Nine

Cory

"Cory, your manager is going to be calling you," Max on security said, and the look he gave me told me I wasn't going to like what Alexa was going to say. The two of them left and for once the silence in the room roared while the two of us tried to ignore each other. It had been so nice having my own room and in just a short time I'd gotten used to falling asleep by the slap of the waves against the side of the ship instead of a roommate snoring or watching television.

"Sorry," he finally whispered.

I was so annoyed I couldn't even answer. How did I end up with this loser in my room. "It's fine. Let's go get something to eat. I have to eat now, or I won't have time until my shift ends later." I waited at the door while he tried to get his shit together enough to walk out with me. He looked mortified and I wasn't sure if it was actual shame at his behavior, or the predicament he was now in. "What?"

"Should I go with you? I mean I can stay here."

"If you want to eat, you'll go with me. They put food out three times a day but if you don't eat it while it's out then you're on your own. You can't eat from the guests' cafés or restaurants. It doesn't work that way, you're not a guest." It sounded harsh even to my ears, but this guy wasn't a friend, he wasn't even an acquaintance. He was a stupid drunk who'd snuck onto the ship.

He didn't say a word, just nodded and followed me to the mess hall. Johnny was still where I'd left him and so was my plate. After showing the guy where to get his food I walked back to my chair and took a seat. Johnny looked at me with brows raised. "What?" I shoved the sandwich I'd chosen into my mouth and was glad for a few seconds to process what was happening.

"Is it okay if I sit here?" the guy asked. Fuck.

"Did you really sneak on board?" Johnny immediately asked him.

"Yeah, I guess I did," he said as he picked up the sandwich he'd chosen and took a massive bite. "Oh my god, what is this?"

"Looks like ham and cheese," Johnny said, while I ignored them both and focused on my food.

"This has to be the best sandwich I've ever had," he said and took another big bite.

"When was the last time you ate?" I asked, knowing he hadn't touched the food he'd ordered at the beach.

"I ate a little at the bar before I passed out, but before that I'm not sure. It's been a long day." He stared off like he was trying to remember but it was a complete mystery to him, while I took the time to take a closer look at him. He was cute, there was no denying that. I wondered how he'd managed to keep his sunglasses when he'd lost everything else, but nothing would make me ask.

"So, what's your name?" Johnny asked, even though I knew for a fact he knew exactly who he was.

"J—Jackson Carrington," he said and held out his hand. "And you are?"

"Johnny Herdez." They shook hands, which annoyed me, and I wasn't sure why other than Jackson or JJ or whatever the fuck his name was, had stepped all over my last nerve several times today.

"I thought your name was JJ?" I asked before I could stop myself.

"I'm thinking it's time to stop acting like a kid and start acting like an adult." He didn't say anything else, just started eating everything on his plate like it had been days not a few minutes since his last meal.

"Where are you from?" Johnny asked.

"California, how about you?" he asked, and waited while Johnny explained where he was from.

"I've never been there. I've been to a lot of Mexico and some of South America, but not Rio," Jackson, or JJ, or whatever, said.

"Cory is from Sacramento," Johnny said.

"Yeah? What part, that's where I'm from too," Jackson said.

"My family lives near Folsom," I said, and didn't bother to ask for more details of where he was from, but of course he still told me anyway.

"Really? My family has a house near the college," he said, and I knew he was trying to be friendly, but I just didn't have it in me to care.

"Where the rich people live, right?" I said and immediately felt bad. This wasn't me, and even though he'd annoyed me I really had no reason to be so cold. "Sorry, it's been a long day."

"It's okay, I know I was the last person you expected to have to share a room with." He put what was left of his sandwich on his plate and didn't talk for the rest of the meal as Johnny and I discussed what we'd be doing at work later.

"I have to go to work, I'll take you back to the room and you can get some sleep," I said, but he was still staring at his plate like he hadn't heard me. "Jackson." I looked at Johnny who was trying to ignore the whole interaction when Jackson jerked to attention.

"Sorry, what?"

"I have to go to work," I repeated. "I'll take you to the room so you can get some sleep." I stood and waited for him to do the same. I reached to take his plate, but he shook his head.

"It's okay, I can get it," Jackson said, and I could see something had shifted in his attitude.

"Johnny, I'll meet you on the deck," I said, before walking Jackson to my room. "I work until late, so please don't leave the room. I know you might think it isn't a big deal, but they made me responsible for you, and I won't risk my job for you."

I opened the door and stepped aside so he could enter. "I'm just going to go to sleep," he said and sat on the extra bed.

"I'll take you to the lost and found in the morning and see what clothes they have."

I didn't even make it out the door before he collapsed on the bed and fell asleep. This day had turned into the worst ever and I was more than happy to see it done.