"Good party, right?"

Although I'd been left in a somewhat sombre mood after returning from the bank, I couldn't let me friends know something was wrong.

I knew to keep my mouth shut about Rhys taking me too. It would kill Ryan, and the last thing I needed right now was to cause an argument.

"Yeah," I smile, "sure."

Teagan raises her eyebrow sceptically. "Something is up with you."

"Nothing's up," I shrug. "I'm just...tired."

"You? Tired? You live for these beach parties."

"I guess I'm just not feeling it tonight," I mumble. "Maybe I sick of doing the same-old-same-old every weekend."

Teagan scoffs, laughing. "Okay, CeCe. Okay."

"What?"

"Something is up. That was a very un CeCe Cadigan thing to say."

"I'm fine, Tea," I sigh.

"No, you're not. Tell me what's happened. I'm your best friend. I won't tell the boys."

I laugh, leaning my head against her shoulder. We were currently sitting by the shore, letting the ocean hit the tips of our toes.

The boys were further up the beach, sitting around the huge campfire that Wesley had started tonight. My eyes land on Rhys Laderman as he talks quietly to Lucas before flickering to Ryan.

Despite this being an entire community kind of party, Ryan was glaring at Rhys like he didn't deserve to be here.

"I went to the bank today," I whisper to Teagan. "With Rhys."

Teagan's shoulders deflates against my head. "CeCe..."

"Don't start. I know what you think already."

"Please be careful around him. I know you think he's helping but you must also realise that—"

"He has a reputation? His friends are jerks? I know, Tea. I've been living in this town for over seventeen years too."

"Sorry," she sighs. "I don't mean to repeat myself. I just worry about you."

"I know," I nod. "I love you for that. I love all of you guys. I just...it wasn't even me who initiated the decision to go to the bank."

"Rhys is pursuing you? CeCe, that just makes everything worse."

"He's not pursuing me. It's just—well, he told me that once he sets his mind to something he can't change it."

"Bullshit," she shakes her head.

"I know," I agree. "Trust me, I've called him out on it. Something is going on."

"You wanna know my guess?"

"Sure," I breath.

"I think it's about Libby," she says, her voice soft.

Teagan had always been better at deciphering how people were feeling. Sometimes it was scary how well she understood me.

"How so?"

"Look, I could be wrong, but maybe it's like—he couldn't help her so he wants to help you? I don't know."

"What makes you think that?"

"I don't know, CeCe. I'm just trying to think of any possible explanation as to why Rhys Laderman would want to suddenly hang out with you."

"Gee, thanks," I scoff.

She shoves me lightly. "I didn't mean it like that. People like him should be friends with you. They don't know the snarky, witty person they are missing out on. I just mean that it's weird that he suddenly has such an interest."

"Yeah," I nod. "I know what you meant. I know that it's weird. I've tried to think of several possible explanations but none fit right."

We're quiet for a moment, watching the last speck of the sunset on the horizon.

"You're smart, CeCe. I'm not going to keep telling you what to do. You'll work it out."

"Thanks, Tea. I don't think the boys would feel that way, though."

"That's why I'm not going to tell Ryan— or anyone for that matter, that you saw Rhys today."

"Thanks—"

"You, what?"

One thing I despised about the sand on New River beach was how quiet it made approaching footsteps. Unfortunately for me, I hadn't heard Ryan sneak up behind us.

I jump at the sound of his voice, my head whipping around to face him. "Ryan..."

"For god's sake," he growls. He wracks a frustrated hand through his hair, pacing in front of me.

"I think I'll give you two a second to talk," Teagan whispers, jogging over towards the bomb fire.

Despite wishing Teagan had stayed for moral support, Ryan's anger is the only thing I can think about right now.

"I thought you told me you weren't going to go near him again," he seethes.

"I didn't," I defend as he rolls his eyes.

"Don't lie to me!" he snaps. He rests his palms against his eyes momentarily, breathing rapidly. "He's bad news, Ceeks. You're going to get hurt."

I bite my tongue, knowing exactly what I'd like to say to him right about now. However, now was not the right time to drag up anything to do with our breakup.

"Ryan, I didn't plan this. Rhys just turned up at my house—"

"So he's stalking you now?"

"What? No! That's not—"

"You know how we all feel about him. About people like him."

"Ryan. I know."

"Do you? Because lately...I'm not so sure."

"What is that supposed to me?" I shrill.

"It means that you're different. This was supposed to be our summer and you're off, sauntering around town with some fucking asshole who thinks he owns the place. Now he probably thinks he has you too."

"He doesn't own me, Ry. We're not even friends! We've never hung out like that."

The faintest part of me feels as though that may be a lie. When Rhys took me to that diner outside of town, that felt like we were hanging out. Even if I didn't initially want to.

"It doesn't matter, Cora. I don't care what you're doing. I just care that you're doing anything with him."

"What is this? A pride thing? A possession thing? I don't belong to anyone, Ryan. Not even you."

He frowns at me. "I never said that. No, it isn't about my pride. It's about you putting yourself in a dangerous situation."

"Ry..."

"He's one of them, CeCe!" he points further up the beach, towards Rhys's group of friends.

My eyes flicker over to them, noticing that quite a few were now watching our interaction. Ryan was too angry to notice.

"He's one of them," he whispers, shaking his head, solemnly. "Why, huh? Why can't you just come to us when you need help?"

"I have been! I—"

"Then why were you with him today?"

"Ryan, please," I beg, not wanting to fight over this again. "It isn't anything, I swear. He was just helping me at the bank with my mum's statements and—"

"And we couldn't have done that?" he shouts. "I'm supposed to be one of your best friends!"

"For fuck's sake, you sound like a child. You are my best friend. Why do I constantly have to reassure you about that?"

"Maybe because you're such a fucking lousy friend," he scathes. "Someone who constantly breaks their promises."

I flinch, wrapping my arms around my waist. That fucking hurt and by the look on his face, he could tell he'd taken it a step too far as well.

Tears begin to well up in my eyes but I shake them away. "I just want to find my mum," I whisper.

His face suddenly softens. He sighs, stepping closer to me. "I know, Ceeks. That's why we want to help you. You don't need him. Not now."

"I swear it hasn't been me reaching out to him, Ry. He just— he says he wants to help me."

"Do I need to say something to him?" he says, jaw ticking.

"No. No. It's fine. I can handle it."

"You know it's just because I love you, right?" he speaks.

Suddenly, the wind seems to leave my chest. I can hardly breathe. I step back into the water, tears suddenly streaming down my face.

How was it possible that he could say that to me now? All I'd ever wanted to be was for him to say those three words when we were together and he never could. Why was it suddenly so easy now?

"What?" I blanch. "Did you just— no."

"What did I say?"

"What did you say? Oh my god, Ry," I laugh, angered.

Although it was hard to pinpoint exactly how I had felt about Ryan whilst we were together, whether I was in love with him or not, I never questioned my love for him. But he'd never been able to say it at all, even when I'd asked. No matter what, of course, it was going to hurt.

"Why are you saying that now?" I shout. "Is this some kind of game? Are you trying to keep me away from Rhys by abusing how I feel?"

"What?" he frowns. "What are you—"

"You just said you loved me, Ryan."

"Of course I love you, Ceeks. You're my best friend—"

"Do you not get it? You've never said that to me before today. Never."

"Yes, I have—"

The water grazes against my toes as I walk towards Ryan, up the wet sand.

"Why do you think we broke up, huh?"

"Ceeks—"

"You. You were the reason. You could never once say you loved me. Ever," I sob. "Not even once and we were together for two years."

When I broke up with Ryan, I wasn't asking him if he was in love with me. I was just asking whether he had ever loved me at all. He'd never been able to answer a question as simple as that and now he was just throwing it in my face.

I hated crying. It made me feel vulnerable and weak.

"Now you're dropping it so casually? Like it's just that easy for you? Fuck that."

"Ceeks—"

"No," I snap. "I'm too tired to have this conversation now. I'm done."

I wipe my cheeks harshly, striding up the sand. Ryan calls out behind me but I ignore him. Teagan watches me approach, her eyes filled with worry. She suddenly stands up, walking away from the warmth of the fire to embrace me.

"What did he do now?" she whispers, brushing the back of my hair soothingly.

"He told me he fucking loves me," I whisper against her hair, holding her tight. "After all this time and he says it now. Like fucking emotional blackmail."

"Dammit," she snaps, pulling away from me as Ryan approaches.

I don't look at him but I watch as Teagan glares, shaking her head. "Ry, seriously? Are you that oblivious?"

"Ceeks," he says, ignoring Tea. "Can we—"

I spin around to face him. "Ry, just leave me alone, alright? I don't want to talk about this right now."

"But—"

"Are you deaf, Taylor? She told you to walk away, bud."

Before I can even comprehend what's happening, I watch as Rhys approaches. His hands disappear inside the pocket of his hoodie. He catches my gaze momentarily, his jaw clenched.

"Well isn't this just fucking grand," Ryan laughs, his fists clenched at his sides. "Rhys Laderman, here to save the day."

"She asked you to leave her alone, mate," Rhys shrugs. "I think you should."

"I think you should be minding your own goddamn business, mate," Ryan seethes, walking towards him.

"I'm not trying to start anything here," Rhys says nonchalantly. "I just think you should listen when someone tells you to stop."

"I think you should back the fuck up, Laderman. Turn around now and return to your puny ass friends."

"Who you callin' puny?" Lucas calls from the distance.

Fuck. This wasn't good.

"Rhys," I whisper, wiping my tearstained cheeks. "It's okay. Just back off before you start something that doesn't need to happen."

"You heard her," Ryan snaps.

"Shut up, Ry," I glare. "You're not helping here."

"Oh, so this is my fault?"

"I never said that," I shake my head, staring up at the stary sky.

I was too tired for this. Usually, I'd be more than happy to win an argument. But today I was exhausted.

"I think everyone just needs to—"

Before Teagan can finish, Ryan reaches forward, punching Rhys right in the face.

I flinch, grasping onto Teagan's arm. Ryan goes for another punch but Rhys deflects, shoving him back.

"I'm not about to fight you, man," he growls.

"Why?" Ryan snaps. "You think you're too good to take me? Think you might lose, maybe?"

"Ryan!" I snap, reaching for his arm. He shrugs me off, glaring.

"No. I just have the decency and respect not to fight you when you're angry," Rhys shrugs, wracking a hand through his windblown hair.

Ryan scoffs, rolling back his shoulders. "Fuck you," he spits at him.

"I'd rather you didn't," Rhys smirks, catching my eye.

I shake my head at him, pleading for him to just walk away. His smile disappears, turning stoic.

"Leave, Rhys," I say sternly. "You're only provoking him."

"Stay out of this, Cora," Ryan seethes.

Rhys's attention is drawn back to Ryan now. He cocks his head. "Is that the way you talk to your best friend? Damn, Taylor. I'm surprised you have any at all."

Before I can even stop it, Ryan is reaching forward again, punching Rhys right in the jaw. The boys both go down this time, Ryan landing punch after punch on Rhys.

"Ryan!" I scream. "Get the fuck—"

Before I can finish, Rhys punches Ryan right in the jaw, sending him sprawling off.

So much for not fighting him.

Suddenly, Lucas is shoving his way past Teagan and I, ready to join the madness. It isn't long before Dory is also racing over, tackling Lucas to the floor. Then, it just spirals from there.

Carter Thomas and Dale Bellview appear out of nowhere, pinning Ryan to the floor. Dory does his best to throw them off. Rhys isn't even involved now. He just stands up, blood dripping from a cut in his lip.

Wesley rushes over now, shoving Rhys harshly out of the way. Cameron consoles a pissed off Teagan, walking her away from the fight.

My eyes stay trained on Rhys, glaring at him. "Did you have to do that?"

"What?"

"Don't play dumb," I shake my head, walking towards him. "You knew exactly what you were doing."

"He was being a dick."

"That wasn't any of your business," I sigh. "Rhys, you can't keep doing this."

"Doing what?"

"Thinking you're helping me! I don't understand you at all but this has got to stop."

"I'm pretty sure if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have your mum's file. You probably wouldn't have thought to go to the bank either."

"So, what? I'm indebted to you know? Is that it?"

"Fuck off, Cadigan," he sighs. "I didn't say that, did I?"

"I don't get you!"

"Why does there always have to be an explanation with you, huh? Why can't you just accept what I'm saying is the truth?"

"Because it isn't the truth!" I shout, throwing my hands out to my side.

He laughs, frustrated at me. "Think what you will, Cadigan."

"That's the problem, Rhys. I don't know what to think. I don't know why you're picking fights with Ryan and why you're turning up at my house at one in the morning. I don't understand."

He shakes his head, his brown locks blowing across his face from the light breeze.

"I don't—" Before I can finish, someone shoves me in the back, sending me sprawling into Rhys.

He clutches me, moving me away as Lucas and Dory continue to throw punches at each other.

I'm breathing hard, leaning right into his chest. I recover quickly, stepping back. His hands linger on my bare arms momentarily and I almost miss the way it feels when he pulls away.

"You good?"

"Yes," I nod. "I just want to go home."

Cameron breaks up the fight between Lucas and Dory. Everyone else seems to have calmed down now, walking back to separate parts of the beach.

"I can take you," Rhys offers, nonchalantly.

"I think you've done enough," I say, unable to meet his eyes. "I'll see you around."

I bash right into Lucas's shoulder as he watches me, sniggering. "Watch yourself, CeCe."

"Maybe you should get out of my way next time and I wouldn't have to," I snap, striding up the sand.

Rhys murmurs something behind me, quietening Lucas down.

I walk on, ignoring Ryan as he tries to approach. I just shake my head at him and he retreats, walking towards Dory instead.

I make my way towards Teagan, grasping her hand and pulling her up the beach. "Let's get the fuck out of here."

"You betcha," she agrees, slinging an arm over my shoulder.