ROWAN
Today is boating day,and I could not be more excited. This is a yearly thing the group, and I do together every summer. We all pitch in and rent a large boat that fits all of us. Sometimes, we go all out and get the nicest one and spend the entire day on the water, followed by a bonfire.
We decided to go with a large boat this year. Considering Ellie is back for the summer, it’s more of a celebration. The ocean is sparkling today, which means it's going to be a good day.
I haven’t seen Ellie in almost four days. We’ve texted here and there, but not much else. It feels like she’s back in the city even though she’s less than five minutes from me. I’ve busied myself with work as a distraction, wondering if I did anything wrong.
I’m not sure what’s been going on, if Charlie is doing something, or if she’s just spending time with her family, but I hope she’s okay. I’m not exactly sure why I don’t text or call her. It would be me simply checking in with her. That’s what friends are for.
“Woo! Boat day!” Beau yells as he throws his hands in the air.
“Boat day!” James's voice is boisterous with his hands cupped around his mouth.
They keep repeating themselves over and over. They would be voted the most annoying brothers of the year if that were a thing. I should make it a thing.
James is sporting a simple shirt and board shorts. His brother, however, the man who is covered in tattoos, with a nose piercing, is wearing a colorful Hawaiian shirt with salmon-colored boat shorts.
“It’s boat day, baby!” August adds in.
Riley walks toward the guys with a vicious look in her eyes. “If you don’t shut up, I will gag all of you.”
“Promise?” August replies, and I swear I spot a twinkle in his eyes.
Riley scowls at him and gives him the finger, only for that to get a laugh out of August.
I look around and see Hailey and Addie walking up behind me. The girls have large tote bags on their shoulders, sunglasses covering their eyes, and barely any clothes. Addie has shorts and a shirt on, and I pray to the high heavens that she isn’t wearing floss underneath that. I cannot and will not allow my baby sister to strut around nearly naked.
“Hi, guys!” Addie beams in a cheerful tone.
“What up,” Hailey adds casually.
I try to look nonchalant when I search for someone who is missing from this group. I could ask where she is, but I don’t need my friends teasing me like they did freshman year of high school. Milo starts to bark and whine, and when I look down at him, his gaze is in the opposite direction of where I was looking.
I turn to see what he’s excited about, and my heart skips a beat. I’d be barking and whining too if I saw her first, looking like a goddamn snack.
Avert your gaze. Do not call Ellie a snack. Why did I say that? Because she is a snack, and you want to gobble her up. I shouldn’t be allowed here right now. I should just go home and lock myself in my room and —
“Hey, everyone.” Ellie smiles and waves at us, then bend down to pet Milo.
He licks her cheeks and chin, and my god, I wish I were him right now. All right, pack it up, Rowan. You’re done for the day.
“Hey, El.” I try to sound casual. Normal. Like I wasn’t just thinking about licking her in places that I haven’t tasted in a very long time.
“Hi, Ro.” She looks up at me with a smile, the dimple on her left cheek coming out as she puts her hand on my arm.
I swear my body tenses at her touch. Not in a bad way, but in an ‘If she touches me again, she will see a side of me that not a lot of people see’ way. I would throw her over my shoulders and tell everyone to have a wonderful day on the boat.
“Alright, let’s get this going. I already started drinking, and I want to keep up the momentum. Let’s go, let’s go, move, move, move,” Beau yells.
“Dude, you’re not some army sergeant. Tone it down,” James knits his brows at Beau, passing him by to get on the boat.
“I wouldn’t have to be if you guys weren’t moving so slow, now get your asses on the boat!” Beau demands.
By the time everyone gets on, the captain of the ship lets us know the dos and don’ts while on this precious boat. No jumping up and down anywhere on the boat. Do not lean over the ledge when the boat is moving. Do not take the glass bottles from behind the bar. Let the crew member handle your drink. But most importantly, do not try to be Jack and Rose at the front of the ship.
Fair.
“I’m going to the second level to tan. Who’s joining me?” Riley asks.
