"God damn it, Jaime!" I cried, wacking him on the ass with my golf club.
"Woah. Take it easy." He warned. The two of us were on the upper top deck of the ship playing mini golf. "Is it very awkward? You and dear Michael?"
I rolled my eyes. "If that bitch calls me fat again then she's going to have three black eyes."
He laughed. "At least you have three people who aren't totally insane."
"Has he really been as bad as Alex says he is?" I asked.
"Not so much anymore. For maybe like three weeks he was totally trippy. Now he's acting like he used to, only he brings his girl along everywhere and that's annoying as hell." Jaime said.
"I really don't want any drama on this vacation." I sighed. "But I feel like there's going to be."
"Don't worry about it, Charley. If it helps, we all agree that you're our favourite Mike girlfriend." He laughed. "Come on, we're supposed to meet them for bingo."
"I do love bingo." I said as we made our way back inside to the eight floor. Bingo was being held in a casual theatre decourated red.
"Who is he?" I raised my eyebrows, sitting down beside Tony and looking at the guy getting ready to host the game onstage.
"His name's Matt, I think? He's the assistant cruise director." Vic replied.
"Damn." I bit my lip. Mike glared at me. "What? I'm on the rebound."
"Are we ready to start the game? We have some great prizes today. Would it be too cheesy to say there's some great prizes sitting in the audience?" Matt joked. i observed his sexy Irish accent."Alright, let's get going!"
**
"Bingo!" I yelled. Everyone in the room turned to look at me.
"We have a bingo! Come on stage babe, let's have a look." I made my way up onto the stage just as he said. "And you know, I heard we had a celebrity on board, but I had no idea it was you. Charley Carlile everyone!"
I laughed. "I adore your accent."
"It usually works well with the ladies. Let's take a look at your card, yeah?" He asked. "And it looks like this is a fake bingo. You must have mismarked the B column. Everyone, do you know what happens when someone calls a fake bingo?"
"They get spanked!" The audience yelled.
"Sorry, Charley. Get it?" Matt laughed at his own joke. "Alright, do you want to spank me first or should I spank you first?"
I thought for a second. "I get to touch your butt either way?"
Matt flushed. "That is correct."
"I'll spank you first then. Do you like it rough, Matt?" I giggled.
The audience howled with laughter and Matt turned around. "You know it." Matt laughed, wiggling his ass. I pulled my hand back and spanked him. "Now it's your turn!"
I did just as he had, turning around and shaking it. "Bring it, baby." He tenderly spanked me. "My grandmother hits harder than that!"
"Find me later, Charley. Maybe I can hit it a little harder." Matt winked. "I'm joking! Totally joking, everyone. No more cheating, okay? Show some love for Charley Carlile!"
I laughed again. "Sorry for calling it wrong. Cheers, Matt."
The guys shook their heads as I returned to my seat. "Charley, Charley, Charley." Vic said.
"He's adorable." I bit my lip, watching Matt. Adorable as hell.
***
"-and then Vic threw up grape jelly." Mike finished his story.
"Beautiful." Tony laughed.
I opened my mouth to speak when a very muscular someone wearing a shirt in the colour of Carnival Cruise Red bumped directly into me and spilt icy water all over my shirt.
"Damn it! I'm so sorry. Oh, at least it's you." Matt apologized.
"At least? I feel the love, Matt." I teased.
"I'll show you the love, Charley. Come on, I'll get you a free tee shirt just because I'm clumsy." He smiled.
"Hell yeah! I'll check you guys later." I called, following Matt.
"I really am sorry. I wasn't paying attention." He flushed.
"It's fine! Honest! Where are you from?" I asked curiously.
"Born and raised in Dublin." He smiled proudly.
"Los Angeles." I replied.
"I love California. It's so sunny." He said.
"How long have you worked on cruise ships?" I asked.
"About two years. It sounds like a strange life, but it's actually incredibly fun. It suits me well." He replied. "Can I ask you something that might sound strange?"
"Shoot."
"Who are the guys you're with?" He asked.
"They're in a a band. The one with the longest hair is one of my best friends, but the one with the most tattoos is my ex." I explained.
"So if I asked to see you again then I wouldn't be getting in between anything?" Matt smiled earnestly.
"I would love that." I grinned.
"I'll swing by your room tonight then. I have to get to the casino for the poker tournament now though. Sorry about your shirt." He said, checking the time. "Bye, Charley!"
I waved and left the gift shop, finding the boys back at the pool. I sat down on the edge and dipped my feet in. "Hi boys."
"Oh, Charley's back. Where's your boyfriend?" Tony asked.
"He isn't, you great idiot. We're going out tonight though." I said, feeling my cheeks turn slightly pink.
"Too bad he lives on a boat." Mike shrugged.
I ignored him. "I'm going to go get ready for dinner. We're leaving at eight."
****
"I'm super hungry." I said, stepping out of the elevator on the way to dinner.
"I'm sure you are." Charlotte murmured under her breath.
"I swear to god, if you make another comment about me eating then I'll throw you over the side of the ship, you ignorant bitch." I hissed.
"I'd float. You'd sink." She said, rolling her eyes. I turned on my heel and stormed off. Her bullshit was getting old fast.
I found myself facing the back of the ship on the uppermost deck, watching the cobalt waters that we were leaving behind.
"Why are you crying, babe?" Matt asked softly, coming to stand beside me.
I swallowed. "You remember how I told you about my ex?" He nodded. "He brought his new girlfriend along and she won't leave me alone. All she does is call me fat and ugly and all kinds of horrible things, and the worst part is that he lets her."
"I hope you don't believe her." He said, staring out at the ocean.
I leaned my head on his shoulder. "You're a nice guy, Matt." I smiled faintly. "What's on the agenda tonight?"
"I was actually going to bring you up here. It's relaxing. You definitely need it." He chuckled.
I picked my head up and looked at him. "Woah. I like you in street clothes."
Out of his usual Carnival uniform, Matt was dressed in black pants with a black vest and red tie, paired with black Toms. "Thanks."
My stomach growled and he glanced at me. "Oh, you should eat, shouldn't you? I'm starving. Come on, let's get some fish and chips! That's an Irish favourite." Matt said dreamily.
I took his hand and smiled. "Lead the way."

Notes

Matt