Semi-Edited!!

Thank you to @ vpnandh  for the AMAZING COVER! I love it and it fits this story so well! Thank you! Thank you! <3 <3

Song above is...Stay by Mayday Parade. I think it fits the chapter pretty well :)

HAPPY NEW YEARS YOU GUYS!! 

Ethan's Pov

I glanced at the house that I was currently parked in front of. I wasn't entirely sure why I was here or what I would say when I went up to the door but after talking with Carter yesterday I knew I had to make things right. I had to talk to Gage about all of this and set things straight.

It was clear that being away from Gage was killing Carter and if Gage loved her as much as I think he does, this isn't going well for him either. All of this is because of me. Because I decided to look into Gage Harper and found something completely different than I intended.

At first it was to see if he was a good guy. I heard enough around campus to know he isn't the nicest, most romantic guy out there. I wanted to make sure he wasn't lying to Carter and using her. I was hoping to find out that he was an underground fighter or something just so I can use that as leverage to get him to back off. Of course though I had to find out he is my half-brother and that my father cheated on my mother for a long time.

It didn't make sense at first. How could my father cheat on my mother? My mother is great...well was before they really got into the business and extended it over seas. She use to be a great mom but after my birthday one year she just stopped being a mom. She turned into a work mom and I had nannies or Luke's parents to take care of me.

Matching up Gage's age with mine I found out my father cheated on my mother before she got pregnant with me. I knew Gage was a little older than me. I didn't know when he stopped seeing Gage's mother or what exactly happened. I do know he use to go on a lot of business trips when I was very little. I remember because my mom would cry when he would leave. Then one day he stopped going and actually stayed home for a few months.

During that time my family changed. My parents were happy for a while then suddenly they just became obsessed with the business and left me behind. I hated my father for this. I hated him before for never being there but now for cheating on my mother and having a child with another woman! And Gage Harper of all people.

These last few months I have been around Gage enough to know he isn't a terrible guy. I just thought he wasn't the right guy for my Carter. But seeing how happy Carter is with him around I can't do anything about it anymore. She isn't mine. I can't take away her happiness because I am jealous.

Jealousy is a weird thing. Normally I'm not so jealous of girls, even girls I have dated. They could fool around with whoever they want and same goes for me. It was a mutual agreement of sorts. But when it came to Carter I found myself very jealous of Gage. I didn't like her spending time with him, or giving him that beautiful smile of hers. Whenever ti came to Carter I was always jealous.

Carter was so beautiful but she doesn't know that. I have known her since she was in diapers and her entire life she has put herself down. She doesn't think she is as pretty as the other girls or gave herself enough credit. I hate when she does that. And that is what made me hate Gage even more then before.

Seeing her become a different person when he was around was what hurt the most. She never acted that way when I was around but then I have only myself to blame for that one. I never told her how I really felt years ago so maybe if I had we would be the ones together.

I can't deny that I still feel something for her. I mean when you have a crush on the same girl since you can remember you will never fully get over her. I loved Amy. I did. This was just a different kind of love. And because I loved Carter I was parked in front of Gage Harper's house. Lets just say I got his address kind of illegally.

Taking a deep breath I finally took the keys out of the ignition and opened the door. I took my time walking to his front door. I hoped he was home but a part of me hoped he wasn't. I was still trying to wrap my head around the fact he was related to me.

When I reached the door I brought my hand up to knock on it. Before I could talk myself out of this I banged my hand against it three times. I stood there awkwardly looking around waiting for someone to open the door. Gage's house was nice. Even though it was winter time the front yard was still in great shape and there were some christmas lights in the trees. It looked like a quaint little place. A place that held a lot of love.

I was about to knock again when the door finally opened. I thought I'd see Gage's mother behind the door but instead found his grandmother. At thanksgiving I thought it was weird that Gage's grandmother came instead of his mom but I thought maybe she was busy with work or something.

"Can I help you?" She asked looking me up and down.


"Hi. I am hear to see Gage. Is he here?"

"Wait you are that boy from Thanksgiving over at Carter's house."

"Yes Ma'am. I am Ethan Galloway." I smiled politely at her.

"I remember. Come in." She moved to the side so I could enter the house. Glancing around this place felt really homey. Something my own home never felt like, that is why I spent more time over at the Miller's than at my own house a few down from theirs.

"Gage is in his room. Down the hallway and second door to your right." She instructed.

"Thank you." I started for the hallway only to be stopped by her voice.

"I know what is going on young man." I slowly turned to face her, confused. "All her life my daughter did what she wanted, regardless of who she hurt or what she did. She never told me who got her pregnant and I stopped asking. I knew the man would only break her heart in the end but she didn't care about that. She was so in love nothing else mattered to her. When she passed away and I took Gage in I vowed not to let anyone hurt him the same way that man did to my daughter." She sent me a look.

"Ma'am I am nothing like my father." I said with as much conviction as I could.

"I know you aren't because you wouldn't be here otherwise. Now because you are related to my grandson that means you are also mine as well. After you have made your amends with him and have acknowledge that you two are now brothers, I expect you to stay for dinner so we can get to know one another. Am I clear?"

I was half scared and half relieved she wasn't angry with me for what my father did to her daughter. I didn't have any grandparents so the idea of having Gage's as mine as well wasn't a bad thought at all. While she seemed scary she also seemed pretty cool.

"Yes Ma'am." I nodded swallowing thickly.

"Good. Now go make the kid better and make him go see Carter. He has been a huge pain in the ass the last four days." She waved me off as she headed for the kitchen. I bit back a grin before heading to Gage's room.

When I reached the door his grandmother said I took a few calming breaths before knocking on the door. I heard a brief 'come in' so I slowly opened the door. I peeked my head inside and glanced around.

"Gram I don't want anything to eat." Gage said. My gaze snap to him. He was laying down on his bed, throwing a ball up in the air and catching it.

"Actually it isn't your grandma." I said, moving more into the room. At the sound of my voice Gage jerked up.

"Galloway? What the fuck are you doing here?" He quickly moved off his bed until he was standing there leering at me. "How did you get in here?"

"Your grandma let me in." I kept the door slightly open just in case he came out me, that way I could quickly leave or his grandmother would hear.

"Get the fuck out!" He pointed to the door behind me.

"I want to talk to you."

"Well I don't want to. Leave."

"I came here to talk to you and I am not leaving until I do."

"The door is that way." He went and laid back on his bed, ignoring me.

"We are going to talk about this. You have had enough time to think about of this."

"You think I have had enough time to think about this? You are my half brother Ethan! Your father broke my mother and ruined my entire life. So sorry if I don't want to talk to you." He scoffed.

"Why do you think I am just like my father? You think I knew about this and kept the information to myself all these years? God you are fucking stupid." At that Gage was once again up and coming towards me. I stood my ground not scared of him in the least.

"What did you say?"

"I said. You. Are. Fucking. Stupid." I said it slowly at him. I was purposely taunting him. I got the result I wanted. Just as the words came out of my mouth a fist flew right at my face.


I've been punched before in the face but not by an underground fighter. His fist struck my eye and cheekbone so hard my head snapped to the other side. The guy definitely had power behind his punches.

I could taste blood in my mouth and knew I would have a giant bruise on my face later today. Wiping my lip with my thumb I turned back to face him.

"You done now?"

"Not even close." He bit out.

"You can punch me all you want but that doesn't make any of this not true." My face throbbed as I talked. "I came here because of Carter." At the mention of her name his eyes softened a bit and his hands unclenched.

"She is okay right?" I wanted to be a dick and say no but I wasn't going to do that.

"She is fine. Miserable, but fine." I moved past him and sat down in his desk chair. I wiped my lip against, silently cursing at him for punching me. But I deserved it. I deserved to be hit like that because of what I have done.

I know none of this is really my fault but I felt responsible for what my father did. I sfelt like all of this happened because of me and that I deserved to be punished for it. I felt sick for even being associated with my father right now.

"You know you can't be mad at her for all of this." I said, looking over at him.

"She didn't want to tell me this, so what else has she not told me? She probably lied about not being in love with you or that she fucked you or something." I clenched my fists wanting to launch myself at him for what he was saying about Carter but I knew he was just angry and hurt.

"I know it and so do you that Carter is not that kind of girl. Hell she wouldn't even let her first boyfriend kiss her until their 10th date."And that was true. Luke and I use to watch from the window when he dropped her off at home to make sure he didn't do anything.

"She kept this from me though. And so did you."

"I had a reason to Gage. I wanted to make sure all of this was true before I said anything. I just...I shouldn't have told Carter before you and at the Christmas party. I couldn't hold it in any longer and I knew Carter would understand; she always does." I ran a hand through my hair as I spoke. "She didn't want to tell you because she knew what you would do and you ended up doing it anyways."

"This is all just to fucked up." He shook his head, sitting on the edge of his bed.

"It is really fucked up."

We sat there for a few minutes in silence. Neither of us wanted to talk and wrapped in our own thoughts.

"I am sorry it had to my family, man." I finally said. Gage looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "My family is fucked up. Parents are always gone on business, never home for more than 24 hours and then flying off to somewhere else. Honestly if it wasn't for the Millers I would probably be some spoil, rich, douchebag."

"You got the douchebag part down." I let out a chuckle and shook my head.

"Just for the record nothing has ever happened between Carter and me. When she loves someone she loves them with her whole heart, not just a little bit. We love each other but she has moved on and I am fine with that now." Well as fine as I would be at the moment.

"Shit. I fucked this up didn't I?" For the first time Gage looked worried and scared.

"You did. But you can fix this, it's Carter. She will forgive you." I shrugged it off. Carter is not one to hold onto grudges. "But you may want to do a grand gesture or something. Never hurts." He nodded deep in thought.

"Okay since the two of you now made up how about some dinner?" Gage's grandma suddenly spoke, making me jump. I had no idea she was standing there or for how long she was listening for either. Across from me Gage just rolled his eyes.

As much fun as it sounded to stay here and eat dinner with them. It would probably be very awkward and weird honestly, but I had another thing I had to do.

"I am sorry Mrs. Harper but I can't stay tonight. I have something else I have to take care of first. Rain check?" I was slightly scared of her response. I didn't want my balls to get cut up or something.

"That is okay. But you are to come back you hear?" She said sternly before she broke into a smile. A smile that only grandmothers had.

"Sounds good." I nodded standing up. "So Gage are we...okay?" I wasn't sure if we would ever be okay around each other but this was a start. We won't be like other brothers who are close but one step at a time.

"We are...okay. For now." I held back a laugh at that and instead nodded in his direction. I headed for the door but was stopped by Mrs. Harper.

What happened next surprised me. Her arms shot out and wrapped around me, pulling me into a hug. I had to squat down a bit so I would knock her head with my shoulder. I wasn't really use to hugs. I awkwardly hugged her back not knowing what to do. She was a weird grandma I tell you.

"Come back soon." She said as she pulled away. I found myself smiling at her and agreeing I would be back.

Moving past her and sending Gage one last head nod, I headed for the door. Last night I had a lot of time to think through things and aside from coming here I knew I had one more thing to do. One thing that was going to hurt but was necessary.

Getting in my car I felt a little bit lighter. Like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Maybe one day Gage and I can act okay around each other but for now I was happy with this. I was happy that I took Carter's words and decided to do something. Something to help all three of us move on.



* * * * * * * * *

Pulling up to the next house I needed to go I almost turned around. I didn't really want to do this but it would was for the best. Right now it needed to be done no matter what the both of us thought.

Readying myself to do this I ran my hand through my hair once more before leaving my car. Going to Gage's was easier than this, and going to Gage's was definitely not easy. Letting my pride aside to go and see him was something I never would do.

Going to the front door I rang the doorbell and impatiently waited for the door to open. I wanted to get this over with as soon as possible. Breaking up with someone was always hard. Normally it wasn't too hard for me because I never really let myself get too attached to the girl but Amy was different. The two of us actually loved one another which just made this harder.

The door opened a minute later and Amy came into view.

"Ethan? What are you doing here?" She asked, confused.

"I came to talk to you about something." Confused she nodded and let me brush past her.

As I entered her house I noticed there were boxes near the front door. Raising an eyebrow I turned to Amy.

"Is everything okay?" It was then I noticed her eyes were red and she didn't look too good. "Amy are you okay?" I stepped towards her and grabbed her hands in mine. She started to nod but suddenly instead started to cry. She launched herself in my arms.

I held her against me as she cried. I didn't know what was going on so I just held her, letting her know I was here. It took a good ten minutes before she calmed down enough to tell me what was wrong.

"M-my mom is leaving." She hiccuped.

"Wait? Why?"

"S-she's been cheating on my dad for a while now and he finally found out. She decided she was leaving to be with her boy toy." She wiped the tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Your mom cheated on your dad?"

"He wants to work it out but she doesn't want to." I pulled her back in my arms. Amy never really talked about her parents to me. I knew her dad worked at some big company but that was about it. When the mention of them did come up she would just change the subject.

"Ethan." She hiccuped against my neck. "I've known for a few months now." Now it made sense. Why she never brought her mother up, why she would talk about cheating as if were a crime. And it even made sense why she changed from who she was before.

Even though I didn't know her much when I was in high school but I knew she was the kind of girl that went out with a lot of guys. Hell I mean that is how we met. The two of us were drunk, we ran into each other and next thing you know we are sleeping together.

One day she just stopped wearing revealing clothing and started being a little more conservative. Everyone has noticed how different she has been acting these last few months but even I can say I didn't think anything of it. Nothing like this.

"You haven't told anyone?" I asked softly. She shook her head and cried harder in my shoulder.

In a way it was like me. I knew about Gage and I for a good week before I finally told Carter. Amy has known about her mother cheating on her father for a few months. I couldn't imagine what that must have been like. A week felt like forever, I can't imagine what a few months would have felt like.

"I-I went to go meet her at work one day. I wanted to tell her about you and how we were dating but when I walked in she was...she was screwing her fucking boss on her desk!" Her body shook against mine. "I left before she saw me."

"Oh Amy." I breathed out, pushing my face into her hair. I said sweet nothings in her ear as she cried. I had no clue how to comfort a crying girl but what I was doing seemed to be working. I actually felt a little proud for calming her down a bit.

"How could she do this to us Ethan? How?" I asked myself that exact same question not too long ago. I had no answer for her or for me. The universe is just a bitch I guess.

"It will be okay babe." I ran my hand down her hair as she gripped onto my jacket. After standing there for another