Beautiful Mess(83)
As they got closer, Bri saw that most of the boats were decked out in Christmas lights. She couldn’t wait to see them all lit up at night.
“This place is great!” She watched Cole as he maneuvered the dinghy around the water. “No wonder you and your dad do this every year.”
“Yep, it’s one of our favorite traditions. We go fishing and scuba diving, sometimes golfing. It’s relaxing here, slower. It’s nice.” His dark hair was being whipped about by the breeze. Dang, he looked good.
“So, you drive dinghies, fish, golf, and scuba dive, too? Any other hidden talents?” She eyed him, surprised that she didn’t know this about him.
“Of course! But if I told you, it would ruin all the mystery!” He kissed her briefly, before steering them up to a large, beautiful boat. Bri saw the words Sharlene LaRue painted in a beautiful gold on the back. Cole tied up the dinghy, grabbed her bag, then stepped out and helped Bri onto the boat.
He opened a pair of wooden sliding doors and Bri stepped into a warm, cozy cabin. On one side was a rectangular dining table with booth-style seating around three sides. Directly behind the eating area was a small kitchen. Across from the table were two comfy looking armchairs and a TV mounted up in the corner. Three small steps led up out of the cabin. Bri glanced around, a bit nervous, at the people occupying the room.
“Hey everyone, this is Bri. Bri, this is Scott,” Cole gestured to a tall, brown haired man sitting in one of the arm chairs. Scott smiled at Bri and nodded. “And this is Sharon.” The blond woman in the kitchen walked up to Bri.
“Bri, we’re so glad you’re here!” Sharon’s blue eyes were as warm as her smile. “Cole has told us a lot about you, but he failed to mention how stunning you are!”
“Um, thanks,” Bri’s cheeks blushed in embarrassment.
“And this old man you already know.”
Jimmy slid out from the table and gave Bri a brief hug.
“Hello, my dear. Glad you could make it,” he smiled.
“Well, thanks for convincing my dad to let me come. I don’t know what you said to him, but I may need your services again sometime!” she laughed.
“Is she here yet?” A pretty blond girl came barreling down the steps. She looked about fifteen and had deep brown eyes. The girl stopped in front of Bri and beamed.
“Bri, this is Claire, Scott and Shar’s daughter.”
Claire let out an excited squeal and launched herself at Bri, hugging her.
“I’m so glad you’re here, you have no idea! I just know we’re going to best friends!” Claire released a slightly shocked Bri and bounced up and down. “Finally, I’m not going to be the only girl around here. You have no idea how obnoxious these boys can be!”
“Oh, obnoxious huh?” Cole grabbed Claire, pulled her into a headlock, and proceeded to rub his knuckles into her head. Bri burst out laughing.
“Cole! Stop! You’re messing up my hair!” Claire half laughed, half screamed.
“Alright. I’ll go easy on you this time.” Cole released Claire, who ran immediately to Bri and latched onto her arm.
“See what I mean? It’s like he’s still thirteen or something,” she eyed Cole. “Now come on and I’ll show you our room, and you can tell me everything about yourself.” Claire led Bri up the steps. Bri tossed a worried glance back at Cole, who just smiled, shaking his head.
Claire led Bri through a narrow room with a big wheel, assumedly for steering the boat, and down a small set of twisting stairs to where the sleeping compartments were. Claire pulled Bri down the short hall to the front of the boat.
“We get to sleep in the bow! It’s the best place to sleep because you can hear the water lapping on both sides, and it sort of sings you to sleep!” The bow had two bunks on each side. Claire climbed up onto her bunk and sat expectantly. “So, tell me about yourself! I seriously want to know everything!”
“Oh, okay.” Bri climbed up on her bunk as well, and told Claire a little about herself. Claire had a ton of questions, and side-tracked Bri a lot, but she seemed to genuinely want to get to know her. Bri asked some questions of Claire and found out that she was in fact fifteen, in ninth grade, she didn’t have a boyfriend, but she had already kissed three boys. As they talked, Bri found herself drawn to the bubbly girl. She was sweet and charming, and her enthusiasm was contagious. Bri found herself wishing she’d had a younger sister just like her. After Claire was sufficiently satisfied with Bri’s debriefing, she jumped off the bunk.
“Come on, Bri, I’ll give you the tour!”