Chapter 76

We all carefully navigate the stairs, mindful of the kids. Kyle scoops Eden up into his arms, and Andy picks up Noah, while Hannah teases them, making both of them shriek with laughter.

Our feet sink into the soft white sand as we walk past the bickering couple. Nearing the sea, I sit down comfortably and place Adam between my legs, ruffling his hair.

Andy sits between Kyle’s legs, resting her body against his. We watch Eden and Noah play with Hannah in the water, running back and forth, trying to outrun the waves.

We smile as their playful screams and laughter fill the air. Kyle puts his arm around me and kisses my temple, whispering, “I love you, sis.” I return his sentiment, “I love you too, bro.”

“You want me to stay with you tonight?” he asks. I shake my head, laughing, which makes him grin widely at me.

“No way! And have Andy come creeping in beside you? I’m not listening to you two get it on in my bed while I’m trying to sleep,” I tease him. A tear escapes his eye, but he’s still smiling at me.

“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” I ask softly, causing Andy’s head to snap around to face him.

“I’m just happy to see that smile and hear that laugh again. I missed you, sis,” he admits. I wipe away his tear and smile at him. “But seeing as I have both of you here, two of my favorite girls... Andy, I want to ask you something—”

Andy shifts in the sand so she’s facing him, and I can see he’s nervous about whatever he’s about to ask. She stares at him, waiting for him to continue.

“Will you... um—” he stammers, nervously rubbing his legs and looking into her eyes. “Ugh, I can’t with those eyes, Andy—” he laughs nervously, and I nudge him, encouraging him to spit it out.

“Will you be my girlfriend?”

My eyes widen, as do hers. She’s shocked, her mouth opening and closing rapidly, but she doesn’t say anything.

A smile breaks out onto my face, and after a few moments, she starts to grin too.

“Really?” she asks, biting her lower lip. He nods, unsure of how she’s taking it. I see her head bob up and down, and she jumps on top of him, knocking them both into the sand.

She kisses him and manages to utter a “Yes” between kisses. His arms wrap around her waist, and he kisses her back. They both have goofy, lovesick grins on their faces and can’t stop staring at each other.

“Well, it’s about fucking time, Kyle. I thought I was going to have to ask her for you!” I tease them, looking out at the sea. I’m finding it hard to look at couples, it’s something that I have to get used to seeing.

I watch the sun setting in the water, the bright colors around the fiery ball of light making me want to pause time and not rush it.

But you can’t control the world around you, you can only control your own small world.

“You’re cool with us being together?” he asks, looking worried. I nod, hugging them both tightly.

“Yeah, I’m cool with it. I’m the one who introduced you both. Now that I’ve got one couple down, I’ve got another one to go—”

“Who?”

He’s interested in who my next victims are going to be. “Hannah and Ben, duh!” Andy beats me to the punch, and Kyle furrows his brows, looking slightly confused.

“Everyone seems to think Ben’s into me,” I say, shaking my head with a soft chuckle.

“No, really, why does everyone think that? There’s nothing but friendship between us. I love Ben, but as a friend. It’s mutual—”

“I was so convinced he liked you like that—”

“Hah, no—” ~Nobody likes me like that,~ I thought to myself. “He adores Hannah. They went out with each other and I helped plan the date with him.” I let the sand sift through my fingers.

“Hey—” Andy places her hand on my leg and I meet her gaze. It’s sympathetic. The green-eyed beauty I call my best friend softly rubs my exposed skin. “You’ll find someone, Al. I know you will.”

I snorted bitterly, staring back at her.

“No, I won’t. I’ve changed my life goals. I’m going to focus on my career and not guys. Some people are meant to fall in love and to stay with each other forever. It’s not for me.

~It never was.~ I’m seeing that now and I’m alright with it.” I shrug, actually accepting it. I send her a genuine smile because I’ve actually come to terms with it. I’ve had enough and it’s had enough of me.

“Just don’t give up,” she tells me quietly.

“I already have,” I tell her the truth. I release a long breath that I was knowingly holding in and it feels good. Like I’m getting rid of everything that was weighing me down.

She continues to rub my skin to comfort me, but I don’t need it. It’s been a long, horrible road and in the end, I’m alone. I’ve always liked my own company anyway.

Kyle sends me a tired smile, placing his hand on the back of my neck, rubbing it gently. They’re both trying to comfort me, but I don’t need it. I’m fine.

I’m fine being by myself. I’ve done it for years. Being single isn’t that bad.

***

After a long day, it was in the early hours of the morning when we all decided it was time to hit the hay. My brothers and sister kept asking me if I wanted them to stay with me.

But I refused every time and assured them I’ll be alright once I get a good night’s sleep. Leaving me alone with my thoughts. I was cuddled up in bed with my TV watching Netflix.

I was watching a movie, a horror movie, but I wasn’t watching it properly. I was zoning in and out, thinking about the news I got today.

~My father is out.~

~He will come for me. I know he will.~

~He might succeed this time.~

I’ve prepared myself for this day. But it hit me hard today. I didn’t prepare myself for that. I couldn’t.

Seeing the credits roll, I switched my TV off and threw the remote on the floor. I was afraid to fall asleep. I know I’ll have a nightmare, but which one will it be?

A) Finding Drew cheating on me

B) Walking in on him and her together

C) My own father hunting me down to finish me off

I switch my light off and put my phone in the charger. I lie on my back, staring at the ceiling, listening to the trees rustle in the wind outside.

My phone buzzes, indicating I have a message. Then it buzzes again. And again. I turn on my side, I know it’s him. He does this every night. But it’s usually one message.

Drew has been calling me and messaging me, asking to talk, and I haven’t replied. He’s not giving up, but I have. The same goes for Wes. I talk to him, but I’ve told him I need time to myself.

~I’m fragile and I need to help myself.~ He was understanding but wanted to know what happened? I told him that Drew was bothering me and left it at that.

With his messages being the last thing I see before sleeping, I usually have nightmares about him. I don’t know why I look at them. It just makes me feel heavy.

I feel even heavier when I hear her moan, moan his name and scream out in pleasure. Her familiar moans haunt me. But why do they seem familiar? Maybe because she moans on a daily basis to everyone? Maybe.

I shift in the bed, making it squeak a little, and I let my eyes drift close. Letting myself go.