“Well, the eye candy in there might be even nicer than the one right in front of you.” Chevelle smiles at me.
“Was that a compliment?” I ask.
“For Gunner, yeah.” She puts her face into his neck and nuzzles him. “He’s great eye candy.”
We both look up and all three women are staring at us.
“You two are cute,” the red-haired one says. “You could’ve told us if we were stepping on your toes.” She steps out of the boat and onto the pier.
“Brother’s best friend, remember?” Chevelle thumbs in my direction.
“We heard you,” the one says. “My first crush was my brother’s best friend.” The one woman continues to look me up and down. I’m not sure she’d care if Chevelle said I was hers.
“Anyway, ladies…” Chevelle passes them their bags and fish. “It was a pleasure having you aboard, and I hope you visit us again soon.”
“You’re the best ever. We’re going to tell all of our friends, but not my husband,” the married one says. “You’re too gorgeous to be in a boat with my husband for two hours.”
“Oh, Jen, please. Look who she has to admire all day.” The brunette gestures at me. “She wouldn’t want Matt.”
Chevelle laughs. “Go so you can shower and enjoy dinner. If you eat at the inn while you’re in town, tell them Mandi’s sister sent you and you’ll probably get a free dessert.”
The three women all giggle as they walk down the pier.
“I feel objectified.” I hand her the hose from the dock and turn on the water.
She starts spraying down the boat. “It’s about time you feel the way I do all day. Now that you’re a captain, you better get used to it.”
I help Chevelle clean her boat because I don’t have much else to do.
After we’re finished, Rowdy wanders over. “So, you’re goin’ into our business, huh?”
I nod. “Appears so.”
“Well, I was thinkin’ about how to make you feel like one of us, so here yah go.” He tosses a bag at me, and I catch it.
Opening the bag, I see the fish costume I’ve sometimes seen people wearing at the entrance to the marina when they’re trying to sell the fishing tours. “And?”
“Need to earn your spot, so you have to wear it.”
“I’m not wearing it.” I hold the bag out in his direction, but he doesn’t take it.
Chevelle high-fives Rowdy. “Love it.”
I set the bag on the deck. “How about a bet to see who has to wear it instead?”
No way Chevelle will back down, but I can see Rowdy throwing around his longtime status as a reason he shouldn’t have to wear the costume.
“Okay, whoever has the least pounds of fish caught after this month wears the costume for an afternoon.” Rowdy knows he’s going to win. He knows all the hot fishing spots.
I’m pretty sure the people my dad booked are probably coming aboard strictly for entertainment and not for catching fish. But I won’t turn down the bet even if I have to wear the costume. “I’m in.”
We all shake hands.
“Oh, this is going to be fun. I can’t wait.” Chevelle waves at her next charter, a foursome of men heading toward us. “Beat it, boys, my next charter is here.”
I growl even though they’re older and step out of the boat as the men approach. Rowdy heads over to his boat.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Cameron Baker, the owner of the marina. We’re happy you came to enjoy a day of fishing. My girlfriend, Chevelle, knows all the great spots.” I wave in her direction and Chevelle’s jaw drops. “I’ll see you out there, honey.” I look at all the men. “I have my own charter, so you never know when I could just pop up.”
The men get the hint quickly to not try anything with Chevelle.
“Bye, sweetie.” Chevelle pushes me when they all turn their backs to get on the boat.
I laugh and whistle for Gunner, who follows obediently. Chevelle flips me off as she starts the boat and steers it toward the bay. God, I love seeing her riled up. One day that’s gonna bite me in the ass.
10
“MISS YOU EVERY MINUTE.”
Chevelle
This bet has gotten my competitive juices flowing. I wore that fish costume all the time when I started out and it smells disgusting, which I’m pretty sure Rowdy did on purpose. I almost threw up every day and would hide behind buildings just to take it off and get some fresh air for a bit. And when I’d get home, my sisters would complain about how much I smelled and tell me to take a shower, when I’d already showered and scrubbed myself clean. So there is no way I’m losing this bet.
The problem is, Rowdy is ancient and knows every fishing corner in the area. And Cam’s supernova boat probably has killer radar that will take him directly to the fish. Which means if I don’t use some stealthy planning, my ass will be in that suit.
Friday morning, the first day of our competition, I have the morning off since I don’t have a charter booked. Most weekenders drive in on Friday morning and book for Friday afternoon or Saturday. But I saw on the log that Cam has an excursion booked with six guys.
He hasn’t shown up yet and was still in the shower when I left. The docks are quiet since most of the fishermen are still out for the week. Rowdy took his first charter out because his clientele leans toward older people who are usually up at the butt crack of dawn anyway.
Since no one is around, I lean down on the dock and grab a fish floating on the water. Whether he slipped off a boat or just floated to shore, he’s definitely dead.
I pick it up with both hands and smell it, my face jerking back. Cam’s clients are definitely not going to have the great charter they were promised. Looking around again, I’m surprised it’s so quiet out here. I step onto his new boat.
Getting to really look around this time, I realize it’s nicer than I thought. And bingo—he’s got radar. I need an edge, so I toss Mr. Smelly Fish under one of the bench seats with the life preservers. Hopefully it stays in the sunlight all day and bakes away.
“Gunner!”
Cam’s voice makes me bolt up then hunker down. He’s coming this way, and I have no excuse for being on his boat. And Gunner will scent me out in no time.
I head down to the little galley because the boat is posh and of course he has a place for people to chill and get out of the sun or cold. There’s a bedroom and a little sitting area. He’s got a notepad with notes scribbled in his handwriting. I can’t really decipher any of it. I look through one of the small windows and see Cam come aboard with two cases of beer. His head is cranked to the side, holding his phone between his shoulder and cheek.
“I told you I needed that by this weekend. Has to be the same color,” he says.
The person on the other end must say something.
“They’re expecting it Monday when they get into town. Do I have to remind you that this is a company and I’m not going to start pissing off customers? Get me the same color or I’ll find someone else.” He sets down the beer and hangs up his cell phone. “Some people, Gunner. Be happy all you have to do all day is flirt, sleep, and shit.”