28. Shoua
CHAPTER 28
shoua
I let out a long sigh as I opened one of the windows in the room Julie and I chose. The breeze that blew in was a welcome relief from the scorching heat of the valley, and it carried the scent of pine and fresh lake water. Our room was spacious, equipped with a luxurious, king-sized canopy bed that I couldn’t wait to sink into. Anthony and Andy claimed the room next to us as soon as we set our bags down, much to Julie’s dismay. She wanted space between her and Andy.
Julie sighed exasperatedly when Andy peeked into our room with sad eyes. I was surprised she managed to ignore him. She shooed him away and turned to me with an apologetic smile.
“I’m sorry I’ve been so busy lately. Let’s catch up all night. I’ve missed talking to you,” she said. “I brought a bunch of Korean cotton face masks so we can have a nice spa night, just you and me.”
“Sounds like the perfect way to end the night,” I said with a nod.
Julie stepped closer, her voice dipping into a low whisper as she lightly bumped her elbow into mine. “Tell me all about you and Anthony. I can’t wait to hear everything. I’ve only heard a few juicy details from Jonathan.”
“Please. Your brother doesn’t even know half the details,” I whispered, making Julie raise a brow, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“Are you two going to have a dip in the lake with us?” Andy asked, leaning against the doorway and wearing swim trunks. Anthony stood behind him, similarly dressed.
“C’mon, you two! Go for a swim with us!” he urged.
“We haven’t even been here for five minutes and you two are already half-naked,” I said as I laughed. “At least eat lunch first. We can always jump in later.”
“Isn’t that the whole point of taking a retreat up to a secluded place, though? Getting all naked and everything?” Anthony said with a smirk.
Andy snickered, and Julie and I shared a look of annoyance. “Anyways, you all can talk. I’m going to go help our moms with lunch,” Julie said, walking up to the two blocking her exit. The twins stayed in place. “All right, pretty boy, I’d appreciate it if you move out the way.”
Andy’s eyes glimmered at the sound of Julie’s nickname for him. “Only if you let me be in the kitchen too and help you all,” he said.
“Fine,” Julie replied.
A wide grin spread across Andy’s face as he grabbed Julie’s hand and pulled her into the room next door. “Let me put on a shirt first,” he said as she let out a low grumble. The door immediately closed behind them.
“See? I told you they’d make up,” Anthony murmured as he stepped into the room. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll be rooming with you by the end of the night.”
Before I could answer, Julie walked out with Andy in tow; he was now wearing a white tee. She didn’t look furious, but she also didn’t seem ready to change roommates for the night.
I shrugged. “You’re so certain of it, but we’ll see about that.”
Anthony chuckled, shaking his head, and then we followed Julie and Andy. When I arrived in the kitchen, it was bustling with activity. Practically all the men were already in swimming trunks. The only one fully dressed was Kelvin, who was helping Uncle Gary with the fishing gear. I glanced at Sai, my eyes widening in surprise. He was also wearing trunks, which allowed me to see his arms were toned and muscular.
“Sai, have you been working out?” I asked, stunned.
“Shoua, you didn’t know?” Jonathan laughed and slapped my brother on the shoulder. “This guy’s been hitting the gym with me for the last few months.”
“That’s some good progress, Sai,” Anthony commented, holding a bottle of sunscreen. “You must’ve worked hard to gain so much muscle.”
Instead of thanking him, Sai just nodded tensely. Anthony paid no mind and turned to Jonathan with an unbothered smile.
“Jonathan, you should consider being a personal trainer. Sai’s arms will look like yours in a few months,” he said.
Jonathan laughed and then motioned toward the front door. Sai followed him. “I’ll consider it, but probably not!”
Once they were out of earshot, Anthony raised a brow at me. “Is your brother still upset about what I said on Sunday? Or is he just avoiding me?”
“If that’s the case, then you’re not the only one he’s avoiding," I said.
Sai hadn’t even muttered a simple “Hey” to me this morning. He had given everyone the cold shoulder, much like our mom did when she was upset. It was annoying, but I’d rather be out of his way than in it.
Anthony shrugged. “I guess it’s his choice to pout like a kid.”
“We’re on a nice trip; he should just let go of those grievances,” I said.
“Grievances? What happened on Sunday wasn’t a grievance, Shoua.” Anthony frowned. “He disrespected you. I just defended you and put him in his place. If he can’t see what he did wrong and apologize, that’s just immaturity.” His neck and cheeks flushed pink with frustration.
My chest beat harder, hearing him so fired up. Not many people knew the exact details of how my family treats me. Not even Julie, Jonathan, and Auntie Yee since they have always heard about it second hand. My mom wasn’t a person to show her true colors to others outside of the family.
“Thanks, Anthony, for standing up for me,” I said.
“I told you, you don’t need to thank me.” He sighed and shook his head.
“But—”
“If you’re so grateful, then help me put on sunblock.” Anthony placed the bottle in my hands, tilted his head, and licked his lips. His eyes locked onto mine. “You can put sunblock on me all week, and we’ll call it even.”
I raised a brow. “For standing up for me? No. You deserve more.”
He shrugged. “If that’s how you want it, okay. I’ll just ask Evely?—”
“Fine.” My answer was terse, and Anthony immediately grinned, his eyes sparkling.
“Yeah?” His voice was low and husky as he licked his lips again. “Let’s do it right now, then.”
Anthony grabbed my hand and pulled me to the open TV room next to the kitchen. I could feel his anticipation as I popped the bottle open and squeezed out the sunscreen with a sigh.
“Turn your back towards me,” I demanded.
“Do my chest first,” he said.
I shook my head, not trusting myself of what I’d do if I touch him there. “No, do it yourself.”
“I’ll just ask?—”
“Okay, fine.” Anthony smirked, irritating me. “What?”
“Jealous, much?” He tipped his head, acting coy.
I rolled my eyes, and his smile widened. I rubbed my hands together to spread the sunscreen evenly before placing them on his chest. He sighed at my touch and began to hum.
“I thought I told you to get spray sunscreen so it’d be easier," I said, feeling my cheeks heat up.
His laugh, once annoying, now sounded cute. “Why would I when I can have an excuse for your hands to be all over me?”
“Anthony,” I whispered, glancing over my shoulder to ensure no one heard him. “Turn around so I can get your back.”
“I’m kidding. Just help me with my front. You know how messy I can be,” he murmured, his voice deep and gruff, sending tingles down to my toes. The sly, devilish smirk on his lips said otherwise. “I can help put sunscreen on you too.”
“No thanks,” I countered. “You just said you’re messy.”
I continued to coat every crevice of his upper body with sunscreen. As my hands traveled further down, Anthony let out another sigh.
“Mm, you always smell so good,” he whispered. I looked up to see his cheeks still pink and half-lidded eyes.
“You already said that this morning,” I said softly.
He blinked his long lashes slowly. “I want to take a bite out of you again.”
“Again?” I nervously licked my vanilla-flavored lip gloss, and he watched every movement.
“Again.” He sighed—almost a soft, breathy groan—as my hands moved lower. “I want to taste every inch of your body with my tongue if you’ll let me.”
“Get a room, you two,” Jonathan said as he walked past us, startling me. “You’re worse than Julie and Andy.”
Our voices were hushed, so he probably hadn’t heard our conversation, but we were standing just inches apart. I wasn’t sure when we had gotten so close, so I took a step back. Anthony frowned and glanced at Jonathan, who feigned a disappointed look and shook his head before walking out to the porch.
“I need to go put bleach in my eyes now,” Sai muttered, following Jonathan out.
“Sounds like a plan,” Jonathan said as he laughed.
My cheeks burned as I looked up at Anthony. He was already bright red. “I think you’re good here. You can do the rest yourself, big boy,” I mumbled.
Anthony raised a brow, his grin widening. “You know I’m no boy, baby. But I’m definitely b?—”
“Stop being disgusting, Anthony,” I said with a grimace.
My comment amused him, and he let out a warm chuckle. “I’m just saying.” He shrugged.
I shook my head and squeezed some sunscreen into his hands. He began spreading it over his abs as I motioned him to turn around so I could get his back. I started with the back of his neck and shoulders, massaging the sunscreen in.
Evelyn walked by the TV room and scoffed quietly when she saw us. Anthony and I turned to her, our eyes meeting for a moment. Tension filled the air before she quickly looked away. We hadn’t interacted with her since the bar last weekend.
She had kept her distance from us all day, which was a relief. I hoped she was embarrassed about her behavior at the bars. But I was still apprehensive about her and her motives.
We were going to be at the lake house for seven full days—all stuck in here all together. I doubt Anthony and I would slip with our fake relationship this late into the game. But anything could happen, and we could still mangle it all up.
If things did unravel, I just hoped Evelyn wouldn’t be there to witness it for her own joy.