Pretty Girl - Steven Conklin

7

The days after the Fourth of July fireworks felt different, like something had shifted within our circle. There was a new tension hanging in the air, especially whenever Steven was around. It was subtle but impossible to ignore. JJ tried to keep things light, and Belly was her usual, bubbly self, but I could feel an underlying current, a silent tug of memories and feelings that had resurfaced and couldn't be dismissed easily.

On the morning after the fireworks, I was in the kitchen, pouring myself a glass of orange juice, when Jeremiah strolled in, still bleary-eyed from sleep. He stretched dramatically, making a face that made me laugh.

"Rough night, Jere?" I asked, smirking as he plopped down at the kitchen counter.

He groaned, rubbing his eyes. "I'm not as young as I used to be, Dee. These beach bonfires are taking a toll."

I snorted, giving him a light shove. "Oh, please. You'll never be too old for a bonfire, and you know it."

Jeremiah grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Okay, maybe you're right. Besides, you and JJ were the ones stealing the spotlight last night with that whole 'I love you' moment." He waggled his eyebrows, teasing me as only he could.

"Oh, shut up." I tried to hide my smile, but the way he was looking at me, clearly so happy for me, made my heart swell. Jeremiah had always been my biggest cheerleader. His confidence in me had a way of erasing my own doubts, even when things got tough.

"Seriously, though, Dee," he said, his tone softening. "You deserve this—someone who looks at you like you're the best thing in their world. I think JJ's a good guy."

I reached across the counter, squeezing his hand. "Thanks, Jere. And you know I'd be lost without you."

Jeremiah pulled me into a hug, lifting me off my feet and spinning me around until we were both laughing like kids. He set me down with a smile, giving me a playful nudge. "You'll never be lost, Dee. Not with me around."

Our laughter drew Conrad into the kitchen, his expression neutral but his eyes softer as he watched us. He and I didn't have the same easygoing bond that Jeremiah and I shared, but our connection ran deeper in other ways. Conrad had always been my rock—the one who would listen without judgment, who'd sit with me in silence when words didn't feel enough.

"Morning, Conrad," I said, walking over to give him a quick hug.

"Morning," he murmured, returning the hug briefly before stepping back. "You guys seem... happy."

There was a subtle edge to his words, a hint of something weighing on him. I could see the shadows under his eyes, the way he held himself as though carrying some invisible burden. Leaning against the counter, I studied him for a moment, trying to read what was going on behind those guarded eyes.

"You okay?" I asked quietly, so only he could hear.

Conrad glanced away, shrugging. "Just... thinking. It's nothing."

I didn't press him. I knew Conrad well enough to understand that he'd talk when he was ready. Instead, I gave his arm a reassuring squeeze, hoping he knew I was there for him, the way he'd always been there for me.

Jeremiah noticed the shift in Conrad's mood and decided to lighten the atmosphere, pulling me back to the center of the room. "Enough of the serious stuff! Dee, let's hit the beach today. I want to see if you can still beat me at volleyball."

I rolled my eyes, pretending to look bored. "Please, Jere. You know I'm way out of your league."

Conrad smirked, crossing his arms. "I think we all know who's the reigning champion around here."

Our banter carried us through breakfast, and soon enough, we were at the beach, splashing in the waves and competing in friendly games of volleyball. For a while, it felt like old times, like all the complicated emotions that had surfaced recently were just a mirage. I could lose myself in the laughter, the playful challenges, and the familiar warmth of being with my brothers.

At one point, Belly joined us, running over with a bright smile as she settled beside me on the sand. She looked between Conrad and Jeremiah, her gaze lingering a little longer on Conrad, her cheeks flushed with something that seemed almost... hopeful.

I noticed the way she laughed a bit louder at Conrad's jokes, the way she tried to catch his eye. It was subtle, but I could tell something had shifted between them. There was a new intensity to the way she looked at him, and for the first time, I wondered if she might feel more for him than just friendship.

Jeremiah, oblivious to the glances Belly was stealing, took her hand, dragging her into the game with us. He treated her like he always had—with a sense of easy affection and warmth that made it clear he cared about her deeply. But I couldn't help noticing the contrast between his approach and Conrad's more reserved demeanor. Conrad kept his distance, watching Belly with a softness I'd seen only a handful of times before.

The realization hit me like a wave. Belly was caught between my two brothers, her heart pulled in different directions, and I couldn't shake the feeling that it might lead to heartache down the road. She was like a sister to me, and I wanted nothing more than to protect her, but this was something I couldn't shield her from. She'd have to figure it out herself.

As the afternoon wore on, I found myself alone with Conrad for a moment, watching the waves roll in. He seemed lost in thought, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

"You know, Belly cares about you," I said gently, hoping he understood what I was really saying.

He hesitated, his expression conflicted. "Yeah... I know." He looked at me, something unreadable in his eyes. "But it's not that simple, Dee."

"Isn't it?" I asked, nudging his shoulder lightly. "Sometimes things only seem complicated because we make them that way."

Conrad gave a short, humorless laugh. "You always make it sound so easy."

I smiled, resting my head against his shoulder. "Well, that's what sisters are for."

We stood there in comfortable silence, watching the waves crash against the shore. Despite the heaviness that hung in the air, I felt a sense of peace, knowing that whatever happened, we'd always have each other.

Later that evening, we gathered back at the bonfire, everyone laughing and talking as the flames crackled. JJ sat beside me, his arm around my shoulders, and I leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his presence. Across the fire, Steven watched us, his expression unreadable but tinged with something like regret.

At one point, JJ turned to me, his eyes filled with sincerity. "Delilah," he said, his voice loud enough to carry over the crackling fire. "I love you."

My heart skipped a beat as the words hung in the air, their weight clear for everyone to hear. I felt my cheeks warm as I looked into his eyes, seeing the certainty there. This wasn't just a moment for us; it was a declaration to everyone, including Steven, that JJ was my future.

"I love you too," I replied, my voice steady. I held his gaze, letting him see how much he meant to me. Around us, the others went quiet, and I caught a glimpse of Steven's face—his jaw tight, his expression shadowed by pain.

The silence was brief, and soon everyone was laughing and talking again, but I knew the moment had changed something. JJ gave me a gentle squeeze, his pride evident as he pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.

Later, Conrad caught my eye, giving me a small nod that said he understood. He and I both knew the complexities of love, the way it could be beautiful and painful at the same time. And as I looked around at my brothers, at Belly and JJ, I realized that whatever challenges we faced, this summer was teaching us all what it meant to truly care for someone—messy feelings and all.