Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
“Oh, they said plenty, her brother, her father, my own family. My busted lip and broken ribs were a testament to how they felt. I’d have taken it ten times over to have her by my side.” Grandad clears his throat. “Now you have to ask yourself if Kelsey is worth going through all the trials and tribulations in order to find everlasting love.”
Grandma was it for Grandpa Scott. A few locals would ask him if he’d thought about going to the local moose clubs on single nights. He shut them down real quick, saying he’d rather roast in hell than to leave this world by tarnishing his wife’s name.
“I guess you’re right.” I’m rewarded with a sharp look my way.
“Guess? Boy, I damn well know I am. Quit coming up with excuses. Figure your shit out and quit taking it out on the damn boat.” He stands up. I do the same, pushing off the pylon already knowing what he’s after. “Give me a hug, boy, then you better get to work. Your momma is on her way down here. She’s looking to either chew one of us out or put us to work.”
“Well, fuck, did you leave the toilet seat up in the office again?” I joke as he pulls me in for a hug. Meanwhile, Mom has her arms swinging as she walks like a woman on a mission, and whatever it is that’s got her in a tizzy, we’re all going to pay the price for it.
“You two knuckleheads. I see you sitting on the job,” she hollers, her voice echoing over the water. We pull apart. Grandad lifts an eyebrow and I shake my head.
“Someone pissed in her Cheerios today. Get back to the boat. I’ll head her off.” He does me a solid.
“Thanks, Grandad. I owe you one.” I’m still not sold on going after Kelsey Rae, and maybe some time working on the boat will clear my head enough to figure out what the fuck I’m gonna do.
“Damn straight, you do. I’ll take it in the form of a few beers, a couple of poles in the water, and my grandson having his head on straight.” Those are his parting words. He already knows I’ll never tell him I can’t spend a few hours with him even though I’m dog tired. As he likes to say, you can sleep when you’re dead, and I’m beginning to realize he’s right about a hell of a lot.
“Will do,” I reply, watching as he takes his time getting to my mom before jumping back on the boat to finish cleaning it up for the next run tomorrow.
3
KELSEY
It’s rare that I’ll pull a double at Captain T’s. Tara almost never asks for such a thing. Usually I’ll either open or close, allowing her to do the opposite. Today is different. Earlier, when she came out of the back office, she was in a frazzled state of mind completely unlike her usual self. Apparently, there was an issue with the fuel delivery as well as the order she placed to restock the convenience store. No fuel or beer is essentially taking away our bread and butter. Tara mumbled a few choice words under her breath. I held back my laughter because some of what she had to say could make a sailor blush.
That was hours ago and she took Grandpa Scott with her. They were both pissed as hell, understandably, too. It’s hard to offer services on products we don’t have.
“Thanks, Kelsey, see you next time.” Mariah and her boyfriend, Spencer, are locals who come in every Saturday. Usually in the late afternoon right before closing, they pick up a six-pack each. Mariah goes for the fruity type of drinks, usually daiquiri-flavored of some kind, and Spencer buys whatever sale Captain T’s has on for the week.
“See you. Have fun.” There’s no telling where they're off to tonight. Sometimes a group will get together on one of the islands, have a bonfire and a few drinks.
“We will. Haven’t seen you out there recently. You should come.” The thought sounds like a good idea, except by the time I’m done at work and grab a bite to eat, I’m going to be ready to crash.
“Maybe, depends on when I get out of here.” The last thing I’m going to do is commit to a party. While my high school friends still get together every weekend, there are other things I’d rather be doing than reminiscing about those good old days. I mean, how many times do I have to hear Bobby talk about his football stats or that he was destined to go pro until he tore his ACL? Thanks, but no thanks. I’d rather sit at home, have a drink of my own, and do it in peace.
“We’re closing,” Talon states as he walks through the doors. My gaze locks on him. His eyes are reminiscent of spring, lush and vibrant. The backwards white baseball cap on his head only amplifies his facial features. Whereas the sun can do a lot of damage to people’s skin, it hasn’t to Talon’s. It has a deep olive tone. His jet-black hair is peeking out under the edges of his hat, and the way he hasn’t shaved his beard in a while, well, it makes my damn knees week. Did I mention his green eyes? My god, are they something else.