Eight

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Only a day has passed since I found the note Justin had left for me. Everyone is home considering it's Saturday and Maverick had told us before he left to expect Justin to arrive only shortly before he'll be home. That being said, I currently sit on the couch while my father, Annabell and Reece are in the backyard. My leg bobs to an unknown rhythm as I wait impatiently for Justin to arrive. I plan to talk to him. Confront him. I want to. I need to. I've been sitting here for nearly an hour and can't seem to guess when he'll show although I'm hoping wholeheartedly it's soon. I'm bored and don't know how much longer I can stand to wait for him to walk through the front door. As if on cue, the front door opens and shuts, causing my body to rise and my hand to wrap around his wrist pulling him up the stairs and into my room before slamming the door shut and facing him.

"What the hell was that note about?!" I exclaim.

"Hello to you too, Hadlee." he says, chuckling.

"Justin." I start, giving him a 'answer the question' look. "What was the note about?"

"I don't like your tone." he shrugs, a smirk playing on his naturally pink lips.

"Hi Justin." I say, knowing it's the only way I'll get an answer. "Now answer the question."

He chuckles. "I thought it was self explanatory."

I roll my eyes. "I don't mean what did the note I mean, I mean why did you give it to me."

His smirk never leaves his lips, despite his attempt to wet them. "Well, as I said before, I think you're cute. Plus, I wanted to know my best friend's mysterious little sister better."

"Then why do I feel as if there's an alternative motive?" I ask, my lips pressed into a firm line.

"I don't know." he shrugs, inching closer until I'm pressed against the wall. "You tell me."

Gulping, my eyes stare into his and I find myself nervous, unable to think of what to say in return.

Justin moves closer, so close that I can now feel his breath. "Why do I want to kiss you?" he whispers.

Finally, my brain comes up with my next come back although a smirk doesn't appear on my lips the way I had planned. "That's something to ask yourself, don't you think?"

Footsteps increase in volume as someone comes up the stairs, making Justin back away from me and I to take a step away from the wall. Soon, my door opens and Maverick enters, looking back and forth between us with an expression of suspicion.

"What's going on?" he asks, his brows furrowed before looking at Justin. "Why are you in here?"

"I asked him to come talk to me." I butt in, licking my lips. "I um, I've been really bored and was hoping Justin knew some people that I might be able to be friends with. Seeing as I don't know anyone around here."

Maverick looks at me, cautiously nodding. "Oh..." he licks his lips before moving his attention to Justin. "Xbox?"

Justin nods, glancing at me once more. "I'm sorry I don't know anyone."

I nod, looking down.

They leave the room and after waiting a few minutes, I open the drawer to my bedside table, grabbing the slip of paper and dialing the number into my phone before sending a text to Justin. Still want to get to know me?

After only a moment, my phone vibrates in my hand. A message from Justin.

Of course. Dangerous act you know... texting me when I'm a room over don't you think?

I laugh silently to myself, texting back. As long as he doesn't look at your phone it's fine. Right?

Almost immediately a response appears, making me grin.

Agreed. I'll text you later.. When I'm not with Mav.

I grin, replying for the last time. Looking forward to it.

Soon, a response comes through, making me grin.

That makes two of us.

Grinning from ear to ear without realizing, I lick my lips, inwardly squealing at his response and reading the messages over and over. That is until my mind becomes clear and I start to think reasonably, shaking my head at my previous actions.

In Maverick's room downstairs, Justin places his phone on the bed beside him, making sure its locked before picking up his controller and starting to play the game with Mav.

"So, dude, uh, can we talk for a second?" Maverick asks, his attention still on the game in front of him.

"Yeah, man, what's up?" Justin replies, pressing on multiple buttons on the controller in his hands as gunshots blare through the speakers connected to the tv.

Maverick licks his lips, sighing. "Alright, man, I don't wanna be that guy and I know Hadlee said that y'all were just talking about finding her some friends but I've known you for a year now and I... I know how you are. Or how you can be. So, if- if you're thinking about it... don't. I know we haven't gotten along since she got here but she's still my little sister, man. I gotta look out for her and if we're being honest you're not the relationship type of guy." he finishes, chuckling.

"Come on dude." Justin starts, chuckling along with him. "I'm not that bad."

"Justin, please," Maverick pauses the game, turning to him. "Don't be a dick about this."

"I don't think I'm being a dick in this situation, Mav." he replies, narrowing his eyes a little. "Do you really think I'd stoop so low to do that to your sister?"

"I don't know, dude! You've done it to many, what makes my sister any different?!" Maverick exclaims, although keeping his voice low.

"Just that!" Justin replies, lifting his controller and letting his hand fall back down, his wrist resting on his knee. "She's your sister."

"Justin." Maverick says, his voice hardening. "Just stay the fuck away from her. If she gets hurt by you it's gonna be a shitload of problems and I'm not dealing with that shit."

"Alright, fine." Justin says, shaking his head and looking to the tv before gulping at his lie. "I'll stay away from her."

"Good. Then it's settled." Maverick says, turning on the game again and starting to play.

Justin licks his lips, inwardly cursing at himself as he knows the lies will eventually catch up to him.

"We should probably head out. The guys are gonna be waiting." Maverick says as they both finish the game.

Justin nods, placing the controller on the dresser in front of the tv. "Yeah, you're right."

The two get up, making their way out of the bedroom and towards the front door.

As Justin starts up his car, he finds himself lost in his thoughts again, replaying the conversation him and Maverick had just had.

Leave her alone? There's no way that's happening now. I mean, I tried. I can say that with confidence. I tried to get her out of my head and not imagine myself getting to know her. I never want to get to know girls but for some reason she's different. Maybe it's because she's Maverick's sister. Maybe I'm wondering if she's anything like him. Maybe she's better than her brother. She's got edge and that's different from any other girl I've been involved with by itself. Maybe that's why I'm so attracted. Not physically but emotionally... if that's what you wanna call it. I'm not saying I'm in love with her but there's no way I'm staying away. I've got to know her. I've got to learn who she is, what's important to her... I just have to. 

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Thank you for reading!

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Have a good day!

QUESTIONS:

1. What was your favorite/least favorite part of this chapter?

2. What do you think will happen next time?

3. Why do you think Mav doesn't want Justin to be around Hadlee?

much love, 

shan:)