"Shouldn't you be at home? Partying it up with all your friends?" Zane teases, adjusting his bag on his shoulder.

"No..." my voice cracks as I look at the boy before me. Wishing to everything he could just stay. "I'm where I'm supposed to be," I tell him, feeling the tears building in my eyes. "I don't want you to leave..."

"I honestly don't want to," he lets out a dry laugh and I feel my chest tightened. "I don't want to leave you alone, knowing all you have going on. I'm really sorry Ten."

"Don't be, I did it," I give a half shrug, my voice crackling as he engulfs me into a hug. It's getting late, and I know I'm going to meet Colton to talk tonight but I couldn't let Zane leave by himself. Max and him said their goodbyes earlier, both being very manly about it, and Zane told him to enjoy his party... How he wished he could stay but his mom called saying she changed his flight for tonight instead of tomorrow. Apparently she had some things she needed him for before school on Monday.

I was not happy about it.

"He will get over it," he tells me and I slowly nod, wrapping my arms tighter around him, just wanting to hold onto him for as long as I could. "He is just hurt right now; you know how he feels about protecting you."

"He thinks I'm a terrible person Zane..."

"No...no he doesn't," he shakes his head, his fingers gripping in my hair. "He just... he has a lot going on right now. This was just one more thing...but it's not all about you, I promise. You're his little sister, his best friend. He may not ever say it but him losing that scares him."

"He isn't...." I mumble, hearing the loud speaker above my head announcing the boarding of his plane. "No..." I cling tighter and he lets out a small chuckle.

"I have to go," he pulls back, planting his hands on my shoulders as I push my bottom lip out into a pout. "None of that," he wiggles a finger in my face and I just push it out more. "Everything is going to be ok," he turns serious, lifting my chin to look at him. "You need me I'm just a phone call and a plane ride away," he reminds me and I slowly nod, feeling the tear slip down my cheek. "I love you Ten..." his left eye twitches a little and I see the pain strike across his perfect features.

"I... I love you too Zane," I tell him, his eyes lingering on mine a moment longer before he brushes a gentle kiss to my forehead.

"You let that guy know how lucky he is ok?" he teases a little and I let out a small laugh. "And...and you tell him he hurts you, he has to deal with me."

"Alright," I tell him, my talk with Colton tonight truly scaring the hell out of me. I want to be strong, say that I will not just let him back in but I know it's going to be hard. One little smile and a perfect plead and I will turn to putty in his hands.

Let's just hope he doesn't know that.

"Bye," he gives a slight wave, walking slowly towards the ticket line, his eyes not leaving mine.

"Bye..." I give a small wave back, feeling more tears spring in my eyes as he pauses, gives me one last smile and then slowly disappears.

(-)

Pulling up into my driveway, the whole street is lined with cars, the music is blasting into my car and I hear all the voices as I sit here. I'm not in the mood to go in, I truly don't like parties. I know most teens live for it, to be invited to the popular kid's house and hang out, laugh and joke and blah blah bull. Yet I don't like them, never have, probably never will.

"Hey girl..."

"Shit!" I jump when I turn to find my best friend standing beside my window. "Jesus Christ Molly, are you trying to give me a heart attack?" I question, placing my hand on my chest, feeling my heart race.

"No, sorry," she frowns, opening the car door and I step out. "I just wanted to talk to you..."

"Molly, if you're going to talk about all I've done wrong, please don't. Trust me Max's silent treatment has been enough for me."

"No Ten, I'm not," she waves her hand and slumps against the car. "It's just...Colton's inside," she points her thumb over her shoulder and my brows crease.

"He's already here?" I grab my phone from my back pocket. "He was supposed to text me before he came by," I slide my phone open to reveal nothing. Big shock there.

"Yeah and he's...he's been drinking Ten..."

"What?" my confusion deepens. "No he isn't," I shake my head, her must be mistaken. "Colton doesn't drink... I mean ever."

"Well he sure is now," she lets out a small laugh. "He got here, asked where you were, Jackson so kindly announced you were off with Zane, not really explaining much more and then Colton just kinda... I don't know, grabbed a bottle and just kept drinking."

"Why would Jackson even know where the hell I was?" I growl, not sure why he is even in my house.

"I don't know, guess Jackson asked about you, Lee told him and he just passed the little bit of information around."

"Jackson needs to shut his damn mouth," I reach into my car to grab my stuff. "I mean really, what I do is none of his business. But even so, I don't think that would make Colton drink, he doesn't care that much."

"I think it's everything Ten," she shrugs. "I mean, the stuff with his dad, stuff with Raine and you...then yesterday his knee screwing up."

"Wait, what?" I wave my hand up to stop her. "What about his knee?"

"Max didn't tell you?" her brows crease and I shake my head no. "After you left yesterday, at the game Colton was in some weird funk...which I guess I understand. However at one point I think he just twisted wrong and messed his knee up, again," she explains and I feel a sinking feeling in my stomach. I didn't mean to upset him, when I left yesterday it was because I really couldn't stand sitting there watching him play, watching him glance at me and watching as Max kept an eye on it all. "He's not allowed to play for a month," she informs me. "I can't...I can't believe Max didn't tell you."

"I can," I grumble, shoving passed the people and heading towards my house. Opening the front door, the sound amplifies and I ignore all the looks I get. Honestly right now the thought of being around guys who aren't Lee or Max and maybe Colton...haven't decided yet but definitely the first two, makes me annoyed. I must have a huge tattoo on 'slut' on my forehead only because I've never gotten so many offers from guys in my life, all of which I will not agree too.

I'm not a slut.

Scanning the living room I frown when I don't find Colton, thinking he might be in my room, I move up the stairs quickly and open the door to reveal nothing. Checking the bathroom, my parents' room, which Max and I normally lock, and I grab the key to check Max's and all the other rooms and find him nowhere.

"Where are you?" I mumble to myself, going back downstairs, two strong arms wrapping around me and I instantly know who it is.

"There you are," his slight slur makes me giggle. "Where you going?"

"Well I was trying to get to the kitchen, but people won't move," I growl, almost like a brick wall of people are formed in my living room.

"I can help with that," his breath tickles my ear, and he lifts me up and starts to carry me through the room, people almost moving out of his way as he walks.

"How do you do that?" I laugh, him sitting me down on the counter top and leaning beside me.

"I'm Lee Channing," he states like it's so obvious. "I'm awesome, people move for me."

"Cocky ass," I give him a playful shove and he lets out a deep chuckle. "Have you seen Colton?" I ask slowly, fiddling with my fingers and watch him tense up, with his drink pausing in front of his lips.

"I didn't tell him you were with Zane," he defends quickly and I roll my eyes. "I promise... I'm drunk, I say stupid stuff but I didn't tell him that."

"I know," I run a tired hand through my hair. "Molly said Jackson told him. Why would he do that? I haven't talked to him in weeks."

"Ten," Lee frowns, spinning on his feet to face me. "Jackson...well Jackson is pissy Colton got you. He tried, he tried hard and in his head without having to put much effort Colton won," he shrugs and my eyes slant into a glare.

"I am not some prize in a game Lee," I growl and he lets out an annoyed groan.

"I know that Crazy Girl," he pats my head, like I'm a child. "But we're men, it's what we do. Jackson and Colton compete in everything, whether it's school, ball...girls," he points at me and my eyes drop down. "Jackson put on his best game and you shut him down without a second glance and Colton...well Colton normally screws up a lot, treats girls...not great and for some reason just like every other girl you fell for it," he shrugs and my glare just deepens.

"You don't think Colton is serious about me? Just the other day you said to go for it," my temper flares and again he growls.

"No Tenley, that's what Jackson thinks," he slaps a hand to his head, stumbling a drunken step back and shaking his head. "Colton doesn't drink... ever... so if he started...well his feelings must really be hurting."

"I need to find him," I jump off the counter, really needing to find him.

"Well last time I saw he was heading out the backdoor towards the beach...but that was a good fifteen minutes ago."

"Ok, thanks Lee," I give an appreciative smile.

"No problem babe," he kisses the side of my head and grabs a beer. "Now if you will excuse me, I must find a very hot chick that was just in there" he points towards the game room, where we have a pool table and ping pong table and I nod.

"Have fun with that," I give him a wink, hoping if he does find that hot chick she doesn't hurt him. Because if she does I will destroy her. "Seriously?" I snap when I move to go out of the kitchen and again people suddenly seem to not even seem I'm there. Just blocking me.

"Up we go!" my body jerks up and before I have a moment I'm flung over a shoulder. "Hey!" Lee whistles and the room falls silent and all look at him. "Move please," he slaps on the most innocent smile I've ever seen and people awkwardly slide to the side. "Thank you," his smile still big as he carries me, the gust of the wind smacking me as he yanks open the back door and flings me forward to stand. "See awesome," he pats my head and heads back inside.

"Crazy boy," I laugh, wrapping my arms around myself and heading towards the beach. Walking down the beach and seeing the distant figure in the dark night. Him looking out over the water and bringing a bottle to his lips.

"Colton..." I look over my shoulder before stepping slowly towards him, wrapping my arms around myself as I shiver in the cold. "What are you doing?"

"Drinkin'" he flips an almost empty bottle, leaning against the wooden railing. "And it's so good," he tips a sip back, cringing a little as the burning liquid runs down his throat.

"Colton..." I walk towards him reaching for the bottle and he jerks it back from me. "Come on you don't drink."

"Looks like I do," he gives a sloppy smile, stumbling sideways before regaining his balance.

"Colton come on," I reach for his hand.

"Nope," he chuckles, pulling his hand back. "Sure you don't want to talk to me..." he brings the bottle back to his mouth and I wonder how much he has drunk. "Want to talk to Zane," he barely mutters against the rim and I frown.

"Colton," I shake my head, moving slowly towards him. "I was dropping Zane at the airport, he needed a ride," I explain carefully and he just keeps staring straight ahead. "Colton..." I sigh, sliding my hand, slowly into his big warm one, his eyes trailing down to stare at our joining hands. "Let me take you home," I offer, not at all wanting to leave him alone drunk out here. God knows where he might end up.

"Why would I want to go home?" he looks at me, his eyes glazed over. "There is nothing home, why would I want to be there?" He gives me a shrug, releasing my hand and stumbling down the beach.

"Colton..." I follow behind him. "Please stop," I grab his hand but he jerks away.

"She isn't coming back," he slurs, stumbling down the beach. "I lost my little girl," he slams his hand into his chest. "She was all I had left and she is gone," he looks at me, his blue eyes looking so dark and empty.

"You don't know that," I shake my head. "Your birthday is in a week and things are going to be better," I remind him and he lets out a dry laugh.

"That isn't going to help Tenley," he stumbles backwards a little. "Because who is going to give her to me? No one, because I'm nothing to her!"

"You're her brother!" I yell back making him straighten up. "You are the only thing that little girl knows and the only thing she loves! Why would someone give him her when he is never home, doesn't look after her and hell isn't even sure he loves her. You..." I take a step forward, taking his face in my hands. "You are her entire world," I give him a gentle smile. "And no one can deny you love that little girl."

"Loving someone doesn't mean you get them," he says, the alcohol on his breath rushing over my face.

"You'll get her back Colton," I promise knowing there is no way he won't be able to not get her back.

"And you?" he looks at me and I slowly take a step back from him.

"You don't want me back," I shake my head knowing he doesn't. "I was just around at a time when you needed someone. Just like a time passer."

"That's not true," he grabs my wrist pulling me back. "I..." he takes his hand to his chest, "want you, but not...not for a time passer..." he slurs waving his hand in the air. "I want you because I want you. And I care...I care a lot," his eyes widen giving me a nod. "But not in a friend way anymore. Like in a you are always stuck in here..." he points to his head like the idea is completely crazy. "And if you don't want to be in there fine but I mean can't you get out?"

"I have no control over that Colton," I let out a dry laugh.

"Well that's not fair," he straightens up. "I don't want you in there anymore."

"Why?" my voice cracks a little looking at him. "Why don't you want me there anymore?"

"Because I'm not in here," he taps my temple and I let out a laugh.

"You're so stupid," I look at him and find him looking confused.

"That's not nice."

"It's true!" I throw my hands up annoyed. "How can you say that? How can you think that?"

"Hey!" his tone rises as he takes a step forward. "Keep in mind I drank a whole bottle of that," he points to the empty bottle he somehow dropped in the conversation. "So my mind is a little hazy," he wiggles his fingers and I let out a dry laugh.

"You're supposed to be more honest when you're drunk."

"Oh I might be honest, but doesn't mean I understand a damn thing you say. I don't understand you sober why you think I do a little drunk? I mean sober I still can't wrap my mind around the fact you don't like your body or your looks or nothing. I mean seriously? How insecure are you?"

"You know why."

"Yeah and he was a jackass!" he snaps tossing his hand to the side. "He was an insecure bastard who couldn't wrap his head around how he got someone like you! So he knocked you down until you believed you weren't enough because then he thought you would stay. I swear to god if I saw that prick now..." he growls wiping the back of his hand across his mouth.

"Colton..." I take his hand making him snap his head back to look at me. "Please...please let me take you inside," I plead really not wanting to have this talk while he is drunk. "You don't have to go home; you can stay with me but let's go inside."

"Stay with you?" he hiccups and I nod. "Max wouldn't like that," he looks down at our intertwined hands.

"I don't care," I shrug, giving him a little tug towards the house.

"People will see us, they will see me going in your room," he starts to follow and again I shrug.

"I don't care."

"I don't want people thinking things about you," he pauses, like that thought made his mind up but again I really don't care.

"And what will they think? It's not like the whole school doesn't already know," I remind him, that rumor quickly confirmed when Max slammed his fist into his face. "So what are they going to say to me? Riley going to call me a slut again? Some of the guys going to ask for my number or a free turn? Let them, because I'm so tired of caring what everyone is thinking about me. Right now I want to make sure you're ok," I make more than clear and he smiles a little following me inside the house.

I see people looking at us, looking at our hands as we move through the crowd in the living room, but again I don't care. Let them stare. They have no clue what me and Colton were doing, for all they knew we were reallydating and just kept it a secret, so screw them.

"Come on Colton," I tug him, his feet failing him and making him stumble on the first step before regaining his balance and walking with me.

"People stared," he comments as soon as we get in my room, not at all missing the group staring at us before shutting the door.

"Fuck them then," I lock my door, walking over and opening the window, the room feeling so stuffy.

"Ten the room is spinning," he falls down on my bed, closing his eyes and covering them with his hands. "Make it stop."

"I'm sorry," I apologize walking over and pulling him to sit up on the bed. "But we need to get you changed, you can't sleep in this," I look down and pay attention to the buttons on his shirt and not the body being revealed as I pop each one. Him watching me carefully as I lean to push the sleeves off his shoulders, lifting my gaze to realize just how close I am to him as he pushes my hair from my face. "I umm..." taking a step back his hand drops. "Need to take your shoes off," I shake my head kneeling in front of him and undoing the laces. "I'll kick your ass if you get sand in my bed," I tease, pulling on one shoe and dropping it to the side, going to do the other. "Come on," I pull the covers back, finding it's probably safe to leave his jeans on.

"You're taking care of me," he mumbles grabbing my hand. "Like always."

"I always said I would," I run my hand through his hair and he nods. "Now lay down," I take a step back. "I need to get ready for bed."

"Are you staying with me tonight?" he rolls his head back on my pillow to look at me. "Please?"

"Yeah," I nod. "I'm staying in here with your drunken ass."

"Be nice," he grumbles, rolling over in my bed and snuggling into my pillow.

"Always," I smile a bit at his innocence, something I never thought he had. "Alright," I dig some clothes from my dresser, something that covers everything. "I'll be right back," I promise walking towards my closet so I don't change in front of him.

"Ten..." he calls right before I walk in.

"Yeah?" I glance over my shoulder to see him struggling to sit up and look at me.

"Did guys really say that to you?" he questions and I tilt my head looking at him confused. "The free number thing," he misquotes but I know what he means.

"Yeah," I look down; hating the feeling I got by that again. "Some did," I tell him and he nods before collapsing down on my bed.

"Remind me tomorrow," I hear him mumble into my pillow right before I walk into the closet. "I'll kick their ass Monday," I hear the last bit and let out a laugh.

(-)

"Ugh!" I groan into the pillow beside me wondering what that pounding in my head is. "Someone make the