Chapter 47
Josephine
I end up on the emerald boat with Locke and Kendrick. Although the latter wasn’t intentional. I had no idea this was “his boat” until we got off the tender and saw him at the bar.
It was easy enough for Hunter to find us. Each boat is decorated in either crimson, sapphire, emerald, or amethyst. The uplighting and specialty drinks are all themed. Even the waitstaff on each vessel match the décor.
The boats are identical otherwise. Sleek and expensive in an understated way. I can’t even begin to wrap my head around the cost.
We had to take off our shoes, which, again, didn’t surprise Hunter. She humored me and tagged along as I explored every inch of the boat, though she was less impressed.
Security is tight. And I understand now why Decker was so concerned about people coming and going. There’s a limit of forty people on each boat to start, operating under the assumption that several people will ship hop each hour.
Rumor has it there’s a standby line curving around the marina.
Being out on the water is incredible. Hunter and I ate our fill from the buffet, then we watched the sun set. Each yacht really came to life when the individual DJs synced up the sound systems and the lights contrasted against the sky.
Hunter is caught up chatting with another prelaw major by the bar, so I’ve spent the last ten minutes wandering around and people watching.
One of the downsides to being on a seventy-foot yacht? It’s only seventy feet long. Meaning it’s hard to completely avoid the attention of a certain someone who despises me.
I’ve felt Kendrick’s eyes on me more than once tonight. He hasn’t said a single word to me since he raged against me on the sidelines of the football game last weekend.
Haughtily, I look up and watch him without shame.
He stares back, challenging me to look away.
I don’t. I’m tired of being intimidated by him.
I’m tired of accepting his bad behavior.
So I lift my water bottle his way in a mock toast, offering him a saccharine smile.
His expression darkens, and I swear if I didn’t know how he really felt about me, I would think there’s more than vitriol behind the intensity of his emotions.
Eventually, someone calls his name, and he’s forced to look their way.
I smile and silently congratulate myself on my victory, no matter how minor.
My phone vibrates in my pocket.
Kylian: You should come find me on the sapphire boat.
Jo: Should I now?
Kylian: Are you being cheeky? Or do you want a list of reasons?