He packs the swim trunks, and I laugh. “Well, good luck with that.”
He laughs. “Yeah. It probably won’t happen this time, but I like to pack them just in case.”
I walk toward his door. “I’ll see you when you get back, okay?”
He nods. “Okay. See ya. Try not to get into too much trouble while we’re gone.”
I glance back at him as I turn to leave. “I make no promises.” I smile at his laugh as I walk back to my room.
Maybe Penelope was right, and it wouldn’t be worth telling the truth. I can’t stand the idea of hurting him.
I’m sure they’ll be very happy together.
I watch the water fill the clawfoot bathtub, dropping in a bath bomb I got as a present from Nora for my birthday a couple of months ago. She said they are like going to a spa, transforming your bath into luxury.
I’m skeptical, but I could use an escape.
I went into the shower with Linc a few days ago, determined to get him back for the way he treated me, but hearing that Nora wants us all to go back to the lake house was a punch to the gut I didn’t see coming.
Linc and I have been avoiding each other ever since, but the date is creeping up on us.
I stare at the glass shower and then turn the water off in the tub, removing my clothes methodically and climbing into the hot water full of bubbles. The dissolving bath bomb quickly turns the water a pinkish color.
There’s a wooden shelf that goes across the tub, and after I sink to my neck into the water, I stare at the glass of vodka and the bottle of pills that sit there.
I don’t want to die. Not really. I’m too cowardly to end it all, afraid of the unknown. But my God, do I want to escape.
I sit up and reach for the pills, but my hand stalls when I hear Linc’s deep voice. “Don’t.”
I can’t look at him, but I don’t move.
He walks into the bathroom and stands in front of me. “Don’t you fucking dare.”
My eyes rise to look up at his tortured and beautiful face. “I just want to escape for a little bit, Linc.”
He grabs the pill bottle, opens the cap and pours the contents into the toilet, flushing them away before I can stop him. Not that I tried.
I stare at him as he throws the bottle in the trash and walks back to the tub. “You’re not going out that way. Too fucking easy.”
“I wasn’t trying to kill myself. People take pills all of the time.”
“One. And usually not with alcohol.” He nods his head at the vodka and then looks back at me.
“I can’t go back there.”
He surprises me when, instead of coming back with something nasty or cruel to say, he lifts his shirt off and then undoes his jeans. “I know you don’t want to.”
What the hell is he doing?
He pushes his jeans and briefs down and climbs into the tub behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist.
“I don’t. Do you?”
I lean back into him like this is completely normal, our naked bodies pressed against each other, submerged in the water as I rest between his legs. Although it was only a few days ago that we declared our hatred for each other.
I feel his nose drag over the back of my neck, his lips finding the crevice where it meets my shoulder. “No.”
“I can’t do it, Linc.”
“You’re so much fucking stronger than you realize, and she needs this.”
I turn around in the tub, sitting up on my knees between his legs and looking directly at him. “You really think going back to where he died is going to help her at all?”
I watch his throat bob with uncertainty and his eyes fill with anguish, and I know how badly he’s hurting. “She thinks it will.”
I know she’s in pain. I see it and feel it every time I’m around her. We all are. Nothing has been the same since Colt died at the lake that day. “She’s wrong.”
“She’s drowning, P. I could hear it in her voice. She never asks me for anything. We have to go. It isn’t about us.”
His hands hold onto my hips, and I know he’s right, no matter how badly I want him to be wrong and want to fight him on this. “I can’t face it. I hate everything about that place.”
He pulls my body closer to his, and for a moment, he seems softer, his granite-like veneer dissolving as one hand smooths over my back. “There were good times there too. That’s what she’s trying to hold onto.”
I rest my head on his shoulder and sob as he holds me to him, one hand on my hand, the other stroking my hair. His lips press against my temple, and I know this is as sweet as Linc gets. “Shhh, P. We can get through it.”
The sweetness won’t last. The bitterness always overrides it with us both.
There were so many good times there over the years.
Why did I have to go and fuck it all up? My mother was right, I am a tragedy. That’s all I bring, and my affliction finally muted Colt’s light, putting it out forever.
One Year Ago
“Are you sure you won’t go, Lincoln?” Colt takes my bag, slinging it over his shoulder as his mom makes one last attempt to get Linc to go to the lake house with the family.
Linc holds up both hands in front of him and shakes his head as Colt punches him on the arm playfully and Nora gives him a big hug, both of them exiting. I grab my purse and start to follow them out to the car where Mr. Sterling, Ash, and Lola are waiting for us, but Linc blocks me.
“Have a good time, Penelope.”
My name is drawn out with something sinister behind it, and I know if I don’t leave quickly, he will no doubt try to mess with my head.
“I intend to, Linc.”
He doesn’t move, and I hear Colt laughing outside with Lola and Ash. “Is that so?”
His lips are full and pouty, and I hate the way he’s looking at me. He and I share a secret whether I like it or not. I’ve tried to bury it over the past few weeks. I wanted so badly to go on like it never happened, but I can’t stop thinking about that night.
Colt and I have essentially gone back to normal, but I haven’t slept in his bed since, afraid of getting too close. The betrayal burns too deep inside me.
“Yes.”
He looks over his shoulder and out the door, but then his eyes land on me. “So, is this trip finally it? You’re going to finally get into his briefs? What’s your plan?”
I keep my voice low, but I’m horrified he would ask that, not that I should be surprised. “That’s none of your business.”
“Well, he is my brother, after all.” He folds his toned arms over his chest. “I think I deserve to know if he’s about to be crushed.”
I look him straight in the eyes, hating what I did, but unsure of just how much. “I’m not telling him, Linc. As far as I’m concerned, it never happened.”
“That’s your story,” he leans in, his large body crowding mine, “when he pushes inside you and isn’t met with any resistance because I was already there?”
“Stop.” I keep my voice low but make sure it’s firm. “I’m sorry you’re pissed-off, Linc, but stop trying to get in my head. He isn’t going to notice the difference. It’ll be fine.”