“Then it wouldn’t be bonding.”
“Oh. I didn’t realize this was a roommate bonding experience.” I stupidly followed Brody and Macon to the boat. “Does this constitute stealing? If so, it’s a felony offense, and I’m not going to jail.” A voice in the back of my head nagged me that it would keep me out of med school if I reapplied. Hearing that voice made me more determined to follow through with the plan.
“You can say we forced you.” Macon grinned. Noticing I wasn’t smiling in return, he continued. “Even if we did get caught, which we won’t, my boss wouldn’t press charges.”
“You say that now.”
Macon stopped walking and took my face in his hands. “We are not going to jail. This is going to be fun.”
I nodded, and that must have been enough for him because he continued onto the boat.
Macon barely waited for us to sit before starting the engine. My stomach did flip-flops. I liked scuba diving, but doing it at night seemed different. I kept picturing all the sea creatures that were scary enough when I could see them.
Macon stopped the boat and put down an anchor with a line. “You can even hold on to the line on the way down.”
“Gee, that makes it so much better.”
Macon tossed me a wetsuit before stripping down to his swim trunks and stepping into his own suit. “Just get changed.”
Despite my reservations, I couldn’t turn down the challenge. I pulled off my t-shirt, hesitating with my skirt once I noticed the two sets of eyes on me. “Umm, is there a reason you’re both staring at me?”
“Do we really have to answer that?” Brody grinned.
“I’m one hundred percent certain you’ve both seen girls in bikinis before—including me.” I stepped out of my skirt and started to put on my wetsuit. At some point if I kept diving, I needed to get my own. It always felt gross wearing something close to my body that I knew lots of other people had worn.
“It’s different watching you take off your clothes.” Macon started pulling out more gear.
I sat back down and sorted through the equipment he gave me. “You’re going to double-check I do this correctly.”
“Of course. You’re in good hands.”
I waited as Macon checked my regulator and gauges. He helped me into my BC and defogged my mask. Although the scuba gear worked great in the water, the equipment felt cumbersome on the surface.
Completely outfitted, I stood by the railing. “How are we going to find the boat? What if it moves?”
“It’s not moving. I won’t let you out of my sight, and I promise you’ll be safe.” Macon was done making fun of me. Maybe he realized I was nervous.
“How are we going to see?”
“With this.” He handed me a tiny flashlight.
“This? Aren’t the lights supposed to be bigger?”
“This is plenty considering how bright the moon is.” He glanced up at the full moon illuminating the sky.
“Want me to go first?” Brody asked Macon.
“Sure. I’ll make sure Maddy gets in okay.”
Ordinarily, I might have complained about the insinuation that I couldn’t jump into the water myself, but considering how nervous I was, I didn’t mind.
Brody jumped in, and I followed. Macon came behind me.
Under the water I realized what Macon meant about the light. The moon lit up the water with an eerie glow. I stayed close to the guys and marveled at how different everything looked. There was something surreal about spending time under the water, and it was only enhanced by the night.
I shuddered as something brushed against me. I turned and came face-to-face with a giant set of teeth. I started to panic, ready to head back up to the surface when Macon put his hand on my arm. His touch calmed me down enough to really look. It was grouper. A goliath grouper.
After my near freak-out, I spent a few more minutes enjoying the reef before moving back up to the surface after a brief safety stop.
Back on the boat, the adrenaline hit me. “That was awesome!”
Macon laughed. “I told you it would be. And the grouper didn’t eat you.”
I hit him on the arm. “That thing was scary.”
“I know. You did really well.”
“Thanks.” I beamed at the compliment. “I would totally do that again.”
Brody gasped. “You’d risk the felony?”
“Maybe next time we’ll do it with permission.” I stripped off my wetsuit and grabbed a towel.
Both Macon and Brody smiled.
“What?”
“Did you really think I stole the boat?”
“Wait? Did you ask in advance?”
Macon cracked up. “Of course. I’m not a complete idiot.”
“Then why did you let me think you didn’t?” I took a seat as Macon pulled up the anchor.
“It enhanced the bonding experience. You thought you were breaking the law with us.”
“You’re lucky I’m still on an adrenaline high.”
“Oh yeah? What would you have done to me?”
“You don’t want to know.”
They both laughed.
Macon started the engine, and we headed back to the marina. I wrapped the towel tighter around me as the wind picked up. “What’s the off-season like? Is it going to be different?”
“It’s quiet…kind of boring, but then again, you don’t have to deal with tourists.” Macon gazed up at the clear sky.
“Max said he’ll give me some shifts, but it’s not going to be as many.” I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Free time wasn’t exactly something I needed, and less money didn’t sound appealing.
“If you’re worried about rent, don’t.”
“Thanks, but I should make it.”
“I’m just saying I don’t care.”
“Oh yeah? I don’t have to pay rent anymore?” I looked out at the water.
“You have to pay rent if you can. I’m not going to throw you out though.”
“Good to know I won’t have to turn to the streets.” I bit back a smile.
“I’m glad you’re sticking around.” Brody patted my arm.
“Yeah? Me too. I don’t know what I’d do otherwise.”
“When are you going to tell your parents?” Macon leaned back.
“And you had to go and ruin the bonding.” I sighed dramatically. I had no desire to talk to my parents, let alone to tell them I was extending my time at the beach. All they’d do was nag me about reapplying to med school.