The Lines We Cross

The cabin is so cozy.

That’s my first thought as it comes into view. My second thought is about how quiet it is. Just the low hum of wind through the trees and the crunch of gravel under Michael’s tires as he pulls in.

We’ve been driving for about two hours, the silence majority of the way only giving space for my thoughts to run free. I was nervous and excited. I haven’t met his family before- save for mum once, though that was super brief and actually happened by accident when she unexpectedly came back to drop some stuff he left behind. I’m pretty sure he said his parents aren’t going to be here, but either way, this was going to be a lot bigger than that.

I’ve never been to a wedding either- unless you count the time Dad forced me to sit through some distant aunt’s ceremony when I was six. We never made it to the actual wedding. I’m not exactly any more of a social butterfly now, so I’m hoping these two weeks go well. Fingers crossed Michael and I get to spend some real time together too. It’s been a while.

At some point through the drive he mentioned the cabins are shared, but he wasn’t sure who we were put with. I tried not to overthink that. Maybe I’ll make a new friend if I’m lucky.

“This is it?” I ask softly, looking up at the wide wooden house. Dark beams, long porch. Windows reflecting late afternoon light.

“Yeah.” Michael mumbles, already unbuckling. Already stepping out of the car.

Warm air hits my cheeks as I round the car and meet Michael by the boot. My hands go for my bag instinctively as he grabs his duffel and heads toward the door. I follow, because that’s what I always do.

He pushes open the front door as I hurry up the steps behind him.

Laughter spills out from somewhere deeper inside the house, like whoever’s here has already settled in.

I barely have time to take in the wide open living space, the wall of windows, the oversized couch, when a voice calls from the kitchen.

“Well, that must be the famous girlfriend.”

I look up to see a woman approaching us. She’s ridiculously pretty, her smile beaming from ear to ear. Her hair is dark, as are her eyes, and her flowy white dress practically glows against her tanned skin.

I return her smile, but before I can even speak, I’m pulled into a tight hug that takes me by surprise.

“I’m Ella, the bride. Mikey’s cousin.” She says, voice warm and light.

“Hi.” I pull back and smile again. “I’m Ava. It’s so lovely to meet you.”

She goes to give Michael a hug too and he says something that makes Ella punch his arm playfully when two men join us. One- tall, with similarly dark features- wraps his arm around Ella and kisses the side of her head before extending his hand to Michael, then me, introducing himself as Christian. Obviously the groom. The other- oh…

The man stepping up beside Christian is strikingly attractive, in that All American, boy-next-door way. Only there is nothing boy-ish about him. He’s a similar height to Christian, shoulders broad, arms muscular under the bright coloured polo he wears.

His light brown hair is a wavy mess atop his head- the kind that’s styled, not uncared for. Ocean blue eyes that catch the light in a way that makes you look twice. Jaw sharp and grin so straight and bright- easy in a way that tugs at your own mouth whether you want to smile or not.

When I look back to his face, his eyes are already on me. Warm, curious, and dangerously amused.

“Here I was, ready to bet the infamous girlfriend didn’t actually exist.” His voice is deep, full of easy humour.

Michael rolls his eyes. “That’s Bren,” he says flatly, already heading for the fridge. “You can ignore most of what he says.”

Bren’s grin widens.

“Don’t listen to him, Ava,” he says easily, reaching out his hand for me to shake. “I’m delightful.”

Michael makes a dismissive sound from the fridge.

Bren’s hand is warm when our palms meet. Grip firm, but not too much. Heat creeps up my neck despite myself. It catches me so off guard I let go a little quicker than I meant to, hoping he doesn’t notice I acted like I just got electrocuted.

“Hi,” I say.

Christian asks about the drive here, Ella jokes about something I don’t quite catch, my pulse thrumming with the anticipation of meeting new people, being in a new place.

Then I feel it.

That quiet, prickling awareness down my spine, like someone is watching. I turn, and my gaze lands on him.

Standing near the staircase, leaning against the side of the bannister, in dark jeans and plain black tee revealing tanned and toned arms. There’s something heavier about him. Quieter. He just stands there, shoulders squared, gaze steady. His presence settles into the room in a way that demands attention without asking for it.

Michael appears again, water bottle in hand, and gestures vaguely, his tone bored. “Ava, this is my brother, Aries.”

Oh.

Of course.

My eyes flick between them. I see it now, the similarity in the sharpness of their features. But the similarity ends there. He’s taller than Michael. Broader too. Hair much shorter and darker. Dark eyes that don’t flick away when I meet them.

It makes my stomach dip in a way I don’t understand. My fingers tighten slightly on the bag strap. I straighten my spine without meaning to.

The silence feels like it stretches forever. I think he’s not going to speak- until he does.

“Hi Ava.”

His voice is lower than I expected. Rough. Controlled. My name sounds different spoken in it.

He doesn’t offer his hand. Doesn’t smile.

“Hi,” I manage, my voice small.

There’s a beat of silence. Not awkward, exactly, but it feels somewhat charged. The silence stretches long enough for me to acknowledge the way my heart beat has picked up.

Must be nerves.

Beside me, Bren’s eyes flick between me and Aries, grin spreading again like he just noticed something interesting. The tension stretches, or maybe it’s all in my head.

Michael doesn’t even notice.

“This place is sick,” he’s saying to Ella, already halfway into the open living space. “Who’s in the other cabins?”

“Most of the cousins, some of mine and Christian’s friends.” She says, narrowing her eyes at him. “Ryan’s here too. You two better behave.”

“Don’t we always?” Michael grins, already claiming the biggest cushion on the oversized couch.

“Yeah,” she snorts, “which is precisely why you’re not roomies at my wedding.”

She rolls her eyes playfully, grabbing a set of keys from the bowl on the dresser. “We gotta go, have to make the rounds before everyone tucks in for the night. You guys settle in and get some rest.”

She turns to me then, that smile gracing her pretty face again.

“It was lovely to meet you, Ava. Don’t let Mr Grumpy over there,” she throws her thumb over her shoulder at Aries, “suck the fun out of anything and make you believe he’s here against his will.” She turns to him and blows a kiss at him before walking towards the door. “He wouldn’t miss his favourite cousin’s wedding for the world!”

Bren laughs, Aries shows no reaction, the front door shuts.

A silence stretches again. I feel eyes on me and when I glance up, both of them are watching me.

In the living room, Michael’s laid back, unbothered, phone back in hand like it holds all the secrets to the universe.

“Babe,” he says distractedly, not even looking up, “can you grab the smaller bag from the car? Think I left it.”

My eyes flick to him then back to the two men in front of me. Bren is watching me with an expression I can’t read- like he’s waiting to see what I’ll do. Aries isn’t watching me anymore- he’s looking at Michael.

“Wow,” Bren huffs a laugh. “Didn’t take long to figure out who does the heavy lifting around here.”

Michael scoffs. “Relax. It’s just a bag. She doesn’t mind.” His eyes flick up to me then briefly “Do you babe?”

“Sure.” I offer a smile, but his eyes are already glued back to his screen.

I slip the strap off my shoulder and set my bag down quietly. When I turn back toward the door, Bren is still watching me. Aries’s eyes are still on Michael. His jaw tightens slightly, subtle enough that I might have imagined it.

When I come back in, Michael is still sprawled on the couch, mumbling about rooms being picked out already. I can see Bren through the glass doors, out on the patio talking on the phone, and Aries is nowhere to be seen.

I take the bags and carry them up to the room. I fill the drawers with some stuff, making sure Michael’s clothes are neatly folded and tucked away, hang up suits and dresses in the wardrobe, and leave the rest in the suitcases.

When I’m done, I sit on the edge of the bed and look around the room. This is going to be our home for the next two weeks. Us, and them.

It’s going to be just fine.

Right?