Chapter 11

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"Dis it what I'm sinking," the little curly strawberry blonde paces in front of me. "I sink," she spins around, looking so serious. "Dat I want my bath," her hands plant on her hips. "I would wike my Ruby with me and I want to have my pink berry shampoo. Can dat happen?" she pauses in front of me and she looks so serious I really don't want to laugh at her.

"I think that might be able to happen," I bite my tongue and she nods, her little mind still pondering a thought.

"Dat good," she plays with a curl that is dropping in her face. "When bath finished I would wike to watch dis," she slowly lays a Princess DVD in my lap. "Can dat still happen?" her little blue eyes peer up at me and I have to control my groan. I hate these movies.

"Yes," I nod slowly, gritting my teeth. "We can watch that."

"Ok!" she squeals, jumping up on the air. The loud slam of the front door making her smile drop and whole body become still.

"Colton!" his booming voice makes Raine dive into my lap and snuggle into me, almost as if she will disappear.

"Yeah?" I slam my head back into the couch, running a hand up and down Raine's back. "What are you doing home? I thought you wouldn't be back until Saturday?" I say, looking over my shoulder and my stomach drop. "Leah, what are you doing here?"

"Leah is going to watch Raine until the weekend," he informs me before Leah can talk.

Leah is my father's younger sister. How the two are related is still baffling to me. She is gentle and kind and a little timid, completely opposite from my father's whole persona. She has jet black hair that has signs of gray running all through it and hits at her shoulders, her eyes are a dark brown and normally you find a pair of thick rimmed glasses covering them, much like today, and her body is fail, as if she hasn't eaten in months and for some god reason she is freezing. Every time I'm around the woman and she hugs me or brushes up next to me her hands feel like ice.

"Raine isn't going anywhere," I inform him, standing up and protecting her in my arms.

"Colton…" he grips the briefcase in his hand tighter. "She is my damn daughter and she is doing what I said."

"I been good," Raine snaps at him, a courage I've never seen in my little sister before. It's probably because I'm holding her; she always becomes a lot tougher if she thinks no one can get to her. "Tell him Colty, I spill nothing anymore."

"I know Princess," I kiss the top of her head really not wanting her to get upset. "She is right, she has been very good. She isn't going anywhere."

"Colton Stephen…" my father growls and Leah shrinks back behind him. "You have an important game this Friday and you need to concentrate; not play house."

"Well maybe if you were a father wouldn't have to take care of her," I hiss, storming passed him and towards the back room, him latching onto my arm and jerking me back and shoving me into the wall beside him.

"Stephen!" Leah freaks grabbing his shoulder. "What are you doing? First you don't grab him like that and second he is holding a child," she dives between us, completely ignoring the glare he is giving me. "Come here Raine," she reaches for her but she curls into me.

"I want Colty," she clings to me.

"It's ok Princess," I unhook her hands from my neck, not taking my eyes off the man in front of me but not wanting her in my arms because him taking a swing at me wouldn't be out of character for him. "Go with Aunt Leah, I'll give you your bath in a minute."

"Come here sweetheart," Raine slowly goes to Leah, her eyes not leaving me as they head out of the room.

"Don't you ever grab me like that when I'm holding Raine," I warn, my jaw clenching as I look at him.

"Don't you speak to me like that Colton," his tone sounding just like mine. One thing I definitely got from my father is his damn temper. "It seems you forget whose house this is, who pays for that fancy little car outside and the roof above your head. You seem to forget a hell of a lot, like you would have nothing if it wasn't for me. So I will not have some punk ass, worthless piece of shit tell me what I will do in my house, with my child."

"She isn't yours," I hiss. "She is more mine then she will ever be yours, she hates you, I hate you."

"Hate me all you want," he lets out a deep chuckle. "Still doesn't change I am now and will always be in charge of her. I can have her here or send her across the country if I want and you don't get a say in a damn thing."

"Fuck you," I growl and he just smirks, reaching up and sending a hard slap to my cheek with a chuckle.

"That a boy," he gives his signature evil grin before turning away from me. "Pack Raine's bag, enough clothes until Sunday," he informs me as he walks out of the room and I resist the urge to hit him in the back of the head with the lamp beside me.

Tenley's POV

"Hello?" I answer my phone as I sit on my bed, flipping through a magazine.

"Hey,his voice sounding so deep and rough on the other line.

"Hey," I perk up a bit, straightening up on my bed. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing. What about you?"

"Just hanging out. Max went out with some friends, so it's just me," I tell him.

"Can you help me with something?" he questions and his tone kinda freaks me outs.

"Sure, what's up?"

"I'm just doing some things today and was wondering if you could help."

"Uh, yeah. What are you doing?" I question, standing up and walking over to my closet looking for something to wear.

"I'll explain when I see you," he tells me being all cryptic.

"Alright, well where are you?" I ask grabbing a pair of jeans and pulling them on.

"In your driveway."

"Oh, so you were so sure I was going to say yes huh?" I trap my phone between my shoulder and head as I button my pants.

"I was just hoping," he seems completely bored with this conversation. Not his normal playful way he is with me.

"Ok well, I'll be right out," I tell him and hanging my phone up. Running my brush through my hair and touching up my makeup. "Max," I hold my phone back to my ear as I grab my purse.

"What's up?"

"I'm going out for a bit, I don't know if I'll be home when you get here," I tell him knowing he will freak out if he comes home and I'm not here.

"Alright Ten that's fine, but its kinda cold make sure you have a jacket."

"Ok dad," I roll my eyes at him. He does that all the time, he thinks even at seventeen I can't take care of myself. I will have everyone know I've been dressing and even bathing myself for many years. Shocking I know.

"Just watching out for ya Sis. But I'll be home later, text me when you get home."

"You do the same," I grab my keys and jog down the stairs.

"Alight later."

"Bye," I slide my phone back into my pocket and walk out the front door, locking it and seeing Colton waiting, his gorgeous red car in the driveway."Hey," I open up the door and slide into the passenger seat, the heavy metal door slamming beside me.

"Hey," he spins the dial on his stereo as we pull out of the driveway.

"You ok?" I look over at him and he sorta shrugs. "Want to talk about it?"

"Nope…" he pops the 'p' and I take it as a sign to drop this conversation.

"Ok," I adjust myself in my seat. "Where we going?"

"I need a job," he tells me and I look over at him confused.

"What?"

"I-need-a job," he repeats it slowly like I'm stupid. "But I don't know how to do that so I thought maybe you could help."

"Why would I be able to help?" I crease my brow.

"I don't know because you use to be poor so I assumed you knew how to find jobs," he answers, not taking his eyes off the road and I let out a dry laugh.

"So glad I decided to come," I turn to look out the window, wondering how bad it would hurt to open the door and just dive out. You know like in the movies, that whole tuck and roll thing, if I aim for the grass I doubt it would be that bad; couldn't be as bad as sitting in this silent car with jackass next to me.

"This blows," Colton shovels another application in the trash. "Everyone knows that we are accepting applications means we aren't hiring but don't want to be douche bags and tell you that!"

"I'm sorry," I apologize, feeling like I've spent the entire afternoon apologizing, I still don't know what his problem is, I don't know why he is so pissy or why he is looking for a job but he is and he is being a complete dick about it.

"Sorry doesn't help me that much Tenley," he starts walking away, about five steps in front of me and with a sigh I try to catch up.

"Colton…" I try to fall in step but his long legs making it difficult. "Colton…" I grab his arm and he whips around to look at me, moving so fast I don't have time to react to my body slamming into his and it makes me stumble back and into a wall. "Ouch…" I rub my head that smacked into the wall, it actually hurting.

"I'm sorry Ten," he quickly flips, reaching for my hand and brings me back up right. "I didn't mean to do that, are you ok?"

"I'm fine," I jerk away from him, resisting the urge to call Max and go home.

"Tenley, I'm sorry," he tells me again but I just shake my head and storm away from him. "Ten…" his arms circling around me and pulls me back into him.

That's completely unfair if you ask me. I try to stop him and get knocked into a wall but he just grabs me and stops me, damn my being little.

"I'm really sorry," he kisses the sore spot on the back of my head. "I didn't mean for that to happen, I really didn't."

"Don't you ever do that to me again," I order, knowing even if an accident I won't ever let anyone think it's ok to do that to me.

"I know, I don't know how it happened, I'm sorry," he turns me around to look at him, him really looking apologetic and I do know he didn't mean to. It was a mix of him jerking around, me being a complete klutz and his body being like a brick wall when you slam into it. "I would never do anything to hurt you like that."

"I know, its fine," I shake his hand away that is trying to run through my hair.

"Are you sure you are ok?" he asks again and I just nod as he turns my head and kisses it again, breathing in deep and resting his forehead back against mine. "I'm sorry."

"I know you are," I tell him, looking up to see so many things going on in his head. "What's going on with you Colton?"

"I just really need a job," he brings his hands to my side and pulling me a little closer.

"Colton, why do you need a job? I swear you have more money than god."

"That's his money Ten, not mine. I need a job because I want my own place and I want to get away from him. Just get a place that Raine and I can have away from him."

"Colton you can't get a place with you and Raine, she is two, she is a baby," I point out and he just starts shaking his head.

"Tenley in a couple months I will be eighteen and get my trust fund my mom setup for me and it's a nice trust fund. However I don't get it until my eighteenth birthday. I can't stay in my father's house anymore and I'm not going to let Raine stay there. She is my little girl, way more of mine then she will ever be his."

"Colton…" I frown not knowing at all the whole story there but also knowing I don't think he can just take Raine like that.

"If I have a job I can start saving, I already have a good amount of money saved up from birthdays and all that shit but I need something for after that runs out. Because after rent for a couple months, finding Raine a sitter for when I'm at school and food it will run out after a few months so I…I just need a job," he says again and I can tell how determine he is for all that to work.

"I have an Uncle," I tell him and he looks at me a little confused. "We aren't that close but he is my mom's brother and owns a sports shop but it's not here. It's in the town over and Max occasionally goes up there when he wants some extra cash. I can call him if you want," I offer and see him start to smile.

"You would do that for me?"

"I use to be poor right? I'm good at finding jobs," I hit back at him, him dropping his head with a sigh.

"Ten, I…I didn't mean that, I'm sorry."

"It's whatever Colton," I slap his hand away when it reaches to touch me. "I'll just let you know what he says and call you later," I give him a tight lip nod before pushing passed him. "I need to get home; I'll talk to you later."

"Tenley let me drive you home," he offers, him this time chasing after me.

"No, I'll walk. I need some fresh air," I tell him.

"Ten…" he grabs my wrist to stop me.

"What Colton?" I spin around to look at him.

"I said I was sorry," he reminds me like I forgot the seven sorrys he has already said.

"I know you did and I said that its fine but I need to get home."

"Then why are you acting like you are still pissed at me? What am I supposed to say now? I mean that's what happens, someone messes up, they say sorry and then its better."

"Do you even know what you are sorry for?" I question, crossing my arms over my chest.

"For being an ass, which you are right I'm an ass," he tells me and I nod agreeing, he was an ass.

"You're right you are an ass, but I decided to hang around you knowing that so I can't really get pissed when that side comes out," I agree knowing that when you know someone is a complete douche you can't be to shocked when they are just being them.

"So we are ok?"

"I never said we weren't ok Colton. All I said was that I needed to get home."

"Then let me drive you," he offers again but I shake my head.

"I really just want to walk Colton. Yet when I talk to my uncle I promise to call you and let you know what happens. I can't make any promises but I'll try."

"Thank you," he tells me again and I just nod. "Let me know when you get home though ok?"

"Yeah, I'll text you or something," I shrug and he nods leaning down kissing my cheek and when he pulls away I offer a half smile and turn away from him.

"Tenley!" I hear as I sit on my bed, reading over some English assignment I have to do.

"In my room Max!" I yell back, growling at how much of this I don't understand. I don't understand why English is so difficult. The books we have to read are so dumb; they completely talk in tongue and I hate it. Why they can't just say what they want instead of every way but coming straight forward is mind boggling to me.

"Hey sis," Max wonders into the room, dropping down on my bed. "What you doing?"

"I have to write this huge paper on Old English and all this blah blah bullshit," I growl tossing the paper to the side.

"Word of advice, don't put that line in there," he teases and I roll my eyes.

"But what's up?"

"Nothing, I was just wondering if you wanted to go for pizza tonight. I know a group of guys are getting together at Riggy's and thought you could come with."

"That's nice of you to offer Max but who all is 'a group of guys'," I use air quotes and he shrugs.

"I don't know some guys from the team, like Lee and Darren, Colton might come but I don't know and Jared from the football team and just a few of the guys."

"I think I might just stay in. I know babysitting little sister is no fun for you, so just go out," I pat his hand, giving him a smile as I stand up from my bed and go over to my dresser.

"I don't see it as babysitting you Ten, you know I love hanging out with you," he reminds me like I might not recall it. I know he isn't like normal brothers, I know he doesn't see me as the tag along sister but still.

"I know Maxie but I really need to work on this paper."

"You sure?" he stands up from my bed and I just nod. "Something else going on with you?" he asks and I just shake my head no, not at all wanting to discuss it, but I can tell he doesn't believe me. "Well I'm going to drive with Lee so the car will be here so if you want to come just come."

"Ok I will," I give a half sided grin and he nods.

"Alright Sissy," he kisses the side of my head and ruffles my hair and I try really hard not to cringe at the sore spot still on my head. "Well I'm going to go shower and get ready, let me know if you change your mind."

"Alright Bubba," I give his side a pat and he nods before walking out of my room. Letting out a long breath I pull open my bottom drawer to pull out an old phone Max would kill me if he knew I still had, closing my eyes and breathing in deep as the throbbing in my head seems to intensify as I think about the photo.

"I'm sorry," he lays on my bed beside me, sliding close to me, the smell of alcohol for once not in the air.

"Its fine," I knock away my tears knowing crying is just so stupid.

"It was an accident, I didn't even know I pushed you that hard," he rubs his hand over the cut above my right eye. "I was just trying to get passed you," he reminds me and I nod knowing it's true. I was in the way and I know better to be in the way, he was just trying to leave. I shouldn't have tried to stop him. "Does it hurt?"

"No," my voice cracks as I shake my head. And I can't help but wince a little when he leans up in my bed blowing along the opened wound before slowly pressing a kiss to it.

"You know I wouldn't hurt you," he kisses down my face and I once again nod. "I love you."

"I know," I swallow hard when his kisses start on my neck, his hand gripping my hip and rolling me into him. "I…I love you too…" my voice crackles as I run my hand through his hair.

"No," I shake my head of my thoughts. "Not going to let you back in," I shove the photo back in the drawer and slamming it shut. "Not going to let you ruin things again," I swallow the lump in my throat.

Colton's POV

Driving to meet the guys I question if I should call Tenley. I know she is mad at me, the way she looked at me and talked to me made that relevant but I really didn't mean what I said. I was so annoyed with my father and everything that I took it out on the wrong person and I know that.

However Tenley is really the first person, well girl, who wouldn't let it slide. Normally when I mess up with a girl I smile, say sorry and bam all better but that didn't work with Tenley. I smiled, I said sorry, which I truly did mean, I think I meant it more with her then I've ever said it to anyone else before however it didn't work. It didn't change that she was still pissed at me and that sucks.

Pulling into Riggy's I wonder if she was going to come. I know Max is going to be here so I kinda thought maybe she might. I honestly wasn't going to come until I got home and remembered that Raine wasn't there anymore and that being the case I knew I was never going to stay with Stephen alone in that house; I seriously might end up punching him.

Walking into the well known pizza shop I try, I mean I really did, not to growl and spin out the back door when I noticed Riley and a group of her friends at the table with the guys. However dealing with her is the last thing I want so I try to discreetly sneak out but my day is clearly isn't at all going out I want and Darren notices me and calls over and a follow up of greetings occur and there is no way out.

"Hey guys," I shuffle around the table, taking a spot on the end beside

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