Twisted

Chapter 9 Boat Trip

We got home late that night after I begged Stephen to bring me to Uncle Eddie's restaurant. I was starving n so was he but he wouldn't admit it. Lexie and Nathan hitched a ride with us, and kept completely quiet as Stephen and I argued,
'Doctor Flynn said you have to rest!' He said mockingly, I knew he had gotten jealous after I told him I was talking to Flynn.
'But I haven't eaten a good meal in days, and I need some good weed if I am to sleep well tonight.' I protested
'Come on Stephen, don't be a party pooper, Mads and the guys are heading there themselves.' Lexie finally spoke out from the backseat.
'Fine! Y'all go eat and find your own way home.' He growled.
In the parking lot, Lexie n Nathan had gotten out of the car, I waited for him to park the car, but he didn't.
'You have eaten for days Stephen!'
I said placing my hand on his.
'Ugh....fine, as long as I get to sit next to you.' He said with a cheesy grin on his face.
As we walked in, I could here the music bursting through the windows and doors, this was our place, we would hang out here for hours, eat, smoke weed, talk and everything else. The owner was my fathers brother, Eddie, he used to live in Spain, but after his wife passed away, he came here to settle.
'Bliss, Mi amore!' he said as he approached us.
'I thought I'd never see you again!' He added.
'Takes more than that to get rid of me Uncle,' I replied and gave him a hug.
'How's your mother?! And that dreadful brother of mine?!' He asked.
'They're ok, I think. They said they'd be down herd in two days.'
My dad didn't get along with his brother...full stop, that's all I know.
'Family reunion?! Lexie you look beautiful as always!' He said and gave Lexie a kiss on her hand.
'Thanks Uncle Eddie' she said and flushed.
'How's it going Ed, got anything good?!' Stephen asked as he hugged him.
'Have I ever not have anything good?!' He said and laughed and we laughed along.
'Your table Princess, as usual!' He added as he pointed to our empty table n chairs.
'Thanks, can we talk later?!' I asked.
'Ofcourse, a waiter will be with you guys in a minute.' He replied then rushed to the kitchen.

It wasn't long after the whole squad arrived, we took our seats ordered tons of food, pizzas, chicken wings, buffalo wings, lasagna, fries, curly fries, smoothies and a ton of beer for Jayde and the boys. The night went by slowly, and we got lost in all sorts of conversations,
'Did you guys hear?! The hottest party this summer is to be held here!' Maddie said as she browsed through her phone, she knew about all the best and hottest parties around the world and she throws killer ones as well.
'Yeah! I heard, I just got a VIP invite from the host, Micheal Reed.'
'Are you fucking serious?!' Maddie squealed making everyone in the restaurant turn their attention on us.
'Look!' I replied tossing her my phone.
'You have to get us tickets Bliss! You just have too...' She begged.
'Yeah, this would be good for us all!' Brian added.
'Fine, I'll call him tomorrow and ask him if I can bring...urhm...10 guests' I answered after counting randomly in my head.
'10??!' Lexie asked looking surprised.
'But there's Danny, Siena and Wren that's like 11 minimum.' She said.
'I guess I can persuade him. Don't worry, I'll get you guys in.' I replied the slurped my berry smoothie dry.
Stephen seemed relaxed by my side, he ate more than anyone at the table, that was no surprise.
His layed his back against the seat and let out a huge burp.
'OMG Stephen!' Lexie said and we all laughed at him and to my surprise he laughed along. He looked beautiful every time he would smile. It always made me get butterflies.
That night, Maddie and Lexie offered to sleepover, but I refused them and said that I needed to be alone. They begged but I won in the end.
'You sure you'll be ok here, by yourself?!' Stephen asked after we said goodnight to everyone.
I remained quiet, most definitely I wanted you to stay; I thought to myself. He was being way too nice, too gentle man n I was happy about that because he only treated me that way. God knows how much I wanted him to be mine, today, tomorrow and forever.
He didn't say a word before storming out of my room, I quickly ran after him,
'No...Stephen....Stop!' I screamed.
'What?!' He said angrily as he faced me.
'Don't leave!' I said softly pulling him back to my room, but he pulled back,
'Look, if you want to be alone, its fine! You just don't have to act all strong around me Bliss, I'll be here to protect you.' He scowled.
I said nothing and looked at the ground.
'Goodnight!' He said and walked off, leaving me there feeling lonely and abandoned.
***
The next morning, I had breakfast with Lexie and Maddie in Derek's kitchen.
'I can't wait for this boat ride, Derek said we could swim with dolphins.' Maddie said as she filled pancakes over the stove.
'That would be so cool! Right Bliss?!' Lexie added, but I was lost in thought, I could barely sleep last night after he left. I was torn that he just walked off, didn't he know that I needed him, always?
'Bliss??!' Lexie shouted.
'Yeah...what did you say?!' I said after reality slapped me in the face.
'What's wrong?! You've been acting weird lately?!' Maddie asked after placing a plate full of hot pancakes on the counter.
'Its...nothing!' I replied
'Honestly Bliss, you're being so isolated from us!' Maddie added
'Yeah, babe come on...you know we won't judge!' Lexie continued.
'Stephen....his so difficult!' I said and sighed.
'Best way to get him boiled up is to make him jealous.' Lexie said
'Danny has eyes for you, use that!' She added.
'Its not that Lex...its the fact that he keeps throwing mixed signals. I don't... I can't take that anymore.' I explained.
'Tell him the truth! You guys never listen to me!' Maddie complained.
'Yeah Madz, I'll tell him that I'm so in love with him...he'll go running straight back to England!' I replied sarcastically.
'Do what I said! Just let go B, enjoy yourself! And don't hold back on him.' Lexie said then shoved a whole pancake down her thoart.
After breakfast, we all went to get ready for the day ahead. All the boys wore plain t.shirts and board shorts. While us girls accessoriesed, Jayde wore a pink bikini with white shades n a purple wrap around her waist. Siena wore a blue bikini with black straps all over, she had a white short on and black shades. Lexie wore the white Versace bikini I got her for her birthday n Maddie wore the exact same one but it was blue. They both wore a white netted blouse on top of it and looked super sexy.
I wore a Calvin Klein, red bikini and a white blouse on top with black shades to match, smoking hot! I made sure my highlights were out to show off...
We were all on board the SS.Cooper, Masons boat: he gave it to Nathan for his last birthday.
There was a bartender, a captain, a chef, a Dj and a waitress. All we had to do was seat back and relax, we all sat front deck when the boat started to move, I sat next to Danny n he immediately started to make me laugh, Stephen saw couldn't stand it, so he went to the bar. Danny and I sat and talked for a long time, 6 empty beer bottles sat on the table in front of us. He signaled for the waitress again and I didn't bother to look for Stephen.
'Can I get whisky and ice please, hold the ice though.' He said after the waitress appeared.
'And I'll have a tall glass of Bombay Sapphire mixed with lemon juice please!' I said and she walked off with a smile.
'Will you be going for a deep later?!' He asked putting his arm around me, I was seated next to him in my bikini, my shades on face trying to tan the fuck out.
'If am not drunk, definitely.' I replied.
Although I was getting bored talking to Danny, I still sat there with my huge ego, not wanting to face Stephen. I had so many questions to ask him. So many why's n how's n who's , but I didn't want to be the one to break the ice. I shouldn't be the one to do that because he walked away from me.
Right?!
Everyone was having a freaking good time, the Dj was rocking some sick tunes, the food was on point, the drinks just kept coming, the weed kept rolling and a huge thanks to Maddie and Lexie rocking the dance floor.
Bitches were drunk AF.
And most definitely they woke me up from my seat n asked me to come and dance, I grabbed Siena along while they pulled me n Siena grabbed Jayde. Soon all the chicks on the boat were dancing n singing along to Drake's hot single; hotline bling.
All the guys sat and stared, Derek was the first to move in on Maddie, then Brian with Jayde, then Wren with Siena, then Danny and I and finally Nathan with Lexie.
The music changed and got more intimate; My league by Dj Khaled and Mavado, was blowing off from the speakers. I was moving my ass all over Danny n he didn't seem to mind, matter of fact he had a bonner. He pulled me in closer, trying to find the right position. We danced n had fun, I know it might be probably out of the ordinary but it was amazing.
***
Darkness fell upon us before we realized and that didn't stop us from having more fun.
'Come on, let's just jump in.' Lexie suggested.
'Its freezing Lex, are you out of your mind!' I said.
Suddenly, out of nowhere I found myself in Danny's arms. He was attempting to throw me over board, I know how to swim but the water was cold and I didn't want to get wet n freeze to death!
'STOP! Danny no, put me down.' I yelled and tried to fight him, but he was stronger and then....
SPLASH
I felt the coldness n water filled my lungs at the same time. I battled against the water to try and find the surface but I couldn't. Its like it was too heavy and the gravity kept pulling down. I needed air, I could see the lights and hear the voices above but I just couldn't reach. I fought n pushed and tried to make my way to the surface but I couldn't.
All of a sudden there was a hand around my waist, pulling me up to the surface. I could finally breathe.
'Are you ok?!' Stephen asked as he sat by my side at the end of the boat, soaking wet. I coughed n water kept coming our of mouth before I could speak.
'Are you out of your fucking mind!' He yelled making his way to Danny.
'She just got out of the hospital goddamn it, out of a fucking coma! Do you want to send her back?!' He added furiously.
The boat went silent, the music went out and everyone stared at them both, wondering if Stephen would throw a punch.
Instead he just walked towards me, grabbed me in his arms and carried me into one of the cabins of the the boat.
He was so gentle, he layed me down on the bed and asked,
'You want to shower?!'
'N...n...no!' I said as I shivered. He quickly grabbed a blanket n wrapped me in it, he grabbed his hoddie from his bag and commanded me to put it on.
'T...t...thank you! You saved my life today.' I said still feeling cold. He was sat on a stool, facing me,
'Are you still cold?!' He asked and I shivered and nodded.
He then sat on the bed next to me, I could already feel his warmth.
'Come!' He said softly as he opened his arms. Before I realized, we were laying on the bed, I was curled up next to him, using his shirtless body to warm myself up.
'Can I ask you something?!' I said
My question was greeted with silence.
'Sure!' He finally answered.
'Why do you always tell people that I'm your girlfriend?!' I asked snuggling my face into his chest.
'Get some rest. We can talk about this later.' He said and kissed my forehead, I didn't want to sleep or 'rest', I wanted answers, now!
'Tell me?!' I commanded and pulled a way from his grip.
'Does it really matter?! Its just a lie Bliss, just like you hanging around Danny. A lie!' He answered.
I sat up from where I was sitting, facing my back to him.
'Don't do it again! I hate lies and I hate...' I started to say before he interrupted,
'Being my fake girlfriend?!' He asked. I didn't answer, he shuffled and sat up next to me.
'I almost lost you twice in one week and I don't want to ever loose you Bliss...but I can't just blurt everything at you! I mean its a long, complicated and painful story and I really don't want to place another burden on you.' He said as he reached for my hand, I kept staring at the floor, wondering what I should say.
'You don't understand do you?! We're both full of pride n neither one of us is willing to let our guards down. I can't keep pretending Steph, I've grown tired of lies and all I want is the truth. Is that so much to ask?!' I replied this time facing him.
He sighed and added,
'I know Bliss, but its not that easy!'
'You can always try!' I replied.
He faced me and fear filled his eyes.
'I don't want to loose you Bliss.' He said
'You're never gonna loose me, ever!' I replied n placed one hand on his cheek. He was scared?? Could it be?! Could Stephen Cooper be scared of loosing me?! Impossible!
He leaned his head on my shoulder, for a while I think I saw a glimpse of the real Stephen. He looked weak and broken, I wanted to wrap him up n never let go of him.
We stayed in that same position for what seemed like hours, silence filled the cabin, I could only hear him breathe against my neck.
'Stephen,' I said and he sat up straight to face me.
'I......' I froze for a second, I wanted him to know how I felt, my feelings for him keep on increasing.
'I just want to say thank you, again for always being here...whenever I need you!' I finished.
'Don't thank me, if it wasn't for me you wouldn't be in such a situation.' He replied n stared at the floor.
'Don't you dare!' I said and made his gaze meet mine.
'Rest, I'll be back in a few.' He said and kissed my forehead before leaving.
***
The boat trip had been a success, minus the accidents, everyone had a magnificiant time. When we docked, everyone was partially drunk, except for the Stephen and I.
After I cleaned up, I went over to Stephen's place, he seemed so down when we arrived, so I pages him a visit.
'You should be in bed!' He exclaimed after opening the door for me.
'I can't! Not after what happened today.' I answered and stared at him blankly.
'Come on in! Its just me here.' He said and I walked in slowly. He eyed me, intensely, I wanted him to hold me n never let go. But that was not gonna happen.
'Smoke with me?' He asked, still eyeing each and every one of my moves.
'Sure!' I answered, then he took my hand and led me to the pool.