The Slide that Changed Our Lives

An Overnighter

"The boat wasn't too bad," said her fifteen year old brother Jordan.

"It wasn't too great either," said their mom. "Those guys are all pretty rough and their language isn't all that nice. I don't want you guys talking to them or spending any more time around them then necessary." She glanced around the table, everyone nodding their heads. Alanna crossed her fingers, hoping Lila wouldn't say anything.

"Alanna knows the guys down there." The little brat.

"She does, does she?" Asked her mom with a disapproving glance across the table.

"I don't know the guys," she said, glaring at her youngest sister across the table. "I've just had to work with them to get boats here when we need them." Thankfully she let the subject drop at that.

The next day Greyson wasn't working, but when Alanna arrived at the dock on the last boat around nine in the evening he was there. After a text to her mom saying, 'Not home tonight - don't worry. Talk tomorrow,' her mom freaked out but she ignored her texts, silencing her phone and tucking it in her back pocket.

The boat launch was really busy with the guys and Greyson wasn't available for about half an hour so she drove up to town and picked up a couple coffees and some supper for them, then headed back. Upon her return forty minutes later there was no one except for Greyson, who was sitting on his tailgate, swimming his feet. Alanna parked and hopped out, leaving the coffees but grabbing their burgers.

"Hey," she said, walking up.

"Hi," he said with a grin. She jumped up beside him and handed him a burger.

"Figured you were hungry."

"Always," he said with a cheeky grin and she laughed.

After they finished eating she grabbed their coffees and joined him again on the tailgate.

"So, you just have to sit here all night?"

"Uh-huh," he said, glancing around.

"Last thing these people need is their vehicle vandalized or stolen."

"No kidding." They sat in silence for a moment before Alanna came up with an idea. "I literally know nothing about you."

"I guess so..."

"So how about speed round questions?"

"What's that?"

"I'll literally just quickly ask a bunch of short answer questions about you, then you can do the same if you want."

"Alright. Sounds kind of fun."

"Okay. Do you have siblings?"

"Three."

"Older or younger?"

"Older."

"Brothers or sisters?"

"All brothers."

"They have kids?"

"Each have two."

"Parents - together, divorced?"

"They were divorced but my dad died five years ago so it's just my mom."

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine."

"Okay - any serious past relationships?"

"Maybe one, but it was never anything official."

"Okay... favourite sport."

"Hockey."