Page 100 of Let's Be Forever

I drop down, spreading my arms for her. “Rosie!” She jumps into them, giggling and smiling big, but she looks sleepy. Her green eyes are narrowed, lids heavy from exhaustion. “What is she doing up?”

My gaze bounces between the two adults who don’t look the least bit sorry.

When she starts squirming against me, I set her down and approach them but falter when I notice Rosie’s bag, my duffle, and another that I know isn’t Maya’s on the sofa.

“We’re going away for the day,” Sylas answers, and closes the space between us to hug me.

“But there’s only three.” I look at the bags again, wondering if I somehow overlooked the fourth one.

“I’m not going,” Maya says.

Sylas kisses the top of my head, taking Rosie with him and leaving Maya and me alone.

“When was this planned? Why aren’t you going? You know just because Sylas and I are working things out, doesn’t mean that you can’t be with us.” I start panicking, hoping she doesn’t think that I’m going to push her away.

“Sylas came home after his game and said he wanted to leave town for a day. And don’t worry, he invited me, but I said no.”

“Why? We love having you with us.”

She smiles lightheartedly. “I know that, but I also think it’s important you three have some time to yourselves. You haven’t had that since he came back into your life.”

“But—”

“Anna, it’s okay. I promise. I’m happy for you. You deserve this. Go and don’t worry about me. I’m going to have the condoall to myself.” Her smile only deepens. “I might also hang out with Em. She said something about helping her pick out an outfit for a date she has next week.”

My anxiety slowly fades away. “You sure?”

“Yes. Stop being so needy.” She grimaces.

I laugh, flipping her off. “I’m sorry. I just got you back. I don’t want to lose you.”

She pulls me into a hug, shocking me. “That’s not going to happen. Thanks for including me, but you and Sylas need this. So don’t worry about me, and please go because that man is ecstatic to be taking you and Rosie away.”

My stomach dips, and my heart takes off. “Do you know where he’s taking me?”

“No idea but have fun and don’t be stubborn. Let him take care of you. I know it’s all he wants,” she whispers in my ear.

Sylas brought us to Cape Cod.

After the post-game interview earlier, his captain, Matias Vargas, told him to get out of Boston and visit his private house in the Cape. While they won and Sylas played well, the questions weren’t about the game, but Rosie and his parents.

Once I spoke to Maya, I showered, and left with Sylas. Rosie is already asleep in one of the bedrooms, while we’re outside, sitting by the edge of the pool, drinking tequila.

It’s dark out, so it’s chillier, but the water is warm, and the alcohol helps a little.

“This is nice. I’m glad we came.” I smile lazily, clinking my glass against his. We’ve only had two shots. I don’t think we’llhave more. We probably shouldn’t, but then he’s filling up my glass again. “We cannot get drunk.”

He chuckles, downing the third shot. “We will not be getting drunk.”

I know why he’s drinking, but he doesn’t know why I agreed so easily. I need to tell him about his parents, but I don’t want to talk about them right now. The same way I know he doesn’t want to talk about the questions that were asked.

The reminder of his parents has me quickly drinking my third shot.

“We should get in the water.” He’s standing before I answer, grabbing the neck of his shirt and pulling it over his head. “Come on. Get in with me.” He holds his hand out for me to take.

“Okay.” I don’t think twice as I slip my hand in his. He helps me stand, and swiftly, we’re discarding our clothes until we’re standing in our underwear. “No, I’m not swimming naked.”

He flashes me a crooked grin and tucks his fingers under the band of his boxer briefs, pulling them down. He stands completely naked before he jumps in the pool.