by A. L Inman
“I mean, I don’t know Abby… I’m kind of out of my element. I’m assuming there will be alcohol but after watching the mess dad turns into when he drinks it doesn’t really appeal to me. Brady lives in the same housing development that the party is in, so we definitely won't be getting into any vehicles if someone does choose to drink. We were going to walk there and back from his house.”
I sigh heavily. This is part of being his guardian and I know that I need to be sensible and stern, but also a little relaxed. Nick is a good kid; no matter what he will make good choices- that I’m sure of.
“Okay Nick. But we’ll have ground rules.”
Nick’s face breaks out in to the brightest smile, leaving me to feel like I had finally have done something right for my brother. Letting him socialize is a big step up from the life we were living just a few short days ago.
I feel pains in my chest just remembering how long it's been since I had friends of my own and plans. Not that we had big plans at the age of ten, but I miss the companionship that friendship brings.
I need a girl to talk to. All this testosterone is suffocating sometimes.
“Sure Abs, anything!” Nick is practically vibrating with excitement, which brings me out of my self-pitying stupor.
Jaxon interjects, which I’m thankful for, because it seems like he’s been raising his brothers for a life time and I’ve just started officially raising mine. Honestly, I need the guidance and I trust Jax.
“Nick- we’re going to a work event tonight and won’t be accessible at all times, however I will give you our Uncle Max’s number in case of an emergency. He lives in town and should he need to he can send a car or help out in any way. Sound good?”
I’m thankful knowing Nick will have someone if he needs them.
“Okay little brother, here are my rules: One, no getting into a vehicle with someone who has been drinking. Two, I want a text every two hours just checking in… even if I can’t reply I want to be able to look and see you checking in. If at any time you don’t, I’ll have one of the guys call their Uncle Max to have him come check on you. And, well, hmm, I’m really bad at this… what else do you guys think…” I turn looking at the Badd brothers, who look just about as nervous regarding Nick going out as I feel.
I know they see him as their younger, inexperienced little brother like I do. All of them start speaking at once making Jax let out a loud whistle to silence everyone.
“One at a time guys. Arch- you first.”
Archer holds his hand out to Nick before telling him to hand over the phone.
“I’m going to make sure were all in here and add Max’s number. I’m also installing a tracker that we can all access. There is an app we use called Life360. It’s designed so that any time you want to find a location of someone in our network you can click on their picture and it will tell you what road they’re on and an approximate location. Come here Abby, let me show you guys how to use it. I was going to do this anyways but since this has come up it’s a good time to explain it.”
Nick and I watch as Archer goes over all of the specs of the app showing us everyone’s icons that included their name and picture.
He shows us how if you click on their picture that person’s location shows up. It’s really comforting knowing I can click on Nick’s picture to check in at any time. Not that I don’t trust him but anything could happen.
I’m really surprised Nick doesn’t protest the tracking, but he seems to understand it was for emergency use and not for me to helicopter parent him. I think he also knows not to push too much because the guys won’t allow me to be walked on.
He seems pleased that he is able to track me as well. Nick and I have always only had each other, so it’s a new concept for others to care for us; letting them be involved in our life is a huge step for us.
It’s nice to know and comforting for both of us that with all of these life changes, we still have each other's backs.
Asher is next with his rule he thought I should impose. Curfew.
Of course tonight he would be sleeping over at his friends so curfew was irrelevant, but I liked Nick knowing he did have some rules. So, we jointly came to compromise with 10 pm on school nights and 12 pm in the summer and weekends.
If Nick gets a job, goes off to school, or moves out on his own we’ll obviously reevaluate or drop curfew all together- but until then I need him to show responsibility. We also agree that if he thinks he’s going to be past curfew he’ll call me to let me know.
I don’t plan on punishing Nick if he breaks that rule, but the threat of making curfew time earlier each time it’s broken makes him seem more alert to the idea of calling if he is going to be late.
Lastly, with his sage piece of advice, Brayden hands my sweet, precious, innocent little brother a whole freaking string of condoms! Seriously?
He said that not only is he promoting sex, he’s promoting safe sex and I almost punched him right in the area that he’s promoting to be “safe”. Nick’s face is blood red, just like mine.
“What!? He needs the sex talk! Do you want me to give it to him?” Brayden asks innocently batting his eyelashes.
We all shout “No!”
“I’ll talk to him I guess,” I mumble.
“Oh no, Abbykins- up until like twelve hours ago, you yourself probably needed the sex talk. Not saying that my brother didn’t go through the ropes and motions with you.” he says with a wink.
Kill me now. Dead.
What happened to the boy who was embarrassed that he saw me in my underwear an hour ago?
Asher chokes on his coffee shooting him a death glare, making Brayden respond with a flash of a triumphant smile.
“Come on dear Nicholas,” Brayden coos, “Let me teach you all I know. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Let me teach you how not to become a dad at 16. Trust me bro, I have a lot of experience.”
With that he slings an arm over Nick’s shoulder, ushering him out laughing, while Nick looks back at me with a panicked, helpless expression.
Archer stands up fast, giving me a rueful grimace.
“Abby, I’ve heard Bray’s sex talk. I’ll go and be the adult in the conversation. I promise I’ll tell him all the reasons he should wait…. but I’m not promising that he won't leave that discussion utterly corrupted.” He looks just about as pleased to be in that conversation as I would’ve been.
Although I don’t want to think of my brother having sex, I’m grateful for the guys being there to help in this part of our lives.
Dad never had the bird and bees talk with us; that’s especially hard to do when you won’t even talk to your children.
I’m just glad Nick has good role models now. Even if Brayden is a little questionable on being a “good" role model.
“Abby girl, we need to do another hand to hand combat session and I'd like to see your progress in the shooting range. You guys slept in kind of late, which is okay, I wanted you to be rested for tonight. But now were a little crunched for time. So, let's knock that out and we'll get you ready for the party tonight and wired.” Jaxon tells me.
I nod, telling him I'll be down in a few since I’m already in my workout gear, I won’t need to change clothes. Walking over to Asher he pulls me onto his lap giving my jaw soft kisses.
“Babe, I just want you to know that I'll be there tonight. You'll be with one of us at all times and if by chance you aren't, find one of us. I'm really skeptical about bringing you. Not because I don't think we can protect you… I… I just would rather you not be around the scum of the earth. But tonight, that's inevitable.”
I can tell he was distraught thinking about me being back around Lil-J, so I gave him a gentle kiss back, trying to portray my confidence regards tonights events.
The nervous expression on his face started to fall off when he pulled me closer kissing me passionately.
And when I left the room I’m given a firm smack to my ass. My yelp prompts a chuckle from Asher.
He
re I go, heading down stairs to allow Jaxon Badd to hand me my ass on the mat. Again.
ASHER- Chapter 25
I meet up with Archer in the tech room after Abby went downstairs to train with Jax.
I would never express the severity of my worry to her. It would serve better if she isn't any more nervous about tonight then she already is.
Those guys are sharks and will be out for the kill if they think that they smell blood.
I’m glad Jax decided to do another session focusing on defense and tactical moves if she happens to be attacked tonight.
He told me she did really well and apparently Archer told Jaxon that Abby is a natural with a gun. That's really freaking hot.
Archer has our advanced security system pulled up on the computer monitors. This is the system that he has completely designed himself.
Archer is a computer whiz and over the past few months he flies in weekly to Quantico, helping the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) to work on a secret project.
All I know is when he comes home he’s pissed at the world and spends a few hours punching the bag downstairs.
We have set up cameras that show the outside of Emilio's extensive compound and Archer designed a software program that runs tags on all vehicles that enter, as well as facial recognition if we’re able to see the occupants.
Archer looks over his shoulder at me when I close the door behind me, but he quickly turns back to face the screen.
I know he is still severely pissed at me, so we need to go ahead and squash this right here and now. Otherwise, we will be putting everyone at danger tonight if we’re not being cohesive.
“Give it to me straight, Arch”
We've been saying this for years. If one of us calls the other out, asking to be given a straight answer, you’re expected to be honest.
It's one of the rules Jax implemented when we formed our team. If there’s something wrong, talk it over. If someone calls you on your shit, man up.
Archer sighs before pushing back from the multiple computer screens and turning towards me. I can tell he is already in a defensive mode.
He has his shoulders square and is sitting to his full height in his computer chair. His arms are braced on his legs, which gives him a “don’t fuck with me” look.
He looks tense; like whatever he is fixing to tell me is going to piss me off, so he’s ready to take a blow, if I decide to distribute one.
I raise my eyebrow waiting for him to answer me.
Looking at Arch has always been like looking at myself in a mirror. Other than a few flaw differences, like scars here and there, and the fact that Archer wears thick rimmed black glasses, we are identical. Our looks are the only thing identical with us though.
Sometimes we joke that we aren't really twins, because we are completely different people. Before our mom died she said it was because we were the perfect yin yang.
Bray and I are more like our mom with freer spirits and easy smiles. Archer and Jaxon are more like dad. Work now, play never type of attitudes.
Lacing his fingers behind his head he exhales again before giving me the truth that I’m patiently waiting on.
“Okay Ash, I think you’re way too wrapped up in this girl. You used your feelings to cloud your judgment at the park that night and now she's a liability for tonight. You’re in way too deep and you are going to end up hurting her. You need to drop the act, let her down gently. As soon as we’re clear in a few weeks- cut your ties.”
I wait… and nothing else is said. Okay then, I'm pretty sure he just told me what he thinks is the truth and nothing but the truth.
“Arch, I know this may be hard for you to believe, but I love Abby. Even before all this went down I think I loved her. You don't have to like her. That's fine. But she's my girlfriend, and the person I want to spend my time with. I was hoping you would try a little harder, make her feel welcomed. But other than offering to help give her brother the sex talk, which I think was an excuse to get away from us by the way, you've not engaged at all. Now I know you're a prickly bastard, but I was really hoping I could count on you to protect my girl… just like when you find someone you love, I'd protect them with my last breath.”
Archer looks at me stunned, but nods at me in acceptance anyways. Truthfully, I’m a little surprised at myself too.
I've never put anyone ahead of my brothers, but I think putting Abby first is the best and most selfless decision I’ve ever made.
How do I explain that not only do I love her but that I'm guilty feeling?
Archer is right, we could've played this different. I could've had Bray tail her to make sure she was safe or acted like I didn't know her that night. When I showed interest in her, I made her a pawn in this dirty game. I’m selfish and was clearly not thinking.
My judgement was clouded by the shock of her being there.
Abby's been trying to fight the monsters all her life and I may be the biggest monster yet for dragging her in to my mess.
ABBY- Chapter 26
“Good job Abby girl. Let’s do a cool-off on the treadmill 10 minutes, okay?” Jaxon points at the devil machine. It’s surrounded by other equally traumatizing machines that I’ve got to experience today.
I’m naturally a small girl, barely 5 feet 2 inches, 110 pounds... You’d think I’d be able to run 10 minutes without fear of heart failure.
Up until this week I was way too thin from poor nutrition. The boys are working on taking care of that, one chocolate pop tart at a time.
Most nights Nick and I ate sandwiches... sometimes just bread. Depending on how much we’d have, a lot of times I’d just let Nick eat and I would wait until our free meals from school the next morning. If Nick asked, I’d always tell him that I already ate.
Jax says I need to strengthen myself up before I’ll really be able to do some damage to an opponent, but of course, we’re short on time for something like that.
So, after numerous reps of me swinging left into a pad he is holding, and then following suit with the right arm, I’ve fully developed into jelly arm mode.
He did show me important tricks, like how to stomp my foot down on an attacker's foot and all the important points to aim for on my attacker- eyes, nose, chin and groin.
We had gone to the gun range before we worked on our combat, and just like yesterday I was able to efficiently load my clip into my gun and unload the bullets into my target, in rapid recession.
Jax seemed pleased, so we went through different scenarios of what could happen tonight, and how I should react if things get sketchy.
He said he wants me to be prepared, but I’m not sure I ever will be prepared for this lifestyle.
We even discussed what would be said if Emilio decides to question me about why I was brought into the meeting between his thugs.
Jax said we aren’t going to discuss it with the other boys because he’s afraid they’ll tip Emilio off. Especially if they think he’s going to try to get me alone so he can talk to me. The less they know about this part, the better.
I get off the treadmill and I’m greeted by the best looking Badd brother I know and a cold bottle of water. He really is the sweetest. Reaching down he softly kisses my cheek before giving me a small grin.
“I just dropped Nick off at Brady’s house. Brady’s parents aren’t home but I let the boys know what we expected of them and I think they got the point.” He says cracking his knuckles, grinning.
Great, he threatened my brother's friends on Nick's first night out- ever. I’m sure Nick loved that.
I can’t say I’m even mad though. Maybe now if they had any ill intentions, they’ll think better of it thinking about my big, hulking, boyfriend coming and kicking their asses.
My boyfriend. How freakin’ dreamy is that?
“I’m going to spar with Jax for about an hour. You can watch for a bit, but we need to head out about 6 tonight. Apparently, Brayden wants to take you to get your hair and makeup done by his friend, Heather. He said it woul
d take a couple hours and it’s already three o'clock, so you may need to shower so you can leave soon,”
I swear the guy barely took a breath during that sentence. I know he wants me to watch him spar but he also wants me to be ready for tonight- and safe.
So, I sit on the couch, giving him a wink, letting him know I’d watch for a few minutes. At least long enough to cool down from my work out.
He and Jax peel off their shirts and holy mother of hotness.
Asher is the epitome of hot male model. His chestnut brown hair falls effortlessly across his forehead and his blue twinkling eyes make him look like the boy next door.
Until you travel below the neck and realize the boy next door is actually a man. Dear Lord, goodness gracious is he all man or what?
His strong arms and chest lead way into a set of finely chiseled abs. I wouldn’t even know how many abs the boy has because I swear he has like a set of fifty. Okay, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration.
Beside him, Jaxon stands with his lighter colored hair and warm brown eyes. His body is no less impressive.
Jaxon’s entire chest is covered in tattoos and he’s sporting the same family crest over his heart that Asher is.
His arms are lined with sleeves of tattoos, leaving me to realize that I’ve never seen Jaxon not have some form of long-sleeve on before. His body is truly a work of art.
I wander off in to my thoughts, thinking about how I’d like to get a tattoo. Maybe I’ll ask the guys what they think when I get my first check.
Maybe something with Nick? Would that already make me a bad guardian if I take my 16-year-old brother for matching tattoos? Yeah- it probably would be frowned upon.
The boys start sparring- jabbing and blocking, bobbing and weaving, headlocks and rolling around. Saying I’m amazed at the strength they exude, and the sheer size of their bodies, would be a drastic understatement.
Lost in wonderment, I don’t even hear Brayden sneak up on me until he clears his throat to announce his presence. Of course, I jump. Which earns me a laugh from Brayden, at my expense. Yet again.
“Come-on Abbykins, we have an hour before we have to be at the mall. Go hop in the shower.” He says giving me a warm smile that I can only describe as one from brotherly affection. Nick gives me the same smile.
