Shore Party

While the resort staff member drove us to the docks. Sarah and her sister, Milly rode with me on the smaller golf cart. The driver was a sixteen-year-old kid, smiling like a goof at Milly. She rolled her eyes. She held a black speaker tapping on her phone before a country song blared through it. For such a small speaker, I would have never guessed the magnitude of volume the thing had. I watch Lily kick her leg out of the moving golf cart and turns back looking at our cart. She cheered on Milly. Milly smiled turning it up even louder! All of the women began joining Lily as they scream sang the lyrics through the resort. We ignored all the stares from other guests and staff.

"Who is this?" I ask Sarah. She smiles at me rolling her eyes. "Girl, 'ur too city! This is Shania Twain! "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”” She yelled loudly over the music.

I started to move back and forth at the beat of the song until I caught on to the lyrics a little. Shouting out. "Man! I feel like a woman!" With the rest of the girls. Sarah smiled at me, elbowing me. I smile back at her. If I was being honest, I think we just had our first real moment together. The song was coming to an end when we stopped in front of the docks. Which were swarming with people. The attention of most of the crowd on us because the music was so loud. The crowd cheered us on. Lily hopped off the golf cart as Luke made his way to her. He scooped her up in his arms. Stella, Heather and others took a picture of the loving couple. I purposely kept my eyes down, praying I wouldn't make eye contact with Wayne. There was at least a hundred people here. All loading up on boats. I follow Sarah off the golf cart. A few whistles came our way when we approached the couple.

"We are on boat four!" Lily called out to us once Luke was done smooching her face. I again follow Sarah, some of the other women were greeting their men. Milly, Sarah and I putting the "S" in single.

"Damn, Baily Smitt is back!" I hear a voice. I look down the dock. Trent was hanging off a boat waving at me from their pontoon. I smile at him with a wave. When he came into view. Wayne looked hot as ever in his black swim trunks. His flawless body on display. I look him up and down before meeting his eyes. He looked as he had this morning. Emotionless. I feel myself frown before turning and stepping onto the boat. I wonder why he was so different now. He seems so far away, but so painstakingly close.

Milly, Sarah and I find our seats. Sarah sits next to me, and I move down the leather seat some. She gave me a facial expression expressing her confusion.

"Last time we were by water together you tried to kill me. Remember?"

Sarah gives a half grin, rolling her eyes. "But did ya die?" She asked. I busted out a laugh, causing her and Milly to laugh too. My first laugh in so long. It felt so good.

Once everyone was loaded into the boat and our life jackets on. The resort staff members unwrapped the rope connecting the boat to the dock, pushing it out before hopping on to it. Our boat left first with Luke's in toe. I kept my attention to the front of the boat. Lily handed out drinks to each of us. We all downed the premade shots in small plastic shot glasses. She then handed each of us another. She held up the shot glass, all of us followed suit. We stood, posing for Stella at the front of the boat. We threw our heads back all downing it. The liquor burning my throat as it traveled down. The alcohol making me feel daring and I shouted.

"To one hell of a party!" The girls cheered and so did the boat behind us. Lily hugged me tightly; I hugged her back as hard as I could. Sammy joined in on the hug.

When we got close to the shore. The beach was covered with people. Bars set up along the beach. When the resort staff boat driver named Frank stopped and anchored the boat. The guy's boat stopping next to ours. Everyone started stripping off their life jackets. I reluctantly did the same. Leaving me in my pink sash and black bikini. We once again posed for the camera when we all got into the water. Luke and his group of men did the same.

Stella herded us over to Luke. He scooped up Lily again, they were too cute. The rest of us grouped around them. Sammy wrapped her arm over my shoulder, Darren on her other side. Wayne, Timmy, Trent and John hopped back up on the boat. Standing behind the couple. I tried so hard to keep my gaze from him, but it was more difficult than I’d like to admit. After the group photos everyone dispersed. Lily being the social butterfly I knew her to be, was floating around on her butterfly wings. Everyone wanting to talk to the beautiful bride to be.

Sarah oddly stayed with me, and chit chatted. She told me about the bridesmaids' dresses. Each one of us had a different dress. Some pastel blue, some blush pink and some sage green. The men's tie matches their aisle partner. I knew exactly who my partner was. I look up, Wayne wasn’t too far away from me. His back to me while he talked to a man I’ve never met. His back sculpted with masses of muscle. Why was he so attractive? It was annoying.

One thing I was glad for was when I did catch Wayne with my eyes. He never had a woman on his arm. Not for the lack of trying on the women’s part. He at least respected my pain. I could give him that.

Mario eventually showed up with Logan and Taz. Which did surprise me. Sarah jumped off the back of the pontoon where she was sitting with me. The water splashing and whooshing around her. Mario noticed her with a smile looking past Wayne. His eyes traveled up noticing me.

His grin got wide, he waved at me. I gave him a small wave back when Wayne turned back to look. Now I was sitting by myself. Great. I look around for anyone familiar but there were so many people here. A huge sign read out. “CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. & MRS. TO BE!” I hop up and walk to the cooler on the boat. I pull out a pink wine cooler. I already had a buzz and knew I’d be vomiting tonight from the mixture of drinks in my stomach. I downed it before grabbing one more. I place my drink down as I sit. Then jump into the water from the back of the boat. The water reached my belly button. I walk around the water catching eyes of many. My sash getting wet. When I found Lily, she was laughing with her friends, Sammy too.

“Hey.” I hear behind me. I turn to see a brunette man. He was the first man here that reminded me of the city. His hair buzzed on the sides, the longer hair on the top of his head combed back. It was messy but very attractive. He had sharp features, a pointy nose, and thin lips. His body toned but not anything like Wayne or even Luke's. His bright blue fitted swim shorts clung to him. Tattoos littered his body. All down his arms, chest, even his legs. His hazel green eyes smiling at me.

"Hey.” I say softly. His face broke out into a smile. He grabbed the bottom of my sash with his pointer finger and thumb lifting it slightly. He raised his eyebrow at me before letting it go.

"Maid of Mother Fucking Honor.” I say before he can ask.

"Awe, so ‘ur part of the wedding chaos round here.” I was surprised to hear a hint of a southern accent. He didn’t look like no ‘Bama boy.

"Yup. The Richardson's wedding.” He smiled at me when I said Richarson.

“They sure as hell know how ta throw a party.” His southern accent not thick like most around here but still slightly noticeable. I nod, smiling at him. Evening was turning into night, and I wondered how long this wild party would be.

"I’m Bailey.” I say holding my hand out to him. He took it, gently shaking it.

"Well, Bailey Maid of Mother Fuckin’ Honor. I’m Trey.” He says his smile still present.

“So, do you crash wedding parties often?” I ask him after our hands had stayed connected for longer than needed. He smiled cheekily at me. He was about to say something until his phone rang. He grabbed it out of his shorts pocket.

"You carry your phone around in the water?” I ask raising my eyebrow.

"Get with the times Miss. Waterproof cases.” He said tapping his phone case. I roll my eyes with a smile while he looked at his screen.

“I gotta take this. One sec.”

I nod, scanning the party for someone familiar. Sarah, Mario, Lily and Luke were playing floating beer pong now. I scanned the party for the one person I shouldn’t be.

Wayne.

He was in the boat. A red headed woman leaning over his lap trying desperately to catch his attention. Irrational jealousy raged within me.

"Yeah, Mama just let me talk ta him.” I heard Trey say a little loudly. I look back at him, his back was to me now. My eyes scan down his tattooed back. To the dimples right before his butt.

"Listen buddy, can ya just listen to ‘ur Granny?” Trey spoke into the phone.

"Yeah, yeah. Okay Imma take off here soon. See you soon buddy.” Trey brought his phone down from his ear, hanging it up.

“Sorry, my kid. He's always up to no good.” He said with a tired smile. That one smile that I noticed most parents had.

"How old?” I ask.

"He just turned six but ya would think he was a teenager with the attitude.”

I smile at his words.

"I love kids.” I tell him.

"How many ya got?” He questioned.

“Oh, no. I have none. I’m about to be a teacher.”

Trey's smile brightened, showing his white teeth. “That’s awesome. I’m sure the boys will be excited ta come ta class.” He winked at me. I rolled my eyes, but I felt the smile on my face.

"Well Bailey MOMFH. I gotta hit it. My boy won’t stop causin’ trouble till I get home.”

"Nice to meet you, Trey.” He scanned me once then twice. He waved me off with a smile before leaving the water and walking up to the shore. He looked back at me a couple times, I awkwardly waved at him.

“Bailey!!! Come play!” Lily yelled out to me. I turn in her direction. She was waving dramatically. She was definitely intoxicated. I smile walking through the water to my best cousin. My eyes caught Wayne’s. We shared eye contact for a few brief moments.

I noticed the red headed woman hanging on him. Both his hands he kept to himself. I frown at the image before me. He frowned slightly too. I look away before I got too emotional. I shake it off before approaching Lily with a bright smile that would fib anyone.