I didn’t go back to the party after the incident on the roof. Boston snuck back into the suite, grabbed my purse for me, walked me to my door, and let me go to bed—alone—while he went back to the festivities armed with excuses for my exit.
I took one look at my face in the mirror and gasped. Kiss any chance at ever getting Boston Black to entertain my flirtatious games goodbye. I looked like Ke$ha, circa 2009. Mascara and eyeliner were everywhere but on my actual eyes. All because I was feeling a bit lonely being surrounded by people who weren’t. All because I don’t know what my purpose in this godforsaken life is anymore.
Miraculously, Boston didn’t say a word about my freak out when we left the hotel this morning. He exited his room the same time as I did, my brother and Arden waiting outside of our doors, and gave me a quick look over—his face gave nothing away, but his eyes asked me one clear, pointed question.
I smiled gently at him and dipped my chin.I’m okay, and thank you.
We haven’t discussed it since. The wedding party (and me) climbed into our separate vehicles, none of us looking too bright and cheery this morning, and waited on the group chat for the address. Apparently, the plan to use Declan’s family’s place fell through, so they’re renting a different property for us to use for the week. Penny’s sister will arrive tonight, too.
We stop for gas and Carter comes back armed with sports drinks and snacks. We follow Declan’s Range Rover, which holds Avery, Penny, and Seth, right into the drive-thru line of a coffee chain.
“Thank god,” Arden murmurs. “I might combust if I don’t get caffeine soon.”
“Jesus, Fork,” Boston says, glancing at his haul of snacks. “You are aware that everything in this area is, like, an hour away at most, right? You’re packing for a twelve-hour drive.”
Carter shrugs, smiling over the console at him. “When I’m hungover, I like a little sweet treat. Sue me.”
“There are one hundred sweet treats in that bag,” I point out.
“Who knows what I’ll want when the hunger strikes?” Carter says, falling against the seat dramatically. Boston rolls down the window to order and my brother wipes a palm over his head. “I am too hungover to be interrogated about my food intake.”
“Drama queen,” Arden mumbles.
Boston orders our coffees and refuses to let any of us pay for them, and then we’re back on the road, none of us surprised when the brand new Jeep carrying EJ, Wyatt, and Callum zips past us in a flash before vanishing into the distance.
Carter begs Boston to catch up with them to try and beat them there, but Boston shoots him down with one stern look.
He will not be racing any blonds in Jeeps today.
Carter then seems to remember that his sister and his girlfriend are in the back seat, and he immediately drops the subject.
We pull up to the lake house about forty-five minutes later. The sun is shining brightly in the clear, blue sky, warming all the cold, dreary parts of me that fought like hell to take over last night.
You can’t complain about much once the sun hits your face, can you?
The lake is calm and welcoming for the early hour, like perfectly laid glass, mirroring the sky in a way that seems fictitious. Like art. It’s the perfect weather for this kind of week, and we’re being blessed with a solid three-day stay before we head back to the hotel to prepare for the rehearsal. I’m going to enjoy my time and lather myself in sunscreen so I don’t ruin my new dress with a sunburn.
It’s not a California summer, but it’s still summer, and summer is my favourite word.
Thankfully, we only had to pack our stuff for the beach since our hotel rooms are blocked off for the week. I don’t know how to travel light, and as my brother unloads myoneexceptionally heavy bag with a glare, I can tell that I could have probably left a few more things behind.
I follow my brother through the freshly cut grass, glancing up at the beautiful white and blue, two-story lake house. My breath catches in my throat.
There are so many windows.
I know before I even step inside that the natural light in this place is going to be unmatchable. What I could do with a space with so much light…
The options are endless. They tickle my brain.
I glance toward the lake. The sun sets that way. I would have a field day decorating the interiorandexterior so thatthe occupants can optimize their sunrisesandsunsets. My eyes skim the wrap-around porch. So much potential. It’s already stunning, but I could make it incomparable. I could make it jaw-dropping.
We've apparently been transported to The Hamptons, and a place like this does nothing to ease the ache of missing my job.
Declan and Penny are standing on the porch, near the rear door of the house. We all emerge from the driveway to find them looking down at us like we’re their pupils and they’re holding court.
Everyone seems to realize that this is some kind of moment, so we slowly stop at the bottom of the steps to give them our undivided attention. The conversation ceases almost instantly.
“So?” Declan says after a long second of silence. Both he and Penny are focused on a specific side of the lawn. Not the side that I’m on.
