THE CRUISE

Danny Jon and Joe were having a ball at the cafe. They were making comments about the people walking by and just enjoying each other's company. Joe really hadn't hung out with the two a lot. He mostly hung out with Jordan or Donnie, now he really regretted not hanging with these two, they could be a riot when they wanted.

"Yo dude, I wonder if I have time to sack a babe and eat a bite before catching a wave" Danny imitated a surfer walking down the street staring at a girl.

"You are So wrong Danny." Joe almost choked on his taco.

"Yeah, wait'll your inspiration comes walking down that street. Hey, what time is it? I don't want to get stuck here?"

"It's almost 1:00. I don't know, this place is kinda cool, maybe I should get stuck here." Jon said airily.

"Oh and leave Katrina on that big old boat by herself with no Jonathan to protect her" Joe went into his damsel in distress voice.

"No" Jonathan thought loudly "I wouldn't do that to her."

"You sound like you're already in love with her Jon. It's been one night, or one date. You didn't spend the night did you?" Danny leaned in for some juice.

"Hey what do you take me for- Donnie." Jon laughed "No we had a nice night, and I didn't even kiss her goodnight."

"What did her breath stink or something?"

"No Danny, I just didn't want to push it. You know you can have a nice night without groping and all. So, on that note, how did your night go?" Jon put the shoe on his foot.

"Nice, Chrissy's a nice woman, she didn't complain once about my going on about the kids."

"Marry her! For God's sake marry her Danny, you won't find another like that in a long time." Joe was having too much fun with this.

"You know Joe." Danny said but never finished his sentence he was laughing so hard.

"So what about you Joe, how was your little night?" Jon asked drinking his beer.

Joe got quiet "I don't know. Have you ever got so drunk that you don't really know what happened?"

Danny and Jon at the same time "No."

"Well I did, and I don't know what gives. I remember waking up around 4:00 and she was in my bed man. I don't know what we did or anything, but if I did anything that I'd regret..." he trailed off.

"That's deep man. Did you ask her what happened?"

"By the time morning came, she was gone. She probably doesn't want to face me, and really, I don't want to face her knowing what probably happened." Joe's mood had dramatically changed. "And the thing is, I really like her, but if, on our first night out, we�well lets just say, we started off on the wrong foot."

"I don't know what to tell you Joe. That sounds bad. I guess it'll teach you from drinking everything in sight again." They all got up and walked back to the boat.

Miguel got up and started to walk back to the board shop to return the board.

"Miguel wait up!" Kasey came running over. Miguel noted that she looked very nice in her surfer shorts. "I didn't know you were over here too. Why didn't you come over?" She took a breath as she broke into a stride beside him.

"You all looked pretty busy over there."

"Ah no, not at all, we were just chatting." She looked at him "Not jealous are you Miguel?"

"Me, no not in the least, hey this is your life, I'm only a stepping stone to the top. Jordan's the one who's having a hard time with getting back what he gives."

"Stepping stone? I think not, you are a definite rung on the ladder buddy and don't you forget it." They went inside and returned the board. Then walked back to the ship.

"You tell Jordan that he has nothing to worry about, Mindy is infatuated with him. Well no, don't use those words. Just tell him she'd be very happy if they could join us for dinner tonight." She smiled that Kasey smile up at him.

"Wow you don't waste any time do you Kasey?" Miguel was beginning to like her more and more.

"Time? What time is there to waste." She smiled at him. "Meet me at that club at 6:00 okay." She leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. "And bring your friend too."

On the way back up into the boat Danny, Joe and Jon ran into the group of women. "Hey ladies, nice time on the beach?" Joe stood in front of them avoiding Celly's eyes. "Sunblock check, who's going to get burned."

"Get outta our way Joe, before we get left behind." Katrina playfully pushed him out the way.

Joe pushed her back. "Don't be all pushy on me Kat."

Geez what kind of mood was he in, Katrina wondered "Look young man"

"Young man? What the fuck?"

"I'm one month and 20 days older than you so you'd better watch it."

"Oh damn, she done told you" Danny was laughing.

"What's up with jeckle and hyde?" Katrina asked Jonathan as they walked aboard together.

"Don't even ask. But what I want to know is if you'll join us again for dinner?"

"I'd be delighted, Jonathan. Thanks."

Suzi was wondering where Donnie was. She really wanted to see him.

"Looking for Donnie?" Danny came up beside her and Chrissy.

"More like wondering where he was?" Suzi felt embarrassed that Danny could read her like that.

"He stayed on board but I'm pretty sure he'll be looking around for you." Danny walked the ladies upstairs and to their room. Suzi decided to be bold...a plan came into her head.

Joe was trying hard not to look at Celly, who was trying hard not to look at him. Once the group split up he'd stayed back while she went forward. They both felt as if they had somehow violated each other and both didn't have an idea if they did or not. Celly walked straight into her room and lay on her bed. The first time she is this close to Joe and she ruins it. They can't even look at each other. At this moment she just wanted to get off this ship and go home. At that same exact moment Joe was trying his best to remember the events of last night.

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