Chapter Seven
False Pretense
I woke up to someone pounding on the door, Jake was still sound asleep. Apparently he was a sound sleeper. "Jake.." I whispered, as I shook him, but he didn't answer, "Jake." I said a bit louder, again no answer." I smiled, and began kissing his neck, biting at the exposed flesh, as I raked my nails over his stomach, "Jacob." I said in his ear. He moaned, and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me down into a kiss. I did the best to ignore the constant banging, then finally the voice of Josh, "Hey were pulling up to the dock, and you better come out and help us offload the crab." Jake stood up, and stretched, not caring that he was completely naked. I blushed like mad, as I looked away, remembering the events that happened only a couple of hours ago. "You look beautiful this morning." Jake said after he pulled on his pants, lighting a cigarette, as he came up to me, and kissed my cheek. This only made me blush more, as I remembered I was also completely naked under Jake's sheets. All the thoughts rushed to my head, and for the first time since I had been on Cornelia Marie, I had wished I was with my mom, at home so I could tell her everything that had been happening. I felt like a new person, not just a struggling little girl trying to earn a few bucks to feed her family. I felt like a woman in love for the first time in her life, hard working woman in a mans world trying to make a name for herself. Only problem was no one except Jake, and Josh knew I was a woman.
"Babe, we gotta go out and help the guys offload. But you need to get dressed, and we can't be seen coming out of the same room." Jake explained, pulling his shirt over his head. Jake told me that he would leave first, then I could get dressed, and come out on deck after. I stayed covered up in Jake's bed, as he leaned down to kiss me one last time before leaving. I smiled, and watched him leave out the door, but gasped, when I saw Josh standing there, in the doorway. Josh had seen me in Jake's bed. I knew that this was going to be a whole knew though I was going to have to face.
"Dude, was that Alex? In your bed?" Josh asked me, as I pushed past him to get back to work.
"Leave it alone, bro." I wasn't in the mood to fight with my brother. I was too happy for him to break me down.
"You fucked her? Dude! Was she good?" Josh asked with a smile on his face. If it was any other girl I would be delighted to share the information with him, and the rest of the crew. Since were all guys, living together without women on a boat, in the middle of the Bering freaking Sea. It was difficult for all of us. We were men, and the urges we normally get usually goes unaccounted for out here. Alex being a woman, a young woman at that, would have been like having a shiny new toy. That is if I didn't love her. I did love her. I realized that last night, after she fell asleep in my arms. She was so beautiful. She was far from being like any girl I'd ever known, that's for sure. Every girl I had ever been with was the typical blonde, or exotic brunette, all looking for a good time, and a guy with money. A fishermen brought most of these women adventure in their life. An adventure that your average Joe could never meet. Alex was so much more than those woman. She was the definition of hard-working. She truly did whatever she had to do to support her family, and she would stop at nothing to back down from any challenge thrown her way. "Josh, dont think your going to get her in bed. Shes mine, so back off." I was pissed at my brothers constant nagging, and wanting the personal information. "Woah bro! Chill out! Just wanted to know. She looks like a dyke. I can't believe you fell for her." That was it! I was beyond pissed at this point. I shoved Josh against the wall, not caring that he had the height, and muscle advantage. "Thats enough Josh! I love her, so leave her alone. When shes out on deck, shes just one of the guys, got it! Dont mess with her!"
"Fine man! I got it."
I let go of my older brother, and as I turned I caught sight of Alex, who had seen the whole thing. Not only had Alex seen it, but Freddy too. Alex turned red, and I could tell she was scared. This was too much! When had everything gone so wrong? I walked up to Alex, and grabbed her hand, not caring what anyone said, or thought anymore, enough was enough. "Jake, what are you doing?" She pleaded with me, trying to get out of my grip.
"Alex is a woman?" I heard Freddy ask behind me.
"Yeah, We found out yesterday when Jake changed her clothes. She lied her way onto the boat."
I sat down with Alex in the galley, still holding her hand. I felt like I let her down. I felt like a failure. I was supposed to protect her, and hide her secret, and I couldn't. "Jake..."
"Alex, I'm so sorry. None of this was supposed to happen." I pulled her into me, and hugged her as tight as I could.
"Jake, you need to know something else."
"What?" I was terrified of her answer.
"I'm only seventeen."
Did I just hear her right? "Your what?" I asked, trying to keep calm.
"Seventeen." Alex whispered. Freddy, and Josh's mouth dropped. They knew her lies could cause big trouble or everyone, more so the captain, and Jake.
"Alex, why didn't you tell me before? Do you have any idea what you have done?"
"I'm sorry Jake. I didn't mean too." Alex was now in tears, Jake could tell she was trembling. She knew what she had done. Jake could get into a lot of trouble, since they had slept together, and she was underage, not to mention she was working on a crab boat under false pretenses. Josh, and Freddy left the galley, giving Jake, and Alex some privacy. "I cant believe you! I cant believe I trusted you, and I was going to back you up, and you lied to me. Lying about being a guy is one thing. You proved you could handle yourself out there, and I was willing to keep that secret from my dad. Then you fuck me, and you dont tell me your underage. Thats fucked up Alex."
"Jake its not like that." Alex said, reaching across for Jake, but he pulled away, and turned to leave. Alex's eyes widened, fear taking over her body, as she worried about what Jake might do or say. "Jake what are you doing?" Alex asked, following Jake up to the wheelhouse. "Something that I should have done already." Jake made his way up to his dad, who didn't look very happy.
"Where the heck were you? You always do this Jake, you need to get out there and work." Phil said.
"I know dad, sorry, but theres something you need to know." Alex stood still on the staircase, not wanting to go up, and face the Captain, or the man the she had fallen for.
"Well say it Jake. I dont have all day."
Jake hesitated a moment, not sure if he should say it or not, "Alex ..." Jake started, but couldn't seem to finish.
"What about him?"
"Well, thats just it. Alex isn't a him, Alex is a girl."
"Really? She's pretty tough worker for being a girl. She fooled us this whole time. Just to prove herself? Damn!" Phil said with a smile on his face.
"Thats not it dad. Shes only seventeen."
"What?" Phil asked, as his face went pale, "Where is she?"
I couldn't believe I trusted Jake to not say anything, but he said it anyway, and now everyone knew who I really was. I couldn't handle it, and I came here to work, so thats what I was going to do. I went out on deck, and started helping offload the crab. No one said anything to me, but I knew they were all looking. The air between all of us was thick, and awkward. What else was I expecting? I had just come clean to everyone, after I had already become close with everybody. I'm sure it was hard for them. Couldn't anyone understand my feelings though. Once the crab was offloaded, since there wasn't much left after I came out to help. I ran back inside, being as quiet as I could. I scribbled on a piece of paper, and stuck it to the fridge, then I went in my room, and grabbed my bag, and all my things, and left as quickly as I could. I apologized to Freddy, as I passed by him on deck. I ran until I had reached the other side of the island. I watched as the Cornelia Marie left the Harbor, in the distance I could see Jake on the deck. I couldn't make out his facial expression, he was too far for that. All I knew was I lied, and hurt the people who stood by me, and my heart was broken!
Alrighty guys, another posted for you! So this might be the last chapter posted for a while, I have surgery next week, I just found out I have skin cancer, and they are going to cut it out. Its a basic procedure, but still. I dont know how I'm going to feel after. I'm going to try to have another posted before I go in next week. Hope you all enjoy! Reviews 3
