Cruise Cabin Confusion (Cruisin’ With Curves)

1. Barrett

Chapter one

Barrett

"Man, you need to take a vacation. You've been grumpier than usual," my friend Sean says as he starts his climb up the rock wall.

I say nothing, just let out a grunt as I continue to chalk my hands. Looking up at the rock wall in front of me, I watch my friend and take a deep breath. Man, I hope this helps to clear my head. There was a pressure in my chest that’s been building more and more since the day I met her. Shit, maybe Sean's right, and I need a vacation.

Placing my hand on the grip above my head, I lift myself up on to the wall. One thing I love about doing extreme physical stuff is that it forces me to pay attention to the here and now. I have to make sure that I'm focusing on the placement of my hands and feet. How my breath is affecting me. It leaves little time for me to be in my head, but lately…lately my brain can't seem to stop thinking about Sarah. The woman who has been on my mind on repeat, my PR representative. Which is not good. It's against the company's policy to be involved with their clients.

They're so strict that even Sean can't be my PR manager. Sean and I grew up together, moving out to California so both of us could follow our dreams. His dream of being the PR manager for the stars and as for me a career being a stunt double. And though I've been in quite a few films, I was still struggling to break into this business. Though, it seems like Sean’s has taken off, now having a bevy of famous people on his list of clients.

Taking a deep breath, I try to clear my mind. Focus only on the strain of my muscles as I continue to climb the rock wall, getting closer and closer to the end. The callous'es on my fingertips rub against the rubber handles as I pull myself up. Finally, making it to the top, I get the ropes ready for me to repel back down to the ground below. I can’t help but smile when I notice Sean's hand finally pulling himself up to the top of the wall. I’d beat him, even though he’d started first. Once he's completely up here, I look over at him. "Glad you could make it."

A grin spreads across his face as he looks over at me. He jokes, "Not all of us have the time to work out all day. Some of us have to work."

I just grunt at his words, and without another look at him, I repel back down the wall. As I undo my harness, I think about his joke. Though I know he’s just kidding, I can't help but compare the differences between where we are in our fields and I'm completely disappointed about where I am in mine. To the point, it's becoming somewhat of a sore spot. Because life hasn't turned out exactly how I pictured it.

"Hey, man. I'm sorry. It was a joke," Sean says to me as soon as his feet touch the mat.

I say nothing, just continuing to unhook myself. The tension between us just keeps building. I don't know what else to say. I'm a man of few words and even fewer when I don't want to talk about a subject. Thankfully, Sean knows how I work. We both stay silent as we clean up our equipment from the rock wall, handing it over to the guy who runs this place and thanking him.

Sean comes over to me as I take a big swig from my water bottle. "Seriously, Barrett. I'm sorry if my joke was in poor taste. You know that I usually put my foot in my mouth."

I can see the guilt written all over his face. He feels bad enough, but he's right, too. Sean tends to put his foot in his mouth more often than not. Which leads me to wonder how he could get as successful as he is because celebrities are fragile things and get hurt easy. Now that I think about it, it's probably his wife and assistant, Felicity, who keeps him from losing his clients. She's the best person for him and knows exactly how to smooth over any ill-timed jokes. Lucky for him, he's my brother from another mother and I would never cast him aside, no matter how bad his jokes are.

"It's fine, Sean,” I grunt out as I take another drink of water. “I'm just tired and I'm not sure being a stunt double is worth it anymore."

"Seriously, Barrett, take a vacation. Maybe getting away from L.A. will help clear things up for you."

Wincing at the suggestion, I mutter, "I can't afford a vacation, Sean."

Sean's boyish grin transforms his face, and I can see the wheels in his head turning. Oh, shit, whatever he's thinking will not be good. Whenever he gets that look, it's never ended well. "Sean, why are you grinning like that?" I ask as I point to his face.

"Nothing yet. Let me make a phone call," he says without elaborating as he heads to the locker room.

Curiosity gets to me, and I groan, knowing that I'm going to follow him to see what he's up to. When I enter the locker room, Sean is already on the phone and, by the conversation, I can tell it's his wife, Felicity. My shoulders relax a bit. Okay, if he's talking to her, then whatever he's up to can't be that bad.

Leaning against the wall, I listen to him. "I will…Yes…I'll take you anywhere you want if we do this…Okay…Thanks Fel…You're the best…Love you." He then hangs up his phone and turns to where I'm standing with the same grin he had on earlier. Oh, fuck, what is going on.

"Sean, what’s—" He holds up his hand, stopping me from what I was about to say.

"Barrett, as you know, I just got promoted at Star Surge PR. Well, with that, I got a free vacation."

Shaking my head, because I know exactly where this is going, but when I go to open my mouth to refuse, he pushes forward. "Let me finish, Barrett," he demands. "The vacation is a cruise and was only for me, but you know I won't go anywhere without Felicity. I just called her to see if we could get the ticket put in your name and she's going to work on it. And before you say no, just know that I'm not backing down. You've been through a lot this year. You deserve a break, maybe even getting laid. And as your best friend, I'm going to make it happen whether you want me to or not."

Once Sean's finished giving me his speech, he stands there with his hands on his hips and a scowl on his face, waiting for me to argue with him. But if he's willing to go through all this, I guess I could do the right thing and take the gift he's offering me.

Even though I hate the idea of taking a handout from anyone, even if it's from two of my best friends, I grit my teeth. "Fine."

His scowl transforms into a smile as he, claps his hands together. "Great. I'll have Felicity send you all the information."

Grunting, I gather my items from the locker room while Sean does the same. Even though I don't want to take his hand out, I can't deny that he's right. The last few years, I've been taking every job that comes my way. Letting out a breath, I have to admit to myself he's right. A vacation and a new perspective would do me good.