Mark (Next Generation Carter Brother #9)

CHAPTER EIGHT

Freya

The next morning, I’m forced to sit next to Mike for breakfast. The sound of cutlery clanging against plates and chatter echoing around the large dining room grates on my already thumping headache.

I swallow down the last bit of orange juice, wincing when the movement causes more pain. I didn’t think I drank that much the night before, but I woke up with a banging headache and nausea.

“You are looking a little green there, Freya,” my aunt Alley across from me points out, her lips pulled up into a smile. “Did you have a little too much fun last night?”

I force a smile. “Nanna had us doing shots,” I admit.

“Where is Mother?” Dad asks. “She said she would meet us for breakfast.”

“I’m here,” Nanna calls out, placing her bag over the back of her chair. She has on a huge beige, straw hat, and sunglasses that take up her entire face. A black cover up dress is covering her bikini, which I can see the straps of. “And will you keep it down. There’s no need to raise your voice.”

“How is your hip?” I ask, knowing she must have hurt it when she tumbled out of the chair last night.

“Well enough to wrap them around some hunk,” she assures me.

“Mother!” Dad hisses.

She pushes her sunglasses further up her nose. “Son, don’t act surprised your mother has sex. How do you think you were conceived?”

“Can we please change the subject,” my mother orders.

Nanna turns to me when they go back to their conversation. “Please tell me the hot guy took you to bed. He looks like he knows what he’s doing.”

I choke on air, and my eyes bug out. “No, Nanna. Just no.”

“You are only young once,” she reminds me.

“He’s the crazy neighbour I told you about.”

She purses her lips for a moment. “The one you think stole your cat?” she asks, and I hear the doubt in her voice. She didn’t believe me when I first told her, and she definitely doesn’t believe me now she’s met him. And she was drunk for their entire encounter.

I bang my hands down on the table and flinch at how loudly it echoes in my head. I lean in close, lowering my voice. “He did steal my cat. And he did steal the doormat. He might not have stolen the food, but he’s still crazy.”

“Crazy hot,” she teases.

“We aren’t talking about him,” I grumble, turning back to my food. I move the egg around the plate, wondering why I even picked anything up. Aside from the toast, everything else has been left untouched.

I notice Esther watching me from up the table, but she soon looks away when she’s caught.

I’m too hungover to deal with her.

“Hey, what are you up to later?” Mike asks someone, but I don’t bother to check who he is creeping on since I’m still stewing over my neighbour.

Mark was actually nice last night, and for a minute, I thought maybe I had pegged him wrong. But that minute was just that. A minute. He went back to being the jerk I always knew he was.

“He’s talking to you,” Nanna whispers, nudging my shoulder.

“Huh?” I turn to Mike and find he is, in fact, talking to me. Or rather, my tits—if his line of sight is anything to go by. “I’m sorry, what?”

“What are you doing later?”

“Why?”

Please don’t ask me to do something.

Please don’t ask me to do something.

“Did you want to hang out in my suite?” he asks, and I feel his hand on my thigh, before he tries to slide it up my leg.

Fuck no!

I shove it off and glare at him. “No thank you.”

“Come on. The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else.”

I shake my head, confused about the direction the conversation is going. “I’m not following. Who am I meant to be getting over? And why on earth would you think you’d be an option?”

“Baffles me too,” Nanna muses.

“Esther said you were finding their wedding hard and wished you could have someone to focus on.” He points to his chest, grinning. “I’m great in bed. Once you have me, you’ll never think of another guy again.”

No, I wouldn’t. Because the only way he’d ever have a chance with me is if I’m dead . So yeah, I’d definitely never think of another guy.

My lips tighten for a moment. “What exactly did she say?”

“That it was a shame you didn’t have a guy to focus on so it could take your mind off the wedding. And that you always had a thing for me, but because of Danny, you never acted on your attraction.”

“Yeah, that’s a load of bullshit,” I snap, pushing back in my chair. I stand and glower at my sister, who has the audacity to look anywhere but at me. Yet she doesn’t move quick enough to hide the mirth in her gaze.

She’s finding this funny.

“Where are you going?” Nanna asks. “Do not leave me with these people.”

“I’m going for some air,” I bite out.

“Watch your tone with your elders,” Mum scolds. “And sit down and finish your food.”

“Trust me, you don’t want me at this table right now,” I bite out, and grab my bag off the floor.

I leave, heading towards the stairs that lead up to the first deck. I’m rounding the corner when I bump into a hard chest.

“Sorry,” I splutter.

“Why am I not surprised?”

I glance up into those hazel eyes and shudder. “Mark!”

He narrows his eyes at me. “I’m beginning to wonder if these bumping into each other moments are actually accidents.”

“You bumped into me last night,” I point out, my words sharp and quick.

“That’s what you probably wanted me to think.”

I roll my eyes. He’s so damn self-assured, it’s maddening. “Whatever you say,” I mutter, and leave without another word.

Two minutes later, I’m standing on the deck next to the railing, looking out at the ocean. The sun reflects off the water, and I can’t help but admire the beauty. It’s serene. The seaside has always been my favourite place to visit. Being in the sea brings a calmness that nothing else ever has. There’s a freedom inside of you when the waves beat against your waist and your fingertips glide across the ripples of water. I also love that in all of the world, the sea still holds hidden secrets. There’s so much more to explore, so many secrets it still holds.

And looking out, watching the sun glistening off the sea, I can finally take a calming breath.

One.

Two.

Three .

It gives me strength to get through this week. I can cope with the whispers, the staring, and the pitying looks. I can handle them thinking I’m not okay with this wedding because I know different. The people who matter most to me know different. I just can’t cope with the drama that comes hand in hand with it. Sooner or later, I’m going to snap, and once again it will be my reaction to their actions that everyone focuses on.

“Freya?” Esther calls, her tone hesitant.

I let out a breath and turn to her. “I just need five minutes, Esther.”

“He loves me, Freya,” she comments, which has my shoulders tensing. “I need to know you are okay with him choosing me.”

“There’s no one around so you can lose the act,” I accuse.

“I don’t know what you mean,” she replies sweetly, but there’s a hint of pity in her tone.

And out of all people, I don’t want her pitying me.

“Yes, you do,” I fume. “I don’t give a flying fuck about you and Danny. I haven’t for a very long time.”

“You don’t need to lie to me,” she accuses.

“Esther, even if he were to break up with you tomorrow and wanted me back, he wouldn’t stand a chance. Don’t take your insecurities out on me.”

“I’m not insecure about my relationship,” she bites out.

I arch a brow. “I would be if I was you. If he could cheat on me with my own sister, what’s stopping him from doing the same to you? I wouldn’t keep bragging about him choosing you, sister, because one day, he might choose someone else.”

And this is why I remove myself from situations. So I don’t react like this.

Her eyes bug out at my accusation. She doesn’t know I knew they were together before he broke up with me. But once they came forward with their announcement, I evaluated the last few months of our relationship, going over every little detail to see what I had missed. I wanted to understand why he would end it when things were so good. I stupidly sat crying all night, blaming myself. When all along, I didn’t do anything wrong.

Months prior to the breakup, he said he was working away. Yet two times someone claimed to have seen him. He denied it, and I laughed it off with him, even if there was a part of me that wondered.

And then it was my birthday party. Both he and Esther were late arriving. Esther arrived first, and ten minutes later, Danny showed up.

I had been so stupid.

Her expression hardens. “Just because he cheated on you, doesn’t mean he’ll do the same to me. He loves me. I know that’s hard for you to understand but he does. You need to move on.”

“I moved on the second he broke up with me, Esther. It’s you who is not quite grasping that, and it’s you who needs to move on,” I snap. “And if you ever think of pushing Mike onto me again, I will tell Danny you slept with Eddie the day after Danny and I broke up.”

“We weren’t together then,” she lies.

I snort. “If that’s what you want to go with, carry on. Doesn’t change the facts.”

Tears gather in her eyes but I know it’s for show. “I just want this wedding to bring us all together. I don’t understand why you can’t be happy for me,” she blubbers. “You’re my sister and I want you to be happy.”

“Seriously, Freya,” Danny snaps, and I jerk at his arrival. I hadn’t even heard him approach. “We’re getting married the day after tomorrow, and you decide now to upset your sister.”

Esther sniffles, leaning in close to him. “I’m worried she’ll say or do anything to try and break us up.”

Oh, she’s good. Seriously fucking good.

I’m done with this crap. I’m done with the drama and her.

I glare at her, wishing I could punch her in her perfect face. “If you are that afraid that’s what I’m trying to do, I hope you have a beautiful day. Because I won’t be there. I’m sick of the fucking bullshit. I’m over this. I wouldn’t be on this cruise if I had a problem with you getting married. The only one who seems to be stringing that notion out, is you.”

“Freya!” Mum scolds. “What did I warn you about before coming?”

I throw my hands up, turning to Mum and Dad. “Of course you immediately take her side. The second this ship stops at the next island, I’m going home.”

Mum grabs my wrist as I go to walk off, and I become aware of the audience watching. Not only are my family gathered around, but so are the Carters. All of them have paused to watch the spectacle.

“You will do no such thing. Your sister is getting married and you will do your duty and be there for her. What are you going to do when they have children? Will you ignore your nieces and nephews?”

“Why is everyone treating me like a woman scorned,” I cry. “I’m. Over. It. This isn’t about the fucking wedding. It’s not about her marrying my ex. I stopped caring the day they announced they were together. The only one carrying it on is Esther and you. And at this point, I don’t know who is feeding who the bullshit. Believe Esther. I don’t care. But I will not be here for the wedding.”

“You just needed an excuse to get out of it, didn’t you,” Mum accuses. “But you had to try and ruin it before.”

“Maggie,” Dad soothes, pulling her back.

Tears gather in my eyes. “I’m talking to you but you aren’t listening to my words. Just like you didn’t when I tried to tell you how wrong it was that they were together. It’s like you only listen to your own opinion or Esther’s. I am done trying to prove I don’t care. I’m done arguing about things that I got over from day one. I’m done explaining myself.”

“Come, child,” Nanna orders, reaching for me. I lean into her touch, close to breaking. Until now, I was happy to let them think what they wanted. I think deep down, I knew no matter what I said, they wouldn’t believe me.

“Mum,” Dad warns when she tugs me away. “We aren’t done talking about this.”

“Yes, you are. That girl has had the wool pulled over your eyes for far too long, and you are so blinded by it that you don’t see what this is doing to your other daughter. Because you have two, if you haven’t forgotten,” Nanna begins, and I know she’s not done because she takes a breath to compose herself. “Not one of you have put yourself in Freya’s shoes. What Esther has done is wrong, and instead of scolding her, you congratulated her. You both have siblings. Imagine if Alley had got into a relationship with Mitch, or if Damion slept with Maggie, and you were forced to watch it play out. Our Freya has not only watched it, but she got over it. Yet you continue to treat her like she hasn’t. I don’t know how she has kept herself from exploding because if I were her, you’d all have your arses whooped.”

I see Mum share a look with her sister, Alley, and my dad with his brother, Damion, and both hang their heads. I hope it’s because they are now realising just how callous Esther has been, but my luck has never been that good.

“That’s it, everyone take perfect little miss Freya’s side,” Esther wails. “I’ve tried everything to please you. Everything . Is it too much to ask for you to be happy for me?”

She storms off, and predictably, Mum and Danny follow.

“Are you okay?” Nanna asks.

“No.”

Dad clears his throat. “A wedding is meant to be a happy time. I’m not taking Esther’s side, but maybe for a few days, you could at least try. She’s only going to get married once, Freya.”

“I don’t need to try anything, Dad. I’ve done it. I’m here. Yet she and Mum are constantly telling me I need to get over it even though I’ve repeatedly been saying I’m over it for over a year now. I thought you and Mum knew me better. If a woman can take my man, she’s welcome to him. I don’t want someone like that. And I would hope you and Mum wouldn’t want that for me. I’m not fragile. I’ve put up with a lot of shit and let it go over my head. But it builds, and all that pent-up tension and anger, it needs a release. Then conveniently, that is all you guys focus on. My reaction to their actions.”

“She’s probably worried for you. It hasn’t been easy for her either. Danny did date you first.”

“Have any of you actually heard me plead for him back? Have you heard me say anything to Esther about having him first? Have you heard me bring up past moments or even taunt her? No. But what you have heard is her tell me how he chose her, how good he thinks she is in bed and that she’s the best he ever had. You were there when they were telling you about the chain I bought him for Christmas one year going missing. And you were there when she returned all his photos of us to me. I’ve not done any of that. Yet no one spoke up for me. No one told her to stop. I already erased everything, including the memory of our relationship, and if she didn’t constantly remind me, I would actually forget we dated for three years.”

He lowers his gaze, his expression full of sorrow. “I’m sorry, Noodle. I didn’t even realise that was happening.”

“Well, now that you do, go repeat it to your wife because I will not have Freya upset,” Nanna warns before turning to me. “And you aren’t going home. We deserve this holiday. We can pretend none of them are even here.”

“Mum,” Dad warns.

“Go away,” she snaps, and tags me by the hand, leading me away. “We’re going to get some cocktails by the pool.”

“It’s half nine in the morning,” I point out.

“Then we’ll have some non-alcoholic ones until noon.”

“Thank you for always being there for me.”

“Always. I love Esther, don’t get me wrong, but she isn’t you. She reminds me too much of my sister Ethel. Always up to no good that one; yet she always managed to get herself out of shit by pinning it on others. Did I tell you she robbed a bank in the seventies and blamed it on husband number two?”

My lips twitch because there’s always a story where her sister is concerned. “No. You didn’t.”

“I’ll tell you about it later,” she promises. “But back to my point, you are a lot like me. I had no one in my corner, but you do. You have me and you will until I take my last breath.”

“You don’t plan on staying with me in the afterlife?”

She waves me off. “Goodness no. I’m going to meet my Bert at Heaven’s Gates and have some much-needed sex, before we go haunt some fuckers. Don’t worry, Esther is on that list.”

I laugh, throwing my head back. “I love you, Nanna.”

“I love you too.”

As we take a seat on the sun loungers, I can’t help but feel like I might be okay to stay. I could enjoy the sun for another eleven days and just relax.

I just need to ignore the fact my sister is on the same boat.

I can do that.

I can.