Shipwrecked

Chapter Four

I don't even remember the drive back from dinner. I was so tired. The next morning I woke up to the buzzing of my phone.

I glanced over at my screen cringing from its brightness. I had a new message from an unknown number: "Hello Clem, it's me Jake, the dashing, handsome, and overall awesome guy you tried to kill yesterday. Meet me at the boardwalk near the Penguin Rock @10."

Just as I was drafting a response to turn this person down it buzzed again.

"If you say no, I guess I will just have to make a few phone calls to the insurance company. Hopefully, you have full coverage."

I punched my bed and rubbed my strained eyes. "I will be there," I replied dryly before dragging myself out of bed. Could this day get any worse? I thought to myself as I quickly threw on some clothes that somewhat matched. My make up was still intact from last night so I just left it.

Walking downstairs, Liam greeted me with a smile and he poured some cereal into a bowl for me.

"Good morning sleepyhead," he joked. "Where are you going?"

With a mouth full of chocolate balls, I responded, "I am going to the boardwalk to meet with someone."

Liam nodded, "Awesome! Making friends already? That's not like you..."

"Definitely not a friend," I correct. A spark goes off in Liam's eyes.

"Oh! Is it the car guy?" Liam asks. My cheeks blushed on their own and I had no control over them. Liam grins even brighter.

Before the jesting could continue I rolled my eyes and asked, "What about you?"

"I am hanging out with the guys I went sailing with yesterday at lessons and the twins. They are actually super cool, not snuck up," Liam said, rinsing his bowl.

"Yeah, too bad their brother is a total jerk," I mumble, taking the last bite of my cereal.

Liam with his freakishly good hearing responds, "Sam? I actually like him. I heard he is one of the best sailors in the whole Hamptons. He won the Burgeon competition last year, you know."

"No I didn't," I say, dumping what's left of my bowl down the sink. Suddenly, I was not that hungry anymore.

To change the subject I ask, "Do you need a ride to the docks?"

"No, actually..." Liam says slowly pausing, "Sam is going to drive us."

I cross my arms. "You really want a stranger driving you around?"

"He can't be any worse of a driver than you! Yesterday you hit someone with the jeep."

I hush him by holding my finger to his lips. "I barely tapped him."

That was definitely a secret and he knew it too. Liam laughed before grabbing his bag.

"See you later sis!" Liam says as he walks towards the front door.

I followed him out since it was about time I left as well, plus I wanted to talk to Sam.

I walked Liam to Sam's car - a gray Maserati that was so clean it looked as if it was not driven often.

"Good morning," Sam grinned with his good boy act. "How can I help you Ms. Grover?"

"Hmm," I say with a forced smile leaning in through his window so only he could hear my voice. "Don't get in a wreck and drive slow."

He leans in closer and whispers, "Of course, thief. I am a very reliable driver."

I roll my eyes and grab his shoulder with a strong grip enough for him to wince.