I cringed as Branch glanced at me. I'd done it again.
"That makes twenty two." he added to the tally that'd begun once we set foot inside the comic and cafe shop.
"Aagh," I whined, "I can't help it."
"Sigh all you want, Dia. If you make it to forty, I'll buy you a cream scone." Rich promised.
"I'm not counting to annoy her. I'm counting to distract her." Branch explained.
"And I do appreciate it," I shook my head and grinned back, "But I think you're getting a little too much glee out of annoying me."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Look. That smirk right there."
"What smirk?"
"Seriously..." I sighed, "Wait-"
"Twenty Three."
"Damn it."
"In any case," Rich rolled his eyes in amusement, "Are we actually going to study?"
"It's been half an hour. I suppose we can start." Branch teased.
"Just remember, you're the one who needs the help with the test- not us."
"Yeah." Branch pouted, unable to even joke about it.
He gave me a light punch of the arm when I chuckled. All in all, despite the light irritations of the friendly goading, Rich and Branch were doing well at keeping me distracted. Goodness knows my brain was on the verge of exploding from a week of intense stress.
Much of my focus went into staying away from home as much as possible. The atmosphere was too depressing, and the room down the hallway was far too quiet. I couldn't stand to see mom go in there for the millionth time either to clean what she'd already cleaned solid. Merlot's room appeared as fresh as the day the house was built. While mom and dad initially protested my tactic for physical keeping back from the tension, they eventually let me go on my way without complaint. They understood why I needed the space, and dad revealed he'd done something similar back when they first though grandpa was gone for good. Trying to forget Merlot and Willow were still missing was just one of the reasons I'd already slept over at Apple's three times. I liked the hope the distance gave me. The feeling of walking through the front door after having been gone made it easier to believe my brother would be back. However, the days continued on. That slow week dragged on by while no solution for coping lasted for long. Rich and Branch helped me get over that afternoon. The next, when my brain seriously screamed as if on fire, I had to get more creative.
"What the hell are you doing?" mom barked at me with an deep frown.
"Haven't you heard of polar bear swimming?"
"Of course, but why are you doing it now?"
"Well, see, it has to happen when it's cold outside-"
"Dianthus."
"My brain just won't shut up. I'm too worried, and this actually feels quite therapeutic."
"You're going to freeze."
"I turned the heat up for the water a bit."
"And you're going to ruin our electric bill."
"That's why I said a bit," I sighed, glad Branch was no longer around, "And I know not to stay in long. Gilly and I used to do these swims at camp, remember? I'll be fine."
"Alright," mom sighed, finally giving in, "If it helps."
There hadn't been any need to fret. My body began to shake with cold hardly a minute later, and I knew that was my signal to get out of the water. The biting cold left my head in a blissful daze where drying off with a fluffy towel and wrapping myself in my robe slowly nursed me back to a comfortable warmth. So far so good. The technique worked for the moment, although I noted it would cause me less strife from my family if I took a chilling shower instead. I set myself up to do my homework while my focus remained, but my other sibling soon ruined that.
"Dia, do you have a moment. There's something I want to show you." Gilly bounded over.
"I'm doing homework, and I'm not really in the mood to get dressed."
"Oh, no. You don't even have to stand up. What I want to show you is online. Confetti and I found this amazing place."
Now that Arbor and I mentioned he was likely moving with us, Gilly had used looking at new apartments or houses for rent as her distraction from our brother's disappearance.
"Maybe after dinner."
"It won't take that long."
"Gilly, I-"
"Pleeease?" Gilly pleaded, throwing her arms around my shoulders.
"Go ahead and pull it up." I caved, scooting back to give her access to the mouse and keyboard.
Gilly's fingers flew to bring up the right website. Her eagerness caught me off guard as well as made me suspicious. Then she confirmed she was up to something.
"Now, there's one thing you'll probably be against, but take a look at what an amazing package this place is. Have an open mind." Gilly warned.
"Okay." I said slowly.
Gilly scrolled down the realtor's page to click on the right home. The images boasted of a modern single story house with all the latest upgrades. There was a small pool, decent backyard with well-trimmed trees, a two car garage, a fireplace, deck, and furnished basement. The location was an easy walking distance for me to the college while settled on calm route for Gilly and Confetti to get to work. I scoured every inch of the pictures for what I could be against. The price, though higher than our original limit, was comparable with Arbor coming along.
"Oh," I spoke when I noticed the problem, "This is what you're talking about. It only has two rooms."
"Two large rooms. Each with their own private bath. Pretty neat, huh?"
"Uh-huh," I raised a brow knowingly, "Except I don't think Confetti and Arbor would been keen on sharing."
"Of course not. She and I would have one room. You and Arbor would take the other."
"Gil, you and Confetti are comfortable enough in your relationship for that, but Arbor and I are not."
"Are you sure? How many months did I have to listen to you balk at the idea of Arbor coming home because you were so sure everything was done?" she put her hands on her hips, "You were smooching him up the first day he got back. You said you needed time to even consider dating again, and you two were back together within weeks. You were certain you'd have to separate again, and he's all but said he wants to marry you someday."
Now I was too hot. Just recalling Arbor saying the word 'husband' set my face on fire. I had to loosen my robe from around my neck.
"You two would have plenty of time to get used to the idea. There would be lots of chances to establish boundaries too, but given the fact that you almost had sex at one point I doubt there'd be many of them."
"That's..."
"Heck, I say you use this time to change that 'almost had' into a 'have had.' Would make sharing a room much more enjoyable."
"Gilly!"
"What?" she smiled devilishly.
"I can't believe you said that."
"It's the truth, and I can say that from experience. You and Arbor were down for it before as well. Now I don't know that reason he gave you for why he got upset, but given how he's been since he came back I think it's safe to say he worked through it. I don't see anything standing in your way from finishing what you started."
"There's no way..."
My words failed me. What did I even want to say? Gilly was technically right on all accounts. The high of experiencing that hint of intimacy with Arbor remained vivid in my mind. We hadn't talked about how he felt now, but I think it was indeed safe to say Arbor wasn't against trying again. Maybe he'd been thinking about it all this time. Maybe he hadn't said anything because he still believed I would rather not have sex if given the choice. It could be he was waiting for me to initiate the next time.
God, it was seriously too hot in the room.
Understanding she was trapping me into a corner, Gilly went to continue with her persuasions. The sound of the front door opening, unfamiliar voices, a familiar voice, and mom and dad fussing over something halted our conversations entirely though.
"That sounded like Merlot." Gilly gasped with a weak breath.
We couldn't get out of the room fast enough. Moving down the hallway seemed like moving through tar, and by the time we got to the bottom of the stairs the police who escorted our brother home were leaving the house. Willow wasn't with him or in the cruiser, so I assumed they'd dropped her off at the house they'd had her before or wherever she was to stay for now. Merlot himself kept his head hanging low. He couldn't meet any of our gazes, especially dad's, who stood there with arms crossed trying to look as if he hadn't spent the past week staying out late into the night walking around hoping to catch some glimpse of his son.
"I-I...I'm sorry." Merlot mumbled miserably.
All of the bitterness and anger he'd held before he left was nowhere to be seen.
"Where were you at?" I was the one to ask.
"Cops got a call from a hotel owner down in Hazelwood," dad spoke stiffly for Merlot, "The two had been staying there for a week until the owner saw online that they were runaways."
"I thought you had to be eighteen to rent a hotel room." Gilly wondered.
"In this state, you can rent at sixteen if the specific hotel allows it," Merlot tried his voice again, and it was weak, "That was the only one within fifty miles that does so."
"And it took the guy a week to think the two sixteen-year-olds were there without permission?"
"There was no legal reason for him to report their presence until he learned of their status, which he did as soon as he found out. I don't really care about him now though," mom spoke as calmly as possible, "Merlot..."
"I know. I was stupid beyond all belief. I regretted what we did as soon as we got in that room, but...I just...it was easier to keep making the mistake than fixing it. I know I worried you all to death, and I know I was wrong with everything. I'm seriously sorry."
Merlot's voice quivered and his shoulders shook. His eyes welled up with heavy tears, and given how he seemed to shrink and appear years younger than his age I couldn't blame mom for loosing any stiffness in her expression to draw him into a tight embrace in which he could cry freely.
"You're grounded indefinitely, that's for sure, and you no longer have an opinion on what happens with Willow," dad began to lay out the terms before releasing his own anger in a loud, long exhale, "But...I think everyone's allowed one big fuck-up in life. We're certainly not getting rid of you."
A small smile graced his lips as he glanced back at me. My gaze found its way to the wall. I would never live down that day with Timber at the lake, and now my parents would never let this incident go.
"I haven't fucked up big time." Gilly whispered.
"Oh, I'm sure you'll find someway to join our ranks." I prodded her in the ribs.
Merlot laughed a little, and his head lifted enough for me to lean and catch his eye.
"Hey, Merl?"
"Hmm?" he sniffled.
"You are a very lucky child, you know that? I have good news for you. I'm not aware of the process or the time it'll take, but Arbor told his parents about Willow. They always wanted another child, and with Arbor most likely moving out soon they said they'd love to adopt her if she finds them suitable."
"Really?" he wondered in speechless awe.
"Really."
"I..."
His voice went silent, but his smile blossomed. It was so genuine, so wide, so damn precious as his wet eyes now twinkled with relieved hope that I found I could find some forgiveness in my heart for my only little brother.
Merlot didn't need any punishment from me anyway. The restrictions mom and dad placed on him were just as bad if not worse than how Ember had been punished during her fiasco. Like her, Merlot accepted them with grace. He didn't speak a single word of complaint when all of his classmates excitedly awaited their weekend trip to a roller coaster park and he stayed home doing all the household chores. When mom or dad would treat the rest of us to ice cream, he would simply go to the fridge and get an apple. He'd even refuse the little snacks or privileges I tried to sneak him in order to keep his honor clear. Besides, Merlot also remained too busy with all the new developments happening with his friend.
Willow's permanent home was up in the air for a while. She did technically have other family out there, but they had all been disconnected from her line of the tree by distance and a lack of care for almost two generations. As soon as it got out that there was a family actually wanting to take her, those relatives she didn't know gave up any rights they had. Willow's grandfather contested the child abuse claims, but basically ended up admitting to it anyway by attempting to use the argument of her 'severe depravity of mind' forcing him to do what he did. His sentence wasn't overly harsh considering he had no prior sentencings and the amount of abuse was contained. However, all that mattered to Willow was the future. She was away from him, and, after a few months that turned winter into pleasant late spring, she led us to the big reveal.
"We put the last of the pictures up this morning, but I'm looking to get some colored string lights to put up along the perimeter of the wall. Jewel said we can measure the length later today and go shopping tomorrow. Oh, and there might not be enough space, but I saw this great post of a corner fountain that has these flowers you can change based on the season or your mood or whatever. Then you get these bamboo-"
"Take a breath, Will," Merlot interrupted merrily with a hand on her shoulder, "I get that you're excited, but you're going to talk yourself to death."
"You're rubbing way too much salt in the wound as well," Arbor teased, "Take pity on me."
"Hmm, nope!" she jeered cheerfully.
"So rude."
"Welcome to the world of little siblings." I smiled at him.
In the haste and excitement of Willow's adoption, Mr. and Mrs. Thicket had forgotten a pretty major thing. Sure, Arbor was moving out eventually, but he wasn't gone yet. He would need a place to stay when he came back during vacations or visits too. Willow couldn't simply take over his room. However, their house was small with nowhere else to put an extra person. They had the choice of building up or building down, and the Thickets went with down. The small basement that was built now provided a spare bedroom.
"Ta-dah! It's brilliant, isn't it?" Willow announced grandly when she led us in.
The sleeping arrangements weren't liked by all, however.
"This is the set up I'm going with for now. This corner over here is the bathroom!"
"They gave her a personal bathroom, Dia," Arbor continued to whine at me, "She gets the bigger, more private bedroom. She gets the computer, and she gets a bathroom. Even mom and dad don't have their own. The three of us have to share."
"I'm clearly the favorite child." Willow shrugged impishly.
"I like all the colors. Really didn't stick with your own, huh?" Merlot noted, ignoring the teasing banter.
"I never really have. I like what I like. The periwinkle of the walls is my favorite color of all, and look at the bedspread. It's so cute! Why should I deny myself of it simply because it's not just yellow and green?"
"Her own bathroom, Dia..."
"I know, Arbor. I know." I patted his hand.
There wasn't much more to the room, so he and I took the chance to head upstairs and chill out while Merlot and Willow stayed downstairs. I stretched our outing as long as I could make it, but Merlot was still grounded. Mom and dad were only letting him spend time at a friend's house under this special circumstance. He had to be with me though, and he also had to be home at a certain time. I called his name and set us on the path back despite wishing I could stay longer with Arbor.
"Everything has just about worked out now, huh?" I said.
"Yeah. I only wish there was enough time left in the school year for Willow switch over."
"She will have to stick with homeschooling for the time being then?"
"Yeah," Merlot repeated, "But there's only a few weeks until summer vacation, so it shouldn't be that bad."
"I wonder if mom and dad will lift your grounding at that point."
"I hope so, but I doubt it. My guess is they'll let most of the first month go by before I'm free.
"That does sound about right." I nodded before pausing, "Okay, so on a different note..."
"What?"
"It's still on the topic of Willow, but-"
"I'm not sure I like your tone, but go on."
"Arbor and I talked about it once. We were curious if you like Willow."
"Of course I do."
A moment passed. Surprised at the quick answer given without any hint of embarrassment, the way my brother answered then showed me how innocent he still could be.
"No, Merl, I didn't mean as a friend. Like, are you in love with her? Arbor and I thought that could be why you went to such extremes."
"Oh no, no, not like that. I never even thought about it," Merlot shook his head, "It's just friendship between us. Besides, even if I did like her I would be doomed. Willow likes girls."
"Ah, got it."
Curious still about my brother's love life, I pestered him most of the way home about any crushes he might have. Either Merlot was genuine about not currently liking anyone or he was hiding the truth incredibly well, because his denial that there was someone was too perfect for me not to believe. Merlot dealt with my questioning until the last stretch of our walk where he turned it back around on me. He prompted as deep as he could about mine and Arbor's relationship, being teasingly bold enough to wonder about our sex life. Thank goodness we got home right then where I could escape to the safety of my room. Not that I was entirely free. Gilly was still set on getting that one house, and with time ticking away the four of us had to make a choice.
"You know, the longer you keep refusing to show me this place the more ridiculous my ideas get." Arbor attempted to coax the truth out of me.
My sister, being a brat, had told Arbor of the 'best house ever' that she'd found but that I was against it for a specific reason. She and Confetti both refused to tell him what that was, leaving him to have to turn to me. I'd gotten off the hook using his trust in me that my reservations were a valid matter, but now Arbor's curiosity wore down that patience.
"It's embarrassing to think about," I squirmed, "I don't even know how to start having the kind of conversation it would bring up either. We should just talk about it, I know, but..."
Once again, my cheeks flamed.
Stubbornly, Arbor grabbed me and held me as close as he could. There was nowhere to look but his eyes, and damn it if that wasn't effective.
"I'm not letting you go until you tell me."
"You have to leave in five minutes to go help your parents."
"Then I'll be late."
"Arbor."
"Dianthus."
I sighed. Then I groaned as he tipped his nose near mine. The urges other people got refused to exist in my body as normal, but with every passing second I wanted him just as much.
"The house only has two bedrooms." I blurted out the admittance.
"Oh. Is that all it was?"
"Do you realize what that means? You and I would be sharing one of them. It's an intimate setting for two people who haven't been fully intimate yet, although Gilly keeps teasing me that we should remedy the problem before we move." I forced it all out there.
That set Arbor's mind on the same track as mine. He understood the dilemma while the tops of his cheeks tingled the same as mine. More definitively still, Arbor had to take a step away after gently roving his eyes over me in thought as those thoughts of his were prompting him in a manner he didn't have time to address right now.
"I get it," he agreed with a nod, "It is something we need to talk about, but now's not that point when I have to leave soon."
"That's probably for the best." I nodded too.
God, if the world didn't have a way for forcing the topic on us though. School was about to end as was spring. The temperature had spiked up intensely within the past several days, which has us Vivids deciding it was time to break in the pool for the summer ahead. We invited Confetti, Apple, and the Thickets over for an afternoon of swimming, sunbathing, yard games, and good food. Mom and dad were considerate and let Merlot join in the fun. Apple and Confetti raced each other to the water while Gilly meandered to the slide. The adults were more content to stand around and talk.
I planned to start off in the water, but me keeping a firm watch on my phone hoping for a response delayed my start of the little get-together.
"Who are you texting?" Arbor wandered.
"Oh, I just wanted to see if-" I began before having to hesitate, "If Timber and his dad wanted to come as well. He's been harder to get a hold of recently though."
"Didn't you say work gets busier for him around this time of the year?" Arbor kindly didn't make a face or brush the topic off.
"That is true, but he doesn't work on these days. No, I think him flaking on everything is because of that surprise he's working on for me."
"Surprise?"
"A year after Timber moved here, when it was raining really badly, I threw a party partially in his honor both to celebrate the anniversary of his arrival and to do something fun to cheer everyone up from the gloomy weather. I ended up getting sick and had to leave the party early while Timber and his dad got stuck out of town due to a bad accident on the road and never even made it to the celebration. Timber promised me afterwards that he was working on something to repay me and make up for the missed opportunity. Then the hurricane came. We were gone for two years, and when we all made it back the matter was long forgotten. I finally remembered and brought it up to him, which is why he said he would make sure the surprise is going to be the biggest one I've ever had in my life to make up for the missed time. Timber told me he's been working on it more recently."
"I hope he delivers. Sounds like it'll be a good time, whatever it is."
With a raised brow I glanced up from my phone. This was too weird. Arbor conversing normally when it was about anything to do with Timber raised up all sorts of flags. Conversation would almost always stop immediately or he'd change the subject. I believed for a moment Arbor might finally be coming around to treating my friend respectfully, but with how I caught his eyes once again roaming before he glanced away timidly made me realize the true reason he was willing to talk about him. It was to distract me so I wouldn't notice his stare.
"We've never gone swimming together before, have we?" I realized with a grin.
"Nope." Arbor said in a cough to clear his throat.
"You're my boyfriend, Arbor. You're allowed to look."
"Why, uh...why don't we go get in the pool now?"
"Alright." I chuckled.
Arbor ran over and jumped in to send cascading waves over Gilly, Apple, and Confetti. Preoccupied with splashing him in retaliation, they didn't notice me jumping in to drench water on their heads as well. It was a mad free for all after that until treading water while trying to catch a breath within the onslaught exhausted us.
"That is, oof-" Apple sputtered as Confetti released one last burst at her, "Yea, yeah, get it in now while you can."
"Exactly. Time's running out, so we must pester you as much as possible." Confetti smirked.
"Don't remind me." Gilly pouted, lowering her head deeper into the water as if to hide.
"Hey, you all were the ones deciding to take off to the other side of the country."
"There's still time to come with us if you want to." Gilly offered.
"But what would I even do? The only reason I have any chance at a job like I have now is because it's Coal in charge and we're cousins. No one else would be willing to pass on the torch like he is, and I wouldn't be able to start from scratch on my own. Besides, I think he'd have a hard attack if I bailed out now. Wouldn't you have to start a search for a place to live if I joined too? You're pretty much settled on one, right?"
"Almost." Confetti smirked at me while Gilly smirked at Arbor.
"What's up with those looks?" Apple wondered.
"They won't stop teasing us. The place they really want only has two rooms, which means Arbor and I would share." I explained before my sister or her girlfriend could speak the truth in a more embarrassing way.
"What's wrong with that?" Apple replied too innocently.
"Ugh..."
"Let's play a game." Arbor suggested abruptly.
"Sounds good, buddy. We'll play chicken! You and Dia can be on a team!" Gilly decided immediately.
Gilly received some more splashes for that. The suggestion only came in order to further tease Arbor and I. Dad wouldn't let us play chicken in the pool due to the dangers of us hitting our heads against the walls if we fell. We had to go all the way to the ocean if we wanted to play. Apple offered a competition of who could do laps for the longest, which entertained us instead until lunch was fully ready. Full bellies and the lure of a warm sun slowed our pace afterwards and mellowed everyone out...if only for a time. Merlot hooked his music player up to the speakers where Arbor pulled me along to where a few others were congregating to dance. The songs were at a perfect mid-tempo where we could stay close and spin and swing to the beat. My mind focused on the fun. Arbor, however, struggled to keep his mind PG. I noticed he slowly held me at a further distance while he hesitated on maintaining his hand low on my back. His eyes constantly flittered over my shoulder, and when I glanced I realized he could be looking at none other than mom and dad.
"Thinking of the future?" I teased in a low, quiet voice to hide the tight, excited nerves building in my chest.
"N-No." Arbor stuttered, his hidden pout utter adorable.
"Thinking about me?"
"That's-"
He instantly shuffled back when I pressed against him. As much grief as I gave Gilly for teasing me about this kind of stuff, it was super fun to do it myself. Who knew where the courage came from though. Arbor's face darkened a whole shade, and my response was to stop the our dancing and slip my hand into his.
"Come." I beckoned.
Arbor obeyed without question. He followed quietly even when I took him into my room and stuck a wedge under the door. Then...then I had no idea what the hell to do. Arbor clearly wasn't going to be able to get through this day without having to deal with desire, and dealing with that desire directly had seemed like the best course of action.
"Right now?" Arbor finally wondered after a good long minute of silence as I slowly puttered further into the room.
"I don't know," I sighed but smiled as I sat on the couch, "Logic says no. We can see your parents and mine right down there through the window. If this was a bigger party, people might not question our disappearance, but I bet you someone's already noticed we're gone."
"We are adults who can do whatever we want though." Arbor played the devil's advocate as he sat down next to me.
Before I knew it, he was lounging across the cushions while I found a comfy spot on top of him. So much of our skin touched, and I was flown back to that day before without mercy. It was as if that moment never stopped.
"And this day is clearly providing you with some troubles." I continued the train of thought as my position allowed me to feel the same effect Arbor suffered those years ago as well.
"That's not the day doing this. That's you. You and your damn bikini that's both too little cloth and too much cloth for my liking." he grinned a tilted smirk.
"Of course. I was just trying to be more delicate with the subject." I placed a kiss low on the side of his cheek.
It was a weird feeling. I liked how Arbor looked, but clearly the idea of simply seeing another person and getting aroused by that was wholly foreign to me. I hadn't thought at all of how my swimsuit choice might affect my boyfriend until he was before me struggling to deal with me being so close to naked for the first time. I kinda liked the difference between us though. It felt like a power in a way- for me to be immune to the temptations that could collapse him. Maybe that was why I let my kisses trail from his cheek to his neck to his chest even though I knew we really shouldn't do much more. The timing was terrible, and the couch wasn't nearly big enough. Gilly and Confetti could make my sister's twin bed work given that they were both slim. Arbor wasn't exactly petite. I even said all that in order to give us that reason to stop. Arbor simply smiled, shrugged, and swiped the last of logic's protest away with a particularly deep embrace of our lips. My shoulders relaxed. That was fine then. As Arbor had said, we were indeed adults who could do whatever we wanted. I wanted him, and he wanted me. That was that.
But, naturally, logic was right.
Arbor and I got as far as we had before when the situated halted. My top was gone, leaving us to press together slowly drinking in every delight in each subtle touch or heated breath. Only at the last second did I hear footsteps approach the room, and only as dad opened the door did my stupid brain remember that it could swing both ways. The wedge was useless. Arbor gallantly wrapped his arms around my top to provide me with whatever decency we could muster, but it didn't make all that much of a difference in the end.
"Hey, you two, Holly wants to know if-" dad began, needing some seconds and a step inside the room to see we hadn't simply been sitting there talking, "Oh. Uh. S...Sorry. I think I'll take my leave."
"Dad, knock." I rebuked him with whatever my humiliated brain could come up with.
"Again, my apologies." he apologized as he smoothly and quickly departed, the smile on his face a nervous one that wasn't sure how to handle the situation.
"Yeah...definitely not the right time." Arbor joked, his forced lighthearted tone strained.
"Of course it was him who had to walk in too." I sighed.
He and I quickly separated. I returned my top to my body while Arbor flicked through the channels on the television to distract him until he calmed down. The wait thankfully wasn't long. If we took forever to return, dad would think we continued with our alone time. Thinking of what his thinking might be had me wanting to turn to ash.
"There you two are," Merlot rushed over once we reached the first floor, "Dia, mind doing me a favor?"
"What?"
"No one realized grandpa finished off all the ice cream last night. Everyone really wants some, but at the same time no one except me feels like going to the store to get any."
"Then why don't you go and get some? You can drive now. You don't need me to take you."
"Except I do. I'm still grounded, remember? Mom and dad say I can't go alone."
"Fine." I relented.
Pondering over it quickly, a bit of separation between Arbor and I for fifteen minutes or so might do us some good.
"Awesome! Wanna come with, Arbor?" Merlot offered.
"Nah, I'm good." he denied, giving me a glance that showed we were on the same wavelength.
"You can come join us back in the pool then. We're having a competition to see who can land with the biggest splash." Willow declared, grabbing his arm to pull him outside.
"Just let me get some clothes on, Merl." I told my brother as I went back upstairs.
He obviously followed as he had to put on clothes as well. Merlot changed with speed. I took my time. If only I knew what my brother knew though, I would have never gotten dressed and instead would have returned to the party. Merlot made it an unbearable drive to the store and back.
"So, you're definitely going with that two bedroom house then?" he spoke teasingly as soon as we stepped out the front door.
"Why are you saying it like that?" I questioned suspiciously.
"You've said your reservations about the place was having to share a room with Arbor, but with what I heard dad telling mom just a few moments ago it doesn't seem like that's really a problem anymore."
"Wha-! Merl!" I sputtered, the heat taking over my face again, "We didn't do anything!"
"Then why did dad say he accidentally walked in on you topless with you and Arbor all over each other on the couch?" Merlot smirked impishly.
"We still didn't do anything." I huffed.
"Sure."
"Merlot!"
He was already dashing out of my grasp before I could think to grab the back of his shirt and say I would go shopping for ice cream alone.
"I'm coming with you, but you're still going to be the one to drive. We're listening to what I want to." I demanded, walking forward and accepting my fate.
"What the hell are you doing?" mom barked at me with an deep frown.
"Haven't you heard of polar bear swimming?"
"Of course, but why are you doing it now?"
"Well, see, it has to happen when it's cold outside-"
"Dianthus."
"My brain just won't shut up. I'm too worried, and this actually feels quite therapeutic."
"You're going to freeze."
"I turned the heat up for the water a bit."
"And you're going to ruin our electric bill."
"That's why I said a bit," I sighed, glad Branch was no longer around, "And I know not to stay in long. Gilly and I used to do these swims at camp, remember? I'll be fine."
"Alright," mom sighed, finally giving in, "If it helps."
There hadn't been any need to fret. My body began to shake with cold hardly a minute later, and I knew that was my signal to get out of the water. The biting cold left my head in a blissful daze where drying off with a fluffy towel and wrapping myself in my robe slowly nursed me back to a comfortable warmth. So far so good. The technique worked for the moment, although I noted it would cause me less strife from my family if I took a chilling shower instead. I set myself up to do my homework while my focus remained, but my other sibling soon ruined that.
"Dia, do you have a moment. There's something I want to show you." Gilly bounded over.
"I'm doing homework, and I'm not really in the mood to get dressed."
"Oh, no. You don't even have to stand up. What I want to show you is online. Confetti and I found this amazing place."
Now that Arbor and I mentioned he was likely moving with us, Gilly had used looking at new apartments or houses for rent as her distraction from our brother's disappearance.
"Maybe after dinner."
"It won't take that long."
"Gilly, I-"
"Pleeease?" Gilly pleaded, throwing her arms around my shoulders.
"Go ahead and pull it up." I caved, scooting back to give her access to the mouse and keyboard.
Gilly's fingers flew to bring up the right website. Her eagerness caught me off guard as well as made me suspicious. Then she confirmed she was up to something.
"Now, there's one thing you'll probably be against, but take a look at what an amazing package this place is. Have an open mind." Gilly warned.
"Okay." I said slowly.
Gilly scrolled down the realtor's page to click on the right home. The images boasted of a modern single story house with all the latest upgrades. There was a small pool, decent backyard with well-trimmed trees, a two car garage, a fireplace, deck, and furnished basement. The location was an easy walking distance for me to the college while settled on calm route for Gilly and Confetti to get to work. I scoured every inch of the pictures for what I could be against. The price, though higher than our original limit, was comparable with Arbor coming along.
"Oh," I spoke when I noticed the problem, "This is what you're talking about. It only has two rooms."
"Two large rooms. Each with their own private bath. Pretty neat, huh?"
"Uh-huh," I raised a brow knowingly, "Except I don't think Confetti and Arbor would been keen on sharing."
"Of course not. She and I would have one room. You and Arbor would take the other."
"Gil, you and Confetti are comfortable enough in your relationship for that, but Arbor and I are not."
"Are you sure? How many months did I have to listen to you balk at the idea of Arbor coming home because you were so sure everything was done?" she put her hands on her hips, "You were smooching him up the first day he got back. You said you needed time to even consider dating again, and you two were back together within weeks. You were certain you'd have to separate again, and he's all but said he wants to marry you someday."
Now I was too hot. Just recalling Arbor saying the word 'husband' set my face on fire. I had to loosen my robe from around my neck.
"You two would have plenty of time to get used to the idea. There would be lots of chances to establish boundaries too, but given the fact that you almost had sex at one point I doubt there'd be many of them."
"That's..."
"Heck, I say you use this time to change that 'almost had' into a 'have had.' Would make sharing a room much more enjoyable."
"Gilly!"
"What?" she smiled devilishly.
"I can't believe you said that."
"It's the truth, and I can say that from experience. You and Arbor were down for it before as well. Now I don't know that reason he gave you for why he got upset, but given how he's been since he came back I think it's safe to say he worked through it. I don't see anything standing in your way from finishing what you started."
"There's no way..."
My words failed me. What did I even want to say? Gilly was technically right on all accounts. The high of experiencing that hint of intimacy with Arbor remained vivid in my mind. We hadn't talked about how he felt now, but I think it was indeed safe to say Arbor wasn't against trying again. Maybe he'd been thinking about it all this time. Maybe he hadn't said anything because he still believed I would rather not have sex if given the choice. It could be he was waiting for me to initiate the next time.
God, it was seriously too hot in the room.
Understanding she was trapping me into a corner, Gilly went to continue with her persuasions. The sound of the front door opening, unfamiliar voices, a familiar voice, and mom and dad fussing over something halted our conversations entirely though.
"That sounded like Merlot." Gilly gasped with a weak breath.
We couldn't get out of the room fast enough. Moving down the hallway seemed like moving through tar, and by the time we got to the bottom of the stairs the police who escorted our brother home were leaving the house. Willow wasn't with him or in the cruiser, so I assumed they'd dropped her off at the house they'd had her before or wherever she was to stay for now. Merlot himself kept his head hanging low. He couldn't meet any of our gazes, especially dad's, who stood there with arms crossed trying to look as if he hadn't spent the past week staying out late into the night walking around hoping to catch some glimpse of his son.
"I-I...I'm sorry." Merlot mumbled miserably.
All of the bitterness and anger he'd held before he left was nowhere to be seen.
"Where were you at?" I was the one to ask.
"Cops got a call from a hotel owner down in Hazelwood," dad spoke stiffly for Merlot, "The two had been staying there for a week until the owner saw online that they were runaways."
"I thought you had to be eighteen to rent a hotel room." Gilly wondered.
"In this state, you can rent at sixteen if the specific hotel allows it," Merlot tried his voice again, and it was weak, "That was the only one within fifty miles that does so."
"And it took the guy a week to think the two sixteen-year-olds were there without permission?"
"There was no legal reason for him to report their presence until he learned of their status, which he did as soon as he found out. I don't really care about him now though," mom spoke as calmly as possible, "Merlot..."
"I know. I was stupid beyond all belief. I regretted what we did as soon as we got in that room, but...I just...it was easier to keep making the mistake than fixing it. I know I worried you all to death, and I know I was wrong with everything. I'm seriously sorry."
Merlot's voice quivered and his shoulders shook. His eyes welled up with heavy tears, and given how he seemed to shrink and appear years younger than his age I couldn't blame mom for loosing any stiffness in her expression to draw him into a tight embrace in which he could cry freely.
"You're grounded indefinitely, that's for sure, and you no longer have an opinion on what happens with Willow," dad began to lay out the terms before releasing his own anger in a loud, long exhale, "But...I think everyone's allowed one big fuck-up in life. We're certainly not getting rid of you."
A small smile graced his lips as he glanced back at me. My gaze found its way to the wall. I would never live down that day with Timber at the lake, and now my parents would never let this incident go.
"I haven't fucked up big time." Gilly whispered.
"Oh, I'm sure you'll find someway to join our ranks." I prodded her in the ribs.
Merlot laughed a little, and his head lifted enough for me to lean and catch his eye.
"Hey, Merl?"
"Hmm?" he sniffled.
"You are a very lucky child, you know that? I have good news for you. I'm not aware of the process or the time it'll take, but Arbor told his parents about Willow. They always wanted another child, and with Arbor most likely moving out soon they said they'd love to adopt her if she finds them suitable."
"Really?" he wondered in speechless awe.
"Really."
"I..."
His voice went silent, but his smile blossomed. It was so genuine, so wide, so damn precious as his wet eyes now twinkled with relieved hope that I found I could find some forgiveness in my heart for my only little brother.
Merlot didn't need any punishment from me anyway. The restrictions mom and dad placed on him were just as bad if not worse than how Ember had been punished during her fiasco. Like her, Merlot accepted them with grace. He didn't speak a single word of complaint when all of his classmates excitedly awaited their weekend trip to a roller coaster park and he stayed home doing all the household chores. When mom or dad would treat the rest of us to ice cream, he would simply go to the fridge and get an apple. He'd even refuse the little snacks or privileges I tried to sneak him in order to keep his honor clear. Besides, Merlot also remained too busy with all the new developments happening with his friend.
Willow's permanent home was up in the air for a while. She did technically have other family out there, but they had all been disconnected from her line of the tree by distance and a lack of care for almost two generations. As soon as it got out that there was a family actually wanting to take her, those relatives she didn't know gave up any rights they had. Willow's grandfather contested the child abuse claims, but basically ended up admitting to it anyway by attempting to use the argument of her 'severe depravity of mind' forcing him to do what he did. His sentence wasn't overly harsh considering he had no prior sentencings and the amount of abuse was contained. However, all that mattered to Willow was the future. She was away from him, and, after a few months that turned winter into pleasant late spring, she led us to the big reveal.
"We put the last of the pictures up this morning, but I'm looking to get some colored string lights to put up along the perimeter of the wall. Jewel said we can measure the length later today and go shopping tomorrow. Oh, and there might not be enough space, but I saw this great post of a corner fountain that has these flowers you can change based on the season or your mood or whatever. Then you get these bamboo-"
"Take a breath, Will," Merlot interrupted merrily with a hand on her shoulder, "I get that you're excited, but you're going to talk yourself to death."
"You're rubbing way too much salt in the wound as well," Arbor teased, "Take pity on me."
"Hmm, nope!" she jeered cheerfully.
"So rude."
"Welcome to the world of little siblings." I smiled at him.
In the haste and excitement of Willow's adoption, Mr. and Mrs. Thicket had forgotten a pretty major thing. Sure, Arbor was moving out eventually, but he wasn't gone yet. He would need a place to stay when he came back during vacations or visits too. Willow couldn't simply take over his room. However, their house was small with nowhere else to put an extra person. They had the choice of building up or building down, and the Thickets went with down. The small basement that was built now provided a spare bedroom.
"Ta-dah! It's brilliant, isn't it?" Willow announced grandly when she led us in.
The sleeping arrangements weren't liked by all, however.
"This is the set up I'm going with for now. This corner over here is the bathroom!"
"They gave her a personal bathroom, Dia," Arbor continued to whine at me, "She gets the bigger, more private bedroom. She gets the computer, and she gets a bathroom. Even mom and dad don't have their own. The three of us have to share."
"I'm clearly the favorite child." Willow shrugged impishly.
"I like all the colors. Really didn't stick with your own, huh?" Merlot noted, ignoring the teasing banter.
"I never really have. I like what I like. The periwinkle of the walls is my favorite color of all, and look at the bedspread. It's so cute! Why should I deny myself of it simply because it's not just yellow and green?"
"Her own bathroom, Dia..."
"I know, Arbor. I know." I patted his hand.
There wasn't much more to the room, so he and I took the chance to head upstairs and chill out while Merlot and Willow stayed downstairs. I stretched our outing as long as I could make it, but Merlot was still grounded. Mom and dad were only letting him spend time at a friend's house under this special circumstance. He had to be with me though, and he also had to be home at a certain time. I called his name and set us on the path back despite wishing I could stay longer with Arbor.
"Everything has just about worked out now, huh?" I said.
"Yeah. I only wish there was enough time left in the school year for Willow switch over."
"She will have to stick with homeschooling for the time being then?"
"Yeah," Merlot repeated, "But there's only a few weeks until summer vacation, so it shouldn't be that bad."
"I wonder if mom and dad will lift your grounding at that point."
"I hope so, but I doubt it. My guess is they'll let most of the first month go by before I'm free.
"That does sound about right." I nodded before pausing, "Okay, so on a different note..."
"What?"
"It's still on the topic of Willow, but-"
"I'm not sure I like your tone, but go on."
"Arbor and I talked about it once. We were curious if you like Willow."
"Of course I do."
A moment passed. Surprised at the quick answer given without any hint of embarrassment, the way my brother answered then showed me how innocent he still could be.
"No, Merl, I didn't mean as a friend. Like, are you in love with her? Arbor and I thought that could be why you went to such extremes."
"Oh no, no, not like that. I never even thought about it," Merlot shook his head, "It's just friendship between us. Besides, even if I did like her I would be doomed. Willow likes girls."
"Ah, got it."
Curious still about my brother's love life, I pestered him most of the way home about any crushes he might have. Either Merlot was genuine about not currently liking anyone or he was hiding the truth incredibly well, because his denial that there was someone was too perfect for me not to believe. Merlot dealt with my questioning until the last stretch of our walk where he turned it back around on me. He prompted as deep as he could about mine and Arbor's relationship, being teasingly bold enough to wonder about our sex life. Thank goodness we got home right then where I could escape to the safety of my room. Not that I was entirely free. Gilly was still set on getting that one house, and with time ticking away the four of us had to make a choice.
"You know, the longer you keep refusing to show me this place the more ridiculous my ideas get." Arbor attempted to coax the truth out of me.
My sister, being a brat, had told Arbor of the 'best house ever' that she'd found but that I was against it for a specific reason. She and Confetti both refused to tell him what that was, leaving him to have to turn to me. I'd gotten off the hook using his trust in me that my reservations were a valid matter, but now Arbor's curiosity wore down that patience.
"It's embarrassing to think about," I squirmed, "I don't even know how to start having the kind of conversation it would bring up either. We should just talk about it, I know, but..."
Once again, my cheeks flamed.
Stubbornly, Arbor grabbed me and held me as close as he could. There was nowhere to look but his eyes, and damn it if that wasn't effective.
"I'm not letting you go until you tell me."
"You have to leave in five minutes to go help your parents."
"Then I'll be late."
"Arbor."
"Dianthus."
I sighed. Then I groaned as he tipped his nose near mine. The urges other people got refused to exist in my body as normal, but with every passing second I wanted him just as much.
"The house only has two bedrooms." I blurted out the admittance.
"Oh. Is that all it was?"
"Do you realize what that means? You and I would be sharing one of them. It's an intimate setting for two people who haven't been fully intimate yet, although Gilly keeps teasing me that we should remedy the problem before we move." I forced it all out there.
That set Arbor's mind on the same track as mine. He understood the dilemma while the tops of his cheeks tingled the same as mine. More definitively still, Arbor had to take a step away after gently roving his eyes over me in thought as those thoughts of his were prompting him in a manner he didn't have time to address right now.
"I get it," he agreed with a nod, "It is something we need to talk about, but now's not that point when I have to leave soon."
"That's probably for the best." I nodded too.
God, if the world didn't have a way for forcing the topic on us though. School was about to end as was spring. The temperature had spiked up intensely within the past several days, which has us Vivids deciding it was time to break in the pool for the summer ahead. We invited Confetti, Apple, and the Thickets over for an afternoon of swimming, sunbathing, yard games, and good food. Mom and dad were considerate and let Merlot join in the fun. Apple and Confetti raced each other to the water while Gilly meandered to the slide. The adults were more content to stand around and talk.
I planned to start off in the water, but me keeping a firm watch on my phone hoping for a response delayed my start of the little get-together.
"Who are you texting?" Arbor wandered.
"Oh, I just wanted to see if-" I began before having to hesitate, "If Timber and his dad wanted to come as well. He's been harder to get a hold of recently though."
"Didn't you say work gets busier for him around this time of the year?" Arbor kindly didn't make a face or brush the topic off.
"That is true, but he doesn't work on these days. No, I think him flaking on everything is because of that surprise he's working on for me."
"Surprise?"
"A year after Timber moved here, when it was raining really badly, I threw a party partially in his honor both to celebrate the anniversary of his arrival and to do something fun to cheer everyone up from the gloomy weather. I ended up getting sick and had to leave the party early while Timber and his dad got stuck out of town due to a bad accident on the road and never even made it to the celebration. Timber promised me afterwards that he was working on something to repay me and make up for the missed opportunity. Then the hurricane came. We were gone for two years, and when we all made it back the matter was long forgotten. I finally remembered and brought it up to him, which is why he said he would make sure the surprise is going to be the biggest one I've ever had in my life to make up for the missed time. Timber told me he's been working on it more recently."
"I hope he delivers. Sounds like it'll be a good time, whatever it is."
With a raised brow I glanced up from my phone. This was too weird. Arbor conversing normally when it was about anything to do with Timber raised up all sorts of flags. Conversation would almost always stop immediately or he'd change the subject. I believed for a moment Arbor might finally be coming around to treating my friend respectfully, but with how I caught his eyes once again roaming before he glanced away timidly made me realize the true reason he was willing to talk about him. It was to distract me so I wouldn't notice his stare.
"We've never gone swimming together before, have we?" I realized with a grin.
"Nope." Arbor said in a cough to clear his throat.
"You're my boyfriend, Arbor. You're allowed to look."
"Why, uh...why don't we go get in the pool now?"
"Alright." I chuckled.
Arbor ran over and jumped in to send cascading waves over Gilly, Apple, and Confetti. Preoccupied with splashing him in retaliation, they didn't notice me jumping in to drench water on their heads as well. It was a mad free for all after that until treading water while trying to catch a breath within the onslaught exhausted us.
"That is, oof-" Apple sputtered as Confetti released one last burst at her, "Yea, yeah, get it in now while you can."
"Exactly. Time's running out, so we must pester you as much as possible." Confetti smirked.
"Don't remind me." Gilly pouted, lowering her head deeper into the water as if to hide.
"Hey, you all were the ones deciding to take off to the other side of the country."
"There's still time to come with us if you want to." Gilly offered.
"But what would I even do? The only reason I have any chance at a job like I have now is because it's Coal in charge and we're cousins. No one else would be willing to pass on the torch like he is, and I wouldn't be able to start from scratch on my own. Besides, I think he'd have a hard attack if I bailed out now. Wouldn't you have to start a search for a place to live if I joined too? You're pretty much settled on one, right?"
"Almost." Confetti smirked at me while Gilly smirked at Arbor.
"What's up with those looks?" Apple wondered.
"They won't stop teasing us. The place they really want only has two rooms, which means Arbor and I would share." I explained before my sister or her girlfriend could speak the truth in a more embarrassing way.
"What's wrong with that?" Apple replied too innocently.
"Ugh..."
"Let's play a game." Arbor suggested abruptly.
"Sounds good, buddy. We'll play chicken! You and Dia can be on a team!" Gilly decided immediately.
Gilly received some more splashes for that. The suggestion only came in order to further tease Arbor and I. Dad wouldn't let us play chicken in the pool due to the dangers of us hitting our heads against the walls if we fell. We had to go all the way to the ocean if we wanted to play. Apple offered a competition of who could do laps for the longest, which entertained us instead until lunch was fully ready. Full bellies and the lure of a warm sun slowed our pace afterwards and mellowed everyone out...if only for a time. Merlot hooked his music player up to the speakers where Arbor pulled me along to where a few others were congregating to dance. The songs were at a perfect mid-tempo where we could stay close and spin and swing to the beat. My mind focused on the fun. Arbor, however, struggled to keep his mind PG. I noticed he slowly held me at a further distance while he hesitated on maintaining his hand low on my back. His eyes constantly flittered over my shoulder, and when I glanced I realized he could be looking at none other than mom and dad.
"Thinking of the future?" I teased in a low, quiet voice to hide the tight, excited nerves building in my chest.
"N-No." Arbor stuttered, his hidden pout utter adorable.
"Thinking about me?"
"That's-"
He instantly shuffled back when I pressed against him. As much grief as I gave Gilly for teasing me about this kind of stuff, it was super fun to do it myself. Who knew where the courage came from though. Arbor's face darkened a whole shade, and my response was to stop the our dancing and slip my hand into his.
"Come." I beckoned.
Arbor obeyed without question. He followed quietly even when I took him into my room and stuck a wedge under the door. Then...then I had no idea what the hell to do. Arbor clearly wasn't going to be able to get through this day without having to deal with desire, and dealing with that desire directly had seemed like the best course of action.
"Right now?" Arbor finally wondered after a good long minute of silence as I slowly puttered further into the room.
"I don't know," I sighed but smiled as I sat on the couch, "Logic says no. We can see your parents and mine right down there through the window. If this was a bigger party, people might not question our disappearance, but I bet you someone's already noticed we're gone."
"We are adults who can do whatever we want though." Arbor played the devil's advocate as he sat down next to me.
Before I knew it, he was lounging across the cushions while I found a comfy spot on top of him. So much of our skin touched, and I was flown back to that day before without mercy. It was as if that moment never stopped.
"And this day is clearly providing you with some troubles." I continued the train of thought as my position allowed me to feel the same effect Arbor suffered those years ago as well.
"That's not the day doing this. That's you. You and your damn bikini that's both too little cloth and too much cloth for my liking." he grinned a tilted smirk.
"Of course. I was just trying to be more delicate with the subject." I placed a kiss low on the side of his cheek.
It was a weird feeling. I liked how Arbor looked, but clearly the idea of simply seeing another person and getting aroused by that was wholly foreign to me. I hadn't thought at all of how my swimsuit choice might affect my boyfriend until he was before me struggling to deal with me being so close to naked for the first time. I kinda liked the difference between us though. It felt like a power in a way- for me to be immune to the temptations that could collapse him. Maybe that was why I let my kisses trail from his cheek to his neck to his chest even though I knew we really shouldn't do much more. The timing was terrible, and the couch wasn't nearly big enough. Gilly and Confetti could make my sister's twin bed work given that they were both slim. Arbor wasn't exactly petite. I even said all that in order to give us that reason to stop. Arbor simply smiled, shrugged, and swiped the last of logic's protest away with a particularly deep embrace of our lips. My shoulders relaxed. That was fine then. As Arbor had said, we were indeed adults who could do whatever we wanted. I wanted him, and he wanted me. That was that.
But, naturally, logic was right.
Arbor and I got as far as we had before when the situated halted. My top was gone, leaving us to press together slowly drinking in every delight in each subtle touch or heated breath. Only at the last second did I hear footsteps approach the room, and only as dad opened the door did my stupid brain remember that it could swing both ways. The wedge was useless. Arbor gallantly wrapped his arms around my top to provide me with whatever decency we could muster, but it didn't make all that much of a difference in the end.
"Hey, you two, Holly wants to know if-" dad began, needing some seconds and a step inside the room to see we hadn't simply been sitting there talking, "Oh. Uh. S...Sorry. I think I'll take my leave."
"Dad, knock." I rebuked him with whatever my humiliated brain could come up with.
"Again, my apologies." he apologized as he smoothly and quickly departed, the smile on his face a nervous one that wasn't sure how to handle the situation.
"Yeah...definitely not the right time." Arbor joked, his forced lighthearted tone strained.
"Of course it was him who had to walk in too." I sighed.
He and I quickly separated. I returned my top to my body while Arbor flicked through the channels on the television to distract him until he calmed down. The wait thankfully wasn't long. If we took forever to return, dad would think we continued with our alone time. Thinking of what his thinking might be had me wanting to turn to ash.
"There you two are," Merlot rushed over once we reached the first floor, "Dia, mind doing me a favor?"
"What?"
"No one realized grandpa finished off all the ice cream last night. Everyone really wants some, but at the same time no one except me feels like going to the store to get any."
"Then why don't you go and get some? You can drive now. You don't need me to take you."
"Except I do. I'm still grounded, remember? Mom and dad say I can't go alone."
"Fine." I relented.
Pondering over it quickly, a bit of separation between Arbor and I for fifteen minutes or so might do us some good.
"Awesome! Wanna come with, Arbor?" Merlot offered.
"Nah, I'm good." he denied, giving me a glance that showed we were on the same wavelength.
"You can come join us back in the pool then. We're having a competition to see who can land with the biggest splash." Willow declared, grabbing his arm to pull him outside.
"Just let me get some clothes on, Merl." I told my brother as I went back upstairs.
He obviously followed as he had to put on clothes as well. Merlot changed with speed. I took my time. If only I knew what my brother knew though, I would have never gotten dressed and instead would have returned to the party. Merlot made it an unbearable drive to the store and back.
"So, you're definitely going with that two bedroom house then?" he spoke teasingly as soon as we stepped out the front door.
"Why are you saying it like that?" I questioned suspiciously.
"You've said your reservations about the place was having to share a room with Arbor, but with what I heard dad telling mom just a few moments ago it doesn't seem like that's really a problem anymore."
"Wha-! Merl!" I sputtered, the heat taking over my face again, "We didn't do anything!"
"Then why did dad say he accidentally walked in on you topless with you and Arbor all over each other on the couch?" Merlot smirked impishly.
"We still didn't do anything." I huffed.
"Sure."
"Merlot!"
He was already dashing out of my grasp before I could think to grab the back of his shirt and say I would go shopping for ice cream alone.
"I'm coming with you, but you're still going to be the one to drive. We're listening to what I want to." I demanded, walking forward and accepting my fate.
Man, an ice cream run at a pool party? For a second I thought someone was going to kidnap them!!
ReplyDeleteStill can't figure out what Timber is planning for that surprise, but I'm glad to see Dia is learning to communicate better with Arbor now. They are so perfect!