Over ESPN on the TV, he heard a knock, and voices in the other room. Sounded like another male and female. Either that serving couple, or Mark and Carmyn. Maybe the servers had brought his slacks. Well, the knot didn’t look too bad this time. A minor adjustment here and there… He smoothed it and stepped out into the living room. If the slacks were here, he could change out of the swim shorts and into them.
Man and woman, for sure. Peyton the Cabana Ho, bawling like a baby, and behind her, Griffin…handing over an iPad. Whoa.
Time to fade into the woodwork.
Griffin turned toward him. “Oh. Hey, bro.” He looked from David to Britt and Vic. “Oh. So they’re the couple you’ve been–” Shit. “I mean…”
The girl, Peyton, turned to him too. “Who are you?”
“Never mind that.” Britt was all business. “If this device has been in your possession, then you’ve been sending out prohibited transmissions, in violation of your contract.”
Vic seemed taller, standing straight in her evening gown and heels, glaring down at Peyton. And a little scary, without saying a word.
“College student, aren’t you?” Britt asked.
Peyton rolled her eyes. “BYU.”
“Breaking a legal contract like this could be considered moral turpitude. Cause for expulsion from a school like that. As per page five, section B, you now owe us your fare, plus meals.”
Her eyes got very round and she tried to lean back against Griffin, who moved away from her. “Please. It was a publicity stunt. I didn’t mean to hurt anyb–”
Vic gave the smallest shake of her head, and the girl shut up.
At a knock on the door, Vic opened it and let in Carmyn and Mark. “We’ve been waiting in the hall–” Carmyn looked around the room. “Oh.”
“Griffin here discovered the Gritty Gossip Girl,” Vic said. “Found the iPad stowed under her mattress.”
“Hi! I love your work,” Peyton said. “You were a fantastic Bond girl.”
“Save it.” Carmyn shook her head and looked away.
Peyton crossed her arms over her chest, looked around for Griffin, who’d moved near David. Her eyes narrowed on his legs. “Hey wait. You’re that swimmer, aren’t you?”
Oh, shit.
Britt stepped right in front of her. All up in her business. “You will not mention his name, nor ours, in print, interview, or video, or by any other means. Ever again. Or you’ll be slapped with a lawsuit you’ll never crawl out of. Do you understand? Not only will you be ejected from your present school, but I will personally make certain you’ll not be admitted to any other in the States. In addition to the fares, you’ll be subject to various penalties and libel suits, from Fantasies, Inc., the crown–”
“And Carmyn and myself,” Mark added. “Brett, you should really throw the book at her. I’ve seen that contract she signed. No loopholes whatsoever on her end.”
“On the other hand,” Britt said, “you have an opportunity for redemption. I’ll put charges on hold, pending your cooperation in the following manner. One, adhere to a self-imposed gag order regarding this cruise, any persons on this ship, or any other business endeavor of Fantasies, Inc. Two, at eight sharp tomorrow morning, submit a final blog post summarizing your experiences on this cruise, reflecting favorably on this company, myself, my wife and our marriage. Do I make myself clear?”
“Censorship,” Peyton muttered.
“The ship does have a brig.” Vic finally spoke. “I’m sure you’re aware that it’s real, and not for passenger fantasies. Captain Bekyros has full international authority to have you put there until we return to port, after which you could be arrested until the California authorities decide what to do with you. If you prefer. So you decide what to write. It is your blog, after all.”
Peyton looked around the room. “Whatever.”
“Jesus,” Griffin muttered.
“I mean, okay. The post usually goes up at night, but I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“And Peyton?” Vic said. “Aside from delivering that blog post to us, you’re confined your quarters.”
Peyton’s shoulders slumped. She nodded and turned toward the door, then looked over at Griffin, like Aren’t you coming?
He only shook his head, beefy arms crossed over his chest. Hell, no. Go away.
Mark opened the door and swept his hand in front of him for her to go.
One loud sniffle, and she left, the door latching shut behind her the only sound.
“I’ll leave in a second. Just didn’t want to leave with her, if that’s okay,” Griffin said.