Chapter 12 #2
Noah stands up and walks away with the crew member, who escorts him back to the house. I grab the abandoned glasses of champagne and toss them back one after the other. Can’t let it go to waste, right?
Before I know it, I’m lost in the soothing rhythm of the waves rolling into the beach. I don’t even know how long I sit here before another person appears out of nowhere.
“Christ on a cracker, you all need to wear bells or something,” I mutter as the young guy looks to me apologetically.
“Sorry, we texted you for your date, and we noticed you weren’t coming.”
Oh shit. I didn’t even hear it.
Glancing down at my phone, sure as shit, I have a notification from fifteen minutes ago, alerting me about my date with Shane by the dock.
Oops.
I push myself to my feet, wobbling in the sand slightly, or maybe it’s from the champagne? Let’s call it a combination.
The crew member leads me towards the dock, and there I find Shane staring out at the ocean, wearing a horrible beach-themed button-up shirt and a pair of black shorts to complement the atrocity.
When he sees me, his face lights up. “I thought you weren’t gonna show!” he shouts as I start walking down the dock.
Turning to look over my shoulder, I notice the crew member is gone. Okay, am I buzzed or did he disappear into, like, thin air?
Shane pulls me in for a hug as he smiles down at me.
“Sorry I’m late. I didn’t hear my text.”
“No sweat. You ready?”
Smiling softly, I nod as Shane leads me to a boat with a captain. It’s a small boat, like something you’d take out on the lake for the day for waterskiing, kneeboarding, or…
“What is that?” I ask as I stare at the mattress-like inner tube connected to the back.
Shane smirks at me as he reaches for a couple of life jackets. “Just in case,” he teases as he helps me buckle into one before sliding one on himself.
“Was this your idea?” I ask as he leads me towards the floating square.
“Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know, seems like a very on-brand activity for you. Kinda weird, adventurous, unpredictable.”
“I take that as a full compliment.”
“I expect there isn’t much you wouldn’t take as a compliment,” I quip as I carefully climb onto the floating box thing.
It wiggles for a moment but balances out before Shane leaps from the dock onto it. I squeal as the float dips into the water, splashing water over my feet before we overcorrect the other way and get splashed again.
“Shane! What the fuck?” I shriek.
He chuckles as he gestures towards the driver of the boat before they take off. I hold on to the grips with white-knuckled determination as we begin to pick up speed.
Soon, the fear inside me eases, and I let out a laugh as we hit a small wave, launching us a foot or so into the air before we land on the water again. Shane smiles at me as I watch our boat heading for a tiny island off in the distance.
“Are we going there?” I shout over the whipping wind.
“You’ll see!” Shane says as he leans into the turn we take, nearly sending us toppling over into the water.
I scream before a laugh escapes me. “Asshole!”
I could call this man every name in the book and it wouldn’t bother him in the slightest. He’s the type that’s just happy to be there, anywhere really, along for the ride.
When we make it to the island, the boat slows down before coming to a stop at a little dock.
The captain hops off and quickly ties the boat off before assisting us off the raft.
We’re both mist covered and windblown in the best way.
I didn’t know what to think about that at first, but honestly, I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would.
Shane is first on the dock, and he offers me his hand, then helps pull me up.
“Thanks.” I smile as he reaches down and undoes my life vest.
“Careful, smile at me like that and I’ll almost think you like me,” he teases.
I roll my eyes and shove his shoulder before I begin walking down the dock towards the island.
I shrug. “I liked the inner-tubing thing. You I could take or leave.”
Shane’s mouth drops open, and he takes off after me. Excitement fills me, and I run as fast as I’m able. I’m not fast enough, though, because he’s soon tackling me into the sand. Being a gentleman first and foremost, he does me the courtesy of rolling us so he’s beneath me when we land.
I look around to see a cameraman on the beach, zooming in on Shane and me, and I look away quickly, doing my best to act like I didn’t see him.
I know there’s so much money on the line, but I don’t know how long I’ll be able to last with the whole cameras-in-your-face-24/7 thing.
And it’s literally what? Day two? Three?
Is it possible to have cabin fever and already lose track of what day it is?
Does cabin fever require you to be confined to a literal cabin?
I’m telling ya, these are important things we need the answers to.
As I look around the beach, I notice a little picnic setup similar to the one Noah and I had. Slowly, I push up to stand as Shane does the same. He gives a deep bow as he gestures towards the picnic.
“Milady.”
I smile and shake my head as I begin walking towards the blanket with him.
We take a seat. Then Shane pops the champagne, and I slather a piece of bread with whatever this cheese-butter-looking stuff is because honestly, food that isn’t a fruit or vegetable seems to be a rarity here and I’m a girl that loves carbs. Like, carb me up, baby.
“So, are you having a good time?” Shane asks as he pours me a glass of champagne before himself.
“We’ve been on a date for, what, two minutes?”
“A lot can happen in two minutes,” Shane says with a waggle of his brows.
I laugh as I lift my head up to the sky before looking back at him. “Oh, I have no doubt you’re the kind of man that can’t last longer than that.”
Outrage splashes across his face, and I cackle manically because, honestly, what a good burn.
“Goddamn, woman. I’m gonna change your name to ball-buster. Do you ever run out of material?”
“How can I when you set yourself up like that?” I shrug as I take a sip of champagne.
“Fair.” He smiles, shaking his head as he looks down at the sand before his deep brown eyes come back up to me.
“Seriously, though. I’m glad you picked me. I’ve gotta be honest, I was a little surprised. I mean, I know you think I’m hot and all, but you’re hard to read. I wasn’t sure if there was more than just attraction here or not.”
I smile at him softly as I take another sip. “You’re a good guy, Shane. There is definitely worse company I could keep on a beautiful day like today at an island paradise like this.”
He laughs. “It sounds like there’s a compliment in there somewhere, so I’ll run with it.” He takes a large sip of champagne.
I smile. “You should.”
Things are so easy with Shane, that’s a big reason why I picked him. The other is that I really don’t have my eye on anyone but Noah, though I’d obviously never say that part out loud.
“So, what brought you out here?”
“Uh, same as you. A boat?” I laugh questioningly.
Shane rolls his eyes, but his smile says he has all the patience in the world. “I mean to the show, smartass.”
“Same as everyone, to find love,” I say, hoping it comes across as genuine as it sounds to my ears.
That semester of acting sophomore year clearly paid off because Shane nods happily in agreement, not even a trace of suspicion in his smile.
“That’s good to hear. How’s the hunt going so far?” he asks.
“It’s alright, and you?”
“It’s going good, if I could get this one sexy brunette to open up a little more,” he says with a quirked eyebrow.
I hold out my arms in protest. “Hey, I’m an open book!”
“Maybe I wasn’t talking about you,” he says nonchalantly.
My mouth parts in surprise as he dissolves into a fit of giggles.
“Not so fun on the receiving end, is it?” he teases.
After setting down my champagne, I shove him playfully, and he does the same until we break out into a full-on wrestling war/tickle fight of sorts. It was all over for him when I found out his ribs are ticklish, though.
“Fuck! Goddamnit, stop!” He laughs as he attempts to snatch my hands.
He’s too weakened by my superior tickling skills, and unfortunately, there’s no end in sight for him.
At least, that’s what I thought. Before I know what’s happening, he grabs both my hands and pins them above my head.
In an instant, the playful banter and tension evaporates, replaced by something heavier and… well, hotter.
His eyes move back and forth between mine before he glances down at my mouth.
My stomach dips as soon as he does, and I know what’s next.
Noah’s blue eyes flash into my mind the instant Shane begins to lower himself, so as much as I know the rejection will hurt him, I turn my cheek at the last moment.
Shane’s lips press against my skin tenderly, just for a moment, before he realizes I’ve turned away. Disappointment is written across his face as he releases my hands and slowly eases himself upright. I push myself to sit up, and we both wait in the silence for a moment or two before he speaks.
“Noah?” he questions.
No other words are needed. He knows where my head is. Where, I think, my heart is heading, and honestly, I feel guilty for it.
“Yeah,” I whisper.
Shane nods as he runs a hand over his head and shrugs, as if all his hurt feelings can be shaken off that easily. “Can’t lie, it sucks that he snatched the best girl’s attention night one, but I see the way you look at him, the way he looks at you. You deserve that.”
I try to smile, but it feels more like a frown. “I’m sorry.”
He shakes his head, a touch of sadness lingering behind his eyes.
“Don’t be. Just don’t come crawling back to me when you realize you made the biggest mistake of your life,” he says lightly, that playful signature energy of his slowly returning.
I roll my eyes with a more genuine smile. “I mean, I’ll try not to.”
He laughs as he looks down, and I can tell he’s about to say something. He seems to think better of it, though, and shakes his head instead. I lean forward and press a peck to his cheek. Shane looks to the side quickly, his eyes searching mine as I wrap my arms around my legs.
“Friends?” I ask.
He lets out a scoff, tipping his face up to the sky. “Courtney, it’s bad enough to friend-zone a man, but to say it out loud? America is watching, for Christ’s sake.”
The smile he gives me tells me that he’s totally kidding, and I appreciate the tension reliever he provides before he stands up and offers me his hand.
“Ready to head back, friend?” he asks.
I scoff at his dig but gladly take his hand, letting him pull me to my feet.
“I’m not sharing the inner tube this time, though,” I say as I take off running for the dock.
I hear him laugh behind me as I book it to the boat, sailing myself through the air before landing on the inner tube.
I sprawl my arms and legs out as wide as possible, like a fucking starfish, and take up the whole dang thing.
Shane catches up to me and lifts his hands in defeat as he climbs onto the boat. “Pretty sure that early start is a cheat move, but I’ll allow it since you wouldn’t have stood a chance fairly.”
“Sounds like something a sore loser would say,” I throw back.
He scoffs and shakes his head, but he’s smiling as the captain fires up the boat, and the cameraman climbs in before untying us from the dock.
I have the time of my life on the ride back because I’m able to enjoy it without fear of being body slammed into the ocean.
Once we dock back at the main island, Shane gives me a hand off the boat before we head back to the house. We walk in complete silence and don’t even acknowledge each other until we make it to the hall near the bunk rooms.
Shane turns to me with only a half-smile before holding his arms out for a hug. I smile sympathetically and go to him, wrapping my arms around his neck as he holds me to him for a few moments.
When we pull apart, he gives me a nod and a smile that’s a little brighter before stepping into the guys’ bedroom. God, I feel so bad. Did I lead him on? I mean, I don’t think so. Maybe me choosing him for my second date was a bad idea.
It’s a short walk to the girls’ room, and when I push inside, all I hear are giggles and squeals. A group of girls are gathered in a circle, whispering and laughing before they stop and look at me. Several heavy and judging gazes rake over me as I walk through the room.
Okayyyy. Nice and awkward.
Luna is on her bed, filing her nails. “Hey, you’re the last back. Where did you go?”
“Another island offshore a bit. We took this inner-tube thing.”
“Wait, you and Shane?” Luna asks.
I nod.
She smiles. “How was it?”
“It was good. He’s a really nice guy.”
I glance around the room to make sure no one is listening, then whisper to her, “He tried to kiss me.”
She doesn’t look surprised in the least as she tilts her head. “Aaand?”
“I mean, obviously, I turned him down.”
“Really? Why?”
“You know how things are going with Noah. I didn’t want to screw anything up.”
Luna makes a face like she’s conflicted or upset by this, and I don’t really get the reaction until a high-pitched voice rises above the rest.
“No, like he was so sweet. The tide came in and got my feet wet, so he picked me up princess-style and carried me to safety,” Savannah says, beaming.
“Oh my gosh,” Kiera replies, awed.
“Honestly, to be expected. Noah is, like, the sweetest guy on the island,” Angel says.
My full attention snaps to them. They clearly clock it and love every moment of it, because Savannah shoots me a mischievous grin before looking back at her girls.
“And then when he kissed me, like, I swear, fireworks.”
All the girls shriek and clap, and before I know what I’m doing, I’m flying across the room.
“What?” I demand.
“What?” Savannah mimics in a bored tone.
“What did you just say?”
“What part?” Kiera asks with a “Can I help you?” bitch face.
“You and Noah kissed? He kissed you?” I clarify.
Savannah side-eyes her girls before blinking at me like I’m slow. “Well, yeah. We’re literally on a reality-TV dating show,” she scoffs.
Shocked is the best way to describe how I’m feeling. Maybe even enraged. Is it misplaced? Maybe. Is it over the top? Definitely. Is it going to make some good fucking TV? You bet your ass.