Chapter 21 - The Rockstar Can Fish

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The next morning was brutal. Fishing has many downfalls, one is having to get up at the butt crack of dawn. Not a morning person over here.

"Oh my gosh, it's too early for this," I murmured, hopping into Jared's jacked up jeep. He readjusted his mirror before starting it up. He flipped his visor up and smiled at me.

"Come on sis, it's not that bad," he said.

I look out the window, choosing to ignore his happy mood.

When we pulled into the parking lot near the docks where all the fishing boats were, you could see Demi and Lissa already waiting. They were talking excitedly as I hopped out of the jeep and headed towards them.

"Alice! The whole band will be here!" Lissa exclaimed.

My heart raced a little bit at the anticipation of seeing Adam. I chose the wrong day not to wear makeup.

"Great," I murmur. I get to embarrass myself even more.

Jared shoved me forward and walked ahead of the three of us, waving us to follow him. We fell in step behind him, talking about how much it sucked to be up this early. It wasn't even sunrise yet.

The seagulls were beginning to make their presence heard and water was quietly lapping against the boats. One of my favorite sounds.

I stared at all of the beautiful boats and wondered if I would ever get the pleasure of owning one myself someday. Not that I would really use it I guess, it would just be cool to have one.

"Jared! My man, I haven't seen you in so long!" I looked up and saw Jake slapping my brother on the back, giving the weird dude hug.

"Jake! Great to see you, been too long!" Jared said.

I saw two of the band members standing awkwardly behind Jake, clearly just as tired as we were. Good, I'm not the only one.

"You remember the guys?" Jake asked.

"I don't think I met them actually," Jared replied. I tuned out as they began reintroducing themselves. I stared at the sky, now beginning to turn a pinkish color from the sun rising. It was beautiful.

"So you fish huh?" I jumped at the sudden voice behind me and turned around. Immediately I blushed and my heart took off like crazy. Jeez how does he have this effect on me every time.

Adam stood there in all of his sexy glory. He was wearing athletic shorts and a plain white shirt. He had on a backwards hat with some ray bans hooked into his shirt. Huh. Who knew a backwards hat could look so good.

I shook myself out of my thoughts, trying to not make it obvious that I was definitely checking him out. I purposely wore my best pair of shorts today, I admit it.

Lord, I'm turning into Lissa.

His blue eyes looked lighter today. Maybe because his skin was definitely a few shades darker since the last time I saw him. He stood there watching me, clearly waiting for a reply.

"I--"

"Alice has finally decided to join my wonderland!"

Adam and I both looked to the docks and saw Rick standing there in his white shirt tucked into his goofy blue jean shorts with flip flops on. He was swiftly walking over to me, smiling wide.

I glanced at Adam who looked amused as little Rick was making his way over to us.

"So yeah," I said awkwardly. I rubbed my arms and looked up Adam. His light blue eyes met mine and he smiled. I felt a blush creep up. "I've never fished."

Rick grabbed me into a hug. It was always strange when he hugged because he was a head shorter than me. Such a small man with such a large personality.

"Hello darlin," he said warmly as he pulled back.

"Hello Rick, yeah I have finally decided to learn I guess," I said. I pointed to Lissa who was now hanging on Jake. "I mean if she fishes then I have to. There's something wrong with that picture," I murmured.

Rick chuckled. "Yeah I took her out myself, but between you and me," he leaned closer and whispered. "Her and my assistant did some things in the supply closet."

I shook my head and laughed.

"So who's your boyfriend?" He boomed.

Embarrassed, my cheeks flamed red and I could feel Adam staring at me, I'm sure with his signature smirk.

"He's not my boyfriend," I said sheepishly. I looked at Adam and held my hand out to Rick.

"Adam this is Rick, a good family friend," I said and turned to Rick who was now trying to look intimidating. He was failing due to the extreme height difference. "Rick this is Adam."

Adam smiled his million dollar red carpet smile and shook Rick's hand.

"Nice to meet you sir," Adam said.

"I believe you and your friends are the reason this entire dock is blocked off today," Rick said.

It was Adam's turn to look embarrassed. It was so cute how he got uncomfortable when anything to do with fans or the band came up.

"I'm so sorry about that," he quickly apologized.

"Well hell," Rick scoffed. "I don't want a bunch of idiot girls hanging around my dock, I'm okay with it."

I chuckled.

"Let's go catch y'all some fish," Rick said and turned around to head to the boat. Adam and I followed. I looked over to see the rest of them already on their way to the boat also.

"Now Adam do you know how to fish?" Rick asked.

Oh this should be good. Mr rockstar, there's no way I'm the only one who hasn't.

"Yes sir I do," Adam replied. I whipped my head to the side to look at him in shock.

"You do?" I asked.

He smirked at me. "I'm not completely useless you know."

"Well, yeah, but," I stuttered. I finally just fixed my eyes on the back of Rick's head.

I could hear Adam's deep chuckle and all of the sudden felt him bump into me playfully. I looked up and he was smiling down at me.

"I haven't done it since joining the band, but in high school, this was all my Dad and I would do," he explained.

"Well good!" Rick said. I had momentarily forgot he was in front of us so it startled me a bit.

"Freshwater or saltwater?" Rick quizzed.

"Both."

I was actually impressed with Adam. Okay so he does more than just play a guitar. Okay...I admit I'm really nervous about having to fish in front of him now.

"Folks, please rub your shoes on this carpet here," Rick said as he hopped down into the boat. All seven of us followed suit.

I sat down next to Demi and Lissa who were giving me creepy grins. I shot them a look and looked out on the water.

"Oh my god, he's so hot," Demi whispered, staring straight at Adam.

"Ugh I know," I whisper back.

"Like is that even humanly possible?"

"Hell yeah it is and our girl here better not let that one slip out of her grip," Lissa whispered.

I glanced at her and grimaced. "Dude," I whispered. "Olivia Wright is trying to score him, if she hasn't already."

Lissa and Demi both gasped.

"Oh shit you're so screwed," Demi murmured.

Lissa smacked her. "She is not!" She looked at me. "So what? He is clearly interested in you, you think all these times have just been coincidence? I think not my friend."

I rolled my eyes and was jerked back as Rick accidentally accelerated too much coming out. I hit my back against the edge and winced.

"Sorry honey!" Rick called out.

I waved my hand to say it was okay. We pulled out of the dock and made our way to one of the fishing spots they typically go to. Large boats blew there horns at us to say hi, it was actually kind of funny.

As we picked up speed I flipped my hat backwards to make sure it wouldn't fly off. It was a beautiful morning. Being up this early wasn't fun, but the view made it worth it.

We slowed as we turned into a spot where I knew a bank sat next to the rocks where the fish liked to feed.

Rick edged around us and went to release the anchor. The chain loudly cranked it's way down until it hit the bottom. Rick stood up and clapped his hands loudly.

"Alright!" He walked back. "Now last night was a full moon so we typically don't get many fish after that, but we will see."

"Alice, come over here hun," Rick waved me over. I stood up and followed him to a fishing rod. He placed into my hands and walked over to the back of the boat, lifted a lid and pulled out a small shrimp.

Oh gross.

He held it out to me.

"Now hold the rod in your left, nope, yeah right there," he said watching my hand adjust to his instructions.

"Now set it over there," he said pointing to a hole in the edge of the boat made for the poles to rest in while fishing. I did as he instructed and stood there waiting for more. He was handing rods out to the guys, Adam was the last to get one, but he looked like he knew exactly what to do.

This is so mortifying. I hated not knowing what to do, especially in front of people...especially in front of Adam.

I watched him as he lifted the lid and quickly trapped a shrimp and had it on his hook in seconds. He walked away to the front of the boat, his flip flops slapping the boat as we walked.

"Sorry about that," Rick said as he came back over to me. "So we use live bait."

He held the shrimp in front of me and I grimaced. Oh look at it, it's legs are squirming. Disgusting.

I heard Jared laugh from behind me. I turned around.

"Quit being a jerk!" I called to him.

"Quit being a wimp!" He shot back and laughed even harder.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure you catch something," Rick said and smiled.

"Anyways, so this is the head. Do you see his eyes?" I nodded and then he pointed to the black spot behind the eyes. "This is the brain. The hook goes in between."

I nodded and he then began to hand me the shrimp. I took a deep breath.

I can do this.

I grabbed it from him and it started to squirm in my hands.

I can't do this. I can't do this. I can't do this.

I dropped it and squealed. "So gross," I whispered.

"Alice," Rick said sternly. "Now come on it's just a shrimp!"

"They freak me out, that's so gross!"

He rolled his eyes. "I'll work on you later, let me go help the other ladies."

He quickly put the shrimp on my hook and walked away.

Wait. Now what?

"Here!" Lissa said happily, striding over to me, her own pole in hand.

"To cast it," she said and she began showing me all the little details. Just as I was about to cast it she stopped me.

"Don't like throw it, be easy and light, it'll go farther," she said before casting her own to show me.

I stared at her, bewildered.

She glanced back at me and grinned. "Perks of sleeping with the guide huh?"

I rolled my eyes and followed her directions, I did the same thing and it went fairly smoothly, just not near as far as hers.

"Awesome!" She cheered, looking back at me. "Now watch your float and if it goes down reel it in quick," she said. I stared at my float and waited for it to bob down under the water.

I sighed after a few minutes and sat on the edge of the boat next to Lissa who looked surprisingly at ease doing something like this.

"This is another reason I knew I wouldn't like fishing, it's so boring!" I cried frustratingly.

"It's fun, just wait," she said, smiling.

"Where is Demi?" I asked, looking around for her.

"Oh trying to be your future sister-in-law," she laughed.

Sure enough, I spotted Demi on the opposite side of the boat next to Jared and for once Jared didn't look creeped out by her. They were laughing together.

"Huh, well that's an interesting turn of events," I murmured.

"Alright miss Alice, how's it going over here?" Rick asked walking up from behind me.

"Good I think."

"Reel it in real quick," Rick said so I began reeling it back in, the pink float bobbing it's way back to me.

"Ahh, Alice your bait is gone, you're not paying attention," he said as he grabbed my hook and dragged me over to the bait box.

"Hey, I was," I defended.

He gave me a look as he hooked the shrimp for me and sent me on my way.

I cast it out and this time actually watched it. A few times I would panic because a wave would make it disappear and make me think it was a fish.

Then it actually went under water.

"I've got one!" I shouted.

I reeled it in, well more like fought with my rod to get it in. Dang, I'm not strong enough for this.

Rick was at the edge of the boat, leaning over and trying to reach for it.

Rick grabbed it and brought the fish into the air. It was flapping everywhere like crazy while he tried to hold it.

"Ahh," he grumbled. "It's a turd rustler, trash."

I snorted. A turd rustler?

"What?" I asked.

"Catfish, it's trash," he said as he threw it back out.

"I've got one!" Demi shouted. Rick glanced behind him, my hook in his hand.

"You bait it this time, you've got it," he encouraged before striding over to Demi. He grabbed a net and helped her.

"It's a good one!" Rick shouted.

"Nice job!" Jared shouted, beaming down at her.

Well, well, well. I think Jared actually doesn't mind her.

"You need help?" I jumped at his voice and whipped around, my pole smacking his head. Adam winced and wretched back away from me.

"Oh gosh I'm sorry!" I rushed. "Ouch!" I winced and saw the hook digging into my hand. I carefully took it out and shook my hand out.

He laughed while he rubbed his head with his free hand. He set his pole into a holder and wiped his hands on his shorts.

"Here," he said and grabbed a shrimp out of the net for me. He held it out.

I eyed it wearily and he laughed.

He smiled at me, his genuine smile not the rockstar one he normally plasters on to his face.

Gosh, he really is so cute. His backwards hat is doing him so many favors right now.

"I'll help you, here, give me your hand," he said softly and reached for my left hand.

Sparks erupted at the feel of his touch and I could a feel a blush rising on my cheeks.

He placed two of my fingers right behind the shrimps head, his hand engulfing mine while he held it.

My eyes flicked up to look at him. He was watching me too and when he saw me look he smiled a small smile.

"There," he breathed, his eyes still on mine. I could feel my breath increase its speed as his blue eyes bore into mine.

He placed the hook into my right hand and with his hand holding mine, he brought it over to the shrimp. I felt the little legs move and I gasped.

He chuckled a little bit. "Okay here we go," he said as he held my fingers with his and placed the hook in.

"And you're good to go," he said. I smiled at him, our hands still together.

"Thanks Adam," I said softly as I released the hook, loving the way his name felt rolling off of my tongue.

He let his hands fall to his sides.

"Not rockstar today?" He joked.

I stepped back and gave him an obvious once over. His white shirt fit him perfectly and there was something so sexy about the way his shorts hung low on his hips. Definitely not his usual jeans and vans.

"No, today you look like Adam, not rockstar," I explained.

He smiled and a look settled onto his face, the same one he always gets, I just can't ever pinpoint what it is.

"Well thank you No Name," he said, his voice low and deep.

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