Watching the sunset with Austin is a memory I will never forget. We sit out on the deck in his back yard and cuddle. The sun dips down behind the tree line, and the sky becomes a pinkish-orange, streaks for blue still showing. Its beautiful.

Joey isn't around to tell us to keep our distance because he's upstairs, watching The Lion King with Bella. David, Austin's step-dad, comes home and agreed to give us some time to ourselves. He's a nice guy, and Austin seems to like him.

 It's nice, just sitting here, curled up into Austin.

 "So, the dance was a hit huh?" Austin chuckles, his chest shaking underneath mine. I look up and glare at him teasingly, catching onto the pun he just made.

 "You're so funny, I forgot to laugh," I say in sarcasm, narrowing my eyes jokingly.

 "Carla deserved it. Does your parents know?" Austin asks. I slowly shake my head.

 "I'm sure they will find out soon though. I should have just told them as soon as I got home, but I didn't know how."

 Now that I don't, they will probably be more upset because I didn't tell them, not that I hit Carla.

 "I'm sure they won't be too upset," Austin reassures me. "Did Whitney say anything to you?" 

I shoot Austin a questioning look, unsure of what he means.

 "Didn't you guys have dinner with her family?" he asks.  As soon as he says it, I realize that tonight is when they're coming over.

 I had completely forgot about it until now.

 "Oh, shit. I'm supposed to home!" I jump up from the swing, Austin following me into the house. On the counter, my phone is buzzing like crazy. When I look, I have ten texts from Jude, and Logan, and Aidan. And two missed phone calls from my Mom. Damn.

 "So, I'm guessing you have to leave, then?" Austin pouts, wrapping his arms around me, making me want to stay. I sigh, knowing if I don't go home, Dad and brothers would probably come looking for me.

 "Believe me, I'd rather stay here than go home." I laugh, texting Jude that I'm on my way home. "I got to go tell Joey I'm leaving." Austin points me in the direction of Bella's room.

 Joey and Bella are on the bed, side by side, watching a the Lion King 2. Peeking in, I take in a moment of awe before I step in. They both look over, smiling when they see me.

 "Hey Joe, I gotta get home. Will you be alright?" Joey nod, giving me a thumbs up. Bella races over, hugging my waist.

"Will you come visit again soon?" She asks, looking up hopefully.

 "Definitely. You guys have fun, alright? Don't eat too much junk food." I wave to them as I leave Bella's room, Joey sticking his tongue out.

 "Bye sissy!" Joey shouts, but they are back to the movie as if I hadn't been there. Down stairs, Austin is waiting for me by the front door. He grins, embracing me in a hug. Then he kisses my neck, making me burst into giggles because his breath tickles.

 "Stop. The kids are upstairs." I whisper, making Austin chuckle. "I'll see you tomorrow then?" I say, giving Austin a kiss on the cheek.

 "Try not to get into any more fights before then." He opens the for me, holding it open.

 "I'll try not to." I wave to him, and go to my car. As I back out of the drive way, Austin stands on the first step of the porch, blowing kisses. I grin, wondering how my brothers could not trust him. Just as I pull into my neighbourhood, my chest tightens up and pain stabs at my body. I suck in a deep breath, trying not to go off the road. It stops when I pull into the driveway of my house and I ignore it, shouldering it off to a lot of laughing and a long day.

As I park the car and walk up to the front door, a smile spreads across my lips that I can't wipe off my face.  Austin really brightened my day. When I reach the doorstep and reach my hand out to open the door, it opens.

"It's nice of you to show up." Jude snaps, holding the door open for me as I walk into the house. I glare up at him, wondering what his problem is. I shoulder past him, bumping his shoulder, walking into the kitchen.

 In the kitchen, Mom is setting the table,  Dad at the stove, cooking. Logan, Owen, Ben, and Aidan are all in the living room watching television. Do they ever do anything else?

Logan and Owen stand up, coming to greet me, but I turn around, cutting them off from any conversations. Mom looks at me, smiling. I take her smile as a sign the principle hasn't call yet and she doesn't know about the fight.

 "How was your day? Did Joey have fun?" She asks.

 "It was good, I'm glad I got to hang out with Austin for a bit." I grin, Mom laughing. My brothers growl behind me, and I look over to my should to see Jude, Owen and Logan gathered behind me.

 "He's such a good boy. I'm really happy for you, Em."

 "I'm glad someone is." I mumble, load enough for my brothers to hear behind me.

They grunt. Mom turns around, a smile still on her face.

 "Why can't you be happy for me?" I ask them, frustrated.

 "We are your brothers, its basically impossible for us to like the guy you're dating." Jude says, and I turn to face him. He is glaring at me, and I give him my finger. It must surprise him, because his eye brows shoot up.

 "That's not a real reason, and you know it." I snap, and Jude steps toward me, leaning down so he is right in my face.

 "I'm your brother. I don't have to make sense." I try not to laugh at how stupid that sounds, but fail awfully. I end up laughing so hard that tears spring from my eyes. Logan and Owen even crack a smile.

 "What has your panties in a twist anyway?" There is a loud knock on the door, and all of us get serious, glancing at the door. We look at our parents expectantly.

 The Prices have arrived.

***

Thank you for reading.

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