Chapter 19

"We're going to the Bahamas!"

I nearly slipped down the last step of the massive staircase, feeling my heart jump into my throat as I got startled by Jane's outburst at the foot of the stairs.

I felt my brothers run into me from behind, swearing at me for stopping so suddenly.

"Marley." Michael hissed as he slammed right into my back.

"Jesus, Michael." Mark laughed as another jolt came from behind.

"Okay, what is the hold up?" Wesley's voice broke out over the noise.

But then they all registered what Jane had just said and they all fell silent.

"The first week of Christmas break, once you've finished your finals, we're going to the Bahamas!" Jane said enthusiastically, clasping her hands together as if she'd just announced the most exciting thing ever.

It must have been a weird sight. All of us huddled at the bottom of the stairs with a women in a dress suit and her hair all done up talking to blank faces excitedly.

"Like, just us?" Michael asked, the first to talk. "What about dad?"

"Well yes, our family, which is you plus the girls. Your father won't be coming. But we've got an island all to ourselves with a huge house, so you can bring your friends. Marley, I'm sure you can bring those two girls who always hang around here, uh, Nicole and Grace? And Mark you're more than welcome to bring Logan." Jane smiled.

I could feel the smile spreading across my face already.

An entire week in paradise with bikinis and hot bodies and Logan and the girls and a beautiful house.

My eyes suddenly widened.

"Holy shit! Bikini season. It's not bikini season I can't- Oh shit." I exclaimed, my eyes widening.

That made all of the guys laugh as we headed towards the kitchen.

While they piled their plates with the typical amount of food. I put various items from the fridge and freezer in the blender to attempt to make a healthy smoothie.

"Ew why are you drinking that, it's not the spring." Wesley grimaced as I took a sip.

"Because bikini weather." I rolled my eyes.

"Yea get with it Wes." Mark said in a high pitched voice.

"She has to look good for all the guys she won't be getting on the vacation." Michael added in an equally girly voice.

"Oh shut up I can get whatever I guy I want." I rolled my eyes.

"Not on my watch." Michael shook his head.

I stuck my tongue out at him before taking another sip of my smoothie.

"I hate smoothies." I shook my head. "Absolutely hate them."

"Then why the hell are you drinking one?" Mark asked in shock.

"Bikini season!"

~*~*~

"Did Mark tell you?" I asked excitedly, walking up to Logan in the weight room after school.

"What, that his annoying sister was freaking out about bikinis?" Logan smirked. "Because yes, I am very much aware."

I rolled my eyes. "Not about that, you idiot." I laughed. "About the Bahamas. About a week of vacation. About a beach house. About the fact that I'll probably have my own room." I smirked.

"Well now you've got my attention." Logan teased.

"Oh shut up." I laughed, rolling my eyes again. "Want me to spot you?" I offered as he laid down on the bench.

"Go for it." Logan laughed, putting his hands on the bar.

"So about this beach house." He said as he lifted up the bar.

"Focus on this right now." I laughed, shaking my head at him. "We don't need another injury."

Logan stuck his tongue out at me as he started his reps.

"Damn." I laughed as he easily did 15 and put the bar back. "I certainly won't be the only one looking good in the Bahamas."

Logan sighed, his eyes scanning my body as a smile spread across his face.

"Damn now you've got me thinking about you in a bikini." Logan shook his head as he sat up.

"Mission accomplished." I winked, beginning to walk away from him.

I heard him let out a groan as I approached Michael.

"Stop flirting with my best friend, thanks." Mark glared at me as he walked up next to Michael away.

I raised my eyebrows. "Excuse you. I'll flirt with whoever the hell I want." I said, crossing my arms.

"Not him. He's off limits and-"

"Oh and you and Nicole is totally okay?" I said quickly, cutting him off. "Look I'm sick of you being such a hypocrite!"

"Excuse me?" Mark said, crossing his arms as he looked at me.

"Marley drop it." Michael shook his head.

"No! No it's you too! All of you guys act like me dating would be the end of the freaken world because I'm a sophomore. But think about it Mark, your girlfriend is a sophomore and I sure as hell know that the two of you do a lot more than just talk because she is my best friend and we're more alike than you think." I said harshly.

"Marley just chill out, you're not dating any time soon and-"

"Michael, shut the hell up okay? You act all tough and shit like you're protecting me from some bigger force of destruction that dating is but just cut the act. I am so sick of you two trying to control my life like you freaken own me or something." I rolled my eyes, stepping back from them.

"You're our baby sister of course we keep guys away from you!" Michael yelled after me.

"Well it certainly doesn't work!" I called over my shoulder.

"Damn right it does!" Michael said loudly, causing people to start looking at us.

"Believe whatever you want!" I laughed, rejoining Logan by the bench press. "You're not my damn father!"

"You need to chill." Logan mumbled as he laid back down underneath the bar. "They're going to catch on and I don't know about you but I'm really looking forward to a vacation with you."

"Don't you dare take their side." I hissed, feeling the back of my eyes start to burn. "You know full well that I've been so fed up with their behavior lately."

"Marley... That doesn't mean yell at them in front of the whole school." Logan whispered, wrapping his hands around the bar. "Come on, Marley, you don't need to aggravate them any more."

"They should be worried about not aggravating me." I whispered. "Logan... I don't need this from you too."

Logan took a deep breath.

"Just try not to draw too much attention to us, okay? I understand you're upset, but take it up with them at a better time and in a better place."

I didn't reply as he started his reps. Sure, I understood where Michael was coming from, but it pissed me off that he thought he could control me the way he tries to.

When Logan finished, he sat up and patted the bench next to him.

I sat down too, focusing on my hands.

"On a slightly happier note, would you like to hang out later? My parents are going out to dinner and we can have the house to ourselves." Logan suggested, bumping his shoulder against mine.

"I wish... I really have to study for finals." I replied softly, not particularly wanting to spend that much time with him now.

"I'm guessing that's pretty much going to consume your life for the next week?" Logan asked with a slight frown.

"Unfortunately yes. But hey, we'll get to spend an entire week in the Bahamas together." I offered, turning to look at him.

"Yea, an entire week of hiding from your brothers." Logan shrugged, standing up.

I couldn't tell if he was mad or not as he walked away, but I decided to just drop it.

~*~*~

The next week went by in a flash of stress, tears, and lots of healthy smoothies.

I spent every afternoon in the weight room with Nicole and Grace for an hour. Even with only a week of notice, we were determined to look amazing in our bikinis on our vacation.

By the time we were done working out, so were the guys, so I was able to get a ride home from them.

Then, I'd lock myself in my room for the rest of the day to study, with the exception of dinner.

I felt bad but I barely talked to Logan. I just didn't have any time for anything other than studying and working out...

It was the same every day until the actual finals came around.

Those three days were hell.

I barely slept.

I barely ate.

I was beyond stressed out.

But finally, Friday came around, my bags were packed, my finals were passed, and we were on a plane to a beautiful tropical destination.