It had become a routine for Lex and Eric. They would meet at the beach at around eight or nine in the morning and read discuss either the book series they were reading together now, or another book that one of them had suggested. Rarely they would forego reading and go out to swim in the ocean. Bea would join in sometimes and they'd have a real debate since Bea was a secret bookworm. 

Bea had ended up getting a job to eventually pay for an apartment away from her brother. His pranks were getting on her last nerve. He was 19 and still acting like he was ten years old. It seemed like no one could get through to him. Irresponsible and foolish. He was going to be single for a long time. She had to leave the beach every day at 2 to get back to her house and be out to her new job by 230. She would work until 11 and got paid 15 dollars an hour working four days a week. 

She'd have a decent paycheck every two weeks. However, Lex knew she wouldn't have enough money to move out before the year was out. At least Bea was actually trying and had a goal in mind. Lex didn't have any goal besides read as many books as she could at the beach before the summer was out. 

Today, Eric had beaten her to the tree group. He'd bought a large umbrella for them both to sit under and a large blanket for them to share. Lex couldn't help but smile at the thought. She didn't have to keep straightening out her towel and readjusting herself. Bea had texted saying she was doing a double today so she wouldn't be out to hang today. It would just be her and Eric all day. 

She had to admit, she was both happy and fearful at being alone with him all day. Yes, half the time they were alone anyway since Bea loved to swim and just play in the sand randomly, but she would always come back and interrupt them. She would make jokes and embarrass Lex, making Eric and Bea herself laugh. Lex had to admit that she loved hearing Eric's laugh. It sounded so silky smooth and deep, like it was coming from deep in his chest. 

They ended up finishing the book series together, now waiting for the newest book to come out. Not knowing what book series to get into together next, they each brought some of their favorite book series to speak about them. Eric brought Harry Potter, which Lex had already read. It was fine, she'd willingly reread them. She ended up bringing the winner though. Warrior Cats series. It was a long series and it would take them the rest of the summer to get through the entire series. 

At least six full series were started from the very first book that she'd brought. Obviously it was about cats, which was a win in Eric's book. He had a cat at home named Fang that was about  five years old. They ended up choosing the Warrior series. "I'll have to get a series," he said after looking at the back cover. 

Lex smirked at him and took out a large box and handed it to Eric. "Happy Birthday!" she said happily. 

Eric chuckled surprisingly. "Thanks, but FYI my birthday is mid March," Eric responded, opening the box. He took out the top book. "The entire first series of Warriors?" He looked at Lex with a sweet smile. "Thanks."

Lex shrugged. "Can't have you falling behind again like in the last series," she teased as she leaned against the tree. 

Scoffing, Eric nodded and leaned back as well. "I see," he chuckled. 

They spent the whole morning reading the first book, both severely intrigued by the book. The writer had captured them in the very first pages with the emotions from the cat's point of view. By three in the afternoon, they had nearly finished the first book. Granted the books weren't that large, they were originally for young readers, but books were fore every age. The books had captured their emotions early on and they loved it. 

"I've got to get back home," Lex stated, sitting up. "My mom gets off work at four and my dad doesn't go to work until midnight tonight. We're going to have a family evening together. We don't get to do this much."

Eric nodded. "Sure, go ahead. I'll pack up and head home too so I don't read ahead and leave you behind in the series," he smiled at her with narrowed eyes. 

Lex had stood up with her things, and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah, sure," she said with a scoff. 

"I'll see you tomorrow," she called as she headed to her car. As she put her things in the car and turned it over, she sighed deeply. She was already feeling lonely and wanted to go back to him and hang out more. She was loving the closeness and simplicity from their mutual friendship. 

As she drove back to her house, she exhaled several times. Her heartbeat was always racing after she left him and the beach. The joy she always felt would be noticeable to her parents and they'd ask questions. The last time this joy was showing was when she was fresh in her relationship as a freshman in high school. Four months later, he would cheat on her and break up with her because she didn't want to put out and she was heartbroken over it. 

It wasn't that she was trying to hide feelings or anything. She just didn't like all the excessive questions that would follow. Who is he? Where did you meet him? Are you two dating? Will we get to meet him? Does he go to your school? How old is he? Many of those questions would lead to even more controversial questions like; are you crazy? 

She'd have to explain over and over again that she didn't have a crush on the guy, she just liked his company at the beach and his conversation. They could be friends without feelings. At least that is what Lex had always believed. She had yet to read a book or see a movie that friends didn't end up together. Some probably would call that 'head in the clouds'. 

"Dad! I'm home!" She dropped her beach bag by the door and took off her sandals. Her cooler was taken to the kitchen and emptied and chilled for the next day as she heard her dad's footsteps come down the stairs. 

He peeked in the kitchen and grinned. "Hey, Lexie, how was the beach?"

She shrugged. "Beachy," she laughed. "Read a little, got a tan."

He nodded and smiled at her. "Uh huh, go on upstairs to change. Mom will be home in a while. We're going to go eat at the pier and then enjoy the music for a while there." 

It was over an hour later before mom had come home. She groaned and kissed her husband and hugged Lex before rushing to change. "Sorry, I'm late, there was a rush and they needed all hands on deck," she explained ten minutes later when she came down in casual clothes, a little happier. 

They took mom's sedan back to the beach area. Lex could see the palm tree grove from her spot at the pier, and happy that Eric hadn't gone home yet. He had started to pack up, but saw some fresh coconuts and started to carve up the seedlings that had started to plant themselves. He'd said he liked them better than freshly fallen ones because there wasn't any water, more flesh, and softer. The flavor to him was just like candy and he'd started to become addicted to it. 

She'd rather it be addicted to a fruit than drugs if she was honest with herself. Her dad had ordered some seafood for them to share at the closest table to the railings. Lex tried to ignore her peripheral vision of Eric opening the coconut and looking around calmly. He looked passed the pier then did a double take at her. 

He'd spotted her and grinned widely. Lex's heart started beating fast with fear and excitement. He was smiling at her. Because of her. Then she remembered that they were just friends and she was with her parents. Questions would come and she didn't want to answer them. 

"This fish is amazing," her dad commented as he took another bite of his dish. 

Her mother nodded with her mouth full. In all honestly, the fish they got was nicely prepared, but Lex couldn't enjoy it that well because Eric had packed up his things and taken it to his car. His expensive 2022 car that he drove closer to the pier and started walking towards her. The smile plastered on his face only made her heart soar, which made her breath hitch. 

"Lex," he greeted politely, coming to stand by the table. 

Her parents looked confused at the guy. Her dad, ever protective, gripped his knife tightly and glared at Eric. "Eric," she smiled back a little too wide. "This is my dad, mom," she pointed to each in turn. 

He dipped his head politely to each. "Nice to meet you. I'm Eric Markus. We've been hanging out at the beach and reading some books together over the summer."

Her mother raised her eyebrows and exclaimed, looking at Lex, who had smiled innocently. "We're just friends," she made sure to say before her father could open his mouth, anger all over it. 

He nodded and glared at Eric, who didn't look too worried. "Well, I've interrupted your family day enough. Nice to meet you," he waved at her parents and tapped her on the shoulder before leaving the table to go buy a plate of food for himself. 

Lex sighed as her parents looked at her, questions at the tip of their tongues. She sighed and closed her eyes. This was what she had been trying to avoid.