Chapter One

-Adalina's POV-

“Adalina come down here, we have a surprise for you!” Zarakai yells from downstairs. “ADALINA!” Zarakai yells again.

Ughhh. I groan as I roll over and grab my phone from the nightstand. It’s six o’clock in the damn morning on a Saturday. What kind of fucking surprise is there this early in the fucking morning?

I swear if I go downstairs and there is not something amazing waiting for me, I am going to beat Zarakai’s ass.

“Adalina, get your ass down here.” Zarakai yells again.

“I’m coming.” I scream back irritated.

Groaning I roll out of bed and slide my fuzzy slippers on. Glancing in the mirror I realize I look like a hot mess. My hair is the true definition of bed head, I’m still in my sleep clothes. A pair of short shorts and a tank top with no bra or panties.

Rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand I make my way out of my room and down the stairs towards the kitchen grumbling to myself the whole way.

The closer I get to the kitchen the louder everyone gets, my brother Zarakai, and his friends; Spencer, Tyler and Jace. I say friends but I practically grew up with them, they basically lived here when I was growing up. Now they are all thirty years old, and they really do live here.

After my mom and dad died, they left the house to my brother since he is twelve years older than me, he became my legal guardian. To help with bills and taking care of me my brothers four best friends moved into the house. They were always around anyway when I was growing up, so it didn’t really feel any different.

The house is huge so there was plenty of room for all of us. The house has six bedrooms, but the guys decided to turn one of the rooms into an in-house gym. They are all super into health and staying fit.

The guys all took turns finishing college, always leaving my brother and at least two of his friends here to take care of me. My brother was the last to finish college because I was his responsibility. Since I am now eighteen, soon to be nineteen, my brother is finally focused on his career.

My dad died when I was three and Zarakai was fifteen from lung cancer. I honestly don’t remember much about him, there are tons of pictures of him holding me, playing with me, and taking me to fun places. But honestly, I don’t remember any of it, so I am just glad to have the pictures. Sometimes I am jealous that Zarakai got fifteen years with him, and I wasn’t even old enough to remember him when he passed away.

It’s odd to me looking at the pictures, because Zarakai could pass as his identical twin. They were both tall, with dirty blonde hair, and the exact same dark blue eyes. Ironically my dad was a cancer doctor, and Zarakai decided he wanted to follow in his footsteps.

On the other hand, I could pass as my mom’s identical twin. I have the same naturally bleach blonde curly hair, and like my mom I keep it super long. My hair currently sits just above my ass, when I straighten my hair, it is just past my ass cheeks. I also have her beautiful light green eyes.

Unlike my dad, I remember everything about my mom from the way she smelt to the way she dipped her head back when she laughed. I didn’t get much more time with her but at least I got more than pictures to remember her goodbye.

Walking into the kitchen I am greeted with overly excited smiles and good mornings from my brother and my favorite men. I smile I love all of them so much. Going from guy to guy I kiss each one on the cheek and whisper my good mornings to them all including my brother.

Right as I am about to ask what the surprise, they were in such a hurry to give me was when I hear someone clear their throat from behind me, followed by a very familiar voice I freeze.

“Where is my good morning and kiss?” Austin asks with a chuckle.

My eyes widen in shock that was the last voice I expected or wanted to hear. Swirling around I look at him in disbelief. “A-Austin? When did you get home?” I ask stuttering.  

Austin is the last person I wanted to see, especially when I look like a damn mess. I don’t even have a bra or panties on right now. What the hell is he doing home?

Austin is my brother’s other best friend and my first love. He was also my first heart break. I had a crush on him ever since I was six years old. At such a young age it was just one of those puppy love things you get when you fall for someone older. But after I hit puberty, my feelings developed into something much deeper and stronger. I started looking at him in a more lustful way and things just got worse from there.

He also moved in after my mom died, but he has been gone for the last three years. Which lucky for me was great considering he broke my heart three years ago. Austin has been a pro football player for the Missouri Mastiffs for the past six years. He used to come home every chance he had, but after the incident three years ago he stopped coming home to see me. So, what the hell is he doing here now?

“I’m home for good now.” Austin said his smile growing bigger by the second.

Home for good? No, no, no, this can’t be happening. I am not mentally, or emotionally prepared for this.

“So, are you going to give me my proper good morning?” Austin asks playfully, his arms extended, waiting for a hug.

I stand there frozen, unable to move or respond. I feel the sting of tears creeping into my eyes, and I run out of the room. They are not going to see me cry. I refuse to cry in front of him, or any of them really. Tears stream down my face as I run as fast as I can out of the room and back up the stairs. Closing my bedroom door behind me I sink to the floor as tears flow freely.

Part of me knew he would come back eventually, but I never thought it would be today or really anytime soon. I don’t want him here. And now everyone probably thinks I am crazy.

Austin used to be my favorite person in the whole world, we were extremely close. Now I can’t stand the sight of him.

A soft knock on the door pulls me out of my thoughts. “Adalina, can I come in?” Jace asks through the door.

Taking a deep breath, I wipe my tears with my hands and stand up. “Come in.” I say choking through a sob.

Jace walks in, closing the door behind him. Without saying another word, he wraps me in his warm embrace. Rubbing the back of my head soothingly he holds me as I cry into his hard chest.

“Shh baby it’s okay.” Jace whispers as he continues to rub my hair.

Sniffling I hug him tighter trying to stop the tears falling. “W-why is he here?” I ask through the tears.

“He hurt his shoulder baby; his career is over. So, he is going to be around from now on.” Jace says quietly.

Unable to stop my crying Jace hugs me tighter as he slowly walks us towards my bed. The back of my knees hit the bed and I sit down. Sliding back on the bed I lay down and Jace lays down beside me. He pulls me close as I lay my head on his chest. Jace rubs my back as I cried continuously and at some point, I guess I fell asleep.