Chapter 523) Belonging

“You must go on adventures to find out where you truly belong.”

~Sue Fitzmaurice

Brindleton Bay
Cunningham Estate
The day after the Cameron twins returned home from DSV

Briar Rose stepped backwards, waiting for the door to be answered. The few moments it actually took felt like hours full of torture.

Her heart stopped for a moment when the door swung open and a familiar face appeared.

“Bri! You’re back! Come on inside. Parents aren’t home, but I am sure they’ll wanna have a dinner with you soon now that you are back. We all missed you. How was Del Sol Valley? How’s Jasper’s new home? Looks amazing in pictures! Wish I didn’t have all those college tours scheduled, I would have loved to see it. Hopefully soon.” Bradford said happily, hugging her, kissing her briefly, trying to pull her with gently, but Bri put on the brakes.

“Wait – I … think I would prefer to talk to you out here. I have things to discuss that won’t sit well with you and I don’t want to get kicked out of your house.”

“That’s stupid. I would never kick you out! Come on in. If you want to be outside, we can talk by the pool it’s a nice day. Sounds like the kind of talk you don’t want passersby and neighbors to overhear. Something juicy with the Jas-Man? Don’t tell me that lil shit talked you into attending college in DSV! That would really not sit well with me!”

“No, but … okay …” she followed him, still smiling back at her.

“Oh, my manners, I’ll get you a glass of that juice you like so much. My mom got three cases because it’s your favorite.”

“Brad wait … oh boy.” she wanted to stop him but he had already rushed back inside.

Why did he have to be so sweet?
WHY?!

All this would be so much easier if he were a douche. Well, he may still get there. Once she dropped that bomb on him …

He returned handing her the glass, Bri took a few sips, then sat it down, facing Brad.

“Brad, I … did things. Bad things. I didn’t mean to do them, they just happened, and I was too caught up in the moment to stop them. I never meant to hurt you with any of that, I NEED you to know that. I just was confused and wasn’t thinking straight. Now I am – and I am so ashamed.”

Brad’s smile had been replaced by a puzzled expression.

“Okay. And what exactly did you do? Steal more cars? Yikes, sounds like it’s becoming habitual.”

Bri’s heart began to pound, her mouth went dry, she found it hard to breathe, and she couldn’t look at him, averted her eyes, while feeling his locked on her. She breathed in, then opened her eyes again, looking straight into his.

“No, I didn’t steal any cars, well, actually, I guess I did, but it was my grandparents and … anyway, I … I …umm …” Bri tried, but words just wouldn’t come.

“Bri, relax. It’s me. You can tell me anything. Can’t be that bad. Just say it. If I have questions, I’ll ask.”

Briar Rose nodded.

“When you and I … when we … as I …. it was … I am sorry I ran away and dodged your calls but … it was … and then you were away on college tours and then I was travelling and then … oh my Gawd, I’ll never get this out going this way. Brad, I … had my first time with another boy. I don’t know what I was thinking. I am sorry. So very sorry. I wish I could undo it.”

Brad gasped, took a small step backwards for surprise, while staring at Bri for a felt forever, before he turned away from her, stepping a few paces away.

“Brad – I really am sorry.”

“Who?”

“Does it really matter?”

Brad turned back to her, looking furious.

“I bet I can guess, but I want to hear you say his name!”

“Okay, it was Jackson.”

Brad’s lips pressed together so hard, they became thin lines, clearly, he was fighting for composure, lost that fight, turned away, cursing bitterly, kicked the marble tiles around the pool.

“Brad please … I am so very sorry ….” Bri said trying to touch him, he shook off her hand, glaring at her.

“I knew it. I could feel it. Thought I was being paranoid. I told myself I was stupid for thinking a sweet, pure girl like you would do that. Told myself you were just drooling over him because he has this rugged desperado thing going on and looks about 20 going on 30. Instead, I was just stupid, period! Was it just once? Or several times? Is this a slip-up or an affair?!”

“Brad …”

“WAS IT JUST ONCE?”

Briar Rose considered nodding, but remembered Jasper’s words, so she shook her head.

“Twice.”

“Wow. So it wasn’t just a single lapse of judgement. You liked it enough to go back for more. WOW. And why are you telling me anyway?”

“I don’t know why twice, I wish I could give you a reason, I wish I knew the reason, all I know is I came to my senses, and I am telling you because I don’t want to lie to you. I wish I could explain better, but I just can’t, all I know is that I am so sorry, more than I have words to express. I never meant to hurt you and I hate myself that I have.”

“Wow. Bri I need time to process this. I know you were afraid of me kicking you out, I told you I would never, but I would have never expected THIS, so instead I am asking you politely to leave. I can’t think right now with you right there.”

“Is it … over? I mean, us. Are we … over?”

“I don’t know. I have to think. It would really help if I could be alone now.”

Briar Rose nodded, with one look at him, she said

“I really am so sorry. If it still matters to you, I really DO love you. I always knew it, just was confused, but while away I realized a lot of things I was wrong about. And if you do dump me, I will just walk away from it all quietly, cos I do see you have every right and I’d dump myself too. I am a total idiot. You’re the best boyfriend ANY girl could hope for, and I go screw up like this. You’re right, this is not like me, and I don’t even understand myself. All I know is I am so ashamed of my actions that I just wanna die and hate myself for hurting you so.”

Then she turned and started to walk off, had almost made it to the steps, when she heard fast steps, was pulled around into an embrace and kissed.

Breathless and surprised she looked into Brad’s eyes, who told her.

“Stay! Screw it. Gawd this hurts, but I love you, Bri. I don’t know what I am doing here, I don’t know why you did what you did the way you did and I don’t think I even wanna know, but despite of it all, all I see is still such a sweet innocent girl, even now, I am so hurt, but I don’t want you to go. Had you asked me before I met you what I would do in this situation, I would have sworn the relationship would be over instantly, but I care too much. And I do know I screwed our attempt at our first time up so badly; you looked so beautiful that day in that floral summer dress, I wanted it to happen then and there, wanted you so much, but I was so nervous and messed it up totally. What was I thinking doing it like that, just in my room? Not even a date first, no flowers, no candles, nothing special, just dragged you to my room in the broad daylight racing the clock before my parents got home … holy crap! I probably ran you off straight into his arms – and bed. Dammit! Bri, promise me – swear to me – to be only mine from now on, you won’t see him like that again, and I’ll do all I can to forget it even happened.”

Crying tears of joy and honest relief, Bri wrapped her arms around him.

Tartosa
Baia dell'amore Beach Rental Bungalows
A few days later

The sound of an acoustic guitar mixed well with the crashing of the waves and the rustling of a soft breeze in the palm trees, when a soft and very pleasant male voice sung lyrics to an upbeat tune. The talent was inherited by his musician father.

“Anywhere the wind blows ….” Jasper repeated several times before ending the entertainment of his friends with a quick chord on the instrument, everyone applauded and a girl with rosegold blond hair kissed him. Well, she literally lunged at him, hugging him, showering him in kisses. New love.

“Argh, get a room!” Brad tossed an empty red solo cup at them.

“We HAVE rooms, so quiet in your cheap seats over there. Don’t be jelly, kiss your own girl and don’t look if you are THAT prude.” Oakley, the kisser, informed him, pointing at the rental bungalows behind them.

“Well then take your dry humping to your bungalow, if you can make it the few steps up the stairs without day-raping that poor guy. We don’t need to watch you sucking the lips off your man, looking as if you are about to take advantage of him right in front of us! What are you feeding that girl, Jasper!?” joked Sterling Covington, Iris’ boyfriend.

“Just his love and awesomeness – don’t hate, Sterling, just because I am the luckiest girl in the world being with the most amazing handsomest funniest smartest hottest guy!” Oakley purred, returning to smooch around on Jasper, who clearly didn’t mind the attention.

“Oh, are you? And we all thought you were with Jasper!” Iris joked, which got her chased around the beach by Jasper and eventually tossed in the ocean, screaming and laughing.

“Oaks is wrong, I am the luckiest girl.” Bri said, looking at Brad, who leaned over to kiss her.

“We’re both lucky.” he winked.

Later that day, when most were changing to go out for dinner, Bri found Jasper alone by the beach, just hugged him and planted a big kiss on his cheek.

“Hey, what’s with the PDA drive-by now? Don’t get Brad jealous of me now! Or Oakley!” he smirked.

“Thank you for all your help. I don’t know what I would have done without you. I should have come to you with all that much sooner. I will in future.”

“I don’t want your problems if you are not willing to share the good times with me. I am not your emotional trashcan!”

“We are sharing good times, or what would you call this? If this is drag in your book, I want you to show me a good time!”

“I call this Brad’s idea to invite me along, cos you forgot about me again, Miss Cameron! It’s a pattern now.”

“Oh! No no no no no! I didn’t forget you, just didn’t want to place demands when he had just forgiven me for you know what. This vacay was his idea, his parents are paying for it, early birthday present for him so he gets to choose who goes, not me. The moment he mentioned he was inviting you and Oakley and Iris and Sterling I was so happy.”

“Fine, I’ll let you off the hook for that then, but know I will be watching you. If you start no-showing for chats with Iris and me again, and forgetting me when stuff goes down, I will come at ya with a vengeance. Tears will fall – probably for laughter, as I was told I look like a rabbit on speed when angry, but you WILL be tearing up!” he snickered, making Bri giggle.

“I love you so much Jas. Wish you were my real brother.” Bri succumbed to her emotions again and just embraced Jasper, who was taken aback, then just gave in and folded his arms around her, then after a moment, plucked her off himself.

“That should make Connor feel great. The old brother traded in for a younger model. BURN!”

“I can have two brothers …you younger model, you!” Bri giggled.

“Well, let’s see how much you love me next time we are both in the same place with – ooooh aaaaaah drool – Jackson Kershaw. I am not convinced you are over him yet. And I will have my eye on that, and I will run interference, cos otherwise Brad might, and we have already seen how that played out before, but I am pretty sure if Jackson were to come at me sideways, Connor would kick his ass, cos he’s like my big brother too and I am sure I outrank Jackson in Connor’s hierarchy. If not, I am fucked, I am a lover, not a fighter and that Jackson is buff. The brother’s muscles have muscles.”

Bri nudged him.

“I’d punch anyone out who would even think about hurting you, Jasper! Including Jackson! But do you REALLY think I would be THAT stupid running after a boy who clearly doesn’t care that much about me?! I was confused, am not a nymphomaniac!”

“Stupid, no. I KNOW you are smart as hell, Bri. I think you had – maybe have – a really big crush on Jackson, not something you can rub dirt on and walk it off. I think you think you might be over him, but like I said, I am not really convinced, Bri. Plus, they do say, you never forget your first.”

“I didn’t claim I’d forget him, but I am not into him anymore. I want Brad. The end. I love Brad, not Jackson.”

“Bri, you can’t fall out of love so fast, but I don’t feel like arguing about this with you. Just remember to be on guard whenever your paths will cross with Jackson, which they will. Especially when I am not there to jumpstart your brain if needed. Jack will marry Izzy and you and Jackson will both be at that wedding. Thinking I might be too, but who knows. Them bitches didn’t invite any of us to the real engagement thing in HOB, just the one weeks later at Connor’s and I am not Connor’s sibling, you are. So we’ll see where I rank with them.”

“No way they would not invite you and your parents and Oakley of course, we will all be there with our partners and parents, even Jackson and Taylor. I am good, Jas. I learned my lesson, I swear. I know I am not gonna get this lucky twice. And I also know I have only you to thank for me getting out of this mess. Won’t forget that either.”

The next morning began just as perfect as the day prior had ended.
Bri was awoken by the bright golden rays of the Tartosian morning sun, underlined by the crashing of waves right outside. Brad wasn’t in bed with her anymore, so she got up and looked at the room, simple but clearly upscale, then walked up to the window allowing an incredible view, just like all the bedrooms of the exclusive rental bungalow group occupied by the three couples, friends, all ranging between a tender 16 and 17 years of age.
Rich kids.
Privileged.
Heirs to empires.
Nepo-babies.

THIS was her life. THIS was where she belonged. Where she wanted to be.
Jackson had been nothing but a dream, the forbidden fruit, an adventure. Temporary. This was her future. The future she wanted.

She went to the bathroom, then to the kitchen, following an intoxicating scent, and found Brad at the stove stirring in some pan, like a vision, the scent making Bri’s stomach growl loudly.

She hugged him from behind, they kissed, he fed her a small bite, making her moan, eyes closed.

“This smells great, tastes even better! You can cook?”

“Few things. Mom thought it was a good skill to have especially before I go to college as they don’t want me to eat junk food all the time. Guess she was right, came in handy. Didn’t feel like getting dressed to drag us out to that little cafe for breakfast. I just wanted to chill here with you a little longer until we all leave for that tour later.”

The breakfast was a full spread and delicious, the omelet cooked and seasoned to perfection, the coffee just right, the orange juice freshly squeezed, the yoghurt parfait literally perfect. Mixed with the fresh salty mediterranean morning breeze it was heaven.

Just like the night before.
Bri thought about it and couldn’t help but smile. What a night it had been, indeed!

Bri and Brad had finally gone there, and it had been such a perfect experience for both, just like the trip had been so far and like this breakfast he made for her. Just like in one of those uber-romantic chick flicks. Maybe there was truth to them after all.
Bri couldn’t explain why, but everything was so different from the times of intimacy with Jackson.

Now she really regretted her choices. Sure, the times with Jackson had been dreamy too, but at what cost? If she could erase and rewind, still, she would and make last night, the first time with Brad her first time ever.

After breakfast, just sitting on the back porch, right on the beach, just steps away from the tide, overlooking the ocean, she realized she could never have this time of upscale leisure life with Jackson, and she also realized she enjoyed this a lot more than getting splinters in her fingers every time she opened a cabinet at his simple cabin. She wanted to see the world, have fun, not have to work, work, work all the time until she’d fall into bed too tired to have real fun, which in Chestnut Ridge would mean going to a bowling alley or some dance hall, occasionally some festival, all of which lame in Bri’s eyes. THIS was it. With Brad.

Upscale hotel rooms, whole bungalows directly on the beach just for her and her friends, so close to the ocean that you could jump out a window to swim if tide was in. Fancy ski trips with lots of après ski moments by a fire with hot cocoa, freshly imported from … well, wherever cocoa came from.
Who cares?
Not Bri.
All Bri cared about was another trip Brad was talking about them taking together at the beginning of their final semester of high school, to exotic Tomarang to see a tiger sanctuary, where you could pet actual live tigers. Jackson didn’t have tigers. Nor an ocean like this.

Nor cozy nights looking at snow-covered mountains after laughing so much on the slopes that your cheeks hurt, those in your face and the ones you were falling on trying to ski while laughing so hard your eyes watered.
And Jackson never would. If he ever traveled at all, which was rare, he either rode a horse, took the beat-up old truck that used to be old when his father still owned it before him, or he flew if someone paid for it, and he always stayed with someone else, low budget.
No thank you.
She saw Brad chat happily, chuckle about something, but she missed it all, lost in staring at him.

He was so cute. Handsome. Clearly still growing into the man he would be one day, but it was undeniable, that man wouldn’t be ugly.
The sole heir to an old empire, wealthy doctors who owned a worldwide chain of top medical centers with state-of-the-art equipment and the best staff, and all the doctors Bri knew worked at one of their facilities, making them feel accomplished for having landed a job there. Including Connor. And Rohan.
Brad wasn’t arrogant about all that, a smart young man, kind, forgiving, brilliant, one day he’d be a doctor continuing a long line of doctors who came before him. Like his father, and his father before him, and all the others who came before, Brad was expected to work his way up through the departments until one day he was ready to take over as his father’s Vice-President, and then eventually Brad would run the empire, while still working on high profile clients himself. Just like his father. And his father before him. And this went back more generations than anyone could recall without consulting files.
And one day, when they were older, after college, after more vacations like this to see all the world had to offer, when your family’s fortune could open doors that would be shut for most others, Bri would be his wife, then have his baby, another future doctor, hopefully with curls like Brad. Bri loved his curls. And his eyes.

Those eyes met hers now, when Brad noticed her watching him so intensely, as he smiled confused.

“You are staring at me, babe. I am getting paranoid here. Did I grow something out of my head? Pimples? Rash? Horns?” he smiled, making Bri blush and giggle, realizing she was mentally married and having babies with him when they just had sex with each other for the first time. ‘Reel yourself back in, Bri!’

“Sorry, I just can’t get over how amazing you are. And how lucky I am. To think that I almost squandered all this …”

“Bri … the best way to get over adversity is to forgive, maybe not forget so the mistake won’t be repeated, but to move on. If you dwell on it, you are stuck. And if you keep bringing it up, you get both of us stuck. Everyone makes mistakes. Hopefully, if I ever screw something up, you will remember this and don’t judge me too harshly for forgetting some important date or whatever. Nobody’s infallible.”

“You’re right. I’ll drool over you more covertly from now on.” she giggled, making him chuckle.

As if on cue her phone buzzed, it was laying in her lap, facing up, so Brad looked at the screen.

“Looks like you have some unfinished business here.”

Bri blushed deeply when she saw it was a message from Jackson, but relaxed when she opened it, then turned it to Brad so he could see.

“He sent it to Connor, Keira, his dad and Izzy too. One of his mares had a cute foal. See, harmless. I have known him ever since his dad got custody of him years ago. He just knows I like horses. You know I do. This is nothing, harmless.” Briar Rose said.

“Bri … It would be harmless, and I wouldn’t think anything of it, if I didn’t know what I know now. How would you feel if roles were reversed and a girl you know I cheated on you with was texting me. Would you really care if it’s a group message of horse pics?” Brad grimaced.

Bri looked down at her phone, then at Brad, then shook her head.

“I’ll block him. Sorry.”

“Bri, don’t just block him without telling him why. Tell him you came clean with me, tell him you made your choice and are no longer interested in him, including his horse pics. You can talk with him when we meet him at parties in person, once the college tours die down I will be able to go with you again too, the only thing I ask for is that you just won’t ever be alone with him, in person or via phone. I just can’t trust that right now, and I think you can’t trust yourself like that yet either. One day, when all this has scabbed over, sure. But not now. Why chance it, right? He needs to know that all he was is an affair.” Brad told Bri.

In that very moment Bri’s phone rang. Jackson.

“I don’t know what to say …” Bri looked at Brad.

“Then let me tell him.” Brad held out his hand, Bri was torn, then remembered her resolution from this morning, that THIS was the life she wanted and needed, and that Jackson didn’t have anything to offer to her, so she handed him the phone, he answered walking off with it, talking calmly, even though Bri felt iffy about it all.

Bri couldn’t take it, so she went inside to change into her bikini right when Jasper just burst in through the front door.

“Uh, hello …. heard of knocking, you caveman? I am not even dressed!” she complained.

“Heard about it, not a fan. You’re covered, I have seen you with much less clothing, even naked when we were little toddlers, so calm your titties, BriRo. Hey, if you are that concerned about privacy, why didn’t you lock the damn door? Here, gimme your phone right quick … Oakley and I found this crazy ass App, you HAVE to check it out!”

“I … I don’t have it. Brad has it. Jackson called me, totally random, Brad is talking to him now.”

Jasper’s eyes grew wide.

“What the …? Brad just took your phone? I think I need to have a talk about that with him!”

“No, he asked, and I gave it to him.”

“You are shitting me, yes? Bri! What the hell? Why was Jackson calling you when you told him not to anyway?”

“I … didn’t. Yet. I didn’t know what to say … I wanted to enjoy the vacation first and then deal with it when we’re back home. Jas what was I supposed to do? It was ringing, Brad saw who the caller was, if I didn’t give it to him, it would have looked more suspicious. I offered to block Jackson right then and there, but Brad wanted to talk to him instead.”

“Oh my God, Bri … Can you bend over, put one hand on each buttcheek and start pulling till you hear a plop? Means you finally removed your head from your ass, girl!” Jasper sighed.

“It’s fine. Look behind you, Brad’s calm. He’s not yelling. Look! He’s right there, cool as a cucumber. And not like Jackson is the type to take shit from anyone anyway.”

“Bri, you did exactly what I didn’t want to happen. You totally let Jackson walk right into an open knife unknowingly. How would you feel if you called his phone, and he gave it to his girlfriend to answer? What do you think they are talking about? Hint: probably not baseball scores.”

“Taylor kinda already did that to me. In person. And Jackson did nothing, just stood there, like an asshole!” Bri pouted, clearly still upset.

“Then you KNOW how that feels. I thought you cared about the dude. Plus, handing someone a phone deliberately is different than you just rolling up to the dude’s house without warning and him not knowing how to handle. What was he supposed to do? Kiss you and take you to his bedroom right in front of his girl? I wouldn’t know that I would have acted any different than Jackson in that situation, all I know is that if I ever were to get into cheating, I would make sure I’d have some sort of plan B for all eventualities. In more than one way.”

“I do care! Did! Or do … Gawd, I don’t know anything anymore. Jas – HELP!”

“Well, too late now. Lemme go get your phone from Brad and see if I can feel him out about that conversation. I doubt Brad got mean, knowing him, but not sure how predictable any man would be if talking to the dude whom he knows nailed his chick. Maybe I’ll call Jackson and try to explain this as some sort of SNAFU moment. I mean, you don’t want to alienate him, he’s the son of your brother’s best friend, no way could you avoid ever running into Jackson again, this has to stay civil. I also know that Brad isn’t the type to just randomly date, especially not after what he forgave you for, so that brother is serious about wanting a future with you, meaning you can’t keep screwing up. But seriously, Bri, you need to grow up and start learning how to adult. We’re all about to be 17, Sterling’s gonna be 18 in a few months, we can’t act like babies anymore. College will be here in no time and this uber-naiveté isn’t cute on you. Starting to make you look stupid and worse things if you can’t get your head out of your ass. I know you, so I know you are not really like that, but other people don’t know you as well as I do, and they won’t think good things about you. Especially living in the Bay, you don’t want to give them fodder for rumors. So, work on that! I feel like I need to take a highchair and play pen with me every time I go somewhere with you now.”

“I don’t even blame you. I deserve the reaming, and I am TRYING to do better, but this thing keeps circling back to me. I am thinking about having shirts printed with WWJD on it. I love you my sweet amazing awesome bestestestest not-really brother in the whole wide world!”

“They already have those, BriRo.” Jasper grinned, calling her by her online social handle.

“Yeah, but mine would mean What Would JASPER do.”

Brindleton Bay
The Elysium
The day after the girls returned home from the vacation

“Mooom?” Briar Rose came running down the stairs, yelling.

“Kitchen, baby, with your daddy, making sure nobody steals the coffeemaker!” Hailey called back.

“Are you guys decent?” Briar Rose replied.

“Seriously now, kid?!” Chase called back.

Seconds later, Bri appeared.

“Well, with you guys, better to make sure, especially since Iris and I just got back home from a week away. Mom, I have been thinking a lot about this of late, but don’t know how to do it myself so … can you teach me how to cook?” Bri asked.

Chase burst into laughter, spitting the sip of coffee he had been attempting to drink into the sink, so Hailey slapped his behind, while addressing their daughter.

“Me? Oh gawd, baby, don’t know that I can. I hated cooking with a passion when I was mortal and avoided it at all costs, and I definitely wouldn’t even attempt it now. What did you want to cook? Maybe we can figure it out together if it’s something simple, like cookies?”

“No, I want to make a really nice dinner you know like with candles and rose petals for Brad’s birthday … something really special. Like appetizer, entree and dessert, soup, charcuterie board, … and all that. And I really feel that I need to know how to cook, period. I keep running into moments where it seems everyone can cook but me and I look like an incapable tool. If I were a vamp, like you, I’d have an excuse, but I am not, so I just look dumb. Even Brad can cook, really well actually.” ‘not to mention Jackson can cook, and Taylor can, and showed me up like a dumbass this last time‘ Briar Rose thought to herself, realizing how much that part still burned, as her dad rinsed out his coffee mug, heading for the door.

“I am definitely out. I was born a vamp with a very different palate than mortals, now with the treatment Cesare came up with I can eat regular foods if I must and I even taste something, but I can only guess that what I am tasting is how whatever I’m eating is supposed to taste, I have nothing to compare it to, and I never wondered how someone got it on my plate, so I can’t help. I don’t know what foods would qualify as impressive enough for someone’s 17th birthday, all I know is that your mom could serve me dogshit on crackers, and I’d eat it with a smile, because she made it for me with love. I managed to feed all you kids enough that you didn’t starve, but what I manage is basic bitch stuff, not something to impress Brad with, so this is well above my paygrade for sure. Good luck with this, Patches.”

Laughing, Chase left the kitchen, shaking his head, while Hailey tried to help their daughter.

“Well, I am afraid I am no good here either, I know some basics, but don’t think that’s what you want to learn. However, I know who would be perfect for teaching you. Go ask your sister if she’s interested too.”

Iris stuck her head into the kitchen.

“Sister is already here. What would I be interested in?”

“Bri wants to learn how to cook. I am about to call Sophie to see if she is willing and able to give Bri some lessons and thought you might want to learn too. Lord knows Sophie needs all the money she can get, and is too proud to accept the help outright, so I keep booking her to cater everything I can think of, and this would be great for all of us.”

“Cooking lessons?! Well, no thanks, mom. Why would I cook when there are restaurants and catering places out there everywhere with so much food, they have to sell it off? If I need to impress my man with some meal, he either gets chocolate-covered strawberries, handfed by me, or I have Sophie’s number. And she has been teaching all five of her kids cooking and baking since they were old enough to hold a spoon, so at least one of them is bound to become a chef, meaning there is my next gen of help for impressive meals. So, thanks, but pass.”

Giggling, she walked off, making Hailey roll her eyes while pulling out her phone to dial, mumbling

“I did a great job raising that entitled squirt, yikes …”

Windenburg Isle
Hayes Estate
A few weeks later

Through the window, Bri stared at the man who looked scary to her, like a zombie from those movies, who had just suddenly shown up out of nowhere.
Sophie had gone upstairs to tuck her entire brood into bed during one of the cooking lessons she had been giving Bri for a few weeks now. While waiting for the timer to go off on that cake she had proudly made under Sophie’s watchful eye, so it could cool and Sophie could help her make the frosting for the very first cake ever Briar Rose made all the way from scratch, without much help from Sophie, Bri had let her eyes wander and spotted the man.

He just stood there, staring into the kitchen, ignoring the partially rude gestures Briar Rose made at him when gesturing and yelling at him to get lost had accomplished nothing, so angered at his behavior Bri started yelling and pounding on the window.

“What do you want here? There are small children in this house, so fuck off already! GO!” she barked at him.

He just wouldn’t leave, so Briar Rose bravely rushed outside.

“Why always me with this shit! Why never Iris!?!? HEY, you! I said get the fuzzy fuck out of here! We have no leftovers, you are DEFINITELY not getting my cake and nobody here has cash, so beat it. Go next door, take your pick between a vampire and a werewolf, that should be hella fun, at least for them! Just go!”

“Soph …?”

“What? I am not Sophie. Seriously now? We look NOTHING alike, you weirdo! Are you homeless? How did you get on this island? Don’t tell me you swam over, cos no way they’d let you on the ferry looking like that. Then again, this is Windenburg, not Brindleton Bay, so who knows they may be more lenient here. Where I come from, police would have already taken you to … wherever they keep people like you. We don’t have those. So, well, shoo shoo then! Go away. Get lost already, I mean it!”

“Soph …” he repeated.

“Listen you freak, I told you I am not Sophie. Can you like – get lost now for real? I don’t think we have anything for you, I don’t have cash on me, everyone knows Sophie has no money, and you are DEFINITELY not getting my cake, that baby needs frosting and then is going home with me untouched. That cake is for Brad, not you, to show him I really can cook now. Well, bake, but I can also cook some things now! So, go away or I am totally calling the cops. Or maybe I should call my dad, he’d totally fuck you up, dude!”

“Soph …”

The last word came like a plea, just before the man started foaming at the mouth, then immediately collapsed. Screaming, Bri tried to catch him in some reflex, but despite him being very skinny, she couldn’t hold him, just guided him to the ground, then pulled out her phone.

“DAD – I NEED YOU TO COME HERE – NOW! There is this man he just showed up outside Sophie’s house and I think he just like died in front of me or something! And I even touched him – EEEW! HELP! HURRY, I am totally freaking out here!” she hysterically screamed into the phone the minute Chase answered, her usually soft and almost child-like voice shrill for panic.