Seventeen Days (37 page)

“Why didn’t you say something before now? Didn’t you wonder when I greeted you in the kitchen, why I was practically naked?” I’m surprised she didn’t laugh at me then. Although, she has been as worried as I have been all day. 

“Didn’t cross my mind until you passed out. After you woke, I never thought to mention it. Guess I forgot in my worry too. But now you want to leave the house, I won’t let you leave half naked. No matter if we aren’t going into public, someone could still see you.” 

No matter how much I like my own body, I’d never leave the house like this. Tossing my panties at Harrison is one thing, but leaving the house practically naked is another. “Let me try calling them all one more time before running upstairs to throw on my clothes. Then we can go grab Dog and bring him over to visit.” 

Harrison’s phone still goes to voicemail. “Call me, Captain. I’m worried like you wouldn’t believe. We’re going to pick up Dog now and bring him here for the night. I love you.” The satellite phone is no different but I don’t leave a message. Gentry’s voicemail box is full. The jackass. 

Taking the stairs two at a time, I grab my pajamas and toss them on.
Why bother putting actual clothes on?
The day is gone anyway. Leggings and a tank top are always the answer. 

What’s that sound?

Is it the house phone ringing?

Sprinting down the stairs, I make it to the bottom as Aunt Savannah is answering the phone. She’s shaking her head no at me. My ass meets the bottom step. The slight head shake has completely shattered my heart. My heart was waiting for the phone to ring, and it isn’t the phone call I’ve been waiting for all day.
Why?
Why do this to me? Haven’t I been through enough in my short life? Paid enough penance? What do I have to do to prove myself? 

If Harrison doesn’t come back from this storm, will I make it through? Am I strong enough to survive yet another tragedy? Not noticing she hung up the phone, Aunt Savannah grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet. 

“Come on, sweet girl, let’s go get your dog. It was only a patient calling to let me know my help wasn't needed tomorrow, no extra worries for you.” 

We don’t say a single word the whole way to Harrison’s. And it’s exactly what I need. Silence.

“Mayday … Mayday … This is ‘Bait Me’, and we’re seeking assistance. The storm has veered us off course, and we’re unable to get her back under control. Last known location we were thirty-two nautical miles south, in the gulf. Seven total onboard. Mayday … Mayday.” 

Letting out a groan of frustration, I begin to pace the small space. Not wanting the guests to see me upset. This fucking storm caught us all off guard. Red must think I lied to her last night when I promised I wouldn’t be out in this kind of weather. “Fuck!” Kicking the chair in front of me, causing it to hit the wall, it gives me no satisfaction. It’s not going to change this situation any. We’re screwed. 

The winds have taken us off course. 

We can’t control the boat. 

We’re stuck below deck. 

We have no radio signal. 

Our mayday calls go unheard. 

It’s been eleven hours. 

Eleven hours of hell. 

Eleven hours and twenty-seven minutes to be exact. It’s been almost a full day since I left Morgan at her aunt's for the night, not knowing then I was leaving heaven to enter hell. Why couldn’t we have at least spent last night in each other’s arms? Shit, I need to think more pleasant thoughts. Laughing to myself, I think, yeah, right. That’s a joke. 

It seems the wind has taken us right along with the storm, keeping us directly in its path. Not giving us a moment to actually breathe or able to get her back under control. At this rate, we could be stuck out here for days. Who knows, we may end up in fucking Mexico. 

“Why don’t you go sit with the guests for a while, and I’ll try to get some calls out? You could use the distraction, and I could use some alone time.”  This coming from Gentry, who I didn’t notice coming into the cramped space. 

“Thanks for offering, man, but I doubt being out there will help me any. The only thing that will help is us getting out of this storm and Red tangled up in my arms. Until it happens, I’d rather be in here, in case the radio starts to work.” 

In other words, get the hell out of here, Gentry. 

“Listen, dickface, I’d like some time away from our panicked guests. It’s time for you to man up and get your ass out there, at least for a few minutes. Give. Me. A. Fucking. Break. Man.” 

Whoa, I guess he’s as stressed out as I am. Granted, we are stuck in a storm. One that doesn’t seem to be dying down. The winds are the worst part. If they’d only let up for a minute, I’d risk it and go up to try and regain control of her and get out of this bitch. The rain, I can deal it. It’s the wind that’s the real bitch. 

“Fine, you can have a few minutes of alone time. If we can’t get out a mayday in another few hours, I’m risking it and taking out one of the life rafts. You won’t be able to stop me.” 

Leaving him alone in the cramped space to stew, I go out to join our guests. They’re not any better off then Gentry or myself. 

“Mr. Montgomery, did you have any luck on reaching another boat?” Kyle, one of the younger passengers asks. 

“Not yet, no. But we will shortly. I’ve felt a shift in the wind, so I’m feeling this storm will be passing soon. No worries.”
Only, I am worried. More worried than I have ever been.

“Good, that’s good,” he says. 

No one else says a word. It speaks volumes. 

We’re fucked. 

Nearly ten hours later and the winds and rain are stronger than ever. 

Our calls still go unanswered. 

I’ve given up all hope of our being rescued. 

It’s time for me to take one of the life rafts out. 

Morgan needs me, I can feel her despair from here. 

Her hurt is my hurt. 

No one can stop me. 

I’ll take one of the rafts out and bring help back for the others. 

Packing up a bag with a few supplies, I start walking up the stairs, Gentry tries to stop me, but it’s no use. He knows he can’t. 

Slowly, I make my way above deck. It’s like time stands still as I climb into the storm. 

Into the darkness.   

Today, I’m boarding a plane board for Paris. It’s December, and it’s a few days until Christmas. I’m spending the holiday with my father, the first of what I hope to be one of many. I’ve stopped calling him Julian completely a couple of months back. I’ve called him everything from Pops, Big Daddy, Papi, Father, Daddy, and Daddio, before finally sticking to the standard Dad. It’s what fits him best. He’s been all I could have hoped for a dad to be. Anything I’ve always wished for, while growing up, the type of dad I had always read about in books. My first eighteen years may have been spent without knowing him, but he’s quickly making up for it. Opening up my heart to Julian was easy. Almost as easy as letting in a certain fishing cowboy. 

I’m slowing moving forward with my life. 

After the horrible storm, I wasn’t sure if life would ever be the same. 

If I’d ever be able to get past what happened and move on with my life. 

Get over the feeling of all-consuming fear. 

But, I did. 

Surviving is what I do best. 

Only this time I didn’t have to do it alone. 

Aunt Savannah was with me. 

My dad was there for me to lean on as well. 

And best of all? Harrison was with me too. 

On the day of the storm, it took twenty-one hours and seventeen minutes for me to hear from him. Go figure. He dared me to love him within seventeen days and the day of the storm we’d known each other for twenty-one days. Karma sure has a funny sense of humor.
The bitch.
 

The Coast Guard found them shortly after midnight nearly sixty miles off the coast, all of their passengers were safe as were Gentry and Harrison. When the storm hit, it was unexpected and caught them off-guard. Harrison acted quickly and had the guests all go below deck. Once they were all below, they tried getting out mayday calls, but their calls went unanswered. Fearing the worst, Harrison was ready to abandon ship when an answer finally came. The high winds caused the boat to veer over sixty miles off their original course, even with the anchor dropped. If the winds hadn’t died down, they may have never been found. Harrison would’ve taken off on the life raft on his own, like planned, and could’ve gotten himself lost at sea.
Obviously, I think the worst.
I’m incredibly happy they were found when they were and not a moment later. My stubborn fishing cowboy was ready to jump ship, literally.   

“Did you pack your emerald bra and panty set?” Of course he would ask that as we’re walking through airport security. Of course the security guard would lift an eyebrow, letting me know he was listening to our conversation. 

“Way to advertise it to the world,” I mutter. Are my cheeks as red as my hair? They feel like it. Leaning into him, I whisper into his ear, “Yes I did.”  

It’s not like my aunt needs to know he has a thing for them. It’s bad enough she practically caught us having sex last week. She walked into Harrison’s office while we were otherwise engaged. Talk about embarrassing. The blush has only now faded from my cheeks. Which is why I’m pissed he’s bringing it back again so easily. 

“Good. You know how much I love them. What about the matching heels?” 

Filter, have you heard of using one? Is it possible to die from embarrassment? “Mm-Hmm” It’s the only reply he’s going to get. He knows I packed them—he saw me put them in my luggage this morning. He’s trying to make me blush.
Bastard.

Screw it, I know what game he’s playing now, and two can play. “Did you pack the anal beads and lube? I saw they were placed near your luggage, but I wasn’t sure if you remembered to pack them or not.”
There, take that!

Choking, he doesn’t bother to answer me. He must’ve swallowed his gum. Serves him right. The security guard gives me a wink as I pass through. At least he thought it was funny. Should’ve added in a strap-on to my question too. Harrison thought he was going to make me blush and embarrass me, but I caught on quickly enough. The sexy ass. Although, he
did
succeed in making me blush.