“The temper had more to do with the alcohol and the PTSD, but we’ve been tweaking the meds, so I think he’ll be ok.” Tommy made notes on the chart hanging from his bed. “I’ll see you in the morning. And Bobby, what were you thinking, messing with this one?”
Tommy walked out of the room laughing so hard that we all erupted into laughter, too.
“Jade, don’t you have to get going to pick up the band?” Lucy looked at her watch. “Why don’t you go ahead.”
“Not for another two hours, but I can’t impose on you to stay here even longer.” I plopped down into the recliner. “I should have taken Mr. Fancy Pants’s offer.”
“Who is Mr. Fancy Pants?” Lucy asked. “Wait, is that the guy with the big yacht?”
“Yeah, who else? He’s so full of himself. But he offered to have someone bring me back so they could keep my boat there,” I moaned. “I should have accepted instead of inconveniencing you guys longer.”
“Don’t be silly. You couldn’t have just left your boat there. What if the boys had a drink or two? You would be liable if something happened. So, I think you did the right thing.” Bobby looked to Lucy then to me. “Why don’t you go back to the island early and enjoy the music for a bit, until they finish?”
“What? No, I can’t ask you to stay here that long.” I leaned back in the recliner. “You both should go home.”
“Nope, not happening. Now get up and get out.” Lucy grabbed my hands and pulled me up. “Bobby is going to go over to the diner and get us dessert and coffee. Then we can nap here until you get back.”
“If you’re sure…?” I frowned.
“I’m sure. Admiral is going to sleep right through us watching television, which is all we would be doing at home.” Lucy pushed me from behind. “Be careful in the dark on that dock.”
“Thanks guys, I owe you big.” I kissed Lucy on the cheek and opened the door.
The darkness surroundingthe dock sent a shiver down my spine, which only frustrated me. I grabbed the emergency bag from the back seat of the truck, dialed Allen on my cell, and started for the boat.
Stop being ridiculous. You’ve spent entire nights alone in the middle of the ocean. This is nothing.
“Allen, I’m going to get the band. Do you want me to talk to Mr. Hawthorne about paying you for the loss of the band’s time?” I spoke confidently as I followed the beam on the dock from my flashlight. “Hey, you there?”
“Yeah, I’m here. But the bigger question is, are you there? Like, are you out on the dark creepy dock?” Allen asked.
“Yes, I am. I have to go get your band but, if I’m telling the truth, I called you because I was a little creeped out.” I laughed at myself. “It’s your fault I feel this way, so now you have to talk to me while I get the boat going.”
“Why didn’t you just let me send someone to get them?” Allen asked. “You shouldn’t be out on the water by yourself.”
“I can go out on the water by myself, Allen. Have you forgotten what I do for a career?” I demanded.
“Nope, I know exactly what you do, because I listen.” Allen started laughing.
“What are you laughing about? Stop laughing!” I laughed back. “Really, what’s so funny?”
“You. You’re so busy being mad at me you’re probably halfway across to the island.”
“You’re wrong.” I stayed silent waiting on his response that didn’t come. “Allen? Are you there?”
“Uh-huh,” he replied.
“Fine. But I’m not halfway…I’m there.”
Chapter 32
Sawyer
“Sawyer, you were supposed to just look at the bios. I swear, I can’t leave you boys alone.” Aunt Victoria sat down next to me. “Did you even look at the bios?”
“Yeah, we looked, but how his wifey is gonna look is really important,” Asher joined in. “What’s the difference? We just picked women that are his type.”
“No, Asher. Well, let me back up. Yes, you did do that but, no, that’s not how it works,” Sienna spoke up. “The five women I left for you to read up on had the best bios for his lifestyle.”