Julia

While Jace used the bathroom, I texted Kyler and asked for a favor. Once I explained it, he said to give him ten minutes.

I waited for Jace until he emerged from the bathroom. He slipped his hand into mine as we walked to the car.

"Do you mind if we stop by the center?" I asked, climbing into the car.

"I don't see a problem with it," Jace shrugged before starting the car and pulling out of a parking space. He drove to the center since it would take us fifteen minutes to get there, giving Kyler an extra five minutes.

Jace pulled into a parking spot and parked. We got out and headed into the Oakridge Center, walking toward a room. Once we arrived, we stopped to see Kayden, Kyler, Mercedes, Sofie, Odin, Bradley, and Hazel waiting for us.

Jace leaned into me. "Why are my parents and Odin here?"

I looked at Jace and smiled. "I figured you would want a blast from the past."

Jace looked at me and smiled before kissing my temple.

Sometimes, we need a reminder that things work out for the best.

*******
Jace

I walked into the room as Kayden approached me.

"You've grown into a fine young man, Jace," Kayden said.

"I had help." I glanced at my parents and smiled.

"You're a sight for sore eyes," Kyler said.

I dropped my head and chuckled.

"I remember when you challenged Odin for Sofie's heart." Kyler chuckled.

Odin rolled his eyes and folded his arms. "Don't remind me."

Sofie tapped him playfully. "You still won."

Odin wrapped his arm around Sofie's waist before kissing her. "Yes, I did."

Mercedes approached me with a smile and her arms apart. I didn't hesitate to hug her.

She pulled back and studied me. "It's been a long time, Jace."

"Yeah, it has. But you were one of my favorite people at the center."

"Hey! What about me?" Sofie asked.

I craned my head to Sofie. "Sofie, you'll always be my favorite person."

Sofie beamed as Odin shook his head.

I let go of Mercedes and walked around the room, realizing what room it was. "Fourteen years ago, I would meet potential couples in this room. When each one left, my hope faded a little more. I didn't think anyone would want me." I turned to face everyone.

Everyone looked at me with knitted brows.

"No matter how well-behaved I was, people still walked out that door." I pointed at the doorway where Jules was standing. "All I wanted was a family and a home. Then, Kyler mentioned Kayden was bringing a couple who wanted to meet me. Me. Can you believe it?" I spread my arms apart before dropping them.

No one said a word. I needed to get this out.

"So, I was on my best behavior and remembered my manners, praying the people would want me. So, I sat at this table with my hands folded and waited. I waited for Kayden to bring in two people, hoping they would want me."

"Jace," Kyler said.

I closed my eyes. "I need to get this out, Kyler. Please." I opened my eyes and looked at Kyler.

Kyler nodded as my mom, Sofie, and Mercedes furrowed their brows.

"A couple walked into this room fourteen years ago and met me. We talked. At that moment, I wanted them to take me home."

My mom covered her mouth and gasped as my dad wrapped his arm around her.

"And you know what happened? They wanted to take me home, too. Me. The same kid who waited three years for a mom and dad to love him. The kid who saw his dad shoot his mother before shooting himself."

Everyone stared at me in shock except Jules. It was the first time I told anyone the truth about that fateful night. Not even my therapist knew the truth.

My dad realized something, "Is that why you suggested your mom and I take your brothers, too?"

I put my hands on my waist and nodded. "If you and mom wanted me, you would want Dallas and Braydon."

"Damn," Odin said.

I glanced at Jules, who didn't flinch at my admission but gave me a reassuring smile. I wonder why.

*******
Julia

Jace's admission of the truth didn't surprise me. But it made much more sense why he was a thoughtful person. After talking at the park, I knew Jace needed to discuss what happened.

Trust me. I spent hours talking to my parents about what happened to me when I was little. My mom fought and protected me from my birth mother. She risked her safety to save me since my birth mother was an unhinge crazy pants.

Who the hell tries to kidnap their kid? No wonder my dad was wound tight with me.

Sofie approached me. "I thought you were off this week?"

"I am. But Jace needed to unburden his soul so it doesn't interfere with us," I said.

Sofie snickered. "You're something else, Julia."

"I'm just me." I shrugged.

Sofie wrapped her arm around me and gave me a side hug. "And god bless us for that."

While Jace talked to Kyler, Kayden, Odin, and his parents, I spoke to Sofie and Aunt Mercedes.

"So, you and Jace, huh?" Aunt Mercedes asked me.

"It's a work in progress," I said, smiling.

"We had a suspicion about you and Jace when you were little," Sofie said.

"It doesn't thrill my dad about this current development between Jace and me." I rolled my eyes.

"Tell your dad to chill out. Marla wouldn't let anything happen to you," Aunt Mercedes said.

"Oh, Mom has already put her foot down." I put my hand up and stuck out my hip.

Aunt Mercedes and Sofie laughed before hugging me.

******
Jace

"So, your dad tells me you're working with him at the construction company," Kayden said.

"Yeah, I can't wait. It's always been my dream," I said.

"Good. You can keep Casp from driving everyone nuts with his schedules," Odin said.

"Why do I have to babysit Casp?" I asked.

"Casp will listen to you because of Charlie. I'm trying to run the sister company with Val. I can't do it when my boy yells at us about not sticking to a schedule."

"I didn't think Casp was that bad at the construction site."

"Normally, he isn't. It's worsened after Carrie and Troy told us about Charlie moving in with her boyfriend."

"Casp can work with me." I shrugged.

"You're a blessing in disguise, Jace."

Julia approached us and said hi to everyone.

I glanced at her. "Ready?"

"Yep."

I slid my hand into hers and intertwined our fingers before leaving the center with her. I have fond memories of the center. It's where I met my family, friends, and Jules.

We climbed into the car and headed home.

"What's on the agenda for tomorrow?" Jules asked me.

"I thought we could go hiking."

"We don't have any trails around here."

"No, but I discovered a trail an hour from us while driving around when I was home. I figure we could pack a lunch, water, and bug spray."

Jules giggled. "Yeah, because we don't want bugs to eat us."

I chuckled.

"Sounds like a plan. But I'll need to figure out something with Jas. I can't keep leaving her to fend for herself."

"Why don't you invite her and Casp?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I need to talk to Casp since Odin said he's driving them nuts with his anal retentive ness about schedules."

"It's only because Casp needs something to focus on since Charlie is living with some schmuck."

I snorted a laugh.

"He turns seventeen in February and acts like he's forty."

I couldn't help but laugh even more. Jules hasn't changed much in personality since we were kids. She's still feisty and still fabulous.

******
Julia

Once Jace pulled into his driveway, we got out and headed to my house. I walked in to find no one home. Jas must still be at the beach with our cousins.

"I take it that Jas isn't home yet," Jace said.

"Nope. She's still at the beach."

Jace slipped his arms around me from behind and nuzzled my neck. "So, we're all alone with no one home then."

I turned in Jace's arms and raised my brow. "Down, boy. We have plenty of time for fun activities later. I don't need my parents to ground me, so I can't see you."

Jace dropped his head and sighed. "Fine."

I pulled away and texted Casp to come over so I could talk to him. He replied on my way. That was easy.

"Who did you text?" Jace asked.

"Casp. Why did you think I was texting some random hot guy?" I smiled.

Jace pulled me to him and snaked an arm around my waist while lifting my chin with his other hand. "The only hot guy you're texting is me."

"What about my idiot guy friends?"

"As long as they understand you're mine, I don't have a problem with it. Got it?"

"Aye, aye, Captain." I saluted Jace.

"Smartass." Jace rolled his eyes and kissed me before releasing me.

I giggled because it was fun to tease Jace.

Casp arrived a few minutes later and eyed Jace and me suspiciously. "Well, you're both wearing clothes. That's a plus. Now, Dexter won't mangle Jace's boys."

I laughed while Jace arched his brow.

"Why did you interrupt my time with Shelly?"

"Who's Shelly?" Jace asked.

"One of Casp's many flavors of the week," I said, sitting down on the couch's arm.

"Hey, it's better than sitting home alone." Casp shrugged.

"What about your brothers?" Jace asked.

"Thor and Loki go to the center with Mom since I usually work with Dad. It's not like anyone can trust my brothers. Have you met them?"

"Yeah, I have."

"So, what's up?"

"We're going hiking tomorrow and taking you and Jas with us," I said.

"What?"

I nodded. "We can bond."

"We always bond. I would rather bond in a clean environment without bugs."

"How do you work in construction if you hate getting dirty?" Jace asked.

"I keep lots of rags with me."

"Casp, you need to get dirty once in a while. You can always shower when you get home," I said.

"Fine. But I'm packing supplies and a first aid kit."

"That's fine," Jace said.

Tomorrow should be so much fun with Mr. Clean coming with us.