Chapter 24

Scarlet:

Finally, after what seems like forever, I pull up in front of my childhood home. Before I can shut Beast off Cam is full on sprinting out of the house towards me with a huge smile on his face. I shut off Beast quickly and kick my kick stand down quickly because I know that what is going to happen. Before I can fully climb off of my bike Cam is already at me pulling me off of her and giving me the biggest bear hug and spinning us just like we used to do as children when we were separated for too long. I of course hug him back, I guess that I really have missed him I just didn't realize how much till this exact moment. I know it hasn't been that long since I moved out but damn it sure feels like it's been years.

When he finally lets me go, I pull my helmet off and place it on the seat of my bike, "Well I never thought that I would say this out loud but, Damn I have really missed you. Even when you would get all bossy." I poke him in the side knowing that he is ticklish. He swats my hands away to make me stop just as we did as kids.

"Well let's be honest here Scar, I was rather concerned that if I hadn't been on your ass about your homework and grades that you may not have graduated. You did spend so much time working on Beast when you should have been studying. By the way what happened to the message of you being on your way! I wasn't expecting you till later. Don't get me wrong, I am happy that you are here I am just surprised, and I probably would have worried the entire time knowing you were on your way. But that is my job here." He gives me a speculative look like he used to when I was late coming home at night, and he didn't get the text checking in. He really is like my father in so many ways, our parents would be so proud of the man he has become and that way that he has raised me.

"Well, it's called a surprise for a reason. Plus, you look good without grey hair you are far too young to already have greys. It turns out that my boss didn't need me today like he had originally thought that he would. Hence why I am here early and in time to surprise you. Jace should be here in about 2 hours assuming that he didn't get off of work early too." I say this in a professional manner. Cam looks at me with a look that I am not sure how to interpret.

"How has Jace been looking out for you? How is your apartment? Is it safe? Do you like it? How is living with Ella? Is it all that you thought it would be and more?" He is acting just as a father would making me remember why I am so grateful he is my older brother because who knows what would have happened to me if it had been anyone else. I smile at him as we begin to walk inside the house.

"Jace has been very good at protecting me. He is always around its kind of nice it's almost as if you are there at the apartment with me in a way. My apartment is honestly really cute and cozy, it is actually starting to feel like home to me. Yes, I absolutely love it and it is perfect with Ella staying there too, I mean come on who doesn't want to live with their best friend since childhood? Honestly, I am kind of nervous to start school next week, it will be so different not having you there to make sure I am doing my homework and staying on my grades. And with my job too, I love my job and it is helping to pay the bills...I just worry how I am going to balance it all. I don't know how you worked, went to school, and raised me. You must be superman or something." I smile at him knowing that he has given up so much of his youth to help take care of his kid sister. He looks at me and the look on his face tells me exactly what is coming.

"Aww my baby sister finally admitted that she will miss me being bossy." He hugs me tight and tickles my sides making my squirm. I start to poke him in his sides knowing that he is much more ticklish than I am. Finally, my plan works, and he releases me. "Behave now Cam we are adults not children anymore." I laugh deeply it feels so good to be able to act like a child with Cam again.

"Are you hungry? I haven't had anything to eat yet." I look at him with my much-perfected puppy dog eyes knowing that I can get my way easily. I always got my way regardless it was just more fun to give him the look. He rolls his eyes at me as he usually does when I give him this look.

"Of course, baby sister anything for you. I had planned to go shopping about the time you showed up so that I would have food in the house when you got here, but you were early." I jump up and down clapping my hands together in excitement. I grab my phone from my backpack, I am so nervous about the talk that I am going to have with Cam over breakfast. Jace and I last minute decided that it would probably be better coming from me before he gets here. 'Here goes nothing.' I see that I have a text from Stella and respond quickly. I then scroll through my messages till I find the messages between me and Jace and write out a quick text,

'Hey, my love I can't wait to see you. Cam and I are going for breakfast. Wish me luck I am going to have the talk with him. I love you. I will see you soon...I hope!' I get an instant response from Jace which is a little unusual for him considering that he is at work.

'Good luck Angel. I should be there in an hour or less. I managed to get off of work a little early. I can't wait to see you Beautiful I love you and please be safe.' When I look up from my phone, I instantly blush seeing that Cam is staring at me.

"Are you ready to go?" Cam looks at me with impatiently. I laugh at him knowing that if I don't get up quickly that he will pout if I don't hurry. "Yes, I am ready. Let's go I will fallow you. Oh, and you choose where we are going." I stick my tongue out at him as I walk out the front door and straight to Beast. As I pull my helmet on, he tells me that we are going to Denny's, and I give him a thumbs up to let him know that I am good with that.

He pulls out in front of me, usually he would be behind me because he was always wanting to keep an eye on me. I am sure that this time will be no different aside from the fact that he is in front of me. Just as I suspected as we make our way the short distance from the house to Denny's I can tell he is watching me because he keeps slowing down. I laugh to myself thinking that he is too nervous but then I realize it's not him that is nervous this is normal for Cam, rather I am the one nervous for the conversation that I am about to have with him. Once we pull into the parking lot, we park side by side and head inside. The host leads us to a booth in a quiet corner and I place my helmet on the seat next to me. We both start with a cup of coffee and we both get chocolate chip pancakes as is tradition.

As the waitress walks away to go prepare our order, I feel my nerves bubble up again. "Scar what is going on? You are paler then usual and you look extremely nervous. You know that you can't hide anything from me so why try? Please spit it out, I already know there is something I just don't know what it is." He looks at me as a concerned parent would look at their child who has a confession to make. I sigh and look down at my hands and I watch as I twist them in all ways as I am trying to form the words to tell him.

I take a deep breath still looking at my hands I don't think I can look him in the eye and say this, I can't handle to see the look of hurt on his face. "You know me too well...But then again you practically raised me. *gulp* Cam cam please don't be upset...*gulp* I have no idea what happened or when or even how it all happened or even why..." I take another deep breath as I try to force myself to say the words. "We decided that I should be the one to tell you...I know that he is your best friend, and I am so sorry...Jace and I have gotten really close the last couple of days and I think that I have really fallen for him." 'There I said it finally its out.' I finally look up at Cam to gage his response I bite my lip in anxiety but once I see his face, I am shocked...He is actually smiling.

"It's about damn time! I was beginning to think that it was never going to happen. Y'all are truly perfect for each other, plus I know that he will always protect you. It is pretty common for little sisters to date their brothers' friends I am just relieved that you chose Jace. I trust my best friend that is why he has only ever been the only one allowed at the house. I am so happy to hear this." He has a smug smile on his face. Even with the smile on his face I can see the tired lines on his face, he is working too much and not sleeping enough. I smile back at him and shake my head in disbelief. 'Well, that went much better than I would have ever expected it to.'