19

Four hours, a tanned skin, and what to me seemed like sunburn at my arm later, we were back at our own rooms, showering at getting ready for dinner later at seven. Liam was drained and wanted to just sleep when we got in but I had managed to bathe him before he fell dead asleep on the bed.

I just got out from the shower, my hair dripping wet but at least it wasn’t as frizzy when we left the beach. It was tamed and hopefully it would stay that way, at least until the end of the night. My hair and sea water didn’t really have a great relationship together.

I had just pulled a top over my head when my phone started buzzing beside the sink. After a sigh, I slid the lock answer screen on my phone and brought it up to my ear.

“Where are you? Why did you answer my calls earlier?”

I groaned internally. “Hello to you too my ever so courteous sister.”

“Answer me Beth.” She demanded over the phone. “I was starting to worry and was just about to fly back there and file a report on missing people.”

“Reese, calm down for a second.” I told her. “Don’t you trust me or something? We’re fine. I texted you and left a voice mail thrice to tell you that Blake invited us to the beach. No big deal really.”

“You didn’t leave me anything!”

“Right.” I rolled my eyes and dragged the word. “Check your messages and your voicemail.”

I can hear the sound of shuffling and some raged typing before I heard my sister’s voice.

“You’re right.”

“Pshh I’m always right.” I scoffed, rolling my eyes at her new discovery. “You just realized that now?”

She sighed. “I think this is Blake rubbing off on you.”

“Blake? What does he have to do with me being always right?”

“Not that you idiot.” Now I could hear her rolling her eyes. “His arrogance.”

I creased my brows together. “Arrogance? He isn’t arrogant, Reese.”

“Well then, whose did rub off on you?”

A small smile made its way to my face. “By the name of Marcus.”

She groaned. “Right. The infamous Marcus Ward.”

“The one and only.” I grinned.

“Speaking of,” she started. “They moved the reunion to this coming Saturday instead of the next one after.”

“What?!” I shrieked and covered my mouth right away hoping Liam didn’t wake up. “Why would they do that? It’s always on the third Saturday of July! Are they insane? Wait, don’t answer that. Of course they are. Why would they reschedule it?”

“Beth, I get a feeling you’re more worried that you’re going to have to attend to it earlier than you expected than just them switching the dates.”

I remained silent. She was right. Family reunions were never my forte. It was boring, and often times I get offended but now I have gotten so used to it doesn’t really bother me anymore. It’s just annoying.

Two years ago, my aunt who I’ve never seen before attended the reunion and everybody loved her. Except me. She was so damn annoying and quite insulting if I may add.

It’s like this: everyone and I mean everyone in the family of my mother’s side never had someone who grew old single and alone. No, they all married and had children. And being the scarred little girl that I am, I refuse to get a boyfriend. My sister respects that, most of relatives do, some don’t but they just shut up about it. Her, on the other hand, did not. Her mouth never heard of a filter. And she drove me crazy.

Her name was April. She sounded so sweet and lovely; looked the part too. Boy as I wrong.

“Oh honey I get it now!” she told me with a glass of red wine in her hand.

We were in the kitchen. I had just finished loading the dishwasher when she walked up. She didn’t look one bit intoxicated to me so I was pretty sure that wasn’t the alcohol talking. It was her pure inner bitch.

“Aren’t men attracted to you or do you just repulse them?” April had said that to me on the first year she attended the get together.

I didn’t take that one to the heart and just let her continue talking. I blocked her out with the help of duct tape, some rope, and bat. Just kidding, it was all the champagne’s work.

The second year however, it got worse. She started spitting words out of her mouth like there was no tomorrow. The joy.

“You have crabs or herpes!” She raised her glass up with her new theory on why I was still single. “Or whatever disease there is! That’s why you’re so determined to keep your legs closed because some guys gave it to you while you were screwing random them.”

I had never wanted to throw a knife to someone before that time. And I wanted to hit bull’s eye. She was lucky I had just loaded all the knives in the dishwasher otherwise she would’ve ran around with a knife plunged in her gut.

She was lucky my mom was busy tending the plants. And April became a very lucky bitch that Reese didn’t hear her too.

She told me that I slept with random men and that I was basically a slut- though that’s not what she said directly, it was clearly implied. I don’t know how April and my mom were related but everyone in the family knew her.

I never told anyone about what she said. I just wanted to leave that place immediately. I love my mother, yes, but every time we go there- it was always held at my parent’s home because that’s where my grandparents grew up too- all I could think of was all of my happy memories erased with memory of my father cheating on my mother.

It was scarring.

“Bethany.” Reese’s voice snapped me out from my thoughts. “Are you still there?”

“What? Oh, right. Yeah I’m still here.”

“Good.” She sighed. “I thought I was talking to no one again.”

I let out a sheepish smile, tucking my phone in between my cheek and shoulder to put on my pants. But, I didn’t bring pants. It was still in my bag outside. Instead of pants, I had grabbed a white sundress I didn’t even know I packed.

“What’s wrong?”

“What?” I asked, catching my phone when I lifted my head up. “What are you talking about?”

“You just grumbled a few seconds ago.”

“I did?”

“Yes.” She was getting impatient. “Now, what is it?”

“It’s nothing.” I rolled my eyes and took off my shirt quickly.

“Spill.”

I sighed and just gave up. Finding out you have to wear a dress instead of pants isn’t really a big of a deal unless I’m at home and haven’t shaved my legs yet. “I’m in the bathroom and I left my pants outside. All I have is my shirt and a white dress.”

“The one I gave you?”

“Yes.”

“Wear that!” she cried- it was more of an ordered bark, like demanding gorilla. “Blake will drool when he’ll look at you and would just want to bed you on the spot.”

“You are weird and gross.” I said without hesitation. “What was your real intention of calling? International coverage  isn’t cheap Reese.”

“Right.” She noted. “How’s my boy?”

“He’s asleep in the bedroom. Swimming drained him out.”

Reese laughed at the other line then I heard a beep. “Shit, I’m almost out of battery. Don’t forget to pick me up Tuesday and tell Liam I love him!”

Then the line went dead. She should really remember to charge her phone. And I should remember to let her pay my phone bills this month. This is costing me a fortune.

After adjusting the dress properly on my body, I dried my hair, applied a little bit of color to my cheeks and left the bathroom. Liam was watching Barney when I went out. He still had bed hair and a sleepy face.

“Beth I’m hungry.” Was the first thing he said to me and on cue, my stomach grumbled.

“Well, it’s already seven.” I checked the wall clock and was right. “Let’s go. They’re probably waiting for us.”

Liam jumped to his feet and ran out of the room. I got my phone, wallet, and the card key before following suit, running out of the room in my flip flops. We raced down the carpeted hallway, his laughter filling the empty foyer. The other guests may complain about some brats yelling outside but then, I didn’t really care.

We reached the elevator out of breath. I was that unfit; maybe I should start exercising. I pressed the button for the bottom floor where Blake said he’d meet us.

“Your mom’s coming back this Tuesday.” I announced when I caught my breath. “She says she loves you and can’t wait to see you.”

His eye lit up like a Christmas tree. “Mommy’s back!”

I bent my knees so that I was down at his level. “You’re excited to leave me?” I faked a hurt expression, placing my hand over my heart. “I see. You don’t love me. You won’t miss me. Aunt Beth will be alone forever.”

Liam pursed his lips at me. “No! I love you Beth! I love you so much, and your cakes! I miss you and cakes!”

Cake. That was most probably the only reason he won’t forget. At least it’s better than nothing.

“And you have Al-ee’s dad!” Liam pointed out. “You won’t be alone.”

I blushed as I heard his words. Even my four year old nephew is teasing me. Is it really that obvious that I like him? Can Blake see it? Does he know? What if he does and he’s just teasing me? Playing around for his own amusement?

I shook my head. No. Blake wouldn’t do that. He’s too kind for that. He’s mature enough to stop those foolish games. He isn’t like that. I’m sure of it.

When the doors opened, it had gone unnoticed by me but I stepped out when Liam started darting out to the lobby. I chased after him. I should never let that kid have naps if it resulted to him having a sugar rush.

“Jesus, Liam stop running around!” I exclaimed behind me.

He had finally come to a stop when he bumped onto someone’s legs. I didn’t bother to look who it was and just placed my hands on my knees, catching what was left of the oxygen supply in my body. After a second or so, I ran my fingers through my hair in a futile attempt to fix my messed up hair, to make me look at least a little bit presentable.

“You look like you just ran a marathon.” A voice in front of me said. It was Blake’s.

I shook my head. “I chased Liam down the hallway and now all around the lobby. And I just finished bathing.”

“Well then, let’s get going.” He said. “I bet you’re now hungry after running around the place.”

I glared at him but shrugged it off. I definitely was hungry. I stood up, meeting his beautiful gray eyes. We locked gazes, staring at each other, taking it all in. He looked freaking beautiful like he was sculpted by angels.

After a few seconds of our staring contest, he cleared his throat and diverted his eyes to somewhere else.

“You look beautiful Bethany.” He said that made my cheeks warm and have goose bumps all over my skin.

“Thanks.” I gave an embarrassed smile, looking down so he wouldn’t be able to see my tomato face. “Where are we going?”

“I hope you don’t mind eating outside. The food upstairs is alarmingly expensive. I could buy a car with just one dish.”

I laughed. “I eat almost anything so I don’t mind.”

We arrived at an outdoor grill restaurant a few minutes later. I had my flip flops in hand because the sand was being too much of a trouble when it kept dragging my feet down. We were seated somewhere at the edge, near the shore. The wind was cool, and it didn’t blow like crazy so my hair was tamed, and sand didn’t blow into our food.

I didn’t really mind the food, although it was absolutely delicious. I just couldn’t concentrate well because the only thing in my mind was that I was going to meet April again. As I said, I hated her and her existence in this world.

My thoughts were all about how to avoid her and how to shut her up if she opens her mouth in front of me and that involved with duct tape, a razor, a scarf, and some butter.

“Daddy look!” Allie was in a cute pink striped dress when she pointed out in the waters. It was the moon and it looked breath taking. Besides the restaurant and hotel, it was the only source of light illuminating the body of water.

“It’s beautiful.” I said out loud, still in awe.

I heard Blake mutter something incoherent under his breath which only he could hear. I turned to him and he just blushed and shook his head. Okay?

We had coconut sorbet for dessert which everyone seemed to enjoy.

My mom used to make sorbets all the time when I was small. She’d experiment with different types of fruits and has probably tested with every single fruit available in the nearest fruit market I our place and had Reese and me do a taste test for every single flavor. I love sorbet, yes, but when she uses an exotic fruit only available in selected countries that does not taste sweet at all, it could become a nightmare. She made my favorite lemon sorbet every time I would come over to visit and during the reunions and it tastes the same every single year which no store has ever duplicated.

It was the same flavored sorbet I was eating when April first talked to me and decided that it would be better to piss me off as a first impression and this was the repulse thing. I don’t know where she heard of my legendary status of ‘Still Single’- I’m betting it was from my cousin Andrea who was about a year or two older than me that hated my guts (don’t know what crawled up her ass) but I’m thankful she doesn’t talk to me and keeps a fairly good distance away from me.

“What are you thinking of?” Blake cut my thoughts short. “You seem so engrossed in it. Pray tell.”

“It’s uh…nothing.”

“You hesitated. Now tell me what’s bothering you. You’ve been pretty quiet the entire meal.”

I forced out a smile. “It’s nothing really.”

“Bethany.” He looked at me. “You don’t have to tell me but just forget about it and enjoy the time, please.”

“I’m sorry.” I apologized, playing with the fabric of my dress. “You’re right. I should just stop thinking about it. A little fun won’t kill me.”

Blake grinned at me. “That’s the spirit. Would you want something to drink? Champagne?”

I laughed. “Are you trying to get me drunk?”

“I bet that’d be an interesting sight to see.” He smirked.

I shook my head. “It’s not, and I don’t like drinking that much.”

“Really?”

“Yeas really.” I rolled my eyes. “Do you?”

“Before I did.” He admitted. “But the part I hate the most are the hangovers.”

“Ugh.” I agreed. “Who doesn’t?”

After a while, we started walking away from the buildings, structure and the people. Liam and Allie were by the shore, scavenging for seashells. Blake and I were a few meters behind them, sitting on the cool powdery sand side by side as we kept a close eye on them. We wouldn’t want the water to suddenly consume them.

I was drawing a sun on the sand but it looked like it was dancing in a funky way. Let me rephrase: I was drawing a funky sun on the sand.

“Liam told Allie that Reese is coming back.” He said and I nodded. “Already?”

“Time flies so fast, huh?” I kept my finger and eyes on the ground, still drawing random squiggles. “I’ll miss the little brat.”

“Is that why you were so quiet during dinner?”

“Partially.” I answered. I heard him sigh in frustration.

“Bethany.”

“Yes?” I still didn’t look up at him, or anywhere but the crappy drawing I just made. Now it looks like a horse having a seizure.

A warm hand was placed on my upper thigh where my dress could reach since it rode up halfway when we sat down. “Bethany, look at me.”

I didn’t. I didn’t have the guts to. I don’t know why I suddenly couldn’t but I remained still like I didn’t hear him.

“Bethany, I’m not saying this again.” He sounded impatient. “Look at me.”

I bit my cheeks as I slowly retracted my attention from the embarrassing drawing to the gorgeous man beside me. I could feel his gaze boring a hole in my skull as I grew smaller and smaller, shrinking. When I finally had the balls to fully face him eye to eye, a short and somewhat high pitched gasp escaped from lips.

Blake had his face so close to mine we were only a couple inches away. I could feel his hot breath as he breathed in and out. I swallowed the lumped that formed in my throat. And my face started burning like coals on a grill. He was so damn close to my face already, and bit by bit he inched his face near mine until there were only a couple of centimeters of empty space that separated both of us.

“Why wouldn’t you look at me earlier?” he said in a hushed voice. I felt his breath as he said every word, making me shiver.

I couldn’t form a single coherent thought, let alone speak so stayed mute, my lips slightly parted for my breathing since my nose was having a difficulty doing so having Blake within less than an inch away from me.

We never broke eye contact as we stayed in the position for a few seconds until he leaned in forward to close the gap between us.

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I loved writing this chapter and I really need a proper update schedule since I've been updating randomly but then having schedules will just rush me into writing and that'll turn into a horrible chapter

Sugar Rush reached #12 in ChickLit and #50 in Romance on August 23rd and I have been since jumping with joy. The past two chapters received over a hundred votes and I'm eternally grateful!