Saying goodbye to Alexander had been really difficult and I’m just glad we’d managed to do it in private and not with our family looking on. But it’s a week later and I can’t stop missing him.

I miss sleeping in his arms and waking the same way, and just about everything about him. Paige knows this and is really irritating me with her indifference. I’m sure as hell going to have something to say if she continues mentioning Brad though.

Glancing around my room, I realize that I’m not coming back here. I should be because that was the original plan, but now, after I’ve finished in Italy, I’m heading home to Lexington. This, I’ve kept between Alexander and I, but it’s the only thing I’m sure of right now because everything with my sister has put me off balance. Paige has also made it difficult to talk to her, about anything. It’s gotten to the point that I’m afraid she’s going to snap my head off, so I’ve kept to myself, it’s lonely.

Tonight is going to test my limits as she’s invited Jaxon and Dylan around for dinner. It’s a usual thing, but the first since we’ve been back from the wedding, and hearing voices outside of my room, my heart sinks when I don’t just hear my cousins, I hear Brad and Seth too.

Perhaps Paige will be on her best behavior with Seth being here. She certainly won’t want to show herself up.

With resignation, I move to my bedroom door when there’s a knock.

Dylan slips in the minute there’s a gap, closing it behind him.

He grins and after a quick hug, drops to my bed. “I’m so tired. Coach has us training hard.”

I roll my eyes and join him on the bed, lying beside him. He grabs my hand and brings it up to his lips. “Why are you being so nice to me?” I narrow my eyes. “What have you done?”

He pretends to look wounded, which he isn’t, and then he laughs. “Okay, you caught me. I haven’t done anything though. I just need a favor.” He rolls to his side and stares at me. I roll so we’re facing.

My door barges open.

Dylan and I glance at the doorway and see Paige standing there with her mouth hanging open. Dylan blurts, “You’re catching flies.”

Her mouth snaps shut and she glares at me, fuming.

“Another one!” The door slams shut behind her.

I’m left staring at the door until Dylan clears his throat. “What the hell is wrong with her?”

I sigh. “She’s pissed at me and until she accepts what I want, then it’s always going to be between us.”

“Stop talking around the subject. I know about you and Alexander, and I’m not going to judge even though it feels a bit weird.”

My eyes snap to his as he continues, “I’ve known you both since I was born, and I mean that I know you, and our cousin. I’ll get used to it, and so will the others. Paige will come around eventually, although I’m not sure why she’s being so difficult about this.” He rubs a hand over his face. “I know she can be a pain in the butt once she gets onto something, but this is different.”

“Enough about me, what’s the favor you needed to ask me?” He lets me go back to our original conversation much to my relief.

“Madison is taking a commission—”

“That’s amazing.”

“—from Derek Jackson,” Dylan mumbles.

My eyes widen. “Oh!”

“Exactly.”

Frowning, I ask, “I don’t understand what the favor is though? I mean we all saw the attraction between the two of them.”

“Jeez, Rachel! He’s old for heavens sake.” Dylan rolls to his back and stares blankly at the ceiling.

Moving closer, I rest my head on his shoulder and snuggle up against him. Out of all my cousins, Dylan and Jaxon are whom I’d consider more as brothers. Because we’re the same age, we spent the most time together.

“Derek is only a couple of years older than Garrett, you know this right?”

“She’s my sister.”

“Then ask Michael or Joshua how they handled their sister being with a much older man.”

He turns his head and looks as though a light bulb has gone off in his head. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

Sitting up, I turn and tell him, “I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that Michael and Joshua accepted their sister’s relationship because it’s obvious how much Garrett loves her.” I smile. “Sirena is just as strong willed as Madison. I actually don’t think Derek has a chance now that Madison has fallen in love with him.”

“Oh God, don’t say that.” Dylan rolls to his feet and holds his handout before he glances at the door then back to me. “Paige invited Brad and Seth.”

I nod. “I heard their voices when you all arrived.”

“I hate that she’s leading him on by using me. I don’t know how to stop it.”

He shakes his head with his hand on the doorknob. “I’ll talk to him later and tell him you’re taken, and your twin has a problem with that.” He kisses the top of my head. “Don’t worry, Rachel. Everything will work out in the end.”

He opens the door, but I tug on his arm. “I still don’t know the favor.”

“I forgot.” He chuckles and puts his mouth against my ear. “Will you talk to Madison and make sure she really is okay?” He winces. “It might be easier her talking to another girl.”

I pause for a minute then I wrap my arms around his neck and hold him tight. “You’re a big softy, Dylan McKenzie, and I love you.” I kiss his cheek and smile as I greet the others.

“I want one of them,” Jaxon pipes up and before I know it, he has me in his arms and off my feet, followed by a sloppy, noisy kiss to my cheek.

“You’re gross.” He pretends to sulk as I push him away. “But, I love you anyway.” I grin. “Happy now?”

“I am.” He drops to his usual chair at the table we use when there are a few of us to eat. Unless of course it’s pizza, then we spread out over the living room.

“Brad came to see you, Rachel,” Paige announces.

My surprise, I’m unable to hide, and Dylan and Jaxon seem to be having the same trouble. Dylan frowns and gives Paige a dark look while Jaxon makes himself busy flicking between cable channels, and Seth just glances between us all trying to figure out what’s going on.

I give a heavy sigh and face Brad who has blushed to the roots of his hair. “My sister has no manners,” I say, ignoring Paige. “Perhaps, we can talk later?”

“I’d like that.” He smiles and my heart sinks.

I really don’t want to encourage him, but at the same time I’m not prepared to embarrass him in front of the others.

Forcing a smile, I sit between Jaxon and Dylan at the table and leave Paige to settle between Seth and Brad. I’m so annoyed with her right now.

Dinner is eaten with an uncomfortable silence, and afterwards, I lead Brad outside the apartment and tell him the truth: my heart belongs to someone else whom I’m going to be moving in with. I apologize for my sister who is about to get a piece of my mind.

Brad is a good sport about everything, and I watch him leave as I head back into the apartment.

All eyes focus on me while mine find my sisters. “You had no right to encourage Brad to be here for me!” I slam the front door closed. “You know my heart belongs to someone else. Brad is a nice guy and doesn’t deserve to be used by you. How could you be so cruel Paige?”

“Do I have this right?” Seth asks. “Paige knew you belonged to someone else but she encouraged Brad to go after you?”

“That about sums it up,” I admit and turn my gaze back to my sister. “I know you’re angry with me, but that doesn’t give you the right to hurt others.” I wrap an arm around my stomach, and add sadly, “I don’t even know who you are anymore, Paige.”

Turning to Jaxon who is the closest to me, I accept his hug, and then Dylan’s, who says, “Call if you need anything, and I mean that Rachel.” He kisses my cheek again.

“I’ll see you around Seth.” I shrug. “Sorry you had to see this.”

He shakes his head. “No worries. Shit happens.” I don’t miss the look of disappointment that crosses his face when he glances at Paige.

I lock myself in my room for the rest of the night.