Page 32 of Adrift

The yelling is loud enough I can hear it from three boats away. My run has been cut short by the heat and the thought of food. Food never means much to me while I’m in training mode. It’s fuel and nothing more than that. But I had a burger the chef made at lunch, and shit if I don’t want another one. Or twelve.

“How do I know Brianna Snodgrass?” That’s a question I don’t want to answer. She’s Candy’s niece, and three years ago, I thought she was a sweet girl who might help me decompress after training. It was during a weekend meet, and she had been laughing, her eyes sparkling with mischief. It’s not mischief; it’s full-on crazy. Did I ever intend on her being a girlfriend? No, I thought it was clear. But I thought wrong. Dad told me she was going to be on the yacht, and I said I’d have to pass, that I wouldn’t come if she was a guest. So Candy found a workaround.

“We dated once or twice,” is what I say to keep things simple.

“Man, do you always like them crazy?” Shayla’s eyebrows shoot up, and I have to wonder if she is dissing me or propositioning me.

“Shayla,” Calvin growls at her.

She shrugs and sits on the arm of the sofa. Her casual demeanor is a stark contrast to the tension in the room.

“Why? What happened?” I have a feeling that I’m going to regret asking the question.

“What happened?” Shayla holds out her hair, waving it at me. “The bitch got chop-happy with some shears.”

“Shayla,” Calvin repeats himself. I suppose the crew isn’t supposed to air their dirty laundry, but after helping for the day, I don’t feel like the owner’s son now. I feel more like one of them, part of the team. It’s refreshing. And I like it. Swimming is an individual sport?that’s how I received most of my medals?but I’m most proud of the ones I got from the relays.

“Oh, she’s crazy,” I agree. “And I’m afraid I’m the reason she’s part of your crew.” The two of them snap their attention to me. “She’s Candy’s niece, and Candy hasn’t given up on the idea of her being part of the Rockwell family too.”

“Is that why she’s been hiding?” Calvin turns to Shayla, and her eyebrows shoot up.

“I have no idea. Crazy does what crazy wants. You saved yourself a doozy by not letting her blonde ass hypnotize you.”

“I’m more of a light-brown-brunette kind of guy.” I smile. “I’m sorry she’s caused you any stress. Is the captain on the bridge with her now?” I point toward the bridge.

“Yeah.” Shayla rolls her eyes. She leans back, and the resentment on her face is clear. I don’t blame her. I’m taking long steps to the bridge. I’ve got to come clean to the captain.

The door is closed, and they ignore my knock. I knock again. “Captain, this is Easton. I have some information about Brianna.”

Through the door I can hear her say, “Don’t open it up.”

“Come in,” the captain calls.

Brianna’s cowering next to Haley.

“Hey Captain. I see you’ve met Candy’s niece. Just for the record, I told my dad that Miss Snodgrass wasn’t permitted on the yacht as a guest.”

“I see. And why is that?”

“Because I have a restraining order against her. But I didn’t tell my dad that?I thought to save the woman some dignity.”

“This isn’t America.” Brianna ducks her head out from behind the beautiful stew. “Your order is no good here.”

“No, no, it’s not. But what you did to Shayla in any country is going to be considered an assault.” The captain stands and paces in front of Haley and Brianna.

“She was so loud, and her braid was flapping over the edge of the bed.” Brianna’s eyes widen.

“You cut her hair off because she was loud and her hair was dangling off her bed?” I ask, turning to the captain.

He gives me a nod. “Indeed.”

“Well, whatever you and Shayla decide has to happen to her, I want her off this boat. No way in hell are we leaving the dock with her on board.” I put my hands behind my back.

The captain’s face is stone. “Agreed.”

“But Easter Bunny, don’t you remember how much fun we had together?” Brianna grabs at my arm.

I hear a snicker behind me. The first officer. But the captain holds it together and clears his throat.

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