Photo above: Lexi (lexi_frawley, if there's someone who resembles you better, let me know. I'm happy to change it) :D

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It's nine before anyone shows up at my house. Apparently, the game didn't end until seven and then everyone went out for dinner. Unfortunately, that means they missed their window for meeting Haley because she's been passed out for a good hour and a half already. There's no way I'm waking her for this. Besides, with the way things are working out so far, we'll have another opportunity real soon for the guys to meet her.

When the bell rings, I tell my parents to continue enjoying their show and hurry to answer the door.

"Hey, guys," I say, finding Andy, his sister Lexi, Gavin, and Gavin's sister, Silvia, standing on the porch.

"Hey," Gavin says, pulling me in for a tight hug before pushing his way into the house.

"Hi," Andy greets, lips turned upward into a modest grin. "I'm glad we're making an effort to see more of each other these days."

"Me too," I agree. "I've missed this. Funny how we all drifted after college."

"Yeah. Don't let it happen again." He points an accusing finger at me but Andy never was good at keeping a straight face. His smile breaks through halfway through his threat, but I nod with a solemn salute anyway before beckoning him into the house.

"You and I never drifted though," I tell his back as he passes by. "We've never lost touch. It was you who moved forty-five minutes away and found a job that never allowed for visits. Speaking of which, how've you managed to make it into town so often the last couple weeks?"

Andy shrugs before turning to face me as he walks backward into the living room. "Got a new job." His face breaks into that childish smirk that I always found contagious. "I actually have weekends off now. It's a beautiful thing."

"New job doing what?"

"He's a paramedic now," a voice says from behind me and I swivel to find Andy's sister taking the last step up to the porch.

"Holy crap," I gape, eyes swinging over Lexi before pulling her into a warm hug. She chuckles into my shoulder, grunting as if I'm squeezing her to death—which, maybe I am, but I can't help it. I absolutely adore this girl. She's practically my little sister.

"You're so tall now!" I gush, gripping her shoulders as I take a moment to absorb the maturity that's somehow eaten away her youthfulness. "Are you still dancing these days?"

"Not much," she answers, pushing a stray strand of her red and blonde-streaked brown hair out of her eyes. The spiraling curl bounces with the movement but springs right back into its original position the moment her hand releases it.

Andy and Lexi are about as tight to each other as my high school yoga pants are to my thighs. I recall him bringing her along to hangouts back when we were in college and no one ever questioned it. Some even thought they were dating since they look nothing alike. She was adopted when she was three and Andy was nine but her caramel skin and dark wild locks compared to Andy's blonde hair and golden complexion make them about as different as a nuclear bomb is to a firecracker. Personality-wise, though, they're practically twins. Both are relaxed and mature and know how to take a joke. She's the definition of a cool little sister—unlike Gavin's sister, Silvia, who is all drama, selfies, and ruby-red lipstick.

"By the way," Andy hollers from the living room. "I invited the Starling's." When I turn to face him, I find him grimacing like a child prepared for a verbal attack. "I hope that's okay." He grins sheepishly, stuffing his hands into his front pockets and shrugging. "It's just—one of them might have a little thing for you."

"Oh." I'm shocked but delightfully flattered as well.

"Also," he adds, "They don't have many friends since they work so much. Figured they could use the socializing."

When Alec's face swims past my mind's eye, I quickly block it out. Yes, he's attractive—stupidly beautiful, really—but that's no excuse for my brain to disintegrate into a pile of sparkles and hope-filled air bubbles.

"Sure, that's fine," I blurt, shaking my head to dislodge the inappropriate daydreams of a man I barely know. I hate my shallowness, but it can't be helped. My vision seems to be connected to my imagination most of the time. Hence my obsession with Mike and that blasted face of his.

"So you been up to anything this summer besides soccer?" I ask Lexi as all of us make our way into the kitchen so we don't disturb my parents lounging in the family room down the hall.

"Yeah," she smiles. "I work at a daycare."

"You guys want a drink?" I ask, grabbing everyone's requests from the fridge and handing them out before turning back to Lexi. "How are you liking that?"

"Love it," she responds, taking a seat at the kitchen island and popping the tab of her Pepsi. "Kids are so much fun. Wild sometimes and impossible to deal with others, but for the most part, it's really rewarding."

"I'm sure it is," I smile, thinking about my own life and struggles that accompany parenthood. A struggle that can just as quickly flip into a blessing the moment you see your child smile or do something new for the first time. When they hug you after a rough day or kiss you when your heart feels heavy. Children are powerful and they don't' even know it.

"Andy," I say, noticing that he doesn't have a drink. "You want a Pepsi or Mountain Dew or something. Pretty sure we even have orange juice in here somewhere." I'm already digging around in the fridge again as I say this but glance over my shoulder with a wiggle of my brows as the mention of his precious OJ.

"No, thanks," he says, clutching a glass of water between his hands. "This is good."

"Water?"

"Yep."

"And don't try to convince him otherwise," Gavin steps in. "He gave up his orange juice addiction months ago and he's now morphed into one of those disgusting health-nut types."

"Comes with the job," Andy answer nonchalantly, pulling his phone from his pocket when it chimes softly.

Gavin lets his eyes roam over Andy for a moment and then shakes his head in disappointment. "Not sure he really fits in with us anymore," he whispers loudly, earning a husky laugh from Andy.

"I love you too, man," he grins, taking the insult with grace as he gulps back his water.

My eyes stay riveted to the muscles in his neck as he drinks and I find myself oddly mesmerized by the movement. I never realized a person's throat could look so strong—masculine. The sensation slithering into my chest and swelling with warmth is even stranger than this new realization. All these guys—Andy, Gavin, even Chris—they've always been just friends since the beginning. The possibility of moving beyond friendship with any of them has never crossed my mind before because they were all Mike's buddies. But now... I can ogle whoever I want. It's kind of freeing.

And dangerous. Very, very dangerous. Because I'm not sure I'm ready for all this. Especially when I'm still on the mend from Jessie's little stunt with my heart. Not to mention, these strange palpitations I get any time Mike's around. It's all very confusing.

It's only when Andy finishes off his water and catches my eye, one brow quirked slightly, that I realize I've been caught. I offer a smile, hoping my nonchalant reaction will muffle any ideas he might have conjured up about me seeing him as more than just 'Andy' from college, and I glance away before I get a chance to witness a reaction.

I'm about to suggest we all head out back and light up the fire pit, but Gavin cuts in.

"Health nut, I am not," he says, pulling a small packet from his pocket. "So I'm just gonna head outside for a quick smoke if you guys don't mind."

"I mind," Andy and I say at the same time, eyes flickering to each other in amusement.

"Oh, cool," Gavin mutters. "You all actually care. That's sweet." Then, with slow, intentional movements, he pulls a cigarette from the box in his back pocket and slides it smoothly between his lips before turning toward us with a sly smirk. "See ya in a jiffy."

"Hope you die from lung cancer while you're out there," Silvia calls, not even lifting her eyes up from her phone to shout her warning at her brother.

Just as Gavin steps out onto the front porch, I see Mike pull up. The two chat for a moment and then Gavin points a cigarette toward the house before tucking it between his lips, cupping his hand around it and lighting it up. He puffs out a heavy cloud of smoke, laughing at something Mike's just said and then Mike's patting him on the shoulder before making his way up to the house.

"So, orange juice isn't healthy?" I ask, snapping my attention away from the front window only to find Andy's gaze already on me, scrutinizing me while I'd been staring dreamily at Mike.

He clears his throat, standing to fill his water glass again. "It's not that bad," he admits, "especially when you're comparing it to Pepsi." He eyes the can in my hand and I take a sip just to spite him.

"But," he goes on, "a lot of the orange juice you buy at the store isn't as fresh as you think."

"Hey guys," Mike greets, stepping into the house and shutting the door behind him.

"Hey man," Andy responds, rounding the island to offer Mike a strong handshake.

"Wait," I say, still trying to follow Andy's logic. "Why isn't it fresh?—Hi, Mike," I add, shooting a smile at him before turning my attention back toward Andy.

Mike grins and takes a seat.

"Simply put," Andy starts to say, "to keep orange juice from going bad, it goes through a process that kills off its flavor, so then they're forced to add flavor packets to it to give it its 'fresh' taste."

I slouch. "Seriously?" I turn my Pepsi around to read the ingredients. "Is there anything healthy in this?"

"Uh... no. Not really, and if there is, the bad is bad enough to negate its benefits."

"Why do you know all this?" I pout. "I liked my ignorant life before you came along. You just ruined everything. You ruined my life. You and your stupid paramedic job," I huff under my breath.

He laughs but doesn't respond.

"I see you two are having yourselves a nice, philosophical discussion," Mike says, standing and grabbing a Pepsi from the fridge. He then turns and lifts the can in front of Andy's face before popping the tab and taking a long swig. "Hmmm, that's good."

Andy responds by downing his entire glass of water. "Hmmm, so's this. But hey," he shrugs one shoulder. "To each his own. You two just keep enjoying your pesticide—I mean, Pepsi."

"Wait—" I freeze. "There's pesticide's in this."

Andy just stares at me for a moment before mumbling, "And we wonder why the world is filled with cancer, diabetes and birth defects."

"Alrighty," Mike says, finishing off his can and tossing it in the garbage. "How 'bout we move this boring conversation outside."

I want to dump my Pepsi down the sink but my pride won't let me. Yet, I can't help but let Andy's words sink into my chest. What if there's truth in his words? Is my lifestyle of eating what I want, when I want really responsible for such things? Am I inadvertently killing myself, or the cause of health risks in me, my child, and my future children?

Blocking out Andy's words, I lead the way toward the back deck and grab a few lawn chairs from the shed while Mike and Andy get the fire going. Side-by-side, I analyze the two best friends. Andy's definitely leaner, but it's most likely from this health kick he's on and the fact that he's always loved to run. And when I say love, I mean love! Last I heard, he was doing two to three marathons a year... just for kicks. Sick man.

I take a seat next to Lexi, my eyes scanning the yard for Gavin's sister.

"Where's Silvia?" I ask Lexi.

She pulls her knees up on the chair and hugs them to her. "Inside, I think. Boyfriend issues from the sound of it."

"Ah," I nod slowly in understanding, biting back a laugh. "That girl is something else."

Lexi chuckles into her knees, tilting her head to the side to look at me.

"We need S'mores," she tells me, snatching the stick that Andy's using to stoke the fire with and using it to draw circles in the dirt.

"Lexi," he growls, a playful warning in his tone even as he keeps his back to his sister. Slowly and threateningly, he turns, eyes narrowed as he takes a step closer to her. "Hand it over, punk."

"Nope." Her voice is chipper, not the least bit concerned with Andy as she points the stick at him and begins jabbing him in the stomach with it.

"Ouch!" he hisses, lifting up his shirt to reveal several red spots blooming across his skin.

But let's be honest, I wasn't looking at a single one of them. I was looking at the incredible physique that I never realized he had. My goodness, Andy, you should prepare a girl before flaunting perfection in front of her.

Just then Gavin comes sauntering out with his shirt full of Pepsi, one hand holding onto the hem so the cans don't fall out, and the other hand carrying a glass of water.

"I come bearing gifts," he announces, "And don't worry, Lindsey, I sprayed myself down to cover up the cigarette smoke."

"Dude," Mike deadpans. "You do realize we're all sitting around a fire, right? We're all gonna smell like smoke sooner or later."

"Right." He wobbles his head like he's trying to shake the stupidity out.

"What'd you use to spray yourself down with?" I ask when he takes a seat next to me and I get a whiff.

"Uh," He hands Andy his water and then starts passing out drinks. "I don't know. It was a red spray can in the bathroom."

"Oh," I nod. "Makes sense. That was hairspray... so, maybe you should stay a little ways from the fire. Wouldn't want you to explode or anything."

"Or maybe we would," Andy says and I turn to find him eyeing his cup. "What'd you do to it?" Accusing eyes lift to meet Gavin's innocent ones and everyone stops to watch.

"Nothing man," Gavin says, holding one hand up in defense. "It's just water."

"Mmm-hmm," he mumbles, unconvinced. "Just water, my butt."

And then he takes a sip before spewing the contents everywhere.

"I knew it!" he laughs, pointing his finger at Gavin as he shakes his head. "Every time! I just can't trust you guys."

"What is it?" I ask.

"Care to find out?"

I shake my head at Andy's question which just causes him to laugh harder. Then I watch as he rubs his tongue over his shirt sleeve, shaking his head and shivering in disgust.

"There had to be at least a tablespoon of salt in that."

"Try three," Gavin corrects, sipping his Pepsi with pride. "And baking soda. Would you like a Pepsi to wash it down with?"

Andy continues to chuckle, always finding humor in his own misfortune. "Nope, but I will grab a fresh glass of water."

He salutes us before pivoting on his heel and heading for the house.

The rest of us fall into relaxed conversation as we catch up on life, but I realize that Mike isn't offering much input in the conversation. It's basically just Gavin, Lexi and I chattering about soccer, work, and dreams. Gavin wants to join a traveling choir, even though voice is the only instrument he's never been able to master. Lexi wants to work in a zoo one day, maybe train domestic animals. Basically, anything having to do with animals would make her as happy as Emma White in a sea of Skittles.

Andy returns a minute later with Alec and Braydon tagging along behind him.

"Hey, guys," I say, hating how good Alec looks in his gray t-shirt and sweatpants. My appreciation for this stranger is inappropriate on so many levels—mainly because I know next to nothing about him.

"Lindsey!" Braydon greets, his face twisting in a genuine smile. "Good you see you!"

I stand to grab a couple more seats and set them out around the fire for the two new arrivals. Braydon takes a seat beside me and instantly draws me into a conversation about how Alec nearly got them killed on the way here. I glance up to find Alec watching us, shaking his head at Braydon's theatrical retelling of what happened when a school bus made a right turn as they were going through the intersection.

"We nearly killed a busload of kids!" Braydon exaggerates.

"What was a busload of kids doing out at this time of night anyway?" I ask, puzzled.

"Probably driving back from a game," Braydon answers, shrugging. "But that nincompoop over there," He points at Alec, "decides to swerve around the bus and into the oncoming traffic."

"It was a knee-jerk reaction," Alec defends, leaning back in his chair.

"Yeah," Braydon agrees. "One that probably scared that poor old woman into her grave."

"So you would have preferred I just plow into the bus? And 'kill the whole bus load of kids?'" Alec asks, his voice calm and demeanor relaxed, but clearly finding Braydon's dramatics to be ridiculous.

"No!" he groans. "I love kids, hence why I'm a high school coach. What you should have done was swerve onto the sidewalk, or use a little more muscle to push down on the break. You been slacking in the gym, bro?"

I could answer that question for him. No, with a capital N. Alec is solid as a brick and wears his physique with confidence.

"Yeah. Okay," Alec sighs, giving up on convincing Braydon and sending me a lopsided grin before turning his attention toward Andy and Mike who have struck up a rather heavy discussion. I'm trying to listen in on two very different conversations, but I'm only catching snippets of each. Feeling rude, I give up on the three men and focus my attention back on Braydon, Gavin, and Lexi.

"How 'bout those S'mores?" I offer a few minutes later when Mikes starts adding wood to the fire to perk the flames up. "I'll need to make a quick trip to get all the makings, but it won't be more than twenty minutes—tops."

"Actually," Andy says, glancing at the time on his phone. "We should get going." His eyes find Lexi's and she frowns, pouting her lip out and lifting her hands to her chin.

"Can we stay a little longer?" she pleads. "Please."

"Sorry, Lex," he says, shaking his head. "Can't."

"Party pooper."

He smiles at her childishness and plucks her up from her seat, throwing her over his shoulder.

"Good seeing you all," he says, walking backward toward the deck with Lexi squealing for him to put her down.

We all say our goodbyes and then I turn to Gavin, Mike, and the twins. Only, Alec is missing. I glance up to find him trailing after Andy, the gate swinging shut behind him. I glance around, but Braydon simply shrugs.

"So," I say, the party feeling significantly lamer now that Andy and Lexi are gone. "How 'bout them S'mores? Who's coming with me?"

I shouldn't have asked. But I did, and of course, who do you think volunteered?

Mike.

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Not sure why but I'm nervous about this chapter and about what I've got planned for this story. Maybe it's cuz I'm excited about it but I'm not sure if anyone else will be... *bites nails*  Guess I won't know til I try.  *starts singing Dido's 'White Flag'* (Does anyone get that? Maybe I'm too old...)

I know I said I'd try to post this chapter yesterday but then I read over it and just wasn't happy. I made some changes, so I hope you all enjoyed it. 

Teaser: Somebody does something they shouldn't.... dun dun dun!