"Urgh, but now the hard work starts. Argh!" Ray groaned as my brother slid his arms around her, kissing her as I quickly looked away.
"You'll be fine," he murmured, and I smiled. I loved how much those two adored each other. Ray had been accepted to study law at Arc College and was moving there with my brother, who had found work locally in a nearby town. I was sad we wouldn't be so close anymore, but that's how life was.
"Heads up!" I heard a shout as Grant and Chase ran over, not before a ball hit me square on the back.
"What the fuck?" Bailey yelled as the guys exchanged a look.
"Sorry, Annabelle, are you okay?" Chase called, and I smiled up at him, reassuring him I was okay.
"I'll kick a ball at your fucking head," Bailey muttered as he laid back down, satisfied I wasn't hurt. Elijah smirked as he looked at me, and it was like he was accepting there was someone who loved me as much as he did, if not more.
Chase and Grant stood awkwardly as I glanced up at them, shielding the sun from my eyes.
"You wanna sit with us?" I asked, indicating the sand surrounding us.
"Nah, we're good. Have a good summer, guys," Chase said quickly, grabbing the ball with his hands and jogging off, Grant waving before following suit.
"Well, that was awkward." Ray sighed as Elijah wrinkled his nose up, staring down at the boys as they played football by the shore.
"At least he knows he isn't the father of that girl's baby." He shrugged, and I turned to see Chase grinning at Grant, who was splashing water at some girls as they sunbathed.
"I wonder what's going on with Elena," I mused as Ray snorted.
"She's a fucking mess. Mr. Herbert had to quit teaching because she told everyone it was his baby. He said he would see the baby but wanted nothing to do with her. I mean, come on, she lied about being on the pill."
Bailey groaned as he sat up.
"Can we not talk about Elena and her fucking sex life. Thank you, please."
We all laughed until we heard a voice.
"Alright? I brought beers and whiskey for my future sister-in-law. Hey dude, I don't think we've met. I'm Reuben. This is my sister Connie."
Reuben and Connie commanded attention as they stood like Gods on the beach. Elijah nodded, clearly aware that Ray had once liked Reuben. Yet, Elijah was strangely confident and didn't act up at all.
"Little brother. Beer?"
Reuben held out a beer as Bailey sighed, lowering his sunglasses to look at me.
"When's your driving test again?"
"Argh, don't. Six weeks."
Bailey rolled his head to the side and gazed at his brother.
"I'm the designated driver. But no fucking whiskey. Can't believe you brought her whiskey, you turd."
I heard Elijah and Ray giggle as Reuben tipped beer over Bailey, who stood up, outraged.
"What the fuck?!"
He dived for Reuben, who ducked under his arm, dancing away from him mockingly. Bailey chased after him while Connie dropped to my towel, kissing my cheek lightly. I noticed Elijah looked at her slightly longer than he should have, but it was to be expected. She was breathtaking. Ray bristled, and Elijah turned her face to his, his lips meeting hers as he kissed her reassuringly.
"I asked if you were getting that makeover to sleep with my brother." Connie chided as Elijah began to cough beside me.
"Erm, too much information." He grimaced as Ray laughed.
"She didn't, though, I swear."
