Chapter 18
I wake up to Scarlett jumping on my bed. "Mora, wake up!" she screeches, and jumps up running to the window and pulls my curtains wide open. "Come on. I'm ready to go!" I just sigh loudly. "Why are you yelling?" She ignores my question. "Are you packed?" she asks.
"Yes." I groan at her, and she grabs my hands pulling me out of bed. "Mora, come on. Let's go!"
I stumble down the stairs, and dad has bacon and eggs already cooked.
"How was last night?" dad asks, and Scarlett stares at me. "What did you do last night?"
"I had dinner at Aiden's."
"Wait! What? Have you two made it official?" and they both look at me. "No." I answer. "Can I just eat breakfast so we can go?"
"I guess so." my dad fixes my plate as I sit down.
"How long are you staying at your mother's?" my dad asks. "Just two nights. We'll head home Monday morning." I answer him back, and he just nods. Scarlett peeps up after "I'm going to grab your bags and load them while you eat. Do I need to grab anything else?"
"No." I reply and she's out the door before I can say anything else.
"She's excited huh?" my dad questions. "Yes, and annoying." I chuckle and my dad can't help but smile at my comment. Scarlett comes skipping in as we're still joking behind her back. "Ready?"
"Gosh Scarlett, you know he's still going to be there when we arrive." I say.
"I know, I know. I'm just ready to see him."
"Okay. I'm done. Let me go brush my hair, and change and we can go."
We're about an hour away when I notice I left my phone at home. "Shit!"
"What?" Scarlett anxiously responds.
"I left my phone! We have to go back!" I screech.
"Come on Mora. You'll be fine. Your dad has my number. We'll be okay without your phone." she says.
"Ugh. Okay." I take a deep breath.
"I mean, unless you are expecting calls from someone else?" she grins trying to milk me for information, and I spill.
"Scarlett. I'm falling hard."
"Girl, I know. Just when you two look at each other. It's the real deal. You've always been more closed off, so of course I can tell when you are into someone, but Aiden... I've never seen Aiden look at a girl like he looks at you." she claims.
"I don't know Scarlett. Yesterday his mom called me his girlfriend, and when I confronted him about it, he shut down. He said he's not ready for a relationship."
"Really?" she wants to know more. "Yes. I felt awkward. He did say he really likes me though, and has for a long time. He had a way of flipping it into a compliment." I admit to her.
"Well what do you think about it. Are you okay with just being friends with him."
"What like friends with benefits?" I question her, and her mouth drops "Benefits? You haven't...?" and I stop her quickly. "No! We've just kissed, but that's a benefit right?"
"Not nearly Mora. Oh my gosh, don't scare me like that."
"Oh don't act like you and Conner haven't made it there yet." I say
"How do you know?" she asks me.
Conner took Scarlett's virginity last summer, and I was sort of hurt when she never told me, but maybe it's because he's my brother and she didn't know how to approach it. What she doesn't know is he told me shortly after. Conner tells me everything about their relationship.
"Mora, did Conner tell you?" she digs for an answer.
"Yes." I admit, and Scarlett yells "I'm going to kill him!". Crap. He's going to kill me.
"Scarlett, please don't say anything. He asked me not to say anything, which is why I didn't get upset that you didn't tell me." I flip it on her.
"Mora, I'm sorry. I just didn't want you to be disappointed in me, and on top of that he's your brother and I didn't know how you would respond to it. I didn't want you to be mad." she delicately says being cautious with her words.
"Scarlett, that's a monumental moment for anyone. I wish you would have told me. I know I would want to talk to someone about it if it was me. Don't feel like you have to hold back because Conner is my brother." I smile at her to let her know I'm not mad. I was only making a point.
"I'm sorry Mora!" she lets out a sigh of relief.
"But seriously Scarlett. Don't get mad at Conner. He had to talk about it, and I'm better to know then Ross."
"You're right." she says back. "But you totally changed the subject." she keeps going "So you and Aiden kissing? How was that? How was he?" she is grinning ear to ear as I drive.
"Yes, great, and amazing!" I grin back, and we both giggle.
We pull up to my moms condo around two thirty, when I see Conner jogging out of the front doors, and Scarlett can barely contain herself. He makes it to her door before she can open it. "Scarlett Jansen!! I've missed you so much." he picks her up and swings her around, and she laughs out loud uncontrollably. Then he kisses her hard on the mouth, and I can't help but feel a rush of happiness for them. I wish I could be in love like that.
"Hey Bub." I interrupt them bringing them back down on my level. They both look over at me still in each other's arms.
"Hey Sis." he's breathing loudly, not letting go of Scarlett.
"Can we pull away from each other long enough to get our bags up stairs, then you two can get back to being gross and in love." and Conner grins at me, winking at Scarlett as he let's her go.
"Fine." he says, and then goes to the back of my car getting our bags out of the trunk.
"How was the ride down?" he asks. "Good." Scarlett answers back. "Where's mom at?" I jump in.
"She and Ron went to the grocery store. They should be back here soon."
"I can't believe your mom lives on the beach!" Scarlett screeches as we wait for the elevator door to open.
"It's pretty awesome." Conner says cheerfully, and of course I just roll my eyes. "How about we just drop the bags off, and head down to the beach?" he offers, and it sounds like a pretty good idea.
Scarlett changes into a bright blue bikini spotted with little yellow flowers, and I go with my brown bathing suit that has tan astro print on it, and the top raps around my neck. It's my favorite suit because it makes my legs look darker than they actually are. I put on a bathing suit wrap before we head down.
Walking down to the beach, my brother says "I invited my roommate to hangout with us today if that's cool?"
"Oh cool. I'd like to meet the poor soul who has to share a room with you for the next year." I chuckle, and Conner elbows me. "Whatever!"
We finally make it down to the water, and my mom and Ron already have assigned chairs for us. There's a guy I can only assume is Conner's roommate. He has light brown hair about the same color as Conner and mines. He's really tall, and a little more lean then Con. His eyes are a deep brown, and his skin tone is pale. He needs sun. He almost looks too small to be a football player.
"Hey Logan!" Conner say's grabbing his hand in his guy hug he does. "Hey bro."
"This is my sister Mora, and this is Scarlett. Guys this is Logan" Conner introduces us. I offer out my hand. "Hi. Nice to meet you." and I smile at him.
"Hey." Scarlett gives him a hug. She always has to get so personal with people. She and Conner are so much alike which is probably why they've made it for as long as they have.
"So they have a volleyball game going on about ten minutes down the beach. Y'all want to play?" Logan asks, and we agree.
Scarlett is snapping pictures of the ocean, and us. I've taken about twenty selfies with her and Conner. She got group pictures of all of us too.
"I'm putting these up really fast. Logan what's your last name so I can tag you."
"Reiley." he answers.
"So Logan, how is it living with my slob of a brother." I tease, and Conner glares at me.
"Good." he laughs. "If he's a slob, I don't want to know what you would call me." and we both giggle.
"So what position do you play?" I ask. Conner plays defense. Looking at him I doubt it's the same.
"Special teams." he admits.
"Cool. Are you enjoying it at A&M so far?" I grill him for more questions.
"Yeah, It's okay I guess. "So you're a senior?" he gives me a question in return.
"Yes. Finally."
"Have you planned on a school yet?"
"No, not really. Honestly though, it will probably be close like Conner. I'm not the type that could move far away." I confess, then ask "Where are you from?"
"I'm from Oklahoma City. I really wasn't ready to leave home, but my dad made it clear that I wouldn't pass this opportunity up."
"You wouldn't huh?"
"Yeah. Let's just say football is your brother's love, but I could live without it." Wow. he's honest. "Well I'm sorry to hear that." I say in return. "Ahh. It's okay. It is what it is."
We make it to the volleyball games, and Conner still can't keep his hands off Scarlett. I give a motion like I want to vomit to Logan, and he laughs at me.
There's an even match of guys and girls playing. Scarlett decides to lay out in the sun and just watch. I'm on a team with Conner, Logan, and another girl. I only get a few hits in, because they stand over me. All in all, it was really fun.
We play for about an hour, then mom calls Conner to let us know Ron's starting to grill dinner. I walk in last and mom greets me with a big smile and hug. "Hey Mom." I say. "Hey baby. I'm so glad you're back. Hey Scarlett." she goes to hug her next.
"Hi Debbie! Thanks for letting me stay!"
"You're welcome honey. Conner, Logan do you guys mind bringing this plate of hotdogs out to Ron?"
"Sure thing" Logan answers, and grabs one of the plates, and Conner follows him.
"Logans' a sweet boy." mom tells Scarlett and I. "Yeah, he's pretty cool. I'm kind of glad he's here so I'm not stuck being a third wheel." I dart a look at Scarlett, and she looks down embarrassed. I guess because it's my mom we're talking to.
"Oh honey, you wouldn't be the third wheel. You have me."
"You know what I mean." and answer, and she nods. "I guess I do."
After we eat dinner, I ask to use my mom's laptop to get on social media since I don't have my phone. When I open up her computer she has a picture of Conner and I on her background. I was taken back a little. Maybe she does miss us. I thought her background would be the beach or something.
After I sign in, I see I have sixteen notifications, and three messages. All the notifications are from Scarlett. She tagged me in photos. I go through the pictures, and there's a couple selfies of us with Conner, and some of us playing volleyball, and then one group photo of Scarlett, Conner, Logan, and I.
After looking at the pictures I open up my messages, and they are all from Aiden. Crap. I didn't even think to message him when I got here to tell him I forgot my phone.
2:21 p.m. Hey Mora. I've tried to text u, but u aren't answering. U make it there ok?
3:50 p.m. Well I guess u made it ok with all the pics. Not sure why ur not texting me back.
4:09 p.m. Are you mad at me?
Oh crap. I didn't even think about the pictures, and what Aiden might think. I quickly message him back.
Hey. No I'm not mad at you! I'm sorry. I left my phone at home and by the time I realized it we'd been on the road for an hour. But yes I'm ok, and no I'm not mad!
It only takes a few seconds and I can see he's typing me back. I wonder how long he's been waiting to hear back from me.
I have to admit I was starting to freak a little. So are u having a good time?
Yes. My step-dad is grilling us hot dogs with my brother and his roommate from school.
His roommate from school?
I've never seen Aiden respond so fast.
Yeah. He's pretty cool. He plays on the team with Conner. We all played volleyball on the beach, now we're about to eat dinner.
Is he staying there?
No. I mean, I don't think so. Why?
No reason. Just curious.
Oh okay.
Well I'm going out with Shawn and Josh tonight. I just wanted to make sure u made it ok.
Oh okay. Well yes I did. Can I message you before I go to bed?
Yea. Talk to u later.
OK.
I get this feeling that Aiden is mad at me. I don't know why though because he doesn't want to be in a relationship with me, so he honestly shouldn't care who I'm hanging out with, or care when I'm texting or calling him back.
I go into the living room and Scarlett is sitting on the couch and mom is in the kitchen.
"I think Aiden is mad at me." I tell Scarlett.
"Why?" she's eyeing me.
"I think it's because of those pictures online, and I forgot to let him know I left my phone at home."
"Wow."
"What?" I need reassurance from her.
"For a boy who doesn't want a girlfriend, he sure doesn't have an issue acting like he's your boyfriend." She seems more annoyed than me and I honestly ask her "Do you think he's jealous?" and the question makes her snort. "Are you kidding?" and I just shrug my shoulders.
"Yes, but he shouldn't be since he doesn't want to date you. Mora, I wouldn't give him the satisfaction. If he's not willing to open up with you, then you need to just enjoy yourself here. Maybe it will make him see." She does have a point.
Later on after dinner, mom finally talks me into playing a board game and I can't believe it but I'm actually having a good time with her. I let my walls down tonight, and I can tell that I'm not the only one who noticed.
Conner's smile never left him all night long. I miss him so much. Being here around my brother, Scarlett, and a new friend and a different feeling with my mom makes me realize that maybe Corpus Christi wouldn't be such a bad idea for school, and just for a moment I'm thinking about college but soon my thoughts stop when Conner flicks a spoon of ketchup in my face. Everyone's mouth drops, and my mom starts to yell "Conner Ethan Andrews. Mora, you better not...!" She can tell where this is heading and I ignore her. Before I know it, food is flying. Scarlett is crying, and mom is finally getting mad, so we stop.
"You two are acting like children!" She's furious. "The both of you are going to clean this up now!" Even though she's mad, everyone is still laughing, besides Scarlett. She's upset because her shirt got ruined in the process.
"I can't believe you two." Scarlett says to us, but the both of us ignore her and squeezes her between us like a sandwich rubbing food off of us onto her. "You guys are sick!" she's still screaming.
I haven't had this much fun in a long time.
Logan leaves shortly after our food fight, and Scarlett goes upstairs to take a shower while Conner and I clean the kitchen. Mom and Ron are in the living room watching the news.
"I miss you so much Mora." Conner claims as we're wiping off the table. "Conner, you have no idea. Home is not the same without you."
"I've been thinking. It wouldn't be such a bad idea if you thought about college here. I know your feelings about mom, but listen I think you would really like it here, and it's still close to dad." he does have a point.
"You know, mom isn't that bad. I guess I'm just stubborn."
"Oh you're definitely stubborn." he laughs, and I ignore him. "But you do have a point, and I'm going to think about it. I mean I have to start thinking about school soon."
"That's all I ask. Maybe this weekend I can take you on another tour of the school. I think Scarlett is considering coming here too."
"You don't say?" I mess with him and he just rolls his eyes at me.
After we're all in bed, and asleep I hear Scarlett sneak out of my room. I act like I'm asleep. I know they're probably sneaking out to go make-out or something.
After a few minutes and I know she's not coming back anytime soon I open up her phone, and sign in under my name to message Aiden.
Hey. Just wanted to let you know I'm going to bed. I'll message you sometime tomorrow.
I wait a few minutes, but he never reads my message so I just type
Good night. Xoxo.
The next day we all go to the donut shop for breakfast, and then spend more time at the beach. Mom and I lay out reading books, and Ron, Scarlett, and Conner throw around the football, and swim.
"So I've heard you have a boyfriend." mom looks over at me under her big black beach hat shading her face.
"No, not really anyway. I do like him, but we haven't made anything official yet." I'm surprised how I'm opening up to her.
"Why not?"
"He's never really been the boyfriend type." I admit.
"Honey, no man is the dating type until they find the one. If he has feelings for you like you think then he will come around."
"You think?" I'm curious what her thoughts on the matter are.
"I know. Give him a little time. He'll come around." she answers, and I just nod.
"Is he cute?" she smiles at me. "He's hot." I smile back, and we both laugh.
"Well he's a lucky boy to land a girl like you Mora."
"Thanks mom." I answer her without hesitation. This is the most time I've actually talked to my mom in years, even after spending full summers with her. I think realizing that nothing is forever has changed my opinion on her. I don't want to regret my relationship with my mother. Today is the best time to start changing that.
The weekend flies by. We never had a chance to tour the school, but I know I'll have more time to figure it out. Aiden had finally messaged me back later that next day just to tell me to have a good time, and that he missed me. Of course I got a stomach full of butterflies when I read that.
I hug Conner first, then Ron, and end with my mom. She hugs me like she doesn't want to let me go.
"Honey, I had such a great time this weekend. Do you have to go?"
"Yes." I look at her with a faint smile. "But maybe I can come back again before school starts back up?" That wasn't in the plans, but it would be nice to hang out one more time before school.
"Yes! Please do so." she smiles ear to ear at me.
Ron and I are loading my trunk while Conner and Scarlett hang to each other like life is going to end.
"Let's go." I tell Scarlett, and I pull her away from him.
"Bye babe. I love you." Conner tugs on her one last time and kisses her forehead.
"Love you too. I'll call you tonight." she says, and then we leave.