all we need is somebody to lean on

Tara;

I finished whipping the cream before adding half of it to the melted chocolate to end the mousse I wanted to serve with an almond crumble and fresh raspberries. It wasn't my usual spectacular dessert but something more simple that fit the occasion of a barbecue with family and friends. John had to take care of the barbecue and I had to take care of everything else but I didn't mind it, I actually loved it, and I also loved the silence of the kitchen while all the guests were already out in the garden.
I lifted my eyes from the mousse just in time to catch Caleb walking into the kitchen dressed in causal clothes and looking as handsome as usual. I smiled at him immediately. "Oh you came just in time."
He shot me a confused look, "In time for what? For making you stop hiding in the kitchen?" He smirked at me.
I shook my head as I grinned back at him, "Nope." I dipped a teaspoon into the mousse and pointed it to him, "Tell me how it is."
He accepted it, even licking his lip as he looked into my eyes. "Yum." Was his response that made me smile wide.
 

Travis;

"Are you sure it's okay I didn't bring anything?" Lila asked me as we made our way into Tara's house, looking both excited and a little nervous too.
I squeezed her hand as I smirked, "Yes, Tara said she already had everything and all you had to bring was your amazing boyfriend."
She bit back a grin, eyeing me, "Would that be you?" She asked and I nodded as we followed voices. "Is that your cousin?" She whispered, following me along the corridor that led to the kitchen.
"Yep." I nodded, watching Tara feeding a tall blond man.
"Damn her boyfriend looks a lot like Adam." Lila commented, still whispering.
I shot her a side glance, "That's not her boyfriend. And I don't see the resemblance at all."
"Seriously?" Lila shook her head as if I needed a pair of eyeglasses. "Why isn't he her boyfriend he's hot." I smirked at me, only making me roll my eyes.
"Travis!" Tara smiled sweetly and ran up to hug me tightly.
I kissed her cheek and smiled back at her, genuinely happy to see her. "Hey little one." I smiled. "This is my girlfriend Lila. Lil this is Tara."
Instead of holding out her hand she scooped Lil into a hug too which she gave her back. "It's so nice to meet the girl who tamed Travis."
Lil laughed and squeezed my hand. "There's no one who can do that trust me." She admitted, making Tara laugh.
"Oh I like you already. Do you want something to drink?"

Tara;

"You're super handsome." Lila said seriously to Caleb as we approached him. "Who are you?"
"God you're a flirt woman." Travis shook his head as he grabbed a beer from the cooler.
"I'll never turn down a compliment from a gorgeous girl." Caleb winked and reached out her hand. "I'm Caleb. John is my cousin."
"John is your boyfriend." Lila turned to me as I nodded and pointed over towards the grill where he was laughing with his younger cousin. "Which one? The older one or the younger one?"
"Older. The oldest of old." Caleb replied and laughed while Lila sighed.
"Older guys are the best." She smirked and I laughed while Lila leaned in to kiss Travis in a way that made me a little jealous. They look so happy together, so perfect for each other and so in love.
"The ones who should get a room are Travis and Lila. Travis is my cousin." I pointed out and they pulled away from each other, Lila's face pink as she laughed at something Travis whispered to her.
"I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself back." She laughed. "It's nice to meet you."
"You as well." Caleb grinned, amused at Trav's girlfriend.
"Holy shit." His sister's voice came loud as she walked up to us. "There's a hot guy at this party I'm not related to."
"How drunk are you? It's not even 1." Caleb glared at Hailey.
"Shut up buzz kill." She stuck her tongue out as I laughed.
"Sorry Hailey, he's taken."
Hailey grinned. "Yeah I saw that but I can still look right?"
"Look away." Travis smirked at the girl and Lila rolled her eyes.
"And you say I'm the flirt." She shook her head.
"Because you are." Trav pointed out, shrugging as he took a sip of beer.
"Aren't you jealous?" I asked to my cousin who shook his head, so I looked at Lila with a brow raised.
She sighed, "No he's not." She paused and even pouted a little, leaning against his side, "It's almost disappointing."
Caleb chucked, "If he was you'd complain anyway. You can never win with girls." He commented in a teasing voice.
"Amen to that." Travis smirked back at him while Lila just rolled her eyes.
"You're such a man." Hailey glared at his brother, punching his arm but he didn't even flinch.
I grinned to myself because it was all relaxed and amusing, exactly like I had been wishing this day go. I didn't have to forget about my duties as host though. "I agree on that one but I need the kitchen all for myself, all outside please." I waved them away.
"Don't you need help?" Lila offered and I appreciated it.
"Ha." Travis commented sarcastically, getting a deserved glare from her that went away as soon as he wrapped his arm around her and led her outside where the rest of the guests were.
I grabbed Caleb by his elbow, "Hey not you! I need you here instead." I told him softly.
He turned to me, blinking, "Really?"
"Yes really." I looked up into his eyes, breaking the little contact between us and wondering why he was alone today. "You're my official tester, remember?"

Travis;

"That's awesome." This Hailey girl said to Lila as she explained what she did for a living while I barely listened and eyed the people crowding the wide open space. I stopped on the tall man I knew was Tara's boyfriend even if I had never seen him in person before. He was standing next to the barbecue, talking to someone, laughing.
"That's my cousin." The petite broke into my thoughts, following my eyes.
"So that's Tara's boyfriend right?" Lila asked, doing the math herself. Then gave me a look that I couldn't read. Girls.
"Yeah, he has good taste in women. She's cute and she cooks." Hailey winked at Lila.
I smirked. "If only I had half that taste." I whispered and she turned to glare at me.
"Are you saying I'm not cute?" She asked, narrowing her eyes even though she knew it wasn't going to make any difference.
"You're cute." I agreed.
"Then you have exactly half that taste." She replied, laughing at her own joke. "And shut up I can too cook."
"You're learning." I laughed and kissed the top of her head. She still had a lot to learn but the fact that she wanted to was already great.
"You're lucky you're hot enough to get away with teasing her like that." Hailey laughed and Lila smirked before agreeing.
"It's true. I never listen to anything he says I'm just with him for his looks."
"Ahh my girl wants to get spanked later." I said under my breath.
"Always." She agreed, a mischevious smile playing on her face.

Tara;

"I should just put you on my payroll for this." I laughed as I fed him once again.
"Official taste tester? I'm not much help I think everything is fantastic."
"Then you'll just be official ego booster." I laughed as I looked out the window where his sister was laughing with my cousins girlfriend. "They're cute together."
"How old is she?" He asked, tilting his head to the side.
"I don't know. 23,24?" I shrugged. "Does it matter?"
"Just seems like an odd fit."
I pinned him down with a glare. "Look me in the eye and tell me you've never slept with a 23 year old."
He laughed. "When I was 23 I did." He smirked back, being silly because I was sure he did even now.
"Smartass" I laughed and hit him with a towel. "Age doesn't matter, it's about connections."
"That sounds very deep." He teased.
"I've always dated older men." I shrugged.
"How many are we talking about here?" He asked with a brow raised.
"Oh you can't count them on one hand. Not on two or three either." I said seriously but as soon as I made eye contact with Caleb I broke into a wide grin, "Cheer up Caleb, I was teasing!"
"But I was serious." He muttered.
I wiped my hands on my apron, smiling at him. "Let's say three. And one was when I was 18 and he was 23 so I don't know if that counts really, he was still young."
He stared me a moment, "Does that number include John?" He asked eventually as if he was thinking a lot about it and I found it oddly amusing or amusingly odd. Maybe both.
"Yes it does." I shook my head to myself, still grinning wide, "You don't have to worry for John, I'm a good girl." I added and winked at him before putting the mousse and the rest of the dessert in the fridge. "Help me?" I asked, turning around and pointing at the knot of my apron which was a little top tight.
"Sure." He said simply and I felt his body irradiating heat behind me, his hand pushing my hair away from my neck and his finger tips brushing against my skin as he undid the knot. "Are you cold?" He asked when I shivered.
"No, it was you." I answered candidly, taking my apron off and setting it on a chair.

Travis;

"So Tara told me you work in finance." John said to me, keeping his eyes on the meat as he grilled it nonchalantly, his pose relaxed but still controlled. I was studying him closely.
"Yes, that's right, I work for Apple." I replied shortly, not giving away too much information because it just was how I was. "Tara didn't tell me much about you." I added, more to test him than anything.
He laughed at my words, not touched even a little. "That's my girl. She doesn't like talking too much." He didn't even give me time to comment that and turned to my girl, "What about you Lila?"
"I'm an artist." Lila smiled at the man.
"An artist and a finance guy? How does that work?" He joked and Lila chuckled as Tara brought out two handfuls of desserts.
"I bet the same way a baker and a lawyer works." She teased her man as Lila set her hands on her hips.
"I told you I'd help. I might not be much of a baker but I could have brought things out for you."
"Don't worry I have some help." Caleb was right behind her with his own handful, setting them on the big serving table one by one and looked like her personal slave to be honest, a willingly one too.
"I'm going to be fat after this meal." Lila said only half joking because we'd burn all those calories later.
"Ahh then my work is done." Tara winked at her.
"When are we actually eating?!" A tall man who looked as young as Lila walked up, running his hand through his light brown hair and winking when he saw her. "You're pretty."

Tara;

"God Jaden." Caleb rolled his eyes at his brother who held up his hands as Lila laughed.
"I only speak the truth big brother. Are you telling me she's not pretty?" He questioned.
"Why didn't either of you bring dates?" I asked. "You're both good looking with good jobs there are plenty of women who would come to a barbecue with you.
"Um. I don't introduce women to the family." Jaden said. "Then they start wanting way more than I'm willing to give them."
Hailey glared at Jaden. "Men like you are the reason I'm still single."
Jaden grinned. "You're damn right. Because this man will kick the ass of anyone who thinks he's good enough for you."
"I'm so glad I don't have sisters." Travis chuckled, finally spaking which meant he was done studying everyone. For now.
"You'd make a good brother." I told him, leaning into John just so slightly as he set his hand on my hip.
"It's hard to have sisters. It's hard dealing with girls in general, even worse if they're you're blood." Caleb pointed out, making a face.
Hailey set her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes on Caleb. "Are you talking about me?"
"Yes he is and I agree." Jaden grinned at his sister while I bit back a grin, amused by the way the guys were picking on their sister even though to be honest Caleb looked so serious. But then again, he always did.
"Just ignore them." I suggested her.
"My brothers are just the same if not worse." Lila sighed, shooting her a supporting look.
Travis made a face but didn't say anything. That was interesting. "Did you have many?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Don't make her start she could go on about her brothers for days." My cousin finally spoke, not being so wise anymore apparently.
"You know what we girls should leave them alone for a while so that they can miss us." I suggested cheerfully, saving Travis ass. I was also curious to know his girlfriend more though.
John, pulled me towards him, kissing behind my ear, "I always miss you." He whispered to me, making me blush because I knew what he was talking about. I pulled away eventually and headed to the kitchen, the girls following me.
"Do you think all the food will be safe with them?" Hailey laughed.
"Probably not, but I want a margarita." I smiled.
Lila clapped her hands. "Yum." She grinned.
"So does your hot boyfriend not get along with your brothers?" Hailey asked, plopping herself down on the bar stool next to Lila.
She shrugged. "Well I have 5 brothers." She started slowly.
Both me and Hailey gaped at her. "5!?"
She nodded. "Yup."
"Holy shit how did you ever get a boyfriend at all?" Hailey laughed. "I thought I had issues with two."
Lila laughed, but didn't seem too bothered instead. I bet Travis was more stubborn than that, not even 5000 brothers could stop him from what he wanted. "Travis has only met one of them. Reece is a cop." She added.
I shook my head as Hailey cracked up. "Bad luck." I smirked. "Why hasn't he met the rest of your family?"
Lila licked her lips, while I realized it was a touchy subject. "He's met my sister Colbie." She admitted. "And he coaches her son Will.....but I'm kind of worried about what will happen if he meets everyone."
"Are your brothers single?" Hailey asked her, changing the subject.
"Every single one of them." She laughed.
"Are they hot?" Hailey asked and Lil made a face but then pulled out her phone to show her a family photo. "Oh my god." Hailey widened her eyes at the photo.
"Yeah." Lila nodded as she laughed.
"One of these guys looks familiar." She pointed to Derrick and Lil smiled.
"That's Derrick. He's an actor. You know that show Real Order?"
Hailey and I nodded. "Oh my god he's Detective McKenna!"
"Yup. But enough about me." She waved us off. "Why are you still single?" She smirked at Hailey and she sighed.
"I have no fucking idea. I'm so cute!"
Lila and I laughed. "How long have you and John been dating?" Lila asked.
"About a year and a half." I said, doing the math in my head.
"He's very handsome." Lila replied, grumbling when Hailey made a face.
"Eww."
"You were just trying to get with all six of my brothers!" Lila laughed back at her.
"If you wanted to hook up with my brothers I'd let you. I just don't want to hear about it."
Lila and I laughed again as I poured very light mararitas into glasses and handed them to the girls. "I would date your brothers. Caleb is so hot." Lila admitted. "You know if I wasn't already dating the hottest man alive." She shrugged.
"You think Caleb is hot?" I asked, my eyes flicking up to her quickly.
She nodded as she sipped the drink. "Duh. Don't you?"
"I don't." Hailey raised her hand. "This is delicious."
"He's hot." Lila nodded. "Tell me you wouldn't climb him like a tree if you weren't single." She teased me and even if I had never thought about it? I probably would.

Travis;

"What do you think they're talking about?" Caleb asked me and John while Jaden started texting on his phone.
"I think they were getting drinks." John shrugged.
"Knowing my girl she's probably questioning them about the men in their lives." I chuckled.
"Women." John shook his head. "How long have you and Lila been together?"
"Depends on when you qualify it as being together." I shrugged as my face scrunched up in thought. "I guess a year or so, a little more probably."
"She looks like a spitfire that one." John winked at me.
Caleb scowled at him, making it clear how different he was from his cousin. "Dude."
I laughed, not bothered at all. "No, he's right about that." I nodded.
"She seems like a nice girl." Caleb added.
Jaden came off his phone. "Who's a nice girl?" He grinned.
I smiled automatically, "My Lila." I replied and Jaden whisled long and low.
"Nice is an understatement man. If I had a girl like that I might reconsider the single life." He teased. "She got a sister?"
I nodded, holding back a groan. I had nothing against Colbie but I had a lot against the way my brother was with her. "She does. She's taken though."
Jaden sighed dramatically. "All the ones who are worth it are." He shaked his head. "Like your Tara." He nodded over to John.
"Yeah I'm pretty lucky." He grinned and I got the vibe that he took his girl for granted.
"Yes you are." Caleb said seriously.
I moved my eyes to him, now for the first time seeing the slight resemblance with my oldest brother. "My cousin is one of a kind." I commented quietly, "You single?"
"Yeah." He nodded, but looked lost in his thoughts, his face getting even a little cloudy. Damn Lila's influence made me read people's faces.
"Divorced actually." Jaden corrected, making a face.
A groan left Caleb, who looked at his brother as if he wanted to strangle him. "Thank you for reminding me."
"His ex wife was...well, is, a lot to handle." John explained to me, once again giving me a weird feeling. Maybe it was just because I didn't know him and I was, for nature, not too prone to trust people, mostly the one I just met. Caleb looked more solid though.
"That's why I intend to stay single." Caleb added in a mutter.
"Cheer up cousin." John offered him a freshly open beer, which he accepted with a sigh.
"I thought I'd stay single too, until I met Lila." I confessed, looking at him.
"Same for me, until I met Tara." John added.
Caleb seemed slightly annoyed, even if his face was basically a mask. "Because you don't have an ex wife." He retorted.
"Everyone has a past, it's all about finding a girl who's better for your future." I shrugged nonchalantly, thinking about how proud Lila would be if he heard me right now.
"You can make the club of wise old men." Jaden cut into the conversation, making the moment lighter and making us laugh, "Is your bike that one?" He asked me, pointing to my baby.
"Yep." I nodded, grinning like an idiot because I was in love, "It's kind of new, I tested it on my way here."
"And Lila didn't complain?" John asked, "Tara would hate it."
"Lila knew what she was getting herself into when we started dating." I shook my head, then raised a brow, "And I don't know about Tara, she never protested whenever I took her on my bike when we were younger." I added, wondering if this John really knew my cousin or if he was missing something. Or if she kept some parts of herself from him.

Tara;

"You should come tomorrow. The house is amazing." Lila told me, sporting a cute excited face that made her really look young.
Hailey pouted, "Am I invited too?"
"Of course!" She giggled then turned serious, "No maybe tomorrow's not a good idea. The house is empty."
I laughed, "Maybe you should ask Travis first."
She shrugged, "I have my ways to convince him anyway." She smirked and I sighed, wishing I still had a way to convince John. I would have so many things to convince him about. Like staying with me more.
"He looks so hot." Hailey pointed out seriously.
Lila turned to me, "What was that sigh for?" She asked, surprising me since I didn't even think she'd notice.
"Nothing." I forced a smile.
"She's lying." Hailey said flatly.
"I never lie!" I protested since it wasn't really the case, getting back a questioning look, "We don't have much time to sexy time lately."
Hailey covered her ears with her hands, making a face, "Oh my god I don't want to hear that but it didn't sound good anyway."
Lila looked at me wide eyed instead, "Really?!"
I shrugged nonchalantly, not wanting to make of it a big deal, "We have bad timing and we work a lot."
"...You're both home at the same time today!" Lila pointed out.
"With half our families here." I laughed at her, tempted to point out that this was not a normal day too.
She shrugged. "We wont stay forever." She smirked.
I pursed my lips. "You're just suggesting I jump him as soon as everyone leaves?"
"I'm about to leave now." Hailey groaned.
Lila laughed at her but turned back to me eventually. "Why the hell not?"
"Maybe." I bit down on my lip, guessing that maybe she was right. Maybe I had to try harder.
"My margarita is gone." Hailey announced, changing the subject as she poured herself another. "And we've left the men alone by themselves long enough."
"Can I help?" Caleb had peeked his head in as I grabbed the pitcher and a bunch of cups.
"No it's okay I've got it." I smiled at him, always appreciating how caring he was.
"Just making sure." He smiled down at me as he always did as I walked through the door, out to the patio where John was grilling with the other guys.
Hailey followed me while Lila stayed back.
As soon as I joined the guys I almost regretted it, since bike talking was not my thing. But it was Travis', and while I'd probably stop him in any other circumstance I couldn't now when he was bouding to Caleb's brother who looked overly excited.
"I'm going to get my phone, I left it in my purse." Hailey winked at me, then nodded at John who seemed so focused on grilling, as if his life dipended on it. He did everything so seriously.
I wrapped my arm around his neck to get his attention, "Baby." I said softly.
He turned his face to me with that smirk that always got me, made me forget all the bad. "Are you having fun?" He asked.
I nodded and bit down on my lip before leaning in, "I can't wait to have fun with you when everyone's gone." I whispered into his ear before pulling back and see him grin wider. And naughtier.
"You just made me really impatient too." He muttered as he pulled me closer again for a kiss.
"Where did you leave my girl?" Travis' voice ruined the moment.
"Try inside." I sighed at him, but when I looked back at John, the sparkle was gone already.

Travis;

"There you are." I grumbled as I wandered into the kitchen and looked between Lila and Caleb. He looked like shit What a talented girlfiend I had. "What did she say to you?" I asked, getting worried because Lila had the tendency to be nosy and it could be a problem with people we didn't even know really.
"Nothing I didn't know already." He replied, giving a little shake of his head to Lila who nodded back at him.
"I'm sorry." She mouthed before turning to me. "I'm starving."
"I'm going to check on John and the grill." Caleb said already ready to head outside.
I stopped him, "What did she tell you?" I asked him again.
He just shook his head, "Nothing important." He said back and with that he disappeared.
I raised one eyebrow at my girlfriend as she wrapped her arms around me, "What did you say?" I asked for the untempth time, getting tired already, "I'm not asking you again." I added, looking down at her.
"That he's falling for Tara." She said with a satisfied smirk on her pink lips. But I wasn't on that page.
"Christ Lila." I groaned, rolling my eyes. "Can't I leave you alone for ten minutes and expect you not to break couples?"
She didn't seem even touched by my annoyance, she seemed really proud of herself instead. "I didn't do anything! I only pointed out what was obvious to me."
I shook my head, wanting to hit it against a wall instead, "You're crazy. You're seeing things that don't even exist."
"He didn't deny." She protested with a shrug.
"For fuck's sake Lila." I muttered under my breath as I dragged her out, but far from the rest of people where. I lit a cigarette. "Even if you're right, it's not any of my business."
"You're making a big deal out of it, but it's nothing." She shrugged again, rubbing her stomach. "And if it's something...well, we'll see."
I looked at the amused grin on her face, "I'm so glad you think this is so funny."
"Oh please, you like that Caleb more than you like John." She pointed out and it was her turn to roll her eyes.
"I don't know them enough to like one more than the other." I retorted, inhaling a drag of smoke.
"Ha!" She only smirked wider, "Nice try Trav. As if I didn't know how much the first impression affects your judgement."
"It doesn't or you wouldn't be my girlfriend." I said back flatly, basically lying because she was right but I wasn't going to tell her.
"Sure baby." She faked a serious expression that didn't last long, "I'm going to get some food while you finish smoking that disgusting cigarette."
"I'm this close to spank you." I threatened her but I was smirking like an idiot because she was being so feisty. Just like the first time.
She widened her eyes in mock shock, "Really?!" She broke into a laugh before walking over the grill.
I shook my head to myself, keeping my eyes on her as I kept smoking. "I like her." Tara's voice broke me out of my daze.
I turned to her with a smile on her face, "I'm sure the feeling is mutual. You're both hard not to like."

Tara;

I nudged him playfully, "Since when you're so nice?" I asked him, "Let me guess. Since Lila happened."
He sighed, "Maybe."
"You look happy." I pointed out, studying his face which showed signs of tiredness too, but mostly he looked really peaceful.
"I am." He said back, pausing to take a drag, "Are you?"
I shrugged nonchalantly, debating telling him the truth since we had always been kind of close. But was it a good idea to tell him how I really felt with my boyfriend just on the other side of the backyard? No. "I'm fine." I answered cryptically.
"You deserve more than fine." He pointed out seriously.
"Don't act like a big brother, it doesn't fit you." I teased him, stealing his cigarette and inhaling deeply. God.
"Oh I think it does instead." He said back but he was giving me that sweet smile mixed with his mischevious grin that he used only with people he cared about. "Did you start smoking again?" He asked.
I shook my head, "No, it's just you being a very bad influence." I grinned as I puffed the smoke out.
"Is everything with John okay or...I don't know, you're starting to look around for a new boyfriend?" He asked me, the question an odd one.
"Uh...no? You know me Trav, if I'm in a relationship I'm 100% committed." I answered back seriously.
"I thought so too. I'm glad you didn't change." He said and wrapped his arm around my shoulder to kiss my temple.
"Since when you smoke?!" Caleb interrupted us, looking at me wide eyed.
"Since I'm a bad influence." Travis winked at me before walking towards Lila and leaving me alone with Caleb.
I let out a sigh, "He is really. I don't smoke anymore." I said before putting out the cigarette.
"You know those will kill you." Caleb pointed out, calling after Travis.
He smirked back at him. "You sound like my girlfriend."
Caleb laughed and ran his hands through his hair. "You have a smart girlfriend." He paused, lost in a thought. "She's younger than us right?"
"Sometimes she is. Sometimes she isn't." Travis admitted, making both Caleb and I laugh before he walked away.
"I like them." Caleb said seriously and I couldn't help being a little excited about that. I didn't necessarily care about what people think about me or my family, but if they liked them? It was better.
"Me too." I smiled, reaching up and running my thumb over his lower lip.
"What-"
"You had some chocolate on your mouth." I laughed at his wide eyed expression. "Occupational hazzard for being my taste tester I guess." I shrugged.
"Oh." Was all he said.

Travis;

"Are you guys coming?" Lila asked, "John won't give me a burger until everyones here."
"That's silly." Tara laughed and rushed out with her.
"Do you even eat burgers?" Caleb teased her. "You look too tiny."
"I'm taking that as a compliment." She grinned. "You look so much like Travis' brother." She said seriously, of course speaking her mind because it was just how she was.
"Oh? Is he incredibly handsome as well?" Caleb asked, a smirk forming on his serious face.
"Oh definitley. Though he has 2 kids, so he also has that hot dad thing going for him." Lila said back.
Caleb's whole face scrunched up. "Two kids?" He shook his head. "That would mean we are nothing alike."
"You don't want kids?" She asked Caleb who shrugged.
"Not right now."
"Oh I do." Hailey sighed. "I want like 7."
Jaden gaped at his sister. "Dear god Hailey seven!?"
"That's a lot." I pointed out, making a face.
John laughed, "You can barely take care of yourself." He teased her.
She didn't seem bothered, "Because I'm young and reckless." She flipped her hair back.
"Yes right you still have time to change your mind." Caleb smirked at his sister.
"So do you." She retorted, narrowing her eyes on him.
"I think seven is too may really." Lila made a face, "And I know that because my family's real big."
"Maybe you should introduce me your brothers so that I can hear their opinion too." Hailey faked a straight face that didn't last long.
Caleb turned to Lila, "Please don't." He paused, "I'm saying that in your brothers' interest."
We all laughed at that, and I was suprised that the man, who seemed so serious, knew how to joke too. I wasn't the only one noticing it. Tara...no. Lila's odd ideas were poisoning my judgment.
"How many do you want instead?" John asked me, bringing me out of my thoughts.
I tensed. Then relaxed. I didn't have to tell him anything, he was Tara's boyfriend but he was just a stranger to me. "No idea." I retorted shortly.
Lila had to notice something, because she changed the subject quickly, "Are we going to eat or what?!"
"Go sit at the table, I'm going to get the food." John almost ordered and I was this close not to like him. He was too full of himself and I had no idea of what my cousin saw in him, looks aside.

Tara;

"Do you need help baby?" I offered, smiling at him and setting my hand on his hard chest.
"Yes but not from you." He grinned at me as he pressed a kiss on my mouth. Quick. Too quick. "Jaden, come with me."
He sighed but followed him anyway. Like everyone always did.
"Finally, I'm so hungry." Lila pouted as we walked to the table, she sat next to Travis, I sat next to her on her other side. And Caleb was on my right. I couldn't complain really.
"Are you hungry too?" I asked him, propping my elbow on the wooden table and smiling at him.
"For your food? Pretty much assume I'm always hungry."
Lila smirked as she shot Travis a significant look and sipped her margarita.
"Here we go!" John grinned as he set down all the meat in the middle of the table and Lila helped myself to a heaping load of potato salad and macaroni salad.
"Are you trying to outeat everyone?" Travis chuckled next to her.
"Mmm." She said as she swallowd a mouthful of salad. "I'm just building up my energy for later." She winked at him and Hailey groaned.
"Way to rub it in our faces." She pouted and Lila laughed as she passed her the garlic rolls.
"Like you couldn't get some if you wanted it." I teased which made John look at me with a weird look as Jaden and Caleb scrunched their faces.
"New subject." Jaden said "Let's talk about me getting some instead." He grinned.
"No." Caleb and John and Hailey all said at once.
"You all are too much for my girlfriend to handle." Travis smirked, clearly enjoying himself.
"I doubt it if she can handle you." I grinned and winked at Lila
She nodded. "I'm starting to like you better than him. Want to run away together?" She asked, making me laugh.
Jaden grinned. "Say yes. Do it."
"Hmm I dunno. Travis is growling at me and I've seen him mad." I shrugged while Lila turned to press a hard kiss against Trav's lips. They were so cute together and looked perfectly comfortable with each other. I was a little jealous, because I didn't think John and I were like them.
"Are you okay?" John asked, looking up at Caleb who was wearing a thoughtful face I wasn't able to read.
He blinked back at him. "Oh. Yes."
"I was asking about the wedding here next month." Hailey said, also looking at him.
"You can't come." Caleb said seriously.
"Why not?" Lila asked, her eyes widening.
"One of the players for the 49ers is getting married." He explained. "You're just trying to hook up with one of the teammates."
"Would it be so bad if I married a football star?!" Hails asked.
Jaden thought about it and shrugged. "Nah I think football star is actually a guy I'd be okay with you dating."
"Jaden." Caleb narrowed his eyes.
"What? We could get tickets to all the games for free."
"Because you're so hurting for cash." I laughed and Jaden grinned.
"I know. Good looking and successful. How do you resist me?" He winked.
"Are you sure you aren't the one related to Travis??" Lila asked Jaden as she laughed when her man poked her side. "Your egos are so similar." She laughed again.
"That's bad." I faked a serious face before breaking into a grin and winking at my cousin, who, to be honest, didn't look like he cared. That was so typicsl of him, he was too sure of himself to care about what other people thought. I wished I was a little more like him, just like I wished that my boyfriend was a little like him too. It wasn't like John wasn't self confident, the opposite actually, but having people thinking the same as he did was kind of part of his job so he had to spend time convincing them. I didn't like that he had to spend so much time talking them into agreeing with him.
"So you're not going to the wedding either?" Lila asked me, making me realize we were back to the wedding topic.
"Why should I?" I shrugged nonchalantly, "They're not my friends and no one invited me anyway."
"But she's coming to the reception." Caleb added hurriedly and made eye contact with me, "You are, right?"
Lila widened her eyes then shook her head, "I'm confused. Are you his date?" She asked innocently.
John wrapped his arm around me and pulled me against him, "As if I'd let him steal her from me." He joked and I was tempted to point out that lately I spent more time with Caleb than with him. But I didn't want to fight.
I ignored them both and looked at Travis instead, who was looking at me with a questioning and weird look on his face, "I work there." I explained to him, "Caleb mentioned my name for the cake so..." I trailed off.
"That's good." He nodded, shooting Lila a side glance.
"You didn't tell me you were working that weekend." John said quietly from behind me, but that tone? It was anything but quiet. It was only because we weren't alone.
"I did instead." I said back, turning to him and narrowing my eyes on me before regretting it, "Are you even going to be home?" I asked under my breath, not wanting everyone to hear me.
"No." He answered simply.
"So I don't see where the problem is." I said in a final tone before grabbing my beer and taking a long sip.

Travis;

Hailey glanced at me, breaking the brief silence that had fallen as we ate, "Lila invited us to your new home."
I glanced at my girl, raising one eyebrow, "Did she?" I asked.
She nodded but blushed a little, "Yes but only when it will be ready." She answered while I thought about it. It was weird, but I liked the idea of her inviting people over, it meant she felt that place as hers too.
"As long as Tara brings cake you can come whenever you want." I told Hailey, looking at Tara too who seemed a little off.
"We can throw an inauguration party!" Lila exclaimed, excitement showing in her voice. What had I done. "We have even have girls only weekends!"
"Can I come too?" Jaden asked, smirking and making us laugh. It was nice being with family after all, even if it wasn't yours.