Haunted

"And green means go." - UNEDITED

Disclaimer: This chapter has not been edited from the original as posted on JBFF. There will be mistakes, typos, continuity problems and other issues.

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"Mom," Scarlett glared at Clara from across the room. "You didn't tell me the whole family would be here."

"Are you sure?" Clara winked at Maddox. "I really thought I said that."

"Whatever, it's fine," Scarlett sighed. "Andrew, this is my family," she gestured to the room that was overflowing with people. Even with most of the kids out back it seemed like they were running out of space.

"And?" Aiden prompted, leaning forward.

"Family, this is Andrew. My boyfriend," Scarlett said.

"Oh, so people do still use that word," Kylie interrupted. "Wes, Luke, what did I tell you? People still use the word boyfriend."

"Mom," Wes groaned. Luke gave Wes his usual nervous lip-biting look.

Maddox felt Brent kiss his shoulder and turned to see him handing Maddox a beer. He smiled at Brent, happy to sit back and watch the rest of the family's little dramas playing out instead of worrying about his own for a change.

As annoying as it seemed, Kylie had done Scarlett a favor by putting the attention back on Wes. It was hard in such a big family to have privacy. The whole family knew Wes and Luke were back together but not many of them knew the details. Just like most of the family didn't know the details about Scarlett's new boyfriend.

Which was why Maddox tried to learn as much as he could about him from a distance. Aiden was right there to play overprotective brother so Maddox stayed away. He had to admit, he had a feeling this guy was special. There was just something about the way he and Scarlett looked at each other.

"Are we late? What did we miss?" Eli asked as he came in.

"Scarlett's new boyfriend is here," Brent gestured.

"Ah, we knew it," Eli said. "How are you?"

"We're fine," Maddox said. He knew Eli wasn't really asking about him or Brent.

"Good," Eli nodded. "Us too. Clay got a job, did I tell you?"

"Yes," Brent said. "Does he like it?"

"It's hard to tell," Eli said. "I think so, but I don't think he wants to admit it."

"You know we don't expect him to pay for anything, right?" Maddox asked.

"It's not about the money," Eli shook his head. "I'm just happy to have him out of his room and off that damn computer."

"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Brent grinned. It was pretty hysterical to hear Eli say that since he spent 99% of his life on his laptop too.

"Shit, I sound exactly like my dad," Eli cringed. "I take it back. Never tell anyone I said that."

"Said what?" Adam asked. "Sorry, I had to park the car halfway across the country. Your parents need a longer driveway."

"Yeah, I'll let them know," Maddox laughed. He took Brent's hand and Brent lifted Maddox's hand to kiss the back of it.

Maddox spent most of the night watching everyone and what they were doing. Hannah sat with Emily most of the night, the two of them having what looked like a serious conversation. Clay tried to talk to Hannah but she blew him off, at least as much as Hannah ever would.