How to Date a Mermaid Page 19

  Lily’s yelling came clearly from the phone and carried through the salty sea air over to me. I assumed that Lily’s face was probably red, and she was already in the process of turning into a werewolf.

  I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if Lily didn’t somehow track us down and try to attack Shelby after that. This would be the one time I’d be happy to see Lily. Lily wouldn’t stand for somebody talking to her that way. Besides, Lily probably wasn’t buying the story about Shelby being my assistant either. We’d just watched Shelby in the café and knew that she was up to something bad.

  Shelby ended the call and unfortunately stuffed my phone into her pants’ pocket. There went me being able to call Jack. Or trace his phone. Unless I got my phone back from her somehow, which would definitely be a difficult mission.

  “I honestly don’t know how you put up with her,” Shelby said as we continued walking. “I would’ve already pulled all of my hair out.” She glanced over at me and chuckled. “Oh well, I guess at certain times that would be a lot of hair for you to pull.”

  I could take a joke, but I knew that her snide little remarks about my excess hair at times was meant to be mean. That was okay though. I was proud to be a werewolf.

  For the rest of the walk toward the dock I contemplated how I would get my phone back. I could try bumping into Shelby and hoping the phone fell out of her pocket without her noticing. Another option would be to attempt sticking my hand into her pocket. If she caught me she’d probably just toss my phone into the water. Oh well, it was just a phone. Nonetheless, I had a to call Jack.

  Shelby flashed another nasty look my way. “What are you thinking about?”

  I shrugged. “Nothing. I’m just walking along enjoying this beautiful Miami day. The sunshine, the breeze, and the water. It is hot though.”

  She rolled her eyes. I guess she wasn’t much for small talk. If my talking was annoying her then maybe I should continue. Then again, if I annoyed her too much she could possibly just shove me into the water. I was so torn on what to do. One minute I thought one thing was a good idea and the next I thought something else. I was rattled.

  We made a right and walked down the dock. Boats lined the wood path with rope securing them to the pier. The water lapped against the sides of the vessels. My anxiety spiked when I thought of getting on a boat again. The creaking of the ropes sounded across the wind. A vision of Shelby tying me up popped into my head. Seagulls looped overhead, squawking as if mocking me for getting myself into this predicament.

  I’d lost all hope that we were remaining on dry land. Up ahead I spotted them. Oh, no. Tell me I wasn’t seeing the other mermaids. Like my day wasn’t already bad enough. They stood in the middle of the deck with their hands on their hips. Smarmy looks appeared on their faces as soon as they saw me.

  “If I’d known this was a special occasion I would have dressed up. Are we going to a nightclub? It’s awfully early. I feel so underdressed around the other mermaids,” I said.

  “Oh, shut up,” Shelby snapped.

  It was true though. The mermaids dressed as if this was a night out on the town. They wore high heels and short sparkly dresses—one silver, one red, and the other a pale pink.

  “What took you so long? I had time to change my nail color. It’s mermaid green.” Melinda flashed her hands.

  “Perfect. Now get on the boat.” Shelby pointed.

  Chapter 29

  “And by the way, I got here as fast as I could,” Shelby said. “Don’t ever question me.”

  The mermaids rolled their eyes as if they’d coordinated the reaction.

  “I thought you were taking me to Jack?” I said. “Why are we getting on a boat? He’s not on there.”

  “We’re taking you on a boat ride too,” Melinda said.

  “Don’t even answer her questions,” Shelby said. “Get on the boat.”

  Shelby pulled the gun back out from her waistband and motioned with it. Obviously, this was the first time that the mermaids had seen the gun because they all gasped.

  “You have a gun? Oh, my God. What are you going to do with that?” Melinda asked.

  “Shut up and calm down. You know I’m not going to shoot you all. Just her.” Shelby smirked.

  I gave Shelby my best don’t-mess-with-me glower for a few seconds as my anger grew. However, I realized I had no choice if I wanted to find Jack. I still hadn’t gotten a chance to use my phone to try to track Jack’s phone. Though they’d probably already confiscated it.

  I climbed onto the boat first and they climbed on after. As I watched them maneuver onto the boat I was impressed that the mermaids could actually do it and not fall while wearing four-inch heels. I would’ve already broken my neck trying that. I should’ve taken off without them. If I’d known how to use the boat and actually start it, I would have surely tried to leave them behind. Shelby probably would shoot me if I tried. I had to think of some way to get out of this situation.

  As Shelby navigated the boat across the water, the mermaids sat diagonally from me with their arms crossed in front of their chests. Their stares remained focused on me. With wide devilish grins on their faces, it was evident that they were immensely proud of what was happening. I should’ve turned into a werewolf right in front of them. It would totally freak them out to see the hair, claws, big teeth and glowing eyes.

  Or I could’ve jumped into the ocean. Since I was trying to find Jack, I wouldn’t do either. If not for that, I would have though, even if I was a bad swimmer. I’d take my chances. I looked out over the water, trying to contemplate where they might be taking me—some undisclosed location under the water? I wouldn’t last long there.

  The sound of the hull slicing through the water helped drown out the mermaids’ chatter. I inhaled a deep breath of ocean air and tried to calm down. Wind whipped my hair against my face, strands sticking to my lip gloss. As I peered out over the water, I reflected back on the trip with Jack and Jennifer. Oh, how I missed that time now. Things were completely sad and I wondered if I would ever see them again.

  I spotted my phone in Shelby’s pocket. Just the edge of it was peeking out. If only I could get close enough I could retrieve it without her even noticing. I’d never attempted to remove something from someone’s pocket before, but how hard could it be? Shelby was distracted while she navigated the boat. It was noisy, so she wouldn’t hear me.

  Once I scooted close enough I’d slip the phone from her pocket. Easy peasy. The mermaids were so busy chitchatting that they wouldn't pay attention to anything I did. They probably wouldn’t even notice if I jumped overboard like I’d planned earlier.

  Inch by inch I scooted down the bench toward the bow of the boat. Of course, my heart thumped harder and my limbs shook. My hand was already shaking just thinking out what I had to do. Nevertheless, I pressed forward with my plan.

  If Shelby looked over and noticed I was closer to her now, my plan would be over. She’d totally flip. I chuckled at my joke. Cause mermaids flip their tails in the water. Okay, that was lame. The sun and stress were making me loopy. Time was of the essence, so I kept my eyes on her pocket. I wished the phone would just fall out. Then I could put my foot on the phone and slide it over to me. No one would be the wiser.

  If Shelby caught me trying to get the phone she’d probably toss it into the water. I wondered why she hadn’t done that already. I was as close as I could possibly get and I had to make my move. The only thing left for me to do was to work up enough nerve. On the count of three I should just reach for it. Yes, that was exactly what I’d do.

  I took in a deep breath and released it. Now I would count to three. Shelby still hadn’t noticed that I was closer to her. I glanced back at the mermaids. They weren’t watching me either.

  One. Two. Three.

  I reached forward toward her pants pocket and pinched the phone between my thumb and index finger. Ever so slightly I pulled on it, but the phone wasn’t going anywhere. Shelby still had no clue what I was doing. I pulled my
arm away quickly and glanced toward the mermaids. They were still talking. Now what? The phone was stuck in Shelby’s pocket. Somehow I had to work it loose.

  I had to give it another shot so again I counted to three again. At three I reached forward to attempt one more time. Gripping the phone again, I gently tugged, but it was still not moving from her pocket. I tried to wiggle the phone just a bit all the while looking up to make sure that Shelby hadn’t noticed. Soon she would feel the movement and realize what I was doing. I really needed my phone back—I had to have it. But I couldn’t yank too hard or that would definitely give me away.

  I gave the phone one more pull. This time it came out of her pocket, but I slipped off the seat and fell with a thud onto the boat’s floor. Shelby looked back and saw what I was doing.

  She yelled at the mermaids, “What the hell are you all doing? You’re not watching her. She got the phone. Get it from her.”

  Finally, the mermaids realized what was going on and jumped up from the seat. They hurried over to me. I still had no idea how they managed to walk on a boat with the heels. I could barely walk on dryland with those things much less going back-and-forth on the water. My sandals were much better suited for a boat trip.

  Melinda rushed over and grabbed me by the arm.

  “Get up.”

  I stumbled up, trying not to peer over at the phone which was currently on the deck. If she saw me look at it, she’d grab it right away.

  Melinda tossed me back onto the bench. “Don’t get up again. I don’t have time to watch you like a hawk.”

  She didn’t have time? What else was she going to do? Change her nail polish again? Melinda stood there watching me, still balancing on the heels.

  After another few seconds she said, “Don’t get up again, do you understand?”

  “Absolutely I understand,” I said through gritted teeth.

  Just because I said it didn’t mean I wouldn’t try to get the phone again. She walked back over to her seat and plopped down. She watched me for a few minutes until she grew bored with that and started the conversation with the mermaids over again. The moved on to which nightclub they were attending tonight.

  Now that they’d resumed their conversation and weren’t paying attention, I’d attempt to get the phone again. I studied at the phone on the deck. Before I had a chance to make a move though I sensed Melinda glaring at me. She sat there with her arms crossed in front of her trim waist. I smiled but she smirked back. A few seconds later I peeked at her again. She’d gone back to the conversation with her friends.

  I was putting my life in danger by trying to get the phone again. Nevertheless, I stretched my leg out trying to make contact with the phone with my foot. Once under my foot I’d drag it over to me. Unfortunately, my short legs wouldn’t reach.

  I wiggled my toes, hoping that would help me reach farther. Good thing I’d worn sandals. I stretched my leg again and almost made contact this time but fell short. I slid right off the chair onto the boat deck yet again.

  “What is going on back there?” Shelby snapped.

  The mermaids leapt up and marched over to me, yanking me up and tossing me onto the seat again. I groaned when my back slammed into the side of the boat.

  “What are you doing? Don’t do that again or we’ll toss you overboard. Is that what you want?” Melinda asked with her hands on her hips.

  “Of course not,” I said. “That would be kind of stupid of me to want that, no?”

  They still hadn’t noticed what I was doing. The phone was just setting over there waiting for me to pick it up. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to reach it by stretching my leg. That plan had failed miserably. I’d just have to try to pick it up some other way. reaching for it with my hand would be a lot more obvious.

  The mermaids sashayed back to the bench and sat down. They sat up straight with their shoulders back, positioned on the boat’s stern as if beauty queens riding on a float at a parade. Surreptitiously, I peeked over at the phone and then back to the mermaids. My gaze locked with Melinda’s. How long had she been watching me?

  She got up and moved over to the phone. “So this is what’ve you been trying to do. Well now that I know it’ll just stay with me.”

  She reached down and snatched up the phone. Now that she had it she turned her attention back to me. A smug smile spread across her face. She was proud that she’d finally discovered what I’d been trying. Nevertheless, that still didn’t mean that I wouldn’t have the phone back. If there was any way possible for me to retrieve it, I would. I wouldn’t give up that easily. Who did they think they were messing with?

  “Nice try, Rylie,” Shelby said around a laugh. “You’re such a loser.”

  She waved the phone through the air.

  “Takes one to know one,” I said.

  What? Was I ten years old? That was the best come back I could think of? In my defense this was a stressful situation. At least I’d snapped back at her. I wanted to let her know that I wasn’t worried about it. But actually, I was scared. Now I had to come up with another plan.

  At least the noise from the boat and the water was still drowning out most of the conversation from the mermaids. They were talking about clothing or something. How much longer on this boat? Soon we’d be in the Bermuda Triangle. As I sat there contemplating my options, I noticed a tote bag close by Shelby. Objects poked up from the top. Was that a wooden stake? Garlic too? An ax? What the heck was she doing with that? Was this her bag of tricks? This had turned into the Little Mermaid meets the Saw Movie. Okay, don’t panic, Rylie. Jack needed me right now. I had to save him.

  When I looked to the right I spotted another boat in the distance. There was also what looked like land—a small island? Was Jack on that boat? It seemed as if that was where Shelby was headed.

  “Are we going to that boat?” I asked, trying to yell over the sound of the boat and water.

  She didn’t answer. I was almost sure she heard me. She stayed on course, headed right for that other boat. I was so nervous now to find out what was happening. We got closer and closer to the boat. There were definitely people on there. Men?

  As we got closer I recognized some of them. They were the mermaids and mermen I’d seen in the water. Also the men who we’d seen sneaking around the mermaids’ house. Then I saw Hudson, Tag, Cameron, Gerald, Stanley, and Hayden. Shelby had told me they would help us out. Plus, Freddie was there too. He’d tricked Jennifer. What a slimeball. Now I knew that the mermaids had been in Shelby’s condo that day. I knew I hadn’t imagined hearing the voices. This had all been a setup from the beginning. Just to get Jack so that Shelby could carry out her plan because she had been wronged. I still didn’t know what Jack had to do with any of this.

  When we got a little closer I saw him. I almost burst into tears when I spotted Jack. He was standing there with the mermen around him. The look on his face was absolutely heartbreaking. I’d gotten him into yet another mess. This was all my fault. I had dragged him to Miami. Although it seemed as if Shelby had been intent on getting him here. And I had been the sucker who’d helped her do it.

  Shelby stopped the boat next to the other one. Jack and I made eye contact. I knew I’d start crying. He looked like he wanted so badly to jump right into the water and come up to me. He was holding it together for me again. Jennifer was on the other side of the boat. It looked as if Freddie Cool was guarding her to make sure she didn’t try to get away.

  I didn’t know what to do. My only option was that I had to shift. Shelby had the gun with the silver bullet, or so she claimed. I wasn’t so much worried about the silver bullet, just the fact that it was a bullet. It could be made of anything and that would be bad. I supposed she couldn’t shoot me if I jumped into the water. But how would I be able to shift once I was underwater? I’d never done anything like that before.

  I had made my decision. I was going to jump into the water. I was standing close to the edge of the boat now. I would just have to make the move. I decided on
the count of three I was jumping over the side. And I just had to pray for the best. One. Two. Three. I leapt with all my strength over the side of the boat and splashed into the water.

  Jack yelled my name. There was a lot of other yelling too, but I couldn’t make it out now that I was underwater. I had to move quickly, study my breathing and hope that I didn’t drown. I knew I’d changed that one time in the shower when I was really mad at the plumber because he had mixed up the hot and cold faucets. I definitely felt that same familiar tingling sensation that started at the tip of my toes and moved up my body, my legs, knees and stomach. I managed to open my eyes and see the hair appearing on my legs. It was just one little thing.

  I had no idea if I would be able to swim. Would all that hair slow me down? I was already slow enough as it was. I could barely float to the top. And more importantly, how was I going to do anything when I was in the water? It wasn’t like they were going to throw me a life preserver. As soon as I popped my head up they’d probably just shoot me. This was definitely not a well-thought-out plan.

  Okay, I looked at my arms. They were covered in hair. I felt my face. There was hair there too. Now I was ready to take on the mermaids. I just had to figure out exactly how I was going to do that. Should I pop up to the top and say, “Oh, hello. Can I get back on the boat now? Would you just kindly toss me that life preserver and then I’ll fight you.” Yeah, that was wishful thinking and wasn’t going to happen.

  Just as I got to the surface of the water and poked my head out for much-needed air, the mermaids were diving in. Not just the mermaids from Shelby’s boat, but some from the other boat too. Maybe Jack could use this as a distraction and throw me a life preserver. Then we could get the heck out of there.

  Melinda spotted me. Her eyes widened when she noticed the hair all over my face. I supposed seeing a hairy face popping up was a bit scary. They all screamed. This kind of made me chuckle, even though I was bobbing up and down in the water trying not to drown.

  “Rylie,” Jack called out.