The Truth About Us [ON HOLD]

Chapter Eighteen

I shook my head. "No, let's go."

Noah opened his mouth, words on the tip of his tongue. I knew he was about to remind me that I still had studying to do but I was ready to welcome the distraction. "I'll finish studying tonight."

Cameron clapped his hands together. "Great. Meet at the car in ten?" He quickly turned to Noah as he began to back out of my room. "You can borrow one of my suits, man."

"You sure? Exams are right around the corner," Noah said, his voice hushed.

"It's just for a few hours, then we can get right back to it."

Unease plagued his face but he nodded anyway. "Okay, if you're sure. I'm going to go and get changed then." Noah's gaze lingered as he walked from the room, his hands reaching up to touch the door trim.

I quickly dug through my drawer, searching for a specific bathing suit. The black halter bikini top and high-waisted bottoms were buried underneath the dozen other bathing suits that I couldn't bring myself to wear anymore. There was something about being so naked and vulnerable in front of Noah that still made my skin crawl. The fact that he loved me was reassuring but there was still a voice in the back of my head that kept saying I wasn't good enough. My insecurities just wouldn't seem to leave me be.

I told myself that after I got there that I would feel comfortable, Noah would make sure of it. I wanted to have fun with my brother and boyfriend.

"Sammy come on!" Cameron yelled, rushing me.

I slid a romper over my bikini and headed down the stairs, where the boys were waiting impatiently. My eyes were drawn like a magnet to Noah's bare chest. I couldn't help but admire the man standing in front of me. The last time I had seen him in a swimsuit was when he was a scrawny kid. Now he was toned with just the right amount of muscle that flexed as he reached out for my hand. A smile pulled at my lips and I blushed hard.

Cameron rolled his eyes. "Took you long enough."

I gave him a shove, pushing him towards the door and swiped the keys out of his hand. "Well let's go then, I call driving."

"I call shotgun," Noah called out right after. I made a beeline for the car, Noah not far behind and sat down in the driver's seat.

Cameron slumped to the car. "Y'all suck, this was my idea."

"You snooze you lose," I chuckled and started the engine.

--

Sitting on the dock with my feet hanging over the side, my toes just reached the cold water. The wind blew through my hair and the view of the lake were refreshing.

Noah lifted himself out of the water and plopped down beside me. Without notice he slung his arm around my shoulder, dripping the cold lake water down my bareback. "Noah!" The cold against my skin sent shivers down my spine.

"Get in! It's so nice!" Cameron shouted from where he was treading water.

"I'll get in when I'm ready to get in!" I called back.

Noah scooched closer to me, resting his chin on my shoulder. "What's up?"

I sighed, "I wish I could just turn my brain off, but even with his beautiful view I'm still thinking about all the shit that I'll be going back to."

"Do you have your phone on you?"

"No," I muttered.

With both hands on my back, he shoved me forward. I plummeted face first, feeling the water rush up my nose. Shock overtook me but my body quickly acclimated to the fact that I was underwater and the frigid temperature. My feet kicked and I started to float back up to the surface.

Cameron's laughter echoed in my ears as emerged from the water. I spun around to face Noah, a devilish grin on his face and his chest puffed out proud of himself. My mouth hung open, shocked at his actions but on the inside, I was gushing at how comfortable he felt around me.

"Get in here so I can kill you!" I shouted out to him. He took a running start and cannonballed into the water, splashing both Cameron and me. Good thing we were already wet. Noah quickly resurfaced only for me to launch myself at him. I took him by the shoulders and pushed him back underwater. Fingers danced on my sides and tickled me, causing me to lose my hold on him. He shook his head, water flinging from his hair. "No fair!" I squirmed but he held me flesh against him, making my stomach do flips.

"Get a room!" Cameron teased, shielding his eyes.

I let go, swimming backward until I was in Cameron's vicinity and pushed water towards him with everything I had. A wave crashed right over his head, flattening his hair against his forehead. I chuckled to myself at the goofy way his ears stuck out.

"Hey! I didn't want to get my hair wet!" he whined.

I held my hands up in surrender as he glared at me. "It was Noah."

Cameron turned to Noah. Apparently, I was convincing enough for him to pull Noah into a headlock. Both boys quickly submerged, their feet splashing in the water. Bouts of laughter emerged as their heads reappeared. I smiled to myself watching them tussle about. The reassurance that their relationship was on the mend was just what I needed.

I threw my head back, floating in the water. The blue sky was now covered with dark clouds drifting overhead. Slowly they moved towards us, creating a dark shadow as it hid the sun. Some rain was just what we needed to break the humidity. Right on cue, cold drops of water landed on my forehead.

Giggles escaped my lips as I watched the rainfall around me.

"Sammy! Let's get going!" Cameron called, already standing on the wharf.

I wanted to freeze time, stay there forever. Never have to deal with my family, my birth family or my grades. This was pure bliss and went we want back to reality I was going to be thrown back in the middle of a storm and I wasn't sure I was ready.

I took a deep breath and sighed. "Coming!"

Thanks for reading!

I hope that you've enjoyed this chapter of The Truth About Us, thank you for being so patient with me. It took a surprisingly long time to write this one. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments down below of what you think of the story so far and what you think will happen next! Will Cameron and Samara meet their birth father? 

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xx Allie