LAILAH
EIGHT
The entrance to the house felt whimsical, like I was entering a cottage more than a mansion, with its cobbled pathway and stone arched front.
Just like in the pictures, it was fully furnished with a more rustic feel, heavy on the wood and stone, but all high end furniture in leather.
You stepped down from the front door into the living room where the massive sectional couch and fireplace was, but it was also where the two story windows looked out to the lake.
Cami clung to my arm as she tried to contain her excitement over the house, until she finally gave into it and dragged me towards the back door.
"We have to check out the lake Lala, you know that's where we’re going to be living for the next few weeks!"
Outside was a large stone patio with chairs and a table with, you guessed it, another fireplace to keep warm by in the cooler weather.
The back had been cleared of trees, so it had an open grassy area with a lawn swing and other seating at the top of the gently sloping hill down to the water.
I knew I would be coming back to see how the sunrise would look while having a piping hot cup of chai.
The previous owners had made a literal beach, with sand and all, leading into the water.
Cami raced right in, yelping when she realized how cold the water was up on her legs.
"Holy balls, why is it so cold?" she demanded, as she quickly scampered back out of the water.
I laughed at her antics. "Cami it's still spring here, the nights are still cold so the water doesn't have a chance to get warm yet. Give it time and we'll be able to swim to our hearts content, I promise. Until then, I think we should get some kayaks or something to use on the lake."
"Oh, good idea," Cami said, clapping her hands. "They even have a pier and everything."
We walked out on said pier and found a raft for us to swim out to and a slide that was installed as well.
"This place is paradise isn't it," I whispered, wrapping an arm around Cami as she did the same to me.
"Yeah, you're one lucky bitch, I'll tell you that. Now just don't screw it up," she teased, poking me in the rib.
I was tempted to toss her into the lake, but decided to at least wait until we had our clothes unpacked first. "Come on, I saw a fire pit back on the lawn. Ever had s'mores before?"
"No but I've heard of them, marshmallows and chocolate, what's not to like?"
"The things I'm going to introduce you guys to while you're here, it’s gonna be awesome. I've missed having my mac and cheese, ranch, root beer, things that seem so common to have around until they weren't."
"Lala, you're all kinds of special, you know that right?" Cami joked as we headed back to the house. "They better not have taken all the good rooms or I'll punch them right in the dick."
Thankfully, they'd been distracted taking my dad and brother on a tour of the place, so Cami was safe to pick out her room. I trailed after her, taking in the beauty of the place and how the builders managed to make sure every bedroom got as many windows looking out at the lake as they could.
"Found your room, Lala," Cami called.
Walking down the hall I came to the room at the end where she'd called me from.
I gaped at the room with a massive bed that had a frame built all the way around it, like it was sunk in the platform.
It could easily fit three or four people at a time without being crammed.
It also had more windows than any of the other rooms, with vaulted ceilings, making it seem so open and bright even in the evening light.
There was a set of leather armchairs placed to look out the window with a coffee table, perfect for me when I woke up from a nightmare but didn't want to leave the room.
It also had a balcony with seating. There was an attached bathroom that was also set up to be roomy with two sinks which will be nice.
"How on earth did they find a place that was so set up for our situation?" I mused walking back into the bedroom, where I found Brayden perched on the bed smiling.
"So, do you like it?"
Running, I tackled him to the bed peppering kisses all over his face. "Like it, I fucking love it."
"Uh-oh she's swearing, is this a good sign or bad?" Parker asked as he entered the room. "Well, by the look on her face I'm leaning towards good."
Rolling off Brayden so I was sitting on the bed, I gushed, "you guys have outdone yourselves finding this place. It couldn't be more perfect for this summer and for us to come back to. Could you imagine Christmas here together?"
"Man, I love when you talk about our future together, it's just so damn cute, Trouble," Parker said, grabbing my face between his two hands and forcing it into a fishy face. "Look at you, the cutest thing I've seen all day."
I tried to smile but with my face all smushed up, it didn't really work. Giving me a quick peck, he released me and pulled me into a hug. "Come on, your dad and brother want to head back but wanted to say goodnight first."
Letting him pull me to my feet, I followed him out and back down to the front door where they were waiting.
"Well ladybug, we don't want to intrude longer than we have while you're settling in. Give us a call if you wanna come by, but I'll be back to work at the diner, hard for both of us to be off for too long," Dad shared, hugging me tight and kissing me on the forehead.
Dylan pulled me from Dad and gave me a bone crushing hug, lifting me up off my feet. "So, what's it gonna take to let us hang out here for the week hmm? Phoebe and I don't have to go back until Sunday so we can work Monday."
"If I'm not mistaken, the point of this place was to be able to have my friends and family come hang out here," I pointed out, looking at the guys for confirmation, which they all nodded to. "Just give us a heads up you're coming, so we can tell the guard to expect you."
"That is the bougiest thing I have ever heard out of your mouth sis," Dylan laughed, giving me one more quick hug before they both left for the night.
Now that my family was gone, the events of the day fully caught up to me and I headed over to the couch flopping onto it. "Is it nap time yet?"
Hudson leaned over the back of the couch looking down at me. "I believe now would be a better time to sleep than earlier today. You want something to eat before you head up for the night?"
"Let me guess, the house is already stocked with food, isn't it." He just grinned, giving me my answer. "Did you get the mac and cheese in the blue box?"
"If you mean, did we get a case of it yes, yes we did," Hudson confirmed.
I rolled off the couch and ran to the kitchen, opening all the cabinets and doors scoping out where everything was in the space.
The pantry was so large it could be considered a walk in closet, and there sitting on the shelf was my beloved Kraft mac and cheese.
I grabbed four boxes, knowing if I made anything all the guys would want some too, I'd learned quickly to make enough or they would be eating off of my plate until Jay caught them doing it.
That man's obsession with my food consumption was on another level.
Setting the boxes on the counter I went in search of a large enough pot, only to discover the drawers rolled out so I could see all the way in the back.
"Hey Trouble, can I talk to you about something…"
I peered over my shoulder at Parker as I grabbed the milk and butter out of the fridge. "Of course, what's up?"
As if they all had super sonic hearing, the rest of the guys entered the kitchen and took a seat at the counter or leaned elsewhere, in view of what was going on. Suspiciously, Cami was not sticking around for this conversation, telling me that I'd missed something earlier in the day they noticed.
Parker bristled at the others, his face turning into a deep scowl. "I'm sorry, did I say your names when I asked to talk?"
"Dude, everyone saw how weird you were acting around her brother's new girlfriend—so how do you know her?" Micah challenged.
"What are they talking about? You know Phoebe?" I ventured, stepping up so I was standing right in front of him. Parker rubbed the back of his neck and wouldn't look at me. "You're scaring me, Parker."
At my words, he winced which only ratcheted my anxiety up even more. "She was my first love. We dated in high school for two years before she dumped me when she had to move away."
My mind whirled with this information trying to make sense of it in my brain. "Why didn't either of you say anything earlier? You acted as if you didn't know each other at all…why would you do that?"
But no answer came. He just hunched his shoulders at the hurt in my voice, refusing to look me in the eye when I reached out to him.
"Do you still love her?" I whispered. This was the only explanation that made sense for how he was acting.
Micah growled and grabbed him by the back of the shirt, tossing him into the cabinets before he held him with an arm across his throat. "Answer. The. Question."
"No," Parker wheezed. "Well, in a way I guess I do. God this is so messed up, I didn't expect to ever see her again."
Jay stepped up behind Micah and placed a hand on his shoulder, gripping it tightly. Micah brushed him off, but let go of Parker and stormed out of the room. The sound of the back door slamming echoed through the house.
"I believe it might be in your best interest to explain what happened between the two of you. Leaving this to our imaginations can do more damage than being honest," Hudson advised.
Parker sagged to the floor and dropped his head between his knees.
"Like I said, she was my first love, Phoebe was everything to me at that point in my life.
We were in a strict boarding school, that my parents sent me to in order to help teach me better discipline after I came into my power.
The jokester and party boy wasn't what the Elementi had planned on getting, so they suggested this place. During the summers, I was placed with you guys as we attempted to bond and train like every generation had before us.”
“Me being the odd man out in this dysfunctional group has been normal since day one—until you came along, Lailah.
But before you, it was Phoebe that kept me going.
When her family pulled her from school and moved her back to Spain, she broke it off with me, saying she didn't want to do long distance being so young.
It broke me to lose her, which turned me into that desperate sap who drunk called and left messages on her phone, begging her to take me back.
I didn't think I would ever get over her and now having seen her, I’m not sure I really am.
After she left, I decided not to get too involved with anyone, just keeping things loose and casual.
Then no one would get hurt and we all had a good time, which I was able to do until I crashed into you that first day. "
With those words, he raised his head and looked at me.
"I might be confused and need time to process seeing her again, but I stand by my Oath to you, Lailah.
Phoebe is everything I thought I wanted in the past, but you are how I see my future.
Yes, I might still love the idea of her, not having truly dealt with things, yet it is nothing on the love I have growing for you, Trouble.
The unconditional love you give me is more than anyone has ever shown me in my whole life. "
"Why didn't she say anything?" I pressed, my mind cataloging every interaction they had today. It was true, Parker acted appropriately in every situation, but now that I knew the history, I wasn't so sure of that. The way he kept saying he wasn’t sure he was truly over her, and wanting to process things, that was girl lingo for there’s a chance I might still love them, but I don’t want to lose you in case they turn me down.
"I can't speak for her, but I wanted this conversation to be between me and you first. Your parents are already dealing with a lot.
Given everything we explained today, there was no way I was gonna give them another strike against us.
My hope is that Phoebe is having the same conversation with your brother at some point today," Parker answered, holding out a hand to me.
"Please tell me you understand, I can take crap from these guys and have it roll off, just not from you. "
Reaching out I took the offered hand and helped pull him to his feet, allowing him to wrap me up in a hug.
"I believe you, but I'll be honest and say that I don't like this situation at all.
You have to promise me that if having her around is going to be a problem you tell me right away, or you and I will have issues.
Don't lie to me or hide things while they’re here.
Also, if she so much as touches you, and it makes you feel uncomfortable, tell me. "
"I promise, if there was a way I thought I could tell you sooner, I would have," Parker murmured, his lips pressed to the top of my head. "Please don't let this come between us, I don't know that I could survive that."
Pulling back, I took his face in my hands and looked him dead in the eye. "You are the one in control of that Parker, don't let it come between us and it won't."
"God, I don't deserve you," Parker whispered as he placed a hesitant kiss on my lips. I kissed him back deeply, wanting him to have no doubts I was still on his side and appreciated him coming clean to me.
Breaking the kiss I turned, letting him pull me against his chest and resting his chin on the top of my head.
"Anyone else have something to say about this matter?
" Even an idiot could tell the others weren't as willing to let this slide as I was, but they weren't going to upset the apple cart.
"Great, then we’re going to have some mac and cheese and go to bed.
I think that's enough drama for one day—don't you? "