Sail Me to Ruin

1. Elodie

CHAPTER ONE

elodie

My pulse skyrockets as my eyes scan the walls of glass floating in front of us. The panes all reflect the sun like a chandelier glistening, borderline blinding me.

What the hell am I getting myself into...

“It looks like a fucking skyscraper! I thought you said it was a small intimate cruise. Nothing about that ship is ‘small’ or ‘intimate.’” My voice shakes. My knees barely keep me upright; I stop, stunned by the lack of information I was given.

She snaps her fingers in front of my face—“Hellooo...Elodie?”—bringing me out of my head. “Earth to Elodie! Hi, your best friend here! Welcome back!”

The smirk she wears tells me about how poorly I’ve hidden my panic. Throwing her arm over my shoulder, she gets us moving again as we head up to the boat. The back reads ‘Sea Seraph’ in a gorgeous script, adding to the beauty of the cruise ship in front of us.

“You said a small four-day cruise, all inclusive for us to drink and have fun!” I accuse once again, not letting her slither her way out of this one.

Jade and I have been friends for years now since meeting at a new teacher orientation at Bluebell Hollow Elementary School. She is the yin to my yang and one of the few people that can pull me out of my shell.

However, more often than not, she signs me up for things without sharing all the details.

This is one of those moments, as I am figuring out.

What the fuck...

“I don't even know why you’re dragging me on this cruise anyway. I’d be perfectly happy grading papers on my couch this long weekend.” The resignation in my voice is clearly what she needed to hear because she turns to me, beaming.

“Ever since your dad passed, you barely get out. You’ve cancelled our Friday nights out.

You don’t date anymore, which for the record, you didn’t do enough of to begin with.

Just saying, you know I love you. I had to get you out of the house.

Some fun in the sun will do you some good.

” Removing her arm from around my shoulder, she interlocks our fingers and keeps pulling me along while chatting away like she didn’t trick me into being here.

“Or maybe just to get dicked down,” she states it so plainly, causing my cheeks to flame at the crass language in front of all the people walking in the crowds around us.

The horrified face of a mother with her family passing us has me popping her arm playfully. “Shhh! It’s not just us here, Jade. Please!”

I send a silent prayer up above to get us through the rest of the morning.

She giggles. “Fine! Anyways, the best way to get over the things in your life is to get under some hot man for a while to forget that shit sucks, babe. It’s just the truth.

You need to let loose! To hell with money or school.

It’ll all be there when you get back. But here, you’re just Elodie.

Not Ms. Callahan. So, let’s enjoy this!” She shimmies a little, adding some pep to her step as we come across a steep boardwalk that leads onto the ship.

I smile, unable to ignore the excitement that has slowly been building inside of me. “I’ll do my best to enjoy this, but you know my natural habitat is curled up with my Kindle, not being half naked on a ship.”

Jade just rolls her eyes as we approach the ship's boarding line.

“That’s fine, babe. Going out of your comfort zone is exactly what you need for a fresh reset.” She giggles to herself as if there is a punchline I’m missing.

Shaking my head, we trudge up the ramp as attendants in crisp white uniforms check tickets, passports, and luggage to make sure nobody is carrying contraband in any way.

After a short while, it’s our turn. One by one, our belongings are checked and we’re sent on our way to get settled until the all-hands meeting before we set sail.

We make our way to the escalators and head up to the upper levels to find the suite Jade booked us. She said it has adjoining rooms so we both get privacy. Which supposedly, I am going to need.

I highly doubt anyone will catch my eye for a fling.

Most of the men we saw in line were either young enough to sag their pants and wear a letterman jacket with greek letters, or old enough that they might have skin sagging.

Maybe there will be some better options when we’re fully on board— not holding my breath though.

Finally, after feeling like a lab rat through the labyrinth of halls, we make it to our room. The doors are all the same, a light wood stain with a small peep hole. Jade takes out her key card and lets us into the space.

As we shuffle through the tight hallway, the floor plan opens up to a small sitting area with two doors off to the side for the bedrooms. Straight ahead is a glass panel wall that leads to a private balcony which looks out into the port where we can see other ships docked around us.

Jade’s dad really hooked us up. This is amazing.

Taking in the space, excitement begins to thrum through my veins, sending butterflies to my stomach.

Turning my head, Jade is grinning like a cat that caught the canary.

Oh no…

“What’s that look for? I don’t trust that look,” I question, hoping to get a straight answer.

“I’m just glad you’re finally excited. I was worried you would mope around, or worse, think you don’t deserve this.

Now, the room on the left is yours! Freshen up and I have an outfit for you to wear to the sail away party.

We have an hour or so, but it's down on the deck so we should leave a little early!” She shoos me out of the shared space and into what will be my room for the next four days.

The queen-sized bed sits in the center of the room with a folded-hand-towel swan sitting in the middle of the plush white linens.

How cute.

Gently lifting the swan off the comforter, I place it on the dresser directly in front of the bed. I toss my suitcase on the bed and unzip it to find my toiletries then head to the bathroom.

I scatter my makeup and skin care products on the counter before setting my brush and toothbrush into the fray.

Setting to work to revive myself, I brush my teeth and hair.

I keep my long chestnut waves loose then add winged liner to my dark eyes and powder to my cheeks to cover the shine my skin gets when it’s hot out.

Heading back into the room, I run face-first into Jade with a powder-blue outfit in her hand.

“Is that all you’re going to do for makeup?” she prods, handing over the buttery-soft outfit.

I open my mouth to respond but she holds her hand up, cutting me off.

“Go put the dress and some lipstick on. We’re trying to get you a man, being plain doesn’t always work, babe. Come on!”

She shoves me into the bathroom, and I strip out of my athleisure outfit, praying that she picked a dress that compliments me and not her.

I love her to pieces, but her style and mine are not the same.

I shimmy into the dress, loving the soft material against my skin. Looking into the mirror, I find it’s slightly shorter and tighter than I’d prefer, clinging to my thighs like a second skin. However, it is flattering.

The thick straps and sweetheart neckline give my figure a boost in ways I didn’t know I needed. I turn around and make sure there are no panty lines, and to my surprise, there aren’t.

I search the counter for my lipsticks and pick up a baby pink shade that I always use for work.

As I go to apply, Jade’s voice startles me. “Elodie Rose! Don’t you dare wear that pink! For God’s sake use something different.”

The comment makes me chuckle as I set the color down, swapping it for a dark mocha shade that pops against my caramel complexion. I touch up the corners of my lips, making sure the color is within the lines before stepping out.

“DAMN, BABE! I did good!” Jade praises her choice, making me giggle as I nod my head in agreement.

“You’re right, babe, you did good. Now, enough of tooting your own horn, we need to go so we aren’t late.” I usher her out of my bedroom, grab the room key she placed on the dresser, and slide my sandals on.

“Let’s go!”

I sigh and take in her outfit as she runs across the shared space. She’s wearing a light pink halter top and a black leather mini skirt with heels that don’t feel safe for a cruise.

Jade has the looks and build of a modern day Barbie doll, so she’s able to pull off almost any outfit and look drop-dead gorgeous.

She takes my empty hand and hauls ass out of the room with impressive speed given her choice in shoes. She practically drags me down the maze of hallways and elevators until we reach the grand atrium. There are already other passengers gathered around in the massive space.

Jade weaves us through the crowd to get closer to the front of the room and I mutter apologies to every person we pass. Once we hit the point where we can’t get closer, she finally stops and releases my hand.

Looking up, I stare at the elevators made of glass that refract the light off the chandelier above us. The whole room is covered in windows so the port is visible all around us and I notice there’s people milling around the deck, still making their way over.

I click my phone on to check the time and if I have any notifications. It’s five minutes until the meeting begins and the notification makes me nauseous.

Mom

I hope that you have fun on your trip escaping reality. Some of us don't get that luxury.

Nope. Absolutely not, screw that.

I lock the screen as Jade looks my way, arching a brow to see if I’ll say anything. I shake my head and turn to look in front of us where members of the crew have gathered on a small stage. Jade gives me a pointed look that tells me we will be talking about that later.

The captain takes the stage in a similar uniform to the rest of the crew except for the hat that gives him away. He stands quietly, letting everyone settle into silence before being passed a microphone.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome aboard the Sea Seraph . I’m Captain Sterling, and I’ll be your guide on this unforgettable journey across sun-drenched waters and star-kissed nights.

Over the next four days and three nights, you’ll find yourself immersed in more than just salt air and sea spray.

You’ll be surrounded by opportunity and chance.

Opportunity to unwind. To reconnect with yourself.

And maybe...chances to connect with someone new. ”

He pauses, taking in the different snickers and giggles at the implications he’s putting down before continuing.

“Our crew is here to make your experience laid-back and luxurious. From the champagne on deck to the music under the stars, we want to create magic for each and every person in this room. So, when or if you need something, find a crew member. That being said, we are going to be taking off shortly and when we do, our icebreaker mixer is going to start. So, mix, mingle, laugh a little louder. Dance like no one’s watching—or like that person across the pool deck definitely is.

Toast with a stranger at sunset, only to find they aren’t a stranger under the stars.

Welcome aboard, and welcome to four days that just might change everything.

May your sunscreen be strong and your cocktails stronger. ”

Applause erupts as he hands the mic over to another crew member and takes off to get us moving. The new crew member stands in his place, waiting for everyone to settle.

“The icebreaker mixer will take place on the top deck at Horizon Bar in fifteen minutes and goes until three in the morning. Grab a drink, go rest, or get ready, and we’ll see you all there!”

The crowd disperses around us and I grab Jade’s hand to head back to our room. Tugging gently on her hand, I find resistance. I look over my shoulder at her and see mischief brewing in her bright blue eyes.

“No, absolutely not. I am tired, we can pop in later!” I protest, throwing my defenses up about the mixer.

“But babeeee, we could have a drink and relax here then go! How fun is that?” she rebuttals, popping her lower lip out to pout as if that’s going to make me give in.

“Don’t…don’t you dare do this to me. You agreed this trip is to help me let loose and relax.”

“Drinking with your friend at a mixer and dancing under a sunset and the stars is letting loose, girl. You know I’m right!”

I go to argue and stop, knowing this isn’t a fight I’m going to win.

Letting out a sigh of defeat, I set the boundaries I know I will need to survive the evening.

“Fine! BUT no forcing me to dance and talk to guys tonight. Looking, sure, but nothing else. I want to have fun, just us! AND if the margs are trash, I’m going to the room.

” I keep my voice firm so she can see how serious I am.

Jade squeals in excitement before grabbing my wrist and dragging me across the floor to the elevator to head up to the open bar.