Page 42 of The Bitter Rival

Austin sits a little taller in his chair at this revelation. “Oh, good.” As he stands to collect his prized possessions, I make my way to my room. Grabbing a pair of jeans and a light sweater, I head toward the bathroom. It’s nice that the weather has cooled down a little. Between working in the hospital and the high heat and humidity of Virginia living, I was starting to keep my locks in a permanent messy bun or ponytail. It’ll be nice to literally let my hair down with my new friends at their home today.

An hour and a half later, and we’ve arrived at Nick and Kat’s gorgeous lake home. It’s like something out of a fairy tale. Even Austin’s face is bright with excitement as we pull up the tree-lined drive and see the shoreline in the distance.

“I can see the water, Mom.”

“Isn’t it beautiful, Austin?”

“Yes. I bet Bailey would like it here.”

Bailey has taken Austin with her to sketch and paint at a local park on several occasions. She typically paints while he sketches, given his aversion to painting on an easel. But according to Bailey, Austin loves to sketch and reproduce the beauty of Mother Nature’s bounty through his own unique lens.

“Hey.”

I can hear Kat’s cheerful voice as I close the car door. I look up to see Nick and Kat coming down the front porch steps in our direction. Kat is carrying little Grace and stops to introduce her to Austin.

“Thanks again for making her cake and coming all of this way,” Nick greets as he engulfs me in a hug. This man is so dreamy. He’s the perfect package of smart, sexy, sweet, and surgeon all in one. My mind instantly travels to another sexy surgeon I know, and my smile withers a bit.

“I’m so thankful you included us in your celebration. Do you mind helping me carry the cakes into the house?”

“Of course,” he replies, beaming like the proud papa he is.

I receive a hug from Katarina and ‘Super G,’ and we all head up the porch steps into their incredible home. It’s a perfect lake house built of rich wood and topped with a green metal roof. I can just imagine sitting curled up in a cozy chair by the fire as rain pelts the tin above. The back of the home comprises several large bay windows that open onto the incredible view below.

“Ma’am? Can I go down there?” Recognizing Austin’s voice, I turn to see him pointing to the grassy area along the bank of the lake below.

“Of course, Austin. But please, call me Kat.”

“Yes, ma’am. I mean, Kat.” He hurriedly opens the back door to the deck, and I watch him as he descends, holding his backpack tightly in his hands.

“Isabella, this is my dad, Garrett,” Nick interrupts.

“I’ve heard a lot about your propensity for making sweet treats, young lady.” Garrett takes me in for a hug before I can extend my hand. He’s as charming as his son.

“Well, reserve your opinion for when you taste it. I’m used to making cakes for underdeveloped palates.” I giggle. “Most of mine are for the young crowd who are easily impressed with candy toppings.”

“Who wouldn’t be impressed with that?” Garrett laughs.

“And this is…” I look over to Nick, who suddenly appears confused. “I was going to introduce you to my little brother. Well, let me correct. He’s like an adoptive little brother I mentor with The Big Brothers, Big Sisters Association in town. But he appears to have taken off.” I watch as Nick wanders about the large room and peers out the window. “Oh, there he is.”

Coming closer, I notice a dark-haired teen sitting next to Austin under a tall pine tree facing the water. My hand instantly springs to cover my mouth as I feel tears well in my eyes.

“Isabella, are you okay?” Nick asks quietly, resting his hand on my back.

“Yes, I’m sorry,” I splutter. Dabbing at my eyes, I try to get myself together. “Other than my brothers and my sister, Austin doesn’t have any friends. He prefers to keep close to the house and surround himself with his art. He loves to sketch and paint. Almost near obsession. It can be off-putting to some people.” I leave outincluding his father.“I’ve honestly never seen him in a casual environment where he was spending time with another young man his age. How old is Gavin?”

“He just turned sixteen. How about Austin?”

“He’s seventeen,” I say quietly, still in shock at this joyful surprise.

“Gavin’s a good kid. His mother works a lot, and he never had a real relationship with his father.”

“It appears they already have a lot in common,” I respond quietly, continuing to watch them through the glass. I feel more unshed tears collect as I witness Austin showing Gavin the sketches in his prized book.

“I do need to warn you, though.”

My gaze instantly flicks in his direction, wondering what this kind kid could need a forewarning about. It’s apparent to anyone who meets Austin that he’s a unique, socially awkward young man. There’s no way this could be lost on this young man. Yet he continues to sit with him, seemingly in an ongoing conversation.

“Gavin has a mouth on him. I’m working on it the best I can, but there’s never any filter with that kid. Just be prepared if Austin starts repeating any of his mess!”

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