Fifty

"Wow, that must've been some date," Tatum teased the moment Isabella walked into the living room. It was well past sundown, and she'd spent the entire day with Austin on a trip down memory lane. She couldn't tell her sister that, obviously. No one knew of their summer love, and it was weird to mention it now, so she wouldn't. After beating him at pool, they'd gone for lunch at a diner not too far away. They'd gone to the field where she used to run to whenever she needed some time alone, and sat on the grass, mostly talking about the past, without really mentioning their summer together, though she could feel the memories warm her like a blanket that had been laid out in the sun. It was hard not to think of the way he used to kiss her, even harder not to want him to do it again, but she knew she wasn't ready for that just yet. Maybe ever. They ended up having dinner at his house. She'd managed to avoid that part of town since her return, scared of the rush of memories if she saw her old home. But Austin had demolished the entire place, only keeping the swing on the front porch, the only thing Isabella had actually liked about her home anyway. She was surprised to feel comfortable at his place, surprised it felt like his place and not the home she'd wanted to leave so desperately all those years ago.

"It wasn't a date," she retorted as she plopped down on the sofa. "But it was a lot of fun," she added. Tatum smiled relieved before she pulled her sister in for a hug; it was good to see the brunette smiling again. "What did you do today?" the Colombian asked, and the redhead took that as her cue to start rambling about the conversation she'd had with the youngest Miller. She really hoped something good would come out of it.

"It's nice to do something together again," Tatum said honestly, as she and Isabella made their way over to the cinema through town. They'd decided they needed to spend some time together, outside of the house or bar, without worrying about David. So far it seemed like he had actually left for good without making her life miserable, heeding Aaron's warning so far. But it was hard for both of them not to worry about him coming back.

"Yeah," the brunette sighed. "Thank you for making me," Isabella added, managing a chuckle now. To be fair, it was easier to leave the house now, since her day with Austin and having started back at the bar for a few hours a day. Her sister hooked her arm through hers.

"Any time, babe," the redhead promised. "Any more dates planned with Austin?" she asked, only teasing slightly.

"It wasn't a date," the Colombian said again, nudging her sister carefully when she felt her hold back a chuckle. Despite herself, she was hoping there would be another day like that. She'd seen him a couple more times, not for very long, and they'd managed to hold on to the comfort of that day.

"Hey Tennant, found out who the father is yet?" they heard from across the street, looking up as one to Aaron giving her a mean smile.

Tatum wanted to march over and slap that stupid look off his face, but felt her sister hold her back. "None of your business," she yelled back instead, stalking away when it only made him chuckle victorious. "No offence, I'm glad he seems to be leavin' you alone, but why does he keep targetin' me?" the redhead couldn't help asking a little annoyed, her hand rubbing her bump as much to calm herself down as to comfort her baby. She couldn't remember the last time Aaron had actually said or done anything mean to her sister since they'd been back and, she hated to sound whiney and like a little kid, but it wasn't fair; they were both Grayson's daughter. 

"I'm sorry," Isabella said, feeling a little bit uncomfortable when she realised her sister was right; it had been a long time since Aaron had said anything mean to her, especially recently, but he didn't seem to want to relent his feud on Tatum. It made her determined to find out, or at least tell him to lay off her, the next time he tried being nice to her again. 

"It's not your fault," Tatum said straight away. "Anyway, what shall we go see?" she asked, done talking about the Miller bully.