Falling for my Enemy's Brother-Chapter 60: Catching Flights and Feelings

Phoebe’s voice broke through the restless chatter that had returned at the yard. "What took you so long?" she asked, eyes twinkling with mock impatience.

Keith grinned, elbowing Craig lightly. "I was trying to convince Mr. Too Cool For School over here to join us for the trip."

Craig responded with a nonchalant shrug, though his expression was anything but relaxed.

Before anyone could answer, Adriana slipped behind Craig, her arms wrapping around his waist. She pressed a soft kiss to his neck, her breath warm against his skin. "I did most of the convincing," she whispered, voice low and teasing.

Phoebe waved her hand impatiently. "Yeah, yeah, come on guys, they’re boarding."

But Merlina didn’t follow. She couldn’t. A sudden wave of nausea twisted her stomach as she watched the group’s easy banter. Her chest felt tight, the jealousy gnawing at her more than she expected.

She drifted away and settled beside Louis, who was already flanked by Jay and Mia. Taking the seat next to them, she sank into the cushion, burying her emotions in the soft vibration of the moving bus.

The ride to the airport stretched on, taillights and streetlamps dissolving into streaks of color. Merlina kept close to Louis, thankful for the distraction his presence offered, even if she couldn’t shake the unease that settled in her gut.

At the airport, the group finally reunited. Phoebe’s eyes landed on Merlina almost immediately, and the surprise turned to irritation.

"Merlina?! Where have you been? I didn’t even notice you weren’t next to me!" Phoebe’s voice was sharp but laced with concern.

Merlina forced a smile, voice low. "We got lost in the crowd." She let Phoebe slip her arm through hers. The closeness was comforting, a small island of safety amid the swirl of strangers.

Phoebe’s grip on Merlina’s arm tightened slightly. "Stay right next to me," she said, more command than request. Merlina nodded, weaving closer to her as the airport buzzed with noise and urgency.

Announcements blared overhead. Luggage wheels rattled across tiled floors. Travelers rushed past in every direction, bumping shoulders, dragging backpacks, shouting gate numbers. The energy was chaotic and fast-moving, the air heavy with jet fuel and tension.

Phoebe tugged Merlina along as they joined the snaking queue for boarding passes. Bodies pressed in from all sides, and for a moment, Merlina lost her balance. She turned her head and stopped short.

Craig.

He was right there.

They almost bumped into each other. The tension in the air was strong, filled with feelings they hadn’t said out loud. He was so close, she could feel his heartbeat speeding up, his breath brushing her skin and pulling her in. For a second, it felt like her whole body was awake, craving to move closer and just melt into him.

His gaze drilled into hers, intense, possessive, burning with need.

Her heart jumped without warning, like it had a mind of its own. She curled her fingers into fists, holding onto nothing.

He didn’t say a word, he didn’t even have to. The tension crackled like static between them. Then, just as fast, he looked away and stepped past her, leaving the scent of his cologne and a tightness in her chest that didn’t ease.

Merlina blinked, swallowing hard, her breath catching like a silent plea. She stood frozen, every nerve alive with want and frustration until a careless nudge of an anxious traveler snapped her from her thoughts, forcing her to move forward.

He was still angry. Still distant.

And yet, that one moment told her everything she was trying not to feel. She pressed her lips together, pushing the tangled feelings aside. There was no time for this now.

The flight was short, and soon they were stepping out into the salty air of El Capitan Beach, paradise just as they’d hoped. The golden sand stretched out like a promise, the ocean sparkling beneath a cloudless sky.

Merlina’s phone buzzed—Melissa.

She stepped aside and picked up. "Hey, we just landed."

"Yeah, well... Dad proposed to Fiona."

Merlina stopped in her tracks. "Wait, what?"

"He’s marrying her. Like, actually marrying her."

Merlina blinked, trying to catch up. "Melissa, can I call you back? I can’t talk right now."

"Are you serious? I just dropped that on you and you wanna call me back?"

"I’m surrounded, okay?" She turned slightly, clearly irritated—but didn’t bother to lower her voice. "Papá es tan estupido. (Dad is so stupid.)"

On the other end, Melissa didn’t miss a beat. "Totalmente, (Totally)" she said dryly. "The man has lost his mind."

"I’ll call you later," she added quickly when she saw Phoebe approaching, then hung up before Melissa could argue.

She took a breath , stuffed her phone in her bag.

She was going to deal with that later.

It was time to set up tents. A camp coordinator stepped forward, clipboard in hand, explaining the plan: six students per "Basecamp" tent, each fitted with three mattresses to share. Phoebe caught Merlina’s eye and smiled, ready to put the plan into motion.

"Go bring Louis over, will you? He’s our sixth tent mate. Then we’ll be complete." Phoebe’s voice was light, but there was a gentle insistence beneath it.

Merlina hesitated, a tight knot forming in her chest. Ugh, just what she needed, sharing a tent with Craig and Adriana was the last thing she wanted. Reluctantly, she gave a small nod.

"Come on, Merlina," Phoebe urged softly, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. "We have to choose the best spot."

Taking a deep breath, Merlina headed toward Louis, who was chatting quietly with Jay and Mia. When she approached, Louis looked up, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Hey... I was just about to ask you to join me, Jay, and Mia as our tent mates," Louis said, a flicker of excitement in his voice. Merlina felt a small pang of disappointment. This wasn’t going to be easy. She knew he wasn’t a fan of anything that had to do with the Lesnars, but she was going to try regardless.

But she pushed on. "Um, actually... can I talk to you for a sec?" She pulled him aside quietly. "I was thinking you’d join us in our tent. We’re already complete, and you’d be the sixth. Over there," she nodded toward Phoebe.

"Why the hell would I wanna be in a tent with Craig and Keith?" Louis asked.

"I know, same here. It’s just...you know how Phoebe is, she’s not gonna forgive me if I don’t make this happen."

"Then go be with her," he muttered, starting to turn away.

She reached out, gently catching his arm. "Louis, please. I’m begging you. Let’s not make this a whole thing. Just say yes, and I swear I won’t ask you for anything else on this trip."

He paused, clearly torn, a muscle working in his cheek.

"It’s what Megan would want you to do," she added, trying to lighten the mood. freewёbnoνel.com

Louis gave her a sharp look. "Stop saying it like she’s dead or something."

Merlina let out a breath. "I’m just saying..."

"Okay, fine," he cut in, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. "Fine, fine. Whatever."

A flicker of relief passed through her as he turned to follow her back toward the group. Small victory, but one that mattered.

Back at the group, the boys moved to set up the tent with efficient teamwork. Adriana stayed close to Craig, her laughter light and warm, fingers brushing his arm. They looked effortless together, mushy, comfortable, like they belonged.

Merlina’s heart twisted with a sharp, almost unbearable ache. She tried to look away but couldn’t. Adriana’s laugh, the way she draped herself over Craig like he belonged to her, was enough to make Merlina feel sick. Every brush of Adriana’s fingers on his arm felt like a punch to her chest. She hated how much it got to her. She had no right to feel this way. And yet, she did.

Her gaze lingered too long. She knew it but couldn’t stop.

Then he looked up.

Craig’s eyes locked with hers across the half-set campsite. There was no warmth in his stare, no softness, only something piercing and intense, like he’d been waiting for her to look. Like he knew exactly what she was feeling and wasn’t going to let her hide from it.

For a second, she forgot how to breathe. She turned away quickly, but the damage was done. He’d seen her. All of it.

She swallowed hard, heart racing. But before she could fully disappear into the safety of her silence, his voice cut through the air, low, deliberate, impossible to ignore.

"Merlina."