too long to even think of a title

Caleb

I walked into the kitchen, getting away from my sister questioning me about the wedding I was hosting soon and found Tara stirring something. It was different to see her at her place cooking instead of the bakery, but it had the same effect on me. When she saw me she instantly smiled brightly.

"Oh you came just in time."

"In time for what? For making you stop hiding in the kitchen?" I smirked at her. She shook her head as she grinned back at me. 

"Nope." she dipped a teaspoon into the mousse and pointed it at me. "Tell me how it is." I took it quickly licking my lips and barely realizing what I was eating besides the fact that it was delicious.

"Yum." Her insant smile tugged at my chest and I resisted pushing back her hair.

Lila

"Are you sure it's okay I didn't bring anything?" I asked Trav as we made our way into his cousins house, feeling both excited and a little nervous to meet more of his family. Trav squeezed my hand and smirked at me.

"Yes, Tara said she already had everything and all you had to bring was your amazing boyfriend." I bit back a grin as I eyed him. He was wearing old jeans and a white t-shirt which was such a contrast from the suits he wore to work but the difference was sexy as hell. Then again I thought everything about him was so...

"Would that be you?" I asked and he nodded as we followed voices. "Is that your cousin?" I whispered, pointing towards the woman who was feeding something to a tall man who looked real familiar to me.

"Yep." he nodded.

"Damn her boyfriend looks a lot like Adam." I commented, still whispering.

"That's not her boyfriend. And I don't see the resemblance at all."

"Seriously?" I shook my head because it was all I could see. "Why isn't he her boyfriend he's hot." I smirked at Trav who rolled his eyes at me.

"Travis!" Tara smiled sweetly and ran up to hug my boyfriend tightly. He kissed her cheek and smiled back at her with a sweetness that reminded me of how he was with Poppy. He did have a soft spot for the pretty girls in his life.

"Hey little one." he smiled. "This is my girlfriend Lila. Lil this is Tara." Instead of holding out her hand she scooped me into a hug too which I gave her back. I liked her almost instantly. She didn't look like any of the Coles. She was petite and had long dark hair and beautiful hazel green eyes.

"It's so nice to meet the girl who tamed Travis." I laughed and squeezed my boyfriends hand.

"There's no one who can do that trust me." I admitted and she laughed with me.

"Oh I like you already. Do you want something to drink?"

Caleb

I watched as Tara enthusiastically greeted a tall blonde man and a tiny blonde woman. I guessed that was her cousin, though I didn't really see the resemblance. Before I could move to go talk to someone else Tara and the blonde woman were next to me.

"You're super handsome." The blonde beauty said seriously. "Who are you?"

"God you're a flirt woman." The man shook his head as he grabbed a beer from the cooler.

"I'll never turn down a compliment from a gorgeous girl." I winked and reached out my hand. "I'm Caleb. John is my cousin."

"John is your boyfriend." The girl turned to Tara who nodded and pointed over towards the grill where he was laughing with my brother. "Which one? The older one or the younger one?"

"Older. The oldest of old." I replied and laughed while the girl sighed.

"Older guys are the best." She smirked and Tara laughed while the blonde leaned in to kiss the man who seemed more bored than anything, until she kissed him anyways. Then he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her back like his life depended on it.

"The ones who should get a room are Travis and Lila. Travis is my cousin." They pulled away from each other, the blondes 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." I grinned amused at the tiny girl who seemed like such a strange fit for the serious man.

"Holy shi.t." My sisters 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." I glared at Hailey.

"Shut up buzz kill." I stuck my tongue out at my sister as Tara laughed.

"Sorry Hailey, he's taken." my sister 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." Travis pointed out, shrugging as she took a sip of beer.

 Lila

"Aren't you jealous?" Tara asked Travis who shook his head casually. She looked wary and glanced over at me. I just sighed.

"No he's not." I paused and even pouted a little, leaning against his side, "It's almost disappointing." Caleb chuckled.

"If he was you'd complain anyway. You can never win with girls."

"Amen to that." Travis smirked back at him while I just rolled my eyes.

"You're such a man." Hailey glared at Caleb, punching his arm but he didn't even flinch.

"I agree on that one but I need the kitchen all for myself, all outside please." Tara waved us away.

"Don't you need help?" I offered, though me helping a baker was almost laughable.

"Ha." Travis commented sarcastically, making me glare at him mostly because he could read my damn mind. He wrapped his arm around me and squeezed as he led me outside. 

**

"That's awesome." Hailey said as I told her my job and I felt Travis next to me, looking handsomely bored like he’d just stepped out of a GQ magazine.

"That's my cousin." Hailey said, noticing Travis glancing at the man by the barbecue, who was good looking, even if he was quite a bit older than the rest of the guys here. Then again I couldn’t really blame her for dating an older man could I?

"So that's Tara's boyfriend right?" I asked, looking over at Travis who basically shrugged with his eyes.

"Yeah, he has good taste in women. She's cute and she cooks." Hailey winked at me and Travis smirked.

"If only I had half that taste." He whispered and I turned to glare at him.

"Are you saying I'm not cute?" I asked, narrowing my eyes even though I knew it wasn't going to make any difference.

"You're cute." He agreed.

"Then you have exactly half that taste." I replied, laughing at my own joke. "And shut up I can too cook." Just because I didn't do it for a living didn't mean I wasn't getting better.

"You're learning." He laughed and kissed the top of my head.

"You're lucky you're hot enough to get away with teasing her like that." Hailey laughed and I 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." Travis said under his breath.

"Always." I agreed, a mischevious smile playing on my face.

Caleb

"I should just put you on my payroll for this." Tara laughed as she fed me something as equally delicious as the last.

"Official taste tester? I'm not much help I think everything is fantastic."

"Then you'll just be official ego booster." She laughed as she looked out the window where my sister was laughing with her cousins girlfriend. "They're cute together."

"How old is she?" I asked, tilting my head to the side.

"I don't know. 23,24?" Tara shrugged. "Does it matter?"

"Just seems like an odd fit." Tara pinned me down with a glare that could stop half the lawyers I knew.

"Look me in the eye and tell me you've never slept with a 23 year old." I laughed.

"When I was 23 I did." I smirked back, being silly since it fit the mood I was in. I was expecting to have to endure a day of watching John and Tara together but so far? I hadn't even seen them speak.

"Smartas.s" She laughed and hit me with a towel. "Age doesn't matter, it's about connections."

"That sounds very deep." I teased.

"I've always dated older men." She shrugged and something in my chest snapped like a rubber band pulled too tight.

"How many are we talking about here?" I asked with a brow raised.

"Oh you can't count them on one hand. Not on two or three either." She said so seriously it took me a second to realize she was kidding, "Cheer up Caleb, I was teasing!"

"But I was serious." I muttered. Tara wiped her hands on her apron as she smiled, looking totally in her element like she did when she was at her bakery.

"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."

"Does that number include John?" I asked, no idea why I was so interested in her romantic history. Because I was a glutton for punishment I guess.

"Yes it does." She nodded. "You don't have to worry for John, I'm a good girl." She winked before putting the mousse and the rest of the dessert in the fridge. "Help me?" she turned around and pointed at the knot at the back of her apron which was apparently a little too tight.

"Sure." I pushed her hair away from her neck, her skin feeling so fucking soft as I undid the knot and she shivered. "Are you cold?"

"No, it was you." She replied as if it was a totally normal thing to say. A totally normal thing that did not make my jeans feel uncomfortably tight.

Lila;

"So Tara told me you work in finance." John said to Trav, keeping his eyes on the meat as he grilled it nonchalantly, his pose relaxed but still obviously in control. Travis was looking at him very closely.

"Yes, that's right, I work for Apple." He replied shortly, not giving away too much information because it just was how he was. "Tara didn't tell me much about you." He added, and I could tell he was testing the man. Thank the lord Travis didn’t have any sisters and god help the man who eventually wanted to date his niece. John wasn’t affected though and laughed at his words.

"That's my girl. She doesn't like talking too much. What about you Lila?"

"I'm an artist." I smiled at the man. He was very handsome in a different way than I was used to. He seemed very easy going even if he was acting so focused on the task of grilling.

"An artist and a finance guy? How does that work?" He joked and I 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 I set my hands on my 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 as my mouth kept watering.

"I'm going to be fat after this meal." I said only half joking.

"Ahh then my work is done." Tara winked at me.

"When are we actually eating?!" A tall man not too much older than I was walked up, running his hand through his light brown hair and winking when he saw me. "You're pretty."

Caleb;

"God Jaden." I rolled my eyes at my 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, always able to turn things around on me.

"Why didn't either of you bring dates?" Tara 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 as.s of anyone who thinks he's good enough for you.

"I'm so glad I don't have sisters." Travis chuckled, surprising me because I hadn't even realized he was still listening. He should be a spy or something.

"You'd make a good brother." Tara said, leaning into John as his hands went around her hip.  

"It's hard to have sisters. It's hard dealing with girls in general, even worse if they're you're blood." I admitted, narrowing my eyes on Hailey who just gave me the same look right back.  

“Are you talking about me?"

"Yes he is and I agree." Jaden grinned at our sister and for once we were on the same page.

"Just ignore them." Tara suggested.

"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.

"Do you have many?" Tara asked, looking genuinely curious. She was so fu.cking nice. She obviously wanted to know more about people and loved it. Did I care if her cousin’s girlfriend had brothers? No. But she clearly did.

"Don't make her start she could go on about her brothers for days." Travis said gruffly, clearly a sore subject.  

"You know what we girls should leave them alone for a while so that they can miss us." Tara suggested cheerfully, saving Travis’ ass. John pulled her closer and kissed her as he whispered in her ear and she blushed. I took a big drink.

Lila;

"Do you think all the food will be safe with them?" Hailey laughed and I followed Tara into the kitchen.

"Probably not, but I want a margarita." Tara smiled and I clapped my hands.

"Yum." I grinned.

"So does your hot boyfriend not get along with your brothers?" Hailey asked, plopping herself down on the bar stool next to mine. I shrugged.

"Well I have 5 brothers." I started slowly. Both Tara and Hailey gaped at me.

"5!?" I nodded. "Yup."

"Holy shi.t how did you ever get a boyfriend at all?" Hailey laughed. "I thought I had issues with two." I laughed, since I knew just what she was talking about.

"Travis has only met one of them. Reece is a cop." I added and Tara shook her head as Hailey cracked up.

"Bad luck." Tara smirked. "Why hasn't he met the rest of your family?" I licked my lips, not expecting to have this conversation with strangers but what the hell.

"He's met my sister Colbie." I 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 askes me, changing the subject and making me want to hug her.

"Every single one of them." I laughed.

"Are they hot?" I made a face but then pulled out my phone to show her a family photo.

"Oh my god." Hailey widened her eyes at the photo and I laughed.

"Yeah." I nodded.

"One of these guys looks familiar." She pointed to Derrick and I smiled.

"That's Derrick. He's an actor. You know that show Real Order?" Tara and Hailey nodded.

"Oh my god he's Detective McKenna!" I nodded.

"Yup. But enough about me." I waved them off. "Why are you still single?" I smirked at Hailey and she sighed.

"I have no fucking idea. I'm so cute!" Tara and I laughed.

"How long have you and John been dating?" I asked.

"About a year and a half." She said, doing the math in her head.

"He's very handsome." I replied, grumbling when Hailey made a face.

"Eww." I laughed.

"You were just trying to get with all six of my brothers!" I 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." Tara and I laughed as she poured margaritas into glasses and handed them to us.

"I would date your brothers. Caleb is so hot." I admitted. "You know if I wasn't already dating the hottest man alive." I shrugged.

"You think Caleb is hot?" Tara asked, her eyes flicking up to me quickly. I nodded as I sipped the surprisingly strong drink.

"Duh. Don't you?"

"I don't." Hailey raised her hand. "This is delicious."

"He's hot." I nod. "Tell me you wouldn't climb him like a tree if you were single." I teased Tara.

Caleb

"What do you think they're talking about?" I asked Travis 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." Travis chuckled.

"Women." John shook his head. "How long have you and Lila been together?"

"Depends on when you qualify it as being together." He shrugged as his 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 Travis and I scowled at him.

"Dude." Travis laughed.

"No, he's right about that." He nodded.

"She seems like a nice girl." I added. Jaden comes off his phone.

"Who's a nice girl?" He grinned and Travis smiles the goofy smile of a man in love.

"My Lila." He replies and Jaden whistled long and low.

"Nice is an understatement man. If I had a girl like that I might reconsider the single life." He teases. "She got a sister?" Travis nods but looks uncomfortable at the question. Huh.

"She does. She's taken though." Jaden sighs dramatically.

"All the ones who are worth it are." He shakes his head. "Like your Tara." he nods over to John.

"Yeah I'm pretty lucky." He grins but it isn't the same smile as Travis' and for some reason that both pisses me off and makes my chest ache at the same time.

"Yes you are." I say almost too seriously before I'm saved by a shriek of laughter coming from the kitchen. Travis moved his eyes to me and narrowed them slightly.

"My cousin is one of a kind." he commented quietly, "You single?"

"Yeah." I nodded.

"Divorced actually." Jaden corrected, making a face. I groaned and growled at my brother.

"Thank you for reminding me."

"His ex wife was...well, is, a lot to handle." John explained to Travis since apparently that was his business. Everyone should know how awful my mistakes in life were according to my family.

"That's why I intend to stay single." I added in a mutter.

"Cheer up cousin." John offered me a freshly open beer, which I accepted with a sigh.

"I thought I'd stay single too, until I met Lila." Travis confessed, looking at me with a look I couldn’t quite understand.

"Same for me, until I met Tara." John added.

 "Because you don't have an ex-wife." I retorted.

"Everyone has a past, it's all about finding a girl who's better for your future." Travis shrugged nonchalantly and glanced at the house where the girls were.  

"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 Travis, pointing across to the driveway.

"Yep." He nodded, grinning wide as if it was the best thing in his life, "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." Trav shook his 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." He added.

Lila;

I was getting drunk already. These margaritas were strong.

"You should come tomorrow. The house is amazing." I told Tara, thinking about how fun it would be to sip wine with friends and family on the deck overlooking the beach. Hailey pouted,

"Am I invited too?"

"Of course!" I giggled then turned serious, "No maybe tomorrow's not a good idea. The house is empty." I recalled the lack of furniture and pouted. They couldn’t all sit on the floor of course.

"Maybe you should ask Travis first." Tara laughed, probably knowing her cousin well.

"I have my ways to convince him anyway." I smirked and Tara sighed. Interesting.

"He looks so hot." Hailey pointed out seriously…and yeah duh he was hot. But I was more focused on Tara’s reaction.

"What was that sigh for?" I asked, making her widen her eyes. People didn’t usually realize how perceptive I was.

"Nothing." she forced a smile.

"She's lying." Hailey said flatly.

"I never lie!" Tara protested, but Hailey and I gave her back a look that told her we were waiting, "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."

"Really?!" I exclaimed. Tara was stunning and John was handsome, I’d have guessed the opposite was true. She just shrugged.

"We have bad timing and we work a lot."

"...You're both home at the same time today!" I pointed out.

"With half our families here." She laughed at me and I shrugged.

"We won’t stay forever." I smirked and she pursed her lips.

"You're just suggesting I jump him as soon as everyone leaves?"

"I'm about to leave now." Hailey groaned. I laughed at her but turned back to Tara.

"Why the hell not?"

"Maybe." She bit down on her lip and I took a second to study her. She didn't have any of the normal Cole features or attributes I was used to. She was almost shy, and while her cousins were almost a stereotype of a California man, she looked practically exotic. I thought she was stunning.

"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 Tara grabbed the pitcher and a bunch of cups.

"No it's okay I've got it." she smiled at the man who instantly softened, his gaze going almost glossy. Huh. Looks like I wasn't the only one to think miss Tara was stunning.

"Just making sure." He smiled down at her but she barely looked at him as she walked through the door, out to the patio where John was grilling with the other guys. Hailey followed her and I stayed back to grab my glass.

"My brother and your man are having a bromance over his bike." Caleb told me, grinning as if he was amused.

"Yeah I think maybe he loves it more than me." I laughed.

Caleb

"Men can be silly." I pointed out and she laughed.

"Coming from a man too. I might quote you on that." She replied but I was barely listening as I watched Tara lean in and whisper something in Johns ear that made him smirk and pull her closer for a kiss.

"That must be hard." Lila's soft voice came back to me and I noticed her gaze had followed mine.

"What?" I asked, blinking down at her.

"Falling for your cousin’s girl." She replied seriously. I just gaped at her.

"I'm not falling for Tara." I shook my head.

"No?" She turned back to me and her eyes were serious, almost penetrating. I was a little afraid to be honest. "I read people pretty well Caleb."

"I don't even know you." I said lamely, running my hand through my hair.

"I wasn't asking you to tell me all your secrets." She shrugged. "I was just saying it must be hard."

"She IS all my secrets." I replied without realizing it.

"Does she know?" Lila asked, looking over at me sympathetically.

"There you are." Trav grumbled as he wandered into the room and looked between us. "What did she say to you?" He asked, looking nervous.

"Nothing I didn't know already." I replied, giving a little shake of my head to Lila who nodded back at me.

"I'm sorry." She mouthed before turning to her man. "I'm starving.

"I'm going to check on John and the grill." I said already ready to head outside and away from the woman who could read thoughts apparently. Travis stopped me.

"What did she tell you?" he asked me again.

"Nothing important." I shook my head and then left them alone.

Lila;

Travis raised a brow at me as I wrapped my arms around his waist.  

"What did you say?" he asked for the untempth time, clearly getting annoyed but what else was new? "I'm not asking you again." He added, looking down at me.

"That he's falling for Tara." I replied, satisfied that I was right but he just groaned.  

"Christ Lila, can't I leave you alone for ten minutes and expect you not to break couples?" I rolled my eyes and shook my head. I’d done none of that.

"I didn't do anything! I only pointed out what was obvious to me."

“You're crazy. You're seeing things that don't even exist."

"He didn't deny." I protested with a shrug.

"For fucks sake Lila." Travis muttered under his breath as he dragged me outside, but far from the rest of people were before lighting 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." I shrugged again, rubbing my stomach. I was really hungry. "And if it's something...well, we'll see."

"I'm so glad you think this is so funny." He narrowed his eyes as he blew smoke out of his mouth.

"Oh please, you like that Caleb more than you like John." I pointed out, knowing I was right again.

"I don't know them enough to like one more than the other." he retorted, inhaling a drag of smoke.

"Ha!" I 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." he said back flatly, basically lying but I knew how much he hated to admit I was right.  

"Sure baby." I 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 spanking you." He threatened but though his eyes were serious his face was smirking. I widened my eyes in mock shock.

"Really?!" I laughed as I head to the grill.

Caleb

"Since when you smoke?!" I interrupted, walking up to find Tara and Travis sharing a cigarette when I came back from the bathroom.

"Since I'm a bad influence." Travis winked at her before walking towards Lila. Tara sighed.

"He is really. I don't smoke anymore." She said before putting out the cigarette.

"You know those will kill you." I pointed out, calling after Travis. He smirked back at me.

"You sound like my girlfriend." I laughed and ran my hands through my hair.

"You have a smart girlfriend." Seriously. Too smart. "She's younger than us right?" I laughed.

"Sometimes she is. Sometimes she isn't." Travis admitted, making both Tara and I laugh before he walked away.

"I like them." I said seriously. It wasn't often I found people that I could stand being around. I wasn't sure if that was my fault or theirs but so far I was enjoying the company.

"Me too." She smiled, reaching up and running her thumb over my lower lip which if I was a weaker man might have paralyzed me.

"What-" She started.

"You had some chocolate on your mouth." She laughed. "Occupational hazzard for being my taste tester I guess." She shrugged, not realizing in the least how much her touch could affect me. And see that was the fu.cking problem. I wasn't a teenager, I did't have a problem attracting women. A simple touch from a beautiful one shouldn't even be a blip on my radar but her fingertips against my skin and suddenly I'm 14 again.

"Oh." I said lamely.

Lila;

"Are you guys coming?" I asked, "John won't give me a burger until everyones here." Tara laughed.

"That's silly." Tara laughed and rushed out with me. I resisted saying anything else to Caleb, he obviously had enough problems without me talking about them. Still I felt bad for him.

"Do you even eat burgers?" He seemed to recompose himself as he teased me. "You look too tiny."

"I'm taking that as a compliment." I grinned. "You look so much like Travis' brother." I said seriously, not able to point out the similarity.

"Oh? Is he incredibly handsome as well?" Caleb asked, a smirk forming on what I normally noticed as serious face.

"Oh definitley. Though he has 2 kids, so he also has that hot dad thing going for him." Caleb's whole face scrunched up.

"Two kids?" he shook his head. "That would mean we are nothing alike." I laughed as we walked towards the group.

"You don't want kids?" I asked Caleb who shrugged.

"Not right now." I nodded, since that was a fair enough answer.

"Oh I do." Hailey sighed. "I want like 7." Jaden gaped at his sister.

"Dear god Hailey seven!?"

"That's a lot." Tara 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." I 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 look at me.

"Please don't." He paused, "I'm saying that in your brothers' interest." We all laughed at that one.

"How many do you want instead?" John asked Travis tensing before he shrugged.

"No idea." Time for a subject change.

"Are we going to eat or what?!"

"Go sit at the table, I'm going to get the food." John said.

"Do you need help baby?" Tara offered, smiling at him and setting her hand on his chest.

"Yes but not from you." He grinned and placed a quick kiss on her lips. "Jaden, come with me." He sighed but followed him anyway.

"Finally, I'm so hungry." I pouted as we walked to the table and sat next to Travis. Tara took a seat next to me and Caleb took the one next to her. I smirked to myself.

"Are you hungry too?" Tara asked, propping her elbow on the table and smiling over at Caleb.  

"For your food? Pretty much assume I'm always hungry." I smirked as I shot Travis a significant told-you-so look and sipped my margarita.

"Here we go!" John grinned as he set down all the meat in the middle of the table and I helped myself to a heaping load of potato salad and macoroni salad and whatever else looked delicious.

"Are you trying to out eat everyone?" Travis chuckled next to me.

"Mmm." I said as I swallowd a mouthful of salad. "I'm just building up my energy for later." I winked at him and Hailey groaned.

"Way to rub it in our faces." She pouted and I laughed as I passed her the garlic rolls.

"Like you couldn't get some if you wanted it." Tara teased which made John look at her 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. I just started laughing. There wasn't as many people here as there were when I was at my family get togethers, but things were certainly playing out pretty similarly.

"You all are too much for my girlfriend to handle." Travis smirked, clearly enjoying himself, and any kind of conversation that wasn't about the drama in our lives.

"I doubt it if she can handle you." Tara grinned and winked at me and I nodded.

"I'm starting to like you better than him. Want to run away together?" I asked; Tara laughed but Jaden grinned.

"Say yes. Do it."

Caleb

My brother was such a pig. How he managed to still be an overgrown frat boy while also being wildly successful was beyond me.

"Hmm I dunno. Travis is growling at me and I've seen him mad." Tara shrugged while Lila turned to press a hard kiss against Trav's lips. Something in my chest got tighter. The same muscles that tightened whenever I saw John reach over to play with Tara's hair. I had assumed it was jealousy over him having a woman I so desperately wanted. But I didn't want Lila and yet watching her and Travis gave me the same gut wrenching feeling. What was that?

"Are you okay?" John asked, looking up at me. I blinked back at him sitting across the table from me.

"Oh. Yes." Apparently the conversation had gone on without me as I was lost in my own head.

"I was asking about the wedding here next month." Hailey said, also looking at me as if I'd blanked out. Which I had.

"You can't come." I said seriously.

"Why not?" Lila asked, her eyes widening.

"One of the players for the 49ers is getting married." I 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." He nodded.

"Jaden." I narrowed my eyes.

"What? We could get tickets to all the games for free."

"Because you're so hurting for cash." Tara 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 my brother as she laughed when her man poked her side. "Your egos are so similar." She laughed again. On most women her bubbly attitude and young enthusiasm would make me feel old and I'd be annoyed, but on this little blonde it was infectious instead. Even if she could read minds I liked her.

Lila;

"That's bad." Tara faked a serious face before breaking into a grin and winking at Travis who, as usual, didn’t look like he cared.

"So you're not going to the wedding either?" I asked Tara.

"Why should I?" She 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 her, very telling. "You are, right?"

"I'm confused. Are you his date?" I asked semi-innocently and I could basically hear Travis groaning inside his head. John wrapped his arms around Tara and pulled her against him which seemed to thrill her.

"As if I'd let him steal her from me." He joked. Poor Caleb.

"I work there." Tara explained. "Caleb mentioned my name for the cake so..." She trailed off.

"That's good." Travis nodded, shooting me a side glance which I was going to take as an admission that I was right. Score 10 points for me. John and Tara chatted under their breaths as the rest of us ate quietly and it was clear that it wasn’t a good conversation. Hailey glanced at Travis and cleared her breath to break the silence.

"Lila invited us to your new home." Trav glanced at me, raising a brow.

“Did she?" I nodded and flushed a little. Since the margarita had left my system I felt a little more silly about inviting people over.

"Yes but only when it will be ready." I answered, not letting him make it weird.

"As long as Tara brings cake you can come whenever you want." he told Hailey, looking at Tara too who still seemed upset from whatever had just happened.

"We can throw an inauguration party!" I exclaimed, loving the idea all of a sudden since he hadn’t turned it down. "We have even have girls only weekends!"

"Can I come too?" Jaden asked, smirking and making us laugh. It really was the perfect holiday.