Don't forget to press that little ★

"So what's her best run?" Vin asks the handsome stranger, his dark eyes dart to my brother, his lips open to answer the question but is cut off by a loud booming voice. "Yo Jeremy!"

At the call of Jer's name, everyone turns to the source of interruption. A guy, much smaller than my brothers, is stalking our way. His pinched face is tomato red, nostrils flaring, and tight fits at his side all indicating that he's not happy. Our group becomes alert, my brothers stand to their full height. Vin is well over six foot, Vance and Vaughn aren't much smaller. The three of them are very intimidating, add in our missing brother Vic, and they are down right scary.

My brothers move towards Jeremy, standing at his back, a clear sign. Jeremy gently pushes Taylor behind him, and she glances at me, her brows furrowed together in worry. It wouldn't be the first time a fight broke out over someone being a sore loser. You get these cocky assholes who think they're the shit, that their car is the fastest, best car around. Losing is a major slap to one's ego.

"What's up, Chris? You got my money?" Jeremy asks, cutting right to the point, not caring that this guy is pissed. Chris, as Jeremy called him, stops a few feet away from the group. Chris's nose flares, but instead of going off like I thought, he releases a breath, "Yeah, I got your money." Chris's hand moves to his back pocket, slapping a wad of cash into Jeremy's waiting palm. "Fucking bullshit man!" Chris's head shakes back and forth, "What the fuck you runnin'?"

The whole group seems to relax, my brothers take a step back, and spread out as they launch into a friendly discussion on Jeremy's car. I feel my own body release the tension, I didn't even realize how rigid my posture had become. Taylor moves to my side, "Let's go get something to drink, I'm parched."

"Okay." I agree.

She pats my arm, "Let me go tell Jer quick." she leaves me and I watch her walk away, cutting through the group to Jeremy, who wraps his lean arms around her waist. His focus is still on the group talking until Taylor's lips move, her voice reaching his ears, pulling his attention away from the conversation. His face tilts down, his focus now on Taylor. She says something again, and a grin breaks upon his lips before leaning in to place a kiss on her mouth. It's disgusting sweet.

A sense of longing fills me, yearning for what they have. I'm envious. I want that. Their love for each other is beautiful. I want someone to look at me like that. I want to be someones world. I'm near 18, and I haven't had one serious relationship. I sigh loudly, feelings lonely and sad.

My eyes seek out the bane of my existence, three of the four anyways. If I don't let them know I'm leaving, I'll never hear the end of it. Sometimes I feel like I have five fathers, rather than four brothers and one father. My brothers are scattered around, Vance's arm is around some girl while he talks with Chris and some other guys that have gathered. The owner of the Skyline isn't anywhere, and the hood of the car is now closed. Vaughn is further down, with a girl pressed up against his car, and I cringe at the disgusting view. Vin is closest to me, talking with a group of riders, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Vin." I yell out, he swivels in my direction along with the eyes of his group. I freeze when all their attention is now on me, they're an intimidating bunch. All dressed in ripped jeans, shit kickers, and leather. One of the guys, leers at me and I quickly look to Vin. "I'm going with Taylor to the stand." He simply nods, and turns his attention back to the group. Taylor, thankfully, comes to my side. Her arm looping around mine, tugging me along. "Who're they?" she nods towards Vin.

"I have no idea."

"Scary."

"Right? I thought so too."

There's a decent line for the food truck, and many of the provided picnic table are occupied. In fact the whole area is pretty crowded, groups of teens standing around and I take notice to the amount of young girls and their attire. A majority are scantily clad, like the girls in front of us. Small skirt, even smaller tops.

"So we going to the field after this?" Taylor's question makes me forget about the under dressed girls around us.

"Meh, No, I gotta work in the AM." I inform her.

"Just go for a little, Please?" Taylor begs.

"Yeah, okay." Pure sarcasm. "A 'little' always turns into hours, plus if I go, so will my brothers or at least Vance since he always has be my warden or something."

"Yeah but Vin's the cool one."

"No, he's not..none of them are cool."

"We can say you're coming to my house."

"They'll know, they always find out and then they're going to give me shit. I just don't want to deal with them. We can go tomorrow."

"Finnee. You party pooper!"

"So baby....sister..." a deep voice cuts into our conversation. Taylor and I both turn around to find the hot owner of the skyline standing directly behind us. His hazel eyes are raking over my face, then down my body.

I sigh, "Yes, that'd be me."

"Do you have a name? I don't really want to call you baby sister." He grins causing a dimple to appear.

"Veronica." I answer him.

Grin + Dimple = Danger.

"Oh pretty boy, you have a death wish." Taylor mumbles, and I elbow her. She shrugs, leaving us to put in her order. He either didn't hear, or is ignoring her because he continues, "Veronica. Beautiful name for a beautiful girl." He smiles showing near perfect teeth, "I'd like to take you out but I assume you're brothers are pretty protective of you?"

"Was it that obvious?" I say sarcastically.

He laughs, "Yeah. So maybe, you can give me your number and I'll give you a call sometime."

"I don't even know your name."

He laughs, "Ryan." he put out his hand. I look down as I slip my hand into his, his hand engulfing mine. He shakes it. "So now that we're friends, we should totally exchange numbers."

"Oh, is that how it goes?"

"Well, yeah. Friend's hang out..I want to hang out with my new friend."

"Alright, Friend."

He smiles wide again and pulls his phone out of his pocket, I wait until he tells me he's ready, "Okay."

"338.."

"Get. Lost!" a deep male voice cuts in. I whip around and find Vance standing behind me, looking pissed. He points his finger at Ryan's chest, "You don't fuckin' listen. I told you this is my sister! She's off limits!" He yells.

"Vance, stop!"

"No! He was all over some chick earlier tonight. I don't give two shits what he does in his spare time, but it won't be you!" He grabs my arm and pulls me away from Ryan who's standing there dumbfounded. When we're far enough away I rip my arm out of his grasp, "That was embarrassing!" I hiss.

"Look, I'm not sorry I embarrassed you, sure I could have done it in a better way..less embarrassing. But he's a dick, and you're better than that!"

"You do realize that you can't protect me from every guy, right? I'd like to date, I want to fall in love."

"You will V....but guys your age, hell even my age, they only want whats in your pants. I know, I'm a guy! You don't want that, I don't want that for you! Focus on school, make a career for yourself, then settle down."

"You sound like dad, Vance. You're 21, not 50."

"Good! Dad's an amazing man, I hope one day I can be half the man he is! You just gave me a huge compliment." He smiles big.

"It wasn't suppose to be." I huff and cross my arms.

Vance wraps his arm around my shoulders and hugs me to him. "I did you a favor, V. Say thank you and move on."

I stay quiet, cause while he probably did save me from falling in lust with Ryan and getting hurt, I don't want to admit it.

"Vern..."

"Don't you dare!" I push him.

He laughs loud, "Say it!"

"No!"

He puts me in a headlock before I have any time to react. "Vern..." he starts giving me a noogie. I scream and try to scramble out of his arm. "Say it!" He yells. I scream some more, no doubt getting everyone's attention. "Say it Vern!" My head is starting to hurt.

"Thank you!" I yell, "Thank you!"

As soon as he lets me go, I smack him in his bicep the size of my thigh. "Asshole!" He laughs as he walks back to our brothers. I quickly try and fix the mess he made of my hair. Taylor joins me, "Here, I got you a Coke. Nice hair."

"Shut up! Why didn't you help me?!"

"V," she gives me a look like 'Really?' "Vance is like a buck eighty, he's got like fifty some pounds on me. What was I suppose to do?"

"I don't know..pinch his butt?"

She laughs loudly.

"Yanno, like 'surprise'!?"

"Yeah, I'm sure it would've surprised him but I don't think Jer would've appreciated it."

"He'd understand, you gotta take one for your bestie!"

I take a big drink of my Coke. Ahh, carbonation.

"I'm ready to get out of here."

"Okay. I'm gonna stay with Jer. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah. I'll call you when I'm out of work."

She embraces me into a big hug, "Okay. See you."

I squeeze her back, "Let my brothers know."

She releases me, "Okay. Drive safe, text me when you get home."

We go our separate ways, since I didn't plan to race, my car is parked in the back lot. I press the unlock button on my key fob, the amber lights flashing allowing me to see where exactly I'm parked.

I slid into the driver seat, press my key in the ignition turning the crank over. A loud rumble escapes from the exhaust, as the car idles, a nice steady purr fills the inside of the car. I pull the seat belt over my body, snapping in and I roll down the windows. I look in my rear view mirrors, making sure no one is behind me, and back out. I hear a couple cat calls coming from my right, I ignore them because 'a gentlemen never calls out to a lady'. But sometimes, I don't want a gentlemen, and sometimes I don't want to be a lady.

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Most teenagers get to sleep in on their Saturday mornings, I haven't been able to sleep in on a Saturday since I was old enough to get a work permit. My alarm is going off, but I'm so comfortable I don't want to leave my cocoon. I start to doze off when my door slams open, "V!! Turn that shit off!" I peek my eye open to see the back of Vance as he walks out. I only know it's him because of the large Egyptian tattoo on his back. I groan, stretch my arms out. I slap the top of the alarm, shutting it off. I get up, throw my Victor's Garage tee over my tank, change into some jeans, and throw on some socks. I head down the stairs, pulling my long hair into a pony tail. At the bottom of the stairs, I make a left into the large kitchen. Vin is sitting at the middle island already, shoveling food into his mouth. Mom is facing the stove, making breakfast.

"Morning!" I make my way over to Vin, and hop up on the stool next to him. He has his hair styled like every other guy in america now, it's that just get out of bed look, and he has a day's worth of stubble on his face. He's wearing his black fitted 'Victor's Auto Garage' T-shirt too.

"Good morning sweetie." Mom smiles back at me, her short brown bob is styled and she's dressed in her usual dress. She claims they're the most comfortable things ever. Mom has always been a early riser, but I guess with five children, she got use to being up around the clock even though we're all old enough now. This is normal for a Saturday, but Dad's missing.

"Where's dad?"

"Your father is at the restaurant, there was an issue with this morning's delivery."

Our family owns Russo's, an Italian restaurant, over on Grant street and Victor's, the auto garage, on 5th street. The restaurant has been in our family for two generations, and the garage my grandfather opened. My father is semi-retired, but doesn't know how to relax even if his life depends on it. Vin has been running the garage for two years now. Vic was suppose to take over the restaurant, but decided to go into accounting, so even though he's not in the family business, per se, he does the books for both businesses. Vance kinda does whatever, he's getting deeper into the racing scene with Jeremy. Vaughn is now in line to become owner of Russo's, he's a sophomore at the local community college.

Mom scooped some eggs from the pan on the stove, turned to the island to put toast and bacon onto the plate, placing it in front of me. "Thanks mom!" I put the eggs and bacon onto the toast, making myself an egg sandwich, and took a big bite.

"Hmmmm" I moaned. Mom smiled wide as she placed a glass of OJ in front of me.

"You ready?" Vin asked.

I glared at him, seriously? I just sat down. "Do I look ready?"

"You better eat that fast, because your messy ass ain't eating in my car!"

I took another large bite of my egg sandwich, and smiled wide, allowing some of the food to show. Classy, I know.

"You're gross."

"Iluff yoouu brudder." I mumble with my mouth full. Vin pushes away from the table, then leaves the kitchen. I laugh until mom yells at me, "Veronica Marie!" I close my mouth, and finish my sandwich without another word. Mom starts doing the dishes. I pick up my plate, take it to the counter and drop it into the sink filled with soapy bubbles.

"Okay Mom, I'll see you later. Thanks for the yummy breakfast." Her hands are immersed in the bubbles, she gives me her cheek to kiss, then skip out of the kitchen. I slip into my work boots at the front door, and grab my bag before walking out the door. Vin is already in his beamer, windows down, white sunglasses on, rock music blasting loud. I slide into the passenger seat, "The guido look fits you, Vin." I grab my seat belt, but get punched in the left arm, instinctively my right hand goes to my arm letting the seat belt snap back "OWE!" I yell. "What the hell!"

"Oh you little pansy, that didn't hurt!"

"Yeah, it did!" I rub my arm, and look at it. There's a nice red mark. "Look!" I say pointing at the red mark.

He laughs, "You better hope you don't get into a chick fight, they'll kick your ass."

"No way! I'll throw down any chick!" I throw up my arms like I'm Mike Tyson and punch air.

"I hope you don't hit like that."

I drop my arms and shrug, "If all else fails, I'll pull some hair and bite her ear."

This earns a burst of laughter from him, and I can't help but laugh at myself too. What? I'm funny.

A short drive later, we pull up in front of the garage at 7:45, fifteen minutes before we open. Vin opens the front door, turns on the office lights, and I follow after him. I head straight to the desk to boot up the computer, then head to the lounge to start the coffee maker for the rest of the guys.

I man the front desk, answering phone calls, keeping track of appointments, and putting together bills to mail out. When it's really busy, I'll help with oil changes, and tire rotations. To uphold our reputation, all our mechanics are certified, and I'm not. So I am able to help out with the small things, that don't require certification. The bells on the door jingle, signifying that someone opened the door, I peek around the corner from the little break room to see Jimmy walk in.

"Hey Jimmy" I yell and wave my arm out.

"Hey kiddo."

Jimmy's older, in his forties, married with three kids. He's worked for my dad for the past fifteen years, and his wife makes the best cookies, muffins, pies, fudge...well, everything.

"Cindy made some chocolate chip cookies." He says while walking into the break room.

"I love your wife!" I tell him while taking the tin of cookies from his hands.

"Yeah, some days, I do too." He laughs and leaves.

I place the cookies by the coffee pot, swiping one for myself and walk back into the front to log into the computer. Saturday is our busiest day, considering that most people don't work, and think it's best to have their car done. Today is no different, by the looks of our schedule, today is jam packed. The office has a massive window that looks out into the garage. Vin has already pulled in a car and has started working, I see Craig at his tool box, he must've snuck in. Craig is quiet and keeps to himself most of the time. Nice guy, ex-military. Mark is the only one missing, no surprise there. It's a minute until we're officially open and Mark finally waltz in.

"Veronica, you're a sight for sore eyes."

"Maybe you should get your eyes checked if they're sore."

"Why, when you're the cure?"

Mark is the definition of a player. He's the cliché. Hot, rides a motorcycle, slept with just about every willing women, mom, wife in a 30 mile radius.

I shake my head, "Oh Mark, save your lines for the dumb girls it actually works on."

He chuckles and walks into the garage.

The morning and afternoon move relatively quickly, thank goodness. I kept myself busy with the daunting tasks of an office assistant. Vic stops in to grab the books but doesn't stay long. Vic moved out of our parents house about 6 months ago, and now lives with his long-time girlfriend. We don't get to see him much, they come over for our Sunday dinner sometimes but it's not the same.

I order food for the guys, a Saturday ritual, and before I know it, we're shy two hours until closing.

At 5:30, Vance comes bursting through the door.

"To what do we owe the pleasure, big brother?" I greet him.

"Just wasting some time before I get to get Chase from the airport." He takes a seat in a chair in front of my desk.

"Chase is coming home? Why are you picking him up?"

Chase is Vance's best friend since elementary school. He was always at our house, he's an only child, and always said that our house was full of 'life'. I think he enjoyed coming over and helping Vance torture me.

Vance shrugs, "His parents are in Hawaii or some shit."

"What!? He's coming home from Iraq and they're in Hawaii?"

"I don't know. He just called me a couple hours ago asking if I could pick him up. You going to the field tonight?" Guess that conversation is over.

"Yeah, I told Taylor I would."

"You want to ride with us?"

"I suppose." This allows me to have a couple drinks, not that he needs to know that.

Vance plays on his phone, no doubt making plans for later and I finish up my work for the day. It's silent for a while until he stands up, "Alright. I'm out! I'll meet you at home then."

"Are you bringing Chase over?"

"I don't know..whatever he wants to do." with that he leaves.

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Whoo! Second Chapter! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, if you did make sure to vote! I'd be forever grateful! Also, I'd be eternally grateful if you could add Labeled to your public reading lists, so others can find it.

So we've met all the brothers now? How are we feeling about them? Anyone have any experience with older brothers?

Fun Fact: I am the protective sister. I have two younger sisters who I'm very protective over, they're older now, and can stand on their own but old habits die hard.

xx

Jenn

Dedicated to rememberwhenthemusic One of my very first readers, and you've stuck with me since. Thank you for your votes and comments, you are one of the reasons I continue to write. Thank you!