You're On Your Own Kid.
"Everything you lose is a step you take."
The luggage carousel took longer than I would have liked. After what felt like the longest flight in the world, and the lingering quiet tension between Justin and I, I was completely exhausted. Even though I had an unexpectedly great time, all I wanted now was to unwind either in my bed or, even better, on the beach. Thankfully, we'd been told that both rentals were only about a two-minute walk from each other, which reassured me that I wouldn't be too far from Erik. Even more exciting was the fact that the water was just a short walk away. I could already picture myself there, toes in the sand, head clear.
One by one, our suitcases started appearing. True to form, Mallory had two oversized suitcases, plus her carry-on and personal bag. She was anything but a light packer. Hunter made it his personal mission to help her with everything. I was convinced he had a little crush on her, and she, of course, took full advantage of it. Unlike her, I only had one large suitcase and my personal bag.
When mine finally came around, I reached for it, only to realize I couldn't quite keep my balance. Whether it was the exhaustion from crying earlier or all the liquor Justin had me try, I just couldn't get a steady grip.
"Here, I got it," Justin said, stepping in effortlessly to lift my suitcase off the carousel.
I blinked, caught slightly off guard. His movements were smooth, easy, like he hadn't even needed to think about helping me. My stomach gave the smallest flutter, a completely unwelcome reaction. He set my suitcase down with ease, and I let out a soft laugh, brushing off whatever that was.
"Thanks. I can't seem to find my balance."
"We did go hard on those mini bottles," he chuckled, the corner of his mouth lifting in amusement.
I laughed too because, honestly, we had. But before I could dwell on the moment, Mallory shot me a knowing look, her eyebrow lifting slightly. I rolled my eyes at her but couldn't help smirking.
With everyone's luggage in tow, we finally made our way out of the airport. Mallory had arranged for black car service, which made me feel a little like a celebrity. As we stepped outside, we spotted our driver holding a small sign that read Marino & Co. just like in the movies. While the guys helped load the luggage, Mallory and I slid into the car, ready to start the next part of our trip.
"Justin is just sooo helpful, isn't he?" Mallory whispered with a smirk, nudging me slightly.
"The same could be said about Hunter," I shot back, matching her expression.
We both burst into laughter, the kind that felt like we were kids again, teasing each other on the playground about our crushes.
"You're so annoying, Mals," I said, rolling my eyes playfully.
"It's not my fault you had a good time with Mr. Muscles," she teased, her voice full of amusement.
I opened my mouth to argue but then shut it just as fast. Because what was I supposed to say? That she was wrong? That the flight had been just as miserable as I'd expected?
She wasn't wrong.
Before I could overthink it, the guys climbed in, settling into the back after loading all the luggage. The air inside the car was thick with tropical humidity, the A/C struggling to offer any real relief.
"Jesus, it's like stepping into a sauna," Hunter groaned, tugging at the collar of his shirt.
"Right? I think the car's A/C is just pretending to work," I added, fanning myself dramatically.
"Guess that means we're in for a sweaty ride," Justin joked, leaning back against the seat with a smirk.
"Oh great, just what I wanted to marinate in everyone's body heat," Mallory deadpanned, crossing her arms.
"Well, at least we know who's getting voted off the island first," I added, making everyone laugh.
"Not me," Hunter interjected. "Mallory needs me, I'm her knight and shining whatever."
Mallory shot him a sweet, exaggerated smile. "Exactly. Can't get rid of my MVP."
"You mean your unpaid intern?" Justin teased.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, bro," Hunter shot back.
I shook my head at all of them, smiling to myself. Even in the sticky heat, even after the longest travel day ever, I couldn't wait for this trip. It was my only solace for now before I have to step back to reality.
The ride from the airport felt never-ending, even though it realistically took about 40 minutes. By the time we pulled up to the first rental, I was more than ready to get out of the car. The house was stunning, modern, sleek, and nestled in a lush, tropical corner right on the beach. It was a two-story masterpiece with floor-to-ceiling windows, four bedrooms, and four and a half bathrooms, each with its own private balcony. The backyard was just as impressive, featuring a massive deep-blue pool, a spacious patio deck, and an outdoor kitchen and dining area. But the best part? The beach was right there, just steps away from where we would be staying.
Each of our rooms had already been chosen randomly beforehand mostly to avoid any arguments. As Justin, Hunter, Mallory, and I climbed out of the SUV, the front door suddenly flew open. Dani and Marshall strolled out looking like they had just stepped off the set of a swimsuit photoshoot, drinks in hand and grinning from ear to ear.
"My people!! They're here!" Dani shouted, holding up a bottle of champagne as if she were announcing us to the world. Of course it was champagne.
As the guys started unloading our luggage, Dani pulled Mallory and me into a tight hug.
"You smell so good, like coconuts!" Mallory giggled, pulling away slightly.
Dani flipped her hair dramatically. "Obviously. It's called being on vacation, get with the program, Mal."
She turned to me, "How was the flight?"
Mallory groaned, stretching her arms. "Ugh, long and boring." Then, with a smirk, she added, "But you should totally ask August who she sat next to." She wiggled her eyebrows at me.
I glared at her, already feeling the heat rise to my face.
"Oooo, was it a hottie?" Dani teased, nudging me playfully.
I opened my mouth to respond just as Justin strolled by with my suitcase.
"Hey, I'll take your luggage up to your room. Just grab your laptop bag, yeah?" His voice was casual, effortless, like it was nothing for him to do this. He barely paused, only stopping long enough to pull Dani into a side hug.
"Hey, pretty lady," he greeted her smoothly.
Dani grinned. "Heeey, pretty boy. How was your flight?"
Mallory wasted no time, giving Dani a little hip bump as if to silently say that's him that's who she sat with.
"It was good," Justin answered casually. "Finally figured out the issue I was having with the Addison account thanks to August over here." He shot me a smirk and a wink before heading inside.
I didn't realize I was still watching him until Dani turned to me with a slow, mischievous smile.
Hunter passed by next, carrying Mallory's stuff. "What's up, Dani?" he said, giving her a quick hug before disappearing inside.
I crossed my arms, already over the conversation. "Shut it, you two. My flight was fine. And no, I didn't sit next to a hottie."
Dani just smirked. Mallory, of course, only looked more amused. I made my way inside before either of them could say another word. The interior of the house was absolutely insane. The moment I stepped through the door, I audibly gasped. Dani and Marshall had arrived the night before and had clearly gone all out prepping for the rest of us. The massive windows were completely open, letting the salty ocean breeze flow through, making the whole place feel like an indoor paradise.
As we passed through the kitchen, I noticed a row of beach bags on the counter with our names on it, each one filled with essentials. Next to them? An obscene amount of liquor bottles.
Dani walked in behind me and handed me the champagne bottle, and I couldn't help but make a face.
She grabbed a few glasses from the cabinet and popped the bottle effortlessly. "You're 21 it's time to party!" she declared, pouring the first glass and handing it to me.
I groaned, laughing. "Ugh, I hate champagne."
Dani's eyes widened. "Wait, what?! I thought this was gonna be your first drink?"
Mallory gasped dramatically. "Ohhh, she's had it before. Can you believe it?! MY best friend, MY sister, shared her first sip of alcohol with him." She dramatically pointed at Justin, who was laughing quietly to himself, now waiting for me at the base of the stairs.
"I'm a nervous flyer! It helped!" I defended, taking a big gulp of champagne just to prove a point, only to pout at the taste. Mallory cackled. I groaned, set the glass down, and turned on my heel before they could pile on any further.
The second floor was just as gorgeous as the rest of the house. Each room had a small sign with our names on it. Mine was past the gaming and den area, the only room on the left side of the house. The moment I stepped inside, I knew I had lucked out I was facing the ocean with a huge balcony that overlooked the water.
Justin set my suitcase down by the closet and wandered over to the sliding doors, stepping outside. I followed him, unable to resist taking in the view.
The balcony was beautifully decorated with cozy couches and a small coffee table in the center. I cannot wait to have my morning coffee out here. The sight of the endless blue water stretching beyond the horizon was mesmerizing. From here, I could also see the pool and even into the backyard of the other rental house.
I walked over to the railing, letting the warm ocean breeze caress my face as I took a deep breath. For the first time since we'd landed, I finally felt like I was on vacation.
"Worth the flight?" Justin turned to me, a knowing smirk on his face.
I nodded slowly, closing my eyes and taking another deep breath. The salty ocean breeze, the distant sound of waves crashing, the view was all surreal just like I remember it.
"I'm gonna go check out the rest of the house. I'll see you in a few," he said, tapping the edge of the railing lightly before heading inside.
Just as he was about to disappear, I called after him. "Hey, Justin… I had a good time with you on the flight, thank you again for everything."
He turned back slightly, the smirk still there but softer this time.
"Anytime, Ducky." His voice had a familiar teasing tone, but something in his eyes felt different. "And thanks for the help with the Addison account—I'll make sure you're added to the team for this one.".
Before I could respond, he was gone. And there it was again. Ducky. I hoped the friendship we built on the flight would translate off the flight but only time will tell. I stayed out on the balcony a few moments longer, letting the ocean air continue to soothe me, before remembering I hadn't even checked out my bathroom yet. And if the rest of this house was any indication, it was going to be just as jaw-dropping.
I stepped back inside, sliding the glass door shut behind me, and made my way over.
Yeah. It was insane.
A massive jet tub sat, positioned perfectly in front of floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the ocean. The shower was just as extravagant, huge, modern, and luxurious. For a split second, I wondered if people could see in the way I could see out, but that was a problem for future me. Right now, all I cared about was taking in the view.
"Auggie!"
I turned to see Mallory walking into my bathroom, her jaw practically on the floor.
"I am soooo jealous of you right now," she whined. Then, spotting the tub, she let out a full-on shriek. "OMG. THIS TUB. It's HUGE."
I laughed, just as excited as she was. "I know! Like, four people could fit in here."
"Okay, but can we please make a pact to do a spa night here at some point?" she asked, eager.
"Absolutely."
"Perfect. But right now, we're waiting for you to take birthday shots!" She grabbed my arm and started dragging me out.
I hesitated, glancing back at my ridiculously comfortable-looking bed. I really just wanted to lay down for a bit. But… I had plenty of time to relax. It's my birthday, I reminded myself. Might as well start the night off right.
By the time we got downstairs, everyone was already gathered around the kitchen island, tiny shot glasses in hand.
"There she is! There's our birthday girl!" Dani cheered, raising her glass in the air.
Marshall handed me my own personalized shot glass, courtesy of Dani, obviously.
"Okay, Miss Experimenter," Justin teased. "What are we drinking first?"
"I hate literally everything," I announced, earning a few laughs . "But let's start with vodka."
A collective groan rippled through the group.
"Ugh, why?" Dani whined.
"Vodka Is disgusting," Hunter grumbled but grabbed the bottle of Belvedere anyway. He started pouring, and as I waited, I glanced over at Mallory. She was standing off to the side, her phone in hand, a somber expression clouding her face.
I bumped her gently. "You okay?" I asked quietly, hoping not to draw any attention.
Mallory hesitated, her fingers tightening around her phone before she finally looked up, forcing a small smile. "Yeah," she nodded, but her eyes told another story. I wanted to press, but now wasn't the time. Instead, I nudged her arm lightly and murmured, "I got you," before stepping back to my spot.
Hunter handed me my shot glass, and I instinctively sniffed the vodka, instantly regretting it. It still smelled awful.
Seconds later, Justin appeared at my side, putting a red Solo cup into my other hand.
"Here," he said, amused. "Take this chaser. We both know you hate the taste." I rolled my eyes but took it anyway. Dani was watching us closely as he walked over to her. Dani leaned in, whispering something to Justin that made him chuckle. His eyes flickered back to me, but there was something in that laugh that made my stomach tighten. I couldn't quite place it, but it wasn't just playful anymore. Meanwhile, Marshall was busy turning on the music, dramatically proclaiming he needed to "set the mood."
Finally, we all gathered around, shot glasses in one hand, chasers in the other.
Dani cleared her throat. "Okay, I'm gonna make this toast short and sweet." She paused, then beamed at me. "First, Happy Birthday to my girl Auggie! We are SO happy you're here celebrating your 21st birthday with us. And well, you're in for a treat because you got housed with the PARTY PEOPLE!"
A few cheers erupted, but she wasn't done.
"That said… Lord, if you're listening, I am NOT responsible for these heathens once the shots hit. Amen."
"CHEERS!" everyone shouted, clinking their glasses before throwing back the shots.
I took mine hesitantly, downing it in one go. It burned all the way down, and I instantly chased it with the soda Justin had given me. Even then, I couldn't stop the small coughs that followed, which, of course, made everyone laugh. I felt my cheeks heat up, but thankfully, Marshall cut the moment short.
"Alright, Dani and I prepped everything for lunch, so whenever y'all are ready, we can get the grill going," he announced.
As the group started talking about food, I noticed Mallory quietly slipping out of the room. No one else seemed to notice, but something about the way she left made my stomach twist. I debated whether to follow her or not. Then, my gut made the decision for me. I set my drink down and slipped away, trailing behind her.
"Hey, Mals, what's going on?" I asked softly as she turned and realized I was behind her.
"I'm fine, Auggie. I just need a second to breathe," she said, arms loosely crossed.
I didn't buy it. I studied her face, hoping to break through the walls she was so actively putting up.
"It's Mark…" she finally admitted, her voice quieter now. "He's with Kaitlyn, and I just know that he's…" She stopped herself, shaking her head. "I know you don't want to hear it, but it just hurts."
A tear welled up in her eye, and my heart ached for her. She was right—I didn't want to hear about that loser who kept hurting her. But I wasn't about to say that. Instead, I just stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. She resisted at first, but after a second, she gave in. Her arms wrapped around me, and I could hear her sniffling softly against my shoulder.
"It's okay," I whispered. "You don't have to explain anything. I'm here for you."
Before she could respond, our hug was interrupted by Hunter awkwardly hovering nearby, clearly waiting for us to move. We were blocking the bathroom door.
His uncomfortable expression was enough to make us both laugh, and we stepped aside to let him through.
"Come on," I said gently. "Let's go get you another drink. I think we both could use one."
Mallory didn't argue. She just nodded and followed me back to the kitchen, where Dani was already ahead of us, mixing drinks like a woman on a mission.
"Alright, Auggie," she announced. "We gotta find what you actually like, because I cannot do another shot of vodka." She scrunched up her face dramatically, making Mallory giggle.
Dani slid a bright pink frozen drink toward us, the rim of the glass lined with salt. A margarita. She and Mallory both watched me intently as I took my first sip. It was really good. A grin spread across my face, and Dani threw her hands up triumphantly. "I knew she'd like it! This is the beginning of your friendship with tequila, cherish her." She wiped away a fake tear before handing me a tall bottle of Don Julio like it was a sacred offering. From outside, Justin was yelling. "She's a vodka-cran girl. She just doesn't wanna give me the satisfaction of being right." He was standing with Marshall by the grill, smirking like he had me all figured out. Dani's eyes lit up. I knew what was coming.
"So," she started, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "I have to know what happened on that plane ride? Because he has been really attentive to you since you guys got here, and I ain't ever seen that man act like that."
I glanced over at Justin and couldn't help but smile a little, thinking about the flight.
"Nothing, I swear!" I insisted, holding my hands up. "For once, he actually acted human toward me. It was a nice break from all the cocky, condescending remarks I'm used to."
Dani squinted at me, clearly not convinced. Mallory just sipped her drink, watching with quiet amusement. I had a feeling they weren't dropping this anytime soon.
"And I was stressed out the entire flight, not just because I hate flying, but because of my mom. And he was just… there for me. As a friend. I promise, that's all there is to it."
Dani raised an eyebrow. "What happened with your mom?"
Mallory silently took another sip of her drink. I followed her lead, knowing I'd need the extra liquid courage to get through this.
"Uhm… well, long story short? She lied."
Dani frowned. "Lied? All moms lie." She tilted her head, clearly not understanding the weight behind my words.
"No, Dani. She really lied." I let out a slow breath, gripping my drink a little tighter. "She manipulated me into believing she had cancer. This entire time, she's been perfectly fine. She never had it."
Dani's eyes widened. "Wait, what?" She set her drink down with a thud. "Are you kidding me right now?"
I shook my head. "She just… didn't want to let me grow up. She wanted to control me . And I let her. I ruined my future for her. I…" My voice stopped, and I swallowed hard, trying to push past the lump in my throat. "She ruined my life."
Dani stared at me, completely stunned, her mouth slightly open like she was struggling to process what I had just said. "Auggie… that's actually insane."
I took a long sip through the straw, only to be met with an instant, stabbing brain freeze. Perfect. Just what I needed.
Dani blinked a few times, then shook her head. "No, no, no. We're gonna need more liquor for this conversation."
She moved the blender over, grabbed our shot glasses, and began pouring shots. "How did you find out? When did you find out?" she asked, still clearly concerned.
Before I could even begin, I took the shot quickly, it went down burning. More liquid courage. I needed it. I needed something to numb the rawness inside of me.
She grabbed my glass and immediately filled it again, which made me laugh a little despite the heaviness of the conversation. It was almost too much to handle, but I appreciated Dani's relentless need to keep the conversation going, like if we didn't talk about it, it wouldn't be real.
"I found out literally last night," I started, my voice unsteady. "I went to pick up her medication from the pharmacy, thinking I was being a good daughter. When I got there, she wasn't in the system, and the bottles didn't look right." I paused, trying to get the words out. I still couldn't believe it myself. It felt like a nightmare that I'd somehow woken up from, but it was real. "The address was correct on the label, but the color of the bottles? Completely off. They didn't match their usual prescription bottles at all."
Dani's face tightened with concern. "What do you mean? What were they?"
I sighed. "The pills inside? Sugar tablets. She literally shaved her head and stopped eating to make herself look the part. I was completely fooled."
Dani's shock quickly turned to anger as she shook her head, a mix of disbelief and frustration in her expression. "That's… that's insane, Auggie. I can't even imagine what you must be going through right now." She paused, placing the shot glasses down, walked over to me and pulled me into a quick, tight hug. "I'm so sorry. She's out of her mind for doing that to you."
Just then, Justin walked into the kitchen, his eyes immediately finding mine. He knew what this was about, and his face softened. I didn't know why his presence made me feel a little steadier, but it did.
"Everything okay?" He asked.
I wiped my tears and gave him a small nod, not trusting myself to say more. Dani looked between us, catching the tension but not pressing further.
"Yeah," I muttered. It wasn't true, but I didn't want to make a scene. So I did what I just learned—I picked up the shot glass and swallowed the burn, pretending it helped.
Dani stepped back, still shaking her head in disbelief, but then, trying to lighten the mood, she grabbed the shot glass and handed me back my margarita with a teasing grin. "Okay, enough of that. You need to finish that drink so we can get you a new one. Let's just… forget about all that for a second, yeah?"
I gave her a weak smile, appreciating her attempt to bring some normalcy back. She was trying, and I was grateful for that. My phone buzzed in my hand, and when I saw Erik's name flashing across the screen, my frown flipped into a beaming smile. Without hesitation, I stepped outside, my heart already racing a little.
"Hi," I answered, maybe a little too eagerly.
"Hey, August," he said, his voice warm. "I was starting to think you forgot about me. Have you made it to the house?"
"Erik, hi," I said, feeling a flutter in my chest. "I'm so happy to hear your voice. Yeah, we landed a little while ago. We're at the house now, Erik, it's ridiculous. You're going to be so jealous of my balcony! We'll have to have coffee here one morning."
"I'm happy to hear your voice too, August," he murmured, his voice dipping just enough to send a small shiver down my spine. "It's my favorite part of the day so far, but I'm glad you made it safe. How was the flight? Did you survive without Mallory next to you, or was it a complete disaster?"
I laughed. "It wasn't too bad, actually. I ended up sitting with Justin, and surprisingly, I didn't die."
"Well, if your worst-case scenario was sitting with Justin and you still had a decent flight, I'd say you got off easy," he teased. I could practically hear the smirk in his voice, the one that always made my stomach flip.
"Maybe," I said playfully. "But don't tell him that. He'll get an even bigger head."
Erik laughed. "Your secret's safe with me." He paused for a moment, and then continued "Hey, listen. I was going to book a ride from the airport to the rental, but… I'd rather have you pick me up. You up for it?"
I bit my lip, my smile growing. "I'd be more than happy to. Just send me your flight info, and I'll come get you. We're picking up the rental cars tomorrow!"
"You're the best, August." His voice dropped just slightly, sending a small shiver down my spine again. "Make sure you save some fun for me, okay?"
"I'll try," I teased.
"August?" His voice had that teasing edge, but there was something softer underneath it now.
"Yeah?"
"I can't wait to see you." His tone was lower now, quieter—like a secret meant just for me.
I felt my heart stopping for a millisecond. "I can't wait either."
When we hung up, I stood there for a second, just holding my phone, a stupid grin on my face. The flutter in my chest hadn't faded, and I couldn't suppress it. I walked back inside, only to be met with a room full of knowing smiles.
"What?" I asked, eyeing them suspiciously.
Mallory smirked. "Nothing… just wondering who had you blushing like that."
I rolled my eyes playfully. "It was Erik. He just wanted to know if I could pick him up in a few days from the airport."
"Ooooooh it was Erik, you just have all the guys wrapped around your finger, don't you?" Dani said, enthusiastically.
I could feel all the blood rushing to my cheeks, and I stole a glance at Justin, just for a second. His easy smirk was gone. The lightness in his eyes had dulled. Why did it feel like the air shifted the moment our eyes met? I watched as he shut the door between us, brick by brick. Whatever we'd built on the plane was already slipping through my fingers. His distant expression twisted something in my stomach.
But before I could dwell too long, Marshall unknowingly came to my rescue once again.
"Ladies," he began as everyone shifted focus to him now, "the guys and I will be in charge of dinner for today so I suggest you each slip into something more swim appropriate and drink by the swim up bar while we cook up some good food." He clapped his hands and smiled.
"Yes, girls, let's get into something sexy and let's get our vacation on!" Dani beamed, practically bouncing on her toes, while holding Marshall's arm. They play well off of each other and I can tell they're gonna be a lot of fun but they definitely feel like the parents in charge of their wild children. We all dispersed to different areas. Dani went to her room, which was downstairs. while the guys all went outside. Mallory linked her arm through mine, already tugging me toward the stairs. "Come on, Auggie. You heard the woman—we've got bikinis to put on and drinks to sip."
Before we got into our rooms, Mallory stopped me at the landing of the steps.
"August, wait…what bathing suit are you gonna wear?" she asked.
"Hmm, I'm not sure. I packed all the ones you got me. Come help me choose!" I exclaimed.
We walked over to my room, and she helped me place my suitcase on the bed. I opened it up and started taking my packing cubes out until I found the one for bathing suits.
I tore it open, and Mallory began laying them all out on the bed. We moved the suitcase back to the ground, and she paired them all together.
"Okay, personally, I think you need to make a statement. You can't go wrong with this fiery red one-piece with the plunge neckline or this simple black, kinda tiny kinda risqué two-piece set," she said, holding up the bottoms of the black set.
I laughed a little to myself. Before, I would've never considered either. My mom's voice would be in my head, judging me or talking me out of it. And for the first time I'm ignoring it because I wasn't that person anymore.
"That red one should never see the light of day," I laughed, but continued, "But the black one… I need at least another shot of liquor because those bottoms leave very little to the imagination. They're basically a thong, and I need more courage." I grabbed them from her hands and gave them a stretch.
Mallory paused, a thoughtful look crossing her face. Then, as if struck with inspiration, she said,
"Give me five minutes. Start putting it on! I'll be right back."
She bolted out of the room before I could stop her. I stared at the black bikini, my mind swirling with conflicting thoughts. What if it's too much? My mom's voice crept back in like it always did. "Don't you dare put that on. I didn't raise a whore." My heart tightened at the familiar sting. But then, another voice—mine—pushed through the noise. I'm not her anymore. I wasn't that person, not anymore. I could feel the weight of the old me lifting as I silenced the voice completely. This was my choice.
I started putting it on. Threw my clothes to the side and slipped into the bottoms, clasping the back of the top. I walked over to the full-length mirror and just stared at myself. I felt super shy just standing there, so I turned around to see the back of the thong bottoms and felt even more shy. The more I stared, the more the top now looked like it was covering nothing.
Just then, I heard a faint knock from the door.
"Can I come in? Are you decent yet?" Mallory called from the other side.
"Yeah, come in," I shouted.
She walked in with a bottle of tequila in one hand and a soda can in the other.
"My, my, my…are those buttcheeks I see!" she giggled, setting the items on the nightstand.
I felt my skin flush and started regretting putting it on. I covered my face with my hands, and Mallory could sense my discomfort. Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe I should just change. But before I could reach for my clothes, Mallory spoke up.
"Auggie! You look absolutely incredible. Trust me, this is the one. You've got this." She nodded to herself.
"Now, for your liquid courage. I need you to either get on your knees or sit on the edge of the bed." She started opening the bottle.
I hesitated at first but gave in, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Okay, tilt your head back, open up. It's gonna burn, but just swallow as it goes down."
I grabbed the soda can from the nightstand and leaned back, tilting my head. My lips parted as the cool liquid hit my tongue. At first, it was smooth, but then…heat. My throat burned as I swallowed, and suddenly, tequila was everywhere. We couldn't help but start laughing.
"See? That wasn't hard, right?" she asked, taking a swig from the bottle herself.
The heat settled in, and I felt lighter, like a weight was slipping off. The tequila burned, but it felt almost…welcomed.
I took the bottle from her and drank straight from it, taking a smaller sip than before. The burn was still there, but this time, it felt like I was embracing it, not fighting it. Mallory stepped out briefly to get her suit on.
I stood up and walked back to the mirror. As I stood there, staring at the girl in the mirror, something shifted. The reflection didn't just look good—it felt good. The nervous flutter in my stomach was still there, but it wasn't overwhelming anymore. I wasn't just hiding behind my mom's expectations anymore. This was me. I ran a hand down my side, tracing the curve of my waist, and when I glanced at my butt, I laughed. Wow.
I wasn't afraid of this reflection. For the first time, I actually liked what I saw.
Mallory popped her head back in, now in a bright pink bikini and looking like she was ready to conquer the world. "Okay, girl, now we're ready!" She grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the door.
"We've got the world at our feet, Auggie," she said with a wink. "Let's make it count."
When we reached the kitchen, everyone was gathered around, chatting. I locked eyes with Justin first. His gaze swept over me, almost too quickly, like he was trying to hide the surprise or admiration I saw there. But it didn't matter; it was there. His jaw tightened, and he stood slowly, as if something was pulling him toward me.
Then, instantly, Dani's eyes shot over to me.
"AUGUST ROSE! Is THIS what you've been hiding under all those pantsuits? Girl, you've got a serious bod!"
She grabbed my hand and twirled me, practically lifting me off the floor.
"And that booty? Baby, you've been holding out on us!"
I burst into laughter, light and free, like maybe, just maybe, I was finally stepping into myself. We gathered once more around the kitchen island, but I could still feel someone watching me. I shook off the feeling and reached for my margarita that was still on the counter. I took a small sip—yup, I think tequila's more my style, at least in a margarita.
Just then, a knock echoed through the house. Dani practically sprinted to the door, calling out to the rest of us as she went.
"AUGUST! You're needed at the door, please!"
I glanced at the others, all following her into the foyer, assuming it was maybe the rest of the group from the second house arriving. But when I saw Dani standing at the door, a smile already spreading across her face, I knew something was different. The delivery guy in a Hawaiian shirt and postal cap was holding a massive bouquet of white ranunculus. My heart froze for a split second as I took the flowers from him, my hands a little shaky.
"Thank you!" I said, smiling at the driver before I turned to read the card.
"Happy Birthday, August!
Remember, nearly impossible, but not impossible.
With love, Erik M. Diaz."
I felt my cheeks burning as I smiled, the words sinking in. Erik had really thought of everything. The flowers were beautiful, but it was the sentiment, the way he remembered what I'd said about never getting flowers, that made this moment feel even more special.
"Sooo, we're waiting! Who sent them?" Mallory squealed, practically bouncing with excitement.
I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face, so wide it hurt.
"I think we already know who sent them," Dani teased, nudging Mallory and giving me a wink.
I rolled my eyes playfully, but my smile didn't fade as I buried my nose in the sweet fragrance of the flowers. Everyone walked back to the kitchen while Mallory and I stayed in the foyer, trying to find a place to put them. Mallory grabbed the card and read it to herself, asking what he was talking about, and I couldn't help but laugh.
"On our first date, he brought a bouquet of white ranunculus, you know my favorite, but I was shocked at how nearly impossible it is to find them. And, clearly, it's not impossible if he's gotten them twice!" I beamed, finally finding a spot for the flowers.
"The amount of dedication this guy has shocks even me," she laughed.
We started walking back to the kitchen, and everyone but Dani was outside. She was making more drinks while dancing to the music in the background. I paused for a moment to just soak it all in, the guys outside around the grill, Mallory flailing her arms, and Dani being our designated bartender. Nothing could ruin this moment for me, not my mom, not the liquor creeping up on me. Nothing.
"Dani, what are you making now?" I asked, sitting on a stool by the counter. She had a gold shaker in one hand and her phone in the other.
"You're trying lemon drops next!" she said, putting her phone down and shaking the cocktail ingredients into the glasses. She slid one to me and gestured for me to try it.
I pressed the drink to my nose. It smells sweet, with a hint of tart lemon. I took a drink, and the lemon flavor spread across my tongue. The sweetness outweighed the alcohol, and I think I may have found my favorite drink yet.
"This… is actually amazing!" I shouted, and Dani's eyes widened slightly before she started laughing.
"Ugh, we're back to her liking vodka, Justin!" She shouted toward the guys. I turned to look behind me, and I could see Justin walking back inside and toward us.
"What was that, Dani?" he asked, walking up and cupping his hand to his ear like he hadn't heard her.
"Oh, whatever! We're tied up right now. She still hasn't tried Marshall's mango mojitos. Who knows? She may surprise us all and like rum." Dani swatted his hand down from his ear, and they both noticed I was confused.
"We have a little bit of a bet going," Justin explained, taking the stool next to me. "I still think you're a vodka-cran girl, and she thinks you're a tequila girl."
"What's the wager?" I asked, slightly intrigued.
"A bottle of Dom Perignon," Dani said, shooting Justin a playful glare.
My eyebrows furrowed. "Dom Perignon… oh god champagne?? It just had to be champagne!" I laughed. Dani and Justin followed suit.
"Not just any champagne, it's a $200 bottle, so please, I'm begging you, love tequila for your girl," Dani clasped her hands together and bowed her head jokingly before heading into the walk-in pantry.
"So you think you're winning huh?" I teased him.
He leaned in a little closer to me, now we're face to face and I could feel his breath slightly on my skin. "I told you, vodka is your thing and you keep refusing to accept it." His smirk widening as he pulled back taking a drink from his beer. I let out a little laugh trying to hide the way I was now flustered when he got close.
"So, he sent you flowers, huh?" Justin asked, nudging me with his shoulder. I couldn't help but smile as I nodded. He gave me a sincere smile.
"I told you he was playing the long game. Just wait until he sees you in this bathing suit. Game over!" he laughed as I rolled my eyes, giving him a nudge back.
"Oh whatever! This," pointing up and down my body, "is a result of alcohol, I don't think I'll ever wear it again." I laughed and took another sip of my drink, trying to downplay the outfit's boldness.
"That'd be a damn shame August." His smirk deepened as he got up from his stool and started walking back outside. My eyes followed him as he joined the guys around the grill. He turned to look back at me and he raised his beer up to me. There was a playful energy between us that I was really starting to enjoy, like we were old friends with shared secrets. I was so wrapped up in watching him that I didn't even notice Mallory watching me with a suspicious little glare. I was hoping she would drop it but Mals has never been known to leave well enough alone. She made her way over to me and took the seat where Justin was. She stared at me as I tried my hardest to look forward and avoid her burning gaze. I gave in.
"Yes Mallory?" I asked her playfully. She squinted her eyes slowly, and a small smirk appeared on her lips.
'What exactly was that?" she asked.
"I'm not sure what you are talking about." I teased and took a sip of my drink, hoping she would sense my discomfort. Only to be heightened by Dani walking back from the pantry.
"I think you know exactly what I'm talking about…" we had a bit of a staring contest until Dani cut in.
"What the heck did I miss?" she laughed and looked over at us.
Mallory broke the stare first looking at Dani. "I just overheard a very hmm…interesting conversation between Auggie and Justin, and it ended with Justin telling her it would be a damn shame if she never wore this bathing suit again" She took my drink from my hand and took a long sip. I avoided Dani's eye contact but couldn't avoid her reaction. Dani wide-eyed with a small smirk on her lips now started glaring at me. I couldn't help but laugh because they're overreacting but also to hide how uncomfortable I was with the attention being brought to our conversation.
"Hell I think it'd be a damn shame if she never wore that again." Dani exclaimed, that eased my discomfort just enough for Mallory to pry again.
"What actually happened on that plane ride," she paused, letting the question hang in the air before speaking again." Because before if he said that to you, you'd call him a pig or a perv but instead you laughed and watched him walk away." Mallory stated. I wasn't sure if Mals was joking at this point or not. But the truth is I couldn't tell her about the plane ride because that would include me divulging Justin's rough childhood with his dad. And I couldn't do that to him, he deserves me holding on to that secret. I finally spoke up and said just enough that maybe she will give it up.
"I think he and I have a better…understanding of each other and I know that what he said was just him trying to get under my skin now, that's all it was. I swear! Plus I can attest to the fact that I am definitely feeling a good buzz!" I pushed the discomfort out of the way, laying it to rest for now. I wanted to continue the good times.
"You heard her Mal, Come on, we can all gossip later. The pool's waiting!!" Dani exclaimed. We all got up and made our way to the pool with Dani in the front leading us. Mallory stuck her arm out holding me back briefly.
"I know you're vulnerable right now, and I need to make sure this isn't something you regret if the boundaries get pushed too far." She whispered. I could see the sincere concern on her face and I wanted to tell Mallory the truth about Justin and his past, but there was something inside me that kept it locked up, something that made me protect Justin more than I should have.
After a short pause we continued walking outside to the backyard where Marshall was tending the grill and Justin and Hunter huddled around him chatting and drinking beers. As I walked past the grill, I caught Justin's eye for a second. His gaze lingered a bit longer than usual, and I felt a small flutter in my chest before quickly shaking it off. Dani had brought out our personalized bags and I went to grab mine. I pulled out the sunscreen and started applying it.
"Oh also the sun here is a lot stronger than back home so please re-apply, I got a second-degree burn the first summer I was here." I told the group as I laughed and lathered more sunscreen on. Everyone followed and grabbed their sunscreen from their bags. One after another they applied it to the best of their abilities. I saw Justin struggling so I offered help.
"Here let me get your back, you missed like an entire section." I grabbed the bottle from his hands and started spreading it on his back. I felt his muscles flex as I moved along his back, and when I laughed, I could see the corner of his mouth twitch as if he was enjoying the effect he was having on me.
"Why are you laughing back there?" He turned, a knowing smirk on his lips. "Something funny about my back?"
"Nothing, turn around, I'm not done!" I exclaimed. He turned back around and I continued until he was fully covered.
"Alright now you turn around and I'll get your butt…I mean back," he said laughing at his own dumb joke. I rolled my eyes, laughing and gave him back his sunscreen.
"Don't forget to reapply!" I pointed at him as I walked back to the pool. As I approached the water Dani and Mallory were already in the tanning area of the pool laying on the built in chairs. I plopped down on the one in the middle and enjoyed the fresh salty air and the beaming sun on my skin. Paradise.