I just want all of you AMAZING readers (who have given me the most AMAZING feedback! THANK YOU!) to know that I do not own anything, that the ages are a little jacked up because of the timeline I have started things at, and that I love you all for clicking the link that lead you to this crazy story. Thank all of you that reviewed and/or favorite-ed and/or followed my story.
Important-ish: Soccer season has started up again, and I have either been busy at practice, with homework, or just too tired to write. So most of my chapters are probably going to be a little late... sorry.
Short chapter, I will give you a longer one soon.
Chapter 29: Lighter Security = Big Oops..
Nicolette fixed her hair in a high ponytail and adjusted her green and white polka dotted tankini top and jean shorts. She slipped on her boots and grabbed her phone before heading out of her room and into the lounge area where her father and mother were sitting- both reading books while the others watched TV.
"Where are you going?" Christian asked, looking up from his book when he spotted his daughter- dressed for the beach.
"It's barge night. We're going to have fun for two or three hours before heading back home. That's all these parties usually last, especially when we're out in the water. It's OK if I go?" Nicolette asked.
"I heard sharks come out and feed at night." Christian stated.
"Haven hasn't had a shark attack for nearly twenty years. We're barely in the water when we do this, I won't even need security." Nicolette shrugged.
Christian glared at his daughter as she stood in front of him.
"Will there be alcohol and/or drugs there. And do explain why you feel like you don't need security." He ordered.
"No, there will not be any drugs or alcohol there to my knowledge, and again, we've been doing this since we were eight. We know how to stay safe and we know what to do if there is that theoretical shark attack." Nicolette groaned.
"I really think we have two very different views on that." Christian hissed, Nicolette flinched.
"Dad, really, four grown men hanging around a bunch of partying teenagers- how much fun will they have dad?" Nicolette asked.
"They get paid to watch and protect you, not have fun." Christian hissed. Ana and Mia flinched, knowing what it was like to be the object of Christian's anger.
"Dad, we are in the middle of no where. What could possibly happen?" Nicolette asked.
"I. Said. No. You are far more important to me alive than dead." Christian ground out.
"What could possibly happen? Chances are the boys will get us girls out of there and take out the bad guy before the bad guy could say 'oops', chivalry is not dead here." Nicolette defended.
Christian just glared at her.
"Dad. I'm just asking for three hours without five grown men waiting for me to brake a nail to tell you that something is wrong."
"Daughter. I'm just asking that you take Sawyer, Strong and Ryan with you. And for the record, they don't call me if you break a nail." Christian snorted.
"So what is the issue? Dad, I'm never going to get better if I feel like I have to keep looking over my shoulder all the time. And the three grown men that follow me everywhere, not only make me nervous, but my friends to. I feel like I can't be normal with someone who is old enough to be my father listen to all our conversations about boys." Nicolette argued. Christian sighed, he knew she was right. But he couldn't let her be alone with them.
"Just take Ryan with you. Only Ryan. I'm not going to let you go alone, but I will lighten security a bit. Just a precaution." Christian said levelly, Nicolette shrugged her shoulders, but saw a compromise when she was offered one.
"Alright. Thank you." Nicolette smiled a little.
"Since I compromised with security, can you compromise and put some more clothes on?" Christian asked, Nicolette looked down at her outfit.
"No, I'm probably going to take the shorts and boots off before I get on the boat anyway." Nicolette shrugged, Christian rolled his eyes causing everyone to laugh.
Five minutes and some goodbyes later, Nicolette left the B&B with Ryan.
Five minutes after that they were pulling into the dock.
"Miss Grey, I don't want any funny business tonight. If I say don't do something, please don't do it." Ryan ordered. Nicolette nodded with a smile.
"I may be a teenager, Ryan, but I'm not a stupid teenager." Nicolette grinned. Ryan nodded and exited the SUV. Adverting his eyes while Nicolette stripped off her shorts, leaving her green and white polka dotted swimsuit bottoms on, and removed her boots and socks.
Ryan looked at the medium sized barge warily, calculating everything that could go wrong. Sharks, engine failure, someone goes over board, drowning, getting caught in the propellers, and so much more.
How did he get stuck doing this again?
Damn.
It turned out that the boat was also home to it's own lighthouse deal, where it lit up thirty feet of water all around the boat so that the teens could see what was going on in that area.
As the seconds turned to minutes and the minutes turned into an hour Ryan watched as Nicolette danced and sang with her friends. Some of the guys had sprayed everyone- including him- with a water hose as they started pushing people into the water and 'swim buddies' were determined. Of course Nicolette paired up with Max and Ryan, as the latter was toast if something happened to her.
As time reached the two hour mark Ryan noticed Nicolette and Max jumping into the water themselves.
And then a shrill scream.
"SHARK!"