Slipway Grey: A Deep Sea Thriller (6 page)

Chapter 10

The Present

“Holy shit, this place is a palace!” Glenn whipped his head around, taking in the spectacle that was the Rivers’ beach house.

The group of teenagers stood in the foyer, in awe of how the other half lived. A sprawling living room equipped with two massive wall-mounted televisions and plushy couches gave way to a granite countertop and stainless steel kitchen. Luke and Glenn didn’t know what to do next. Chet tossed his overnight bag on the couch and plopped down, turning the TV to SportsCenter. An analyst’s voice boomed through the surround sound speakers and filled the house.

“Turn it down,” Desmond said, as he and Serena walked into the kitchen. Mandy and Sarah stood with Luke and Glenn.

“This is incredible,” Luke said, and Mandy smiled.

“Yeah, just a little place to enjoy the weekend. We have six bedrooms upstairs, each with its own bathroom, so pick one, and make yourselves at home. There is one room at the end of the hall my stepdad used for business, so I ask you to stay out of there. It’s kind of private and hasn’t been opened since the day they died. The kitchen should have plenty of food and drinks, so eat if you’re hungry. You might want to put something in your stomach after the drinks you had tonight.”

“Get me a beer if you’re going in the kitchen,” Chet said to Luke—an order, not a request.

“Man, get your own fuckin’ beer,” Luke said, the liquid courage still in his system.

Glenn, Sarah, and Mandy laughed noisily. Glenn slapped Luke on the back. Luke couldn’t believe he’d just said that.

“Bunch of assholes,” Chet said. He hopped off the couch and strode into the kitchen.

“I have to go check on the boathouse and fish cleaning station. On some weekends, my stepdad’s friends will use the place to clean fish and stuff. They usually leave a mess, and the whole place stinks of fish guts,” Mandy said.

“Want some company?” Sarah said. She grabbed Mandy’s hand softly and pressed against her. Mandy pulled away.

“It’s cool. I’ll take care of it. Just unpack. I’ll be back soon.”

Mandy turned and walked out of the house, leaving the three alone. Luke glanced at Sarah and noticed her eyes misting with tears. It seemed the dance and kiss the two girls had shared earlier meant a little something more to Sarah than it did to Mandy. Glenn broke the tension.

“Sarah, what say you and I share a room? Seems everyone is paired up for the most part, and you shouldn’t be alone tonight.”

Sarah looked at Glenn as if the boy had sprouted a second head. With a sarcastic laugh, she walked away, joining the rest of the group in the kitchen.

“Can’t say I didn’t try,” Glenn said.

“Guess the pills didn’t work,” Luke replied, coldly.

“Oh man, don’t be like that.”

“Whatever. Let’s go check out the rooms.”

The duo passed the whoops and laughs coming from the kitchen. Luke heard ice clinking in glasses and beer tabs pulled open. It was going to be a long night of drinking, and Luke was excited to finally fit in. He rushed up the stairs to select a bedroom. The sooner he unpacked, the quicker this party could start.

*

The cool Gulf breeze sent a shiver down Mandy’s spine as she hugged her arms around her chest. Soft beach grasses lightly kissed her bare legs as sand filled her sandals with each step. The sand gave way to wood as she stepped onto the dock that led to the boathouse and cleaning station. She removed the padlock from the door and stepped inside, turning on the overhead light. The boat rocked against the gentle waves, and she stared into the blackness of the night behind it. She walked over to the cleaning station and shook her head in disappointment.

Brownish specks were still visible on the white plastic sink. She removed a rag from the shelf next to the sink and scrubbed the spots away, using water from a short, plastic hose. A splash in the Gulf caught her attention, and she turned off the hose.

“Is that you, Grey?” She dropped to her knees and flicked her fingers in the water.

The massive dorsal fin broke the surface, allowing her hands to touch it before dipping back down into the black water. Mandy smiled and licked her fingers, tasting the briny flavor of the sea. The massive body of the beast below rubbed against the boat, smacking it into the wall of the dock.

“You hungry, boy? Well, I’ll give you a little snack now, but I don’t want you to fill up. There’s going to be plenty to eat soon.”

She laughed manically and smiled like a demon. Walking over to the refrigerator next to the sink, she opened it and dipped her free hand inside, removing a flabby chunk of flesh. It was the last piece. She flung it into the water, and it bobbed on the surface.

There was a bright flash of teeth and wide black eyes that rolled over into lifeless white spheres. The meat disappeared. It did Mandy good to see Grey enjoying it.

The meat had left a trail of blood. She turned the hose back on, washing the evidence away. The dark fin cut the water, and for a second, Mandy was tempted to join him for a swim. She decided against that, as she didn’t want to explain why she was all wet when returning to the house. She looked around, made sure everything was in order, and turned off the light. She’d just closed the door when a shadow appeared behind her. Mandy screamed and dropped the lock. It hit the water with a plop.

“Jesus, Sarah, you scared the shit out of me.”

“Sorry. You were gone for a while. I wanted to make sure everything was okay.”

“Yeah, everything’s fine. It was a mess, like I thought it’d be. Took me forever to clean up.”

“Men, who needs them?” Sarah seductively smiled and moved in closer.

Mandy’s heart sped up as the intoxicating aroma of perfume, sweat, and smoke invaded her senses. She wasn’t sure why, but the smell of someone coming home from a bar always turned her on.

“Sarah…” Mandy started and never finished, unable to speak as Sarah nibbled on her neck.

Mandy closed her eyes and rubbed her hands through Sarah’s hair, allowing the passion to overtake her. She brought her face up, and they kissed, long and slow, not for show like the display at the bar. She broke the embrace.

“We need to get back before Chet comes looking for me,” Mandy said.

Sarah sighed. “What do you see in that retard anyway?”

“I’m not gay…not all the way, anyway. I still like dick. Sorry, Sarah, but you know that.”

“I know. Just one of these days, though, I’m going to change your mind.”

Sarah smiled, and the moonlight made her look even more irresistible. Mandy debated letting her try right there on the beach, but instead grabbed her hand. The two walked back to the beach house. She heard a splash in the water, and all she could think was, soon.

*

“Come on you pussy! Drink!” Chet screamed as Desmond cheered.

Luke shotgunned beer number four and slammed the aluminum can down on the table. The guys let out loud cheers while Serena rolled her eyes. The door closed, and Mandy and Sarah entered the room.

“Babe, where you been all my life?” Chet grabbed Mandy and twirled her around. She laughed as he let her down.

Sarah rolled her eyes and grabbed the bottle of vodka and a can of cranberry juice. Luke watched as she poured a drink that resembled slightly pink vodka. She picked it up and chugged it. She poured another which she downed just as fast.

“Let’s move this party out to the deck,” Mandy said.

Everyone fixed their drinks and marched through the double French doors which led to a large outdoor deck overlooking the bay. Waves crashing and the calls of night birds gave Luke a sense of tranquility. Chet and Desmond stacked wood in a large fire pit and lit crumpled old newspaper to get the fire started. Within minutes, a roaring inferno was ablaze, mixing heat with the cool breeze. The teens pulled chairs around the fire and sat. For a moment, no one spoke.

“I’d like to propose a toast to Mandy,” Luke said, holding his drink in the air. “Thank you for inviting us to your beach house.”

The others raised their glasses. Mandy blushed. “It’s nothing, you guys. I just wanted to spend time with everyone before we go our separate ways.”

“So what are we doing?” Desmond asked. “It’s getting late, and I’m thinking of turning in for the night.”

“Turning in? Don’t be a bitch, bro,” Chet said, punching Desmond in the arm.

“We could play a game,” Glenn said.

“Let’s play Spin the Bottle,” Chet said. “That way Luke can get his first kiss.”

“Maybe he’ll land on Mandy,” Glenn said.

She laughed, and Chet looked pissed.

“How about Truth or Dare?” Serena said. “I haven’t played that since ninth grade.”

They all agreed Truth or Dare sounded like fun, and the game began. It started innocently enough. Typical questions about who were their ‘firsts’ at everything, Desmond ran around the beach naked, Mandy flashed everyone, and to everyone’s delight, each girl took a turn kissing one another.

“Truth or Dare?” Glenn asked Sarah.

“Truth.”

“Are you into me?” Glenn smiled wide.

“Furthest from it,” Sarah replied, and his smile dropped.

“Is it because you’re a lesbian?” Desmond asked.

“Desmond!” Serena slapped him on the arm. “That’s pretty rude.”

“No, it’s okay,” Sarah said. “Yes, everyone, I am a lesbian. Have been my whole life.”

“No way,” Chet said. “But you dated Dane Sino for a year until he went off to college. Y’all were always together.”

“I’ll tell you all something since he already graduated. He was gay. Very gay. We hung around each other so no one would know.”

“I knew that fag was checking me out the entire time we would shower after practice,” Chet said.

“Trust me,” Sarah said. “He talked about that. He preferred guys with a bit more…packaging.”

Desmond spit out his drink and let out a loud, boisterous laugh. Chet turned a deep shade of red. Luke and Glenn were too stunned to say anything.

“I’ve always been a grower, not a shower. Sorry if dudes don’t turn me on.”

“You’re more than enough for me,” Mandy said, patting him on the leg.

He brushed her hand away.

“My turn now,” Sarah said. “Mandy, Truth or Dare.”

“Truth. I’m not scared.”

“Have you had a crush on someone else while you’ve dated Chet?”

“What kind of fucking question is that?” Chet asked.

“It’s just a harmless game. So Mandy, answer the question.”

“Okay, fine. The answer is yes. There’s another
guy
I think is kind of cute.”

The look Sarah shot her could cut glass. Mandy stared at Luke for a moment.

Luke felt his breath start to leave him. Was she talking about him? He didn’t know, but a nagging voice in his head urged him to use this weekend to find out.

“What the fuck?” Chet said.

“Oh, Chet, chill out. It’s not like anything would or will happen. Besides, this goes into my next question. Chet, Truth or Dare?”

“Truth, and I’m not showing my cock to anyone either, or talking about it.”

“Have you hooked up with any of the girls here?” Mandy stared at him. The smile was gone.

An uneasy silence drifted over as both Serena and Sarah stared at their feet. Desmond looked at Serena, but she refused to return eye contact.

“Well, I…I want to switch my answer to Dare.”

“The fuck you do, man,” Desmond said. He stood and pointed at Chet. “You’ve been with Mandy, and Sarah is a lesbo. So that leaves one bitch who all of a sudden ain’t got nothing to say.”

“Desmond, bro, come on.”

“Don’t you fucking
bro
me. I’m out of here. Fuck this shit.” Desmond turned to leave. Serena grabbed his hand.

“Baby, don’t.”

He jerked his hand away. “I’m going to bed. You and I can have a talk in the morning. I’m not even thinking clear right now. Make sure you find a different room to sleep in tonight.”

Desmond slammed the doors and ran up the stairs. The others said nothing, Mandy’s eyes never leaving Chet’s.

“Well, then I have my answer. I’m going to bed, also. See you guys in the morning.”

She walked out, leaving Chet, Serena, Luke, Glenn and Sarah alone. Sarah got up and left without saying a word. She glared at Chet before quietly closing the door.

“Come on, Luke. Let’s get out of here.” Glenn pushed the chair back, and Luke followed.

“Have a good night, guys,” Luke said. His farewell went unreturned, and they entered the house. Glenn stared at him, dumbfounded.

“Really?” Glenn said. “Have a good night?” “What? Just being nice.”

Glenn slapped his buddy on the back, and the two trudged up the stairs.

*

Chet briefly looked over at Serena, who kept her gaze on her feet. The snap of burning wood and the dancing embers in the fire pulled him away. Minutes passed and neither said a word before he looked up again.