We are spending the long weekend with our closest friends—Jax, his flavor of the month, Ollie, and Alessandra. And I invited Haisley as well. The more, the merrier. I’m looking forward to enjoying the company, wine spritzers, and the sea without any worries for three days.
This weekend is just what I need right now. Haisley and I keep the windows open and listen to the latest hits while driving down to the beach house. We sing along and laugh while the ocean sparkles next to us in the sunlight.
Arriving at our destination, I let out a happy squeal as we drive down the driveway to the classic-style beach house in front of us. There’s a tennis court on our right, and trees hide us from the neighboring houses.
It is hard to decide where to look first when getting out of the car. I fall in love with the house right away—peaked roofs, massive front porch, and white accents. All of it gives it a warm, homey feeling.
I can’t believe this is a part of my life. My boyfriend owns this beautiful house. I remember him telling me that the renovations finished in early April, so it’s only his third time visiting the beach house.
He has a housekeeper and a gardener to care for the maintenance and the grounds, which makes sense with his busy schedule. Hopefully, we’ll find time to visit more often in the future.
Opening the massive wooden front door, I get my first look inside the house. It’s even more breathtaking inside if that is possible—the double-height rooms, huge windows, light surfaces, and stunning ocean views greet me.
Looking around, I don’t see or hear anyone. But I know that the guys drove down earlier today. Walking towards the pool, I hear acoustic music and singing. When I get closer, I recognize the voice—Eli’s singing. It must mean that he has his guitar with him too.
Opening the sliding doors leading to the massive backyard facing the ocean, I can’t stop smiling. The crew sits around the fire pit in one corner of the deck area. Jax takes another beer from the cooler before he spots me.
“Hey Mags, what’s cooking? You want one too?”
Everyone else turns around to look at me, and Eli stops playing the moment his eyes find me. He stands up swiftly and walks to me.
When he is close enough, Eli grabs the front of my shirt and pulls me to him. Kissing me hard, he takes my breath away. We don’t stop until the catcalls in the background get too loud. He looks at me with fire in his eyes and winks. I know he wanted to put on a little show for our friends. Silly boy.
Tasting the beer on his lips when I kissed him, I still love how open he is with his affection. He wants everyone to know that I’m his. After everything that has happened, it feels reassuring. Everything is better than it was before.
Or at least that’s what I think as I sink into his arms and soak up the feeling of being with people I love.
* * *
After spending hours outside drinking the next day, we’re getting louder, and some of us have sunburned skin. Someone just spilled beer too. Ollie’s upper body looks painfully red as he gets up to find a shirt. That will hurt once he tries to sleep and the effects of alcohol wear off.
Letting go of Eli’s hand and standing up from the comfy chair, I walk back inside to get more wine from the kitchen. As the smart one who packed sunburn relief, Haisley follows me inside.
I hear two voices whispering something behind the corner as I return outside—I realize it’s Eli and Ollie. At first, their words aren’t clear, but then I hear what they’re saying.
“—I’m telling you, it will all be over soon. Corinna and her latest claims will be history, and you can just enjoy your new life with Rose. There’s no need to bring everything up with her just yet, tell her after you’ve fixed it next week. How about that?”
“Yeah, you’re right. It hasn't been an easy summer, and I just want to protect her.”
I stay rooted on the spot, blinking my eyes rapidly. Did I just hear them right?
I’m sure I must have misheard him. There’s no way that Eli would have kept something like this from me. Not after everything that has happened after Grandma Lou’s confession. Taking it all in, I open my mouth to speak but close it as nothing comes out. My heart feels like it just stopped for a moment when Ollie’s words finally sunk in, and I let out an audible cry.
Eli’s head snaps around and he sees me. His entire expression changes as he realizes that I overheard them. He tries to touch me, but I slap his hand away. Even the thought of his hands on my body now makes me feel sick in my stomach. I can’t let him near me till I calm down.
“If I were you, I wouldn’t dare to touch me right now. How could you keep that from me after everything we have been through? You’re sucha piece of garbage. Just leave me alone,” I cry out. Haisley gasps as Eli stands there in shock. The rest of the group is looking away from us.
Eli takes a step closer to me. I take one stern look at him, and he lifts his hands, showing that he won’t do anything. I keep quiet except for my crying. I’m such a blubbering mess on the back deck of the most beautiful house I have seen in real life.
Nobody says a word when I finally turn around to go inside. My throat feels dry, and my mind is racing. There is no way I can leave tonight. We’re drunk and can’t drive. I’m stuck here in this house withhim.
Hiding out in the kitchen, I pour myself a tall glass of water. As I drink, I hear the familiar footsteps behind me. Even after I told him to leave me alone, he is here.Typical.
I hear him talking behind me. “What was that about? I have no idea what just happened,” Eli says with a sigh and takes a beer out of the fridge as I turn to face him. He takes a long gulp as we just stand there. The silence between us is killing me. It shouldn’t be like this.
“Honestly, I thought we had fixed everything after last week, but I was mistaken. I should have known this would happen eventually. I just can’t trust you,” I tell him, my voice calm even as my anger causes a storm inside me.
Eli looks so lost right now.
