Olivia and the Older Boy: Young Adult Sweet Romance (Love in Ocean Grove Book 5)

by Anna Catherine Field

  I grab an ice cream and as I’m pulling off the wrapper, I sense a figure beside me. I look up and my heart stutters at the same time my face turns, undoubtedly, purple.

  Spencer.

  He opens the cooler and pulls out an ice cream sandwich. “Hey.”

  “Hi.”

  I watch him pull off the wrapper, mostly aware of the fact he doesn’t seem mad.

  “About last night,” I say, wondering if I can salvage this. “That was—”

  “It’s cool,” he say, giving me a smile. “I should have asked you if you have a boyfriend.”

  “That’s the thing, I don—”

  “Hey guys, come on over and we’ll get started.” Maya says.

  I look back at Spencer, wanting to come clean about the night before. To tell him that Ben is definitely not my boyfriend. He ducks his head close to mine and says, “Let me know if you guys break up.”

  Wait. What?

  He looks back and winks at me.

  He walks back to the seats, dropping back onto the couch next to Avi. I take the chair next to Layla, who raises her eyebrows when I sit. She probably saw the whole thing. Everyone is here except Nicole.

  It’s a notable absence and before anyone can ask, Maya says, “Nicole won’t be here today, so we’ll get started without her."

  Spencer and I share a look. We’d both seen her that morning. Guilt settles in my stomach.

  “Why not?” Avi asks. He’s the youngest in the group. Just fourteen and always has a million questions. “Did something happen?”

  “I can’t discuss Nicole’s private affairs with you guys.”

  The lack of information leaves me feeling unmoored. My mother had told me not to hang out with Nicole anymore, but I figured she’ll let that go after a few days or a week. I certainly don’t plan on giving up my one and only friend. All I can think about is contacting her as Maya starts the group, talking about ways to use our free time this summer to be productive.

  Layla is going to summer school to make up some missed credits. Spencer mumbles he’ll be working as a lifeguard, probably at The Club. Avi is going to coding camp over at the community college. Me?

  “Nothing, really.” My only real plans had been hanging out with Nicole. Other than that I had a firm commitment to sulking in my room, much to my mother’s annoyance.

  Maya closes group and we clean up the snack table. I’m grabbing my phone from the bucket when she stops me. “Can we talk for a second?”

  I wait, knowing I’m not in a rush, although I worry she’s going to try to talk to me about Nicole.

  “I noticed you didn’t have much to say about plans for the summer, do you have anything going on?”

  “Not really.”

  “A volunteer position opened up at the Girls' Home. They’re looking for someone around your age to help with programming for the younger girls that are living there this summer.”

  “So like babysitting?”

  “Eh, maybe a little more like camp counselor.” She slings her bag over her shoulder. “You’d take them on field trips around town, the beach, pool, and park.”

  “Do I get paid?”

  “No, but it’ll look great on your college applications.”

  College. I’d been fighting so hard to get back in normal school that I hadn’t even thought about what it will actually take to get into college. That’s not what makes me consider it. I need out of my house, away from my mom and all the angst. This is something she’d approve of and give me some extra freedom.

  “Let me talk to my mom, but I think I can do it.”

  “Great. Monday through Friday. Nine-to-one. They’ll pay for your lunch and any activities. Bring your bathing suit and comfortable clothes.”

  “Got it.” I give her a small smile. “And thanks.”

  She grins back. “I think the kids will like you and for the most part, they’re a good group.”

  I walk out of the community center and unlock my bike. Spencer’s SUV is long gone. Even if I wanted to ask him what he meant earlier, it’s probably for the best that I can’t. Today is not the day to test my mother, but once I tell her about the job? Hopefully she’ll lighten the reins.

  6

  Ben

  When the request comes in over the Haulin’ app for me to go to Cypress Street, I don’t think too much about it. It’s a long road that runs perpendicular to the Pacific, stretching from downtown to the edge of the Ocean Grove limits.

  The navigation system takes me down the familiar road, past the street I grew up on, as well as Gabe’s. When I pull in front of the Saddlers' house for the second time that day, I recheck the address. I’m at the right place.

  I pass by the tree that Gabe used to climb up to Norah’s attic bedroom and see a teal bike parked underneath. At the front door I shift awkwardly for a minute, not sure if I’ve been called here to work or because of Olivia. It’s also weird because I’m not sure I’ve ever come over here without Norah. I consider bolting but a shadow moves in the window. I grimace and knock on the door. A few moments later Mrs. Saddler, Shelly, swings it open.

  “Ben!” She crosses the threshold and hugs me. “Are you impressed I could use the app?”

  I raise my eyebrows, a little confused, but mostly glad this is not about Olivia. “Uh, not really, it’s not that difficult.”

  “For you maybe, but you know I’m totally tech-challenged.” She waves me in. “I have a few things I need delivered to the second-hand store, and your mom told me about your little business. I figured I’d give it a shot.”

  I try not to bristle at the “little business” comment, because I know that’s my parents speaking, not her, and follow her through the house to the garage. I’ve been in here a million times. Gabe, Norah, and I hung out constantly at one another’s houses, before and after they started dating. Now that they’re traveling half the year and working on the Photobooth movies, I don’t have much of a reason to come over.

  On the refrigerator I see a crumpled-up hand-written list, smoothed back out and tacked up with magnets.

  “So it’s not a lot of stuff but they won’t all fit in my car,” she says, drawing my attention to the garage, “I figured I’d hire you.”

  “Mrs. Saddler—”

  She makes a face.

  “Shelly, you don’t have to pay me to do this. I’m happy to cart this down to the second-hand store for you.”

  “Nonsense. I’m impressed you’ve started your own business. I want to support it.”

  I wonder if she’d feel the same way if she found out Olivia slept at my house last night? I don’t plan on finding out.

  “If you insist, I’ll take it, but seriously, next time just call me.”

  I head back out and move my vehicle into the driveway, backing the bed of the truck up to the garage door. Mrs. Saddler has it open, and I start hauling boxes and random pieces of furniture, piling them in the back. When I’m finished, I call out, “If that’s it, I’ll head down to the store.”

  “Can you wait for one more thing?” she calls. “Olivia has a box to bring down.”

  “Oh,” I say, wiping my forehead. “Sure.”

  I follow Mrs. Saddler into the house and see a huge box and a pair of long, bare legs coming down the stairs. The box is way too big for her to carry. She sways, and I’m reminded of her unsteady movements from the night before.

  “Hold on,” I call, running up the steps to help. I wrap my arms around the box. “I’ve got it.”

  “I had it, you know,” she says, as I slowly walk backwards to the first floor.

  “Sure you did.”

  I carry the box, which I assume is filled with rocks, through the kitchen and back to the garage. I load it up and turn around. Olivia is standing a few feet away.

  “Everything go okay this morning?” I ask, glancing over her shoulder to make sure her mom isn’t listening.

  “Not really. She knew I didn’t spend the night with Nicole and now, as far as I can tell, Nicole
is in trouble, too. Even if she wasn’t, I’m not allowed to see her, anyway.”

  “That stinks, Liv. Sorry.”

  She rubs the back of her neck. “My mom is upset—disappointed, I guess. I just don’t feel like I can get out from under this fog of the past, you know?”

  I nod. Yeah, I know.

  She exhales. “I did get a job volunteering at the Girls' Home. It’ll get me out of the house. Which is one of Mom’s big things. She’s convinced I spend too much time in my room.”

  “Even I know you spend too much time in your room.” I nudge her shoulder. “But really, getting out will probably help ease some of the tension.”

  Mrs. Saddler appears in the doorway. “Ben, I just talked to your mom. We’re meeting for dinner, and she wants you to come.”

  “Oh, uh…” I try to think of an excuse.

  “Why don’t you let Olivia help you drop off that stuff, and we’ll meet you there.”

  Olivia and I look at one another. She looks a bit panicked, but I shrug. If I’m going to have to go to dinner with my parents and her parents, I’d definitely rather have a buffer.

  “I was just going to stay hom—" Olivia starts, but I cut her off.

  “You know, I probably could use your help.” I flash her mom a smile. “It’ll make unloading go faster.”

  Olivia looks at me, eyes narrowed and shooting daggers. In a quiet voice, I say, “You owe me.”

  I think for a minute she’s not going to agree, but she rolls her eyes and calls out to her mom. “Fine. We’ll meet you there.”

  I close the tailgate with a slam and walk over to open the door for Olivia. She climbs up and I say, “Thanks.”

  I slam the door and walk around the truck, waving to Mrs. Saddler as she closes the garage. For the second time in twenty-four hours, I’ve found myself involved with my best friend’s little sister. The weird thing is, I’m not dreading it as much as I should be.

  7

  Olivia

  “Sorry about this,” I say on the way to the second-hand store. “My mom is a little overly focused on me being out of the house these days.”

  He takes a left and glances over. “Being out of the house?”

  “Yeah. She’ll do pretty much anything to get me out. Even foist me on unsuspecting family friends.”

  “The new job should help with that, right?”

  “I guess so.” I trace the door handle with my index finger.

  “Honestly, you’re doing me a favor anyway.”

  I raise an eyebrow. “How?”

  “I’ve been avoiding my parents since I moved out. My mom keeps trying to get me to come to dinner. There’s no way this wasn’t a set-up. Your mom probably figured if I had to take you, then I’d show.”

  I snort. “You know they’re always conspiring.”

  “Right?” He shakes his head and turns into a parking lot. “We’re just their pawns.”

  He parks the truck round the backside of the shop where there’s a loading dock for the items being donated. I hop out and meet him around the back as he’s lowering the tailgate.

  “You don’t have to help.”

  I shrug. “Why not? I have arms.”

  “Skinny ones,” he says, nudging me with his elbow. “You were about to fall down the stairs earlier.”

  “Are you saying I have no muscles?” I pull up my arm sleeve and flex.

  “Yes, actually, I’m totally saying that.” He laughs at my scrawny muscles but his smile fades when he sees the wide, pink scar across my bicep. I jerk down the fabric.

  “Just give me a box.” I grab one and take it over to the dock.

  We unload the rest in silence, although I do help him carry a few heavier pieces. I climb up on the deck and pull at the back. My arms aren’t long enough and I’m thankful when a guy from inside comes out and assists.

  “Is that everything?” I ask.

  “Yep,” Ben says.

  I sit on the edge of the loading dock, ready to shimmy down. He holds out his hands, silently offering to help.

  I stare at them and get a weird feeling in my stomach.

  “I’m good,” I say. I can’t help but find the whole situation strange. Ben and I have known one another our whole lives but have never, ever been alone like this. He’s Norah’s friend. Our family friend. Which means taking his hand for help makes sense, but it also makes no sense at all.

  I scoot to the edge and hop down, stumbling when I hit the ground. He’s there, hands on my shoulders. I look up at him and pause when I notice green flecks in his eyes.

  “So, uh,” he drops his hands, “why is your mom cleaning all this out anyway?”

  “A lot of it is Norah’s,” I say. “I guess with the wedding coming up, they’ll get new stuff for their place.”

  “Oh, right. The wedding.”

  Once again, he opens the passenger door for me and I climb in. When he gets in the driver’s side, I ask, “Do you have a problem with the wedding?”

  He cranks the engine and it roars to life. “No. I really don’t. I guess it’s just one more way I feel like my life is a wreck.”

  “Comparing your life to Norah and Gabe’s is pretty futile. Mega famous artist, author with a movie adaptation, and his trusty side-kick girlfriend who handles the business. All at nineteen?” I shake my head. “They make us all look bad.”

  He smirks. “I thought it was just me.”

  I look toward the west where the sun is starting to set, spreading orange and pink across the sky. “I know Norah isn’t perfect, but when you’re decidedly not perfect, it’s hard living up to standards and expectations.”

  He pulls into the Mexican restaurant our families have been going to for years. Ben cuts the engine and looks out the window while holding both hands against the steering wheel.

  “You okay?” I ask, sensing his nerves. “What’s going on with your parents?”

  “I guess it’s kind of like what you just said, living up to standards and expectations. My dad and I have really different ideas about what that means.”

  I unlatch my seatbelt and open the door. “The sooner we get this over, the better.”

  He nods. “You’re right.”

  We get out of the car and meet by the restaurant door, strangely united. As weird as it is to admit it, it feels good not to be alone.

  8

  Ben

  “Tell me about this app you’ve created,” Mr. Saddler asks, as I’m shoving a handful of chips in my mouth.

  “Well,” I say, swallowing and wiping my hands on the napkin in my lap. “Customers contact me through the app and let me know the location and time to arrive. I bring my truck and mostly just haul off trash or donated items. There’s also an option to pick up and deliver items.”

  “And you developed this?” he asks.

  I feel my father’s eyes on me as I answer. My mother and Mrs. Saddler as well. Only Olivia seems more interested in her phone than what’s happening at the table. “I did. I wanted something that would work with my schedule and on my own terms.”

  “He needed to justify buying that ridiculous truck,” my father adds.

  Mr. Saddler gives him an understanding smile. “An entrepreneur, then. I’m impressed.”

  “You did a very good job today at my house,” Mrs. Saddler says. “Punctual and professional.”

  “Thank you. But really, if you need me to haul something for you, I’m happy to do it for free.” I smile. “Friend and family discount.”

  “Just think what you could do if you used that enthusiasm toward getting a real job,” my father adds.

  And here we go.

  “Maybe someday this will be my real job,” I say, trying to appease.

  “Being a glorified garbage man to pay off your truck loan isn’t a real job, Ben.” He looks at me expectantly. “I knew letting you mess around for a year was a bad idea.”

  My mother tenses and reaches for her margarita glass. She’s the one that pushed for the gap year, insisting I
wasn’t ready for school.

  “I’m still not sure a traditional college path is for me.” I hold my father’s eye. “I’m not the only person that’s gone this route. Look at Gabe, he’s not in school.”

  “You’re comparing yourself with Gabe?” my dad says, shaking his head. “That kid has natural talent and you—”

  “Mike,” my mother says, cutting him off.

  Olivia coughs and looks up, giving away she’s been listening this whole time. Her eyes flash in warning. Fighting with our parents is an effort in futility. I know she’s right, but I’m agitated, and I can’t stop.

  “I know you think I’m completely incapable of working this out on my own but you’re not going to stop me. I have a job, a place to stay, and I’m building a business. Just because it’s not the way you want me to do it doesn’t mean it’s wrong.”

  I stand, pushing the chair back with a screech on the hard floor. I toss my napkin on my plate. “I knew it was a bad idea to come.” I look at my mom and the Saddlers. “Sorry for ruining dinner.”

  I storm past the other customers and push open the door. The early evening air is still warm, and it does nothing to cool the heat of my temper. I walk over to my truck and slam my fist against the side panel, then kick a tire.

  “Ow,” I mutter, nursing my hand. I spot a dent in the metal. “Great.”

  “You think beating up on that truck will show them?”

  Olivia stands a few feet away, arms wrapped around her body.

  “No.” I run my uninjured hand through my hair. “What are you doing out here?”

  “You think I’m staying in there alone?” she scoffs. “You just got me out of another hour of dinner.”

  “You’re welcome?” I’m still annoyed.