have. Ask the local fishermen. They’ll swear up and down they’ve seen them.”

  “You’re saying, without a doubt, that what I saw last night was real?” Hope blossomed in Avery’s chest. She wanted to hold onto that moment, the beauty and heartache and otherworldliness of it all as her secret for the rest of her life. It had been a gift, like no other, and maybe, just maybe, it would be enough for her to believe in magic again.

  “Of course. It’s lovely they showed themselves to you. It means you’re pure of heart.”

  “Reallllly?” Avery almost squealed.

  “Really.” Irma laughed and squeezed her arm. “Don’t doubt yourself so, Avery. You’ve had a rough journey, and you’re just learning how to blossom again. The mermaids choose who they show themselves to very carefully. It’s a gift.”

  “It felt that way. But… her song. Her song was almost heartbreaking. A song of longing. I wanted to go to her and comfort her,” Avery said, her eyes huge. She stared out at the sea, knowing she would forever look at the ocean in a completely different way.

  “Which is why she shared that song with you. Not everyone would think to comfort a mermaid. They’d try and take a photo of her, video her, or even capture her. But you wanted to help her. What do you think that says about you?”

  “I… I don’t know. I was just caught up in the moment. Why is she so sad?”

  “I think they like you. And, maybe, you needed to hear her song. There’s beauty in sadness, as well, you know. If we don’t long for something, ache for something, how do we know it’s real? Love isn’t pure joy. Love isn’t just a comfort blanket. Love can also bring sadness and melancholy. It’s a huge emotion, after all – and, as we all must come to terms with, everything changes. Nothing we love stays. And that’s a sadness that many people can’t grasp. What humans don’t always understand, though, is that the emotion – love, in itself? That never goes away. It’s a part of the fabric of the universe. Once you love, it gets woven into all of time. You see, the memory of your love is imprinted on the world, forever changing the course of history. She wasn’t singing because her heart was broken, you see? She was singing because her heart was full.”

  “Oh,” Avery said. Her eyes filled with tears, emotion pulsing through her in waves. “She really did give
me a gift.”

  “She did. And I hope you’ll treasure it always.”

  “I swear I will, Irma. I want to do right by her.”

  “You don’t have to do right by her. You have to do right by yourself. Live your own truth, Avery. No more hiding under a rock. No more comfort zones. Turn your petals to the sun, and blossom.”

  Long after Irma had left her, with promises to see her soon, Avery sat there, eyes on the horizon, searching for her mermaid. And even though she didn’t come, Avery knew she’d always carry a piece of her inside. With a newfound sense of purpose – heck, even lightness to her step – Avery finally left her spot and danced the whole way back to the villa.

  Chapter 26

  “Well, you’re looking a bit perkier,” Cherylynn said when Avery bounced back into the room. She let out a little gasp of surprise when Avery bounded across the room and threw her arms around her friend’s shoulders.

  “I’m sorry I was such a crotchety bitch,” Avery said, giving Cherylynn a big smooch on the cheek. “I’ll work on being better.”

  “Now what in the hell has gotten into you? Have you been drinking?” Cherylynn said, raising an eyebrow at Avery and giving her a little attitude. Avery didn’t blame her; she’d been quite rude earlier.

  “I have not. Though maybe we should go have a glass of wine by the pool.”

  “Now you’re talking my language. Rosé all day.”

  “Erm, maybe not all day. But, yes, I’m sorry I was so cranky with you.”

  “It’s fine – I was kind of poking the bear anyway.” Cherylynn sighed and stood up. “We gotta get ready for our night ceremony anyway. Elimination time. Now, what’s put you in such a good mood?”

  “Is it that late already? Jeez, where did the time go?” Avery said, moving to her bedside table and pulling out the book her sister had given her. Paging through it, she found the outfit she was supposed to wear and went to dig it from the closet.

  “I don’t know, but from the looks of it, you must’ve had a good shag or something to put you in a good mood.”

  “I wish I had a good shag. It’s been years,” Avery admitted, then whipped around at Cherylynn’s shocked gasp. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m sorry… I think my heart may have stopped for a second. Did you say it’s been years since you’ve been with a man?”

  “Correct,” Avery said.

  “Bless your heart, no wonder you’re cranky,” Cherylynn decided, sending Avery into fits of laughter.

  “I’m sure that’s a contributing factor.”

  “It would be for me. Honey, why are you restricting yourself from eating at the buffet? There’s loads of men out there to sample.”

  “I’m starting to realize that I’ve been hiding under my rock for a little too long,” Avery admitted, turning back to the closet and digging through until she pulled out a shimmery turquoise dress that swept all the way to the floor in one fluid column of silk.

  “Well, this sure is one way to come out to play. But I’m wondering if you’re focusing on the wrong man,” Cherylynn prodded.

  “Okay, listen – yes, I think about Roman. Mostly he annoys me. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find him attractive.”

  “Well, duh. I’ve got eyes in my head, don’t I? I’d like to lick him like an ice cream cone. That man is dee-licious,” Cherylynn said.

  “But Beckett is handsome too,” Avery quickly amended.

  “Sure he is. They all are. There’s even a cute cameraman I have my eye on. Until I have a ring on this finger” – Cherylynn held up her left hand – “smorgasbord.”

  “I will take that under consideration.”

  “So what are you going to do about Roman?”

  “I’m doing nothing about Roman. There’s nothing to be done. I’m going to stay in this reality show, see if I can actually get to know Beckett and find out if there’s more to him than just some California surfer bro, and I’m going to give it an honest shot. That’s all I can really do, right?”

  “Yeah… but what if you miss out on love right in front of your face?”

  “How can it be love, Cherylynn? We snipe at each other more often than not.”

  “From where I’m sitting, you’re the one doing the sniping. He’s just trying to get to know you better. You sort of have this ‘approach with caution’ vibe going on.”

  “I do?”

  “Yeah, like – don’t get me wrong, you’re gorgeous. But you’re kind of like a rose… really, really pretty, but if you get too close the thorns’ll cut you.”

  “That might be the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me,” Avery decided.

  “I’m not really sure it was a compliment?” Cherylynn huffed out a laugh.

  “No, really, I don’t mind being tough. I think I’ve needed to be. But it’s nice to know that I’m not all tough, you know? And I can work on it. I’ll get better. I’ll try to be more open. I need to not hide so much anymore.”

  “Well, whatever happened to you today – I like it,” Cherylynn decided, motioning for Avery to sit on the bed so she could do her hair. “And I hope that, no matter what, we’ll remain friends once this is over.”

  “Of course we will. I want to come see this ranch of yours.”

  “You’re always welcome. We’ll get you in a saddle soon enough. But seriously, friends, right?”

  “Friends, promise.”

  “Even if one of us wins? No resentment?”

  “No resentment. I promise. It’s such a long shot of me winning anyway that I don’t think I’ll be fussed if I lose. I’d rather have someone I like win the prize.”

  “Me too. I don’t think I could stand it if that fake girl from Brooklyn won.”

  A gong sounded from below – their fifteen-minute warning – and Cherylynn screeched.

  “Shoot, you’re going to have to finish up yourself.”

  Avery changed quickly into her dress, leaving her hair as Cherylynn had done it – a simple braid circling her crown and the rest tumbling over her shoulders. Looking in the mirror, she smudged some shadow on her eyes, making them look a little larger, and swiped a coat of mascara on. Digging in her jewelry pouch, she found a long turquoise pendant to wear and some dripping golden waterfall-style earrings. On a whim, she placed a cuff of gold on her upper arm, feeling a bit like a goddess in her dress, and stepped back to survey the results.

  “You look great,” Cherylynn said, rushing out of the bathroom.

  “Thanks, so do you. I love that color pink on you,” Avery said, admiring the one-shoulder gown that skimmed Cherylynn’s body.

  “Thanks. Okay, we have to move it, sister,” Cherylynn said, grabbing Avery by the hand and tugging her downstairs. They followed the group of girls out to the pool deck, where flame torches were lit, with a perfect view of the sun kissing the horizon. Beckett stood by Jack, looking handsome this evening in a loose linen suit coat thrown casually over his t-shirt.

  “He looks nice,” Avery said to Cherylynn, and she nodded her agreement.

  “Good evening, ladies,” Jack said, commencing the evening ceremony.

  Avery felt the wave of tension roll over the group. She’d avoided people most of the day, but some of the gossip about the other groups’ adventures had wafted back to her anyway. She suspected tonight was going to be one dramatic ceremony. “As you know, tonight is an elimination ceremony. We’ve had a particularly eventful couple of days, so let’s review a bit of what happened on the screen here.”

  Avery looked over to the screen that had been rolled out on a stand next to the pool’s edge. They all watched as the clip rolled of the fight that had broken out between the women.

  “I can’t believe that girl got her nose broken for pointing out someone’s cellulite,” Avery whispered to Cherylynn, honestly shocked that a comment like that had led to bloodshed. And oh my, had blood been shed. A bright spurt of blood had flown from the poor girl’s nose. Avery craned her head to see the woman, her nose bandaged and both her e
yes blackened, staring sullenly at the screen.

  “I can’t either. But in all fairness, the other girl shoved her first.”

  “That’s true, but jeez, was that really that necessary?” The other woman looked smug, clearly convinced that she would be staying around for another round.

  “Ladies.” Beckett stepped forward to address the two who had been in the fight. “I do not like or approve of violence in any fashion. Hurting each other, especially for something so silly, not only shows me your character, but also what it would be like to have an argument with you. As you know, in any relationship, there are arguments, and if you resort to violence to resolve them – well, I want no part of that. Neither of you will move to the next round, and I ask that you both leave immediately. Please begin packing your bags now.”

  The smug girl’s mouth dropped open, and tears ran down the face of the one with the black eyes. They both turned and stomped off, a cameraman and a security guard following them, presumably to break up any fights that occurred next.

  “Let that be a lesson to the rest of you. Violence is never the answer,” Beckett said. “This challenge was about teamwork. A relationship is like being on a team and working together to achieve a goal is really important. With that in mind, I’d like to congratulate the winners, who not only found the treasure, but also overcame an injury to do so.”

  The women cheered, though Avery could tell that much of it was fake. She smiled anyway, high-fiving Cherylynn, Lisette, and Sara, who sat on the sofa with her leg in a brace and real crutches by her side. As they’d thought, it was just a nasty sprain, and Avery was happy to see the color back in Sara’s cheeks. They must have given her some good pain meds.

  “I’ve also made the decision to send the other two teams home,” Beckett said. He watched the group carefully as a sudden silence drifted across the room.

  “What… but… we’re supposed to be here for a while,” one woman said, confusion crossing her face.

  “I know. But I think I can make my decision by narrowing it down to a small number of women and really spending time with each one on my own. This is about love, after all, and it’s more important to me that I take my time figuring this out.”