Chapter 4: Currents and Waves
There were many things that James liked about Hawaii, but none of it could compare to what he was currently doing; Surfing. He loved to surf ever since his father and uncle taught him at ten. It was thrilling, yet relaxing all at the same time. Plus, at the current moment, it was one thing that Declan could not do that he could.
Chalk another one up for D.C.
At the distance he was currently at, James could hardly see Holly J on shore with Fiona and Charlie, Declan actually swimming in the cool ocean waters with Jane. In fact, the only way he knew where they were was because of the limited people on the beach. It was no secret that surfers all around the world had their on cult-like culture and certain places, like this beach, was only allowed to those who surfed. Thankfully James did know how to surf or else they would be at one of the more crowded places on the island.
"Hey, newbie," James looked at the blonde woman known as Leila. She had soft brown eyes and quite the curvy body. "Race you to the shore?"
Earlier, Holly J suspected of Leila having a crush on James. Now, she and Fiona thought the same thing.
"Sure mate." James said.
"Loser buys dinner." she told him with a smile.
"Uh, I can't. My girlfriend would be quite jealous." Leila seemed to be okay with the response before smirking.
"Who says that she has to know?"
By now, James knew what he could be getting himself into and chose to focus on the water. The next wave should bring him close enough to the shore to regroup with his friends momentarily before going back out to the waves. Hopefully Leila would get the picture that if Holly J was not going to let him go anywhere with her. And that's only if she got past Fiona first.
"I'll just ride this one alone." James told her, spotting the oncoming wave.
James prepared himself for the wave. It was nothing too big, but something he knew to be slightly cautious of. If Leila was the jealous type, she would probably attempt to drop in on him, a big pet peeve to surfers worldwide. And if that happened… Well, the repercussions would not end well for anyone.
And she did.
James growled he glared at the back of Leila. He was not one to bail on a wave, so he would ride it out using every technique he knew to keep from wiping out. James smirked at the thought of knocking Leila off, but realized that two wrongs don't make a right. In the real world, maybe, in the surfing world, never.
Fortunately, and unfortunately, both surfers rode the wave without any accidents. Still, when they reached the shore, James was not happy at all.
"What the hell was that?" he asked the blonde.
"Dude, calm down okay? I knew what I was doing." James's saw her brown eyes leave his, glancing at someone coming up behind him. "Besides, I think your shubie girlfriend is coming."
"Don't call her that mate." James said turning around to look at Holly J nearing him. "Something wrong?"
"Well," she began. "Not that watching you go on and on is boring or anything," James smiled. "But we want to go rent some jet skis and have some fun ourselves."
James shrugged. "Sure, let's go."
With surfboard securely tucked under his arm, Holly J took his free hand and laced it with hers. James smiled at this, knowing exactly what the strawberry blonde was doing. She was flaunting what she had. And in the white bikini she wore and James's hand in hers, she was flaunting quite a bit.
"Love, I really think that's not necessary. She gets the point." James said.
Holly J looked up at him with a smile.
"Just incase she doesn't." James chuckled with his girlfriend as they made their way to the others.
"I always thought you were lying. You can actually surf." Fiona stated.
"Wasn't really surfing, just riding the waves." James said. "So, you guys wanted to rent some jet skis for a while. What brought that up?"
Fiona thumbed towards Jane. "She and Holly J has adopted your and Declan's rivalry. They say that they could run laps around each other."
"Please, you were the one who brought it up in the first place." Holly J said before looking at James. "So come on. Let's show them who owns the Pacific."
"You're on." Fiona stated.
James only stared at Declan, who had a defeated look on his face. Since the girls' spa yesterday, Fiona, and Holly J have become somewhat friends, Jane being the mediator. As close as friends as Holly J and Fiona would allow, that is. This was bittersweet news for Declan and James. Fiona and Jane had dragged them around a mall during their trip to Vegas. Adding the ever bossy Holly J into the mix was problematic for them. But, to James, it was good that Fiona and Holly J were talking instead of arguing. It made his life that much easier.
"The loser pays for everyone's dinner tonight." Holly J stated, causing James to flinch. "You okay Jaime?"
James laughed quietly. "You have no idea love." Holly J's eyes told him to explain, so he just gave her a dismissive wave. "It's what Leila told me."
"What?" The in sync outburst from Fiona and Holly J was to be expected if Declan covering his ears before was indication.
"Yeah, she wanted to race me to the shore for a dinner date. But, I turned her down for the sister of a friend of mine." James said.
Holly J smiled. "Oh? And what is this friend's name?"
"Heather Sinclair? You know of her? Kind of a tough cookie." Holly J leaned into James a bit with a smile. "So are we going or what?"
Declan smirked. "I have an idea on making this more interesting."
"I'm listening." James said.
"Let's get to the car. I'll explain on the way." Declan said. "So let's go."
James looked at Fiona who also shared the same confused look. He let it drop for the moment, taking his board and girlfriend to the rented SUV that they had gotten to travel the island with. Whatever Declan had planned, James knew that it was probably something that they will probably regret in the future.
Four hundred dollars. That was Declan's plan to up the ante. And seeing that the three couples (more like James and the Coyne twins) were so competitive about it, it was agreed on in a heartbeat. Originally, Declan had said two hundred, but since Fiona was so determined that she and Charlie could outride the other two, she doubled it and James agreed.
James loved the idea since he has gone jet-skiing multiple of times in the past. He figured that Fiona and Declan must have too since they both were so confident in their skills. Charlie seemed to be a little rattled at the idea, while Jane and Holly J were practically down for whatever. All in all, this was going to be a great run.
After an hour or so, the six had gotten their equipment, now sitting on the flat water surface, each couple on one jet-ski.
"So where's the finish line?" Fiona asked, her hands gripping the handlebars of the Kawasaki Jet Ski STX that she had rented.
"We'll go around that buoy, then that one, and finally back here." Declan said pointing out the track with his index finger.
"Two laps." Fiona said. "We'll switch drivers on the second lap."
Declan's brows rose. "You think Charlie can handle one of these?"
"Watch." Fiona said confidently.
"Don't break a fingernail bird." James taunted.
Fiona smirked. "You should be worried about that four hundred you're going to be giving me."
James only smiled at that before he felt Holly J grip his waist tighter. He looked over his shoulder and saw the smile on her face.
"We got this." she said and James nodded before she added. "I've only ridden these things once though."
"Looking at Charlie and Jane, there's not really much any competition love." James said with a smile.
"Hey, surfer boy, you ready?" Declan asked.
"Ready when you are mate." James said.
"I'll count down since you two can't be trusted." Fiona said. "Charlie, hold on." Charlie nodded at Fiona's statement. "Alright, here we go. Three… Two… One… Go!"
The sound of the watercrafts roaring and splashing water filled James's ears as he and his two close friends raced through the Pacific. He was shocked to see Fiona actually ahead, he and Declan riding neck and neck at the moment. Turning the first buoy, James was now a believer that Fiona must have done this plenty of times before, possibly recently.
"Go faster!" Holly J told him over the splashing and revving sounds.
James did as he was told only to find that Declan had the same thought in mind. Still, Fiona would prove to be better hitting the second turn first and flawlessly. It was very clear on who was most likely to win the first lap and it only bugged him to admit that Fiona might be the better rider. He then realized that he might not lose.
Charlie would have to do the second lap.
Nearing the starting spot, James felt Holly J's grip actually loosen and he remembered that, like Charlie, she would have to do the second lap for him. And like he noticed, Charlie was having a hard time with the throttle and he could see Fiona giving her directions. James came to the starting point and quickly switched places with Holly J, taking her hips into his hands.
"Go." he told her.
She did not hesitate to do as he said and he was a little frightened by her wild riding, no sex pun intended. They bounced off of the water roughly as she attempted to catch Fiona and Charlie, who was doing worse than they were.
"Let off on the turn, we don't want to flip the thing." James instructed.
Holly J nodded, doing as she was told, and actually passed Charlie who was forced to do a wide turn in order to compensate for her speed. James heard Holly J squeal in delight and smiled. She loved winning just like he did. Maybe more.
But James then realized that he was missing a participant in this race, two of them to be exact. Where were Declan and Jane? His eyes scanned the waters and found them missing for the moment. He did not worry much, but he did wonder if this had anything to do with their recent problem. Last night, there was a conversation about why men had a harder time saying 'I love you' than women (Fiona brought this up) and while Declan was proving that the two sexes were about equal with the predicament, Jane was noticeably quiet. Quiet enough for Holly J to force James to change the subject.
"We won!" James blinked. Had she really done this whole race by herself? "Jaime! We won!"
"I know." James lied. He was thankful that she did not turn around and see the lie in his eyes. "Um, where's your friend?"
"Hmm?" Holly J responded before looking around. "You're right. Where did they go? They owe me four hundred bucks!"
"You sound pissed." James said.
"I am! Those cheapskates think that they can con me?" Holly J said.
"Maybe you should calm down." James replied before a plot came into his mind. "Cool off maybe."
"I'll cool off when they pay up." Holly J said. She looked down to see James's hands snaking around her. "That's no way for me to cool off Jaime and you know it."
"Yeah, but this will." James said rocking over to the side, taking Holly J with him into the water.
As they plunged underwater, James saw Holly J's clearly unhappy face. The two stared at one another before she crossed his arms, apparently challenging him to see who could stay underwater longer. He only raised a brow, answering her challenge. The two stayed like that until she stuck her tongue out slightly, causing James to choke on a laughter. This forced him to resurface, Holly J soon following.
"You cheat a lot." James said as she swam close to him.
She kissed him. "Sore loser."
"Hey," Fiona said. James and Holly J were both shaken a bit, not even hearing the watercraft nearing them. "Where's Dex and Jane? They were just here a few minutes ago."
"Maybe they went back to the docks?" suggested James.
"We're going to see if they're there or not. You two don't drown each other. Or worse." James gave Fiona a nod and she and Charlie rode off.
"She's obviously jealous." James heard Holly J say. He gave a small shrug in the waters. "I hope everything is okay with Declan and Jane though. Last night…"
James frowned. "Is that what she called about?"
Holly J gave James a guilty look, knowing that she had lied and said it was Anya who called. Truthfully, she had not spoken to Anya since arriving in Hawaii.
"Come on," James said going to the Jet Ski. "Let's go find out what's wrong with your friend."
"Jaime," Holly J said. "Don't make it worse. Your aloofness about certain things normally bites you in the ass. Like not checking in with your mother, who calls Manny, who ruins our moments for nothing."
James smiled getting the subtle message. "I'll call her tonight."
Without another word, the two boarded the Jet Ski, James driving, and rode off to find their friends.
The ride back to the resort was nothing but silence. It was apparent that Jane had been crying sometime before James and Holly J met them back at the docks. Whatever occurred between she and Declan must have been pretty dramatic. But by the time they arrived at the resort, she seemed to be in a better mood.
"Girls' time." Fiona said taking Jane's and Charlie's hand. "Let's go."
James and Holly J exchanged a look before Holly J followed Fiona and the others. He then looked at Declan.
"My room." Declan said quietly.
James only nodded following his friend to the elevator to go to his suite. James knew that whatever it was, it must have been something huge for Jane to cry. James had never seen her cry before, but the smeared makeup was a dead giveaway that she had been.
Upon arriving at Declan's suite, James realized that Declan must have been just as shaken as he sighed heavily.
"So what's the problem mate? Jane looked pretty distress." James said.
Declan looked at James. "Let me ask you something. You ever plan a life with Manny or Holly J or even Fiona?" James frowned. "Just answer me."
"Something like that." James said.
"Jane wants us to 'get settled down' this year." Declan replied. "She's so bent on me saying I love her and…"
"Sophie?" Declan nodded a bit. "It's not easy, huh?"
Declan shook his head. "Honestly James, I don't see how you do it. You love Fiona, yet you're not afraid to do it again with Holly J, even though the same thing can happen again. Manny's having your son and you're still not worried about that."
"What are you getting at?" questioned James.
"You told Holly J that you loved her, right?" James nodded. "Well, do you love her more than you did or do Fiona and- or- Manny?"
James was now silent. The question had crossed his mind the moment after his and Holly J finished their sex two nights ago. He realized that no matter how hard he tried, Fiona's reappearance in his life only made him miss what they had more. That, and how badly he hated Laura Coyne, but that was beside the point.
"Mate, Jane isn't Sophie. She won't cheat on you." James said.
"I don't want to think that low of her," Declan stated. "But the facts are, she did cheat on her boyfriend once."
"For you!" James countered.
"It doesn't matter. She did." Declan said. "I don't know if I can trust her fully, you know? Kind of like how you trusted Fiona enough to actually live with her. There're certain things that she won't tell me, like she's the aunt of Mia's daughter," James's eyes widened. "And it makes me question her. A lot."
James sighed. "She'll always hide secrets from you. Holly J hides quite a few from me and I don't worry."
Declan shook his head. "Fiona didn't. You knew about Bobby's abuse before I did. And she tells me everything." Declan paused before frowning. "What else has she told you?"
"I haven't spoken to your sister since earlier this year. What do you think she's told me? Nothing." James stated, though the limited time he has had with Fiona, a lot of information was exchanged. "Look, how about you just talk to her? Sit her down and tell her how you feel about her keeping secrets. If that doesn't work, then maybe you're right. Maybe there is something to question."
"But… I think I love her." James blinked in shock at the statement. "I don't know another girl who gets me like she does. No one."
James swallowed hard. Fiona understood him like no other girl. He admitted that to Sean in early September.
"Just… Just talk to her mate." James said. "Tomorrow's our last day here and it'll be better to go home with a smile than drama. Must I remind you about the Vegas trip?"
Declan nodded. "I guess you have a point. Cards?"
James shrugged. "Sure mate. Just remember that you already owe me four hundred."
"Right."
After room service had delivered their wonderful meal, James and his friends ate in Declan's suite, speaking of their day. James kept an eye on Declan and Jane, seeing them sitting a lot closer than the previous night.
Holly J's cell phone rang.
"Damn it Anya…" the strawberry blonde stating and she rose to answer her phone out of the room. "Anya this had better be good…"
"Wow. Does she always answer the phone like that?" Fiona asked, looking directly at James.
James shrugged. "That's her polite voice."
"Oh…" Fiona said. "Well, tomorrow is our last day together…" Fiona saw Declan's eyebrows rise. "In Hawaii. I'll be back at NYU and you guys at UST… I'm going to miss you… All of you that is."
"Summer'll be here before you know it bird." James told her.
"That's so far away." Fiona said. "I can't wait that long to be back in Toronto."
"You hate Toronto, remember?" James eyed Declan as he said this. He knew what Declan was playing at, now that Jane seemed to be in a better mood.
Holly J returned into the living room and sat down on the floor near James again.
"Big problem." she said, gaining her boyfriend's attention. "Riley was kicked off of the team." James frowned at this. "Turns out he's been taking steroids. And when Anya confronted him about it…"
"He didn't hit her, did he?" James asked. Anya was a friend of his and an ex. If Riley touched her, no steroids in the world would save him.
"No, but he did trash our dorm pretty badly." James only released a small sigh of relief. "Um, I told her to stay with Chantay until we returned. And…"
"Oh brother…" Declan said.
"Shut up Coyne." Holly J stated before looking back at James. "I also told her she could stay at your place for a few days. Just until this blows over."
James sighed. "That's fine love. Just as long as he doesn't hit her, I'm alright."
Holly J kissed him. "That's why I love you."
It felt awkward for her to say that to him in front of people (i.e. Fiona) but James only smiled, preparing himself for the response that was fighting to reach his lips.
"I love you too." his voice almost cracked. He felt it. But he still kept the smile up.
"Well, if you two are done," began Fiona. "I want to say that it has been fun these past three days and tomorrow before we go, we should have breakfast together."
"That sounds like a great idea." Holly J said. "We'll be there bright and early."
Fiona gave Holly J a smile that James read as a fake smile. Though it seemed innocent and pleasant enough, he knew that the two women were not in each others' graces right now.
"Fi, Jaime, can I talk to you two for a sec?" Declan asked.
"Sure mate." James said getting up slowly, Fiona following suit.
Declan led the two out of the suite into the hall. James had no clue on what he was about to say and he figured neither did Fiona. But from how Declan looked at them, James knew that his friend had cooked something up.
"Alright, it's just the three of us. Talk." Declan said.
James frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Fi. Talk." Declan said.
"Talk about what Declan?" Fiona asked, though James clearly saw the anger in her eyes. She knew what Declan was talking about.
Declan was obviously not intimidated by his sister's anger, something that James felt was slightly wrong. Declan always did his best to avoid Fiona's anger and depression. There had to be a good cause for him to go against his normal code of conduct.
"James," Declan said. "Fiona wants to tell you how badly she misses you and how she wants you to be back with her." James's eyes went from Declan's to Fiona's, though she was too busy glaring at her brother. "She told me last night how she couldn't sleep because-"
"You know what Declan," Fiona said, he voice raised with rage. "Fuck you! I can tell Jaime just how I feel without you butting in! If you don't like Charlie that much, just say so!" James and Declan were both taken back a bit as Fiona has never really shouted before. "You always do this! Whenever you can't do something, you bring up what other people have trouble doing! Why not just tell Jane that you're afraid of loving her and stop worrying about my life!"
"I'm doing this so he can stop you from drinking! Again!" Declan retorted.
James frowned. "You began drinking?"
Now it was Fiona who was quiet. James looked in-between the two siblings, remembering a time where he would not even care about getting in the middle of siblings arguing, and now nearly depending on it.
"Fiona, tell me, have you been drinking?" James asked again.
"Last night." she answered quietly.
"Does Charlie know?" Fiona shook her head. "You have to tell her bird."
"She'll leave me as soon as she knows." Fiona told him.
"Fi, you can't do this to yourself again." James said. "Did you try that trick they told you? Naming things around you to get your mind off of things?"
Fiona sighed. "Of course I did. But every time I described the things around me I kept getting stuck on one thing."
James knew what that one thing was; him and Holly J being together. He looked at Declan who was currently staring at the ceiling, something James learned he did when thinking heavily on something. Something must have gone on between the two last night or today.
"Can we just drop this?" Fiona asked.
"Sure." Declan said moving in-between Fiona and James to get back into the suite. "Whatever you want Fi."
James heard the door close behind him before he looked at Fiona.
"You're never going to forgive me, are you?" Fiona said to James. "I shouldn't have left with my mom. I should've told you about the Declan thing."
"Why did you leave?" asked James.
"I thought… I thought I'd be helping." Fiona replied. "If I left with my mom, my parents would be happy. After a while I would return with you and everything would be alright. But when they said NYU… I knew I made a mistake."
"I'm going to go back inside." James said. "The less we talk about this, the better."
"Why?" James reached for the doorknob.
"I don't want you drinking about it." James said. "The more we reminisce about it, the more you think about it. And we both have to go back to school and work and this isn't what we need. Charlie and Holly J… They don't deserve this."
"You're right but I can't just stop thinking about it like you." Fiona said.
"Just promise me that you won't drink again Fiona." James stated. "Please."
Fiona only stared at James before placing her hand on his on the doorknob.
"Like you," Fiona replied. "I can't make that promise."
"What's that supposed to mean?" James asked.
Fiona did not answer, just opening the door and stepping inside. James took a moment to gather himself before going back to the others inside.
"Hey," Holly J said to him quietly. "Everything alright? I've never seen you and the Coyne twins mad."
"It's fine." James answered.
"Jaime," James looked at Holly J, her eyes showing her concern. "Are you sure?"
James glanced at Declan, who sat with one arm around Jane's shoulder, and then at Fiona, who was too far in her thoughts to pay attention to Charlie.
"Yeah." James said looking at Holly J. "Everything's fine."
James saw the look in Holly J's eyes and knew that she was far from letting this drop. But for the sake of the night, she just leaned into him. For the first time in months, James hesitated to actually put an arm around her. His eyes traveled up to meet Fiona's, the two staring at one another for what seemed like an eternity. James only had one thought in his head as he stared at the brunette.
The more she was gone, the more he longed for her. And sooner or later, he would have her any- and everyway. Or so he hopes.