Labor Day weekend finally arrived. Colby had to work Friday night, so he took an early morning flight to Spokane. Which was okay since the Wedding didn’t start until four o’clock. Doug picked him up at the airport, and took him too their parent’s house. He didn’t receive much of a welcome. Jeff was still pissed off about Amber. And Ashley was clearly pissed about Mindy. His parents were disgusted with him. He took his things up to his room. He was anxious to see Mindy. He only hoped he’d be able to straighten things out.

Colby, Jeff, and Doug were usher’s. They seated people as they arrived at the church. Colby kept an eye out for Mindy. And when she finally arrived she wasn’t alone. She had brought Todd along as her date. She didn’t meet Colby’s gaze as she reluctantly took his arm. He seated her and Todd. He wasn’t happy about this turn of events. He needed to talk to her.

The Wedding started promptly at four, and Caroline and Jason were married. Mindy didn’t pay any attention to the Wedding her gaze kept wandering to Colby who was one of the groomsmen. I shouldn’t have come she thought miserably. It hurt too look at him. She kept thinking about the moments they had shared at the lake. It wasn’t fair she thought. She had been with several guys since the Lake. But none of them had been able to make her feel the way Colby had. Not even Todd, who she had been seeing a lot of. She had made out with five different guys. She had let them touch her breasts, and finger her. She had performed oral sex on several of them. But it had all been just empty acts. She hadn’t enjoyed any of it. She had started drinking, that made it easier for her to allow them to touch her. Now she was filled with dread. She had enjoyed tossing her new experiences in Colby’s face. The cheating bastard! It didn’t help that she still responded to his touch. When he had taken her hand earlier she had felt a shiver of desire course through her. Just looking at him made her all hot and achy. Maybe she should skip the reception. This had clearly been a bad idea. But her pride wouldn’t let her skip out. After all she hadn’t done anything wrong. This was all Colby’s fault! After the Wedding was over they headed over to the reception. Mindy barely heard a word Todd said her stomach was in knots. They found a place to sit and had something to eat. Mindy strove to avoid Colby. And made sure to keep Todd by her side at all times. She danced with Todd, and was aware of Colby watching her. She wrapped her arms around Todd and kissed him right in front of Colby.

Colby jaw tightened as he watched Mindy reach up to kiss Todd. She was doing it for his benefit he knew. She had been tormenting him all through the reception. Well he’d had enough of her antics. She thought she was safe because Todd was with her. Well she wasn’t! The music stopped and she and Todd headed back to their table.

“Hi Mindy.” Amber said walking toward Mindy who froze at the sight of her.

“Amber.” Mindy choked out. She was the last person Mindy had wanted to see here.

“Mindy, this is my boyfriend Trevor.” Amber said introducing her to a tall good looking guy.

“Boyfriend?” Mindy asked in surprise. She had assumed Amber was here with Colby. She reached out to shake Trevor’s hand.

“Yes, we’ve been dating for a couple months.” Amber told her.

“Hey Todd. Come dance with me?” Mandy asked shyly.Mindy barely noticed Todd’s departure she was too confused. Amber wasn’t with Colby. Oh shit! I’m in trouble!

“We need to talk.” Colby told her taking her hand. He pulled her along behind him as they left the ball room. Mindy looked around for Todd but he was off dancing with Mandy. Colby took her into one of the small rooms off the ballroom that had been left unlocked. It was a storage room that housed extra chairs and tables.

“What do you want?” Mindy replied stubbornly as she crossed her arms in front of her.

“I want to talk about us.” Colby replied.

“There is no us.” Mindy told him.

“I disagree.”

“Tough. I don’t want anything to do with you.” She tried to get past him but he blocked her path.

“I know your hurt. But you need to listen to me. There’s nothing going on between Amber and I. I broke it off with her before I came up to the lake. You just met her boyfriend.” Colby pointed out.

“You fooled around with me on the boat, and then you did it with Teri.” Mindy told him unable to keep the hurt out of her voice. “Explain that?”

“I was so turned on by you I thought I was going to go crazy. I tried taking a cold swim it didn’t work. Teri was there so I used her. But I didn’t want her! I wanted you! But you’re only fifteen and off limits.” Colby explained gently.

“I don’t care, I’m not going to be with someone that cheats on me. I deserve better then that!” Mindy told him her eyes tearing.

“Yes you do.” Colby agreed. “Give me another chance. I swear it won’t happen again.”

“How can I ever trust you?” Mindy asked wanting to believe him.

“I swear I haven’t been with another woman since I left you at the lake. I promise you I won’t ever cheat on you again.” Colby assured her.

“It’s too late. I’m dating someone else.” Mindy told him shaking her head.

“Todd?” He asked with a frown.

“Yes, were better suited.” Mindy said, though she didn’t believe it.

“Really? Is that why you’ve been making out with strangers at parties?” Colby asked.

“That’s none of your business.” She replied feeling a blush heat her cheeks.

“It is. I love you, I’ve always loved you. And I can’t bear the thought of losing you.” Colby told her grasping her arms.

“Let it go Colby it’s better this way.” Mindy begged quietly.

“I’m not going to let you go. We belong together you know that.”

“No, I belong with Todd.” She answered stubbornly.

“You’re mine.” Colby muttered pulling her into his arms he kissed her. Mindy couldn’t seem to stop herself from responding. She wrapped her arms around his neck kissing him back. He deepened the kiss, tearing down all her defenses. He searched her thoughts. He saw her with the other boy’s she had been with. Saw what she had allowed them to do to her. She had let them touch her intimately. But she hadn’t wanted any of them, she had been drinking before each encounter. He reached behind her unzipping her dress. The thought of other guys touching her was making him crazy. Mindy was wearing a strapless black velvet dress. The dress pooled at her feet as Colby left her mouth, his lips moved over her neck and shoulder. He cupped her breast rubbing a finger over her nipple. Mindy moaned She was on fire. His mouth settled on her breast. He sucked gently pulling the tip into his mouth. His fingers slipped into her panties, sliding down to slip inside of her. She was so wet and tight. Mindy shuddered as his fingers slipped inside her. She met his mouth hungrily. As his finger’s continued their gentle massage. She gasped as she felt the familiar explosion, her muscles tightening around his fingers. Her knees buckled but Colby braced her with his arm. Withdrawing his hand he held her gently until the tremors stopped. Reaching down he pulled her dress up, and turned her so he could zip it. “You belong with me. I’m the only one who’s ever been able to make you feel like this.” He told her softly as he wrapped his arms around her from behind.

“That wasn’t fair she said wiggling out of his embrace. “I need to get back, Todd will be looking for me.” She said straightening her dress. Her face was still flushed. And she was clearly confused.

“Will talk tomorrow. I’ll drive down to see you in the morning.” Colby said reluctant to let her go.

“Fine.” Mindy agreed.

“You might want to splash some cold water on your face before you go back in there.” He told her as she brushed past him.
Mindy exited the room and slammed into Matt who had been pacing outside the door. Avoiding his knowing look, she rushed off to the ladies room. Where, she sank down on the toilet, in one of the stalls. She had let him do it to her again. She couldn’t seem to resist him. Even though he had broken her heart. She stayed in the bathroom a long time, before finally wandering back to the ballroom.

“Where have you been, I’ve been looking all over for you?” Todd asked when she appeared by his side.

“I want to go home.” She said ignoring his question.

“Okay.” Todd told her she looked like she’d been crying. Wrapping an arm around her he led her from the room. Colby watched them go. Something was very wrong. Even after their little encounter Colby didn’t feel any closer to her. The wall was still there.

Colby flew into L.A, and went straight to work from the Airport. So he didn’t get home until after his shift the next morning. He showered off and went into the kitchen to check his messages. He had twelve messages. He hit the play button.

“Colby your such a jack ass, I hope you’re happy!! Ashley said.
What the hell was her problem?

“You back stabbing son of a bitch. I’m gonna kick your ass!! Jeff raged into the phone.

Okay, what’s going on?

“Colby you’re a shithead!” Mandy yelled into the phone. “Why did you have to go and hurt Mindy?
What?

“Colby this is Doug, give me a call back you’re in deep shit!

“What the hell is going on, Jeff says you’ve been sleeping with his girlfriend!” His dad sounded really pissed.
How had Jeff found out about Amber? Christ did Mindy know?

“Colby this is Jeff, I’m flying down there!! And I’m gonna kick your sorry ass!!

“Colby, this is Matt. I just got a call from Doug. He says you’ve been sleeping with Amber? Call me back!

“Hi Colby, it’s Amber. Please don’t be mad. But I sort of told your family about us.” Amber said.
Great! That’s just what he needed!

“Hi Colby, it’s Mindy. I just wanted to tell you your cold blooded bastard! And I never want to see you again!! Mindy cried into the phone.

Well I guess she knows about Amber, Colby thought grimly. He sank into a kitchen chair. What the hell had he done? Picking up the phone he dialed Mindy’s number. He listened to it ring, and then it switched over to her voice mail. “Mindy, listen to me. There’s nothing going on between Amber and I. I broke it off with her before I came to see you. Please call me back so we can talk.” He told her, before hanging up the phone. The phone started ringing as soon as he hung up. But it wasn’t Mindy, it was Doug. “Hello.”

“Where the hell have you been?” Doug asked.

“At work, I just got home.” Colby replied.

“Did you get my message?”

“Yes, all twelve of them.” Colby muttered.

“Jeff is really pissed off. He might show up down there.” Doug told him. “Why in the hell would you sleep with Amber. I thought you were after Mindy. Although Amber is a better candidate age wise.”

“I’m not with amber. I broke it off.” Colby answered. “I only slept with her once.”

“Why did you sleep with her to begin with. You know how Jeff feels about her.” Doug asked rubbing the back of his neck. He was sitting in the den of his parent’s house in Spokane.

“She came to see me after she broke up with Jeff. She was all upset over the break up. We started talking and one thing led to another.” Colby answered.

“Well you’ll be happy to know you’re the best lover she’s ever had.” Doug pointed out.

“She said that to you?” Colby asked in surprise.

“No she told Jeff that in front of our two sisters I might add.” Doug replied in disgust.

“Christ, did Mindy hear her?”

“The entire dock heard it. Jeff and Amber got into shouting match. Mindy took it pretty hard. She was crying when I got there. By the time I broke up Jeff and Amber’s fight she was gone. She left with her Dad. Ashley and Mandy have been trying to reach her but she won’t answer.” Doug told him with a frown.

“I left her a message to call me.” Colby replied. He was totally screwed! He wanted to wring Amber’s neck.

“It gets worse. Jeff told Amber about your little encounter with Teri on the beach yesterday afternoon. Mindy heard that too.” Doug said.

“Great!” Colby muttered before hanging up.
A, week passed and still, no word from Mindy. She didn’t return his calls, or respond to the emails he sent. He was worried sick. How had everything gotten so out of hand. At least his sister’s had finally stopped leaving messages on his machine. Colby had told Ashley to knock it off. When she had started to bad mouth him again. He had simply pointed out that he would tell their parents about the night she spent in Jeff’s apartment with her boyfriend. That had been the end of her calls. Not that it mattered, nothing mattered without Mindy. He couldn’t eat, he couldn’t sleep. Finally in desperation he called her Grandma on her Mom’s side. Mindy was close to her Grandma he knew. To his surprise Mindy hadn’t said anything to her Grandma about what was going on. Colby had explained that there was a big misunderstandings, and would she please have Mindy call him. She said she would tell Mindy to call. But Mindy hadn’t called him. She did however finally email him.

Dear Colby,
Stop calling me. I don’t want to talk to you right now. I need time to think things through. I’m okay, so don’t worry. And don’t call my grandma again. Now you’ve got her worried. Yes, my heart is broken! But I’ll survive, so just leave me alone.
Mindy

That was it! He didn’t know what to do or say. So he backed off, he would give her the time she requested. The days seemed to crawl by. In an effort to keep busy Colby had enrolled for summer classes. He was kept busy with school and work. Amber had come to see him. But he had told her firmly that he had no further interest in her. He had treated her coldly as he was still angry over the hurt she had caused Mindy. She had left in tears, and Colby had felt like a jerk! A full month passed by before he received another email from Mindy. She was finally talking to him again. But he didn’t feel any better. She had come to the conclusion it was better that they just be friends. So he received a daily emails from her. She told him about her daily activities. But the emails were empty and devoid of feeling. She had closed herself away from him. Harvest had started and she was driving truck. When they did finally speak on the phone her voice was devoid of any feeling. And she refused to discuss their relationship. And would quickly hang up if he tried to push the issue. Not wanting to lose her completely Colby backed off. He answered her emails, telling her about his daily activities. She had been invited to Caroline’s Wedding. And he was relieved that she still planned to go to the Wedding. And then the shit hit the roof! Matt came to see him one evening.

“Have you talked to Mindy?” Matt asked as he entered Colby’s house.

“Yes. Why?” Colby had replied.

“Did you know she’s dating?” Matt had asked him.

“What?” He had asked in surprise. Mindy hadn’t said anything to him about dating. Not that her empty emails and calls told him much.

“Ashley called me. Apparently Mindy’s been dating up a storm.” Matt had told him.

“Why did she call you?” Colby had asked. “I’m surprised she didn’t call and rub it into my face.”

“She’s worried about Mindy. She wanted me to call and talk to her.”

“Why?”

“I guess Mindy’s gotten it on with several guys. And she’s started drinking.” Matt had said with a frown.

“She’s having sex?” Colby had paled.

“No, she hasn‘t gone that far yet!” Matt had replied. “But it sounds like she’s headed in that direction.”

“Christ!” Colby muttered he felt as if someone had stabbed him. “She’s drinking?” When the hell had she started doing that?

“According to Ashley. She’s real worried. She says Mindy’s really messed up.” Matt answered feeling sorry for Colby.

“I called and talked to her.” Matt had told him. “I wasn’t really worried until I talked to her. I know what it’s like to be a teenager. Ashley’s right she’s messed up. She told me exactly what she’s been letting her dates do to her. She bragged about it to me.”

“What?” Colby asked with dread.

“I don’t think you really want to know that.”

“Dammit Matt, tell me what she said?” Colby had ordered.

“Let’s just say she’s getting a lot of experience in giving and receiving oral sex.” Matt said reluctantly. He watched Colby sink into a chair at the kitchen table.

“I don’t get it?” Colby had muttered miserably.

“She’s doing it to get back at you. Which is why I came to see you. If she was just a horny teenager I would stay out of this. But she’s letting guys do things to her because she wants to hurt you. And that’s going to mess her up bad! Ashley has watched her with a couple guys. She thinks Mindy’s forcing herself to be with these guys. That’s where the drinking comes into play.”
“I’ll try talking to her.” Colby muttered.

“Ashley knows about you and Mindy.” Matt had informed him.

“How?”

“A drunk tells no lies.” Matt had replied. “If she keeps this up, she’s going to get into trouble. So far she’s been lucky. Most of her experimenting has been with her friend Todd. And he apparently cares for her, because he hasn’t taken advantage of her. But Ashley caught her in bed with some guy. Mindy was too drunk to stop the guy. She got lucky another minute and she would have had a serious problem. Mike beat guy up pretty good.”

“She won’t talk to me, about us. If I bring it up or try to press her on the issue she hangs up. She’s put a wall between us and I can’t do anything about it from down here.” Colby told him his heart aching.

“I’m coming up for Caroline’s Wedding. I plan to spend the entire weekend up there. I’ll talk to Mindy.” He had promised Matt.
The month of August had drug by slowly. Colby had sent her an email asking her about what Matt had told him. And to his surprise she had answered the email. The email had tore him apart. She had told him exactly what she had been doing with each guy in question. And there were five guys. The only one she knew well was Todd. She had closed by telling him she was a writer. And she needed the experience for her writing. Colby hadn’t replied to the email. Clearly he needed to deal with this issue in person.

Here is another article written by my brother about the war.

Iraqi Army Needs Heavy Weapons

by Dryson Dunnar, Apr 17, 2008
Tags: Basra operation heavy weapons Iraqi army Iraqi army needs War in Iraq
Without heavy weapons the Iraqi Army cannot be expected to stand up by itself, yet the U.S. military is reluctant to give them what they need.

The disappointing performance of the Iraqi Army in the Recent Basra Operation highlights a deficiency that has been around since the rebirth of the Iraqi Army in 2003, and that is Iraq's lack of heavy weapons. Perhaps lack is not the right word, because it would probably imply to most that all Iraq Infantry Divisions have a few heavy weapons such as a couple of tanks and artillery pieces, no non-existent would be the best phrase to at least describe the situation in its Infantry Divisions.

And despite the title infantry which means foot soldiers, a usual Infantry Division is composed of supportive heavy units as well. Indeed in combat foot soldiers depend on supportive fire from heavy units and those same heavy units depend on them as a screening force and to help pinpoint enemy units. Simply put it works like this: 1) infantry units push forward until they meet heavy resistance. 2) Infantry calls in its tanks or artillery and if available air-support to attack enemy position. 3) Enemy position is attacked by heavy unit. 4) If the heavy units did their work the infantry advances sweeping up any scatter resistance with little or no causalities to its self. The concept is as simple as that.

The current situation is that Iraqi Infantry depends entirely on U.S. heavy units. Which means pretty much without the US the Iraqi Army cannot function as and army. As General Abdul Qader Mohammed Jassim, commander of the Iraqi ground forces is recently quoted to say, "Soldiers with Kalashnikovs and pickup trucks is not an army."

Currently the Iraqi Army has fewer than a hundred tanks mostly donated, which is surprising being that Iraq had thousands of tanks before the 2003 invasion. Apparently only four Iraqi tanks survived the war, apparently forgotten. The best explanation for the lack of surviving equipment that could be found was on globalsecurity.org stating what wasn't destroyed in the invasion was scrapped. Speculation over what really happened to all the surviving heavy weapons and equipment by me is a subject for another article. Let it suffice for now the Iraqi Army started with clean slate as far as equipment goes.

The US military has been reluctant to help provide the Iraqi Army with heavy weapons. The two main excuses are that the Iraqi Army really doesn't need it right now and slow logistics. The failures in Basra and the fact that Iraqi troops are dying three to one to US troops clearly disproves the first excuse. Logistics perhaps if most of the equipment is trying to be procured from the US where the military industrial complex is not tooled for mass low cost heavy equipment. Though there are plenty of good second hand military equipment like tanks and artillery out there and either Russia or China could easily fill any orders for new equipment.

The main reasons stated off the record why the US military is dragging its feet is they don't trust the Iraq's and they fear a civil war. Indeed the Iraqi Army has been infiltrated and there has been more than a few occasions when Iraqi Troops have went over to the other side or abandoned their equipment. Where this argument starts to fall apart is that truth heavy weapons are less worrisome to lose to insurgents than a crateful of AK-47s as most types of heavy weapons are not very useful to insurgents. Insurgents need to be able to hide that's how they survive, which is why insurgents limit themselves to man portable mortars, rockets, and heavy machine guns for their heavy weapons. So a tank or heavy artillery piece is out of the questioned, as you maybe able to conceal such from the air but not from enemy ground forces. As for the Iraqi crew turning on its allies it would soon be put out of action by air strikes or superior US forces.

As for the argument not to give heavy weapons out of fear of how they would be used in a civil war, well first off Iraq is already in a civil war. Secondly while heavy weapons makes things a whole lot bloodier, they are also absolutely necessary when smashing insurgents, militia, gangs, whatever you want to call them. Thirdly while the army is ethnically mixed so has fracture lines it's still one of the few adhesive forces outside the US military holding the country together. Remember the Iraqi Army was ethnically mixed under Saddam as well. It just needs good leadership to hold it together, men of national leanings rather than ethnic or religious. Lastly Iraqi forces will never be able to bring the country under control by themselves without heavy weapons, as we saw how successful they were on their own in Basra.

I am not advocating that heavy weapons are the key answer for Iraq's army but it's still a big piece that is missing and critical to creating and effective force. Without heavy weapons and the logistics to support them the Iraqi army cannot be expected to be able to stand up by itself no matter how good of foot soldiers they are. If all US forces the same forces that destroyed the old Iraqi Army and its heavy equipment, were to begin to pull out tomorrow Iraq would quickly crumble breaking into small fiefdoms ruled by warlords similar to what happened in Somalia. There are few encouraging signs that this may not happen as there are orders for heavy equipment, but still the process could be hurried.

Colby woke to the sound of water lapping against the side of the boat. He looked at his watch, it was a little after five in the morning. Mindy was snuggled up beside him. Her arm wrapped around his chest. Her head resting against his shoulder, her leg nestled between his. He needed to get up and take the boat back to the dock. He was flying
back to L.A in a few hours. He moved Mindy off of him so he could get up. She groaned turning over to bury her head in a pillow. Getting up he pulled the cover up to cover her, so that only the top of her head was visible. He searched the floor for his clothes. He quickly dressed in his sweats. It was cold out on the lake first thing in the morning.

“What are you doing?” Mindy mumbled from the bed..

“I need to get back, I have a flight to catch.” He told her. Opening the door to the cabin he went up to the deck, where he sat down to pull his sneakers on. Sitting down in the driver seat he started the boat.

Doug was sitting in a beach chair by Mindy’s boat slot when Colby drove the boat in. He frowned at his brother. Turning the boat off he got up. He went down into the cabin. “Baby, I gotta go. I’ll see you at Caroline’s wedding.” He said brushing his lips against her cheek.

“Bye.” Mindy mumbled burrowing deeper into the covers.

“You’re in a lot of trouble.” Doug told Colby rising from his chair as Colby got off the boat.

“Why?” Colby asked.

“You slept with a minor!” Doug yelled.

“Keep your voice down. Nothing happened.” Colby told him.

“Really, I find that hard to believe!” Doug told him.

“Do Mom and Dad know?” Colby asked with dread.

“No, Matt covered for you. He told your parents that you were invited to a party in Bayview.” Doug told him.

“So, what’s the problem?” Colby asked walking past his brother.

“For starters you ditched Teri, and she’s was really pissed.” Doug replied following his brother.

“Christ. I didn’t invite her, Mom did.” Colby told his brother.

“I can’t believe you slept with a minor.” Doug said angrily.

“Nothing happened, relax.” Colby told him again.

“Really, then why were you gone all night?”

“We were talking.” Which was partly true he thought. They had talked quite a bit.

“Is that all you did?” Doug questioned not believing him.

“I didn’t have sex with her if that’s what you’re asking.” Colby stated. Which was partly true, they hadn’t had intercourse. They walked up to the house. Colby intended to shower and leave, before everyone got up.

“Where have you been?” Teri demanded when Colby arrived at the house. She had been pacing on the deck.

“Christ. What the hell are you still doing here?” Colby asked in surprise.

“Waiting for you! Where were you?” She yelled.

“None of your damn business.” Colby told her.

“I’m your girlfriend! You were with Mindy weren’t you?” Teri said grabbing his arm as he tried to get by her.

“No. I was at a party in Bayview.” Colby lied, his Mom had come out onto the deck. She looked angry.

“Was Mindy there?” Teri asked.

“No, now let go.” He told her coldly.

“You don’t care about me at all!” Teri cried.
Colby ignored her heading toward the house. “Colby, if you walk away from me, were through!” Teri yelled.

“Good.” Colby called over his shoulder, he opened the sliding door and entered the house. He went upstairs to take a shower and change. Laura was still waiting when he came down the stairs thirty minutes later. She wasn’t happy, she couldn’t believe her son could be so cruel to a woman. Teri was devastated, she had left in tears.

“What do you have to say for yourself?” Laura asked.

“About what?” Colby asked getting a glass down. Doug was sitting on the couch pretending to read the paper.

“About the way you treated Teri this weekend.”

“Mom, I didn’t invite her. You did.” Colby told her with a sigh.

“I invited her because she’s your girlfriend.” Laura told him with a frown.

“Not really. We’ve been on the outs for a while now.” Colby replied opening the fridge to get some juice out.

“Why?” Laura asked.

“We’re not a good match. I should have broken it off a long time ago.” Colby said pouring the juice into his glass.

“I thought you were going to marry her.” Laura commented with a frown.

“Hell no.” Colby said with a grimace.

“I don’t understand you.” Laura told him still frowning. “I don’t think you should hang around with Mindy anymore. She’s too young.”

“She’s a friend.” Colby told her.

“Your sister’s seem to think she’s a lot more then that.” Laura told him studying him.

“Really?” Colby asked before drinking down the juice.

“After you ditched Teri on the boat last night. Ashley told Teri that you’re in love with Mindy.”

“She just said that to piss Teri off.” Doug said folding the paper.

“I was kidding Mom, geeze get over it.” Ashley lied coming into the room. Doug had pointed out to her last night, that Colby could get into a lot of trouble over Mindy.

“You need to learn some manners. I don’t want you or Mandy spending anymore time around Mindy.” Laura told her daughter.

“What? Mom she’s my friend.” Ashley cried.

“After the way she behaved yesterday I don’t want her around you. That girl is a trouble maker.” Laura told her daughter firmly.

“That’s not fair, it wasn’t Mindy’s fault!” Ashley replied.

“About yesterday, I have a confession.” Matt said from the door. He had come into the room and heard their discussion over Mindy.

“What?” Laura asked.

“Doug, Jeff and I bet Mindy a hundred dollars that she didn’t have the guts to push Colby and Teri in.” Matt told her.

“Is that true Doug.” Laura asked him turning to stare at her son.

“Yes.” He replied.

“Why would you do something like that?” She asked shaking her head at them.

“We thought it would be funny, and it was.” Matt said grinning.

“That’s why we threw the buckets of water on Teri. They bet us double or nothing.” Ashley threw in with a grin.
“You boys should be ashamed of yourselves. You stood by while I tore into that poor girl.” Laura said in disgust. “Your father’s going to have a word with you about this.” She said heading off to wake her husband.

“Shit, let’s get the hell out of here.” Matt told Colby.

“See you back in L.A.” Colby told Doug heading for the door.

“You bastard, why did you have to drag Jeff and I into this.” Doug called after them.

Colby got into the passenger side of the car he and Matt had rented.

“We need to talk.” Matt said sliding into driver’s seat.

“About what?” Colby asked.

“About Mindy. You spent the night with her?” Matt said.

“Nothing happened.” Colby muttered.

“My ass, you were messing around with her under the table at the restaurant.” Matt accused. “And before that you were making out with her in the parking lot.”

“So?” Colby replied as Matt started the car.

“She’s only fifteen!” He replied driving up the hill.

“I know that.” He replied. Just what he needed a guilt trip from Matt.

“Are you having sex with her?” Matt asked point blank.

“Not exactly.” Colby said.

“What’s that suppose to mean?” He asked pulling onto the highway.

“We haven’t had intercourse.”

“What have you done?” Matt asked with a frown.

“Pretty much everything else.” Colby admitted. He couldn’t lie to Matt, they were too close.

“Christ Colby! You’re looking at a jail sentence if anyone finds out!”

“I know what I’m doing.” Colby replied.

“Really? Christ I thought you were smarter then this. You know the law! How long has this been going on?”

“It started in May.” Colby went on to fill Matt in on how it had all gotten started. “I never intended for things to get so out of hand. But I can’t seem to keep my hands off her. I’m in love with her.”

“Yeah, I’ve known that for a while.” Matt admitted. “I hope you know what you’re doing. Because I would hate to see you locked up.”

Mindy was able to sleep until ten. She woke to the sound of someone knocking on the cabin door. “I’m getting up.” She called. Ashley and Mandy must have snuck off to see her. She pulled her clothes on before opening the cabin door. “Shit!” She muttered when she saw that it was Jeff waiting for her.

“I told you we were gonna talk.” Jeff said with a smile.

“What do you want Jeff?” Mindy muttered coming up onto the deck.

“I want you to tell me what Amber said?” He replied.

“Why don’t you ask Amber?” Mindy said pulling on her shoes.

“Tell me, or I’ll toss you off this boat.” Jeff told her.

“You do and I’ll tell Colby.” She shot back. He would do it she knew.

“He’s gone.” Jeff replied with a shrug. He got up and started toward her. “What’s it going to be?”

“I already told you what she said.” Mindy answered backing up.

“Tell me exactly what she told you?” Jeff asked towering over her.

“She got tired of just having sex with you. She wanted you to make love to her.” Mindy answered backing up some more.

“What do you mean?” Jeff asked.

“She wanted you to hold her, and care for her. She got tired of you always pawing at her.” Mindy said with a sigh. “It was always about you when you we’re in bed together. She wants someone that will put her needs first. That’s all I know.”

“Why didn’t she tell me this?” He asked.

“She tried, but you never seemed to hear her. Let it go Jeff, she’s seeing someone else now.” Mindy told him.

“What? Who?” Jeff demanded feeling as if he had been stabbed.

“I don’t know, she wouldn’t tell me.” Mindy admitted.

“Dammit!” He said before getting off her boat. He brushed past Doug who was walking toward her boat.
“Mindy I need to talk to you?” Doug said frowning at his retreating brother. “What did he want?”

“Information about Amber.” Mindy replied taking a seat in the driver’s chair. “What do you want to talk about?”

“We need to discuss your relationship with my brother.” Doug answered climbing into her boat.

“Were just friends.” She lied.

“He slept with you last night. I was here when he got off your boat.”
Shit! What was she suppose to do now?

“I want to know what happened last night?” Doug asked her when she didn’t say anything.

“Nothing, we just talked.” Mindy answered.

“I don’t believe you.” He told her with a frown.

“It’s true.” She said not meeting his eyes.

“Colby could get into a lot of trouble if people found out he stayed on your boat last night.” He replied.

“I’m not going to tell anyone.” She told him meeting his gaze.

“It would be better if you didn’t see my brother anymore.” He told her getting up. He had noticed Ashley and Mandy coming toward the boat. “I thought you were grounded.” He called out.

“Not anymore, thanks to Matt. You and Jeff are in big trouble. Dad’s pissed.” Ashley replied as Doug climbed out of the boat.

“I’m gonna wring Matt’s neck.” Doug muttered as he walked away.
“What did Matt do?” Mindy asked them when they had climbed onto her boat.

“He told Mom that he, Doug and Jeff, had bet you a hundred bucks that you didn’t have the guts to push Colby and Teri in.” Ashley told her with a grin.

“That’s not the best part.” Mandy said with a grin. “Colby broke up with Teri.”

“Are you sure?” Mindy asked.

“Yup, I overheard Mom and Dad talking about it. Teri was waiting for Colby when he got home this morning. They got into a huge fight and broke up. Teri left in tears.” Mandy told her with glee.

“Sweet.” Mindy said with a huge grin. She had never been so happy. Colby had told her he loved her. She couldn’t believe it, and now he’d gotten rid of Teri for her. She pinched herself to see if she was dreaming. Mindy was walking on air as she walked along the dock with Ashley and Mandy.

“Isn’t that Amber?” Ashley asked pointing to a woman coming down the dock.

“Yes.” Mindy said surprised to see her. “Hey Amber!” Mindy called.

“Hi Mindy!” Amber said with a smile as she joined them.

“Did you come up to ride in my new boat?” Mindy asked with a grin.

“If you’re looking for Jeff, he’s up at the house.” Ashley told her.

“No, I was looking for Colby.” Amber replied.

“He’s on his way back to L.A.” Mandy told her.

“Why are you looking for Colby?” Mindy asked. She was confused.
“Well, we’ve been seeing each other.” Amber admitted. Colby had told her not to say anything about them to Mindy. But Amber, thought that was silly.

“What?” They all said at once.

“I thought you were with Jeff?” Ashley asked.

“We broke up.” Amber reminded them.

“So how long have you been seeing Colby?” Ashley asked with a frown.

“We got together in June.”

“Colby never said anything about it.” Mindy said. She felt as if she had been stabbed in the chest.

“You know how private Colby is.” Amber answered. She hadn’t expected Mindy to take it so hard. She looked like she was about to cry.

“I’ve gotta go, I promised my dad I would help him pack up.” Mindy told them before quickly walking away. She was blinded by tears and slammed into Jeff.

“What’s wrong with you?” Jeff asked reaching out to steady her.
“Colby and Amber are seeing each other. He’s the guy she’s been seeing. He lied to me!” Mindy cried. She was to upset to guard her words.

“What? I’m gonna kill him.” Jeff said storming down the dock to confront Amber who was walking toward them a worried frown on her face.

“Is it true.” Jeff demanded grabbing her arm. “Are you seeing Colby?”

“That’s none of your business.” Amber said. Seeing Mindy’s tears she felt terrible. She knew about Mindy’s crush on Colby. But she hadn’t thought she would be so upset.

“Why Amber?” Jeff asked giving her a shake.

“Because he’s loving and considerate! And the best lover I’ve ever had!” Amber yelled at him.

“You slept with him?” He asked the blood draining from his face.

“Yes.” Amber said jerking her arm free.
Mindy didn’t hear anymore. She was dimly aware of Doug arriving to break up the fight. She just stood there crying.

“Don’t cry Mindy.” Mandy told her wrapping her arms around her friend.

“Colby’s a jerk!” Ashley told her.

“Mindy here comes you’re Dad.” Mandy said.

“Great.” She replied. She quickly wiped her face with her shirt. She had to get a hold of herself. She could fall apart when she got home. But for now she needed to put on a brave face.

“What’s going on?” Her Dad asked.

“Nothing, Jeff and Doug are just arguing about some stupid case.” Mindy told her Dad forcing a smile for him.

“You look like you’ve been crying.” Her Dad pointed out. Her eyes were red.

“I got some dirt under my contacts.” Mindy said with a shrug.

“You ready to go.” He asked with a frown. Something was wrong.

“Yeah, let’s get the boat loaded.” She said grimly. She was going to sell the boat, or trade it in. She couldn’t sleep on it after last night with Colby. The lying bastard!! No, I’m not going to think about it right now, she told herself. “See you guys later.” She told Ashley and Mandy as she walked off toward her boat.

“That jerk!! I’m gonna kill him.” Ashley told Mandy.

“Is Mindy alright?” Amber asked coming over to talk to them.

“No.” Ashley replied. “If you and Colby are together why weren’t you here with him this weekend?”

“Colby broke it off with me.” Amber admitted. “I came up here to see if I could convince him to give it another chance.”

“I was hoping to convince Mindy to talk to him. Surely she’ll agree I’m much better suited for him then Teri.”

“They broke up this morning. So you won’t need Mindy’s help.” Mandy told her with a frown. Something weird was going on.

“I think you better leave Mindy alone.” Doug told her. Jeff had stormed off.

“Where’s Jeff?” Ashley asked.

“Probably on his way back to Spokane to get a flight to L.A. So he can kick Colby’s ass.” He replied frowning at Amber.

“Good! Colby deserves it!” Ashley said heading back up to the house.

“Where’s Mindy?” Doug asked Mandy.

“With her Dad, their packing up to leave.” Mandy answered before taking off to follow Ashley.

“Do we have to help her out?” Matt asked watching Teri swim toward the edge of the dock.

“I vote we leave her in there.” Ashley said smiling. She was rewarded by Teri’s glare.

“What are you waiting for, pull that poor girl out.” Colby’s mother told them.

With a sigh, Jeff reached down to pull Teri out. “Gee, thanks for helping me out Colby.” Teri said sarcastically, her teeth chattering.
“Oh you poor dear!” Colby’s mother said wrapping her in a towel. Before turning to Mindy who was standing with Mandy and Ashley. “That was totally uncalled for.” Laura scolded with a frown. “I think it would be best if you didn’t come around anymore.”

“Mom, it wasn’t her fault, Teri asked for it!” Ashley said jumping to Mindy’s defense.

“Yeah Mom, she’s a bitch.” Mandy put in without thinking.

“Amanda! Such language!” Laura said frowning.

“Sorry Mom. But it’s true!” Mandy said defiantly.

“You girls get on the boat.” Laura told them. “I’ve had enough.”

“As for you young lady, I think you’ve caused enough trouble for one day.” Laura told Mindy.

Mindy remained silent not missing the look of victory on Teri’s face. She had gotten her wish. Mindy would not be welcome in the Morgan clan anymore. She fought back tears, and swallowed hard. She wouldn’t give Teri the satisfaction of seeing her tears.
“I think you owe Colby and Teri an apology.” Laura told her sternly.
No way! Mindy thought to herself, she would rather die then apologize to the bitch. “They got what was coming to them.” She said defiantly.

“Mom, it’s not that big of deal. We’ve been pushing each other in for years. I’ve tossed Mindy off the dock a couple times.” Colby said, aware that Mindy was digging herself into a very deep hole.

“That may be, but Teri has never done anything like that.” Laura told her son still frowning at Mindy.

“She’s done plenty, just not in front of you.” Colby replied.

“It doesn’t matter.” Laura said with a shake of her head. “I won’t tolerate such behavior.”

Mindy was cold and wet. She turned to leave, before she started to cry. She walked away heading to her boat. She hurt so bad she thought she might die. Why had she done something so stupid! Maybe it was for the best, she tried to tell herself. But her heart wouldn’t listen. She could barely see the dock through her tears.
Colby watched her his heart aching for her when he saw her shoulders jerk. She’s crying he thought angrily. He didn’t miss the look of victory in Teri’s face. Why the hell had he ever gone out with her? He turned away in disgust. In the next moment he heard a terrible shriek. Turning he watched as another bucket of ice water hit Teri. This time Mandy was the one tossing the water. Ashley was at her side with an empty bucket in her hand. They both smiled as Teri hopped up and down screaming. Matt, Jeff and Doug all had a good laugh. Laura however didn’t find it at all amusing. “You girls put those buckets down this instance. I can’t believe that you would do such a horrible thing to poor Teri. You’re both grounded, now get on the boat.” She ordered angrily. “Teri you poor thing, come with me. Will get you dried off. I’m sure I can find something for you to change into.” Laura said leading an enraged Teri to the boat.
“What the hell is going on out here.” Robert asked coming out of the cabin. “Get your asses on the boat.” He ordered angrily. Doug and Jeff did as they were told. Colby untied the boat from the dock. Pushing it away from the dock. “What are you doing? Aren’t you coming with us?” Robert asked Colby as the boat drifted away from the dock.

“No, I’m going back to the house. I need to shower and change.” Colby lied smoothly.

“What about the firework show?” Robert asked.

“I can see it from the house.” Colby replied with a shrug. He watched the boat head out into the bay. When it was gone he headed toward Mindy’s boat. It was time they had a long talk about things. He shivered in his wet clothes. He had grabbed his duffel bag from the boat so that he could change out of his wet clothes.
Mindy was inside the cabin of her boat stripping off her wet things. When she felt someone jump onto the boat. Probably Dad or Daniel she thought. Grabbing a towel she dried herself off. Her teeth were chattering from the cold.

“Mindy!” Colby called to her through the closed cabin door.

“Colby?” What the hell is he doing on my boat, she wondered?

“Is your Dad planning to take your boat out on the lake for the firework show?” Colby called sitting down in the drivers chair. The keys were in the ignition.

“No!” She called still trying to dry herself off. To her surprise she heard the engine of her boat start. Followed by the boat moving. He’s taking my boat out. Of all the nerve! She pulled on a pair sweatpants that said Stanford, and a Stanford sweat shirt that Colby had given her. She didn’t want to where his stupid school colors, but she didn’t have any other sweats and she was cold. The boat bounced across a couple waves and she had to grab onto the wall to steady herself. Dammit he had no right to take her boat out! She sat down on the bed to pull her socks on. I’m not going to talk to him, she decided. I’ll just stay down here, he can sit up there all by himself. She grabbed her brush and brushed her hair. She then sat there on the bed as the boat bounced over the waves. Where is he going? The boat finally stopped, and Colby killed the engine. Mindy reached over to turn the cabin light off. She didn’t want to run the battery down. She sat there in the dark. Dammit! This is my boat! She opened the door intending to tell him to get off. And was rewarded with an excellent view of Colby’s bare butt. “What are you doing?” Mindy demanded.
“Changing my clothes, since mine are wet.” Colby told her over his shroulder. He bent to pull on a pair of blue sweatpants.

“I didn’t give you permission to take my boat out.” Mindy told him recovering herself.

“We need to talk.” Colby told her turning around. He was still bare from the waist up.

“I don’t want to talk to you. And put a shirt on.” Mindy muttered climbing up the stairs. She pushed past him, taking a seat on the rear bench.

“Why?” He asked picking up his sweatshirt.

“It’s a rule. Clothing is required on my boat.” She told him folding her arms. She was still cold, she rubbed her arms.

“Why don’t you want to talk to me?” Colby said smiling over her rule about clothing.

“I just don’t.” Mindy muttered pushing past him to go to her cabin.

“Oh no you don’t, you’re staying up here.” Colby told her grabbing her arm.

“I’m just going to get a blanket. I’m cold.” She said jerking her arm free. She grabbed her quilt off the bed wrapping it around her. “Why aren’t you out on your parents boat?” Mindy asked coming back up from the cabin.

“We needed to talk.” Colby told her again. He watched her take a seat on the back bench wrapping the blanket around her. He sat down beside her.

“So talk.” She said wrapping the blanket tighter. She was so cold her teeth were chattering.

“Come here.” He said with a sigh. He picked her up in his arms and settled her on his lap.

“What are you doing?” She asked.

“Warming you up.” He said holding her close.

“I’m warm enough.” She told him.

“That’s why your teeth are chattering?” Colby asked with a smile.

“Why aren’t you with your family? You’re going to miss the firework show.” Mindy asked feeling warmer in his arms.

“I wanted to be with you.” Colby told her.

“What about Teri?” She asked.

“I came up here to see you not her.” Colby told her gently.

“Then why is she here?” She asked afraid to believe in what he was telling her.

“My mother invited her.” Colby said with a sigh. “You know you could share that blanket.”

“Are you cold?” Mindy asked.

“Yes, you did push me into the lake.” He told her with a frown.

“You deserved it.” She replied. She was still mad at him for kissing Teri. So he could just freeze!

“I didn’t kiss her, she kissed me.” He told her firmly.

“It looked mutual to me.” She said trying to move off his lap, but he held her firmly in place. “Let me go.” She muttered.

“No.” Colby told her. He leaned down to kiss her. But she was in no mood to kiss him. She pushed him away.

“Look Colby, I don’t know what you’re trying to pull. But I’m sick of it! You can’t have it both ways. So choose it’s either me or her!” Mindy told him.

“I choose you.” He told her quietly.
She hadn’t been expecting that. She too stunned to reply. Colby unwrapped her blanket pulling it off of her. She just sat there trying to wrap her mind around what he had said. He wrapped the blanket around his shoulders before enclosing her in the blanket.

“Are you serious? You’re going to break it off with Teri?” She asked still not believing she had won.

“Yes.” Colby told her brushing the hair out of her face. “I love you, I’ve always loved you.” He leaned down to kiss her. This time she didn’t stop him. Her heart swelled with joy as she kissed him back. If she was dreaming, she never wanted to wake. They continued to kiss lost in each other the kisses deepening. The firework show started causing them to break apart. They stared up at the sky watching as fireworks lit the sky. They watched the entire show wrapped in each others arms. When the show was over they moved to the bed in the cabin. Mindy turned on a battery operated lantern. Lighting up the cabin, they stretched out on the bed. Mindy pulled off her top, while Colby pulled his off. She sank back against the bed as he kissed her again. His hands moved over her body caressing her naked breasts. His mouth moved over her skin, setting her on fire. He pulled her sweatpants off. Pushing her legs apart he ran his lips up her legs and down her inner thigh. His fingers lightly caressed that secret spot, driving her wild. She groaned as she felt his mouth settle on her. His tongue moved over her throbbing flesh bringing out her wildest desires. There was no holding back this time. They made love to each other with all their heart and soul. Colby still refused to have intercourse with her. But he did allow her to touch and explore his body. She made love to him with her mouth. Something she had never imagined doing. Her inexperience drove Colby wild, and it wasn’t long before he pushed her away as he came. Lying in each others arms afterward they were totally spent. They crawled under the blankets, and drifted asleep holding each other.