2. Teddy

The flight from Raleigh to Orlando, Florida is only two hours long, and we arrive with plenty of time to get to Port Canaveral. Jamie says I'm an anxious traveler, but I just like to have a plan for every possible scenario.

"I want to eat before boarding the cruise ship, in case food isn"t available right away."

"You worry too much," Jamie bumps his shoulder into mine in the back seat of the shuttle. "But I am always down to eat."

"You should try Mi Casa," our driver calls back over the family in the middle two rows. He can't be inviting us to eat at his house? "Only a block from the port. Authentic Cuban food."

"Thanks, Ernesto," Jamie taps the rim of his hat to our driver in the rear view.

"Is that going to be a thing you do, now?"

"What? Being polite for good advice?"

"No," I sigh at my friend, "the hat tapping thing."

"One thing my semester in musical theater taught me, if you have props, use them."

"I still can't believe you did musical theater."

"You know Sarah roped me into it," Jamie smiles fondly when mentioning his sister. They have a much closer relationship than I do with my own siblings. "I was the life of the production as Tiny Tim."

The shuttle van comes to a stop in a parking lot and we wait for the other passengers to get off first.

"We should put that on your gravestone."

"Life of the production? I'm down for that." Jamie shrugs, "Though maybe, party, instead."

"Ha, no," I shove at him so he gets moving. "Tiny Tim."

"Brat," Jamie pokes me in the sensitive skin under my armpit and makes me yelp, drawing the attention of the family sorting their luggage.

"I tripped," I try to explain, feeling my cheeks heat in embarrassment.

Jamie grins at me and I wait until his back is turned to knee the asshole right in the, well, ass. I get an even higher pitched squeal out of him and by now the family looks ready to avoid us as they rush off to their cruise. He doesn't comment until we have our suitcases and directions to the Cuban restaurant Ernesto suggested.

"I'm going to get you back for that," Jamie leans in to whisper in my ear before moving ahead of me, his rolling case a barrier so I can't goose him again.

"You do that," I chuckle under my breath as I catch up.

Mi Casais decked out in bright colors with indoor and outdoor seating. We opt for the patio even though it's hot out. Jamie likes to people-watch and the Latin music inside is a bit loud for me. Thankfully, there are misters overhead and a breeze blowing in from the water.

A curvy, redheaded waitress—whose name tag says Betty and I wonder if it's a fake name—seats us and gets the full Jamie charm when he compliments her southern accent.

"Aren't you just the cutest, with that accent?"

"Well, thank you, kindly." She hands menus over and pours water from the carafe on the table. "I'm originally from Louisiana. What about you boys?"

"We're in law school up at Duke," Jamie tells her as he sips the water.

Duke is a great university, and I've heard him use the same line before. Some women swoon over college boys who will be layers. We leave in a couple hours, though, so I'm not sure what he hopes to get out of flirting with her.

"We're taking a cruise together, celebrating only one year away from finishing," I add, so I'm not a total third wheel.

"Oh, isn't that sweet," she clutches at her chest and gives us a bigger smile than I'm expecting. "I wish my boyfriend would take me on vacation, but he says we already live in a vacation destination."

Well, Jamie's out of luck. She's taken. Instead of the dimmed expression I'm expecting, his face lights up.

"What can I say," Jamie purrs and grabs my hand, "I can't get enough of spoiling my boy."

Between his words and Jamie grasping my hand on the table cloth, I'm too stunned to say anything. My throat doesn't seem to be working, so I reach for the water to clear it so I can tell him to knock off whatever bull he's trying to pull.

"You two are the cutest couple," Betty gushes and I choke on my water.

"Two lemonades, or just bring one and two straws," Jamie winks at her. "I'm not afraid of his germs."

Betty giggles as she leaves to let us look at the menu and I reclaim my hand.

Jamie laughs at me, "Told you I'd get you back."

"By pretending you're my sugar Daddy?" The last two words come out louder than I planned and I see a few heads turn. I feel like my face is on fire.

"I did call you my boy," Jamie teases, perusing the menu like he's not causing a scene. "I can't decide on fish or chicken."

"You can't call me b–"

"You two ready?"

Betty returns with our drinks and I order the sea bass by pointing at it. Sweat is dripping down my neck and back, making me itchy. I don't like being put on the spot. Maybe it's not just Jamie catching me off guard with his little prank. The humidity is no joke.

"I think I'll go with the arroz con pollo, since Teddy's getting fish," Jamie hands the menu over. "You'll let me try yours, won't you, Sugar-dick?"

Sputtering on my drink, the tangy fluid goes up my nose and makes me choke. Betty raises her eyebrows but leaves before I can regain my composure. I goosed him for poking me, this is on another level and takes me back to freshman hazing.

Spying a couple guys in brightly colored clothes a table away grinning at us, and I can't tell if they think Jamie is hilarious, or if they're checking us out. Possibly both.

"You're such an ass," I mutter under my breath and wipe at my face with a cloth napkin.

"I thought you didn't like me calling you boy."

"And Sugar-dick," I whisper and lean into him, "was your first thought?"

"I improvised," Jamie shrugs and leans in so we're only inches apart. "I figure tits are something you compliment on women. Men into other guys are probably hot over their dicks."

Jamie grins and raises an eyebrow as if to challenge his assumption. I can't help it, I throw my head back and laugh. Eyes are probably on me again, but the whole situation is just too funny.

"So, what's my term of endearment?" Jamie asks as I wipe a tear from the corner of my eye.

"I already call you Jamie when no one else does."

"Yeah, but I came up with the glory that is Sugar-dick, you have to try and top it."

Eyeing my friend, I think about what he said. I can't do a dick related nickname or he'll say I'm a copy-cat. He has good arms and legs, thinner than mine but well muscled. I'm not sure how to turn that into a nickname though. One body part of Jamie's I envy is his ass. It's tight where mine is more of a bubble.

"You got it," I suck my teeth and grin, seeing Betty approach from behind Jamie with our food. "Tight-ass."

This time it's Jamie sputtering and choking on his own spit while Betty sets our plates down hastily and retreats far away from our overly sexual banter.

"Now I owe you another one," Jamie stabs my fish to take a bite before I've even picked up my silverware.

"I'm sure you'll think of something," I grin and scoop a forkful of his dish to try. It's only fair.

My best friend gets me into trouble, but I'm never bored.