Jace

My parents and I met the realtor at her office to sign papers on the house. Before I signed, my parents read through the paperwork to ensure everything was in order. After signing my life away, I handed the woman a cashier's check for the full amount.

Her eyes bulged when she saw the amount. "Most people don't pay the full amount on a house when they're first-time buyers."

"Most people don't have a family like mine," I said.

The woman smiled and handed me the house keys before shaking my hand. We left her office with paperwork and keys in my hands.

After talking to Jules and my parents, I called my brothers and gave them the news. Dallas and Braydon transferred some of the money to me while my parents helped with the remaining balance. Between the five of us, I bought my first house.

Mom headed to work while Dad and I headed to the house to meet with Odin, Troy, Dexter, Jordin, and Demarco. Odin had to gather a list of materials we would need to renovate the house. Owen was sending a masonry worker to do the foundation and cement work.

Dad and I pulled up in his truck and got out. I unlocked the door and let everyone in. Everyone made their assessments while Odin jotted notes on an iPad. Once they finished, we discussed the plan of attack.

"We need to reinforce the foundation since it has cracks in it. Dad's sending Paul and his crew to work on it. He will do tuck pointing on the porch and fix any broken pieces of concrete to avoid a trip hazard. Troy will replace any plumbing, including faulty sewer pipes. Dexter will replace the electrical box of fuses with breakers and run new lines. Jordin will work on the roof and floors while Demarco will fix the drywall," Odin said.

"How long do you think it will take?" I asked.

"We're looking at a minimum of ten months of work. Luckily, the renovations will be minor compared to the other houses we worked on."

I nodded in understanding.

"I send my list of materials to Dad so he can send a truck with everything. It should arrive in a few days."

"That works."

"And I will start work on the cabinets for the kitchen and bathroom," Dad said.

I couldn't help but smile.

********
Julia

I would finish my first semester of classes in a few weeks. I met with my advisor to alter my schedule and found Casp sitting in the counseling office. "What are you doing here?"

"I had a therapy session with Jayden. He recommended I ease back on my class load," Casp said.

"How much does your head want to explode right now?"

"You don't want to know."

I giggled and sat beside him. "It'll be okay."

"You don't understand, Julia. I need control in my life. I can't even explain it." Casp shook his head.

"Maybe it stems from when you were younger. But Sofie and Odin give you stability. That has to account for something."

"It does. I'm a work in progress."

"You'll need to figure out your progress to date anyone seriously. Not every girl wants a control freak for a boyfriend."

"You make it sound like it's a bad thing."

"Casp, it is a bad thing. Girls don't need a boyfriend who controls them. They need someone who loves them with their chaos running amuck. Have you met us? We're a hot mess."

Casp snickered. "How does Jace handle your hot messiness?"

"Oh, Jace enjoys my hot messiness." I raised my finger in emphasis.

Casp threw his head back and laughed.

Eventually, we met with our advisers to alter our upcoming schedule for winter classes. It was the right decision for us.

********
Jace

After spending time at the new house, I took Jules to the cafe to grab a bite. We ordered sandwiches, chips, and beverages before finding an empty table and digging into our food.

"How did everything go after you got the keys to the house?" Jules asked me.

"Pretty good. Odin drafted up plans for the renovation and ordered supplies. Owen is delivering a truck of supplies in a few days. I couldn't have done this without everyone's help."

"Why wouldn't anyone want to help you? Do you realize how much you help others?"

"Jules, I'm not looking for people to repay me for helping them. It's not me, " I said as I sipped my drink.

"Jace, no one thinks that way. But people generally like you because you're a nice guy. You care about people."

"It stems from my childhood before my mom and dad adopted me. I didn't want anyone to experience what I did. It was horrible."

"No one can fault you for wanting something better in your life after what you endured. I grew up without a mom until my grandparents hired my mom as my nanny." Jules shrugged.

"How are you unfazed about not having a mom until Marla came into your life?"

"I never thought about it. I was three when I met my mom. It's not like I didn't have a mother figure. I had Nanny, Nana, Nan, and Grammy. You don't mess with my grandmothers unless you prefer not to breathe through your nose."

I chuckled. "So tell me about your day."

"I changed my winter schedule and dropped to three classes. Six was way too much. Even Casp dropped from six to three classes."

"Did Casp's head explode?"

Jules laughed. "No, thank god."

We laughed because Casp was a control freak with his OCD. Every time Sofie and Odin suggest a slight change, Casp loses his shit. If he wanted a chance with Charlie, he would need to rein in his need for control.

Jules looked at me while eating before saying something. "What's with that look?"

"I figured out a way to help Casp with his OCD issues." My lips curled into a smile.

Jules gave me a curious look.

******
After eating a late lunch, I drove to Charlie's office to speak to her. Plus, Jules wanted to find out more information about PR work. Who better to help us than our old pal, Charlie?

When we arrived at Charlie's office, she was typing on a computer. She lifted her head and waved us into her office, where we sat in chairs across from her.

"What brings you to my neck of the woods?" Charlie asked us.

"Jules wanted to learn how to get started in public relations, and I wanted to talk to you about Casp. We figured we would kill two birds with one stone," I said.

Charlie rose from her seat, closed her office door, and returned to her seat. "Well, Julia would need to apply as an intern when she gets to her core classes. And Caspiam is too young for me."

I pursed my lips, knowing I would get met by resistance from Charlie.

"Charlie, Casp turns seventeen in February. He can't date until he turns eighteen. No one is asking you to date him. Maybe help him with his control issues," Jules said.

God, I love Jules and her way of thinking.

"What control issues?" Charlie asked.

"Casp argues with his parents when they want to change things slightly. The guy makes a billion lists. Jas wants to throw something hard at him half the time," Jules said.

"I didn't realize things were that bad with Caspiam."

"Odin and Sofie had to force Casp to drop three classes at school. I thought his head would explode."

"Plus, Casp is driving everyone at the construction site nuts with his time management skills. Construction doesn't have a time frame if you haven't noticed," I said.

"So, what do you want me to do?" Charlie asked.

"Help the poor boy out. I'm sure he would agree to anything you ask."

Charlie chewed on her bottom lip, contemplating my suggestion. If anyone could help us, it was Charlie. Casp has been infatuated with her since he was two. And he needs help to curb his control tendencies for his sake and that of everyone else.

"I wish I could, but right now, I'm dealing with a client who can't get his shit together. It's a PR nightmare," Charlie sighed.

"I'm sure you'll figure it out." I shrugged before standing with Jules and leaving Charlie's office.

We stopped by the front office so Jules could inquire about an internship when she reached her core classes. The lady handed her information about it, which Jules took, and we left Charlie's PR firm.

Once inside the car, Jules turned to me. "Do you think Charlie will take your suggestion?"

"It's hard to say." I shrugged. "Before Charlie dated Kent, she would jump at the chance to help Casp. Now, I'm not so sure."

Jules gave me an understanding nod. We were so in tune with each other that we didn't need to speak to understand what we were saying. But that helps when you've been friends for years. I wouldn't want it any other way.