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CONRAD
As I stare at the truckload of suitcases and supplies, I can’t help but wonder how we are going to fit the eight of us and all our stuff into two cars. Levi said there was no reason for us to waste gas and money and drive three vehicles out to where we’re staying in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. When he sees how Mateo’s SUV trunk is filled to the top and Maddox’s truck has no space left after Emree and Blaire bring their bags over, he’s going to rethink his two-car rule.
For spring break this year, our group is heading to Maddox’s parents’ new beach house since they only use it over part of the summer. He said it was large, with six rooms and plenty of space for all of us. We’ve all been looking forward to seven days of no class assignments, no work, and no stress. I, especially, need this week away.
My dad’s calls have been coming in more frequently. Since my mom sent me the list of potential women last fall, I have pushed off meeting any of them. He is growing impatient and I know after this trip, I am going to have to fulfill my family obligations. Thinking about it puts a sour taste in my mouth. I made the mistake of getting close to Emree instead of pushing her away like I was supposed to, and now I went and fucking fell for her.
In the six months Emree and I have been dating, not once have I brought up my family or the arranged marriage my parents have planned for me. She has asked about where I’m from and I kept it simple, telling her I grew up in Boston and my parents are in real estate, and that we aren’t close and I haven’t talked to them much since starting school. She understood I didn’t like talking about my parents and eventually stopped asking.
Although I know I need to break it off soon, I keep telling myself I’ll do it the next week, and then the time comes and I can’t go through with it. She is too perfect. From her beautiful looks to her weird sense of fashion and the fact that she is always keeping me entertained. Emree is unlike anyone I have ever met and the more time I spend with her, the more I fall. I can tell she feels the same way and it pains me to know I’m going to have to hurt her like this.
“You want to tell Levi ‘I told you so’ or want me to?” Maddox asks as he comes up to stand beside me.
“Go for it. Remind him that we still have Camden’s sister’s stuff to try and fit, but unless she sits on her bag, I don’t see that happening.”
“H-his…sister,” he stutters. Maddox’s eyes are wide, face pale.
“You okay, man?”
He straightens his face and nods. “Uh, yeah. Just didn’t know we were having more guests.” Maddox stuffs his hands in the pockets of his khaki shorts and walks off without another word.
Emree’s blue Honda Civic comes down the road and she pulls off, parking on the side of the street. Smiling, I start walking over to her as she gets out.
My girl is looking more beautiful than ever in her bright-pink leggings and blue tank top with pink stripes going down it. Emree is always wearing some crazy kind of outfit and while I think it would look insanely ridiculous on most people, for some reason, they work on her. From her bright-colored leggings with weird designs on them to her shirts with some funny saying on the front. You would think someone who looks like Emree would wear the most basic outfits, maybe even some cowboy boots, but she is all about her colors. She is a contrast to her best friend, Blaire, who is dressed in her usual jeans and black T-shirt.
“Hey, baby,” she greets me with a wide smile as I walk over, throwing her arms over my shoulders. I wrap mine around her waist. She is soft all over and I love the feel of her in my hands.
I bend down and glide my lips along hers, getting a taste of the cherry lip balm she is always wearing. Em’s arms tighten around my neck as she goes on her tiptoes to deepen the kiss. Our almost a whole foot height difference makes it interesting when kissing her, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Her soft, sweet lips against mine are one of the best feelings.
Pulling back, I stare down at her and smile. “You ready for a fun trip away?”
She steps back and claps her hands, jumping up and down. “Beyond excited. I can’t wait to lie out on the beach and enjoy seeing you in nothing but a pair of swim trunks.” She winks and I laugh.
Hand in hand, we head toward the house where Blaire has joined Maddox, Levi, Mateo, and Jules. Camden should almost be back from picking up his sister, Trazia. Maddox tells Levi we’re going to have to take another car because his truck is overflowing, but Levi argues, thinking we have plenty of space.
“Do you want people’s things flying out on the highway? Because I can guarantee you, these ladies are going to be pissed if they lose their skincare products. Don’t you remember the night Blaire forgot hers and Cammy had to drive to her apartment at one in the morning?”
Levi rolls his eyes. “You all packed way too much shit. Downsize. Do we really need that giant umbrella? It takes up half of your truck bed.”
“Don’t you dare think about removing our sun protection,” Blaire chimes in. “I am a pale individual, Levi Mariano, and I will not get sunburned during this trip.” She’s right there. Even though she grew up in Texas and has lived in Braxton for a few years, Blaire looks as if she has never seen the sun before.
“Then sit on your bags because taking three cars is dumb. Or put a seat down in Mateo’s car and three people can sit in the front of Maddox’s truck,” Levi suggests.
Maddox looks over at Mateo’s large SUV and then back at the group. “That could work, but don’t you dare think about cuddling up to me, lumberjack. Knowing you, you’d fall asleep on my shoulder and drool or something.” Disgust crosses Maddox’s face. “Put one of the hotties beside me.” He looks at Emree, Blaire, and Jules and winks.
I pull Em closer to me. “Not happening, man.”
“Aw, don’t be like that, Conny. I wouldn’t cop a feel or anything, but having her beside me is better than your stinky asses.”
Camden’s Jeep pulls up, distracting us from our conversation. He and his sister open their doors and get out at the same time. While Camden goes to his trunk to get her bags, Trazia rounds the front.
“Holy shit,” Maddox whispers beside me. His jaw is completely slack, eyes wide as he stares at his best friend’s sister. He’s taking her in from head to toe.
Trazia’s thick, long hair is a pale pink. She has it hanging down straight over her shoulders. She’s average height, but her long, toned legs make her look much taller. She’s wearing a white, fitted tank top and black cutoff shorts paired with some beat-up Converse sneakers. If I didn’t know they’re three years apart, I would think she and Camden were twins. They both have these clear green eyes and matching full lips and straight noses. Besides the hair and the fact that she’s a woman, they look almost exactly alike.
“You okay there, Mad?” I ask him.
He shakes his head as if coming out of a trance. “Uh, yeah. Let’s get the fuck out of here.” He storms off to his truck, getting into the front seat.
