Page 75 of Bumping into You

As the cruise director calls the bellyflop participants up, the guys are joined by about ten other men. The rules are pretty simple. Basically, when the participant is called up, there’s music for them to dance to as they walk up the steps of the diving board, then they have to perform their best bellyflop, and the crowd will score them.

There are a few guys ahead of Niall, Trent, Greg, and Miles. They do decent but nothing amazing. Miles is up next, and we cheer him on as he struts steps in rhythm to the music, but his flop is a flop.

“Oh no! That looks like it hurt,” laughs Holly.

“Yeah,” agrees Gillian with an eye roll, “he’s going to be sore after that awful flop.”

Laughing, I turn to see Trent up next. He is a big goofball, playing to the crowd with his dance moves. His bellyflop gets a huge round of applause and is the highest score so far.

Niall, preparing for his turn, looks over at me and cocks his brow at me. Why that look makes me all hot and bothered is beyond me. He takes off his shirt and the crowd murmurs in appreciation.

Yeah, I know, folks, and it’s even better up close.

I give him a thumbs up as music begins. And damn, is he sexy. He swings his hips, playing to the crowd to get them to cheer louder.

As he stands at the top of the steps, he cups his hands to his ear as if he can’t hear the crowd cheering.

I know I’m grinning like a fool, but he does put on a good show. Now let’s just hope his bellyflop isn’t a dud like Miles’ was.

We count him down just like every competitor before him with a “three, two, one, bellyflop!” and he leaps into the air, pulling his knees and arms in tight. Just before he starts to descend, he extends both arms and hands out in the perfect pose, belly slightly lower than the rest of him. He hits the water belly first with a loud bang and a splash that sends water over the edge of the pool, hitting people in the first row.

Well damn, that was good.

“Woohoo, go Sully!” Trent yells after his friend. Niall’s bellyflop comes in at the closest score to Trent’s.

As he breaks through the water, his gaze meets mine and I’m smiling from ear to ear. Why does he have to be so infuriatingly perfect? I clap along with the others and give him a slight nod.

As he makes his way out of the pool, the activities director walks over to Niall. “Before you go, Niall, come here, come here. We have to point this out, folks. Niall, do a little pirouette here. Look at this, folks,” the director says, motioning toward Niall’s stomach. “Look at the redness already set in. Look at this!” The crowd is clapping and laughing.

Niall joins us as we watch Greg jump. It’s not as impressive as Trent or Niall’s bellyflops, but still not bad.

After everyone has their turn, the cruise activities director tallies up the scores and announces, “We have a close enough top two that we need to have a jump off. Our two top-scoring contestants are going to be Trent from Tennessee and Niall fromMassachusetts! It’s down to the two of you. You’ll each have a chance to do one more flop for first and second place.”

Trent and Niall make their way up and prepare for one final jump.

The cruise activities director continues, “Alright we have Trent from Tennessee going first. Trent, are you ready?”

Trent nods, then gives Niall a fist bump before heading up the stairs to the song “Who Let the Dogs Out” as the director announces, “Alright, same rules as before apply, folks. We’ll be watching for the same things, but this one has to be even more discerning. We are looking for the perfect flop. So, when you are giving your scores, keep that in mind. Give it up for Trent from Tennessee. Let’s see it in three, two, one, bellyflop!”

Trent’s flop is near perfection. And we all cheer for him along with the rest of the crowd.

Niall, up next, turns at the top of the stairs to shake his butt at the crowd. The crowd goes wild. Niall’s bellyflop is also near perfection.

Both guys had different techniques, but both managed to soak the first row of people closest to the pool.

We cheer like crazy for both our friends, whose stomachs are now an even brighter red than before. That’s going to be so uncomfortable in the fancy dress clothes tonight for our formal dinner.

The cruise activities director gives a final tally. “Now for the flop off winner, we are going to crown our Silver medal winner . . . Trent from Tennessee. Let’s hear it for Trent! You had some beautiful flopping.”

“Woohoo, go Trent!” I yell along with Margot, Holly, and Greg.

“Alright, and then for the Grand Champion medal we have Niall from Massachusetts! And our winner has agreed to give us one more bellyflop! Let’s see it one more time, folks,” says the activities director.

Niall turns and looks straight at me. He points, and mouths, “This one’s for you.”

I blush. Margot and Holly both give me a look and a mischievous grin. Greg and Trent also notice.Oh no, I think,I’m sure they’re going to say something to me.But instead, they give each other a look before turning back to cheer on Niall as he jumps into the air to give another spectacular bellyflop.

Odd, I wonder what that look was for?I’m sure Greg will give me an earful about it later.

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