The beach house was filled with the warm scent of pancakes, the air you only get by the ocean, and freshly brewed coffee. Morning sunlight streamed through the windows, bringing light across the living room where everyone had gathered for one very important reason.

Belly's sixteenth birthday.

She sat cross-legged on the couch, wearing a floral dress as she began to open presents. Everyone was there, watching Belly as her mother handed her the first present.

"Well," Laurel said, clearing her throat, "I'm first."

She handed Belly a carefully wrapped package - long, rectangular and in traditional happy birthday wrapping paper.

Belly smiled as she peeled the paper away, revealing a worn but elegant hardback - a book of poetry. She looked up at her mum who was smiling.

"It's a first edition," Laurel said, folding her hands in her lap. "I got it from a rare book dealer."

Belly's eyes widened. "Thanks, mum."

There seemed to be a sense of confusion from Belly, who didn't understand the significance so Laurel cleared it up. "Turn to the bookmarked page."

Belly flipped to the page and read the title silently before a soft smile crept across her face.

"It's your favourite poem," Laurel said to Susannah.

"Oh yeah," Belly said. "I remember Susannah teaching us to recite this."

She began to read the poem out loud and the rest of the room joined in, everyone familiar with how the poem went.

Belly looked down at the yellowed page and traced a line with her finger. "Thank you," she said. "I love it."

"You're welcome."

"My turn!" Susannah said, all bright energy and excitement as she held out a small wrapped box.

Belly gasped the moment she opened it. Inside was a strand of delicate pearls, luminous and soft in the morning light.

"Oh wow, they're gorgeous," Belly whispered. "Thank you, Susannah."

"My mother gave them to me for my sweet sixteen," Susannah said, voice soft and warm. "And now, they're yours."

Belly leaned forward so Susannah could help fasten the clasp.

"They look great on you, sweetheart," her mother commented.

Jeremiah jumped up next, eager. "Okay, okay, I'm next!"

He handed her a small box, and Belly opened it to find a charm inside.

"It's a good-luck charm," he said. "For your driving test. You're gonna crush it."

"Perfect," Belly said, laughing as she clasped it onto her bracelet. "Thanks, Jere."

Steven, sat opposite in a chair, spoke with a smirk. "Think fast, Belly."

Belly's eyes widened as he tossed a small parcel through the air, and she barely caught it.

"Steven!" Laurel said, exasperated.

Belly tore into the box and found a Princeton sweatshirt inside. "Wow, Steven," she said. "I can't believe you actually spent money on me."

"Relax," he said. "I just didn't want you stealing mine next year when I get into Princeton."

Laurel looked up sharply. "I didn't know you were still considering Princeton."

Steven shifted, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah. I mean, I think I'm gonna apply for some scholarships. Dad says I've got a shot at financial aid. I don't know. We'll see if I get in."

The room quieted, the mood dipping just slightly. Lucas, catching the shift in energy, quickly brought the subject back to Belly's presents.

"Well, I went for sentimental this year Belly," he said, passing her the gift he had gotten.

As Belly unwrapped it, it revealed a framed photo and big grin appeared on her face as she saw the picture. "Oh my god. I remember this!"

The photo, slightly faded from time, was a memory Lucas cherished dearly. It was the time Lucas had a summer hockey tournament near Cousins and everyone came to support him.

In the photo, everyone was there. Lucas, in his hockey gear was grinning like a manic at age eleven and he had his arms thrown around the boys. Jeremiah, Steven and Conrad all stood there with big smiles and in front of them all, standing proud with Lucas' helmet on her head and holding his hockey stick like a sword, was Belly.

"You made me let you wear the helmet," Lucas said, smirking. "And I let you hold my hockey stick. A real privilege."

Belly shook her head, eyes still locked on the photo. "This was that tournament near Cousins, right? You won and got MVP."

Lucas nodded. "Yup. You were my good luck charm. Clearly."

"Thank you," Belly said, smiling up at him. "This means a lot."

Lucas just winked. "Happy birthday, Belly."

There was only one person left now and all eyes turned to Conrad.

"Your turn, Conrad," Susannah said.

He sat stiffly in an armchair, legs crossed and hands on his legs. His eyes lingered on Belly for a beat.

"Sorry," he said quietly. "I forgot."

The words fell like a stone in water.

Belly blinked. "Oh. That's...that's cool. Um...I wasn't really expecting anything anyway, so..."

Conrad stood up abruptly. "I've got to go. I promised Cleveland I'd show him some knots today."

He paused at the door. "Happy birthday, Belly."

The door creaked open. Then it shut.

Lucas watched the way Belly's posture sank just slightly, the corners of her mouth tugging down even though she tried to smile. It was strange from Conrad, something seemed off. He wasn't the type of guy who would just forget an occasion as special as this. Even from yesterday when Lucas arrived, something seemed wrong about Conrad.

Perhaps, just like Lucas, he had changed and was an entirely different person from the guy he was a couple years ago.

Jeremiah tried to lift up Belly's sprits. "Hey," he said brightly. "Why don't we take my car and practice driving before we have to pick up Taylor from the bus station?"

Belly nodded quickly, clearly grateful for the escape. "Yeah. Okay."

As they left, the two mums excused themselves leaving Steven and Lucas on their own.

"Fancy a game?" Steven asked, handing Lucas a controller.

"Sure, why not."

Lucas was lying on his bed, one arm behind his head, the other lazily scrolling through his phone. The fan above him spun in slow, lazy circles, matching the tempo of the summer afternoon. His door was cracked open so he could hear if someone was calling him or had come back.

A ping from his phone interrupted the stillness. It was Jeremiah in the boys' Cousins group chat.

The Cousins Crew

jere
got her, omw back now 😎

Lucas chuckled, he could practically hear Jere's voice in that message. His ears perked up as he heard footsteps down the hallway, within ten seconds his door was pushed fully open and Steven entered without knocking and plopped himself into Lucas' beanbag chair like he owned the place.

"How was lunch with Shayla?" Lucas asked, looking at him.

Steven shrugged. "She's going on about matching Deb Ball outfits."

Lucas snickered. "You're going to be a Deb Ball escort? You must really like this girl."

"Whatever, man," Steven said, rolling his eyes. "You going to the party later?"

Lucas sat up slightly. "Party?"

"Yeah, Nicole's hosting some big blowout. Jere's been texting about it."

Lucas stretched his arms overhead. "You even need to ask? Of course I'm going. But what about Belly's birthday? Aunt Susannah's doing that Midsommar themed dinner, right?"

Steven nodded, chewing on a gummy worm from his pocket. "Yeah, Belly's down to go too. We'll just eat and hit the party."

"Perfect, the best of both worlds."

Steven stood and clapped his hands together. "Well, Taylor's almost here. Should we head downstairs and await her inevitable dramatic entrance?"

Lucas swung his legs off the bed and made his way downstairs with Steven. As they were walking, Steven looked over at him. "You've never met Taylor before have you?"

Lucas shook his head. "Nope. Just know she's Belly's best friend. I don't really know what she even looks like, I've seen probably two photos from like ten years ago."

"She's posted her on her Instagram."

"Do I look like the sort of guy who stalks someone's Instagram?" Lucas countered.

"Well...she's a lot," Steven said. "Kind of dramatic. She's like the total opposite of Belly."

They flopped onto the couch, voices carrying faintly from the kitchen where Susannah and Laurel were preparing the dinner. Lucas, ever the opportunist, stood and headed toward the fridge.

"If I grab a beer now, think they'll notice?"

"Do you care?" Steven said.

Lucas grinned, pulled a bottle from the fridge, and twisted the cap off.

He was just taking a long swig when the front door opened.

"We're back!" Jeremiah's voice rang out.

Lucas turned the corner back into the living room, beer in hand just as Belly came walking in, smiling and laughing. Beside her was a girl Lucas didn't recognise right away.

However she looked right at him and then her smile dropped.

Dead silence.

Lucas blinked, the beer bottle paused halfway to his lips. She looked familiar.

And then he clocked it.

The party in Philly.

Taylor's voice came out slow and stunned. "Beck?"

Lucas lowered the bottle. "Shit."

Belly's eyes ping-ponged between them, then widened as it clicked. "Wait, Beck? As in...your first time was with Lucas Beck?!"

Taylor's jaw dropped. "How do you know him?"

"He's Jeremiah and Conrad's cousin!" Belly exclaimed. "He's been spending summers here since we were, like, five!"

Taylor looked like she might pass out. "You mean the hockey player Lucas? The one you're always talking about? That's him?!"

Lucas scratched the back of his neck. "Small world, huh?"

Steven was now sitting up, looking between all three of them like he'd just walked into a soap opera. "Hold on. Wait. First time? What is happening right now?"

Jeremiah let out a low whistle. "This just got interesting..."

Belly rounded on Taylor, eyes wide with horror. "You said he was really hot and really good in bed!"

"Belly!" Taylor hissed, face flushing.

Lucas choked on his sip of beer, turning slightly to cough into his elbow. "Appreciate the review, by the way."

Taylor looked like she wanted to melt into the floor.

Steven just sat there, stunned. "Is anyone going to fill me and Jere in?"

"You know when I told you I was in Philly not too long ago?" Lucas said nonchalantly. "And that there was a girl I hooked up with? Well...here is the said girl."

"No. Way," Jeremiah responded, mouth open.

Lucas gave a half-shrug, trying to play it cool. "Fancy seeing you here."

There was a moment of awkward silence before Steven spoke. "Let's head out to the pool!"

"Great idea," Taylor said quickly, dragging Belly by the arm. "Let's go get changed, Belly."

Lucas watched as the two girls rushed out the room and up the stairs, giving both Jeremiah and Steven a shrug before he headed upstairs to his own room to get ready.

As soon as he reached his room, Lucas pulled out his phone and dialled his two best friends from home, Rishi and Alex. Luckily for him, they were both available and picked up his call.

"Beck!" Rishi greeted. "How you been, bro?"

"Two days into spending time with your family and you're bored already?" Alex teased.

Lucas smirked, falling back onto his bed. "Not bored, just had some news you two would probably want to hear."

"When you put it like that, I'm intrigued," Rishi replied.

Lucas stared up at the ceiling fan. "So...remember that girl from Philly? From that house party?"

"The blonde who was all over you on the dance floor?" Alex asked.

Lucas shook his head and Alex snapped his fingers, realisation hitting him. "The other one! The one you disappeared with for like an hour?"

Rishi snickered. "Why are you reminiscing? You never think twice about all the girls you sleep with, Beck."

Lucas sighed. "Well, that's normally the case. I thought it was a one time thing and I'd never see her again. But guess who just showed up?"

There was a long, stunned silence before both boys started howling through the phone.

"No way," Alex cackled. "You're telling me the girl you hooked up with in Philly..."

"Yep," Lucas sighed. "Belly's best friend from home. Her name's Taylor."

"Bro, what did you do in a past life to deserve this?" Rishi said, still laughing.

Lucas groaned, dragging a hand through his hair. "I didn't know it was her. Neither of us knew. I didn't even get her name. It was just - y'know. A one-night thing. And not only is she Belly's best friend, turns out I was her first time."

The laughter on the other end stopped cold.

"Wait," Alex said, voice now serious. "You were her first?"

"Yup."

"Dude..." Rishi sounded genuinely concerned now. "She's gonna fall for you. First time girls get attached. You're basically emotionally bonded for life now."

Lucas laughed once, dryly. "She didn't seem clingy. I don't think she wants anything serious."

"Doesn't matter. You opened a portal, man," Alex said. "You're locked in now. Just wait."

Lucas sat on the edge of the bed, outside his window he could hear the other four outside by the pool.

He shook his head. "I don't do relationships."

"Exactly," Rishi said. "So don't. Just make sure she knows that."

Lucas stood and grabbed a pair of swim trunks. "I'll play it cool. I don't think she's looking for more either."

"Famous last words," Alex muttered.

"I'll text you guys later," Lucas said, ending the call before they could say anything else.

He changed quickly, tossed his phone on the nightstand, and padded barefoot through the house toward the backyard.

"Lucas!" Belly called, waving from the shallow end.

Jeremiah raised both arms. "Finally! Thought you'd disappeared."

"Had to take a call," Lucas said casually, walking toward the edge and pulling his shirt over his head. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Taylor glance up - then quickly look away. Smooth. But he noticed.

She was stood next to Belly, wearing a turquoise bikini hugging curves Lucas knew far too well. She was pretending not to look, and he was pretending not to notice.

It was awkward, but Lucas tried to play it off as he looked towards the boys.

"We're about to play chicken," Steven said, stepping out. "I'm sitting this one out. My back's acting up or something."

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Since when?"

"Since now. Sub in for me. You're with Taylor."

He gave Lucas a look that screamed I'm doing you a favour whilst Lucas internally groaned. He was hoping to keep his distance from her, send a message loud and clear that he wasn't interested in pursuing anything else other than the one-night-stand they'd had.

Taylor looked up, eyes flicking to Lucas as a tint of pink creeped into her cheeks.

Lucas shrugged. "Alright, then," he stepped into the pool and crossed over to where Taylor was. "You game?"

She shrugged, a little too nonchalantly. "Why not?"

Moments later, Lucas bent down, and Taylor climbed onto his shoulders. She was light, but the closeness was jarring - her legs around his neck, her hands gripping his hair for balance. Lucas shook his head to both get some water out and disperse the thoughts in his mind.

"Ready?" Jeremiah asked. "You're going down."

The girls pushed and shrieked and wobbled - and then Taylor lunged forward and shoved Belly down. Lucas managed to keep his balance, all the training for hockey probably helped as him and Taylor secured their victory.

"Ha!" Taylor crowed, raising her arms triumphantly.

Lucas' hands hovered at her thighs, steadying her. "Well, damn. Guess I got the right partner."

Taylor looked down at him. Their eyes met for a half-second longer than necessary and then she slid off his shoulders into the water.

As if nothing had happened.

Eventually, Lucas climbed out of the pool, towelling off and heading back toward the kitchen. He grabbed another beer and twisted the cap off, leaning against the counter as he took a sip.

He stared out the window, Conrad and Nicole had arrived now and were watching the others play volleyball. Taylor's arrival had thrown a wrench into whatever carefree rhythm Lucas had hoped to fall into this summer.

She wasn't just some random hook-up anymore, she was Belly's best friend.

Which meant this summer was about to get complicated.