LAURIE

I peered out of the window watching as my parents waited for the cab driver to get their luggage out of the trunk. “They’re home,” I sighed. “What were you saying?”

“It’s okay, go see your parents,” Kyle said. “We can talk later.”

“Yeah, okay. I’m really glad you and Rebecca talked.”

“Me too. It was as awkward-as-fuck, but it helped, I think. I miss you already.”

I laughed softly. “It’s only been a day, Kyle.”

“A day too long,” he grumbled just as I heard the bang of the front door.

“They’re here. I should go. I love you.”

“Love you too. Good luck,” he snickered and hung up, and I gave myself a couple of seconds before going to greet them.

“Darling, you’re home.” Mom approached me, poised for her stiff air-kiss. I leaned in letting her do her thing.

“Did you have a nice time? I was surprised you called to say you’d be home early.”

“Yes, well, we got an interesting call while we were gone,” Dad said as he brought the rest of the luggage inside.

“You did?” My stomach roiled.

“Mike, let’s at least get settled first. I need to freshen up. I have dreadful hat hair.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to silence myself. God forbid my mother had to endure one of Dad’s ‘talks’ with hat hair.

“Laurie, a little help, please?” She motioned to the bags, and I grabbed two and followed her further into the house. “The neighbors called your father twice,” she whisper-hissed. “What did I tell you about having people over?”

“It was Kyle, Mom. Hardly the crime of the century.”

She made a hacking sound in the back of her throat. “Yes, well, we’ll talk about that once I’m cleaned up.”

“Can’t wait.” The words spewed out, but Mom had already gone into the downstairs bathroom. I deposited the bags on the breakfast counter and climbed up onto one of the stools. My cell phone vibrated, and I slipped it out.

Lo: So... what did they say?

Me: Nothing... yet. But they know. It’s why they came home.

Lo: Shit.

Me: Yeah, shit.

Lo: Do you need me to come over? A friendervention?

Me: I’m good. It was going to happen sooner or later. Might as well get it over with.

Lo: Okay, call me when you’re done.

Me: XO

“Is your mother ready yet?” Dad stood awkwardly in the doorway.

“She’s attending to her hat hair,” I said wryly, and he managed a half-smirk, but it quickly vanished when Mom breezed back into the room.

“Right, where were we?”

“You were about to lecture me about having my boyfriend over while you were gone.”

“Laurie!” Mom shrieked, and I shrugged.

“My bad, are we not here to talk about that?”

“What has gotten into you?”

“Gabi, Laurie, stop.” Dad rubbed his temples. “Your mother and I received a disturbing call yesterday.”

I held his unwavering gaze. Waiting.

“It has come to light the Stone boy’s mother—”

“Oh my god, it’s Kyle. His name is Kyle. I’ve been dating him for almost a year. And I dated him for almost a year before that. You’ve known him for years. Can you please stop acting like he’s some guy I picked up from the wrong side of the tracks? It’s ridiculous.”

“Young lady, don’t take that tone with me,” Dad snapped.

Dad never snapped. He was Mike Davison. Calm. Composed. He hid his emotions and never let them get the better of him.

Ever.

I shrank into myself. “Fine, you were saying...” I waved my hand waiting for him to continue, trying to disguise the quiver in my voice.

“It has come to light that Kyle’s mother is back on the scene. A drug addict living in Rotunda Heights no less. Now I don’t think I need to say this, but your mother and I do not want you around that.”

“You’re kidding me, right? This is a joke?” I slid off the stool and stood tall. “First off, Kyle’s mom is an ex-addict. She’s clean and has been for a while. Secondly, where do you get off judging a woman you don’t even know? And thirdly, that’s his mom. His mom. A person with thoughts and feelings and problems just like the rest of us.”

“Sweetheart,” Mom soothed. “We know you like Kyle, but we don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be involved with people like the Stone-Princes. We overlooked it before because he seemed like a nice boy. But quite frankly, we don’t want you involved with such—”

“Such what, Mom? Scandal? And just for the record, I don’t like Kyle. I love him. I’m in love with him. How many times do I have to spell it out for you?” I sighed with defeat. “You’re my parents and I love you, but you really have no idea about who I am and what I want, do you? My boyfriend just found out everything he thought to be true was a lie, so excuse me while I go be there for him the way that families are supposed to have each other’s backs.”

I ran out of there because I knew if I didn’t, I’d be the one apologizing.

Not them.

Me.

And for once in my life, I didn’t want to bend to their every whim.

~

“I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU said that,” Lo stared at me with a mix of awe and disbelief and I buried my face into Kyle’s chest, feeling my cheeks heat.

“Where are you going?” His hand slid under my jaw tilting my face back to him.

“I just... God, I can’t believe I did that.”

“It’s okay to stand up for yourself now and again, babe.” He pressed a kiss to my nose. “I’m proud of you.”

“You know they’re only going to make things harder on me now. Which means they’ll make things harder for us.”

“They can bring it.” Kyle grinned. “I’m never letting you go. Even if I have to go up against the almighty Mr. Davison.”

“Kyle.” I pressed my hands into his chest, but my fingers had a mind of their own, curling into his t-shirt, pulling us closer when I should have been pushing him away. And then our lips were touching, kissing, consuming.

“Hmm, guys,” Lo coughed, and we paused, my eyes sliding to hers. “Best friend and future sister-in-law present.”

“Me too,” Summer added. “I’m present and totally uncomfortable at seeing my brother’s tongue in your mouth. Sorry.”

Kyle pulled away from me and frowned. “What’s wrong with my tongue?”

“That’s what you’re taking from this little conversation?” Lo rolled her eyes just as Maverick and Nick arrived, a mountain of snacks in their hands.

“I think we went overboard,” Nick said, and Kyle scoffed as he yanked me down onto the couch with him.

“Never, dude. You can never have too many snacks. Hand me some of those chips and the dip. Actually, I’ll take both dips.”

“Pig!” Lo said before shooting me a discreet smile. “This was a good idea. I feel like the summer is running away from us and we haven’t spent nearly enough time together.”

“Hmm, Cous, you do know you and Rick are glued at the hip, right?”

“Jerk.” She poked her tongue out at him.

“Watch it, Stone,” Maverick said coolly but I saw the amusement in his eyes. Nick watched the conversation play out, eyes bugged and jaw slack. He seemed nice, but he was still wary around the Stone-Prince brothers, and I didn’t blame him. They were something else alright.

“Macey didn’t show?” Maverick asked.

“Did you really think she would?” Kyle said.

He shrugged. “I thought she might come. I talked to her.”

“And?”

“She said she might come.”

“Well, I don’t see her, do you?” Kyle grabbed a handful of chips and stuffed them in his mouth.

“Okay, Stone, keep your panties on. There’s something going on with her. She’s—”

“A bitch?” Lo added and Summer sucked in a sharp breath.

“London,” Maverick growled.

“Oh, don’t London me. It’s true. She’s been insufferable this summer. I know she’s pissed at your mom still but it’s no excuse.”

Maverick pulled Lo back into his arms and dropped his chin to her shoulder. “Remind me never to piss you off.”

“Too bloody right.” She nodded around a smile and tilted her face up, giving him her mouth.

“Guys,” Summer moaned, “Please stop with the kissing. It’s embarrassing.”

“Aww, is little sis feeling all prudish?”

“Kyle!” I elbowed him in the ribs and Summer let out an exasperated breath before climbing into Nick’s lap. He went rigid, his eyes darting from Stone to Prince.

“Summer, what the fuck do you think—”

She grabbed Nick’s face and captured his mouth in a deep kiss while the rest of us looked on, mouths hanging open. Nick’s hand tightened around her waist as they made out as if we weren’t all present.

“Rick, do something,” Kyle choked, but Maverick looked just as pale.

“Face it, boys,” Lo declared. “Little sis grew up. Get used to it.”

Summer broke off the kiss, smashed her lips together, and got up off a rather flushed looking Nick’s lap. “I... hmm, please don’t hurt me,” he rushed out. “I swear, I had no idea she was going to do that.”

“Of course you didn’t Nicky boy, because you’re a guy and guys value their balls,” Kyle growled.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Summer said around a smug smirk. “Didn’t you like seeing your little sister making out with her boyfriend? Now you know how it feels to be me. Someone pass me the chips, I’m starving.” She flopped onto the couch beside me, helped herself to a chip from the bag in my lap and popped one into her mouth as if she hadn’t just schooled her brothers.

“Well played,” I mouthed while stroking Kyle’s arm, trying to keep him from tearing Nick a new one.

“Okay, point taken. Now can we watch the damn movie before I do something I’ll regret?” Maverick stalked to the television and then hit the light switch, plummeting the pool house into darkness.

I twisted my body, sliding closer to Kyle. Something had changed between us. He was lighter after confessing everything to me and I couldn’t deny it felt like a weight had been lifted. He let me in. When it came down to it, Kyle opened up to me and bared his soul. Maybe that made me pathetic—needing that kind of validation from a guy—but it wasn’t just Kyle. It was them. The Stone-Princes. If you weren’t family, they kept you on the periphery. But sitting here with Kyle, Lo, Maverick, and Summer, I didn’t feel on the periphery any more. I felt part of their circle.

Part of their family.

And that’s all I’d ever wanted.

To belong.