Blue: A Love Story on the Bermuda Shores

by Daya Daniels

  I run a hand through my hair that’s screaming for a cut. “I did. Yesterday – a few times but your phone went to voicemail.”

  Aurelio was the most demanding person I knew – aside from my mother, of course. He groans into the receiver and for a moment, I’m amused.

  “But I suppose you haven’t checked your messages.”

  “Nooo.” He laughs.” I haven’t.”

  “Well, see.”

  Aurelio clears his throat. “You’ve been keeping tabs on all of our babies.”

  “Claro. Of course.”

  “Good. Good.”

  The line goes quiet. The sound of people chatting in the background, the wind whipping by and a high-pitched drill can be heard in the background.

  “Uh huh.”

  “We squared away that little project you emailed me about. I don’t know what the-hell-for but I did as you asked.”

  “Obrigado. Thank you.”

  Aurelio lets out a long sigh through the phone, then the clinking sound of the ice cubes in the glass of MacCallan he must be holding, fills the silence.

  It’s ten in the morning.

  “How are you? I guess we can begin with the small talk.”

  “I’m good.”

  “How are your accomodations?”

  “Comfortable.”

  Aurelio grunts and I smile. “I’ve never understood you, Nico and I accept that.” His voice trails off becoming high-pitched. “But I respect you.”

  I let out a long breath, staring at the water in the distance.

  “Good catch lately?”

  “Yeah.” I run a hand over my jaw. “I’m about to head out overnight tonight.”

  “Alone?” He asks sternly.

  “No, with a friend. Ambrose may come along but I doubt it.”

  “Uh huh. A friend?”

  “Sim. Yes. A friend.”

  He chuckles, pouring himself another glass of scotch, setting the bottle back on his deck. It was a shame that I didn’t even need to be in front of him to know what he was doing.

  “I won’t ask for any more details.”

  “And I’m grateful for that.”

  Aurelio and I never did agree on any of the women I dated. All of the ones so far, came highly recommended by him and every single one of them turned out to be cunts in the end. So, now I kept details about my love interests insanely private and Cass definitely wasn’t up for information sharing – at least not yet.

  “Have you spoken to your mother?” He asks.

  “Yes, twice this week.”

  “Tat?”

  “Every morning and every single night.”

  “Yeah, me too.” He says and I can hear the adoration in his voice. “She’s something else.”

  “Yeah, she is.”

  Aurelio takes a deep breath. “I want to hear from you every day, Nico. I’m your father. I won’t be around forever, you know.”

  I laugh. Only the good die young.

  “I try but you know you can always call me too. If I don’t answer, leave a message and I’ll call you back.”

  “Or, I can just pay you and your new friend a visit.”

  I laugh, certain Aurelio probably already knows all about Cass.

  “I would prefer it if you didn’t do that.”

  He chuckles again, almost amused. “I won’t. Don’t worry, my boy. I know you love the water, that boat, the fishing and everything in between but don’t forget why you’re here.”

  How could I?

  “Will I be enjoying your company here soon?”

  “Yes.” I reply, wondering exactly how I’d manage it.

  “Boa. Good.”

  I ready to hang up and Aurelio speaks again. “Nico.”

  “Yes.”

  “Remember...a leopard can never change its spots.”

  I sigh. “Yeah.”

  He laughs, which then turns hysterical right before I simply hang up. Groaning, I shove my phone into my pocket and hop off the seat of my bike. I scrub my face with my hands and stare up at the hazy sky. I take a few steps to head back to the boat. I spot Cass through a window, sitting in front of pile of papers with her camera in hand. I narrow my eyes when Ambrose’s truck rolls in. He parks a few feet in front of me and hops out looking around.

  “Good morning.” He calls out, approaching me, extending his hand.

  I grab his hand and he pulls me into a half-hug, shoulder slap kind of thing and laughs.

  “You taking Reel Talk out today?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Cass going?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Good stuff. The weather is good. Just make sure you check the engines.”

  “All done.”

  “I’ve had a few offers on this thing.” Ambrose beams.

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.” He says running a hand over his jaw. He removes his hat and slaps it against his thigh, putting it back on. “I would come out with you tonight but I have a roof I need to put on this afternoon.”

  “No problem.”

  “It’s nice to see you and Cass hanging out.” He winks. “She deserves a good guy like you, Nico. The last one, I don’t know.” He laughs.

  I give him a smile. “Plenty of fish in the sea, as they say.”

  Ambrose laughs. “If you consider yourself a fish that is.”

  I drop my head and laugh.

  “Cassandra got my email with the schedule and everything?”

  “Yeah.” I respond looking back at her.

  “I think this is a great opportunity for her to get her photography out there. Plus, now she’ll have some steady work for the next few weeks.”

  “It’s great.”

  Ambrose taps me on the shoulder. “You love birds have fun today. Hopefully, I’ll see you in a few days at the big party the Mora’s are having.”

  I narrow my eyes but I don’t ask him to provide any more details. I only nod and head towards the boat giving him a wave. I undo the ropes and take the steps, jumping down onto the deck. I pull the buoys in and look around. The water is calm and the sky is clear. It’s a super fantastic day for fishing and fucking.

  Cassandra

  I glance up from the screen of the laptop and look out the window, to see Nico heading down the steps. I focus again on the schedule that Ambrose has given me. It’s full of photography requests for the next two months, for the huge sailing event to be hosted here on the island that’s approaching.

  As far as I know the island has been readying for the event for quite sometime and teams were set up all over the island by now.

  The boat engines start up and in a few moments, Reel Talk is trudging out of the inlet. I drag my middle finger along the touch pad in front of the keyboard on the laptop.

  Although I was grateful to finally have some steady work, I felt like kicking myself for knowing absolutely nothing about the sport or the event itself. So, for the past few hours I’d been researching. I peer closer at the page and read on aloud.

  “The America’s Cup is the oldest international sporting trophy in the world, first contested in 1851 in a race around the Isle of Wight.

  “It could make a claim to be the most unfair competition in all sport, because the winner, the defender, gets to choose the venue for the next edition, and in large part sets the rules of engagement.”

  I glance out the window, taking in the sunny day.

  “It’s a match race, one against one, sailing’s equivalent of a boxing match. First the challenger teams must battle each other to find out which team has earned the right to take on the defender. They do this in a series of racing events...”

  I click on a video of the American team, Oracle Team USA racing in the San Francisco harbor in 2013. It plays for a few minutes before I pause it and return the information I’d just read.

  “The world series have four races: two on Saturday and two on Sunday. The Sunday races count for double the points. All points are carried forward over all the events. At the end, the
top teams get two bonus points for the qualifiers in 2017, while the second place team gets one point.

  “The qualifiers are for all teams – including the current defender. The regatta comprises a double ‘round robin’ – meaning that every team gets to race against every other team once per round. The top four challengers advance to the playoffs, progressing through a semi-final to a two-boat final. This final race decides the winner.

  “Okayyy.” I mutter to myself. “I guess that explains it.”

  The picture of the actual cup pops up. Clicking on it, I read the writing below to myself.

  “The Cup is an ornate sterling silver bottomless ewer, crafted in 1848 by Garrard & Co. Henry William Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesley bought one and donated it for the Royal Yacht Squadron’s 1851 Annual Regatta around the Isle of Wight.”

  I stare at a few of cameras out on the table. I’d spared not a penny a few months back ensuring I had all the equipment that a freelance photographer would need, so I had no worries there.

  I place a hand on my Canon EOS-1D X Mark II DSLR, which delivers sixteen frames per second. It’s also weather proof, records video and is Wi-Fi accessible with a built-in GPS module.

  “Sir Charles Benedict “Ben” Ainslie, CBE born 1977 is the most successful sailor in Olympic history. He won medals at five consecutive Olympics from 1996 onwards, including gold at the four games held between 2000-2012.

  “Impressive.” I mumble, looking at photograph of the hottie on the screen, who is the team principal and skipper for the Land Rover BAR team in this year’s race.

  I owe Ambrose a lifetime of beer for helping me to get this job.

  The engines shut off and the boat rises and dips with the small waves. It’s completely silent for a moment.

  “Come and look at this, Cass! Nico yells. “Bring your camera!”

  I shoot up from the table, banging my hip into the edge. I yelp in pain but push through and snatch my camera up. The cabin door flies open. A bright smile spreads across Nico’s face and his eyes dance with excitement.

  “What is it? ”

  He drags me by the arm out to the side of the boat. I peer over the edge and spot a huge turtle. A colorful coral reef is around thirty feet away from us.

  “Oh, wow.” I say, maneuvering the camera to take a few shots. “I’ve never seen one this big.”

  “Me, either.” Nico says still breathing heavily. “I’m going to go and let down the anchor.”

  I drop the camera to stare at the majestic sight in front of me, swimming through the blue water. I’d seen turtles before but never one this big out in the wild. Nico returns quickly to stand beside me.

  “It’s a loggerhead turtle.” I confirm.

  “It looks like it’s about a three hundred pounds.” Nico guestimates. “It’s probably older than us.” He laughs. “Maybe fifty years old.”

  “Yeah, looks like it.” I agree, narrowing my eyes at the majestic creature that swims closer to the boat. “All species of turtles here are protected by law.”

  Nico gives me a funny look.

  “Yeah, people used to eat them back in the old days, so their numbers dwindled drastically but I think they’re coming back up.”

  “It’s incredible, Cass.” Nico whispers, wearing a huge silly grin on his face.

  I take a few more shots and then turn the camera on Nico. He steps towards me. I kiss his lips and take few more shots.

  “Are we staying right here?”

  “Yeah. I think it’s good right here. Don’t you?”

  I shrug.

  “What were you doing inside?” Nico asks, gathering a few buckets from on the deck.

  “Researching.”

  He lifts a brow.

  “Ambrose helped me to get a job for the duration of the big event.”

  “Uh huh.”

  “And I’ve not one clue about the sport.” I laugh.

  Nico gives me a half-hearted smile. “I can help you.”

  “You can?”

  “Yeah, sure. I mean we went sailing the other day.”

  I spin away from Nico still looking at the shots on the camera. “I hardly think a few rounds on a small sailboat even touch what these guys are doing.”

  “Obviously. I don’t mean it like that, Cass.” He explains, grabbing my arm and pulling me to his chest.

  “Well, what do you mean?”

  “I don’t know.” He breathes out. “We can just talk about it I guess – the sport and that should help.”

  “Okay.”

  “And how would you know all about this event, Nico?”

  He runs a hand through his thick hair and I take in the delicious sight of his bicep bunching when he does it.

  “Let’s just say I’m familiar with the event.” He whispers.

  “Uh-huh.” I answer, concentrating on the huge turtle as it dips back down into the shallow water and disappears.

  I look around at the picturesque island just off to our right where we float. Nico heads back inside the cabin and turns some music on. Holiday by Collie Buddz blares from the speakers. When Nico returns he takes the cover off a huge bucket. I step closer and peer inside. Instantly, I cover my mouth and nose. It’s full of fish guts, fish heads and full of blood.

  “God, that’s disgusting.”

  He stands in front of it and laughs at the vision of me about to hurl.

  “This is what the fish love, Cass.” He says, sliding it to the gate and dumping it into the ocean.

  As soon as the bait hits the water, a dark shadow nears the boat. Nico scrambles across the deck like there’s a fire, grabbing a rod.

  “What is it?”I ask.

  Nico gives me an annoyed glance, tosses the line over and sets the rod in a holder, securing it to the side of the boat. He rushes around some more doing the same thing with a few other rods. He hasn’t answered me yet and the enthusiasm stamped across his face is sexy as hell. I lift my camera to peer at the screen and take a few snapshots of him running around like a maniac under afternoon sun.

  “How do you fish with all of these lines over?” I giggle. “You’re only one man.”

  Nico lets out a harsh breath. “I do it all the time, especially when you’re asleep.”

  “What do you think it is?”

  Nico groans. “I think it’s a grouper. Christ, it’s huge.”

  “Oh, wow.”

  “It’s big.”

  “I fucking know.” He whispers, when his eyes flash.

  He drapes a hand behind my neck and I cringe at the smell of fish that now dusts my skin. Nico registers my stiffening and gives me a long, handsome look.

  “Desculpa. Sorry.” He whispers but I don’t think he’s sorry at all.

  I jab him in the side. He feigns being hurt with a grimace, then kisses my lips.

  “You should get used to smelling like fish, since that’s all we’re going to be doing tonight and fucking, I must add.”

  My brows hit my hairline. “I have some more research to do.” I giggle.

  “Nooo, you don’t. You’re going to fish with me. We’re going to talk and we’re going to barbeque.” He says pulling me against his chest.

  “Again.” I complain jokingly.

  Nico grips me by the sides with his large hands. “Cass.”

  “Yes, sir.” I whisper, right before he kisses me again.

  Nico

  Cass is curled up in my lap, with her legs slung over the side of the chair I’m sitting in. A thin blanket covers her while she sleeps. It’s after two in the morning. I’ve been sitting here waiting for that one bite – the bite of a lifetime that’ll spring me into action. The boat rocks softly and the only thing around us is the damp air, the twinkling stars in the sky and the shadowy full moon above which lights the water, that’s as calm as I feel. I take a puff of the spliff between my fingers. It isn’t something I do often, but tonight I thought I’d light up a little.

  Uzimon’s voice is coming from the radio, singing Columbian Daught
a.

  I hold my breath and let it out slowly, watching the smoke float away with the breeze. Cass stirs. Her lashes flutter against the tops of her cheeks and then pretty brown eyes are gazing at me under the semi-darkness.

  “I didn’t realize I’d fallen asleep.”

  “Hmm.” I hum taking another puff.

  Cass’ jerks in my lap and laughs. “Are you smoking weed?”

  I smile and offer her the spliff in my hand. She eyes it as if I’m the devil, making a deal for her soul. It only makes me laugh more. I nudge it in her direction again. Her eyes bulge but she makes no move to take it, so I put it to her lips.

  “You’ve never done this?”

  “No.” She whispers, still looking at me horrified.

  I explode into laughter. “Not even in university?”

  “No.” She repeats.

  “You’re such a square.”

  With that verbal jab, she snatches the spliff from me and sucks on the end. I eye her curiously when she does it again, pursing her lips.

  “For a woman that slobbers on my cock the way you do, I expected a more enthusiastic...um.”

  Cass shifts in my lap and punches me playfully. I laugh even more and hug her tighter. I take one more puff and put it out. It goes quiet, while we stare up at the stars.

  “I don’t feel anything.” Cass complains.

  “Uh huh.”

  “A sério. Seriously.”

  “Uh huh.”

  I cup her face with my hand, so that she lies flush against my chest.

  “Have you had any bites?” She asks.

  “Nope, but I will soon.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Does it matter?”

  She laughs. “No, I guess it doesn’t.”

  Her fingers thread through my hair, feeling the strands and then they skim my ear. She shifts against me and places a kiss on my cheek.

  “What’s that for?”

  Cass shrugs and does it again. “Eu gosto mesmo de você. I really like you.” She whispers.

  I smile.

  “You’re so different.”

  “So are you.” I admit, picking up my half-finished beer and draining it.

  “I always just wanted simple things, you know.” She whispers.

  “Like what?”

  Cass sighs. “I don’t know – to fall in love, to have a family and just to be happy. I don’t need all the things I once thought I did. All the stuff, I once thought I needed.”