15

T he drive here was something else. Stuck in the car with Michael and Harrison, it's always a rowdy affair. They're Xav's mates, but after enough time, they've become like mates to me, too. Bloody hell, we're almost like brothers.

At least, that's how my brother would see it.

Yeah, Harrison can be a handful, but I get it. He's been through some rough patches, but that's not my story to tell, not by a long shot. I pull up in the driveway of our temporary home for the next two days.

The house is right on the riverfront, a decent view of the water. The land around it is green and lush, typical Aussie countryside. Liv really nailed it by finding this place, especially at such short notice. I had my doubts about this trip, but now that we're here, away from the grind, I feel the tension slipping off my shoulders. Maybe a change of scenery is just what I needed to clear my head.

"Fucckk me. Look at this shit! Where did Liv find this place?" Harrison calls out as he practically leaps out of the car, and I can't help but smile .

I shrug, scanning the surroundings. "No idea."

"Does it really matter? It's a nice change of scenery," Michael retorts, getting out of the car and slinging his headphones around his neck before lighting up a cigarette.

Harrison strides off toward the river. "I'm gonna check it out!" he announces eagerly.

I watch him go, shaking my head. "He's like a kid in a candy store."

Michael nods in agreement, his expression relaxed. "Yeah, but I think we all needed this break."

These two couldn't be more different—Harrison's always bouncing around like a golden retriever, while Michael's the steady one, the rock in the storm. It's an odd pairing, but it works for them.

After a moment, I step out of the car and meet Michael around the back. Harrison returns from around the front of the house.

"This place really goes down to the river," he exclaims, clearly impressed. I turn around and notice that we're the first ones here. Michael seems to read my thoughts.

"Where are the other slow pokes? We actually beat them here?" he asks.

"Yeah, because he was speeding the whole way here," Harrison quips, nodding to me.

"Was not. I'm a responsible driver," I reply, a hint of defensiveness in my tone.

"Sure, mate. Just because you're a cop doesn't mean you can't have a bit of fun," Harrison adds.

"Fun?" I give him a sceptical look, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah, I don't think so."

I pull out my phone and call Xavier. He picks up on the second ring.

"Yeah, we're about ten minutes away," he replies. "Isla needed to pee, so we stopped off at the servo."

I smile at Xavier's knack for anticipating my questions. We've always had this unspoken understanding. Mum used to joke that we were so in tune, we might as well be twins with our telepathy.

"Alright, no worries. We're just waiting in front."

"See you soon," Xav says before ending the call.

I consider calling Liv but decide against it. I don't want to distract her while she's driving, so I scroll through my recent texts and decide to message Amelia instead.

Moments later, her response comes in, and I can't help but smirk at her bubbly energy.

As I read her messages, I can practically hear her reprimanding herself in her head. Despite her quirks, I've actually become quite fond of her. Weird as it may seem, I find her babbling and fumbling of words endearing. It's cute.

Moments later, another text pings in.

I pocket my phone away just as Xav's black Tacoma pulls up, followed by Liv's Yaris, blaring some girly song. I hope she doesn't drive around with music that loud on main roads. Then again, it's her call. I need to ease up; I'm starting to sound like Dad.

The thought wrinkles my face.

"How loud is your music , Liv? How do you even concentrate on driving?" Harrison blurts out, voicing what I was just thinking.

"Surely that's not legal," Michael says, as he turns to me for confirmation.

I just shrug.

"It wasn't that loud!" Liv defends herself.

Harrison snorts. "It's bad enough you're listening to that sappy shit."

"Sappy shit?" Imogen exclaims, placing a hand to her heart. "Taylor Swift is NOT sappy shit, you barbarian. "

"Taylor what?" Harrison looks genuinely confused, and Imogen scoffs in disbelief.

Xavier then steps in. "Now, now, children. That's enough."

"Anyway, Liv, where did you even find this place? It's bloody amazing!" Isla eagerly interjects, changing the subject.

"I know, right?" Liv's eyes light up. "I found it online at the last minute. Couldn't believe our luck!"

"It's perfect, secluded away and there is a river! We can go swimming!" Isla says, wrapping her arm around Xav, all giddy.

"Exactly! Now, let's get settled in. Who's up for a drink?"

Imogen, Michael, Harrison, and Amelia all chorus their agreement, eager for a drink. With the decision made, we begin to unload our bags from the cars and make our way inside.

As we head inside, I spot Amelia out of the corner of my eye. Her hair's all windswept, and she's tucking loose strands behind her ears. While she's caught up in conversation, I take a moment to really look at her. It's March, so it's still warm. She's wearing denim shorts and a loose white t-shirt tucked in, with ‘AC DC - The Razor's Edge' written on it.

AC/DC, huh? Didn't peg her for a fan.

The band's a favourite of mine. Growing up, Dad would always blast their music on an old vinyl record player—we still have it. I can almost hear the riffs and feel the nostalgia. I smile to myself, amused by the unexpected connection.

Liv starts unloading the esky and filling the fridge, offering me a beer. I take it, nodding my thanks. The banter continues around me until Imogen calls out, "Alright, what's everyone else having?"

"Beer for me, thanks," Harrison replies.

"Same here," Michael adds.

"I'll have a cider, please," Amelia requests politely.

"Isla, what about you? Cider?" Imogen asks.

"No, thanks. I'm not drinking," Isla responds with a nervous smile.

"You're not drinking? But I thought you liked cider," Imogen says, surprised. "Have one drink with me."

"She said no, Midge," Xav interjects, his tone firm but gentle .

Suddenly, recognition dawns on Imogen's face. Her eyes widen, and a gasp escapes her lips. Amelia, standing beside me, picks up on Imogen's reaction and mirrors it, her hand flying to her mouth in disbelief.

"No way!" Imogen exclaims, her voice filled with excitement.

Isla, now smiling knowingly, nods gently.

"No freaking way!" Imogen squeals, unable to contain her joy. "Are you pregnant?"

Isla nods again, her gaze meeting Xavier's. He smiles back at her, eyes shimmering with happiness.

"Surprise!" she announces, her hands stretched out in a gesture of excitement, and the room erupts in cheers and laughter. Harrison whistles loudly before clapping Xav on the back. Imogen steps forward, her voice laced with emotion.

"Congratulations! OMG!" she says, wrapping Isla into a tight hug before stepping back, tears glistening in her eyes.

"Hey, what about me? I took part in the conception, too. Multiple times, must I add," Xavier says, loud enough for only Isla to hear, but we all catch on to it. Isla blushes, feigning embarrassment.

"Xav!" she says, playfully swatting his arm.

"Didn't realise you'd become such a softie now," Imogen teases before wrapping him in for a hug, standing on her tiptoes to reach him.

"I've said it before, but I just can't wait to be an auntie and spoil the little cutie," my sister says, giving Isla's small bump a gentle rub

"This definitely calls for a celebration!" she calls out.

"Absolutely," Amelia agrees, grinning from ear to ear as she gives Isla and Xav a hug. "Congrats, you two!" Her warmth is evident in her words.

"Cheers to the newest member of the gang," Michael toasts, the group echoing his excitement.

Harrison jokes, "So, does that mean we can start calling you Daddy Xavier?"

"Absolutely not. His head's big enough already," Isla teases, and behind her, Xavier nods, mouthing the word yes, making everyone laugh.

As the jokes fly, I can't help but feel a deep sense of warmth. Their news brings a surprising lightness to the evening, underscoring the raw, real joys of family and the tight-knit bonds we've got.

I shift my gaze to Amelia, catching her staring at me. Her cheeks flush as our eyes meet, and she quickly looks away, but not before I see that shy smile. It's a fleeting moment, but it tugs at something deep inside me. In her presence, I feel a flicker of something unfamiliar, something that chips away at my guarded exterior. Maybe it's her genuine nature or the way she brightens a room—at least, for me.

As the group sorts out the rooming arrangements, I find myself in a familiar tug-of-war. My eyes keep drifting toward her, no matter how hard I try to resist. It's like they have a mind of their own, drawn to her like a magnet.

This is exactly what I've been trying to avoid, but here I am, struggling to tear my gaze away.

Grabbing my bag, I use the excuse of needing to settle into my room to escape this internal battle. As I make my way down the hall, I try to focus on the task at hand, but thoughts of Amelia linger, stubborn and relentless. Isla, Xav, Michael, and Harrison are taking the upstairs bedrooms, leaving Liv, Amelia, Imogen, and me on the ground level—and thank fuck, I end up with my own room.

The place is spacious, with well-laid-out rooms and wide corridors. It's a relief, considering we paid just shy of two-thousand dollars. Split between the eight of us, it was affordable. The house itself is a classic Australian riverfront property, with large, tall windows letting in plenty of natural light. Floor-to-ceiling curtains offer privacy when needed.

As I start to settle in, Liv comes barreling into my room, breaking my concentration.

"Oi, we're heading down to the river for a quick dip. You coming?" I ponder the thought. The river outside looks inviting, and a swim sounds refreshing.

"Sure. I'll be down in a minute."

"Righto!" Liv chirps before heading out, leaving me to finish unpacking before joining the others.

After a while, I make my way down to the river. The group has dispersed—Liv, Harrison, and Imogen are splashing around, their laughter echoing across the water. Isla's lounging on a towel while Xav fusses over her, making sure she's got enough sunscreen. Michael kicking back in a foldable chair, soaking up the sun.

The scene should feel peaceful, but my thoughts are a storm. Amelia's presence stirs something in me, something I'm not ready to face. I don't do feelings. I don't do complications.

But here I am, caught in the undertow of emotions I can't control, all because of one woman.

I notice Amelia sitting on her towel next to Michael, a book in hand. Something about seeing her lost in a book warms me in a way I can't explain. It's simple, but it makes her more endearing. As I approach, I lay my towel down next to Michael and glance at Amelia, curiosity getting the better of me.

"What are you reading?" I nod toward her book.

She closes the book, answering vaguely, "Uh, it's, uh, a romance book."

Michael smirks. "What she means to say is that it's porn on page."

"What! Uh, no, it's just a light romance," she stammers.

"Mhm," Michael hums, not sounding convinced.

"How would you even know that?" I ask, raising my brow.

"Dude, it's what every chick reads these days."

I'm curious about how Michael knows about romance novels, but I don't care enough to question it. Instead, I raise an eyebrow. "What's it about? The book, I mean."

Amelia hesitates for a moment. "It's about a woman who finds love in a small, charming town. It's... it's kind of like those cowboy romances, but not as... dramatic."

"Interesting," I reply, nodding slowly.

Harrison yells for us to get in the water, cutting off the conversation. Imogen squeals when he splashes her, and we all laugh.

"Ugh. I fucking hate you," she yells, trying to splash him back .

Xav and Isla join the chaos, their laughs ringing out. Xav slaps Isla's ass, and she shoves him hard. Grinning, he picks her up and splashes into the water.

I stand, stretch, and yank my shirt off, tossing it onto my towel. As I turn, I catch Amelia's gaze fixed on me, her mouth slightly parted in surprise. Her staring doesn't go unnoticed, and it gives me a jolt. There's a primal satisfaction in knowing she's looking. Her shy smile and blush stir something I've tried to bury—an attraction I can't shake. And the fact that she's never been kissed still replays in my mind, bothering me to my core. Ever since she blurted it out, it's been gnawing at me.

Fuck, I want to kiss her so bad, and seeing her look at me like that makes me want to toss aside my own fucking rules.

I raise my eyebrow, smirking slightly. "You coming?"

She nods, scrambling to her feet, her cheeks flushing deeper. I wink before jogging down to the water. The coolness of the river has a refreshing bite to it as I dive in, relishing the sensation against my warm skin.

As I resurface, I see Amelia peeling off her cover-up, revealing a simple pink bikini. Watching her walk into the water, I'm momentarily stunned, speechless. It's the first time I've seen her like this, so exposed, and her and her body is fucking breathtaking.

Her curves are just right, the bikini hugging every inch in a way that makes my pulse spike. With each sway of her hips, a wave of heat slams into me, my cock stirring to life, straining against my swimmers. I try to remind myself that she's my sister's best friend .

Off limits. But damn, she's making it impossible to stick to that rule.

The bikini showcases her curves perfectly, from her ample breasts to her toned, flat stomach. I'm momentarily stunned, lost in admiration, caught up in her. But then Michael splashes me, snapping me out of it.

"The fuck?" I snap, irritation roughening my voice.

He just shakes his head, a teasing glint in his eyes. I roll mine in response, forcing all thoughts of Amelia's perfect body aside. At least I'm already in the water, so hiding the semi I've got won't be a problem.

This girl is seriously testing my limits.