Eye of the Storm -SAFE HOUSE BOOK 2-

20

Winter break was a blessing to the Carter household. That Friday after school, on one of the hottest winter days in history, the Carters made their way to the family beach house. Jamie and Austin drove their cars just about an hour away from the Carters' house and everyone ran inside, Devon quickly brandishing the keys. Austin took Natalia's hand as everyone headed into the house, making plans to get the boat out or go swimming. There was also a country club up the street that they had been members of for years.

It wasn't long before Courtney and Caleb had their bathing suits on, heading back out into the steaming spring sun. Taking her brother's hand, Courtney waded into the water and soaked her hair. It wasn't long before Austin and Natalia sat down on the couch on the deck, all whispers and grins. Briana grinned, glad to see them so happy. She could see Charlie in his own house, up the street. She hadn't known that his family owned it until Friday when she brought up the trip.

"We can hang out as much as you want- your foster parents own a house right down the street from mine," he had commented, all smiles and ideas when Briana told him about the trip that afternoon at school. Now, she was excited to see so many people that cared about her. Maybe Courtney and Devon were upset about her relationship, but Charlie made her smile. She felt at home in his arms, his ocean-scented cologne washing all over her as they swayed in the light wind. Waving to him now, she hoped they could see each other for a while over break. She would hate to be so close but so far away, all at once.

The house was more beautiful than any house Briana had ever seen. With a long driveway, balconies before almost every window, and a gleaming boat tethered to the dock, the Carters had more than she could ever dream of. She would hate to leave this slice of heaven at the end of the break, but they had real lives to return to. This place seemed like it was taken out of a storybook, with no seething ex-girlfriends or social hierarchy to worry about. Briana grinned, tipping her head back as the sun washed over her in her well-lit room. "This used to be the guest room, but you and the girls can share this one for the week. Austin and Devon will be in the next one over, and Jamie and I are always right down the hall if you guys need anything," Laura assured Briana as they went inside, heading up the stairs to deposit everyone's luggage. 

Slipping her bag onto the floor, Briana gasped at the room's beauty. Two queen-sized beds were made and gleaming as the sun set the room on fire. The walls were painted a brilliant gold, and the beds were made with cute blue comforters and gleaming white sheets. Briana lay back in one, phone clutched in her hand, trying to keep her past from haunting her. Out the window, she could see the lake stretching on, all the way out to the horizon, and Austin dancing with Natalia on the beach. She could hear them laughing, Natalia shrieking with delight as he spun her around in his arms.

Before too long, she could smell chili simmering in the kitchen. Laura called everyone in for dinner, as her foster siblings washed their hands and took their seats. Austin and Natalia sad side by side, grinning as they shared a private story whispered in pale ears. She kissed his cheek as she giggled, Austin's fingers tickling the back of her neck.

*****

The boat bobbed and dipped as Devon shut off the engine, a cool breeze rippling through Briana's hair. Leaning back on her elbows, Briana basked in the warm sun. She couldn't believe that the Carters could just come out to the water whenever they wanted, with this house and this boat. The water was so peaceful, with a few fish zipping through at random. It was just the two of them, the other kids riding the house's bikes around the street.

"Well, you're with Charlie now," Devon brought up, finally. A weight fell from Briana's chest. She knew that her foster brother didn't entirely approve of her new relationship, but he hadn't said anything to prove it so far. At least he was allowing her to be happy. At least he gave her the time of day, taking her on outings and checking in every so often. She liked that about him.

"Yeah, he's a great guy. I don't know why there are so many rumors around town that he's a heartbreaker. He's only ever looked out for me," she explained, hanging her head as if she was ashamed to admit it. She didn't need to be, she knew that, but it was weird to be allowed to be open. This life just kept surprising her, with new sets of rules and the retirement of old ones. In Sicily's care, she was always expected to do things on her own, to keep the house in order and make the family's meals. Now, with Laura and Jamie, she was allowed to figure out who she was. She actually got time to be a kid, for the first time in forever.

Devon gave her a small smile, putting a tender hand on her shoulder. "I look out for you. Austin and the others look out for you. What's so special about him," he dared to ask, sunlight catching in his hair. She could tell he didn't understand, and maybe he never would. That was alright. They had time to figure those things out. Briana wouldn't be going anywhere any time soon.

"Well," she tried to explain, "he cares about me. When I was thinking a lot about what happened in the safe house and with my biological family, he was there for me. He didn't turn me away for being worked up about something. He's there when I need him." Devon's face changed then, just for a second, to something that Briana couldn't read. The two kids let the boat bob in the water, a cool breeze knotting their hair and washing over their skin.

Devon turned off the engine, turning around to raise the boat's sails. Briana didn't look at him as the boat bobbed and swayed, the murky water splashing beneath them. She could sense his confusion and hesitation to continue the conversation as he took a few tentative steps towards her. "I'm there for you," he countered, wind knotting his hair and rippling through his shirt.

She sighed, not irritated or confused, and took a seat on the bench. They bobbed and rocked in the water, cruising forward at a snail's pace. She felt content, realizing how much trust she had in him. Briana bit her lip, feeling her heart race a bit. She had never been this open with him before. Playing with a loose thread on her jeans, she shook her head. "I know that, but you're my foster brother. That's different than this."

Devon and Briana looked towards his house, where the porch light still shone. They must be getting a late start, too, Briana decided as she finally saw her foster father step onto the deck, mug of coffee in hand. As Devon brought the boat in, she stepped onto the dock, hugging her sleeves to her wrists.

Once the boat was tethered, the two foster siblings headed inside, smelling fresh waffles and coffee. Briana grabbed a plate, topping her own meal with berries and a bit of whipped cream. Taking a long sip of coffee, she smiled as Laura pressed a kiss to her head, squeezing her foster mother's hand as she felt her arms wrapping around her. There were a lot of plans for the day, with talks of shopping in town and a trip out for ice cream. Briana grinned at the idea and watched Caleb dance with joy.

Taking a large bite of waffles, she listened to stories and memories the Carters had from long summers spent on the beach. Courtney's childhood crush on the boy at the ice cream shop, the day Caleb broke his arm and ended the trip early, and a story about Devon sneaking off to go night surfing with a few neighbors. Briana laughed along with her found family, hoping she could make happy memories here, too.