The Bosun: A Military Romance (Love is Blind Book 3)

by Harlow Layne

  “What the hell happened while we were away?”

  Keeping my eyes on Stella, who was avoiding me at all costs, I gave Scout the shortened version. “I had to set O straight. She’d been telling lies about me to the girls and the guests. I called her out on it and told her under no circumstance did I want to hear my name come out of her mouth to anyone or I’d go to the Captain.”

  When I was done, I looked to my side where Scout stood. “Is it that far of a stretch that O’s gone mental?”

  We both laughed at that, causing everyone’s eyes to drift over to us and then away as quickly as they came.

  “Maybe you should go back, and we’ll radio you when we’re ready to leave. Write Stella a note explaining the circumstances and leave it in her room. Because if the Captain sees how they’re all trying to avoid you, he’s going to start asking questions.”

  Scout was right. It would be bad if the Captain thought I was making the guests uncomfortable. I think in his eyes that would be worse than sleeping with a guest.

  “I think I’m going to take you up on that. It’s not like I’m needed here. I did what I came to do.” I stepped away and started in the direction of the water.

  “Remy,” Scout called after me. When I turned around, he was right there. His voice was only a whisper on the breeze. “Are you going to try and make it better?”

  Nodding, I backed away. “I’m going to do my best.”

  As I walked to the boat, I could feel eyes on me, but I didn’t turn back. I didn’t want to see them look away again. Especially Stella.

  Once I was back on Seas the Day, I went to my room, trying to find a piece of paper and pen with no luck. I knew Dean would have something since he was always making lists for food orders and menus.

  Dean was cleaning up his kitchen when I stepped inside. He always kept it clean enough you could eat off the floors if you had to.

  He must have heard me walk in because he didn’t turn around to greet me. “Hey, what are you doing back?”

  “First of all, how did you know it was me?”

  He shrugged as he kept cleaning. “Who else would it be? Plus, you walk like a ten-ton elephant when you’re distracted.”

  “A ten-ton elephant, huh?” I came to stand on the other side of the counter from him. “Can I borrow your notebook and pen?”

  That caused him to halt his movements. “Why?” he asked slowly.

  “I need a piece of paper and a pen to write a note, and I knew you’d have some.”

  Moving out of the kitchen, Dean went into a little storage area and came out with a legal notepad and a pen. “Here,” he thrust them at me. “Now leave me be. You know I can’t concentrate on anything else until my space is clean.”

  I did know that. Dean would freak out if I left even a sock on the floor in our room. I would make sure to never room with him again after I found everything of mine rearranged because Dean stated it was all wrong. Why he was looking in the drawer under my bed, I’ll never know, but I didn’t like people going through my things. Not that anyone did, but we had so little we could bring with us, and he’d gone through all of it. Dean didn’t have OCD or anything like that, so I was betting he was trying to find out more information about me and had gone through all my belongings and then didn’t know the order I had them. I was a tidy motherfucker after being in the military, so I knew my shit wasn’t messy.

  “I’ll be downstairs in the crew kitchen until I have to go pick them up.” I wasn’t sure why I told him where I’d be, except in the hope he’d leave me alone to write my note. A note where I had no idea what to say. Who was to say Stella would believe me after she read it?

  I stared at the paper in front of me, trying to come up with what to say and knowing that my time was limited. I wasn’t trying to be a poet or write a sweet love note. Putting the pen to paper, I started to say my truth.

  Stella,

  I know you don’t want to hear from me, but please don’t throw this away until you’ve read it through.

  While I don’t know everything Ophelia told you about her and me, what I do know is we’ve never been in a relationship. Not for one single day. I was having a bad day, got drunk, and wasn’t thinking straight when I slept with her. It was only that one time. I promise you. Has she offered it again? Yes, many times, and I always turn her down. Nothing could make me have sex with her again.

  I’m telling you this because I don’t want you to leave and think I’m a cheater or a liar. I’m neither, and I couldn’t bear to think of you leaving here having that impression of me.

  Our night together was special. You’re the first and only guest I plan to ever have sex with. I only wish we’d had more time, but maybe that’s for the better. I already can’t imagine not seeing your beautiful face on this boat every day, and I know it would only be harder the closer we got.

  I wish you all the best once you get back to California and start your new life. You’re a wonderful person who deserves the best. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

  All the best,

  Remy St. James

  Folding up the note, I went back up to the kitchen to find Dean leaning back against the counter, gulping down a bottle of water. He set it down when he saw me come in.

  “Did you get your letter written?”

  “I did. Do you by any chance know if we have any envelopes I could put it in?”

  His face scrunched up while he tapped the bottom to his chin. “I can’t remember seeing one, but I wasn’t really looking. Are you mailing something?”

  “Something,” I answered back.

  He had a triumphant look on his face as he replied. “If you can’t answer me, then I can’t help you.”

  “Fine.” I rested my hands on the counter and leaned forward. “You’re so damn annoying. I wrote Stella a letter, and I want to make sure no one else reads it before her.”

  Cocking his head to the side, Dean asked with a smirk, “Has O been on the warpath?”

  “You know damn well she has. She’s been telling Stella lies. I don’t want her leaving here thinking I was a mistake.”

  “See what happens when you can’t keep your dick in your pants? Nothing but trouble.”

  “Tell me something I don’t know. From now on, he’ll stay nicely put away for no one to see.”

  “You say that now until the next pretty lady comes along and bats her eyelashes at you.” He laughed, slapping the countertop when he saw the murderous look in my eyes. “I’m joking, mate. You need to lighten up a little.”

  “My dick is no laughing matter,” I said with a straight face, only to crack a smile.

  “No, it’s not. You know, if you ever get tired of the ladies, I’m waiting for you.”

  “As nice of an offer as that is, I don’t think it’s going to happen. Sorry, dude.”

  “You can’t say I never offered.”

  That was true. At least once a charter, Dean offered. At first, I thought he was joking, but I quickly learned he was serious. I think the entire crew was shocked to learn he was gay one night when he got drunk and told us all about his ex-boyfriend who stole his credit card and maxed it out while he was away one season.

  Dean was rugged with muscles that were always popping out of his shirt and the kindest smile you ever saw. Not one thing about him said he was into men until he opened his mouth and started to talk about dick.

  “I don’t think you have anything to worry about if you put it in her room. All the guests will probably go to their rooms when they get back, and if not, they will before turndown service. If you’re afraid O’s going to find it, put the letter in her bag or something.”

  I could very well see O going in there after I’d been onboard this whole time.

  “Thanks, man. I’ll do that. It’s not like I can get her alone to tell her I left a note. If it was that simple, I would tell her what I had to say. I’m the bad guy now. All the guests look at me like they want me dead, so it’s obvious Stella told them what O sai
d, and they all believe her.” I stretched my neck out, trying to loosen the tight muscles.

  “Sucks to be you.” Dean patted me on the back as he walked past me. “I’m going to go rest before I have to start dinner. Good luck.”

  “Thanks again.”

  On my way to Stella’s room, I decided I’d put the letter I wrote in her bag, that way no one else would find it. I only hoped she’d read it when she saw it.

  The only problem was I had no idea which bags or even which side of the room was hers. There were two purses on the dresser: one black and the other a dark purple. From what I knew about Pen and Stella, I was guessing the purple was Pen’s and slipped the letter into the black one before I zipped it shut.

  Backing out of the room, my radio went off, letting me know it was time to pick them up.

  I’d finished my mission just in the nick of time.

  10

  Stella

  Pen squealed as she spun around like a little kid trying to get dizzy and fall down. “I can’t believe you’re finally here and unpacked,” she said as she plopped down beside me on my plush white couch and closed her eyes.

  “I certainly didn’t think it would take this long to find a place to live.” I looked out my wall of windows to the Pacific Ocean that was now my daily backdrop.

  “Real estate is a hot commodity in Malibu.” Pen rolled her head to look at me. “Plus, you wanted to find your dream house. There’s no sense in buying a house you’re not in love with.”

  That was true, but I was desperate to get out of Oasis once we got back from our trip. Since then, it had been four long months of watching Brock’s fiancée get bigger and bigger and then giving birth and the town talking about it. I hated seeing the pity on their faces every time I went out that it got to the point I pretty much stayed at home unless I was house hunting.

  “Hey,” Pen turned toward me and grabbed my hand. “I found something in my purse last night, and I feel so stupid it took me so long to see it.”

  “Okay,” I drew the word out, wondering what the hell she was talking about.

  “Listen, I know you’ve been bummed about Remy, and I get it. You put yourself out there only to find out he was a cheater, but the thing is, I don’t think he is an actual cheater.”

  Now that got my attention.

  “What do you mean? Why are you all of a sudden coming to his defense?”

  Pen had been the leader of the hate Remy bandwagon, telling us we should ice him out, and it had worked. Remy stayed away as much as he could, and when he had to be around us or me, he kept his head down and went on with his work.

  Her mouth thinned out into a grimace. “Because I found a note from him in my purse.”

  “What?” I jumped back into the cushions and shouted. “Did you read it?”

  “Kind of. I didn’t know what it was at first, and then…” She pulled a piece of paper out of her hoodie pocket and handed it over. “Read it and see for yourself.”

  Plucking it out of her hand, I slowly unfolded the piece of paper, unsure if I was ready to read what Remy had to say. And did it really matter when I’d never see him again? Not really, but it would make me feel better that I didn’t make the worst choices in men.

  Tears filled my eyes as I read it. Not because Remy said he wasn’t a cheater, but from his belief in me and that he thought our time together was special. Without the ugliness that ensued, our time together had meant something to me. It signified that I was ready to move on with my life.

  As the first tear fell, Pen’s arms wrapped around me as she laid her head against mine. “See, he’s not a bad guy.”

  All I could do was nod. I knew if I spoke, I’d turn into a sobbing mess.

  “Too bad he didn’t leave his number.”

  Something that sounded like a mix between a laugh and a sob came out as I opened my mouth. “I wouldn’t use it if he had.”

  Pulling me closer, she whispered, “Why not?”

  “Because what good would it do? It’s not like I’m going to fly to Spain for a booty call. If I had his address, maybe I’d write him a letter saying I forgive him and no hard feelings. Really though, what can I do?”

  Pen sighed, making my hair blow in my face. “Nothing, but I thought it might make you feel better about the whole experience.”

  “Really?” I asked with a raised brow. Remy wasn’t the only downside to the trip.

  “Well,” she pulled back enough so that our eyes locked, “to feel better about letting him bang you. I’m not sure you’ll ever get over the way Reagan was toward you.”

  “Would you get over it?” She shook her head and let me continue. “All my life, I’ve been told how I’m not white enough or not black enough, and all the stereotypical things that go with being black because then I’m black to them. I know how to swim, goddammit, and I hate fried chicken and watermelon. If they don’t like it, they can all stick it up their asses.”

  “I know you have, and you know I’ve loved you for who you are since the day I met you. You’re beautiful inside and out, and don’t let anyone tell you any different.”

  “Hey,” I pushed her shoulder, “did you steal that from my letter?”

  “Doesn’t mean it’s not true, and it proves I’m not the only one who sees it. Fuck Brock and his racist family. If I ever find a guy and his family hates me, I might have to break up with him.”

  I laughed at that until it sparked a memory that I wanted to talk to her about; why hadn’t she been boy crazy lately? I noticed it on the boat, but after we got back, I hadn’t thought of it with everything else going on. While Pen had been around to help me house hunt, she’d been working more than usual, even for her. That, along with not saying she wanted to hook up with just about every guy who crossed her path, was not like her, and now was the perfect time to find out what was going on with my friend.

  Positioning myself on the couch, so I was facing her with one leg bent, I leaned back and examined her. “You know,” I smiled, knowing she was not going to like what I was about to say, “thinking back to when we were on that trip, I remember I wanted to talk to you about something when we got home, and I never did. It’s crazy you didn’t remind me.”

  Pen threw her head back against the couch and moaned. “Because there’s nothing to talk about.”

  “If there’s nothing to talk about, why have you been working so much?”

  “Because the band I’m working with has amazing potential, but they needed a lot of guidance.” She looked away before she could finish her sentence, proving to me there was more.

  “Why do I think there’s more you’re not telling me?” She shrugged, not looking at me. “Come on, Pen. You can tell me anything. You know I won’t judge you the same way I know you won’t judge me.”

  “I know, but I didn’t want to say anything until I knew if it was anything to even say anything about, you know?”

  “No, I don’t know because you haven’t told me anything.” Jumping up, I went to the kitchen and started to make a pitcher of margaritas. “Do we need alcohol for this?”

  “You know I can’t turn down a good marg, but yeah, make it strong.” She bit her bottom lip as I started to pour the tequila into the blender. “While I know you won’t judge me, I guess I’m judging myself and haven’t wanted to admit it out loud.”

  “Admit what, Pen?” I asked as I poured one of our frothy drinks in my lapis blue margarita cup.

  Taking her drink from me, she took a long sip before she spoke. I was afraid she was going to get brain freeze before I ever got anything out of her. “You know the band I’m working with, Crimson Heat?”

  “I know they’re a college band from Willow Bay University. What about them?”

  “So, the lead singer is the youngest of the four as a junior, and I’ve kind of been having sex with him for the last six months.” Her cheeks pinked up, and then she downed the rest of her drink.

  My mouth hung open as I digested her words. My best friend in the who
le world had been keeping it a secret that she was having sex.

  “Why are you ashamed? Is he bad in bed?”

  Pen let out a peal of laughter. “If he was bad, I wouldn’t keep having sex with him. In fact, he’s the best fuck I’ve ever had. I’m ashamed because he’s barely legal to drink.”

  “As long as he’s legal, who cares?”

  “The world?” She laughed humorlessly. “My bosses will definitely care that I’m having sex with one of my clients who I’m supposed to be looking out for to make sure he and his fellow bandmates don’t get into trouble.”

  I took a sip of my drink and tried to process what she’d told me. “It sounds like you’re doing a good job of keeping him out of trouble. If he’s in your bed or vice versa—since I don’t know your situation because you didn’t tell me—he’s not out doing drugs and getting all the ladies at his college pregnant.”

  “Oh fuck off,” she swatted at me. “Why did I have to find a guy I’m interested in, and he’s practically a kid?”

  “Are you really interested in him or just his dick and stamina?” I already knew the answer since she hadn’t told me about him. If it was only sex, she would have told me about it when it started.

  “He’s smart. Smarter than any of the guys I’ve dated in the past, and he’s sweet with this bad boy vibe that I can’t resist.”

  “Obviously. What will happen if Christiano finds out?”

  “I’ll be fired from Titan Records, simple as that.”

  “And he’s worth your dream job?”

  Taking my drink out of my hand, she sucked down the rest. “I think he is.”

  Smiling at her, I took my glass from her and picked up hers to refill them. “If that’s the case, I need to see a picture of him and for you to tell me his name.”

  “What makes you think I have any pictures?” She giggled like a damn schoolgirl.

  “Because I know you and how you like to take pictures. I bet if I opened your phone’s gallery, I’d find all kinds of things you don’t want me to see.”