Hey guys! 

Don't forget to send me pics, songs, covers, or whatever that reminds you of the characters!

Sorry for any grammar and editing mistakes!

Enjoy <3

P.s. I thought the picture above was PERF for this chappy!

-&-

Chapter 36

       "So, I was thinking..."

       Uh oh.

       Hearing Jax say that was never good. Those four words got him into a lot of trouble when we were still in the system. I glanced up from the dirty dishes just long enough to cast him an uneasy glance. "About what?" I asked against my better judgement.

       I dropped the majority of my attention back to the dishes I was cleaning as he leaned lazily against the counter beside me. His hands were playing with the ends of the dish towel on the counter while I was elbow deep in dish water and soap.

       Trey was over at the Dimajio's with Brett to see how Denton was doing and Rex...

       Rex was angrily leaning against the kitchen wall behind us. His arms crossed firmly over his thick chest and his beautiful dark eyes glared holes back and forth between Jax and mine's back. He hadn't said a word since the blonde jock got here.

       I would have been upset if the situation wasn't so funny.

       "You know how I dropped out of school last year?"

       I hummed my response as I scrubbed the food off the glass plates.

       "Well I was thinking I could enroll at your school and finish up, you know?"

       My head shot up at his words and the anxious look in his eyes pulled a smile from me. "That's actually an awesome idea Jax!" His worried look turned into a smile as he reached up and patted my head.

       "Good, that gives me an excuse to keep an eye on you." His words were teasing, but I wasn't surprised at his serious tone. Despite everything that happened between he, Rex, and I the other day, the phone call problem had put him on edge as much as everyone else.

       "And I think I'll go watch some TV before lover boy tries to kill me." This time even his tone was teasing and he sent me a sneaky wink before pushing his giant form off the counter and sauntering toward the living room entrance.

       "Maybe you and I can even car pool together!" Jax laughed as he passed the boy I loved. Rex actually snarled a growl at him, but didn't say anything as the snickering blonde walked into the safety of the living room.

       Rex took Jax's spot as soon as he left the kitchen and I watched from the corner of my eye as he picked up a dish towel to start drying the dishes. He stayed silent, but my heart soared at the action. He wasn't lazy like Jax, and although I knew my friend cared about me, Rex was always doing everything he could to help.

       We both stayed silent as I finished the dishes and dried my hands before leaning against the counter to watch him put the last clean ones away. A frown pulled at my lips as I watched his tense shoulders and clenched jaw. He wasn't happy. He wasn't furious, but he definitely wasn't happy.

       I jumped slightly as I felt the familiar weight of his thick arms wrapping around my waist. I didn't even notice he had stepped in front of me... "I'm not mad." He murmured as he tucked me under his chest, like I belonged there.

       I did belong there.

       "You're being unnaturally quiet." I mumbled against his shirt before pulling gently away. His expression hadn't changed.

       "I'm..." His jaw clenched tighter and he had to close his eyes before the dark chestnut flickered up to the kitchen window. "I'm trying to stay calm." He grumbled through clenched teeth. That wasn't going to well, if the tension in his body was anything to go by.

       I let out a heavy sigh before rubbing my fists into my tired eyes. "I guess having you two in the same area so soon wasn't such a good idea." I grumbled quietly as his arms left my waist to run along my arms.

       It was Tuesday afternoon, literally only two days after the whole 'Jax is not full gay' thing, and only three after that... that phone call and everyone's nerves were running wild. Trying to get those two to even be remotely friendly again right now was not a good idea.

       "No Rose, I can't say it was." I frowned at that, but when I glanced up at Rex he was giving me a soft smile. "But I know you want me to not kill him, so I'm trying baby." My heart melted and I rested my palms against his chest as his cupped my cheeks.

       "Thank you T', and I don't want you two fighting, but-" I let out a little sigh and clenched my fingers in his shirt as his rubbed along my cheeks. "But this is my fault. I shouldn't have lied to you, but it just seemed like the right thing to do at the time... and trying to force you to overlook that is not good for either us."

       He rubbed his lips against my forehead and let out a small sigh as I leaned closer into him. "I'm not going to ask him to come over again for a while. That's not fair to you." He smiled and I felt the tension slowly leave his body.

       "I know you two are close, and I feel awful for being happy about that, but thank you Roza... and I'm sorry." He mumbled before kissing my forehead again.

       "Don't be, I get it." I mumbled back. His smile grew before his lips dropped down to mine.

       I curled my fingers tighter into his shirt and stood on my tip toes like that would make the kiss better somehow. He chuckled against my lips and instantly I knew his frustration when I wouldn't stop smiling while we kissed. He was making me lose my concentration.

      I pulled back with a pout, but he only laughed. That turd head. We hadn't kissed in what seem like forever and I was starting to feel like I was going through withdrawal and-

       "I love you." He whispered softly before his lips crushed against mine once again.

       Why was I frustrated?

       I melted against him until the arm he had swiftly wrapped around my waist was the only thing holding me up. My fingers were curled so tightly into his shirt I'm surprised it didn't rip, and his hand had wandered into a tight grip in my hair.

       He walked us back until my waist met the counter and kept out lips connected the whole time. My heart was on firework mood, my stomach felt like goo, and the tingles surging through my lips from his were intoxicating.

       And then things took a turn, but it definitely was not for the worst. The kiss became like the other night... wetter, hotter, more... more addicting.

       Oh my...

        Rex's hand in my hair forced my head to tilt to the side and the arm that was wrapped around my waist came up to grab my jaw. This kiss didn't seem gentle, or at least he wasn't letting it stay gentle, and I was surprised when his hand tightened against my jaw. It made escape seem impossible, even though there was nowhere else I would have rather been.

       My eyes shot open wide in surprise when I felt his tongue lick my bottom lip. His eyes stayed shut as my grip on his shirt tightened and my heart started beating frantically in my chest. What was he trying to do...?

       I shut my eyes tight as his tongue licked my lip again. It was like he was trying to get me to open my mouth...

       Oh my god...

       I felt light headed even though my chest felt like it was going to explode, and the more I thought about letting his tongue slip into my mouth the more I wanted to. My teeth ached like they were urging me to let him in to.

       I let his chest and the counter support me as I slowly let my mouth open-

       "Hey Rose, do you have any- Oh my god..."

       I jumped away from Rex like he was on fire, and even though his head shot over at Jax in surprise he didn't let me go. In fact his hands dropped from my hair and face to cage me against the solid counter instead. I'm not sure why, but this position seemed even more intimate than when his hands were locked on my face.

       His jaw clenched shut once again.

       "Oh god sorry! Sorry! I wasn't here!" A very flustered and almost embarrassed looking Jax bumped into a cabinet as he whipped around and headed back for the living room. "Sorry!" He shouted once again before the volume on the TV turned to full blast. Rex chuckled, I frowned.

       "That was funny." He murmured as his dark chestnut eyes flickered back down to me. I was breathless, my mouth still ached at the thought of his tongue, and I felt like I needed to sit down before I fell down, but he stood steadily like he could spend all day kissing the day lights out of me.

       Not that I would stop him.

       I was still trying to get myself under control when he pressed a soft kiss on the tip of my nose and began to pull away. I panicked, and honestly I'm not sure why, but I did not want him letting go of me. A pathetic sounding whimper escaped my throat as my fingers curled tightly into his shirt once again and pulled him to a stop.

       His soft smile grew into something close to a smirk and he gripped my wrists gently before stepping back into the position he tried to leave from. "Hm..." He murmured softly around his smirk and gently pried my fingers away from his shirt to bring the back of my hand to his lips.

       "As much as I want to," He rumbled softly from his chest as he pulled me tighter against him. "Now is not the best time for those types of kisses, baby." I tried to snuff my disappointment, but I'm sure he saw the small pout on my lips because he chuckled and pressed a quick peck to them.

       I licked my lips like I could still taste him on me and stared shyly down at his shirt. "W-when is the best time?" I felt a blush crawl up my face as his deep chuckle filled the kitchen.

       "What time does your dad come back from the office tonight?" He asked gruffly instead before he pressed the wrist of my hand that he still held to his lips. I frowned in confusion.

       "L-late." My eyes widened at how weak my voice sounded, and I cleared my throat before I continued. "He's staying late so he can talk to the police chief about the patrol around the house."

       "Hm..." He murmured again as he brought my hand back to his chest and cradled it there.

       "And Luce?"

       "She has night classes till ten."

       The smirk from before came back full blown and a sneaky spark erupted in his chestnut eyes that caused my insides to do funny things. But then they both vanished as fast as they had come.

       "I promised that idiot Dimajio I would take you to go see him today. He wouldn't fucking shut up about it on the phone. So if you want to we should probably do that before it's too late." Before I could answer he gripped my hand tightly and started pulling me from the kitchen.

       I frowned. What in the world was that? He didn't even answer my question...

       "Let's go idiot." Rex snapped at Jax who "seemed" glued to the TV. He jumped to his feet, the look of embarrassment from before completely gone... on his face at least. I was blushing like a tomato as he shot Rex and I a full blown smile.

       "We going to go see Denton?" Excitement flared in his bright blue eyes, but Rex's hand just tightened around mine and pulled me towards the front door.

       "Rose and I are. I don't give a fuck what you do, but I don't want you in her house alone." Rex growled in front me, but Jax didn't seem fazed at all and happily followed after us.

       It almost felt like how they were before Sunday... almost.

-&-

       "Buttercup! I've missed you!"

       "No touching." Rex's hand shot up hard into Denton's chest as the bright eyed younger Dimajio tried to launch himself at me the minute we walked into his room. He was obviously feeling better, and was prancing around his room like a giant ball of energy. The bruises on his face had almost vanished too.

       Brett chuckled at the pout that formed on his little brother's face and Trey shot me a wink as Rex's arm tensed and pushed Denton away from us. "Oh come on Rex! I haven't seen Rose in like months! I just want one hug!" He held his hard arms out towards me invitingly, but the pout on his face grew.

       "It's only been two weeks, you moron." Rex's arm tightened around my waist and pulled me against his side without much of a choice.

       "Exactly! That's like forever!" He didn't drop his arms and I actually giggled as he stepped closer to us.

       "I said no fucking touching." Rex growled and pulled me tighter against his side, away from the clutches of the big lug. Denton's pout grew and his arms started to lower. I frowned when a depressed look entered his eyes and turned to glare at Rex, until a flash a blonde flew past the corner of my eye.

       "I like hugs!" Jax launched himself at Denton whose eyes lit up once again and wrapped his arms around the buff jock. I laughed out loud, Rex pulled us away uncertainly, Trey chuckled under his breath, and Brett stayed oddly silent.

       I guess no one was really expecting Jax's surprise attack.

       Both of their deep laughter boomed across the dim light in the room and they started doing that awkward back-slapping-hug guys usually do before pulling apart.

       "Your turn!" Jax shouted before throwing his arms around an un-expecting Brett. Before the older Dimajio had a chance to react Jax pulled himself away and started for Trey.

       "Trey! I haven't seen you in like two days! I've missed you!"

       "Fuck off, blondie." One of Trey's thick, mountain like arms held the buff jock at bay as Jax gave him almost the exact same pout Denton gave Rex. Even though Trey's words were firm, there was no denying the laughter shining in his eyes.

       "Awe, but Trey-"

       "Fuck off!" This time Trey's laugh filled the room as he shoved one of my closest friends back until he stumbled back towards us. "I've told you a thousand times I don't swing that way, Jax."

       Jax came to stand by me with a disgruntled sigh, but the laughter in his eyes proved he found this just as amusing as Trey did. "I know, but one can only hope." Trey rolled his eyes, Brett stood there awkwardly like he was still trying to get over the hug, and Denton was climbing sluggishly back into his bed.

       I frowned.

       Maybe he wasn't feeling as good as I thought...

       Rex pulled me gently away from Jax with a peeved look on his face. He almost looked as awkward as Brett did. I rubbed my palm against his chest reassuringly as Denton let out a very loud yawn and pulled the covers up to his chin. Rex reached up with his free hand and pinned mine down over his chest as I began to pull away. I turned to smile up at him, but his eyes were staring uneasily at Jax.

       I sighed.

       "I guess this means I can't snuggle with her either." Denton's pout came back full blown as he turned his bright blue eyes on us. Rex's chest rumbled under my touch.

        "It's like you honestly want me to kill you." He growled across the room before tucking me against his chest just to prove Denton couldn't touch me if he tried. I let out a sigh again.

        Denton was harmless, he really was, and I didn't understand why Rex wouldn't let me hug him (or any of them), but the younger Dimajio really had a thing for getting on his nerves.

        "I just want to cuddle with Buttercup!" He whined and slapped his big palms down on either side of him on the bed, like a child throwing a tantrum. I tried to hide my laugh, but it was hard.

       "Shut up, idiot." Brett hissed as he slapped the back of his brother's head.

       "Ow Brett! I've got a concussion!" Denton whined again as he ruffled his thick light hair across his forehead. He honestly reminded me of the perfect version of a buff, blonde, baby faced angel... Like a super tall and muscle covered cherub!

       It was adorable.

       "It's a mild concussion." Brett growled as Jax made himself comfortable in the comfy chair besides Denton's bed, the Xbox controller already snuggle situated in his hand.

       "We're leaving." Rex grumbled as his arm tightened around my waist and began escorting me from the room.

       "Wait no! Don't go!" Denton started to struggle out of the bed again, but the look Jax shot him even scared me.

       "Don't even think about it, buddy." His tone was steely as he and Brett gently eased the younger Dimajio back down.

       I frowned at the scene and unease curled in the pit of my chest. Those guys really hurt him... And Rex won't even let me hug him.

       Hmph.

       Rex sighed. "I need to get Rose back. It's late and she wants to go to school tomorrow." I raised my eyebrow at that, but he just sent me a small smile before curling his hand around my hip. He made it sound like a choice. Like it wasn't against the state law to skip multiple days of school.

       Denton's pout came back and my chest squeezed guiltily. I did miss hanging out with all of them, even though I would never complain about mine and Rex's alone time. "I'll come over again soon Denton." I shot him a reassuring smile, and the guilt evaporated in my chest when his pout vanished.

       Rex tensed and grumbled under his breath beside me, but didn't bother arguing. Good.

       "Drop me off at home will yeah?" Trey asked as he followed us towards the door.

       "Yeah, whatever." Rex grumbled, and my frown returned. He was always so grouchy with them.

       "Wait, what about Jax?" I called over my shoulder as Rex began to usher me into the hall.

       "I'm just gonna crash here tonight, Rosie. I'll see you later!" He waved after us as Trey closed the door, leaving him and the Dimajios in there to fight over first player... Like they always do.

       "I think I'm being replaced." I mumbled under my breath as we headed for the front door, a small smile on my face. Good. I didn't ever want to lose him, but I was happy he was getting close with them. They were good guys.

       "What was that baby?" Rex asked quietly as we stepped out into the freezing night air.

       "Huh? Oh, nothing. Just mumbling to myself." I smiled brightly up at him and was awarded with a small one in return. He held open his passenger door for me as Trey crawled into the back and I buckled my seat-belt as he closed the door.

       I almost jumped when I felt a pair of mountains wrap around me from behind, but smiled when Trey squeezed and quickly let go. "Figured I would sneak that in real quick." I smiled back at him, but didn't answer since Rex was crawling into the car.

       I really did need to work on getting him to let me hug the others.

       It was just hugs...

       The Dimajios literally lived in the neighborhood next to ours so it barely took us five minutes to drop Trey off and drive up to my house. "Thanks for taking me to see him." I smiled over at him as he cut the ignition and leaned back in his seat.

       "Hm..." He mumbled as he stared up at the front door.

       I