The Best Life

Chapter 4

 I woke up the next morning wrapped in Ethan's arms. I loved how safe he makes me feel. I wanted the world the swallow me up after everything that happened yesterday but waking up to him has made its not as bad. I won’t lie and say that I wasn’t sort of sad that Ethan wouldn’t have s*x with me but I also understood his reasoning. Since its Saturday and the beginning of spring break I wanted to do nothing but that was short lived when Kesha busted in the room and said we was going to the mall. My father wasn't in a rush for me to come home and I honestly was not in a rush to go home so that mall sounded like fun. We showered and got dressed and headed out. We took Ethan's car since it was just the four of us. Skye decided she didn't want to go with us and so she went home. Retail therapy was just what I needed. Well kind of. I did not really buy anything more I mostly looked. Kesha, however has the guys loaded down. "Ameris you haven't seen anything that you like?" "No not really and honestly I don't want to waste any money." I responded back. We had to make one last store stop on the way to the food court. Victoria Secret. Now I did spend a little more than I expected in here but a girl can have but so many pair of underwear. "Why not grab something for you to wear for Ethan?" Kesha asked me. "You know I do not feel comfortable in stuff like that." I tell her as she is looking through the teddies to find some thing for herself. I shake my head and continue to grab under cloths for myself. I also grabbed some body wash, lotion, body butter and spray. Once we finished we went out to meet the guys. We agreed that we needed to hit go by the car before going to get something to eat. Being that to food court was on the other side of the mall. After we went to the car I noticed that something was off. It felt like we was being watched. I know I can be paranoid but I know I wasn't the only one who felt it. I finally asked Ethan if he sensed someone was watching us and he just nodded it was almost as if he knew and was playing it cool for the sake of me and Kesha. As we were walking back toward that food court the guys seem to be looking around more and paying more attention to our surroundings. Once we got back in the mall Ethan and Mason made sure we stayed as close to them as possible. We were scared but I didn't say anything. When we made it to the food court we decided on Chick fil a and went and got in line. Our order was placed and we waited for our food. The guys had us order it to go. I was over being at the mall and at this point feeling like someone was watching us made me want to leave as fast as possible. After getting our food we head for the door. We was going to go back to Kesha house but we soon found out we were being followed. Ethan called Jazz and he had him bring us to his house. Jazz was outside when we pulled up so the people following us never stopped.Tonight the guys have to go to work and as much as I want Ethan to stay with me after today's events they have no choice. From my understanding they was able to get a decent picture of the license plate on the car that was following us so they are going to track down the owner and get some answers. Jazz decided that it would be best if we stayed at his house at least until they came back and then if we wanted to leave the guys would take us home. I loved Jazz house like I did dad's house. I have a room here too its just like my room at my dad's house only difference is I have just a shower here and not a bathtub as well as a shower. I am ok with that. Kesha has a room here to; honestly they treat her like she their sister as well. I decided to take a quick shower and get myself ready for the evening. Jazz's wife was home. Alexis but we all called her Lexi. She is like the big sister I never had. Growing up in a house of mainly males it sucked being the only girl there most of the time. After my shower I went to see what Kesha was doing and of course we decided that we could have a movie night and wait for the boys to come back. They should be leaving in a few minutes anyway. The sooner they left the sooner they would be back. They left and us ladies sat and watched movies, talked about the boy and Lexi finally got a chance to ask me how I was holding up. Honestly I missed the hell out of my brother but at that same time I know that he is coming home soon... I hoped anyway . I told her I was still processing it and then with everything that happened today it would take some time to get through it but I would. I told her I was glad to have such a loving support system especially my friends an family.

After a few movies and a lot of junk food and fighting sleep the guys finally made it in. It was a little after midnight. Jazz said it would be best if we all stayed at his house and honestly I couldn't agree more. We cleaned up downstairs while the guys showered and then us girls went up to bed. We all knew my father's rule about church so us girls knew we was t be there. They guys didn't really have to come unless they stayed at dad's house. Dad called and told us not to worry about church giving the circumstances. So we decided to all just hang around Jazz house for the day. The guys fired up the grill and we just chilled by the pool. Dad did tell me I needed to be home tonight so we could go and make funeral arrangements for Austin. I agreed and so that is where I m headed now. 

Today we are going to make funeral arrangements for my brother. My dad insisted that I come with them. I didn’t think I would have to be this active in planning his funeral but I was wrong. This has got to be the hardest thing I have ever done. Not to mention I know he is alive but my parents don’t. Jazz made me swear not to tell them the truth. What’s even more crazy is the guy in morgue looks just like Austin. He even has the same tattoo as Austin. I’m so confused.I wanted to ask Jazz so many questions as to how this person looked so much like Austin but Jazz ignored me. We settled on Friday for the service. That would give my dad's sister time to fly home. My grandmother was not one to play when it came to things like this and no matter who my aunt felt about my dad she still made sure to keep in touch with us kids even after her and dad had their falling out. Aunt Joy and dad fell out because after mom passed away dad had so many women in and out of our lives. She was concerned with the effect it would have on me seeing him with woman after woman. Dad didn't care though. That was until he met Janet. Janet didn't seem to want a relationship with just my dad she made it her business to get to know all of us individually. By the time Janet came along I wasn't interested in the love interest in my father's life. I knew it was a matter of time before she was gone. That was until they got so serious that she moved in and then they got engaged. Even after they got married I held on to the hope that my mom would come back and dad would leave Janet for her. One day I finally came to my senses and realized she wasn't coming back. I cried and when Janet found me she let me cry as long as I needed. She never tried to take my mom's place she just treated me like a child that needed to be loved. I began opening up to Janet and we began to build a bond. that was two years ago. Now I have to watch her and my dad go though this process of burring a child and my heart hurts for them. 

Once we got back home some people had came by to bring food and visit with my dad and Janet. Skye and Kesha came over and we just did our own thing. The boys have to work tonight but said they would see us at my dad's house. This is going to be one long week. I am over people being here already. 

The week was slowly flying by and today my aunt was arriving. Grandma had been at the house most of the week and it has been great having her here. Me and Ethan were in my room watching TV when the door opened and there stood my aunt. She looked like my dad. Did I mention that she was his twin sister? Yeah she is his twin. "My princess how are you?" She greeted my and engulfed me in a hug "I am here." "Who is this handsome young man?" "Aunt Joy this is Ethan, Ethan this is my aunt Joy." She  hugged Ethan and then me and her headed downstairs to talk. She was not happy that we were in my room with the door closed but my father assured her that nothing was going on with Ethan and I. What dad didn't know is that Ethan and I were dating and we were serious. After she lectured me about it she left to go check into her hotel room and we got ready for the wake.