“Hey, just because you’re gone doesn’t mean I’m not still sticking up for you,” he says. “You know I got your back.”
“Thanks,” I say. “By the way, I totally had my first date today.”
“Wow. I knew I should’ve insisted on going to school with you,” Charlie says. “I need to approve of this boy.”
“Uh, don’t worry. I had two secret service agents following us around all day. It sucked so bad,” I say.
“Ha, that’s great,” he says, chuckling.
“If I was there, I would punch you.”
“Sorry,” he says. “Which guy did you go with? The guy from East or West Raven?”
“West. I went out with Brooks,” I say.
“And was it as magnetic and magical as it was when you first met?” he asks.
“Actually, yes,” I answer.
“Did you get your first kiss?”
“Do other brothers ask their sister if they kissed their date?” I ask.
“Who cares what other siblings do?” he asks. “Now, tell me.”
I laugh. “Um, no. No kiss. And I was glad he didn’t. But I also freaked out, thinking maybe he didn’t like me. But then he texted me, like, two minutes after he dropped me off and told me that he really, really likes me and that he wants to kiss me at the perfect time. He said he doesn’t want to rush things with me and that I am worth the wait.”
“Wow,” Charlie says. “This guy sounds like a sap.”
“You’d think so, right? But apparently all the girls in my school have a huge crush on him,” I say. “He’s super-hot. But he doesn’t give girls the time of day usually.”
“Until you?”
“Until me,” I say. “I mean, we didn’t exactly talk about his past relationships or anything. It was only our first date.”
“What does the guy with the weird name think of that?” Charlie asks.
I know immediately he’s referring to Estaine.
“Estaine doesn’t know,” I answer. “I would tell him, but he and Brooks hate each other. I don’t know why, but I think it goes back to before freshman year. I mean, they have houses next door to each other in The Hamptons.”
“So, The Hamptons really is a thing,” he says.
“Yeah, I guess it is. Brooks and Estaine both invited me for Labor Day Weekend.”
“And what are you going to do?” Charlie asks.
“I don’t know. If Uncle Matty and Jake let me go, then I guess I’ll split my time between the two houses,” I answer. “Just because I’m dating Brooks doesn’t mean I can’t still be friends with Estaine.”
“You can always date them both,” he says.
“No I can’t! I’m not a cheater.”
“It wouldn’t be cheating unless one of them asked to date you exclusively.”
“No, Charlie. I would never do that,” I say, shaking my head at him. “I’m not you. I don’t mess with people’s feelings.”
“Yet, you still haven’t told Estaine about Brooks. You might want to be careful.”
“I am,” I say.
I think.
“And you’re sure you don’t have feelings for the Estaine guy?”
“He’s my friend,” I answer automatically.
“Friend,” Charlie repeats.
“Yes. Friend.”
“Does he know that you only want to be friends?”
11pm.
Do you believe in love at first sight?
I can’t get Charlie’s words out of my head.
Does Estaine know we’re just friends?
Do I want to tell him?
These questions run through my head as Teagan and I walk down to the docks to meet up with Jason and Estaine. There isn’t anybody out there tonight, because most kids are off campus. Some senior is throwing a party at this parents’ mansion in Boston. Boston is pretty close to the school, just over an hour away. But I didn’t want to go. Even if I wanted to, no way Uncle Matty and Jake would’ve let me.
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell Estaine about Brooks,” Teagan says. “Maybe you should tell him, but I won’t. Because, in case I didn’t make it clear already, I’m team Estaine.”
I laugh and shake my head at her. “Yeah, I think that’s pretty clear.”
“Good.”
“I’m going to have to tell Estaine before next weekend,” I say. “If I can convince Uncle Matty to let me go to The Hamptons for Labor Day, I’m going to have to explain why I am splitting my time between the two houses.”
“Or you could just tell Brooks you can’t go and hang out with Estaine the whole time,” she says.
“You’re so bad.”
“Whatever. You know you love me,” she says. “Whomever you choose, I am still your friend. But tonight, don’t expect me to do much talking. Jason and I haven’t gotten to hang out since we got back to school, if you know what I mean.”
“Gross. Just don’t kiss him in front of me,” I say.
“No promises,” she says, as we walk out from the trees and into the clearing.
The guys are already there, and Teagan doesn’t even say bye as she walks off towards Jason.
“Hey,” Estaine says, as I walk up to him.
“Those two...” I say, letting my voice trail off. “How did I not see it before she told me?”
“I know. They’re perfect for each other,” he says. “They should just make things official already.”
I nod my head, agreeing totally.
We both walk onto the old boat deck and carefully take a seat. I dangle my feet over the side and pray I don’t get a splinter in my butt.
“You weren’t at lunch today,” he says.
And the conversation I wanted to avoid.
“I was hanging out off campus with a friend,” I say.
He looks at me for a second, clearly confused. “Who? All our friends were there.”
I take a deep breath before continuing. “I’m scared to tell you.”
“Why would you be scared?”
“Because you might hate me after you find out.”
“Trust me, there is nothing that could make me hate you.”
“I wouldn’t say nothing,” I say. “I hung out with Brooks Remington today.”
“WHAT?”
I cringe.
“I’m sorry,” he says. “I didn’t mean to yell. It’s just... Brooks... he’s not a good guy.”
“Yeah, you’ve said that. But I don’t get it. He’s really nice to me,” I say. “You’ve never told me why you don’t like him.”
“I’ve never cared much for the guy,” he says. “No, that’s not true. We were friends when we were kids. The summer we were fourteen, right before coming to East Raven, is when we stopped being friends.”
“What did he do that was so bad?”
“He started dating my sister,” Estaine answers. “She was only ten months older than me. Our parents had us super close together. And I was cool with it at first, but Brooks didn’t treat my sister very well.”
“I didn’t know you had a sister,” I say.
“She died,” he says. “Last spring break. It’s really hard being at school without her.”
“What happened?”
“She did something stupid,” he says. “Brooks and River were always fighting. They’d break up and get back together all the time.”
Uh.
Also, his sister’s name is awesome.
Why wouldn’t she have a unique name like him?
“Like Emma and Bryce,” he says. “Except, way worse. My sister deserved better. Anyway, the night she died, they had broken up. Again. So, she went out with her friends, got drunk and then drove. She died. One of her friends was with her in the car, she was drunk, too. She lived, but she’s in a wheelchair now. She never came back to school.”
“Oh. Wow,” I say. “I’m sorry.”
“That’s why I don’t like Estaine. I know it’s not really his fault my sister is dead, but I kind of feel like she would st
ill be here if it wasn’t for him,” he says, then looks at me for the first time since telling me his story. “Please, Phoenix, stay away from him. You deserve better.”
I don’t make any promises. I just let his words sink in. I know better than to tell him that I will stay away from Brooks.
The relationship that Brooks had with River... it sucks. I get that. But that doesn’t mean that if I decided to have a relationship with him, it would be the same as it was for them. Maybe they were both bad for each other.
“I had an older sister. I don’t remember her, but she died when I was six months old,” I tell him. “She was four at the time. That’s why my parents got divorced. Their marriage couldn’t survive after she died.”
“My parents’ marriage isn’t so great right now, either,” Estaine says. “It was, before...”
“I was young when they got divorced, but it worked out good for me. I’ve got Charlie now, and I can’t imagine life without him. And my stepmom is pregnant, so I’m going to have a little brother or sister, soon,” I say. “They should’ve fought for each other, though. I think they still love each other, in their own way.”
“You said your parents met at Berkeley, right?”
I nod. “Love at first sight, according to my dad.”
“Do you believe in love at first sight?” he asks.
“No. I don’t think so. I mean, maybe strong attraction,” I answer. “But, I think love grows over time. Like, say a couple might be in love after a few weeks or months of dating, but that love doesn’t compare to what they feel for each other five years down the road. Things happen that bring them closer and make them fight for each other. That’s what strengthens it. Like, maybe if my parents had been married ten years instead of five, maybe their marriage could’ve survived the death of my sister. But I’ll never know.”
He stays quiet beside me.
“What about you?” I ask. “Do you believe in love at first sight?”
“I didn’t, but I think maybe I do now,” he answers.
I wonder what he means by he thinks he does now, but I don’t ask. I figure if he wanted to tell me, he would.
“Is... are you... is Brooks your boyfriend?” Estaine asks.
“No,” I answer.
“Good,” he says. “Brooks likes to move really fast, and I just don’t want you to rush into a relationship with him.”
“I wasn’t even thinking about that with him,” I say.
And he is wrong.
Brooks doesn’t go fast.
At least, he said he’s not going fast with me. Maybe he did learn something from his relationship with River.
“So... Teagan says you don’t date girls at school,” I say, hoping that I’m not being too personal. “Besides some girl, freshman year. But I was wondering why you don’t date. All the girls here like you. And not to sound creepy or anything, but you’re kind of hot.”
He smiles. “Hot?”
I nod, my face growing warm.
“I just saw the way River was with Brooks. And then Emma and Bryce,” he says. “I guess I didn’t want to deal with the drama of a high school romance. None of the girls have been worth it.”
“Oh,” I say, hating how much his comment stings.
Brooks.
I like Brooks.
Dang Teagan getting in my head.
“That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t date a girl if I liked her enough,” he says.
“And make all the other girls in school jealous?” I ask.
Me, included.
Because I have to admit to myself, I would be a tiny bit jealous if he did date somebody else.
“Would you be jealous?” he asks.
Can he read my mind?
Seriously, that was freaky.
Knowing that he can tell when I lie, I nod my head. “Yeah.”
I don’t want to add more lies onto my already guilty conscience, anyway. I need one person in my life I can be completely honest with, and Estaine is the one I choose to be honest with.
“Does Brooks know about... everything?” he asks.
I shake my head. “I can’t tell him. I mean, I don’t want to. You’re the only person I’ve told.”
He smiles, and I wonder what he’s thinking.
“Where do you think Teagan and Jason are?” I ask, looking behind us. I don’t see them anywhere in the clearing.
“Probably making out somewhere,” he answers.
“Probably,” I agree, and then blurt out, “I’ve never kissed a guy before.”
“Really?” he asks, looking shocked. “I find that really hard to believe.”
“It’s true,” I say.
“The guys at your old school were complete morons,” Estaine says.
Brooks said something really similar.
“All the guys here watch you,” he says. “I’m surprised that you haven’t been asked out by half the male students, yet.”
“Teagan says that everybody thinks we’re dating,” I blurt out, before I have time to even think about it.
Uh.
My mouth has no filter.
“Yeah, I think I heard that somewhere,” he says, grinning at me.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be awkward.”
“Trust me, I like it.”
“I think I’m really comfortable with you,” I say. “Usually, I only blurt things out when I’m nervous or when I’m really comfortable with somebody. Like, I always say random things to Charlie.”
“I want you to be comfortable with me,” he says. “And, like I said, I like that you’re a little bit awkward. It makes you seem more... human.”
“I don’t seem human?” I ask, trying not to sound offended.
“I mean... sometimes you seem like you’re too perfect.”
Too perfect?
Is he serious?
“I’m far from perfect, trust me,” I say. “You, of all people, know that. I’m lying to everybody here.”
“But you’re doing it because of your safety. It’s not like your lying because you want to,” he says. “And I know that you’re not a liar normally.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because you’re a really bad liar. You have the worst poker face,” he says.
I smile at his words.
Because I’ve been so worried about all the lying.
I hate lying.
“Thank you,” I tell him.
“For what?”
“For saying that. I feel like I’m turning into a pathological liar,” I say. “You’re, literally, the only person I can be myself around, right now.”
“Well, thank you for sharing your secret with me.”
“We should hang out more often,” I say.
Because this is nice.
Being with Estaine.
Being myself.
Not having to watch what I say.
“I’m definitely okay with that,” he says.
Sunday, August 27
You better have kissed the boy.
I am woken up by yelling, early on Sunday morning.
Emma is standing by Teagan’s bed. Teagan looks like she was just as rudely awoken as me.
“What’s wrong with you?” Teagan asks, looking at the clock. “It’s seven on Sunday morning.”
“Why are you tired?” Emma asks, putting her hands on her hips. “Maybe because you stayed out late, without asking me to come?”
“Emma, it was just Phoenix and Estaine with Jason and me. It was a couples’ thing,” Teagan says.
Couple?
Since when is she calling Estaine and me a couple?
“I could’ve brought Bryce,” she says, still sounding hurt.
“No offense, Emma, but I didn’t want to listen to you and Bryce fighting all night. I just wanted to make out with Jason and Phoenix wanted to do whatever she did with Estaine,” Teagan says.
“We don’t always fight,” Emma says.
“Uh, yeah, you do,” I say.
Emma
glares at me, her eyes narrowed.
Teagan nods. “She’s right. You do.”
“I know,” she says, letting out a sigh. “I’m so pathetic. I know I am. But I love him.”
“I’ve heard it all,” Teagan says. “So many times, that I have your speeches memorized. Let’s just... not talk about that loser. Let’s have a girls’ day.”
“Really?” Emma asks.
“Absolutely.” Teagan looks at me. “You in?”
“I would say yes, but I haven’t done laundry since I got here,” I say. “I’m running out of clothes.”
“I’ve got laundry to do, too,” Emma says.
“Me, too,” Teagan says. “So laundry, junk food and boy talk it is.”
“I’m not talking about Bryce today,” Emma says.
“Oh, I know. But I need to hear about what happened with Estaine and Phoenix last night,” Teagan says, smiling at me. “You better have kissed the boy.”
She’s going to be disappointed.
8am.
Laundry and relationship drama.
An hour later, we all have our clothes in the washers, coffee in hand, and are relaxed in the comfy chairs in the laundry room.
“Wait, so you went on a date with Brooks yesterday and a date with Estaine last night?” Emma asks, her mouth hanging open. “You are pretty much a legend. You got the two hottest guys around here. Not only the hottest, but those two boys are impossible to date. They never show interest in any girl.”
“Maybe they both think pathetic girls are cute,” I say.
“You’re not pathetic,” Teagan says, rolling her eyes, then looks at Emma. “Oh, my gosh. You have got to see her and Estaine together. They are so adorable.”
“By the way, last night was not a date,” I say, remembering that Emma said I had two dates yesterday. “Estaine and I were just hanging out.”
“You two looked awfully cozy when Jason and I found you guys on the dock,” Teagan says, then says to Emma, “He had his arm around her and she had her head on his shoulder. It was so adorable.”
“Aw,” Emma says. “I’m not surprised that Estaine is interested in you. All the boys in the school are. Except Bryce. I kind of get the feeling he doesn’t like you.”
Ever After (East Raven Academy Book 1) Page 13