❛ i don't want to go to go think i'll make it worse,
everything i know brings me back to us. ❜
⋆.ೃ࿔*:･☼
❛ cousins felt like a second home to the brooke family, year after year they would return to the same place every summer. but this year felt diff...
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chapter forty five — cam, jere, and conrad
The windows of the summer house sparkled as the sun's rays created vibrant rainbow patterns that danced across the room. I heaved a case of beer from the car and manoeuvred through the doorway, using my back to prop the door open. The sound of lively conversation drifted from the kitchen, where Taylor, Skye, and Belly had gathered.
"You want to take this one? I mean, Belly's the expert," Taylor laughed, I couldn't see her face but I could tell from her tone that she was already giving her best friend looks of encouragement.
I quickly placed the beers on the side table in the hallway, the weight becoming too much as pulled a hand through my hair before checking my phone.
"Cam, Jere, Conrad..." I froze as my mind processed what I had heard, maybe I was going crazy, maybe she didn't just say Conrad's name.
"Taylor, not here," I heard Belly snap as I stepped backwards, attempting to not trip over my own feet.
The sound of laughter drifted in from the Kitchen, echoing in my mind. Something hard struck my back, causing me to instinctively turn around to face Conrad. "Are you okay, Liv? You look pale," he asked with concern. I shook my head, unable to find the words to respond, and rushed up the stairs.
"Did something happen?" Conrad's voice followed me, growing more insistent, but I couldn't bring myself to answer.
Was I overreacting? Perhaps Taylor's actions were meant as a joke, and there was nothing for me to be concerned about. It didn't make sense; all this time, I had been worried about how Conrad saw me, only to discover he was kissing Belly. I felt foolish for not recognizing the signs earlier and began to wonder if I was the only one oblivious to what was going on.
"Liv?" Steven's worried voice greeted me at the top of the stairs, concern etched on his face. "Why do you look like you're about to cry?" My eyes began to gloss over, and I bit my lip, feeling my emotions welling up inside me. "Oh, you are about to cry," he observed, his tone filled with sadness. I hugged myself tightly, feeling as fragile as glass on the verge of shattering. Gently, he held my shoulders and guided me to my empty, desolate room. He closed the door behind us, as he gave me a saddened look.
"What happened? I hate seeing you like this, Liv," Steven questioned, his voice filled with genuine concern.
"Did you know that Conrad and Belly kissed?" I managed to say, my breath shaky as I awaited his response. I hoped desperately that he was unaware, fearing that I would appear foolish if he already knew about it.
"What, when?" His eyebrows furrowed in confusion, and I sensed that he was struggling to come to terms with the news. A tinge of anger laced his tone as he gestured for me to continue.
