Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

WESTON

I stirred awake, the warmth of the Caribbean sun kissing my skin. My eyes fluttered open, squinting against the brightness. As I stretched, feeling the slats of the lounge chair beneath me, my gaze drifted to Easton.

There he was, just a few feet away, completely absorbed in his book. The sunlight played across his features, highlighting the sharp line of his jaw, the curve of his cheekbones. His dark hair was tousled from the sea breeze, giving him a just crawled out of bed look.

My eyes traveled lower, taking in his toned body. Those swim trunks left little to the imagination. This was definitely not the scrawny kid I used to throw in the pool back home.

“What are you reading?” I asked, my voice still rough from sleep.

Easton looked up, a slow smile spreading across his face. “Oh, you're awake. It's the new Elizabeth Clarkson. Pretty good so far.”

I watched, mesmerized, as he marked his place and set the book aside. How had I never noticed how beautiful his hands were? Much like him, they were delicate looking, but I knew the strength they possessed.

“You enjoying it?” I probed, desperate to distract myself from these strange thoughts.

“Yeah, it's...” He paused, considering. Then he let out a soft laugh that sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. “It's making me think about how relationships change over time. How people can know each other for years and still discover new things.”

I swallowed hard. “Funny you should say that,” I murmured, more to myself than to him.

“What was that?” he asked, tilting his head.

“Nothing,” I said quickly. “Just... thinking out loud.”

As Easton launched into a more detailed description of the book, I found myself hanging on every word. Not because I cared about the plot, but because I was captivated by the animation in his eyes, the way his hands moved as he talked.

What was happening to me? This was East. My best friend since forever. The guy who'd seen me at my absolute worst and still stuck around. So why was my heart racing like this?

I tried to focus on what he was saying, but my mind kept wandering. To the curve of his lips. To the hollow of his throat. To how it might feel to trace my fingers along the line of his collarbone.

“West? You okay?” His concerned voice snapped me back to reality. “You look a little flushed. Maybe we should get you out of the sun?”

I cleared my throat. “Yeah, maybe. Or we could, uh, go for a swim?”

Anything to cool down these unfamiliar, simmering feelings. Because one thing was becoming crystal clear: Easton wasn't just my childhood friend anymore. He was a man. An incredibly attractive man.

He closed his book with a soft thud, a smile playing on his lips. “You know what? A swim sounds great, but first, how about some drinks? I could use something cold and refreshing.”

My mouth suddenly felt dry. “Yeah, that sounds perfect.”

“I'll grab us something from the bar. Any preferences?” he asked, already rising from his lounge chair.

I shook my head. “Surprise me.”

As Easton walked away, I couldn't resist the urge to watch him go. There was an ease to his movements, a quiet confidence that I'd never really noticed before. It stirred something warm and unfamiliar in my chest.

“Get it together, Weston,” I muttered to myself, running a hand through my hair.

Deciding I needed a moment to clear my head, I headed for the restroom. The cool air inside was a welcome relief, and I splashed some water on my face, trying to shake off these new, confusing feelings.

When I returned to the pool deck, my eyes immediately searched for Easton. I spotted him at the bar, but he wasn't alone. A tall, bronzed stranger was leaning in close, saying something that made Easton laugh.

My steps faltered. The stranger's hand was on Easton's arm, and they were standing far too close for my liking. Easton was usually shy around new people, but he certainly seemed to be enjoying this man’s company. I felt a knot form in my stomach, an uncomfortable tightness that I couldn't quite explain.

“What the hell?” I whispered, surprised by the intensity of my reaction. It was just a friendly conversation, right? So why did I suddenly feel like marching over there and pulling Easton away?

I stood rooted to the spot, torn between intervening and letting the scene play out. My heart raced as I watched the stranger lean in even closer, whispering something in Easton's ear. The knot in my stomach tightened.

“It's just protectiveness,” I told myself, unconvincingly. “He's my best friend. I'm looking out for him.” But deep down, I knew it was more than that. The jealousy surging through me was unexpected and intense.

Finally, Easton broke away from the conversation, heading back towards me with our drinks. My jaw ached from clenching it, but I forced a smile, trying to look casual as he approached.

“Here you go,” he said, handing me a glass. “I got you a whiskey sour.”

“Thanks,” I replied, taking a sip. “So, uh, who was that guy you were talking to?”

He shrugged, seemingly oblivious to my inner turmoil. “Oh, just some friendly guy at the bar. He asked what I was reading, and we got to chatting. We like to read a lot of the same authors. Turns out, he’s from Indiana too. He gave me his number, so we could stay in touch,” he added with a grin.

I couldn't help myself. “East, I don't think he was interested in your book.”

“What do you mean?” he asked, his brow furrowing in confusion as he took a sip of his fruity drink.

I sighed, exasperated. “The guy was clearly hitting on you.”

He barked out a laugh. “I think the sun really has gotten to you. Tanner was just being nice, that’s all.”

My eyes narrowed to slits. Tanner? Even his name screams twat waffle. “Nice? More like an asshole, if you ask me. I mean, why else would he be hitting on a married man?”

Easton blinked, then shook his head. “West, he didn't know. It’s not like I’m wearing a ring.”

“Well, did you tell him you're married?” I pressed, my voice rising slightly.

He looked at me like I'd grown a second head. “No, I didn't. Because we're not really a couple,” he answered slowly.

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. He was right. We weren't really married. This was all pretend. So why did it bother me so much?

“Are you feeling alright?” Easton asked, concern evident in his voice. “You're acting kind of weird.”

I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly feeling foolish. “Yeah, sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

I leaned back in my chair, trying to shake off the strange feelings swirling inside me. Easton's words echoed in my mind: We're not really a couple. Why did that sting so much?

“You sure you're okay?” His gentle voice broke through my thoughts. His hazel eyes, magnified by those hipster glasses I secretly found adorable, were full of concern.

I forced a smile. “Yeah, just... thinking.”

“About what?” he prodded, setting his drink aside and giving me his full attention.

I scrambled for an excuse. “That… I could really use that dip in the pool. Care to join me?”

He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing as he studied me. I held my breath, my heart pounding loudly inside my chest. The hardest part of lying to your best friend was that they always knew when you were hiding something.

“Sure. I’ll come with you,” he finally said.

I breathed out a sigh of relief when he decided not to push, but I knew I wouldn’t always be that lucky. I needed to get my shit together and figure out what in the hell was the matter with me. And soon!

After a delicious seafood dinner, we decided to take a walk, exploring even more of the ship. Eventually, we found ourselves back on deck, under a clear and starry sky.

The deck was alive with twinkling lights and upbeat music. A cheerful voice boomed over the speakers: “Ladies and gentlemen, grab your partners! It's time for our couples' dance competition!”

Without thinking, I turned to Easton with a mischievous grin. “What do you say, East? Wanna show these lovebirds how it's done?”

To my surprise, his cheeks flushed pink. “You do remember I have two left feet, right?”

I shrugged. “I’m willing to take my chances.”

He smiled shyly. “Okay then. Why not?”

As we made our way to the dance floor, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. This wasn't the guy who'd hide behind a book at parties. He was coming out of his shell, and it was... well, it was kind of amazing.

The music started, a lively salsa beat pulsing through the air. I took Easton's hand, pulling him close. “Just follow my lead,” I whispered, trying to ignore the sudden flutter in my chest.

As we began to move, I was acutely aware of every point of contact between us. My hand on his waist, his on my shoulder, our palms pressed together. The heat of his body seemed to radiate through me, igniting something I couldn't quite name.

“You're not half bad,” I teased, spinning him out and then back into my arms.

He laughed, a sound that always made me smile. “All those times you made me play Just Dance are finally paying off.”

Our eyes met, and for a moment, the world around us faded away. I'd never noticed how the flecks of gold in his hazel eyes caught the light, or how his lashes cast delicate shadows on his cheeks when he blinked.

As we swayed and twirled, I couldn't shake the feeling of how... right this felt. Easton fit perfectly in my arms, like he was meant to be there. His scent, a mix of body wash and that fancy cologne I'd gotten him last Christmas, filled my senses.

“West?” His voice broke through my reverie. “You okay? You look... intense.”

I swallowed hard. “Yeah, I'm good. Just... concentrating.”

But the truth was, I wasn't okay. My heart was racing, and it wasn't from the dancing. What was happening to me? Was it just the holiday atmosphere, the romance of being on a cruise? Or was it something more?

I heard the swift intake of his breath as I suddenly pulled him in, needing the closeness of his body to help anchor me. I could feel his heart beating against my chest, and I closed my eyes, memorizing it’s cadence, the rhythm that was perfectly in sync with my own. As I held him close, guiding him through the steps, I couldn't help but wonder if I was falling for my best friend.

The music faded, and we came to a stop, our bodies still close, chests rising and falling in unison. His eyes were wide, a question swimming in their depths that I couldn't quite decipher. My hand lingered on his waist, and I found myself unable to look away from his slightly parted lips.

“That was...” Easton began, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Yeah,” I agreed, not needing him to finish the thought. We stood there, frozen in the moment, as the world slowly came back into focus around us.

I cleared my throat, finally breaking the spell. “Want to head back to our chairs? I could use some water.”

He nodded, a slight flush coloring his cheeks. “Sure, that sounds good.”

We made our way to the upper deck, the cool night air a welcome relief after the heat of the dance floor. I settled into my lounge chair, stealing glances at my best friend. Above us, the sky was a canvas of twinkling stars, more visible here than I'd ever seen back home.

“It's beautiful,” Easton murmured, his gaze fixed on the heavens.

I turned to look at him, the starlight reflecting in his glasses. “Yeah, it really is.”

As we sat in comfortable silence, my mind raced through the events of the day. The jealousy I'd felt at the bar, the electricity of our dance, the warmth that spread through me every time Easton smiled. It was like seeing my best friend in a whole new light, and I wasn't sure what to do with these feelings.

“East,” I said softly, “today has been...”

He turned to me, curiosity written across his features. “What is it, West?”

I hesitated, the words catching in my throat. How could I explain something I barely understood myself? Instead, I chickened out. “It's been a great day. I'm glad we're here together.”

His smile was soft and genuine. “Me too, West. Me too.”

As we fell back into silence, I couldn't help but wonder what might happen if I took a chance and told him how I was feeling. But for now, I was content to sit here under the stars, stealing glances at the man who might just be stealing my heart.

I shifted in my lounge chair, trying to get comfortable and shake off these new, confusing feelings. The gentle lapping of waves against the ship's hull provided a soothing backdrop to my chaotic thoughts.

“So, what's the plan for tomorrow?” I asked, hoping to steer my mind towards safer territory.

Easton's eyes lit up. “There's a book club meeting in the ship's library. I was thinking of checking it out.”

I couldn't help but chuckle. “Of course you were. Only you could find a way to bury your nose in a book on a luxury cruise.”

He playfully swatted my arm. “Hey, some of us like to exercise our minds as well as our bodies, Mr. I-can't-sit-still-for-five-minutes.”

“Fair enough,” I conceded, grinning. “How about we compromise? I’ll go with you to your book club, and afterwards, we hit up the rock-climbing wall together?”

His eyebrows shot up. “You want me to climb a wall? On a moving ship?”

“Come on, live a little! I'll be right there with you,” I coaxed, nudging his shoulder. “I promise I won't let you fall.”

Something flickered in his eyes, and for a moment, I thought he might refuse. But then he smiled, a hint of mischief in his expression. “Alright, you're on. But if I embarrass myself, you're buying me ice cream.”

“Deal.” I laughed, feeling a surge of excitement at the prospect of sharing another new experience with him.

As we continued chatting about our plans for the rest of the trip, I made a decision. These feelings, whatever they were, could wait. For now, I'd focus on enjoying every moment with my best friend, just like we'd always done. Maybe, through more shared experiences like today, I'd figure out what my heart was trying to tell me.