Seventeen Days

by D. B. James

  Taking the glass from her, I down the entire contents in one big gulp. Letting the fire burn the whole way down my throat into my stomach.

  Come on, Jack, do your job, make me forget.

  Let me pass out.

  Wake me up from this nightmare.

  Bring Harrison home.

  Not caring she told me no, I grab the bottle from her and take a swig straight from it.

  It only takes about half a bottle and less than twenty minutes for me to be greeted by the blackness.

  The alcohol may have done its job and made me forget for a while but not for long. It gave me peace of mind for a slightly over three hours. Those three hours were nothing but blackness and it was heaven. When I woke up, though, it was hell. A slightly drunk version of hell, but still hell nonetheless.

  Aunt Savannah was sitting on the couch next to me with my head in her lap and Mac was lying at my feet. After hour four, I called Steve to see if he’d heard anything from Gentry. He hadn’t. He told me not to worry, storms like this happen all the time and the guys would be back like normal, but how could I not worry? Hello! They weren’t even answering the satellite phone! Besides, I’m a young girl, don’t all young girls overreact?

  Hour six and Harrison still isn’t back and there’s still no word from him. The storm has passed, and the sun is shining, but not a single word from him or Gentry. Nothing. We’ve alerted the Coast Guard, and let them know their planned route for the day. They in turn let us know the storm is still out over the gulf and more than likely the guys are stuck in the middle of it. As soon as it clears enough, they’ll send in the chopper to look, but they already have a few boats out searching for Harrison among other charters.

  Harrison and I will think back on this when we’re old and laugh. Won’t we? It’ll be one of those crazy stories we end up telling our children and grandchildren. Or we’ll tell it to each other’s children and grandchildren, you know if we’re not together. Since we’ll be in each other’s lives one way or another. At least we plan on it.

  It’s nearing six when Aunt Savannah suggests my eating. “You haven’t eaten a bite all day, dear. The only thing in your stomach is liquor. You need to eat. You should at least try to eat something.” She’s right, I know she’s right, but the thought of eating makes me sick. It’ll only come right back up, so why put anything in? It’s my theory anyway.

  “No, I won’t be able to keep it down. It’ll be a waste. If we don’t hear anything in another hour, I’ll try and eat then, not like it’ll be any easier, or I’ll be worrying any less, but I’ll try. Can we go get Dog now? I’d like to bring him over here so he’s not alone all night.” Not mentioning the fact I don’t have a key to Harrison’s, Dog does have a doggy door, I’m planning to be able to coax him out of it so he can come here. “It’s okay if he stays here with me, right? Him and Mac are friends, and I miss him.”

  “It’s not an issue if we go get him, but don’t you think you should put your clothes on before we do?” What is she talking about, I have clothes on, don’t I? Glancing down, I bust out laughing and can’t stop. Falling to my knees on the floor, I laugh for a solid five minutes. Why the fuck didn’t she tell me I was walking around in only my bra and panties? Knowing full well I took my robe into the bathroom with me, I wonder what happened to it. She must think I’m insane.

  “Why didn’t you say something before now? Didn’t you wonder when I greeted you in the kitchen, why I was practically naked?” I’m surprised she didn’t laugh at me then. Although, she has been as worried as I have been all day.

  “Didn’t cross my mind until you passed out. After you woke, I never thought to mention it. Guess I forgot in my worry too. But now you want to leave the house, I won’t let you leave half naked. No matter if we aren’t going into public, someone could still see you.”

  No matter how much I like my own body, I’d never leave the house like this. Tossing my panties at Harrison is one thing, but leaving the house practically naked is another. “Let me try calling them all one more time before running upstairs to throw on my clothes. Then we can go grab Dog and bring him over to visit.”

  Harrison’s phone still goes to voicemail. “Call me, Captain. I’m worried like you wouldn’t believe. We’re going to pick up Dog now and bring him here for the night. I love you.” The satellite phone is no different but I don’t leave a message. Gentry’s voicemail box is full. The jackass.

  Taking the stairs two at a time, I grab my pajamas and toss them on. Why bother putting actual clothes on? The day is gone anyway. Leggings and a tank top are always the answer.

  What’s that sound?

  Is it the house phone ringing?

  Sprinting down the stairs, I make it to the bottom as Aunt Savannah is answering the phone. She’s shaking her head no at me. My ass meets the bottom step. The slight head shake has completely shattered my heart. My heart was waiting for the phone to ring, and it isn’t the phone call I’ve been waiting for all day. Why? Why do this to me? Haven’t I been through enough in my short life? Paid enough penance? What do I have to do to prove myself?

  If Harrison doesn’t come back from this storm, will I make it through? Am I strong enough to survive yet another tragedy? Not noticing she hung up the phone, Aunt Savannah grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet.

  “Come on, sweet girl, let’s go get your dog. It was only a patient calling to let me know my help wasn't needed tomorrow, no extra worries for you.”

  We don’t say a single word the whole way to Harrison’s. And it’s exactly what I need. Silence.

  “Mayday … Mayday … This is ‘Bait Me’, and we’re seeking assistance. The storm has veered us off course, and we’re unable to get her back under control. Last known location we were thirty-two nautical miles south, in the gulf. Seven total onboard. Mayday … Mayday.”

  Letting out a groan of frustration, I begin to pace the small space. Not wanting the guests to see me upset. This fucking storm caught us all off guard. Red must think I lied to her last night when I promised I wouldn’t be out in this kind of weather. “Fuck!” Kicking the chair in front of me, causing it to hit the wall, it gives me no satisfaction. It’s not going to change this situation any. We’re screwed.

  The winds have taken us off course.

  We can’t control the boat.

  We’re stuck below deck.

  We have no radio signal.

  Our mayday calls go unheard.

  It’s been eleven hours.

  Eleven hours of hell.

  Eleven hours and twenty-seven minutes to be exact. It’s been almost a full day since I left Morgan at her aunt's for the night, not knowing then I was leaving heaven to enter hell. Why couldn’t we have at least spent last night in each other’s arms? Shit, I need to think more pleasant thoughts. Laughing to myself, I think, yeah, right. That’s a joke.

  It seems the wind has taken us right along with the storm, keeping us directly in its path. Not giving us a moment to actually breathe or able to get her back under control. At this rate, we could be stuck out here for days. Who knows, we may end up in fucking Mexico.

  “Why don’t you go sit with the guests for a while, and I’ll try to get some calls out? You could use the distraction, and I could use some alone time.” This coming from Gentry, who I didn’t notice coming into the cramped space.

  “Thanks for offering, man, but I doubt being out there will help me any. The only thing that will help is us getting out of this storm and Red tangled up in my arms. Until it happens, I’d rather be in here, in case the radio starts to work.”

  In other words, get the hell out of here, Gentry.

  “Listen, dickface, I’d like some time away from our panicked guests. It’s time for you to man up and get your ass out there, at least for a few minutes. Give. Me. A. Fucking. Break. Man.”

  Whoa, I guess he’s as stressed out as I am. Granted, we are stuck in a storm. One that doesn’t seem to be dying down. The winds are the worst part. If they’d only let up f
or a minute, I’d risk it and go up to try and regain control of her and get out of this bitch. The rain, I can deal it. It’s the wind that’s the real bitch.

  “Fine, you can have a few minutes of alone time. If we can’t get out a mayday in another few hours, I’m risking it and taking out one of the life rafts. You won’t be able to stop me.”

  Leaving him alone in the cramped space to stew, I go out to join our guests. They’re not any better off then Gentry or myself.

  “Mr. Montgomery, did you have any luck on reaching another boat?” Kyle, one of the younger passengers asks.

  “Not yet, no. But we will shortly. I’ve felt a shift in the wind, so I’m feeling this storm will be passing soon. No worries.” Only, I am worried. More worried than I have ever been.

  “Good, that’s good,” he says.

  No one else says a word. It speaks volumes.

  We’re fucked.

  Nearly ten hours later and the winds and rain are stronger than ever.

  Our calls still go unanswered.

  I’ve given up all hope of our being rescued.

  It’s time for me to take one of the life rafts out.

  Morgan needs me, I can feel her despair from here.

  Her hurt is my hurt.

  No one can stop me.

  I’ll take one of the rafts out and bring help back for the others.

  Packing up a bag with a few supplies, I start walking up the stairs, Gentry tries to stop me, but it’s no use. He knows he can’t.

  Slowly, I make my way above deck. It’s like time stands still as I climb into the storm.

  Into the darkness.

  Today, I’m boarding a plane board for Paris. It’s December, and it’s a few days until Christmas. I’m spending the holiday with my father, the first of what I hope to be one of many. I’ve stopped calling him Julian completely a couple of months back. I’ve called him everything from Pops, Big Daddy, Papi, Father, Daddy, and Daddio, before finally sticking to the standard Dad. It’s what fits him best. He’s been all I could have hoped for a dad to be. Anything I’ve always wished for, while growing up, the type of dad I had always read about in books. My first eighteen years may have been spent without knowing him, but he’s quickly making up for it. Opening up my heart to Julian was easy. Almost as easy as letting in a certain fishing cowboy.

  I’m slowing moving forward with my life.

  After the horrible storm, I wasn’t sure if life would ever be the same.

  If I’d ever be able to get past what happened and move on with my life.

  Get over the feeling of all-consuming fear.

  But, I did.

  Surviving is what I do best.

  Only this time I didn’t have to do it alone.

  Aunt Savannah was with me.

  My dad was there for me to lean on as well.

  And best of all? Harrison was with me too.

  On the day of the storm, it took twenty-one hours and seventeen minutes for me to hear from him. Go figure. He dared me to love him within seventeen days and the day of the storm we’d known each other for twenty-one days. Karma sure has a funny sense of humor. The bitch.

  The Coast Guard found them shortly after midnight nearly sixty miles off the coast, all of their passengers were safe as were Gentry and Harrison. When the storm hit, it was unexpected and caught them off-guard. Harrison acted quickly and had the guests all go below deck. Once they were all below, they tried getting out mayday calls, but their calls went unanswered. Fearing the worst, Harrison was ready to abandon ship when an answer finally came. The high winds caused the boat to veer over sixty miles off their original course, even with the anchor dropped. If the winds hadn’t died down, they may have never been found. Harrison would’ve taken off on the life raft on his own, like planned, and could’ve gotten himself lost at sea. Obviously, I think the worst. I’m incredibly happy they were found when they were and not a moment later. My stubborn fishing cowboy was ready to jump ship, literally.

  “Did you pack your emerald bra and panty set?” Of course he would ask that as we’re walking through airport security. Of course the security guard would lift an eyebrow, letting me know he was listening to our conversation.

  “Way to advertise it to the world,” I mutter. Are my cheeks as red as my hair? They feel like it. Leaning into him, I whisper into his ear, “Yes I did.”

  It’s not like my aunt needs to know he has a thing for them. It’s bad enough she practically caught us having sex last week. She walked into Harrison’s office while we were otherwise engaged. Talk about embarrassing. The blush has only now faded from my cheeks. Which is why I’m pissed he’s bringing it back again so easily.

  “Good. You know how much I love them. What about the matching heels?”

  Filter, have you heard of using one? Is it possible to die from embarrassment? “Mm-Hmm” It’s the only reply he’s going to get. He knows I packed them—he saw me put them in my luggage this morning. He’s trying to make me blush. Bastard.

  Screw it, I know what game he’s playing now, and two can play. “Did you pack the anal beads and lube? I saw they were placed near your luggage, but I wasn’t sure if you remembered to pack them or not.” There, take that!

  Choking, he doesn’t bother to answer me. He must’ve swallowed his gum. Serves him right. The security guard gives me a wink as I pass through. At least he thought it was funny. Should’ve added in a strap-on to my question too. Harrison thought he was going to make me blush and embarrass me, but I caught on quickly enough. The sexy ass. Although, he did succeed in making me blush.

  Making my way through security, I put my shoes back on and head straight for the nearest coffee stand. Harrison and my aunt will catch up, I need copious amounts of caffeine and sweets to deal with any more this morning. Maybe a new book or two for the flight as well. One can never have too many books.

  Ordering four coffees—two for myself—one for each of them, along with a few pastries, Harrison finally catches up with me as I’m paying.

  “Nice one, Red. Too bad the guard knew you were kidding and I wasn’t.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever. Didn’t you see him pull me aside? He asked me for your number. Which I gave him, by the way. You’re welcome.”

  Only doing my civic duty and hooking up my boyfriend, that’s all. Obviously, the guard didn’t pull me aside. But he totally wanted to. Maybe.

  “You’re so full of shit. Another reason why I love you,” he says while grabbing all four coffees. “Four? Honestly? Who’s going to drink all of these? We board in less than twenty minutes, and if you drink these you’ll be up peeing every five minutes. Need I remind you of your hate of using airplane bathrooms?” He’s right, I do. Small spaces and me don’t mix.

  “Two are mine. One is for you. One is for Savannah. And the good thing is, we stop in Atlanta to connect so I can use the restroom there. Easy peasy. No airplane bathroom for me.” At least, I hope not.

  Now, if only I could decide on a book to buy. There’s way too many good ones. Not to mention the hundred sitting on my kindle waiting to be read. New one by Colleen Hoover? Already read it. New one by Samantha Young? Read it. Oh, look a new one by Jay Crownover! It shall be mine!

  “Hand it over, and I’ll buy it for you, babe. Why don’t you take your drinks and go join Savannah?”

  “Thank you, it’d be awesome.” He’s perfect. He loves me and buys me books, I still can’t believe he’s all mine. What more could I ask for? Oh, and I’m not ashamed to admit I pinched his ass before I walked away. It’s a piece of art.

  The day of the storm was one of the worst days of my life. Thinking back on it now makes me feel sick to my stomach. When he went back out on the water barely a week later, I was sick. Threw up the whole day until he got back. It’s gotten better over time, but the worry is still there. It never leaves, I’m not entirely sure it’ll ever lessen. It reminds me I’m human and I love with my whole soul, not only my heart.

  When I leave for school after
the new year, I’ll be even more stressed. The worry will double I’m sure, but knowing Harrison isn’t taking any uncalled for risks puts me at ease.

  A little.

  Maybe.

  Already, I can’t wait to graduate and open my business next to Harrison’s. My own little slice of paradise. It's waiting for me; I only have to reach for it. I’ve decided to take an accelerated business course, so I can get my degree faster. Which also means I’ll be able to open my business sooner rather than later. The next chapter of my life is about to begin, and I couldn’t more ecstatic.

  As our plane lands in Paris, I feel nauseous. Incredibly nauseous.

  Not because I’m planning on proposing to Morgan, but because I’m asking Julian for permission. That fucking scares me.

  Scares me as much as the storm back in the summer scared me. That day, I didn’t think I’d live to see this day. When I walked into the darkness to face the storm head on, I was scared shitless. Today, I’m a thousand times more scared. I’ll admit it, I’m a pussy. Yeah, I’m scared as fuck to ask for her hand in marriage. Julian intimidates me. Plain and simple.

  Asking her doesn’t scare me. Not anymore. It used to because I always thought she’d run, but she wouldn’t have. She won’t. She’s mine and always has been mine. When she faced her fear and thought I had died, she proved how strong she truly is. She’s never admitted to me she thought the worst had happened, but she did. Her actions when I showed up on her doorstep after nearly twenty-four hours at sea showed that to me. The expression of relief on her face was so clear. Her tears were happy tears. If her arms wouldn’t have been holding me up, I would’ve collapsed onto the gravel drive as soon as my eyes took in her face. My heart skipped a beat upon seeing her.

  She lost her ever-loving mind that day. From what I heard, anyway. It’s funny now thinking back on it and hearing the stories. She spent the day damn near naked and passed out from drinking a ton of Jack straight. On an empty stomach. The lush.