Jace

I was hoping to postpone the discussion about my phone call until tomorrow, but I didn't get that lucky.

After Jules told her parents about my parents bringing Jas home, we headed upstairs to her bedroom. I removed my jacket and sat on her bed while she changed into comfortable clothes in the bathroom. Jules returned a few minutes later and sat beside me; her body turned to me, and her leg curled underneath her.

"Couldn't we wait until tomorrow to discuss my lack of judgment?" I asked.

"No, since you decided to drink liquid courage."

I rubbed my forehead before dropping my hand and looking at her. "Jules, you know I would never disrespect you," I said.

"I'm well aware that you respect me, Jace. But your phone call didn't bother me."

"It didn't?"

Jules shook her head. "No, because it turned me on."

"Really?"

She nodded. "Jace, I always imagined a guy would respect me when he dated me. But I also want to experience things with him. It just happened to be you." Her lips curled upward.

I slid my hand into hers and threaded our fingers. "Trust me. I want you to experience intimate acts with me. But I also want to feel comfortable. I've only been with two other girls before you. I take my relationships very seriously. One girl cheated on me, while the other was superficial. You're neither like those girls."

"Then know I'm okay with whatever happens between us. I've had time to think about my actions and the consequences. You would never shuck your responsibility if anything resulted from said action."

"No, I wouldn't."

"Then, whatever happens, happens. Now, what's up with you thinking I have a thing for your brother?"

I sighed. "It was a moment of insanity on my part. Hell, I called Braydon an ugly woman."

Jules giggled.

"I guess it boils down to insecurity because of my history with the wrong girls. It seemed like I was a magnet for the wrong girls except you. You're the only one who was right."

"Have you ever considered it's because your heart knew before you did? How many girls did you make gifts for?"

"One."

"How many girls did you care about if someone hurt their feelings?"

"One."

"And how many girls did you include their siblings so their siblings didn't feel pushed aside?"

"One."

"And who was that one girl you did all that for?"

"You."

Jules gave me a knowing look.

"It's always been you, Jules. Since I was seven, you were the one I wanted to play with or hang out with. You were always the one I wanted to share my good news with. No matter what. It will always be you."

"Then you have your answer. Jace, I'm not going anywhere. And why the hell would I give up a guy like you? Girls dream of having a boyfriend like you, and I'm the one who got you."

My lips twitched, knowing I was damn lucky to have Jules. I leaned over and captured her lips, showing her how fortunate I was to have her.

*****
Julia

I never realized how insecure Jace was with women. But I couldn't blame him with the shrews he dated before me. Those girls were idiots for losing Jace. But their loss was my gain. I got an excellent boyfriend out of the deal.

A few minutes later, Jas walked into my room with the biggest smile.

"Did you have fun?" I asked while Jace smiled slightly.

"Yeah, I had fun." Jas shrugged. "I talked to Darby most of the evening."

"Oh, yeah?" I feigned ignorance while Jace acted casual.

"Yeah. She offered to take me to the bakery tomorrow. So we have plans to hang out."

"That was nice of Darby to offer to hang out with you."

"At least you won't have me bugging you."

"True. But it's still nice of Darby to offer."

"Yeah. I'm heading to bed. Night."

"Night, Jas," we said as Jas left my room.

Jace and I exchanged glances, knowing why Darby was taking Jas to the bakery. Dallas might not want to admit it. But Darby was making plans.

*******
Dallas

After dropping Darby off, I headed home to my bedroom to open Jas's gift since she wanted me to wait. I sat on my bed and held the box wrapped in pretty paper with a bow. I unwrapped the paper carefully, so I didn't tear it since Jas put a lot of effort into making it look nice.

I set the paper aside and opened the box to find a leather woven bracelet. I pulled it out and set the box aside as I ran my thumb against the leather. It reminded me of the bracelet my birth mother wore.

"What's that?" Braydon asked.

I glanced up at Braydon. "Jas's birthday gift."

Braydon approached me and held out his hand. I handed him the bracelet. He looked it over. "This bracelet reminds me of the one our birth mother would wear."

"My thoughts exactly."

Braydon handed the bracelet back to me. "How did Jas know about our Native American heritage?"

"I must have mentioned it to her at some point." I shrugged.

Braydon leaned his back against my dresser and folded his arms. "I don't remember much of our birth parents. But I remember Mom would always wear a leather woven bracelet."

"Yeah, I remember the same thing."

"At least Mom and Dad incorporated our heritage into our lives."

"That's because Dad reads about everything. The man will find out every detail about anything for us. If we liked something, he would go out of his way to learn everything about it."

"I'm glad we got Mom and Dad as our parents. We could have landed in foster care."

"Then thank Jace." I shrugged.

"Thank me for what?" Jace asked, standing in the doorway.

"For having Mom and Dad take us. I thought you were with Julia."

"I was until Dexter kicked me out."

Braydon and I laughed.

"When are you both leaving tomorrow?"

"Our flight is tomorrow evening. Dad is dropping us at the airport. The coach will have our asses if we miss a game," Braydon said.

"When's your next visit?"

"Not for a while," I said.

Jace nodded in response before heading to his room.

I love playing baseball because it affords us the luxuries we need. But I miss my family when we leave.

*******
Bradley

It was good to have the boys under the same roof with us. We don't get it much since Dallas and Braydon play professional baseball. Even Jace is barely home now that he's working and dating Julia.

I checked on the boys before heading to bed. The twins were leaving tomorrow evening. And soon, Jace would move into his place. It was bittersweet since we only had them under the same roof for eleven years. Would I ever change it? Not one bit.

I changed into my pajamas and crawled into bed with Hazel.

"Did you check on the boys?" She asked.

"Of course. They're home safe and sound." I pulled the blankets over my lap and rested my back against the headboard. "Is it weird I still worry about them?"

"It would be weird if you didn't."

"I worry the boys will get hurt when they're not home. It would kill me if anyone hurt them."

"Bradley, all good parents feel that way. We worried if our children were safe and happy. It doesn't matter their ages. The boys might be twenty-two, but they're still those seven-year-olds who came into our lives needing love."

"The boys will never have to worry about us not loving them. That will never be an issue with us. And I know whatever happens, they will have people love them as much as we do."

Hazel nodded in agreement before I kissed her and pulled her into my arms. Then, I made love to her.

******
Jace

My brothers and I opened our bedroom doors to hear noises coming from our parents' room. We rolled our eyes, closed our doors, and put on noise-canceling headphones. We're glad Mom and Dad like to show their love, but we didn't need to hear it.

I texted Jules to tell her. She laughed before telling me she figured out the hot dog game her dad mentioned he played. I chuckled.

When we're kids, our parents use different methods to protect us. When we become adults, those methods stop working. It's not a bad thing—at least it doesn't traumatize us.

However, I need my own place soon. As much as I love living with Mom and Dad, it was time to fly the coup. I searched online for houses in the area and found one on our street for sale. I contacted a realtor about the house.

The house needed work, but it was the perfect location for me. Eventually, it would become Jules's home, too, if I had my way.

Now, to wait.