7. Jamie

Sailing past Havana, Cuba towards Mexico on our third day at sea is wild. When you grow up knowing there's an island only a short plane or boat ride from your country, that you aren't allowed to go to, and suddenly it's opened? It's a whole new world I want to explore. We aren't stopping in Cuba, but I can make out beaches and spots of color from our ship.

"Want to go to Cuba on our next trip?" Teddy asks as if reading my mind.

We're lounging on the lido deck, sipping soda water with lime and relaxing after sleeping in and eating my weight at the brunch buffet. It was another late night, and Teddy did his usual by getting drunker than me until I had to take care of him. He's lucky I love him.

"Yes, we should," I nod and lean forward trying to get a better look, as if a few inches will make a difference in what I can see. "Maybe the Florida Keys, too?"

"You've always wanted to drive from Miami to the keys."

"I have. You know me too well," I lean back and nudge Teddy with my bare foot. "Where do you want to go on vacation?"

Teddy usually says he's just focused on school and doesn't have time to think about it. I'm surprised he even said there would be a next trip. Which is the reason I took the reins on our spring break trips and this cruise. He'd stay in his room forever if I didn't help him out.

"I'd love to see the Grand Canyon, and maybe Europe one day."

"Wow," I take my hat off and hold it to my chest. "A real answer. Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?"

"Shush," Teddy takes my hat and puts it over my face. When I take it off, I see he's in a serious mood. "I've been places with you."

Teddy is feeling attacked, and I know when I need to be serious too.

"Are you finally seeing the end in sight with law school?"

"Maybe." Teddy bobs his head side to side, "Starting to think about the world outside of finishing next year, at least."

"We'll be real grown ups and have to get jobs to pay for these extravagant trips."

"Don't remind me."

Teddy is always sensitive about our difference in money, and feels awkward about my parents paying. They worked hard to provide for my sister and I, and taught me the value of hard work as well. Despite their generous nature extending to Teddy, I wasn't opposed to loosening the purse strings after graduation. I wanted to earn my own way.

Still, I could see he needed a change in subject. My friend did best when he had only a couple options instead of open-ended questions.

"We're at sea until tomorrow, want to hit the gym or a pool?"

"I think some exercise would be good after all the food and drinks."

Teddy stands to put on his sandals and holds his hand out for me. I take it and stand in the space between our loungers, closer than I expected as I wiggle around to put my own shoes on. Not surprisingly, Teddy blushes at my closeness. His family isn't very demonstrative, especially the men.

To fuck with him, I lean down to kiss his cheek before whispering, "Race you to the gym."

Before he can react, I'm off, laughing as I hear the church boy cursing me and trying to keep up. Teddy passes me when I slow to check a map, "Look who didn't pay attention to the map I sent."

His laughter guides my way through the halls as we slow to a fast walk so we're not pissing the other guests off. As we burst into the large on-board gym, our shoulders meet at the door and we tumble in at the same time.

"Tie?"

"Tie," Teddy pants.

"Perfect, our heart rates are pumping. We can skip warm-up."

Teddy shakes his head but follows me over to the free weights. We work out side-by-side, spotting each other and enjoying the familiar feeling of equipment and grunts of strangers working towards that high exercise gives them. A gym full of gay people isn't any different to any other gym I've been at, though I do notice more women on gym equipment I associate with men.

A thought occurs to me and I lean towards Teddy, "Do you think the women here feel more comfortable, because they don't think some straight guy will hit on them?"

Teddy looks around with narrowed eyes before answering, "Or mansplain how to use everything."

"Shit, yeah. That's kinda cool. They should have gay gyms everywhere."

"I have a gay gym in San Francisco," a fit guy who looks at least fifty tells us from the leg press nearby.

Another man with a barrel chest and white hair is spotting him and up-nods, "Technically, we have a gym, and it's called Queers and Allies, or just Q A Gym."

"If I'm ever in San Fran, I'll have to check it out," I tell them to be friendly.

"Sure, kid," the first guy laughs. "Just don't call it San Fran."

"Good to know," I chuckle with him. "What about Cali?"

"SF is in NorCal, no one says Cali who lives there. Or at least that's what they told me when I moved there over a decade ago," the white-haired guy replies before they wipe down their equipment and say goodbye.

"See, my dad was right," I toss a towel and cleaner to Teddy so we can clean up when we're done as well. "We are learning a lot by traveling."

"Plan to make a lot of visits to NorCal?" Teddy passes back the cleaner.

"Well, the Golden Gate Bridge and Hollywood are on my bucket list."

"Pretty sure one of those would be in SoCal."

"Look who paid attention to their Geography pre-requisite course," I tease as we make our way to the shower.

Teddy rolls his eyes, "Knowing the Golden Gate Bridge is in San Francisco, and Hollywood near Los Angeles, is more common knowledge from TV shows than anything covered in college courses."

We claim showers and rinse off, though Teddy has a towel and his tank-top back on when he exits his stall, shorts folded neatly under his arm. I'm in just a towel, holding my sweaty clothes. I need to find out if they have laundry service, because I didn't bring enough clothes if we're going to wear two outfits a day. Teddy will say no, so I'll have to steal his dirty laundry so I can take care of it. Not something I ever thought I'd be thinking.

"What's funny?" Teddy asks, and I realize I laughed out loud.

He's smiling at me, wanting in on the joke, but I don't know how to tell him I plan to find his dirty underwear so I can make sure he has clean clothes.

"There you are," a peppy voice stops me from walking right into Magic as we exit the gym.

"Here we are," I spread my arms wide, showing off my damp chest. "What do you plan to do with us?"

Magic eyes my toned body, muscles popping right after a work-out, and I find that I enjoy the attention, no matter the gender of the person. Interesting.

"Stop flirting," Teddy elbows my ribs. "You'll break the poor guy."

"Oh, I am stronger than I look," Magic giggles and winks at Teddy who only frowns at the friendly host. "And I have many ideas, but one specific plan in mind."

"Well, tell us, Magic. The suspense is killing me," I wink back, earning another elbow to my ribs. It's starting to hurt.

"Our game show had two drop out, so I was hoping you could fill in? It's not the only entertainment tonight, but you could win prizes?" Magic throws his hands up and wiggles his fingers like a magician at the end. His name suits him.

"What kind of prizes?" I ask, starting to walk toward our cabin since we are blocking the hall.

"Room upgrades, fancy dinners, shore excursions," Magic lists off while walking backwards. He must really know the ship. "There's something for everyone who plays, but the winning pair gets a full package."

"We play together?" Teddy asks with curiosity.

Normally he would be making excuses. Maybe it's one of those times I need to sign him up so he doesn't hermit.

"Of course," Magic nods so hard he reminds me of a dashboard bobble head. "It will be a blast, and we really need another pair…"

A glance at Teddy doesn't show any, please get me out of this situation immediately, vibes, so I shrug as we reach our door.

"Sure, we can join the fun and help you out. Just tell us where and when?"

Magic claps his hands and does a twirl, "Thank you, thank you, thank you! It's tonight at five on the main stage, but please arrive by four-thirty so we can do pre-game questions."

"You got it, Magic," I pat him on the shoulder as Teddy scans his cruise bracelet over the door lock to let us in.

"Dress to impress," Magic calls out as he skips off.

Ducking into the bathroom to take a piss, I come out to find Teddy standing with his arms crossed.

"What?"

"I thought we weren't doing the game show? We don't even know the theme. What if it's gay history or lesbian fiction?"

"There's no way they would host a boring Jeopardy-style game show on a cruise. We'll do good or bad and maybe win some prizes." I drop my towel and reach for my suitcase, making Teddy turn around to face the wall. "You're not mad at me, are you?"

"No." Teddy sighs and I see his shoulders drop. "It will be fine, I'm sure."

"It will be fun," I promise. And I try to keep my promises.