9

The following morning, he woke me up "Babe." I opened my eyes to see breakfast beside me "Did you make breakfast?" He put the orange juice down on the table "It's not much but yes." I grabbed the plate from him "You're going to be a good husband." He smiled "I have something else for you." I got up "What is it?" He smiled "You can eat, dress nicely, trust me." I started eating as he got ready; I finished up and got ready "Where are we going?"

He helped me with the zipper to my dress; I adjusted his tie "Well are you going to tell me?" He shook his head no "No you'll see." I wrapped my arms around his neck "Can I guess?" He bit his lip "No. Come on." We drove along the coast, I looked at him "Where are we going?" He glanced at me "Trust me." We pulled up to the hill I showed him; I got out and walked up to see a set up of flowers. I turned to him and he was kneeling, holding a ring in his fingers "Will you marry me?"

I became nervous "Oliver." He smiled "We don't have to rush into it." I looked at the ring then at him "Yes." He put it on my finger and hugged me "I love you." I stared at it as we hugged "I love you too." I felt uncomfortable with it but I wasn't going to disappoint him by saying no. I knew I wanted to marry him but not so soon.

I pulled away from the hug; I frowned, he asked "What's wrong?" I looked at him and smiled "I love it but.. it's soon." He looked away "Why did you say yes?" I reached for his hand "I want to trust me but just not anytime soon." He looked up "Do you want to be engaged and wait or just forget the whole thing till you want to be." I frowned "We can stay engaged but I just don't want to rush into getting married." He nodded "I just need a second." He stood toward the edge near the railing, I waited for a few seconds and joined him "I'm sorry."

He looked at me "No. I see where you're coming from. We haven't been together long and I don't want you to feel rushed. I also don't want to lose you." I rubbed his shoulder "You aren't. I'm still here." I gave him a hug "We will get married, I promise." Before he could respond his phone rang; he walked away and answered it. I turned to the ocean and enjoy the breeze and salt water smell coming from the ocean when he came back "Lily." I turned back to him, he looked concerned; I frowned "What?" He sighed "Your dad..." I cut him off "No.. do not do this right now."

He hugged me "He's okay babe. But he said Nick's dead." I felt like I got kicked in the chest; I exhaled "What happened?" He frowned "He doesn't know. It could be because he helped your dad, we can't know." I got mad "Then how did he find out??!!" He looked away "Your dad found him outside your house. They left..." I stopped him "Stop okay. I don't want to know anymore." I felt my heart drop but I also didn't want to cry though fighting it was impossible. I faked a smile "At least we have no worries right?"

Oliver turned in my direction "What?" I shrugged "He can't come in between us." He stared at me with a confused look "Lily you can be upset about it." I looked down "Why? He caused no one any good just trouble. Had he not split us up at that party we'd be together sooner." He frowned "If this is your way to cope then that's fine but he didn't deserve it." I shrugged "Why are we still talking about it? He's my past."

I started walking down the hill, I started tearing up; I wiped it off and kept my composure. I did care but I couldn't show that weakness. Nick wouldn't want me to cry over it. Oliver cleaned up and came to the car "Wow. Doesn't even feel real." I looked at him "I forgot you guys were once best friends." He looked out the window "We fought but that was my best friend. We may have stopped talking and got into bullshit. I can't believe it."

I felt bad, Oliver was really affected by it and I acted careless. I grabbed his hand "I'm sorry." He looked at me wiped his eyes and smiled "We should get home." As we drove along the coast, we got stopped by highway patrol. They pulled me and Oliver out of the car; they ran our names and we both came back with a warrant in NM. They handcuffed us; I put up a fight "I haven't done anything!" Oliver yelled "Just cooperate!" I stopped fighting and we were taken down to the substation. Within two hours, my uncle Tyler and Uncle Zack came down; they spoke to them.

My uncle Tyler came out "They are saying you guys killed Nick. We will prove you were here, Zacks in there talking to them." I frowned "Did you call my dad?" He nodded "He's headed here first thing in the morning." I sighed "I don't understand.." the officers came out with Zack "There's been a misunderstanding. The warrants were placed to be questioned about the whereabouts but considering with evidence you've both been here, you are clear to go."

We stood up and they removed the handcuffs, Tyler saw the ring on my hand but looked away. I went off on the cops "Treating us like criminals!" Oliver pulled me out of the station before things escalated. Tyler pulled us aside "I think it's in your best interest you hide that ring before your dad gets here." I looked at it and took it off "Can you take us to his car please?" He handed me the keys "They towed it here, no worries it's paid off. Drive safe."

They left and I looked at Oliver "What a great day right?" He frowned "We should spend some time apart while your dad is here. He will get suspicious and find out." I crossed my arms "Did I do something?" He shook his head no "I don't want to die quite yet." I nodded "Can you take me to my uncles then." He sighed "Sure."

He dropped me off and left; I stood outside for a few minutes before I grabbed my phone from my pocket. I had a text from an unknown number it said "Meet me at the boardwalk, 3am. Bring no one." I responded "Whose this?" They responded "Nick." I locked my phone when Tyler came up "What are you doing out here?"

I became nervous and regained my composure "We just thought I'd be better off here when my dad comes." He was suspicious "Why are you acting weird?" I shook my head "You startled me." He nodded "Doesn't he know you live with Oliver? I'd see that as suspicious." I shrugged "Well we got into a fight. I just wanted to stay here for a little bit." He crossed his arms "I don't buy it, why would he?" I exhaled "Help me out then."

He exhaled "Be honest. Because your dad isn't stupid. He knows far more then he gives off." I frowned "I don't want him to hurt Oliver." He laughed "No. I don't think so. He has taken care of you this whole time, I'm sure he already knows about you guys." I felt nauseous "Do you think Nick is really dead?" He smirked "I know he is." He went back inside, I followed him inside "Why do you say it like that?" He grabbed a beer from the fridge "Lily he snitched on his own father and family. They don't get far."

I got upset "Why didn't my dad protect him? He promised him that!" He looked up at me "You have to ask him." I got angry "You know something!" He got mad "You are not going to talk to like that!" I yelled "Why do you guys always get to know and keep secrets but when I do I'm not allowed to!" I stormed out of the house; I walked and didn't stop. I didn't care where I was going, I couldn't be around anyone.