Chapter 16

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Liam took Friday off, so my brothers and I decided to change it up and visit Cassie's family. It's been too long since we last saw Uncle Robert and Aunt Claire, so I'm excited to spend some time with them.

Pictures don't do their chateau-like home justice. To say their property is massive would be an understatement. It's bigger and even more regal in person. Hence, the stone water fountain encircled by the driveway. Their mansion makes our rental house look minuscule, and that's saying something.

Aunt Claire and Uncle Robert greet us at the iron entrance. Man, have I missed them. Aunt Claire is a spitting image of my dad, it's crazy. They're pretty much identical with their light brown hair and dark brown eyes. And, Uncle Robert...well, what can I say? Personality-wise, he's a goofball, but looks-wise, he's your typical businessman. He owns a clothing manufacturing company that sells to the big retailers like Macy's and Nordstrom. The company skyrocketed over the last seven years after producing this shape-wear that went viral.

After welcoming us with warm hugs and tons of excitement, Aunt Claire and Uncle Robert lead us into the backyard, which consists of a pool area, a tennis court, and a private dock. Cassie gave us a heads-up to come hungry, and now I can see why. At the long table before us is a full-blown buffet: cheese boards, frittata bites, 4 different types of salads, some sort of quinoa dish, salmon, massive fruit plates, and fancy, delectable desserts.

We help ourselves and take a seat on the low-slung sectional.

"It's so nice to have you guys here for the summer," Aunt Claire says.

"It's great to be here," Liam says, taking in the atmosphere. "The house looks beautiful."

"Thank you! We fell in love with it the minute we saw it. Didn't we, honey?" Aunt Claire looks over at her husband.

"We sure did," he says, reaching for her knee. "So, tell us, what's your plan for the next two months?"

Liam looks at me before turning back to Uncle Robert. "To be honest with you, we're sort of just winging it. I mean, a low-key trip like this has always been on our to-do list, especially with Sophia heading to college in the fall. Plus, it doesn't hurt that you guys are here. Dad was really happy when we decided on Charleston."

"How is my brother?" Aunt Claire asks.

"He's great. Working hard, as usual. He sends his love."

"Tell him we miss him, please," she smiles before shifting her attention to me. "And, Sophia. GWU, huh?"

"Yup. I'm pretty nervous, but definitely excited."

"You're going to love it. D.C. is fantastic. Good food, great night-life."

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. I mean, I've never been away from my family for a long period of time before, so it'll be an adjustment, but I'm looking forward to the experience."

"I'm excited for you," Cassie jumps in.

"We all are! And, you, Jacob?" Aunt Claire turns to him and asks. Jacob's completely caught off-guard. I don't think he's been paying attention since we got here. "What's going on in your life?"

"You know, same old," he shrugs, and Aunt Claire uncomfortably nods with an awkward smile, clearly unsure of how to respond.

"Any luck with the internship, Sophia?" Uncle Robert changes the subject and asks, and all eyes are on me.

A couple of months ago, Uncle Robert put me in touch with a recruiter for one of the biggest publishing companies in the world. They ended up offering me a remote internship during the fall semester, but I turned it down, not wanting to go behind my dad's back like that. It took every bone in my body to decline. Trust me.

"Still waiting to hear back," I lie with a smile.

***

The rest of our time at Cassie's house is spent catching up, eating, laughing, and eating some more.

"Thank you again for having us," Liam says as Cassie and her parents see us out.

"It was our pleasure. You must come back soon," Aunt Claire says.

When we get to the car, we hand Howard a cheese plate and a plastic cup of lemonade. Poor guy's been out here for 3 hours.

"You didn't have to," he says as he takes the food. "But thank you. Where to now?"

Liam looks at us. "Well, it's only 3 o'clock. Do you guys want to head to the beach? Or, we can head back to the house and sit by the pool?"

"I'm not going home," Jacob remarks. "I'm down for the beach, but let's stop for some beer on the way. I'm thirsty."

"Noted," Liam chuckles. "Fee, you good with that?"

"Yeah," I say. The thought of possibly running into Noah at work crosses my mind, but I'd be lying if I said that I didn't want to see him.

***

When we get to the beach, we find three lounge chairs by the water. And look at that...I spy Noah. A shirtless Noah to be exact. He looks so confident with his body slightly slouched and his hands interlocked as he observes the ocean.

"I think I'm going to go for a swim," Jacob states, breaking me out of my daze. "Anyone want to join?"

"What the heck, why not?" Liam stands up and says. He removes his Tom Ford pilot-framed sunglasses from his face and throws them onto the lounge chair.

"What do you say, Fee?" Jacob looks at me.

"Count me out this time," I hold up my book and say.

"Should've known."

"Leave her alone," Liam says. "Let's go, Jacob. And, Fee, you need more lotion. You're getting burnt on your chest."

I peek down at my chest.

Dammit.

***

The heat is making me parched, so I get up and walk towards the food hut, when I notice a Mister Softee truck parked beside it. Who am I to say 'no' to ice cream?

"What can I get you?" the young guy working the window asks me.

"I'll take a vanilla swirl on a cone with chocolate sprinkles, please."

"Sure thing. That'll be $2.50."

"Here you go," I say as I slip him a five-dollar bill. "You can keep the change."

Ice cream in hand, I decide to walk around the premises when I hear yelling off to the side of the entrance. I know that voice.

When I get closer, I spot Noah arguing with some short, fat, bald guy. He must've done something big to piss this guy off because he's fuming. I'm just curious — does Noah ever get tired of fighting with people?

"I know, I'm sorry," I overhear Noah tell the guy. "I just need a few more days."

"I'm getting sick of your promises, Noah. This is the second time you've been late on your payment. It's not my fault your dumbass bet on the wrong fighter."

"I have most of the money, Darrell. I just need until the end of the weekend to get the rest."

"You don't learn, do you? What's it gonna take for this shit not to happen again?" Darrell is so loud I swear I could hear him if I were standing 20 miles away. "Answer me," he shouts in Noah's face.

When Noah doesn't utter a sound, Darrell raises his fist in the air and knocks him to the ground. I can't get there quicker.

"What the hell are you doing?" I shout at Darrell before dropping down to Noah. "Are you okay?" I ask him, but I can tell from the deep cut below his left eye that he's not.

Darrell ignores me and looks at Noah. "I mean it, Noah. You either get me my money or stay the hell away from the warehouse."

Warehouse? What's he talking about?

Noah doesn't say anything, and Darrell shoots me a quick glare before taking off. I sneer at him before shifting my attention back to Noah.

"Here, take my hand," I say to him in an attempt to lift him up.

"Don't touch me," he instinctively jerks his shoulder back. "I don't need your help."

"You're bleeding, Noah." I cup his cheek with my hand to get a better look at the cut, but he pulls away, and my heart breaks a little.

"I'm fine," he tells me.

"You're not fine. Stay here. I'll be right back."

It takes me 10 minutes to run to the nearest concession stand. The lady who works there was kind enough to give me a plastic bag full of ice.

When I make it back to Noah, I'm relieved to find him right where I left him.

"Wow, you actually listened to me," I say as I kneel down beside him and position the ice over his gash.

"Ah," he says as the coldness comes into contact with his skin. He covers my hand with his to hold the ice in place, and I feel this physical sensation when our touches meet that I know is not just in my head. "Thanks," he finally says.

"You're welcome," I smirk. I lend out my hand for him to take, which he surprisingly does this time.

"So, what was that about?" I ask.

"Don't ask questions you don't want answers to, Sophia," he says impolitely.

"You shouldn't involve yourself with someone like that, Noah."

"Look, don't pretend you know shit about my life. I didn't need your help then, I definitely don't need it now, so spare me the advice."

"All I'm say-"

"Would you just leave me alone?" he snaps. "Seriously. You think me trying to kiss you the other night meant something? I was just messing around; testing your innocence. I'm not your boyfriend, so don't play girlfriend. Don't act like you know me. Don't act like you care about me. You know nothing about me." He pauses. "Let's keep it that way."

He throws the bag of ice to the floor and walks away, like I knew he would eventually.


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