My Sunshine

Chapter 8

Winter's POV

"So, Winter, how do you know my son?" Ian asked as we ate.

"Well, it was our first day here and I decided to walk on the beach when a volleyball came out of nowhere and hit me on the head. Zach came over and helped me up saying he was sorry but his friend was just so bad at volleyball. I might've accepted his apology if he hadn't been laughing the whole time." I joked, causing everyone to laugh. "So yeah, that's how we met. And I guess after that we've just been hanging out a lot."

Zach smiled at me, lacing his fingers with mine. Lily took note of the action and wiggled her eyebrows at me from across the table. I rolled my eyes, but couldn't push the smile from my face.

"Are you guys dating?" Serena questioned, smiling at us.

"No, we're just friends." Zach said before I could say anything.

"Doesn't look like it." Serena mumbled under her breath.

I looked up at Zach and he just avoided my gaze. I let go of his hand and scooted my chair away from his as discreetly as I could. Luckily, no one noticed my action because they all just began talking about something else. I didn't know what kind of game Zach was trying to play, but I didn't like it. This whole time I had been thinking we might have moved past being friends, but I guess I was wrong. I was done being played with.

I blocked out the rest of the lunch conversation after that. I faintly heard Zach talking about basketball and Mom talking about volunteering at the humane society, but apart from that, I didn't really pay much attention.

"Dad, Darrel, Sage? Would it be okay if Winter and I would be excused so I can give her a tour of the house?" Zach asked once we'd all finished our food and were just casually talking.

"That's fine with me. Ian?" Dad said, turning to Ian.

"Yeah, you may be excused." He said.

"Wait, before you guys go. Zach, can I speak with you in the hallway, please?" Serena asked, standing up from the dinner table and giving Zach a stern look.

Zach sighed, clearly not wanting to have one on one time with his sister. Still, he followed her out into the hall.

Serena came back into the room a few minutes later. Zach followed soon after, looking really pissed. He hastily grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the dining room. He led me up the stairs and through a hallway until we reached a room that I assumed was his.

The room was huge and was painted dark blue. There was a giant flat screen tv hanging on the wall in front of two big white bean bags. A large bed with blue bed sheets was set in the center of the back wall. The whole room was filled with basketball trophies and other sports memorabilia.

"Is this your room?" I asked, looking around.

"Yeah." He replied, walking towards me and wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me closer to him for a hug.

"Zach...what are you doing?" I responded, still pissed about what happened over lunch.

"Hugging you, you look beautiful today."

"No, don't do that." I said, pushing him away from me.

"Do what?" He asked, confused.

"Stop doing all this lovey dovey stuff if you're always going to say that we're just friends!" I shouted, sick of him acting clueless.

"Lovey dovey stuff?"

"Yes! Holding my hand and pulling our chairs closer together and saying I look beautiful! I don't know what kind of sick game you're playing here, but I'm tired of it."