Chapter 103

I sat in the wet sand with Hannah, watching everyone play in the water and the boys play football behind us. The paparazzi had been more present than ever, but I wasn’t as nervous as I used to be. Not with Knox by my side.

As I listened to Hannah gush about Ben, I couldn’t help but laugh. “No! Hannah! You kept that quiet!” I slapped her arm playfully, and she pulled me closer, her blonde hair whipping in the wind.

“Yeah, we were both so drunk and went outside. He like threw me up against the wall and we started to make out. It was a long time too because when we came back inside you were dancing with Tyson. It was so hot! Then he walked me back to my room and he kissed me again. Alex, he’s an amazing kisser! I really like him, I’m so annoyed that he has to go back to LA though... I’ll miss him... and you... and Andy! But I promise I’ll come to visit you all more!” She nodded, as if to cement the promise in her mind.

We both turned to look at Ben, who was hanging off Kyle, laughing about something. Kyle really liked Ben too, especially knowing he didn’t have a thing for me. Seeing them both laughing so freely, I couldn’t help but smile.

“You better come visit us! But I know he’ll miss you too, Han! I knew you’d like him,” I said, winking at her. She blushed, and we quickly turned back to face the ocean when Ben’s attention shifted towards us.

“Shit! He so saw us looking at him. Well, I was drooling... ugh, why am I so embarrassing?” Hannah groaned, running her fingers through her hair. I leaned over and hugged her, both of us laughing.

“Hey, if it makes you feel better, I was drooling over Knox at the wedding.”

“And Caleb,” she teased, and I nodded.

“And Caleb, but don’t tell Carter that! He would bury Caleb in the sand the next chance he gets.”

“And Wes,” she continued, poking fun at me.

“Oh my god, Hannah!” We both started to giggle, and Andy joined us after a while. I nudged Hannah with my elbow, trying to get her to stop.

“What? I don’t blame you! They all looked good in their suits. Plus, they were all over you that night too.”

We spent the next while gossiping about the guys and planning a girls’ night. “Girls’ night tonight!” Andy yelled, always the loudest and most enthusiastic of us all. That’s why Kyle loved her so much. They were perfect for each other.

“Yes! I need one of those! So we can gossip about the guys too!” I agreed, folding my legs and letting the sun hit my face.

Two hours later, we were in my room, crying our eyes out while watching The Titanic. The part where Rose is in the lifeboat being lowered into the sea always got us. The look Jack sends her had us all wailing.

“Ohhhh, I just can’t! Oh my god...” Andy cried onto my shoulder, and we all joined her. The streams of tears from us all would put Niagara Falls to shame.

“Get on that fucking boat, Jack! Go get her! Oh my god, Jack!” Hannah screamed at the TV, and we all listened to his voice. Damn, DiCaprio was so hot in this movie.

Suddenly, my door burst open, and all the boys stood there in shock. They stepped closer, then heard the voices from the TV and started laughing at us.

“Get out, you morons! This is the best fucking bit of the—oh Jesus, I can’t right now. This is too much!” Andy dabbed at her eyes, but the tears kept flowing. We all continued to cry, our sniffles becoming more frequent, as we watched Rose dive off the lifeboat and run back to Jack. We started screaming “Go! Go! Go!” at the screen, cheering her on.

We all find ourselves entranced by the glow of the screen, our bodies huddled together on the bed. A comforting arm encircles me, pulling me into the warmth of a broad chest.

“I’ve got you,” Knox murmurs, his voice a soothing balm as I weep into his shirt. The scene where she awakens on the door, only to find him frozen and lifeless, clings to the door.

“There was enough room on that damn door!” All five of us shout at Rose, our hearts being tugged mercilessly by the romantic tragedy unfolding on the screen.

The guys chuckle at our outburst, but our collective glare silences them.

“So selfish!” Andy exclaims, rising to her knees in an attempt to reach the bowl of chocolates. Hannah is nestled against Ben, Andy is wrapped up in Kyle, and I have Knox’s arms around me, with Lena sprawled across my lap.

Cole occasionally tugs at her leg, earning a swift kick in the back. “Dad! Quit it! This is... such an iconic movie!”

As the film reaches its heart-wrenching conclusion, our tears flow even more freely, only to be met with the guys’ concealed laughter. In retaliation, we pelt them with popcorn for their insensitivity.

Let us weep openly at the most romantic movie ever made, and leave your judgment at the door, boys.

“I hate seeing you cry, but you’re still so beautiful when you do, baby doll. Even if it’s over Jack and Rose,” he teases, rolling his eyes and laughing softly.

I swat at his stomach and bury my face in his shirt, my tears soaking the fabric.

“Enough, Carter. This movie just gets to me, and every other girl!” He kisses my forehead, his hold on me tightening. We all sit there, reminiscing about the most romantic moments in the movie.

“That part where they ascend the staircase and he’s standing with his back to us, then turns around. It gets me every time! Ugh!” Hannah shares, wiping away the last of her tears while Ben looks at her, completely smitten.

I can see him rubbing circles on her back, trying to soothe her, and biting his lip to suppress his laughter.

“The damn music gets me! Jesus, when I hear that song, I can’t control myself...” Andy sighs into Kyle’s chest, prompting him to pull her even closer.

I bury my face in the crook of Knox’s neck, seeking refuge from the others, and he begins to run his fingers through my hair.

“You could’ve fit the whole of Noah’s ark on that damn door! What a selfish bitch!” Andy continues, her words making me laugh into Knox’s neck. I plant a kiss on him, and he reciprocates by kissing the side of my head.

“I love you,” he whispers, his breath tickling my ear. I smile against his skin, my sniffles punctuating the silence. My fingers lightly trace his abs, causing him to tense under my touch.

I stroke his stomach, feeling him draw circles with his thumb on my hip bone. Pulling myself closer to his bare body, I whisper my response.

“I love you too.”