Peter

This was bullshit.

It was just a minor thing! So what if I forgot to go monitor the trade-off? No one died and we got the goods. What was there to monitor anyway?

Apparently, Leo thought there was something to monitor. He was so pissed off, he'd told Fiona and now she was leaving the island to come back into town. And he blamed it on Thalia.

I glanced back at her as she frowned out of the window. She had nothing to do with this. With this life, with our family, any of it. She was just a bystander, which was why I had to get her out of my life before something bad happened to her at my expense.

I practically sped home. Not out of worry or nervousness, but out of pure annoyance. Who the hell did Leo think he was?! Today was already shitty. Now that Toni saw me again, she would pursue me till she found some other poor guy to sink her claws into! I parked in the garage and slammed the door behind me, leaning on the car door and waiting for everyone else to climb out before I locked the door.

"Hey, man, are you-" I cut Corey off with a look and he quickly got quiet and turned to leave. Thalia cast me a worried look before Rhys ushered her into the house. I was the last one inside and the first place I went was the kitchen. I grabbed a bag of chips before collapsing on the couch and chewing on them angrily. Leo would be here soon and since he was going to meet Fiona at the airport (and she was flying in the private family jet, which meant she would not take long to get back home), he would no doubt be here in about an hour and thirty minutes.

Great.

I sighed and placed a hand on my face. This week just kept getting shittier and shittier.

Someone clearing their throat got me to look up. Thalia stood there looking very nervous. "What?" I snapped at her.

She scrunched up her nose at my tone. I noticed she did that a lot. "Well, damn. Thanks for the attitude."

I closed my eyes and sighed in annoyance. "What do you want, Thalia?"

"Well, I noticed you were kind of tense, and I know it's none of my business but," She sat down beside me before continuing, "Want to head out?"

I blinked at her in confusion. "What?"

"You know. Head out." She said as if it were common knowledge.

"Head out? Like, leave the house?"

She grinned and clapped her hands together. "Would you look at that! He DOES have brain cells!" She stood up and hauled me to my feet. "Let's go. I got the guys to cover for us so no one notices you're gone. But, based on my initial meeting with your mom, I'm sure she catches onto things quickly."

I blinked in confusion as she tugged me onto my feet and walked to the door, holding my hand tightly and dragging me behind her. "Huh..wait, what?"

Before I knew it we were in the car. "So," she began. "Where to?"

"What do you mean, 'where to'? This was your idea."

"Honestly, I didn't expect you to ACTUALLY follow me out here." Thalia said shyly, a red hue traveling to her cheeks.

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Wow."

"Shut up." She said, hitting my arm lightly. "Seriously, though. Where do you usually go to cool down?"

I thought for a minute. "Well, there's this pier-"

"Great! Let's book it!" Thalia grinned as she cut me off.

I stared at her in playful bewilderment before I scoffed and said, "Okay, then, Princess."

Then we were off.

_ _ _ _

The pier wasn't packed out. In fact, it was just the opposite. Only one small family played on the sand on the other side of the beach. Perfect. I turned to Thalia, who was already out of the car and grinning at me through the window.

I scoffed and climbed out of the car after her. She was already walking to the boardwalk, pulling her once free hair up into a ponytail. She took off her shoes and turned back to me with a grin. Her blue eyes caught a few rays of sun and they shone like diamonds. She honestly looked like she belonged in the Louvre.

I quickly blinked and caught myself. No. I couldn't let her do this to me. I was Peter Ronan. I was no sucker. Not for her, not for anyone.

I sat down on the edge of the pier beside her as she closed her eyes and soaked in the sunlight. She'd rolled up her sweater sleeves and she looked so peaceful. I wish I were that peaceful.

"I like it here." She smiled. "It's quite and pretty. I mean, look at how the ocean reflects the sun!" She said, gesturing. "Gosh I wish I could paint this."

I looked over at her. "You paint?"

Her eyes widened for a split second before her cheeks turned red with embarrassment. "Yeah, but I'm no good."

"Bullshit. That's what all good artists say." I smirked.

"Whatever." She muttered.

It was silent between the two of us for a moment before I sighed, standing up and taking off my shirt.

"Um...What are you doing?" Thalia asked, looking at me in confusion.

"Swim with me." I said boldly as I took off my pants.

"W-What?"

I kicked off my socks and looked over at her. "Swim with me." I repeated.

Thalia

Was he serious right now? SWIM WITH HIM?!

"I don't have any swimwear." I said.

"Are you wearing a bra?" Peter asked with a raised brow. "I mean, if you're not, then even better but-"

"I have a bra!" I snapped. "Perv."

He smirked. "Great. Then swim with me."

"In my underwear?!"

"Would you look at that! She DOES have brain cells!" He taunted, planting his fists on his hips.

I scoffed. How dare he? Who gave him the audacity?!

"Fine. Just...at least turn around." I mumbled, standing up.

"You're no fun." He muttered, turning around.

I quickly slipped off my clothes before letting my hair down. My stupid matching underwear and bra probably looked incredibly tacky.

I took a deep breath. Before I could even talk myself out of it, I leapt off of the pier with a squeal and was enveloped in the icy cold water. It was quiet down here. Quiet and dark. It was...nice and tranquil. I liked it.

I resurfaced and took a deep gulp of much needed air, brushing my now wet locks out of my face.

"You could have warned me first." Peter said.

I turned around and smirked at him. "Where's the fun in that?"

He promptly splashed me with water, an action that I returned.

Soon, we were both completely soaked to the bone. Peter dove underwater before resurfacing with me on his shoulders.

"Hey!" I exclaimed in shock.

"Hi." He smirked playfully.

Before he could retaliate, I shoved him back underwater, hoping to swim away. He promptly grabbed my ankle and I went under with a scream.

I turned around and gave him a pointed look. He simply grinned in response. This was the first time I'd seen him smile. Peter Ronan was smiling.

And it was because of me.

Just the thought of it gave me butterflies. I could help but smile back. We both swam above the water and laughed. Peter brushed his wet hair out of his face and I tucked mine behind my ear.

"Oh wow." He smiled.

"Feeling better?" I asked.

He was quiet for a minute before he nodded. "Yeah, actually. I am. You didn't have to do this for me. It means a lot. Thanks Lea."

My heart practically exploded. "Lea? So we're on nickname basis, huh?" I smirked.

"Don't let it go to your head." He joked, pushing my face with the palm of his hand. Suddenly we heard a phone ring.

"Yours?" I asked him. He nodded before swimming to the edge of the pier and pulling himself up. He looked down at the caller ID and groaned. "Hey mom." He mumbled.

And just like that, the good mood he was in dissipated.

"Yeah, we're at the pier. Mhm. Headed back now." His eyes met mine and he said, "Love you too, Mom. See you in a few." Then he hung up.

"I'm guessing the fun is over?" I asked. Peter reached his hands out and pulled me up onto the pier. "Yeah."

I sighed before standing to my feet and pulling my hair up into a ponytail again.

"Thanks, though. I had fun." Peter said as he finished dressing.

I slipped on my sweater and smiled at him. "Anytime."