Her Five Brothers

Chapter 20 - Awkward Silence

Aspen: TW

After fifteen minutes of awkward silence between my brother's friends and i, i was unsure of what my next move should be. I haven't known them long but i didn't expect it to be this... weird? Maybe that's the wrong word. The air just feels tenser now and I can't help but believe they know something.

"So, this is awkward." I tut, pausing from my slight pacing and rocking back and forth on my heels.

"Well only because -" Cameron beings before a ring of the doorbell breaks his really interesting, ripe with information, sentence.

All three boys jump out their chairs.

"Quinn go get the rest. Cam stay here with her. I'll go check it out." Ace rapidly fires out, leaving the room while reaching for his pocket. Quinn gives me a quick smile before dashing up the staircase.

I turn to look at Cameron and he meets my gaze. "Extreme?" I question.

He gives the incident a moment of thought before nodding agreeably. "Yeah, especially with all the security around here. It's probably just the mailman."

I huff out a laugh and flop onto the couch. What weird little friends my brothers have. Am i shocked? No. Not even slightly. Not even a minuscule. Look at them. LOOK. AT. THEM.

Suddenly, Ace's voice goes from a quiet murmur to yelling in half a second. Cameron, who doesn't even looked phased, rolls his eyes and excuses himself.

He pops his head back through a moment later. "Do you know a Josh Jackson?"

OH MY FLIPPITY YEE-HAW!

"JOSH!"

In my mind, did I believe once that i would be sprinting towards a social worker i met once? If ice froze over in hell. However, here i am, sliding along the wet kitchen floor in slippery socks to achieve my goal. Hug Josh. Seems doable. Although, nothing has ever been so simple for me because instead of walking and greeting him like a normal person, i flew into him, forcing him to lose balance and let out a grunt.

"hey Aspen! I missed you too!" He chuckles, rubbing the back of my head. "I let Alexander know i was coming." His eyes light up as he tells me, scanning the room for my eldest brother. I smirk.

"How come you are here?" I ask him with a tilt in the head, showing him into the living room while Cameron and Ace followed. I hear hushed whispers, but i pay no mind.

"Well, i must do a check up every once in a while anyways, but I decided that we could have our first meal out together tonight. Just like i promised." He grins and i smile back.

"He's too old for you!" Ace exclaims, rushing to the bottom of the stairs. "ALEXANDER, AN OLD MAN JUST ASKED ASPEN ON A DATE!

"WHAT!" Axel screeches from the third floor, as pleasant as ever. Three seconds later a boatload of elephants are tumbling down the stairs (bar Alexander and Elijah) including Quinton.

"Boys," smiles Josh, "i think we are at a little misunderstanding."

My brothers rush into the living room before relaxing immensely and tucking something into the back of their shirts. A gun, maybe? Well, yeah. They did say Mafia.

I hope they shoot me.

"Josh, good to see you again." Elijah greets, sending a knowing look to my eldest brother who has a light blush across his face.

"Good to see you, Josh." Alexander clears his throat. "Boys, you and your friends go upstairs and remind them, especially Ace, how we would kill them if they actually allowed an older man to come close to Asp while she was in their care." They are shrink back, reluctantly dragging their feet up the stairs. He was joking.