Chapter's song: Time of our lives, Pitbull mix :)

"So, what do you want the money for?"

I blinked at him. "Do you actually think I'd tell you? You've been laughing at my expense for the last hour!"

His lips twitched as he faked a cough. "Thank you, by the way."

Rolling my eyes, I closed the can's lid because Pablo had kindly told us that Maria had made bagels for us.

"Oh come on, if you don't tell me, I won't share!"

My mouth dropped to the floor. "You wouldn't!"

He raised an eyebrow in challenge, "Wanna try me?"

"But you said that-"

"Yes" he smirked at me, "but you gave terms. I have them, too."

Appalled, I shoved him hard on the chest, "but you're supposed to say them while you're making the deal, not after!" That's so unfair!

He shrugged, "but I've got the upper hand, prankster," I rolled my eyes at that, "So you either tell me or as soon as we reach England, your story will be over the news."

I looked at him. I mean, really looked at him. To be honest, besides being obnoxious and plain rude to me, he didn't seem like the kind of person that would do that to me. Still...

Rubbing a palm on my forehead, I murmured, "it's stupid, Jason..."

Blocking my way, he stood up in front of me, "I still want to know." His white shirt was clinging too nicely for my taste over his chest and despite having disheveled hair he still looked hot. And I shouldn't be noticing that...

I bit my lip. His grey eyes snapped to my lips for a moment, when he looked up they were so intense that my heart started to race faster. My lips parted as he took a step back.

Those grey eyes looked at me too damn intensely.

Sighing, I looked to the side, "I want to take stand-up paddle classes..."much more softly, I added, "and an ice-cream..."

If he had laughed at me for a whole hour before, I expected him to laugh harder. Only that he didn't. He stayed quiet for an unnerving long moment looking at me.

"You want an ice-cream? You do know that there must be some in the freezer?"

Breathing out, I shifted on my feet. "When I was little, we came to Mexico but to another beach and I remember eating ice-cream from a local place...and it was the best ice-cream I'd ever had. I remember feeling giddy and happy..." I looked at my feet, "I kind of wanted to feel like that again..." I sighed again. "I know it's stupid and you'll probably tease me to no end-"

His usually husky voice sounded softer, "I think it's cute." I looked up surprised at his words as he cleared his throat, "You really want to learn how to stand-up paddle?"

I was still looking at him completely dumbfounded. Bloody hell...the guy was obtuse...

"Huh?"

"I can teach you..."

"Why?"

His grey eyes bored into mine for a moment, "Because I can." His eyes glinted proudly before he pushed open the kitchen's door. He greeted everyone in Spanish as he waited for me to go through the door.

He was hard to keep up with...

Glancing briefly at him, I walked inside the kitchen. "Hola."

"Are you tired, dear?" Aunt Patricia asked as she passed me a dark orange drink.

Still eyeing the drink, I shrugged, "it's ok."

"It's papaya," Maria whispered beside me as I took a sip. The fruit's nutty sweetness played in my mouth as I smiled appreciatively.

Pablo and Jason were talking animatedly as Sol returned from checking up on the Australian couple who were swimming at the pool. "Hey Sol! Want to go out tonight?" Pablo asked her as she rearranged her hair with a pair of hairpins.

"Not tonight, Pablo."

"You?" Pablo's brown eyes turned to me. My brows furrowed. I don't have money, so...

"She's in," Jason interjected grabbing a warm tortilla from the small basket on the table.

For a moment, I kind of wanted to tell him to back-off, that he couldn't choose for me...but I did want to go...and he was definitely paying for me, so that didn't sound too bad. "Sure" I said nonchalantly at Pablo who grinned excitedly. I felt someone else looking at me. Aunt Patricia was watching us very closely with an intrigued expression on her face.

"Cool. We'll leave in an hour, ok?" Pablo added before focusing on his plate.

As we finished dinner I was already hyped at going downtown for a drink. After helping to clean up the kitchen, I went to my room to take a quick shower and change. I had white paint all over my clothes and hair.

Having a drink sounded casual, so I opted for a pair of grey leggings and topped it with an off-the-shoulder blouse. We were meeting at the lobby over the next ten minutes, so I braided my hair and put on light makeup.

Sol was chatting with Pablo as I reached the lobby. He had lost the hotel's uniform and was wearing a white solid shirt with ripped jeans. It was weird seeing him without the uniform. He looked younger. "Hey," I took a seat on one of the sofas.

They both smiled at me, "ready to have fun?" Pablo asked.

I nodded smiling, "Why aren't you coming?" I glanced at Sol.

"I'd love too but one of my cousins is coming from Oaxaca," she rolled her eyes, "my mama won't let me go out tonight."

"Oh...well, that sucks..." I murmured apologetically.

"You'll have to go out with me next week, though!" she grinned excitedly at me as I chuckled.

"Who's going out next week?" Jason's smoky tone of voice sounded right behind me. I glanced to look at him. He was wearing a green camo print shirt and jeans. The green highlighted the color of his eyes and his hair was messily styled giving him that out-of-shower look. My mouth went dry.

He looked so good in that shirt...I was sure that he probably looked even better in uniform.

"Ready?" he asked to Pablo. Sol was in total awestruck.

"Let's go!" Pablo reached out for me. Glad, I took his hand as he led us to his car.

Only he didn't have a car. He had a motorcycle.

"Are you riding with me?" his brown eyes shone excited as I looked at the motorcycle in horror.

"Dream on, dude..." Jason rolled his eyes while gently grabbing me by the arm. "Patricia borrowed me her car."

Pablo looked taken aback, "She did?"

"Marianne can't ride a motorcycle." Jason said matter-of-factly.

"Why the hell not?" I pulled my arm away from him.

His grey eyes stared at me intently for a moment. "Because it's not safe," he said through clenched teeth.

"Well, I'm not letting this pass," Pablo crossed between us as I glared at Jason, "I want to ride Patricia's car, too!"

Somewhat confused, I glanced quizzically at him. "Why?" The car in front of us didn't look special at all. It was just a small van.

"Because, she never lets anyone else ride it," he murmured in a duh-tone.

"Great," Jason smirked at me, "that settles it, then." I rolled my eyes.

Pablo sat up front with Jason and was totally excited like a three-year old on sugar high. After five minutes of seeing him jumping up and down on the seat, I broke out laughing at him.

"What?" he asked with a wide smile on his face.

"You're funny, Pablo."

He wriggled his eyebrows, "I am!" I laughed again as I admired the small town with avid eyes.

The houses were all painted in colorful colors, some of them had palm trees as roofs, other had tiles. The car stopped in front of a large park. A monumental building was on the front and a church was on the other side.

We walked to a small pub with neon lights. The roof was built in palm leaves and loud music was playing on the background. It wasn't totally crowded, though. It had a small terrace with two tables. I sat on a tall bench as Pablo leaned on the table, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "tequila, everyone?" he glanced back and forth between Jason and me.

Jason was watching me completely amused as if he expected me to ask for a beer or something. "Sure," I shrugged.

"Awesome!" Pablo left to the get the drinks.

"Have you ever had tequila before?" Jason crossed his arms loosely over his chest.

"Of course."

He burst out laughing, "I don't think so." He licked his lips, "I don't think you've gotten drunk..."

"Are you challenging me?" I raised an eyebrow.

His lips slowly tugged up on a lopsided smile. He uncrossed his arms and leaned on the table, "maybe..."

I turned away unimpressed. To be honest, I had gotten drunk and it hadn't been pretty. I never did it in public, though. And the few times that it had happened I'd gotten drunk on wine (worst hangover ever) and vodka. Just remembering that brought a sour taste on my mouth.

I hadn't, however, drank tequila. Only on cocktails. Never as a shot.

But he didn't need to know that...

Pablo arrived with three shot glasses, a bowl of limes cut in half and a bottle of tequila. "This my friends, is how we Mexicans welcome our friends!"

My eyes widened for a moment as he served the three glasses.

"Salud!"

Oh man...I was in for a long night...

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I know, I know...this is short and whatnot... :)

PLEASEEEEEE COMMEEEEEENT!!! (and vote!!) I miss your reading your comments!!!!

Gabs

PS: I need help casting Sol, Pablo, Ed, Maria and Patricia...help anyone?!