Chapter One-Hundred Six: Seashell Cove Part One

Chapter 106

Seashell Cove Part One

Celeste and Jaxon arrived in his car at Seashell Cove at the lodge where the getaway is being held. It’s at the Bradford Lodge where the Bradford family stayed for the spring and summer. Celeste and Jaxon got out of his car to stretch their legs. Celeste wore a Pantera tank top, a jean micro mini skirt, fringe cowgirl boots, and a spiked collar. Jaxon wore a white leopard print shirt with the buttons undone to expose his dragon chest tattoo, tight black jeans and chelsea boots.

Tristan and Deimos soon arrived in Deimos’ car. Deimos climbed out wearing a shirt of the grim reaper flipping the bird, torn jeans, and cowboy boots. He went to open the door for Tristan, who stepped out wearing a light blue button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, white shorts, and white slip-on vans.

The four examined the area. It was on a large sandy beach with a huge pit set up for a bonfire. There was a boardwalk and a bridge over a swamp.

The mountain lodge was a large log cabin with several intersecting hip roofs. A large patio surrounded the cabin with a large window looking into the large, open living room. There was a huge deck in the front with a grill and tables and chairs.

In the back was a large balcony with a few tables and chairs and offering an excellent view of the forest and the lake leading to the beach.

A middleaged portly white man came out. He had gray hair that was receding. He wore a Hawaiian shirt, shorts, and flip-flops. He had a big, fat Cuban cigar hanging from his mouth and carried a glass of bourbon on the rocks. He was 49-year-old Joe Bradford, the colleague of Honorine Trémaux and the owner of the lodge.

Joe: “HEEEEEEEEEEEY! It’s Tristan and Deimos! Nice to see you two again!”

He shook their hands and patted their backs.

Tristan: “Nice to see you too, Joe.”

He shook his sore hand and laughed.

Joe turned to Jaxon and Celeste.

Joe: “And who are these two?! You got a pretty lady on your arm, kid!”

He wiggled his eyebrows.

Joe: “Might wanna keep an eye on her when Josh is around.”

He winked.

Jaxon: “This is my Green Queen, Celeste. I don’t need to keep an eye on her. She will kick his ass herself.”

He grinned and laughed, draping his arm around her. Celeste grinned up at him and kissed his cheek.

They heard light footsteps coming behind them. They saw a young, white, slender woman with fairly large breasts. Her blue-violet hair cascaded a little past her shoulders. She had a headband in her hair and a beauty mark below her right eye. Her violet eyes were large and dazzling with long lashes. She wore a black sweater, a white pressed shirt underneath, a pleated plaid shirt, and Mary Jane heels. She was 22-year-old Chelsea Wentworth.

Joe: “This is my son’s girlfriend, Chelsea Wentworth!”

Tristan: “Hello, Chelsea! How are you doing?”

He approached her, and the two hugged. Joe shifted his eyes, looking visibly uncomfortable and on the lookout for someone.

Chelsea: “I am doing well, Tristan! It’s nice to see you again and Deimos! Hello!”

She said to him. Deimos smiled and nodded.

Deimos: “Hey, Chels!”

Chelsea: “Ivy is not here?”

Tristan shook his head. Deimos looked away.

Tristan: “No, after Deimos and she ended it, we all decided to part ways.”

He said awkwardly, not wanting to divulge anymore. Chelsea nodded and took a mental note of this.

Chelsea swung her gaze onto Celeste and Jaxon, and locked it on Jaxon.

Chelsea: “O-Oh, h-hello! I-I don’t believe we met! I’m Chelsea… Chelsea Wentworth.”

She said shyly. Joe knit his eyebrows and cupped his mouth. Jaxon turned to her and greeted her with a friendly smile.

Jaxon: “Yo, I’m Jaxon!”

He nodded to her.

Chelsea: “Nice to meet you, Jaxon! So what do you do professionally?”

She asked him and smiled.

Jaxon: “Oh, I’m in a band with my best ever friend, Deimos, here!”

He teased Deimos, putting his arm around him. Deimos pouted.

Deimos: “Yeah, what he said.”

He grumbled.

Chelsea clasped her hands together, and her eyes glittered.

Chelsea: “Oh, how lovely! I would love to hear you two play sometime!”

She said excitedly. Jaxon smiled.

Jaxon: “Maybe you will be lucky and hear us play sometime!”

He winked at her. She blushed when he winked.

Chelsea: “I’d love that.”

She said softly.

Jaxon: “I know!”

He grinned, putting on his sunglasses. She felt the heat rise to her face. She loved his charm and good looks. Celeste looked up at Jaxon.

They heard a loud “Aw, fuck!” They turned to see a tall, rugged young white man who wore his reddish-pink hair in a crew cut. He wore a polo shirt, chinos, and loafers. He spread his smile to show his strong, even white teeth that sparkled in the sun. He was Joe Bradford’s 25-year-old son, Josh.

Josh: “HEY! It’s Tristan and Deimos! Hey, how ya doin’, chumps!?”

Tristan sighed. Deimos glared at him and stood in front of Tristan protectively. I am not going to grace that with a response, Tristan thought.

Josh turned to Celeste and grinned widely.

Josh: “Who’s this dollface? Hey, gorgeous! I got a Sea Doo! Wanna come for a ride with the Josh?!”

He pointed to himself with his thumb. Jaxon glared at Josh and draped his arm around Celeste.

Celeste: “No, not really.”

She said flatly.

Jaxon: “This is Celeste; she’s MY Green Queen.”

He hissed at him.

Josh saw Chelsea, who was embracing herself.

Josh: “Oh, I didn’t know you were here! Just kidding, Chelsea!”

He laughed. Jaxon scoffed at Josh.

Jaxon: “Who’s this loser?”

He asked them.

Josh: “I’m the owner of this fine place. I’m Josh Bradford, don’t you forget it, Chinese boy!”

He grinned. Jaxon furrowed his eyebrows.

Jaxon: “I’m Japanese, idiot. You’re stupidnese.”

He countered. Josh towered over him, and rage flickered in his eyes.

Josh: “It’s the same thing, Ching-Chong!”

He snapped. Jaxon laughed bitterly.

Jaxon: “Okay, stereotypical bully NPC.”

He held his hand up to him. Josh’s face contorted with rage. Chelsea knew that look.

Chelsea stepped in.

Chelsea: “Josh, don’t worry. I know you were kidding.”

She bowed her head.

Chelsea: “We came here to have fun. Can we do that?”

She looked at him pleadingly. Josh glared at her with rage and looked at his father, who was shaken. Tristan glared at Josh.

Josh: “Okay, whatever, Chelsea! I have to find Arnie anyway! That stupid motherfucker is missing!”

He turned around and angrily kicked up sand as he marched to the woods.

Tristan: “Are you okay, Chelsea?”

He asked her. Chelsea nodded.

Chelsea: “Yes, I am fine, Tristan. He must have thought I was upset about his joke.”

She forced a smile. Except it wasn’t a joke, Tristan thought.

Jaxon: “What do you see in that guy anyway?”

He scoffed. Celeste looked up at Jaxon.

Chelsea: “Oh, Josh and I have dated since high school! He asked me out and I said yes! We’ve been strong ever since.”

She smiled sadly at him. Tristan cupped his mouth. Deimos looked away. Yeah, sounds like Ivy and me, but we left, he thought.

Jaxon: “Jesus, if I stayed with the crazy lil’ bitch I dated in high school, I’d kill myself, no offense!”

He laughed bitterly and shuddered, thinking of Yvette.

Jaxon: “There was so much better out there for me, though. I’m glad I left.”

He turned to Celeste and kissed her head. Celeste smiled and purred. Chelsea smiled at Jaxon.

Chelsea: “I’m happy for you, Jaxon.”

She nodded.

Jaxon: “Thanks! I’m very happy! Maybe someday you can be, too!”

He said earnestly. Chelsea cupped her mouth and blushed.

Chelsea: “Y-Yes!”

Joe: “Hey, Chelsea! Why don’t you show Jaxon and Celeste to their bedrooms? I think Tristan and Deimos can help me look for Arnie!”

He said to her with a faint smile.

Tristan: “Who is Arnie?”

Joe: “New friend of Josh’s! He’s fighting with his friends, and Arnie asked him to be his friend, and here we are! He’s a little strange, but he means well!”

He laughed and looked away, wincing.

Deimos: “Sure, why not?”

Jaxon shrugged, not thinking anything of it; he just wanted to get to his room with Celeste.

Jaxon: “Well, shall we?”

He put his arm around her. Celeste nodded and smiled.

~

They entered the lodge to a sizable living room with a vaulted ceiling, a catwalk above, a stone fireplace, and plush sofas surrounding a coffee table. There was a dining room table with six chairs on each side and one each at the end. Across from the dining room table was a nice, rustic kitchen where a woman was preparing dinner. She wore a light blue dress with a frilly apron, blue heels, and had feathered reddish-pink hair.

Chelsea led Celeste and Jaxon to their bedroom upstairs. It had a vaulted ceiling, a queen-sized log frame bed, and a large window with an excellent view of the forest.

Chelsea: “How do you like it, Jaxon?”

She asked as her eyes sparkled.

Jaxon: “Very nice… I love the view.”

He purred at Celeste. Celeste giggled at his compliment and trailed her nails down his chest. Jaxon shivered at her touch and kissed her forehead.

They heard Joe call from upstairs.

Joe: “Come on down and take a tour of the beach!”

Celeste: “Coming?”

She asked Jaxon. Jaxon nodded and took her hand.

Jaxon: “Of course, babe!”

~

When they arrived outside, Deimos and Tristan were there.

Deimos: “Hey!”

He waved to Celeste and Jaxon.

Jaxon: “Hey, friendos.”

He teased. Deimos pouted. Tristan waved.

Joe came with a short, white young man who wore his orange hair swept to the side. Aviator glasses hung over his nose, and he had a noticeable gap between his teeth. He wore a Venom t-shirt, jeans, and white sneakers. He was 21-year-old Arnie Sheldon.

Joe: “Well, I found Arnie.”

Arnie looked at everyone and went to Deimos.

Arnie: “Hey, sir, I’m Arnie! Do you do karate?”

Deimos was taken aback, but surprised he knew this. Tristan smiled at him.

Deimos: “Yes, I do! I’m a 4th black belt dan!”

He looked up at Tristan, smiling that he was able to protect him.

Arnie: “Do you wear golf cleats?”

He asked robotically. Deimos blinked.

Deimos: “No, I don’t golf.”

Arnie: “Could you… fucking kick the shit out of me and step on me?”

He drawled. Tristan’s mouth was ajar. Deimos gaped at him. Jaxon laughed.

Deimos: “Wh-What?!”

Arnie: “Kick the shit out of me! I want you to kick the shit out of me!”

He bent over and thrust his ass at Deimos. Deimos bared his teeth and kicked him hard in the ass. Anie landed face-first in the sand. He spit it out when he lifted his head.

Deimos: “Go to Hell, fuckface!”

He barked. Tristan hung his head.

Tristan: “Deimos, that is what he wanted.”

Deimos: “He’s a fuckin’ little pervert!”

He huffed.

Tristan: “And you gave him what he wanted.”

He drew a long breath. Joe looked away.

Joe: “Twenty somethings.”

He muttered.

Jaxon patted Deimos’ back.

Jaxon: “Welcome to our world. Join the club.”

He said to Deimos.

Deimos: “I never should have fucking told him I did karate.”

Arnie rushed to Deimos.

Arnie: “Do it again!”

Deimos delivered a punch straight to his face, sending him crashing on the sand.

Deimos: “Fuck off, dickhead!”

He snapped. Jaxon laughed at the weird man.

Jaxon: “What a weirdo!”

Joe waved to a white boy rushing down the beach. He wore his red hair in a mullet and wore a Batman shirt, shorts, and sneakers. He was 8-year-old Jesse Bradford, Joe’s youngest son.

Jesse: “Guess what, Dad?! Guess what?! I got something!”

Joe looked as Jesse lifted the lid.

Joe: “That is very nice, son, but don’t bring it to your mother!”

He tousled his hair. Jaxon looked at the jar. Jesse went to him and Celeste, opened the lid, and showed them four snakes inside.

Jaxon: “Oh, nice Garter snakes!”

He smiled. Deimos gaped at them with fear.

Deimos: “NO! NOOOOOO!”

He screamed and ran down the beach. Tristan cupped his mouth.

Tristan: “Deimos is terrified of snakes! Sorry!”

He chased after him.

Jaxon: “Huh. Learn something new every day.”

He chuckled, putting his arm around Celeste. Celeste looked up at him.

Celeste: “Oh, I knew that the day I met him. I rescued him from an attacker, and he took me in when I was a stray.”

She smiled.

Celeste: “Anyway, a snake got into his house and I got rid of it.”

She added. Jaxon smiled.

Jaxon: “That’s sweet!”

He beamed.

Joe: “Jesse, might wanna get rid of those before your mother comes out.”

He patted his head. Jesse nodded and went on the boardwalk to go to the forest to release them. Deimos and Tristan came back with Deimos hanging onto Tristan.

Celeste: “Are you okay, Deimos?”

Deimos: “Y-Yeah.”

He nodded.

Joe: “So we’re having steak and lobster for dinner. How do you kids like your steaks?”

Deimos: “Well, I’m having lobster! I more or less agreed because of the lobster!”

Celeste: “I’ll have both. I love my steak done blue.”

Joe: “So you like raw meat?”

Celeste nodded and grinned.

Jaxon: “Me too!”

He nodded.

Joe: “So ya want your steak done blue, kid?”

He asked him and took a drag of his cigar.

Jaxon: “Yep!”

He nodded.

Tristan: “Rare is fine for me.”

He nodded.

Joe: “Dinner will be ready shortly! Why don’t you guys look around the area?”

He offered.

Tristan: “Sure! Come on, Deimos. You coming, Celeste and Jaxon?”

He asked them.

Celeste: “Hell yeah!”

Jaxon: “What she said!”

Tristan: “And you, Chelsea?”

Chelsea: “Yes, Tristan!”

~

They walked down the board and ventured into the woods.

Celeste: “How do you like it so far, handsome?”

She asked Jaxon as she held onto his arm. Jaxon held onto her arm.

Jaxon: “This is exactly what I needed, babe!”

He sighed happily, feeling the fresh air on his face. Celeste gazed up at him and traced her nails on his neck.

Deimos: “I was having fun until that fucking idiot came to ask me to beat him up.”

He huffed. Tristan sighed and put his arm over Deimos. Deimos looked up at him and smiled. The five came across a gorgeous swimming hole with a waterfall. The water in the area was crystal blue, and the sound of the babbling brook was pleasant. Deimos and Tristan walked around the area.

Chelsea: “Oh, this is a swimming hole! It’s lovely here! You can jump off the waterfall and dive in. I never could, though!”

She laughed.

Jaxon: “I'm totally doing that!”

He grinned at the waterfall.

Chelsea: “You could do that?”

She asked and gazed intently at him.

Jaxon: “Sure, why not?”

He grinned and shrugged. She bit her bottom lip.

Joe came along.

Joe: “Hey, Jaxon? We’re outta beer! We need some for dinner! Would ya go to the store and get some and anything else ya want?”

He drawled and handed him several hundred-dollar bills. Jaxon’s eyes widened at the bills.

Jaxon: “Shit! How much booze do you need?”

He laughed.

Joe: “A few cases and maybe you need cigarettes!”

He patted his back.

Jaxon: “Maybe I do.”

He smiled and took the cash. He turned to Celeste.

Jaxon: “I'll be right back, babe.”

He kissed her on the lips. Celeste kissed him back.

Joe: “Ah, I need someone to lift the Sea-Doo to shore!”

Celeste: “Oh, I can do that!”

She shot her hand in the air. He laughed and nodded.

Joe: “Then that is settled!”

He turned to Chelsea.

Joe: “Hey, Chelsea, why don’t you go with Jaxon?”

Chelsea reddened and nodded.

Chelsea: “If he’ll have me!”

She brushed her hair behind her ear.

Jaxon: “Sure, you can come along if you want.”

He shrugged and smiled.

Chelsea: “L-Lead the way to your car.”

She chirped.

Jaxon led her to his car and got in the driver's seat. She climbed in the passenger’s seat beside him and got a waft of his cologne. It was the nicest scent she smelled in a while. She checked out his body, admiring his sexy body and good looks.

Jaxon slid his car keys into the ignition, started the car, and released the emergency brake. He put on his Ray-Bans and shifted into first gear, and drove down the road.

Jaxon: “So, why did you want to come with me?”

He asked with a smile.. Chelsea froze. Does he know!? She thought and twirled her hair. Don’t be stupid, be cool, she thought.

Chelsea: “I figured you needed some company, and I know the exact brand of beer Josh and his father drink!”

She stammered and laughed awkwardly.

Jaxon: “OH, yeah, I forgot to ask them!”

He laughed and slapped his forehead. She let out a peal of giggles.

Chelsea: “Don’t worry! I remember everything! I know what Josh is like when you mess up!”

She laughed and twirled her hair. Jaxon quirked an eyebrow.

Jaxon: “What do you mean?”

He pressed her. Chelsea paused.

Chelsea: “He gets really angry when you get him the wrong stuff. I used to mess up a lot when we first dated, but now I don’t anymore!”

She smiled sadly. Jaxon paused, thinking of his parents.

Jaxon: “That’s not your fault.”

He huffed. Chelsea looked at him.

Chelsea: “It’s not? Josh said it was, so I started to learn what to do to not make him angry with me.”

She said as her voice trailed off. Jaxon frowned and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it up. She gazed at him and bit her bottom lip. He’s so sexy, she thought.

Jaxon: “Look, you seem like a nice girl, but I gotta be blunt with you. I know what abuse looks like, and he’s abusing you.”

He said matter-of-factly. Chelsea paused.

Chelsea: “Oh. You think so? Why?”

She shifted in her seat and looked out the window. Jaxon pursed his lips.

Jaxon: “You’re scared of him and you’re shifting your behavior to not make him mad… like I did with my father.”

He frowned. Chelsea gazed at him and put her fingers over her mouth.

Chelsea: “I’m so sorry, Jaxon…”

She said, taking on a plaintive tone.

Jaxon: “I’m sorry too. I hope you can break free of him, too!”

He sighed. Chelsea looked down at her lap and blushed.

Jaxon: “Fuck that guy… actually don’t fuck him. There’s plenty of better guys… or girls or anything in between out there!”

He assured her. She looked at him and reddened.

Chelsea: “Oh, Josh and I haven’t made love in years.”

She admitted.

Jaxon: “So, he’s having an affair then?”

He shook his head and inhaled his cigarette.

Chelsea: “Not just one!”

She laughed humorlessly and stared down at her lap, thinking of how often Josh hits on other women and sleeps with them.

Jaxon: “Why do you stay?”

He asked.

Chelsea: “Oh, he was my first, and I love him.”

She replied. I think, she thought. Then why am I checking him out? She wondered. Maybe I am not better, but it feels good, she thought.

Jaxon: “That’s not a reason to stay. My first was this crazy weirdo obsessed with torturing me with Varg the Viking. If I stayed with her ‘cause she was my first, I’d still be suffering. I never would have found happiness and the Green Queen that I love!”

He explained with a smile plastered across his face. Chelsea gazed at him. She agreed with him, but it was easier said than done. She blushed at him.

Chelsea: “She’s very lucky to have you.”

She blurted and reddened more.

Jaxon: “I’m very lucky to have her!”

He smiled to himself.

Jaxon: “Not just because she’s sexy, but she’s saved my life!”

He said earnestly.

Chelsea: “Oh yeah? It must be nice to have someone risk their life to save yours. What happened if you don’t mind telling me?”

She asked him.

Jaxon: “Well, she saved me from my crazy ex, a crazy lady in the woods, and this crazy hypno-lady, oh, and this serial killer, and a bunch of other monsters!”

He laughed in a tone that seemed like he was joking. Chelsea put her hand to her mouth.

Chelsea: “Goodness, Jaxon! You’ve been through so much! I am so sorry!”

She said empathetically.

Jaxon: “Nah, that’s not your fault!”

He waved his hand dismissively. She wanted to put her hand on his but held back.

Chelsea: “I know, but it’s terrible you endured that. You deserve lots of love and care!”

She blurted and reddened.

Jaxon: “Thanks! I get plenty of that from Celeste!”

He smiled.

Jaxon: “I hope you find someone who loves and cares for you, too!”

He added. Chelsea gazed at him dreamily and bit her bottom lip.

Chelsea: “Yes…”

She said breathlessly.

They pulled up to Bill’s Liquor Store. Jaxon parked the car and lifted the emergency brake. Chelsea climbed out. Jaxon strolled into the store. The door dinged as they entered. He strolled to the back of the walk-in fridge section, where all the cases of beer were. Chelsea joined him and shivered in the cold.

Chelsea: “Okay, so Josh loves Coors Light.”

She nodded to the case of Coors Light that had twenty-six cans of beer in it.

Jaxon: “Okay, let’s get the baby his bottle.”

He scoffed. Chelsea let out a peal of giggles.

Chelsea: “You’re so funny!”

She blurted and flushed red when she realized what she had said. She brushed her hair behind her ear.

Jaxon: “Haha, I know I am!”

He laughed. She bit her lip and reddened.

Chelsea: “They want two cases of those.”

Jaxon nodded and knelt, picking up the two cases of beer she directed him to. She bit her lip and checked out his ass, feeling butterflies in the most feminine part of her.

Chelsea: “Y-You can lift those?”

She quivered.

Jaxon: “Sure can!”

He said nonchalantly as he carried them over to the register. Chelsea bit her lip, feeling her heart thunder in her chest.

Chelsea: “Oh, and don’t forget your cigarettes!”

She reminded him.

Jaxon: “I wasn’t going to, but thank you!”

He flashed her a smile and directed the cashier to the Marlboro Reds behind the counter. The cashier was an older white man with glasses and a moustache.

Cashier: “Do you have ID?”

He asked him. Jaxon nonchalantly withdrew his wallet and handed his driver’s license. The cashier looked at it and handed it back.

Cashier: “Josh is not going to be happy, Chelsea. You’re a sweetheart, I don’t want to be mean, but he’s not going to be happy with you being with a good-looking man like him.”

He said as he rang up Jaxon’s purchases and scanned the pack of Marlboro Reds, handing them to Jaxon. Chelsea bowed her head. I didn’t think of that, I just wanted to be with Jaxon, she thought.

Jaxon: “So what? He’s not the boss of her, and for your info, I’m taken!”

He countered.

Cashier: “Not tryin’ to start an argument, young man. I hate that prick as much as the next guy, and that don’t matter to Josh.”

He put his hands up and drawled.

Cashier: “Just tryin’ to warn you is all.”

He nodded. Jaxon paid for his purchases.

Jaxon: “Don’t worry, I can handle him!”

He grinned, putting his Ray Ban sunglasses on and carrying the beers out. Chelsea bit her bottom lip, checked out his ass and admired him. If anyone can, it’s you, Jaxon, she thought.

~

Celeste hoisted the Sea-Doo above her head as she carried it out to the cabin. Joe’s eyes were like saucers watching her strength. Celeste placed it on the sand and dusted her hands. She looked around the beach.

Celeste: “Where are Tristan and Deimos?”

She asked as she scanned the area. She walked alongside the beach, further and further away from the lodge and down the path back to the swimming hole.

Josh came out of the woods.

Josh: “Hey, gorgeous! It’s the Josh!”

He pointed to himself with his thumb.

Celeste: “Yeah, I know. You told me a few times now. I got it on the first round.”

She said flatly and walked beside him.

Josh jumped in front of her.

Josh: “Say, beautiful, do you wanna take a spin in my Lambo? Or my four-wheeler? It’s an experience you won’t forget! Why? It’s with the Josh!”

He grinned and pointed to himself with his thumb.

Celeste: “Not really.”

She said flatly. Josh’s jaw dropped.

Josh: “Wh-Why not, baby?! No girl ever turns me down!”

Celeste: “I’m a girl and I did.”

She said flatly as she walked away. Josh grabbed her arm. She yanked it away, sending him flying across the woods. Josh raised his head to her.

Josh: “Wh-What the Hell, baby?!”

Celeste: “I don’t want to go with you.”

Josh scrambled to his feet, feeling his rage soaring.

Josh: “Why the fuck not?! Is it because of Chelsea?! Okay, baby, I can dump her and we can ride off into the sunset! With the Josh!”

He pointed to himself with his thumb.

Celeste: “You can leave her. I’m not changing my mind.”

Josh: “Why, baby?! Is it that Chinese boy!? I can speak Chinese, too! Choing, choing, choing!”

He pressed his hands together.

Celeste: “I’m with Jaxon. He’s Japanese, and you’re not my type. I don’t go for the rich and stupid type.”

She shrugged. Josh’s jaw dropped.

Josh: “I don’t see why you wouldn’t want to be with… THE JOSH?!”

He pointed to himself with his thumb.

Celeste: “Do I need a lot of reasons? I don’t like you, and that’s enough. You love yourself so why don’t you suck your own dick? It’s THE JOSH’S dick, right?”

She said wryly.

Josh glared at her. His nostrils flared, and he resembled a mad bull ready to charge.

Josh: “If you don’t go with me, baby, I will have to make ya!”

He charged after her. Celeste delivered a spinning round kick to his stomach, the impact sent him flying across the forest, and he crashed into the swimming hole. Josh emerged from the surface, splashing around like an angry toddler.

Tristan and Deimos showed up. Tristan glared at Josh.

Tristan: “Well, that’s one pain taken care of.”

Josh: “SHUT UP, SNOW BOY! FUCK YOU ALL!”

He bellowed. Deimos glared at him.

Deimos: “One of these days, Josh, you’re going to cross the wrong person, and it’s game over.”

Josh stepped out like a drenched rat, glaring at him.

Josh: “Is that a threat, Karate Kid?”

Deimos: “No, it’s a warning.”

He said tersely.

Celeste: “Can we ditch this boring clown and do something fun?”

She asked with irritation.

Josh: “BORING?! THE JOSH IS NOT FUCKING BORING!”

He bellowed as he stamped his feet.

Celeste: “Yeah, The Josh is boring. Your fight was too easy. Next.”

She rolled her eyes. Josh’s jaw dropped.

Josh: “AND THAT CHINESE BOY CAN DO BETTER?!”

Celeste: “Well, yeah! You can’t even remember his nationality, so I chalked it up to that you’re just retarded.”

She drawled. Josh glared at her with rage. Tristan chuckled.

Josh: “STOP LAUGHING, FROSTY THE SNOWBITCH! FUCK YOU ALL! I DON’T NEED ANY OF YOU!”

He bellowed and stormed off. Deimos glared at him.

Deimos: “God, I should kick his ass like I did to his perverted fuckin’ friend.”

He huffed.

Celeste: “Just a warning: he’s too easy to fight, so if you’re looking for a challenge, it won’t be with him.”

~

That evening, everyone sat out on the front deck eating dinner. They served steak, lobster, coleslaw, and roasted vegetables. Joe had his wife, Betsy, join them. Celeste broke open the lobsters with her hands. Joe gaped at her.

Joe: “The strength on her, holy smokes!”

Jaxon: “That’s my girl!”

He grinned proudly at her. Everyone was drinking beer or wine at the table, except for Jesse and Celeste. The two had Shirley Temples. Josh gazed at Celeste cracking the shells open and sucking the tail out.

Josh: “Bet she gives good head.”

He whispered to Arnie. Celeste heard him and paused. Tristan and Deimos heard him and gave him a dirty look. Jaxon gaped at him and glared.

Jaxon: “Bet she can chop your head off!”

Josh glared at him and was reminded of how Celeste kicked his ass.

Arnie: “Oh, Josh, I don’t play for that team! I like men who can kick my ass!”

He said loudly.

Joe put his hand over his face.

Joe: “Arnie, there’s a kid at the table?”

He said irritably.

Arnie: “Yeah, it’s okay to be proud of your kinks.”

Betsy gaped at him.

Betsy: “Not at the dinner table with children around!”

She scolded him.

Josh: “Shut the fuck up, bitch boy! I am sick of lookin’ at you!”

He snapped at Arnie and slapped him. Arnie shook his head.

Joe: “So, you guys havin’ a bonfire?”

Josh: “Yeah, we’re havin’ one, Dad.”

He said as he gulped his beer, locking his eyes on Celeste. Tristan surveyed him and everyone. He noticed Chelsea looked scared, and Josh was agitated more so after Celeste rejected him.

Jesse: “Can I come, too?”

Josh: “No, it’s for grown-ups, Jesse.”

He rolled his eyes.

Betsy rose from the table, holding her wine glass up in her hand.

Betsy: “Let’s have a toast to this lovely getaway with our new friends! Thank you for joining us here in Seashell Cove! We hope you enjoy your stay!”

She cheered.

Joe: “Hear, hear!”

He cheered, raising his can of beer.

Tristan: “Cheers!”

He raised his glass of wine. Jaxon put his arm around Celeste and raised his beer.

Jaxon: “I always have a good time anywhere with my Green Queen!”

He smiled at her. Josh glared at them.

Josh: “No girl turns the Josh down.”

He muttered. Celeste, Tristan, Jaxon, and Deimos all heard him.

Jaxon: “The Josh? More like The Douche.”

He scoffed and laughed at him. Josh glared hatefully at him.

~

Tristan, Deimos, Celeste, Jaxon, Chelsea, Josh, and Arnie sat around the bonfire. They were all drinking cans of beer, except for Celeste, Chelsea, and Tristan. Chelsea and Tristan had glasses of wine, and Celeste had some soda. Arnie rose and ripped off his shirt.

Arnie: “YOUNG ADULT WASTELAND, BABY! WOOOOOOOO!!”

He swung his shirt in the air.

Josh: “Shut the fuck up, bitch!”

He threw his can of beer at him. He got another from the portable cooler and opened it up. Chelsea shifted in her seat uncomfortably.

Josh: “Guess what I got, guys?”

He reached into his pocket and withdrew a bag of cocaine. Chelsea gaped at Josh. Jaxon flicked his gaze to the bag, immediately knowing what it was. Arnie wiped his nose.

Arnie: “Flour? Are we gonna make a cake?”

Josh: “No, dumbass! It’s coke! You snort it!”

He snapped. Tristan surveyed Josh and Chelsea. He could tell from her body language that this wasn’t the first time he had done this. He sipped his glass of wine and inhaled a drag from his cigarette. Deimos inhaled a drag from his cigarette, blew out smoke, and gulped on his beer. Why doesn’t this fucker ask me to kick his ass? He wondered.

Jaxon: “Why do you have that, and where did you get it?”

He asked.

Josh: “I have it ‘cause I wanna do it and I got it from my dealer!”

He laughed as he poured some on a mirror and cut it with his credit card. He rolled up a dollar bill and snorted a drag of it. Chelsea looked away with pain in her eyes.

Jaxon: “Go on then.”

He shrugged. Sabotage yourself, he thought, remembering how Celeste was always lecturing him about how substances lessen your awareness, and he would be less of a bother to them high.

Josh: “Wanna bump, Ching-Chong?”

He laughed.

Jaxon: “Nah, ding-dong. I don’t need it and I don’t wanna lessen my senses.”

He said, wrapping his arm around Celeste. Celeste smiled at him, remembering what she told him. Chelsea looked away to hide her laughter.

Josh glared at Chelsea.

Josh: “And where the fuck were you earlier?”

Chelsea drew back.

Chelsea: “Oh, I was getting your beer, Josh.”

Josh: “You don’t drive, so who took ya?”

He pressed her.

Chelsea: “I went with Jaxon! Nothing happened, Josh!”

She cried, waving her hands around.

Josh: “Like fuck it didn’t! You’re cheating me, are ya?! You’re cheating on The Josh with this fuckin’ Jap!”

He snapped at her and threw his can of beer at her. She shielded herself and cried.

Jaxon glared at Josh. Tristan rose to him.

Tristan: “That’s enough, Josh! You leave her alone!”

He hissed.

Josh: “Fuck off, Frosty the Snowbitch! I didn’t ask for your opinion!”

He barked. Deimos rose and stood protectively in front of Tristan.

Celeste: “Didn’t you tell me you’d leave her for me?”

She asked evenly. Chelsea looked at Josh with teary eyes. Jaxon’s fury soared.

Josh: “What, you changed your mind?”

He asked with eagerness.

Celeste: “No, but you were hitting on me when she was gone.”

Josh glared at her with rage, recalling how she rejected him. Jaxon seethed with rage, picking up a full beer can and throwing it at Josh’s head. Josh fell over and cupped his head, glaring at Jaxon with rage.

Jaxon: “Fuck off! Stay away from my Green Queen and my friends!”

He snapped at him.

Jaxon: “And don’t throw shit at your girlfriend, idiot!”

He added for good measure.

Josh: “You fuckin’ son-of-a-bitch!”

He charged after him, raising his fist at him. Jaxon dodged his punch, grabbed his arm, kneed him in the stomach, and delivered a karate chop to his neck, sending him crashing into the sand. Deimos nodded in approval.

Deimos: “Nice!”

Chelsea stood there with stars in her eyes as she stared at Jaxon.

Josh raised his head from the sand, spitting it out.

Josh: “FUCK YOU ALL!”

He snapped and stormed off. Jaxon glared at him and waved him off.

Jaxon: Sayonara, motherfucker!”

He waved him off.

Celeste: “Very nice, handsome!”

She clapped.

Tristan: “Thank you, Jaxon, for dealing with that pest.”

He said genially. Chelsea said nothing, but she had the biggest smile on her face she had in a while.