Ariel

 

“Fine, you big baby, sleep longer,” I tell him giving up on getting him up and moving anytime soon. I walk out into the living room and join Levi, Carson and Rainey. “He won’t budge, he wants to sleep for a few more hours. I guess we’ll join you later at the beach,” I tell them while crossing my arms over my chest and sulking.

“Why don’t you just leave him a note and come with us anyways. Carson and Levi will be with us, you’ll be safe.”

“You’re right, for some reason I’m wide awake and full of energy. I’ll do that, let me get a pen and paper from the desk and jot down a note telling him I’ll be with y’all and he can meet us at the beach.” I run to the desk and grab the utensils I’ll need and write him a short and sweet, to the point note.

 

Dillon,

I tried waking you up to go with us, you insisted on a couple more hours of sleep. I have decided to join the others for breakfast and morning beach time. Get yourself some breakfast when you wake up and come join us for a day of sun and fun.

Love you,

Ariel

 

P.S…Carson and Levi are with us so don’t worry, I’ll be fine...

Forever yours,

~Ariel

 

I go into the bedroom and set the note down on my pillow. Surely, he won’t miss it there…right? The four of us set out to join the others in the hotel lobby so we can go in together to the restaurant. Marcus, Emory and Mom are sitting on a bench downstairs waiting on us when we arrive.

“Where’s Dillon?” Mom asks me.

“He wanted to sleep a little longer, he’ll meet us once he’s up.”

“We’ve done tuckered the poor boy out huh?” Mom says with a smile on her face.

“Apparently, it’s a lot of work keeping up with us and our shopping expeditions,” I say causing everyone to laugh at my words. Mom is a lot to handle on her own, add the rest of us girls to the mix and it’s trouble in the making.

“How are you feeling, Mom?” Rainey asks her.

“I’m good, I have a new lease on life and I’m not taking a moment of it for granted. I’m living life to the fullest and not looking back. The day I meet my maker I want to make sure I look back with no regrets.”

“Let’s not talk about you and meeting your maker, Mom,” I tell her.

“No shit!” Rainey pipes up. “Recent events have made that hit a little too close to home for my comfort. No talks of the Grim Reaper making any type of appearance—in any of our lives.”

“Agreed,” Em says.

“Alright ladies, let’s get some grub and get this day started,” Marcus tells us. We leave the lobby and head in to fill our stomachs.

 

 

Four hours later, I’m laid back on a sun lounge and catching some rays. I haven’t been brave enough to venture out into the water. I’ve heard stories of parasites and jelly-fish and there’s no way either of those are coming anywhere near me.

“Ummm…. honey,” Mom calls my name to gather my attention her way. “Are you sure Dillon knew where we’d be?”

“Yes, Mom, I left him a note.”

“Well, he looks like a raging bull in a china shop heading our way. Three o’clock,” she calls out like we’re on a mission. I look over my shoulder and sure enough the look on his face makes my earlier comments about not wanting to be in the water disappear. Wonder if I could make it to the water before he makes it to me…he looks pissed!

“Ariel Lynn Masters!” Oh fuck my life, he’s pulled out the middle name, I’m in trouble and I don’t even know what I’ve done wrong.

“Yes,” I reply sweetly, batting my eyelashes his way.

“Don’t you dare bat those beautiful blues at me, woman! What the fuck, Ariel! How could you leave the room without me, was it really so hard to crawl into bed next to me for a little more shut eye?” Oh, he’s really fuming. My mind drifts to things I could say to appease him right now, however my snarky mouth makes an appearance.

“Yes, yes it was,” I say.

“How hard is it to understand! You. Do. Not. Go. Anywhere. Without Me!”

“Uh-oh, them’s fighting words,” Rainey can’t help but add in her snarkiness.

“Stay out of this, Rainey!” he snaps at her…oh hell to the no. Those are my sisters, no one but me talks to them like that!

“Do not talk to her like that, Dillon! What the fuck crawled up your ass?”

“You.”

“Me? And how exactly did I do that? I left you a note, the guys are here—it’s all good, I’m safe.”

“Yeah? And where exactly are Marcus, Levi and Carson right now?” he asks me, placing his hands on his hips, getting ready for a showdown.

“In the water, right over there,” I say pointing at them.

“Exactly! Answer me this, how is it they could protect you from there? If they’re in the water, and someone comes up to grab you, how is it exactly that they’ll make it here in time to stop it?”

“Dillon,” Mom calls his name. “Do you honestly believe I would just sit here and let someone take my baby girl?”

“Glory, do you really think you, or any of you could fight off a man all on your own? This guy is dangerous and wouldn’t think twice about shooting you three on the spot to get what he wants…my woman!”

“Point taken, could you stop screaming now?” Em says to him. “We get it okay, we won’t do it again.”

“Do you have any idea how fucking scared I was, Ariel?” he asks while sitting down on my lounger with me.

“I’m sorry, baby, I thought it would be okay as long as I was with the guys.”