I'm not the only one

Jax

I opened the door of my parents' house before Colbie could even knock, a surprised expression on her face as her fist stopped midair. I looked back at her with a huge smile on my face, not hiding how happy I was to see her. "Hi." I said quietly, biting my tongue not to add how beautiful she was since Will was just behind her, but my eyes travelled down her body anyway, making her blush even though her face was as straight as possible.
"Hi Jackson." She said back softly, just standing there.
I leaned into her and kissed her cheek chastely then I looked at Will, offering a smile to him to. He was a nice kid, almost the polar opposite of my nephew and maybe that was why they were friends. "Hey Will." I paused as I motioned for them to come inside, "Everyone's in the living room."
"And Rob is playing GT 6." He said back with a grin of his face as he headed to the other room.
Colbie looked at me with an eyebrow raised, "What's GT 6?"
"Gran Turismo, a video game." I explained and watched her shrug with a silly grin on her face, then she followed her son. Tried to, because I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her back against my chest. "Jax!"

I tilted my head down and kissed her neck, "Will is already out of sight. I missed you baby." I muttered against her soft skin, holding her tight and wishing I could take her straight to a room. Any room. To be completely honest even to be able not to hide would be enough.
"You saw me two days ago..." She trailed off but I could tell she was pleased by my words and leaned into me just so slightly, my hand moving down to her thigh in the process. "Jackson!" She protested again.
"Kiss me and I promise I'll behave for the rest of the night." I offered, nuzzling her neck and not letting go of her.
“I don’t even believe you.” Colbie laughed and my fingers moved higher up her skirt but before I could get sidetracked by her perfect body she turned in my arms and reached up to kiss my cheek.
“Not what I meant. I guess I’ll have to misbehave instead.” I shrugged and she cupped my face, pulling my mouth against hers and misbehaving a little herself as she slipped her tongue into my mouth and sighed as she tasted me. I wasn't going to survive the night. “Colbie.”
“Huh. I don’t see any mistletoe.” Colbie pulled away as I heard Lila’s voice, my girl's cheeks turning red from getting caught. It was just Lila though.
“Hey Lila.” I grinned.
“How come you never kiss me like that?” Travis teased, poking her side before she rolled her eyes.
“I kiss you better than that.” She smirked and he laughed before whispering something into her ear that made her blush. They were so obvious.
“The only way that could be better is if it was a little lower.” I winked and now Colbie was red as Lila bust out laughing and Travis shook his head, a smile on his face since he was used to that.
“You wish.” Colbie teased. “There’s wine here right?”
“In with mom and dad in the kitchen.” Travis nodded behind him.
“I’ll get you some.” I grinned, squeezing her hand.
“I could use some wine too.” Lila smiled as she leaned back against Travis who wrapped his arm around her instantly, even pulling her a little closer.
“Then maybe we should stop hiding in the hallway and join the rest of the group.” Trav joked, making Colbie go red again. She was so cute, so gorgeous.

Travis

I watched as Colbie pulled her hand out of Jax’s and walked a ways away. Jax’s face fell a little but he seemed to recover quickly. He was crazy to be so stubborn about Colbie, even though she was a great woman with capital W.
“Colbie! So glad you and Will could make it.” My mom said, always an enthusiast of having all her family together, even more if there were friends too. Sure, friends.
“Thanks for inviting us.” She smiled.
“You look lovely by the way. What a pretty dress.”
Colbie looked down at herself, looking half pleased and half embarrassed while I remembered something Jax told me about her not being able to handle compliments too well.
“Yeah it’s gorgeous.” Lila smiled.
“Thanks. It was a Christmas gift.” She blushed as her eyes flashed to Jax’s and gave him an impressed face. Since when my brother bought presents?
Lila shot me a look, noticing I had been tuning out the boring chit chat and was sipping a beer as I ran my hand up and down her arm.
“Have you talked to him yet?" She asked softly.
I shook my head, "Did you?" I asked back, half expecting her to said yes because they talked a lot. Someone could think it was good that my brother was so close with my girlfriend, that he'd tell me things she shared with him, instead no. It was both good and bad, but mostly good.
She shook her head herself, her eyes moving to Jax who stared at Colbie like she was the only girl in the word. It was a terrifying look to see on my brothers face. "Everytime we tried to talk either he was busy or I was." She sighed.
I shot her a grin, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and kissing her cheek, "Busy with me I hope." I said against her ear, feeling her body trembling when a giggle escaped her. Damn, I was in love with the cutest girl on earth.

Jax

"Why do you keep looking at me like that?" Colbie asked me in a quiet voice, making sure no one was listening to her.
I took a step closer to her, tilting my head down and sliding my hands into the pocket of my jeans in an effort to behave. "Because I wish I could touch you like Trav is touching Lila." I answered honestly with a shrug on my shoulders.
"But we're not even together." She retorted, always trying to make points which were opposite to mine.
"Am I still on trial?" I asked with a grin on my face, thinking that even if I could hold her and kiss her I was still happy she was there.
She rolled her eyes but her lips curved into a smirk. "Will is only in the other room." She said softly, using the only subject I couldn't argue about. She was right. I didn't have to like it though...not that her son was there, but that I had to hold back.
"Jax told me you didn't feel good last week." My mom cut into the conversation wearing her usual soft smile, "I'm glad to see you're better now."
Colbie seemed taken aback and I smirked from ear to ear, "It was only a bad headache." She smiled back at my mom as we both followed her to the living room, her head turning to me in the process and widening her eyes, them saying all she couldn't say.
I answered with a shrug, and kept my smirk in place, "I gave you the right medicine." I whispered, which got me another roll of eyes. My gaze moved to Will as he sat on the floor next to my nephew, both of the kids too busy playing to even spare us a glance. I sat on th couch behind them, watching the TV screen. "Rob, you can do better than that."
"Hey, thank you for being on my team." Will said back sarcastically, grunting a little and shaking his head and showing the same competitive attitude he had on the rugby field.
"Sorry I was saying that just to tease my nephew." I explained and kept my eyes on Colbie who was saying hi to Adam and his wife. "You know I could never be on the losers team."
He turned around just so slightly to give me a grin. "Well said."
"Thank you a.sshole, I-" Rob started but got a smack on the back of his neck from Adam.
"One more and you're going back home." My older brother warned him.
Colbie furrowed her brows, adjusting to my family's dynamics. "Is it always like this?" She asked me.
"No, it's usually worse." Lila interjected, taking the spot next to me on the couch and letting out a small laugh.
I looked at my friend than back to the girl I liked, "With worse, she means better."
It was Colbies turn to laugh as she sat next to me but opposite to her sister. "Dealing with so many boys is hard."
"It is, even when they're grown up men." My mom sighed but she was smirked as she started going back and forth from the kitchen carrying different snacks everytime.
I stretched my arms, wrapping them around the girls sitting next to me, "She must be talking about the other two. I'm basically a saint." I grinned.
"A saint my a.ss." Travis raised one eyebrow at me, sipping his beer as he watched me closely.
Rob turned around suddenly, motioning to my younger brother. "See? It's his fault! He's not a good example for me."

Travis

I smacked Rob's head playfully again, "Be better instead of copying me." I pointed out and even if I said that as a joke? I meant that. I saw so much of me in my nephew sometimes it was scary.
Will, in the meantime, was laughing and making fun of his friend.
"Listen to your uncle, he's right." Adam's wife walked into the room, winking at me.
"Where's Poppy?" Lila asked her.
"She's taking a nap." She sighed, "She didn't want to, she said she wanted to play with Trav instead."
I shrugged and smirked, "What can I do, everybody loves me."
"You wish." Adam pointed out, looking vaguely amused, "I hope my daughter develops a better taste in men. No offense Lila." He added.
My girl smirked wide, "None taken." She answered nonchalantly before looking at her sister, "Trav is crazy for Poppy, you should see him when he lets her do his hair." She explained, leaving me wonder is she was trying to make of Colbie part of this family, my family, too. Jax and Colbie had no future and I asked myself what the fuck my brother had in mind, if he was going insane.
"You can't give my secrets away like that, I have a reputation." I protested as I looked at Lila, tempted to snap my finger and make her come to me.

Jax

“Your secrets are safe with me.” Colbie laughed.
“That Poppy has Travis wrapped around all her little fingers? That’s no secret doll.” Mom grinned as she pat Travis on the back. He hated that.
“She has everyone wrapped around her little fingers.” Travis said, rolling his eyes.
“Yours too.” Will turned to Rob. “You even let her win at Mario!” Rob glared at Will who shrugged.  “What? You do.”
“I like when she’s happy.” Rob muttered, turning to the tv.
“Will I ever have a sister mom?” Will asked Colbie, making her widen her eyes at him and I stiffen beside her even I didn't want to. I had the feeling that yes, Colbie wasn't against having more kids but I could also tell she wouldn't even think to have them with me in a far future. At the moment, there wasn't much future for us to think about.
“Do you want one?” She asked.
Will shrugged. “Maybe someday.” He looked to Rob. “Do you like having a sister.”
Rob made a face. I swear, he was a little Travis and it killed me. “Sometimes. Sometimes she’s such a baby.”
Will laughed. “Duh, she is a baby.” He shook his head and turned back to the video games he was playing, but Colbie's mind was still on his words and I could tell from the look on her face.
“Boys, once you finish whatever game you’re on we’re going to eat okay?” My mom interjected before disappearing again.
Rob and Will nodded. “Mom can I sleep over with Rob?”
Colbie sighed. And I kept my fingers crossed. “Again?”
“Please? I won’t see him over break because I’ll be with Uncle Parker!”
Colbie turned to Liz, “Aren’t you sick of having him at your place yet?” She asked her only half kidding.
“No way, he’s a great influence on my little trouble maker, Will makes Rob go to bed at 9 and then in the morning he makes us coffee.”
Colbie laughed. “He does make a good cup of coffee.”

Travis

“Well then I guess it’s okay.” Colbie sighed, but didn't look too happy.
“Yay!!! Thank you!” Will grinned big. Why couldn't Rob be more like him and less like me?
“Baby?” I shot Lila a concerned look as I noticed the look into her eyes.
She turned to grin at me. “Time to eat?”
“Yes it is!” My mom led us into the kitchen.
“I’ll be right there I’m going to talk to Romeo for a minute.” I said, kissing Lila's cheek and nodding over to where Jax was whispering into Colbie’s ear. Lila nodded. “Jax.” I walked towards the living room and my brother kissed Colbie quickly before he followed me.
"I don't like the look on your face." My brother pointed out slowly with an eyebrow raised.
"Why? Do you have something to feel guilty about?" I asked back while I read his face.
He shrugged nonchalantly, "Nope."
"What are you doing with Colbie?" I asked bluntly, not wanting to lose time tiptoeing around the subject. I never did that anyway, mostly not with my brother.
At the mere mention of her name he grinned like a moron, "I'm trying to convince her to be mine."
I groaned, even though I had seen that coming, "Are you sure it's a good idea?"
"She's fun, smart and sexy. You're right, it's a bad idea." He kept smirking and I just shot him an anamused look. "I really like her Trav and I don't need you to lecture me."
"You better not fuck up." I warned him, "Because what you do with her affects a lot more people than just you two."
"It's good to know you have so much faith in me." He snorted, but his good mood was faltering, "I know what I'm doing and you have nothing to worry about."
"I hope so." I muttered under my breath.
"You should know so." He retorted before walking back towards the other room and I followed him.
“Ready to eat?” He said to Colbie and Lila, who were still hiding in the hallway, running his hand down Colbie’s arm on the way. He was a lost cause already.
I felt Lila's eyes on me as we all sat at the big table in the middle or the room, "What?" I asked her, raising one eyebrow.
She set her hand on my forearm, leaning into me, "What did you say to Jax?" She whispered into my ear.
"No one ever told you you shouldn't talk to someone's hear when you're with other people?" Jax voice cut into the conversation and I just glared at him.
"Lila's still so young, we can forgive her." Adam interjected with a big grin on his face, winking at my girlfriend.
Lila widened her eyes and sighed, "You too now?! I'm not that young!" She protested.
"She might be young but she's better mannered than you guys." My dad said as he reached for a plate full of food, filling my moms plate before his own. Chivalry was still alive in my family apparently.
Lila blushed, "Thank you for pointing that out Mr Cole." She said sweetly, smirking at my dad who was as crazy about her as the rest of my family.
"Don't call him that, he'll feel too old instead." My mom interjected, chuckling as she looked at her.
I shot my girlfriend an amused look, thinking about when she called me Mr Cole. Not an appropriate thought for a family dinner. "He's not old, he's ancient."

Jax

"We'll see if you age as well as me when you'll be ancient." My dad retorted, pointing his fork at Travis.
I listened to them being silly like I had done million times before, but my attention kept going back to Colbie. I set my hand on her knee carefully, chastely, feeling her stiffen but hoping no one would notice. "He already looks older than Adam and me."
"Because he smokes." My mom glared at him, showing her disapproved like she always did.
"I'm surprised Lila didn't convince you to quit yet." Colbie said cheerfully, eating and trying to blend into out crazy family.
"I tried but he's the most stubborn man on earth." The younger Trenton sighed, looking defeated.
"Ugh you're making me want to get up and have a cigarette." Travis groaned between bites, being his usual grumpy self.
I looked at the two kids who seemed already full and impatient to leave the table. "Remember boys, never do what Travis does." I smirked at them.
"And we should do what you do instead?" Rob asked sarcastically, acting a lot like Travis actually. "Ha!"
I sighed and moved my eyes to Will. "You're the only hope left."
He grinned, "Mom would ground me for forever if I did." He said as he looked at Colbie.
“You’re right about that.” Colbie agreed.
“Is there pie?” Will asked my mom who grinned.
“Yes but it’s still cooling. Go play outside until it’s ready.”
“Okay!” Rob grinned, happy to get away from the adults. “Come on Will I got new laser guns for Christmas!”
“Oh my god really!?” Will followed him outside with a thrilled look on his face.
“Who the fuck got my kid laser guns?” Adam glared at Travis and me, but I shook my head and pointed to Travis who was rolling his yes.
“Adam. There are ladies around.” My dad said, smacking his shoulder.
“Oh please, Lila curses like a sailor.”
Lil shrugged because it was true.
“Yeah but Colbie’s a good girl.” Trav winked at her and she laughed.
“Oh yeah, that’s me.” Colbie said with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
“You sure about that?” I asked her, a killer grin on my face.

Travis

“HA!” Lila shouted. “Colbie’s no good girl.”
“Must be a Trenton family trait.” I drawled as I wiggled my brows at her and she shivered.
“Don’t go telling on me now baby sis, I have stories about you that are just as bad.” Colbie pointed out.
“Oh really?” My boyfriend perked up. “Like what?”
“Oh well how about when she used to smoke?” Colbie started, making her drop her jaw and Jax start laughing.
“You are such a big mouth!”
“And you get on me all the time.” I shook my head. Unbelievable.
“I quit when I was like 20.” She rolled her eyes. “And I learned it from you!” She pointed to her sister who shrugged.
“What are big sisters for than to be a bad influence on their siblings?” Everyone laughed.
“Travis learned how to be bad all by himself. I was always the good boy.” Adam grinned but that wasn’t entirely true. The only reason why he was better than me and Jax was because he had Liz and the kids.
“Sure you were.” My mom nodded. “Even the time when the cops brought you home half naked coming back from Liz’s at 3 in the morning. How old were you? 17?” Everyone started laughing again, even Liz.
“My parents came home early and Adam knew my dad would kill him so he jumped out of the window in just his boxers.” Liz snorted.
“That was your fault.” Adam glared at his wife but it was lovingly.
“You two are so sweet, falling in love in high school.” Lila admitted. My softie.

Jax

"We were real lucky." Liz winked at Adam who nodded and smirked like an idiot. He was such a goner, not that I could blame him.
"Have you been together since back then?" Colbie asked, propping her elbow on the table and setting her chin on her hand, looking genuinely curious. I has a feeling she had a soft spot for stories with a happy ending.
"Ugh not that story again." Travis muttered under his breath.
"Hey I never heard it either." Lila protested, poking my brothers side but he didn't even blink. Sometimes I suspected he wasn't even human.
Liz glared at Travis, acting like a real sister more than a real sister in law and it made sense because we had seen her grow up with Adam, with us. "We should go out joke night, just us girls, and leave the boys with their videogames." She said and smirked to Lila and Colbie.
"I'd like that." Colbie lit up then frowned, "I'll have to ask my mom if she can watch Will."
"He can stay with us, what are old parents for?" My mom offered with a chuckle, then shook her head, "Even if both Will and Rob are already grown up enough to stay alone. But who knows in what kind of trouble they'd get into if left alone for one night."
"They grow up too fast." Colbie agreed with my mom.
"Will is a saint compared to Rob." I smirked at Adam, who just shrugged because that was nothing new.
"That's the price to have the Cole's genes." My dad interjected with a laugh, him being the original bad boy who had gotten the prettiest girl when he was young. In a way, we were all the same.
"It could be worse." I said and everyone laughed.

Travis

I heard a noise coming from the staircase and once I turned my head I saw my princess Poppy walking down unsteadily with a super frown on her lips. Jax turned too, smiling at her and stretching his hand out, "What's wrong cutie?"
She dodged him, running straight to me, "I woke up and I was alone!" She protested.
I scooped her up in my arms, letting her cuddle against my chest, "Better alone than with uncle Jax." I grinned.
"You guys need to make another kid so that I can be someone's fave." Jax retorted flatly but he was just being an idiot.
"Rob likes you more than Travis." Liz interjected, looking pretty amused by the subject. "No new kids for now."
I shot a look at Jax, "You cold make one on your own." That got me a kick on my shin from Lila and a glare from Jax.
"Maybe I'll get a puppy instead." He said as he tried to joke but he knew what I meant. Colbie already had a son and he had to be careful with what he was doing.
"Did you hear uncle Jax?" I asked to Poppy as I grinned, "He likes puppies more than kids."
"I like puppies more than boys." She answered seriously and we laughed again.
"Even more than me?" I faked a frown, poking her tiny nose.
“No.” She shook her head and cuddled against my chest, then she opened her eyes, when she saw Lila she smiled. “Hi Lila.” She grinned.
My girl reached over and pushed her hair behind her ear. “Hey pretty girl.” She smiled.
Poppy grinned her tiny smile. “Will you braid my hair again?!”
Liz groaned. “Oh please, I have no idea how to braid hair and she won’t stop talking about it.”
Lil laughed and nodded. “Yes. And I’ll teach your mommy too.”
“I tried to once.” Poppy shrugged, but at that point nothing made sense to be anymore because I had no idea of what they were talking about. “Maybe you’re a better teacher.” She went back to cuddling me uncle while I beamed down at her.
“You are going to have a heartbreaker on your hands with that one.” Colbie teased Adam who groaned.
“Don’t I know it.”
“Don’t worry her Uncles will help scare off all the guys trying to jump out of her room at three in the morning.” Jax laughed
“Dear god.” Adam shook his head in his hands which made Liz tug him closer to her so she could kiss his cheek.
“You’ll survive baby.”
“She’s asleep again.” I chuckled, holding her close to my body.
“You’re a good mattress.” Lila said, only half joking as she reached up to kiss me softly.
“Do you want to put her back to bed?” Liz asked and I nodded, getting up and feeling Lila following me.

Jax

“I have a present for you.” I whispered as I took advantage of everyone's distraction, my hand caressing her thigh and making her shiver.
“Me too.” She smirked, a naughty look on her face.
I lifted my brows again.
“Oh yeah?” She nodded and I leaned closer.
“From the way you’re blushing I’m hoping we leave here in the next 5 seconds so you can show me this present.”
She laughed. “I want mine first.” She said, leaning in and then pulled back, biting down on her lip when she saw Adam looking over at us suspiciously.
“When did you two start dating?” He asked point blank.
“What?” Our dad turned over to us.
“Oh come on you didn’t notice?” Liz added, then looked over.
“Um.” Colbie started. But didn't go on, which was amazing. So fucking amazing.
I refused to look at Colbie, not because I didn't want to, but because I didn't want to be obvious. Was it that bad that we were dating? Maybe we weren't really, considering her reaction or more like the lack of it. "There's nothing to notice, Liz is talking nonsense." I winked to my sister in law, forcing a grin on my face because I wanted to keep my family out of this at this point. No, it wasn't that I wanted that, but Colbie wanted that instead. I wasn't going to force her or push her into anything, I'd adjust my pace to hers, but it didn't meant I liked that. Sometimes I had the feeling she made things more complicated than they were. My sister in law rolled her eyes while Adam shot me an amused look. "Didn't you notice that Trav and Lila got back together instead?" I asked as they walked back into the room.

Travis

"What?" I asked, raising a brow, "Were you talking behind my back?"
"You're paranoid." Lila grinned as she leaned against my side.
Adam shrugged, "We were about to." He said honestly, making Liz chuckle.
"We knew they'd get back together." My dad pointed out seriously, keeping his eyes on me.
"We hoped so." My mom corrected.
I shook my head, "I swear I'm lost, what are you even talking about?!" I asked back and looked on Jax face for a clue but what I saw? I didn't like it. Maybe no one else would notice but I did, because he wasn't just my brother, he was one of my best friends too.

Jax

I got up, running a hand through my hair, "I'm going to check on the boys." I said simply, using them as an excuse to leave the room and go take a breath of fresh air. I just needed a bunch of seconds alone. I walked out to the porch, eyeing Will and Rob who were looking at Rob's phone intently. "What's up guys?" I asked, curious.
"I'm showing Will the girl I like." Rob said with a big grin on his face.
"He wants to ask her out." Will shrugged, eyes still on the screen.
I raised one eyebrow, thanking god that when I was their age there were no cell phones available. "Aren't you too young for that?"
"We're 14." Rob argued, glaring at me.
"Almost." I corrected, even thought it didn't make much difference to be honest. "Show me." I ordered and looked at the picture of the pretty brunette, "She's pretty."
"She's too young for you and you're going out with Colbie anyway." Rob retorted like the little idiot he was sometimes.
I widened my eyes a little but Will didn't seem impressed at all, "We did the math." He shrugged nonchalantly.
I shook my head, "We're just friends." I said because I guessed that Colbie didn't want Will to know. Yet. Or ever. Who knew. They started ignoring me again and I walked back to the porch, sitting on a chair and looking at the sky. I was getting myself in troubles, but it wasn't because the girl I was crazy about had a son. It was because she didn't want me as much as I wanted her...maybe it was karma.
"Hey." Colbies voice cut into my thoughts, sitting on the step next to my chair and looking up at me.
"Maybe you're sitting too close to me." I said quietly, "Rob and Will think we're going out together but don't worry, I told Will we're just friends."
“I didn’t take that very well huh?” Colbie sighed.
I shrugged. “Take what really well? There’s nothing to take right?” I asked but it wasn't a question.
She licked her lips as she watched her son and his best friend running around the yard. “He’s growing up really fast.” She said softly.
“He’s still a kid.” I replied, my voice lower. I wasn't too interested in the subject, not because I wasn't in general, but because right now, just for once, I wanted to think about me.
“Not really. He’s almost a teenager.” She admitted. “I remember when he was just learning to walk and talk.”
“Yeah.”
I felt her turn to me, as if expecting me to look at her. But I didn't. “I’m sorry. I should have handled that better. I’m just not ready to share us with everyone.”
“Share us? We’re just friends aren’t we?”
She shook her head. “No we’re not.”
I turned towards her this time, my brow raised. “No?” I questioned, wondering how she defined us in her head.
“We’re more than friends.” She said seriously. That wasn't enough for me.
“Okay.” I nodded then stood up to go back inside.
“Jax.” She stood up too, walking closer to me after looking out at Rob and Will. “Are you still coming over tonight?”
Lila stepped outside, with the best timing because I didn't want to answer that question. Hell I didn't even knew how.
“Come on guys time for dessert!” She called out to the boys.
“YES!! PIE!” Will shouted, running up. “Come on mom Mrs. Cole’s pie is the best!” He tugged on Colbie, Rob right behind them, leaving me alone with Lil.
“Hey stud.” She teased.
I gave her a half smile and ran my hand through my hair. “How are you cutie?” I asked, pulling her into my side and kissing the top of her head.
“Better than you look.” She admitted, knowing me enough to know that something was off.
“Yeah.”
“Not going well?”
I shrugged as I explained myself. “That’s the thing I thought we were going well. Every time I feel good about us she shoots me down.”
Lila nodded. “Sure but it’s not serious. You have like 5 other girls waiting on you hand and foot it’s good one is keeping you on your toes.” She said slowly.
I shook my head, not even wanting to joke. I was a little tired to force myself to be in a good mood, I needed a break. "I have no one waiting for me. I'm seeing Colbie only...do you really think I'd sleep with other girls while sleeping with your sister? Come on, I'm not that bad."
"I know you're not." She offered a sweet smile, "I was only testing you."
I shrugged, "Maybe I should start seeing other girls again to get ready for when your sister will get tired of me." I said slowly, the thought being a depressing one.
"Give her time Jax..." She trailed off.
"I think I'm going home now."

Travis

I eyed Colbie as she ate her slice of pie, looking as if she was having a hard time swallowing though. I knew it wasn't the pie, because it was delicious. I gravitated closer to her, taking advantage of how everyone else was busy with other things. "Don't you like my mom's pie?"
"No it's one of the best I've ever had." She answered and offered a smile that didn't impress me at all.
"Don't f.uck with my brother's head Colbie." I said slowly, staring into her eyes to let her know how serious I was. I thought that I had to talk to Jax but maybe I was wrong.
"I don't think you're the best person to give me advice about relationships." She said back, getting defensive.
I shrugged, "At least I know what I want."
"Jax is going home." Lila joined us, her face dropping when she noticed our expressions. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Colbie asked hurriedly, "Is he gone already?"
"No but if I were you I'd hurry." Lila said before giving me a questioning look. I just shrugged.

Jax

"Are you going away?" Colbies breathy voice broke the silence of the night.
I turned my head and nodded, "I'm feeling tired." I answered honestly though it wasn't a physical feeling.
"I thought we were going away together." She said back slowly.
I tucked her hair behind her ear admiring how beautiful she was, "I don't know if it's still a good idea baby." I answered softly.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t….because….” I started but I shook my head, scratching the back of my neck as I looked away from her. I didn't know how to explain what I thought without pushing her away, more than she already did by herself. “Colbie-“
She reached out and pulled me towards her, kissing me hard, the way I’d wanted to all night. “I’m sorry.” She whispered against my lips before running her tongue against them, making me open my mouth against hers and finally wrap my arms around her, kissing her back.
“I don’t like being a secret.” I said, pulling away.
“I’m sorry. I wish I was ready for more, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want you.”
“You should get back inside, they’ll be missing you.” I said weakly.
She shook her head. “I said goodbye already. I want to go home with you.”
I gave up, again, pulling her closer again. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Yes, please. You still have presents for me.” She added.
I shook my head, but then I was kissing her again and throwing my intentions out of the window.

Travis

“Told you they were dating.” Rob said as he watched Colbie kissing my brother out the front window.
“Well why didn’t they tell us?” My mom asked, looking a little hurt, but still pleased.
“I think mom doesn’t want me to know.” Will admitted, always being a smart kid. Maybe too smart for his age.
“Why do you think that?” Lila asked, narrowing her eyes on him.
“Because she wants to just be a mom and not a real person.” He shrugged. “But single moms are allowed to date, I read like 5 books about divorce.”
“You did?” Lil asked, surprised. Being a little weird ran in the family apparently.
“Yeah. It says it’s healthy to get back on the horse. Whatever that means.”
Adam started laughing, turning it into a choke when Liz narrowed her eyes on him. “What book is this?!”
“The divorced woman’s guide to happieness.” Will said seriously.
“Where did you get that?!” I asked, clearly trying not to laugh.
“Mom had it.” He shrugged.
“You read too much.” Rob shook his head. “Let’s go play downstairs.”
"Okay.” Will nodded.
I looked at my girl, starting to feel a little tired. It was weird, the less I did the lazier I got, maybe because whenever I didn't work I got to relax. "We should go play home instead."
She giggled and Adam raised one eyebrow at me, "What did you do to my brother." He said in an amused tone.
"Don't be silly Adam." Mom said seriously then smiled, "She's making him happy."
I shrugged, because that was true. I didn't even need to say it because it showed. "If you're done analyzing us, I'd like to go to bed."
"Already?" Dad protested, getting a supportive nod from mom.
I ignored them and went to the other room, grabbing our helmets before heading back to where most of my family was, both my parents and Adam and Liz taking seats on the couch as they picked a movie, Lila's eyes on the screen too and looking interested. "Let's go baby."
"Nice helmet Lil." Adam nodded at her, keeping his eyes on it.
"It was Travis' present for Christmas." She beamed at me, dropping her eyes on her customized helmet. It was both girly and fierce, lines running from the front to the back where they met in a drawing that resembled an abstract one she had printed in real life months before. It had taken me a while to get the idea, but it had been the most logical one. It was useful, but meaningful too. She was my girl and she had a place both in my life and on my bike.
I reached for her hand, our fingers linking together as I broke into a wide smirk, "I have the best ideas, I know."