AllFreeNovel
Share Us
At first, I don’t know why, and then it hits—the Healing Touch is followed up by a series of wakes, and they roll through the water, shaking our boat back and forth.
Hour nine of complete confinement with Four and Pearl.
We finally made it to Block Island, and now we’re attached to a mooring ball. A single boat bobbing in a small lake of boats.
Pearl is taking a midday nap to avoid a hangover later. Four is playing solitaire.
I entertain myself by sitting in the cockpit and painting my toenails. Seashell pink.
I’m touching up my big toe when Jason’s face breaks through the water.
I screech. My polish goes everywhere.
Jason clings to the stairs. His hair is darker when wet. Salt water drips down his chest, making the muscles glisten.
“Hey, Trouble,” he says. He blinks water from his eyelashes. Have I noticed before how long they are?
“Jesus! Are you a mermaid?”
“Maybe.” He’s grinning again—that cocky smirk. “Dad wanted to invite your family over for dinner tonight. We’re grilling steaks.”
I’m trying to ignore the way the water sparkles on his broad shoulders. The droplets slipping down his biceps.
“Okay,” I say. “I’ll pass on the word, I guess.”
“Good. We’re on Moor 16.”
A loud whistle cuts through the air, and Jason glances over his shoulder.
“Is that for you?” I ask.
“Dad is timing my swim,” he responds. He looks back at me, his eyes sweeping. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Maybe.”
“Do better than maybe.” He winks and then pushes off the side of the boat. He moves through the water effortlessly, his arms swinging up and over.
I’m not ashamed to admit I watch the muscles of his back flex as he glides through the water.
Okay. Maybe a little ashamed.
What’s gotten into me?
Pearl fits me into a purple blouse and white pants—which seems like a stupid idea, ultimately, because my butt gets wet as soon as we get in the dingy.
Four steers us through the water and to the Healing Touch. The boat has its own underneath boat lights, and they make the water look emerald green in their spotlights.
“Ahoy there!” Four says, like the nerd he is.
“Terry,” Mr. King smiles. “Glad to have you. I’ll toss you a line.”
We tie up to their boat. Mr. King extends a hand and helps us all on board, one by one.
It’s funny—it doesn’t feel like the same boat with the rest of the King family here. I’m used to seeing this as the party boat. Now, I see it as it’s supposed to be. The wings of the center console have fanned out into a long table. There’s soft jazz music playing, not the normal rancorous pop tunes. The table is set, a bottle of wine in the middle, flanked with salad, bread, and steak and potatoes.
It’s amazing how the Healing Touch cleans up when it’s not covered in wine coolers and slutty teenagers.
Pearl and Mrs. King get along like gangbusters. They’re both gold diggers, wear the same brand of jewelry, and ascribe to the same skincare routine. It stands to reason. The grill is attached to the back of the boat, and Mr. King and Four hover over it, talking about…meat and fishing, I guess. Guy stuff.
