Stepbrother//Jack Avery

Chapter 5

*Lia's POV*

It had been a few days since the dinner which was basically a disaster. I had gotten the impression Jack did not like me and then I lashed out. He had apologized and now we are good, I guess. I hope at least.
I was watching Netflix when I received a text from Gabbie.

Gabbie🌷: You up for the beach today?

Lia☀️: Sure! Meet at 11?

Gabbie🌷: Perfect. Is it ok if my boyfriend tags along? I want to spend some more time with him and he is busy tomorrow.

Lia☀️: No problem at all! I'll see you soon!

Gabbie🌷: Can't wait 😊

I quickly got out of bed and grabbed a bikini from my drawer and headed to the bathroom to change and get ready.
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I parked my car and got out, grabbing my bags and walking towards the sand. Before I began to walk on the sand I slipped my shoes off so I could feel the warm sand between my toes.
I continued walking, searching for Gabbie. Finally spotting her, I took off running. We made eye contact and she smiled, running towards me too, arms open for a hug.
We finally reached each other, squeezing tightly. Though I'd only met her about a week ago I felt as if I'd known her my whole life.
"So glad you could come!" Gabbie smiled as she helped me carry my umbrella to where her towel was laid out.
"I'm glad you invited me or else I'd be watching movies the whole day," I laughed as I set my bags onto the sand.
"My boyfriend should be here in a bit and he told me he's bringing his friends. I'm so sorry, I didn't know. I thought it would just be the three of us plus Lavender," she bit her nail, worriedly.
"It's fine, don't worry about it!" I assured her.
She quickly nodded and smiled down at Lavender who lay on her towel. She knelt down to her height and picked her up.
"She finally gets to see her dad, don't you Lav," Gabbie said.
Lavender smiled her cute baby smile and Gabbie placed a kiss on her cheek.
We both sat down on our towels, talking about randomness until we heard a shout. We both turned in the direction it was coming from and Gabbie covered her mouth. She stood up and ran towards the shout, immediately hugging the person the shout came from. And then I realized, it was Jack.
My mouth hung open, slightly in shock. Jack was Gabbie's boyfriend? She seemed so sweet and well after that dinner, Jack seemed the opposite. They made their way over to me and when Jack saw me his eyes widened.
"Lia?" he asked, surprised.
"Hey Jack," I said.
Gabbie looked from me to Jack and back to me, "You know each other?"
I nodded, "My dad is dating Jack's mom."
Gabbie's mouth dropped, "So if they get married you'd be siblings?"
"Woah, hold on there. They haven't been dating for that long! It's to early to think about marriage," Jack held his hand up.
I nodded in approval.
"Ok fine, putting marriage aside, at least it's one less person you have to meet. The other boys are coming so I can introduce you then," Gabbie said.
"Actually I already met them. We went out to dinner with them after we picked them up from the airport," I explained.
"Well then none of us are strangers," she laughed.
  "Though I'd rather be strangers than have met them the way I did," I muttered, quiet enough where they wouldn't here me because they were in their own conversation with Lavender in Jack's arms.
  I lay back onto my towel and grabbed my phone, as usual scrolling through Instagram. I heard more voices coming nearer to where I lay but was to lazy to match voice to face so I continued to pay attention to my phone. That is, until I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw that the tap had come from Daniel. He gave me a warm smile.
  "Hey Lia! I didn't know you were friends with Gabbie!" Daniel said.
  I tried to not get lost in his eyes as I stared at him, trying to form an answer, "Uh, we met, um, at the pier."
  I mentally slapped myself when I realized how stupid I must have sounded.
  "Lia! Let's head into the water!" I heard Gabbie suggest.
  I quickly nodded and stood up, trying to get away from Daniel as fast as possible. Once my back faced him I felt my face become red and I ran my fingers through my hair.
  "So Daniel's eyes attract you?" Gabbie chuckled as she jogged up to me.
  "Shh!" I told her, putting a finger to my lips, "But yes, his eyes are very beautiful."
  "You gotta crush Lia?" Gabbie taunted.
  I shook my head, "No, while he may be very attractive, that's no reason to like him. What's on the inside matters."
  "Just because you don't know how he acts doesn't mean you can't like him," Gabbie answered as we stepped onto the wet sand, feeling the ocean waves up to our ankles.
  "Maybe but it's to soon to tell," I shrugged.
  She nodded her head and we waded deeper into the cold ocean, carrying on a conversation about what we love about LA.
  "You know, I'm glad you bumped into me on the pier, though it was only a week ago," Gabbie laughed.
  "I am too, besides my friend Quinn, who I don't see often, your really my only close friend," I replied.
  "I'm honored," Gabbie flipped her hair.
  I chuckled, "Yes, you should be. You are very special to me. I feel a connection."
  She smiled, "Thanks! Anyways, what was your perspective meeting Jack. He told me he was a real jerk to you and he's sorry, he usually is super sweet, I promise."
  "Yeah, he wasn't the nicest at first but he got better. Don't worry, I'm sure once I get to know him better everything will be just perfect," I assured her.
  She nodded and we continued to swim in the deep blue ocean, full of mysteries, just like my future with Gabbie, my dad, and Jack.