Page 62 of Sparks Fly

Sophie and Wren are keen to go check out some of the stages that are set up and see what perks we get with our VIP passes, but Ellie wants to stay behind and wait for Conrad.

“You coming?” Brady asks.

“I think I’m just going to hang here for a bit. Keep Ellie company.”

He shrugs. “Suit yourself.”

Harley and Tom are still wrestling with the six-man tent, so I grab my camp chair and park it next to Ellie in the shade of the marquee, where we get a front row seat to the entertainment.

“This is better than Netflix,” I say, giggling when Harley’s section falls down again.

“Sure does,” Ellie replies, but her voice is flat.

“Is everything okay?”

“Hmm?”

“You seem a little… distracted. Is everything alright?”

Ellie fiddles with her phone, flipping it over in her hands. “Yeah, I guess. I’m just worried about Conrad.”

“Why?” I ask, surprised–I hadn’t expected anything to be wrong.

She glances over at me and sighs. “I know you guys don’t really like him.”

I pull on a loose thread on the side of my chair unable to look at her. “I know Conrad had nothing to do with Tom getting arrested,” I finally say.

“How?”

“He told me when we were doing the junior surf program.”.

“And you believe him?”

“I do. But can I ask… why did you invite Tom? Didn’t you think it would be…” I fumble, searching for the right word. “Uncomfortable?”

Ellie looks over at the brothers. “He overheard us talking about the extra ticket and asked if he could come. I told him Conrad would be here, but he didn’t have a problem with it. He said it’s time they left the past in the past. He knows it wasn’t Conrad.”

I can’t hide the surprise from my face. “How? He’s never said anything about it.”

Ellie shrugs. “I don’t know. But he must have told Harley because he promised he’d play nice.”

I study the girl sitting next to me. How did I not realise how similar we were? “It must be hard with Harley and Conrad not getting along.”

“It was,” Ellie admits. “Connie was a real asshole when Harley and I first got together. At the time, I didn’t care. Conrad was so angry all the time because of the way Dad was toward him–nothing he did was ever good enough. But then something changed last year, and I think it gave him a wake-up call. He’s been making a real effort ever since. I think he knows now that Harley makes me happy.”

“And Harley?” I was always curious how they ended up together, especially with all the tension.

Ellie smiles at Harley, who catches her eye and winks. “He’s always said I’m not responsible for my brother’s actions. With Tom’s help, I finally got him to believe what I’ve said for months–Conrad didn’t snitch.”

“It all sounds so complicated.”

She laughs. “Don’t get me wrong. It got awkward, and it’s been hard keeping it from my family. My Dad would kill me if he found out I was with Harley. He says their family has dragged our family’s name through the mud with all the rumours.” She tilts her head to the side, as if lost in thought. “It’s funny though… Dad’s always come down hard on Conrad, but this is one thing he just swept away. He refused to talk about it.” She shakes her head, bringing herself back to the moment. “Anyway, the point is: I love Harley. I couldn’t imagine not being with him, even if my parents didn’t approve.”

“Wow,” I smile at her. “That’s a realRomeo and Julietif ever I’ve heard one.”

She laughs again, but it fades when she sees the text that comes through on her phone. She frowns as she responds. I’m wondering if it’s Conrad.

“So…” I say, trying to keep my voice casual. “What’s got you so worried about Conrad?”

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