Chapter 7

Becca gave her speech, welcoming everyone and then running into her announcements. A lot of it was just repeated information from the email blasts she’d been sending out for weeks ahead of time - things like reminders to check all photos before posting to social media and getting permission from others if they were in the picture, and making sure to make any content sharing deals in writing. A few girls had apparently not been invited back from the previous year because they flaked on deals. There were also more housekeeping rules; we were all going to be roommates living in two floating apartments, so clean up after ourselves, be respectful. Remember that there are two men on the trip.

At that last one several of the girls, though I didn’t notice who, let out little ‘woo’s!’ and Becca rolled her eyes. “They are both in relationships, so keep your cooters in the Off position, ladies!”

This brought chuckles from most of the group. Cassidy, however, slipped her hand into mine and squeezed my fingers, and I looked down and she gave me that ‘I told you so’ look.

Becca went on with her announcements. “Alright, last two things. First, we have a more diverse crowd than last year in terms of what kind of content we all make. There will be no shaming of people for any kind of content they do or don’t make. Or for what sites they use! If I catch a whiff of that, not only will you not be back next year, but we will literally drop you back off here at the dock and go back out without you.

“Second, the rental company needs to do a crash safety course with at least four pilots for the houseboats. I’ll be one of the drivers for the Single’s Boat, so I need three volunteers. Please come and see me! Everyone else, you can start loading the luggage onto the boats. Just follow Ted over there in the red shirt.”

A bearded guy who looked like he was sun-beaten leather held together by dirt and shoelaces waved from the near side of one of the docks.

As the crowd of models began to move, I squeezed Cassidy’s hand and pulled her back to me. “I’m going to go get the pilot course,” I said.

She nodded, slipped her arms around my waist and went up onto her tiptoes to peck my lips. “OK, Tiger. Has anyone, y’know ... interested you?”

“I don’t know if I’m ready for that emotionally yet,” I said. “Physically, sure. But not in here or here.” I pointed to my head and my heart.

She nodded again. “Just keep an open mind.”

I took a deep breath and nodded. “I will. For you, I will.”

It was strange, telling my fiancee I would be open to flirting with other women for her sake.

I headed over to Becca near one of the warehouse walls, while Cassidy went to start joining the crowd moving luggage. I noticed JC talking with his girl Terra, then heading over as well.

“Hey, I’ll volunteer for piloting,” I said to Becca.

“Me too,” JC said, following behind me.

“And I’ll help on the singles boat,” a woman said. She was of Asian descent but spoke with a slightly bewildering midwest accent. She was gorgeous; tall and slender, with full bowed lips and a striking face. She was wearing a denim jumper with short legs and an overall front on top, along with a heavy-duty green athletic bra. “I’m Ami, nice to meet both of y’all.”

JC and I introduced ourselves.

“Great,” Becca said. “Follow me, the faster we get this done, the faster we get out on the water.”

We followed our blonde leader around the warehouse and down the side of the dock. From here I could feel the slightly cooler breeze coming off of the water, and I took a long moment to just take in the majestic blue of Lake Powell against the warm mountains of the desert around us.