Chapter Eighteen Bear Belongs to Me

We got out of school early and I couldn't be more grateful for my break even if it was only for four days. I needed it more than ever.

Cassidy was happy that she got to keep her car over the short break. She said she was going to do a major cleaning for top to bottom. She wanted to get rid of any germs or diseases Arianna might have put in it. I didn't try to talk her out of it because she might have a point.

Right now, I was put on watching the food patrol. Mom and Dad ran to the store to grab cranberry jam and whatever else Mom forgot to get the first time around. She did leave in a haste that day.

She tried to play it off when I asked her about the hams. She told me I didn't need to worry about it because I wasn't the one cooking. She never got the hams. She sent Dad to get it.

Levi was in the living room flipping through the channels, looking bored. He was older than me but Mom put me in charge of the food. She didn't trust Levi because last time he watched the food, Levi forgot the pies were in the oven and the smoke alarm went off. We didn't have any pie that year.

I sat on one of the stools in the kitchen as I scolled through my phone. I felt a scratched against my bare legs and I glanced down. I smiled as I see one of my babies.

I leaned over to pick her up. My three month old, German Shepherd, Koda, licked my cheek, excitedly.

I giggled. "Aw! I missed you too. Yes I did." I cooed, holding her in front of me. I glanced around me. "Where's your brother?" I asked.

A second later, Levi cussed and I immediately knew Bear was in the living room. I stood up and pressed Koda closer to my chest.

"Let's go get brother from uncle." I told Koda as I walked into the living room.

I smiled at the scene in front of me. Levi was on his knees, reaching underneath the couch.

He groaned. "Bear, give me the remote."

After asking for two minutes, Levi gave up. He stood up and crossed his arms over his chest as he let out an loud huff.

"Cole, get your dog."

"Well if you stop being mean to him, he might listen to you." I said, putting Koda down. "Isn't that right Bear." I patted my thighs. "Come to Mama, pretty boy."

A few second passed before Bear emerged from under the couch with the remote in his mouth. He waddled over to me. He looked so adorable.

"Aw! Aren't you just the cutest thing ever!"

Levi rolled his eyes. "You mean the baddest thing ever." He tried to correct me as he took the remote from Bear.

I ignored Levi as I squatted down to the wooden floor. "Don't listen to your uncle. You're not bad." I placed my hands on either side of Bear's face as I scratched behind his ears.

Bear was around the same age as Koda but Koda was bigger than him. For now, I might add. Bear was a pure bred black and white pitbull. He was expensive but I was thankful Jayce brought him for me, before our huge fight during the summer. Exactly one week before everything happened.

I was surprised he let me keep him. I figured he would've took Bear away from me.

Koda and Bear began to play around the house. They would run after each other for a few seconds before they playfully started biting one another's ear.

Everything was fine until Koda accidentally nudged Bear into one of the table, knocking down Mom's vase.

"See! Bad. I told you." Levi said, shaking his head.

I rolled my eyes. "It was an accident. They were playing."

Levi grinned. "Try explaining that to Mom." He nodded behind me. "She's about to walk in."

Normally I didn't panic. Oh who am I kidding? I panic all the time. Mom was going to kill. That was her favorite vase.

I quickly pick up Koda and Bear as they continue to play. "We got to hide from Grandma now." I told them, rushing up the stairs as the front door opened.

I opened my room door and placed my babies inside before shutting the door.

"Who knocked down my vase!" Mom's angry voice reached me.

I could sense Levi grinning as he ratted me out. "Your only daughter, Cole."

I was going to kill him. I made a mental note to put my plan into attack if Mom didn't kill me first.

"Cole!" Mom called me.

I unwilling walked down the stairs, slowly. Mom was waiting for me at the bottom with her hands on her hips. She narrowed her eyes once she saw me. I gave her a small smile which she ignored.

I shot a quick glance at Levi and he was leaning against the door frame smiling. I hoped my eyes read. Traitor!

"Care to explain to me why my favorite, expensive, vase is shattered on the ground." She said, raising one of her eyebrows.

"Uhh." My mind failed to come up with something.

"She let the little bad asses in even after you told her not to because they were too hyper." Levi informed her for me.

Mom gave him a look. "Watch your mouth." She ordered him before turning to look at me. "Where are they?"

I sighed. There was no point in lying. "There in my room." I told her. "But it was an accident." I added quickly.

"I'm going to let this one slide but if they break one more thing-"

She didn't get finish before I cut her off.

"They won't." I couldn't promise her that. They tend to break a lot of Mom's stuff.

"Clean this up and then go get changed." Mom replied. "Company will be here in an hour and I need to have everything ready."

She walked into the kitchen and I glared at Levi.

"I hope you know, you're no longer my favorite brother."

He shrugged. "That's fine because you're gonna need my help sooner or later."

"No I won't. I'm already plotting how to  murder you." I said as soon as Dad walked through the door.

"Woah, woah. Who's getting murdered?"

"Cole is tryna kill me." Levi said.

Dad looked at Levi then at me. He stepped my way. "Sorry son I'm on her side."

I smiled, victoriously.

"What?" Levi exclaimed. "You're just gonna let her kill your favorite son."

"I wouldn't go that far. I think Hunter has got you beat." Dad replied.

Levi crossed his arms over his chest. "You don't even know the reason behind it."

"I'm sure whatever it is, it's reasonable." Dad said.

He walked out the foyer before Levi could say anything. Levi muttered something under his breath I couldn't quite catch. I took the last three steps down before getting the broom and dust pan. I carefully picked up the large pieces of the vase and threw it in the the trash can. I swept the smaller pieces making sure I collected everything. I didn't want anyone to cut their foot. I especially didn't want my babies getting glass in their paws.

Once I was finished cleaning up, Mom gave me a quick reminder to get dressed. I made my way back upstairs and into my room. Bear was laying on Koda's head as they took a nap.

They briefly opened their eyes to see who it was before closing them. They looked so cute.

I left some of my clothes here while were in my dorm room. I didn't want to leave any of my clothes but my dorm room's closet  was small.

I looked through the articles of clothing before I pulled out a dark yellow dress. It was long enough my mother wouldn't make me change but not to the point to label me a nun.

I grabbed my tan heels and once I had everything I needed I placed them on my bed.

I turned on the straightener and as it heated up I started my make up. I didn't put a lot on. It was just enough to make it look like I haven't been lounging around the house doing nothing. Once I finished I did my hair. I curled the ends a little bit.

I stripped out my clothes and replaced them with the dress. I slipped on the heels and once I took one more look in the mirror, I walked out my room.

I left my room door open just a tad just in case my babies wanted to make an appearance. They most likely were because of the smell of the hams.

I heard chatting before I saw them and I knew instantly I didn't want to be seen. As I was turning to go back upstairs, the person I once called my brother, stopped me.

"Oh, there's Cole right there."

I swore under my breath before I spun around on my heels and put a big fake smile on my face.

"Hi!" I said with much enthusiasm. "How are you Grandma and Grandpa?" I gave them a hug as they started talking to me, I told Levi through my smile. "I'm so gonna kill you."

He chuckled. "Have fun."

He left me and headed into the kitchen where my paternal grandparents were. I loved my grandparents but they could be overbearing. It was mostly my Grandma. Actually it was just my Grandma. Grandpa wasn't very talkative. He left that to my Grandma which she excelled at.

After talking with them for a few minutes, I headed to where the rest of my family were. Levi had one arm over Nana and Papa's shoulders as he talked.

Nana treated me as her own but Papa really didn't like me. He never said it out loud but he didn't have to. I could feel it. I mean I technically wasn't his granddaughter but still.

Nana looked at me and smiled. "Hey, Cole."

I gave her a small smile. "Hi."

"Aren't you going to gave your Nana a hug?"

I walked over to her and embraced her. I let go quickly once I saw the look Papa gave me.

Nana didn't say anything and I made my retreat into the living room. It was safe to say I wouldn't be any where near Papa tonight.

Ten minutes later there was a knock on the door and Mom went to answer it. Vonna and Michael walked in first followed by their younger two children.

Skylar came to me first. "Cole." She said, bouncing up and down, excitedly. "Momma said if I asked you first I could play with Bear and Koda so can I please play with them?"

I grinned. Skylar was too cute for her own good. I nodded my head. "Yes you can but they're sleeping right maybe later."

She pouted. "Aw okay then."

She sat beside me and I saw Landon halfway in the foyer and halfway in the living room. As soon as I saw him I remembered something.

"Hey Landon." I said, waving him over.

He grinned at me and it was the exactly the same as when Jayce grinned. He was so much like he's older brother. Lord be with him.

"Sup, Cole."

"Do you know a boy named Andre?" I asked.

He frowned at my question. "Andre?" He repeated. "Andre what?"

I shrugged. "I don't know his last name."

"If you're talking about Andre Davis then yeah I know him. He goes to my school. Why? Does he like you too?" He asked, defensively.

I resisted the urge to laugh but I smiled. "No. I don't think so."

He nodded. "Good. Don't tell Jayce this but one day you're gonna be mine."

I crossed my heart. "I won't tell him."

"But I am." Skylar's cute little voice said. She hopped off the couch as she yelled. "Jayce!"

Landon's eyes widen. "Skylar! Get back here!" He ran after his six year old sister.

I laughed.

"Landon! Skylar!" Vonna called. "Stop running before you break something."

"Too late for that, Cole already broke every expensive thing in here." Levi said in the kitchen.

"And you wonder why Hunter's my favorite!" I told him. "And just so you know, I didn't break them." I added, walking into the kitchen.

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah we get it your 'precious babies' did it."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "They are precious." I defended them.

"Whatever." He muttered before looking at the oven. "When's the food gonna be ready?"

"Speaking of babies." Grandma began.

"And that's my cue to leave." I said, going back into the living room.

"Right behind you, Cole." Levi agreed.

"Where is Koda and Bear?" Jayce asked.

I forgot he was here. I think this was the first time he has ever been quiet. He was leaning against the door frame.

"In my room asleep." I replied.

He nodded and turned to head into the foyer where the stairs were.

"Wait." I said. "Where are you going?"

"I think I'm going to get my puppy."

I held out my forefinger and wagged it. "Oh no you don't. He belongs to me."

"But I bought him."

I raised one of my eyebrows. "Yeah for me." I reminded him.

"I'm taking him." He walked upstairs.

I reached out to grab him. "No! You're not taking him! That's my baby!"

We started arguing about who Bear belonged to. He had the audacity to say I didn't need him because I had Koda. That pissed me off. Bear was so not going with him.

"Like he's so much better off with you. You're just going to neglected him." I told him, putting my hands on my hips.

He rolled his blue eyes. "No I'm not."

"Hey!" Mom joined in. "Why are y'all arguing?"

I pointed at Jayce. "He's trying to take Bear away from me."

"I'm not trying to, I'm going to." Jayce responded.

Mom frowned in confusion. "Didn't Jayce buy Bear?"

"Yes!" I exclaimed

I see someone finally got my point. Jayce wouldn't take Bear. He couldn't take Bear. No way in hell.

"Well sweetie, Bear belongs to Jayce."

What the hell? Wasn't she just on my side? Why wasn't anyone seeing Jayce bought Bear for me? Why were they overlooking that fact?

"Yeah he bought Bear but for me." I said again.

"What's going on?" Vonna asked, stepping into the foyer.

"Colby is just overreacting." Mom informed her and I frowned at her word. I was not overreacting. "Jayce wants Bear but Colby is being difficult."

Vonna nodded her head, understandably. "I see but Jayce didn't you give Bear as a gift to Cole?"

"I don't understand why I can't just get him. Nothing was written. I can just grab Bear and we can be done with this situation." Jayce said.

Vonna and Mom exchanged a glance before Mom clapped her hands together.

"Alright this is what we're going to do since y'all can't stop arguing. Bear doesn't belong to Jayce." I smirked. "And he doesn't belong to Colby." My smirked dropped. "He belongs to both of y'all."

"What?" We said in unison.

"Yep that's how we're going to do it." Vonna agreed.

"But how?" I asked.

"Think of it as if Bear were your baby and y'all are his parents." Mom said as if it covered everything.

"Not way." Jayce said as I said. "Absolutely not."

Jayce and I hardly could stand each other most days. There was no way we could parent Bear without one of us killing the other.

I shook my head. "How about Jayce can be on child support?"

"No." Mom told me.

"Why not? He can still see Bear every now and then. I'll even let Bear stay the night with him." I added. "If you put as parents together then you might as well as plan a funeral."

Jayce nodded in agreement. "She's got a point."

Mom sighed. "Okay fine. He can be on child support but Colby you better be fair."

I did a victory dance in my mind. Bear still belongs to me.

"Let's go eat." Vonna told us.

We all headed to the dining room and Levi pretty much pushed everyone out the way to get to the table first. Fat ass.

The food on the table looked like it came straight out of a magazine. It looked amazing and mouthwatering. It was official I was gaining ten pounds after this meal no doubt about that.

I sat beside Levi and Skylar sat on the other side of me. Landon glared at her and she stuck her tongue at him. Landon walked around the table and sat in front of me. Once everyone was sitted, we blessed the food.

As soon as we were done praying, Levi was piling his plate with everything. I couldn't say anything because I was doing the same thing.

Mom gave us a disapproval look. "Slow down. There's plenty of food."

"You say that now but watch it's gonna be gone in five minutes." Levi told her with a mouthful of dressing.

"Leave the kids alone." Grandma said. "They need the extra meat."

Grandma didn't believe in the word fat. She said everyone else was underweight. She would have a stroke if you came to her house and didn't eat anything. She would stuff you up more than a turkey.

We talked among us and laughed as we shared stories that happened years ago. It was great. I missed being with my family. The only thing I was missing was Hunter. He said he tried to make it but it didn't happened. Hopefully he would be here for Christmas.

As I said earlier, my babies would make their entrance sooner or later. They came running into the dining room. Koda jumped on my laps, sniffling the wonderful food in front of her.

Bear was too small to reach anything. Aw my poor baby. Skylar leaned over and picked him up.

"Hey Bear." She said.

"Colby. I would appreciate it if you get your babies away from the food." Mom said.

"But their part of the family too." I said as I rubbed Koda's stomach. "Aren't you, Koda?"

Koda let out a soft bark.

"Skylar put Bear down and finish your food." Vonna told her daughter.

Skylar rolled her eyes and placed Bear on the floor.

Once everyone was done with their food, they ate their dessert. I didn't eat it. I wasn't a big fan of pumpkin pie or pecan pie.

"Colby!" Mom snapped her fingers. "I'm so sorry I forgot your pie."

I shrugged. "It's okay. I probably don't need it anyway." I joked.

"I can make it right." She jerked her thumb back towards the kitchen. "I think I have all the ingredients."

"It's fine, Mom." I assured her.

Koda begun to whine and I knew that was a sign she needed to go to the bathroom. My eyes widen. I quickly moved acrossed the room and picked her up.

She was potty trained yet and I really didn't want to clean anything up. I opened the back door and the chilly air hit my bare legs.

I placed Koda on the ground and she sniffled the ground for a few second before she did her business. Skylar came out the house, holding Bear in her arm.

Bear wasn't quite there to lifting his leg up when he peed. Most people mistake him as a girl sometimes.

Koda and Bear played with their toys and I watched them for a while until I got cold and went inside.

Mom and Vonna were washing dishes while the rest were watching a football game. It wasn't a team we were fans of but as long as Dad and Michael got to drink their beer they were okay with it.

"Cole go change." Levi ordered me.

I frowned. "Why?"

"Unless you plan on playing football wearing a dress, I suggest you go change." He advised me.

I smiled. "Are we really going to play?"

"If you don't hurry up, we're not."

I didn't waste anymore time in talking. I hurried up the stairs and changed into something comfortable. I pulled my hair into a ponytail as I walked downstairs. Levi and Jayce were waiting by the door.

"Y'all can head over there now, we'll be there soon." Mom informed us.

We walked out the door and we hopped into Levi's car. Cassidy sent a text saying she was on her way and I sent a text to Chance asking if he wanted to come play football with us.

Once we got to the park, Hailey, Nolan, Anthony and Cassidy were already there. Levi walked to Hailey and gave her a kiss.

"So can I be team captain?" Cassidy asked.

"Hell no." Levi said. "Me and Anthony are."

Cassidy crossed her arms over her chest. I knew she wanted to say something but she didn't. "I'm not even gonna argue with you."

"There's only seven people here." Nolan said.

"The rest are coming." Jayce told him.

Chance showed up when Arianna showed up. Of course Arianna would be here. I didn't even have to ask who invited her.

"What's Chance doing here?" Jayce asked, glaring at him as he walked over.

"I told him he could come." I replied.

"Why?"

"Because I can and why does it matter. You invited Arianna."

"Yeah to make the teams even." He said.

I rolled my eyes. "She's not even gonna play. She's gonna be too worry about breaking her nail."

I met Chance half way and hugged him as he kissed my forehead.

"Who's team am I?" He asked.

"We haven't picked teams yet."

I locked our hands as we head back to the group. Mom and rest pulled up a few minutes later. Skylar and Landon were the first one out, along with Koda and Bear. Dad and Michael grabbed the chairs from the back of the car as Mom and Vonna walked over to us.

Since everyone was finally here we separated into two teams. On one side it was Levi, Cassidy, Chance and me. On the other side it was, Anthony, Hailey, Jayce and Nolan. Arianna didn't want to play. She said she was going to cheer with Skylar, Mom and Vonna on the sideline. Landon was our waterboy so to speak.

Michael was our coach and Dad was Anthony's team coach. Our team name was Go Getters. Supposedly we go after everything according to Levi. Anthony's team name was Unstoppable. Everyone knew what their job was and we got ready to play.

Unstoppable received ball first and we got in position. On the far left side it was Cassidy against her boyfriend, Nolan. In the middle it was Chance against Anthony. The quarterback was Levi and Hailey. Hailey had pretty good aim. I was on the right side against the no other Jayce Ryder.

"Hut." Hailey yelled and Anthony snapped the ball back to her.

I knew there was no way I could overpower Jayce but I could slow him down long enough so Levi could get to Hailey. Jayce was fast, obviously. He wouldn't be the running back if he wasn't. As soon as I made a move, he stepped to the side and ran passed me.

"Cole! Stop him!" Michael, AKA my coach, yelled, as if I just stood there instead of chasing him.

Jayce was wide open and if Levi didn't tackled Hailey, they would've scored. Jayce jogged back to the center and he shot me a smirk.

"You've gotta be faster than that, Mickey."

"That was just a freebie."

We continued to play and eventually they made a touchdown and it was our ball now. Coach Michael called for a time out and we huddled together.

"This is what we're going to do." He started. "Levi is going to give the ball to Cole as soon as he gets it. Y'all are going to give her an opening and Cole is just hightailing out of there."

We nodded at the play and Landon shook his head. "That's not gonna work."

Michael pushed his son. "Yes it will. Get out of here and make yourself useful. Go get some water or something."

Landon put his hands up in the air. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

We broke out and went to play. Unstoppable had something planned. They were all smirking. Even Dad was smiling. Weird.

Levi received the ball and handed it to me. Chance and Cassidy got me my opening and instead of running like I was supposed to, I stood there like an idiot.

And you wonder who's fault that was? Jayce. He appeared in my line of vision and gave me his sexy, heart stopping grin. What the hell? Sexy? Heart stopping? I had a boyfriend and he was standing two feet away from me.

One second I was standing the next I was on the ground. Well not literally on the ground that would painful. Jayce turned in the air and I landed halfway on him.

"Time out!" Michael yelled. "Go Getters bring it in!"

I stood up and I looked anywhere but at my team. They were either glaring at me or giving me a disapproval look. Michael was in between the two looks.

"Cole, what the hell?" Cassidy exclaimed. "I gave you the perfect opening."

"I know. I was momentarily distracted." I said.

"Distracted by what?" Levi asked.

"Uh, the sun?" I lied.

"The sun isn't even shining, Colby." Michael pointed out.

"That's beside the point, Coach. It won't open again."

"Damn right it won't. We're giving the ball to Cassidy." Michael said.

"I told y'all it wasn't gonna work." Landon said. "Richard was right. Cole gets distracted easily."

What? My dad set me up. Traitor.

We finished the game and everyone went their separate ways. Chance gave me kiss goodbye before he went back to his mother. Levi and Hailey left together and so did Cassidy and Nolan.

When I was putting Koda and Bear into the car, Jayce stopped me.

"What do you think you're doing? Bear is going with me."

I rolled my eyes. "Just for tonight then you're bringing him back. And I don't want Ms. I can't break nail around him, either." I told him, handing Bear over.

"He can be around whoever I want him to be around." Jayce said.

I narrowed my eyes as Jayce walked away with my baby boy and Arianna waste no time in cooing over him.

"Oh my gosh! He's so cute!"

I nearly walked over to take away Bear when she grabbed him from Jayce. I smiled to myself when Bear bit Arianna.

That's my baby boy.

I hopped into the car and Koda rested her head on my lap. Once we reached the house, I head straight to my room. I placed Koda on my bed and she went to sleep. I took a shower before laying on my bed.

I scolled through my phone and I started craving the one thing I didn't have this year. My pie. I really wanted it. Maybe I should've let Mom make it.

I didn't know how long I laid there wishing for a slice of sweet potatoe pie when I heard my phone bling.

Come outside-J

I frowned. Why was Jayce telling me to go outside at one in the morning?

Why?-C

Just do it-J

Rolling my eyes, I pulled myself of my bed and slipped on some shoes. I carefully made my way downstairs and slipped out the front door.

Jayce was leaning against his father's camero, holding a plate in his hand. I walked over to him, wrapping my arms around myself to keep the little warmth I had in.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. "And where's Bear?"

"He's in the car, sleeping." He replied. "But anyway, I came here because I know how much you love your pie and even though you didn't show it, I know you were sad. So," He reached inside the car and pulled out a plate that had my sweet potatoe pie on top. "I decided to bring one to you."

I smiled. "Did you make this for me?"

He nodded. "Yeah and I apologize in advance if it taste horrible."

I took the plate away from him and hugged him.

"Thank you, Jayce."

He shrugged as if it was a big deal. "No problem."

I remembered something. "Hold on. I have something for you too."

I ran inside and placed the plate on the island table in the kitchen. I headed up to my room and rummaged through my dressers to find what I was looking for. Once I found it, I grabbed it and ran back outside as quietly as I could.

Jayce was still there, waiting.

"I know I missed your 19th birthday party but I did get you something."

He rose an eyebrow, surprised. "Really?"

I nodded. "You remembered that necklace you saw the mall? The one with the black shark tooth?" Jayce nodded and I continued. "You wanted it so bad but they sold out. Well I did a lot of searching and begging to find another one."

I wasn't going to tell him I got into a tug- a- war fight with a lady twice my age. It seemed irrelevant.

His eyes brightened up. "You didn't?"

I nodded. "I did. Happy late birthday." I said, giving him the long box.

He didn't even open it before he was crushing my body into his. "Thank you, Cole." He whispered and it shot tingles down my body.

I backed away from him and smiled. We stared at each other for a long time until Bear started the whine.

"A parent's job is never done." Jayce said.

I laughed. "Have fun and I'll be waiting for my check."

I walked away, leaving Jayce standing there confused.