Chapter 8

When we get home from the Country Club, my mother serves everyone a slice of cake. The yellow birthday cake Steven and Taylor surprised me with this morning. We sit around the living room and enjoy it as we reminisce on old memories.

"I remember one year..." Laurel laughs. "Beck recruited Steven and Jere to make Belly's birthday cake. And they used salt instead of sugar."

Cleveland laughs, shaking his head. "That sounds like a recipe for disaster."

"I don't remember that." I say after taking a bite.

"You were tiny." My mother smiles in my direction. "We took you out for ice cream after."

"She probably blocked it from her memory." Steven jokes. "That cake was awful."

"Speaking of Jere…" Laurel looks over at Conrad. "How is he? I never hear from him anymore."

The look on Conrad's face says it all. My mom still didn't know about Jeremiah's engagement or about that weekend in general. There was a reason Jeremiah had stayed away from Cousin's.

"He's good. Busy working a new job in the city. He sends his love." Conrad lies.

My mother wasn't a fool. She could tell there was something more to the story but before she can get another word in Taylor chimes in.

"I remember when Susannah and Laurel busted you and Jeremy for sneaking out." Taylor laughs, poking Steven. "Remember that?"

"It was one time." Steven rolls his eyes as everyone laughs.

"We flipped on the porch lights and you both jumped fifty feet in the air." Laurel laughs.

"We didn't think you guys were awake." Steven shrugs. "It was way past midnight."

"Who sneaks out through the front door?" I laugh. "Could you be any more obvious?"

Everyone laughs as we give Steven a hard time. Eventually, the conversation dies down and everyone has finished their cake. Except for Conrad. He is lost in thought and I knew why.

"Well, kids. I'm off to bed." My mother yawns. "Clean up after yourselves and keep it down, okay? I'm looking at you, Steven." She shoots him a look.

"I'm not the loud one." Steven laughs. "It's Taylor you have to worry about."

Taylor snorts. "I'm not the one who snores like a freight train."

Laurel laughs and Cleveland takes her hand. "I'll join you." He smiles at her.

Then he turns to all of us. "It was good to see all of you and Happy Birthday, Belly."

"Thank you." I smile, nodding. "And thank you for dinner. It was perfect."

My mother and Cleveland hold hands as they leave the room together. It was still so new for me to see my mom like that. It occurs to me Steven and I had never seen her in a happy relationship. As soon as we hear their door shut upstairs, we all look at each other.

"Don't you guys think we should tell her?" Taylor whispers. "She has a right to know."

Steven shakes his head. "No way. Mom can't know. Not until we've talked Jere out of it."

Taylor sighs. "Good luck with that. I don't think we can talk Jeremy out of anything…"

Taylor looks at me for a split second then looks back down at her plate. She had a point. Even when Laurel had refused to support our engagement, Jere never gave up on the wedding. Even when it got to a point where we both weren't sure what we were trying to prove to each other, Jeremiah still would have gone through it. He still would've married me.

I nod, looking down. "Taylor's right. I mean, we can't keep it from her forever."

"Shit…" Steven shakes his head then he looks at Conrad. "What do you think?"

We all look at Conrad. He was the oldest after all. He always had a plan.

"I don't think there is a right way to go about this." Conrad says in a low voice.

We all nod at him, letting his words sink in. Taylor eventually clears her throat.

"Alright, well. We can worry about Jeremy later." Taylor smiles at me. "But right now it's still Belly's birthday and we can't end it like this."

It was times like this I was grateful to call Taylor Jewel my best friend. I laugh at her.

"What do you have in mind?" I smile.

"Cards? Board games?" Steven suggests.

"Ew, no." Taylor scoffs as if cards and board games were below her. She had always found them boring. I had never minded them myself, especially when Conrad was on my team. We always played to win.

"I was thinking…" Taylor bites her lip. "How about a drinking game?"

"Hell yeah!" Steven smiles. "I'm in."

Taylor grins. "You in?"

I nod. "I'm in."

"Me too." Conrad says after a moment.

We head down to the beach to play Truth or Drink. I take off my sandals as soon as our feet hit the sand. There was something about Cousins Beach at night. The way the sand was still warm from the hot summer day. This sand held memories. The waves were quiet and soft. The night sky was a dark purple blue with a million stars. Stars that you could close your eyes and make a wish on. And if you were lucky, sometimes your wish would come true.

Taylor and I walk ahead as we laugh about how half of our best college memories involved drinking games. Steven and Conrad follow us, laughing about something. Taylor turns around to face them as she walks in the sand backwards. She never liked to be out of the loop.

"Care to share with the class?" Taylor asks with her hands on her hips.

"Nope." Steven shakes his head. "Sorry. No girls allowed. Especially girls named Taylor."

I raise a brow at Steven's response. What were they hiding?

Taylor laughs and turns back around to walk forward. "You are so annoying."

Steven runs up to her and throws her over his shoulder. "Oh yeah? How annoying am I now?"

"Steven!" Taylor giggles as he runs into the ocean. Taylor begs him to not ruin her skirt and Steven lowers her body to the water repeatedly as if he is going to drop her in it. Steven finally sets her on her feet and Taylor stands on her tippy toes to kiss him. They can't stop laughing.

I lay out a large blanket on the sand and Conrad helps me pin down the corners. There was always a little bit of a breeze at night. We sit opposite of each other on the blanket.

We both watch Steven and Taylor for a moment then I turn my attention to the waves. I close my eyes, enjoying them.

"I love it here at night." I finally say.

When I finally open my eyes, Conrad is looking at me.

"So you're spending the summer here?" Conrad asks, looking back out at the ocean.

His question surprises me. So, he had paid attention to Cleveland's comment about me staying at the beach house for the summer.

"That's the plan." I nod.

We sit in silence as we watch the waves.

"So, what were you and Steven talking about?" I ask him.

He shifts and I can tell the question makes him uncomfortable. Why?

Conrad clears his throat. "He invited me…"

I look at him with questions in my eyes. Conrad's eyes meet mine.

"He invited me to Spain."

I look at him and he looks at me. I could feel my heart race as I take in his words. Steven had invited Conrad? A million emotions wash over me and I try not to wear them on my face.

Before I can open my mouth to respond, Taylor and Steven join us on the blanket. Steven sits next to Conrad opposite of Taylor. Steven pours us each a Vodka soda. Taylor volunteers me to go first.

"Okay, Cinderbelly." Taylor raises a brow. "What is the craziest party you've ever been to?"

Knowing Taylor there is only one answer she is looking for. I decide to flatter her.

"Yours. Our graduation party." I smile. "Duh."

"That's my Killa B!" She laughs, hugging me and I hug her back as we sit.

"Okay. My turn." I face Steven. "Ready?"

"Bring it on, sis." Steven squints at me.

"What were you and Conrad talking about?"

"Nothing." Steven laughs but his face is as white as a ghost. He ignores us and takes a long sip of his drink. I knew my brother. I knew he was hiding something.

"Oh, come on." Taylor laughs. "Nothing?"

Steven shrugs, playing it off. "If you must know, I invited Conrad to Spain."

"But our hotel is already booked." Taylor looks at Steven then at Conrad.

Steven laughs. "It was just an invitation. He's going to think about it. Right, Conrad?"

Conrad nods.

"Alright, my turn." Steven turns to look at Taylor. "What would you do if you were on a deserted island?"

Taylor laughs at his question. "Really?"

Steven throws his hands up. "What?"

Taylor just shakes her head at him then ponders it.

"Oh, I know." She grins. "I'd throw another kick ass party."

"By yourself?" Steven laughs.

"More drinks for me." Taylor giggles.

Steven rolls his eyes. "Okay. That's not an answer. Take a drink."

"Fine." Taylor sips her drink. "Happy?"

Steven grins. "Extremely."

"Kay." Taylor sighs and looks at Conrad. He was the only one left.

"Where do you see yourself in the next ten years?" Taylor asks, completely uninterested.

Steven and I both laugh at the question. Cam Cameron had asked him the same thing summers ago. I look at Conrad and his eyes are already on me. He quickly looks up at the night sky.

"Honestly?" He shrugs. "Nothing's changed for me. I want to end up here."

Steven nods. "Me too."

We all look up at the stars and when I look back at Conrad, he is looking at me.

"What about you?" Conrad nods at me. It was my turn again.

I look at him, trying not to come up with an answer that doesn't link back to him. Because for my entire life, I'd only seen a future with one boy. Him. My first crush. My first love.

"I don't know…" I exhale, looking back up at the sky. "I don't even know where I'll be in a year."

Taylor laughs and I take a long sip of my drink, avoiding their eyes. I had almost forgotten it was my turn to ask a question when Taylor clears her throat.

"Right." I turn to Taylor. "Where do you see yourself in the next ten years?"

Taylor looks at Steven then immediately takes a shot.

"Care to share with the class?" Steven echos Taylor's sarcasm from earlier, looking right at her.

Taylor shakes her head. "No, it's too embarrassing."

Steven squints at her. "Oh, come on. Nothing is too embarrassing."

Taylor sighs. "In ten years I want to be married. Have babies. And hopefully spending my summers getting drunk with all of you."

We all laugh then Taylor looks at Steven. "Where do you see yourself in the next ten years?"

Steven doesn't take time to think about it. He just looks at Taylor. "That's easy. I see myself with you and that's all I need to know."

Taylor blushes and they lean in to kiss each other. Conrad and I exchange looks then look away.

"And for the record." Steven smiles, pulling away. "If I were on a deserted island, I'd escape by swimming with the dolphins. Easy."

Taylor snorts. "You can't even swim. How are you going to swim with dolphins?"

"I know how to swim!" Steven looks at her. "Who told you I can't swim?!"

Taylor snorts again. "Um, my memories?"

Steven scoffs. "I used to surf with Conrad. I know how to swim!"

"When you were like ten." Taylor laughs then looks at Conrad. "Come on. Back me up here."

Conrad looks at Steven, trying to hide a smile. Conrad just laughs and Steven rolls his eyes.

"Okay. What would you do if you were on a deserted island?" Steven asks Conrad.

"Okay, this is the most stupid question of all questions." Taylor yawns. "Take it up a notch."

Steven looks at her. "I'm sorry, are my questions too boring for you?"

Taylor rolls her eyes then looks at Conrad long and hard. I was scared of what sort of question would come out of her mouth. It could be anything.

"How many times have you fallen in love?" Taylor squints at Conrad.

It felt like a test more then a question the way her eyes were digging into him.

Conrad sips his drink instead of answering and Taylor laughs at him in a "that's what I thought" sort of way.

Steven looks at Taylor, laughing. "You call that turning it up a notch?"

Taylor shrugs. "What? It was a vulnerable question."

We play Truth or Drink for a while until everyone is at least two to three drinks in. Taylor yawns and I can tell by the way she is sitting, she is close to falling asleep. Steven notices it too.

Steven grins. "I think someone's ready for bed."

Taylor yawns with eyes half-closed. "No, no. One more round…"

Steven laughs and stands up, holding out a hand to her. "Come on, sleepyhead."

Taylor takes his hand and Steven helps her up. Steven nods at us. "Night."

"Night." Conrad and I say to him at the same time.

I turn to look at Conrad who is already looking at me.

"We should sleep." I stand up. "It's getting late…"

Conrad nods and stands up with me. I collect the sodas and Vodka. Conrad shakes out the blanket. We both walk back to the beach house, side by side.

"Did you have a good birthday?" Conrad asks as we walk.

I smile. "Yeah, it was full of surprises."

Conrad smirks next to me. "I'm glad."

We continue to walk in silence and as much as I try to fight it, the words begin to rise in my throat. There was no holding them back.

"I'm sorry." I say and to my surprise, Conrad says it too at the exact same time.

We both stop walking and look at each other in sync.

"What are you sorry for?" I laugh, looking at him.

"For not calling you." He looks at me.

I shrug. "Conrad, it's-"

"No." He shakes his head. "Don't say it's fine."

I look at him. "I'm sorry too. I don't know why I didn't call…"

"I do." Conrad says after a moment. "That weekend was a lot for you, Belly. I understand. I'm just glad you're okay. That's important to me."

I look at him. "You know, you really aren't coldhearted, Conrad. You're quite the opposite. Thank you for coming. I'm glad you came."

We exchange smiles then we make our way back to the beach house. The lights are all turned off now as we put away the items in our hands and find the stairs. When we reach the top, we both hesitate before going to our separate rooms in the dark hallway. Our hands find each others in the hallway, reaching out at the same time.

"Goodnight." I whisper.

"Sweet dreams." Conrad whispers back and walks to his bedroom, letting my hand go.

I watch him go as my hand naturally does the Darcy Flex.

I turn to enter my bedroom but before he steps inside his, he whispers, "And Belly?"

I freeze in the dark hallway, turning to look at him.

"The answer is once. Just once." He whispers before closing his door.

I close my door behind me and climb into bed, his words not making sense to my buzzed brain. But then it hits me in the middle of the night and I sit up in my bed.

He had answered Taylor's question.

She had asked him how many times he had been in love.

"Once. Just once."

I lay back down in my bed and hold Junior Mint close to my heart. And eventually, I fall asleep like that with my mind echoing his words like a lullaby.

I hop out of bed the next morning and head downstairs for breakfast, looking for something to soak up the drinks in my stomach. My mother is the first one up and sits at the counter with her laptop. She is typing away. It was nice to see her writing again. I was sure Cleveland was the one to thank for her newfound inspiration.

"Morning, Bean." She says without looking up from her laptop.

"Morning." I say to her as I pull out a box of cereal. "Writing again?" I smile.

Laurel shrugs, staring at her screen. "Nothing and everything."

I laugh at her. "At least you're writing again. That counts for something."

"Right." My mother sighs and shuts her laptop. "I've been thinking. Are you going to be okay here all summer, Bean? I could-"

"Mom." I shoot her a look. "You don't need to worry about me. It's Cousin's. This is the perfect place for me to find myself."

"I know. It just never gets easier letting you go…"

We both look at each other and I walk over to hug her.

"Well, in your own words I'm not your 'feral little alley cat' anymore. I need to be on my own for a while." I hug her and she laughs.

"Who gave you permission to be an adult?" She hugs me tight. "I love you, Bean. I'm proud of you."

"Love you too, mom." I close my eyes as we hug.

"Feral little alley cat." Steven laughs, entering the kitchen. "Never gets old."

I shoot him a look and stand up straight. Leave it to my brother to ruin a heartfelt moment with mom.

Steven grins, pushing an iced coffee towards me. "You're welcome."

Taylor walks in behind him and smiles. "It's so hot today! We need to do a beach day!"

"Actually…" Laurel smiles. "Cleveland had the same idea. He wants to talk you all out on his new boat."

I look at my mom, sipping my iced coffee. "I thought he was more of the sailing type. Is it a sail boat?"

My mom shrugs. "Cleveland is a man of many layers. It's a surprise!"

"That I am!" Cleveland walks in the door with Conrad. They were both wearing board shorts and long-sleeve beach shirts. Cleveland kisses my mom and greets her. Conrad leans against the archway and we both smile at each other, our eyes saying hello. I forget about everyone in the room at that moment.

"How about a day on the water for the birthday girl?" Cleveland looks at me.

"You don't have to do that!" I look at him. "My birthday is over."

"Nonsense." Cleveland laughs. "Birthdays are to be celebrated all weekend long in this house."

"Go have fun, Bean!" My mom answers for me, smiling at Cleveland.

"You're not coming?" My eyebrows knit together as I look at her.

"Some of us have jobs." She smiles at me. "Something you're going to have to look into after this weekend."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Steven laughs, throwing his arm around Taylor. "Are we doing this or what?"

Cleveland nods. "Conrad and I have it all ready to go. Everyone meet downstairs in 10."

Taylor grabs my hand and we run upstairs to change into our swimsuits. It was already turning into the best birthday weekend I'd had in a long time.

Conrad:

Earlier That Morning

I walk downstairs to make my morning coffee. Morning coffee always reminded me of my mom. The way she'd wake up in the mornings to paint with a mug always at her side. The smell of the coffee beans filling the house as I'd wake up. When I round the corner of the kitchen, Laurel and Cleveland are laughing about something together then they share a kiss. I turn around to walk away so I don't interrupt but it was too late. They both spot me.

"Good morning." Cleveland says behind me.

I turn back around to smile at the two of them and walk into the kitchen.

"Good morning." I clear my throat and nod.

I grab my Simpsons mug and turn to the coffee maker that was already brewing.

"You can have the rest." Laurel says. "I'm good."

"Thanks." I say as I pour myself a cup.

"Any plans today?" Cleveland asks me as he enjoys his coffee.

I turn to face them and shrug. "Nope, you?"

Cleveland smiles. "Well. I was thinking… I could show you my new boat."

"Wow, you've been sailing on your own?"

"He's being modest." Laurel rolls her eyes. "It's not a sail boat."

She turns to look at Cleveland and Cleveland looks at me with a shrug. "It's a yacht."

"Look at you, man!" I smile wide. "Good for you."

Cleveland laughs. "I promise I'm not showing off. I thought it would be fun to take Belly out for her birthday weekend. Everyone's invited."

"She'd love that." I nod.

"In fact…" Cleveland smiles. "How about you come help me get the yacht ready for the day?"

All my life, I had grown up around rich kids in Cousin's and I wanted nothing to do with them. Most of them were assholes who never saw their families, they attended elite boading schools, and had more money than they knew what to do with. I had been on a yacht or two but as I walked up to Cleveland's I had never seen a prettier yacht in my life. You could tell he took great pride in every detail. The sun glitters off of the red and white paint, making itself known.

"So…" Cleveland grins as we walk up to it. "What do you think?"

I shake my head. "I think that if you ever want to sell this, you should call me first."

We both laugh and Cleveland says "deal".

As we take care of the boat checklist, we catch up on each other's lives. Cleveland tells me about the press tour he did for his book series on sailing and I tell him about the ups and downs of medical school. Eventually, Laurel is brought up and he talks about them reconnecting.

"You know…" Cleveland smiles to himself. "I've had the time of my life traveling the world. Writing New York Times Best Sellers." He laughs, looking down. "But none of it compares to her. I'd be on this amazing press tour in a foreign country and Laurel would be in the back of my mind… I'd wonder what was she was up to or who she was with…"

"I'm happy it worked out for you guys." I nod, smiling. "Laurel deserves someone like you."

"That's where you are wrong, my friend." Cleveland laughs. "I'll never be worthy of that woman."

"That's probably why you work." I tease. "She's out of your league."

Cleveland laughs. "Now, that I agree with."

We continue to take care of the boat checklist and once we are done, we both take a seat to cool down.

"I need to hire a crew." Cleveland jokes as we sit down.

I nod in agreement, laughing.

"So, what about you?" Cleveland turns to face me.

I squint at him under the hot sun. "What about me?"

"What's new with you and your dream girl?" He grins. "We have years to catch up on."

I remember him calling her that many summers ago and laugh. I look out at the water.

"We're friends."

"Friends. Ahhh." Cleveland nods, sarcastically. "Is that what the kids are calling it these days?"

I turn and laugh at him. "It's not like that."

"It's not?" He looks at me. "Laurel says it is..."

I look out at the water, trying to fight a smile. Laurel knew me well. A little too well.

"There it is." Cleveland says. "The 'I'm in love and I don't care who knows it' smile."

I laugh, shaking my head at him. "Like I said, it's not like that."

"If it's not like that then why would Laurel offer to fly you all this way for her birthday?"

I take a deep breath and look out at the water. I had been asking myself the same question.

"I'd like to think everything happens for a reason, you know?" Cleveland says, looking out at the water. "Things between Laurel and I fizzled out. But as I traveled to more places and met more people, it just made me miss her even more. I couldn't bring myself to date because what was the point? They weren't her. They weren't Laurel."

I look at Cleveland as he talks then look back out at the water, listening intently.

"I don't know much. I don't even think Laurel knows everything that went down between you two but what I do know is everything happens for a reason." Cleveland squeezes my shoulder. "Maybe you needed time apart to realize what you mean to each other. Maybe you needed to date other people to realize you are right for each other. If I've learned anything about love it's that home isn't a place, but a person and if you find that, never let it go…"

I look at Cleveland. Sometimes it felt like he was more of a father figure to me than Adam.

"Spoken like a true writer." I nod and Cleveland laughs.

"Nah." Cleveland shakes his head. "It's spoken from the heart. And years of failed relationships."

I look at him and laugh.

"I don't think I ever properly thanked you for being there for me the way you were that one summer." I smile.

Cleveland smiles. "Everyone needs a friend, Conrad. Even if they are twice your age."

"Well, for what it's worth. Thank you." I laugh.

"And thank you for helping me write books that made me rich enough to buy this." Cleveland smiles, holding his hands up as he admires his yacht.

We both laugh and admire the yacht around us then look back out at the water.

"Just don't waste time." Cleveland smiles. "You only get so much of it in this life. Use it wisely."

As we make our way back to the beach house, See You Again by Tyler, The Creator and Kali Uchis plays on the car radio:

Can I get a kiss?

And can you make it last forever?

I said I'm 'bout to go to war

And I don't know if I'ma see you again

Can I get a kiss? (Can I)

And can you make it last forever? (Can you)

I said I'm 'bout to go to war ('Bout to)

And I don't know if I'ma see you again

(Uh, switch it up)

Conrad smiles to himself. Maybe they could make it last forever. Maybe summer never had to end. Maybe Cleveland was right. It had all built up to this.

Author's Note: Thank you for being patient while I was out of town with this chapter. I promise we are building this story slowly but surely. Thanks for tagging along for the ride.