Beatifully Broken

Chapter 4

The boys were still playing Xbox, so I decided to hang out on the deck taking some time for myself. Kara would be over later before we all hang out tonight. The beach house is actually amazing, and I can't believe Harry's parents let him just stay here all summer. The deck stretched along the whole back of the house with sun lounges looking out over the ocean through a glass balustrade. It wasn't huge inside but had 5 bedrooms upstairs and a large open plan kitchen, living and dining area. The only ones actually staying here were Harry, Tyler, and me, but Jason pretty much wouldn't go home no matter how many times he was reminded, and Mason spent a fair bit of time here too.

I was lying with my eyes closed, enjoying the feeling of the sun on my skin, when I felt the warmth disappear. Opening my eyes, I was almost shocked to see Tyler standing directly in my sunlight looking down at me.

"You're blocking the sun" I said, still annoyed at the way he walked into the bathroom this morning.

"So, your staying here for a bit my cousin tells me" he said, ignoring my comment.

I looked up at him, "Yeah, I assume that won't be a problem? As long as we all learn to knock on the bathroom door."

He shrugged, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it up, "you don't mind?" mimicking him, I shrugged back in response. 

"So is your staying here anything to do with that bruise?" Oh wow, this guy really is arrogant. Deny, deny, deny Kayla. 

"I don't know what your talking about". 

He raised his eyebrows then turned away from me towards the ocean view. I got up to stand next to him, "So why are you staying here?" I asked. If he is going to be forward, then so am I.  

"I don't know what your talking about." He replied in the same tone that I had given him moments ago. 

I laughed at that, "touché". That made him grin slightly. I then surprised him by reaching for his cigarette, he looked at me, raising one eyebrow as I took a puff. I don't usually smoke, I know, it's bad for me and all, but right now my head is all over the place, it was there in front of me, being the good girl I have always been isn't really working out for me.

"You smoke?" he asked. "It isn't good for you, you know"

"I'm full of surprises." That was the end of our conversation as we stood sharing a cigarette in silence until I heard Mason calling us, pizza had arrived.

It had been nearly a week days since I arrived at Harry's beach house. Jason finally went home, Kara was in and out visiting me and seeing her latest fling. I still hadn't told her the reasons why I was staying here, and I knew it was getting to her. A few times I walked into a room to find her and Mason talking, then quickly hush as I approached. No doubt they were talking about me. Tyler and I hadn't spoken much since that first day either. The guys spent most of their time surfing or playing Xbox which meant I got to have plenty of alone time.

I was eating my breakfast as Harry entered the kitchen, pouring himself some coffee he turned to me, "Kay! Party here tonight. Do you mind going to the store with Tyler?"

"Mmm, sure. Write me a list. Tell Tyler I'll be ready in 5." I said, rushing upstairs to brush my teeth. I took a quick look at my reflection, wearing a cute summer dress and swept my hair up into a ponytail. I sighed, knowing that the cute blonde people saw on the outside wasn't how I felt inside still. At least the bruise had finally started to fade away. Turning from my reflection, I headed downstairs to join Tyler. "He's already in the car, here's the list" Harry said as I descended the stairs.

Opening the car door, Tyler looked less than impressed to be sent to the store. I'm sure it wasn't me, more just in general having to actually do something.

"Ready?" he asked, and I nodded, smiling at him. I swear for just a small moment, the mask he wears faltered, like he was less angry at the world when looking at me. This guy is still a complete mystery, I haven't heard him have a conversation with anyone and it seems everyone tries to stay out of his way too. 

I look at his big hands resting on the gear stick, taking in the veins on his arms when he changes gear, then move my gaze up his arms, taking in his bulging biceps. It was clear he liked to keep fit and show that fact off as he was always wearing singlets, that's if he wasn't shirtless around the house after a swim. I had plenty of chances to check him out, but I hadn't been this close except after that first afternoon on the balcony. There was no doubt about it, Tyler was hot, panty wetting hot, but he always wore a scowl and his beautiful blue eyes didn't show any signs of happiness.

"Take a picture" he said, snapping me out of my trance.

"What? I.. uh.. I" he laughed at my stuttering and for one of the first times I actually saw him smile, it still didn't reach his eyes though.

"Your boyfriend might not like you checking out another guy." He raised one eyebrow as he said this. I looked at him confused.

"Boyfriend? I don't have a boyfriend"

"Mason? Your telling me you just sleep together then?" I burst out laughing, this guy. He actually thought Mason and I were a couple. Say what?

"No, no, no! We are just friends. We don't sleep together either, not like that. He stayed in my room one night when I was drunk to look after me."

"Had me fooled. Maybe you two will be like those best friends that one day realise they have loved each other all along"

"I'm gonna stop you right there, Mason is like a brother. I'm free to date, hook up, do whatever and whoever I want". I'm not sure he looked convinced by this, but it was time for a conversation change.

"So where are you from? I'm going to guess its somewhere else close to the beach because you know how to surf" I questioned.

"You taking notes?" he raised one eyebrow at me before turning back to the road. "I'm from a small town up north, around 3 hours away. And yes, it's right on the beach. Not quite as fancy as this place though"

"You won't tell me why you moved down here though will you?" I tested.

"I hardly know you."

"Maybe you should get to know me then. I'm not that bad." I shrugged. "Come on, lets go" we had just pulled into a carpark and I wasn't willing to push him on this topic. 

We made our way around the grocery store getting everything on the list Harry gave me, as I was paying Tyler left me to go and get the alcohol. He looked old enough and had a great fake ID, if I went with him it would give us away as I was so clearly underage. We agreed to meet back by the car.

I was making my way across the carpark when I noticed a familiar car, followed by two very familiar figures. Drew and Garret. Putting my head down I hoped they wouldn't see me. Wishful thinking Kayla.

"Hey sis, where you been?" Drew said.

"I'm staying with some friends, uh I gotta go" I tried to make a move away from them.

"What's the hurry? I haven't seen my sister in nearly a week and now you don't want to even talk to me?" Drew looked almost hurt. 

From beside him I could see Garret, taking in my body from head to toe and I instantly felt sick. Looking around nervously I couldn't see Tyler anywhere, gosh where is he. 

I became increasingly nervous, looking anywhere but at my brother and his friend. Drew tried to talk to me still when I saw their facial expressions change.

"These guys bothering you Kayla?" Tyler said from behind me.

"I'm her brother, Drew" he answered before I was able to answer. I stood still frozen to the spot.

"Ah, well, um, we should get going." Tyler said as he and Drew stood eyeing each other off, while Garret I noticed hadn't even bothered with Tyler and was still looking at me. Wearing a grin that chilled me to the core. 

"Let's go Garret, my sister obviously has no interest in her family" he said as he turned to walk away. 

Garret took a step closer to me once my brothers back was turned, placed a hand on my waist making my whole body stiffen immediately, my breathing stopped and face paled. 

He stepped closer and whispered in my ear, "you know where I always am if you want to continue what we started" then he kissed my neck and ran off to catch up with Drew. 

Once he was finally gone, I let out my breath, turning to look at Tyler who for the first time expressed emotion on his face, it was concern. He knew something was wrong with this entire scene that just played out in front of him.

"Let's just go. They will be waiting for us." I turned on my heel to load the groceries and quickly got into the passenger seat. 

We didn't talk the whole way back to the beach house, I stared out the window, but didn't fail to notice Tyler glancing at me every now and then.