Chapter 3

“No way, I hate your little wimp of a boyfriend.” Drew says definitively with a straight face.

My own drops in disappointment as I follow him around the apartment.

"What? Since when?"

Drew shrugged, finding his sneakers under the coffee table and sitting on the couch to pull them on. "Since always. I only tolerate him because he seems harmless and you like him."

He stood up, his expression unchanged. "But he's still a hormonal crazed teen boy, and there's no way I'm letting you go to a party with him at his house in the middle of the night."

I open my mouth in shock and then shut it again. Dang it. So I guess Marshall was right.

"Drew, you can't do this!" I whined, feeling a surge of frustration.

Drew walked by me. "Actually, I can. I’m your legal guardian, Mia.” He speaks, his words filled with authority.

I let out a loud groan and stomp my foot, but he doesn’t even flinch.

It’s almost comical how the tables have suddenly shifted and now I have to look at my older brother who only has three years on me like a father figure.

He stops by Hayden’s bedroom door and pounds on it. “Stop fixing your hair, Hayde, we gotta go or we’ll be late.”

Seconds later, Hayden walks out and his shoulder length blonde hair is tied in a man bun that actually makes him look kind of cute. Well kind of cute if he didn’t have such a rugged physique. The muscle shirt he adorns put his ripped arms out on display for everyone to see and he definitely looks like the kind of guy who goes to the gym four times a week.

They’re all gym rats; Drew, Scott and Hayden but Hayden is definitely the largest of the three.

"Why are you yelling?" Hayden asks impatiently as he grabs a water bottle from his backpack and gulps some down. His blue eyes land on me, and he raises a curious brow. "Why's our little princess mad?"

I pout, sinking down onto the couch and crossing my arms over my chest. "Drew won't let me go to a party at my boyfriend's house tonight."

Hayden's expression turns thoughtful as he glances at Drew. "You mean Marshall? I've never liked that kid."

I look at him incredulously wondering how they all could hate Marshall when they’ve only met him a handful of times. He’s the perfect and sweetest boy on the planet. How could they not like him?

"Everyone's literally gonna be there, and I'll be the loser girl who's forced to stay home by my lame big brother.” I whine knowing very well how childish I sound.

But I can’t even pretend to mask my frustration and disappointment.

Drew rolls his eyes. “Yeah and your lame big brother isn’t changing his mind.”

I turn to Hayden, my eyes pleading. “Hayden, help, please.” I whine.

Hayden shrugs and gives me a sympathetic look. "Sorry, M. Drew's the boss."

I let out a frustrated groan. "Arg! I hate you!" I yell even though I know Drew won’t really take my outburst seriously.

He smiled unapologetically.

"And I don't care as long as you're safe.” Drew speaks, his tone firm but laced with amusement. He walks over and plants a kiss on my forehead. “See you later kid. We're off to work. Scott will be back from his shift soon to watch you. You two can order pizza and make him watch Barbie a movie or something. Doesn't that sound fun?" His tone is mocking, and I fight the urge to scream that I’m not twelve anymore.

“See you, M!” Hayden calls out as he shuts the door behind him.