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"And I thank God every day
For the girl He sent my way
But I know the things He gives me
He can take away"

Beautiful Things - Benson Boone
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Chapter Six:

< James >

"I heard we were fleeing from all the drama," Alistair's voice echoed, rousing me from the lower deck. I glanced at the time on my phone. Noon. Everly and I had only gone to bed a few hours ago. The exhaustion I felt was entirely worth it, though. We had definitely deepened our relationship, not just with the incredible, waterbed-breaking sex, but also with the conversation. Eve was incredibly intelligent... I wished she could see herself the way I do... One day, she would rule the world. And I'd make sure of it.

"Eve.." I woke up my girlfriend by planting kisses on her shoulder moving my way down her arm to her stomach. She started to laugh as she opened her eyes and pulled me on top of her.

"I heard Alistair...the cavalry is here. So I can't let you move any further down...unfortunately." She groaned.

"And we must play the part of good hosts, unfortunately," I teased her lightly. "But first, I have something for you." I reached into my nightstand and retrieved a small red box. "I meant to give this to you last night, but the moment just wasn't right. Now feels like the perfect time." I grinned at her as I handed her the box. Everly opened it slowly, revealing the diamond initial necklace inside. "Remember when I asked you to be my girlfriend, and you said yes but mentioned that the deal would really be sealed with a diamond?" I paused, watching her reaction as she pulled out the necklace. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she was speechless.

"James, it's absolutely perfect," Everly exclaimed as I gently secured the necklace around her neck.

"Now everyone knows you're mine," I declared proudly, adjusting the necklace so the diamond J hung perfectly in the center. Everly grabbed my face and kissed me.

"All hail the diamond J," Allistar exclaimed as he and the rest of the group barged into our bedroom. "Thank goodness she liked it. James and I spent weeks at that jewelry store, fussing over that damn thing."

"Again...does no one know how to knock!" I yelled as I threw Everly my dress shirt to cover herself with.

"You both were taking to long and Lydia and Cyril went to town on a booze run. I'm sure that will go well. It's not a booze run if they drink all the liquor before they get back." Alistair's joke had tones of certainty to it.

"Alright shows over everyone...we'll get dressed and meet you downstairs." Everly exclaimed as she held my shirt closed around her.

"Wait...James...there's one more thing," Alistair said, tossing me another smaller box with a wink.

"Wait...what is this?" Everly asked.

"James forgot it before he fled the country. I picked it up on my way to the airport." Alistair's coy response at the entire room's attention.

"Are you proposing now?" Eve teased me as I handed her the box.

"Would you say yes, if I was? " I responded back cheekily.

"The wedding would draw more attention than the royal family." Lydia laughed as she and Cyril walked into our bedroom to join the party.

"Good, now that everyone's here. Everly feel free to open it." I said hoping our friends would notice my sarcasm and vacate our bedroom. But it went right over their heads. She slowly opened the box revealing two rings inside.

"Their for us. It's a pledge that I'll always be by your side, no matter what challenges we face." I explained as I placed the ring on her finger. Everly retrieved the other ring from the box and gently slid it onto my finger, sealing our promise.

"James, it's perfect. Now everyone get out so I can thank my boyfriend properly, if you know what I mean." Everly yelled as she pulled me under the covers, throwing my dress shirt off and onto the floor.

"My eyes!!" Wren teased as our friends ran out of our room. Lydia made sure to close the door behind her. But not without telling us we had to be dressed and ready for a yacht day at 2pm.

"Ugh, I'm already regretting it," Evie sighed as she lay on my chest. "I just want to lay here all day with you." She smiled up at me, and I couldn't help but notice the initial hanging from her neck. Not because I owned her, but because I truly knew her. Just like Taylor Swift said. I did know Evie; I knew every inch of her, every freckle on her face, every scar on her leg, every happy and dark thought she's ever had. I loved her because she was authentically herself with me always. I saw every face she showed the world...and I got the real her from the very first day.

"Come on party girl, where's the Everly who wanted to pour champagne down her chest on a yacht last night." I teased her.

"I'm in bed with my boyfriend, and could think of a few things I would rather do at the exact moment," Eve smirked at me. I got on top of her, taking the hint, kissing every inch of her as I made my way down her stomach and found myself under the covers. "James!" Evie squealed as I moved my lips down, kissing her thighs. "James..." Everly repeated my name. I loved hearing her say my name. I wanted her to say it more, louder.

"If you keep shouting my name like that babe, I'm not going to be able to stop myself." I said from under the blankets.

"James...don't you dare...your sister could walk in at any second." Everly was near the edge as her hands gripped my hair. "James...James...Ja.." I was just about to go in for the big finish when Alistair swung open the door. Noticing just Everly still in bed.

"Alistair!!" Everly screamed trying to get herself to calm down.

"Where's James! We're heading out to the dock now." He shouted.

"He's..um preoccupied at the moment in another room." Everly bite her lip. I loved how much she was trying to hold it together as I continued to kiss her second favorite place, next to her lips.

"Is he in the study? I'll go find him." Alistair asked Everly as she gripped the sheet.

"Could be...he..could be outside..." She stuttered trying to hold it together a little longer. I had a feeling Alistair knew what was going on.

"James...when you've finished your breakfast, will you join us on the dock?" Alistair said shaking his head as he closed the door behind him.

"JAMES!" Evie finished as I peaked my head up from under the sheets.

"Should I wake you up like that more often." I smirked at her. All Everly could do was nod, her whole body flushed.

"James that was...oh god I have to get out of this bed now or I will never leave." Evie said as she got up from our bed, pulling the bed sheet around her as she walked into the bathroom to shower. I laid there with the biggest smile across my face. The second I heard the water turn on I decided I had to get up too.

The door cracked open and I watched my girlfriend stick her head out with a look of confusion. "Are you going to make me shower alone?" Evie pouted.

"Never..." I jumped up and sprinted into the bathroom pulling her into the double door shower with me.

"We might as well have them meet us out there. They're definitely screwing in the shower now. I'm just happy I don't have to hear James' sad boy routine over how much he loves Everly but will never tell her and how good she smells and how much he loves her eyes...oh vomit..." Alistair and Cyril's mocking voices echoed through the bathroom wall.

Everly let go of my mouth for just a second and winked at me. "Oh James!!" She screamed playing it up. "You're so big...of course you broke that waterbed..you've got quite the proper cock. I heard from Lydia Cyril's not gifted in that department. Shame..." Everly laughed as I pulled her into me for another kiss. I just loved her, and I was going to do whatever it took to protect our relationship.

"You think they heard us?" She teased me as I turned off the shower.

"I hope so." I laughed as I helped my girlfriend out of the shower.

"I have a surprise for you today." Everly winked as she walked out of the bathroom in her towel and opened her suitcase. "Mimi did well, she packed my favorite suit." Everly said as I walked out to her tying it onto her body. "Do you think I need a cover up?" Everly asked.

"Evie, you're mine...everyone knows that. So you feel free to wear whatever you want." I said as kissed Evie's head.

"You know love ,this bikini is a little tricky. It tends to have a mind of it's own and untie at a whim. I may need you to keep a close eye on me, just in case." Everly gave me a seductive sigh as I helped her tie on her bikini bottom.

I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her into my chest. "Don't give me another reason to stare at you even more than I already do," I said back to her. As I helped her tie on her bikini top, I couldn't shake off the memory of where we had both been only hours ago. Covered in soot, our clothes ripped, sitting next to my girlfriend in the hospital while they gave her an oxygen treatment. My hands started to shake as I was transported back to the scene I walked into. Everly was unconscious on the floor in her bedroom. And when I found her, I had a full-blown panic attack. Fighting through it and getting her out of there as soon as possible was the only way to break myself out of it.

"James...Jamesie..you okay?" The sound of Everly's voice brought be back to reality.

"Sorry...I..." I mumbled, dropping my head onto her chest. She immediately wrapped her arms around me.

"James...talk to me." Everly's tone was filled with concern as I looked up at her with tears in my eyes.

"I love you, Evie. Last night, you scared me beyond belief. The idea of losing you is unimaginable to me. I wouldn't know how to go on. So whatever it takes to keep you safe, I'll do it. But you have to let me. Please, just say you'll let me." My hands trembled as I spoke, pleading with her.

As we both collapsed into each other's arms, Everly's brown eyes transformed into hazel. "James, I'm so sorry," she whispered. "I love you, and I'll do whatever it takes to protect you. But you have to let me do the same." Her voice, though soft, held a firm resolve. I knew I had to accept it, at least for the time being.

"I accept that. Let's try to just go be teenagers for a day. Leave the stress to our parents who caused all of this." I said as Everly and I stood up. She wiped her tears and nodded.

"We have to put on a brave face for our friends James. They have no idea how bad it really is. And for the moment there's really no reason to tell them." Everly persuaded me. I nodded in agreement.

"Like you said, let's just go get drunk and party. I could think of few places where I want to see that bikini hanging by the end of the night." I teased her pulling her back into my chest.

"Alistair is going to walk back in and drag us both downstairs if we don't hurry up." Everly said as she ran to finish her hair and makeup in the bathroom. I threw on a swimsuit and headed downstairs to calm the boys down.

"The king has finally chosen to grant us with his presence." Wren teased me as I met them all in the kitchen.

"By the look of all the bottles, I see we're already drinking. And I love it. Pass me the tequila." I cheered as Everly walked down looking even more gorgeous than I left her.

"The future Mrs. Beaufort has arrived," Lydia teased the group, but her words carried a weight of truth. Everly had a way of captivating everyone in the room. Her presence illuminated even the darkest corners with the sparkle in her eyes.

"James, please pick your tongue up off the floor. You and fuck on her once we're on the yacht." Alistair said as Everly walked over to me.

"Ellie...so great to see you." Everly lit up at the site of Alistair's sister. "James and I are so happy you could join us." She continued to gloat.

"Thank you for the invite. I invited a few more of our circle but they haven't arrived yet." Ellie scowled at her.

"Worry not love. There's more than enough room for everyone to stay." Evie said as I grabbed her hand and pulled over to the bar.

"A shot to our 2 weeks of freedom?" I cheered.

"If we're toasting to our freedom, I'll take mine in double," Eve declared, idly toying with her necklace. She noticed Ellie's gaze drift toward it, the diamonds in the J pendant catching the light and casting shimmering reflections across the kitchen windows like a cascade of rainbow prisms.

We walked back over to the group for one more toast before boarding the yacht. Everly's hand shot up in Ellie's direction, catching sight of the promise ring I gave her. Ellie rolled her eyes with disgust as we all boarded the yacht together. Alistair approached me as Everly and Lydia headed to the bar on board for a round of margaritas.

"We may have a problem," he sighed, directing my attention towards his sister Ellie. "Her plus one...I just found out is..." Before Alistair could finish his sentence, I heard Jasper's voice, followed by the yacht captain pulling away from the port.

"Jasper...you have to be fucking kidding me." I said to Alistair as I approached Jasper and Ellie.

"Look who it is, thanks for the invite man. No hard feelings for kicking your arse, alright?" Jasper reached out his hand for me to shake.

"Hard feelings? You're mistaken if you think that's the root of my irritation. You blackmailed my girlfriend into breaking up with me, and then you almost drowned her in the pool, Wellington. You've got no business being here, and it's evident you were only invited to stir up chaos, as usual," I retorted, scoffing at him.

"Ellie invited me, I see no reason why we can't put that all behind us. We're stuck on this boat for the next 6 hours. It's not like you can throw me over board." He laughed.

"He might not, but you certainly don't have to provoke me," my girlfriend's fury was palpable as she stepped between Jasper and me.

"Hey, look who's here... the girl who dodged drowning and a fire. You're like a modern-day Houdini, Eve," Jasper jeered, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Everly's expression paled at the mention of the fire, leaving me puzzled at her reaction initially.

"You vowed to ruin my life, yet you're so desperate to be a part of it. I can't fathom why you're fixated on me. Are you still infatuated? Do you wish I fucked you? Was your ego bruised when everyone found out you lied about taking my virginity. Or were you disgusted to learn who did?" Everly's scowl deepened as I drew her closer, sensing she was withholding something from me by the intensity of her embrace. It was clear there was more to the story of the fire than my girlfriend wanted to let on.

"Accidents happen Evie, don't twist those lace panties in a bunch putting wild fantasies into your head." Jasper smirked back at her.

"Enough is enough," I retorted to Jasper. "Though I'd happily toss you overboard, we're stuck with you on this boat. I doubt my family wants any more media attention, so I'll have to mind my manners for now." I added as Everly released her grip on me and headed toward the cabins.

Lydia nodded, indicating she would go talk to her, then hurried off with Cyril to find her. Alistair stepped between Jasper and me. "As much as I enjoy a testosterone-fueled showdown...maybe not this close to the edge of the boat. Ellie would find that rather entertaining. 'Bring your sister,' Mum said. 'It'll be fun,' said no one ever," Alistair sighed, shaking his head disapprovingly at Ellie.

"James, aren't you going to see what the drama queen is crying about now?" Ellie quipped, her tone dripping with disdain. I struggled to decipher the hidden message behind Jasper's words to Everly.

"What's your angle, Ellie?" I responded, feeling regretful that anything had ever occurred between us, no matter how long ago or insignificant. I was still dealing with the fallout from it, enduring her never-ending nonsense.

"She dashed off in tears. Looks like she's your responsibility now, isn't she?" Ellie sneered.

"Everly is not the problem here, Ellie. You are, and you always have been," I asserted firmly, my frustration evident in my tone. "I've made it clear before, and I'll say it again: that drunken kiss we shared meant nothing. I love Everly, and it's plain for anyone to see. I have no interest in whatever game you and Jasper are playing, and I won't entertain it. When we dock, both of you are to leave. We came here to escape drama, not to be dragged back into it by your antics. What's your motive, Ellie? To provoke me? To hurt Everly? It's not a good look, and you should hold yourself to a higher standard, especially for the sake of our families." With a disdainful scoff, I turned away and headed back towards the cabins.

"They locked me out," Cyril remarked, settling onto the floor beside the cabinet with a bottle of scotch."Interested in joining the club of clueless boyfriends?" he quipped.

"Are you and Lydia official now?" I inquired, prompting Cyril to give me a tentative half nod in response.

"She didn't say no...but she hasn't said yes yet." He took a swig from the bottle after he spoke handing it to me.

"Alright then, can you hear anything through the door?" I asked.

"They were both crying just a moment ago. Seems like they're dealing with some heavy shite, mate. That's why I turned to the bottle," Cyril remarked. That was the moment I realized the storm we had been desperately trying to escape had caught up with us.