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We arrive at the beach house a few hours later, and the silence is deafening. I’m not sure what happened after Xavier and I left, but it didn’t sound good. I never asked Connor, and he never mentioned it.
The girls and I take over the left side of the hall and the guys take the right.How many bedrooms does this place have?I drop my bag on the small couch by the window and open the french doors. The aroma of salt and seaweed is like a welcome punch to the face. My shoulders relax, and I can’t wait for the morning sunrise with a view like this. Someone knocks on the door, but doesn’t wait for my permission to enter. A warm body presses against my back and toned arms wrap around my stomach. Connor lays his head on my shoulder and watches the night sky reflecting over the dark waves with me. A deep sigh escapes his lips, “I’m sorry about earlier. I know we don’t know each other well, but I can promise you one thing here and now. I will not and have not ever cheated.”
I grip his wrist and hold him tighter to me, relaxing into his body. “You have nothing to explain to me, Connor, but for the record, I never thought you were that type of person,” I say quietly. We stand there a few minutes more, then he turns me around to face him. Slowly placing his hand on my cheek, he gazes into my eyes, before leaning down to press a soft kiss to the corner of my lips. “Goodnight Cara.” He turns and leaves my room. I leave the doors open and sit on the bed, gently pressing the spot where his lips just touched with my fingertips. I know I have a huge smile on my face. That boy better be careful, or I may fall for him.
The bright sun, and squeals of children playing wake me. I roll over and watch the ocean gently lap against the beach. This place is paradise. Someday I want to have a summer house like this.
“Girl get your ass up. Let’s hit the beach, then do some shopping,” Lee yells from the hallway. I groan and run my hands through my messy blonde hair. “I have to shower first,” I shout, and she moans, muttering under her breath, “Thirty minutes later.”
I laugh and hop off the cloud I was sleeping on, and walk over to the bathroom.
I think I take the fastest shower I’ve ever had, and throw on my black and gold bikini, with my pink and gold sundress. I shove my hair into a messy bun, and grab the sunglasses Memphis sent me for christmas. They’re designer, and I love them. I open my door to Connor holding his arm up, almost hitting me in the face. “Oh shit. I’m sorry. I was about to knock,” he says with a nervous laugh. I step to the side just in time and give him a quick kiss on the cheek. “No worries, but we better leave before the drama squad drags us outside,” I say with a big smile. I don’t know if it’s the summer air, or the cute guy in front of me that makes my heart race, but I feel twenty pounds lighter, and free. I really needed this vacation.
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The rest of the trip is mild compared to that night at the restaurant. The girls get a little wild, but nothing crazy. Thank god. I’ve never been one for drama, and I hate confrontation. I do have a great time though. Connor and I get to know each other better, and I think we’ll stay friends. We have a great time playing in the ocean and walking on the beach at sunset. I also enjoy kissing him. My lips still feel puffy and bruised. I thought he would have pushed for more, but he’s been a perfect gentleman. Another surprise from this weekend is I think Xavier and I may be friends now as well. We spend some time hanging out playing video games and bullshitting, like Memphis and I used to. It’s nice. It’s so odd only having one guy friend for years and now I have three. I also have a killer tan and learn how to surf, which I have always wanted to do. Takes me a few tries to actually stay on the board, but once I do, the wind in my hair and the gentle rock of the waves is so calming. I almost don’t want to leave.
All in all it’s a great trip. I guess my friends were right. I need to step out of my comfort zone a little bit and experience life more. After my mama died, I became extremely focused on helping my dad with all the jobs my mama would do, and working hard in school so I could get a scholarship to her alma mater. It didn’t leave much time to just mess around and be a kid.
The car comes to a stop and I run my fingers through Connor’s hair. He had fallen asleep using my lap as a pillow. He groans, and I can’t help but giggle. “Hey sleepyhead, it’s time to wake up,” I whisper, running my nails over his scalp and neck. He moans and nestles closer to my stomach. “Can we just turn around and go back to the beach? I'm not ready to let you go,” he mumbles. Ahhh he’s so adorable.
“As much as I would love that, I can't. I made a promise a long time ago that I have to see through, but we can talk anytime. You have my number.” I pause a moment before confessing, “I’m glad we hung out, Connor.” And I truly mean it. Even if all we end up being is friends, he’s a truly great guy.
“Okay, Romeo. Time to let Cara go,” Xavier says from the front. Connor sighs but sits up, giving me a sheepish smile. “I’ll text you later?” he asks.
“You better,” I reply quickly, hopping out and grabbing my bag from Jay. “Thanks,” I tell him, and he tips his hat at me. I look back at my friends and give them a wave before heading down the stone pathway to my house. It’s just about dinner time, and a soft melody is playing on the radio in the kitchen.
“I’m home.” I shout, setting my bag by the bottom of the stairs. My dad comes rushing into the room, pulling me into a huge bear hug that lifts my feet off the ground.
“I missed you, baby girl,” he says into my hair.
“Um, I was only gone a few days, how are you going to handle months apart?”
He growls and sets me back on my feet. “Don’t remind me,” he grumbles with a frown.
“Cara, look at you honey. You’re glowing. Did you have fun at the beach?” Frankie asks, coming into the room, wiping her hands on a dish towel.
“I did. It was nice to get away. One last hurrah before we all go our separate ways. I know we’ll see each other on holidays and summers, but it won’t be the same,” I tell her with a smile.
“Have you eaten? We were just about to sit down to some chicken salad. Can I fix you a plate?” My stomach agrees for me and they laugh. “I’ll take that as a yes then.”
I give her a grateful smile and follow them to the kitchen table. A bottle of wine is open on the counter, and I feel a bit awkward. Soft music, candles, wine. Crap, I think I interrupted something here. Frankie goes over to the cupboard and makes me a plate. I take it and fake yawn.
“I think I’ll eat in my room, then take a shower and get some rest. Did you want to maybe do that girls’ day tomorrow?” I ask her, and she gives me a beaming grin.
“Yes, that sounds perfect.”
I kiss my dad on the cheek goodnight, then head up to my room to do just that. I still have some sand in a peculiar location thanks to being tackled on the beach. Can’t say I minded it too much though after Connor made it up to me. I can still feel his hands on my body and the taste of his lips.
I enter my room with a smile. Dad fixed my door and even placed a bright red sticky bow to the front. I laugh and carefully remove it, before walking inside.
Setting my plate down on my desk, I place the bow in my treasure box that's on top of my bookshelf, and walk over to my bathroom to start the shower. I turn the water on then slap my forehead with a groan. All of my clothes are downstairs thanks to my crazy friends. I really don’t want to go back down there right now, so I grab my robe from the back of the door and set it on my vanity, before jumping into the shower. I quickly wash and rinse, then dry off. My phone is ringing in the next room, from the ringtone I know exactly who it is, and I’m going to have to call him back tomorrow. Memphis has been super chatty since Sam posted pics of us all on her instagram. He is taking the older brother thing way too literal. I know this is all new to both of us, but I was perfectly safe. Plus you would think from the time they spent together during football, he’d know Connor is a good guy.
Memphis
I scan through Cara’s Instagram again and groan. First off, why does she have to be half naked and second, why the hell is she surrounded by guys? That is not my best friend. Is this what I have to look forward to as her future stepbrother? Longing from afar and watching guys take what should be mine? I pull up her number and give her a call. She should be back by now. It goes to voicemail and I hang up before the beep. Her Insta pops back up and I start to pace.
