Cruel Summer [N.H]

Chapter 3

Niall was leaning against a yacht, shirtless, with a Modelo in his hand. He wore a pair of those ridiculous 5.5-inch swim shorts. It was pink, with avocados on it, showing off a whole lot of bare thigh. His sunglasses covered his eyes, hiding his gaze as he watched Avery approach.

The late May sun was warmer than he anticipated. Ever since Connagh and Finn moved to Chicago, they had complained that the temperatures didn't rise to true summer weather until late June. Yet as he waited for the rest of their party to join them, the sun beat down on him, and he knew he was a few minutes away from glistening with sweat.

He moved his sunglasses on top of his head and waved awkwardly. Avery didn't wave back. Instead, she hoisted the two bottles of champagne she was holding into the air and grinned.

Connagh hadn't asked for a day on a yacht; he would never. But Niall wasn't clueless. The trail along Belmont Harbor was Connagh's favorite running path, and he often posted photos of the boats on his Instagram story.

"This is fucking mad," Connagh said as he approached Niall. "You shouldn't have done this, but I'm only saying that to be polite. I'm fucking stoked." He was wearing an equally absurd swimsuit. Short navy bottoms with neon pink flamingos.

The groom's eyes were gleaming as he looked around at the boat they had boarded a few minutes ago after Niall had slapped down his credit card and signed the rental agreement.

Inviting Ava and her bridesmaids was more or less a last-minute suggestion that was tossed out while they were getting ready.

"I just feel like it might be more fun with more people," Niall said.

He had tried to sound casual about it. Either he failed, or his friends saw right through him because they all started cooing that he just wanted to see Avery.

Yeah, he did want to see Avery.

He was frustrated with how the previous night ended. After their little make-out session in the club, she had kept her distance from him. The space was physically painful when all he wanted to do was heave her over his shoulder and take her back to the hotel.

"ALL ABOARD," Finn screamed as he reached out and grabbed Ava's hand. "My lovely bride–welcome to the Nauti Boy."

Ava giggled.

They were about to spend the day on a 60' Sea Ray named Nauti Boy.

What could go wrong?

"It's a vibe," Finn said. "I'm here for it."

"Behave..." Connagh warned. He took Ava away from Finn and led her up the deck.

The captain helped the rest of the girls onto the yacht. When Avery climbed aboard, Niall offered his hand, which Avery thrust a bottle of champagne into, and stepped up on her own.

"Hi," she said, as she gained her footing. She squinted up at him and bit her bottom lip. "I'm on a yacht," she laughed. "You invited us onto a yacht."

Niall stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. He grinned into her hair as she wrapped her arms around him. Something as simple as hugging this girl made him feel less lonely.

"I figured we'd ruined enough of your plans that we might as well keep going." He rocked them back and forth.

"I hardly consider this ruining my plans," she laughed. "Have you looked around?"

"Yeah," Niall said. He laced his hand in hers and tugged her forward. "Want a tour?"

They climbed a treacherous skinny staircase below deck which led to a living room and kitchen area. Immediately to their left was the first bedroom with nothing more than a queen-size bed. To the right of the kitchen was the bunk room with a three-level bunk bed.