by Aubree Lane
Grady grinned and waited for the famous Maxwell Javier head-butt. It never came. Instead, Max opened his arms and hugged Britt tight, then the little bugger laid his head on her shoulder. Grady couldn’t count the number of times he received a fat lip from the squirt, but Britt came out of the encounter injury free.
Grady scratched his head. Brittany could run faster, throw farther, swim better, and now she even did Max better than him. Strangely, it wasn’t an issue. Once upon a time, Grady had been fiercely competitive, but since his parents’ accident, he decided not to sweat the small stuff. Life was too short.
Brittany’s eyes grew bright when she saw Grady watching them. Cuddling Max a little tighter, she walked across the street.
Their dolphin adventure was incredible, but it was the kiss he and Brittany shared which excited him the most. Brittany looked a lot like Annie. Her hair had a more reddish tint to it, but the family resemblance was strong. Part of him felt he was kissing his boss.
The thought made him shudder.
The kiss was the reason he lost his balance and caused them to fall into the rip. He really hoped he could purge the similarities between Britt and Annie out of his mind because kissing Brittany was amazing.
His cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He dug it out and sighed. It was the girl he’d been seeing the past few weeks. Callie was a little nuts, and Grady didn’t want anything more to do with her. He ignored the call and shoved the phone back in his pocket. Chatting with Max and Brittany was a much more appealing option.
Max saw him coming and successfully wiggled out of Brittany’s arms. He waddled over with his adorable, arm up, toddler gate. Grady scooped him up and tossed the little guy into the air. Max shrieked with joy and Grady felt like his hero. Max had only been airborne a few inches, but it had probably felt like he was flying.
“You’re good with him,” Brittany complimented. “I wish I had your touch. You should have heard him a few minutes ago.”
Grady heard Max wail many times and was glad he missed it. “Are you kidding me? I saw Max lovin’ on you a few moments ago.” He hoisted Max up and brought him face to face. Grady’s eyes were wide and his voice excited. He focused on the baby boy, but his words were meant for Brittany. “Max doesn’t like to cuddle.” Grady shot the baby out at arm’s-length and rocked him side to side. “This kid rarely sits still and he gets into everything.”
The next time Grady brought Max close to his face, the little boy grabbed his nose. Max’s sharp nails pierced through Grady’s skin and his thumb went deep up his nasal passage. “Ouch!” Grady grimaced and slowly peeled Max’s fingers off. “He’s got a mean little grip.”
Brittany chuckled and reached her arms out to save Grady from any more of Max’s punishment. The toddler dove for her wiggling fingers. Britt pulled him close. The boy clutched her shirt and rested his head on her breast. Grady was envious that Max got to cop a feel and he didn’t.
Brittany glared in Grady’s direction. “Stop that.”
“Stop what?”
“Stop ogling my boob and stop thinking whatever it is you’re thinking. Max is just a baby, and there is nothing sexual about him laying his head on my chest.”
Grady crouched down to Max’s level and held up a palm. “High-five little buddy. You have her fooled.”
Max didn’t leave Grady hanging and smacked his hand happily.
Brittany placed an irritated hand on her hip. “I’m leaving if this conversation doesn’t make an about-face right now.”
Grady’s phone vibrated again. It was Callie. The chick wouldn’t leave him alone.
“Do you need to take that?” Britt asked. “I have to get this guy down for his nap anyway.”
He stashed the phone and reached for Brittany’s elbow. “Let’s get him home and I’ll help you.”
“I don’t think it’s a two-person job.”
Grady wasn’t ready to leave Brittany’s side, and he wanted to be right there the very moment Annie arrived home. “It is today.”
• • •
They walked into the Javier home in time to witness an argument between Terence and Erika.
“I already worked at Lena’s today. Why do I have to go out on the boat, too?”
As calmly as possible, Terence explained, “A group of women want to go diving out at the Mahi Wreck. I’ll need your help to get them outfitted and in the water as quickly as possible. They’ve only booked the Erika Rose for three hours. That’s not a lot of time. This tour is typically an all-day excursion. You haven’t been out to the wreck for a while now. You can go diving with them.”
His cajoling offer was met with teenage frustration. Erika threw her head back and wailed, “I’ve been down there a million times. It’s boring.”
Terence kept his cool, but his voice grew firm. “Fine. Don’t go diving, but you’re still coming with me. If an ounce of attitude pops out of your mouth in front of paying customers, you will be grounded for the entire Christmas break.” His head cocked in warning. “Do I make myself clear?”
“Dad,” Erika whined. “Take Grady.”
Leave it to Erika to drag him into their argument. Grady survived and even enjoyed the experience with the dolphins, but he wasn’t ready to commit to half a day out on the Erika Rose.
Terence looked at Grady for an answer. “Well, kid. What do you say?”
He wavered for a moment, but in the end, he decided one bout with the Pacific was all he could take for one day. Grady shook his head in the negative.
“If Erika doesn’t mind babysitting,” Brittany volunteered, “I’ll help you.”
Erika’s mood brightened. “Deal!” She raced over and took Max out of Brittany’s arms. “Come on, Maxie. Your big sis is going to put you down for your nap.” Two seconds later, both Erika and Max were gone.
Skepticism poured out of Terence’s eyes when he turned Brittany’s way. “Are you sure about this? Annie gets seasick. I need someone to help me. I don’t have time to take care of you today.”
“I’m in the ocean all the time. I’ve never been seasick.”
Terence was leery, but he relented. “Would you be interested in diving?”
Brittany declined his offer. “I don’t know how.”
“We’ll have to remedy that soon, but today you can help me get the ladies tanks on.” Terence took Brittany by the arm and guided her towards the door. “While they’re in the water, I’ll give you a crash course so you’ll have an idea of what’s involved before you decide if you want to get certified.”
Suddenly frightened of her new responsibility, Brittany backpedaled. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea. What if I do something wrong? I don’t want to kill anybody.”
Grady couldn’t help laughing out loud. “I worked for him for two years and never once did he let someone in the water without checking to make sure everything was working properly. Mr. Javier is mega safety conscious. You’re basically going along for the ride and to protect him from getting hit on too much. Ladies on vacation don’t care if there’s a wedding ring on his finger.”
Terence chuckled. “I loved it when you worked for me, kid. With you around, they never gave me the time of day. Are you going to stay here and hang around with Erika?”
Grady dipped his head in the affirmative. “Probably, I need to talk to Annie.”
“Good luck with that. That was some business plan you put together.” Terence winked. “I think I saw a bit of Eleanor’s influence in there.” He slapped Grady on the back. “Don’t tell my lovely wife I said anything, but I think she’s hooked. I’d be surprised if she doesn’t go for it.” Then he turned to his new first mate. “Let’s get going. I’ll give you a tour of my pride and joy and a quick run through of what I need from you today.”
From Max’s bedroom, Erika called out, “Max and I take great exception to your last remark, Dad. We were under the mistaken assumption that we were your pride and joy.”
Mr. Javier’s mouth quirked up into a half-smile. �
�You would be,” he hollered back, “except the floating, water worthy Erika Rose doesn’t talk back, and my beautiful boat has never once head-butted me.”
• • •
Twenty minutes out on the Erika Rose, and Brittany realized there was a big difference between playing in the surf and being out in a boat. Her face felt green, and every pitch of the slightest wave sent her stomach whirling.
It was a relatively calm day and Brittany wondered how she would have weathered a storm. This was bad enough. Next time, she’d know better than to volunteer her services.
Terence was trying really hard not to laugh at her predicament, but the amused glint in his eye gave him away.
“Stop laughing at me.”
He reached under his seat and came up with a barf bag. “Just don’t puke in my boat.”
Snatching the bag out of his hand, she growled, “It’s almost like you were expecting this.”
“I live with your sister,” he reminded her. “I always come prepared.”
Brittany kicked her head in the direction of the four other females onboard. Each held a beer in their hand and their raunchy banter was growing progressively loud and crude with each sip. Britt wasn’t sure which was making her more nauseous, the women or the rolling seas. “Should they be drinking before their dive?”
“No, but as long as they haven’t brought any fish food with them, the Mahi is pretty safe. Some of the Green Sea Turtles are getting a little cranky if they smell food and don’t get fed. The ladies are all certified, but they don’t look like hardcore divers to me. Ten to one, they go out for fifteen or twenty minutes, then come back here and clean out the rest of the ice chest.” Terence lowered his voice in case it carried in the wind. “They will snap about a half a million pictures to show to their friends and brag about the wonderful experience we’ve given them.” He leaned in a little closer. “And at least one of them will complain about getting her hair wet.”
“The way that weathered looking blonde is throwing back the beers,” Britt said, holding up the puke bag, “I hope you have more of these.”
Terence throttled the Erika Rose up a notch and turned sharply. A burst of spray flew over the back of the boat and drenched the blonde. “Maybe that will slow her down.”
All four women squealed in surprise. The blonde laughed and pragmatically squeezed the ocean water out of her hair. Getting wet hadn’t bothered her a bit.
Terence pointed between his legs. “Good thing there’s an entire box of sea sick bags under my seat.”
She wanted to laugh, but the bile rising up in her throat refused to be ignored any longer. Brittany smashed the bag over her mouth.
• • •
Grady paced nervously back and forth across the Javiers’ front porch. Annie was taking an awfully long time to get home. He didn’t know what he would do if she said no. When the idea of franchising the Coffee Cart first popped into his mind, he hadn’t known how to proceed. If Eleanor hadn’t pushed him in the right direction, he would still be floundering. His grand dream of finishing his degree on the big island lost its appeal the day his parents died. The ocean surrounding them was vast and heartless. The abyss of death, which he once enjoyed and couldn’t imagine living without, had morphed into a living nightmare. The Pacific didn’t give up its dead easily and his parents’ bodies were never found.
Larry and the Javier family did much more than befriend him, employ him, and feed him. They saved him. Larry was instrumental in having his parents declared legally dead after the investigation reported the explosion exposed the couple to imminent peril. Since they failed to return, their death could be reasonably assumed.
Grady didn’t want him to proceed, but Larry sat him down and explained the real world consequences of keeping them legally alive for the next seven years. Grady would not be able to make the house payment. His parents purchased mortgage insurance. Upon their death, the loan would be paid off and Grady would own the home free and clear. Their life insurance, modest as it was, would support Grady for several years, giving the young man the opportunity to get on his adult feet and support himself. When Grady still protested, not wanting to give up all hope, Larry took Grady by the hand and asked, “What would your parents want you to do?”
That simple question changed Grady’s entire outlook. His parents took out both the mortgage and life insurance policies to make sure he was provided for. Their foresight had given him time to grieve, make a few colossal mistakes, and come back to his senses. Becoming partners with Annie, and building their one little portable coffee cart into a mega franchise, was just what he needed to get on track to becoming a responsible adult.
Both Annie and Mr. Javier had the entrepreneurial spirit and Grady learned a lot from them. He knew Annie was feeling overwhelmed running the Coffee Cart and trying to be a good mom to Max. He also knew she was thinking about selling her tiny venture. Grady wasn’t ready to move on. He believed the job he took for granted the past year presented an opportunity and the potential to make him financially secure.
“Earth to Grady,” Erika sang out warmly as she caressed his arm.
Her crush was written all over her face. Grady stepped back and asked, “Is Max asleep?”
Erika’s shoulders slumped and her face fell with his blatant rejection. “Yes,” she sighed. “With any luck, the next two hours will be quiet. You’re awfully jumpy today. What was Dad talking about earlier? It sounded like you and Annie are planning something big.”
Grady put Erika off once more. “You’ll hear about it soon enough. I don’t want to jinx anything by talking about it.” He hated hurting her, but he didn’t see another way to stay in her life and keep her at arm’s-length at the same time. Annie tried to reassure him that Erika was simply going through a phase, and soon everything would be back to normal.
Grady wasn’t convinced.
The phone in his pocket vibrated. It was Callie again. He had the distinct impression the chick was watching him. Grady scanned the street and saw the front end of her red Pontiac Grand Prix parked in front of the Holloway’s house.
This had to end. Erika’s crush was one thing, but being stalked was another. He shoved the phone in his pocket and marched angrily up the street towards Callie and her two-door sports coupe.
The young woman powered down her window when he approached. The wind captured wispy strands of brassy red hair, and her long straight fingers waved a welcome. He rounded the hood, and her glossy lips smiled brightly.
“Hey Cal,” he began nicely, “why are you parked over here? If you want to see me, you know where I live.”
“I was spying on you,” she laughed, trying to make light of her stalking ways. “I didn’t want to intrude in case you weren’t alone.”
Grady glanced at Erika who was intently watching their exchange. “But I wasn’t alone and you did intrude.” He kept his smile easy and leaned in close. “Can I see your phone for a moment?”
The expression on Callie’s face turned suspicious. “Why?” she asked, but she automatically handed it to him anyway.
Grady scrolled through the contacts and deleted his number.
Callie glared at him. “Why did you do that?”
Grady tossed the phone onto the passenger seat. “I think you have misunderstood our relationship. I take full responsibility for giving you the wrong idea. What we shared never meant anything to me. I took what I wanted, but I don’t have feelings for you. I’m sorry if that sounds harsh, but it’s the truth. Our relationship is over.”
Callie’s eyes closed and her brow furrowed. When they opened a moment later, they were full of anger and disgust. “Do you remember our conversation the other night? You were wasted and sad.”
He didn’t have any idea what Callie was referring to.
“You said you needed me. You cried and told me about how your parents’ boat exploded and their bodies were never found.” She threw the Grand Prix in reverse. “I felt sorry for you, asshole. When you didn’t return my c
alls, I got worried. I swung by to make sure you were okay.” Callie looked over her shoulder and backed up. She turned the steering wheel as far to the left as possible and flipped a U-turn. The wheels of the coup squealed and the car peeled out of the quiet neighborhood.
Grady looked down the empty street and scrubbed his face. Callie was right. He was a jerk. On the upside, he doubted he would ever see her again. How he treated the girls he dated had to change. His mother would not approve of this level of assholeness.
He glanced back at Erika. The moment he caught her eye, she shook her head, equally disgusted with his behavior, and walked back into the house.
5
The dock bobbed into view at Lena’s Bed and Breakfast, and Brittany’s jubilation soared. Her stomach couldn’t take any more torture, and she couldn’t wait to get off the Erika Rose and back onto dry land. She was dizzy and needed to lay her head down. An impossible feat with her brother-in-law’s constant barking to keep her head up and eyes focused on the horizon. The idea that she might take over Grady’s vacated position on the Erika Rose vanished into thin air. Brittany never wanted to step foot on this damned boat again.
“Do you think you’ll be able to tie us off when we land?” Terence smirked. “I should get something out of the wage I’m paying you.”
Every motion was pure agony, but she managed to turn her head ever so slightly to give him the one-eyed glare of death. “You’re flipping funny. Keep your stupid money. I don’t expect to get paid for puking all day. Just get me off this rust bucket and let me lay down in the grass for a while.”
Terence’s dark eyes filled with humor. “Would you like to hear the story of the first time Annie came aboard? She was sicker than you.”
Brittany risked another experience with the barf bag and faced him head on. “Spare me any and all stories involving chunks. I’ve seen more than my fair share of them today.”
A chuckle slipped out before Terence could bite it back. “I thought your misery would like a little company.”
“Get away from me,” she replied, turning away and holding up a halting hand.