CALISTA POV

Brayden drove dad's vehicle with Myles by the passenger side and me in the back. It's a good thing the store is located close by because the ride was awfully awkward. No one tries to bring up a conversation.

In between the awkwardness, Myles and I held hands outside the window where Brayden was oblivious.

I was blushing when the car stopped and we hopped out of it. There were so many eyes and giggles by the time we reached the building. The boys were indeed used to it. Myles simply grabbed a cart and we began the shopping.

He chooses most of the ingredients, the turkey breasts and salmon, which I try my hardest not to think too much of. He mostly selects condiments, canned goods, salad dressings, and vegetables. The only time I intruded was when I asked him about the need for shrimps, and he said he was making sure we had everything. And the only part Brayden contributed was when he grabbed the preferred cheese that was aligned next to him. He had been nervous the whole time, he left his fingers buried in the pockets of his shorts and smiled back at the excited fans recording us.

The whole situation was uncomfortable but it got even worse when Myles opened a fridge and handed over to me a strawberry and vanilla-flavored ice cream. I beamed, and his lips curled up into a tempting smile.

Brayden cleared his throat loudly, snapping me out of the trance Myles had welcomed me. For a moment, I had forgotten about the existence of everything else.

"Can we get a picture please?" A group of men suddenly asked the boys, kind of rescuing me from a hollow well of embarrassment.

The two spent the next ten minutes taking photos with everyone while I went through the checking-out procedure with Brayden's debit card.

Myles and Brayden didn't have me carry anything while we were walking back to the car.

In the parking lot, Brayden opened the trunk and began setting on what we purchased when some teenage boys shouted over their voices from a distance, wishing Myles and my brother good luck on Saturday's game.

With all the attention they were getting, I felt like the third wheel when it should be Brayden's spot.

"You guys are doing poorly this year," I said straightforwardly as they were starting to feel flattered by the young boys' comments.

Myles chortled, and Brayden blamed him, claiming, "It's all his fault. If he hadn't been a jerk."

Okay, I shouldn't have brought that up.

"Do you know your brother is quitting the team?" Myles retorted, but he isn't looking at me, he is maintaining the challenging stare he is getting from my brother.

Not this again. But wait what?

"You don't mean it." I scoffed, but even I could hear the fear in my tone.

Let's be honest, Brayden would never quit the team he had only had eyes on since middle school.

"Well, he didn't tell anyone. I heard it from a different source," Myles said.

"That means it isn't true, right?" My words were rushed.

"Tell her." He urged my brother, who was now breathing loudly and swallowing multiple times from a couple of feet away.

"Brayden?"

"This is fucked up, okay?" Brayden abruptly snapped and I flinched at the fuel in his angered voice. "You and him? It's too much."

I don't understand him.
"Just yesterday you said I don't have to stay away from him. You said it was okay."

I didn't sense the tears that flooded my eyes until Myles reached for me, and they fell to my face. He pulled me into a hug that would look from a different perspective, as though I am being protected from my brother. In point of fact, it's how I feel right now.

"What's wrong with you man? We used to be friends?" Myles scolded, and Brayden hissed. "She's your sister. She has a lot on her plate. You of all people should be supportive, not be some hector like a brat from high school."

Brayden lurched over with firm fists, I had to pull out of Myles's embrace and stood in between the angry men. I knew this would happen when they first came here, but last night, I thought it over.

"Do not tell me about my sister. You know nothing about her, not even a quarter of how extensively I do." Brayden snarled while I held him back from Myles.

He noticed me and leaned over, his teeth gritting, his nostrils flaring.
"I know you, you know I do. I will not hurt you intentionally or let anyone do that to you. It had always been that way. I will stay here if you want me to, or you could go back with me as we had planned last year. It's us against the world. You don't have to be alone, or get hurt by anyone anymore." He recited, sounding as though he was reassuring himself.

"I won't hurt her, Bray."

"Don't call me Bray." He glowered at Myles.

And at this moment, I understand. He was terrified of something... For me, apparently. I just don't understand why.

He does know that he can't always protect me, right? He had been away for a long time, and I had soaked both the excitement and cruelty of the world. Those experiences can't just change all of a sudden because he is here. Or did he forget that it's not always going to be like when we were kids? He can't always protect me, mostly now that I feel like it's unnecessary. If anything, it only sounded like he was saving me from happiness. Yes, maybe it's not deliberate. Maybe this is still new to him, but he needs to know we both have a journey that requires us to do it all alone. He can't always interfere in every situation in my life, no matter how insecure he is about it.

"Brayden, I am not a kid," I mumbled.

"You are getting hurt here. He's going to hurt you like all those kids around here do." He scoffed angrily, beckoning at Myles with criticism on his face.

I become shocked as seconds pass in the quiet.

"Brayden, I won't hurt her."

"Shut up Myles." My brother mumbled, but Myles had other intentions.

"I love her. You're only going to keep hating me no matter where you choose to go, or what team you decide to move to, because I will still be here for Cali. I will still love her then." Myles publicized from behind me, and my whole body stilled.

Brayden is pacing back and forth, his two palms rubbing his face.

"Let me protect her too. And if I hurt her, let me be the one you punch until you're satisfied. I will gladly take anything for her from you. I am not giving up this time. So Bray, just stop this shit." He sounded earnest. There was eagerness in his tone that I couldn't ignore. In my stance, my heart had thawed. Tears keep slipping down my neck and into my shirt.

"Please," Myles begged an anxious Brayden.

Brayden rubs the back of his neck. His breathing was agitated as he grumbled, "I said no friends, Cali. We said no friends."

And I've regretted ever making that promise.
"I wouldn't have made that pact if I knew it would bounce back on me." My voice was hoarse, the words almost stayed back in my throat.

He didn't look at me or Myles, he just kept the key on the roof of the car.
"I will walk home," he despairingly announced.

"Brayden?" I called after him when he turned away.

"Cali, I need some air. Don't insist."

~

The drive back was even more silent than earlier, even though it was just Myles and me in the small space. I wanted him to say something but he only focused on the road until we pulled by the front of my house.

I started to open the door, seeking the comfort of my room. It was then warm fingers circled my wrist, stopping me.

"Hey? I am sorry if I was out of line or if I hurt you in any..."

"No, you didn't." I cut him off and he exhaled.

He shifts in his seat, facing me. He grabs my hands in his and brings the knuckles to his lips. His kiss is warm against my skin, it drives a shudder to ripple from my inside.

"Don't be sad. He would come around."

"I don't know why I agreed to our stupid vows from childhood." I leaned my head on the backrest.

"You were kids then. The world always comes off simple from that perspective."

"He has been good to me since I knew myself. In the little time we were apart, which was in the past three years, we still bonded, except for the last months. I-I hate that I had to make him feel threatened over my happiness. I don't mean to hurt him, I just trust you, and I don't want to lose this."

"Hey?" His voice was tender. He inclined and squeezed my hands. "I am done taking orders from people, Cali. And you should be too. Life is too short to waste time contemplating your happiness over what others think, and it certainly is short for letting people boss you around. I want you. All of you, I don't want to waste any time. I love you and I believe you love me too."

"More than anything." I cried and he frowned, placing kisses on the back of my hands.

"Then I would fight for you. I don't suppose it's wrong to fall in love. We should be happy, not sit in the quiet and cry." He muttered, and I didn't consider my next move. I just know my body aches for him. I needed him more than ever, so I crossed over to the center console and straddled his thighs. His hands slipped beneath my shirt, and we hugged. I felt him in every ounce of me. His warm arms looped around my small waist and stomach. He keeps pulling me into him even when there is no more space left between us.

He smells appealing and savory to the senses, like a hidden spice in a forest.

"I hate when I can't stop your tears." He mumbled into my neck. His soft lips brushed the skin there while he spoke. Something vibrates in the pit of my stomach, at the contact.

I pulled back to look at him. His eyes were fire, blazing with nothing but affection. His tongue slid over his intense red lips, wetting the surface. I wanted to kiss him, I saw in his eyes he wanted it too. But I didn't know what was stopping us.

We just silently watched each other. My fingers play with his luxuriant hair as he holds my head in his big palms, and his thumbs stroke away my tears.

It was when his gaze briefly passed behind me that he frowned.
"What are they doing here?"

My eyes went after what had him livid.

Scarlett and her three guards were standing by the entrance of my house, and they were having trouble picking their jaws from the sidewalk.

"I don't know but I will find out." I frustratedly responded.
While Myles offers to confront them, I wipe my face with my hands and step out of the car from the driver's side without considering his offer.

My whole life I've felt small. I've felt the need to listen to others and take their orders to satisfy them, hoping they would respect me, see me or even let me off easily. But I am also done taking orders.

"What the fuck is happening in there? Didn't you say you're not up to his standards?" Scarlett demonstrated as I halted before them.

Admittedly, they look beautiful, they dress faultlessly. They might even have the world flat at their feet, but I won't let them step on me. With the little I have, I still feel satisfied. I think this is it; the first time I tasted the words on my tongue and had the courage to voice them out.

"Scarlett, hasn't anyone ever told you not to come around uninvited?"

Their faces were slacked from shock.

"What?" The three girls let out simultaneously, and for the first time, my heart didn't cower to the wall of my back. My stomach didn't twist, and nausea didn't rise to my throat. Matter of fact, I felt a wave of satisfaction flow through me, as I watched them watch me with horror on their faces.

Never in a million years did they ever imagine this day, it's written all over their confused faces.

Frankly speaking, me too. I can't explain what just changed. But not at any point, under absolutely no circumstances have I ever had this bravery.

"So you suddenly grew some balls?" Scarlett scoffed. Her eyes wouldn't stop twitching.

"No honestly, it's just a vagina, but it makes me more of a confident woman than your balls were deceiving your reflection in the mirror, SCARlett. So breaking news! I will rephrase my words." My lips shrugged smugly at the terrified girl whose face resembled a ripe tomato. "I realized I have every standard and the best qualities for Myles, so I will be keeping him for myself. And you can go find some town boy for yourself. That's the only sort you'll get."

"I am going to tweet this." She fumed. "Let's see what the world will think about your whoring. We all know his type and you clearly failed the list."

"I will be reactivating my account, so that should help with my fame. Please do." Willfully my arms shrugged as I smiled at her suggestively.

For the first time, I am content in the presence of Scarlett Maverick. For the first time, my self-esteem has been summoned. For the first time, I didn't want to impress her and the girls. Rather, I wanted to tell them to fuck off.

Scarlett gasped and was wordlessly blinking in my direction.

"Get off my property now." I sternly whispered and learned that nothing felt this good.

It took them a couple of seconds to believe what they were truly living.
"You will regret this." She purposely bumps into my arms and scurries to their ride.

At the sound of their furious footsteps, I turned and called Scarlett as the chauffeur opened the door for her.

She stopped and looked back at me, her eyes wildly shooting daggers.

"No, I think it's you who will. Scarlett, I will never be a bully. I will not hurt people for pleasure. I have every contentment I need in my small home. You? I don't know what turned you into a monster. But one thing I know is that you will pay for everything you've done, and all the lives you've destroyed, because you wanted to deceive yourself that you're fine. You are not, though. You're a psycho and there will come a despairing time when you must admit defeat and confess to your sins and the world around you will continue to exist with no memory of you ever again. It'll be as though you were never missed. Like you were nothing and then you will understand how it feels."

"Oh, I am scared." She snickered and hopped into the vehicle.

While their car took off, dad's driver's door opened and Myles emerged from it. I race over and jump onto his towering frame. He catches me instantly, hooking my legs around his waist.

"I did it. I gave Scarlett Maverick a ripe tomato face. I didn't snap a picture of it, but I will do the next time she tries to confront me."

He chuckled, drawing a whiff from my neck, and then kissed my cheeks before I could push myself down from his heavenly body.

He held up his hand for a high five, and I excitedly jumped up to reach it, slapping my palm into his.

We laugh the whole time. We laugh while grabbing the groceries from the trunk, and we laugh when we fail to open the front door because our hands are all occupied. We laugh at every stupid little thing until the door opens itself, or more precisely, mom opens it from the inside and my eyes fall on Helen. She is here and is widely grinning at me.

Mom took the bags from my hands and Helen eagerly pulled me into a hug.

"Look at you, getting pretty every time I see you." She said when we pulled back.

My eyes darted over to Myles, he was blushing. It's the most adorable thing I haven't seen in a while.
Shyness looks good on him.