"I'm leaving tomorrow. I'll be at the hotel if you wanna say goodbye ...," Jordan read Lydia's text.

The fact that she was the one that reached out to him first made him feel like a coward. They didn't exactly leave on good terms, and he was man enough to admit it was partly his fault. He shouldn't have approached the subject the way he did.

The question remained, what the hell was going on between him and Lydia? What started as a friendly encounter of reconciling and reminiscing, turned into an intimate relationship. Jordan wasn't one to jump the boat when it comes to getting close to the opposite sex. It was the main difference between him and Tristan. His brother didn't believe in love, especially not one that lasted. Commitment scared Tristan off, short term flings were more his thing.

Jordan however had had a taste of true love. Millie was his one and only. He had been given proof that 'the one' wasn't a myth, it was real. But what are the odds that there could be another one?

Jordan had visited Millie's grave again early in the morning when the sun hadn't risen yet. He talked to her, asked her if she knew what to do because he had no clue.

He was scared. Scared he was using Lydia to replace someone he'd never get back again. Scared she was doing the same to him. He was clever enough to know grief never ends. But it changes. It's a passage, not a place to stay. Maybe Lydia was his ticket out of that state of mind.

Jordan took another minute staring at the text message. He didn't know how to respond, still torn between 'if it's meant to be it will be' and 'if you want it, go get it'. He shoved his phone back in his pocket, allowing time to decide instead.

Figuring Carla would still be in bed this early in the morning, Jordan used a spare key his mother didn't know he owned and let himself in. The strong smell of coffee caught him off guard. He followed the sound of two female voices, one belonging to Carla, the other was a mystery. It appeared like they were having fun, laughing and chattering like a pair of childhood friends.

It was a pretty brunette that had caught his eye first. Her lips parted as she paused midsentence. With an air of nonchalance, she boldly let her sultry gaze take in the sight in front of her. Jordan wasn't fazed. What really bothered him is why a woman half his mother's age was hanging out with Carla.

Momentarily distracted by the stranger, Jordan failed to notice his mother swiping something off the kitchen table. She jumped out of her chair and shoved the envelopes of cash in one of the drawers. She closed it with her hip, keeping it shut by continuing to stand there.

"Good morning, Jordan." Carla cleared her throat, trying to ease her erratic heartbeat at nearly getting caught.

He cocked an eyebrow. "Am I interrupting something?"

"No, we were just ... just talking." Carla's eyes quickly flickered to Charlie, a silent warning. She then forced a smile as she addressed her son. "Didn't expect you to show up this early in the morning."

"Didn't expect you to be up this early either," he reasoned. Just to be sure, he made a show of checking his watch latched onto his wrist. Nope, he hadn't made a mistake – a quarter to seven.

"This your oldest son, Carla? Mhmm," Charlie ran her tongue along her front teeth, mentally undressing him. She made a sound of approval at the back of her throat. "You sure do know how to make some good-looking babies."

Jordan shot her a deadpanned look, unimpressed. He nodded at his mother with a tilt of his head, gesturing at the lady that couldn't take her eyes off of him. "Who's this?"

"This is Charlie, my – " My what? Carla thought. Business partner? Acquaintance? My former drug dealer?

"Friend," Charlie spoke, filling in the blanks. She turned in her chair to get a better look at Jordan. Her dark eyes smoldering. "Nice to meet you, Jordan."

Jordan refrained from rolling his eyes. "Is Noah up yet?" He purposefully didn't ask about Jade, hell would freeze over if she ever woke up after the sun was up.

"He came down earlier but then ran off to his room again, dragging Jade along. He probably forgot to finish his homework again last night." Carla's hands moved behind her back as she subtly tried to make sure the drawer was shut tight with no envelopes sticking out, before moving back to her chair.

"He didn't have breakfast first?" Jordan frowned.

"He said he wasn't hungry," she shrugged, seemingly not realizing how that should be something to worry about.

Jordan, however, thought it was odd. Noah had a healthy appetite, food always came first. The kid couldn't even properly function on an empty stomach. Jade was the polar opposite. If it weren't for her brothers and occasionally her mother, she wouldn't even remember to eat.

"I'm gonna check up on them."

Charlie patted the chair next to her. "Why don't you sit with us for a minute, have a cup of coffee."

"I'm good," he replied without even attempting a smile.

Jordan took the stairs two at a time. His face softened as he could hear his little sister sing 'I Just Can't Wait To Be King' from The Lion King. That reminded him, he still hadn't bought tickets to the zoo to take her one day.

His brows knitted together as he realized the door wouldn't open. He gave it a little push until he noticed it was locked. Jordan rapped his knuckles on the door, trying to keep the panic at bay. "Noah? You there?"

Not even a second later, he could hear the lock twist around. The old hinges of the door whined as Noah pulled the door open. There was something in his green eyes, something that Jordan didn't feel right about but before he could inspect it closer, Noah blinked it away.

"Hey," he greeted with his trademark, boyish smile.

"Hey," Jordan breathed, reaching over to push some bangs from his eyes. "You okay, buddy?"

"Mhmm," he nodded, darting back to his bed where he had one of his textbooks splayed open.

"Jordan!" A tiny body crashed against his legs, briefly taking him off guard. Jade beamed up at him, pretty eyes twinkling with an abundance of unconditional love. Jordan dreaded the day she'd stop looking at him like he was her world.

"Hey, sweetheart," he offered one of his rare smiles, specially reserved for her.

"Jordan, look. Look. Look." Jade tugged at his hands, wordlessly demanding to lower himself to her level.

He crouched down in front of her. His hands rested on her waist as she practically buzzed with unrestrained excitement. He watched as she bared her little baby teeth, using her tongue to wiggle her two bottom front teeth.

"Oh wow," he chuckled. He didn't think he ever saw a kid so giddy about losing their baby teeth before. "How did that happen? Did you try to pull them out?" he teased.

"No," she shook her head frantically, her expression turning adorably serious. "Noah says it's because I brush my teeth too hard but I think it was the tooth fairy."

"The tooth fairy doesn't pull out teeth, Jade," Noah commented. Judging by his tone it wasn't the first time he told her either.

"Jordan listen," Jade ordered, demanding his undivided attention which she always had. "I think the tooth fairy loves teeth so much that she couldn't wait anymore so when I was asleep last night she came into my room and opened my mouth and used her wand to make one of my teeth loose – " she briefly gasped for air – "but then she realized that the other tooth fairies will probably make fun of her if she only came back to Tooth Fairy World with only one tooth so instead she wanted two. That's why two of my teeth are loose."

His baby sister's wild, endless imagination never ceased to amaze Jordan. From the day she could talk, he had noticed that her vivid mind always had a way to make sense of things she couldn't comprehend. Making up stories was her attempt at creating a logic in things that happened in her life, things she had no control over, like losing a tooth. It was her way of creating an environment, a world, that was equally clear and predictable.

It was also one of the main reasons why she and Noah didn't get along at times. Noah was a very intelligent and rational person who based everything off of reason and logic. Once in a while he'd get so caught up in his own thinking process that he couldn't fathom how Jade could have a hard time understanding.

That's why when Noah was ready to contradict Jade's story, Jordan gave his brother a pointed look. Don't.

Noah merely rolled his eyes, luckily letting the matter go.

Jordan caught Jade fiddling with her tooth. He gently pulled her hand away. "Hey, stop touching it."

There was no point at trying to pull it out already, it was too early. He could tell that her teeth were not nearly loose enough to mess around with, she'll only end up with sore gums if she didn't quit wiggling her teeth.

"Jordannn?" she sang, tilting her head to the side like a puppy. "Will I get something from the Tooth Fairy if I put my tooth under my pillow?"

"Of course you will," he reassured her, pulling her in between his knees from his squatting position.

She started trailing the tip of her finger across a faint scar on his chin. "Mommy said that the tooth fairy doesn't visit naughty children."

"You don't have to worry about that, baby. You're a good girl," Jordan hugged her against his chest, kissing her freckled nose.

Jade quieted, observing his chin as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. Jordan wasn't easily fooled, he knew his little sister like the back of his hand. The eye contact avoiding, the biting on the inside of her cheek and the uncertainty dimming the light in her eyes – those were tell-tale signs of something that had happened.

Jordan turned to Noah for answers, surprised that the boy already had his eyes on the pair. He had watched the exchange. Noah closed his text book and sat cross legged, resting his chin on the palm of his hand.

"She couldn't finish her dinner last night," he elaborated. "Mom got angry and sent her to bed early."

Jordan sensed there was more.

Noah exhaled roughly. "She also told Jade she was a bad girl for not finishing her plate."

Jordan's teeth clenched. It took everything in him to simmer down the anger boiling in the pit of his stomach. He mustered up the strength he needed to keep calm on the surface. For the sake of his siblings.

"Jade. Jade?" he started, voice soft and warm like a safety blanket. "Hey, look at me baby girl."

She sucked in her bottom lip as she reluctantly lifted her watery gaze to her oldest brother. He didn't fail to notice the hint of dreadfulness, mixed with a spark of trepidation. As if she expected him to confirm their mother's judgement. God, Jordan hated that look with every fiber of his body.

The tongue is such a small thing but the damage it could do was enormous. He didn't expect any different from Carla, her tongue was her only weapon. She had a way with words. They cut like a knife, punched like a fist and burned like fire. It was her coping mechanism and her shield, something she developed along the years to survive in a tumultuous world.

Jordan had been on the receiving end too many times to know firsthand how words could hurt. But what hurt more was that Carla was aware, she was aware how it affected other people. She wasn't one to taste her words before spitting them out. Because the only way she could live with her heartless self, the only way she could heal herself was by hurting others.

"Listen to me, baby." Jordan cupped Jade's cheeks, always marveled at how perfectly her little face fit in his hands. "You're not a bad girl, don't let anyone else tell you otherwise."

"But I didn't eat everything like I was supposed to," she admitted feebly, big eyes glistening.

"Not finishing your plate doesn't make you a bad girl, Jade. Sometimes we're full and not hungry anymore, it happens to all of us."

"Even you?" Her eyes, nearly identical to Noah's, flickered between Jordan's. Searching, in doubt.

"Even me," he nodded, caressing her cheekbones with the pad of his thumbs. "And that's okay. As long as you try really hard to eat something, even if it's a little."

"I tried, Jordan. I really tried, really hard but my stomach hurt a lot and I was scared that I would throw up and then mommy would be extra mad at me," she sniffed.

She was pulling at Jordan's heartstrings at this point. "Tell you what, I'll have a chat with mom and explain to her that sometimes you're not really hungry. I'll tell her to help you take a few bites but if your stomach starts hurting, she shouldn't force you. Okay?"

"And she won't say I'm a bad girl?" she asked timidly.

"No," Jordan stated firmly. "You wanna know why?"

"Mhmm," Jade hummed.

"Because I raised you to be a good girl. And I know for a fact that you're the best girl in the whole world." He ran his fingers through her blonde curls, tucking them behind her ears. His hand slipped to the back of her head, gently pulling her closer so he could whisper in her ear. "You're a good girl cuz you're my girl."

Her lips twitched into a shy smile. Jordan returned the smile and planted several kisses on her cheek and neck. The sound of her little giggles lifted a weight from his chest, he could breathe a little easier now that she could too.

Jordan could feel the muscles in his thighs pull. He gave his sister one last squeeze before letting her go and rising to his full height. It suddenly came to his attention that both his siblings were still dressed in their pajama's.

"What do you wanna wear today?" he asked Jade, instantly regretting his question. Giving her a say in the matter could only go two ways. But he was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, she needed a little treat.

Jordan usually refrained from letting Jade pick because that usually led to strange outfits, for example thin cotton shorts in the middle of winter or trousers combined with a skirt and a dress. Arguing about fashion sense and the concept of seasonal clothing with a five-year-old was a discussion you were bound to lose. He just hoped she'd come up with something reasonable.

Jade twisted on her feet, hands behind her back as she started thinking. "Uhm, I wanna wear my blue sweater with the furry clouds and these leggings."

Jordan looked at the leggings she was wearing. They were neon pink with unicorns, crinkled from the friction of wearing it a few nights in bed. To top it all off, on her left knee was a stain that looked like red marker. Yeah, she was not wearing that.

"How about a pair of blue jeans," he suggested, trying to keep it simple.

"No, thank you. I want these leggings."

"Look I'm wearing jeans," he tried, pointed at himself. "Even Noah's gonna wear jeans today. Right kiddo?"

Noah shrugged as he jumped off his bed. "Sure."

"No, thank you. I don't like jeans," Jade replied with an oblivious grin.

Jordan sighed. This is why you don't ever allow a kid to decide anything. Talking sense into them was useless. The only thing that worked was bribery.

"I'll take you and Noah out for breakfast," Jordan prompted.

Something in her expression shifted. She was considering it. "Can I have strawberries?"

"If you wear your jeans." At this point she could have anything she wanted as long as she cooperated.

Jade twisted her lips as she thought about it. Only two seconds later – "Okay!"

That went well.

"Noah, have you seen her blue sweater? The one with the clouds?" Jordan questioned as he rummaged through Jade's clothes.

Noah looked up from zipping up his schoolbag. "I think mom put it in the dryer yesterday."

"Jade, go ask mom to give you your sweater," Jordan told her, pushing her drawers shut after he had found her jeans and a pair of clean underwear.

Noah's head snapped up as he watched his sister reach the doorknob. "Wait!"

Jade froze, shooting him a confused look. Jordan had done the same, eying his brother closely.

The younger boy's lips parted as he stood stock-still but no words came out. He realized both his siblings were sending him questioning glances. Suddenly feeling awkward for no reason, he averted his gaze and nervously ducked his head, letting his hair provide a curtain he could hide behind.

"Noah? What's wrong?" Jordan wondered.

"It's nothing," he mumbled.

"What do I do?" Jade asked naively, gauging both her brothers' reactions.

Jordan shot her an encouraging smile. "It's okay. Go get your sweater, baby."

Jordan studied Noah's face closely. He frowned when his little brother watched his sister like a hawk, his ears perked as he listened to her footsteps bounding down the stairs. A troubling spark flashed in his eyes, leaving behind a grim shadow casted over his face.

"Noah?" Jordan carefully closed the gap between him and his brother. "You okay?"

"Is she still downstairs?"

"Mom?"

"No, her friend."

Jordan sat down on the edge of his brother's bed. "Charlie?"

"Yes. Is she still here?" Noah leaned against his desk but his shoulders were stiff, his fingers wringing at the hem of his t-shirt.

"I think so. What's wrong, Noah?"

His chin met his chest as he mumbled, "I don't know."

"Well I don't know either so help me out here, what's going on with you?"

"It's strange. I can't explain it. You won't understand." I don't even understand, he wanted to say.

"Try," Jordan urged.

Noah brought his hand up, picking at the dirt under his nail. He was mulling over his own thoughts, not sure how to describe this nagging feeling. He was overreacting, he must be. Out of the corner of his eyes, he spotted Jordan, still patiently waiting. Noah exhaled loudly. "Did you meet her? Charlie."

"Briefly. Did you?"

"She looks nice ..."

Jordan paused. "But?"

Noah dropped his hands, clamping the edge of his desk instead. "But – I don't know, something about her feels off. I can't put my finger on it."

"Did she say something to you?"

"She tried. She tried to strike a conversation with me, wanted to talk about school and stuff." He peered up at his brother. "She doesn't even know me."

"Is that all? She just made some small talk and – "

"I told you you wouldn't understand," Noah cut him off with a frustrated groan. He picked up a hoodie draped on the back of his chair, gave it a quick sniff, deciding it was clean enough before putting it on.

Jordan leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "Noah, talk to me. Help me understand."

"I don't know Jordan, I just don't like her," he finally snapped. "Something's off about her. And then when Jade came down she picked her up, played with her hair and mom – mom, she just let it happen. I just don't like it," he added with a small voice.

I don't like her, was what Jordan really heard.

"Is that why the door was locked?"

Noah sharply turned his head when Jade skipped into the room, her sweater dangling from her hand. She was all smiles, her curls bouncing around her round little face as she crawled on top of Noah's bed. Jordan easily caught her when she jumped on his back. He automatically moved an arm behind him to keep her steady but his eyes had never left Noah whose entire demeanor visibly relaxed at the sight of his sister.

TAINTED

When Jordan made his way back downstairs, he had hoped Charlie would've been long gone but unfortunately, she wasn't. He was pretty sure he failed at hiding his disappointment when Charlie shot him a wink. He had wanted to confront his mother about the incident last night with Jade but decided to wait until he could talk to her in private. No need to drag strangers into their personal business.

"You look so adorable," Charlie gushed over Jade.

Jordan had allowed Jade to keep her hair down, only using a headband to keep the bangs from her eyes and face. He knew he'd regret it as soon as he had to get rid of all the tangles in her hair.

Noah stiffened next to him when Charlie twirled a strand of their sister's hair around her finger. Jade innocently soaked up the compliments and attention from this kind stranger, she didn't even protest when Charlie went in for a hug.

Noah exchanged a quick look with his brother and Jordan finally understood. Strangers have had approached their baby sister before – the occasional pat on her head, a pinch on the cheek, touching her hair. Did Jordan like it? Did any of his brothers like it? No, of course they didn't. But some people just couldn't help themselves.

Jordan was pretty confident that he and his brothers knew which people were to be trusted and which were not. Call it instinct, a sixth sense, a gut feeling; call it whatever you want but you know a good person when you see one. And suddenly everything Noah had said made sense, he felt it too.

Charlie wasn't a good person.

Jordan stepped in and plucked Jade out of Charlie's embrace. He put his sister down next to Noah and told him to get their jackets and shoes. Noah seemed to understand and didn't hesitate as he grabbed his sister's hand, dragging her to the front door without so much as a goodbye.

"Where are they going? They still have an hour before school starts," Carla mentioned.

"I'm taking them out for breakfast," Jordan explained stiffly. He grabbed their lunch boxes and decided to buy something on the way.

"Do you need money?"

Jordan froze. The look on his face must've been funny because Charlie couldn't help but laugh. The sound grinded his gears.

He momentarily tried to figure out how this unusual friendship happened. What did Charlie have in common with his mother? But then it struck him, his mother only kept people close if they were useful to her. Jade and Noah were her babies, too young to distance themselves from her, they depended on her and she knew they weren't going anywhere. Especially Jade who practically worshipped the ground her mother walked on, even if she was a 'bad girl'. Tristan and Jordan supported her financially and were built in babysitters, so they would always be useful to Carla. Ashton however was the only one who didn't serve a single purpose to her because all he ever did was remind her of the man that ruined her life. Hence why she kept shutting him out.

So what about Charlie, what did she have to offer?

"Well, don't give me that look. I was just offering," Carla humored, cutting his train of thoughts.

"Right." Jordan cleared his throat, schooled his features, and grabbed his siblings' schoolbags. "Tristan will drop the kids off after school."

"Hey, hold on!" Charlie called after him. She caught up with him, her hands stuffed in the pockets of her jacket.

"What?" Jordan didn't even spare her a look as he handed a woolen hat over to Noah. Noah was about to grumble but one stern look instantly shut him up. Jordan then crouched in front of Jade to tie the laces of her boots.

Jordan's spine straightened when he suddenly felt a warm breath brush his cheek. Charlie leaned over to him and slipped something in his own pocket in the inside of his jacket.

"Tell your brother to answer my calls. It's not nice to keep a girl waiting," she whispered, her lips grazing the shell of his ear.

Before Jordan could figure out which brother she meant, he abruptly stood up, picking up Jade in the process. Charlie chuckled when he purposefully bumped into her, knocking her back. She quickly found her footing but wasn't fazed.

"Let's go," Jordan grunted. His hand clasped the back of Noah's neck, pushing him forward.

A sudden coldness washed over Noah when Charlie waved her fingers at him. Jade naively waved back.

TAINTED

"How much was it again?" Adrien asked for the umpteenth time.

"4k," Carla smirked smugly. She had a feeling that this little 'business' of hers would be successful but even she had to admit that the results exceeded her expectations.

He stared at the money with utter disbelief. He couldn't remember ever seeing this much cash at once. His fingers twitched, wanting to touch it, count it to make sure it was real. But something in his mind told him that this was real. Very real.

Adrien ran both hands through his hair. "In two weeks? You sold everything in two weeks?"

"Well, Charlie and I sold everything," Carla corrected.

He had to sit down for this. "What are you gonna do with all that money?"

"After I give Charlie her fair cut, I'll keep some too. Just enough to get through the rest of the month. The rest goes to Kyle. I still owe that bastard a lot of money and he won't stop bothering me until I've paid off my debt." Carla fixed him with a pointed look. "And yours."

Adrien didn't need to be reminded. Before everything went down, before his life spiraled out of control he and Kyle were ... something akin to friends but not really. Adrien had liked Kyle for feeding his addiction; Kyle had liked Adrien because he was a regular customer and part of his cash flow – until Adrien ran out of cash. Being arrested was the best day of his life – it was the reset he needed, start from zero. Unfortunately, that didn't apply to the money he still owed to some people.

"What's your plan?"

Carla neatly stacked the money back in a box. "There's a new shipment coming in tomorrow morning, Charlie is confident she'll be able get an order through."

"How much?"

"10k."

Adrien's eyes nearly bulged out of his skull. "Where the hell are you gonna get that kinda money? I don't think children's clothes are gonna cut it this time."

"Not for all of it but it'll still cover a huge part of the payment." Carla put the lid back on top of the box before circling it with tape. "I found boxes of old clothes in the basement from the kids, they no longer fit them. I'm sure I'll find enough items of value in there."

"Carla," he barely whispered, his shoulders sagged. "I still don't think this is a good idea."

"Shut up, Adrien. It's just business. No one's getting hurt. I'm using this money to invest in my family, my kids, my fucking life."

"It's still dirty money," he felt the need to point out. "What if they want more?"

"What do you mean?" she asked with an exasperated tone.

"What if those clothes are not gonna cut it anymore? What if they're gonna make you another offer, a better offer?"

She eyed him with intrigue. "What kinda offer?"

"Don't make me say it, Carla."

"What the hell do you take me for? I'm not gonna let them get close to my children. Are you mad?"

"Even if they double their payment?"

"... I won't take it." It was the hesitation that exposed her true colors. It was only a second. A long second. There shouldn't have been a second. Her answer should have been on the tip of her tongue before he even finished asking the question. But that one second was enough for her to even consider the offer. Even if she claimed to love her children, Carla loved herself more.

This didn't sit well with Adrien. He tried to hide the confliction that gnawed on his insides. A voice in his right ear told him to the right thing. To tell Jordan and Tristan, in case this whole situation ever spirals out of control. Carla was unpredictable and at times her self-interest was the only thing that drove her. The only thing that motivated her. But it also got in the way, it blinded her. It was like tunnel vision, everything around her faded into black.

But Adrien had to think this through. So far, they weren't doing any harm to anyone. His only goal was to be close to his children, have a family, something both Noah and Jade deserved. He needed that, needed it so bad that he was willing to turn a blind eye to Carla's unethical ways.

Jordan and Tristan crossed his mind once again. If he told them, he'd put everything on the line and he could kiss his chance at fixing his family goodbye.

Adrien jumped out of his chair, startling Carla. "I need fresh air."

TAINTED

Claire tried to catch up with Ashton in the crowded hallways. The final bell had rung, signaling the end of another school day. Students hurried to collect their stuff and to get out of there as fast as possible. It was madness. Someone bumped into Claire, nearly causing her to lose her balance. She caught herself with the help of someone before she risked making out with the floor.

"Thanks," Claire breathed, shooting a quick smile at the kind girl whose name she never bothered to remember.

"No problem," she rushed out before hurrying out of the building.

Claire picked up her backpack which had slipped from her shoulders in her haste. She looked up just in time to see who had crashed into her on purpose. Morgan and Kamila, the two despised Claire because Ashton wouldn't give them the time of the day, as if that was somehow her fault.

Claire walked past them, finally reaching Ashton. She looped her arm through his, he looked down at her and half-smiled. Claire threw a quick look over her shoulder to grace the two girls with the sweetest smile she could muster.

Ashton slipped his headphones around his neck. "What's up?"

"Where did Cole go?"

"Detention." Ashton kept the door open with his hand before it smacked in their faces.

"They finally found out who delivered a bucket of screws to the principal's office?"

Cole had come up with the brilliant idea to take a screwdriver to school and randomly unscrew things over the course of months. A few weeks before, he eventually collected all the screws and dropped them off at the office with no context. The entire school staff and student body were equally confused, especially when things started gradually falling apart – lockers, doors, coffee machines, desks, chairs, ...

"He turned himself in," Ashton chuckled. "He said he couldn't wait to see their faces."

"What a weirdo. Hey," she pulled him to a halt once they were outside. "Elliot is throwing a party at his house Friday night. You should come."

"I can't."

"Come on, just a few drinks."

"I already made plans, Claire." His next fight was scheduled on Friday. And Claire knew, which made sense, that's why she was adamant about him being at the party.

"Ashton, it would really mean a lot to me if you'd make it. I feel like it's been ages since we hung out, just the three of us, like old times. What do you say?"

Ashton couldn't help but laugh. "Oh Claire, you're saying Elliot from the burger shop is okay with having his girlfriend's best friends at his party?"

"I want you to be there," she grounded out. "I don't give a fuck about what Elliot thinks."

He gestured with a nod at something behind her. "He's waiting for you."

Claire, suddenly realizing she still had her arm looped around his, suddenly released him as if she got burned by fire. Her eyes frantically searched the crowd for a familiar pair of cold eyes, her heartbeat rising with suppressed alarm.

"Wow," Ashton huffed, chuckling dryly.

Claire's face dropped when it became clear he was just messing with her. It did prove his point though.

Her chest heaved as she let out a long breath. "I just don't want you to go to that fight. Please. Ash?"

The sound of a horn caught his attention. His eyes scanned the cars when he noticed Tristan, waving him over. What was his brother doing here?

"I'll think about it. See you tomorrow," he squeezed her arm as he stepped away and bounded down the steps.

Ashton's hand pulled open the door to the passenger's seat when he noticed it was already occupied.

"Hey, Ash," Noah greeted with a shit eating grin.

"Get in the back, you little shit."

"Ashton," Tristan warned.

Noah didn't give up. "I already called shotgun. You know the rules."

"Get out."

"Say please."

"Screw you."

"Sorry, try again next time." Noah was having way too much fun with this. He pushed Ashton away and closed the door.

"Next time I'll shove you in the trunk," he shot back, getting in the backseat.

"Hi Ashton!" Jade beamed. She was strapped in her car seat, her little legs swinging back and forth.

"Hey JJ," his eyes smiled. He didn't think anyone ever got this happy seeing him.

Tristan started the ignition, putting the car in drive, ready to take off when Jade suddenly yelled, "STOP!"

Tristan hit the brake so hard, jostling everyone in the car. He twisted around in his seat, frantically checking her over. "What happened?"

"Ashton didn't put his seatbelt on yet," she calmly announced, casually drawing in her coloring book.

"I love that kid." Ashton looked amused until he met Tristan's pointed look. "Alright, alright," he conceded and fastened his seatbelt.

"Ashton, you wanna see my new stickers? I got them today from miss Liza cuz my teeth are loose. I got two, one for each tooth. Wanna see?"

Ashton wasn't sure what she was referring to, the stickers or her teeth. When she put both her forefingers in her mouth to stretch out her lips as far as they could go, his answer was questioned.

"Ith's thith one," she lisped, using her tongue to point at her bottom teeth.

"Cool, you're getting old."

She released her mouth and scowled. "I'm not getting old. Miss Liza said I'm growing and one day I'll be a big girl not an old lady."

"Same thing," he shrugged off, knowing full well that those two terms meant two completely different things to a child of her age.

"Tristan! Ashton said I'm old."

"Leave your sister alone, Ash."

Noah turned to face her, sitting behind Tristan's seat. "Ashton's right. You're gonna lose each tooth one by one until you have none left like an old lady."

"You'll have to eat baby food," Ashton added fuel to the fire. "Disgusting bland food, like porridge."

"True, cuz you won't be able to chew on anything without any teeth," Noah reasoned.

She pouted, cheeks pink with frustration. "Miss Liza said they're gonna grow back!"

Ashton clicked his tongue. "I doubt it."

"You're lying!" she cried, struggling against the restraints of her car seat harness.

"Maybe you're gonna have to be fed from a bottle again," Noah told her with a straight face. "Like a baby."

"Nooo," she sobbed. "I don't wanna be a baby again."

"It's either a baby or an old lady. Which one do you wanna be?" Noah watched her, waiting for an answer.

Jade cried harder and Tristan rolled his eyes. In all his life, he'd never experienced a quiet, peaceful car ride. What made him think that this time would've been different?

"Knock it off!" he barked. When Noah started snickering, he smacked the back of his head. "Stop it."

"Aww, Jade," Ashton laughed. He reached over to stroke her blotched cheek, helping her wipe away her tears. "We were just kidding."

"I don't wanna lose all my teeth!" she wailed, horrified at the thought alone.

"I swear to god, you two," Tristan cursed under his breath.

Noah was still struggling to stifle his laughter. His shoulders shaking silently.

"Jade, stop crying, it was just a joke," Ashton repeated once again, wiping the grin from his face. He adjusted her headband, pushing back loose strands of hair that had obscured her face. "C'mon, tuck those tears away."

She sniffed hard, trying her best to keep the fresh tears at bay. "You're a meanie. And Noah is a meanie too."

"I know," he hid a smile. He watched her as she made a whole show of not looking at them, staring at the scenery outside instead.

"Ashton, Noah, say sorry," Tristan ordered.

"Sorry, Jade," Noah failed at hiding the smile evident in his voice.

"Sorry, JJ." Ashton tugged her arm, trying to get her attention but she wouldn't have it. "Are you still mad at me?"

She briefly met his eyes to fix him with the cutest scowl. "Yes."

"But I said I was sorry." He repeatedly poked her side causing her to squirm. "Jade. Hey. Jade. Jaaaade. JJ. Munchkin. I'm sorry."

"Stop it!"

"Are you still mad?"

"Yes!"

"Aw, now I'm sad."

She tried to fight it at first but eventually gave in. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes, as if to decide for herself how sad he really was and if she should cut him some slack or not.

Ashton exaggerated a pout, knowing that even though his baby sister was his soft spot, she had one too. Jade didn't like seeing the people she loved sad or angry. She made it her mission to draw a smile back onto their faces. It was the cutest thing ever but Ashton never admitted how this bothered him as well. She was too forgiving, too quick to forget, too easy at handing out new chances – people like her tended to be taken for granted. They were easy bait for people that would love to take advantage of someone that would turn the other cheek.

He looked down at his hand when tiny fingers grabbed three of his. Ashton looked up at his sister, she offered him a tiny smile, one that said that she had already forgiven him because she never could stay mad at him for too long.

He felt like a jerk; knowing that had it been anyone else, he'd kill them for messing with her feelings like that. Maybe when she's a little older he could teach her that no one really deserved the goodness of her heart, not even her own family.

Ashton lifted her dainty hand to his lips, planting a loud, wet smoosh on her knuckles. Jade giggled.

A/N: guys, I'm scared. Like you know what's about to happen (!spoiler alert! read Faded if you haven't already). I've never been scared to write something before but this is different, like I don't wanna get into details or anything cuz it makes me super uncomfortable. In Faded it was part of Jade's backstory so I didn't have to shed too much light on her past. I revealed snippets through memories and nightmares. But this book is different. This entire book is about THAT. Anyway, I'm still trying to figure out how I will cover 'those scenes', I will probably stay as vague as possible ... God, why am I putting my characters through this? 😭😭

Anyway, what did you think of this chapter?