~Sequel to "We'll Always Have Summer", by the incredible Jenny Han, in Conrad's POV~

*Disclaimer: I just really love "The Summer I Turned Pretty" trilogy, yet I own nothing except this story.

-My story picks up from the day of Belly & Jeremiah's wedding... right after Conrad gets closure with Belly & says ~goodbye~. :'(

CHAPTER 1

"Because of You"

I walked away from Isabel Conklin without another word. Closing her bedroom door behind me, I practically lost it right then and there. I couldn't though. Soon Jeremiah Fisher would be heading over to talk to her and straighten things out because after all, they were going to get married here in our summer house... in my mother's house.

I quickly crossed over to my own bedroom at the other end of the hallway and threw my stuff into a vacant duffle bag. For once in my life I didn't care for the mess I was making. Lastly, I grabbed my guitar and made my way toward the stairs. I was going to leave the summer house without being seen. To my misfortune, Jeremiah appeared in the bathroom doorway right at that moment, showered and dressed in his white buttoned-down shirt and khaki shorts. His eyes focused on the darkening bruise he left on my eye earlier. I had deserved it.

"I hope the best for the two of you," I said stiffly.

My brother considered my words and then nodded curtly. The silence from his part was unnerving; Jeremiah had never been the quiet one. I continued toward the stairs because Belly was waiting for him. Somehow I managed to mutter a "goodbye" but he remained silent, knowing that I was leaving because he told me to do so. I knew that I hurt him and that things would never go back to the way they once were.

As I cautiously crept down the stairs, I could hear Laurel Conklin in the rec room fussing over Steven Conklin's hair. No matter what, I didn't want either of them to see me; especially Laurel whom was the closest person I had since my mother passed away. The last thing I needed at this moment was for her to see me walk away from my problems just like I always did.

By now, all the chairs and tables had been moved inside because of the bizarre weather. I regretfully caught a glimpse of the flower vases I helped Belly pick out only weeks ago. I ran down the rest of the steps, went right through the kitchen and out the back deck. Thankfully, Belly's mother and brother didn't notice a thing. I barely avoided Jeremiah's obnoxious frat buddies and made it to my car. Before I could get into the driver's seat though, someone's hand clasped my shoulder. I held my breath. Did Belly change her mind? Was she choosing me?

I turned around with an eager grin which quickly faded away as soon as my eyes fell on Taylor Jewel. She looked at me reproachfully, withdrawing her hand.

"I'm assuming you thought about our little talk from yesterday," she said.

"I don't have time for this, Taylor," I said.

She lifted an eyebrow. "Where are you going?"

"Does it really matter?"

"I suppose."

I rolled my eyes. Taylor always knew how to push me to the edge. "California," I simply said.

She chewed the inside of her cheeks, thinking over my response. I was on the verge of irritation. The longer I stayed in Cousins Beach, the harder it was going to be for me to leave.

"Does she know?" Taylor finally spoke. By "she" I knew she was referring to her best friend, Belly.

"I suppose." I purposely repeated her own words.

Taylor smirked for a second. "Take care."

"And you take care of—"

"I will, Conrad," she finished for me. She must have caught onto my impatience.

After Taylor moved aside to allow me to enter my car, I didn't turn back once as I gunned it out of there. Surely the wedding was going to start soon and the furthest I was from there, the better.