IGNITE

fifty-three.

‹ 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐲𝐬𝐨𝐧 ›

Piper's younger brother and I sat awkwardly on the couch while Ryan, Kai, and the rest of the group hung out in the kitchen, cleaning and giving us what they called 'future brother-in-law bonding time.'

Matt and I had gone on a short bike ride, one that I took pathetically slow and careful so as to not earn myself a fist to the mouth from Piper's older brother.

And now, we're here.

Awkwardly.

"So," Matt dragged out the word as he turned to face me, a smile on his face that had my stomach turning, because if I had learned one thing in the very tense few hours he had been in my house, that look was never a good thing. "You like my sister?"

Slowly, I slid my gaze to the young boy beside me. He looked nothing like Piper, save for the bright green eyes and the freckles splashed across his nose. His curly dark hair was a mess of curls atop his head, and his grin was mischievous. "I do."

"Hmm," Matt nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you like her?"

The question was simple, and the answer was even simpler. Piper was everything. She was the first thought on my mind when I woke up, and the last thought on my mind before I went to bed. She was the only thing in my life that made sense, and I would burn the entire world to the ground just to make sure she was happy.

She was everything.

And, apparently, I was taking too long to respond.

"Well?" Matt pushed, raising an eyebrow.

"She's a ray of fucking sunshine, kid. She's my everything."

Matt seemed to think about my answer for a moment, his nose scrunched, and then he nodded. "That's gross but...I accept it."

"Glad I have your approval," I laughed, a small smile on my face.

"Do you have any siblings?" Matt's question was simple, innocent. Yet, he was so blissfully unaware of the way my stomach churned, the way the question had bile rising in my throat.

How the fuck was I supposed to answer that?

"Kind of?" I cringed, knowing full well the answer wouldn't suffice.

Matt simply laughed at my answer, his hand clapping against my shoulder. "Family problems, eh? Don't I know it." He shrugged, "well, regardless of how your biological family is, you've got a brother right here."

His words caught me off guard, and I felt myself relax, a real smile forming on my lips. "Thanks, Matt."

"Now," Matt's grin was wicked as he pushed off the couch, stalking into the kitchen. "Let's get back to the real topic at hand."

"Here we go," I sighed, following the young boy. "What's the real topic at hand?"

Matt hopped up onto the counter, a serious expression on his face, and he crossed his arms over his chest. "When are you going to get me a beer? I'm dehydrated over here."

Ryan moved to the fridge, and I stopped him with my hand, pushing him back the way he came. "If you're thirsty, you can have a juicebox, kid."

"That's so lame," Matt huffed, a pout forming on his face. "Scott lets me drink all the time at home!"

"Come on, Grey, let the kid have a drink." Ryan grinned, and I glared at him. "If he's allowed to drink at home, what's the big deal?"

I watched my friends for a long moment, my brows furrowed. "Fine. But just one."