3. Rhys

CHAPTER THREE

Rhys

“Hurry the fuck up, Rhys!”

I roll my eyes, purposefully moving even slower as I make my way to the elevator. Elton’s waiting by the door like a puppy longing to see its owner, his tail wagging impatiently as he pants. It’s cute how excited he is to see his brother again, and I’m always happy if he’s happy, but I’m still filled with a sense of dread as we get into the truck we rented to head to his parents’ mansion.

I don’t know what my reaction will be to seeing Everest again. Not only seeing him, but being in close proximity like we used to be. My brain wants to recall the nice memories when we were younger, when he was innocent and sweet, bashful with his easy blushes and fluttering lashes. But all my adult mind can think of when his face appears behind my closed eyes is the way he ran from the scene, the fact that he never apologized for what he did, and how it changed my life.

“Why are you moving so slow ?” Elton drags out dramatically. Taking a hold of my arm, he yanks me into the elevator, causing me to collide chest first with him. “Let’s go.”

“Forgive me for not being excited to be moving shit,” I tell him, crossing my arms over my chest, fingers itching for a cigarette. “You know it’s, like, a hundred degrees out today, right?”

“Oooo, a sweaty Rhys is a hot Rhys,” he purrs, flirtatiously climbing his fingers up my arm. “Wanna just lick it off you.”

I snort and bat his hand away. “You’re so weird.”

“Yet you love me,” he says with a shrug, pulling me out of the elevator once it reaches the underground basement.

Despite having enough money to hire movers, Elton decided to rent a truck instead and haul all of Everest’s shit himself. I think he’d use any excuse to spend time with his brother, no matter if manual labor in the middle of a Miami summer is involved.

Elton hates driving, so he quickly hands me the keys and worms his way into the passenger princess role. I don’t blame him because the traffic we’ll see on the interstate to get to his parents’ place is going to be brutal. We leave the parking garage and Elton fidgets with the radio the entire way there, singing some horrible country song at the top of his lungs, and rolling the windows down so everyone’s forced to hear it too. With traffic, it takes forty long minutes of hearing my best friend ruin Miranda Lambert for me to finally arrive.

As usual, I’m amazed when I make my way up the driveway. It’s a fantastic house. It’s modern, with sleek black and white lines. Balconies line each bedroom, with floor-to-ceiling windows so clear you can see inside the house. Their property sits on the edge of the water where their dock has one of their many boats parked and ready to go. The first time I came here, I was jealous as hell. Coming from sharing a dirty one-bedroom apartment with my parents to this was a shock, but Elton’s parents are the most down-to-earth people I’ve ever met. They haven’t let their wealth corrupt them, and I think that’s why I was always so comfortable coming over here.

“Why is he not waiting for us outside?” Elton asks with a pout when I park, hopping out of the truck before I can even kill the engine.

“He’s probably in his room,” I say, my neck already moist and sweaty from the heat. I fuck with my baseball cap and thank myself for choosing to wear a tank top and athletic shorts.

Elton doesn’t bother waiting for me as he walks up the driveway. Letting himself into the unlocked house, he screams at the top of his lungs for Everest to come out. I laugh at his display and can’t help but feel a sense of brotherly warmth at the excitement on his face. That same warmth is quickly dashed when Everest descends the stairs, and my brain is hit with a mountain of mixed emotions as I take him in.

He’s grown up. Still as physically imposing as he was at fourteen—taller than Elton and me—looking like someone you don’t want to piss off. His dark blond hair is cut short at the sides and longer at the top, showcasing his more mature jawline and strong nose. He’s no longer the baby-faced little brother who used to idolize us, and I’m overwhelmed by a weird sense of…nostalgia? That damn affection I used to feel for him threatens to come up when our eyes meet and his cheeks turn that pretty pink they used to. I’m reminded of the boy who used to tag along on our late-night boat drives through the harbor. Of the boy who was so confident with everyone else but shy and sweet with me.

But then the more nightmarish memories resurface. The way my mother screamed at me and my father threw my clothes out of the apartment window. The way the Dean cruelly told me that I was under no circumstances going to graduate. The way I cried in heartbreak when I received the email from Dartmouth saying my admission was rescinded.

Every fucked-up thing that’s happened to me since that night comes rushing back. The shame, the humiliation, the complete and utter grief . The embarrassment of having Elton’s parents pay for everything. The trauma of being accused of something I didn’t do.

I focus my attention on the back of Elton’s head as my hands clench into fists at my sides. When I feel that utterly evil and overwhelming anger coursing through me, I bite the inside of my cheek and look to the side. Because the monster I’ve locked away—the one that wants revenge and satisfaction—is sometimes so easy to let loose.

“Everest!” Elton shouts, running straight at his brother and nearly knocking him over with the force of his hug. “How’s it going, bro?”

Everest freezes, apparently unsure of what to do. It pisses me off that he returns his brother’s embrace in such a half-assed manner, placing a hand on his back and giving him one solid pat. He pulls away quickly, clearing his throat as he averts his eyes. “Things are good.”

“You remember Rhys, right?” Elton asks, then grabs my wrist and yanks me between them. “Well, duh. Of course you do.”

“Yeah,” he mumbles, jerking his head in a nod. “How’s it going?”

“Fine,” I say flatly, unable to put even an ounce of enthusiasm into my voice. Elton throws me a confused look, but I shrug it off. He has no idea the effort it’s taking me to not punch his brother in the face.

“Okay,” Elton drawls, brow still furrowed at me before he shakes it off. He turns back to Everest, unable to keep any semblance of distance from Everest as he throws his arm over his shoulder. “Alright. Let’s get all your stuff packed into the truck and grab some lunch before we head back to the penthouse. Sound good?”

Everest nods with what I think is supposed to be a smile on his lips. “Sure. Sounds great.”

“Awesome,” I mutter under my breath, heading up the stairs where I know his room is without bothering to wait for the two of them.

We start the process of getting all of Everest’s belongings into the truck, but since his room at the penthouse is already furnished, he doesn’t have much for us to move. His room hasn’t changed in the last four years. Lacrosse posters still cover the walls and his stick is even in the corner of the large room. There are pictures of him and his friends in a collage by the dresser, photos I’m guessing were all taken in high school. After a bit, while he and Elton are downstairs moving the last of the boxes, I take a closer look at them, but bitterness grows when I do.

Because Everest’s life is just perfect, isn’t it?

He has pictures of him and his friends at the beach, happy grins on their faces as they look down at their friend they buried in the sand. There’s another of what I can only assume is homecoming, a pretty girl on his arm as he looks dashing in his custom-tailored suit. They’re all little glimpses of the life he’s led—carefree, fun, easy.

I walk away before I can do something stupid like tear up that fucking collage.

I join Everest and Elton downstairs, all of us sweaty as we finish up. Since their parents are away for the week, we lock up the mansion, then decide what we’re going to do next.

“You still like Maddio’s?” Elton asks as he closes the back of the truck.

Everest shrugs, all shifty and shit as he takes a step back. “Yeah, um—sure.”

“Maddio’s?” he asks me.

I shake my head. “No.”

Elton raises an eyebrow at me, cocking his head to the side. “You love Maddio’s.”

“I’m not hungry,” I lie, even though I’m starving, but I refuse to sit in a restaurant across from Everest and pretend everything is peachy-fucking-keen.

Elton gives me one last look, but then shrugs. “Suit yourself. Ev, I’m gonna grab my wallet, and I’ll meet you at your car. We can unpack all your stuff later.”

“Actually, I’m not hungry either,” Everest rushes out through a gulp, fidgeting with his fingers. “I’m really tired. I think I need to crash after this.”

Fuck him.

Fuck him for the way Elton’s face falls at his rejection, and fuck him for giving him false hope.

Elton doesn’t let himself stay sad for long. He forces a smile on his lips, one I know is fake because I know him well enough, and nods. “Oh, totally! We can just eat something at home!”

Everest is already speed-walking back to his Jeep before Elton can even finish his sentence. Elton and I walk back to the truck, and I shoot him a look when he rounds the corner to join me at the driver’s side.

“What are you—” Elton practically slams me against the side of the truck. Like, he’s way too physically close, a look of panic on his face. “What the hell?”

“He’s not okay, Rhys.”

Four words I’m not supposed to give a shit about. Regardless, I entertain him as I push him away. “He seemed fine to me.”

“ That was fine?” He scoffs and shakes his head as he throws his hands in the air. “Nah, man. Something is going on with him. Were you even paying attention?”

I quirk an eyebrow. “Was I supposed to be?”

“Take this seriously!” Elton yells, and I actually rear my head back at the intensity in his voice. When he notices my reaction, he sighs and shakes his head. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scream, it’s just… He’s not okay. Something is going on with him.”

“How can you even tell that from one interaction?” I argue.

“Because he’s my brother,” he explains simply. He drops his head into his hands and leans against the truck beside me. After a moment of silence, he speaks, but it’s barely a whisper. “He barely hugged me back, dude.”

My jaw clenches so tightly I swear I can hear my teeth grinding. While I know Elton is trying to make me just as worried as he is, he’s only serving to piss me off. Could Everest not even trudge up a hint of excitement at seeing his brother? Now that he’s pointed it out, I hate to admit that sure— okay —I guess I was paying the tiniest bit of attention. I can sort of see where he’s coming from. That casual and relaxed air Everest used to carry around was gone. He was all stiff and robotic, barely making conversation as we packed up his room. He didn’t provide anything of substance, just one-word answers that I tried to dismiss, but that Elton obviously latched onto.

When I turn to sneak a glance at my best friend, my gut churns. He’s staring out at the distance, eyebrows drawn together and lips set in a pout. “It’s going to be okay. It’s no secret the two of you have grown apart, so he’s probably just nervous about rebuilding that relationship with you.”

Elton, the stubborn fucker he is, keeps sulking. “You really think so?”

“I know so,” I lie. I have no idea what he thinks is going on with Everest. And, since I’m actively trying not to care, I don’t want to know either. But Elton’s my best friend. My platonic ride-or-die, and I hate seeing him this way. “Just give it some time.”

“You know patience isn’t my best quality.”

“When we first started living together, you used to wake me up at five in the morning because you didn’t like being awake by yourself. Trust me. I know.”

He chuckles at this, finally turning to look at me, but it’s not entirely lighthearted. “You have to help me, Rhys.”

I nod. “You know I’d do anything for you, man.”

“I’m going to be away for months, and I can’t stand the idea of Everest not being okay while I’m gone.” His jaw sets in determination, green eyes more stern than I’ve ever seen them. “You have to look out for him.”

I roll my eyes. “I already agreed to?—”

“No, I know. But I don’t think you get what I’m saying. I think he needs someone right now and that has to be you. Promise me you’ll be that person for him while I’m gone.”

I shake my head, dread pooling in my gut. “I barely know the guy anymore. I wouldn’t even?—”

“ Promise me , Rhys.”

Elton takes his promises seriously. I know he’s holding himself back from making us do a pinkie swear for good measure. But what he’s asking is too much. It’s one thing to make sure Everest is still in one piece and breathing when he comes back from Europe, but being his person? I wouldn’t even know where to start.

“Why are you hesitating?”

I ignore his snarky question and finally let myself be brought back to the past I’ve tried to push through and overcome. It fills me with a rage I’d like to think is uncharacteristic of me, making my gut twist unpleasantly.

Elton doesn’t know any of this. Maybe I should have told him and tried to clear my name. He never believed the drugs were mine, but I’ve kept my mouth shut about the truth. Why? Because while I detest Everest for everything he is and everything he’s done, Elton adores him. I know that if I said anything, it would have ruined their relationship. Fuck, it basically is now, but that isn’t my fault. I wasn’t going to be the reason my favorite person lost his relationship with his brother. It’s out of my love and loyalty for my best friend that I’ve kept Everest’s secret, not any sort of misguided affection I still have for him.

Everest ruined my life.

Because I was caught with his drugs, my future was permanently fucked. I was left to suffer someone else's consequences. I was dealt a hand I wasn’t prepared for. Sure, I took my GED, but it was a waste of time. I could have my mechanical engineering degree by now, going off to start graduate school like I always planned. Instead, I’m a bartender with no prospects besides seeing how many mojitos I can make in under five minutes.

Life fucked me over, life will always fuck you over, and there’s no point in trying anymore. It’s all a waste.

So now I’m supposed to be his BFF? Talk about the girls we like while bonding over sports? I’m supposed to be there for the person who’s never even apologized for what he did to me?

“Rhys. Please.”

I’ve never been able to say no to Elton. Fuck my damn loyalty. Not knowing whether I’m lying, I nod. “Yeah. I’ll be there for him.”

I’m doing this for Elton. That’s it. I’ll try to be cordial—albeit cold and aloof—but polite. I’ll do the bare minimum, but I’ll keep my promise to my best friend, because this means everything to him.

Elton visibly sighs in relief, shoulders sagging as he slaps a hand on his chest. “Thank God. You have no idea how much better I feel knowing you’re going to take care of him.”

“Only until you come back,” I insist. “Once you’re back, my babysitting duties are done.”

He nods. “Deal.”

I rub a hand down my face as Elton gives my shoulder a pat, then he’s heading over to the passenger’s side. I give myself a few seconds as the realization of what just happened digests.

What the fuck have I just agreed to?