Harassenger: Backseat Admirer ✔️

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

"Splash me one more time and I'm going to come in there!" Today was the first day I was able to spend on the beach. After my last date, Mick showed me what fun could really be, and spontaneity was the key. I was no longer going to go on any planned, blind dates and for the rest of the trip, I wouldn't plan anything.

I had longed to be on the beach since we arrived and that's where I decided on going the very next morning.

Mick was on a morning run when I came outside to the beach, but soon decided to switch to swimming.

God bless the invention of sunglasses. I could watch him swimming shirtless through dark lenses and he hadn't a clue. His head, thankfully covered the morning sun, so I was able to continue looking. Well, that was until he splashed me water quite a few times.

I was a good couple of yard away so I don't know how he managed to splash me. I rubbed droplets of water away from my leg, warning him to leave me alone.

"Well what are you waiting on? Come in here and stop me!"

I took off my sunglasses, biting on the end of the earpiece. He was taunting me, his squinting eyes beckoning me over.

I wasn't the best swimmer, so I was reluctant to leave my safe lounge chair for the waves of a roaring ocean.

Another splash from the hands of Mick Conrad had made up my mind.

Taking off my denim shorts to reveal my bathing suit bottom, I ran over steep sand and splashed into the water next to him, my butt hitting the bottom before I came back onto my feet, wading in the water. I reached for his shoulder to dunk him in the water, but he caught me by the hips and picked me up above the water. The air was cold and I immediately caught a chill. I was happy when he set me back down.

This time, I splashed him with water, but to my dismay, he enjoyed it too much. He splashed me again, enjoying that he wasn't along in the water anymore.

"You are incorrigible." I said, shoving him on the shoulder.

"And you, are too stubborn for your own good. I never thought I'd get you in the water."

"Surprise, surprise. But I have to warn you, I'm not the best swimmer so staying by the edge is priority."

"What if I bring you out on my back?" He reached to grab me, but my hand balled into fists against his chest.

"Do not do that."

"I would never." His his fingers rubbed against my forehead, moving away my matted hair.

"I know." I smiled.

His fingers left my forehead and traced under my eyes.

"You're sunburnt and you've only been out here for a little while."

"Really? I always get sunburnt under my eyes and on my shoulders, but that's it." I said.

"I see that, but don't forget about that nose of yours. It looks like a ripe tomato, if tomatoes had freckles." He teased me, moving away from fear I'd hit him, making ripples in the water as he moved.

"Don't make fun of my freckles and I won't make fun of the ones on your shoulders. They look like a galaxy of stars on your skin."

"Hey, I'm not embarrassed about them; you are." He laughed.

"No, I'm really not."

"Yes."

"No."

"Thank you for waking me up, you jerks! I could've been out here with you guys hours ago!" Looking back onto the sand, Della and Holt were setting their lounge chairs next to mine. Della had a few extra towels and some sunscreen, which I really could have used earlier.

"No one wanted you out here hours ago." Mick muttered under his breath, but I honestly wish she would have heard.

"Sorry, we forgot." I said, lying through my teeth as I get out of the water to let the sun dry me like a raisin. I took the towel I had left on my chair, wiping the water away from my face. Mick soon followed after, playfully taking my towel away and wiping his own face, pretending to wipe his butt before I snatched it back.

"Natalie, I wanted to apologize for yesterday, and I mean it when I say this because I don't often say sorry. Mick was right and I was way out of line for sending you on blind dates that weren't suitable for you. I know that you're not like me, and your taste is a little dull, so I'd like to make it up to you by sending you on one last date, but this time I won't send you in blindly. I want you to know about him and know that he's a good guy. His name is Jake and he's been a family friend for quite some time. He lives in Destin and he loves to surf. He loves to talk about college and adores short, blonde girls, so you're perfect for him." That's how she apologizes, by making me go on a blind date?

"Yeah, that's not gonna happen." Speaking on my behalf, Mick began to wring out his hair, hitting precious Della in the face with water. Her face turned red, and she quickly smoothed out her hair so it wouldn't frizz.

"What did you say to me?" She barked.

"I said it's not going to happen. Natt's done playing your stupid games. Get over it." He replied.

"You were the one to say it was such a good idea. You said it was good to follow traditions." Della said.

"Did you ever think I was making fun of you? Jesus, Natt can pick her own dates." Aggravation and animosity were both fresh on Della and Mick's burning faces.

"I agree." Holt nodded his head, only to be shut down with a slap by his new wife; the big rock on her finger could have easily left a nice, big print on his face if she slapped any harder.

"Thank you." I said, glad to have people to defend me. Della was insufferable to deal with alone, and I appreciated that Holt didn't take his side.

"Don't tell them thank you! They're ruining your future. You'll be single forever because of these two. Do not say thank you!"

"Do you ever shut up and think that Natt doesn't want to go on any dates because she's not single at all? She's dating someone, for Christ's sake." All eyes turned to Mick, his mouth in a tight line, his hands on both his sides.

We waited for answer, me as well, but when none came, Della spoke again.

"Who?" She interrogated, staring at Mick for an answer he didn't have.

"Me."