"I just want to say again how sorry I am for last night. I really feel like I ruined everyone's good time." Lacy said.
Alex had met her at a local café a few hours after Gunnar had taken her home. All afternoon Lacy kept telling her how sorry she was and quite frankly it was annoying the hell out of her. Alex didn't blame her for the other woman's actions. Honestly she wasn't even mad about it anymore. She wasn't the kind of person to hold a grudge for long.
"Stop saying sorry it wasn't your fault and its over with anyways. Lets just talk about something else please." Alex said cutting her off before she could go on.
Lacy nodded and took a sip of her tea clearly at a loss for words. Alex sighed why had she agreed to this. Lacy wasn't a bad person but the two of them didn't have much in common other than Lee. She racked her brain trying to think of something they could talk about.
"So have you and Lee set a date yet?" Alex asked her.
Lacy instantly perked up. "Not yet but I'm leaning towards a summer wedding. Maybe on the beach. Lee has sort of left the whole thing up to me."
Lacy went on about the wedding for a while and Alex pretty much zoned out only nodding every now and then. She was in her own world wondering how Barney and lee were doing when the waitress approached them. They ended up paying and then lacy dragged her across the street to a boutique. They window shopped for a little while chatting about random things. Neither one of them actually bought anything though. Alex felt her phone vibrate signaling she had a text. She unlocked her phone to see it was from Meredith. The text read "Hey I need a favor."
Ok that is a little strange she thought. After she said goodbye to Lacy and got in her car to drive home she gave her a call. "Hey what's up?" She asked her when she answered.
"Hey thanks for calling. Road kind of invited me out on his boat tomorrow and I said yes." Meredith started.
"That's great I am sure you will have fun" Alex replied not sure where the favor came in.
"The thing is I haven't been out on a date in ages and I'm not sure I'm ready for it…..well I was wondering if you would go too?"
"You want me to go with you on your date with you." She said dryly.
"I just get so nervous around him and I thought having you there would help." The other woman said.
Alex sighed and ran her hand through her hair. "Does he know you plan on making me a third wheel?"
There was silence on the other line. "Meredith?" Alex questioned.
"Well I sort of told him I already had plans with you. It was his idea for you to come with us." The other woman said in a rush of words.
"Fine." Alex said defeated. "But tell him he better have beer."
"Oh thank you so much you have no idea how much I appreciate this." Meredith said excitedly.
"Yeah yeah, so do you want to ride together?" She asked
"That sounds great I told Road that I would meet him around ten."
"Ok I'm pulling up to my place now I will see you in the morning." Alex said then hung up the phone.
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The next day Alex woke up and showered. Her plan was to tan all day and leave the other two to themselves. She dressed in her favorite bikini which had a bandeau halter top with navy and white stripes. Then pulled on a pair of faded old blue jean shorts and a sheer white top that buttoned up the front. She also packed a bag with a towel some sunscreen a brush and a few snacks. After putting on her shades she was out the door.
When Alex pulled up in Meredith's driveway she honked the horn once to let her know she was there. About five minutes later Meredith stepped out the door Wearing a long maxi skirt and crop top. Meredith seemed to be struggling with some bags so Alex got out to help her. At that moment a four year old boy who Alex knew to be Max flew out the door at her almost knocking over Meredith.
The little boy was all smiles and rosy cheeks. His blonde curls dancing all over the place as he ran to her.
"Alex I get to go on the boat!" He shouted at her while he danced around her in a circle reminding her of a small dog.
Alex smiled at him confused. "That's great little man."
Meredith finally got the door closed and walked to the back of Alex's car and threw her bags in the trunk.
"What's going on Meredith you never said Max was coming?" Alex asked her.
"Well the kids all had a sleepover at a friends house last night. They are going to a birthday party today. Max got scared though and called me to pick him up around ten last night. Anyways I couldn't find a sitter this last minute. I called road and he said it was fine to bring him" Meredith explained.
"You don't mind do you?" She asked.
"Not at all." Alex replied with a forced smile. Kids weren't really her thing and being stuck on a boat with one all day was not her idea of fun. Meredith grabbed Max's booster seat from her SUV and strapped it into Alex's mustang. Alex frowned at the sight it just didn't look right to her. She sighed and then they all piled in the car. Luckily it was only about a half hour drive to Lake Pontchartrain where they were meeting Road. When they finally arrived the threesome found a place to park then walked out the dock where the boat was waiting. To say all were shocked when seeing the boat would be an understatement. Alex didn't know what she expected but a forty foot boat that looked more like a yacht was not it. The name on the back of the boat was sea hag and Alex knew it had to cost a pretty penny. Beside her Max was jumping up and down unable to control his excitement. Toll Road must have heard them because he poked his head around the corner of helm. He smiled at them at waved them up. Alex went first then Meredith handed Max to her. After sitting him on one of the seats to wait for his mom she turned around to greet Road.
"How long have you had this boat for? And why they hell did you get one so big?" She asked after giving him a half hug.
"I have had it a few years now. I like to go out fishing for a few days at a time and this boat has everything. There is a bathroom a small kitchen and a full size bed."
"Damn Road, who knew you were living the high life out on the sea." She cracked.
"I'm full of surprises don't you know?" He smirked at her then he turned his attention to Meredith who was busy smothering her son in sun block. Alex decided to leave them alone and wandered towards the front of the boat. She was looking out at the water over the bow when she heard it.
"Hey man sorry I'm late."
"No worries, the girls just got here as it is. Do you mind untying us?" Road replied.
Alex turned sharply and saw none other than Gunnar. What the hell? All she wanted was a nice relaxing day where she could work on her tan. Now not only did she have to deal with a kid in his why stage she had to deal with Gunnar. While she had gotten to the point where she actually enjoyed his company he was exhausting. He caught her looking at him as he stepped on board and smirked at her. He was wearing a white tank with a blue and white floral shirt over it left unbuttoned and a pair of tan cargo shorts.
"Hey sweet cheeks."
She smiled in spite of herself "Hey Frankenstein. What are you doing here?"
He posted up on the railing beside her and crossed his arms. "Road called me up last night and asked me to come along. Said he didn't want you to feel like a third wheel and thought since we have been getting along so well I could keep you company."
"In other words keep me occupied so he could hang out with Meredith alone." She said sarcastically.
"Yeah pretty much." He added lazily his eyes following a flock of birds overhead.
"So much for that." she said turning her head to where Meredith was fighting with her son to get him to wear a life jacket. She finally got it on him and he was pouting in his seat. Alex had to laugh at the sight.
"What's up with the squirt?" Gunnar asked jerking a finger in his direction.
"Meredith couldn't find a sitter."
"Ahh.' He said nodding his head in understanding.
With Max all set Road turned his attention to the boat and took them about ten miles from the shore where the water was calmer and there were less boats. Alex couldn't help but smile at the sight of Road trying to answer all of Max's questions about the boat and the lake. The kid was firing them off one after another. As soon as Road answered one the kid threw another at him. Alex didn't know who looked cuter Max in all his excitement or Road in his fluster.
"Poor bastard." Gunnar said then popped open the beer he was holding.
"Are you serious its barely ten o clock?" Alex said with distaste.
He winked at her. "Its five o clock somewhere." Alex shook her head.
"Well if you will excuse me I have some important business to attend to." She said in a mock haughty voice. Then she turned back towards the bow and laid out a towel for her to tan on. She slipped out of her shorts and shirt then sat down and began to rub tanning lotion with spf on her arms and legs.
Gunnar snorted "Yeah it looks real important. I'll just leave you to your business then princess."
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About half an hour later when Alex was ready to turn over she heard the patter of little feet approach her. She cracked an eye and saw Max leaning over her.
"What are you doing?" He asked curiously.
"I'm tanning." She replied not missing a beat.
"Whats that?"
She exhaled loudly. "I'm trying to make my skin darker."
"Why?"
"Because it looks better that way."
"Why?"
"I don't know Max it just does."
"Well I thought you were dead. I was gonna poke you." He said seriously.
"What?" She replied sitting up as she did so. "Why would you do that?"
"He told me to." Max answered while pointing at Gunnar.
She followed the accusing finger and locked eyes with Gunnar who smirked at her from his spot near the back of the boat. Ok so that sob wanted to sick the boy on her two could play at that game.
"Did he, well why don't we go talk to him for a little?"
"Ok!" Max replied excited again.
As they walked to the back they passed Meredith and Road who were in their own world laughing about something. She really hoped this didn't back fire on her, She didn't want to be caught in the middle if something went wrong.
"You trying to get yourself in trouble Gunnar?" She asked raising an eyebrow at him.
"Not exactly but it feels like its been awhile since I've seen your anger directed at me." He said smoothly.
"Is that a bad thing?"
"No but you do look pretty hot when you're telling me off."
"Uh huh, well don't worry I'm sure its only a matter of time before you piss me off again." She said sarcastically.
"Now that's the spirit." He said then laughed.
Max stood between the two of them looking adorably confused, not understanding why someone would want to make another person mad on purpose. He quickly forgot his confusion though and went back to asking questions about everything.
Alex was sitting on the swim deck with her legs in the water and Meredith and Max were sitting beside her.
The two guys were behind them standing over the little grill making hotdogs. Alex was lost in thought though contemplating only she knew what. Then out of no where she heard foot steps behind her. She turned and Gunnar was not so discreetly checking her out. She huffed and stood up crossing her arms over her chest.
"Could you be a little less obvious?" She asked annoyed.
"Yeah man its getting a little sad, you look like a starving dog staring down a steak. Anyone can see you're barking up the wrong tree." Road joked.
"Is that so?" Gunnar replied unperturbed. He turned his gaze back to Alex and she noticed a devilish glint in his eyes.
He began closing the distance between he two of them and she felt like a corned animal. She didn't know what he was planning but it couldn't be good. Before she could react he snatched her up bridal style.
"What the hell are you doing Gunnar!" She screamed and slapped his chest which was now bare.
"Ooooh she said a bad word!" Max said a little too loudly.
"She did didn't she? Well we cant have that. I say we make her walk the plank as punishment." He said boyishly with laughter dancing in his eyes.
Max laughed and jumped up and down again. "yeah!"
"I am not walking any goddamn plank put me down damnit." She said trying to ignore how cute Gunnar looked while conspiring with Max.
Max's eyes went wide and Meredith covered his ears afraid of the tirade that was yet to come if Gunnar didn't put her down.
"Ok suit yourself doll." He replied with a smirk on his face. Then he threw her overboard with very little effort.
His actions eliciting a squeal of delight from Max. Meredith gasped and made sure his ears were still covered for when Alex came back above the water.
Alex's head broke the water and immediately she started screaming at Gunnar who could do nothing better than laugh. Meredith had to cover her mouth to hide her laughter from her friend. Max was giggling uncontrollably and Gunnar turned to him.
"You think that's funny do you?"
Max nodded his head in agreement. In a flash Gunnar grabbed him under his arms and threw him at Alex in the water. Unlike Alex he just giggled more when he came up. Meredith tried to admonish him but couldn't stop laughing long enough to do so. Alex swam back to the boat with max on her back and handed him up to his mom.
She decided not to immediately retaliate and allow Gunnar to feel like he won, that way payback would be so much sweeter. A little over an hour later after they had eaten, she was leaning against the railing next to him drinking a beer. Then an idea came to her and she was careful to hide her smile from Gunnar. The other three weren't paying them any attention so she took her chance. She tossed her beer can in the garbage and then went back to Gunnar. She came to a stop in front of him and threw her hair back. His eyes snapped to hers unsure what she was doing. Alex ran her finger from his chest all the way down to his stomach. His eyes widened and he felt an instant tightening in his groin. She smirked and leaned her face towards him as if to kiss him. He closed his eyes and waited. Instead she pushed him with all her strength over the railing.
"MAN OVERBOARD!" She yelled and then fell over laughing.
Gunnar's head popped above the water and instead of looking pissed he just looked shocked. Road and Meredith came running over to the side of the boat to see what was going on. Max was right behind them and laughed when he saw Gunnar in the water.
He laughed and asked "Did you say a bad word too?"
Gunnar didn't answer he just swam to the back of the boat. Alex reached out to help him up and he grabbed her hand pulling her into the water again.
"Oh come on Gunnar! That's no fair I was just paying you back." She said but she was smiling just the same.
She splashed him with water and tried to swim away. He pulled her to him with her back against his chest and pinned her arms to her side.
"Having you so close to me like this is giving me all kinds of ideas." He whispered in her ear sending chills down her spine.
She had to get away before she gave in to her desire for him. She wriggled out of his hold and swam to the safety of the boat. Flashing him a coy smile as she climbed up. Gunnar climbed up behind her enjoying the view of her ass as she walked away to get her towel.
It was getting late so Road decided to bring the boat in and call it a day. Lucky for Alex he also volunteered to take Meredith and Max home. So after switching over the car seat and saying goodbye to everyone. She drove off watching Gunnar fade in the distance as she did so. Her mind dangerously distracted by one hulking giant of a man.