Broken and Fearless // C.B.

Chapter 98

Tara's video: Prank Calling My Friends (they thought i was in TROUBLE)

I sat on the sofa in my chosen filming room, with some rainbow goldfish and a cup of Prince of Wales tea with a spoonful of sugar.

I joined the Zoom and my family waved, seeing me. "Hey, guys. How are you?"

"Better now that I see my little sister's face," Jackson teased.

I frowned. "You're seven minutes older than me. That hardly classifies as older."

"Ah, but it does."

Jenna smirked. "Yeah, well, you're five minutes younger than me Jack, so take that."

Dad frowned. "Stop it, you three."

Jenna called me out. "Julie, is Colby gonna be here? I think the husband of my sister should be in a family call."

I shrugged. "I can get him. And the other roommates too, if you'd like."

Dad nodded. "After we have some family talk just catching up."

"Be right back."

I ran to find Colby and said, "Heyo, my family wants to talk to you."

He looked up from the video game. "Lead the way, baby."

I led Colby to my filming room and we sat on the sofa.

Jackson smiled and waved. "Hey, man. How are you?"

"Good," Colby replied. "You?"

"Same. I've watched your videos in the new house. Seems you guys have a lot of fun."

Jenna rolled her eyes. "It's all he talks about, Julie. Hawaii, the new trap house, stupid name by the way, and everything."

Colby frowned. "I take great offense to that, Jen."

She shrugged. "Well it's just the truth."

I looked between them. "Jen, Colby, enough. So, Dad, what's the family business?"

"Saving people, hunting things?" Jackson asked.

"Yes! Thank you, Jack!"

Jenna rolled her eyes. "You two are way too addicted to that show. I swear."

"Addicted and proud," I said with a smirk.

Dad changed the subject. "Colby, thank you for always watching out for her and protecting her."

"Defending her honor," Jackson added.

Colby smiled and kissed my temple. "Anytime. I'll always look out for her. That's my job."

"Can we join?" Jake asked in a weird voice as he poked his head in.

I glanced to my dad and he nodded.

"Yeah, come on in, guys," I told them.

The other three guys joined and I introduced. "This is Jake, Sam and Corey." As I introduced them, they raised their hands.

Dad smiled. "Nice to meet you three. I hope you're not doing anything to hurt my daughter."

Sam shook his head. "No sir. We love her like she's our sister."

Jake ruffled my hair. "She may be annoying, but she's still like my little sister."

"Yeah, no. She's my little sister," Jackson protested.

"Seven minutes, Jack!" I yelled. "Seven freaking minutes!"

Colby took my hand in an attempt to calm me.

I jabbed a finger at Jackson's picture. "Take it back. Take it back."

"Little. Sister."

"Jackson A--"

"Juliet Grace, Jackson Allen, that is enough," Dad warned. "We have your sister's roommates with us."

Corey shook his head. "It's okay. Juliet and Jake fight all the time."

I groaned. "Thanks, Corey."

He glanced at me. "What? They see it in the videos."

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean you have to expose me."

Dad sighed. "Enough, everyone. I really don't want to break up virtual fights."

Sam stood. "Well, I have some things to do, but it was nice talking to you guys."

"Nice to see you again, Sam."

Sam waved to my family and left, soon followed by Corey and Jake.

An hour later, my dad ended the call since it was getting a little late in Boston and he had things to do before bed.

A couple hours later, I got a FaceTime call from Tara.

I answered and she said, "Hey, I can't talk right now."

"You called me, Tara," I told her.

"I can't talk right now."

"Oh, um, are you okay? You're not in danger? Hang on. Are you filming?"

"What? No, I'm not filming."

"Yeah you are. I see the camera in your computer screen. You can't prank a prankster."

"You and Colby both caught that."

"Yeah, well, what can I say? I got a good eye. But seriously, you're okay, right?"

"I'm fine. Guess who didn't answer."

"Your boyfriend?"

"Mm-hmm. I can't believe he didn't answer."

"It's Jake. I'm honestly not surprised. I'll have a talk with him if you like."

"Nah, it's all right."

"Let me know if you change your mind."

"Sure. I'll talk for real, later."

I waved to my phone. "Bye Tara's viewers."