Chapter 48

Leigh hasn't talked to me sincet hat night. I tried to apologize to her but she wouldn't even look at me. And by the look on the others's faces, I was sure that she'd told them about my secret affair with Seeley.

And the ironic thing was that Austin had finished his painting about the three of us. And it looked beautiful but now everyone was walking on eggshells whenever I was around.

Mostly because Leigh would send murderous glares into my direction despite me minding my own business.

One day I dug up Austin's present bag for me and flipped through the cards he had written for me. I flipped through the cards and found the read this when you're sad brown envelope and i opened it without hesitation.

Try to remember that you've been the glue that held this group together and we'd not be here right now without you. You are amazing and never let anyone tell you otherwise because they are just wrong. You were never heartless, in fact you have always been the one who had the biggest heart among us. And I wish that one day my future daughter would be just as helpful, humble and genuine as you've been with me.

And I'll never forget you for almost crashing my bike, that really wasn't cool

Austin

I almost laughed at the irony that stared back at me from Austin's almost unreadable handwriting.

Little did all of us know that Clara and the others have been right. I was heartless and selfih even with my friends. I hated to admit but Clara did know something back then when she started verbally abusing me.

Lately, I mostly focused on work and spent my afternoons and evenings with either Perkyn or the girls from work.

Perkyn was just as much struggling on the inside like Seeley was. And now that I could see him in a whole new perspective, I did finally notice a few of the similarities that Perkyn and Seeley had shared with each other without knowing for most of their lives that the other even existed.

I didn't tell Seeley that I've been talking with his brother. It was still weird to call Perkyn his brother.

And the thing I despised Oswald Drewitt the most was taking away the chance from Perkyn to be a brother to not one but two younger siblings. I was sure that he'd be one hell of a brother if he had known that he was the oldest from the three siblings.

It was a real shame that Perkyn could never meet his little sister who had been taken away from us too soon.

No wonder his eyes looked cloudy for most of the time and he couldn't focus for too long on work.

Just imagine finding out that you've had a little sister who had passed away while you knew nothing about her existence.

It was a really messed up situation and I couldn't blame either of the brothers for not being their old-selves.

It would have been a miracle if they could get over this whole melodrama in a blink of an eye.

But that was the beauty of the Drewitt brothers. They were many things in their own unique ways but neither of them wanted to deny or hide their vulnerable side.

And I liked how open Perkyn has become with me ever sincet he big reveal. He'd told me that even though Oswald was still living with them, he was almost never at home.

Neither Delilah or Perkyn knew where he'd go off at nights or after work but they didn't even care as long as he didn't bring any more trouble and secret on them.

"I don't know why I'm surprised but now that I barely see him once a week, my life is much more calmer." Perkyn said as we walked down the busy street under the orange and almost pink lights of the sun.

Neither of us were in a hurry to get home as soon as possible. Especially me.

"Well, at least he is out of the picture in a way." I shrugged.

He nodded and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

"At least it's silent in the house." He smiled tiredly. "I would have never thought that I'd experience that."

"Didn't you think of moving away?" I asked and he adjusted his sport bag on his shoulders.

"I have actually. That's what I've been doing for the last two years. Saving money and looking for apartments." He admitted and I smiled.

I hoped he'll find an apartment soon to start to live his own life now. He deserved that.

"That's great."

"Yes, and I think I found a great one which is not that far from the university anyway." He said with an exciting smile.

"Then go sign the lease before someone else will." I joked and he laughed.

"That's the plan. I'll have to make a few calls but it looks like it will work."

I was happy to hear that despite everything that had happened, he could get a move in in his life.

Seeley wasn't that positive about things. But he hasn't been positive about anything lately so it shouldn't be that surprising. I just wished he could get himself together, it seemed like he was on the floor.

"How is Delilah?" I asked after a minute of silence.

He sighed and licked his lips while concentrating on the cement underneath our feet.

"She is holding up." He reassured me. "She's a strong woman and she'll get through this in time."

"I have no doubt of that, she is a strong woman." I nodded.

Perkyn gave me a proud smile before glancing at the sun in front of us.

"I just don't know how things will change between us. I mean, I'm only her stepson and the only reason we became a part of each other's lives was my dad."

I understood his hesitation because despite of them holding up, it seemed like their family was slowly falling apart piece by piece. And there was a chance he might end up alone in the end with no mother or father figure.

At least it was easier for Seeley from this perspective since he has already had a hard relationship with Oswald and didn't have to worry about their relationship at all. After all, Oswald has been ignoring him for almost two decades.

"I'm sure she'll keep in touch with you." I touched his arm softly and he blinked.

"You think?"

I nodded and gave him a small smile.

"I could tell right away that she loved you like her own son. There is no way she's goint o let Oswald get between you two. She is way too fierce and family-oriented for that." I answered and he chuckled.

"Sounds about right."

When we were walking toward the beach, unwanted and happy memories flashed through my mind about me spending my time here with my friends or being in the water with Seeley after our first night together.

It seemed like it's been ages sincet hat period.

"I can only hope that one day I can maybe see a picture of Alexa if Seeley decides to talk to me." He broke the silence and I glanced at him.

Hope and nervousness were twirling on his face.

"I can talk to him if you want to. I'm sure I—"

He interrupted me with a kind smile that warmed my heart.

"Thank you for being an amazing woman, Heddy, but there are roads in this life that I have to walk alone." He told me gently.

I closed my mouth and returned his smile. I couldn't help but wonder how different and angrier Seeley would have reacted if I told him something like that.

They were so different from each other. They were two different worlds. One of them full of sorrowness and shadows while the other wasn't afraid to let the light in.

"Besides, this would be more likely a brother thing to do." He said then narrowed his eyes. "It still feels weird to call him that. I got used to being an only child. I think it might take me ages to fully accept the fact that we are related."

We laughed and let all our worries away with the wind that danced us around almost carelessly.

"I can assure you that Seeley pretty much feels the same." I laughed.

"It would be surprising if he'd handle it better than me." He smiled then his smile slowly faded away. "Have you talked to him?"

My smile dropped and I put my hair behind my air while looking away. We were in a once again weird place with Seeley where we talked but only a few words.

Ever since Leigh had found out about our affair, I just couldn't bring myself to kiss him or even touch him again.

It felt like I'd betray Leigh again and again even by looking at Seeley.

This wasn't how this summer was supposed to go. We were supposed to have fun and forget about problems.

Instead we all fell into a hole that was full of lies, secrets and cruelty.

"I haven't since Leigh found out." I admitted. "He has been a little too much since finding out that you were his brother."

Perkyn gave me a slight nod.

"He can be a little… harsh." He said carefully and I chuckled.

"He is much worse than that." I said. "Especially after growing up in an abusive household."

Something flashed through in Perkyn's eyes. It could be either sadness or empathy. Or both.

"Some of us just were destined to live a harder life." He said sadly and I nodded.

"Unfortunately." I said.

He tried to break our sadness with a sudden inhale and sparkling eyes.

"And what is next for Heddy Lopez?" He asked and I let out a deep breath.

"I think I'll take a course then I'll become a choreographer."

He smiled brightly that made me feel full.

"Atta girl, that's what I'm talking about. The whole world is yours."

"I don't want the whole world." I shook my head. "I only want to be surrounded by the people who are important to me."

He glanced down at me with warm eyes.

"And does that include me too?" He asked carefully, not sure about my answer.

"I don't know." I said with a thoughtful expression.

He sighed and turned to the sunset.

"Ah, that starts good." He murmured and I laughed.

I'd love to have Perkyn my life. I have become very fond of him and I thought that we had a great dynamic.

I definitely needed more people like him in my life but that didn't mean that I wouldn't talk to him ever again.

"Depends." I said softly. "Would you like to be in my life?"

When he turned to me I saw nothing but easiness and faith in his eyes.

"I'd love to."

"Then I'll have to annoy you until you want to get rid of me." I said and leaned my head on his shoulder playfully.

He smiled and rested his cheek on the top of my head, reminding me how much I loved his scent and comfort.

"Not to be that typical guy or anything but I wondered if once you'd like to become my roommate. That apartment will be boring if I was alone."

I furrowed my eyebrows and lifted my head. He looked honest and nervous like someone who was about to perform in front of a crowd.

"You mean that live with you?"

"That is the definition of a roomate, yes." He nodded then when he saw my expression he added. "Not now or anything but if you'd like to come back to Cannon Beach, you'd be more than welcomed in my place."

I couldn't help but blush. Living with someone who treated me like a princess would be a dream coming true.

Sometimes I wondered if Perkyn had actually existed or he was just my imagination the whole time.

"We'll see if we get bored from each other." I said happily. "

He studied me for a long time before a small smile made it onto his lips.

"I don't think that's possible, Heddy." He said and I raised an eyebrow.

"Just try me and see if you can take the challenge."

He inhaled through his nose and put his arm around my shoulders, bringing me close to him.

I kept smiling like an idiot as I leaned into his side. I could get used to this kind of treatment. Only if Seeley could work through his problems and be like this from time to time.

"You have never bored me once this summer." He said and looked at the sky then down at me. "I really like spending time with you. You made me realize what was missing from my life all along."

I blinked at him and tilted my head a little to get a better look at his peaceful face.

"What is it?"

When he looked down at me, his eyes were as clear as the ocean right next to us.

"You." He said and my heart started racing. "Someone who'd always step on my feet while dancing."

I let out an embarrassed gasp and hit his chest when he started laughing. His perfect image has just crecked with that remark.

"That wasn't nice."

"Good thing I never claimed to be nice." He tightened his arm around me and kissed the top of my head, erasing my embarrassement and leaving nothing but warmness behind.