Nine Lives - Danielle Steel Page 0,73
had a water fight with the crew before they went back to port. Maggie sat just inside the dining area, so she didn’t get drenched. And then they all swam again, and decided to stay in the area while they ate dinner, and not to go back to the dock in Monte Carlo until afterwards, since they weren’t going to the casino until late. The time on the boat was all about having fun and being spoiled and pampered by the crew. It was a wonderful life, which Maggie had adjusted to quickly.
By the time they sat down to dinner that night, Aden and Paul were fast friends, and he felt as though he’d been there forever. The water fight Paul organized had been great. Aden had talked to several of the crew, who were mostly young and very personable, and very well behaved while on duty. Paul asked Aden questions about his trip, and school, over dinner. Aden shyly asked him about racing. Maggie was surprised how much Aden knew about it, and had obviously studied Paul’s history. Paul was touched by that too.
“I understand you’re a hockey player,” Paul said as they ate the steaks Maggie had ordered for them. The one Aden put away was huge. She knew how much he ate, and it never showed. He was tall and slim with huge shoulders.
“Yeah, I love it,” Aden said, “but I don’t want to play pro hockey after I graduate. I want to do something else, but I haven’t figured out what yet. Maybe sports management, or sportscasting for a network.” Maggie was relieved he didn’t want to do anything more dangerous. “I want to take flying lessons too,” he added. She didn’t like hearing that.
“I think you’re smart not to want to join the NHL,” Paul commented. “You’ll end up with no teeth and bad knees by the time you’re twenty-five.” Aden laughed and agreed with him.
“How did you start racing cars?” he asked Paul.
“I raced motorcycles first, when I knew your mom, when we were in high school. I did it in Mexico for a few years after that, and then I got some lucky breaks and started racing cars. It just happened, and one thing led to another. I won some important races and got the sponsor I still have now. Racing has been good to me. But I just have to warn you, your mom will kill me if you start racing cars,” he said half seriously, and Aden laughed.
“I know. She’s not so keen on planes either,” he said, and they all knew why. “I’d like to try hang gliding. I have some friends who do it in Vermont. It looks cool.”
“And dangerous,” Paul said. Aden nodded but seemed undaunted.
“Could I go up the mast tomorrow?” Aden asked him. “One of the deckhands said you have a seat that goes to the top.”
“You can if your mom says it’s okay.” He looked at Maggie then. “It’s safe. I do it all the time. He can’t fall out.” She hesitated and then nodded.
After dinner, they motored back into port. They showered and dressed, and after a glass of champagne, which Maggie didn’t object to, they headed for the casino, and Aden loved it.
Paul sat down at a blackjack table, with Aden and Maggie standing behind him, and Aden watched avidly. Paul won ten thousand euros in a few minutes, doubled it and then got up before he got too serious about it. He didn’t want Maggie to think he was corrupting her son, but Paul could see that Aden was a good boy, bright and full of life and eager to discover the world. He wasn’t as wild and fearless as Maggie had said, but he wasn’t meek either. He seemed sensible to Paul, and was exactly the kind of son he would have wanted if he had one. He had his mother’s integrity and values. He spoke respectfully of his father, and he thoroughly enjoyed being with Paul.
After the casino, they went to the disco, but didn’t stay long. Paul quickly spotted several very pretty young hookers, who in turn spotted Aden, and Paul decided not to let things get started, so they left after a short time. It was almost three in the morning by then, and was late enough. He knew the disco would go till five or six a.m. It had been a fun evening for all of them.
The next morning, Aden and Paul were up