Olivia Mason had everything perfectly in place for her summer vacation alongside her college boyfriend, Marcus. Her bags were meticulously packed, her passport was within reach, and her anticipation for a Hawaiian adventure was obvious. However, all her well-laid plans crumbled when Marcus abruptly ended their relationship just a day after their graduation. A heartbroken Olivia found herself unable to resist an invitation to spend the summer at her best friend Amelia's family beach house. Amelia, however, had one strict rule in place: absolutely no dating any of her brothers. Without hesitation, Olivia agreed to abide by the rule, as she had no intention of getting involved with another man anytime soon. That was until she crossed paths with Alex. Among Amelia's brothers, Alex had a reputation as a charming womanizer who could win over anyone. When his focus shifted towards Olivia, it ignited an unexpected and passionate connection between them. Caught up in a passionate affair filled with secret rendezvous and stolen kisses, Olivia found herself torn between two powerful emotions: the irresistible longing for Alex's touch and the fear of betraying her dearest friend. The question that lingers is, just how far will they be willing to go?
Chapter 1 1.
OLIVIA'S POV
"Olivia, are you in there?" I halted my packing to answer the door, where my boyfriend, Marcus, stood. In the rush following our college graduation just yesterday, we'd been tirelessly clearing out our dorm rooms. I hadn't realized how much I'd accumulated in this small space until the time came to bid it farewell. University had been a challenge, but it was an experience that had enriched me in countless ways. I'd made incredible friends, said goodbye to a few, found my boyfriend, and forged memories that I'd treasure for a lifetime.
With a brief hug, I greeted Marcus, even though I sensed a certain distance in his embrace, as though it was more of a friendly gesture than an intimate one. I might have been reading too much into it.
"Perfect timing. I need your input on what to pack for Hawaii before my mom comes to pick up my suitcases. So, make yourself at home," I exclaimed with genuine excitement. Marcus had won two tickets to Hawaii five months ago and promised to take me there for our first anniversary. We desperately needed this time together, given the challenges of maintaining a relationship while excelling in my studies. I had earned my degree in early childhood education, aspiring to become a teacher because of my deep love for children.
I held up a colorful floral bikini and posed. "I can't believe this day is finally here. I need a vacation so badly," I said, with a smile, looking into Marcus' espresso-colored eyes. We had been dating for a little over a year, and I couldn't wait to start a life with him outside of campus. We met at a party but spent the entire night talking until the following day. He was so interesting compared to my boring life, and I couldn't help but fall for him. People warned me about him, but they judged him and didn't take the time to get to know him. We all did it. Marcus was the guy that never missed a party or social event. Before I knew him, I saw the hot girls surrounding him like water on a hot day. However, I was with the most popular guy on campus. Me. Cliché, right?
But I wasn't shy or a cheerleader. I got along with almost everyone, except the jealous girls that wanted to get in my boyfriend's pants.
"That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about," he said, sitting on my messy bed. He had on jeans paired with his varsity athlete jacket, and his hair buzzed low. He would usually let it grow out longer but wanted to look suitable for graduation. And he sure did.
I picked up a leopard bikini. "Can it wait a second? This?" I rotated the bathing suits. "Or this?"
Marcus didn't seem interested. What the hell did I have to do? Strip and try it on?
I patiently waited for an answer, checking the time, knowing my mom was on her way to Ohio State. It was only an hour's drive, but she could be fast or slow, depending on her mood. And I wanted to be done before she arrived. And I still had so much to do. There were clothes everywhere, boxes littering the floor, and so much trash. You couldn't even tell there was another bed in here.
Marcus sighed and cupped his freshly shaven jaw. "Olivia, it can't wait. I need to do this now," he growled, changing his tone. I snapped out of my excitement and saw how disoriented he was acting. He couldn't even look me in the eye when I gave him my attention.
"You're scaring me right now. Is everything okay, Marcus?" I asked, dropping my swimsuits on the bed and pacing in his direction. When I stood at his knees, I waited for him to explain what the hell had him looking at me like I killed his best friend. Maybe he was canceling our trip.
He looked up and then hung his head low. "I don't even know what to say," he mumbled under his breath. What the fuck does that mean?
"Well, you better say something. What the hell?"
I slicked a piece of my bronze-colored hair behind my ear and waited. "This was fun. We had fun times together. Do you really see us being together outside of college? We want different things, and I don't even know what I want in life. And I've been trying to tell you this for a while now, but you don't make it easy," he confessed, putting me in shock. I didn't even blink. I just stared at his stupid ass for saying that. Are you kidding me?
My heart almost raced from my chest. "Wait. Let's restart this entire conversation. Are you seriously trying to break up with me right now?" I roared, pointing my hand to my chest. So, I won't be sipping Mai Tai's on the beach in Hawaii.
"Come on, Olivia. Did you really see us in a long-distance relationship?" he snickered, standing up.
"Yeah?" I admitted, trying to believe this wasn't happening. We were just fucking happy. "I know it's difficult, but what relationship is? You're giving up on me after a year because of long-distance, Olivia?"
He stepped past me and had his back turned. "My priority right now is getting into the NBA. I can't focus if I have you blowing me up, wondering why I'm not answering my phone. Or why I'm not doing this or that. As I said, it was fun," he husked, like that was all I was to him. Fun. It was almost like everything that came from his mouth was in an unfamiliar language. A language I didn't want to understand. And I wanted to cry. I felt the tears building in my eyes, but I didn't want to show him that he hurt me. It wasn't affecting him.
"Was this relationship a joke to you?" I asked, unable to look him in the eye when he turned around. This can't be happening.
"Did you think we were going to get married?"
Fucking asshole. "Maybe, Marcus. Is that such a crime? If that were the case, I wouldn't have wasted my time with you. I wouldn't have let you meet my mom or did half of the shit I did with you. You let me talk about this time away with you for months, and you break up with me. That's so fucked up," I whined, feeling a warm tear slid down my cheek. Damn it.
Marcus adjusted his posture near the wooden door. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry, Olivia," Marcus said in a calmer tone, scrubbing his hands down his face.
"You're sorry?" I asked, cupping the back of my neck. "A year and five months." Is it crazy to laugh?
"I just don't want anything serious right now. I need to figure out my life."
"I hope you start with your basketball career because you fucking suck," I confessed, wanting to hurt him. It seemed like the only thing he cared about was that damn sport. He won't lose any sleep over me.
That struck deep within me. The rage in his eyes was unmistakable as he gazed at me, and there was no turning back. Marcus marked my first serious relationship, discounting the high school jerk. Raised solely by my mom after my father abandoned us, the idea of people easily walking away from me didn't sit well. I was diligently doing everything in my power, striving to be the perfect girlfriend. I kept up with him, perhaps blinding myself to the glaring signs of his toxicity. On what should have been the happiest day, I found myself far from it. I suppose it all boiled down to some unresolved daddy issues.
"You're going to wish you didn't say that," he snapped.
"No, I wish that I wasn't your fucking play toy for college. That I'm not good enough for the real world. Fuck you," I scoffed, my voice shaky and cracking. The tears build a layer over my eyes, making it hard to see. I knew he was standing by the door, but I didn't want to see his stupid face ever again. Fuck Marcus. And fuck Hawaii. I would get there soon.
Marcus acted as he was going to leave but stopped himself. "Olivia, can we just talk? Like two fucking adults?" he barked, swinging his broad arms. He's the one acting like a damn child. "Grow up?"
"You're right. How about this?" I muttered, pausing for a second. "Get the hell out of my room," I screamed so loud I think the entire hallway heard. Mr. Douche was single.
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