Chapter Two

 The walk to the pier store stretches longer than I expected. The air is thick with salt and sun, carrying that unmistakable scent of summer—warm wood, sea spray, and sunscreen. Josh and Eben are off in the distance, teasing each other like they’ve never grown up, laughter bouncing between them and Gemma. That leaves Gavin and me, side by side, the quiet stretching between us like a taut rope.

“Why do you always look like you’re thinking about something else?” I ask, breaking the silence.

He glances at me, eyes shaded by the late afternoon sun. “Why do you always feel the need to comment on it?”

I shrug, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Because it’s noticeable. And also because I’m nosy.”

Gavin’s lips twitch in the smallest semblance of a smile. “Fair enough.”

We fall into a companionable silence, our steps syncing as the wooden planks of the boardwalk creak beneath us. I catch glimpses of him out of the corner of my eye—the way his shoulders slope naturally, how his fingers brush absentmindedly against the edge of his surfboard. It’s infuriating how easily he seems untouchable.

“You know,” I say, trying to keep the conversation light, “you could’ve called me when you got here. I wouldn’t have minded.”

His brow quirks. “And ruin the surprise? Nah. Part of summer’s charm is showing up unannounced.”

“Yeah, if your goal is to terrify your best friend,” I mutter, bumping his shoulder lightly.

He laughs, low and easy, and I swear my heart skips. “Terrified? Really?”

“You don’t get it,” I admit, shaking my head. “It’s… you. Always so calm, so untouchable. You make it impossible to… I don’t know, act normal around you.”

Gavin’s gaze softens for a moment, and I almost believe he’s going to say something that could change everything. But then his attention drifts back to the boardwalk ahead, eyes scanning the water.

Classic Gavin.

The store appears in the distance—a small wooden shack with peeling turquoise paint, the bell above the door jingling as someone enters or leaves. The smell of salt, candy, and old wood wraps around me, pulling me back into every summer memory I’ve ever had here.

Josh and Eben are already inside, voices carrying out as they joke about some ridiculous bet they made. Gemma’s laughter follows them, bright and melodic.

I hesitate at the edge of the boardwalk. Gavin stops beside me, surfboard under his arm, and I realize just how quiet he is compared to the chaos surrounding us.

“You still want your cream soda?” he asks, almost quietly.

I nod, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “Of course.”

“Alright,” he says, his tone neutral, but there’s something in the way he tilts his head, like he’s waiting for me to speak again.

Inside the store, it’s cooler, the shadows of the shelves and stacks of candy creating pockets of shade. Josh and Eben are bickering over flavors like two kids who never left middle school. Gemma grabs a basket and immediately starts picking up half the candy aisle.

I turn to Gavin, who’s leaning casually against the counter, eyes scanning the shelves like he’s searching for something. Or maybe nothing at all.

“You’ve changed,” I say before I can stop myself, the words slipping out like an accident.

He glances at me, eyes unreadable. “Yeah? How?”

“Everything,” I admit, voice barely above a whisper. “You’re… older. Broader. You just… look different. Not bad different—just… I don’t know.”

He smirks, that crooked half-smile I’ve always loved. “You notice the details.”

I feel heat creep up my neck. “Of course I notice. Always have.”

There’s a pause, the kind that carries weight, the kind that makes my chest tighten. He looks like he’s about to say something, maybe something that could shift the world between us. But then Eben’s voice cuts through the tension.

“Ari! Gavin! Pick your sodas before I drink them all!”

We both turn to see him holding up a crate of cream sodas, smirk wide. Gavin shakes his head, muttering something under his breath, but I catch it: classic Eben.

I laugh, feeling some of the tension slip away. Gavin smirks faintly, but I notice the way his jaw tightens just slightly—a trace of something unspoken.

We grab our sodas, and as we step back onto the boardwalk, the sun dipping lower behind the horizon, I can’t help but think that summer is just beginning—and I have no idea what it’s going to bring.

But one thing is certain. Gavin hasn’t stopped affecting me, and Eben… Eben is just as dangerously magnetic as ever.

Summer has a way of changing everything.

The sun dips lower, casting the pier in molten gold, the waves lapping rhythmically below. Josh and Gemma are still splashing around, and I’m walking beside Gavin, surfboard tucked under his arm. The quiet between us feels loaded, and I’m just about to break it when Eben’s voice cuts through.

“Hey! You two looking cozy over there?” Eben calls, striding up the pier with that mischievous grin plastered on his face. “Or is someone finally letting their heart wander?”

I groan, trying to look anywhere but him. Gavin’s jaw tightens, and I notice the subtle shift in his posture. Eben, of course, doesn’t miss a thing.

“What are you talking about?” Gavin asks, voice low, guarded.

Eben smirks, leaning against the railing like he’s the king of the pier. “Oh, come on, don’t pretend. There’s that look—the one that says, ‘Hmm, maybe I’ve been thinking about someone back home.’”

I bite my lip, trying not to laugh. Gavin’s fingers tighten on his surfboard, subtle but noticeable. “Eben…” His voice is warning, but Eben only grins wider.

“What? Just noticing,” Eben says innocently, though his smirk gives him away. “Seems like someone’s got… complicated feelings. Or maybe someone waiting for them. Could be a girl, could be a ghost. Who knows?”

Gavin finally meets his gaze, eyes narrowed, lips pressed into a thin line. He doesn’t answer, just lets the silence hang heavy, which, of course, only fuels Eben’s teasing.

I glance between them, heart thudding. Eben’s grin widens, clearly enjoying the tension he’s stirred. “Ah, no comment? That’s fine. We all know you’ve got secrets, Gavin.”

Gavin shifts his weight, jaw tightening. “You really know how to ruin a quiet walk, don’t you?”

Eben laughs, clapping him on the shoulder. “Ruining? No, bro, I’m just… enlightening Ari here. Seems like you’ve got someone on your mind, and I’m letting her figure it out.”

My chest twists. I can see Gavin’s restraint—the careful way he doesn’t give anything away. And I realize: Eben knows exactly how to push buttons, and Gavin… he’s not about to give in.

“Yeah, thanks,” I mutter, trying to sound casual, though my voice is too loud, too aware.

Eben winks at me. “Don’t thank me yet. This is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Gavin’s eyes flick to me, a flash of something unreadable—maybe warning, maybe apology—before he looks back at the horizon. Eben, satisfied with the chaos he’s created, bounds toward the water, laughing.

I take a deep breath, the question hanging in the air. Someone waiting for Gavin back home? Eben’s insinuation isn’t confirmation, but it’s enough. Enough to make my chest tighten, enough to make the summer suddenly feel complicated in ways it hasn’t before.

And through it all, Gavin remains impossibly calm, the weight of unspoken words between us heavier than the sun-drenched waves below.

The sun is sinking lower, painting the water in shades of pink and gold. Eben and Josh are already halfway to the end of the pier, laughing like maniacs, while Gemma trails behind, waving at them to slow down.

Gavin and I walk a few steps behind, quiet. I notice the faint tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw is set—calm but ready, like he knows something’s about to happen.

“You know,” Josh calls over his shoulder, grinning, “it’s too quiet over there. Time to fix that, right Eben?”

Eben smirks wickedly, eyes flicking toward Gavin. “Oh, definitely. You’ve been standing there brooding for way too long, Gavin. Time to get your feet wet.”

I blink, realizing what they mean just as Josh lunges, shoving Gavin lightly from behind.

“Josh!” Gavin mutters, regaining his balance, but Eben’s already beside him, hand on his shoulder. “Relax, bro. You’re about to join the fun.”

Before Gavin can protest properly, the two of them manage to shove him fully toward the edge. He catches himself on the railing for a moment, sputtering, but Eben and Josh are relentless.

“Wait—hey! Stop!” Gavin yells, voice low but panicked, as they give a final push.

With a splash that echoes across the pier, he’s in the water, surfboard floating beside him. Eben jumps in after him, laughing loudly, and Josh follows, practically cannonballing into the waves.

I can’t help laughing, half horrified, half amused. “You didn’t have to!” I call, though I’m secretly enjoying the spectacle.

Gavin surfaces, water dripping from his hair and running down his face, eyes narrowed at the two chaos incarnates in front of him. “You guys are insane,” he mutters, shaking water from his face.

“Insane? Nah,” Eben says, floating on his back, arms wide. “We’re just… helpful. Making sure you enjoy the summer.”

Josh splashes water at him. “Yeah, consider it… intervention!”

Gavin just groans, but there’s the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “Next time,” he says slowly, climbing back onto the pier, “I’m getting both of you back.”

“Oh, it’s on,” Josh calls, grinning. “But for now… welcome to the water, Broody Miller!”

I shake my head, laughing again, watching him brush water from his eyes, shoulders tense but moving with a grace that’s impossible to ignore. And even though Eben set it all up, Gavin’s reactions—quiet, measured, slightly annoyed—reveal a lot about him without saying anything.

I laugh as Gavin shakes water from his hair, Eben and Josh still splashing around like maniacs. Gemma jogs up the pier, cheeks flushed from running, hair sticking to her forehead.

“Oh my god, Ari, did you see that?” she says, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Gavin looks like a drowned cat! I can’t stop laughing!”

I grin, wiping tears from the corner of my eyes. “I know! And Eben and Josh? Total chaos. I swear, they’re the reason summer even feels like summer.”

Gemma giggles, elbowing me lightly. “Seriously. Though… I think Gavin’s still holding a grudge. Look at him.” She nods toward him, arms crossed, jaw tight, standing apart from the water.

I glance over. Yep. Classic Gavin. Calm on the outside, simmering quietly on the inside. I can’t tell if he’s annoyed at them—or just at how much fun everyone else is having without him.

“Poor guy,” Gemma continues, nudging me. “Though, honestly, he’s not complaining much… just brooding like usual.”

I laugh softly. “Yeah… typical Gavin.”

She winks. “You’re enjoying this way more than you’re letting on, though. Don’t pretend you’re not.”

I roll my eyes, trying to play it cool. “I’m not! I’m just… observing.”

“Uh-huh,” Gemma teases, nudging me again. “Observing, my ass. You’ve got that ‘oh no, what is he thinking’ look plastered on your face.”

I groan, swatting her hand away. “Gemma! Stop reading me like a book.”

She laughs, giving me an exaggerated shrug. “Can’t help it. You know me too well. Besides… it’s fun watching the chaos around Gavin. He’s too serious for this nonsense.”

I glance at Gavin again. He’s finally leaning against the railing, arms crossed, water dripping from his hair, expression unreadable. Eben and Josh are still laughing in the water, Gemma cheering them on, and I realize—yeah, this summer is going to be complicated, but in the best way possible.

“And honestly,” Gemma adds softly, nudging my shoulder, “you’re gonna have fun. I can feel it. Just… don’t let Eben stir things up too much with Gavin. He’s dangerous when he’s scheming.”

I grin, shaking my head. “Yeah… tell me about it. This is only the first hour of summer, and I’m already exhausted.”

Gemma laughs again, loopin

g her arm through mine. “Welcome back, Ari. Let’s just survive this chaos together.”