“Wow, and all these places just let you work random hours?”
“Whenever I wanna help out. Stefan more or less makes commands. All good by me.” Arnie looked at him like he was the crazy one.
Trevor didn’t like the guy. He was a sketchy hippie driving a boat while probably stoned, endangering all of them. How could Stefan be stupid enough to trust this loser? “Hey man, some hash for the group? Share a joint?” Trevor asked.
“No, man. I’m not one for drugs. Clouds my head.” Arnie’s answer seemed sincere enough, despite his appearance.
“Yeah, I suppose it does. You know how to take this thing in safely?”
Arnie smiled. “Drive it till we touch sand. Then you get off.”
Asshole. “Well, thanks for the ride.”
“Don’t mention it.”
The view seemed astounding for the girls, only satisfactory for Trevor. After all, he’d already seen and been to many places around the world, most involving five-star beachside resorts.
His sea legs were still wobbly, but as soon as the boat touched sand he was cured of any nausea, and was now in need of something carbonated and sugary to replenish. An energy bar would have been nice too. The sight of Stefan with his arms spread wide on shore, jackass grin consuming his face, bothered Trevor unexpectedly.
The girls were oohing and aahing over the surroundings as Stefan announced, “Welcome! To my island!” Easy, moneybags. Daddy couldn’t just get you a pony?
Erin and Skye were still transfixed as Stefan gave them a hand off the boat and into the shallow water.
The vibrant colors around Erin made her gray eyes and pale skin stand out. Trevor liked her smile. It was refreshing to see her genuinely excited, putting him in an improved mood.
She ran her hand through her sun-dried blonde hair, unable to contain herself as she did an awkward half skip through the water.
Skye shook her ass at Ashton as she stepped into the water. She was absolutely shredded, also petite like Erin. Tattoos were everywhere; on her leg, arm, and back. One was a dream catcher, another was something likely profound in another language, and the other was hard to tell really, probably something sexual in nature.
“This is crazy beautiful,” said Skye.
“The water…” Erin said.
“Ladies… For seven days, this belongs to you. I am simply at your service.”
“Such a gentleman.” Skye openly eye-banged Stefan. Ashton didn’t notice as he unloaded luggage.
Ashton turned with luggage in hand. “Don’t worry, babe, we got this.”
Arnie poked his head out where Stefan could see him. “Arnold! Come out for a drink. I’ll bring a cooler out.”
“No, sorry I—I’ve got plans inland.”
“Plans? You live in Belize. Why make plans?”
“Maybe I got a hot date waiting for me?”
“And maybe Scarlet Johansson is waiting for me in my Jacuzzi filled with Cool Whip.”
“Don’t joke… I should really get going though.”
“You sure?”
Arnie scrambled to check the boat for any luggage that might be left behind. He appeared to be in a hurry to leave.
“You coming back midweek or just for their departure?” asked Stefan.
“I’ll let you know.”
Everyone got off the boat, and Arnie didn’t hesitate to start pushing off. Stefan paid no attention to his yacht. “Cousin!”
“What is this, forty acres?” asked Trevor.
“Eighty-five. Ready for an adventure or what?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” answered Trevor.
He looked his cousin in the eyes. They got caught awkwardly between a handshake and a hug.
“Good to see you. How’s the firm?”
“Busy.”
“Congrats, man, any new clients as of late?”
“A few.”
“Any I’d know?”
“Can’t say. You know how it is.”
“Right. Of course.”
Trevor looked around at his surroundings. He tilted his head skyward, spotting a drone hovering high up in the air. It flew away out of sight. “Has your dad seen what he’s invested in?” asked Trevor.
Stefan smiled through the scorn. “Fortunately, he is not a shareholder.”
Trevor smiled wryly and slapped him on the back as he walked ahead of Stefan towards the inner part of the island.
Stefan turned to the girls. “So! The tour, yeah?”
Inside their duplex, Ashton opened up the beer fridge and his jaw dropped. It was stocked full with any brand of barley sodas one could think of. “Oh shit, dude!”
Stefan laughed. “Open the cabinet up there.”
Ashton opened it to find every type of liquor on planet Earth. “I like you, man.”
“What does everyone think?” asked Stefan.
“I think I’m really horny,” said Skye.
“Skye,” Erin scolded.
“Well, that might be my cue to let you guys get settled in.”
Erin slapped Skye on the shoulder.
“We will have refreshments ready for you on the beach, along with some snorkel gear, and of course beersbee.”
“What’s that?” Skye asked.
“Oh my… I’ll see you out there.”
Stefan left the two couples to their duplexes. Skye gave one look of seduction toward Ashton and they scampered off over to their side of the duplex, a trail of giggles and squeals following, leaving Erin and Trevor alone.
Erin walked over to Trevor. She kissed him and he pulled away after a couple seconds. “Wine?”
Chapter Three - Erin
Almost two years and he still felt like a stranger much of the time. There was a side to him she could never access, and perhaps she never would.
Erin had had opportunities to be with the “nice guys” in high school and college. But she wanted what the other girls had. You know the girls, the ones that rejected the nice boys with hopeful smiles and a distinct inability to maintain eye contact. Like swatting flies against the wall, it was. These girls, they could have absolutely any guy they wanted, and they’d always opt for the one with an edge; a very specific type of unpredictability often paired with stupidity. There was a reason for that; it was more fun. She loved when they’d complain about there never being any good men out there, saying they just wanted someone honest, sweet, and sincere. They didn’t. They weren’t really tired of the charade. They loved the charade. It wasn’t self-sabotage. It was denial. She couldn’t recall one that was honest about what they desired; well, except Skye. You didn’t get more honest than Skye. But she didn’t grow up with Skye.
Now, having had her gorgeous, rich, successful, intelligent, suave, charming boyfriend, she understood. It wasn’t just that he cleaned up, he owned rooms. He was often arrogant and had enough wit to back it up. It also helped that sexy was an adjective that fell incredibly short in doing him justice. But with that wonderful package came a man who was disconnected, distant, aloof; something considered as attractive qualities in the beginning and tiresome somewhere in the middle, undoubtedly leading to an impending “abrupt” end. Then, on completely random occasions, he’d catch her off guard and stare forever into her eyes, making it all worthwhile. Yes, she was in his web and she was a hypocrite, but at least she was aware of it. Did that make it better?
Leaning against the table watching Trevor distract himself with his cell phone, she could only think of one thing. I wonder how many women he slept with before me? During me?