"He acts so differently around you," Rex says with his eyes focused on the road. "He's happier, smiling which is weird."

"Yeah. He has his days."

"How do you feel about him?" Taylor asks.

"He's cool."

"So you'll be staying with him?" Rex asks.

"Yeah. I don't want my dads to see the bruises just yet." I was an awful daughter for not going to them about this but I just didn't want them to see me with dark purple bruises covering my cheek and around my eyes.

"Okay. If he hurts you call one of us."

"I'm pretty sure he won't and if he does I will."

We got to the twin's house and I ran into Kylie's room.

She was a mess. Her eyes were swollen, her eyes were really red. Basically identical to my current features as well.

"Kylie." I whispered and she jumped up.

"Brynn." She said and got up and went to hug me.

"Gentle. She has bruises." Rex warner her.

"I'm so sorry." She whispered. "Are you okay?

I nod my head, not wanting to say much. I know she feels guilty, I would too. We have the whole we protect each other thing, especially when going to parties. It's not her fault for having fun.

"I didn't know. I turned around and you were gone."

"You were drunk." I pointed out.

"I don't care if I was drunk or not. I could've-- I don't know dude." She starts crying again. "I hate him, I want to kill him so badly." I teared up trying my best to not replay anything from last night.

"So do I."

"I love you Brynn, I wish I could take all of this pain from you."

"It's fine. I'll be okay." We jumped when we heard a door slam.

"Kyle." Rex said.

"Do you know where she's staying? I need to see her." Kyle's voice boomed through the whole house. You can tell that's he is angry.

"I'm right here." I moved so he can see me. His face soften. He ran over and hugged me gently.

"You're okay?" He asks me.

"I'm okay."

"I was worried."

"I know. You beat him up?" I asked.

"After I saw you like that I just saw red. When I saw him I just wanted blood and I beat him and then I ran away because I— I just needed to." He cries into my shoulder. "You're okay?"

"It's okay, I'm okay." I rubbed his back as he did the same to me.

"Those bruises say otherwise."

"Yeah they hurt but I'll be okay."

"How are you so positive?" Rex asks.

"I'm not sure. Issac taught me no matter what I go through always keep my head up high and always think positive even when it's hard. In the end, good people win. I'm trying my best."

"I need to go see him for a life lesson." Rex says.

"Yes, you do," I said and we all chuckled.

"Where are you staying?" Kylie asks.

"With Jax Monroe."

"Don't let him play you." Kyle warns.

"Wasn't planning on it."

"He's seen you naked. He probably took pictures to blackmail you into sleeping with him." Kyle tells me. Rex and Taylor roll their eyes knowing Kyle always thinks the worst.

I get what he is trying to say, it may have came out a bit harsh but I understand his need to be overprotective. I was his second sister.

"He saw me half naked after Brax did you know what. His mom gave me a shower last night and I was half awake so I knew what was going on. You know he's got a reason for acting the way he does."

"And what's that reason?" They all ask.

"That's not my place to tell." I told them and they rolled their eyes. "Oh shush you'll live."

I spent a couple more hours with them before I drove back to Jax's house. I took the keys and opened the door.

I heard a bunch of giggles and laughter coming from upstairs.

I walked up slowly and peeked in Journey's room. She turns around when she notices me and wobbles towards me. I picked her up and kissed her cheek.

"Hey pretty girl." I hugged her before putting her down.

"If you want you could sleep in the guest room or my room?" Jax asks nervously scratching the back of his neck.

"Can I still cuddle with Journey?" I asked with a little grin.

"Of course." He smiles showing his deep dimples. That's where Journey gets it from.

"I'm gonna go shower." I told him and he nods. I went into his room to grab my bag and went into the bathroom which was huge.

It was clean white tiles, white walls, a bathtub and a shower, two sinks and a toilet. It had a glass chandelier and it was gorgeous.

I got out a hoodie and my nike pros.

I took off Jax's cloths and put it to the side. I looked at my body in the mirror and just felt disgusted.

I had a bruise on my jaw, my right cheek and eyes, and 2 on each side of my ribs. I felt a tear slide down and I wiped it away.

I got in the shower and used the body wash, shampoo and conditioner Taylor put in my bag.

I got out, did my skincare, and put on my clothes. I wrapped my hair in the towel and walked out and back into Jax's room.

He had a movie playing while Journey laid on his bare chest. She saw me and got up and sat on his stomach.

"Hey." I smiled and sat next to her. She crawled and sat on my lap and leaned on my chest.

"She gets so excited to see you. That rarely happens with her." He told me.

"She is so precious." I said rubbing her back. "Protect her at all costs."

He nods. "I will." His hands go up and knocks my towel down causing my hair to fall out.

"Excuse you," I said looking at him.

"You'll live." He chuckles.

"You should brush my hair." I said giving him a cheesy smile.

I have no strength to do it right now. My wavy hair is a lot to take care of and it's literally the last thing I care about at the moment.

"You have a comb?" He asks and I nod.

"It's in my bag."

He walks out and walks in with the whole bag. He gets the comb and starts brushing my hair gently.

After he is done we're called for dinner. During dinner, Ms. Moore tells me embarrassing stories of Jax when he was younger. It was entertaining for me but not so much for him.

After dinner, we just watched Criminal Minds and fell asleep.

published: March 11th, 2020