𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑷𝑰𝑵𝑬𝑺𝑺 // 𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑹𝑨𝑫 𝑭𝑰𝑺𝑯𝑬𝑹²

𝘍𝘪𝘷𝘦

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Night had quickly fallen and the air in the house was tense and full of sorrow. I helped Belly bring her bags up into her room while also bringing mine to the guest room. 

I looked around my room with this heavy weight on my chest and decided to go for a swim to clear my head. I grabbed a bathing suit out of my bag and quickly put it on before quietly heading downstairs and outside 

I set my towel down on a chair before diving into the water feeling a wave of relief come over me. I swam around slowly without a thought crossing my mind before I was underwater and saw legs in the water 

I came up to see Conrad staring at me and when I looked back he darted his eyes away. I swim over toward him and propping my arms on the ledge to lean on and look at him "Conrad," I say softly 

"Yea?" He says slowly before turning to look at me "Why do you just assume that you have to protect everyone?" I ask him 

and he sighs before speaking "Because I don't want people to feel the things I do." He says and my eyes soften "But you caring all of the weight of trying to protect everyone is going to get to you," I say to him 

"I'm used to it Tate," He shrugs "But you shouldn't have to be. Sometimes you have to look out for yourself even if that means you can't shelter everyone from the bad things," I say to him 

"Why do you even care?" He says while turning his head away from me "Just because we broke up doesn't mean I've suddenly stopped caring about you. Conrad, you're a big part of my life, I wouldn't have driven all the way here if you weren't," I say to him  

"I have to get to bed," He sighs before getting out of the water and walking away

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"I know. But you're sure there's no way to access my trust without him?" I hear Conrad say as I make my way into the kitchen "No, I haven't talked to him about it just yet. But, um, it won't be a problem. He's calling soon and I'll get him to sign off," 

Belly and I stand in the walkway while Conrad stands there on his phone ad Jere comes up behind us. Conrad hangs up the phone before noticing we are standing there.

"Morning," I say to him softly "You want to talk about a plan B?" Jere asks while we all walked into the kitchen 

"There's no time for a plan B, Jere." Conrad says "There's no time? Come on, dude. Is your ego really that big or is," 

"Aunt Julia is already here," Conrad says and I feel Belly and Jere both stiffen beside me "What?" Jeremiah says confused 

"Yeah. She got in yesterday. She's at Ocean Harbor," Conrad says "You saw her?" Jeremiah asks 

"I mean, we talked on the phone for about five seconds. She couldn't be bothered to come to Mom's funeral, but she'll hop on the first flight to come sell this place," Conrad says while picking up his phone and putting his gaze toward it 

"I don't get it. Why? What's the big rush?" Jeremiah asks "It doesn't matter why. This isn't a game, okay? This is serious shit," Conrad says while raising his voice 

"So just go back to bed and let me deal with it," Conrad says before turning his gaze to me quickly and walking away 

"You know, he keeps saying he's gonna figure things out. He hasn't figured shit out," Jeremiah says while sitting down at one of the barstools "Can you talk some sense into him?" Jeremiah says while turning toward me 

"You are the only person that can get through to Conrad," He says and I take a deep breath "I don't think he wants to hear what I have to say, I already tried yesterday and he didn't really listen to a word I said," I say while looking down 

"Can you please just try?" Belly says and I look at her "I mean I can, but I don't know how well it'll work," I shrug 

"Thank you," Jere says softly "Now I'm hungry, are you hungry?" Belly asks while walking over toward the cupboard 

"Susannah used to have this place filled to the brim before we got here," She says looking at the empty cabinet "We can go to the grocery store, it's right by Ocean Harbor," Jeremiah suggests

 "Are we gonna go find Aunt Julia?" Belly asks "We're gonna go find Aunt Julia," Jeremiah confirms 

"Okay, you guys go and that gives me time to talk to Con," I sigh "Okay, is there anything in particular you want?" Jere asks 

"Uh no, but Belly knows what I like," I say and Belly nods in agreement "I got you," She says with a smile 

"You always do," I smile back at her before she and Jere disappear upstairs to go get changed 

I lean on the counter with my head dropped low with a deep breath escaping my lips. What could I possibly say to knock some sense into him if it didn't already work?

I gather myself before going outside to look for Conrad. I walk out the front door to see no one so I assume he's outback.

I walk back into the house and out by the pool doors to see him sitting down at the dock, I take a deep breath and whip my hands on my shirt before making my way down there.