i'm not buying the things you wanna say,
i've heard 'em all now a n y w a y . . .

🌊🌊🌊

My mom gave me a stern look from across the island in our kitchen, making me squirm in my seat at the bar stool. She let out a ragged sigh, then shook her head. I already know what's coming. "Lena..."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Dad," I groaned, asking to get his input.

"Hun," he placed a hand on my mom's shoulder, gazing at her. She just kept her stare with me. "What are you thinking?"

She laughed a little, seeming flustered, and threw her hands in the air. "I'm thinking that it's a little ridiculous how you think it's normal to go away for the weekend with a boy you've only known for about a month. You're too young," she aimed her comment at me, continuously shaking her head as if that were the only motion she could manage.

"Well..." my dad trailed off, a slight grimace on his face which meant he pretty much agreed with her.

"Listen, I'm going to be a senior. I think I'm a responsible kid! I work two jobs, I pay for my car insurance, I don't get into trouble, I have good grades. What else do you want from me?" I listed everything off on my fingers, giving them a clueless look. When they didn't answer right away and I saw my dad shrugging his shoulders and nodding along, I went on. "Besides, there's going to be plenty of adults there between all the judges and the sponsors. It's not like all the kids get to run free and go wild. The contestants have a curfew and they have to sleep to compete. Brody's done this alone before, but he just wants someone to come along this time. It was nice of him to ask me," I stated my argument, then sat back in my stool with my arms folded over my chest, waiting for their rebuttal.

My dad tentatively nodded his head again, his eyes darting up at the ceiling as he thought about his response. I was on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what he would say.

"She has a point. They can't just roam and do whatever they want all weekend. The whole point of it is the competition," he said to my mom, and she just sighed. I'm honestly shocked that my dad is somewhat siding with me. If anything, I would've thought my mom would be all for this – but it seems that the roles switched this time.

"Please, Mom? It's only a weekend," I stuck my lower lip out at her, using the puppy dog eyes as a last resort. "I've never done anything like this before, and it'd be so fun."

Her stare switched from me to my dad for a few seconds, and then it came back to me. "Fine," she flung her hands up in defeat a few seconds later. But she did it with a small smile, if I'm not mistaken.

"Thank you!" I shrieked, popping off my stool to give her a hug.

I heard her mutter, "I better not regret this," when I leaned over to give my dad a hug.

"Mom," I rolled my eyes yet again as I pulled away from my dad.

"I'm kidding. Kind of," she laughed, shooing me away. "Go tell Brody the good news."

I shouted another "thank you" over my shoulder before I headed out the front door, fumbling in my flip flops down the stairs to my car parked in the garage. I sent Brody a quick text that said I was coming over with good news, and then embarked for his house.

It's Friday afternoon, which means it's one week before we leave for Jersey. Yes, I'm an idiot who waited to tell her parents, but at least I didn't wait until the day before. Now that it doesn't matter, all I have to do is wait all week for the mini-vacation to get here – then it's Jersey for three nights with Brody. And his manager Owen, who acts like Brody's father figure in his life.

He's been training Brody for years, watches over him, and takes care of everything that has to do with his surfing life. I have yet to meet him, but from what Brody says, he seems like a really nice guy.

"Did you win the lottery?" Brody asked with a mocking smile on his handsome face when he opened the door to my arrival.

"No, you moron," I scoffed, lightly smacking his shoulder as he stepped aside to let me in. "My parents said I can come to your competition!"

"Oh shit, really?" He raised his eyebrows, a grin pulling at his lips when I nodded my head to confirm. "Awesome! Now all I gotta do is call Owen and tell him you're coming," he told me, leading the way into his kitchen.

He took out two glasses and filled them with the signature, Lambert household iced tea, and handed the beverage to me. "My dad was okay with it, but it took my mom some convincing. She couldn't resist my charm, though," I smirked after taking a gulp of the refreshing drink.

"Well, who could?" He shot me a playful look from where he was leaning against the counter top. I just rolled my eyes and smiled again as I brought my glass up to my lips.

We talked for a bit more, finishing up our iced tea in the kitchen and then heading upstairs to Brody's room. Our fingers were sparingly intertwined, even staying locked after we both took a seat on the edge of his bed. It looked like he wanted to say something, but didn't know how, as we sat there in the quiet for about a minute. My heartbeat quickened when he finally opened his mouth and exhaled unevenly.

"So I've been doing some thinking..." he started.

Oh, God. What is it now?

"Uh huh," I grunted, feeling my entire body stiffen. I tried not to squash his hand with my jittery fingers. When people do some thinking, that can never be good, can it?

"I know it hasn't been long at all," he lightly chuckled which just confused me even more. You couldn't pay me enough money to guess what he was about to say. "But... I want to know what you think about making things official between us."

If I froze before, now I was borderline dead.

I blinked, swallowing hard. My excitement at us having this talk was heavily masked by my utter disbelief. Brody Lambert wants me to be his girlfriend. Little old Lena dating bad boy Brody. I thought this day would never come in a million years.

Brody looked as uncomfortable as I'd ever seen him, running his fingers through his tousled hair with his free hand that wasn't loosely locked with mine. All I could do was stare back at him in amazement.

"It's fine if not, I was just curious," Brody spoke up again, rushing his words together. "And I-I mean if-"

"Yes."

Finally. So she speaks.

His eyebrows twitched up, a ghost of a smile appearing now instead of that uneasy expression he had before. "Of course I want to be your girlfriend," I breathed out that statement, both a wash of relief and an electric charge running throughout me.

"Are you sure? Because if you don't, we can-" he went on to continue rambling, but I stopped him.

"Brody?" I said, which made him stop mid-sentence. "Shut up."

And I planted my lips onto his without the intention of pulling away.

🌊🌊🌊

Later on in the night, Mason invited us over to his house for a fire and some drinks in his lavish backyard. We had no reason to say no, so Brody agreed to it and told me that I could bring my friends if I wanted. I figured since things were patched up between Noah and I now and things were no longer awkward, I invited my entire friend group to come along. The twins, Jodie, and Sadie all met up with Brody and I, then we walked to Mason's together.

"Yo, my favorite people are here!" Mason bellowed for everyone to hear when we arrived at the gate in his driveway. He unlocked it with a classic, charming grin on his face. None of us got past him without a hug or a handshake.

There was a small group scattered around the fire pit towards the very back of the yard, where I couldn't help but think of how Noah and I fought there. Right by that garage where the two smokers were hanging around on that dreaded Fourth of July. I was quick to ignore those thoughts and promised myself that everything was okay now.

I spotted Aiden and Peter standing on the patio, talking to each other and sipping their beers casually. They were alone, and I thought there was no better time to bring everyone together. This meeting was way overdue.

"Come on, let me properly introduce you to two of my favorite guys," I smiled at the four of them, feeling Brody pull on my hand to get me to follow him.

"Excuse me?" Mason scoffed when he overheard me.

I rolled my eyes jokingly, shaking my head. "Besides you, Mason," I added, and he beamed after that.

My friends all shrugged and looked to each other with small nods in a shy agreement. I wriggled myself out of Brody's grip and took Jodie's hand instead, all of us following Brody over to his boys.

"Just letting you know, they all think you're hot. So expect some boyish comments from them," I whispered to Jodie as I pulled her closer to me.

"Are you serious?" She raised her eyebrows with a lopsided smile, and I nodded. "Sweet, so who can I make out with?"

I nearly choked on my own spit at her blunt response, sputtering out an answer. "W-what? I thought you hated them?" I hissed, narrowing my eyes at her. Sure, she looks like my best friend. But this isn't the Jodie I know – the one that wanted nothing to do with Brody or his "delinquent friends", if I do recall her using that term.

She sighed, pursing her lips but keeping her eyes ahead of us. "Look... I figure Brody isn't going anywhere anytime soon. I might as well make the best of it," she explained lowly, and I couldn't hide my smile from her. She's finally accepted him. "Besides, he has some hot friends."

"I know," I wiggled my eyebrows, both of us trying to hide our laughter as we approached our guys.

Aiden's eyes lit up upon seeing me, coming over and conducting the handshake that we made up one night together. I also took note of the way his gaze hung onto Jodie for a long second. Time to do some matchmaking.

I don't think I could ever forget the look in his eyes when he saw her at Acacia's party, where Brody and I first met. He tried to introduce himself, but Jodie wasn't having any of it. Now that she's changed her mind, maybe something can blossom between them.

An arm slung around my shoulders and I was pulled into Aiden's side, his free hand cradling his beer and gesturing out to his and my friends.

"Lena, you're my favorite. Brody's been with some weirdo girls throughout our time of being friends, which has been since like, first grade. But honestly, you're one of the coolest girls I know. I think I speak for everyone here," he said, not even trying to keep his voice down at all.

"Thanks," I blushed from all eyes being on me, at a bit of a loss for words.

Brody shook his head, bumping Aiden's arm off of me. "Yeah, thanks Aiden," he retorted.

"So guys! These are my friends," I hastily changed the subject. There was a moment of exchanging names like musical chairs, and when Aiden laid his eyes on Jodie again, there was nothing to stop him from ogling her.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Aiden," he put on a charming smile and thoroughly nodded at her.

Jodie coyly smiled, biting down on her lip to try and hide it as she nodded too. "We've met before, but I'm Jodie," she said.

"You're right, we have. And you weren't too keen on me at all," he chuckled, and she giggled along.

Instantly, I could tell that they were meant to be. Whether it would last a couple months or a few years, I haven't got a clue. But I could picture the two obnoxious blondes together and it was a beautiful sight.

Brody's P.O.V.

Lena was perched comfortably on my lap as we all migrated to Mason's fire pit after being here for awhile. She was swaying back and forth, singing with Jodie to "Nine In The Afternoon" that was playing on Mason's speakers. Her and Aiden were respectively sitting next to us, and she took a break from their never-ending conversation to belt out the words to a throwback with her best friend.

I watched my tipsy, animated girlfriend with a faint smirk, entertained by her spunky personality that seemed to come out after she had a few drinks. She hardly paid attention to her surroundings, focusing on getting the lyrics right and looking at Jodie. But that was the best part – I could watch her forever without her knowing. I think that's when you potentially learn the most about people.

As I raised my can to my mouth, I realized that I was out of beer. In need of a new one, I placed the can aside and rested my hands on Lena's waist to get her attention. Her song ended and she finally came back down to earth.

"I'm gonna go get another beer," I leaned up and whispered in her ear.

"Okay," she crooned when she turned to look at me, batting her lashes adorably. I lifted my lips to meet hers in a light kiss, then she willingly got off of me and took the seat when I stood up.

The voices of all my friends echoed as I headed towards the backdoor. But upon crossing Mason's spacious yard, I stopped in my tracks when I noticed movement by the gate.

I didn't stop because I was nervous of two strangers trying to enter the party. It was because I recognized them immediately.

My shoulders squared as a reaction and I breathed in deeply, striding over to them. The waist-high wooden gate was the only thing separating us, and I honestly didn't know if that would be enough.

"What the fuck are you doing?" I spat out at Sky.

It's like I turn into a completely different person whenever she's in my presence. And not a good person either – I turn into the man that I've been trying to forget I ever was. The person I used to be when she was a vital figure in my life. She flips the switch and all bets are off.

"That's how you greet me?" She said with her malicious smile in place. The one I try to erase, but can still remember so fucking clearly.

My eyes narrowed and I sneered, "How did you know I was here?"

"I think you think I'm an idiot. I know where to find you," she spoke with her usual confidence, acting like that was the dumbest question I could've asked her.

"Yeah, that's called being a stalker," I riposted, enunciating my words. But it's not like that would help her understand me any better.

With a dismissive wave of her small hand, she curled her lip in disgust. She ignored my last comment and continued with her plan to irritate me. "Is Lena here?" She asked in a sickly sweet tone.

"No," I snarled. My answer was a bit too fast and she caught onto that.

She peered around my shoulder to where everyone was surrounding the fire pit. A smug, contempt smile altered her face and I knew she saw her. Fuck. My hands folded into tight fists at my sides with my mouth sewn shut, trying to keep my cool.

"Really? Then who's the cute girl sitting by the fire that looks exactly like her?" She scornfully looked at me, her eyebrows high as she waited for a response. When she didn't get one, she reached forward to let herself through the gate.

I swiftly grabbed onto the gate and slammed it shut, startling Sky and her friend beside her that hasn't said a word this whole time. She wouldn't either; Sky always did all the talking. When she laughed it off and went to let herself in again, I held it shut this time.

"I'll play this game all night. You're not going over there to harass her," I informed her gruffly that I wasn't leaving this spot. Not if it meant she was going to try to hurt Lena.

She breathed out another soft, mocking laugh and took a step back. I let go of the gate and crossed my arms over my chest, my posture rigid and straight.

"All I wanna do is talk," she murmured, imitating innocence as she batted her eyelashes and pouted.

"I don't care what it is you want to do. It's not going to happen," I said hoarsely.

Apparently, that struck a chord in her and she snapped. That icy front doesn't last as long as it used to. "You think you have control over me? You think I care?" She raised her voice on the last word, incredulity dripping from that statement.

"Oh I know you care. Because if you didn't, you wouldn't be here."

It was my sharp, cutting words that left her speechless. For a couple seconds, she just stared at me. Her goddamn green gaze trying to penetrate me, trying to get a rise out of me. Her lips parted, a perturbed look washing over her entire being like she couldn't believe I just said that. But it was the truth.

I held my breath and kept my composure, until a wry smile twisted her features. She glanced away from me and rolled her lips into her mouth. "That's where you're wrong. I don't care about you anymore," she rasped, looking up at me afterwards as if to prove she was telling the truth. That's where she was wrong.

"That's the biggest fucking lie I've heard that's come out of your mouth since we broke up," I uttered, a disdainful smirk pulling at the corners of my mouth. "You never cared about me at all. You don't care about anyone."

That wry, bitter smile returned and she cocked her head to the side, trying to read me. "Brody, I know you're not a hostile kind of guy. You don't have to be like this with me." Her tone mimicked something gentle, like she honestly meant no harm. I, on the other hand, was all but compassionate.

"Sky, if you don't leave in ten seconds, I'm gonna cause a scene. And you know I will," I spoke through my gritted teeth, feeling a muscle tick in my jaw. Every part of me was on edge, and I didn't know how much longer I could keep my voice down.

All I know is that I never want Lena to see this side of me. Ever.

"Well I'm going to talk to that little girlfriend of yours, and there's nothing you can do to stop me because I always get my way. And you know I do," she mimicked my threat, emerald eyes narrowing to slits.

The staring contest between us seemed like it lasted for hours. All I heard was white noise, while my eyes were fixated on the girl I somehow used to love. The girl who had me in her palm nearly two years ago, then crushed me in one go. The person that ripped me to shreds in the past and fucked with everything that I thought was love.

I tried to put myself back into that time, when she was my world and I was oblivious to every damn thing so I could try to understand what the hell I was thinking back then, but I couldn't. The mental stress and physical ache it caused told me to back away from that territory and never, ever do that again. But I honestly don't think my mind would allow me to go down that lane. Those memories with her are nothing but murky water clogging up the clear ocean I'm trying to make for myself.

It was a lifetime of replaying harrowing memories before she broke the silence. Without tearing her gaze from mine, she told her friend, "Come on, let's go." Then she spun on her heel and they were gone.

My shoulders fell when they both disappeared down the side of Mason's house, my breathing uneven and loud. Though she wasn't looking my way any longer, the chill that came over my body whenever our eyes connected still hung over me. As my chest heaved, I turned around and saw that none of my friends even noticed I was over here. Thankfully, they were far from us and wouldn't have heard my confrontation with Sky. Even if they did, they wouldn't bring it up.

I ambled back to the fire pit, attempting to put myself back together and act like the past few minutes didn't just happen. Lena was in the middle of