He smiles. “Well, she was with us, and we were doing shots. At some point she disappeared, but we had to grab Ubers to bring us back to the inn.”
“Oh really?” Date my ass. Anger heats the blood in my veins.
“Yeah. Anyway, I’m sorry to waste your time. I’m sure you’re all booked for the day. Chevelle mentioned she had an opening for later this evening, so maybe we’ll book with her if we can get our shit together.”
He’s right, I am booked, but with my dad’s people. They might throw their rod in the water, but unless some miracle happens, they’ll let it sit there all day while they eat and drink and talk bullshit with each other. None of them are true fishermen.
“When are you in town again? Believe me, you want on this boat. It has more room and I have radar.”
He smiles. “Today is our last chance to get a fishing charter in. The wives decided to meet us so…” He shrugs.
“Okay. Well, as you probably know, I have to keep your deposit.”
“Yeah, definitely. It was our fault and I’m really sorry about it.” He steps back.
“Good luck.” I climb back on my boat and stew in my wheelhouse as I watch the guy go over to her.
She smiles at him and nods a bunch, her eyes never venturing over here. This move definitely deserves payback. The fish from this trip would’ve made my entire week.
Kevin leaves the marina with one last wave. Of course, I’m cordial and friendly because I need him to come back.
Ten minutes later, Chevelle leaves on her charter.
Rowdy calls up to me from the dock. “Can I come aboard?”
“Sure, Rowdy.”
He steps on and looks at all the high-end tech equipment in the wheelhouse. He’s old school and probably thinks it’s all a waste of time.
“Man, how are you in last place when you have all this stuff?” He sits in one of the chairs. “Ah, because your clients are taking naps in these comfy seats.”
I chuckle.
“You see those wooden boats with the purple stripe around yet?”
“Just the other day. A lot of people asking about them,” I say.
“They’re sharp lookin’.”
“They are.”
“I thought there was only one, but I just saw a second one that’s a little different but has the same purple stripe. Sure enough, the same manufacturer name on the side. Five Seas.” Rowdy stares at the bay. “No one knows where they’re comin’ from.”
I shrug. “There are new boat makers all the time.”
“True. Anyway, that’s not why I came on here. You two are playin’ dirty.”
I hold up my hands. “I’m not.”
He raises his eyebrows. “You tell every man who wants to climb on Chevelle’s boat that you’re her boyfriend. I’m not saying anythin’, and I know it ain’t right, but some of those men book charters with Chevelle because, well…”
I nod so he doesn’t have to say it. I don’t really want to hear him say it anyway because it’ll just piss me off.
“But if she got your charter drunk last night, then I’d say you could definitely pay her back.”
I don’t say anything. It’s not that I haven’t considered it.
“This flirtatious thing goin’ on between you two reminds me of me and my dear Anna. She’s the same as Chevelle. All tough and don’t need no one.”
I tip back my coffee. “But I’m not sure that’s the truth.”
Rowdy shakes his head. “It’s not. That girl’s out to prove somethin’. Like she wants everyone in this town to stop feeling sorry for her. And I wish she’d just accept the fact that she lost her mama and whether you’re five or sixty-five, losing your mama is not somethin’ people get over.”
“She blames herself.”
He nods. “Don’t know anyone who wouldn’t.”
“And that’s the problem.”
“You can’t solve this for her.” Rowdy eyes me as if I don’t understand.
“I can’t take away her pain, but I can hold her hand through it.”
Rowdy smiles, his gold tooth in the back gleaming. “Good luck. That shell is thick and strong from years of keepin’ her pain hidden.” He pats me on the back. “I have to get ready for my next one, and don’t worry, the fish costume ain’t that bad.”
He steps off my boat and walks over to his more modest fishing boat. I’m not even sure he offers snacks. But the man knows his clientele well. They’d probably just chuck snacks overboard.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and type out all the supplies I need to give Chevelle the payback she deserves after ruining my best charter of the month.
Later that night, I’m sitting at the kitchen table in the dark, trying unsuccessfully to work on my laptop. Anything to distract me from my feelings for Chevelle. It was so much easier when we didn’t live together. When I didn’t have to witness the small moments in her life. When I didn’t know what she looks like when she gets up in the morning, or what TV shows she likes to unwind with at the end of a long day, or how she takes her coffee.
“Damn it!” I hear, then bang, bang, bang and a plate crashing and breaking on the floor. “Shit.”
I jump out of the chair and rush out of the room, flicking on the light in the foyer.
“Turn it off!” Chevelle yells, so I quickly turn the light back off. “I’m naked.”
You have to be fucking kidding me.
“Do you have someone over? I thought we said no guests.” My hands fist at my sides.
“No.” She huffs. “I sleep naked.”
“Oh hell, why’d you just tell me that?” I whine. Now I’ll be imagining her in bed every night not wearing a stitch of clothes.
“A lot of people sleep naked.”
“I know that, it’s just…” I huff. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“I woke up and couldn’t get back to sleep, so I was just bringing a plate down. I didn’t think you were still awake! I slipped on the stairs, and when I went to catch myself, the plate fell and broke. I don’t want to step on any of the pieces. Can you get me a shirt and shorts to put on?”
“In order to do that, I have to go up the stairs.”
“Shit,” she says.
“I’ll cover my eyes. Let me just turn on the light.”
“No! You’ll see me naked.”
“Well, the only piece of clothing I have on is my track shorts.”
“Perfect, give them to me.”
I roll my eyes. “Then I’ll be naked.”
She’s silent for a moment. “Well, be the gentleman anyway.”
I laugh. “I’ve seen naked women before.”
“And I’ve seen naked guys.”
“In fact, I saw you naked for a split second in Hawaii… remember?” My blood heats from thinking about that flash of bare skin I saw when we had to share a room and ran into each other when she was coming out of the shower wearing just a towel.
“Well then, it’s time for me to see you naked. Give me the shorts.”
Huh. She’s got me there. “But…”