Page 10 of Hot for the Jerk

The wind changed direction.Or was that the boat?Whatever it was, something strange was afoot, and we were suddenly pivoting.“What’s happening?”I asked him, making no move to get back to the truck.Even though I was struggling to keep my footing, the fresh—sort of—air was helping my stomach settle down.

“We’re heading to Wayman Island,” he said.

“What?Why?”

What the fuck?

He glanced to the side where another employee rushed past.“The terminal at San Camanez has been damaged.A large freight vessel broke free of its offshore anchor and drifted into the terminal.We can’t safely dock.”

“What?”exclaimed a familiar she-devil behind me.“We can’t dock on San Camanez?”

“We’re closest to Wayman Island.We’re going to dock there for the night and reassess things in the morning.Hopefully, we can arrange passenger transportation to San Camanez tomorrow.If the weather settles down.”He looked like he needed to go, but didn’t want to.Was he in charge of delivering the news to the passengers?

I wasn’t able to get any more questions out before he took off, leaving a soaking wet Raina and me standing there on the oscillating ship, gaping at each other.

A moment later, the horn blew and the captain’s voice came on.“Attention passengers.This is your captain speaking.Unfortunately, due to weather damage at the San Camanez terminal, we are unable to dock there this evening.We are rerouting to Wayman Island for the night with the hopes of getting a barge—or at the very least, a passenger ferry—from Wayman to San Camanez for you tomorrow.We apologize for the inconvenience; however, your safety is our utmost concern.Please stand by for further instructions and information.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me!”Raina shouted over the wind.

I shrugged, even though inside I was as nauseous and upset as she was.I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of knowing that though.“You’ve got a bit of …” I stepped forward and cringed as I pointed at a chunk of something … vomity … in her hair.

She reached up and yanked it out, flicking it to the ground, before growling and stomping back toward her vehicle.

I was plenty soaked as well, though not as bad as she was, and climbed back into the cube van.I shot off a quick text to all of my brothers, explaining the situation.

(Clint)Shit.Well, better safe than dead.Did Raina get on with Gabrielle or is she in the same boat as you?

(Wyatt)Ha-ha same boat!I see what you did there.Nice pun.

(Bennett)There are plenty of nice B&Bs on Wayman Island.I recommend the Octopus Point Inn.

(Me)Yeah, the ice queen is on this boat.She wolfed her cookies over the side.

I didn’t bother to tell them that I also heaved my biscuits to the fishes as well.

(Dom)Surprised you didn’t also barf.Though nobody has a weaker constitution than Wyatt.

(Wyatt)Hey!

(Me)Anyway.I’ll keep you posted.

(Clint)Stay safe.

(Bennett)Stay safe.

(Wyatt)Stay safe.

(Dom)Stay safe.

We docked at Wayman Island fifteen minutes later, and they ushered us off.I punched in the Octopus Point Inn into my phone and luckily, it was only a five-minute drive from the terminal.I arrived at the same time as a familiar SUV with a wet redhead pulled up.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” she said as she sloshed her way out from behind the steering wheel and spied me climbing the stairs.“Go somewhere else.”

“You go somewhere else.”

We reached the door at the same time, and I absolutely did not hold it open for her.

“Hello,” greeted a sweet little old lady with white hair, purple-rimmed cat eye glasses, and a floral blouse.“I take it you’re from the ferry that was supposed to dock at San Camanez?”

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