I Didn't Expect You Part 5 ~ Conrad Fisher
(Part 4) (Masterlist) (Part 6)
synopsis: Y/N never expected it to be the summer that everything changed. Conrad, Belly and Steven were all dealing with the consequences of recent break ups while Jeremiah's wasn't acting like himself. Susannah was undergoing treatment that provided unpredictable health results and kept her loved ones on the edge of tragedy. Had they drained the well of the magic of Cousin's beach? Or could something new fulfil it again?
warnings: multichapter slow burn, warnings will update with every chapter, timeline is both POST S2 and a retelling of S2 with changes, everyone swears, FLUFF, Nicole (sorry to this Queen), Gigi, Dara, Conrad's friend Danny (made him into my own thing), hints of Belly/Jeremiah (no previous Jelly), Susannah is sick, Laurel/Cleveland
word count: 5,935
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You got me fucked up in the head, boy
Never doubted myself so much
It's always one step forward and three steps back
Do you love me, want me, hate me? Boy, I don't understand
And maybe in some masochistic way
I kinda find it all exciting
It's back and forth, goin' over everything I said
It's back and forth, did I do something wrong?
I didn't see Conrad until dinner that day and even managed to sneak off to the beach with Steven to meet up with Jeremiah and Belly. It should have been all of us down there, splashing each other in the surf and testing our combined balance on the one surfboard Steven had thought to bring with him. The guilt tightened in my throat when I heard Jeremiah explain that Conrad seemed to be in a mood again. Lucky for me, I was with the three people in the world who never failed to put a smile on my face.
Belly snapped a selfie of all of us on the stretch back to the house on our walk back, sunkissed and dripping with salt water. It reminded me of the rest of the group pictures we'd taken every summer; how Belly and I treasured them throughout the school year until summer was upon us again. I made a mental note to get one this year with everyone, no matter any awkwardness or bad moods. Dinner was Jeremiah and Cleveland's promise of Susannah's legendary jambalaya recipe and it didn't disappoint. After Susannah's first bite, her eyes teared up as she smiled at her son and thanked them both. I didn't miss when Conrad reached for her hand to give it a quick squeeze.
Belly filled me in like she'd promised about how she was feeling drawn to Jeremiah Fisher in a new way. I wasn't that surprised when she said he told her he had feelings for her and had been disappointed when she started dating Conrad at the end of the summer last year. He'd hoped that if he'd waited patiently that eventually it could be him instead. She said she couldn't stop thinking about that and it was one of the only things that made her forget about Conrad entirely. I assured her that there was nothing wrong with that feeling as long as it was more than a rebound; Jeremiah deserved better than that. She agreed and promised not to be impulsive for once.
I spent the end of the night packing my bag and watching Roman Holiday with Belly, Susannah and Laurel. The next morning, we were gathering everything that needed to go in my car before we left when I remembered the picture. I told Steven to find Conrad and he didn't hesitate. I snapped a few of Laurel and Cleveland while we waited and Cleveland was sweet enough to take some of us with Susannah too. Conrad came bounding down the stairs with Steven just in time and all us kids slung our arms around each other on the porch of the beach house while Laurel got the perfect shot. When I was satisfied, Steven and Belly went back inside to say their goodbyes to Susannah and Cleveland.
"So when do you guys head back to Boston?" I asked the boys to fill the time as we waited.
They looked at each other before Conrad announced, "We decided to stay a while actually. Mom's next appointment isn't for a few weeks so there's no reason to be back. I, uhāwell, we decided it was good for her here. Fresh air or whatever."
Jeremiah added, "We just made the plan last night and Laurel said they'd stay and help. We weren't sure but Mom said she feels more relaxed here than at home."
Laurel nodded, "Cleveland was more than happy to extend his vacation. Not that we can't write anywhere but he's excited to try out some new recipes for everyone." They were all smiling at each other and something in my chest tightened from the inside.
"Ohā¦that's nice." I did my best to smile through the ache because it was silly and selfish. It was nice that Susannah got to be here longer surrounded by the people she loved. My focus was mostly on Aunt Laur but when I looked at the boys, Conrad's brow furrowed.
Steven and Belly interrupted the solemn moment for me just in time but Belly was looking at her mother with betrayal. "Mom! Why didn't you tell us everyone was staying?"
Laurel sighed, "You guys were already in bed and I didn't want to make you sad. You're not missing your last volleyball camp because of a last minute decision. And you," she punches Steven's cheek, "have to be at orientation no matter what."
The Conklin siblings looked disappointed but silently agreed. Laurel hugged both her kids and me before saying goodbye and heading back into the house.
Steven gestured towards Conrad, "Looks like you got what you wanted."
Conrad nodded with a smile, "Turns out I wasn't the only one who'd rather be here. I'm gonna drag it out until the last second too."
Belly winced, "Thanks for not rubbing it in." There was a small chuckle among the group and he faux punched her shoulder which made her smile. It was such a normal moment to witness between them and it lifted my mood.
Steven spoke my mind for me like he always had, a tinge of desperation in his voice, "Aw man, now I gotta leave all bummed. Why didn't we make a plan to hang out more this summer?"
There was a silent, contemplative moment until Jeremiah broke it, "I mean, we still can."
"Volleyball camp is two weeks and then we have to move Steven in August butā¦" She was looking around at everyone with a hopeful look.
Steven's smile grew, "Orientation will be done before then and I can drive us back. That leaves at least two weeks free."
Jeremiah pulled out his phone and looked to Conrad, "Mom's appointment isn't until the 6th."
Belly was getting visibly excited, starting to bounce on the balls of her feet and it infected everyone else as usual. Steven with optimism and Belly with her openness. We were all looking across at each other to have everyone's reactions. Suddenly I was smiling against my will as I looked at what was happening in front of me.
I was brought out of my daze by Conrad knocking my arm with his elbow, "What about you?"
"Oh, yeah. I don't have any plans until the move." I just shrugged.
Jeremiah looked at me like I'd been keeping a juicy secret. "Really?!? Where do you think you're going then?"
I rolled my eyes and refused to get my hopes up, "I drove everyone here, dummy."
"So? Let Steven take your car. You don't need it and if you do, Conrad will share, right?" He looked his brother's way hopefully and I saw more than heard Conrad's 'uh' after being caught off guard. "And better yet, I'm coming with you guys!"
Conrad coughs a laugh, "Jesus, Jere."
"What? I really wanted to road trip this summer beforeā¦you know. I'm great at making plans."
Steven leant into me and said quietly, "I mean, we're cool if you wanna stay. You know I'll take care of the car." Belly nodded in my direction when I looked her way.
"Yeah, I know. I just don't know ifā"
Conrad interrupted my uncertainty, "You should stayā¦if you want to. Mom would love it."
Jeremiah was frantic at this point and came over to me, grabbing my arms and locking his perfect blue eyes onto mine, "Exactly. Plus I need you here to cover my ass with mom and Conrad. You know how fucking hopeless he is. Teach him to make jambalaya!"
Something in the way Jeremiah was pleading with me was heavier than his exuberant exterior. Maybe he was burnt out and needed a break from the day to day of taking care of someone unwell. Immediately, my heart broke for him and I sighed, rubbing both his arms soothingly to try and encourage him to calm down. "Okay! Okay, I guess I'm staying then."
"You're an angel!" I was wrapped up in his arms before I finished speaking. "I owe you one. Whatever you want me to make when we get back, I promise it's yours." He kissed my smiling cheek and ran off to pack his bag in a flash.
Conrad and Steven had huddled together to talk about orientation at that point so I pulled Belly aside. "Are you sure you're okay with this? I know we were supposed to hang out on some of your down time and now Jere's coming insteadā"
Belly gripped my hands tightly and smiled, "I'm just excited to come back here! It all worked out, you don't need to worry about me."
"Okay, but only if you're sure."
"I don't exactly hate the idea of spending more time with him if he wants to come so badly." There was the lightest pink creeping up her cheeks as she spoke.
"Oh and I can only imagine whyā¦" Belly giggled and I squeezed her as tight as I could before giving Steven the same treatment.
Jeremiah wasn't kidding when he said he'd be ready in a flash because before I knew it, Steven was pulling out of the driveway in my car and Conrad and I were on the porch waving our goodbyes.
"Don't let Jere choose the music! He'll make you listen to 3 hours of pop country hits!" Conrad shouted through his hands and laughed when the only response was a middle finger from his brother shooting out the backseat window.
"Easy on the breaks too, Stevie! I literally just got them fixed!" I joined and he had the good grace to yell back that I didn't need to worry.
"Yeah, be careful! Drive safe!" Conrad said it with the most sincerity but still burst into laughter after. They probably couldn't even hear us anymore.
I managed to get out a quick 'text us when you get there!' before they were out of sight completely.
"My god, we're turning into the moms, aren't we?"
He crossed his arms across his chest and chuckled, "We're getting fucking old, dude."
We laughed for a second until the quiet seeped into the moment. The trees blowing in the wind were the only company we had left.
"And then there were two." Conrad didn't look at me when he said it, low and casual but I glanced at him quickly before grabbing my duffle.
I planned to go back inside and start my unpacking ritual all over again but Conrad reached out to stop me. "Hey, can we talk for a minute?"
I glanced down at his hand on my forearm and decided to hear him out. "Uh, yeah sure."
He forced a quick smile and stood in front of me, letting his hands hang by his sides now.
"I wanted to apologize for the party. For how I actedā¦what I said to you. I was drunkā¦and that's no excuse but it's why I pushed it that far." He tried to look at me the whole time but his eyes would squeeze shut for a second or he'd attempt the quickest eye roll I'd ever seen in between. "I never want to make you uncomfortable, Y/N/N. Not ever. I hate the thought that I made you feelā"
I sighed. "Connieā"
"No, you told me to stop and I didn'tā¦I never wantedā"
When he wouldn't listen, I grabbed his hand and encouraged him to look at me with pleading eyes directed in his eyeline.
"You don't need to do that. You didn't do anything wrong. You justā¦picked up on a vibe between Danny and I and turns out, it was weird. But you were drunk and I never actually told you to stop. Not really. And you know I would have ifā¦āI'm not Belly." I wasn't the one who let him get away with bad behaviour. I never had.
"Y/Nā"
"No wait, I don't meanāI just know you shouldn't feel guilty about it and I don't want you to."
He chewed on his lip for a second before nodding, "Okay."
"So we're good?" A small smile was tugging at the corners of my lips at the relief of putting this behind us.
"Yeah, we're good." Our smiles finally matched and that's when I realized that his hand was still in mine.
I looked down at them and pushed it back into his chest. "And how about you? Are you good?"
He nodded happily, "Yeah, maybe. Finally. I know I've been a dick all week and it's too late butā¦"
I nodded in agreement and thought about Jeremiah and I laying into him seconds apart from each other.
"I think I might have got it out of my system."
I nodded, "Well if there's anything I can do to help you make sure, let me know."
His eyes lit up like I'd said exactly what he needed to hear. "I may take you up on that."
"Good." I was so proud of him at that moment that I reached my hand out and patted his cheek absent-mindedly but he just laughed softly with me as he gripped my hand for a second and then pushed it off.
"It was wild, you and Jere laying into me on the same night. It was almost funny."
"Well, great mindsā¦"
"How could I forget?" I was about to leave again when he continued, "Hey, I hope you don't take this the wrong way but I thought you should know. Nicole left with Danny after the party and it lookedā¦you know."
I was and wasn't surprised at the same time. I did text him back saying that it was okay that he had my number at all but there was barely any conversation in the whole 48 hours since. Maybe I'd tell Danny that I was staying for longer than expected but maybe I wouldn't. Either way good for them.
"I just wanted to say sorry if I fucked that up for you. That wasn't fair."
I shrugged, āIt doesn't matter anymore because I told you I wouldn't go there if it bugged you and I meant it.ā If you'd asked me whether I'd let Conrad's opinion affect my choices Iād tell you I could give a shit about his feelings but I'd also never been face to face with it before. Turns out a potential fling wasn't worth it after all.
He nodded, contemplation tightening his features and I paused to let him say the thing on his mind but it never came.
Instead, I continued, āBut maybe Nicole will lay off you now, right? You should be more excited." I poked him in the stomach and he batted my hand away.
"From your mouth to fate's ears, I swear to fucking god."
The next few days were unexpectedly busy in a totally different way but it might as well have been mundane to me. More like life at home than life at Cousins. Susannah was predictably drained after the holiday and we were worried her low energy meant she could have caught something from a guest. Laurel and Conrad were understandably on edge and running themselves ragged trying to manage. Luckily, Cleveland was born to be a support person in a situation like this and became our in-house chef while my every day experience with a sick parent kept me even keeled even through my worry. More than anything my job was taking care of Conrad and giving Laurel a reprieve so that, at the very least, she was getting a good eight hours of sleep.
When Conrad first came to me and asked to go on a pharmacy run with him, I was a little surprised and never expected it to become our new routine. We were in charge of groceries and errands and I kept Conrad focused and organized when I saw him get overwhelmed. I was shocked he let me see it at all but he didn't really have a choice. As soon as I'd think I'd pushed him too far, he'd pause and take a deep breath that finally made his shoulders sag. That was when I discovered a new Conrad smile. It was small and quiet, brief even, depending on when it cracked. Sometimes it was framed by dark circles or a pale flush. But it was also private, like we had a secret now that we hadn't before.
I still don't know who started it but we woke up at the same time that first morning and after a short awkward moment, it immediately transitioned into making early breakfast together. Now I knew Conrad like strong black drip coffee in the morning and a flat white on the go. He knew I liked extra crispy bacon and dark toast. He knew I preferred a savoury start to the day whereas he leaned toward a yogurt bowl. It was surprisingly simple and easy and suddenly we didn't have to exchange words until it was time to tackle our list of tasks for the day. We turned into a team in no time.
I got antsy when things settled down at the house finally. Laurel and Cleveland had everything under control and were encouraging us to get out while we could. Probably for their own reasons as much as anything else but Conrad was resistant. I took it upon myself to try and convince him for everyone's sake so after our breakfast routine I headed upstairs to look for him. There was no list to tackle today so he'd just quietly disappeared instead. I'd also decided that I'd find something to do without him if he was going to be stubborn.
āConrad!ā I called against the closed door of his bedroom, not knowing where else to start. āHey, you're not allowed to be pissed at me if you're in there and just ignoring me. So brace yourself, I'm coming in!ā
I turned the handle and was grateful it turned. I listened to the creak of the door as I slowly opened it and peered inside. Empty. I sighed and stepped inside, absentmindedly. The way to really peak Conrad's rage was to go into his room for any reason so it felt risky. Jere taught us that it was forbidden territory in action. I hadn't been in Conrad's roomā¦ever? That couldn't be right but I distinctly felt like I was looking at things I'd never seen before. Maybe my memory was already going. I was chuckling to myself at the dedication to neat and tidy he maintained for a guy his age compared to others I knewāSteven Conklināwhen I heard a low, āNosy,ā in my ear.
I almost jumped out of my skin as I turned and slapped my palm across the spot on my neck where I'd felt his hot breath. Conrad was snickering and shaking his head at my reaction while pushing past me to head towards his dresser. And that's when I saw the towel around his waist and the wet hair dripping water down his exposed shoulders and back. I turned my back immediately and almost regretted it because why the fuck did he have to look like that? I'd told Belly for years that her thing for Conrad's wet hair was insane and now I wanted to get closer to see for myself.
Was he better looking this summer? Was that even fucking possible? I was internally rolling my eyes at my own inner monologue as I heard him rummaging around. Conrad was hot. I never thought about it for more than a second but, of course, I saw it. I had to listen to most girls in Cousins talk about it including my baby cousin. I also saw Jeremiah's abs and could objectively understand how someone could crush on Steven. But I never remembered a time when it was as obnoxiously in my face as it was right now.
"You're being weird. I put shorts on."
I slumped at the sound of his voice but didn't turn around. He was Belly's ex. There was no level or wet or mostly naked that would ever change that. The reminder centered me as I turned around, rolling my eyes as I went.
"It's notā" he raised his brows, expectantly and I gave him a partial truth. "I just can't remember the last time I was in your room. So it's a little weird. I know what every room in this house looks like except this one."
He nodded, accepting that easily. "I have a thing about privacy, I get it. Jere was the worst snoop growing up so I got a little intense about it.ā He opened his arms, offering the view as he dropped the towel onto his bed. āSo feel free to take it in now."
I took the invitation and shifted my gaze across the photos he'd collected across the walls and in frames. "It feels like Susannah's version of you." I picked up a beach volleyball trophy on his dresser to look at closer and smiled. I could see a collage of family photos out of the corner of my eye and spotted one of all us kids from at least five years ago. No one was looking at the camera. Instead, everyone was laughing hysterically; Steven had his head tipped back while Jere pointed towards Conrad, the culprit, pulling my braid with his famous bunny ear fingers waiting for the perfect photo opportunity. He always got someone and pissed me off no matter what. Laurel was the only one who could stop him when she asked for one nice photo of them each summer. I could only see Belly's dark ponytail, her body folded over next to me and my own tongue sticking out in Conrad's direction as we faced off. But I wasn't scowling or red-faced with anger. I was smirking with a mischievous gleam in my eyes similar to the one Conrad shot right back at me. It was a candid moment I never would have believed happened if I wasn't looking at the evidence.
"I mean, it started that way but it's more me now. There used to be way more football stuff." His voice pulled me away from the photo and I nodded, stupidly.
"That makes sense."
"So was barging in on me coming out of the shower a part of your grand plan to sneak a peek into my room after all these years?" He said teasingly.
I swallowed my instant spike in adrenaline, "Next time, I'll just leave for the boardwalk without you." "You're going to the boardwalk? And you were gonna invite me? That's so nice." I was disappointed by his genuine shock but he managed to say it with that classic mischievous smile still plastered on his face.
I couldn't help but plop my hands on my hips as I faced him and said. "I'm very nice. I tell you this all the time.ā
"See? We're still learning things about each other." Then gestured towards my quick exploration of his room.
"Yeah, well find a shirt if you wanna come. I'm leaving." And I deliberately chose that moment to head for the door.
I only heard his voice as I headed towards my bag and slung it over my shoulder. "Wait! I'm coming!"
Conrad was wearing a shirt when I saw him next and I'd never been more grateful to see a piece of clothing. I couldn't believe I'd chosen today to be the day that I found Conrad Fisher distracting. Luckily, the drive was quiet but not awkward and we were immediately in sync about the boardwalk to-do list. Giant pretzels with hot dogs, funnel cake and then caramel apples on the way home and in that order. We played games I hadn't played in years and remembered why when we both failed miserably. Conrad decided to FaceTime Belly, Jere and Steven to try and convince me to play an āhonouraryā game of Shoot Your Shot. I didn't see the point since I'd never been a better shot than Conrad but got bullied into it by everyone anyway.
Surprisingly, he made it fun using every trick shot he could think of and making a fool of himself while making most of the shots anyway. Jere decided Conrad needed to double his score to beat me overall and I saw his eyes light up at the challenge. I always remembered competition with Conrad as exhausting and a wasted effort that only Belly was up for with her similar competitive nature. Their athletic skill flourished together and the rest of us were tasked to keep it civil. But this was fun and destined to be a good memory to add to my mental scrapbook of Cousin's. Maybe I'd had some summer magic in me all along. Belly was the world's greatest hype woman and did everything in her power to throw my opponent off. She failed more than succeeded but the effort was appreciated.
In the end, Conrad was just two points shy of doubling my score but had won enough by the actual game rules to pick a prize. He wanted me to choose because he hadn't beaten me by our game standards but I asked him to help me select one for Susannah instead. A snowy owl that would fit the decor for the bookshelf in her bedroom was perfect. I was mulling over the game in my head as we walked. Conrad had taken a few extra steps back before throwing the ball at least twice the few times he'd missed and it wasn't adding up. That wasn't one of the rules his brother put in place originally unless I missed it. I was about to ask him when I caught him grinning down at me instead.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Just tell me, you asshole." I couldn't stop the exasperation if I tried.
He just shrugged, "I mean, imagine my surprise that you're actually fun. 15 year old me would never believe it." He was tearing into the last of his funnel cake as he spoke.
"Just because I like to have a different kind of fun than you doesn't mean I'm incapable. Not everything has to be a competition, Conrad."
He paused and nodded. "But it's more fun when it is."
I was trying really hard to keep the eye rolling to a minimum but sometimes it couldn't be helped. "Well, I'm sorry Belly couldn't be here to give you a worthy opponent."
Conrad stopped short and said sincerely, "That's not what I meant."
I turned back to look at him a few steps ahead, "No? Is Conrad Beck Fisher admitting he was wrong about something? God, I never thought I'd see the day."
"Yeah, well all that athletic skill really takes a toll on my brain power."
I scoffed, "Oh my God! Stay proud of that."
"Not a problem." We really didn't know when to stop bickering until we found ourselves at the Ferris wheel.
I was contemplating a ride when I said, "It's weird that you've hung around the house so much already."
Conrad frowned down at me, "What do you mean? You must be confusing me with Greek god Jeremiah because you should know I've always been a homebody,ā he flicked my nose enough to make me scrunch it, āJust like you."
I batted his hand away, "Stop it. I don't mean parties, I mean you're not even hanging out with anyone."
He shrugged and looked behind me avoidantly, "I'm hanging out with you right nowā¦and Steven and Jere before they left.ā He assumed his Shoot Your Shot stance and tossed his garbage into the can behind me as he said, āAnd I gotta be careful around Belly now, you know that. Maybe I'm just trying to appreciate what I have for once." He met my gaze and I nodded in acknowledgement. He wanted to be around for his mom while she was here and there was nothing wrong with that.
I finally had to look away from him when he wouldn't, "Well that'sā¦sweet. Fuck, I'm the asshole now, aren't I?"
Conrad just shrugged though I caught his gaze flicking over my shoulder again. "Lucky you're so pretty."
I gasped and shoved into the first part of him in reach, "Fuck right off!" He was looking at me again and laughing softly, ready to back away or defend himself if I meant him more harm. "Okay seriously though. And tell me to drop it if you want to but there's really no one this summer? A little rebound action? Unless that's been covered already. Maybe an experiment? A guy?!?" I was just trying to rile him up now because his gaze was over my head again.
That snapped him out of it quickly, "Jesus fuck!ā Conrad stuck his hand out in my direction, āNice to meet you, my name's Conrad, the boring, straight Fisher."
I knocked his hand away, "I'm kidding! It's just unlike you," his face fell to something more sullen, "and it better not be about Belly. Sheās a big girl and can accept that people move on." I didn't think he had a clue about how much Belly knew and was practicing that sentiment.
His voice was low when he said, "It's not. Not really. Not that I'd shove it in her face or anything. It's just different this summer.ā Conrad shrunk down, bending at the knees to catch my eye directly, before he said, āI promise I'm exactly where I wanna be if that's what this is about."
And it was, I just didn't know it until he said it out loud and didn't know how I felt about it now that I did. It was probably written all over my face for the seconds I stood there, shell shocked. I couldn't even say I was surprised when he swept his fingertips across my temple to move a wisp hair out of my eyeline if only to knock me out of whatever stupor he'd put me into.
His eyes flicked to my left this time and he sighed heavily, "Fuck, Nicole keeps looking over here." And before I could respond, he was grabbing my hand in his and lacing our fingers together.
It took a second to put all the pieces together but when I did the glare I shot in his direction was going to be memorable. Conrad was already closing the distance between us when I warned, "No, you do not."
"Please.ā His eyes were soft and his bottom lip jutted out ever so subtly like he'd been perfecting this since infancy. His other hand was stroking my arm in faux assurance while also completing his picture that announced, public couple. āShe texted me last week after the 4th and said she's 'kinda into fuckboys this summer'." I had to turn my head and laugh at the terror in his expression. This was beyond ridiculous.
Finally, I gathered my wits enough to say, "Well, you weren't the only one. This couldn't have less to do with me so I say why not jump at the opportunity and enjoy yourself?" I couldn't resist a last attempt to squirm away from him but Conrad was motivated.
His grip turned to iron as his free hand trailed down my side. His pleading look was part of his hold on me that wouldn't let go, "Hell no. That's shit's a classic red flag."
I judged the shit out of him for his hypocrisy at that comment. He only laughed like he knew and when I looked over at the group, definitely focused on the two of us, I sighed. "Conradā¦"
Conrad closed the remaining distance and whispered, "Come on. Pretend with me."
"They're not gonna fall for it. We just saw them at the party." I wasn't surprised that my voice sounded whinier than I would usually allow it in public.
He was all business again, "You underestimate my improv skills. Just yes and."
I rolled my eyes at him one last time before plastering a happy smile across my face as I heard clacking heels on the pavement grow closer.
The conversation was as predictable as it was shallow. There was talk about the 4th and an after party some people had gone to. Who'd hooked up and who broke up. Who got hammered and who didn't show at all. Nicole made a point to tell me that Danny offered her a ride there and she couldn't say no. It didn't stir up any feelings in me either way. And who says it wasn't because the only thing on my mind was Conrad's death grip on my poor fingers. His thumb slowly stroked across my hand like it might make up for it. He would look at me and smile when he answered their questions and refused to let me put even an inch of between us. I wondered if Conrad had built more lean muscle since last I saw him and now I know he did.
Finally, it couldn't be ignored anymore and I was more relieved than anything. The quicker we addressed it, the quicker it could be over.
"So wait, you guys have been together this whole time?ā Nicole gestured between the two of us and giggled with the fakest smile I'd ever seen. āWhat the fuck, Con?" I could understand her frustration with him and silently shared it with her.
Conrad hung his head even as he tried to smile away his apology. I had to give it to him; he was good.
"Yeah, my bad. We wanted to keep a low profile since it's still new. We're actually going to Stanford together in the fall so maybe it was inevitable." He turned that sweet smile my way and I played along.
I used my other hand to cradle the one currently caught in Conrad's grasp like I needed to be touching even more of him, "Yeah, we're pretty lucky, huh?"
"Damn, so it's serious.ā Gigi's brows raised as she looked to her friends and barely lowered her voice to comment, āToo late, Nicole," hip checking her friend lightly and giggling it off.
Nicole smacked Gigiās arm to shut her up and said assuringly, "You guys are cute. So that means you're not mad about Danny then? Since he's the one who's free game?ā Her brow quirked in my direction.
I was surprised she felt the need to ask me at all. āOh, of course. Free game.ā
Nicole smiled triumphantly, āGreat. See you around, okay? You guys should come to Daraās party." She gestured toward her friend who nodded in agreement at the invitation.
"For sure. See you around." Conrad smiled and waved pleasantly as the girls linked arms and murmured amongst themselves as they walked away.
As soon as they were out of sight and Conrad relaxed his hold, I yanked myself a good few feet away from him. He had the nerve to scowl and look confused. I was just glad he didn't try to snatch me up again, fake girlfriend or not.
"We will absolutely not be seeing them āaround this summerā, you asshole!ā Every muscle in my body went tensed in frustration and then went slack in defeat at the thought of what he'd just gotten us into. I couldn't bear to even open my eyes to look at him as I swore, āI don't care how fucking rich your daddy is, there is no limit to how much you owe me right now!" I could only hear his amused chuckle and I swung at him for good measure. I hit solid muscle and his laugh only grew. It didn't stop me from letting him drag me to the Ferris Wheel next.
Next
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author's note: I hope you enjoyed my longest chapter yet because I refused to move the boardwalk scenes to the next one! Thank you again for the continued support even when I wasn't posting for so long šššš©µššš©·. I always got a thrill that someone had found this story and enjoyed it enough to like. Reply with comments and let me know if you wanna be added to my taglist. If you'd like to ask me about any upcoming chapter warnings you wanna be warned of ahead of time (angst? 18+ smut?) then come visit my blog with any questions and I'll be happy to answer!
taglist: @c4rpediem-blog @jackierose902109 @lcvecstiel @h0t-as-h3ll @stylesxroyalty @fandom-addict404 @hellofutur @junnniiieee07 @shelby-x @historygeekqueen @sabrina-carpenter-stan-account @watercolorskyy @redbierd @silkenthusiasts @onlyangel-444
