#Chapter41Late Night ChatsPattyAfter sharing a Slurpee with Nate, I went about with my business. That meant school and my part-time job since I was trying to save for school. A scholarship and grants help, but I needed to make up the difference.Each evening, someone tapped on my windowsill, only
“Look at me, Liz. Are guys beating down my door? No.” “Well, they would if you weren’t so picky.” She giggled.“Be serious.”“Okay, so you and Nate hung out every evening this past week. Was there any spark?”“I doubt it. The dude is way older than me, and I doubt he sees me more than as a sister.
#Chapter42Life Is Full of LemonsNateI fumed at what happened to Patty and knew who had done it. I’m sure of it, but I had to wait. Age had been a significant consideration. But the minute I got a chance, I would show Brian not to mess with Patty.*****PattyI plodded to the bathroom, stripped of
“I’ll only say this once. Leave Patty George alone. If I find out you’re bothering her anymore, the next time will be worse.”Brian propped himself up and looked at me while holding his nose.“While you’re calling us trash, you’re the real trash. You’re hanging onto a rich girlfriend, strutting arou
#Chapter43Conspiracy TheoriesPattyI don’t know what happened between Nate and Brian, but Brian kept his distance from me. I was thankful for that. I stood in the school’s hallway, looking at the homecoming flyer’s plaster on the wall. I wouldn’t be attending because I never attended any school d
“Whatever. Make sure Jonas asks Patty.” I pivoted and walked back to school. Cayson watched as I walked away with my curls bouncing upon my shoulders. He got into his car and drove home. It could go either way. Either Nate makes a move, or this puts a wedge between the brothers. But if it involved
#Chapter44To Homecoming or Not to Homecoming, That Is the QuestionPattyHomecoming is one of the significant dances at school, happening a month after school starts. Ours is around the end of September, and I always end up not going because a guy doesn’t ask me.Most girls would go with each other
I walked into the kitchen, and Ma checked me out, making sure everything looked good.“Well?” She asked me.“Oh, he has it bad, but he’s too stubborn to admit it,” I whispered. She pinned my boutonniere to my lapel. “Don’t worry. Nate has a reason for waiting.” She winked at me.I grabbed the plast
#Chapter654Happy anniversary, Patty and NateMaggieWe got back, and everyone got settled. The boys went to pick up family members from the airport. The girls and I checked the hall to make sure everything is ready. Lyric and Larkin brought the cake and desserts. Lakin and Luna helped Lex and Nash
“That’s why I became a pastry chef,” I said, surprising Dad. “You taught me you could love what you do and make people happy. You were patient with me and never raised your voice while encouraging me.”“You had this shyness to you that people didn’t understand. It didn’t matter because I did,” Dad s
#Chapter653GraduationPresleyIn the next few weeks, we spent studying for finals as Payton, Parker, and Markus finished school. Our parents were coming in along with the brothers and sisters. They had to pick up their caps and gowns for graduation.After my last final, I came home and collapsed on
Pax looked at me and arched an eyebrow.“Okay, we had a lot of issues, but it’s time to put those issues to rest,” I reasoned.“I didn’t understand why we didn’t get along growing up,” Pax said to me.“Because brothers fight, but it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t protect you if someone else hurts you,” I r
#Chapter652ResolutionKayleeWe returned from our trip, and Caleb called us down to the station. I didn’t know what to expect coming into the station. Presley and I entered and stopped. I looked at the station, remembering what happened.“Are you okay?” Presley asked me.I sighed. “I didn’t underst
Markus walked as he dragged me behind him until we were out of earshot from everyone. He released my arm.“If you want to redeem yourself, then you and I are working together,” Markus informed me.“Redeem me with what?” I asked.“Nora,” Markus told me.“I apologized to Nora. We’re good,” I replied.
#Chapter651Spring break funPresleyWe spent the rest of spring break kicking back and having fun. We needed it after the few years we had. My brothers and I faced off against our cousins, Shaun, and Hayden in beach volleyball.The girls hung out and talked. Now, here is the issue with our girls. T
I looked at Josie, who talked to Selena. I ignored a girl because I had issues, and it turned out to be the best thing for me.I almost lost my chance with someone incredible because I didn’t see Josie. It took her to open my eyes before I lost my chance.Josie looked at me, and I smiled. “What?” Jo
#Chapter650Spring breakPresleyWe went to Myrtle Beach for spring break since our family owns a beach house. Plus, I thought Kaylee could use the distraction. Jaime was still working on the case with Martinez. His lawyer wasn’t budging.Caleb thought it was best if Kaylee didn’t return to work unt