Evening descended over Malibu in that golden haze only the coast could pull off—the kind that made the ocean look like liquid glass. The sound of waves mixed with faint laughter and music from nearby beach houses. Charlie leaned back on the patio chair, swirling his glass and smirking at his little brother.
"Stay the night," he said casually, like it wasn't an offer but a statement of fact.
David shook his head with a grin. "We should hit the road. Scarlett's parents are expecting us tomorrow, and I'd rather not start that conversation with a hangover."
Charlie raised an eyebrow. "Come on, Davey. You just got here. What's the rush? It's been years since we've hung out. We've got a whole lifetime of bad decisions to unpack."
David chuckled. "You just want an excuse to open your expensive scotch, don't you?"
Charlie grinned and gestured toward the bar. "Exactly. Don't deprive your big brother of emotional bonding through alcohol."
Scarlett glanced between them, amused. "He's got a point, you know."
David sighed, pretending to think it over. "Fine, but if I wake up half-naked on the beach, I'm blaming you."
"Wouldn't be the first time," Charlie said, already heading to the liquor cabinet.
Jill, lounging nearby, perked up when Scarlett mentioned needing to grab a few things for the trip tomorrow. Before David could ask, Jill was already suggesting, "We could hit a few shops before they close. Girls' night."
Scarlett turned to David, hopeful. "Can I?"
He smiled, reaching into his wallet and handing her his card. "Buy whatever you want, Babe. I want your parents to know their girl is well taken care of."
Her eyes lit up instantly. She threw her arms around him and kissed him so hard that Charlie mock-whistled. "Alright, save some of that energy for later, you two."
They finally broke apart, both smiling breathlessly. Scarlett playfully tapped David's nose. "Don't wait up too long," she said before leaving with Jill, already chatting about dresses and shoes.
Berta, who'd been finishing up in the kitchen, tossed her towel onto the counter. "Well, I'm out. Try not to burn the place down while I'm gone, boys."
"Hey," Charlie called out, "if we do, at least make sure the insurance company knows it was an accident."
Berta rolled her eyes on her way out. "Right. Like they'd believe that."
David smiled. "Good night Berta, It was nice talking to you. Hope your girls see some reason and appreciate how hard their mother worked."
Berta smiled. " Thanks David. Don't be a stranger now. I like you the best out of the Harper brothers."
Charlie protested. "Heyy! I'm right here."
Berta smirked. "That's why I said it."
The door closed, and just like that, the house was quiet except for the sound of the ocean and the soft clink of glass. Charlie brought out a bottle of expensive scotch, the kind he usually reserved for seducing high-end divorcees. He poured two glasses and slid one across the counter.
"To surviving family reunions," Charlie said.
David raised his glass. "And to escaping them."
They laughed and took a sip. The scotch was smooth, smoky, and just strong enough to make memories loosen their grip.
"So," Charlie started, leaning back, "how've you been holding up, really? You look good—healthier, even. Not the walking zombie I remember."
David chuckled. "Yeah. It took a while to climb out of that hole. But I made it."
Charlie nodded approvingly. "Good. Mom still hasn't changed, by the way. She's living her best narcissistic life as usual."
David smirked. "Figures."
Charlie grinned. "She wouldn't even know where I live if she hadn't sold me this house. And get this—she stopped talking about you after you left home."
David raised a brow. "That's supposed to surprise me?"
Charlie chuckled, then added, "She did mention you once though. When she got that call from the cops a few years back. You remember that little adventure? Busted for having drugs while being high and driving, and… getting a blowjob? You are wilder than I was in that age."
David groaned. "Wow. Thanks for the highlight reel, Charlie. And I didn't forget your tryst with Mrs. potter. I'm still mentally scarred after I found you banging her in the Library. And worse, she even asked if I wanted to occupy the other hole!"
"You still remember that!" Charlie winced. "Despite her poor taste of letting underage boys fuck her brains out, she did have amazing flexibility."
David groaned. "I blame her for making me develop interests in older women. Did you know After you moved, I banged our neighbor?"
Charlie's mouth dropped. "You... are you saying... You and Mrs. Florent... the hot teacher in our school?"
David smirked. "Yeah. You had no luck with her. But Let's just say, after she found out her husband was cheating, she decided to show me the pleasures of adulthood. I actually stayed over in her house the day I left home. " Charlie looked with jealousy. "You lucky dog! I heard she got divorced and had a kid later. You don't think....."
"I try not to think, Charlie. She was rich, so I don't think she would have trouble raising the kid on her own. But I do plan to drop by someday." David shook his head, hoping he was not the father, his predecessor might have a bunch of them considering his allergy to condoms.
"Anyways, enough about our adventures with mature women. Finish that story ." David chuckled and sipped his drink.
"I'm just saying, Mom's response was classic Evelyn," Charlie continued. "She told the cops, 'My son's an adult now since he left his home and mother. If he thinks he can live without me, he can figure out how to post his own bail.' Then she hung up. Said she wouldn't lift a finger unless you apologized and came back."
David shook his head slowly. "Yeah. Sounds like her. That's about when I stopped caring what she thought."
For a while, neither spoke. The sound of waves filled the silence. Then Charlie's voice softened slightly. "What really made you snap that day, anyway? When you walked out?"
David let out a long sigh. "She told me she didn't even know who my father was. Said I should feel lucky she decided to raise me at all since two sons were already enough. She also made it clear she didn't care about what I wanted in life, and I have to follow her rules if I wanted money for college."
Charlie looked down, regret flickering briefly across his face. "Damn. Sorry, man. I didn't know."
David shrugged. "Don't worry about it. It's ancient history now."
Charlie swirled his drink thoughtfully. "You know, now that you're making it big, she's probably going to come sniffing around for a cut."
David chuckled darkly. "Let her try. Tomorrow, I'm going to a hire a personal lawyer. I'll make sure she can't get involved in my life or use my name for attention."
Charlie smirked and raised his glass. "That's my brother. Always had the biggest balls in the family despite being the youngest, and that's saying something."
They clinked glasses again.
After another round, Charlie leaned back. "Have you talked to Alan at all?"
David laughed. "Not since he tried to sell me a used car in high school."
Charlie grinned. "Well, he's doing okay, surprisingly. He wanted to invite you to his wedding, but Judith said she didn't want another junkie there. Apparently, having me attend was bad enough."
David burst out laughing. "Sounds like her. I didn't like her. But her sister was nice. She.. taught me some good stuff."
Charlie nodded. "He's got a kid now—Jake. Cute kid, eats like a linebacker. Alan still acts like he's too good for everyone, though. Only calls me for the annual family dinner." Then he paused. " Hold on... did you just say...."
David raised his hands in surrender. "In her defense, she was drunk and horny, and I was a clueless kid eager to please the pretty older girl. I didn't even know what we were doing, until the next day she made me promise not to spread that around. In return, she would teach me...stuff."
Chalie gulped his drink. "What the hell Davey! I screwed her during Alan's wedding , and I thought she was into me! What is even up with your luck with women!"
David smirked. "Forget it. That was long ago. Alan was always jealous. The awkward kid with braces watching me hang out with his cool older brother, and easily talking to girls when he could barely look at them."
Charlie chuckled. "If Alan wasn't such a weirdo, I might've actually liked him. But no, he had to act like he was better than me, always sucking up to Mom like she'd give him a medal."
David laughed. "Yeah, I remember that. But that's his choice. It's a surprise we are still relatively sane after being raised by Evelyn."
Charlie poured them another round and said more quietly, "You know, I do regret not bringing you here when you left home. I figured you'd show up on your own terms. But when I heard you'd gotten mixed up with drugs and gang stuff… I felt like I'd failed you."
David smiled faintly. "Don't beat yourself up man. Those days are behind me. I've got Scarlett now. I've got something worth holding onto."
Charlie gave a low whistle. "Never thought I'd hear you talk about settling down. Look at you, all grown up and responsible."
David raised an eyebrow. "Says the man dating Jill."
Charlie smirked. "Hey, Jill's great—smart, funny, fantastic in bed, but let's not throw the word 'commitment' around like confetti. It makes me break out in hives."
They both laughed. The years that had separated them seemed to melt away, replaced by the familiar rhythm of shared jokes and brotherly teasing.
Charlie leaned back with a grin. "You know, I missed this. The banter, talking without worrying about how we would be judged. Feels good having you around again."
David smiled, swirling the last of his drink. "Maybe I'll buy a house nearby. Scarlett wants to try acting, so Hollywood's not far."
Charlie nodded approvingly. "You should. The neighborhood could use someone who doesn't throw wild parties every weekend. Though I'll be honest, that might ruin the vibe."
They were still laughing when the front door opened, and the sound of heels clicked against the hardwood. Both men turned—and Charlie gave a low whistle. "Jill didn't hold back huh."
Scarlett stood there glowing, wearing a stylish new outfit that accentuated her figure without trying too hard. Her hair was perfectly done, her eyes bright.
David stared, speechless.
She twirled slowly. "Well? How do I look?"
David set his glass down, smiling as he stood and pulled her into his lap. "You look like the prettiest girl I've ever seen."
She blushed, leaning in to kiss him—long, soft, and full of warmth.
Jill smirked from behind her. "Okay, lovebirds, let's give the hormones a minute. Charlie, come on—I bought something nice for you to enjoy."
Charlie grinned. "Best words I've heard all day." He gave David a wink. "Good night, bro. Try not to destroy the guest room."
Scarlett giggled as Charlie disappeared upstairs with Jill. Then she turned back to David, eyes sparkling. "I also got something nice I wanted to show you."
David's grin widened. "Oh yeah?"
Before she could answer, he scooped her up in his arms, bridal style. She gasped and laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck as he carried her toward the guest room.
Her voice was soft, full of affection. "You really know how to sweep a girl off her feet."
David smiled, looking at her. "I just have the right motivation."
And with that, the door closed behind them, the sound of their laughter mixing with the gentle crash of waves outside. Another night in Malibu, filled with warmth, teasing, and the faint promise of new beginnings.