Semi-edited

BEWARE OF ALL THE IMAGES UP AHEAD!

Thank you @ icedcoffe for the amazing cover! I love it <3 <3

Song on the side is...Wanna Be That Song by Brett Elderege. For some reason I am obsessed with this song. It is country but AMAZING! 

Happy Reading!!

"Yes mom we are coming home tomorrow." I rolled my eyes as I talked to my mom on the phone. It was Tuesday, the second day of winter break, and my mom was already hounding me about coming home and staying for the entire break.


We had about two weeks until Christmas and another two weeks until classes started once again. My plan for the break was to sleep and not do anything homework related, I think everyone agreed on that part. The joy of college is not having to go back to school a week later than everyone else.

"Yes, I'll see if Gage is coming too." Beside me Macey laughed but quickly covered her mouth at my glare. "Okay I'll see you tomorrow. Love you too. Bye." Once I hung up I sighed.

"I think my mom loves Gage more than me."

"Don't let your dad know he will go crazy. Remember that one time when one of Luke's friends said your mom was hot in front of him." I chuckled at the memory. The poor kid shit his pants and never came back over.

"You going to your parents tomorrow right?" I asked reaching for the cookie dough in her hands.

"Yeah. Mom wants me to spend the break under her roof." She rolled her eyes. Aunt Kacey is just like my mom.

"The christmas party is Friday so you can come over and get ready at my house." It was tradition for Macey and I to get ready together. One of the reasons may be for her to do my makeup but we have been going to this thing since we were little. Every year it is a different theme and the charity changes as well. One of the things I hated was seeing the snobby rude kids that were either the same age as me or older by a bit. They always thought they were better than everyone which was the worst.

Luke of course was expected to go the most because he was going to take over the business. According to my father and grandfather he needed to meet and know these people as he will have to deal with them when the time comes.

I did feel bad for my brother. The pressure of taking over a business that is so well-known and big isn't an easy thing to do. I got lucky with getting out and not having to deal with all of that. Thankfully though my father has slowly introduced him to it and not once pushed him to take over. It was Luke's decision.

"Gage is going right?" Macey asked not even glancing at me as she watched the tv.

"Yeah he is. I think he is nervous about it but he won't say it." Men and their manliness.

"I would be to if I was going into that lions den for the first time." I rolled my eyes at her wording but couldn't help agreeing. For a first timer it was a little intimidating being around such people. People that are probably the richest people in New York in one place.

Over the years I've learned to ignore the stares of jealous women and judging looks. If you let their stares and looks get to you the night will just end up being torture. Both Macey and I have learned that the hard way.

"Just don't tell him that, he can figured it out on his own."

"Can you believe this year?" Macey asked after a few minutes of silence.

"What about it?" I glanced over at her.

"We just finished our first semester of college, both of us are in love with two amazing guys-guys that never thought we would be with, and that we haven't gained any college weight." I laughed at the last part.

"You are right about that." I smiled but she was right. It was crazy how everything turned out. If you told me a few months ago I would be in love with someone other than Ethan, or that my best friend would be dating my brother, I would have laughed in your face.

"I for one never thought I would date Luke." We never really talked about her dating my brother and I was actually curious as to how it all happened.

"How did that happen anyways? For as long as I have known you two have never liked one another." I asked. I noticed a smile spread across her face. I never really noticed how happy my best friend was until now. She has always been a happy person but ever since she got with Luke she seems even happier. That is all I wanted for her, especially after some of her boyfriends.

Macey never said it or even showed it but she did get hurt when she broke up with past boyfriends. There was always something that happened that just crushed her time after time. I just hoped my dumb ass brother wouldn't do anything to hurt her.

"It was the same party you left with Gage. Luke asked me to dance and suddenly it all seemed to just click. I never saw your brother as anything other than an annoying tick you know. But he has a really sweet, romantic side." She practically swooned.

"You wouldn't think he could be so sweet but when he holds me I just-"

"Okay ew! No I don't need to hear that." I scrunched up my nose and covered my ears. "Gross." Even with my ears covered I could hear her laughing.

"You asked!"

"Just...no."

"I am just glad he asked me to dance that night." She grinned at the memory.

"Even if he is my brother I will kill him if he hurts you."

"Wouldn't expect anything less." We smiled at one another before turning back to Supernatural on tv.

* * * * *

"All my babies under the same roof." Mom beamed and clapped her hands together as she moved around the living room. "And putting up christmas decorations together."

As normal Ethan's parents were not coming home for the holidays, as far I knew. His parents rarely came home to see their son and it pissed me off. He was their only son but they could care less. They of course only cared that he was going to take over the company one day.

Because this happens practically every year Ethan is always at our house. What my mom said is true. Ethan is her baby too, she basically raised him. It was just normal for him to be here. I think if he wasn't it would feel odd.

My dad wouldn't be home until later since it was only 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Mom wanted to have a big dinner with all of us, which meant she wanted to get us all fat. The boys were more than happy to eat everything my mom prepared.

Because the football season is now over they can now eat more fat food which they were excited about. The football team went 9-1 this season and they were going to a college bowl in the new year, they just weren't sure which one they were going to go to yet. The team is so good they were bowl bound anyways.

Mom waited until we were all home to put up christmas stuff, per tradition. Every year all of us put the tree up and other stuff around the house. Yesterday dad must have gotten all the christmas stuff down from the garage for us to do today. Boxes on top of boxes littered the living room and I had to weave through them to get anywhere.

"Okay tree first." Mom stated as she moved to open the box that held the fake christmas tree. We stopped buying real ones a few years ago after they became too expensive and too much of a hassle. All the needles on the floor and everything was just too much work.

Both boys went over and helped my mom lift the heavy tree out. While they got it out I went around trying to find the box that held the ornaments. My favorite part of decorating was putting the ornaments on the tree. It was always fun seeing the end result.

"So...mom when do we give you our christmas lists because I got some good stuff on there." Luke said as him and Ethan attached the pieces of the tree together.

"You can put it in the garbage like every years." My mom shot back. I stifled a laugh. Every year Luke tries to give my parents a list of what they should get him for christmas and every year my mom tells him the same thing. You would think he would learn by now.

We never did christmas lists like some families. It was better if it was a surprise rather than something you know you are going to get. My parents were all for surprises and making us wait until Christmas day to open presents.

"Damn every year." Luke said to Ethan while shaking his head.

"And this is new news to you?" I commented piling boxes of ornaments in my hands and heading in their direction.

"I thought it would work this year. I mean I passed all my classes, our football team went 9-1 and we were going to a bowl game,and I have been a very good boy this year."


"Okay ew. Don't say that again." I faked throwing up. I came to a stop beside Ethan who sent me the same look.

"How do you even know that we got you something this year?" Mom asked fanning out the branches on the tree.

"You wouldn't do that, especially not to your first born." When mom didn't say anything Luke looked at her. "Right? You bought my something right!" He actually looked like he was about to have a panic attack.

"Luke you do realize that Christmas is about giving and sharing, not about getting presents right? It is not all about you."

"Then who is it about?" He actually looked serious as he said that.

"Mom I think you brought home the wrong baby from the hospital."

"I think so." Luke sent her an appalled look to which she grinned.

"Please everyone knows I am mom's favorite and that you are the one that was swapped at birth."

"It is funny that you think you are mom's favorite. Everyone knows the youngest is the favorite and the best." I shot Luke a smug smile. We continued on bickering back and forth for a minute before I heard Ethan whisper to my mom.

"When are we going to tell them I am your favorite?"

"They'll figure it out sometime." Mom smiled and shrugged.

"Hey!" Both Luke and I said at the same time.

"What? He is the only one who doesn't make me want to pull my hair out." Ethan shot the both of us a triumph look to which we glared at him.

"Mom is delusional." Luke shook his head.

"She is just too excited to have us home so doesn't know what she is thinking."

"Don't worry mom we will get you better." Luke went over to my mom and pulled her into a tight hug. Mom looked over his shoulder at me with a weird look on her face.

"Don't ask me he is your son." I held my hands up and turned around. Behind me Luke kept telling mom she will be fine soon while I grabbed ornaments to put them on the tree.

After another minute the rest of them started helping me out. We all took different sides of the tree and put whatever we wanted to put on it. If it looked bad at least we could move it around and pick the best side. Something we also did each year.

We made small talk as we decorated. It felt nice to be home with my family and just relax. I didn't know how much I missed my mom until I was with her. I missed home too and just the feeling it had just being here.

Of course as we worked I couldn't help but wonder what Gage was up to. I knew he went to his grandma's for the break. At least I didn't have to worry about him being alone.

Every went home for the break. Dylan went home to his mothers but he did say he would spend more time at Gage's than anything. Amy was at her parents not that far from my house, although I expect her to be over quite a bit since Ethan is here.

I has only been a few hours and I already missed Gage. This morning we did see each other off but it wasn't like we were saying goodbye. I would be seeing him tomorrow and on Friday when the christmas party was at. It just felt weird knowing he was further away now then he was on campus.

"Carter." Mom said interrupting my thoughts.

"Yeah?" I peeked from around the tree at her.

"Remember this year you are doing the speech at the party." I instantly froze.

"What? I thought it was Luke's year!" I stared at her wide eyed. Every year my parents made one of us say a small speech in honor of the cause we support. I thought it was Luke's year so I haven't even thought about it. I hated doing it too since I hated speaking in front of people. Every time I stuttered through my speech before running off stage and hiding in a corner. This year would be no different.

"He went last year."

"Then what about Ethan?" I glanced over at him, trying to find a way to get out of it.

"He went the year before. Honey you will be fine."


"Mom I don't even have a speech ready and it is in 3 days!"

"I know you have done essays a day before it was due, I think you can do this."

"Maybe this year we don't do it. Maybe dad does it." She sent me a look.

"Your father always does the big speech."

"You..." I trailed off and sent her a small smile hoping she would just say she would do it.

"Carter no. You are doing it this year." Sending me a hard look I knew that was the end of the discussion.

Well shit.

* * * * *

For the next two days I struggled to come up with a speech. I didn't want it to sound too cold hearted or too funny, and I didn't want it to be long. No one liked long speeches anyways.

I have tried everything to get out of doing this. I asked my dad and even gave him the best puppy eyes I could do but all we replied was "Sorry hon, your mother already threatened me not to let you quit'. What kind of father is he?! I even tried to bribe Luke and Ethan to do it but neither budged. I think they secretly liked to see me squirm and get embarrassed.

"Princess you are freaking out too much about this."


"Gage I have to make a speech in front of tons of people! People who judge like crazy and who make no qualms of hiding their hate for you." I said through the phone as I stared down at the piece of paper in front of me.

"What charity are you supporting? Start with that first." Gage coached me through the phone. The both of us have been busy with our families and what not we have not seen each other since Tuesday and it was now Thursday afternoon. I was starting to have withdrawals.

Because I was so stressed about this I called him up hoping he would help or take my mind off of it. So far all it has done is make me miss him even more. I wanted him to come over to hang out but I knew if he came over I wouldn't get this done and it needed to get done today because the party was tomorrow.

"It is to help raise money for the children community center. The center is a place where any kid can go to read, play sports, be a safe haven. For kids on the streets it is a good way to keep them out of trouble and it is all volunteered staff. I even volunteered there over the summer when it first started." I said smiling.

Beside the fact that my dad paid for the land and the building of the place I volunteered on my own. My dad did tell us about it and it just made me want to do something. Plus I love kids so to help them out in anyway was great. They even had me paint a mural in the front entrance for everyone to see.

"Use that. Talk about your experience volunteering there and what the center does for the community. If you make it personal and meaningful people are more likely want to donate to help." At his advice I paused. That was actually a good idea. Making it more personal would make writing the speech easier as well as speaking. I could do that.

"That is a great idea Gage!" I exclaimed through the phone. The more I thought about it the more I liked the idea. "You are great, you know that?"

"Of course I am. I mean you are dating me remember?" He teased through the phone. I shook my head but grinned.

"Thank you. That helps me a lot. What would I do without you." I said the last part quietly.

"You'd die."

"Well thank you. Glad to know that." I replied sarcastically.

"You are welcome." I could hear his grin through the phone.

"I wish you could come over. You can if you want to." I twirled my pen in my hand as I talked. It would be great if he could come over and hang out for a bit.

"I wish I could but Grandma is actually making me help her fix stuff around the house." Gage groaned.

"Aw look at you being a good grandson." I cooed.

"She is basically blackmailing me, I don't see how that is right."

"She is your grandma she can do whatever she wants. That includes blackmailing you to do stuff around the house."

"It is child abuse." He muttered.

"You are over 18 dufus, it isn't considered child abuse anymore."

"Same difference."

"I can see your grandma doing that though." I grinned.

"That's not a good thing Car! That means she could do it all the time to me!"

"Gage it isn't like you are being beat to death, you are just doing some work for a poor weak old lady."

"My gram is nothing but weak nor old. And she reminds me daily about that." I loved Gage's grandma. She was great and reminded me a lot of my own grandma. She didn't take shit and loved to tease you but you know she loves you a lot.

"Oh suck it up and help your poor grandma!"

"Thats the kind of thanks I get for helping you with your speech!?"

"Yep." My grin for wider over the phone. "Love you."

"Doesn't feel like it." I laughed out loud.

"Oh stop you know I love you. And thank you for the help again."

"No problem babe." I felt my heart soar at the term of endearment. "I better go before my grandma kills me. If you don't hear from me in a few hours my body will probably be in my gram's garden, kay?"

"Okay thanks for the heads up. I'll make sure to check there."

"Good luck with your speech you will nail it. I love you." Gage said.

"Love you too. Good luck with your grandma." Saying goodbye I ended the call. I grinned widely down at my phone. God I couldn't love him anymore. As I went to put my phone down on my desk my hand stopped as my screensaver came up.

A few weeks ago Gage stole my phone and took a picture of himself and put it as my home screensaver. I'm not even sure when he did it but it was probably my favorite picture of him. He rarely likes to get his photo taken so him voluntarily taking a 'selfie' and putting it on my phone for me to see daily, is very sweet of him. 

(Guys isn't this the cutest picture?!)

I grin at the picture and stop myself from calling Gage back. He had stuff to do and so did I. I would be seeing him tomorrow anyways for party so I can wait. I have self control...okay no I don't but I will try.


"Carter you can do this. Just write what comes to mind." I chanted to myself.

* * * * * *

It was finally the night of the christmas party. I have been waiting all week for this so I could see Gage again, but I was also dreading it because of my speech. Yesterday I had my parents look over the speech to make sure it sounded okay and practiced for a good