Language of Love

Chapter 40 - Hotel Bondi

For lunch, Troy had taken her back to the little Bronte cafe they'd been to on their first date. Then she'd tagged along as Troy popped into the surf club to finalise some paddleboard training details, taking the opportunity to catch up with Matty and Brad who were in the lifeguard office.

By the time they were done it was five o'clock and Abi insisted they go back to hers so she could get a proper shower and an outfit. They drove to the apartments in the truck.
"Gonz!" Caitlinn greeted as they walked through the door.
"Fangirl." He returned with a smile as he entered the kitchen and leant on the side, at ease, whilst Caitlinn continued to cook.
"What's the plans for tonight?" She asked.
"Hotel Bondi." Abi said as she appraised Caitlinns stirfry and grabbed 3 plates from the cupboard. "I owe the boys a drink. They got me back on a board today."
"About time!" Caitlinn exclaimed. "Count me in."

Stir fry eaten Caitlinn disappeared into her room to select an outfit. Abi hauled Troy off the sofa and pulled him along with her as she headed for her room.

Inside she began to throw items of clothing on the bed, as Troy leant against the doorframe watching her.
"This one?" She asked, holding up a navy blue mini dress. Troys eyes lit up. She smiled at him and began putting the other items back in the wardrobe. Troy reached round her and took one of his shirts, a pale blue button down, from the rack.
"Wondered where this one had gone." He said.
"You've quite a collection here now." She replied. "The trousers you like wearing with that shirt are in the top drawer of the dresser."

Troy opened the dresser and pulled out the trousers. He turned to find Abi down to her underwear and paused to admire her in the lacey black plunge bra and matching lacey shorts. He reached out and pulled her towards him.
"We could just stay in this evening?"
"Tempting." Abi placed a kiss on his nose before wriggling out of his gentle grip. "But I'm buying the first round remember."
She dodged his grabby hands, giggling at his pout, snatched her dress from the bed and slipped out of the door heading for the bathroom. Troy caught her round the waist and pinned her against the corridor wall with his body.

"Other people present!" Caitlinn exclaimed, shielding her eyes as she exited her room in a figure hugging black mini dress. Abi used Troy's moment of embarrassment to wriggle free once more and escape to the bathroom.
"Sorry." Troy muttered, retreating to the bedroom as Caitlinn laughed loudly.

When Abi emerged from the bathroom, Troy was still hiding in the bedroom and Caitlinn was sat at the breakfast bar.
"Ready to go!" Caitlinn shouted. "Come on Gonz!"
Troy reappeared and paused in the doorway to take in Abi appreciatively.
Caitlinn shook her head. "You two are hopelessly besotted." She sighed as she nudged Abi, who had been failing to hide the fact she was checking out her boyfriend.
"Drinks. Hot lifeguards waiting. Go! Go! Go!"
Troy rumbled a laugh.

They strode into Hotel Bondi to find Reidy, Chappo and Deano already at the bar.
"Hop and Jake are just shutting down the tower." Deano informed them.
Reidy jumped down from his barstool and pulled Abi out from Troy's side to wrap her in a hug.
"Hear ya did good today Bambi."
"Cost me another bet." Chappo grumbled but slid beers across to them with a smile.

A ruckus at the door indicated the arrival of Harries, Maxi, Max A, Bacon, Whippet, Mouse, Bisho and Matty. Azza, Kobi and Quinn followed behind them more sedately. Terry, Box and H soon joined them. Then Brad and Quiggers arrived from their shift at Bronte. Ben and Beardy, having closed up at Tama, arrived next. Hoppo and Jake turned up at the same time as Luke.
"Word gets out that someone's buying a round and nearly everyone turns up." Laughed Whippet. "Come on Bambi I'll help you get the drinks in."

The lifeguards and Caitlinn drifted off to find an area of the bar to claim for the evening, leaving Whippet and Abi at the bar.
"Stoked you got back on a board." Whippet said, leaning his elbows on the bar.
"Yeah. Me too. Feel stupid now for avoiding it."
"Understandable." Whippet said. "Kobi's itching to get back out there." He nodded his head towards where Kobi was gingerly sitting himself at a table. "Azza says it's a nightmare trying to convince him to wait."
"You're all crazy." Abi replied."I'd never attempt the big waves."
She turned to order and Maxi appeared to help carry all the beer back to the tables.

Sliding her tray onto a table, Abi grabbed 3 beers and joined Troy, where he leant by a window chatting with Chappo. Each took a beer as she passed them over. Troy slipped an arm around her waist.

Abi spent the evening moving between groups of lifeguards chatting. Caitlinn had enscounced herself between Max A and Maxi and was flirting outrageously with the new trainee. Abi caught Troy's eye and raised an eyebrow at her flatmates antics. Troy grinned back at her. They had a bet on whether Caitlinn ever would achieve her lifeguard moment.

Those on the early the next day were the first to leave. Troy was amongst them. He found her in the crowd of lifeguards and drew her to his side.
"Heading off babe." He murmured in her ear. "Make sure one of the guys walks you home."
She turned and kissed him before letting him slip away.
"Since when are you two not joined at the hip?" Exclaimed Mouse. Abi stuck her tongue out at him playfully. Beardy passed her another beer. 

They continued drinking until Chappo fell off his bar stool. Abi helped him to his feet whilst the others laughed and took photos.
"Better call it a night." Hoppo declared.
Beardy and Mouse slung Chappos arms over their shoulders and helped him stagger out of the Hotel. The others waved them off as they practically fell into a taxi. Abi swayed a little and was steadied by Whippet.
"Easy, light weight."
"Come clubbing!" Caitlinn demanded, appearing at their side with Max A, Bacon, Maxi and Jake behind her. Abi could feel a headache beginning so she turned down the offer and watched the 5 of them head off.
"Let's get you home." Whippet said. He and Reidy fell in beside her and walked her back to her apartment.