Nineteen

As his footsteps are heard, I turn, quickly and quietly rushing upstairs before closing my bedroom door and locking it.

Turning around, I let out a sigh, turning on the light and raising my head before opening my mouth to scream instinctively.

"Shh." he says, his hand covering my mouth to stop me.

I let out the breath, ripping his hand from my mouth. "What the hell. You scared me."

He smiles weakly. "Sorry baby."

"I heard your car zoom off." I say, my brows furrowed as I jab my thumb over my shoulder.

"While you were eavesdropping?" he chuckles.

I give him a look.

"I did it so Maverick would think I left while he was still outside." he says. "I parked down the street and ran through the trees in the back."

I nod, sighing and running a hand through my tangled hair.

"Are you okay?"

I shrug. "I mean, with the whole kidnapping thing... yes. I'm fine. He didn't hurt me or even touch me. He rebuilt my room and locked me inside."

"He rebuilt your room?" he asks, taken aback.

I nod. "He must've been in here before or something. It looked exactly the same. It even took me a while to figure out I wasn't in my room."

He licks his lips. "He'd been watching you. Us."

"Did he call you or Maverick?" I ask. "Or did you just find me?"

He shakes his head. "He called Maverick who didn't answer because he was too busy arguing with me for dating you. But when he didn't answer he called me. Demanded five grand as a trade for you."

"Five grand?" I ask, my eyes widening. "Y'all put together five grand for me?!"

He chuckles, shrugging. "You're worth it. You're his sister. My girlfriend."

I grin softly. "Thank you."

He nods. "Of course. You should probably go hop in the shower though before your dad doesn't hear the water."

I nod, agreeing as I walk towards the bathroom door before turning around, almost frantically looking at him.

"I'll be right here when you get back out." he says softly, noticing my alarmed behavior.

I nod hesitantly, walking into the bathroom and sliding the door shut before starting the water for my shower and undressing myself.

After stepping into the steaming shower, I let the hot water run down my body, washing away the grime and dirt from the day. I wash my hair, massaging my scalp with the ginger infused shampoo and conditioner, then scrub my body with the mango scented body wash before rinsing it all away. I step out of the shower, wrapping myself with a towel before realizing I didn't grab clothes. Instead, I dry off and put my robe on before wrapping my hair in the towel I had been using. I then slide open the door, noticing him on his phone while I grab underwear, sweats and a tee from the dresser and reentering the bathroom. I dress myself before hanging the robe back on its' hook and unraveling my towel from the top of my head. I hang that on its' hook and walk to the sink before brushing through it and braiding it back, wanting it wavy in the morning. Once that's done, I brush my teeth and wash my face, wiping away the excess water before walking over to the bed.

Justin notices my presence, putting his phone down and sliding over for me to sit next to where he's laying.

"Feel better?" he asks, raising his brows.

I nod. "Yeah, a little."

He chuckles, grabbing my hand and playing with my fingers before his face drops. "What was Maverick saying before your dad came out?"

I look down at him, biting my lip. "He asked if we slept together."

He looks up at me, clearly upset of what his so called best friend thinks of him.

"It pissed me off."

He raises his brows.

"I told him that we didn't. I told him we've never come close to it. I said we talk and we watch movies and we hang out and we eat food. Like normal couples. Because that's what we are." I tell him, gazing into his hazel brown eyes.

He grins. "I like how you added that we eat food."

"Food's important." I tell him as if it's obvious.

He laughs lightly, smiling again. "What else happened?"

"He told me that he told me how dangerous you were and I didn't listen. So I told him that I heard what he said but wanted to figure out who you were for myself. So I did."

"Is that true?" he asks, raising his brow. "Did you wanna figure out who I was for yourself?"

I smile down at him, nodding. "Yeah."

He grins, kissing the top of my hand. "Want me to stay tonight?"

I nod. "Please."

He nods, laying down further before sitting up. "Shit, I almost forgot."

I give him a confused look. "What?"

"I had been getting this made for you. But when you got taken today I had them rush to get it done while we had two hours to waste before coming to get you." he says, pulling out a necklace with a clear what seemed to be crystal hanging in the middle.

My brows raise. "Wow."

He grins. "It's pretty, I know. But it's more than that."

I give him a curious look.

He puts it on me before taking out his phone and opening something on it. He then taps a button and the necklace luminates in a blue color.

I gasp down at it.

He grins. "Press the crystal once."

I do as I'm told, causing the crystal, and his phone screen, to change from blue to green.

"That means you're okay." he says before pressing his phone again to change it to blue once more. "Now press it twice."

I, once again, do as he tells me, causing the necklace and his phone to change from blue to red.

"That means you're not and you need help." he explains.

"How?" I ask, not being able to ask as the necklace goes dim again and he closes his phone.

"It's connected to my phone. When it's blue, I'm asking you if you're okay. Then of course you know your answers. I had a few buddies start making it when we started dating. I told them not to rush it too much but when you went missing today I changed my mind." he says, grinning.

"Thank you." I tell him. "For caring so much to do that."

He smiles, leaning over and kissing me. "Of course."

I smile weakly. "Can we go to sleep?" I ask.

He nods. "Yes, please." he says, plopping back into a lying position.

I giggle, getting up and turning the lights off before closing the curtains and laying under the covers, cuddling up to him.

His lips press to my forehead before he rests his head on top of mine, falling asleep comfortably along with me.

***

Yawning, I stretch slightly, looking over to notice Justin still sleeping peacefully, now halfway on his back. I grin at the sight, carefully slipping out of bed, going downstairs quietly.

"Good morning."

I look over as I enter the kitchen, seeing my dad drinking his cup of coffee. I guess he's home today... probably because of me and Maverick. "Morning dad." I say carefully, walking over to grab a cup of coffee as well.

"Do you wanna explain to me what happened yesterday?" he asks calmly.

I lick my lips, sitting across from him once my coffee is made. "Um, I was taken by one of their enemies, I guess." I say weirdly.

He nods slowly, paying attention to me instead of the paper now.

"And um, no one knew so I went missing for a few hours before anyone noticed and then when they did they had to trade five grand for me. And apparently while they were trying to figure out where I was Justin fessed up to Maverick and told him we've been dating. So when they found me Maverick dragged me home and started yelling at me." I say before looking up at him. "And you know the rest so..."

He nods. "How long has this whole thing with Justin been going on?" he asks.

"Well, we've only actually been together for a week. But we had been hanging out before that. We started probably almost a month after I got here." I admit.

He licks his lips, gulping. "Hasn't been long then."

I shake my head. "No."

"So you've been here two months, you've got a boyfriend, gotten kidnapped and are now in a huge fight with your brother. We've made up but not spent much time together." he says, explaining his point of view.

I bite my lip, nodding. "But you're working a lot too."

He grins, nodding. "I'm not mad, Hadlee."

I give him a confused look. "You're not?"

He shakes his head. "No. But you should call your mom. She called last night and said she hasn't heard from you in a few days." he tells me while picking up the paper again.

I nod. "My phone's upstairs, I'll go do that now before I forget."

He nods, chuckling as I get up and walk upstairs.

Entering the bedroom, I shut the door and notice Justin now awake, looking at his phone while laying on the bed.

"Morning." I grin, locking the door.

He looks over, smiling. "Good morning."

"Want the rest of my coffee?" I ask, holding it out.

He grins. "Hell yeah."

I laugh lightly, handing him the cup as he sits up and takes a sip immediately. "I gotta call my mom so be quiet."

He salutes, looking down at his phone again.

I pick up my own phone, dialing my mother's number and giving her a call. We talk for a good fifteen minutes before I hang up, sighing heavily.

"That was a good conversation." Justin says, grinning.

I look back nodding. "Me and my mom are usually on good terms."

He grins. "Good."

We gaze at one another for a moment, not saying anything and not feeling the need to... before a knock on the door interrupts.

"Hadlee. Open up." Maverick says from the other side.

My eyes widen. "You gotta go." I whisper.

He nods, kissing my cheek sweetly and leaving through the window.

"Hadlee." Maverick calls, almost stressfully.

I roll my eyes, making sure Justin got down safely before opening the bedroom door. "What?"

"We need to talk about what's gonna happen from here on out."

I raise my brows. "Excuse me?"

"You're not gonna see him again." he tells me. "He's not your boyfriend. He's not your friend. Forget about him."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I ask, blinking a few times in his direction as I'm trying to figure out who the fuck he thinks he is.

"No. I'm not." he tells me sternly.

"You're not my dad, Maverick. You can't tell me what I can and cannot do." I tell him. "He is my boyfriend and will continue to be my boyfriend whether you like it or not."

With that, I slam the door in his face, locking it once again so he can't come in.

The fucking audacity.

*** A Few Days Later  | With Justin ***

As the gang sits around the living room, preparing for a small meeting, I sit in my normal spot, ignoring the glare coming from Maverick who sits across the room.

"Alright guys," William starts, clapping his hands together. "I think we all know it's been a little tense around here the past couple days."

Everyone nods in agreement. Everyone but Maverick and I... well, we are the drama after all. More like he's the drama. But I won't get into that.

"But, I'm gonna need everyone to start acting like a team again." William says. "So, everyone stand, I'm gonna put you in your groups for tonight's shipment meet up."

Everyone stands and William looks around, putting everyone into groups of three.

"Justin, you're gonna be with myself and Maverick, as usual." William says, making me nod.

"Hell no." Maverick says, shaking his head and calling attention. "I'm not working with him."

"Maverick, come on. We're always together. That's what it always has been and will be." William says.

"No." Maverick says, his jaw locked.

"Dude, seriously? This is work." I say, looking over at him, my hands raising slightly and falling back to my sides with a small slap.

"Don't even fucking start with me." Maverick says, taking a step towards me.

"Chill." I tell him, raising my brows in surprise.

"Don't fucking tell me to chill." he says, taking another step forward. "Come on, hit me."

I scoff, shaking my head. "I'm not gonna hit you, Maverick. I'm your best friend."

"Were." Maverick says "You were my best friend."

I blink a few times, shaking my head. "Seriously?"

"I don't know who the fuck you are anymore. My best friend wouldn't do this shit to me." Maverick says dramatically, stepping into my face.

"Dude, back up." I tell him, trying to take a step back.

"Why?" Mav taunts, taking another step forward.

"Yo, just back up." I say, pushing him slightly.

"Man." Maverick bursts, raising a fist and swinging it across my face, hitting me in the corning of my lip. "Don't fucking touch me!"

I touch my lip, wiping the current blood and look at him. "Then don't get in my face and expect me to deal with it, Maverick!"

As he takes a step forward, Damon and Finn step up, grabbing him and pulling him backwards.

"Everyone sit the fuck down." William yells, getting our attention.

I shake my head, sitting back in my spot and glancing at the front door, wishing I could just leave... but this is work. I gotta stay no matter how annoying Maverick gets.

"There is no reason for you to be doing this on work time." William growls at Maverick. "No reason at all."

Maverick scoffs, looking away.

*** With Hadlee ***

Sighing as I plop down on my bed, I tap the Facetime icon and pray that the girls are together. I really need their advice.

"Hey bitch!"

I grin lightly. "Hey Dani."

"What's up?" she asks, grinning.

"Are the others there?" I ask, raising my brows.

She nods. "Girls! Come here! Lee is on the phone!"

"Hey!" the girls exclaim, walking up quickly.

"I need major advice guys." I tell them, sighing dramatically.

"Okay, go." Cami says.

"So, I started dating Justin." I tell them.

"WHAT?!" they exclaim.

I nod. "Yeah and it's great. We both really like each other and I'm really happy." I gush.

"Awww." they say.

"So he's totally not what you expected?" Cami asks, narrowing her eyes.

I nod. "Not at all. He's sweet and caring and amazing. But, a few days ago Maverick found out before we wanted him to and we haven't been able to see each other since because he's like stalking us. If he's not with Justin he's constantly on my case. We argue all the time and I don't know... I'm really thinking about coming home early."

They gasp.

"But you're liking it there." Paislee says sadly.

I nod. "I know but I can't stand being around Maverick anymore. Especially when we're arguing all the time and he's keeping me away from Justin. What do you guys think I should do?"

Cami sighs. "As much as I wanna say ignore Maverick, I know it's not possible... so I'd say come home. It's the only way you're not gonna stress all summer. Downside? You and Justin would only be able to facetime and that would be your relationship."

I sigh, nodding. "Yeah."

"She's right." Dani says, giving me a sympathetic look.

"Have you tried telling Maverick to suck it?" Paislee asks, making a face.

I laugh, nodding. "In different ways, yes."

They all giggle, shaking their heads.

"Alright, I'm gonna call my mom. I love you guys."

"Love you!" they all say before hanging up.

Without waiting for any period of time, I facetime my mother, holding the phone up and waiting for her face to pop up on my screen.

"Mommy!" I exclaim.

"Hi baby!" she says, smiling. "Oh my goodness, I missed your face!"

I smile. "I miss yours too. But I'm actually calling about something really important."

Her face drops as she gets serious. "Okay, what's going on, honey?"

I lick my lips. "So, I started dating a guy."

She gasps. "Oh my goodness!"

"But he's one of Maverick best friends. Well, actually their all in a gang together but they're the good guys. Not the point, the point is... the other day, Maverick found out before we meant to tell him and he totally freaked out. He won't let us see each other. He's always watching one of us to make sure we can't see or talk and it's getting to the point where it's so annoying. I mean, I get he's upset but he can't control my life, right?" I ask, getting flustered.

She nods. "You're right. And I mean, of course he's upset."

"I mean, he told me in the beginning that this guy was bad news but I wanted to get to know him and when I did he was the complete opposite of what Maverick said." I tell her. "It was like black and white and I don't get it. He used to be one of the guys that didn't care and would go from girl to girl. He admitted that to me. But he's been faithful since we started hanging out a month after I got here."

She nods. "So, basically, he used to be that bad guy but when he met you... he wanted to be more."

I nod, shrugging. "I guess?"

She sighs. "Oh boy."

I lick my lips. "Mom, it's to the point where... I wanna come home. Maverick's ruining everything and the weird part is I thought it was gonna be dad who was gonna do that. But me and dad are doing great. Maverick's the problem."

"Aw, baby. I hate that it's that bad." she says, frowning. "If you really wanna come home, I understand and I'm sure your dad will too."

I nod. "I'll let you know. I'm gonna go try to talk to Maverick first."

She nods. "Good idea."

"I love you mom."

"I love you too baby."

We hang up and I stand from my spot, going to the bathroom and taking out my braid to reveal my wavy hair. I put on minimal makeup, just enough to make myself presentable and get dressed in jeans, a top and my black converse. I then jog down the stairs with my phone in hand and leave the house, locking up as I do.

Going onto the family app, I track Maverick's phone, soon arriving to the house he's at.

Walking up to the front door, I knock three times and take a step back. Soon, a guy, Finn I think, opens the door. His eyes widen in surprise.

"Um, hi." he says.

"Is my brother here?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

He nods. "You can come in, everyone's in the living room."

"Thanks." I say softly, walking past him and letting him close the door. Entering the living room, my eyes lay on Justin, immediately drawn to the cut on his lip.

"What are you doing here?" Maverick says.

Justin licks his lips, realizing I was looking at them.

I blink a few times, looking up at Maverick. "Seriously?"

"What?" he spat.

I shake my head, scoffing. "I'm here to let you know that you win."

His brows furrow. "What?"

"I'm going home. To Texas." I inform him, my jaw locked and my eyes darkened.

His face falls. "Wait, what?"

"I'm leaving in the morning and no you can't change my mind." I tell him, quickly turning on my heel and leaving the house enraged.

"Wait, Hadlee!" he yells after me, running out of the house.

"Get the fuck away from me." I scream, angrier than I've been the entire time.

He stops, not hearing that tone from me before.

"I don't want to see you before I leave. So stay the fuck away." I growl, glancing over to notice everyone had walked outside. I then turn around, starting to walk towards the road.

"Holy shit." one of the guys on the porch say.

"Justin, you alright man?" another asks.

I couldn't bare to look at him after not being able to tell him privately.

"Hadlee, wait!" I hear a female voice yell.

Turning around, confused, I notice Rylee running towards me.

"Here." she says, holding out a pair of keys. "Take my car. I'll have Lucas bring me to get it later."

"Are you sure?" I ask, trying to contain my anger.

She nods. "Yeah. When I'm as pissed as you are right now, driving helps. I figured it could help you too."

I hesitate before grabbing her keys. "Thanks."

She nods. "It's the white maserati." she says, nodding towards it.

I look before nodding at her. "Thank you."

She nods again, smiling softly.

I take one more look at Maverick before shaking my head and walking over to her car, climbing in and zooming off from the yard.

Damn I like this car...

Arriving home shortly later, I walk through the front door, slamming it angrily without realizing.

"Hadlee?"

I look over, noticing my dad. "Dad... I'm sorry."

"No." he shakes his head. "What's wrong?"

"I'm going home dad. Maverick... he's being too much. I went to go talk to him just now and he hit Justin. He has a busted lip because of him! It's too much. I can't stay with him. I can't be around him." I say, shaking my head.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." he says, stopping me from going upstairs to pack. "Breathe for a second."

I take a breath, slowly releasing it.

"Don't go back. We've only got a short amount of time left and we haven't gotten to spend a lot of time together." he says. "I want to before you go and I still have to work some."

I bite my lip, tapping my foot and refusing to look at him.

"Hadlee." he says softly.

I finally look at him, noticing his pleading eyes. "Okay, fine. But only for you. For us."

He grins, nodding and pulling me into a hug. "Thank you. Now call your mom and let her know."

I gaps, pulling back. "She called you!"

He chuckles, shrugging. "She didn't want me to be taken off guard."

I nod. "Okay."

I jog up the stairs after one more hug, sending a message to my mother.

I see what you did there by calling dad. I'm staying... for him. I love you.

Putting my phone down, I let out a huge sigh, falling back on my bed and closing my eyes in frustration.

***

Happy TUESDAY!

This is by far the longest chapter I've written for this story. It's almost 4,000 words!

I hope you guys liked this weeks chapter! If you did go ahead and leave me a comment below or just tap that vote option to let me know you were here!

thank you all so much for reading!

much love,

shan:)