"Are we there yet," My six-year-old cousin Sydney-Ray grumbled for the hundredth time since we got in the car three hours ago.

I could hear the annoyance in my cousin's voice and peeked at her through the rearview mirror. She was mumbling as she pulled at her seatbelt. She was undoubtedly getting impatient after over three hours in the car.

I couldn't blame her through. A few days ago, my grandma and step-gramps came to California with Sydney to celebrate Granddad's birthday. Sydney and Aspen had really hit it off and became immediate best friends. So naturally, she wanted to ride with Aspen and me to Monterey Bay. What none of us counted on was Aspen falling asleep less than half an hour into the trip. So, Sydney had been trying to keep herself entertained for the last three hours.

"Syd, how about playing car bingo," I suggested, focusing back on the road.

She scrunched her face. "Played it twice. Plus, it's no fun without someone to play with." She looked over at Aspen, who was still sound asleep. Sydney started to shake Aspen before I could stop her. "Aspen, wake up."

I watched in the rearview mirror from the corner of my eyes as Aspen grumbled and stirred in her sleep. When she settled again, I let out the breath I was holding.

Sydney was prepared to shake Aspen again, but I stopped her. "Syd, let's not wake Aspen."

She glanced out the window with a sigh. "But I'm bored; how much longer is she gonna sleep?"

I reached for a bag of snacks in the passenger seat beside me. Fumbling around in the bag, I pulled out some homemade trail mix Zeke gave us for the trip. Maybe a little snack would cheer her up.

"How about having some trail mix? Maybe you'll feel better after a snack," I offered her the bag. "It has cookie dough bites."

Sydney hesitantly took the bag and started munching away. It seemed to keep her content for two seconds. Then her brows furrowed again, and she had a frown on her face.

She popped a cookie dough bite into her mouth. "When are we going to get there?"

"Soon," I promised as I reached for the stereo. "Let's listen to some music in the meantime."

Sydney was what one might call moody and outspoken. The simplest things could upset her, but it took even less to please her again. She'd always spoken her mind since she could talk and never had trouble getting her voice heard.

Sydney shrugged and started bobbing her head to the music while she snacked away. She kept her gaze out the window, looking for signs of our destination.

We rode silently, with only the music between us for a bit. I smiled and grabbed my cousin's attention when I saw a seagull fly by the window.

"Syd, do you see what I see," I pointed out the window.

She squealed, clapping her hands. "Birdy!"

"Do you know what kind of bird that is," I asked.

"Seagoal."

"Close, it's pronounced seagull," I corrected, peeking in the rear mirror again. "It's a sign that we're close to the beach."

She clapped her hands as she kicked her feet in excitement. "Yeah, we're almost there!"

I nodded with a laugh, "Yes, we're really close now."

Ten minutes later, I pulled up to the beach house we rented for the week. There were already two other cars parked outside.

"Looks like Gram Gram, Granddad, Grandma, Step-Gramps, Uncle Jack, Aunt Lucy, Braydon, and Skylar are already here," I nodded, killing the car engine.

Sydney quickly unbuckled herself and hopped out of the car. "Sky," Sydney cried, racing toward the beach house.

"Braydon," I called over to my brother as I unloaded the back. "Heads up!"

Braydon turned around and nodded at me with a thumbs up. Gram Gram came out as Braydon went in with the girls. Gram Gram stopped Braydon and whispered something to him. They talked for a minute before moving on.

Braydon walked up to me and helped me unload the last suitcase.

He peeked in the back and frowned. "How long has Aspen been asleep?"

My brows narrowed with a frown. "Pretty much the entire ride here. About twenty minutes before we got here, Syd tried waking her, but she fell back asleep after stirring for a few moments."

I noticed the worried look in Braydon's eyes as he unbuckled her. Aspen stirred a little, but she quickly settled again. He carried her inside, and I was behind him with some luggage.

Javier pulled up in his car with Sharon, Gabriella, Truett, and Melody just as we finished carrying in the last of our luggage. I made my way over to them but stopped when I heard the three of them laughing. I stood watching for a minute as they worked like a well-oiled machine unloading the car. The three of them gave a new definition to the word teamwork.

They don't need my help. Or anyone's help.

My stomach hardened when Javier drank from Gabriella's bottle of water. Finishing it off, he tossed the empty bottle back in the car before finishing unloading the vehicle. I turned around to leave and slammed right into Braydon.

Braydon stared hard at me for a brief moment. He frowned when he saw Javier and Gabriella with Sharon. He shook his head and said, "You need to stand your ground and show some backbone."

Glancing at them again, I mumbled, "I'll let you know when I have a backbone to show."

I started to leave again, but Braydon pulled me to a stop. "You'll show it now. Let's go."

He headed for them, pulling me behind him. I stumbled, bumping into Braydon when we stopped in front of Sharon.

"Glad to see you made it. Let me give you a hand." Braydon took Sharon's suitcase from her and shoved it at me. "Sharon, you're on the second floor with us; Troy knows right where your room is."

I drew my brows in, giving Braydon a confused look. "I do?"

Braydon chuckled like I was joking with him. "Of course, you remember we told you, Sharon and you are sharing a room."

"What," Three simultaneous cries came at once.

Braydon shrugged, "It's only fitting they share a room since Troy and Sharon are together. In fact, all couples are rooming together. You two have a room on the third floor. Shall we go check out the rooms?"

Braydon picked up a suitcase in each hand and started heading back to the house. Javier, Sharon, and Gabriella remain rooted where they were. My gaze darted from Braydon to the three of them. They didn't look too comfortable as something flickered in their eyes. I wasn't sure what Braydon was trying to accomplish, but I wasn't so sure that he did.

I pushed my thoughts aside and raced after Braydon. Turning back, I made sure that they were following us. Sharon handed Truett over to Javier, and the three of them started whispering. I stopped Braydon and turned his attention toward Javier.

"What could they be whispering about?"

Braydon shook his head with a shrug. "Beats me. Our act wasn't that bad. They couldn't have known you were lying."

I rolled my eyes. "Sharon might. After all, she's the alleged girlfriend."

"She's also head over heels for you," Braydon reminded me. "Plus, you told her about lunch with Gabriella last week, and she'd agreed to help you. If Sharon had an issue with it, she probably would've said something just now."

I eyed Sharon for a second and studied her. "Or she was keeping her word."

Braydon placed a hand on my shoulder, and I turned to him. "Whatever the reason, the important thing is Gabby's moving on, and now you have Sharon to help take the first step. Come on, let's get the stuff upstairs."

My gaze went back to Gabriella, and I wondered if I could let her go. Shutting my eyes, I struggled to control my emotions. When I opened my eyes again, my gaze was on Sharon. A warm feeling bubbled in my stomach and spread through my body. It was enough for my spirits to be lifted and the corners of my mouth to curve up in the slightest smile.

"Guys," I yelled with a wave of my hand toward the house. "Let's get settled and hit the beach."

Sharon, Gabriella, and Javier exchanged glances before hesitantly following us. It didn't take too long to get everyone settled. After, we were all ready for some fun and decided to hit the beach.

"So, has Melody ever been to the beach," I asked Gabriella as we gathered the beach toys.

Gabriella stopped stuffing the bag in her hand. "Yes, once last summer. But she probably doesn't remember it."

Melody was drumming on her pail with her shovel. She stopped drumming long enough to show a wide cheeky grin that showed her teeth as she hobbled on her foot. "Bee," She squealed with a giggle.

We laughed, and I picked her up. Gabriella chuckled, taking Melody from me.

She brushed Melody's hair from her face. "I'll finish getting her ready. You can finish gathering all the gear."

I nodded. "See you in a few minutes, my sweet girl."

Melody spoke in gibberish, and I felt lost. I couldn't figure out what Melody wanted, and she clearly didn't like it. She scrunched her face, repeating her sounds with more determination. Biting my lip, I turned to Gabriella for assistance.

She smiled at me with a shrug. It was almost like she was telling me, you can figure it out. I turned back to Melody, and she was frowning at me. I knew she was getting impatient, and I really had no clue what she wanted. I turned back to Gabriella, silently pleading with her to help me.

She narrowed her brow at me, and after a long moment, she gave in. "Melody wants you to play in the sand with her."

"Oh, I see," I turned to Melody and kissed her on the forehead. "I'll love to play in the sand with you. We can even build a castle fit for Princess Melody. But you have to go with Mommy to get changed first."

Melody blinked at me with a blank look on her face. I was sure if she understood me until she smiled and blew me a kiss that melted my heart. I continued to wave at them as they left. Cupid barked and followed Gabriella out of the room.

I quickly gathered anything else I could think of for the beach. On the way down, I bumped into Gram Gram, peeking in on Aspen.

I set the bags aside before placing a hand on her shoulder to grab her attention. "Gram Gram."

She jumped back with a startle. "You scared me to death. What are you doing here? I thought you'd be down at the beach with everyone else."

I pointed to the gear. "I'm headed that way, but the real question is, why are you sneaking around?"

Gram Gram straightened herself. "I'm not sneaking around. I just wanted to check on your sister before we hit the beach. Let's go."

Gram Gram picked up one of the bags and started leaving. Glancing back in the direction of the room that Aspen was staying in, I couldn't shake the feeling that Gram Gram was hiding something.

What was Gram Gram doing?

Turning around, I picked up the rest of the gear and raced after Gram Gram. Almost everyone was already down at the beach when I showed up. No one was wasting any time relaxing and having fun this week.

I took the bag in Gram Gram's hand from her. "Go put your feet up, Gram Gram. Enjoy yourself."

"I will if you will," I could hear the challenge in her voice. "And I mean really relax."

I stopped noticing Melody and Truett shoveling in the sand by Sharon. I thought I had to be seeing things. Melody's caretaker was the one thing that Gabriella wouldn't budge on. They'd only met earlier today; Gabriella didn't know her. So, why was she trusting Sharon with Melody?

I jogged up to Sharon. "Hey, you must really have some magic touch for Gabby to trust you so much."

Sharon glanced up at me and paused for a second. Pointing up toward the beach house, she said. "If this is about Melody, Gabby is moments away with a clear view of us. Javy is making a call and has a clear view through the window."

My eyes followed where she was pointing, and I nodded. "I see. I guess Melody's not exactly being left with someone Gabby doesn't trust."

She agreed. "Guess not."

Melody pulled at my arm. "Pay."

I lowered myself to her level. "How about we go see the ocean."

Melody scrunched her face trying to figure out what I was saying. "Daddy pay?"

I pointed toward the water. "Yeah. We can play by the ocean. It'll be fun."

Melody slipped her hand into mine, and I took her closer to the water. The closer we got, the more Melody shook. We stopped just close enough to feel the waves crashing in.

"I got you," I promised Melody as we watched a wave crash in.

Melody giggled at the movement of the waves pushing and pulling us. After a few moments, she pulled me closer to the waves. She stumbled flat on her face every couple of steps, and I quickly picked her up. Melody's giggles turned into full-on laughter as she limped after the waves one second and let the waves catch her the next.

"Troy," I heard Gabriella call me. "Be careful with her. She's not steady on her feet."

I gave her a thumbs up. "Don't worry. I got her."

Melody stopped and pointed out at the ocean. Looking up at me, she spoke in mostly gibberish with a few clear words. I wasn't sure what she was saying, so I took a guess.

"That's the ocean. It's home to many animals."

"And it's also the biggest swimming pool you'd ever find," Sydney added, running up with Skylar on her heel.

Turning around, I noticed Gabriella giggling at something that Javier said. I couldn't remember ever seeing Gabriella so happy and carefree. Even when we were together, something always seemed to be bothering her. Anger started surfacing and coursing through my entire body as jealousy bubbled in me.

Why can't I make her laugh like that?

I gently nudged Braydon. "What could Javy be doing that I didn't to make Gabby so happy?"

Braydon looked at them for a second before shrugging. "No idea. But I do know if you don't keep your emotions in check, your eyes will start flashing green."

I fake laughed at his joke. "You're hilarious."

He draped his arm over my shoulder. "Look, we only just got here. This is going to be a really long week for you if you're going to notice every little thing your least favorite couple is doing. Plus, you'll have difficulty convincing Gabby that you've moved on like her."

Glancing back in Gabriella's direction, my hands balled in a fist as more anger surged through me when she and Javier laughed at something Javier was saying. I realized Braydon was right. I was in for a really long week.

When everyone else finally arrived, we headed back inside. Joel didn't say a word when Gabriella greeted him, and Madyson gave her a death glare that even made me shake in fear. Most of the gang barely acknowledged Gabriella when she greeted them.

Chad and Ryan brushed past Gabriella, like she wasn't there, as they carried the stuff in. Taylor and Sharpay were right behind them. Jason and Zeke were the only ones who really returned her greeting.

I approached her and was about to say something when a loud thump and crash made us jump. Turning around, Kelsie was on the floor with scattered music sheets surrounding her. Pushing her glasses in place, she sat there observing her surroundings.

Reaching for the music sheet closest to her, she started cleaning the mess. For a moment, I felt like I was transported back in time to the junior year of high school. Gabriella must have had the same thought as the corner of her lips curved into a smile.

Gabriella and I exchanged glances before jogging up Kelsie. We helped her gather the scattered sheets, but Kelsie stopped us.

Kelsie grabbed the sheets in Gabriella's hand and snapped. "I got it. You made it clear three years ago what we mean to you. We don't need your help or your pitty friendship."

My gaze jerked up in shock. I knew they were mad and hurt, but I hadn't expected it to be like this. Gabriella tried to hide it, but I could see the spark of hurt and disappointment in her eyes. Keslie and I quickly gathered the last few sheets around me.

I returned the sheets to Kelsie. "Kelsie…" I wasn't sure what to say to fix this or if I could. It did feel like I should say something, though.

"Thanks, Troy," Kelsie took the sheets. "I better catch up with the others."

She disappeared up the stairs before we could stop her. Gabriella started for the stairs after her.

I grabbed Gabriella's arm, stopping her. "Uuuuhhh, they probably need some time. It'll get better."

Gabriella shook her head and turned around so our eyes met. She gave the tiniest smile as she spoke in a soft voice. "It's fine. I was already expecting it. I should give Javy a hand with True and Melody."

I let go of Gabriella's arm and watched as she hustled up the stairs. Somehow I didn't think she was as OK as she said she was, even if she was expecting it. This was going to be one long trip, and I only hoped the end result wasn't a personal war show for all to witness.