*edited*

Rose Mortimer:

The school day passed like normal, lunch was a little weird because Kendyn and I kept stealing glances. I think Carrie caught on to something but I didn't want my brothers too.

I was making my way to my car to go home since I didn't have anything last period I was nearly there before I got stopped by Bryan.

"Rose wait up!" he called out catching up with me. I took a deep breath, turning around to face him.

"What the fuck do you want now?" I sighed out aggravated.

"I want us to talk, I just wanted to say-" he started but my eyes caught sight of a familiar pair of brown eyes.

That smile...

"Rose, are you listening?" Bryan snapped me out of my trance waving his hands in front of my face. I blinked rapidly but my eyes were still looking out for Kendyn's.

"Are you serious? Him!" Bryan yelled turning his head and saw where my eyes were drawn to.

I brought my attention back to Bryan's face that looked very mad. That look in his eyes brought back some bad memories. I turned my head to look for Kendyn again, he saw the panicked look I held in my eyes he started to make his way towards us. Bryan was coming close to me and was saying things that my mind couldn't process at this moment. I tried fiddling with my keys to open the car door but I wasn't that lucky, I dropped them.

"Is there a problem here?" once I heard his voice my body relaxed and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in.

Kendyn stepped In front of me in a protective manner and crossed his arms over his chest making his muscles bulge giving him a scary look. I never realised how much muscle he had until now, he was wearing a wife beater his tattooed arms were showed off as well as those toned muscles.

"No, there is no problem. We were just... talking." Bryan spoke through gritted teeth, glaring at Kendyn then his eyes landed on me.

"This isn't over, we still need to talk." he glared once more at the both of us before he left in a different direction. When he came out of sight or at least in a safe distance away Kendyn turned to me taking me in his arms.

"Are you ok?" I held on to him tighter and nodded my head.

"Mi Rosa you are shaking." he pointed out pulling away holding me by my shoulders.

I didn't realise that I was that shook up. I know that Bryan wouldn't physically hurt me but that look in his eyes when he saw that I was looking at Kendyn got me in a hell of a state.

" I'm fine, just gonna head off home now." I bent down to pick up my keys when they were snatched out of my hands.

"I'm not letting you drive in that state. Get in the car, I'm driving," he stated blankly.

The car ride was done in silence but not an awkward one. I glanced to see his hands firmly grip the steering wheel and his jaw clench.

"It's weird not to see you drive a manly car."  I giggled while he looked at me confused.

"What do you mean Mi Rosa?" he turned his head slightly before watching the road again.

"I mean you are driving the definition of a girly car, you usually drive big imposing 'manly' cars, that isn't a baby blue colour and has the reputation of being the head cheerleader's car." once it clicked his deep, rich laugh resonated in the car.

"It's the man that makes that car 'manly' like you say not the other way around baby."

Baby... I think I just died and was sent to a heavenly place.

We arrived back home and my dad was in the kitchen with uncle Paul.

"Hey, there kiddos! What are you doing here so early?" Paul asked us giving me a hug and shaking hands with Kendyn.

"I didn't have a lesson for last period so I decided to go home but I didn't feel like driving after talking with Bryan so Kendyn drove me back." 

No point in lying, I'm not very good at it.

"Princess, can you let me kill him now? He needs to be taught a lesson." my father growled out. To say he hates Bryan was an understatement. If it weren't for my mum and me, he would be six feet under right now.

"No dad, you can't. I'm fine thanks to Kendyn, no need to go on a killing spree." I rolled my eyes seeing him puff and cross his arms over his chest like a child.

"Why are you two so close to each other?" Paul pointed out and I looked at Kendyn and I. I didn't even realise that his arm was around my waist keeping me close to him.

I blushed bright red and got away from him like my life depended on it. I ran up to my room to flee the crime scene but not before hearing all the laughs of the men downstairs.

*****************

Kendyn Emery:

We laughed seeing her run off like her pants were on fire.

She sure is something else. I thought to myself shaking my head and taking a seat with the men at the table.

"Are you guys dating?" 

That was direct.

"No, sir. I wouldn't date her without your permission first." I cleared out to her father.

"Would you like to?" he asked, both him and Paul leaning in seemingly interested.

"About that, I wanted to ask you a question if that's alright with you boss." I rubbed the back of my neck my nerves going wild.

"Call me Asher, son. You are like family." I nodded taking a deep breath in.

"I wanted permission to take Mi Rosa.. umm I mean Rose out on a date whenever it's convenient for her." I saw him smile and so did Paul. I hardly ever see any sort of emotion come out of that man other than when it's with his children or wife.

"I was wondering when you would ask. I thought you would have made that move a long time ago." he let out a chuckle

"Even I saw the way you looked at her before you left," Paul added.

I didn't realise that I showed how much I liked her when I was sixteen. I left for Argentina to help out my parents and learn a few things from my grandfather who is also part of a gang and is even the leader. I was sixteen and Rose was fourteen. It was hard for me to leave my best friend behind and her but at the time I didn't really believe my feelings for her and when I came back this year she had grown into a beautiful young lady and I knew my longtime crush for her well, was indeed true feelings.

"I give you my blessing Kendyn but you do realise I'm not the only man in her life that you need the permission from." he raised his eyebrow at me. I quickly nodded knowing exactly who he was talking about.

"Yeah, I know.. but I don't think he would approve."

"If you are honest with him then I'm sure he would understand. You guys are almost like brothers," he reassured me. I gave my thanks and one last nod before I made my way to Ro's room.

Sure enough, she was there stuffing her face with sour sweats. I knew she had a secret stash in her room so that her brothers and the twins wouldn't come and steal her sweets.

"Still like sour patches?" I laughed seeing her caught red-handed.

"These are the best, why change?" she said her mouth full of them giving me a smile, making her dimple on her left cheek prominent.

I shook my head and took my jacket and shoes off joining her in her bed picking her up and placing her between my legs making her lay on my chest.

"What do you think you are doing?" she turned her neck to face me.

"Getting comfy with my future girl." I shrugged smiling seeing her cheeks redden before she turned back to the movie playing on the tv.

She relaxed in my arms and placed her head on my chest letting my arms circle her waist, drawing invisible patterns on her exposed hip.

We just laid there enjoying each other's company and at this moment all was perfect.

_______________________________