“No, I like fishing. I’m just not sure how your coworkers are going to like me tagging along on your fishing trip.”
“Don’t be silly, they’d love to meet you and Jared isn’t happy unless he is surrounded by a crowd.”
“Well, if you’re sure.” I wasn’t but I was willing to go along.
“Of course, I’m sure.” I could hear the excitement in his voice.
“When should I be ready?” I asked, gamely.
“I’m on my way.”
“What, Ethan! I’m wearing yoga pants!”
“Perfect.”
“No, not perfect! I have to go!” I hung up. I knew it wouldn’t take him more than fifteen minutes to get to my house, I raced up stairs and started searching for something to wear. In a panic I called Sherry.
“Sherry, I need your help!” I was desperate.
“Oh, my God, what’s wrong?”
“Ethan just called, and he wants to do deep sea fishing, I have no idea what to wear!” My voice was shrill as I was in full freak out mode. My panic and dismay was met with shrieks of laughter. “What. Are. You are laughing about?” I demanded. Nothing about this was funny.
“Something old that you don’t mind throwing out because it’s gonna smell like fish afterwards.” She had a point.
“Okay, so jeans and a t-shirt.”
“More like shorts and a t-shirt. It will probably be hot out there on the water with the sun beating down on the boat.”
Shorts were not an option. “Have you ever done this before, Sherry?”
“Yeah I’ve been out a couple of times with my brother.”
I nodded. “Okay, I think I have something.” I heard a car door. “Gotta go, Ethan’s here.”
“Have fun!” She chimed.
I clicked off and stripped off my yoga pants and pulled on an old pair of jeans and ran for the door.
“Hi.” I said, a little breathless.
“Hi.” Ethan smiled.
“I was in the middle of changing, do you mind coming in and waiting a minute?” I asked him.
“I don’t mind. You look fine,” he called.
“I’ve been cleaning all morning in this shirt. I’m sure it smells like bleach or something.”
“Okay,” he shrugged.
“Make yourself at home.” I bolted back upstairs. I had left my phone laying on the bed and it was buzzing. I had a text from Sherry. ‘Try wearing a bathing suit under your clothes in case there is a chance for swimming. If she thought I was going to strip down to a bathing suit in front of Ethan and his co-workers she was certifiable. I closed her message and slipped the phone in my pocket and found a more suitable t-shirt.
I found Ethan looking over some pictures on the mantel.
“Is this okay?”
“Yeah that is fine. You might want to take a spare pair of shoes though, sometimes the deck gets bloody from the bigger fish.”
“Oh okay.” Good to know. I ran back upstairs and was back in a minute. Thankfully, he was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs.
“All set?” He asked.
“I think so.” I said, doing a quick check.
“Okay, I told the boys we’d meet them at the marina.”
“Who else is going?” I asked.
“You, me, Logan, Jared and Jared’s friend who owns the boat.”
“Does Jared or Logan have a girlfriend?” I asked, realizing I would be the only female on board.
Ethan laughed as he held the car door open. “Logan is too much of a loner and Jared is too much of a player.” He got in on his side and started the engine. “There’s a very good chance you’ll be the only girl.”
“Great.” I forced a smile. Not that I didn’t mind being around guys as the marines had certainly cured me of any inhibitions in that regard. It would have been nice to make a new girlfriend or two.
It didn’t take long to get to the marina and I’m pretty sure Ethan probably broke a few traffic laws getting us there. We were greeted on the dock by Logan. “Glad you could make it.” He said to Ethan.
“Logan, I’d like you to meet Kay.” Ethan introduced us.
“Nice to meet you.” I smiled and held out my hand.
“Glad you could join us.” He smiled but the words sounded forced. Logan reminded me of Chris. He was definitely a marine, he wore his hair in a military style. He was broad shouldered. Bigger than Ethan. He also looked like he was less than happy I was there.
“Jared here yet?” Ethan asked.
“Here I am!” Jared appeared from the fly bridge.
“Jared Walker, Kay Dandridge.” Ethan introduced us.
“Hey, great to meet you.” He smiled. Unlike Logan, Jared seemed to genuinely mean it.
“Hi, Jared.” I liked him right away.
“Anyone else joining us?” Ethan asked.
“No, I invited Stephanie, but she had other plans.” Jared looked disappointed.
“Stephanie is another member of the team.” Ethan explained.
“Oh, I see.” I nodded.
“Well, that’s okay, more beer for us, right Kay?” Jared laughed and handed me a can of beer.
“Right.” I looked at it dubiously.
“What’s a matter don’t you like beer?” Logan said brushing past me as he climbed onto the boat.
“Beers fine, if that’s all you got.” I said without thinking.”
“Would the lady like something stronger?” Jared asked.
“Beer’s fine.” I reassured him.
I looked over at Logan. He smirked and turned away. Ethan was watching the exchange and he didn’t say anything but, I could tell he wasn’t happy with Logan.
Jared leaned over and whispered in my ear.
“Don’t pay any attention to Logan, he was born that way.”
“No worries.” I smiled and raised the can in a toast to Jared.
“Good girl!” He laughed. “Hey Nick, I think we’re ready.”
“Grab the lines, Jared.”
“Can I help?” I asked.
“Sure, can you get the bow line?” Jared pointed to the front of the boat.
“No problem.” Ethan and Logan both watched with interest. One with pride and the other with doubt. We were soon out of the no wake zone and headed to more open water.
Once we found our spot, Nick came down from the bridge to get everyone set up with poles and bait. It seemed that the men were well versed in
