❛ 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 seven — goodbye, for now
The faint call of my name echoed in my ears as I stirred awake to a persistent ringing in my head; I rubbed the remains of sleep out of my eyes from the uncomfortable wooden bench on which I'd been lying. I ran a hand through my dishevelled hair, the salty scent of the sea lingering in the air. My gaze followed my brother as he hurried up the dock, relief evident on his face as he caught his breath and settled down beside me.
"I've been looking for you for hours," He complained, his tone softening as he saw the sadness in my eyes.
"Sorry," I mumbled, my knee pressing against my chin.
"Is there anything I can do?" I shook my head releasing a shaky breath. I was still hung up on what had happened and how I was so stupid to not find out sooner.
"What Conrad and Belly did was messed up, I can't imagine how you're feeling Liv." He spoke as his grip tightened on the wooden edge as he spoke the wind carrying his words away.
The sun was starting to rise and that's when I realised how long I had been out here, it was peaceful and far away from the house and the drama that spilt from it. Seagulls flew low to the water, enough for their feet to glide across the water that glistened in the rising sun; the waves rolled in and out like they always did yet, the water was clouded enough that I couldn't see what lurked underneath which was unsettling.
"I don't want to talk about it."
"That's okay, we don't have to," My brother quickly reassured, "But you know I'm always here if you need me okay?" I nodded quickly, my eyes glassy as he pulled me into a tight hug I embraced naturally.
"I just don't know where it went so wrong," I stuttered with short breaths as my tears soaked the fabric of his shirt.
"I know, I know hey," He rubbed my back in soothing circles as he spoke into my ear, "This isn't your fault okay? Whatever battle Conrad is fighting is between himself and he's got his shit that he needs to figure out."
I swallowed the lump in my throat as I pulled away from my brother's hold, wiping my eyes clear from evidence of crying yet, my eyes felt puffy and sore. I stood up from the bench, ignoring the ache in my back from lying on the solid wood for so long as we walked down the creaky planks that lined the dock.
We made our way through the dense bushes, and as we approached the summer house, I noticed that the back door was slightly ajar. I let Oakley step in first before following. I had a sudden pang of worry about running into Conrad or Belly. All I wanted was to hide in my room and wait for everything to blow over, but deep down, I knew that wouldn't solve anything.
"Liv, you're alright," Steven said with relief as he embraced me, momentarily taking my breath away. I quickly returned the gesture. His face showed a mix of relief and concern as he suddenly tensed at the sound of approaching footsteps.
