Book 1: Beyond Me and You

Heads Up

After I finish hugging dad Kayla comes up to us with a smile on her face.

"I'm so happy to see you two talking again"

"Thank you Kayla" I say as I hold my hand out to her. "Alright. It's time for you two to go off on your honeymoon" I say as I rush them both out the venue door. We reach their limo and I open the door for them to enter. "Your luggage is in the trunk and your tickets are with the driver in the front."

"Won't we at least get to change?" Dad asks a little overwhelmed.

"Of course...at the airport. I already ordered the driver to bring back your clothes to the house so please just enjoy this trip because you both deserve it. Alright love you bye!" I say quickly before closing the door.

I watch as the limo drives down the street out of view. I know they're reaction wasn't the best but I guess a little heads up about this whole trip might've made it a little less overwhelming.

I feel arms wrap around my waist from behind me and I'm pulled closer towards a firm chest. "Finally" Nathan whispers in my ear sending a shiver down my spine. "We're all alone.."

Although I can't see him, I know that he has a smirk on his face. I turn around in his hold to come face to face. "You're right. Maybe now we can continue where we left off" I whisper into his ear. I can feel Nathan's muscles tense up underneath my touch. Nathan has always been better at teasing me but this time I think I've gotten the advantage. Suddenly he pulls me closer to his body and I lose all control.

The sound of someone clearing their throat makes us come to a complete stop. We both create a bit of distance between us and turn around to see Dean approaching us with some boxes in his hands and some friends following closely behind.

"Where do you want me to put these?" He asks hinting towards the boxes.

"If they don't fit in your car Nathan and I can-"

"No I'll take them." He says before I can finish my sentence. "I guess I'll see you at home" Nathan and I unconsciously glance towards each other. "What?" Dean asks as he looks between Nathan and I.

"Nothing. Nothing at all. Nathan and I will stay behind to finish cleaning up"

Dean nods his head in agreement and walks off with his friends following closely behind. They all seem to be in a rush but I brush it off refocusing on the task at hand. I ask Nathan to bring the car around while I gather up the leftover party favors.

After cleaning up Nathan and I went to go pick up Ailee from her babysitter's house. The whole time we were there the girl endlessly flirted with Nathan. It was entertaining watching him struggle to avoid every move she made. Every time the girl would playfully touch Nathan's shoulder he would try to shrug it off but it didn't always work.

When we get to my house I see a few unfamiliar cars parked in front. Loud music is coming from the house and I'm almost scared to open the front door. I turn the doorknob and the door was unlocked. I open the door to reveal a huge house party happening right in front of my very own eyes.

Dean was throwing a party without giving me a heads up. The house suddenly feels small as teenagers walk around drinking, dancing, and talking. A beer pong game has been set up on the kitchen island and the kitchen counter is completely covered with bottles of different types of alcohol.

Dean suddenly appears within the crowd and approaches me with two drinks, one in each hand.

"You're home" he says, his voice a little slurred.

"Are you serious?!" I yell over the music but Dean looks unfazed at my yelling. "What do you think you're doing? I told you I was going to-"

"My friends wanted a party so that's what I gave them. You seriously need to chill."

"Chill?! You can't possibly be serious right now!" I continue to yell over the music but Dean's eyes wander around the room as he moves his head along to the music. His carelessness is making me lose my patience. "You-" I begin to say but I see Sienna walking up from behind him.

"Oh hey Larkin. I didn't know you'd be here" she says with a sarcastic tone. "Where's your boyfriend? Did he break up with you already?" She says laughing shortly after. Her friends join in right after as I stand there with my arms crossed feeling bit overwhelmed.

Finding out Dean threw this huge house party without and notice left me furious but knowing that Sienna is in my house made me feel vulnerable. This was the one place I knew was mine, I knew she wouldn't be here, but here she is. Dean knows I don't even want to be near her and here he is willingly inviting her into the house.

"I'd rather die" I hear Nathan's voice behind me.

Dean lifts his gaze from the floor with a smile plastered on his face. "Oh great look it's Nathan. Why don't you gift all of us some of those pills"

"Dean!" I yell in anger. I can feel Nathan shift uncomfortably behind me. I know he doesn't do that anymore but the constant reminder of his past mistakes doesn't make it any easier for him to prove he's changed. I turn to face Nathan. "Let's go" I say as I grab his hand and begin to walk out the door.

"No!" Dean yells while grabbing my arm and pulling me back. "You're not leaving with him." Dean's grip on my arm is tight and I try not to react, afraid of what Nathan would do.

"It's fine Dean. You can have your party. I'll be back tomorrow in the morning" I say as calm as possible. I try to free myself from his grip but he tightens it even more and pulls me towards him.

"No"

"Dean please let go" I beg but he's too drunk to realize anything.

"I said no!" he yells over the music.

Nathan gets between Dean and I and rips his grip off of my arm. "She said let go."

Dean stands up to Nathan but is smaller than him by an inch or two. "You think I'm scared of you?!" Dean slurs while attempting to stand up straight.

Nathan grabs Dean by the collar of his dress shirt. "Don't think you're an exception. I can promise you I won't hold back." I quickly react to gab his arm and pull him back.

"Nathan let's go." I demand and he follows behind me as we leave the house.

The drive to his house was quiet since Ailee was already asleep. Once we arrive, Nathan carries her up to her room and I wait in the kitchen. The only light in the kitchen is the moonlight that seeps through the window curtains. After a few minutes Nathan comes down to the kitchen. We sit at the table in silence for a few seconds.

"You can never do that again." I say breaking the silence.

"Lark-"

"He's my brother"

"He was hurting you" Nathan argues.

"I'll deal with him on my own. But you can't ever threaten him again."

"I'm not gonna stand there and watch him hurt you"

"He's my family Nate. How am I suppose to explain to my parents that I let my boyfriend punch my brother?" I say with more frustration.

"You don't get it."

"What is there to understand? You almost got into a fight with my brother"

"Can you stop calling him that?!" Nathan whisper/yells.

"Nat-"

Nathan suddenly stands up and walks out of the kitchen and out the front door. Instead of following him, I remain seated in the kitchen. Right now we both need space to cool off. The past events of today replay in my head. It's crazy how earlier today was perfect and now it feels like we're all just holding on.