Julia

After Jace's birthday, we had Jas's birthday. My little sister turned thirteen and became even more opinionated if you couldn't tell from before. The girl always has something to say about everything, including how she wanted to celebrate her birthday. Since it was still hot, she chose the beach. Dad obliged since he tried to make our birthdays special.

Like the great big sister I am, I roped Jace into helping me with the party.

Jace set a cooler on a picnic table. "Why am I helping with Jas's party again?"

"Because I'm your girlfriend you love and would do anything for," I said.

"Oh, right. Perhaps a kiss would help remind me." Jace wiggled his brows and smiled.

I slipped my arms around his neck and pressed my lips to his.

Dad walked to the table and set another cooler down. "Okay, enough swapping spit."

I removed my arms from Jace's neck, turned to my dad, and put my hands on my hips. "Why must you interrupt my moment?"

Dad turned to me. "Pumpkin, I'm your father. I must interrupt any kissing or affection between you and your boyfriend. You forget. I have the esteemed honor of ruining your little moments."

"Really?"

"Do you want peas for dinner?"

"That threat doesn't work anymore." I folded my arms in defiance.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"Okay, knock it off," Mom said, setting bags on the table. "We aren't having a Mexican standoff over peas while celebrating Jas's birthday. Dexter, stop interrupting our daughter and her boyfriend. Sweetie, stop inciting your dad and check on your sister. Jace and your dad can help me set up while they bond."

Dad and Jace rolled their eyes while Mom smiled. Eh, it'll be good for both of them to bond.

I searched for Jas and found her walking alone along the shoreline in a tank top and shorts. "How come you're not with the cousins?"

"I needed time to think. I can't do that when our cousins are gushing about boys."

"Well, they are teen girls. We all gush about boys. Boys engulf our brains and make us stupid."

Jas glanced at me with an arched brow.

"Then, one day, you stop gushing and enjoy the reality."

"Like you did with Jace?"

I nodded slightly. "I wasn't happy that our parents interfered with us, but I understand why they did it. I needed to figure out things without the added confusion of my feelings. I couldn't do that if Jace became a revolving presence in my life."

"You've never had an issue with figuring out things, Juju. I doubt your friendship with Jace would have stopped you. But you're lucky. At least you could talk to Jace. I can't even form sentences around Dallas." Jas sighed.

"It's because I was friends with Jace to start with. Have you ever considered being friends with Dallas?"

Jas looked at me but didn't say a word.

"Jas, you're basing your feelings on a crush. What if Dallas turns out to be someone you don't like? Then, you wasted time pining over a guy you can't stand."

"So, what do you suggest?"

"Talk to Dallas. Get to know him. Find out if you even like him as a person."

"What if Dallas laughs at me?"

"You won't know if you don't talk to him. What could it hurt?"

"Fine. I'll talk to him."

I smiled and nodded before returning to my parents and Jace so Dad didn't say something stupid.

******
Jasmine

I waited for Juju to leave before pulling out my phone and clicking on Instagram. I tapped on Dallas's profile, opened my messages, and sent him one. I waited a few minutes for his reply until I realized it was stupid. Dallas would never respond to me.

I started putting my phone away when it pinged with a message. I opened it and read it.

Hey, Jas. Long time no speak. How are you? — Dallas

My brows lifted in surprise before my thumbs started typing. I've been good. How are things with you? How's Darby?

Darby is doing good. Are you excited about starting school?

What's to be excited about? It's school.

Lol. I hear you. I wasn't a fan of school either, but I loved baseball. What are you doing today?

I was celebrating my birthday at the beach.

It's your birthday?

I stared at my screen and furrowed my brows. Dallas had come to my birthday parties before. I must not have been important enough for him to remember my birthday.

Just kidding. I knew it was your birthday. Jace has my gift for you.

My brows lifted in surprise. He does?

Yep. Didn't you get the other gifts I sent you?

I had to think about it for a minute. When Dallas and his brothers started college, they headed to school before my birthday. But Hazel and Bradley would give me gifts. One always came from Dallas.

Oh, yeah! I forgot to thank you for the gifts. So, thanks! — me

Hmm, my gifts must not have been memorable. I'll need to work on that. But hey, I need to run. Talk soon?

Sure.

Happy birthday, Jas. Wish upon a star.

I stared at my screen and smiled like an idiot. I finally talked to Dallas without hiding from him. Well, that's not accurate. I'm hiding behind a phone screen but still spoke to him. That was a start.

I didn't realize what chaos would ensue from that conversation between Dallas and me. Juju would be instrumental in what happened when I turned eighteen, landing me smack dab in the middle of Dallas's issues.

******
Julia

I returned to the table to find Dad hadn't throttled Jace, and Jace still had his boys. That was a plus, although they talked about work.

"Is this what my life has become?" I asked Mom.

"What's that?" Mom asked.

"Dad and Jace discussing work?"

Mom giggled. "Welcome to dating people who work together. At least your dad isn't hounding me. That's always a plus."

"Did Dad always drive you up the wall?"

"Your dad had his moments. But he loved you more than life itself. You could see it when he was with you."

"Oh, I doubt Dad loves me. There's never a day I can't remember him being there for me."

"Your dad always made you and your sister a top priority. Every school function. Every big moment. There was never a time when your dad wasn't there. Your dad would ensure you had what you needed."

Mom's comment made me smile.

"Did you check on Jas?"

"Yeah, she's fine."

"Sweetie, Jas adores you. If anyone can talk sense into her, it's you."

"Mom, Jas is fine. She needs a little guidance about things, but she'll figure it out. I have complete faith in her."

"I have no doubt."

Mom and I finished setting up as people arrived to celebrate Jas's birthday.

*****
Jace

I was helping Dexter grab items for the party when my phone rang with an incoming call from Dallas. Dexter took over so I could talk to my brother.

"Hey, Dallas."

Hey, Jace.

"What's up?"

Jas sent me a message through Instagram.

"Really?"

Yeah, she thinks I forgot her birthday. Please tell me you have my gift for her.

"Yeah. I do."

Dallas released a breath. Good. I didn't want Jas to think I had forgotten her birthday.

"Dallas, you always remembered Jas's birthday since she was little. Even when we left for school, you ensured Mom and Dad gave Jas your gift. Why are you questioning things?"

Because Jas is a sweet girl, she deserves people to care about her.

"Jas knows people care about her. You worry too much. Plus, don't you have a woman?"

Darby knows nothing is going on between Jas and me. Jas is thirteen, for crying out loud!

"I didn't say there was."

Oh.

"I'll make sure Jas gets your gift. We'll talk later." I ended the call, shook my head, and walked toward Jules and her folks.

Jules noticed my perplexed expression and pulled me aside. "Why do you seem confused?"

"Because I am. I just got off the phone with Dallas."

"Okay."

"Dallas was adamant that I give Jas his gift to her. Then, he got weird."

"What do you mean weird?"

"Dallas got defensive with me about Jas. The whole conversation was weird. It was like he was trying to defend his intentions towards Jas."

"I doubt Dallas sees Jas more than as a friend."

"Jules, have you met my brother?"

"I grew up with you and your brothers." Jules rolled her eyes.

"Then, you would know Dallas doesn't treat anyone special except Darby. Yet, he treats Jas the same way."
I raised my brow.

"Jace, everyone knows Dallas loves Darby. Even Jas knows it. The last thing we need is to make assumptions about Dallas. Plus, I don't want to see my sister get hurt."

"Neither do I."

Jules looked at me and knew where my mind was going. I love my brother, but I refuse to let him hurt Jas. Jas deserves better than watching my brother love another.

******
Dallas

I tossed my phone on the kitchen counter in frustration. I don't know what my brother thinks, but he needs to get his mind out of the gutter.

Darby wrapped her arms around me from behind. "What's wrong?"

"Jace thinks I have a thing for Jas."

Darby pulled away from me and turned me to face her. "Dallas, look at me."

I lifted my gaze to Darby.

"You've always cared about Jas."

"Darby."

Darby cupped my face and smiled at me. "I'm not saying your intentions are sinister. But I understand you better than anyone. Only a few people hold a special place in your heart. I'm one of them."

I cupped Darby's hands. "I love you."

"And I love you. But you know what the doctor said. My remission isn't a guarantee. We need to prepare for that day."

"Darby, can we not think about that? Can't we enjoy you being here?"

"We can, but we need to stay realistic. Promise me whatever happens, you will find someone to love again."

"Darby."

"Dallas, promise me."

"I promise." I nodded.

"Now, you need to get ready if you don't want to miss your game." Darby kissed me before walking away.

I didn't understand Darby. Why would she say those things to me? It didn't make any damn sense. But if I had my way, I would ensure we had forever.