The Decoy

by S. E. Rose

  Harrison holds up a hand. “Hey, I didn’t mean…I just thought we should maybe put on more clothes?” he suggests.

  Grant looks down. “Oh, uh, yeah,” he agrees.

  Reagan gets up and walks to the door. She peeks outside. “Why don’t you take the more typical way to the room? You know, the door?” she says. Harrison and Grant look at each other and grin before quickly exiting.

  “See you downstairs in a few hours,” Grant says.

  Reagan shuts the door and looks at me with a grin. “Whatever are we going to do for a ‘few hours’?” she asks as she throws herself at me.

  Reagan

  I sigh and stretch out beside Zach on a lounge chair, on the roof, naked. Somehow, we ended up coming up here. I believe Zach’s words were “we haven’t christened the rooftop patio yet” and that was enough for me to agree that it was absolutely necessary to check that off the list.

  “We should get ready,” I say into his neck.

  “Agreed,” he replies, kissing my hair. I stand and walk over to the door.

  “You coming?” I ask.

  “Yeah, I’ll be down in a minute. I need to make a work call,” he says, holding up his phone.

  “OK,” I say and hurry down to shower and dress. I’m out of the shower and trying to do something with my crazy hair when he finally makes his way down. He kisses me on the temple as he walks toward the shower.

  “Sorry,” he murmurs.

  “Everything OK with work?” I ask him.

  He nods and smiles.

  I return to my hair and makeup, opting for an intricate braid to keep it out of my face while on the cruise. I reach into the closet and pull out a dress I put in here. It’ll do, I think to myself as I slip it on, sans underwear, because…Zach.

  Zach is dressed in some dressy shorts and a buttoned-down shirt with rolled-up sleeves. He looks edible.

  “Shall we?” he asks as I grab a purse. I nod, and we walk to the lobby. Harrison and Grant are already there, but it’s not them that grabs my attention. Nope. That would be Lee, who’s making out with Diane while standing a mere thirty feet away from Maggie who is canoodling with Felicia. Zach physically presses on my chin, forcing me to close my mouth.

  “But…they…wow,” I am speechless.

  “Well, it’s clear that Maggie’s given up and moved straight to the deep pockets while Lee is actually enjoying himself, albeit he is plastered, but Diane is nicer than Maggie, and they’ve been friends for a long time,” Zach says.

  “Well, fuck me,” Grant says way too loudly as he almost runs into me while turning to see Lee and Diane.

  “Grant,” I hiss.

  He rolls his eyes. Seriously, I don’t know what we are up to in this eye-rolling count, but it has to be in the triple digits for sure.

  We get ushered onto a small bus. Zach and I sit up front so that we can try to ignore all of the chaos behind us. There are also several other couples from the wedding who are giving shocked looks at both couples.

  “Well, this should be an interesting evening,” Zach states as we head off toward the marina.

  This time our vessel is a catamaran. It’s beautiful, and I hear Felicia telling Maggie that she called in yet another favor. I’m actually surprised Felicia’s parents aren’t here, but I vaguely remember her saying something about them being on their island in the South Pacific. She made sure to emphasize the “their” part of that statement.

  Zach and I settle up front and are quickly brought some champagne.

  “To…an interesting week,” Zach says as we clink glasses.

  “I’ll cheers to that,” I agree as I take a sip and look back at the other couples.

  Zach looks back as well. “I’ll admit, this whole thing has been like one giant acid trip,” he says.

  “You can say that again,” I concur. “I thought I’d just do my normal dog and pony show with Grant, but this trip took a major-ass turn.” I pause, considering the events of the last few days.

  “I just hope Grant and Lee are alright,” I say. “This was quite a lot to deal with, even for them.”

  “True, but those two are much stronger than we give them credit for,” he says.

  “You think?” I ponder. He nods. The catamaran takes off, and we sail out along the shoreline.

  I curl up against him and enjoy the wind as it whips through my hair. There’s a low murmur of conversations behind me, but otherwise, it’s just the sounds of seabirds that fills my ears.

  “You hungry?” Zach finally says, breaking the silence. I shake my head.

  “They have some food set out at the bar if you want anything,” he says, motioning toward the entrance to the rooms below deck. I nod, remembering our brief tutorial from the captain when we got on the vessel.

  “If you’re hungry, go get some food,” I offer to him as I watch about two-thirds of the passengers descend below deck.

  He smiles lazily down at me. “I think I’ll stay right here with you for a while,” he whispers in my ear. I grin and cuddle up against him more tightly. The sky begins to turn colors.

  “I think it’s going to be a good sunset,” I say.

  “Yep,” he says.

  I look up at him. He’s staring down at me. I can’t help myself, I lean up and kiss him. Not a long kiss, just a gentle brush of my lips against his. I pull back and gaze up at him again. He’s grinning, but the grin doesn’t reach his eyes. He almost looks a bit sad. Then a clearing of a throat pulls me out of the moment. I turn to see Grant and Harrison.

  “Uh, you all are missing the catfight of the century!” Grant says.

  “Shit just got real,” Harrison says simultaneously as he hands us each a drink.

  We turn and look at each other and back at Grant and Harrison.

  “What do you mean?” Zach asks.

  It’s then I hear it…it’s muffled because it’s below deck, and the wind blows in a different direction for a moment, and I just capture the sound…a yell.

  “Well, first Felicia cut in line in front of Diane at the bar. Then Lee says something to her. Felicia tells him to fuck off. Then Maggie calls Diane a bitch. Lee yells at Maggie. Felicia yells at Lee. Maggie punches Lee, but Lee ducks and she hits Diane. Well, Diane isn’t having that, so she wails back at Maggie but misses and hits Felicia, who stumbles into Maggie and the two fall on the floor. Then Felicia pushes off Maggie and says she can’t put up with this shit and sulks off to the bathroom. Maggie yells at Diane for being a…and I quote… ‘traitorous two-timing whore’ and then Diane slaps Maggie and says she’s a callous money-grubbing bitch. Those two fall to the floor and start wrestling around. Lee has to pull them apart. Diane is screaming at Maggie that she can’t believe Maggie would be so cruel, and Maggie is screaming that Diane is the worst bridesmaid ever,” Harrison says in rapid fire. The grin on his face tells me this is the best live action he’s seen possibly in his whole life.

  “Oh. My. God,” I say, my hand flying to my mouth. “Is that?” I point down below us.

  “Yeah, that’s them,” Grant says with a grin.

  “I can’t believe we missed all that,” Zach says, dumbfounded.

  “Well, the captain is turning the boat around and taking us back. Two crew got involved and helped Lee break them up. Needless to say, our romantic evening has been cut short,” Harrison says.

  I shrug. “Want to go get dinner then?” I ask them all. Everyone nods, and we all sit quietly listening to the ensuing arguments below deck. Part of me desperately wants to go check out the drama, but a bigger part wants to stay on deck in the “drama-free” zone.

  We get back in record time, which I can only assume is because the captain has used power to propel us back. We are the first four to disembark. It’s a long awkward ride back to the hotel as Felicia sits in the back corner of the bus, while Maggie sits across from her not speaking to her. Diane sits near us and Lee takes up residence in the middle of the bus by another couple. No one says much, and we all get off the bus as quick
ly as humanly possible when we arrive.

  “That was awkward,” Harrison quips. “Should we go check that Lee’s alright?” he adds.

  Zach shrugs. “I suppose,” he agrees. “We’ll meet you at the Italian place in about an hour,” he says to me. Grant follows them as they head off after Lee.

  I walk back to the hotel room and fall on the bed. I’m exhausted. I can’t help but think it’s because of all the drama this week. Before I know it, Grant is shaking me.

  “Wake up, sleeping beauty! You need to change, we’re meeting Harrison and Zach in fifteen minutes,” Grant says.

  “Dad, five more minutes,” I mumble.

  I feel a slap on my ass. “You suck,” I moan.

  I get up and shower. Grant hands me a drink over the shower door.

  “Are you sure I can’t talk you into marrying me?” I call out as I sip the cocktail that he has made me.

  “Sorry, not happening. Love ya, though,” he calls out as I hear him open the balcony door.

  I let the hot water fall over me as I contemplate the week, spending way too much time thinking about Zach. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to spend more time with him. He’s funny and charming. He’s also extremely good looking and the boy can dance. But I know that the reality of the situation is that we will likely have tonight, and then we’ll return to our real lives, our jobs, our friends, and seeing as how we have never crossed paths before, I highly doubt we’ll ever cross paths again.

  By the time I’m ready to go, I’m in a horrible mood. I’m half telling myself to stay in and sit out by the pool tonight because what’s the point of falling more for a guy that I’ll never see again. Grant and I are both quiet as we walk to the restaurant to meet Harrison and Zach.

  He turns to me as we arrive. “Let’s just try to have a good time tonight,” he says. “I think Lee’s going to join us later.”

  “How was he?” I ask realizing that I’ve been so consumed with my own issues I totally didn’t ask about him.

  Grant shrugs. “Honestly, I think he just needs to get the fuck out of here tomorrow,” he says.

  “Yeah,” I reply, not sure what else to say.

  Zach

  Harrison and I sit with our drinks at the bar, waiting for our dates. We’ve spoken quietly about everything that’s gone down this week. I have a feeling Harrison and I and the rest of our friends will be playing babysitter with Lee for the next few weeks. The guy needs to get away for a bit.

  Harrison is droning on about some guys’ trip that he wants to plan. I lose focus as I think about Reagan. I’d be kidding myself if I didn’t admit I’ve grown quite fond of her this week. There’s just something about her. Yes, she’s beautiful, but she’s also smart and funny. I don’t know why I’ve felt so fiercely protective of her since the first time we met, but something inside me wants to shield her from the world and that something scares the shit out of me. I’m in no place for a relationship at the moment. My life is focused on my work.

  I look up and my breath catches. Reagan and Grant approach us, and she looks amazing. She’s been dressed up all week, but tonight she looks like…her. Her hair is up in a messy bun, her makeup is minimal, and she has on a casual sundress. Her skin is kissed with color from the sun, and I swear I can smell whatever citrusy perfume she uses even though she’s across the room. She looks at me and gives me a small smile that doesn’t reach her eyes, and I’m left wondering why.

  “Hey,” she says softly when she reaches me and leans in to kiss my cheek.

  “Hey,” I reply.

  “Shall we get a table?” Harrison says.

  I shrug. My thoughts have put me in a bad mood, and I half just want to drink away my troubles here at the bar.

  “Let’s just eat here at the bar,” Reagan says as though she just read my mind.

  “Sure,” I say. “Do you guys mind if we stay here?” I ask Harrison and Grant.

  They shake their heads, as Reagan and Grant take the seats on either side of Harrison and me.

  The dinner is a somber event as we eat with minimal chitchat, each one of us deep in our own thoughts.

  “Well, that sucked,” Harrison announces as the bartender pours us each a glass of port.

  We all give each other a look. Reagan breaks into nervous giggles. “Yeah, I think we’ve all reached our maximum of crazy for the week,” she says.

  “Cheers to that,” Harrison says.

  “Agreed,” Grant replies simultaneously.

  I nod. “Yes, cheers to that,” I follow up.

  “Fuck, sorry, guys,” Grant says. “We should have fun tonight, but I’m just sort of—”

  “Not feeling it?” Harrison finishes.

  Grant nods.

  “Me either,” Zach and I say at the same time.

  We all grin at one another.

  “I have an idea,” Reagan says softly. “Let’s get some wine to go and head down to the beach. We can have our own party.”

  “That is the best idea that I’ve heard all week,” I say to her.

  “Hey, Pablo?” Grant calls our bartender. I grin at the fact he knows the guy’s name after only a few days here. I have to say that I seldom ever am a misjudge of character, but I admit I was dead wrong about Grant, he is a good guy.

  Grant gets us four bottles of wine and some glasses, and we all head down the beach, finding a table in one of the gazebos along the water. Reagan pulls up a second chair and props her feet up on it, holding out her glass for Grant to fill. I pick up Reagan’s feet and sit in the chair, putting them back in my lap. She watches me intently as I remove her sandals and start massaging her feet. She tips her head back against the chair and moans. I feel my cock harden.

  “Don’t stop, that feels so good,” she groans with her eyes still closed.

  “Jesus, Reagan, get a fucking room,” Grant quips as he finished filling everyone’s glasses and takes a seat next to Harrison.

  Reagan pops open one eye and glares at him. “I love you, too,” she says in a sarcastically sweet voice.

  Grant air kisses her, and she giggles. “You’re such an ass,” she says on a sigh as she opens both her eyes and sips her wine.

  “Lee!” Harrison calls out. I turn to see him walking solo up toward us.

  I pat a chair next to me and he sits down. I push my glass toward him. He downs it in a single swig.

  “That bad, huh?” I say.

  Lee glares at me. Reagan starts laughing, and we all turn toward her.

  She puts her hand over her mouth. “I’m so sorry. I know none of this is funny, but I can’t help it. Everything about this week has been so fucking ridiculous. I mean seriously, if you would have told me what would go down, I would have never in a bazillion years believed you,” she says.

  “Well, that makes two of us,” Lee mumbles as he holds out my glass for a refill. Harrison finds a spare glass at the pool bar and sets it down in front of me as Grant fills it as well.

  “I really am sorry, Lee,” she says to him. We all nod our condolences.

  He raises his glass. “Well, here’s to me not making what surely would have been the biggest mistake of my life,” he says sadly.

  We all clink glasses.

  “I’m sure I’ll thank you all for showing me Maggie’s true colors in a few more months, but for now I’m just going to wallow in self-pity for a few weeks,” he announces.

  Harrison gets on his phone, clicking away, and I almost yell at him for being rude but then he tosses his phone on the table and smiles. “Two weekends from now, we are taking a boys’ trip to Vegas,” he says.

  We all stare at him. “What? My dad’s friend owns one of the casinos. I just booked us a villa. Come on, we need to get the fuck away from reality,” he states.

  “I hope you guys have a good time,” Reagan says.

  “You’re coming too,” Harrison says.

  Reagan looks at him with her mouth hanging open.

  “Oh, come on, you’re practically one of our wolf pac
k now. I mean, you can hang with the boys, right?” he asks her.

  She glares at him. “I just figured you’d want a guys’ trip, meaning all males,” she says. “Really, my feelings won’t be hurt if I don’t get an invite.”

  Harrison throws a hand in her direction. “Come on, it’ll be fun, and you are one of the guys as far as I’m concerned,” he says. She smiles at him and leans over and kisses his cheek. He blushes.

  “Well, then, it’s settled. I’ll arrange for a jet,” he says as though that is a normal thing anyone would do. I glance at Reagan. She seems unfazed by the amount of wealth surrounding her. I suppose it makes sense, even though I know I’ll never get used to it no matter how long I’m friends with these guys.

  “What’s that look for, Zach?” Harrison asks.

  “Just pondering the lifestyles of the rich and famous,” I answer.

  Harrison shakes his head. “You know it’s all just a big front, right? We throw around our jets and villas, but at the end of the day we still need air and water just like the commoners,” he says with a wink. I roll my eyes.

  Reagan snorts with laughter. “Commoners? Really?” she asks.

  Harrison shrugs and finishes his glass.

  “So, no more Diane?” Harrison asks the question that’s on all our minds.

  Lee shakes his head. “Too much drama. I need to remove myself completely from that circle. Let’s face it, there’s nothing there but bad news,” he admits with a sigh, running his hand through his hair.

  “Sorry,” Grant says with a clap on Lee’s shoulder.

  Chapter 22

  Reagan

  Grant puts some music on his phone and stands doubling over in a bow toward Harrison.

  “May I have this dance?” he asks.

  “Why, of course, kind sir,” Harrison replies as he stands, and they begin to waltz around the gazebo.

  “I need a dance,” Lee says and looks my way. I shrug and stand. He spins me around the dance floor. Lee is quite a good dancer, and I tell him so. He mentions something about private dance lessons with a shrug. I tell him about my failed attempt as a ballerina, and he laughs. I haven’t hung out with Lee a ton, but enough to know he’s a good guy, and I have to say I’m enjoying his company. It only makes me feel worse for him as he continues to spin me and regale me with funny stories.