CHAPTER 41: I don't think I am ever going to get my breath back

My mind feels like it is being bludgeoned repeatedly and I wince at the bright light shining directly on my eyes. My eyes slowly flutter open and I see two figures staring at me.

"Ah!"

"Ahh!"

The three of us scream and I cover myself with the blanket covering my half-naked body.

"What the hell are you doing home?" Draven exclaims, hastily handing me a glass of water. I down it quickly and pant.

"I live here, you goof."

"No need to be all snarky, princess." I glare at him as soon as the words leave his mouth, kicking my sheets off and almost lunging at him.

"You! Don't even talk to me. This is what you two have been doing?" I say furiously while Draven struggles to keep a hold on my wild side. I don't acknowledge whether it is really my anger and shock mixed or the alcohol's influence in my system but seeing my brother playing tonsil tennis with none other than Austin Woods, obviously tends to bring this side out of me.

"Calm down, drama queen. Stop making this a big deal." Austin says while dismissing a wave.

"A big deal?! How long has...this being going for?" I push away Draven and stand near the bed, crossing my arms over my chest.

Draven and Austin look at each other and then pretend to be thinking about it. "A few weeks now."

"A few weeks? And you did not think about telling anyone?" My hands involuntarily fly and bounce back to my hips. I rub my forehead and move past the two guilty boys in my room.

"Look, this is not something that is supposed to be spread like wildfire and you very well know that," I turn to listen to Draven and he runs a hand through his messy locks, "but you need to understand that it was not easy acknowledging these feelings. You can't just expect us to finally realize a huge part of our lives and then drop the bomb on you guys before we ourselves have settled down with it." He sighs and plops down on my bed with his head hanging low.

I sigh loudly, leaning near my window, observing the street lights illuminating the motionless road. Draven and Austin...together. It is obviously a big deal for all of us. Especially them. I do reckon that this indeed is a huge part of their lives – their sexuality, for god's sake. But finding out like this...definitely took the air out of my lungs. I suddenly scoff at my reaction and decide to explain myself for acting like such an overreacting fool. The exhaustion, the amount of feelings and the shock must have rendered my consciousness weak and inept.

"Don't say what I think you're about to say..." Draven stands up slowly, his thick eyebrows furrowed.

"I won't. Sorry for how I reacted back there."

"Sorry is one word you and I never say, sis." He smirks at me and I flip the bird at him as Austin puts a hand over his shoulder.

"I know. You better appreciate this. I'm happy for you guys."

"I do. And no need to apologize. My handsome boyfriend and I tend to leave a lot of people gobsmacked." Austin grins at this and puts an arm around Draven's huge body, pulling him closer.

"Ugh. At least cut it out in front of me. I don't want to witness anything my pure eyes can't take." I put both hands over my eyes and navigate myself out of the room. I get my phone before I realize those two are supposed to get out of my room. I quickly walk back to the room just in time to see them kiss again.

"No, no, no. No playing kissy in my goddamn room! Get out!" I pull Austin away and shove him out of my room, Draven shortly following while chuckling to himself.

"Sweet dreams, Summer," Austin shouts from the corridor while I shut the door on their faces.

"I'm pretty sure I'm getting nightmares today."

***

Getting up early on a weekend certainly never is on my damn list but taking into consideration the drama that has been going on in my life, I would probably just agree this one time that what has to be done, has to be done.

Unaware of what I will have to wear, I put on a random t-shirt and leggings, running along to my new job with a pineapple ring hanging off my mouth.

You would think there is a food strike going on at my house.

Snowflakes is surprisingly quiet in the morning hours and I'm actually glad for it, granting me a peaceful solitude, just what I deserve after practically dragging my ass from the bed.

"Morning, Albert." I put on my best grin and hold my hands behind my back, leaning lazily against the counter. He flashes me a kind smile and wipes his hands with a napkin before signaling me to cross the counter and follow him. I access the tiny door connecting to the kitchen, noticing only staff members are allowed to pass here.

"Well, you certainly didn't arrive late like most of my other employees do." He chuckles and pats my back gently, ushering me to the cool room.

"Give it a few days." I grin and wink at him, happy that I at least do not have a crappy boss as most people do on their first ever jobs.

"So, now that you are finally here, I think you do know where everything is kept considering I saw most of my kitchen messed up and about that night." He smirks at me and I gulp, remembering the events of that night.

With Caleb.

I shake my head and remind myself to stop thinking about that gray-eyed treat, compelling myself to focus on what Albert is saying. "Well, that is totally fine. You don't have to feel bad about anything. Anyways, just make sure the temperatures are always at this point," he points towards the temperature setter I had noticed during that night and I nod at his words, "and you'll be in charge of this room. So, you have to take care of the temperature changes and also the state of everything frozen in here."

"Got it."

"Of course, you'll have your additional duties as a waitress. But I think I do not really have to teach you that, do I?" He laughs and checks up on some of the machines starting up before returning to my side.

"Not really. I will be fine. Thank you so much, Albert. This job means a lot and I promise you will not find a chance to complain."

"You are welcome, kid. I'm glad I hired you." He smiles at me and squeezes my shoulder reassuringly, moving along to help in the kitchen.

This is definitely not so much of a bad first day. What do you know, I might just find my happy haven here.

***

Exhausted from the long day at work, I trudge up the stairs all the way to my apartment, feeling the craving for a cold glass of wine creep up my gut. As my hands fumble for the keys in my sling bag, a voice makes me look up to the person standing in the narrow corridor.

"Miss Summer?" I nod at the man holding a package, dressed in formal clothes, his gaze straight at my face.

"This is for you. From Mr. Caleb Anderson." He briskly walks over to me, handing me the rectangular flat box, and walks away without uttering a word about what this is. I blink a few times before unlocking the door and going straight into my room. I quickly fish out my phone and text Maddie to come over as soon as she could.

With all the work I had today, I actually forgot about the party I have to attend at Caleb's tonight. And not just any party, it is one of the lavish and high-class parties Jacob Anderson is famous for holding in the whole of California. The classic tales of the great wine and caviar at his parties obviously do find their way to people's ears and I am definitely amongst them.

The sound of the door opening and closing drags me out of my thoughts and before I could even get out to see who it is, a smiling Maddie strolls in with two ice cream cones in her hand.

"For you, darling." She mimics a British accent and I chuckle, taking it from her hand. Well, if not some wine, ice cream can definitely do the job.

"How did you get here so fast? I just texted you like five minutes ago." I ask and take a seat on my bed, tempted to stretch out and just lie on it the whole day.

"I was getting ice creams from Snowflake and thought of picking you up but one of the staff told me your shift was over. So I was on my way here and saw your text. What's up?" I point towards the box Caleb sent me and groaned at the fact that I have to explain everything to her.

"Yesterday, Caleb invited me to his father's party which is tonight. I need your help." I lick my ice cream and casually say it, fully aware of her potential reactions.

"What? You are going to one of Jacob Anderson's soirees?" She sits beside me and shakes my arm.

"Yes, yes, yes. If that's what you call it. Now, close that mouth of yours and – I can't believe I'm saying this but – help me get ready." I sigh and roll my eyes at the mischievous gleam in her eyes.

"You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this day, Summer Jones." She pulls me up and shakes her head before pushing me back on my bed, walking away to my closet.

"Do not even bother looking there, Maddie. I have no single dress in that dumpster of a closet." I laugh at her pouty lips and grab the box lying next to me.

"I believe this is what you are looking for." I drum my fingers on the box with my name neatly scribbled at the top of it.

"What is it?"

"It's from Caleb."

A wolf whistle escapes her lips and her eyebrows shoot upwards. "Already sending gifts, eh? I gave that a few years though considering your animal behavior towards people." I kick her leg and hit her arm.

"Fine, sorry! Open it."

My hands slowly skim over the top and I lift the cover gently, afraid that what is inside may be way too fragile for a person like me. My breath hitches in my throat as soft and silky golden fabric comes to view and I pick up the note lying next to another small box on the dress.

I hope my choice is good enough to not have you break my nose.

PS: Wear those earrings I sent. No complaints!

Before I could even realize it, a soft smile makes its way to my lips and I hear a loud pounding in my chest. I look at Maddie who is equally taken aback as I am and she motions towards the dress. I lay the box on the bed and stand, pulling the dress out of it. My eyes widen at its mere perfection. However beautiful any dresses may have been, I never really thought them to be perfect. I was never the type to fall in love with fancy clothes like dresses but this particular one... I'll be damned to think otherwise.

I place it on my bed before moving on to the other small box. My heart flutters at the stunning pair of dangle pearl earrings and at that moment, my respect for Caleb increases to an infinite amount.

Or, at least, that is what I think.

It has to be respect. I don't think I have any other word for this overwhelming feeling I get every time I think of him. And right now, that feeling has been heightened to an indescribable amount.

"Come on, let's get you dressed." Maddie murmurs as she softly smiles at me and I nod.

***

Finally content with the look I'm carrying, I brush off Maddie's insistence on curling my hair and carefully pat my low bun. The high-low golden brown dress clings to my body at the top but flows out elegantly from my waist and stops a few inches below my knees while the back part reaches the heels of my feet. I walk out in my nude flats with a slight smile on the edge of my lips but I stop short on my tracks as I see Jason devouring a bowl of Cheerios on the counter.

Of fucking course.

"Hey, can you wait downstairs for a while? I won't be long." I ask Maddie and she nods, closing the door behind her. I walk up till Jason and take a seat next to him on the counter, intertwining my fingers and playing around with the charm bracelet I have on. We continue to sit in silence, the only sound being Jason chewing his Cheerios.

"Who eats Cheerios in the evening?"

"Me."

Silence.

"I got a job by the way."

That seemed to reduce the annoying chewing voice and I look at him, meeting his questioning gaze.

"You two brothers do not have to take all the pressure, you know that, right?" I murmur and place my hand on his.

"There...there is no pressure. What are you talking about?"

"Jason..." I sigh and turn towards him, "you and Draven are not the only ones in this family. If we are facing a problem, we face it together. Like a family."

"When did you get to know?"

"Two weeks back." He nods at this and runs a hand through his dark hair, sighing tiredly.

"I'm sorry for bringing this upon you. I know you have a lot to handle and I haven't exactly been the best brother lately..." He looks down and I hold his hands, shaking my head.

"That is okay. You don't have to be. None of us are, you know that. And don't you dare apologize for anything, idiot. It's not like I'm the smartest human so that I prioritize my education first." I wink at him and he chuckles. "Next time, we talk and act like a family. I may have never said this, Jason. But I don't know where I would be if I didn't have any of you. You guys are my family." By the time I finish my rant, I'm already enveloped by Jason's strong arms and I lean into his touch. Tears prick the corner of my eyes but I chuckle and push them back, pulling away from him and holding him at arm's length.

"Did I ever tell you how proud I am of you?"

"No...but you can say it now." We laugh and he hugs me once again.

"Where are you off to anyways, dressy-dress?" He mumbles into my forehead. I pull away and smile apologetically at him.

"To Caleb's party. His father's actually." Just like Maddie, Jason's eyebrows also shoot to the roof and I roll my eyes, hitting him square in the chest.

"Don't give me that big bro speech, Jason. It's just a formal party and will definitely be over before midnight."

"Alright, calm down. I won't say anything. I should apologize for the other night as well...I was off on the wrong tracks." He looks down, shifting his weight from one foot to another.

"Damn right you were. But...it's okay. I forgive you. I'm sorry too."

"Never thought you of all people will apologize to me."

"Take it and shut it." I poke his chest and he simply grins.

"Bye now. I'm getting late." I open the door and say, waving at him dramatically.

"You sure have changed after Caleb has become your friend," Jason smirks and I flip him the bird before shutting the door and making a beeline for the stairs before Maddie honked the apartments down.

"What? You only took this much time? You should have stayed for dinner even." She says while I get in the car, hitting her arm and glaring at her.

"Sarcasm is really not appreciated right now, Maddie. Now drive."

"Orders are really not appreciated, Summer."

I roll my eyes and look outside the window, rolling it down a little and reminiscing last night when I did this. I close my eyes, savoring those moments again but as quickly as the cold breeze hits my face, it disappears again and I open my eyes.

"Your hair will get ruined, woman. I don't want my masterpiece to go in that party like a wreck."

I sigh and shake my head at the never-ending thoughts I've been having of Caleb. Jason's words linger in my head and I shudder at the thought. How have I been changing? Why am I continuously thinking of Caleb? Why am I feeling like this?

"We're here!" Maddie's excited squeal breaks me out of my reverie and I look at the huge house – no, fucking mansion – right in front of me. Several luxurious cars are parked around the mansion and I wonder how many miles it actually stretches to.

"Damn, your future in-laws are surely loaded." Maddie mumbles and I hit her upside the head.

"Shut the fuck up." I glare at her despite being aware of my hot, flushed cheeks.

"Now, do not do anything stupid in there. Don't get too drunk on the wine. Give me the details later on." She warns me pointedly and I chuckle before getting out of the car and bidding her goodbye after agreeing to everything.

My hands smoothen the invisible wrinkles on my dress and I walk slowly towards the entrance, thanking god my sensible self chose to wear flats. I take a step towards the entrance, taking in the slow music playing in the background. I take in the chatter of the wealthy around me, all dressed in stylish suits and elegant dresses topped off with the finest pearls and jewelry of all kinds. I gulp and continue walking with my chin held high. I intertwine my sweaty palms and notice the open bar at the far end of the huge hall. A long table lined with delicacies sits adjacent to it with people constantly moving around gracefully.

This is definitely not my scene.

I look around until my eyes meet what they have been looking for all along. Adorned in a black suit and crisp white shirt with a little bow tie, Caleb walks over to me with his dark hair slicked back neatly. His gray eyes are trained solely on me and I suddenly forget the town-like population surrounding me. I swallow as a smile dances on his lips, his penetrating gaze sweeping down my body back up till my face.

I don't think I am ever going to get my breath back.

***

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