And here's the second update this week! Yay! It's been such a sunny week here that I spend my time writing on the patio today. I hope you guys like this one.

Also, for some reason Wattpad wouldn't let me see more than five notifications... So if I missed a comment and or didn't thank anyone for following personally. My apologies, I'll try to do so still once Wattpad lets me.

Much love,

Robin

*

Stonefish

A week after Mitch and Dev had left with the other McLaren's on their big salvage ship I was working at the Stonefish. I'd spend most of my time there that week, hanging out with Matt and sleeping over besides working almost full time. It was their busiest time, with school out and tourists arriving in droves so all that extra time I could put in was greatly appreciated.

I was just delivering a tray of more than a dozen beers to a rowdy table when I spotted Jamie and some of her friends slink inside. The Stonefish wasn't their usual hangout as it was neither a dancing kind of place nor upscale enough for her and her crowd. The only reason I'd seen them come in sometimes to grab lunch was so they could stare and ogle Thorne or Matt. But they hadn't even done that since the graduation party where Matt had so openly snubbed her.

As they'd sat down in my section I had no choice but to go over to their table to ask what they wanted but I damn well made sure I'd checked on all my other tables first. When I stopped at their side and cheerily asked them what they wanted Jamie just haughtily sniffed and demanded a cocktail. They didn't spare me much attention at all in fact, never even complained to my face about my slow service.

I felt a shiver go down my spine in apprehension, surely this meant something was off. That girl was plotting something, there couldn't be any doubt. How pathetic in the grand scheme of things, that she'd hang on to some kind grudge she'd instigated in the first place after highschool was over and we never needed to cross paths ever again.

"Is that Jamie?" Matt asked me as I handed him the order to mix behind the bar. At my nod he frowned, "I'll go tell them to leave, we don't need them here." I shook my head, "Let's not stir that hornet's nest okay? They're just having drinks." I even refused Matt's offer of taking the drinks to them himself. I was not letting that chick scare me.

To our great surprise they left shortly after they'd finished their drinks. The afternoon crowd was growing now, with people coming in off the beach but there were still plenty of empty tables when I saw the police officer step inside.

Matt frowned, shaking his head, "Wanna bet those snobs called him? Wonder what this is about." The cop stood just inside the door and glanced around, broad, brawny shoulders stretched out his uniform shirt. Dark sunglasses perched on top of his head and gun and radio clipped to his belt.

His eyes took note of Matt and Thorne who were both behind the bar, Thorne had just come in to help out with the busy evening crowd and diner rush. Then he settled on each of the waitresses flitting about including me. It wasn't surprising in the least that his eyes lingered on me the longest, if he had indeed been called in by Jamie.

As he came up to the bar I heard Thorne offer to handle it to Matt, from the glance he shot me, Thorne too figured this was trouble stirred up regarding myself. Matt however was the one who stepped around to bar to greet the man, offering a friendly greeting and gesturing him toward a more private booth off to the side.

They talked for a while, with Matt frowning and shaking his head a few times and the cop doing the same in return. I found myself standing anxiously next to the bar, worried that Jamie had caused real trouble somehow and hating to be the cause of it. Thorne squeezed my shoulder, "Whatever you're thinking, it's not your fault. It's that bitch alright? You didn't do anything wrong and Matt and I can handle this. Nothing illegal going on here." I knew that, but that didn't mean I felt comfortable with this situation.

When Matt got up and came my way he was scowling angrily. "That little shit," he growled as he came within hearing distance. "You'll need to go talk with the good officer and prove you're not fucking underage or being coerced or whatnot." "I what?" I demanded, shocked that Jamie would go that far. "Here," Thorne told me, and he shoved a tray into my hands with two glasses of cold iced tea.

Tapping my pocket to make sure I had my wallet with my identification as Matt had suggested, I headed for the cop while trying not to frown at him. He was obviously just doing his job and from the looks of it not all that concerned either. I had no quarrel with him, I told myself, stay calm and talk this over sensibly. After that I could go find Jamie and strangle her for this next insult!

"Hi," I said as I placed the tray on the table in front of the police officer. He stood up solicitously and offered a hand to shake. "Hello, you must be Dani Davenport. I'm Officer Hayes, I just have a few questions but don't worry there's nothing wrong okay?" We both sat down and at his friendly smile, I relaxed a little. Not mad at this guy, I repeated to myself.

"I'm definitely eighteen," I said, "That's what Matt said you wanted to verify." I took my ID out of my wallet and slid it over so that Officer Hayes could see. He perused it carefully before sliding it back to me with a nod, "I didn't really expect any different to be honest." There was a smile again, popping charming dimples in his cheeks; I found myself smiling back. "Just had to check huh?"

"Something like that. Are you happy working here?" he asked. I shrugged, "I enjoy spending my time in this place, it feels like home." And that was nothing but the truth. I absolutely hated the big house my dad had bought, if I could I'd spend all my nights at the Stonefish or above it or out in the sea with Matt.

"Everything okay with you and your boyfriend?" he send a quick glance at Matt who was again behind the bar but glowering at officer Hayes with clear distrust. I smiled for real this time, "Whoever tipped you off that Matt and I have issues... It's far more likely she did this because she's holding a grudge against me." The officer frowned, "Who do you think called in this tip?" "Jamie Wrenworth. She and I went to school together and graduated recently. I'm pretty new in town and she took a prank a bit too far and I didn't roll over for it."

He didn't say it but I could tell from his expression that I'd guessed correctly. "What do you mean with taking a prank too far? Did she hurt you?" there was a thread of real concern in his tone of voice now. Something other than the gentle coaxing he'd done before. I shrugged, "As far as I'm concerned it's between me and her and over and done with. Now that high school is over I figured she'd let things lie."

I sipped my iced tea with another shrug, "I don't want to make more trouble Officer. I just want to be left alone. There's nothing to worry about in my relationship with Matt. Our friends will all attest to that if you ask." The next smile he gave me I felt was the most genuine. "No need. I already had a feeling this wasn't what it seemed. I used to go to school with Matt did you know? I've got a pretty good idea of his character."

"Oh yeah?" I grinned, "I bet you know some juicy gossip then?" Officer Hayes tossed back his head and laughed. A warm sound that invited a person to join in his mirth. I found the corners of my lips pulling up and then I was actually outright chuckling. Matt was at my elbow a moment later, sliding into the booth with a bemused grin for the both of us.

"So all good Noah?" he asked as he draped his arm around my shoulders in what was clearly a claim. I could tell Matt was happy to see we were getting along but at the same time new enough at this serious dating thing to worry how to react to this. "Yeah mate all good. I think I've got a lady to teach about the seriousness of making wild accusations like this." He winked my way, before turning to Matt. "I'll be back someday off duty so we can catch up yeah?"

"That'd be awesome," Matt said earnestly. Then after Noah Hayes had nodded in goodbye and strode out of the Stonefish he confided. "Noah was a year ahead of me in highschool. He left town before I did and I didn't even know he'd come back. It's good to see him. And in law enforcement at that, he was always such a wild one." "Wilder than you?" I asked with a disbelieving stare.

*

So who's curious about Noah? ^.^

I hope you guys vote or comment or follow, I really appreciate it!

Much love,

Robin