I walked down the stairs to find the kitchen and living room empty, which was a little weird for the Barnes family on a Friday morning. Dad had already gone to work by now but the boys were normally up and getting breakfast by now. I opened the cabinet and grabbed a bowl and a box of cereal from the pantry. I poured the cereal into the bowl.

I heard someone walk down the stairs and turned to see it was carter. I made my way to the fridge to get milk.

"Good morning" I said cheerily to Carter.

He didn't say anything and walked to the fridge at the same time I did. Just as I reached out to grab the milk, he swiped it and took a swig out of the milk. He screwed the lid back on and put it back in the fridge.

"Excuse me, you did not just do that Carter Maverick." I glared at him.

"I didn't do anything" He grumbled and started to make some toast.

"You literally just drank out of the milk I was just about to grab" I tried to stay calm.

He shrugged and continued to make his toast. I snatched the toast out of his hands and took a bite out of it. He looked at me like I had grown another head.

"What the hell is your problem?" He growled at me.

"What is my problem? What is YOUR problem? I haven't done anything wrong and you come in acting all grumpy and stole the milk from me." I snapped.

"I can think of a few things you've done wrong" He grumbled.

"Oh yeah? Name one" I challenged with my arms crossed as I gave him a look.

"You're dating my best friend, that I specifically told you not to date."

I groaned and threw my head back. "That's what you're upset about? Carter, Will and I are dating, deal with it. He likes me and I like him, the only problem is you. I don't see you getting all mad at Will about this. So leave me alone"

I was about to take my bowl of cereal upstairs to eat in my room. Carter had successfully pissed me off.

"It's not just that, Cora. The night you and Will went on your first date you said that Will makes you feel more special than you have felt since Mom left. What's wrong with us, huh? Your family? We try so hard for you. We know that it still bothers you and we try to make you feel special. Our lives revolve around you, because we care. All it takes is Will and suddenly he makes you feel like everything is perfect again" He said in a softer tone.

I turned around and almost dropped my bowl. "That's what it is? Car, I'm sorry about that. You know you and the boys make me feel like the most important girl in the world. I'm really grateful for that, I really am, but whenever I'm with you I think about how things used to be when Mom was around. When I'm with Will, all my thoughts are about him and with him" I set my bowl on the counter next to me.

"And I'm sorry if I ever made you or anyone else in the family feel like they treat me bad or I don't want to be around them or anything like that. It's just that some memories are best kept hidden." Tears started to brim my eyes.

"Coco, we love you and we don't necessarily like having those memories either, but we're a family and if one of us is hurting we all are. I know it seems like we've moved on by now and that we should. I mean it's been ten years, you'd figure we would by now, but I can guarantee that everyone thinks about it sometimes and we all hate it. We're a family and we stick together and I'm sorry I've been such a shitty brother" He said, his voice thick.

"You are not a shitty brother" I choked out a laugh and wrapped my arms around him. "I love you Car"

"I love you too Coco" He said and squeezed me tight before placing a kiss on my head. "It's too early for this shit and I'm hungry" he pushed away from me and turned to his bitten piece of toast and started to make another one.

"There's the Carter Barnes I know and love" I teased and took a seat at the counter and ate my cereal.

The other boys came in and grabbed Pop Tarts a little bit later. "So what's everyone's plans for today?" I asked. Of course I knew they had football practice, but I wondered what was happening after that.

"Football" Coop shrugged.

"I'm taking Lena to therapy." Connor said. We all looked at him for clarification. "After she told her parents what happened, they agreed that she could go to a new school if she went to therapy. Cole is beside himself because he can't go, but I promised him I'd take her"

"So is Cole okay with the two of you dating?" I asked.

"Yeah he's cool. He knows I'm better than the last douchebag and trusts me." he shrugged.

I really wanted to do something tonight with everybody. It's the end of summer, school starts in a week and I wanted to hang out at least one more time before school starts.

"Will said something about a movie night in the park. The whole town pretty much comes and watches a movie in the park. I think they're playing a dog movie" Carter suggested.

"Is everyone going?" I asked.

"Yeah, I think all the guys are. You could ask Remi and Lena, if they want to come too. The movie won't start until it's dark enough to see the screen." he answered.

I nodded happily. Now I have all day to wait and do nothing. "I think I'm gonna go to practice with y'all. Not going to work out today, though."

***

"Wow, I'm exhausted" Will sighed and sat next to me.

I giggled. "Don't let my dad hear you say that. Go get in the shower and we can hang out at my house with Bandit."

"I'll agree with that statement" He smiled over at me. He kissed me and I ran my hand through his sweaty head of hair.

"You taste like sweat, go shower" I pushed him off the bench.

"See you in a minute, sunshine" he smiled and made his way to the locker rooms.

Dad sat next to me a second later. "Hey Coco"

"Hey dad" I said and laid my head on his shoulder. "Will's coming over, is that okay?" I asked.

"As long as I don't have to see you lip lock the entire time like you were a few seconds ago and if you stay in your room, keep the door open" He said.

"Dad!" I whined and playfully shoved his shoulder.

He laughed. "What? It's true" He threw his hands up in defense. "Harper and Skylar are coming over too"

I crossed my arms and stuck my tongue out at him. "Hypocrite" I grumbled.

He gasped and his jaw dropped. "What did you just call me?" He was appalled.

"Nothing" I giggled. "I don't know what you're talking about" I tried to keep a straight face but a smile found its way to my face and my lips curled up in happiness. I tried to scooch away from him down the bench.

"I don't think so" He smirked and grabbed me and began to tickle my sides.

"No! Dad!" I squealed and tried to squirm out of his grip. "Stop!" I laughed and I couldn't breathe.

"Coach" Someone called from the locker rooms.

Dad sighed and stopped tickling me. He stood up and I took the opportunity to jump on his back. He shook his head and laughed but still supported my legs and carried me away. He dropped me off when he saw Will waiting for me at the doors of the locker room.

"Bye, Dad. I'll see you at home" I kissed his cheek and went with Will.

"Bye Coco" He called after me.

We started walking to Will's car. "Race you" He said before we both started running to his truck. He made it there first and I pouted as we got into the truck. We buckled and he started the car.

"Aw are you pouting?" He teased and leaned over the center console where his face was inches away from mine. I wasn't sure how his seat belt allowed him to move so close.

"Yes" I pouted and crossed my arms. I was facing forward. If I were to turn my head left, my face would be almost against his.

He turned my head to face him and crashed his lips into mine. I kissed him back for a second before we both pulled away.

"That make you happy?" He teased.

I shook my head and smirked a little. "Maybe you should try again"

He kissed me again and pulled back.

"That's better" I giggled.

He shook his head and started to back out of the parking lot. He drove me home and when we got there nobody was there. Dad and the boys still hadn't got back from practice. Bandit greeted us as we walked into the house.

"Look Bandy, I brought your dad" I said as I reached down and pet his head as I do every time I come home.

"Hey buddy" Will said and pet Bandit.

"Come on, we have the house to ourselves for a little bit" I smirked and dragged Will to the living room.

"And what did you have in mind?" He asked.

I shrugged "Nothing in particular" I reached up and kissed him.

He happily kissed me back and picked me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist and he sat down on the couch. I adjusted my body to where I straddled him. My hands went his hair and his stayed planted on my lower back, rubbing circles. He licked my bottom lip for entrance to my mouth, which I gave him.

He reached one hand up and cupped my cheek. He used this to pull me closer to him. He broke our lips and attached them to my neck as they left wet kisses. I moved my neck to give him more access. He trailed the kisses all the way down to my collarbone. I suppressed a moan as he began sucking, leaving a sensation I have never felt before. It felt amazing.

"Will-" I tried to stop him but my body enjoyed the trail of burning skin he left as he moved to the other side of my neck. I played with his blonde locks as he played with my neck.

I moaned as he got to a sensitive area. He began his hickey process one more time. His hands traveled to my thighs as he gently rubbed them.

"Will, my dad will be home soon" I warned him.

"I don't care" He mumbled against my skin. I loved the feeling of his lips against my skin.

"Then kiss me again" I mumbled. He brought his lips back to meet mine.

The door opened causing me to jump off of Will and sit next to him. He threw his arm over my shoulders, successfully hiding my hickeys.

"Hey kiddo, what have y'all been up to?" Dad asked as he walked further into the house.

"Not much, we barely just got here. We were playing with Bandit for a minute" I said the first thing that came to my mind. Bandit's head popped up from the middle of the living room at the mention of his name.

He nodded like he actually believed me. "Mhm, that's why your lips are red and there are hickeys on your neck."

Will and I both opened our mouths to defend ourselves. Dad cut us off with his hands.

"You are both old enough to make your own decisions, but be safe. If you hurt my daughter or I find out your pressuring her into something she's not ready for, I think you can imagine what's going to happen to you"

"I would never do that, Coach. I respect and care about your daughter and I couldn't live with myself if I did something to hurt her" Will said.

"Don't worry, Will, I trust you more than any guy I know. It's just a warning, son" He said before walking upstairs to his room.

I stood up and reached my hand for Will to grab. He took it and stood up from the couch. "Let's go to my room" I said. "We can watch a movie or something"

Will and I stayed in my room and watched The Blind Side. He stayed until I had to get dressed for the movie. I changed into a pair of comfortable denim shorts and Will's hoodie, that I stole from him. I made sure to cover my hickeys before we left, even though the hoodie covers them. I wanted to be safe.

"Hey, that's mine" He pointed at the hoodie.

I laughed. "Your point?"

"Don't worry it looks better on you anyway." He kissed me gently and we headed downstairs.

The boys were in the kitchen popping popcorn for the movie. I think it's bring your own snacks and beverage. This is a community thing and I'm kind of excited.

We got everything and headed out to the cars. I was with Will. We headed to the park. Everyone else was going to meet us there. Remi and Lena are coming together and I guess the rest of the boys are either coming together or with their families.

The park was packed with people and their blankets and some even brought pillows. Kids were running around and playing while they waited for the movie to start.

"Hey guys" Will said to Darren and Sam. They were not shockingly together with Sam's family. Each of them had a kid on their shoulders.

"Hey" They answered.

"Can we go play?" Aubrey asked Sam as she bent down to see his face.

"Wanda?" He questioned. She nodded and the two ran off to play with their friends at the park. "Can I go with Cora and Will?" He asked her again.

Wanda smiled over at him and us. "Of course you can, go be with your friends"

He kissed her cheek and we went to find the rest of the guys. We found a spot big enough for all of us. Harper and Skylar were here with Dad but they were sitting somewhere else.

The guys all showed up and the girls as well. We all sat together and talked before the movie started.

"Look, the movie's starting" Remi called and everyone around us noticed it as well.

It turned out the movie was A Dog's Purpose. I've seen the movie a couple times and I loved it.

The movie played and we were all sitting comfortably.

"I never want to stop making memories with you" Will whispered as I laid my head on his chest.

"Good because you're not allowed to" I smiled at him.

"And that's perfectly fine with me" He kissed my head and squeezed his arm around me.

I smiled in content and put my eyes back on the screen. We had one week until school started. I can't wait, but I'm also terrified. I don't even know what to expect. I've been to a big school my whole life. All I know is I have the best people with me through it all.