“It’s… nice.”

I barged past Kyle and shuffled into the kitchen, dropping the bags of groceries Rebecca and Uncle Gentry insisted Loretta pick up for us, on the breakfast bar.

“Yeah, real nice.” My lips pressed into a flat line as I turned, taking in my new home. Despite only being a five-minute ride from the Stone-Prince house, it didn’t resemble the wealthy neighbourhood they lived in. Here, the houses were in neat lines with the same matching driveways and decked porches. It was cute. The kind of place a family would want to raise their kids. Quiet. Friendly… Nice.

“I like it.” Kyle flopped down on the sofa, raking a hand over his sandy-blond hair. “Own bathroom?” he asked, and I nodded.

My room was one of the best parts of the house. It had a sloping ceiling that ran to a huge window that looked out onto the yard and the woods that separated our neighbourhood and the more affluent part of town. And it came with its own en suite. Dad had taken the master bedroom which adjoined the family bathroom, at the other end of the hallway. The third room, too small to act as a guest room, would eventually be Dad’s office.

“Can I get some help?” Dad called and Kyle blew out an exhausted breath. We’d been moving and building furniture all day.

“That’s all of it?” I asked, peering outside to Dad’s truck. He’d picked it up yesterday since he didn’t want to have to rely on Uncle Gentry any more.

“That’s the lot. I thought we could call it a day and grill out tonight?”

“Grill out?” I laughed. “Who are you and what have you done with my father?”

The smile on his face caught me off guard, and I realised I’d made a joke with him. Something that hadn’t happened in a while.

“We have a lot to celebrate, kiddo. The house, your birthday. It's not every day you turn eighteen, Lo. Kyle, you'll join us to celebrate?”

He looked to me and I shrugged. “Sure, Uncle Rob,” he said. “Laurie can come, right?”

“Of course. I’ve already asked Gentry and Rebecca, my parents, Macey, Maverick and Summer, but perhaps the invitation would be better received coming from you.” He gave Kyle a pointed look, but I was too busy waiting for his next words.

To my surprise, they never came.

“It’s okay, Lo,” Dad said, laying his hand on my shoulder. “Stella and Beth are out of town for the weekend.”

“Okay.”

Okay?

It was the lamest thing I could have said, but I didn’t know what he wanted from me. Did he want me to say it was okay? That he should invite them? To celebrate the new house? My birthday? We’d just moved in. I was still getting my head around the idea, without worrying about Stella Drake turning up ready to play happy families.

“If you don’t need me anymore, I’m going to head home. I need to get out of these clothes and then pick up Laurie.” Kyle fumbled with his phone and then looked up again. “Summer’s in. I’m not sure about Maverick and Macey.”

Dad’s smile slipped. “Okay, well, hopefully they’ll be able to make it. I’d like for us all to be here.” He clapped Kyle on the back. “Thanks for everything today, son. You were a great help.”

“No problem. I’ll see you both later.”

I gave him a small wave, trying to ignore the tight knot in my stomach. When the door closed, Dad let out a long sigh. “This is it, Lo. Home sweet home.”

Emotion swept through me, Dad’s words sinking into my bones. At Uncle Gentry’s it felt temporary. Surreal. But this was it—this was the start of life in Wicked Bay.

There was no going back.

“Eloise?” Dad’s eyes shined with concern.

“Yeah,” I choked out, realisation crippling me.

“Are you okay?”

Mashing my lips together, I forced myself to nod. Dad’s expression lifted a fraction, but I still saw the doubt there. “I know things haven’t gotten off to a great start, sweetheart, but this is going to be a good thing for us. More space. Your own room.”

“Yeah, Dad. It’s great.”

“Well, okay then.” He rubbed his hands together and then ran a hand over his head. “I will finish up here and then figure out what we need for the barbecue.”

“Sounds good,” I said. “I’ll be in my room unpacking. Shout if you need me to help out, okay?”

“Sure thing, kiddo.”

The walk to my room seemed never-ending, each step heavier than the one before. I was relieved to be here—in the new house—but it felt so final.

It felt like goodbye.

Goodbye to my old life. The life before everything changed. It hit me like a bullet to the chest. This was happening.

And there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it.

~

“Really, Robert, couldn’t you have found something a little bigger?” Disapproval creased Beatrice’s face, but Dad laughed her off.

“It’s perfect for us, for now.” He squeezed his mother’s shoulder lovingly. “We’ll make a good life for ourselves here.”

“And what about Stel—”

“Rob, let me takeover and you can give Mom and Dad the grand tour.” Uncle Gentry came to his brother’s rescue, and I turned back to face the pool, if you could call the small kidney shape that.

“I like it here,” Summer mused beside me. “It’s nice and quiet.”

“Yeah, it’s okay,” I said. “At least, I’m not too far away. We can still hang out hopefully.”

Summer opened her mouth to reply but Kyle cut her off. “Of course, we’ll still hang. You’re family. Nothing’s changed that. Although I’m not sure how I feel about you being older than me.” He grinned as if my being older was a new thing, and I discreetly gave him the finger.

“Your room is so cool, Lo,” Laurie chimed in. “I’d die to have my own bathroom.”

“Babe, if you had your own bathroom, I’d never see you.” Kyle swept his arm around her and started tickling, and Laurie’s giggles filled the yard. I glanced behind me. Gentry was at the grill while Rebecca was speaking on her phone, her face strained with irritation.

Kyle caught me snooping and smirked. “They’ll be here, you’ll see.”

I shrugged. “Whatever.”

He murmured something under his breath but I ignored him, gazing out at the woods.

“Have you been down there yet?” Summer asked and I shook my head.

“Between unpacking and helping Dad build furniture, there hasn’t been time to explore.”

“Kyle, Laurie, grab plates and cutlery please. These steaks are almost done.”

“Sure thing, Mr. Stone,” Laurie said in a saccharine sweet voice that had Kyle rolling his eyes and calling her a kiss ass.

When they disappeared, Summer turned to me and whispered, “I’m really going to miss you, Lo.”

I entwined our hands between us and smiled. “Me too. But I’m right around the corner. If you need anything, at any time, you can always come here, okay? And we’ll still see each other at school.”

She nodded but I could see the hesitation in her eyes. Summer found it hard to ask for help. Even after everything we’d been through together, she still didn’t come to me for advice or to talk. I didn’t take it personally. The youngest Stone-Prince sibling found it hard to open up. I got that—better than she knew. Living in the shadow of an older sibling who radiated success and popularity wasn’t always easy. Only, I’d been all too happy to bask in my brother’s light. For Summer, it wasn’t that simple. She lived in the shadow of not one, but three domineering siblings.

“I mean it,” I added. “I’m here, Summer. Always.”

She didn’t get time to reply as Dad and my grandparents reappeared. “Something smells good,” he said going over to check on Gentry.

My grandparents sat at the table and Rebecca joined them. Kyle and Laurie came out with plates and cutlery and we all got settled in to eat just as the doorbell chimed. Kyle shot me a knowing grin, but when Dad disappeared and returned with Macey at his side, it melted into a frown. 

I suddenly didn’t feel hungry, but Kyle wasted no time leaning over the table to nab the biggest steak. Rebecca slapped his hands away and laughter filled the air. Dad used the moment to clear his throat and stand.

“Before we eat, I’d just like to say a few words. Don’t worry Kyle, I’ll keep it brief.” He flashed my cousin a wry smile. “The last few months haven’t been easy. In fact, they’ve been some of the hardest of my life.”

Dad’s gaze collided with mine and what I saw left me breathless. “I lost two of the most important people in the world to me. I almost lost Lo. And it made me realise that life is short. It should be cherished. It shouldn’t be spent holding grudges. Time is precious, and in the blink of an eye everything you thought you knew—that you loved—can be ripped away from you.” His voice cracked with pain and I helped myself to a napkin to dab my eyes.

“Gentry, Rebecca, thank you for opening your home to us. For offering us somewhere to stay and the chance for a fresh start.” Dad raised his glass and his brother and his wife did the same. “Mother, Father, for loving me unconditionally and teaching me that it’s okay to make your own path in life, and for welcoming me back with open arms all these years later. Sorry will never be enough, but we have all the time in the world now.”

Beatrice burst into tears and my grandpa placed his arm around her, comforting his wife.

“And to the young ones around the table. You have your whole lives ahead of you. Make mistakes. Learn by them. But don’t forget that occasionally, we old folk might just know what we are talking about.”

Everyone laughed.

Even Macey managed a smile.

But Dad wasn’t done. His teary-eyed gaze settled on me again and I felt everyone watching me, their heavy stares pushing me further into my seat. “Eloise, you are the most important thing in the world to me. I know things are changing. I know you need time. And I know that tomorrow you become an adult. But you will always be my little girl and I will always be here for you, sweetheart. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be here. Happy birthday, Lo.” He cleared his throat, held his glass high and declared, “To family.”

“Family,” everyone said chinking their glasses with one another.

A month ago, I would have pushed away from the table and ran. But not here, not today. Dad was right, things were changing. I was changing. And for the first time, in a very long time, part of me couldn’t deny that this—being here, surrounded by my new family—felt right.

~

By the time the sun disappeared over the tree line, I knew Kyle and Laurie were up to something. They’d spent the last hour huddled close, talking in hushed voices. Plotting. My grandparents left earlier, pulling everyone in, one by one, for a hug. Gentry, Rebecca and Dad stayed in the yard, drinking wine, and sharing stories from their younger days while Summer and Macey hung out by the pool. I'd offered to make a start on the dishes, but really, I just needed some time alone. After Dad's speech, dinner had been fairly civilised. Even Macey managed to be polite. But my mind was elsewhere. On the future and what it held.

Now we were settled in the new house, I knew the questions would come soon enough. What did I plan on doing with my life? Where did I want to go to college? What did I want to be? Truth was, I didn't know anymore. There'd been a time when I’d had my whole life mapped out, but losing Mum and Elliot changed all that. 

The kitchen door opened and someone came inside but I kept washing. Dip. Rub. Rinse. Repeat. I found comfort in the repetitive action.

“It’s your birthday,” Kyle said. “You can’t do the dishes on your birthday.”

I glanced over my shoulder. “Actually, it’s not my birthday until tomorrow.”

“I really thought he’d come.”

My lungs expanded with a heavy breath and I shrugged.

“Lo—”

“Let’s not, Kyle.” I rinsed the plate and placed it on the rack and dried my hands. “I’m tired, we have school tomorrow and I have a growing pile of homework.”

His face morphed into a mischievous grin. “No homework for you tonight. We have plans.”

“But—”

Kyle slung his arm over my shoulder and started guiding me to the door. “No buts. It’s your birthday. We have to celebrate. Besides, it’s already arranged.”

Of course it was.

“Does my dad know about this?”

He grinned down at me. “Why do you think he decided to throw an impromptu barbecue? Distraction, baby.”

“Has anyone told you you’re a bit weird?”

“Yeah, but you love me.”

Yeah.

Yeah, I did.