Play With Me || 2 || Off the Ice Series

05 | The Vaccuum *

ARDEN

The pool boy – whose actual name is Collin takes my hand, leading me down the wharf, closer to the party boat bopping in the water, loud music and laughter wafting from inside and below.

I hesitate at the end of the pier, looking out over the black water and grey skies. Did I mention I hate the ocean? I mean yeah sure, I like the sand and the sun and the waves, but the actual deep water? No, thank you.

"You're on holiday, Arden." Collin grins, squeezing my hand. "Live a little." He jumps onto the rocking boat, holding out both hands for mine. I sigh and hand them over, squeezing his tightly as he helps me on. His arm wraps around my waist, pulling me into his side.

Almost instantly two men walk up, clapping Collin on the back and talking animatedly with him.

I stand beside him awkwardly, having no idea what to say or what to do. Why did I agree to this again?

Oh right, because I'm a stubborn asshole and I'll be damned if I let Jason win.

Collin's arm tightens and he turns to me, "Drinks are over there." He flicks his chin to a crowd of people. "Help yourself." He lets me go and I start walking over, "It'll be fun, Arden. Don't worry."

I glance back at him, nodding before making my way into the rapidly growing pile of bodies.

Blowing a strand of hair from my face, I pull my shoulders back and stalk for the table, grabbing two cans of whatever is closest and turn back for Collin.

Except he's nowhere in sight and neither is the wharf I was just standing on.

I blink, staring towards the sky in exasperation as exhaustion begins pulling at my limbs.

I do not want to be here right now, why did I even agree to this?

Cracking the can open, I take a sip of the liquid inside, hissing at the rancid taste of beer on my tongue.

I place the cans on a nearby surface, pushing through the gyrating bodies, gaze flicking from one face to another as I search for Collin's familiar head of blonde hair.

I scan the faces twice more as the water rushes by, spraying up and hitting my back when the boat hits a particularly big wave. I stumble backwards, heel hitting the edge of the boat before an arm circles my waist, steadying me.

"Oh, thank god." I mutter turning to Collin as another wave crashes against us, causing me to stumble more, "I thought I'd lost you."

I blink at the face that most definitely doesn't belong to Collin, the rugged features too manly to belong to his boyish charm. A five o'clock shadow lining his jawline, laughing hazel eyes on my face.

"You couldn't lose me if you tried." Jason mutters through a smile, lifting a drink to his lips and sipping from the long-necked bottle. Saltwater sprays up beside us, misting overhead.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I hiss, pushing at his arm that's still around me. He doesn't budge an inch, his arm tightening around me.

I scowl, shoving once more for good measure before giving up and staring over his shoulder for an avenue of escape.

He lifts his shoulders in a shrug, arms out wide to encompass the partying people around us. "Trying to have a good time." He leans down, tipping his beer to me. "You're ruining the vibe, Arden. What happened to the girl who used to follow her brother to our high school parties and steal her parents' liquor? What happened to the girl from the wedding?" He leans forward, "the one who spilt her wine down a woman's dress just for talking to me." He raises a challenging brow.