Bradley

After setting boundaries with Jace about Julia, they kept things simple for them. Jace needed to understand I wasn't dashing his hopes but giving him a chance at happiness.

Hazel and I met Dexter and Marla at the bakery to discuss my conversation with Jace. Before leaving, we told the boys to stay put. They didn't like the idea of staying home. I didn't like the idea of something happening while we were busy.

Yes, the boys were seventeen. But they were still minors. They could chill at home for a few hours.

Hazel, Dexter, Marla, and I sat at a table, drank coffee, and talked.

"Was it essential to meet at the bakery to talk?" Dexter asked.

"Did you want to have this discussion before the kids?" Marla asked.

"No," Dexter mumbled.

"I spoke to Jace and set some boundaries regarding him and Julia," I said.

"What boundaries?" Hazel asked.

"Jace can't hold her hand, kiss her, or anything else. They're friends when people ask what's going on between him and Julia. When Jace leaves for college, he'll give Julia space so she can figure out her feelings."

"Why would you set those boundaries?" Dexter asked.

"Because I'm a father first. It's not just our son," I gestured between Hazel and me, "it also involves your daughter. I don't want people accusing Jace of inappropriate behavior with Julia and ruining their lives."

"I can understand your point," Marla said.

"I don't want to diminish anyone's hope. But we need to protect our kids. People can be cruel. I experienced it firsthand when people found out who my dad was. I had to rebuild my life from scratch."

"Bradley, we would never destroy Jace," Dexter said.

"I know. But all it takes is one person to misconstrue Jace's feelings."

The others looked at me with knitted brows.

"Okay, we'll respect the boundaries you put in place for Jace," Hazel said.

"If it makes anyone feel better, I told Jace to wait four years." I smiled as everyone's lips curled upward.

"Ah, grasshopper, you have learned the Gray way," Dexter said.

"It happens when you become family and friends with them."

We all laughed.

********
Jace

I can't believe Mom and Dad made us stay home while they went out. It's not like we would do anything.

"What's wrong with you? You're all mopey and shit," Braydon mentioned.

"I don't like that Mom and Dad made us stay home. It's like they don't trust us," I said.

"What does it matter? It's not like we had any plans."

"I wanted to hang out with Jules."

"Jules?" My brothers asked with raised brows.

"Julia."

"Wait. Did you give Julia a nickname? Do you have a thing for her?" Dallas asked.

"It's not like that?" I shook my head.

Braydon sat forward with his hands clasped. "Then what is it?"

I glanced at my brothers.

"Jace, what's going on with you and Julia?" Dallas asked.

I didn't answer Dallas.

"Do you have feelings for her?"

I still didn't answer.

"Damn," Braydon breathed.

"It's not like you think. I know Jules is younger than me. But we have this connection. I can't even explain it." I shrugged.

"What did Dad say?" Dallas asked.

"He wants me to keep my distance when we leave for college."

"That makes sense," Braydon said.

Dallas and I looked at Braydon.

"I mean, think about it. People would flip if they knew you had a thing for a thirteen-year-old. In four years, Julia will be seventeen."

"But what if I come home, and she has a boyfriend? Then what? Am I supposed to stand aside?" I asked.

"Do you honestly think Julia will meet someone while you're away at school? I doubt Dexter will let any guy get near her with a ten-foot pole."

I sat forward. "Dad did say Dexter won't let Julia date until she's seventeen. That gives me an advantage."

"Advantage to what? This blowing up in our faces?" Dallas asked.

"No," I looked at Dallas, "I bide my time until I graduate college. Jules will be seventeen."

"So, do you plan to live like a monk for four years?"

"No." I rolled my eyes. "I can still date. I just won't get serious with anyone."

"Yep, I see this plan backfiring badly," Braydon said.

"It won't backfire. Not if I have my way."

My brothers exchanged glances but didn't say anything. What was up with those two? They've been acting cagier than usual.

I didn't have time to think about it. I needed to make a plan of action and headed upstairs to do so.

*******
Dallas

I didn't understand Jace. How could he not see it? We all saw it.

"You know our brother is oblivious, don't you?" Braydon asked me.

"Only Jace doesn't see Julia's crush on him. I'm not saying anything. Are you?"

Braydon shook his head. "Nope. I would rather Jace find out on his own." His lips curved into a smirk.

I ran my hand through my hair and rubbed my head.

"What's going on with you and Darby?"

"Darby thinks I'm not into her like I was."

"Are you?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Just wondering." Braydon shrugged.

"It's not like I have much free time between school, work, and baseball. I'm planning my future and Darby's if I go pro. What about you?"

"That's the million-dollar question. I've been doing a lot of reading about schizophrenia. I'm not even sure marriage or kids are for me."

"Did you talk to Emerald about it?"

"Yeah. Emerald is fine with whatever I want."

"Are you sure?"

"I don't have a choice, Dallas. Our biological father's family screwed me with mental illness. I have to make the best of the cards life dealt me."

I looked at my brother and understood why he made this decision. There's no guarantee Braydon would have a successful marriage, let alone a family life. I wanted to secure a future before marrying Darby and having a family. That's why I'm working my ass off at baseball.

But what we think and what happens are two distinct things I will learn later. I just didn't know it yet.

*******
Julia

Jas and I were playing a board game on my bedroom floor when I heard someone calling my name from outside. I got up, flung open my window, and shoved my head through the opening to see Jace leaning on his bedroom window sill. "Why are you yelling like a banshee?"

"My parents said we couldn't leave the house while they were out. So this is the next best thing." Jace grinned.

"You're a dork," I scoffed and shook my head.

"What are you doing?"

"Playing a board game with Jas."

Jas shoved her head out next to mine. "Wrong. We were playing a game until Juju stopped to talk to you. Why do you always have to interrupt us, Jace?"

I shove Jas playfully. "Rude."

Jace chuckled.

Jas gave me an annoyed face. "You always stop playing with me when Jace comes over. But he can't since his parents grounded him."

Jace gave Jas an incredulous expression.

"Jace and I are best friends. You'll understand when you get friends," I said.

"I have friends," Jas said.

"Our cousins don't count."

"What about Casp?"

"I'm not only friends with Casp. We're also friends with Drake, Logan, Ethan, and Tate."

"Oh, right. The idiot squad."

I scrunched my nose and cocked my head.

"Who is the idiot squad?" Jace asked.

Jas leaned on the window sill. "They're four boys who hang out with Juju and Casp at school. Our cousins think they're cute. I think they're gross."

Jace chuckled.

I looked at Jace. "Jas has a point. The boys are pretty gross."

"So, why do you hang out with them?"

"They're better than the girls at school." I shrugged.

Jace nodded in response.

"Can we get back to our game?" Jas asked.

"I suppose," I said.

"Jace, who are you talking to?" Dallas asked.

Jas's eyes widened as she dropped to the floor. I looked at Jas plastered against the floor like the suction cup toys.

"I'm talking to Jules and Jas," Jace said.

Dallas shoved his head through the window's opening. "Hey, Julia."

"Hey, Dallas," I said.

"Where's Jas?"

Jas shook her head and begged me not to say anything.

"She went to get a drink," I said.

Jas smiled in thanks.

"Oh," Dallas said. "When you see your sister, tell her I said hi."

"Will do," I said.

Dallas pulled his head inside and disappeared from view. Jace gave me a look and questioned what had happened. I gave him one that said I would tell him later. Jace nodded in understanding.

"I'll talk to you later. I promised Jas I would play a game with her," I said.

"Okay. Catch you later." Jace pulled his head inside and disappeared from view.

I peeled Jas from the floor and returned to our game. Unlike most people, I won't embarrass my sister in front of her crush. She doesn't need people to tease her. Plus, crushes fade, except mine. Mine was still going strong. It just sucks that Jace is leaving for college this following fall.

Who will I talk to when I'm having problems at school? No one.