love who loves you back

I turned around as soon as I sensed her, my eyes found Lila immediately as she walked into the crowded club, I watched her walk to my brother, talk to him, I studied the way they were talking, how Lila's perfect body moved. I kept leaning against the wall, ignoring my friends and focusing on my gorgeous girl until Jax headed to the bar and out eyes finally met.

She walked up to me with a smile, sliding her hands up my chest. “You got a date gorgeous?” She asked, wiggling her brows.

“She’s late.” I replied in my usual monotone, though my eyes were smiling.

She widened hers in fake shock. “What kind of a girl would be late for a man like you?” She laughed.

“A very busy one apparently.” I finally grinned and she reached up to kiss me.

“Hi baby, I missed you today.”

I wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her back. “You look fucking fantastic. What are you wearing under that dress?”

She shrugged. “You’ll have to wait and see.” She smirked, loving just flirting with me.

I faked a frown, sliding my hands dangerously close to her a.ss but not giving in to temptation just yet. "But I don't like waiting." I said and smirked when she laughed, "You know what, we should go home."

She shook her head, sliding her hands down to smooth my shirt, "Nuh uh, we're going to stay with your friend and have fun."

I raised one eyebrow, "Because we don't have fun when we're alone?" I teased her.

She rolled her eyes playfully, leaning into me, "Are you happy that Jax is here too?" She asked instead, ignoring my words completely.

I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly, "It's different when we're with our friends too." I pointed out and left out the rest of what I had on my mind. Like how annoyed I was do him always being too busy with Colbie to save a night for me, for starters.

She rolled her eyes again, this time genuinely, "God Trav, are you ever happy?"

"I'm happy when I'm with you." I answered as I grinned, knowing how to use words. I didn't want to talk about my brother and I didn't want to argue with my girl either.

She let out a sigh but smiled anyway, kissing my lips slowly, "Good answer Mr Cole." She purred, "You know how to distract me."

"Always." I kept grinning, my hands sliding to her a.ss and squeezing it gently.

"Trav!" She squealed, trying to pull away from me but there was no way she could get away from me. Ever. Physically and not.

I moved my hands to her waist again, "Don't act shy baby, it doesn't suit you." I said in amused tone.

"We're with your friends, I don't want them to think my a.ss is taking your attention away from them." She joked. Even though there was so much truth to her words. "I should go say hi." She added as an afterthought.

I kissed her forehead as I pulled away from her reluctantly, "I'll go get a drink."

She stopped, "Is Karlie here?" She asked slowly.

"No, or we wouldn't be." I answered simply.

She sighed, "It wouldn't be a problem for me if she was here."

"It would be for me." I pointed out and cut her off before she could say something. I knew she was about to, I saw it into her eyes. "And no arguing about that tonight. Or anything else."

“Yeah we’ll see.” Lila laughed and it was a reaction that said all about our relationship.

“There she is. Too busy taking over the art world to have dinner with us?” Matt asked, grinning over at her.

“Guilty as charged.” She smiled and he reached over to kiss her on the cheek.

“At least I still get to see you in that dress.” He added, only to annoy me because he usually never made that king of comments. And what did he know about dresses? Except for the fact that they were dresses.

I snorted behind her and wrapped an arm around her tiny waist. “Go find your own woman.” I smirked at my friend.

“I have plenty.” Matt wiggled his brows at Lil and she laughed.

“Just wait till you fall for one. You’ll be as love sick as him.” She nodded over to Jax who was busy cooing at his phone which meant his Colbie free night was really anything but.

“Shit. That thing with your sister and Jax is crazy.” He shook his head, agreeing with me of course. "I didn’t think I’d see the day when he went crazy over a girl, and she has a kid right?”

Lil nodded.

“A teenager.” I added from behind her, trying to keep my tone neutral.

“What the fuck is he thinking?” Matt asked shaking his head. “What the fuck are any of you thinking, going and falling in love and getting boring.”

“Who the hell said anything about getting boring.” Lil said quickly. “Boring girls don’t wear heels this high.”

“Those are some fuck me heels if I ever saw them.” I whispered into her ear.

She grinned. “It matches what’s under my dress.” She replied back, not bothering to be quiet.

“Okay, okay you’re not boring stop talking.” Matt said holding his hands over his ears as she laughed.

“Whats up with Perrie?” She asked after a moment after glancing at her repeatedly, making Matt scratch the back of his neck awkwardly.

“Um. I dunno.” He shrugged.

“She’s been quiet all night.” I added, shrugging. I hadn't read anything into that, of course, while Lila had.

“She looks…she looks like she’s avoiding you.” She pointed out to Matt.

He shrugged. “Maybe.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, “Did something happen between you two?” She asked, making me perk up.

“What?”

"Nope." Matt answered, ignoring me and shrugging at Lila instead while I glanced at Perrie who didn't look as cheerful as she usually did. Which was weird.

"Okay." Lila said tucking her hair behind her ear as she looked at my friend, a slow grin spreading on her lips, "I'm going to talk with Perrie. But I won't tell you anything of what she'll say." She added.

I grinned with my girl, amused by the way she was trying to get some information out of Matt. "If you need Lila on your side? You better tell her what happened."

He sighed, running his hand through his head, "Remember my birthday party?" He asked us.

Lil frowned, "No. You didn't even invite me!" She protested, widening her eyes a little.

I chuckled, keeping her anchored to me as I enjoyed the small talk, "He did. You were too drunk to even walk." I pointed out, exaggerating a little.

She blushed as Matt laughed, "Oh. That was your birthday, right." She said, looking slightly embarrassed.

"Don't worry Lila, I have huge holes in my memory too." He added, the way he said it showing he regretted nothing. Nothing of what he remembered anyway. "The thing is, when we get so drunk I usually end up being an idiot with your boyfriend." He explained, focusing on my girl only, "But he was too busy talking care of you so I ended up with Perrie."

"Damn man, you can't even survive one night without me?" I teased him, letting out a laugh, "No wonder why she looks like she wants to be anywhere around you, she'd been crushing on you for years and now you're treating her like nothing ever happened."

He made a face, "I don't know, it was a weird situation and I didn't know what I was doing or thinking."

"God, you two are awful." Lil rolled her eyes, making her opinion about us very clear.

I kissed the top of her head, "I did nothing."

"It's your fault Lila, if Trav had been with me I wouldn't have done anything." Matt said seriously before laughing himself.

"I feel bad for Perrie." She said back, sighing again.

"Me too." I agreed, wondering what my friend really thought. To me? He was only making excuses, no matter how wasted he was he always knew what he did.

Jax joined us, "What happened to Perrie?" He asked.

"Ask your phone, maybe you'll get a text." I answered, a mix of sarcasm and bitterness in my tone that got me Lila's elbow straight in my ribs.

“What?” Jax blinked up at us, completely oblivious to my attitude towards him.

“Was it good?” Lila asked, ignoring the us in favor for Matt.

All us boys turned to look at her.

“Was what good?” Jax asked at the same time I said.

“Did you really want the details?”

“It was good.” Matt nodded, taking a long sip of his beer.

“I’m so lost.” Jax admitted. “Who was what good with?”

Lila laughed at the confused look on my brother’s face and Matt sighed as I just grunted. “Perrie and Matt drunk fu.cked on his birthday.” She explained seriously. Jax’s eyes widened as I laughed at my girl's bluntness and Matt groaned. “When you put it like that it sounds worse than it is.”

“….so why aren’t you with her now?” She asked seriously.

He blinked back at her. “I don’t want a girlfriend.” He explained. “I especially don’t want a girl who’s my friend to be my girlfriend. That never works out.”

“You would know.” I reminded her, thinking about her lame ex.

“Riley wasn’t really ever my boyfriend.”

Matt’s brows raised as he motioned to the waitress that we were going to need another round. “Who’s Riley.”

“One of my friends.” Sure.

“Who she used to sleep with.” I added.

“So things aren’t weird with you two?”

Lil cringed. I was right, as always. “It’s kind of weird.” She admitted.

“See? I don’t need that.” Matt stated.

“Dude. It’s weird now.” I pointed out.

“You seriously slept with Perrie?” Jax whispered yelled, seeming to only just get into the conversation.

“You’re going to judge him? I’m surprised you haven’t eloped to Vegas with Colbie.” I said under his breath.

“I just might.” Jax’s whole face actually lit up at the idea.

“God please tell me you’re kidding.” Lil said, widening her eyes.

I groaned and rolled my eyes too, not wanting to ruin my night out just because my brother had lost his damn mind and he was talking nonsense. I didn't even see the point of arguing to be honest, he was too set on his ideas that it was impossible to reason with him. I didn't know if Lila had had more luck with him, but then again her opinion on the matter was slightly different from mine. "I'm tired of this s.hit." I muttered under my breath and pulled away from Lil, "I'm getting another drink."

"Get me one please, since Jax forgot the one I asked him like one hour ago." She said narrowing her eyes on him.

I bit my tongue in order not to say something mean and headed to the bar instead, noticing Perrie who was on the other side of the counter. "A double scotch." I asked to the bartender before making eye contact with my red haired friend, motioning her to join me. While Matt seemed to be still comfortable with our group of friends she was completely isolated and I wondered why. "Want a drink? I'll pay." I offered with a smirk on my face.

"What a gentleman." She teased me then shook her head, "But no thanks. I don't want to get drunk tonight."

I nodded, "Wise girl." I said shortly and muttered a thank you once I got my drink before downing half of it.

"Is talking behind my back part of being a gentleman too?" She asked slowly after a few seconds and I raised one eyebrow, faking an innocent face, "Come on Trav, I know you and Matt were talking about me. Lila kept glancing at me."

"I heard his side of the story, want to tell me yours?" I asked and smirked.

She laughed, shaking her head, "So that you can run to Matt and tell him what I said a second later? No thanks."

I winked at her, "If you change your mind I'm here." I joked and she responded with a weak smile. "Lighten up Perrie, things will work out eventually."

"I don't know, for now it's just awkward." She confessed and let out a sigh.

"You should talk to Lila, I'm no good with giving advice." I confessed.

"Yeah, but at least you tried." She offered a small grin that made her look more like the Perrie we used to have around.

"What did you try?" Zoe appeared out of nowhere, squeezing herself between us.

"To stay sober and failed." I grinned and ordered the drink for Lila.

"You look painfully sober now..." She trailed off, returning me the smirk.

I shrugged, "I have to drive tonight." I said then downed the rest of my drink before grabbing Lila's one who joined as if on cue. "I'm going to have a smoke." I announced.

"I'm coming with you if you want." Zoe offered.

Lil grabbed her drink from my hand and was about to narrow her eyes when I wrapped my arm around her shoulders to pull her against me, "I have to talk to my girlfriend, sorry." I told to Zoe then headed outside with Lil, "No need to jump to her throat." I teased her.

“She looks at you like she’s undressing you.” Lila shrugged.

“She’s not the only woman who does.” I pointed out, not bothering to deny it.

“Yeah but she’s the only one you give your friendship to.”

I nodded, ready to retort properly, “How does your Riley look at you?” I asked slowly.

“Doesn’t matter. You don’t ever see him.”

I narrowed my eyes at her, trying to guess where her mind was and where she was trying to go with that. “True.” I said finally, blowing smoke out my mouth.

She swallowed. “Do you want to meet my friends?” She asked, hope pouring on her face because she was pretty transparent and even more readable to me since I knew her so well. That and I knew she had been wanting that for a while now, even if she never asked.

“Okay.” I shrugged because I knew I couldn't say no anymore.

“Okay.” She agreed, leaning her back against the wall of the building as we stood in a cozy silence for a few moments, her head resting against my shoulder. “I should talk to Perrie.” She said casually.

“You should. You’re better at talking.” I agreed.

“Do you think they could work?” She asked, wrapping her arms around my waist and setting her chin against my chest.

“I’m apparently a bad judge of who could and couldn’t work.” I replied, my voice laced with annoyance.

“Would you have the same problem with Jax if he was dating someone besides Colbie?” She asked, knowing that I had nothing against hrt sister.

“If he was still being ridiculous about it yes.” I answered honestly. Truth was I was disappointed by the way my brother had cut me out of his life completely.

“What’s ridiculous about falling in love?” She asked.

“Theyr’e not in love." I scoffed, lighting another cigarette.

“Stop smoking.” She glared.

I raised a brow at her and then grumbled as I put out the cigarette. “Let’s go inside.”

“Want to go home instead?” She asked, wiggling her brows suggestively.

“No I want to make you wait.” I replied, sounding casual but with a hint of bite in my voice that we both knew made her crazy for me.

“Tease.”

I grinned wider at her pouty face, stopping and pulling at her hand to force her against me. "Wait a moment." I said before cupping her face with my other hand as I pressed my mouth against hers hard, her whole body responding to the kiss.

"You're not going to make it easy, are you?" She asked against my mouth, a small grin on her own.

"Nope." I shrugged and led her back to where our friends were. At a first glance I could tell that nothing had happened, Perrie was still avoiding Matt, Matt was still drinking and Jax was still texting like 15 year old girl. I leaned into her, whispering against her ear, "Jax could've stayed home."

She pulled back to glare at me even though there was still a softness into her eyes that let me know that she knew why I was saying that and she didn't disagree completely. But she was always who tried to make me look at things from a different angle and it was one of the many things I loved about her. "Travis. Don't start." She said seriously.

Ryan made his way between us, wrapping his arms around our shoulders. He was drunk. "Are you fighting?" He teased us with a ridiculous grin on his face.

"No." I said back and pulled away from him, then grabbed Lil and smirked, "Leave my girl alone."

"Friends are supposed to share." He said seriously before chuckling.

"He'd never share anything, let alone Lila." Matt cut into the conversation.

"Damn right." I nodded and smirked at her, only squeezing her tighter against me.

Perrie joined us too, timidly, "He's a charming old man." She teased me since she was the younger of our group. Not as young as Lila, but still.

"He's turning even older soon." My girl shot me a big grin, looking up at me and setting her hand on my chest. I just rolled my eyes.

"Next week!" Matt said with a little too much enthusiasm that show how he had been drinking too, "What are you going to do, we need to celebrate."

"Celebrate all you want, but without me." I grinned at my friends, since I liked parties and celebrations, just not mine.

"Boo!" Ryan protested, "You're not even turning 40 yet, you're allowed to give us an excuse to drink."

I raised one eyebrow, "Since when do you need one?" I pointed out.

Lila lit up, "I could cook and you guys can come over!" She suggested, her eyes big and hopeful.

I just shot her an amused look, because sure she was getting better at cooking but making dinner for all my friends? That was too much. "No thank you baby."

“I could do that!” I protested.

“Come over? Are you two finally living together?” Ryan asked.

I shook my head. “You know we’re not. How drunk are you?” I asked, raising a brow at my friend.

“I dunno you’ve been with Lila way longer than you were with Kylie before you moved in together.” He shrugged. Kylie? Karlie. That already proved how drunk he was. I tensed anyway, because I didn't if that was a sensible subject for Lila.

“Shut the fu.ck up Ryan.” Matt shook his head.

“What?” He asked, his words slow and slurred.

Lila took a deep breath, while I held mine. “They’re just worried that Trav will pout because I don’t want to share a bathroom with him.” She joked, making me breath again.

For what I knew she had never thought about moving together, she had never hinted once at something, and I was happy with our living situation as it was, we were independent and we loved our places. I saw no problems with that. “Because your bathroom is a mess and you don’t want me falling on some lotions and killing myself.” I teased back, relaxing again.

“It’s a womans prerogative to have many many lotions.” She replied.

“I’m not sure why…but you’re hotter to me all of a sudden.” Matt smirked and she laughed while I rolled my eyes.

“I have only dirty old bastards as friends.” I said into my drink.

“Where is Karlie anyways?” Perrie asked and Lil tensed again but this time she kept quiet.

I felt everyone's eyes on me and I shrugged, "She wasn't feeling good." I answered simply, not giving anyway too much. If they wanted to know more? They could call her.

Lila shot me a look, "Let's go to the counter I want a drink."

"I'll get you one." Jax offered.

"You already forgot before." Lila pouted at him.

"Take care of your girlfriend, I'll take care of mine." I spat and without another glance I led Lil to the counter.

I could feel her eyes on me. "You're really mad at Jax, aren't you?" She finally asked slowly.

"Yes." I said shortly then looked at the bartender, keeping my hand on Lila's body to claim her as mine. "One vodka and one whiskey." I ordered before turning my face back to my girl.

She pursed her lips together and I knew she was thinking hard. "Why isn't Karlie here?" She asked eventually, it coming out of her mouth in one breath.

"I already answered that, didn't I?" I said and busied myself wrapping my arms around her, kissing behind her ear softly, inhaling her sweet scent.

She shrugged and at the same time shivered, "Is she sick like...like she was the night she came to your house?" She went on, setting her hands on my forearms and letting me hold her close, "Or she's not here because of me?"

"She got a flu or something, stop overthinking baby." I answered before reaching for the full glass that was mine and downing half of its content, my hand leaving Lila's body only shortly.

"But I don't want your friend to resent me if I ever was the reason why Karlie wouldn't be with them." She added, muttering as if confessing something she didn't really want to say out loud.

I put a smile on my face and a kiss on her lips, "It's not going to happen. Stop now baby." I said gently.

“…Okay.” Lila said, meaning the opposite of course.

“What are you thinking?” I asked because I had learnt that ignoing Lila's silences was always bad.

She sighed and shrugged. “I just hope they like me.” She said seriously, looking genuinely concerned.

“They do. Trust me.” I said back honestly.

“I hope so.” She repeated.

I leaned down and kissed up her neck slowly, my teeth catching her ear and tugging, making her gasp and press into me. “You think too fucking much.” I growled.

“Travis.” She moaned softly and I pulled her closer. I was great at distracting her.

“You’re so beautiful.” I said softly.

She slid her hands up my chest and into my hair before pulling me down into a kiss, a slow, sweet but still slightly rough kiss. “How can I help with Jax?" She asked when she pulled away and caught her breath.

“You can’t.” I shook my head, nodding to the bartender for another.

“What’s the real issue there anyways baby? Do you think it will be different for us if they don’t work out? They have nothing to do with you and me, and I’ll admit, I’ll be pissed if he hurts my sister but he was my friend first too.”

"I don't really want to talk about it Lil." I said quietly, focusing on my drink again. I appreciated her asking, trying to figure out what was on my mind, what bugged me, only sometimes I didn't want to share all of it.

She gave me a long stare, "You never want to talk about it." She said slowly. Daring.

I rolled my eyes, "We're out, can't we just drink and have fun?" I suggested.

"If you keep drinking you'll end up saying something to Jax you'll regret instead." She pointed out, always so f.ucking stubborn sometimes, almost as bad as me.

"I don't understand how they can be so naive when theyre supposed to be responsible instead." I started, ""Theyre not 18 for f.uck's sake, they can't really believe you fall in love with a snap of your finger and that you'll be together forever."

"Baby, I understand your concern, but it's not really any of our business." She retorted, for once being the rational one. Shocking. "And whatever happens with them it won't ever affect us."

"Oh really? You'd never take your sister's side?" I spat back, ordering another drink because I was getting thirsty all of a sudden. "And don't you think that if I had to choose I'd be on Jax's side?"

"You're worrying for things that we don't even know will happen." Lila sighed, running her hands up my chest.

"I can't help it." I groaned and glanced at Jax, seeing red because I couldn't believe he was becoming the kind of guy who forgets about everything when he falls in love. I hadn't been like that with Karlie and I surely wasn't with Lila. I had always found time for my brother, and my friends too.

She sighed again, "Do you feel better at least? Now that you're letting it all now?"

"No." I said with a straight face, then broke into a smirk because she as cute. "Can we stop?"

Lila shrugged. “Can we fool around in the girls bathroom?” She asked, smirking because really she was only half joking.

“Just fool around?” I asked, my grin turning wicked as my eyes travme him into a kiss that she probably should have saved for when we were alone.

I didn't mind at all, in fact my hands were tangling in her hair and gripping tight as I used the leverage to pull her head back and deeper into our kiss.

“Ugh. Seriously?” Jax' voice interrupted us.

Lil pulled away to look down at him. “What?” She asked, leaning into me as I tensed.

“I’m pretty sure there’s a no dry humping rule here." He teased back, completely unaware of how angry he was making me.

“It’s a club Jax. I’m pretty sure not dry humping is weird.” She pointed out.

“Jax!” A hot raven haired girl ran up to the bar and Jax turned a smile towards her that made Lil tense.

“Hi….” He said slowly.

“Karen.” She said, filling in his blank, but looking offended. Oh how many times I had seen a scene like this. “You never called me….”

“Sorry….”

Lil moved out of my hold to intervene but I pulled her back. “Let him get out of his own messes.” I said softly, my hands reaching up to tuck her hair back.

“Whatever.” She muttered with a little cute pout on her lips.

“So do you want to dance?” She asked as a last attempt.

“I’ll dance with you beautiful.” Ryan said, grabbing her hands and pulling her into his body.

“Oh!” She looked back at Jax as if this was some kind of payback to standing her up. “Sorry.” She said, laughing her drunk ass off.

Jax shrugged and pulled out his phone.

“Text her one more fucking time why don’t you?” I finally growled.

“What?” Jax looked up.

“What is she going to leave you if you’re not in contact with her every waking moment?” I went on.

“Um. That was Adam. He wanted to know if I was still coming to dinner on Sunday.” He said slowly, trying to figure me out.

“Sure.” I mumbled and I didn't even fully believe him. I also wondered if he'd be at our usual dinner or he'd skip again.

“What the fuck is your problem?” Jax asked finally.

“Hey Perrie want to dance?” Matt asked, having the worst timing ever and not noticing that we were this close to fight.

“Um. Yeah, sure.” She said quickly, her face flushing as he pulled her to the dance floor.

I ignored my brother completely because I was sober enough to know that this was not the time, let alone the place, to talk to my him. I was so mad that I honestly didn't know if I could talk to him at all without saying things I could regret later. "Let's go home Lil." I said to my girl, grabbing her hand and intertwining my fingers tight with hers.

She opened her mouth to speak, blinking, "But-"

"Maybe she doesn't want to go home just yet." Jax cut her off, doing two of the things that annoyed me the most. One was cutting people off and the other was not minding his own damn business.

"If she doesn't want to she'll let me know, she doesn't need you to speak for her." I spat to my brother, hating that now Lil was between us. I firmly believed that just as some things had to stay between me and my brother others had to stay between me and my girlfriend.

"I don't know, that sounded like an order." He said back, picking probably the worst word in the whole world. If he had told me that in a different way when we were alone? I might have considered it. But now, it only p.issed me off more, as if I needed it.

I took a step closer to look into his eyes, "Think about your girlfriend, I think about mine." I said between clenched teeth.

"Trav." Lil said softly, her hand landing gently on my chest as she stepped between me and my brother. She looked up into my eyes and didn't need to say anything else.

"I think about my girlfriend just fine." Jax added instead, out of his f.ucking mind apparently.

"Every f.ucking minute." I commented bitterly, then tugged at Lila's hand but just when I was ready to leave with her he stopped me, his hand on my shoulder. "Jax, you don't want to fight with me, trust me."

He dropped his hand and moved his gaze to Lil. "What the f.uck is wrong with him tonight?!"

"I'm not going to answer that, if he wants you to know he's going to tell you." She said quietly, patiently, still holding my hand tight.

"Leave her out of this." I added seriously, shooting him a glare.

"Talk Trav! I don't understand why you're being so damn impossible tonight." He retorted, his eyes back to me.

I let out a laugh, "I'm surprised you even took time to notice my mood really. You're here but you spent the whole f.ucking time glued to your damn phone as if you're a teenager who's going to die if he doesn't talk to his girl for five minutes. You don't go out that much with us anymore, maybe you should not come with us at all if all you're going to do is ignore us and text Colbie all night."

"Do you have a problem with Colbie?" He almost jumped to my throat.

"No but I have a problem with my brother forgetting the rest of his life just because she's your girlfriend now," I said eventually even if there was much more than that. It was more specific, and about how he had cut me out of his life completely when I had never done it before, not even for Lila.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Jax said so seriously that I raised my brows at my brother.

“No?”

“No. I’m here aren’t I?”

“Barely.”

“Oh I’m sorry that I want to talk to my girlfriend. Not everyone has one who makes up her own schedule.”

I took a menacing step towards Jax but Lila got there first. Honestly, I didn't know what was worse.

“Excuse me?” She said sharply. “Did you just insult me?”

Jax was at least smart enough to look sorry as he sighed. “No. Lil…”

“First of all? Screw you for even bringing me into this. Secondly? Colbie own’s a fucking company so she actually does make up her own schedule and your insult doesn’t even hold water.”

“But-“

“But what? Own up to your mistakes Jax, you’ve been ignoring everyone for your new girl. Grow up!” She turned to me as I was looking back at her with a mix of annoyance and amusement. “And you!” She started.

“What-“ I started but she cut me off, making the amusement go away and the annoyance kick in full force.

“If you want to spend more time with Jax then you should just tell him that.” She said.

“Lila.” He said seriously.

“Do I need to call your parents? Or maybe the principal of your elementary school?” She looked between the two of us.

“Look.” Jax started. “I didn’t notice I was so lost up in Colbie. I love her.”

“Okay.” I said, but I was speechless. I was also full of words for Lila but I didn't know what to say to my brother. I wanted to kick his face.

“I don’t know what to do, I have to make time for her and for Will around both their schedules and mine and being alone with her is even harder.”

“And?” I said, my arms crossing against my chest.

“And what? You can be mad at me if you want, but I’m doing this blind.” He admitted.

“This isn’t the place Jax.” I added.

“Okay. So let’s go to somewhere it is the place. I don’t want you to be mad at me Trav, it’s only fun when you’re pissed at everyone else.” Jax joked, so much like him.

Unfortunately for him though, it wasn't helping. I was in no mood to joke, I was still too mad and speechless to even talk. I shook my head, "Not tonight." I said shortly, and got a glare from Lil so I looked at her, "Stop." I ordered, her eyes widening.

"Hey Trav, don't take it out on Lil." Jax said quietly.

"You really have to nerve to tell me not to involve her when you were the first one dragging her in our fight?" I retorted.

"I'm sorry Lil." He told her and I could tell he meant it, it was into her eyes and in the tone of his voice.

She offered a small smile, keeping her eyes on him. I was sure I wouldn't get the same treatment later but then again I wasn't going to say sorry because I had done nothing wrong. "I know." She paused as her face got more serious, "Try not to have anything more to be sorry about."

"Yeah I'll try." He nodded, then his phone rang. AGAIN. I stared at him, daring him to take the call or the text or whatever that was when we were in the middle of our conversation. "Trav?" He shot me a questioning look that didn't need many words.

I shook my head again, "If I talk to your right now I'm going to say things I'm going to regret so maybe another night this week, if you'll find the time." I ended the sentence a little bitterly, but hey, that was how I was.

He sighed, "Damn you're stubborn." He said flatly, "But okay. I'm going to get a drink someone want one too?"

"Just a moment, I have to talk to Lil for a second." I said back and felt her eyes on me as soon as my brother got lost towards the bar. I turned to Lila, stared down at her and spanked her a.ss hard.

"Ouch! Trav!" She protested, staring back at me with wide eyes and giving me a confused look. "What was that for?!"

"I didn't like how you cut me off first and talked to me then." I explained seriously.

"So what you're pushing me now?!" She spat and I could tell it would take a nothing to p.iss her off.

"No, I just wanted to spank you." I answered and let out a breath, wrapping my arms around her and buring my face against her neck, "I'm tired of fighting Lil. I'm exhausted." I confessed, showing her the vulnerability I didn't even accept myself sometimes.

Lila ran her hands up my chest and around my neck, while I waited for her words. “I don’t want to fight with you baby.” She said seriously. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

I pulled back. Had I heard her right? “Really?” I asked, surprised because I hadn't thought she would have understood me.

“Yes. He’s acting silly. But I think it’s because he never got to act silly like this before. Most people get this out of the way a long time ago.”

“Did you?” I asked, raising a brow since we both knew she’d never loved any man before me.

“Kind of.” She shrugged. “It was puppy love with me and Riley in high school, I definitely ignored my family and friends to be with him because it was new and exciting to have his attention.” I made a face and thanked god that she wasn't like that now, with me, as she laughed. “Hey you asked.”

“I didn’t do that with you.” I pointed out, it was something I considered a good thing.

“We’re both pretty independent people baby. Plus it’s not like we were a normal couple in the beginning, but come on didn’t Adam go nuts over Liz in the beginning?”

“They were in high school it’s different.”

“That’s kind of my point baby. But that doesn’t excuse him. He’s being ridiculous and honestly so is Colbie. They’re adults…..I’m worried their puppy love will blow up in their faces.” She admitted, for once being on my same page.

“Yeah.” I nodded, looking over to Jax, who at least wasn’t texting as of now. I felt a sting of pain mixed with a little guilt. I didn't want to put any distance between me and my brother and maybe, even if I was right, I was doing things in the wrong way.

“Let’s go home Trav…I want to ignore everyone for my man.” She slipped her hands under my button down and pressed against the skin against my abdomen.

“Hmmm. I guess we can….” I trailed off and she leaned in, nipping at my neck.

“I’ll let you spank me again.” She whispered, her body shivering at the thought.

“You’re a hell of a negotiator.” I smirked, my hands grabbing her ass and pulling her harder into my body.

“I learn from the best.”