Chapter 68 FOUR'S NEVER A CROWD
CORMAC.
AGE 15 AND A HALF
I sat at the edge of the pool, the sun warming my skin as I took in the scene around me. “Ah! This is the life!” I whispered to myself with a happy sigh, wearing a satisfied smile.
I was here with Lorelai, Valtor and of course, Merrielynn.
Our parents were busy with important, private matters for the week, which left us to enjoy a little vacation at the king’s beach house.
None of us objected to this break—who would say no to a week without any meddling adults?
I watched Lorelai dip her feet into the cool water and I could see a familiar smile slowly spreading across her face. “I just love being on vacation,” she said in a cheerful voice. “It feels like everything else just disappears. It’s freedom!”
I couldn’t help but smirk as I listened to her. “You know you’re practically on vacation all the time, right? I mean, you’re homeschooled and that comes with its perks.”
Lor shot me a glare before scooping up some water and splashing it my way.
“What?” I laughed. “It’s the truth.”
“It doesn’t count,” she retorted. “It’s not my fault I get to learn in my pajamas. I didn’t choose that life.”
Just then, Merrielynn and Valtor came back, drinks in hand, and set them down just by the pool.
“Thanks!” Lorelau smiled. “I was just about to go check on you two.”
“We only took a minute,” Valtor shrugged, a huge grin on his face. “And guess what?” He leaned in closer with obvious excitement. “It was a success! Mere actually made a Sex on the Beach without spilling it all over herself.”
Lorelai’s eyes widened in surprise. “No way! That’s impressive, Mere.”
Merrielynn blushed slightly, a proud smile creeping up her face. “Thanks,” she said, throwing me a quick glance. I didn’t realize I was smiling so widely while watching her.
Valtor chuckled as he continued, “I literally held my breath, but you nailed it! Now we can officially call you the cocktail queen.”
With a playful roll of her eyes, Merrielynn replied, “Come on, it was just one drink.”
The drinks were passed around, and Merrielynn sat down next to me, handing me mine. “Here you go,” she said with a smile.
“Thanks,” I replied, trying to distract myself for a second so I could get a grip on how flushed I felt.
I hid my smirk behind my drink when my gaze landed on Valtor who handed Lor her drink with an exaggerated gesture. “For you, my lady,” he said, bowing slightly.
Lor took the drink, her eyes sparkling mischievously. “Oh, thank you, kind sir,” she replied, taking a sip and giving Valtor a flirty look that made my stomach twist in a funny way.
“Just doing my part,” Valtor said, leaning back with a satisfied smile, clearly enjoying the attention.
My sister was well aware of Valtor’s feelings for her, but she was just stringing him along, dragging it out until whenever she was ready to give in.
I glanced over at Merrielynn, who was sitting next to me, and I couldn’t help but get lost in the sight of her.
I quickly got distracted by the droplets of water on her smooth skin and her feet playfully kicking in the water.
Then I noticed the necklace I had given her, looking pretty around her neck as she fiddled with it.
A warm feeling settled in my chest as I realized I had never seen her without it since the day I gave it to her, and it made me smile.
“I like that you never take it off,” I said, pulling her attention to me.
And she looked over, a timid smile spreading across her face as she dropped her hand from the necklace. “I play with it when I’m nervous,” she admitted softly.
“Why are you nervous?” I had to ask, searching her eyes for an answer.
But she didn’t say anything. Her eyes looked away, and I could totally feel the awkward silence between us.
There was something else going on, something she wasn’t sharing, and it made me really curious about what she was thinking.
The splash of water nearby grabbed my attention, and I looked over just in time to see Valtor underwater while Lorelai was cracking up. She must’ve pushed him in because she jumped in right after. Watching them made me chuckle, but I turned back to Merrielynn, and before I even realized it, she leaned in and gave me a quick peck on the lips.
It caught me completely off guard.
My heart was raced, but before I could even process what had just happened, she dove into the water, and I was left wondering if I had just imagined that kiss.
But nope, my mouth was still tingling.
Merrelynn… kissed me.
I was about to smile at my reality, but out of nowhere, someone yanked me into the water too and I went under.
I soon popped back up, looking around. We all surfaced, breathless, grinning like idiots. But my eyes searched for Merrielynn and when I found her, I saw her watching me too. I also noticed her cheeks were all rosy—whether from the cold or something else. But the way she gazed at me made my heart beat even faster.
“Pool fight!” Lorelai shouted and before I knew it, she was already climbing on to my shoulders, laughing like crazy. Merrielynn did the same with Valtor, and we spent the whole day playing games, splashing around, and just having the best time.
When we finally decided to get out of the pool, Lorelai sprinted over with a camera, practically bouncing with excitement as she shouted that it was time for a group photo.
We all squished together, grinning at the camera, and she took a shot of the four of us.
At that moment, I couldn’t help but think that life had never been better than it was right then.