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PART TWO

Author's Note

*** Hi, loves! So, this is the second part of this story, and if you read my previous note, I mentioned that the points of view will shift. Sadly, there will be no more insights to Shane's and Jace's thoughts, though they will still appear. ***

*Nolan's POV*

"I'm glad you're okay. We could've lost you," my brother told me as he drove me back home from the hospital. I looked at him from where I sat in the passenger's seat, holding onto my seatbelt. "Mom and I still have a hard time believing the whole thing was accidental."

He stole a quick glance at me before focusing on the road, driving steadily for my sake. I just swallowed, not responding. I could talk a little bit now, but I decided to

use the whole stomach pumping treatment to my advantage and put off this conversation until I was prepared for it.

So I remained silent.

Justin sighed heavily. "We love you. And we'd be devastated if something were to happen to you. There's no way in hell we're not gonna talk about this because

Mom wants some answers and so do I. If you aren't ready, we'll give you plenty of time. Just know that... the decisions you make don't affect just you. You know that. You're pretty darn mature for your age, so I don't have to tell you."

I continued to stare out the windshield, watching other cars cautiously.

"I'm sorry if you think I'm controlling you or bossing you around," Justin apologized after a few moments of silence. "I just want the absolute best because you deserve exactly that. If I'm being bossy, just tell me. I'll lay off a bit, I promise." He placed a caring hand over mine and sighed once again. "Can I tell you something?"

I nodded, knowing he saw it. He released my hand.

"I think I know why you're afraid of being in a car, or driving, or just being on the road in general."

I raised an eyebrow. Because of the nature of Dawn's death, I wanted to reply.

"I understand your girlfriend was in an accident three years ago, but I feel like there was another underlying cause."

I frowned, my curiosity building. My stare at him intensified, wanting him to just spit it out.

"But it's probably best if I tell you when I'm not driving because it's, um, it's serious."

"Way to make me feel calm," I mumbled, crossing my arms. He chuckled.

"I'm sorry, what was that? Your voice?" there was a large triumphant grin on his face. I smiled. "Nolan, I don't think you realize how many people really love you."

I bit my lip. "Then you should know that um..." my scratchy voice trailed off as I saw all the cars parked outside of our home. "What's going on?"

"I want you to see for yourself," came Justin's reply. He came to a stop and I wasted no time in getting out of that suffocating car. Clutching my stomach, I walked up the few steps leading to the front door and anxiously waited for Justin to come open it.

He sent me a comforting smile and unlocked the door. Opening the door, I was greeted with a wave of friends beaming towards me. "Welcome home!" they cheered. I stood frozen where I was, Justin clapping my back.

"They care about you, in case you forgot."

I blushed, scanning my friends to find Jace, Shane, the football team, Elaine and our friends, and my mother at the center of it all. There was a banner hung up that read, "Welcome back" and it made me smile.

At the far back, near our family pictures display, was a man I didn't recognize.

Creepy, but I just shrugged it off.

"Aww, my baby!" Mom rushed over to me and embraced me.

"Ew. He probably didn't shower and he's been wearing those hideous hospital gowns for two days with his ass sticking out of it."

I knew that voice anywhere. I turned and saw Tyler clutching Darren's arm like a purse.

"Hey!" I managed to exclaim, hugging him. He patted my back.

"I mean, not that your ass isn't hot. Like, bubble butts are fun to squeeze," Ty added, slapping my ass. I gaped at him in total surprise and looked at Darren.

"Alright, you've had enough to drink." Darren snatched the wine out of his hands and apologized to me. He kissed Tyler's cheek and dragged him off.

The little welcome party kicked off again, and I was happy to say, I felt the warmth of love. I may not have that special someone to call my own, but I had people who cared

about me. That was what I needed, especially now.

"Told you there'd be a party," Jace said, coming up to me with a cup of punch.

I turned around and smiled. "Hi, Jace."

He handed me the cup and I took it. "I'm glad you're home. I am - and everyone in this room is here for you."

"I know."

"And you're not a burden. To anybody. You're my brother, and I want you to be happy. I was wrong for trying to take so much control."

I smiled, and so did he. "So, you and Shane are, um..." I began. He nodded, fighting a bigger smile.

"We're together again, yes. We belong together, Nolan. There's no point in denying that."

"Like I told you a whole year ago." I chuckled, burying my heart ache. "Hey, so who's that mysterious looking guy lurking in the background that I don't know?"

Jace laughed. "That's one way to put it. I was talking to him and his name's Asher. He's your brother's friend, actually. They met through Kalani."

"Oh, yeah. My brother proposed to her."

"I heard. She's one sexy Hawaiian lady. Not that I'm attracted to her or anything! I'm as gay as gay can be."

I burst out laughing. "Where's the Jace I used to know?"

He grinned and added, "I thought I'd at least be bi but..." he shrugged. "Doesn't mean I can't tell when a lady's sexy or not."

"Um, who's sexy?" Shane joined our conversation, standing beside Jace. I could just see how they seemed to gravitate towards each other, as they leaned a bit closer and their arms touched.

Jace's cheeks grew red. "N-no one, we were um..."

"Kalani, Justin's fiancée."

"You're way sexier, though," Jace innocently told Shane, who smirked and focused his attention to me.

"I'm gonna go meet up with the guys," I informed.

Jace made a face. "Those idiots. Yeah, some of us still don't get along."

I gave him an understanding look. I remember when Jace was still hiding his relationship with Shane, and how the football team were a bit mean to him. He had made amends with Kaleb, but that was about it.

"Well, now's the time to fix your friendships," I advised.

Jace sighed. "Sounds like what your brother told me. I guess you're right." He lightly punched my arm. "I swear, if you scare me like that again, I'll be putting you in the hospital."

I chuckled. "Alright."

I met up with Elaine and my friends on the football team. I wanted to go get another drink, but on my way to the kitchen, the guy I didn't know - Asher, stopped me.

"Hi. Didn't get to meet the center of the party yet." He sent me a dimpled smile.

"Oh, right. I'm Nolan."

"Asher."

It felt better being able to hear him say his name, not someone else. My eyes were drawn to his grayish blue ones, and he had a piercing stare.

"Well, I'm your brother's friend. We've known each other for quite a while actually, and he talks about you often."

"He's like my dad, you know. Doesn't really want me to grow up and all."

Asher nodded and gestured towards the wall picture display. "I've been looking at them, as weird as that sounds. There's a ton of them. In a way, I feel like I've met

you already." He pointed at one picture, when I had turned seventeen earlier this year. "I noticed that they seem to go in order of age. But your four-year old picture isn't there."

"I don't know why to be honest. I've asked, but Mom was dismissive about it. Anyway, I'm 17. You?"

"Twenty-three. So, can I get you a drink? I think that's what you were going for."

I smiled. "Yeah, sure." I followed him into the kitchen and watched as he poured a cup full of punch for me, then gave it to me. "Thanks." I sipped it. "So, you're 23. Are you a lawyer like Justin?"

"Real estate agent, actually."

"Oh, that's pretty cool." I smirked. "Are you engaged like him, too?"

Asher laughed. "No. That's harder than it seems, to be honest."

"What? I mean, if you really love her, it shouldn't be hard proposing. Just buy her a fancy ring, and all attention will be off of you and on that ring."

Asher's smile widened. "No, um... there isn't anyone right now."

My face fell. "Oh. Sorry. Someone will come around. You're handsome and nice. I almost thought you were a model."

He raised an eyebrow and my face heated up in embarrassment. "Sorry."

"No, no." he chuckled. "Thank you."

I stuck to sipping my punch, slowly so that I wouldn't irritate my throat. It felt like just about anything would make me puke.

"It's nice to have people who care so much about you," Asher stated, looking out towards my friends. "If I were to have a welcome home party, probably only three people would show up."

"Why's that?"

He faced me once again then shook his head. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sadden the mood. You should go hang out with your friends."

I gripped my cup. "They're already my friends and I see them about five days a week. I'd like to make new ones."

Asher looked uneasy as he glanced at the countertop. "I shouldn't have... I don't think we can be friends, Nolan, but it really was nice to finally meet you. I'm gonna go find your brother."

"Asher-"

"Excuse me." He moved past me and back into the living room.

***

"Baby, you really should get some rest," Mom told me. "Don't worry. Asher offered to help your brother and I clean up."

"I wanna help, Mom." I wet the small towel and began to wipe down the counters. Mom threw her hands up in defeat.

"He never listens to me!" she complained to Justin, her voice going to a higher pitch. It made him laugh.

I saw Asher throwing some littered cups into a black bag, minding his business as Mom went to aid him.

"So how exactly did you guys meet?" I quietly asked Justin as he dried the dishes he'd washed.

"Who, Asher and I? Oh, well, he's known Kalani forever, I guess, and we met like months ago. He just hasn't come over until recently. Why?"

I shook my head. "Just wondering. We talked a little today and he thinks that being my friend isn't a good idea."

"Well, if I'm an obstacle to your friendship, please don't see it that way. I honestly don't mind. I think it'd be cool."

"No, I don't think it's you. Maybe because I'm some dumb high school kid -"

"Hey, you are not dumb. You're a good person, and anyone would be lucky to be your friend. Okay?"

I stopped wiping the counter to look at my brother. Nodding slowly, I replied, "Okay."

"You hesitated. Don't you think so? Today was supposed to prove how many people care about you, love you, and appreciate you."

"I know, it's just..."

Justin paused. "Nolan?"

"Sometimes I feel like people are just sorry for me," I confessed. He wanted to respond, but Asher appeared almost out of nowhere.

"Hey, Justin. I gotta head home."

"Oh, right. I'll walk you out."

Justin cleaned up his hands and followed Asher. I huffed and dried the last dish, then turned off the kitchen light.

I was pretty tired, and obviously out of it because I hadn't realized that I ended up in my brother's room until I turned on the light.

I was taken by surprise. I guess it may be a stereotype that lawyers were neat and organized individuals, but my brother could honestly be a mess sometimes. So when I saw his room was practically tidied up and spotless, I was speechless.

Maybe Kalani had to do with this. You certainly didn't want to make your significant other thing you were a hot mess, but she rarely even came over. Had I missed

something since I'd been gone?

I walked over to his bed, but didn't sit, afraid I'd cause wrinkles. A white card caught my eye, on his bedside stand, so I picked it up. Studying its printed black letters, I saw Asher's name on it, his position, place of business, his number, and his email.

I replaced the card and headed out of his room, turning off the light before I went.

When I entered the room, my eyes were immediately drawn to the medication on the stand next to my bed. I ignored it and slipped into bed, letting the exhaustion of the day lure me into an unsatisfying and unfulfilling sleep.

*******

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