Page 1 of Hush, Hush

ChapterOne

The Mediterranean breeze kisses my skin, diluting the scorching heat of the sun’s rays. Sparkles dance across rippling waves like glittering diamonds. In the distance, a speed boat motor roars as it nears. My sister, Eden, zooms by on water skis, skin glistening with small droplets. She waves, a gigantic smile on her face, before she holds tight to the rope again. I only shake my head at her as the previous soft crests of water turn tumultuous, making our boat bob up and down and to and fro in a rocking rhythm that could easily lull me to sleep—again.

The salt in the air coats me in a second skin, filling my nostrils with that delicious oceanic scent. There’s something about the sea air that inspires me to do nothing, coaxing me into a dead weight of relaxation. It’s heaven on earth. Naps are a part of everyday life while we cruise along the coast of Spain. Something I don’t get at all when I’m back at school.

Taking a deep breath, I let it out in a slow exhale. The tropical wind quickly carries my worries away. The sunning deck on this huge boat is my oasis, and I take full advantage of it. My eyes shutter closed as I let the gentle movements of the vessel rock me into oblivion. At least, that was my plan.

The speed boat’s engine growls, and I glance over to find Eden letting go of the rope that’s responsible for pulling her along the surface. She skates over the water on two skis before falling amongst the waves right near the stern. She resurfaces, water clinging to her lashes. “Little help,” she calls out.

Bliss still beckons, so I’m a little sluggish getting to my feet. Descending the ladder, I move to the next level before taking a set of curved stairs to grab an offered ski from Eden. She’s already tossed the other on the deck and is pulling herself up. I give her a hand, knocking her other ski out of the way. “Thanks, Sis,” she coos. Before I can dart out of the way, she throws her arms around me, laughing as she transfers her drenched skin to mine.

“You bitch,” I giggle, hugging her right back. The water actually feels amazing against my heated body. I think I’ve toasted myself enough for now.

She fake gasps. “Did Princess Dee just curse?”

I peel her away playfully and halfheartedly punch her upper arm. “I guess the water is making me drunk.”

“No, it’s called rest and relaxation. Peace. You know, the things you don’t feel because you have your head so far up your ass all the time.” She gives me a winning smile afterward to soften the blow. Not that I take it as a negative, anyway.

“Ha. Ha,” I deadpan. “I can’t help it that I’m the golden child while you waste away at—”

“—some no name college where it’s pure enjoyment all the time?” She drops back onto the seating area. Golden tanned, bare arms drape around the back of the couch. “Yeah, it’s okay. I’ll take what I got any day of the week.”

I follow after her, sitting down on the opposite side of the couch and pulling my feet up to sprawl out. Using the arm as a headrest, I peer over at my sister with a half smile. I don’t exactly envy Eden. It is what it is. I’m a first-born Astor, born to a first-born Astor. I have responsibilities that don’t trickle down to her. It’s been that way and will always be that way. I’ve never minded.

The deck hand that captained Eden’s speed boat strides by, giving us both a respectful nod. “Thanks!” Eden calls out, giving him a quick wave. He raises his in return while she sits forward to peel off her life jacket, revealing a coral bikini underneath. She dangles the preserver in front of me. “You’re sure I can’t entice you?”

I lift my lip at it in disgust. I’m cool with boats, of cruising on top of the water, but do not ever expect me to getinthe water. Can’t do it. Won’t do it. The view is so much better from up here anyway. Glitter-dusted blue green water for as far as the eye can see.

“Your tan’s looking good anyway,” she concedes, roaming her gaze across my newly bronzing skin in admiration. She plops the life jacket down on the deck to dry then relaxes backward onto the sofa cushions.

“It’s something to take back with me to the Northeast when I return.”

She mirrors the same look I gave her about the life jacket. Eden went to school in California. Her beach pictures are the only thing that can begin to make me jealous of her situation. The closest beaches to me are not what I consider fun in the sun.

Even though a year separates us, my sister and I could be twins. Our hair is the same blonde tone, though hers is a hair thicker than mine. She’s also a couple of inches taller, a fact that annoys me to no end, especially when I was training ballet seriously. Her lines would be so pretty, but she never took to that particular discipline.Too elitist, she called it. I call it the echelon of grace and beauty, the physical art of what I want my life to look like—of what my life is expected to look like.

Eden darts a troubled gaze over her shoulder. “Where is he?”

I shrug, knowing she’s talking about our father. “Somewhere on the boat. I mean, it’s notthatbig.”

Her lips thin, but her natural response flows easily from her mouth despite distraction. “He’s going to kill you if he hears you sayboatagain.”

“Yeah, but yacht sounds so pretentious.”

Eden still roams her gaze over this level. From here, we can see through the dining room into the gigantic kitchen. Another deckhand, a chef this time, is preparing a spread for our guests that should be arriving shortly. When she doesn’t find our father, she turns back to me. “You’re the most conscientious rich person I know.”

“We’re not rich—”

“Yeah, yeah.Our parentsare rich. You don’t have to tell me.”

I snicker. “Don’t act like you actually believe I should go around talking about how I spent my break on a yacht just off the coast of Spain.” I cast my gaze off the edges of the vessel, spying a smattering of white objects in the water. Some closer, some far away. “There are more than a few Carnegie students doing the exact same thing we are. No one cares.”

She huffs. “Yes, but you try to downplay it like it’s no big deal.”

“And you don’t? Do you walk around campus talking about being on ‘daddy’s yacht’ during break?”

“Of course not, but I’m not going to school with millionaires. It’s pretty much expected of you at Carnegie, isn’t it?”

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