I groaned as I just laid there, trying to ignore the laughing that I heard coming from the man who was also trying to help me up, all to no avail. I finally found my arms and shoved myself up, pushing his hand away.
"It's not that funny," I said while rubbing my very sore nose.
"You…are…right….I'm sorry." I just cocked my eyebrow but smiled myself; leave it to me to be the up most klutz.
"Sure. The worst part," I started while turning my now empty glass upside down," that was the last of my drink."
"Would you like another?"
"Thank you, yes I would." We walked over to the bar and he glanced at me.
"What were you having?"
"White Russian please."
"Okay, my treat this time. You can get the next round?" I busted out laughing and he chuckled as he placed the order.
"Now, you are assuming that I'm going to want to hang with you after this. I could have seriously been hurt."
"You are right; that was rather rude. But, you can admit as well too, that it was funny."
"Yeah, I guess." I took the drink and took a sip, smiling my thanks at the bar tender.
"So, we just left the dock about four hours ago and you've been drinking that whole time?"
I took another drink as I thought that over and finally shook my head.
"No, I went to the bathroom without a drink in my hand. Granted, I had to down it before it dawned on me I had to pee. I barely made it." He laughed again and grabbed his beer.
"I guess that is some kind of good thing." I smiled and turned to him.
"I really don't hope you find this rude, but…"
"You didn't come on this cruise to hook up or to talk to anyone?" I smiled and nodded. "Neither did I. Actually, I wanted to drink and just for a small space of time, I wanted to forget."
"The pain? The hurt? The bullshit?"
"Yeah. I take it that you just had a recent break up as well?"
"I guess you could call it that. I'm not even sure you can, given that we weren't dating; but more like friends with feelings and benefits."
"Ah, I know the type of situation."
"Howie, are you a player? Do you play a game with women's…," I paused, looked him over and raised an eyebrow, "it is women right?" Howie spat out his beer as he laughed.
"Oh, God, yes!"
"Okay, good, just making sure. So, back to the question; do you play with women's emotions and affections?"
"No, that I do not; I'm not a player. Actually, as odd as it may seem given that all men are dogs, I don't even like to sleep around." I tried my best not to snort at that, but I couldn't help it. This time, it was his turn to raise an eyebrow. "A line you heard before?"
"I'm sorry, I know all men aren't assholes but in my current mindset, I just don't see that or believe it." Howie sat down on one of the deck chairs and without thinking, I followed suit.
"Don't be sorry. I'll be honest and say all women, to me right now, are gold diggers and players; always seeking the best and fastest ways to help themselves." I just watched him and shrugged, unable to fight that logic. But, I could admit, I hated that view on women.
"I'm sorry Howie. You seem like a nice guy and to have someone take advantage like that is wrong…and very hurtful." Howie turned, looked at me and smiled.
"I'm sorry too. You seem to have a true heart and it got stepped on." I smiled and turned to look at the night sky. I was truthful, I didn't want to befriend anyone on this boat, but it did feel good to talk to someone and forget about the pain in the ass for a moment.
"Enough about that, is this your first cruise Theresa?"
"Nah, I've been on a couple others. What about you?"
"Oh, quite a few myself; but the first with free drinks." I laughed along with him and raised my drink in a toast.
"That I can drink to." I took a sip of my drink as I smiled at him. "Are you doing any of the trips tomorrow while we dock?"
"I had waned to, but that was before I was getting stalked. So, I may just head out to the beach. What about you?"
"Maybe not tomorrow; thought the beach sounded good too. But the following day, I am going zip lining." Howie thought about that and tilted his head, really weighing something on his mind.
"This might seem forward of me, and you can tell me no, but can I go with you?"