by Sue Seabury
“Is it midnight already?”
“Who cares? You’re not waiting to turn twenty-one.”
To think she was more than twice that. She was ready for bed. “I’m heading back to the room.”
“Oh, no! Night’s still young and so are we. C’mon.” Josie wrapped her hand through Kat’s and pulled her down the path to the beach. Tiki torches made shadows on the greenery.
“A walk on the beach? Well, okay.” She wasn’t going to get another dance with Hugo anyway.
“Or a skinny dip.” Josie giggled.
Kat stopped walking and looked behind her. “Pete’s not coming, is he?”
“Nope. Just my BFF, some gorgeous water and no clothes.”
“I don’t know, Jo. I remember a time when that kind of plan didn’t turn out too well. And what about your ear?”
Josie squealed happily. “The ear’s fine, and don’t you dare remind me about tenth grade and Boobie Beaumont or I’ll drown you.”
“Sounds like you remember already.”
“Yeah, those were the days.”
Kat looked at her friend sideways. Josie was smiling, as if that kind of social torture really was the good old times.
“C’mon. I’m hot, I’m in a beautiful place, and I want to do something memorable.” Josie said. “And, anyway, Yolo!”
29
A silvery path of moonlight on the water beckoned to them. Josie had her clothes off in a flash. Kat felt obligated to go with her in case she drowned. She wasn’t wearing a bra; it was built in, and the underwear she had on were her favorites. Silk and they didn’t ride up. She decided to save them the salt water bath. Yolo.
The warm water kissed her skin like . . . she wouldn’t even think his name. “If Pete shows up, you’re dead meat.”
Josie only laughed.
It didn’t take Pete five minutes to find them. “Mind if I join you?”
Kat turned to Josie.
“I didn’t—”
Kat didn’t let her finish. “You’re lucky you have that stupid ear problem or I’d dunk you!” She splashed a little water Josie’s way.
“Oh, you’re just jealous ’cause your guy didn’t show up.”
Kat stopped paddling. Good thing the salty water kept her afloat or she’d have gone under. “What guy?”
“The big one, Hugo.”
“What makes you think he’s ‘my guy’?”
Josie’s scoff echoed across the water. “Please. You think I’m blind? Hey, I know. I’ll ask Pete to go get him, then you won’t feel like a third wheel. Pe—”
Kat grabbed Josie’s legs and pulled her under. Her ear was already wet anyway. By the time they finished scuffling, Pete had stripped and was wading out.
Kat hooked her arm around Josie’s neck. “Don’t you dare say anything.”
“Why? You want Pete, too?” Josie’s eyes were wide with false innocence, but they’d been friends for many years, and even in the dim light, Kat could see the glimmer of jealousy.
She stopped herself from saying anything about glass houses and stones, just. Instead, she said politely, “That’s not it. Hugo’s a nice guy, but he doesn’t date his guests. Professional ethics. I don’t want to embarrass him.”
The moonlight showed more than Josie’s pursed lips. Kat turned and looked out at la Roca to save her eyes from the view of a naked Pete.
Josie paddled over to her. “I swear I didn’t tell him we were coming down here.”
By her tone, Kat was reasonably certain her friend had lost interest in talking about Hugo. But she stayed close in case Josie needed another dunking. With her back to Pete, she whispered, “Never mind. Just, warn me. Did he take everything off?”
“Only down to boxers. He’s a really modest guy.”
Kat exhaled. The water was warm; she could wait him out before exiting.
Pete paddled up. “What’s that thing you gals are always saying? Yodel?”
“Yolo,” Josie and Kat said together.
“Whatever it is, I like it.” Pete’s exhilaration at skinny-dipping with two women shone in the moonlight. “Woot!” He floated on his back like an otter.
Kat was grateful for his boxers and called out, “Carpe diem!”
“Better carpe diem thancarp inyourdenim!” Pete made a funny face, as if a fish might have swum into his shorts.
They weren’t so different, both living a small life, desperate for something ‘real’ to happen.
Kat laughed and splashed him. The action raised her out of the water, unveiling her boobs.
At first she hunched over, then she changed her mind and threw her arms out. “Carpe-diem-carp-in-your-denim-Yolo!” She flashed her chest again. It was liberating.
The three of them splashed like children for a few minutes.
“Yoo-hoo!” Queenie called from the beach.
Oh, geez. If Queenie got in on this, someone was likely to wind up with a broken nose.
“Looks like you already got this party started, but we’re here to crank it up a notch!”
We?
Stan lumbered up.
Ugh.
Of course Queenie had no qualms about stripping bare. Kat’s modesty returned. She looked away until she heard Queenie splash into the water, but then couldn’t avoid seeing her gravity-defying breasts. They floated. One way to test for real versus fake.
Walrus King Lear launched himself like a freighter, somehow with a lit cigar screwed into the corner of his mouth.
“Oh, I just love to swim in bare skin,” Josie said. “It makes me never want to put on a bathing suit again!”
That got looks of approval from both Pete and Stan.
Although the water was warm, the air felt cold on Kat’s wet skin. The others seemed not to mind. She rethought her plan. Maybe she could swim fast back to shore and throw her dress on while the others were occupied out here.
She took a few tentative strokes, making it seem like she was just paddling.
“Yep,” Queenie said. “I’m gettin’ nipply too.” She followed.
Kat didn’t mind her so much, but Stan came along. Kat had to hope Queenie’s bare breasts would be enough of a distraction.
Kat felt double grateful toward Queenie: she’d thought to bring towels. Kat wrapped one around herself, then stepped to a shadow to dress. When she returned, Josie was out and wrapped in a towel and Stan was lighting up again.
Talk about a way to ruin her evening. While she worked out a polite way to leave, a sickly sweet scent reached her nose.
Stan wasn’t smoking a cigar.
“C’mon,” Queenie yelled at Kat. “Like I said, party’s amping up.”
All eyes were on her. “Um, I’m good.”
“Oh, come on!” Josie tottered over crookedly and swiped at Kat’s arm. She must have been drunker than Kat thought. “You’re done being a role model.”
Kat’s face must have shown her shock. Josie punched her arm.
“You’re off for this week at least.” She dragged Kat back to the circle that had formed on some large rocks.
She sat down because Josie made her, but she didn’t know what to do about the pot. Josie puffed eagerly at the joint and then encouraged Pete who resisted but was showing signs of crumbling. Kat was next in line. If she went and told Hugo, Josie could get in trouble. And Queenie.
Pete had just taken a tiny puff and offered it to Kat. She held up her hand. “Hugo told me the cops stopped by here the other day. I’m a little nervous.”
Josie cackled loud enough to rival Queenie. “Oh, I can see the Miami Vice dragnet now!” She elbowed Pete who was now choking. “You kinda remind me of Don Johnson. Wanna frisk me?”
Kat stood. “I have to use the b-room. Might head to bed after that. You all have a good night though.”
She started to walk. Josie chased her down.
“Why are you being such a stick in the mud?”
“I’m not. I’m just not sixteen anymore.”
“It’s starting to be legal now. I bet you’
d barely get a slap on wrist these days.”
“I’ll skip the slap, thanks.” Kat rubbed her arm where Josie had punched it.
Josie tightened her grip around Kat’s wrist. “Are you mad at me?”
Kat took a deep breath. “No. But I don’t want Hugo, or Ramsey, to get into trouble either.”
“Why would they?”
“Where do you think Stan got that stuff?”
Josie blinked at the water.
“I know you can take care of yourself, but please be careful,” Kat said. “For me.”
“O-kay, Mom.” Josie gave Kat a big, wet kiss on the cheek.”
Kat wiped it off. “See you later.”
“Maybe.” Josie giggled.
Kat hugged her. “You only live once, emphasis onlive. Don’t do anything crazy like try to swim out to the moon, got it?”
“Got it.”
Kat hugged Josie one last time, then headed up the path.
On a whim she decided to stop by the dining room. Maybe Hugo might have time for another dance.
30
Hugo stood in the middle of the patio, his back to her. He was talking to two men. Drat. It took a moment to register the men were wearing uniforms.
A squeak escaped her mouth. She clapped her hand over it too late. Heads swiveled. When Hugo turned, she could see Ramsey between the two cops, his arms behind him. Another squeak escaped despite her hand.
She moved toward them almost without realizing. “What’s going on?”
“This doesn’t concern you, miss.” The taller cop turned a shrewd eye on her. “Unless it does.”
Hugo put a protective arm in front of Kat. “Miss Dixon knows nothing about this. I will thank you to leave my guests out of it.”
His push across her middle was gentle but firm. She retreated to the bar where the PTAs huddled.
“What’s going on?” she whispered.
Eyes glued to the scene, Paige said out of the corner of her mouth, “Drug possession.”
Kat groaned softly.
“Youare involved?” Paige turned to look at her with new interest.
“No, of course not.” Kat sounded guilty, even to herself.
The rest of the PTAs turned.
“But you know who is,” Sloane said.
“It’s that Queenie woman, isn’t it?” Kiki said.
“Hush.” Kat pulled her chin toward Hugo. “Do any of you speak Spanish?”
“Of course.” Blaire gave a complacent flip to her expensive blonde hair. “They’re taking Ramsey in. Hugo’s trying to talk them out of it, but unless he comes up with a bunch of cash, I think he’s out of luck.”
Kat wished she were at a better angle to see Hugo’s face.
The shorter cop pointed to a chair. Ramsey sat. The police officers crossed the room, heading toward the beach path. Hugo called after them, pulling his hair.
The cops ignored him and made a right, toward the bungalows. As soon as they were out of sight, Kat hustled over to Hugo. “Can I talk to you for a sec?”
“Does it have to be now?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
“Not here. Somewhere private.”
Hugo glanced around. “They told me to stay here with Ramsey, but I really want to follow them.”
“What about sending them.” Kat indicated the PTAs. They’re allowed to wander around, right?”
“I guess. But I can’t ask—”
“Yes, you can. You are allowed to ask for help. Plus, they’d totally love to play spy.”
Hugo ran his hands through his hair, making it wilder still.
“I’ll ask,” Kat said, and walked over to them. The PTAs couldn’t agree fast enough. “One of you run down to the beach and warn the others.” Kat said. “Does anybody know where Kevin and Liam are?”
“Maybe in their rooms?” Paige shrugged.
“Better warn them, too,” Kat said.
“Do you know where their rooms are?” Sloane asked Kat.
“I do,” Blaire said with a sly grin.
So Kat hadn’t been imagining that fondle up on the cliff. To each her own.
When they were gone, Kat led Hugo to a chair and had him sit. She poured him whatever was in the blender. He refused it. She returned with a glass of water, which he downed. She sat across from him.
“What did you need to tell me?” he asked.
Kat gave a quick glance around, then leaned in and whispered, “They’re smoking down on the beach.”
Hugo let his head fall on the table, then he sat up and glared at Ramsey. Ramsey sat hunched in his chair, like a school boy in the principal’s office.
“Sorry, man,” he said.
“Save your breath,” Hugo replied.
“Paige went to warn them, so I think they’ll be okay.” Kat took Hugo’s massive hands in hers. “What evidence do they have exactly?”
Hugo shot another angry glance Ramsey’s way. “Him buying.”
Ramsey’s head dropped lower.
“Why didn’t they pick him up then?”
Hugo’s laugh was mirthless. “He got away.”
“Okay, so, what are the laws? Back home, they’re starting to lighten up. Possession for personal use is pretty lenient in some places.”
“Not here. Possession is a felony.”
Kat’s hands went clammy. She wiped them on her dress. “Oh, God.”
Now Hugo rested his hands on hers. “But you will be all right. This does not concern you.”
“But Josie. And Queenie.”
“They’re all there?”
“Everyone except Liam and Kevin. Blaire went to look for them.”
Hugo stood up and paced. When he got near Ramsey, his fists tightened. Ramsey flinched.
“You deserve to spend some time in a cell.”
Ramsey chewed his lip. It was the most serious face Kat had ever seen on him.
“And your father?” Hugo growled. “What am I supposed to tell him?”
Ramsey shook his head. “I’m sorry, man. I won’t ever—”
“Oh,cállate!”
Kat jumped in her seat.
“Forgive me,” Hugo said to her. “I should not have yelled.” He sank into a chair again, head hanging low.
Before Kat could formulate a response, Paige returned with two thumbs up pressed to her chest. Kat felt faint with relief; she was glad she was already seated.
Kiki, Sloane and Blaire returned shortly thereafter, looking distinctly smug. Kat welcomed their gloating. Anything, so long as they’d been successful.
The cops returned a few minutes later. They spoke to Hugo in Spanish, but it was clear to Kat they’d found nothing. Ramsey was looking distinctly more optimistic, but the cops didn’t remove his plastic handcuffs. Instead, they pulled him to his feet and escorted him out.
As soon as they were gone, the PTAs started twittering about their various feats. Kat listened only long enough to be sure Josie and Queenie were safe and to thank them before going to Hugo. “What happened?”
“They tell me they’re allowed to take him because they have witnesses to the buy earlier today.” He shook his head, his expression melancholy. “I am not looking forward to calling his father.”
“You could wait until tomorrow. Maybe they’ll release him by then.”
Hugo let his hands drop on the table. The silverware rattled. “I guess. I don’t know which will make him angrier.”
Kat’s chest hurt; she felt helpless. “I am so sorry.”
Highlighted hair poked out from behind the wall by the bathrooms. “Queenie, you can come out. They’re gone.”
A distinctly hangdog Queenie slunk into view, followed closely by Josie, Pete and Stan.
“Is it true they took Ramsey?” Queenie said, clutching at her plunging neckline.
Kat nodded.
“Oh, no!” Queenie threw herself against the wall in an excellent impression of Scarlett O’Hara. “I’ll never forgive myself if that gorgeous face of his gets
messed up in the slammer!”
“I don’t think it’sthat serious,” Josie said.
“Two to five if he’s convicted,” Pete said grimly.
Hugo retreated behind the bar. “If anyone would like a drink, please let me know now. Otherwise, I would like to close down for the night.”
“Brandy for me,” Stan said.
Josie, Pete and Queenie ordered the same. The PTAs demanded once again to be thanked for their service, and also begged forgiveness for being excluded from the pot party in the first place.
“Next time,” Queenie promised, earning a glare from Hugo. “I mean, at my pad, in L.A., where it’s legal.”
Kat hung around until the others drifted back to their rooms. “What happened to Esme and Paola?”
“I sent them home.”
“Why?”
Hugo threw the towel down on the bar. “I don’t know. I just felt like I needed to deal with this alone.”
“Hugo, you can’t do everything by yourself.”
“You see what kind of ‘help’ Ramsey has been.” He picked up his towel and whacked the counter a few times.
“Well, let me help then.” She gathered up a few clean dessert forks. “I promise to follow your every order.”
“You have done too much already.”
Kat took a step back.
Hugo folded his hands. “I mean, in a good way. You were very helpful, other than when you looked like you were going to attack that one officer. I worried I was going to be forced to make a trip to the police station tonight.” He smirked.
“What? Was I really that aggressive?”
“Like a tigress.”
The word rumbled through Kat’s middle. If only things were different . . . She took a deep breath. “Let me help.”
Hugo started to lift a hand, then let it drop. “There isn’t so much to do. I’ll leave the tables until tomorrow. If you want to collect those clean utensils and put them on the counter, that’s plenty.”
As she stacked unused silverware, it hit her that for the first time in her life, she was useful to someone in a larger capacity than the usual every-day nurturing that went with children and a family. Being available, dare she say almostinstrumental, in helping someone during a life-changing situation felt amazing.
Kat finished in just a few minutes. “Let me do something else. There’s a ton of dishes here.”
