“No,” I breathe out, disappointed that it even has to be this way with them.

“That’s too bad,” he says as he grips my shoulder. “You seem like a stand-up guy.”

I shift my attention down to see Mark pulling into the driveway, I respond to Ben’s statement, as I watch Mark getting out of the car. “I really appreciate that.”

When Mark walks into the house, Ben claps his hand on my shoulder, saying, “Let’s finish this up, son. I’m starving and ready to get out of this snow.”

He stands and tosses his bottle down onto the snow-covered front yard. Hearing him call me son was all I needed. Whether it’s just a figure of speech he uses freely, or it was meant with more intent, it felt accepting. No shame. No embarrassment. No fear. No opposition. He gets it.

“You coming?” he says, and I nod before tossing my bottle down as well.

After watching a movie huddled under blankets with Mark and his sisters, I helped Andrea out in the kitchen, getting dinner together. I took care of the steaks and the scalloped potatoes while she made a salad and also worked on a couple of piecrusts for Thanksgiving. I feel as if I have been coming over to this house for years. Comfortable.

Finishing dinner, Mark and I decide to go lie down before we head out for the night. The quietness is short-lived when his sisters barge in and are ready to go.

As we walk through the living room, Andrea says, “Seriously, don’t stay out all night,” as the four of us leave.

“Trust me, we won’t,” Mark tells her. He and I are completely worn out from getting all the lights on the house earlier today.

Sliding into the front seat with Mark, his sisters pile into the back, both buried in their cell phones.

“How long are you guys wanting to stay?” Mark asks as he drives down the slick road.

“Long enough for Erin to suck on Travis’ face,” Emily laughs out.

“I don’t need to hear that crap,” Mark says in clear disgust.

“Oh, whatever,” Erin says.

The three of them continue to bicker until we finally pull up to the large, two-story house with a wrap-around drive. Cars flood the street, and when Mark parks, he turns around and says, “Two hours.”

Rolling their eyes at him, Emily tells him, “You’re such a pussy,” as both girls laugh.

When they get out of the car, he looks at me while I try not to laugh. “I’m not a pussy,” he tells me as if he needs to convince me of this fact.

Now I’m laughing at him when I hear my phone chime. I pull it out of my pocket and tell Mark, “It’s Candace.”

How’s your trip so far?

“What’s it say?” Mark asks, and I read it to him before typing out my response.

Good. Mark’s family is oddly great.

LOL! What’s that like? : )

Take it you’re not having a good time.

It actually hasn’t been too bad. Went shopping with mom, all the while bragging about how great her friend’s children are doing. As if I’m slumming it at UW.

“Is everything going okay?” Mark asks.

“I think so,” I mumble as I continue to text her.

Sorry. Just a couple more days.

I really miss you. I’m so happy for you though!

Thanks. I miss you too. Text if you need me.

I will. Love you!

Love you too.

“I think she’s just lonely,” I tell him as I shove my phone back into my pocket.

Smiling at me, he gives me a quick kiss before opening his door.

We walk into the crowded house and immediately spot his sisters, already drinking from their red plastic cups.

“They don’t waste any time,” I joke, and when I look over at Mark, he’s staring at me in disbelief.

“Dude, they’re only nineteen,” he says.

“Right. So you mean to tell me that you never had a drink your freshman year or sooner?”

“I just don’t want anything to happen,” he tells me.

It’s evident that he’s a bit protective over them. “Nothing’s gonna happen,” I assure him.

“Come on. If I’m stuck here with your broody ass, I’m drinking too.”

Walking back to the kitchen, I fill a couple of cups from the keg. I hand one over to Mark, and we walk back into the main room to keep an eye on the girls. Finding space on one of the couches, we take a seat and watch his sisters being loud and obnoxious, but clearly they’re the most entertaining thing at this party.

The music is loud and everyone screaming over it to hear each other speak is even louder.

Leaning back, I notice a guy across the room eying Mark. I don’t say anything when Mark leans over and asks, “So how are you feeling about everything now?”

I take a sip of the cheap beer and tell him, “You were right. I shouldn’t have been so worried.” He smiles at me, and I continue, “I’m just not used to this, that’s all.”

“Even before they knew?”

“Ever since Jace died, really. My family is just very different, but your parents are cool as hell. Your father surprised me.”

“How’s that?” he asks and then takes a drink from his cup.

“Just didn’t expect him to be so easy to talk to.”

He grins and slips his hand into mine, and I don’t even give a second thought to what anyone else in the room might think if they saw. I grip his hand tightly as I smile back at him. We make ourselves content, sitting there, watching his sisters every now and then.

I let my beer grow warm; I’m tired and not in the mood to drink. Scanning the room, I notice that same guy from earlier looking over at Mark and me.

Leaning in, I ask him, “Do you know that guy standing by the stairs? He keeps looking at you.”

“Shit,” he says under his breath when he spots the guy I’m talking about.

“What?”

Mark looks away from him and leans his head down, seeming annoyed. “I knew him back in high school.”

“And?” I prompt, wondering why he’s having a strong reaction to seeing him.

“I’ll tell you later, okay? Just not here,” he says, almost pleading in a way, which only sparks my curiosity. “I’m gonna go get another beer. You want one?”

“No, I’m good.”

Mark stands to head back into the kitchen, and I follow, needing to move around since I’m starting to get tired. He fills up his cup and when we turn to walk back out, we run into that same guy.

“Mark, hey,” he says hesitantly.

“What’s up, Carter?” Mark’s voice is drenched with irritation.

“Not much. Just home visiting my parents.”

Mark takes a sip of his beer and doesn’t respond. When a cute blonde hooks her arm through Carter’s, he looks down at her before looking back at Mark. “Oh, um, this is Valerie.”

“Val,” she clarifies as she reaches out to shake Mark’s hand.

When he doesn’t take it, I reach out my hand and say, “I’m Jase.”

Shifting her eyes to me, she says, “Oh, nice to meet you,” with a soft smile, probably sensing the same tension that I do.

I nod my head and notice Mark walking out of the room. “You too,” I tell her as I turn around to follow him. “What was that all about?” I ask, and when he turns to me he quietly says, “Don’t ask.”

I don’t. Whatever it is, it’s really bothering him, so I leave it alone.

“You’re fuckin’ kidding me,” he sighs out, and when I spot Erin dancing on top of a chair with a beer funnel in hand, I know it’s time to leave.