Heat Wave by Kate J. Squires Page A

We’ll meet here on the deck every night for a recap of the day’s activities, and at the end of three weeks Beau will choose the woman he’s going to ride off into the sunset with. Beau is your oyster, girls. Get cracking!’
    The music kicked back in as the lights dimmed for a more erotic party atmosphere. The ladies swarmed the stage, pulling my Tanner in every direction while he laughed uncomfortably. And, like an idiot, I just sat there.
    I was forced to watch them gyrate against him on the dance floor for hours as I took notes on my tablet, marking down when Greg filmed something interesting. Highlights included when Tanner was requested to sip from the shot glass firmly planted between Sassy’s breasts, and when Severe stripped buck-naked and went skinny-dipping in the pool, her completely shaven body as silky as a seal.
    The centre of so much raging feminine attention, Tanner looked shell-shocked. Whenever he could, he’d glance up to my perch and beseech me with his eyes, and I would smile back weakly, trying to reassure him. Watching it was horrific, but I understood why he couldn’t just call it quits in the middle of things. He had a conversation on the cards with Maxine, and I knew he’d make it right then.
    The only time I noticed Tanner relax was when Callie approached him. The tall brunette sidled up beside him, handed him his favourite beer, tapped hers against his and murmured something in his ear. Tanner bellowed in laughter, and watched her keenly as she sashayed off. I barely managed to survive that encounter, digging my nails into my palms hard enough to draw blood.
    Finally the director yelled, ‘That’s a wrap for tonight, people. Thanks, ladies, and thank you, Beau. We’ll pick things up in the morning.’
    Maxine immediately appeared like a wraith in Armani, escorting Tanner away. As I watched him go, I noticed sweet little Sumara waving up at Greg. She’d been noticeably removed from the Tanner action, choosing instead to sit with Shy and Smart by the bar, sipping girly drinks and giggling softly.
    In a haze, I wandered after Greg as we ditched our gear and headed back into the bowels of the ship. Around us, the other crew members were joking and animated, discussing the women and gearing up for the post-filming drinks. I was thankful when we entered our miniscule cabin and closed out all the noise.
    â€˜See you in the morning, Maddie,’ said Greg, climbing into the bottom bunk as I made my way up to the top one.
    â€˜â€™Night.’ I drew the short privacy curtain across my bed, flinching as I remembered how the one earlier had dropped into my hands, revealing Maxine’s face. In my tiny coffin space, I shucked out of the culpable pants and top, then recalled my complete lack of sleepwear. Nude, I crawled beneath the thin sheet and scratchy blanket, and wrapped my arms around myself.
    Tanner will come. He’ll quit and find me and hold me. Tanner will come. Grinning at the thought of my Beau finding me naked, I fell asleep, the gentle motion of the ship rocking away my worries.
    ***
    Tanner stands under our favourite oak tree, the one where we gave each other the gift of our first times. His face is crumpled. ‘Leaving? When?’
    Tears pour hot down my face; they track over the curve of my chin and along my neck. ‘In two weeks. Tanner, I’m so sorry. I told my dad I want to stay, see out the year, but he won’t listen.’
    He pulls me close, his arms like a blanket, hugging me tight and scaring the monsters away.
    â€˜I can’t leave you,’ I say into the soft cotton of his faded shirt.
    â€˜We’ll run away.’
    There’s a determined note in his voice, and I look up in surprise. ‘Tanner, you can’t leave. Your dad needs you, we have school to think about — ’
    â€˜I don’t care about anything but you, Maddie-girl.’ He wipes the tears from my streaming eyes and