The One After [SHAWN MENDES]

Chapter 19

"Alrighty ladies, it's almost show time," Brody said before the Queen of Canada's guests began boarding. "The entire top deck has been reserved for a corporate function, so if you go up there, it would be party crashing. Focus on the other levels. If any of you get a group to purchase bottle service, there will be a bonus added to your next paycheck."

I gave him a sharp look. "I didn't get anything when I got someone to order it in June."

"This is a new policy, and if you did it once, surely you can do it again," he snapped before walking towards the boarding zone where Pietro was waiting to check everyone in.

"Can you believe him?" I whispered.

"The bonus is probably only five bucks anyway," Fallon said as she smoothed her top. She was wearing a blue shirt that looked incredible with her light blonde bob and pale complexion.

Briya nodded. "Brody takes us for granted."

We went to the middle deck and got some faux drinks as the party-goers trickled in. It felt like overkill to have three of us working the two smallest decks, but I did my best to circulate and socialize after the girls moved to the lowest level for some food. It was all going great until some guy in his forties or fifties grabbed my ass as I walked past him. It wasn't just a small caress, either. His fingers went under the hem of my skirt and grasped at my bare flesh.

I spun around. "Do not touch me!"

He held up his hands as if to surrender. "It was an accident, sweetie."

I took a step closer. "That's a lie and you know it. Call me sweetie again and you'll see that I'm anything but sweet!"

"You're the one walking around this boat flirting with everyone while wearing that short skirt. Don't tell me you don't expect men to respond!" he shot back.

"I could be naked right now and that still wouldn't be an invitation for you to touch me!"

Brody was across the room and came running over when he heard our raised voices. "Is everything okay?"

"This asshole just grabbed my butt, so no, it's not," I told him.

Brody turned to the man. "Sir, assault is not tolerated on this ship. The captain has the authority to hold you in the bridge until we dock."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" the man shouted. "All I did was pat her ass when she walked by. I watched her get two different men to buy her drinks." The entire room went silent as he continued his rant. "She's obviously a whore looking for some sucker to blow in the bathroom for twenty dollars, which means she's the one who should be arrested!"

I'd never struck a person in my life because I'm a pacifist, but when he finished yelling, my arm flew back and I slapped him across his angry red face.

"Lucy!" Brody said sternly. "You need to remove yourself from this situation right now. Go to the private lounge and wait for me."

"You know this cunt?" the jerk screamed. "Hold the fuck up! Do you run a prostitution ring on this booze cruise? Wait until the Toronto Star gets wind of this. You'll be done!" He jabbed a finger into Brody's chest.

I felt that the captain needed to be made aware of the situation, so I hurried to the bridge to let him know. He stopped the boat and told his first mate that he was in charge until he returned. I went down to the lounge and sat on one of the couches as I shook my hand out, hoping the stinging would go away soon. An hour must have passed before the boat started to move again and a few minutes later, Briya and Fallon rushed into the room.

"Ellen just told us the whole story," Bri said as she sat next to me.

Fallon sat on my other side and wrapped an arm around me. "That fucker is with the captain. We're headed back to port and everyone is getting a refund. Brody is apparently in a tizzy."

"He's going to fire me, but the joke's on him because I'm quitting before he has the chance," I told them.

"Then we'll quit, too. This job sucks and we definitely don't make enough for it to be worth it. Ellen suggested that we look into bartending because the tips are insane," Fallon said.

Briya nodded eagerly. "Maybe there's a club that could hire the three of us."

I knew that leaving this job was going to put a financial hardship on all of us. It would be worse for them, which worried me a little. "If we don't, we could all save money by renting an apartment together like we did in college."

Fallon shook her head. "I love both of you, but I can't go back to having roommates after living alone. I don't mind waiting tables if that's what it takes. Besides, my boss at the shop said I might get bumped up to full-time soon." She worked in a cute boutique, but the current hours weren't enough to pay the bills.

"I'm sure I can get another job, too. Or maybe I'll go back to school to get certified to teach." Bri studied early childhood development and was a preschool instructor.

"Just don't teach high school," Fallon said with a grin. "They'd constantly mistake you for a student."

Briya looked like she was fifteen, partly because of her height but also she had a baby face. It paired fetchingly with her long wavy black hair and charcoal colored eyes.

"If I cut back on my expenses, I'll be fine with my day job," I told them, "but if you two get jobs together at a club or restaurant, I know I'll want to join you."

"Because we always stick together," Briya affirmed.

Just then, Brody stormed into the room. "This is the worst night in my history of running this ship!"

"Thanks for sticking up for me," I said as I stood up. "It's been fun, but tonight was a message that it's time for me to leave."

"Us, too," Fallon added as she took Bri's hand in hers.

He nodded. "I'm glad you feel that way because when I called the ship's owner, he said that the party girl thing has to end. He's terrified that the man who caused the commotion will go to the press like he threatened to. The potential assault charge will be dropped if he agrees to keep quiet, but we need the other guests to do the same. The Queen doesn't need a bunch of shitty Yelp reviews! Each passenger is getting vouchers for two future cruises, so maybe that'll make them happy."

I cocked my head to the side. "Don't I get to be the one to decide if he's charged since I was the one assaulted?"

"Yes technically, but to be fair, you did hit him. He might press them against you in retaliation, so you need to let it go," Brody said.

"Oh right. I forgot I slapped his stupid face."

"That must have felt so good," Fallon commented with a big smile.

There was a knock at the door, and when Brody opened it, Ellen handed him a bottle of good champagne and left. He held it up to us. "You ladies have been a joy to work with and you've been great at your jobs. I thought I'd send you off with a little treat, compliments of the owner. He'll never know, of course. I wish I could drink with you, but I need to get back up to our guests."

We finished the last drop right as the boat pulled into port. After every guest was gone, we gathered our things and said goodbye to each crew member. Burt had tears in his eyes, but I promised to visit him at his diner.

"Goodbye, Queen," I said as we walked down the ramp for the last time.