chapter 4.35
Siobhan
After my shock subsided, I fled August's room without waking them up.
When I told Seth, he countered, "Kitten, I don't know what you're getting all worked up about. So, they're sleeping together. It's not like I'm surprised. August did come to the conclusion he's bi because he kissed Beau."
"But what will Darius think if Beau and August sleep together here? It will be obvious when they are holding hands or kissing around us."
"Um...that they're dating? What's the big deal?"
After my shock subsided, I fled August's room without waking them up.
When I told Seth, he countered, "Kitten, I don't know what you're getting all worked up about. So, they're sleeping together. It's not like I'm surprised. August did come to the conclusion he's bi because he kissed Beau."
"But what will Darius think if Beau and August sleep together here? It will be obvious when they are holding hands or kissing around us."
"Um...that they're dating? What's the big deal?"
I glared. I couldn't believe the double standard put on girls. "It was your idea to have a no girlfriends spend the night policy."
"Yeah, because our son's libido is Pongan. We don't want irate parents knocking on our door. August needs chains when it comes to girls, but I just don't see a problem here. He's grieving. Let them comfort each other. This has been hard enough on all of us."
"It'll ruin their friendship if they break up."
Seth shook his head. "This is out of our hands, babe. Let the boy learn hard life lessons on his own." He kissed my cheek, but it didn't make me feel better.
******
Beau
Once we woke up, I worried August was just weak in the moment and not serious. When I said something about it, he took me in his arms and whispered, "Stop that, Beau...I've made my decision about us. I want this."
"But what if you're just doing this because you're hurting? We're going to room together. You might change your mind then. Especially when you see new girls at school. I don't know..."
Inching his face close to mine, he said, "It was all I could do not to kiss you that time at the pier when we made up. And I was crazy jealous seeing you with Ashton. I shouldn't have run away from you back then. I was just scared of it. I'm not now."
I wasn't sure. I was emotionally drained and didn't want to get hurt again. Not by anyone. Even August. "I just hope that you're thinking clearly. It's not easy...people will give you looks. You've never had a relationship like this."
"I don't care. I regret not being with you from the moment we kissed in my gym. I'm sorry, Beau. That wasn't fair to you. I was just confused."
Maybe to make his feelings clear, he grabbed my face and kissed me. I melted under his touch, hopelessly needing him as it helped the feelings of agony numb a bit. If it wasn't for August, I doubted I'd be able to even get out of bed.
We spent the rest of the day packing all of his stuff in three huge suitcases. A part of me was desperate to leave Brindleton Bay for good. Just wash away all the bad memories it left for me.
After dinner, August took me back to my place. He was the most attentive boyfriend. He made me forget for just a few moments how much I missed my sister. But reality had to be faced. I had to pack. I couldn't run from the specter of my sister's memory.
Squeezing my hand, August said, "I'll help you, you know. It'll make packing go much faster."
"No...that's okay. I need some time alone. To say good bye." The back of my eyes pinched as I thought of Briar. The day had gone so smoothly with throwing myself into helping August with his things. I'd never get used to Briar not being with us. It was like a heavy rain cloud soaking me to the bone. I doubted I'd ever be the same without my twin. A part of me drowned with her that day.
August held me, stroking the stubble on my chin. "Don't be long then. I'll miss you."
"I won't," I whispered. "Give me a couple of hours and then I'll be back at your house."
August kissed me with a passion that told me he was mine for good. I would have been in heaven if it wasn't for the hell swallowing me. I clung to him as both of us hardened, pressing into each other. I wanted to forget everything except for him.
When I entered the apartment, my heart stopped.
Daniel Fortner was there, smirking at me. "Hello, Beau."
"Daniel?" I breathed. "What the fuck?"
*****
Siobhan
I'd been waiting for August to drop off Beau to talk to him. He finally came home and looked spent. I could tell his grief was wearing on him.
And although I might have listened to Seth, I just couldn't let my son run off with Beau the next morning without saying something. "Do you think it's wise to have this relationship?"
His tear stained face grew cold. "Mom. I don't need this right now."
I sat down, motioning him to the couch. "I only want to caution you. You're not in a place to make rational decisions. I know you held deep feelings for Briar and now, right after the accident, you decide to get with Beau. Your best friend. Why?"
"I wanted to be with him for the past five months, but I've been running from it. Don't you know how hard it will be on us? It's not like most of society is on board with a relationship like ours. I doubt you'd even say anything to me if he was a girl."
I shook my head. "That's not true, August. How can you say that? I just think it's too soon after Briar's death for you to jump into anything. Especially with your college roommate. What if when the dust settles you find out you don't want to be tied down? I know you. You've never had a serious relationship. You'll just end up getting hurt or hurting Beau."
"You don't understand how I feel, Mom. I know what I'm doing. Just leave it, okay? You don't have to worry about me."
"Honey, I can't sit by and watch you jump off a cliff. I know you too well."
"Well, you're going to have to. I'm not changing my mind."
August had a stubborn streak just like his father. I could only hope both of them would end up friends after all of this. It would be such a shame for their relationship to get decimated because they embraced each other in their time of grief. But teenagers thought they knew everything. That's what my friends said anyway. Now I understood.
*****
Beau
My mouth fell open as I faced the demon himself. The one responsible for Briar's death. She was backed into a corner and thought killing herself was her only way out. "Why are you here?"
"I saw you making out with your boy toy. Your sister hasn't been dead for more than a week and you run off with her boyfriend. You're shameless."
My stomach pulled, feeling sick. Something in his voice frightened me. "August wasn't Briar's boyfriend."
Pointing a gun at me, he hissed, "He was her boyfriend. I knew what she did behind my back. The moment he set foot in Brindleton Bay, she'd never been the same toward me. He took her from me."
Heart racing as my mind whirled, I said, "Daniel, you're wrong. Briar would never get with August because of me. We're lovers. You're just not thinking straight because you're upset. Now put the gun down. I'll get you something to drink."
"You're such a shitty liar. But it won't matter. I'm going to make him feel like I do. I'll take away his boyfriend since he took away my girl."
I darted toward my bedroom and then a shot rang out.
Next update is on Friday, February 2nd
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