The Summer I Turned Pretty, #3
We'll Always Have Summer
by Jenny Han
Contents
Chapter Forty-Seven
Overview
Jeremiah returns home blackout drunk, and Belly finds Conrad alone on the beach. Conrad tells Belly about Jeremiah’s Cabo cheating, then confesses his enduring love and explains he let her go after Susannah’s death. Belly rebuffs him, insisting she’s choosing Jeremiah, even as she privately admits loving both.
Summary
Jeremiah and the boys stumble back to the house, with Jeremiah so drunk he must be carried upstairs. Not seeing Conrad, Belly searches and finds him alone on a lifeguard stand. When Belly joins him, Conrad abruptly tells her that Jeremiah cheated on her in Cabo, explaining he heard it from Jeremiah’s friend at the club.
Belly says she already knew and had forgiven Jeremiah. Conrad is disgusted that she would accept it, and Belly counters that he has no right to judge. The argument escalates until Belly tries to leave in tears. Conrad apologizes, then blurts out that he still loves her.
Conrad asks why she is rushing to marry and begs for a minute to explain. He describes how, two years earlier after Susannah’s death, his anger made him unfit to love her properly; believing Jeremiah could, he let Belly go. Being near her this summer unraveled his resolve, and he confesses he hates seeing them together and pleads with her not to marry Jeremiah.
Belly, shaken, pushes him away. When Conrad asks if she still feels anything, she denies it, asserting Jeremiah is her best friend who loves her consistently, unlike Conrad. To end it decisively, Belly says, “You and I were never anything,” and walks off, leaving Conrad devastated.
Out of his sight, Belly collapses in tears, mourning what will never be and acknowledging she loves both brothers and will always be linked to Conrad. She composes herself, returns to the house, and climbs into Jeremiah’s bed, affirming her choice by whispering that she loves him.
Who Appears
- Belly (Isabel Conklin)Confronted by Conrad about Jeremiah’s cheating; rejects Conrad’s confession and chooses Jeremiah, though she admits loving both.
- Conrad FisherReveals Jeremiah’s Cabo cheating; confesses enduring love and past decision to let Belly go; begs her not to marry.
- Jeremiah FisherReturns extremely drunk; offstage focus of betrayal and Belly’s ultimate choice; sleeps as Belly reaffirms love.
- TomFriend who returns with the boys; tells Belly Conrad had been with them earlier.