Eight
HOLLIE
Beau steps over to me and places a kiss on my cheek. “Morning, gorgeous.”
My skin tingles where his lips just were. “Morning,” I squeak out.
“We’ve just booked out a cat, would you ladies like to join us?” Matt asks.
“We’d love to,” Lacie eagerly agrees, just as I say, “Thank you, but no.”
The three of them turn to me and a chorus of “What?” “Huh?” and “Why?” are thrown at me.
“Ummm, I get seasick.”
“Pffft, you’ll be fine,” Lacie says, clearly forgetting what happened in ninth grade on the field trip to Lake Barron Acres. Not letting me get another word in, she links her arm with mine and drags me along behind the guys, ignoring my protests.
Thirty minutes later, we’re sailing through the crystal blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Everyone is having fun. But me? I’m trying not to vomit.
The three of them think it’s hilarious, and after throwing up for the fifth time, they decide to head back to shore.
As soon as I can, I jump off the catamaran and turn to face them.
“Go, have fun, I’ll head back to the room and wait for you guys to get back.
And don’t even think about arguing, I don’t want to ruin it for you guys. ”
Waving them off, I watch them sail away for the adventure they had in mind. My stomach is still rolling as I begin to head back to our bungalow to lie down and recover from the horrid experience.
Making it back to our room, I grab a shower and then I climb into bed.
After my amazing night and not so amazing morning, I fall asleep before my head even hits the pillow.
I’m woken a few hours later by knocking on the room door.
Presuming it’s Lacie, forgetting her key—again—I swing it open, but when I do, it’s not her. “Can I help you?”
Standing before me is a drunk guy, I can smell the liquor and when he sneers, “You sure can, Dollface,” I’m bowled over by the stench of his breath.
I try to slam the door on him but he kicks his foot out, stopping me. His eyes are glazed and sweat mars his skin. “I saw you earlier, you want me. I know you do. All chicks want a piece of Phil.”
“Yeah, I don’t think so.” I try to slam the door again but he’s stronger than me.
He pushes on the wood, not allowing me to close it.
A feeling of unease washes over me with each second that passes as this drunk asshole lingers at the door.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end when recognition hits, I vaguely remember seeing him hitting on some poor chick at the bar yesterday.
I shuddered then too but being on the receiving end, that fear I felt is intensified.
His eyes rake over my body and I shudder at the lewdness in his gaze. He licks his lips, raises his eyebrows, and thrusts his groin at me. “Dollface,” he sneers. “You and I are going to have so much fun.”
“I don’t think so,” I snap back at him, as I stare at the unwanted guest before me. His words and actions shake me to my core. Never have I felt fear like this.
“Come on, Dollface, let Phil in,” he snarls, hitting the doorframe to intimidate me.
Through clenched teeth, I shout “No!”
“And I say yes.” He takes a step forward but in the blink of an eye, he’s pulled back and is slammed into the side of the bungalow. My rescuer presses their arm across the guy’s chest. “The lady said no.”
I recognize that voice immediately, it’s Beau, but I’m frozen in the doorway. I stand here and stare in shock as Beau and the creepy drunk guy have words. It’s about to turn physical when security arrives, with Matt and Lacie on their heels.
Matt and Beau help security, and it takes all four of them to bring the creep down. I can barely process what I’m seeing. My whole body is shaking, adrenaline crashing through me in brutal waves.
Then Lacie is there. The second her arms wrap around me, something inside me gives way and the warmth of her embrace breaks through the fear.
The tension I've been carrying snaps all at once, and I fall apart completely in Lacie's arms. Tears spill down my cheeks before I can stop them and I cling to her.
My fingers twisting into the back of her shirt as I sob.
I can't stop thinking about what could have happened.
The realization that I'm not alone anymore hits me like a punch to the chest.
There are people here.
I'm safe.
Relief floods through me so suddenly it hurts. I bury my face against her shoulder and cry harder, overwhelmed by fear, shock, and the crushing gratitude of knowing it's over.
“I was so scared,” I blubber.
A warm hand begins rubbing circles on my back, Beau.
Spinning to face him, I pull away from Lacie and wrap my arms around his waist. Snuggling into his embrace, I cry into his chest. His arms around me are soothing and just what I need.
He hugs me tightly to him and whispers repeatedly, “Shh, you’re okay. ”
When I look up again, I’m in our room, perched across Beau’s lap on my bed. I was so consumed with fear and relief, I didn’t notice we’d walked inside. Lacie and Matt are looking on, worry marring their faces.
Wiping at my tear-stained face, I mumble, “I’m fine, guys, just a little shaken.”
“Are you sure?” Lacie questions.
Nodding my head, I plaster on a fake smile. “Positive.”
The moment is interrupted when security and the hotel manager knock on the door.
We each give a statement and the manager apologizes profusely for what happened and says something about comping our stay and that dinner this evening will be on them.
I’m still in bit of a daze so I don’t fully comprehend what’s happening right now.
They leave and the four of us silently sit here and process the events of the last few hours.
Not wanting to dwell on what could have happened, I suggest we head to the pool for an afternoon of lazing in the sun, drinking cocktails, and chillaxing before we head to the restaurant for the dinner, courtesy of the hotel.
“Guys,” I state, “Let’s not allow this to ruin our vacation.
” I’m met with silence, “Please?” I add.
“Sounds good to me,” Matt says. He jumps up and slaps Beau on the back. “Let’s go, dude. Let the ladies freshen up and we’ll meet them shortly down at the beach bar.”
Wiggling in Beau’s arms, he loosens his grip on me and I stand up. Reaching over, I grip his chin and lift his head so he’s looking directly at me. “I’m fine, really.”
“Are you sure?” he questions.
“I’m fine and I know when a chick says that they usually aren’t, but I promise you, I’m okay. You saved me, therefore I need to thank my savior with a beer or five.”
“If you say so,” he reluctantly replies, “but if you want to leave at any point, just say the word.”
“I promise,” I affirm.
Reaching out, he takes my hand in his and squeezes before lacing our fingers together.
My gaze drops to our entwined fingers, but when I look back at him, I don’t like the expression on this face.
He’s still worried. Leaning down, I place my lips near his ear and whisper, “Beau, you saved me. You got here before anything untoward happened.” Before he can reply, I rest my forehead against his.
“I’m okay,” I reiterate and finally, I see a smile on his face.
“You’re so strong, Hol. You really amaze me.”
My cheeks darken at his compliment.
“Hell yeah, she is,” Lacie adds. “She clearly takes after her best friend.”
I roll my eyes at her comment but, in truth, she’s right. Lacie is truly my sister from another mister. My ride or die. She’s the Thelma to my Louise. I love her to pieces, and I cannot ever imagine keeping a secret from her, and vice versa.
“Let’s do this, assholes,” Matt shouts, interrupting the moment.
After a quick discussion, we agree to meet up in ten minutes for a night that I will never ever forget.