"Maybe she has a Gaydar" I joke with Alex, but internally I'm racking my brain for all the possible ways she found out. If she knows does Journee know? No no, if she did she would've told me.

Right?

"She is really good at sensing stuff like that" she informs me as a smile stretches her face and her brows raise slightly.

I then realize they must have discussed me for this topic to come up amongst them. Is that why Jordy was being weird when I left?

"So you guys talked about me?" I question wondering how I came up as the topic and Alex's icy eyes widen slightly.

"Yeah I sort of asked her if you were because I thought you were cute," she admits with a slight smile on her face and I nod slowly piecing everything together. This makes so much sense now. Jordy's behavior does at least.

"I thought you were cute as well," I admit lowly and she raises a brow slightly, analyzing my face.

Her eyes look to my lips before meeting my eyes again, "We should probably go in or we won't make it out of the car" she whispers and I nod, feeling my cheeks heat up at her actions.

We go in and pick out different liquors and beers before making our way back to the house. We arrive quicker than I wanted and Alex rolls the windows up and cuts the engine off.

"Ready to get sloppy drunk?" she jokes and a laugh escapes my lips.

"Hell yeah," I say confidently before exiting the Jeep. I meet her at the trunk as we grab the bags and head into the house before walking out to the backyard.

"Y'all miss us?" Alex yells grabbing everyone's attention and they all rush to us in excitement but end up heading straight to the alcohol.

"I guess they missed the alcohol more," I joke with her, and her eyes narrow at the joke.

"You think you're so funny hm?" she jokes and I laugh.

"Hey, I was just saying," I say putting my hands up in defense and she shakes her head as a smile forms on her lips.

"Wanna take some shots?" she asks and I nod eagerly causing her to pour us some.

I notice all my friends in the hot tub drinking their freshly opened drinks, laughing, and talking. I notice Maya practically sitting on Jordy's lap with her arm around her neck, this is great. Jordy's eyes meet mine and I realize she caught me staring, urging me to turn back around to Alex.

I grab the filled shot glass before raising it to meet hers, "To summer and your beautiful face" she says while flashing me a toothy smile, and I blush.

"More like yours, but I'll go with it" I compliment her and we clink glasses before throwing the burning liquid back.

We take a few more before walking over to the hot tub, and Alex's hand meets the dip in my back as she guides me over to everyone.

"Finally, now we're all together," Journee says and I notice Sebastian joined us with Journee sitting on his lap.

I smile at her as Alex and I enter the hot tub, she takes a corner seat and directs me to sit beside her. I sit down in the cushioned seat feeling Alex and I's legs touching causing my insides to swirl. I feel eyes burning into me urging me to look up across from me, and I'm met with Jordy's cold stare. She looks between us as if she wants to say something but doesn't. A soft hand gently touching my thigh distracts me from those soft brown eyes causing me to turn slightly to Alex, and she's still looking forward engrossed in a conversation with Luca.

I look to everyone noticing their all unaware of her actions under the water, realizing she's trying not to draw attention to us. She's keeping my secret. My heart warms at the thought; that's very respectful of her. I fight back a smile as the thoughts swirl my head while Alex's thumb gently caresses my thigh.

"Alright let's play never have I ever," Luca shouts and everyone shouts yeah at his offer.

"Whoever has done it has to drink" he adds and everyone gets excited. I look to Alex seeing her beautiful eyes already on me, a slight smile tugging at her lips.

She leans in causing her lips to gently graze my ear, "I really want to kiss you right now" she whispers and I try to fight off a blush.

I turn to her ear, "You'll have to try harder to get one" I tease her, and she teasingly raises an eyebrow at my statement.

"Trust that I will," she says in a normal but quiet tone and I raise my brows slightly.

"I guess we'll see won't we," I say lowly and her blue eyes look to my lips but quickly meet my eyes.

"Alright never have I ever snuck out," Eva's voice fills my ears, breaking up Alex's and I's moment.

I automatically take a sip of my white claw and I notice Journee, Sebastian, Maya, Jordy, and Alex taking a sip as well.

"Damn I guess we're the only ones Eva," Luca says shaking his head, and Eva giggles at his statement.

"Not necessarily a bad thing Luc," Eva jokes, and Luca rolls his brown eyes.

"Never have I ever been in a relationship," Luca says. Immediately my mind flashes to my ex from my previous town.

She was the only person I ever dated and fell in love with, sad how it all ended. My heart stings slightly as I take a sip of the bubbly beverage, trying to fight the old memories from haunting me.

"Oh my god, Bri you never told me you dated anyone," Journee squeals and I shrug it off, not wanting to talk about it.

"Yeah kinda wanted to leave it in the past," I mumble and Journee flashes me a comforting smile.

"You're still spilling later" She clarifies while aiming her drink at me before taking a large sip.

Her blonde hair flashes through my mind, and her green eyes stare back at me while the sun sets behind the mountain. The smell of spring fills my nose as her plump lips turn into a bright smile, and her hands slide behind my head gently tugging at my hair. She pulls me closer to her face as her bright eyes engulf mine, "Brielle I'm in love with you too" her breath fans on my face and our lips morph together in a gentle kiss.

"Brielle, did you hear me?" Journee's voice fills my ear snapping me back to reality causing me to meet her dark eyes.

"No sorry what was it?" I ask confused and Journee chuckles slightly.

"It's your turn silly" she informs me and I make an oh face.

"Actually I have to use the restroom, but I'll be right back," I say and she lets out a groan along with Luca and Eva.

I feel Alex's thumb stop caressing my thigh before gently grasping it, earning my attention. "You okay?" she asks noticing my mood shift, and I give her a fake but believable smile.

"Of course" I reassure her and her blue eyes crinkle from the smile appearing on her face.

"Okay just checking" she clarifies and I give her a nod before exiting the crowded hot tub. I quickly make my way to the upstairs bathroom, knowing no one should be coming up here unless it's Journee.

I feel the hot tears fall immediately after closing the door behind me. Why do I miss her? She hurt me so badly, and here I am crying over her. When will she ever disappear from my thoughts? From my life? Moving to an entirely different state didn't help any more than I thought it would. I guess these life events and Jordy ignoring me distracted me from thinking about her, but now she's back.

The memories are flooding back.

I try to calm down my breathing as the hot tears stream down my face. I look at my reflection in the huge mirror in front of me. It's okay Brielle. I try to tell myself, but I know it's not. This thought only makes me cry harder. I wipe my tears gently not wanting to make it noticeable that I was crying, but I notice it's too late when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. A knock erupts on the door pulling me away from my dangerous thoughts and instead causing my stomach to drop. I steady my breathing and wipe any spare tears before opening the door. I'm met with her brown eyes that immediately turn soft at my state.

"I could tell you weren't okay," Jordy says gently before entering the bathroom and closing the door.