I take a deep breath and Aunt Augusta stands in front of us with her eyes bulging out of their sockets. Colt yawns, ignoring her stern gaze.

"I-I don't understand," she says, looking bewildered.

"It's not rocket science, lady." Colt shrugs and I facepalm.

"Soooo," Julianna says awkwardly. "This seems like a family thing, Imma just head inside." She quickly slips away.

"Where have you been this whole time?" Augusta questions Colt.

"You mean the last 20 years? England. With my father." Her eyes widen even more when she hears Colt say the word 'father'.

"You've been with Richard?" Her glare softens. "How is he?"

"Rotting in prison." He smiles.

"What?! What did you do to him?" She yells.

"Colt didn't do anything," I interject.

"Yeah, and you know what? It's Kat's birthday and we're not ruining it by talking about this," Wyatt says firmly.

"Why is Richard in prison?!" She yells even more loudly, ignoring him.

"Because he's a criminal and that's where he belongs," I say.

"Watch your mouth, Fedora! Who do you think you are? You don't know him like I do," she says harshly.

"You're right. I don't know him and I don't want to."

"Besides, I'm sure no one knows him the way you do, Gussie." Colt smirks.

"That's enough!" Wyatt steps in front of him. "If you want answers, find them elsewhere. We're done with this."

Aunt Augusta reluctantly leaves and Wyatt yells at Colt for letting the whole thing slip.

"Well..." I start after my brothers exhaust themselves out from arguing. "Does this mean we don't have to tolerate Macey and Augusta anymore?"

I roll my eyes as they ignore me and start to argue again, making me go to my room.

"Ouch!" Jules squeals when I push the door open, accidentally hitting her with it.

"Were you eavesdropping?" I laugh.

"Duh."

"Good, that means I don't have to fill you in."

We head to bed and Jules falls asleep instantly. I scroll through my phone and a text pops up.

'I know you probably don't want to hear from me but I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday -Will'

I think for a minute about how to reply.

'Thanks.'

***

I wake up early to make the best of my 18th birthday. Why did Will have to text me last night? I spent hours thinking about him last night. I just can't seem to get him out of my mind and I hate that. He's not worth ruining my birthday over.

I head over to Smooter's with Jules at 8.45, knowing that Officer Becker takes his morning coffee at 9 everyday. Starla and Darla told me. I swear I'm not a stalker.

"I missed this coffee!" Jules beams as she takes a sip from her second cup.

"Do you remember what you said to me when I was being all mopey about Will?" I ask her.

"That you sound like Eeyore the donkey?"

"No, WTF?"

"Oh. Oops."

"You said that I need a rebound." I remind her.

"Right! Well, have you got anyone in mind?"

"Uh-huh," I say, eyeing Officer Becker as he enters the cafe. "Be right back."

I walk up to the counter as he orders his coffee.

"Hey," he smiles politely.

"Hello, officer," I say like I didn't makeout with him in the middle of a shopping aisle yesterday.

"Kat, here's the cake that you ordered." Starla hands me a box from behind the counter with a cheeky grin. She knows exactly what I'm up to.

I expect Holden to ask about the cake or literally say anything but be disappoints me by silently sipping on his coffee.

"Boys." Starla mouths and rolls her eyes.

"Oh, this looks delicious!" I exclaim as I look at the chocolate ganache cake. "I'm sure everyone will love it at the party tonight."

I sneak a peak at Holden to see absolutely no response.

"Beck, aren't you gonna wish Kat a happy birthday?" Starla asks and I want to crawl under a rock.

"Oh, it's your birthday?" He finally speaks.

"Yep, I'm 18. Not a minor anymore!" I awkwardly blab.

"Happy birthday." He smiles and I admire his full lips.

"Thanks," I smile back. "Hey, here's an idea! Why don't you come to the party tonight?"

"Uh...I'm not sure..."

"Oh come on, Beck!" Starla helps.

"Yeah, Beck. You don't wanna disappoint the birthday girl, do you?" I tease.

"Alright, maybe I'll drop by for a bit," he agrees and I internally do a happy dance. "I gotta get to work."

"See you at 8!" I give him my address.

"Oh and by the way," He whispers into my ear before leaving. "I know exactly what you're doing."

I stare at him with my mouth hanging open as he exits the cafe.

****

"Oooh!" I drunkenly exclaim in the middle of the night as I spot a skateboard in the park. I look around not to see a single soul other than Ashleigh. I quickly pick the skateboard up and start to run. "Mine now!"

"Kathryn Davis, put that down right now!" Ashleigh yells. "Don't you run away from me!"

"Catch me if you can!" I take off my heels and toss them into the fountain, laughing like a maniac.

"Kat, we have to get back before anyone realizes that we left!" She chases after me.

"Get back where?" I continue to run. I feel everything around me spinning and I suddenly halt. The atmosphere around me starts to dim and suddenly,

It all goes black.

....

Hello everyone! It's been so long, I know. Thank you so much for sticking by me though. I've been so busy with uni and I've been going out waaaay too much. And I met my own Will Walker :')

Sorry about the short filler chapter! It'll all make sense in the next one, I promise. I've got an essay due tomorrow and I've barely even started, rip me. I'm gonna be free from next week though so expect a lot of updates!