My house was like a warzone for the rest of the weekend. It was clear where the battle lines were drawn and who was on whose side. She was outnumbered and out talked, and I knew once mom showed up it was only going to get worst.

That Friday night after dinner, Travis excused himself to go take a shower because as he said, he cooked so we had clean up duty. She’d kept silent throughout the meal while us guys talked the game.

That’s when I learned that she really had no idea who I was. She didn’t know anything about the game either, though she’d gone to watch her brother play and had even cheered him on.

I kinda liked that she didn’t know anything about me to be honest. All my attachments since high school had been women who were just as fascinated with my game play, and money as they were with me the man.

Her interest was just in an average Joe who she happened to meet. That’s if she really was interested. With the cold freeze coming from her side of the table, I could almost forget the taste of her kisses or that we’d shared any.

I helped her stack the dishwasher while she pretended I wasn’t in the room. I kept my eyes on the knives and left her to her inner thoughts, which weren’t too hard to read going by the way she slammed the dishwasher door after we were done.

I stood at the sink drying my hands and waited for the explosion. No one can hold in that much temper for long or they’d combust no doubt. It wasn’t long in coming.

“How dare you?” She slammed her hand down on the island top behind me, causing me to turn. Here we go. Her little face was tight and there was no mistaking the anger she no longer tried to hide.

“How dare me what?” I leaned back against the sink and folded my arms waiting for whatever hell she was about to rain down on my head.

“Why are you putting that nonsense in his head? I barely have enough room in my place for one. I’m at work or at school everyday, I barely get four hours of sleep at night, when am I supposed to have time to take care of him?”

“You only get four hours of sleep?”

“Not what we’re discussing.” She advanced on me and got herself in trouble. Since I had nowhere to move she only ended up getting way too close, close enough for me to touch.

She caught herself and moved to step back, but I stopped her with a hand on her hip.

“Hands off.” She swatted at my hand but I caught her hand in mine. My mind was still on the horrifying fact that she wasn’t getting any sleep.

That and the fact that my body had a weird fucking response to her yelling shit. Hard as a fucking pike. She’d probably castrate my ass if I tried anything so I ignored that little anomaly and focused on the other thing.

“You can’t live on four hours sleep baby, no way. We’ll cut down on your hours at the restaurant.” Apparently that was the wrong thing to say. You’d think I said I was going to fire her.

“How many times must I tell you? I need to work. Keep your grubby hands off my hours. And before you start, I can’t drop any of my classes. I’m in an accelerated program that won’t allow that. Plus I’ve had to double up because…”

She cut herself off there, but I got the idea. Because she’d missed the first year she was playing catch up. I brushed the hair back from her face wishing I could do more for her. If she only knew that every word she said only made me more determined to take care of her.

“That sounds like way too much. Why won’t you let me help you?” I sound like a fucking broken record. Who knew it would be this hard to help someone who was obviously in need? Can she be any more like Sophia Carrington?

“Answer me, why won’t you accept my help?” I kept my tone nice and even. The way you do with anything that was cornered.

“Because!” She looked down at my chest.

“Because what?” I lifted her chin with my finger. “Is it so hard to believe that I really want to help?”

“I don’t know what you want from me. I’m not sure I can pay the price for your help.” Fair enough. That’s probably the most honest thing she’s ever said to me. Maybe if I’m honest with her it might make things easier.

I was surprised to realize that I didn’t know where to start. That was a sure sign that this wasn’t more of the same, that what I felt for her was different. I’ve never had any trouble reeling in a female in my life. My game is on fleek.

With this one I felt like every word had to be measured. Now that I know more about her history and the heavy weight she was carrying on her shoulders, I need to be even more careful with my approach.

“What if what I want isn’t something you need to be afraid of?”

“How would I know? I still have no idea what’s going on in your head remember.”

I guess she was going to make me put it all on the table while she gave me nothing. I can’t say that I blame her. There was a time she would’ve been right to be this cautious around me. But I had no intentions on using her and casting her aside.

I pulled her in closer with the hand on her hip and watched color bloom in her cheeks. The words weren’t so hard to say after all, and once they came I felt lighter for saying them out loud.

“I want to take care of you, and not just for a little while. From the moment I first saw you I’ve had this insane need to protect you. Call it instinct, I don’t know. I just know that you were meant to be mine to protect.” I stopped and let her take that in.

She didn’t say a word, just looked up at me with fear, trepidation, hope. It was all there for me to see and all I could give her were more words. I couldn’t take her to my bed and comfort her the way I now admit is what I’ve wanted to since the first moment we met.

It was the basis for the confusion I’d been battling in the beginning. This need to take care of her and wanting to fuck her had been tripping me up. I’ve never dealt with that particular mix before.

Now that the shit was cleared up, at least in my head, I could admit it to myself. I want to fuck her as much as I want to make all her problems go away. She was girlfriend, wifey territory.

She’s that one in a million that I never expected to find and never thought I deserved until now.

My eyes damn near crossed as the reality hit me. It’s going to take more than my usual spiel to break down her defenses. I can’t and don’t want to treat her the same as anyone else.

But I’m still not sure how to give her what she needs without butting heads with her. She was too damn confusing if you ask me.

It was true that she’d softened towards me a bit in the days since we’d met. That was evident by the fact that she stood there and let me hold her. But I didn’t trust her not to try to kick my ass if I made the wrong move.

“I don’t know what to say to you to get you to believe me and the truth is I’ve never had to work this damn hard to win a woman’s trust or anyone’s for that matter. But if you just give me a chance I’ll prove it to you.” Now I’m begging, what the fuck? What’s worse, I didn’t seem to mind.

I felt her tremble beneath my hand and knew that she was genuinely afraid. Whatever fears were in her mind weren’t going to be defeated that easily. She opened her mouth as if to speak and closed it again. The show of vulnerability touched me and only made me want to protect her even more.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to say anything, just listen.” As I pulled her head into my chest and wrapped my arms around her, I wondered fleetingly how something that felt so right to me could be a source of fear for her.

Travis had said she didn’t have much experience and it was evident, but how innocent is she? That’s so far removed from the mouthy brat who walked into my place that I was finding it hard to relate the two completely different personalities.

Which one was the real Annabelle? The brash no nonsense girl I first met? Or the scared young woman who now stood before me? And where is the middle ground?

Whichever one it was, she’s still a woman, one I had already begun to see as mine. “You smell nice.” I buried my nose in her cherry blossom smelling hair and inhaled more than the store bought scent.

She fit perfectly in my arms, but more than that she felt like she belonged. I couldn’t resist hugging her harder as something inside me came alive. I know she could feel me growing hard against her middle, but I didn’t pull away and neither did she.

We stood there in comfortable silence until I felt her relax a little bit more. She sniffed my shirt and left her nose buried in my chest making me smile over her head.

“Can you do something for me? I know right now you’re afraid to believe me, but can you try to remember everything I say and do to you?”

“Why?” She rubbed her nose across the front of my shirt. I doubt she realized what she was doing.

“Because I want you to remember it one day in the future. One day long after I’ve proven myself to you and you know without a doubt that this is real.”

“What exactly is ‘this’?” She pulled her head back and looked up at me. There’s my brave bold girl.

“I don’t have a name for it yet, but I can try to explain what it feels like.” The pain in the ass looked like she didn’t believe me.

“It’s like I woke up in a whole new world where things look and feel different. What used to matter most has changed. You’re the first thing I think about when I awake and the last the thing I see before I close my eyes at night.”

I didn’t feel like as much of an asshole as I’d expected and I knew it was because it was her. I was learning this relationship shit as I go. But the one thing I was certain of was that if I wanted her to open up, I’d have to make the first move.

I also know that it’s because I’d made up my mind that she wasn’t going anywhere no matter what the fuck she says that I found it so easy to say those words to her. I brushed tendrils of hair back from her face and kissed her forehead.

Instead of feeling like a complete ass, once I started sharing, a weight was lifted from my shoulders and those knots in my gut untangled themselves a little bit more.

I felt a new sense of excitement, like the feeling you get when you know something good is coming. The only other time I’ve been this excited about something was when I was first drafted to play pro ball.

Even that feeling hadn’t come close to what I now felt. I never imagined anything in life could matter more than realizing my dream. But as I stood there with my hands on her I knew that what was growing inside me was bigger than even that.

I had another flashback to early childhood and the feeling of unbearable excitement on Xmas mornings. That was the one time of the year that mom would go all out no matter what else was going on.

It didn’t matter that the gifts came from the bargain store, as a kid all that mattered was that there was something to open, something new to discover. And I was always happy with whatever I got. She made me feel like that.

“Don’t you at least want to know where this could lead? Aren’t you even a little bit curious about what we could be together? I know I am.” I already knew we were going to be amazing; I could feel it.

Now that I finally had my shit together and was thinking straight, I didn’t feel that nagging fear and doubt that had been hounding me. My shit was set and knowing me, once that happens nothing can stand in my way.

With the decision made it felt easier opening myself up to her. She wasn’t going anywhere, and if she took too long to get her head out her ass I’d just have to drag that shit out myself.

Either way, my heart had decided that she was for me. Good luck with her ass getting away from me now. I’d already lost one dream, I wasn’t about to give up on another no matter what her hardheaded ass has to say about it.

“You make it sound so easy. But I think I already told you, I’m not the kind of girl who can just jump into bed with anyone. We just met, hardly know anything about each other. Yet you’re asking me to trust you.”

She had a point so I took my time trying to put the right words together. In the end I decided that the truth is all that matters. I’m not big on dishonesty anyway, and I’m not about to start, especially not with her.

“I’m not going to hurt you, I will never hurt you; you have my word on that. I hope you’ll give me the chance to prove it. But just know going forward, my mind’s already made up. I’m just giving you the time you seem to need. Don’t make me wait too long. ” I looked over her head as I pulled her back in, letting those words sink in.

“How do you know, how can you be so sure?” Typical female, she needed reassurance. I tried to think of the right words to say, no longer afraid of giving her more of me once I realized it wasn’t me she was averse to but relationships in general. That I can understand.

“Because I think of you more than I’ve ever thought of anyone else. When you’re not around I miss you. It’s like a physical ache, that doesn’t ease until I see you again. That’s why I’m sure.” Because it’s never happened before that’s why.

And because the more I know about you, the more I want you. Not to mention the fact that I don’t seem to have any control over the shit. I didn’t say all of that to her of course, that would take me into sap territory, but it was enough that I knew it.

What her brother had shared with me gave me better insight into what was going on with her. I’d learned a whole lot more about what made her the person that she is. And in learning, my feelings for her have only grown stronger.

I’d wondered before which of the two personalities was the real her, but it doesn’t really matter. I want them both. The brash in your face siren and the gentle almost skittish woman child who needed me.

She got just a little bit closer and even that small gesture felt like a victory. I was encouraged to open up more even though I still felt slightly like an ass being the only one baring their soul.

It felt as though I was ripping my chest open and exposing myself to her. This is the sticky part of the relationship game that I’ve always avoided. If I open that door with her there’s no closing it back. Fuck!

I was even more sure though that if I wanted her trust then I must be completely honest and open with her. I was sure that was the only way to win this one over. Besides, I’d already come this far, what was a little bit more?

“When I went back to Miami all I did was think about you, worry about you. It’s the first time in my life I’ve ever done that with anyone other than my mother.”

With all that I’d already said I still hadn’t told her what I knew it was that she was waiting for. With anyone else they would’ve already read between the lines, but she was going to make me spell the shit out.

Damn, I never thought I’d ever find myself in a situation where I needed to utter the next words that were about to leave my lips. I couldn’t remember ever having to, not even when I was new to the game.

“I want you!” I said the words that felt like I’d sky dived off a cliff without a harness. “I want you in a way I never wanted before. That’s how I’m sure.”

“I didn’t know in the beginning that that’s what I felt, no scratch that. I tried convincing myself that it wasn’t, because of all the other confusing emotions you’ve awakened in me, but there you have it.”

She didn’t pull away from me immediately, which gave me a modicum of hope. But I knew enough not to get too excited too soon with this one. I waited for her response and had to squeeze her when none was forthcoming. “Say something.”

“What if I can’t give you what you want? What if I’m not interested?” The fuck did she say? I looked down at her blushing face and her eyes, still with that hint of fear and hope, and I understood.

I felt the little spark of anger fade away as I

watched her eyes, only her eyes. A multitude of thoughts went through my head in those few seconds, but I kept coming back to the same thing. This is Mine!

I knew it from the first moment I laid eyes on her and there was no more use denying that shit. I might wait to fuck her, maybe. But all this other shit needed to be cleared the fuck up.

I pressed her into me so that there was no doubt she could feel my rod. The pulse in her neck went wild and her eyes, those eyes that drew me in, got cloudy with arousal.

“Oh you’re interested alright.” You’re just afraid. But now that I know I can give you time. I kept the last bit to myself because I wasn’t in the mood for an argument.

“Even if I was, this is all very sudden. I’m not sure…”

“Like I said, I’m willing to give you time, but don’t make me wait too long. I’m not known for my patience.” She opened her mouth to argue and I could think of only one way to shut her the hell up.

I tugged until she fell into me and there was no

space between us. Her mouth fell open in surprise and I lowered my head and took her lips. She was strung tight as a bow so I had to go slow, teasing her with my tongue as I caressed her back with my fingers gently.

It wasn’t long before her body relaxed as my lips played over hers. And when I eased my tongue deeper inside her mouth she opened up and let me in without a fight. I felt like I’d won something.

I wrapped both arms around her tighter, crushing her to me, and deepened the kiss. Her body relaxed into mine as she gave in to me. So soft, so fucking sweet.

I took her head in one hand and rested the other on her firm tight little ass, keeping her pressed against the swelling of my cock. Before long she was up on her toes rubbing herself against me.

I felt pre-cum pool at the tip of my cock as my boy got ready to go deep. It was the hardest fucking thing to do to just stand there and let her use me without diving in and taking.

I fought like hell to keep myself in check and not give her body what it was asking for, because I knew she wasn’t ready. The wrong move here could cost me big. So I let her grind her pussy into my cock and tried not to take her down and mount her on the kitchen floor.

But it would be so easy, just zip her out of her jeans, release my cock and sink into her. I could see it in my mind, could almost feel how good it would be… No Max you fuck, you can’t have her, not yet.

I pulled my mind back with effort and concentrated on the other shit I was feeling. I didn’t shy away from the building need inside of me for her this time, I didn’t have to because now she knows what I want from her; we both do.

More to the point, those needs no longer scare the fuck outta me. It was okay to want her like this, to let myself feel. My cock no longer had to be restrained, thank fuck.

As much as I warned myself to go slow, that tenderness, the need to care for her, was being overpowered by something much fiercer and more blatantly raw. The need to mate.

What kept me from falling was knowing that I didn’t just want to put her beneath me and slate my lust. This one I wanted to possess completely, body and soul.

Now that my mind was no longer plagued with doubts and confusion, now that I’d made up my mind that she wasn’t going anywhere, ever, I gave my hunger free rein, devouring her lips as I rubbed my cock harder into her heat. Letting her feel what was waiting for her.

The hot little noises she made went straight to my dick, but her soft slenderness and the innocence of her kiss reminded me of just what I held in my arms, just how precious this one being had become to me.

I wanted to dive into her, to take and take until I had my fill and then take some more. I wanted to bury myself deep inside her until the hunger she’d awakened in me subsided.

But what I felt the longer I stood there with her held firmly in my arms, her little body awakening beneath my touch, is that as much as I want to get inside her, I wanted her heart even more.

That had been another source of confusion, I’d never wanted to fuck with a woman’s heart before. The body was as far as I ever got, or ever allowed myself to go. But the choice was no longer mine.

She’d asked me how I know, this is how. Because I have no control over what she makes me feel. For the first time ever I was not in the driver’s seat. Something bigger and stronger than I was at play here. Only a fool doesn’t know when he’s beat, I’m no fool.

I had to calm her down when she got too caught up in the kiss and eased off a little before she hurt herself. She truly was an innocent and the thought of all I couldn’t wait to teach her made my cock stiffer between us.

I endured the pain and discomfort of a hard dick knowing that I wasn’t going to see any action anytime soon. I was willing to go at any pace she needed now that my mind was made up. With my own fears abated I only had to work on hers.

I’d already made great strides by getting her here. Now if I want her to stay under my roof, I’ll have to take it slow. I can give her a few weeks, okay maybe days, for a lifetime spent with her.

If it doesn’t kill me, I have a feeling the reward will be beyond anything I’ve ever known. With that thought in mind, and putting her comfort before my own need, I slowly ended the kiss. And just in time too.

We heard footsteps coming down the hall and she broke away from me with a guilty look. I’d been so lost in her that I’d all but forgotten he was here. The kid came into the room and looked at us with a smirk on his face. We hadn’t fooled him one bit.

“Who’s up for some TV? I feel like watching something scary. Maybe Devil’s Rejects is on.” He turned to head for the media room, but Anna rushed past him at a dead run.

“I’m not watching that crap.” He dashed after her and I followed. I got to see a softer, more-gentler side to her as the two of them fought over the remote. I was hoping the kid won, that way I would get to hold her during the scary parts.

Fuck my life, I’ve regressed back to my teenage years. Even then I never worked this damn hard. But as I watched her laugh and play with her brother as he held the remote over his head out of reach of her short ass, I had no doubt that she was worth it.

I pulled her down on my lap in the easy chair when she went to sit on the couch after losing the little scuffle. She tried escaping my reach but I held on with my arms around her hips. She threw a look over at her brother, but the kid was already busy surfing channels.

He didn’t find what he was looking for but he found something else that seemed to please him and we settled down to watch. It took her a minute to relax in my lap and in the end I had the kid to thank for that.

He’d found some shit that was sure to scare the crap out of her which she complained about. I could’ve mentioned the fact that there were TVs in other rooms, especially her bedroom, but why bother?

Just as I thought, she hid her face in my neck each time a gory scene came on making me laugh, which got me an elbow to the gut. I kissed her in response and she gave me one of her cute blushes. All that was missing was a bowl of popcorn.

I stole more than a few kisses and even copped a feel or two in the darkened room. Travis had turned off the lights ten minutes into the show because as everyone knows, scary shit is best watched in the dark.

By the time she fell asleep on my lap my dick was hard enough to break ice. There’s no way she hadn’t felt that shit poking into her ass, but she never said a word. Progress! I think.

I sat there a while longer, replaying the day in my head and finally allowed myself to breathe a little bit easier. I’d won this time, she was here, safe with me. No way am I letting her go back there, ever.

I kissed her temple and drew in her scent. Now that she was out cold I could enjoy our closeness without having to deal with any of her shit.

Her brother looked over at us once or twice with a smile before turning back to the screen and I took that as his nod of approval.

If anyone had told me a few months ago that my life would become this scene of fucked up domesticity I would’ve laughed their ass to scorn.

I have to rethink my past disdain for anyone who claimed to know their life mate at first sight or any of the other shit I once dismissed as total bullshit.

Sure as fuck my chickens had come home to roost. With my luck I’ll end up being the biggest sap of all. I know for a fact that she was going to run circles around my ass. Hadn’t I already started changing who I am to fit in with her fuckery?

I would’ve been satisfied to sit there for the rest of the night with her in my arms, but I knew she must be tired. Damn girl literally goes until she drops.

I know only too well what danger there is in that. I’d seen mom hit the wall more than once. If this one thinks I’m going to watch her do that shit to herself then she’s in for a rude awakening. Damn, this being honest with yourself shit is liberating as fuck.

Yep, I’ll give her the time she needs sure, but I’m not going to be twiddling my thumbs in the meantime. While she’s putting me through my paces I’m going to be working on her ass as well.

No way am I jumping off that cliff by myself. I’m dragging her ass kicking and screaming right along with me. I looked down at her sleeping angelic face, what a con.

She looked like the sweetest little thing when those fire orbs were closed. Heaven knows what hell she’s going to put me through come tomorrow. I smiled when I realized I couldn’t wait. Knowing her it won’t be anything near normal.

“I’m putting your sister to bed, she’s beat.” I lifted her in my arms and took her to her room. I had a hard time letting her go, even gave serious thought to taking her to my bed to sleep.

In the end I put her beneath the covers before stepping back to look down at her. I felt more at ease than I had since she first walked through the doors of the club. When she first zapped me.

My heart squeezed at the thought of all she’d been through, my poor baby. At least tonight I knew that she was safe. And I plan to make sure that she stays that way no matter what.

I brushed my fingers through her hair and wondered how long it would be before my heart stopped doing that little jig in my chest whenever I touch her.

I couldn’t resist planting one last soft kiss on her pretty lips before turning for the door. The kid was standing there watching us. Silent creeper!

I felt a little uncomfortable by his presence until he nodded his head and left the doorway, heading for his room down the hall. I had to respect his dedication to his sister.

I closed down everything and made sure the security system was engaged even though I didn’t expect trouble to find us in my home. But because she was here I went the extra mile just to be on the safe side.

I went to bed not long after and sat up for the longest time just thinking, planning; plotting. I had a lot going on in my mind, a lot I needed to take care of.

I have to see about getting the kid in school as soon as possible, so that she didn’t worry herself to death. But I also need to find a way to ease up her workload. I won’t watch her work herself into the ground.

I also worried about the story the kid had told me, especially what had happened with their mother. Had she dealt with it or had she pushed it aside to deal with everything else? I’m more inclined to believe the latter. She was just that type.

I’m not good with emotion, in fact I haven’t the foggiest idea how to deal with a woman for anything more than sex. As a teen I’d been too preoccupied with football and the burning need to escape poverty.

Whatever flings I had were usually short lived once the female in question realized she wasn’t my number one priority. I can’t blame it all on the game, it so happens I had roving eyes even then.

Other than a son’s love for his mother, I’ve never felt for a female in my life. This would be so much easier if I could deal with her the way I do everything else. Just take charge and make her do everything my way, but I’m sure the pain in the ass won’t let me.

At least I’d jumped one hurdle today, thanks to the kid showing up. If not for him who knows how long it would’ve taken me to talk her around. It gave me comfort to know that even with that, had she not really wanted to be here, she wouldn’t be. Her hardheaded ass!

It wasn’t long before my mind turned to other things. I hadn’t given much thought to what having her right next door in bed, in my home, would do to me.

I thought since I slept next to her once without incident this shit would be a cakewalk. Hah! I was hard as a rock half the damn night. I fought the urge to go check on her I don’t know how many times before finally taking my horny ass to sleep.

I dreamt of her and woke up with a raging hard on that hurt like a son of a bitch. My hiatus was over, fuck me how much time did I say I was willing to give her?

Counting back it was going on two and a half months since I let my boy out the gate. Now that he was in the game there is no telling how his misbehaving ass was gonna act. He’s never heard no in his life and like me he has zero patience.

I took what must be the coldest shower in history and left the bathroom with a smile on my face when I remembered the feel of her lips under mine and all she’d let me do to her the night before. I hurried and got dressed, suddenly ravenous for the sight of her.

After last night I was expecting to share some of those cute secret smiles that people who’d lost their damn minds always seem to have on their faces around each other. I should’ve known better. Fucking nut!

Travis met me outside my bedroom door as soon as it opened like he’d been staking out the shit. “Dude, you better wear a protective cup.” He actually covered himself with his hands.

He kept going, heading back towards the kitchen after that confusing statement. I heard the pots and pans being slammed against the counter all the way down the hall before I made it into the kitchen.

What the hell? I stood in the doorway and raised my brow at Travis who had taken a seat at the island to watch her. The kid just shook his head and went back to watching with his chin in his hand.

She was mumbling some shit under her breath and I’m pretty sure she was imagining my head each time she slammed something against the marble top.

What happened to the sweet amiable girl who’d fallen asleep on my lap the night before? I walked slowly into the room and just for kicks, walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her.

“Good morning sweetheart.” I nipped her ear and tried not to laugh when she kicked backward at my leg. “Got up on the wrong side of the bed huh.” I squeezed her around her middle for good measure.

“Get off me you idiot.” She was holding a bowl with eggs in one hand and a stick of butter in the other. “Not before I get my morning kiss.” She looked over at her brother who was grinning like a loon.

“Max…” She hissed out my name and I realized it was the first time she’d used it. If not for the kill lights in her eyes I would’ve said the scene was pretty damn domestic.

I moved in for a taste of her and she bit me. Not hard enough to draw blood, but enough to get my attention. I decided to leave well enough alone and moved on to the coffee pot before taking the stool next to her brother.

“What’s eating her?” We both watched her as she cooked and fumed for no good damn reason that I

could see. Her ornery ass was in fine form this morning.

“She’s a brooder. She always does this. She’d go to bed one way and wake up another. It’s like she works stuff out in her sleep.” He kept a wary eye on her as he spoke.

“Whatever ground you gained last night is as good as gone. I hope you have something else planned otherwise she’ll have me on the first bus back to Ohio and you won’t even know when she moves back to that hell scape.”

He said all of this under his breath as misery moved around the kitchen cooking and muttering to herself. She slammed two plates down in front of us and walked off.

“Get your own toast when it pops up. I have to get ready to leave.” My eyes were glued to her ass as she left. Even her pique was adorable. I’d lost my damn mind.

“Are these safe?” I looked down at the perfect eggs and potatoes with a half rasher of turkey bacon. She’d even decorated the plate with fruit. His looked pretty much the same as mine and since he was already digging in I answered my own question.

“I guess she wouldn’t off you so…” I dug in and hummed with appreciation. “Wow!”

“I know right. She cooks best when she’s pissed.” He shoveled eggs into his mouth like it was his last meal.

Her displeasure could be heard from all the way down the hall. What with the slamming doors and loud mutters that were nothing more than whispers by the time they reached our ears. What a brat.

I polished off my food and grabbed a second cup of coffee before I felt human. So much for her morning disposition being better. I wonder what the hell set her off this time.

“Did you two get into it this morning?”

“Nope, I woke up to that. She’s annoyed because we ganged up on her. Her words. I knew it was too easy.” He shook his head and finished off his plate.

“She never used to be like that, not really. When she gets pissed you’d know, but it was rare for that to happen. Ever since mom died she’s been on autopilot. It’s like there’s no room for mistakes, everything has to be perfect. If I even catch a cold she freaks.”

I listened to him describe all the ways she’d changed in the last year or so and started putting the pieces together. It wasn’t that hard to see what was going on with her, but if she kept pushing herself like that she’d burn out. I won’t let that happen.

“Can I ask you a question?” I stood at the counter facing him as he drank down about a gallon of orange juice.

“Shoot!”

“Has your sister dealt with your mother’s death?”

He gave it some thought before he answered. “No, she never let herself cry, not even at the funeral. She’s bottled it all up. From dad’s leaving and the way he treated us, to having to give up her dream.” That’s what I thought. I was coming to know her very well.

“One last question. Are you sure you want to move here? I know you said you’ve already been scouted, which is good, but how far has it gone?”

“What do you mean?”

“Has anyone approached you personally? Have

you received a national letter of intent?” I know most people have no idea what it means to be scouted.

I didn’t want him to fall into that bracket of hopefuls who got their hopes up because of a few throw away words from a scheming coach.

“Yes to all the above.”

“That’s good then, which school did you choose?”

“Didn’t I tell you I’m your biggest fan? Which school do you think I chose?” He had a big stupid grin on his face.

“Even better, I’ll take care of the school situation you just concentrate on being a kid for the next few months. Once you hit the college scene, if you’re any good, your childhood is over.”

At least I can be here for you in that respect like no one was for me. How easy was it for me to step into the void without question. All because of her. Usually I offer help from afar.

If I get too close to the kids I’m trying to help, the whole damn thing turns into a puppet show, which I don’t want. Most of the people I help have no idea that I’m the one lending a helping hand, which is just the way I like it.

With him, he’s family, it’s as simple as that. He was thanking me profusely and I was about to tell him to knock that shit off when I heard her footsteps heading for the door at a fast clip. I barely made it in time to stop her.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Oh for…, what is this my new prison?” I pulled my phone with one hand while holding her in place with the other.

“Tony are you downstairs yet?” We’d planned for him to come earlier than usual.

“Just got here. Bring me coffee, I didn’t have time to stop since you made me get here at the ass crack of dawn.” Complaining fuck!

I hung up trying to remember where the Go cups were as I dragged her along behind me back to the kitchen. “Would you stop dragging me around like a rag doll?”

I let her go long enough to search the cupboards, but not before telling her brother to keep an eye on her. I found what I was looking for and filled it with coffee cream and sugar the way he likes it before turning my attention back to her.

“Why are you still wearing that? Where’s the coat I bought you?” She turned up her nose at me.

“Probably still in the bag on the floor. Let’s go I’m going to be late.” Ungrateful twit.

We followed her out the door and down to the waiting car. Tony looked us over before shaking his head and turning the car on.

From the secret grin on his lips I’m sure he’d read the situation well. Who wouldn’t with her face set up like a storm cloud?

I dragged her across the seat from where she was hugging the door to avoid me, ignoring the scathing look she gave me. The ride wasn’t that long and we were there before I was ready to let her go.

I started to stress about her disappearing until I remembered that I had her brother. She wouldn’t go anywhere without him.

I got out with her when we pulled up outside the Internet café in midtown. “What time should I pick you up?” I brushed at her hair which was all I could do here without her spazzing the fuck out.

“You’re not. I have something else to do today, I’ll find my way back to your place when I’m done.” That’s what she thinks.

She turned to her brother who’d also exited the car and warned him to behave while she was gone. It was funny to watch the two of them. Her lecturing as he towered over her by almost a foot. That’s probably how the two of us look together as well, come to think of it.