Falling for my Enemy's Brother-Chapter 59: El Capitan: Trip or Trap ?

Merlina’s dorm room looked like a Sephora and Target haul had a wild party and forgot to clean up.

There were bucket hats, bikinis, bug spray, and three different sunscreens on the bed. She stood in front of the mirror, holding up two bikinis—one black, one dark green. She didn’t say a word, just raised her brows at Phoebe from across the room.

Phoebe glanced up from her open duffel bag.

"Left one’s safer," she said, pointing to the black. "Right one’s trouble."

Merlina smirked. "And what’s wrong with a little trouble?"

Phoebe tossed a pair of sunglasses at her. "Nothing, as long as you bring sunscreen and plausible deniability."

Merlina grinned and tossed it into her bag.

From her own side of the room, Phoebe was carefully arranging her beachwear. Snatched coverups. Snatched bikinis. Snatched... snacks. Priorities.

Belford was gearing up for its classic two-night camping trip at El Capitan Beach. They called it ’building community,’ but Phoebe? She was here for the sunsets, the bonfires, and maybe a little scandal under the stars. Her goals? Look effortlessly flawless and not get devoured by every mosquito in California.

"What if we get matching anklets?" Phoebe blurted out, eyes shining like she’d just invented the next big trend.

Merlina laughed, shaking her head. "You really think this is Coachella?"

Phoebe smirked, tossing a bottle of glitter sunscreen into her bag. "It’s El Capitan. Girls’ Edition. Same vibe, fewer flower crowns."

Just then, Megan breezed in, rocking denim shorts, flip-flops, and a mini bag of kettle corn like it was a designer clutch. She looked painfully cute and heartbreakingly casual.

"Y’all are gonna miss me so bad," she said, plopping on Phoebe’s bed.

Phoebe fake-sobbed. "You’re ditching us for your mom? What’s really going on?"

Megan sighed, looking down at her hands. "It’s some family stuff. Nothing urgent, but I can’t skip it."

Merlina reached out and gently touched Megan’s arm. "We understand."

Phoebe nodded, softer now. "Yeah... we’ll miss you."

Megan managed a small, grateful smile. "I’ll miss you all too."

They shared a quiet moment. No more jokes. Family came first.

Merlina disappeared into the bathroom with her towel and portable speaker. The sound of Beyoncé’s "Virgo’s Groove" followed. As soon as the door clicked shut, Phoebe’s eyes snapped toward Megan.

"So..." Phoebe said, flopping next to Megan and lowering her voice like they were FBI agents. "About Craig Lesnar."

Megan smirked. "Oh God. What did he do now? Set someone on fire with his cheekbones?"

Phoebe leaned in, "No, I’ve been meaning to tell you all week," voice barely above a whisper but dripping with drama. "I asked him straight up if he was into Merlina."

Megan choked on a popcorn kernel. "You what?"

Phoebe leaned in, whispering with sharp urgency. "I confronted him, Meg. Like, deadass. I asked, ’Do you like her?’ And he snapped, said it was stupid to even think that."

"Wow," Megan blinked. "That’s dramatic. But honestly...kind of valid."

Phoebe sat back, offended. "You’re taking his side?!"

"I’m just saying," Megan shrugged, "I talked to Merlina the other night. Asked her straight up if something was happening. It was awkward, I felt crazy to even think that."

Phoebe’s face twisted. "So you’re saying I’m delulu."

"I’m saying," Megan said gently, "maybe Craig was just being Craig. Moody, mysterious, and a little out of character, but not necessarily in love with Merlina."

Phoebe crossed her arms. "But the way he looks at her sometimes..."

"It’s all because of Conor, she said so herself." Megan replied, waving it off. "Maybe he’s one of those people who fixate on what they hate. Like me scrolling my ex’s new girlfriend’s Insta."

They both burst into laughter.

"But seriously," Megan continued, stealing another Twizzler, "I think you were reading too much into it. Merlina would’ve said something if there was more. And Craig? I don’t know. I don’t think he’s the type that falls easily."

Phoebe sighed, dragging her hand down her face like she could physically wipe away the embarrassment.

"God... I feel so dumb," she muttered, pacing a slow circle around Megan’s bed. "And now I’ve been avoiding Adriana like a coward."

She stopped mid-step, turning to Megan with wide, anxious eyes. "What if he told her? What if Adriana thinks I’ve been... plotting some weird love triangle?"

Megan smirked, folding her arms. "Look where your mouth got you. Should’ve kept quiet."

Phoebes squeals, "I just...I was so sure."

Merlina walked out of the bathroom, glowing and towel-wrapped, unaware she’d just been the headline of their latest gossip.

"You guys talking about sunscreen or secrets?" she asked, suspicious.

Phoebe threw a pillow at her. "Both. Now hurry up and pack your sassiest beach hat. We’ve got boys to ignore and bonfires to light." fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Merlina grinned. "That’s my kind of therapy."

That was supposed to lighten the room but it didn’t, there was still a sprinkle of tension in the air. The after effect of close range gossip.

"I was just wondering if Craig and Adriana would be coming to the camping trip." Phoebe said, trying to make light of the atmosphere.

Merlina half-shrugged, already heading to the dresser. No way was she diving into that convo.

"Phoebe, Does Craig Lesnar strike you as the camping type ? With randoms ? That doesn’t sound like his thing."

Merlina tried not to listen, she didn’t want to think about him—not today. Not after a whole week of him giving her nothing but silence and cold shoulders. Today, all she wanted was to focus on the trip and the peace it promised.

Outside Belford’s dorms, the yard was alive with energy—students buzzed like someone had just dropped the semester’s hottest playlist. Luggage trailed behind them as they swapped jokes, flaunted new beachwear hauls, and chattered excitedly about the camping trip to El Capitan Beach. The air was thick with the scent of energy drinks and a tinge of nervous anticipation.

Merlina and Phoebe stepped out from the building, their bags slung casually over their shoulders as they navigated the lively crowd. Ahead, a massive charter bus waited by the South Gate, looming large and slightly uncomfortable like a metal beast ready to roar. But boarding hadn’t started yet—it was more like a pregame party on wheels.

Phoebe’s attention was glued to her phone, thumbs flying with urgent speed. Merlina caught the faint crease of worry between her friend’s brows and raised an eyebrow.

"What’s up?" she asked, voice low but curious.

Phoebe didn’t look up. "If Keith flakes on this trip, we’re done. Like, officially over. I don’t get why he’s not here yet."

Merlina shrugged, trying to keep her tone light. "Maybe he changed his mind. Camping’s not everyone’s thing."

Phoebe bit her lip, tapping the screen faster. "No way. I’m telling you, if he’s not coming just because Craig isn’t, then I’ll need to find myself a new boyfriend. I don’t date followers, I date main characters!"

A flush crept up Merlina’s neck. She glanced around nervously, wishing Megan was there to back her up. "Phoebe, calm down. People might hear you," she whispered, lowering her voice and feeling a bit embarrassed by the scene.

"Ugh! And seriously, do they think they’re too cool for camping? Newsflash—it’s El Capitan, not some remote village."

Just then, Louis strolled over with his usual easy charm, tugging a mini suitcase behind him and wearing that smile—the kind that made people stick around without knowing why. For Merlina, it couldn’t have come at a better time. A much-needed rescue.

"Hey, M," he said warmly, planting a quick kiss on her cheek. "Phoebe! Glad you made it." Louis nodded toward a small group nearby. "That’s Jay, my debate partner, and Mia from psych class."

Jay grinned, offering a quick wave. "Ready to roast some marshmallows and maybe some poor decisions."

Mia laughed, tossing her sunhat onto her bag. "Campfire confessions incoming."

Merlina smiled and nodded. "Hey, nice to meet you both."

Phoebe gave a distracted smile but was back on her phone in seconds. Merlina watched her, sensing the tension underneath the excitement.

Then, like someone hit the pause button on the ruckus, the buzz and mindless chatters died down. Heads snapped around, turning towards the same direction, phones popped up, and whispers turned into excited murmurs.

Phoebe’s heart practically skipped a beat as Keith came into view. Relief and happiness bloomed across her face like sunshine breaking through clouds.

And then Merlina saw him.

Craig Lesnar. Walking beside Keith like he hadn’t been a ghost all week.

Her breath seized, painfully. A heat surged up her body—not the warm kind. It was the sting of every feeling she’d tried to swallow since their last conversation. Anger. Want. Confusion. Regret.

Why was he here? Why now?

She didn’t move. Didn’t say anything. Just stood there, clutching her tote like it was the only thing keeping her upright. Her knuckles were white, fingers cramping, but she couldn’t let go, because if she did, maybe her hands would shake, or her face would give something away, or worse—she might walk straight to him.

Her heart wasn’t just racing, it was scrambling, like it was trying to claw its way out of her chest.

The trip that began as a perfect weekend getaway had just turned into an emotional minefield.