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Maddox: Got it. On our way
I fire up the boat and we push away from the dock, motoring out to sea. The water’s choppy, foamy white waves tossing us around, the wind strong. Josh sits at the back, white-knuckling the railing as we bounce over the high, roiling waves. He’s pale, his lips pressed together in a thin, tight line.
Scott: That’s good, man. Right there
Cutting the motor, I lower the anchor and try to hold position. Tougher than it sounds, though, because the wind’s whipping, the occasional wave climbing up the side of the boat and splashing in.
“You okay, man?” I ask, glancing back at Josh, who’s rapidly turning green.
“Yep. Fine.” He stays rooted to his seat, while Ivy and I make awkward small talk over the howling wind.
Scott: Sorry for the delay. The camera crew said it’s too rough to get a good shot at the moment. Hang tight
“What’s the fucking hold-up?” Josh grumbles, shielding his eyes with his hand and peering back at the shore. “Where the hell’s the camera crew? Let’s get this miserable scene over with.”
“That’s the spirit.” Ivy tucks her legs up under her, flipping her ponytail over her bare shoulder.
“I hate boats,” Josh says, his foot tapping double-time on the deck.
“Why’d you say yes to this gig then, Josh? The movie’s calledHooked on the Holidays. Didn’t you read the script? You took the role of a boat captain!”
“My agent promised me a stunt double.” Bright splotches of pink stain Josh’s now-ashen skin. “Oh god…”
He leans over the side and tosses his cookies, vomit hurtling into the water.
“Gross…” Ivy murmurs under her breath, shaking her head.
Josh chucks up again, then stands, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.
“You want some water, man?” I ask, holding out a fresh bottle.
He shakes his head, then bends over the side and pukes again. “I need to get off this fucking boat. It’s the waves—they’re getting to me.”
I text Scott.
Maddox: Untoward development. Josh just puked. Several times. Wants off the boat
Scott: Dammit. Hold on
“Keep looking out at the horizon,” I say, pointing at the flat line in the distance. “That always helps.”
“You know what’s gonna really help? Getting the fuck off this choppy-ass water. What are we waiting for? Take me back.” Josh honest-to-goodness stomps his foot like a damn two-year-old throwing a tantrum.
“I would, except Scott told me to hold on.”
“I don’t give a fuck what anyone told you to do. Take me back to fucking land. Right the fuck now.”
“You don’t have to be such a jerk about it, Josh.” Ivy cuts her eyes at him, glowering.
“You shut the hell up. I wish I never took this miserable role. The only reason I did it was because Blaise was supposed to be the lead. Then your bitch of an agent bullied her out of the job,” Josh shouts at Ivy over the whipping wind.
“That’s not true!” Ivy yells back, crossing her arms over her chest. “Blaise quit, then I was offered the job.”
“Believe whatever you want, Ivy. You’ve always been the darling of the Christmas Network; this movie’s no exception.”
“It might have something to do with her talent, Josh,” I say, cutting in. I can’t handle one more second of listening to Josh trash talk Ivy.
“Bro—you’re so whipped you can’t even see what’s right in front of your face.” Josh’s face turns bright red, spittle flying out of his mouth.
