-Mitch-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The view is just so pretty..." Bella trails off I think I see something there before she exclaims, "So! BEACH TIME THEN BROTHER?!"
"Okay, Okay," I can't help but laugh at Is' excitement over the beach I know she always loves the beach and we haven't gotten as many beach days as she deserves.
"Why don't you ladies LEAVE so we can get ready to go to the beach," I tease giving Is' a push towards the door.
I catch Mykayla giving me a weird look but brush it off as I turn my attention to my brothers and I realize there is a catch in my plan that I didn't anticipate as I see them begin to take off clothes to change as soon as Mykayla and Is are down the stairs... I grab my swimwear then dash for the bathroom.
"gotta pee," I call trying to make my rush for the bathroom seem normal locking the door behind me before quickly exchanging my pants and t-shirt for swim trunks and a rash guard.
"Brady, c'mon" Boomer bangs the door, "I know you've been gone awhile but did you forget we have to share the bathroom?"
"Sorry just one minute," I call back rushing to pee and flush the toilet to give credibility to my excuse before unlocking the door.
"Dude when did you start locking the bathroom door?" Boomer questions clearly remembering a time when we were younger. A time when I didn't have to hide in a bathroom to change.
"Sorry dude," I force a laugh trying for casual, "Got used to locking the door while sharing a bathroom with Bella"
Boomer seems unimpressed. Raising an eyebrow at me
"Are you really trying the 'we're just friends' line with me too?" Boomer questions with heavy implications.
"We really are just close like siblings. What are you thinking Boom? Do you really think I would lie to all of you about something so important?" I shoot right back
There's that tension again. I need to do something to break it. Figure out some way to smooth this over without giving up too much but my brain is frozen. I can't figure my way out of this conversation much less how to erase the tension that keeps building.
"C'mon Boom," Boz surprises me by interrupting swinging his arm over Boomer's shoulder, "Today is about fun! Let him have his little sister complex and let's hit the Beach!" Not the most helpful phrasing... Boz tilts his head giving me a funny look, "Long sleeve is a bit much don't ya think?"
So much for Boz being helpful... I can't think of a response.
"Maybe if you went for a long sleeve like Brady, we wouldn't always have to be treating your sunburns though Boz." Unexpectedly it is Boomer who breaks the tension for me by making fun of Boz. "You two white boys have to try so much harder to take care of your skin."
"WHITE BOYS!" Boz exclaims then leans in towards me lowering his voice, "Is that a bad thing?"
"I think so," I whisper back to Boz. Before teasing back to Boomer, "At least this white boy can sing! He's also going to beat you to the courtyard!"
I push past them and take off running down the stairs towards the courtyard hearing them coming stomping down after me. Hearing our laughter echoing around the stairwell feels good, like maybe I really am home. Maybe this whole secret won't blow up in my face today after all. I don't even want to think about what their reactions might be if they were to see the state of my body. I don't know what explanation I could give for the scars and wounds that wouldn't leave me sounding like some kind of freak. They would definitely know I am not mentally the same Brady who left... I don't want to face them not liking the new me.
-Isabella-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I can't believe now everyone knows I was sitting on the railing. All I wanted was a few minutes of freedom to be me before I had to turn Bella back on. Stupid guards. Stupid Mykayla. Why can I not have just a minute to myself?!
I caught Mykayla's flash of annoyance at Mitch's concerned question. I wonder if she even recognizes it for what it is yet. She really loves him... or at least who she remembers... I hope she can handle the baggage and scars he has returned with. Of course, that only matters if they survive this war...
-Mykayla-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bella is oddly quiet as we walk down the stairs.
"Penny for your thoughts?" I can't believe I really just asked her that. I am frustrated to hear a touch of breathlessness in my voice as even walking down these stairs tries to knock the wind out of me, I don't get it.
Bella tilts her head at me narrowing her eyes, "Penny for my thoughts?"
"Yeah, I mean you just seem a little off this morning... and maybe I feel a bit bad about not being very welcoming last night..." I don't really feel bad about last night, but I don't really have a better excuse...
"Careful My-Kay-Kay that's awful close to a lie." Bella practically smirks at me. "Catch you in the courtyard! Last one there is a rotten egg!" She laughs taking off running.
What? I don't understand her at all. One minute she seems hot then cold, smart then airy... she reminds me of trying to catch smoke...
-Isabella-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ugh, I can't believe how this morning has gone so far. I am so far out of control. Mitch almost caught on that there was something off and even worse I got distracted by the past and the power and said way too much to Mykayla... Even though I am pretty sure she didn't catch on... Nothing that happened between us this morning will help with earning her trust though. Not that I would have been able to earn her trust anyway... an unfortunate byproduct of being so close to the man she loves...