“Oh, really?” Bri replied.
“Aunt Rachel and Carly are coming to stay with us for a few days for Christmas.” His voice was too cheerful, like he was trying to convince her to be excited. He should know better.
“Are you serious?” she groaned. She hadn’t seen her cousin for over a year, and she’d like to keep it that way. The last time they’d talked Bri had finally told Carly off, and Carly wasn’t known for her forgiving nature. The idea of being stuck in the same house with her, threatened to send Bri running right back to North Carolina. “When is she getting here?”
“Rachel is flying in from Phoenix on the 23rd, and Carly is flying down from San Jose on Christmas Eve. They’ll be here until the 30th.”
Six days with her cousin. There had to be a way out of this. She thought for a minute before a solution presented itself. She was pretty sure it would work, it was at least worth a desperate try.
“But, the Hamiltons invited me out to Catalina again this year. I really wanted to go.” She was almost positive she could talk Claire into letting her tag along. She’d have to call tonight and work everything out.
“What about your family? We don’t get to see you very often. I was hoping to spend some time with you.” Her dad didn’t sound like he was going to go for it. Time to bring out the big guns.
“And you will. It’s just that… well, with Cole back in North Carolina, this would be a way I could feel close to him, even though he’s not here.” She threw in a little pout for good measure. Not that she didn’t miss Cole, because she already missed him terribly, but she wasn’t above using that to guilt her dad into letting her go. “You’ll have me the rest of the two weeks I’m here, I promise. I’ll just be gone a couple of days. Please?” She hit her dad with pleading, sad eyes.
Connor deliberated for a minute before sighing. “Alright, you can go. But I want you here for Christmas, okay?”
“Okay,” Bri smiled, relieved she’d get a little reprieve from Carly. Now she just had to hope the Hamiltons didn’t mind her inviting herself on their vacation.
The minute she got a moment alone, Bri called Claire, who was ecstatic at the idea.
“I so wanted you to come,” Claire said, and Bri could practically hear her bouncing. “But I wasn’t sure you’d want to without Cole. But yay! I’m so excited! I’ll go talk to Mom and Dad, and I’ll call you back in a bit.”
Scott and Sharon were happy to have Bri come with them, and it was decided that she’d take the ferry out the day after Christmas, like she had last year. They were coming back on the 29th, which left Bri with just three days to have to spend with Carly. It was as much as she could’ve hoped for.
The day she’d been dreading arrived, and Bri was forced to go with her dad and Aunt Rachel to pick up Carly from the airport. When Carly finally made her way to the baggage claim, Bri couldn’t believe her eyes.
“Baby!” Rachel squealed and rushed to gather the girl that was supposedly Carly into her arms. Bri stood there stunned, sure her aunt had the wrong girl.
Carly’s unnaturally blond hair was now a very unnatural shade of black. It matched the huge raccoon-like circles of eyeliner around her eyes, and her black dress and leggings. She was now sporting a shiny new eyebrow ring, and a few new ear piercings. If Carly hadn’t spoken, Bri would never have guessed it was her.
“Enough, Mom,” Carly sighed, rolling her eyes. “You’re making a scene.”
“I’m sorry, I’ve just missed you so much,” Rachel released Carly, wiping a tear from her eye. Carly had moved to San Jose to live with her dad earlier that year, and Aunt Rachel had taken it really hard.
“My bag is over here,” Carly turned toward the baggage claim. As she passed Bri and Connor, Carly gave a small nod. “Hi, Uncle Connor. Bri.” And she passed by without another glance.
Bri was shocked. She’d fully expected Carly to be angry and antagonistic after their last conversation. But she was wholly unprepared for this leaden, apathetic version of her cousin, who was usually so vocal and excitable. Something had changed Carly, and Bri didn’t recognize the stranger in front of her.
Carly retrieved her bag, and she and Rachel led the way out to the car.
“What is with Carly?” Bri whispered to her dad, low enough her cousin and aunt wouldn’t hear. “Did something happen to her?”
“Rachel said she’s been having a rough time lately. Something about a bad break up, and an even worse break down. Maybe you could try to cheer her up a bit while she’s here. She looks like she could use it.” Connor eyed his niece warily.
“She looks like she could use a mug shot and a parole officer,” she scoffed. She duked her head at the disapproving glare her dad shot her. “Yeah, okay, I’ll see what I can do.” Watching Carly sulk to the car, Bri found her animosity towards her cousin waning after seeing her so sad and depressed. Feeling bad, she decided she’d do her best to be nice to Carly while she was there. It was the least she could do.
After arriving at home, Carly trudged into Bri’s room without saying a word to anybody, and remained there until it was time for Christmas Eve dinner. Carly sulked all through the meal, not bothering to acknowledge anyone who talked to her. Worried, Bri’s dad pressed her to try to talk to Carly, to help her out of her funk. So when Carly disappeared back into Bri’s room after dinner, Bri grudgingly followed her.
“So, want to tell me what’s up with you?” Bri began, flopping onto her bed.
“Nothing’s up. I’m fine,” Carly bit out.
“No you’re not. You look miserable. What happened?” Bri tried again, doing her best to sound concerned.
“Nothing happened. Guys are just pigs, that’s all. They just want to use you and then lose you. They are all scumbags who don’t care about anyone but themselves,” she snipped, sounding all too like her old self.
“No they aren’t. There are good guys out there, too, if you look hard enough.”
“Yeah, right, you mean like Cole?” Carly scoffed, eyeing Bri. “He’s a perfect example. He totally treated me like crap, too. He made me think that I had a chance and then threw it back in my face.”
“Hey!” Bri’s anger surged. “That is not what happened, and you know it. Cole didn’t use you. He’s not like that.” Anymore, she amended silently.
“You keep living in that fantasy world of yours, Bri. He’ll use you up and spit you out, just like the rest of us. Just you wait. Do yourself a favor, and get out while you can, before he crushes every last piece of you.” The venom in Carly’s words was unmistakable, and Bri leaned back, shocked at her hostility. Underneath that sad, pathetic exterior, Carly was still the same selfish bitch she’s always been. She hadn’t changed, she’d just been wallowing in her own misery.
“You’re wrong about Cole,” Bri seethed. “He’s good, and kind, and he loves me. And no matter what, he would never hurt me. Maybe the reason guys keep using you and leaving you is that you keep hooking up with the wrong kind of guy. Maybe if you expected more from yourself, you’d expect more from the guys you date. Just something to think about.” Bri, frustrated and angry, walked to the door, leaving Carly to her pity party. “Oh, and if you ever say anything like that about Cole again, you will regret it.” She slammed the door behind her.
That night, Bri opted to spend the night on the floor of the boys’ room, rather than share a room with Carly.
Christmas morning she was unceremoniously woken as Liam and Logan jumped on top of her.
“Bri, wake up! It’s Christmas!” The boys bounced on her until she was awake and up. Then they scampered off to wake up Connor and Summer, before they ran excitedly into the den, waking a rather annoyed Rachel.
The family spent the morning opening presents, and Summer whipped them up a fabulous breakfast. Full and content, Bri slipped into her room to call Cole.
“Hey sexy,” she smiled into the phone. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Bri,” he returned, sounding a little sad. “I wish you were
here with me.”
“You have no idea how much I wish that, too. This is officially our worst plan ever. Not only are you thousands of miles away, but Carly and Aunt Rachel are here for a few days, and you can imagine how much fun that is. I am counting the minutes until I can get out of here tomorrow.”
“Where are you going?”
“Oh, didn’t I tell you? I’m going to Catalina tomorrow. Scott and Sharon were nice enough to let me crash their family time, so I can escape mine.”
“Oh,” Cole said flatly. “You’re going without me? Won’t that be a little weird?”
“Maybe a little,” she admitted. “But it’s not like Claire and I aren’t close friends or anything. It’ll be like hanging out with Layla’s family.”
“Yeah, I guess,” he didn’t sound convinced.
“I wish you and I were going together. I think we could’ve made really good use of that beach again, public or not.”
“Mmm, I remember that,” his voice warmed. “I also remember you getting that fabulous swimming suit of yours there. You should find yourself a new one and surprise me.”
“You need a new instrument of torture?” she laughed. “I’ll see what I can find. So, have you opened your presents yet? Did you like what I got you?” She’d gotten him a new light brown blazer to wear to his team functions, and hopefully future interviews, along with a couple of shirts and ties, and an art book he’d been eyeing at the bookstore.
“It’s perfect, thank you.” She could hear his smile through the phone. “You always know just what I want.”
“I pay attention,” she shrugged, feeling all warm inside. “Thank you for my present, too. I’m wearing them right now.” Cole had gotten her a pair of dangly butterfly earrings to match the necklace he’d gotten her last year. “You spent way too much on me again, though. You’d better be careful, you’re spoiling me.”
“You’re worth it. You’re too good for me as it is, I have to find some way to keep you around,” he joked.
“Yeah, I’m pretty high maintenance,” she quipped back. “So, are you doing anything fun today?”
“Since we’re all stuck here for Christmas, Coach is having the whole team over for dinner at his house tonight. It’ll be a perfect opportunity to wear my new jacket.”
“Well, good. I’m glad you won’t be alone today.”
“Yeah, and I’ve got Matt here to keep me company. We’ve been playing Xbox all day.”
“Hi, Bri!” Matt yelled in the background.
“Matt says hi, and that you’re the worst girlfriend ever for abandoning me like this,” Cole teased.
“Well, you can tell Matt he wouldn’t know a good girlfriend if she fell into his lap, so he has no room to talk,” Bri laughed back. Cole passed on the message, with a little embellishment, and she heard Matt’s indignant “Hey!” though the phone. “Well, I’d better let you get back to your gaming. I’m hoping we’ll be able to get your basketball game out in Catalina. If we can, know that I’ll be watching and cheering for you.”
“Thanks, baby. I miss you. I can’t wait until you’re home again.”
“Me, too.” Cole’s words stuck her, and she realized it was true. Home wasn’t California anymore. It was wherever Cole was. “I miss you so much, you have no idea. Let’s do ourselves a favor, and never be apart like this again. Okay?”
“Deal,” he replied. “Love you, Bri.”
“Love you, too. Bye.”
Bri hung up the phone, feeling both better and worse than she had before calling Cole. This was going to be a very long week and half.
Bri woke the next morning, packed her bag, kissed her family goodbye, and boarded the ferry to Catalina. Claire met her with a huge squeal and a hug as she got off the ferry. Pulling back from Claire, Bri was surprised to see Seb there, too.
“Claire can’t be trusted to drive the dingy yet,” Seb smiled his explanation. “We figured you’d like to make it to the boat in one piece.”
“Thanks,” Bri smiled and stepped in to give him a hug. For a moment she felt a little weird about hugging another guy, but she quickly reassured herself that Seb was her friend, sort of, and she hugged all of her friends. There was nothing wrong with that. Still, she pulled back from him quickly.
“Let’s get back to the boat. Mom’s making fajitas for lunch.” Claire grabbed Bri’s arm, leaving Seb to carry her bag, and began peppering her with questions. Seb followed behind as the girls chatted all the way to the dingy, and he drove them to Scott and Sharon’s beautiful boat. It looked just like Bri remembered, and as she walked into the cabin, she was enveloped in a round of welcoming hugs. After greeting everyone, including Jimmy, and stowing her things in the bow, Bri sat down and made herself a plate of Sharon’s delicious fajitas.
“Wow,” Jimmy sighed after downing more fajitas than Bri could count. “That was fabulous, Shar, as always.” He then nudged Bri with his shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here, Barracuda. It’s been a little lonely without Cole, and you being here is like having a little piece of him here with us.”
Bri smiled, so moved by Jimmy’s words that she didn’t even groan when he resurrected her nickname. “Thanks, Jimmy. And thanks for letting me come. I was worried I’d be imposing.”
“Not at all,” he reassured her. “You’re one of the family now. You are always welcome.”
Bri smiled in reply.
After lunch they all went ashore, and Claire and Bri spent the afternoon shopping. After meeting up for dinner, they all returned to the boat and Claire instigated a game night. Many hours later, after Claire had played to her heart’s content, Bri snuck out to the bow to call Cole before bed. It was two in the morning back east, so she wasn’t surprised when his phone went to voice mail.
“Hey! Sorry this is so late, but I just wanted to call and say goodnight. Good luck at your game tomorrow. All of us will be watching and cheering for you. I miss you terribly, and can’t wait to see you. Love you, Cole.” She hung up and crawled into the bow with Claire, and quickly fell asleep.
The next morning, Bri was up early, before anyone else. She quietly dressed in the faint, early dawn light, grabbed her yoga mat and iPod out of her bag, and climbed up onto the bridge. Disappointed at the lack of room, she turned to the large deck behind her and smiled. Perfect. Bri had taken a yoga class last semester and fallen in love with it. She got up every morning and practiced. She climbed down to the deck, set out her mat, popped in her ear buds, and cued up her normal morning routine. She had to compensated for the bobbing of the boat on the water, but quickly became accustom to it, and moved through her poses. After she was finished, she looked up, startled. Seb was sitting at the top of the deck, watching her. A little embarrassed, she felt herself blushing.
“Oh, hey.” She felt like an idiot, and had no idea what to say. “What are you doing?”
“I was just watching you. You know, Coach had us take yoga classes, the whole team. He said it was good for our flexibility, and for calming and focusing our minds. I didn’t know you were into yoga.” Seb quirked a smile at her.
“Oh, yeah. I took a class last semester and got addicted.”
“Well, would you mind if I worked out with you next time? Tomorrow morning?” he asked hesitantly.
“Um, sure, I guess. You’re probably more advanced than me, but I’m sure we could make it work.” She wasn’t sure why she was agreeing. Yoga had always been something she did alone, her one moment of solitude. But for some reason she couldn’t tell him no.
“Great,” Seb smiled. “Same time tomorrow then.” He stood and headed back downstairs before she could change her mind. Shaking her head, she gathered her things and went down to get ready.
They all gathered around the TV that afternoon to watch Cole and the Blue Devils trounce the poor school they played. Bri wore her favorite Duke sweatshirt, one of Cole’s that she’d stolen from him, as she cheered for her man and her team. Cole didn’t get much playing time, but when he was out on the floor he loo
ked great. And when he wasn’t out on the floor, Bri kept watching for him on the bench. She didn’t even notice the score until the game was over. She wished that she could’ve been there with him.
The next couple of mornings, Seb joined her for her morning yoga. He was surprisingly good, and Bri found she actually enjoyed having him there. They didn’t speak, except to announce the next pose, and they let the sounds of the water, the birds, and mother nature be their soundtrack.
Bri also noticed that Seb spent a lot more time with her. They spent many hours up on the bridge reading, something she could never do with Cole; he got bored way too easily. And as much as she loved spending time with Claire, she started to enjoy her time with Seb just as much. Underneath his tough, sardonic demeanor, he was kind and funny and they had many common interests. So Bri was only slightly surprised when Seb offered to accompany her on the ferry home.
“Really? You want to take the ferry with me?”
“Sure, why not,” he gave her half a smile. “Besides, Cole would kill me if I let you go all by yourself and something happened to you.”
“Nothing is going to happen,” she huffed. “What is with you guys and the damsel-in-distress thing. I’ll be fine. I can more than take care of myself.” She raised a brow at him.
“Oh, I know you can. I just thought you might like some company is all.” He raised a brow back.
“Who might like some company?” Claire came bounding into the conversation.
“Bri, on the ferry back,” Seb sighed.
“Oh. That would be so much fun! Can I take the ferry back with you, Bri? Please?”
“Sure,” Bri replied. “You can come too, if you want,” she told Seb. “The more the merrier, right?”
“I guess,” he eyed his sister warily. “Well, I’ll go tell mom and dad.”
Bri grabbed her bag, and gave Jimmy, Scott, and Sharon hugs goodbye.
“Thanks again for letting me come,” she told Shar.
“Anytime, honey,” she smiled. “Have a safe trip back. And you two,” she turned to Seb and Claire, giving them both a hug. “I’ll see you when you get home.”
Certified Disaster (Beautiful Mess Book 2) Page 7