AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It was, after all, a Christmas charter where we’d be making our way to the Carters’ favorite spot in the Caribbean, the British Virgin Islands. Two weeks of sun, fun, and celebrations. I had no problem working over the holidays when the Caribbean was my backdrop.
I’d miss my family something fierce, but they understood the demands of my job. Not to mention I’d earn double time. I’d been saving for a sailboat of my own and this trip was finally going to make the down payment possible.
And funny enough, Rowan’s entourage had become mine too, so it hardly felt like work at all.
We were all part of the Carter family crew.
As I made my way out of the bathroom, my eyes still locked on my phone, I noticed the word ‘bodyguard’ at the end of George’s text.
Suddenly, I tripped and nearly face planted into the door.
Smooth, Charlie.
Shaking off my clumsiness, I righted myself and shoved my phone back in my pocket.
It wasn’t the bodyguard reference that had me unsettled. Rowan was a billionaire after all, so he always had security with him. No, it was the fact that George hadn’t sent any details about who it was. Just a note to remind all staff, and to ensure we had a crew cabin ready for whoever it was.
It couldn’t be Kiernan. Could it? He’d have said so by now, right?
Then again, we hadn’t texted in two weeks.
And whose fault is that?
I still thought about that trip to Thailand more than any other.
I thought abouthimmore than was smart.
Nerves in my belly kickstarted, and my heart took off running again. Another clue about my sleeplessness.
But I shut that shit down tight. I had no time or energy to lust after someone I had no business chasing. Still, the guilt I felt at going no contact with my friend was persistent and well-deserved. And it was time to reach out to him and apologize.
Shaking off my heavy mood, I headed back out through the packed bar.
I spotted my bathroom buddy sitting at one of the high-top tables, glaring at me like I was the devil himself. It was time to head out of here.
“See you in a few weeks!” I yelled out to Horace, the bartender and owner of Paradise Found. He gave me a big smile and a wave in return.
I made it a habit to stop in here whenever we were docked nearby. And despite the miscommunication tonight, I’d always had good luck finding a hookup at this bar. Guys like me who were only interested in getting off and getting gone.
I stepped outside, and even in late December, the rush of humid air was overwhelming. I decided to walk home since the bar wasn’t far from my condo.
Like most yachties, I tended to get restless on shore leave. But even the most dedicated sailor needs to touch firm ground occasionally. And speaking of firm, it wasn’t too late to stop in at another bar on my way home. The night wasn’t over yet.
Until my phone rang, and I glanced at the screen.
Incoming call: George
This couldn’t be good. The captain never called me on my time off unless it was urgent.
“Hey, George, what’s up?” I answered.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your time off, Charlie, but I need you back on the ship a day earlier. The engine room is down one person. Noah’s been sick with a stomach bug.”
“Ah, shit.”
“Yes, quite.”
“Let me go home and grab my stuff and I’ll be on board within an hour.”
