The Mermaid and her King

by Wolfe, Scarlet

  This is not good. I don’t want her staying at another hotel, and I don’t want to leave in case King shows up and there’s a problem. I go back to my room to talk to her.

  “Brooke, I can’t stay in his room. He has one bed and is planning on finding a woman to sleep in it.”

  She laughs. “That’s definitely Rock’s behavior, and I can’t blame him after being deployed. He probably needs to get some,” she says, giggling.

  Damn, she’s cute, and she has a crude sense of humor. My kind of woman. “I know this is awkward, but why don’t you stay in here with me? You’ll have your own bed, and I promise I’ll stay in mine.

  “I know if I was your boyfriend, I wouldn’t want you doing that, but I also wouldn’t want you at a hotel alone on an island you know nothing about, and that’s where you’ll be if you don’t stay in here.

  “Skyla wouldn’t want you staying somewhere else, either, and I need to be here in case King does something stupid. I don’t think he will, but it’s not in my control.

  “I don’t want you to think I keep secrets from Rob or that I’m a bad person if I stay in here, but he’ll kill me if he knows this. I won’t be able to tell him.”

  “I don’t think you’re a bad person or girlfriend by sleeping in my room. It’s not like you’re going to do anything wrong, so I don’t see where you need to tell him.”

  She’s a wreck, and I feel terrible about it. Rock and Chase owe me big time. I have to sleep in a room with a gorgeous woman that I can’t touch.

  “I’m going to go get my stuff before King shows up.”

  “OK.” I run my hands through my hair. Now I’m a wreck.

  Messages from the Past

  Chase

  It’s been an hour since they left. If there’s a chance that what’s in this envelope could make things better, then I need to see it. I’m torturing Skyla more every minute. I sit up and pull out the papers. The first page is in her handwriting.

  Chase,

  These are emails Bud and I shared back and forth. There are many more I can show you. These are just some of the last ones we sent each other. Please do this for me. Please read them all.

  Love,

  Skyla

  Nixie,

  How’s my girl? When are you moving here, and did you get my gift? I looked high and low to find a mermaid statue with your hair and eye color. OK, really I just looked on the Internet, but it took me hours, and I had to listen to King bitch at me for being on his computer instead of surfing.

  He said he can’t believe I’m whipped by my cousin. He’ll see why I love you so much when you get your ass here, which better be soon, chick. I gotta get back in the water.

  Love,

  Bud

  I scream as loud as I can. I can hear Bud speaking through this email, and it fucking hurts!

  Bud,

  I got your gift, and it’s the best mermaid yet, so you tell King I owe him for letting you use his computer, but he needs to not be a big baby about it next time. Ha ha! I miss you, too. How many times are we going to have this discussion about me moving???

  Love you,

  Nixie

  Nixie,

  So, when are you moving here, chick? My friends are only going to believe that you exist for so long before they want physical proof. They want to see a picture, but I’ll just let them be surprised when you get here. It’s worth the wait to see the look on their faces.

  Shooter says if you send a picture, then it must include your ass, so naturally I hit him. I keep telling King that if he gets his act together, then I might let him near you.

  I’ve been a bad influence on him, so I need to make it right. You’re the kind of girl who could turn him around. I swear when you move here, I’m going to try hard to straighten my ass up.

  Love,

  Bud

  God, this is gut wrenching. Why is she doing this to me?

  Bud,

  It sounds like you have some cool friends who just might be a little full of themselves. That means they’re probably hot, so I can’t wait to meet them, especially this King since he sounds like the one who’ll play hard to get.

  You know I like a challenge. I hope I live up to the expectations you’re setting! You need to quit bragging on me. I’m not that special.

  P.S. Straighten your ass up BEFORE I get there. Tell that to King, too. I now worry about the both of you.

  Love you,

  Nixie

  I chuckle. Skyla definitely does like a challenge. I can’t believe she was worrying about me, too. Actually, I do believe it now that I know how compassionate she is.

  Nixie,

  You are too THAT special. So, when are you moving to this island of paradise that has awesome waves, amazing scenery, and—I can’t say hot guys, but definitely hot chicks? It better be soon, so we can surf together. I miss you, and you know my broke ass doesn’t have enough money to fly to Cali. King and I are still misbehaving, but I promise I’ll do better if you move here.

  King’s a great guy. He’s been through a lot of shit like you have, and you two have a lot in common. He needs a good girl who isn’t just after his dough. He’s standing here bitchin’ about me being on the computer again, so I have to go.

  Love,

  Bud

  Bud was right. She is THAT special. He was trying to pimp me out, and I didn’t even know it.

  I laugh again. He could always bring a smile to my face.

  Bud,

  Tell King to quit his whining. Do you tell him the stuff I say? If so, he probably isn’t going to like me. I miss you … and King … and Shooter … and Brody. Hey, that’s the character in Point Break.

  Love you,

  Nixie

  Nixie,

  Yeah, Brody’s named after the character in Point Break. You know I have to give everyone a nickname. He doesn’t like it, so of course we keep calling him that. I have to torment my friends.

  Yes, I tell King what you say, and he knows you’re flirting—I mean joking. He says he can already tell that Rock will kick any guy’s ass that gets near you. He said you’re going to have to be pretty damn hot for him to fight Rock. I told him he’s going to want you. Move your ass here, cuz.

  Love,

  Bud

  She is hot enough to fight for, but more importantly, great enough, and what did I go and do? I left her when Rock said all that shit about me instead of staying and fighting for her.

  Bud,

  Tell King if he’s worthy, then he won’t need to fight Rock, and if he’s a friend of yours, then he’s worthy. But it’ll turn me on if he’s willing to fight for his woman. You can tell him I said that, too.

  Love you,

  Nixie

  Nixie,

  Now, I know you’re flirting. Maybe you two just need to start emailing each other. He said you better be gorgeous, not just hot if he has to fight for you. I assured him you won’t disappoint. Of course, you’ll be the first woman he pays that much attention to, and it’s going to be a sight to see.

  So, when are you putting your ass on a plane, chick? The turquoise water is calling you. Can you hear it? When you move here, you need to bring Honey with you. She’s legal now, so I might stand a chance. I’ll have to keep her away from Shooter. His charm (bullshit) and Ken doll looks might win her over. He’s a great friend though, so I think I could survive it if he did.

  Love,

  Bud

  Bud, you made sure not to mention the part about it turning her on if I fight for her. That would’ve been my favorite part to hear. You were still protective of Nixie whether you wanted us together or not. It still surprises me that you thought I’d be good enough for her. Who’s Honey?

  Bud,

  Please stop making me sound like a goddess. I’m a mermaid, remember? You can make me out to be a hot mermaid. I can live with that. You sure are optimistic that King’s going to like me, so seriously, stop the bragging. Stop it! They’re going to be disappointed when they see me.

/>   Love you,

  Nixie

  Damn, Skyla, I miss you. You are a goddess, and you could never disappoint. I wanted you the first time I saw you on the beach.

  Nixie,

  Fat chance of that happening. You’re my cousin, but I still have eye balls, so I know you’re gorgeous. I’m proud to call you my cousin, Nixie. You have your head on straight, and I don’t. I’m never going to find a good woman unless you move here and make me get my act together.

  I’m counting down the days! I know King is, too. He won’t admit it, but I know he’s interested. Shooter thinks he’s getting to you first, but he doesn’t need you the way King does.

  Love,

  Bud

  Damn Bud, how desperate were you trying to make me sound? I did need that much help. I did need her. I just didn’t know it yet.

  Bud,

  OK, Mr. Matchmaker, you’re making me nervous. King sounds mysterious. You know I’m the least mysterious person there is. I might be too bubbly for him. I’m young, too. That’s another strike against me. Look how stressed you’re getting me! Five months. I’m counting down the days, and you better be ready for me to smoke your ass on the water.

  Love you,

  Nixie

  Nixie,

  King says he’s smoking your ass on the water, and he hopes it’s a fine ass, so I hit him. You two are getting out of hand. I might have to throw some ice on the fire.

  Seriously, I got him doing some bad shit after I met him. It’s been weighing heavy on me lately. He’s out of control. I don’t want to scare you off from him because he’s a good person, but we both need to do better. I’m going to put a stop to our bad behavior.

  Love,

  Bud

  Shit, Bud, I remember all these days. I did say that I hoped her ass was fine, but I can’t believe you told her, and I can’t believe you admitted you got me doing all that bad shit. I could’ve said no just like you could’ve stayed out of the fucking ocean that night. We both screwed up.

  Daniel,

  Yes, I said Daniel because this is a serious matter, young man. You’re worrying me. Please get help. Please get help for King, too. He can’t scare me off that easily, so I’ll be dragging both your asses to rehab if you don’t cut that shit out before I get there.

  Please … Bud … get some help. Do it for yourself, not for me.

  I love you from the heavenly sky to the bottom of the ocean. Do you remember what I told you about the bottom? It’s that murky place where you face your fears and find all that’s magnificent. Yes, I know, it’s cheesy but true. I hate to say it, but I think you’re in the murky bottom. Please face your fears. I already know the magnificent person behind them, and you deserve to see him, too.

  I love you,

  Nixie

  I begin to cry. I cry like a damn baby. She cared about me like she did Bud, and she didn’t even know me. Nixie tried to help him from across the ocean. She tried to help me, too. It was so true when she said I couldn’t scare her off that easily.

  If Bud had lived, and she moved here and met me, I know without a doubt she would’ve been in my house telling me I was going to rehab. She would’ve cared that much.

  Thank God she didn’t have to see me like that. I need her. I can’t believe I pushed her away again. I told her I wouldn’t, and I did. Bud wanted us together. He really did.

  Dear King,

  Bud was right. You’re a great person and friend. You turned out to be more wonderful than I could’ve imagined. You did all the things he wanted you to do. You got your act together, you watched over me and kept me safe. You even fell in love with me like he hoped you would.

  I’d wait for Bud’s emails, excited to see if he mentioned you … if you mentioned me. I had a crush on you before I ever met you. I’d planned to have Rock introduce me to Bud’s friends when he came back from deployment, but after falling in love with you and meeting Eric and Andy, I decided I didn’t need to meet them. I’d already found guys that great.

  Don’t you see? All of you are even better than he described. You, Eric and Andy gave me all the things that Bud wanted for me … all the things I needed.

  Then I made the discovery and loved you even more, but I knew it was too soon. I needed you to heal more … to love me enough not to be able to let me go. Please forgive me for not telling you. Please love me enough not to let me go.

  I found the ‘King’ Bud always wanted for his Nixie. You already embraced the bottom of the ocean and showed me the magnificent you, so please don’t hide behind your fears. The only thing I need you to let go of is the guilt. Let me love you the way Bud knew you deserved to be loved.

  Come back to me and love me … please.

  Love,

  Your Nixie

  Finding Skyla

  Chase

  What have I done? I’m an idiot. I have to be with her. I have to go to her and apologize! I get in and out of the shower as fast as I can.

  Bud wants me with Nixie, and I can take better care of her than anyone. I’m going to show her that she can trust me. I’m going to show her every day how much I love her. I grab my keys and run to the car.

  Skyla

  Brooke came to the room earlier to get her stuff. I can’t believe she agreed to stay with Eric. I knew she’d like him, but now I’m all alone. It’s been a couple of hours since the guys got back here, and I’m going out of my mind.

  Wouldn’t he have come by now if he wanted me? There’s a knock at the door, so I dive off the bed and run to answer it.

  “Skyla, I love you. I’m so sorry,” Chase says as he grabs me and pulls me into his arms.

  He’s really here. He really came back to me. I wrap my arms around his waist, melting into him. He lets me go and grabs my face, kissing almost every inch of it, his lips landing lastly on mine. His magical touch brings all the broken pieces of me back together.

  Letting go of one side of my face, he strokes my hair. He’s so gentle and loving with his kiss, and I feel what he’s saying. I feel his apology, the safety he’s trying to give back to me, the trust he wants me to believe in. It’s all in his touch.

  We go to the bed, and without a word, we caress and kiss each other. We do what we do best when we want to show each other our love. I’m encased in his powerful arms, and he smells delicious.

  “Angel, I’m sorry I yelled and left you. I can’t apologize enough. I should’ve stayed and fought for you and believed in myself enough to tell Rock that I wasn’t the man he thought I was, that I’m better.”

  “You came back. That’s all that matters.”

  “I didn’t think I was good enough for Bud’s Nixie. I see now that he wanted us together. Eric and Rock made me see, Bud made me see in those emails, but most importantly, you made me see. You didn’t give up on me.”

  I run my fingers through his lovely hair that I’ve missed so much.

  “You deserve someone who won’t give up, and I’m going to prove to you that I’m that man. I love you, Skyla. Thank you for having faith in me, for seeing the good in me before I could see it in myself.”

  “I invaded your house. If you came back and tried to make me leave, I was going to protest from your bed, and the cops would’ve had to drag me out,” I say, giggling.

  “God, I’ve missed that laugh. I believe you, and I felt crushed when I heard you’ve been sleeping in my bed, waiting for me. I’ll be in it every night with you from here on out, and it’s not mine, it’s ours. I’m going to make the holidays up to you, too.”

  He captures my lips once again and shows me his love. I’m ready to go back to our home tomorrow, but right now I’m at peace in King’s arms. Right where Bud wanted Nixie to be.

  Chase

  I get up early and leave a note right next to Skyla as she sleeps. I hate leaving her in bed, but I have to go to my house. I ran out so fast and left all my stuff. I call the front desk and find out what room Eric’s in. Skyla and I didn’t do much talking last night, so I have no clue
what’s going on today.

  I knock on the door, and a woman answers in a small pair of shorts and a tank top. I think I woke her up. “Oh, I’m sorry, I must have the wrong room.”

  I turn to walk away.

  “Wait, are you King by chance?”

  I stop and turn around. “Yes.”

  “I guess you’re looking for Eric. Come in.”

  I grin. I can’t help it. I can’t believe he has a girl in his bed. She’s ahead of me as I walk in.

  “Eric, wake up. King’s here.”

  She’s standing next to the bed that’s furthest away. He rolls over and looks at me.

  “Have you seen Skyla yet?” He sits up in the bed.

  “Yes. I got here a couple of hours after you left my house. When does our flight leave? Skyla’s sleeping, and I have no clue what’s going on.”

  He glances to the clock. “Um, two hours.”

  “There’s no way we can make it. I still have to go to my house. Let me call and move us to another flight. If I can’t, then I’ll charter a private plane.”

  Eric holds his arm out. He has no shirt on and is covered waist down with a sheet.

  “Brooke, Chase. Chase, Brooke.”

  I smile at her. “Hi.”

  “Hi, um, I’m going to take a shower and let you two talk,” she says, looking nervous as hell. She grabs a bag of stuff and goes into the bathroom.

  I turn to Eric and grin. “You dog. I can’t believe you picked up a chick here.” I look at the other bed. “You even used both beds, damn.”