ONCE IN A LIFETIME ≫ h.g

Chapter 2

BROOKE'S P.O.V:

I had spent half an hour at the Grier's family home and I'd never felt like I belonged somewhere more in my life. It was a perfect fit. Nash's mom was traveling, but his two brothers Will and Hayes were here. I had never connected with someone as easily as I did with the brothers, and it felt like getting to know Nash all over again. Like I had been missing a piece of something. This was going to be a great two weeks.

"Did you bring a bikini? We were thinking of heading to Atlantic Beach", Nash asked as I poured milk into my bowl of cereal. "Yeah", I mumbled as I grabbed the spoon and started to eat. We had stopped at Starbucks on the way, but I had just gotten a frappe. A slight feeling of uncomfortableness settled in when I realized that I was being watched by all three Griers. They watched me finish my bowl of cereal and I tried to eat as neatly as possible. I went to do the dishes, but Hayes stopped me. "You don't have to do that", he said and I shot him a confused look. "You're the guest", he explained as he noticed my hesitation. "Allow me. It would be an honor to wash your dishes". He grabbed the bowl out of my hands.

I didn't get the chance to thank him, because after I recovered from the moment of confusion, Nash was quick to speak up. "Run up and change! We want to make it to the beach as soon as possible". I went over and gave him a hug, thrilled to be here, in his house, with his family and the people that were close to him. I loved him so much. After a little giggling from the both of us, I ran upstairs and went into the guest room where I stayed. I changed into my favorite bikini, an orange one and put on a summer dress over.  It was 88 degrees out, and I was ready to kick it with my best friend at the beach.

HAYES P.O.V:

"Sooo", Nash started the second Brooke was upstairs. "What do you think of Brooke so far?" He smirked and I felt my cheek turn hot. I actually blushed at the question. "Well", I started slowly as I desperately tried to gather my thoughts enough to make a sentence. "You know, I've known her for like forty minutes. So I don't know yet. Really". Nash's disapproving look made me add: "But she is really pretty. And she seems nice". Nash, clearly pleased with himself said that he promised I'd fall in love with her during the next two weeks. I rolled my eyes at him. "You didn't tell me she was coming to Magcon with us. Is she?" I asked confused. We were leaving for the tour in two days. "What?" Nash stuttered and looked utterly confused. Had he forgotten about Magcon?

"Er, the tou-", I started and Nash's eyes widened as he interrupted me. "Fuck, I forgot about the tour. Shit! What I am going to do?" The room went dead silent. Both Brooke and Nash had been extremely excited for her to just come and chill here, and now he'd have to send her home eight days early? Perhaps he could invite her on the tour. "You could invite her to the Magcon event?" Will suggested, taking my thought right out of my head. Both Nash and I nodded. "Yeah", Nash said. "I guess I'll ask her about that. Hopefully she'll join". Footsteps from the stairs made us all turn around. "Ask who about what?" Brooke said. She had her long, brown hair in a loose ponytail and wore a white summer dress. It was clear that she had spent some time in L.A outside, her skin was slightly tanned, which really made her blue eyes pop. "You'll see soon enough", Nash said and went up to her. He kissed her on the forehead and she hugged him. I smiled at them and then my phone beeped. I had received a message from a girl in my class.

Alicia: Hi Hayes! I was wondering if you wanted to join me today? I'm going to the beach! xx

Me: I'm actually headed to the beach right now! Atlantic Beach! Guess I'll see you there? :)

Alicia: Sounds great. Can't wait to see you. I've missed you a lot! 😘

Me: Miss you too Alicia :)

Alicia was a girl in my class. We used to have a "thing" but I had dodged her lately, mostly because I wasn't as interested as she was. But I thought that I could give it a shot today. She had been very keen to stay in touch, and perhaps it would make Brooke a little jealous? Not that I was interested in Brooke, not at all. I hadn't known her long enough for that. But I could see that she was really pretty. I did know that she was a nice person.  And so I figured that showing her that I too was sought by others, would make her more interested in me.

"Are you coming or not, Hayes?" Will yelled from outside. I went out and saw that everyone waited on me by the car. I got in and just sat there and watched Nash and Brooke talk and laugh together. I wished that I could've been as happy with someone as they were with each other. It just seemed so real. Nash was so lucky to have found her, even though they were just friends. After a good five minutes of thinking and looking at the two of them, Brooke leaned in and whispered something to Nash. Nash turned towards me with a huge grin across his face. Oh no. "Why are you staring at Brooke?"

BROOKE'S P.O.V:

I couldn't help but notice that Hayes stared at me. Not in an uncomfortable way. He stared at me the way Nash used to. Like he "admired" me in some way. But Hayes didn't know me like that. "Is it just me or is Hayes staring at me?" I whispered in his ear, hoping he could confirm or deny it. Nash, being the subtle person that he was, turned around and faced Hayes with a huge smile. Oh no. "Why are you staring at Brooke?" he asked. Fuck. Thanks for the discreet way of handling that one Nash. Hayes blushed to the extreme. He looked out of the window and quietly said "I'm not". Nash laughed. "I know you were. Brooke is beautiful and it's sort of impossible not to get caught up with her".  Being around Nash was a constant confidence boost. He always reminded me of how beautiful I was, and honestly, I needed to hear it from time to time. Because my dad was the "bailer" that he was, if I could call him that, I didn't really have any strong and consistent male figures in my life. It was harder for me to trust boys than for my friends, for instance. Therefore Nash was a major reason for my newfound confidence. He showed me that guys could be real and good.

"Hey, maybe we should exchange numbers?" Hayes asked me. "Just in case, you know". I nodded and grabbed his phone as he grabbed mine. We put our numbers in each others phone, and when I got my phone back, I instantly received a text from him.

Hayes😏😏😏😏❤️❤️❤️: u'r pretty thoo 

I locked my phone and glanced over at him. He smiled back at me. Dang, he was hot. I had to admit that. I could easily see myself get attracted to him. He had just the same kindness over him as Nash did, and in my opinion Hayes was hotter. And he was younger. I scuffed closer to him and since I was tired after the drive and the flight, I ended up falling asleep.

...

"WE'RE HERE!" I woke up to the sound of Nash yelling in my ear. I grunted as I slowly opened my eyes and let them adjust to the strong sunlight that shined in through the windows. I slowly looked around. Hayes slept with his head on the window. I was sleeping, until now, with my head on Hayes' shoulder. "We're here", I repeated and smiled. The beach was stunning and I couldn't wait to take a dip in the water. It looked so fresh. 

As we walked towards the beach, Hayes got up behind me. "Hi", he said and walked slower than the rest of us. Nash and Will didn't notice us slowing down and continued their march forward. "What's up?" I asked when I had managed to slow down to his pace. Hayes stopped and stood still. "I need your help with something", he said. "Can you meet me here in ten minutes?" He pointed to the bar close by. "Yeah, sure", I answered. "But why-". I got cut off because Hayes ran off to his brothers. I stood there alone and wondered what he could need my help for.