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But I needed the money. There were debts back home that needed sorting.
So here I was. I just hoped it wouldn’t be awkward. I wouldn’t want to make Charlie uneasy. After all, the ship was his home first.
“I arrived a half hour ago. But I’m not on official duty until tomorrow. Alex is with Rowan and the rest of the group. Jana said she was going to set me up in a cabin, not sure which one,” I paused and rubbed my cropped beard. “I would’ve texted to give you a heads up but, well, after our last text, I wasn’t sure… I mean, I didn’t know—”
Feck, I was blabbering.
“That’s all my fault,” Charlie interrupted as he threw off his soaked shirt and sat down on one of the deck chairs. He pulled out his phone and wiped it off, then tapped on it. Then he looked back up at me. “I’m so sorry I went quiet these past two weeks. I’ve been dealing with chronic insomnia and studying to get my next promotion.”
I watched Charlie’s face as he listed his reasons, but I could tell that there was something else going on. Something he didn’t want to say.
“No worries.”
Charlie stood up and shook his head. “No, I mean it. I’m very sorry, Kier. Friends don’t ghost each other like that. Forgive me?”
I nodded.
“And I’m really glad you’re here.”
He smiled again and I couldn’t help but return it. A warm feeling, much like coming home, had me feeling lighter than I had in ages.
“Did your mobile survive the swim?”
Charlie looked down at his phone. “Yeah and thank fuck. I wouldn’t want to have to explain to George why I need a new work phone.”
“And why would that be?” a deep voice echoed behind us.
We both turned to find the man in question walking down the steps to join us.
Captain George Bernard.
The man my brother referred to as ‘hot daddy’.
Not that I noticed.
Much.
With a thick head of silver hair, scruff to match, and intense green eyes, George was a handsome bloke with a presence that demanded attention. He was Charlie’s boss but also part of the Carter family, married to Rafe.
George’s reserved manner only shifted when his husband was around.
Me and Korry had been witness to their relationship from the start, having guarded them when he and Rafe were first together, and George’s ex was stalking him. They were a loving couple, but I often wondered how two such opposites could be so in sync.
“Did you go for a swim in the marina before stepping on board?”
George looked at Charlie, his serious expression marred only by the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.
“I slipped on the plank, okay? First time in two years,” Charlie grumbled as his face flushed.
George finally let out a chuckle. “Well, it happens to the best of sailors. But usually only after a night of debauchery.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’d only had one drink when you called me. And, unfortunately, no debauchery before that,” Charlie offered. “This one here startled me by yelling from the shadows and I lost my balance.”
George glanced at me and raised one eyebrow. “You scared my most unflappable crew member?”
“I asked him for his ID as a joke. I thought he saw me, or at least, recognized my voice.”
“I told you, it’s dark out here and I was surprised,” Charlie repeated.
