Chapter 6
Chapter Six
LARSON
“I’ll never get tired of this view,” Tomy says as we stand on the dock waiting in line for the boat tour to load us in. “I kind of love not having my phone with me all the time, but I’d love to take some pictures of this view.”
I look in the direction Tomy is. It’s such a clear day, I think I can see for miles. One of the other islands is just to the right, but otherwise, we’re looking at open ocean. He’s not wrong. It’s beautiful. I’m not sure I’ve ever been somewhere with such breathtaking views in my entire life.
“I hope we see a dolphin,” Tomy says. “There are catamaran rides, too. We can swim with stingrays and turtles in clear water off Ceto later if you want to.”
His hand on my side makes me meet his eyes. “Sure,” I answer.
Tomy’s smile spreads, and I swear it’s like looking at a toothpaste commercial. Is there a little sparkle at the corner of his mouth? See? Classically good looks.
He leans into my chest, resting his head on my shoulder, his arm wrapping around my waist. Absently, I wrap my arm around his back.
I wish I had the balls to tell him that I need this to end early.
It’s not like we’re together for this trip.
We just came here together. That doesn’t make us a couple.
I’m such a little bitch. I know those are technicalities.
And stupid ones at that. The thing that keeps me with Tomy is knowing that only a shit person would come to a place like this as a couple planning to spend the vacation together and then ditch him halfway through for someone else. Who does that? I can’t be that person.
Then again, is what I’m doing now any better? I can barely bring myself to pretend to be interested in him right now. I feel… disloyal holding him like this.
“Everyone on the eleven o’clock,” a voice calls over the crowd, and it hushes. “This way, please. Line up. Get ready to check in.”
We’re already in line, so we turn from where we’re admiring the view to pay attention to the movement of the line. There’s nothing more frustrating than when someone is in front of you and not paying attention, so the line moves and they don’t, holding everyone else up.
“Oh my god,” Tomy murmurs. I glance in his direction to find his eyes wide, a hand covering his mouth. It’s then that I hear the murmurs all around.
Following his eyeline once again, I find what he’s looking at. The young man checking people in has a black eye. Like ugly black. In the throes of healing, it’s a sickly green color spreading all along his cheek, nose, and into his hairline.
He’s smiling widely, and I hear him more than once assure the person he’s checking in that he’s fine. Tomy and I don’t ask as he scans my bracelet and looks at his screen. “Welcome aboard,” he greets with a wide smile.
I incline my head and lead Tomy by with my hand on his back. There’s a second man sticking close to the first, though he says nothing. Just watches.
“What do you think happened?” Tomy murmurs.
“I’ve seen hockey injuries like that,” I note.
He looks at me with amusement. “You think that’s a hockey injury?”
“No. I think it’s a punch in the eye. Like he threw down on the ice.”
Tomy looks at the man checking people in. My heart stops when I see Dylan on the dock with the man with the black eye and the other who’d been hanging around. They’re talking. Dylan looks concerned and also pissed. The other guy wraps his arm around the bruised one.
“Is that Dylan?” Tomy asks.
I nod, trying not to have any physical reaction to his sudden appearance here. It’s a coincidence. He knows those two men. That’s why he’s here. He must have heard about the guy’s injury.
“Do you get the feeling he’s following us?” Tomy asks.
I glance at him, and he’s frowning.
“No. Why?”
“Wasn’t he at the sports shop the other day?”
“Didn’t you see the wall of props and stuff in his studio? He said he was buying sports equipment to add a new theme that he can accommodate.”
Tomy nods, but he doesn’t believe me. “And here?”
Dylan is still talking to the two men from the boat. “He clearly knows them. It’s not unreasonable to believe they’d be friends. They all live on the islands, right? Besides, that guy was obviously punched. I imagine everyone knows about it.”
Tomy nods. We continue to watch, and my heart jumps when Dylan steps onto the boat. Oh god, how am I going to keep from staring at him?!
“I guess,” Tomy agrees and turns away. He grabs my hand and pulls me to the railing.
With his back turned, he doesn’t see Dylan look my way or see our eyes lock. Dylan doesn’t smile, but his eyes are intense. I get a strange feeling that he’s here on purpose. That he’s here for me.
Swallowing, I turn back to Tomy when he stops. “I wonder which side has better views,” he says.
I don’t answer. All around us, everyone is talking. Some about the beat-up guy, some about the upcoming tour, some about nothing at all.
The loudspeaker clicks on, and we turn our attention to the front. The guy with the bruise is standing on something to see over the crowd. Or maybe so we can all see him. Dylan is standing with the other guy from check-in.
“Welcome to the Site Seer. My name is Cash, and I’ll be your tour guide.
Before we start, I’m going to address the big bruise on deck.
” He points to his eye. “Yes, I was hit. I’m fine.
Promise. I’m away from the situation, and there were no permanent injuries incurred.
It’s just going to look ugly for a while.
So this is your visual reminder that domestic violence is serious, so please seek help for yourself or a friend if you suspect something. ”
“Did you beat his ass?” someone in the front asks.
“No,” Cash says. “I did not. But yes, his face looks worse than mine. Any other questions?”
“I hope the guy who hit him drowns,” Tomy whispers. Several around us who overheard him glance back and nod in agreement.
I smile, squeezing his hand. “Same,” I say.
“All right,” Cash says. “Thank you for your concern. I’m constantly reminded of how wonderful the people who visit Kala are.
It gives me hope for the rest of the world.
Now. On to business. Safety first. This boat is equipped with three life rafts able to hold a dozen people each.
” He points to various places on the deck as he continues.
“They can be found at each end of the boat, under the middle benches, two in the back and one in the front. There are forty-five life jackets, which can be found stowed under the seats. You are not required to wear one, but if you’d like to, please feel free to help yourself. ”
We shuffle a little as people look for lifejackets.
“A couple rules. Do not stand on the rails. Do not climb over the rails. Do not stand on the benches or, furthermore, jump from the benches. Do not throw anything overboard. Do not try to push other people overboard, even as a joke. Do not hit anyone.”
Several people chuckle as Cash waves at his eye.
“Do not try to take someone else’s partner.
No fornication on the boat. Keep your hands above clothing and off private parts.
Failure to abide by these rules will result in this tour ending early, with you being returned to the dock and a negative note on your profile.
You’ll also have twenty-four angry guests to deal with.
No smoking, no drinking, no eating, no pets, and finally, no, you cannot take any of the wildlife home with you. ”
My eyes snag on Dylan as he mentions not taking someone else’s partner. His eyes are already locked on me.
“This cruise is ninety minutes. We’ll be navigating around the islands and visiting some beautiful locations.
You will see stingrays, sea turtles, shipwrecks, reefs, colorful fish, and clear water.
We will be remaining on the boat, so please do not ask if you can get in the water.
This isn’t that kind of tour. However, when we return to the dock, you can sign up for one of those tours.
You may see a shark or two. While it’s unlikely, there is also the chance that you might see a whale.
We have in the past, and while we’re not directly on a migratory route, nor is it that time of year, we’ve been surprised before.
You may see the occasional dolphin or even pods of dolphins.
“Last, this is the time when I inform you that every inch of this ship is being recorded. Do not worry. These feeds are not connected to the internet in any way. These private feeds serve as a safety means for you and us alike. For security reasons, we keep them for up to three months. Yes, they record voices as well. Also, we’ve signed NDAs just like you, so whatever secrets you have, they’re safe. ”
“How many times do you think he has to say that in a day?” Tomy wonders.
“I’d imagine at least four. That’s a six-hour shift just in tours.”
“That would be so boring.” He turns to the water. “Do you think he’s immune to this view at this point? I can’t imagine I’d ever get tired of seeing this every day.”
I glance at Dylan. “Me neither.”
“For today alone, we’ll be serving a little bit of bubbly in celebration of the New Year.
Also, a little plug: there’s an additional tour added for tomorrow night due to popularity, where you can watch the fireworks at midnight from the sea!
Be sure to check it out! Okay, everyone with me now.
Let’s tell the captain we’re ready. On three, yell—Ahoy, Captain! ”
Once more, I look over my shoulder at Cash as the group yells for the Captain. Unsurprisingly, I don’t see him at all. The only person I see is Dylan.