"I should have told him right away." she continued. "And everyday I let slip by without telling him will make it that much worse. I know. Okay? I KNOW this. But there is more to it than you realize and I don't know how to get out of it." she finished, tears sliding down her cheeks. "I dunno what's up with you, but yes. At least be honest.." she said softly and pitched a rock into the water as hard as she could. "She's only nervous because she likes you so much, Tay. Don't hold that against her." She turned and started to walk father down the beach, with her head down and Taylor knew she was crying. "Emma wait..." he called after her and started to follow her, but she stopped without turning to face him. She kept her head down and held her hand up. "Don't okay? Just let me get myself together before Zac wakes up..please?" she urged. "You should probably check on Dea and make sure she's not puking her guts out." she told him. "She's asleep." he told her. "Emma? I'm sor..." he began and she shook her head, hard. "Don't be..you're right. Just let me pull it together before he gets up, okay? PLEASE?" she asked again. "Okay. But you could tell me what else is up, so I can help you figure a way out of it." he told her. "No. You don't wanna know and I don't wanna talk about it. Go check on Dea. She drank as much as I did.." she answered. "Alright. But Emma, I want to help. You're hurting too, bad ass.." he half joked. "You can't do everything yourself. I'm here if you want my help." he said. She turned and gave him a small, shaky smile. "Fine. If it comes to it, you'll be the first to know. Now PLEASE...give me a few minutes. Before I have to beat your ass and throw you and your overactive hormones in the surf." "Kay...I'm scared of YOU..." he teased. "Better suck it up quick, Bulah Ballbreaker..here he comes."  Her eyes widened at what he just called her and she threw one of the small stones in her hand at his chest. "I hope she pukes in your truck, you shit.." she giggled. "Nah..she holds it better than you'd expect." he grinned, backing up as she raised her hand to throw another one. She didn't throw it though, because Zac was standing next to him and she didn't want to hit him by accident. "Hey...this guy givin' you shit?" Zac grinned at Emma and put Tay in a headlock, making her laugh. "Oh let him go Zac. I was just lecturing him on being a gentleman. Turns out he actually didn't need it, but Dea might need him to hold her hair while she hurls.." she grinned at Taylor when his head snapped up toward her. Zac laughed and let him go. "Dude, she's still out cold, but you better hurry.." he teased. Taylor gave Emma one last look, took a cheap shot at Zac and ran up the slope, back to the fire, Zac yelling about how his ass was grass at home, when he least expected it. Zac joined Emma at the edge of the water and took her hand.

"Morning baby.." Zac took Emma in his arms and gave her a hard squeeze. "Morning.." she murmured back and buried her head in his chest, sinking into the warmth of his embrace. "You were sleeping so soundly..why are you up already?" she asked. "I reached out to hold you, but you weren't there. I was kind of bummed, Em. We don't get to spend entire nights together very often and the best thing in the world is waking up with you next to me, no matter where we are." he told her. Tears stung her eyes as she pressed closer to him. "I'm sorry, Zac. I was just awake, and you looked so...anyway, I just didn't want to wake you." she told him. "Hey...whats' wrong Em?" he asked, concerned. "Why are you crying babe?" "What you said about waking up together...it IS the best thing. It really is." she told him. "I love you, Zac." He squeezed her tight and kissed the top of her head. "I love you, Em." They stood holding each other, watching the waves break on their toes for a long while, then headed back up to the rest of the group, who were slowly waking up. They all sat talking for a while, then Taylor mentioned needing some coffee. Everyone agreed that caffeine and large amounts of food were in order, except Dea, who looked a little green around the mouth. Emma tried not to giggle as she scooted from her blanket next to Dea and put her arm around the girl. "I promise, Dea. Food doesn't sound good now, but after a huge cup of coffee and a stack of about seventeen pancakes to soak up the left over whiskey you'll feel alot better. Bad enough he's bringin' you home looking like he buried you in the sand, but what will your Dad think of him if you're hung over and hurling too?" Emma teased. "Oh Emma.." Dea rolled her eyes. "Like I care. I am old enough to do whatever I want...he can't pick who I date." she grumbled. "True." Emma agreed, "But if you still have to live there, wouldn't it be easier?" "I s'pose." Dea relented. "But how can I go out to eat lookin' like THIS?" she whispered. Emma giggled out loud. "Honey have you LOOKED at the rest of us? We are gonna do the Mc Donald's drive through and eat it sitting on the tail-gate thing.." she told her. "Well why didn't you say so?" Dea asked exasperated. "I only killed all my brain cells trying to keep up with you." she put Emma in a headlock. "Keep up with me? Oh Dea.." she groaned. "Don't do that baby..I've been knockin' that stuff back since WAY before I was legally old enough. Not something I'm particularly proud of, but you do build up a resistance. You're doing great so far. If you don't hurl I will officaially name you 'ironjaw'." she teased. "Oh yeah, Emma. That's a nickname I REALLY REALLY want.." she rolled her eyes and chuckled. Taylor was glad that Emma manged to put Dea at ease once again and wondered how close they would become if he kept including her in these outings. "Come on Kimmie..." Emma encouraged, "Dea..I am sooooo hungry." she said, stood and started shaking out blankets. The others all stood and started gathering things, Emma making sure they left no garbage on the beach. "Nothing pisses me off more, who wants to surf in a landfill?" she told them all. After they had eaten breakfast in the parking lot, just as Emma had assured Dea they would they split up, each brother escorting his date home. Taylor was glad that Emma got Deanna to eat before he took her home, she did look like she felt alot better. Tay walked her to the door, carrying some of her things for her. She motioned for him to set them on the porch swing outside her front door as she set her handful down.

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