Ten minutes and a half a roll of film later, Nikki wondered if she could somehow get some photos from a higher vantage point. Being brave, she climbed a few feet up the rocks. The view she was greeted with was spectacular.
The sun glinted off the ocean like a bright beam and cast Davis Island in a haze of soft heat. A light mist from the crashing waves enveloped her and dewed her skin. A cool breeze broke her flesh out in goosebumps.
She was so enraptured by the beauty of the spot she almost missed the sound of a radio playing nearby. As Nikki focused on that sound, the voices of young men joined it.
"What kind of throw was that Frick?"
"Aw, come on Frack...you could have caught that one," a teasing voice answered.
The sound of laughter broke out after that remark.
"I'm tall B..but I'm not the Jolly Green Giant, " the first voice retorted sarcastically.
A deep, raspy voice asked, "Are we playing or what?"
A soft voice added, "They're just mad cause we're beating them A.J."
Curious as to what was going on, Nikki climbed the last few feet so she could see the other side of the beach. There were four boys playing a game of tag football behind a very modern, very big house. As she studied them, she noticed that each one stood out in his own way.
The tallest had golden blonde hair and was well built. He had to be younger than the others considering how the other three continually picked on him. He was wearing a red & white Nike t-shirt and red Nike shorts.
He was paired with a shorter boy wearing a Kentucky Wildcats uniform and hat. He had wavy, brownish-blonde hair and an adorable baby face. Both constantly grinned at each other, a quality that showed they were very close friends.
The other two players looked as different as night and day. One had red hair, which caused Nikki to do a double take. He was lean and handsome, with the strangest looking goatee. And the sunglasses he wore lent him an air of danger. He was wearing baggy blue jean shorts with no shirt. The various tattoos he had stood out against his tanned skin.
The last one was latin with smooth brown skin and dark hair pulled back into a pony tail. He looked classy in khaki shorts and a white tank.
Nikki snapped a few pictures of the four and then scanned the beach for anything else interesting to take a picture of. Then she saw him.
He was sitting by himself a ways down the beach, staring out at the ocean. He projected a mood that was melancholy and sad. His hair was midnight black and he had the strong features that might have graced a roman coin. A charming goatee brushed across his jaw.
Unable to stop herself, Nikki began snapping pictures of him. She didn't know how long she stood there staring at him through her camera lens, but a rough voice disturbed her reverie.
"Watch your step....I wouldn't want you to fall."
Startled by the voice, Nikki slipped on the rocks and slid into the waiting arms of the young man with red hair.
With concern apparent in his voice, he asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. You just surprised me. " nikki answered, looking up to see herself reflected in his sunglasses.
"You looked like you were absorbed in something."
Nikki blushed slightly, thinking of the young man down the beach. "Y-Yeah, I guess I was, " she stuttered.
"Did you know this is a private beach?" he asked.
"No!" Nikki said, a shocked expression on her face. It seemed to amuse the young man and he chuckled. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bother you. I didn't see any signs," Nikki said in a rush.
"It's okay. Most of the signs are posted on this side of the rocks."
From behind them the tall blonde yelled, "Leave it to Bone to find the one girl on the beach when we decide to take a break."
"You'd think he had radar," his shorter friend said.
Nikki looked over to see the three other men approaching. She glanced further down the beach and noticed the dark hair young man had disappeared.
"Who's this?" the latin one asked with a sweet grin.
Four faces looked at Nikki expectantly.
"Nicole....Nicole Christianson," Nikki replied.
Four voices said "hello" in unison. Each took a turn saying their hellos and introducing themselves. The tall blonde was Nick. He made a small joke about how their names being the same and Nikki laughed. The boy he seemed so close to was Brian..or B-Rok as he liked to be called. Nikki liked him instantly. Next was A.J., the red head.
"My knight in shining armor, " Nikki commented.
A.J. bowed deeply and the other boys laughed.
Lastly came Howie. He had beautiful, big brown eyes and he was charmingly sweet and shy.
"So what tempted you to the the rocks?," Brian asked, a slight southern accent coloring his words.
Nikki held up her camera, "Thought the waves crashing on the rocks would make a great photo. When I heard you all laughing, curiosity got the best of me. I shouldn't have invaded your privacy."
The four young men glanced at each other with a guarded look upon their faces. Each was thinking the same thing....Did this girl know who they were?
Discreetly, Howie asked, " Are you......vacationing in Tampa?"
Guilelessly, Nikki answered, " Yeah, I'm visiting a friend for a couple of days."
They talked together like that for a while. The longer they talked the more the boys seemed to open up to her. Nikki found that she had something in common with all of them. She could speak Spanish and adored salsa as much as Howie, family was as important to her as it was to B-Rok, like A.J., she loved to flirt and she and Nick were obsessed with sports.
Suddenly aware of how much later it was, Nikki blurted, "Oh my gosh.....what time is it?"
A.J. checked his watch, " 4:15."
Nikki closed her eyes and sighed, " Jaqs is going to kill me."
"Jaqs?" Nick asked quizzically.
Nikki opened her eyes and looked at the younger boy, "Jacquie. The girl that I'm here to see." Nikki stood, shaking the sand from her hands, "I was supposed to meet her at 4:00."
The four boys stood with her.
"You'd better get back then," Howie said.
Nikki nodded, "It was great talking with all of you. I'm so sorry for intruding. Thanks for not telling on me," she teased.
A.J. took the hand that Nikki extended, "A pretty girl like you could never intrude."
The other three boys rolled their eyes. Each said good-bye and Brian gave her a little hug.
"We won't make you climb the rocks again," he said, "There's a path by the house that will take you back to the main beach." Brian pointed to a wooden walkway that ran beside the house behind them.
"Thanks...one climb on those rocks today was enough," Nikki grinned. "Maybe I'll see you around?" She waved good-bye and quickly made her way to meet Jacquie.
The four boys watched her go, amazed that she'd had NO idea who they were. But unbeknownst to Nikki a pair of uncertain green eyes watched her leave from inside the house.
***********************************************
As Nikki walked into the parking lot she saw Jaqs sitting on the hood of her car, waiting for her. As if she knew Nikki were there, Jacquie looked up and pointed to her watch, "Where have you been?"
Nikki plastered a sly grin on her face, "Talking."
"To whom?"
"Just some guys," Nikki replied, the image of the dark haired man from the beach flashed through her mind.
Jacquie grinned in return, "You mean....flirting with some guys."
"You know me too well, Jaqs," Nikki said, climbing into the passenger side.
Jacquie climbed into the drivers seat, "I picked up your stuff. I put it in the back."
"Thanks."
Starting the car, Jacquie inquired, "So, did you get any good pictures?"
"Oh yeah...a few choice ones of five extremely attractive young men."
"I do believe we'll have to drop that film of yours off at a 24 hour developer," Jacquie smirked.
Nikki couldn't help but laugh at her friends evil expression, "Lead on, James!"
[ Chapter Five ]
