Summer Entanglement (bxb)

Chapter 18

Tanner's P.O.V

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The smell of bacon in the air wafted into my nostrils, awakening me from my slumber. My eyes flutter open and a hum sounded in my throat. I tightened my arms around Charlie, nuzzling my face into his neck, planting soft kisses to gently wake him. His body squirmed a little before his gruff morning voice sounded.

"That tickles" he mumbled.

"Wakey wakey sleepyhead, smells like the rest of the house is up" I tell him lightly squeezing his hip. He groaned.

"Five more minutes" he whined making me chuckle.

"Fine, fine your majesty" I teased

"Damn straight"

"Well that's not quite accurate in our case" I joked and he snorted while turning to face me.

"You're sooo funny" he sarcastically said

"I think I'm hilarious"

"Yeah, hilariously stupid" he retorted and I mock gasped in offense.

"That hurts Charlie" I sniffled and he gave me a deadpan stare. I cracked a smile and he smiled back lightly pushing my head with his fingertips

"You know I don't mean it"

"I know" I beamed "Just regular sibling banter" I winked.

He then looked at me with such seriousness "I love you"

"I love you too" I replied while tucking strands of his hair behind his ear then placing a loving kiss to his lips. My phone began to ring so I blindly reached over to the nightstand.

"Hello?" I answered not looking at who called.

"Hey, T" Trey's voice came through the phone "How's Pennsylvania?"

"Good, we just got in last night"

"Nice so Mave was talking about his cousin acting all psychoatic, I feel bad for Charlie"

"Yeah, I'm hoping he never sees him again. Hell, I wouldn't mind ever seeing him again" I laughed.

"Yeah..." he trailed off.

"What's up?" I asked recognizing his tone as him wanting to talk about something serious. Charlie scooted closer to listen to the conversation as well.

"Well, while Mave was talking about how he talked to his cousin about backing off... he said Harrison mentioned something about Charlie.." Charlie gave me a look and I frowned.

"What about Charlie?"

"He said that Charlie might be into you" It was silent and Charlie was looking at me apologetically. I sighed and my inner debate on telling Trey was settled.

"Trey, can I tell you something?"

"Of course man"

"I don't know exactly how to say this but....Charlie and I are together"

Another pause of silence. I held my breath and Charlie grabbed my hand,giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"What do you mean together?" His voice filled with confusion.

"Like together together" I grimaced because I suck at this "We're boyfriends" I finally said to clear up any confusion he had left.

"Dude...hes your brother and I thought you were straight?"

"I know" I said quietly "It just sort of happened"

"Wow..." was all he said.

I cleared my throat "Are you okay with that?" I hesitantly asked.

"I thought he was going crazy thinking Charlie had a thing for you" he blurted, avoiding the question. A frown appeared on my face and my throat tightened.

"Trey?"

"I...I don't know man, that s**t's weird" he said with a hint of disgust in his voice. My face paled and my stomach dropped. His mom's voice yelled his name in the background. "I got to go"

"Wait, Trey"

"I'm not going to tell anyone..." he replied

"Thanks" I said quietly before the line went dead. I'm not one to get all emotional and sob about s**t, but I felt my eyes pool with unshed tears. This may have just ruined my friendship with my best friend of 12 years.

"Tan.." Charlie softly said, his hand coming up to cup my cheek. I know he's not to blame but I couldn't help but pull away from his hand. His face fell, hurt etching across his features and he reluctantly pulled his hand back.

"I just need a minute Char" I croaked and he silently nodded before getting out of the bed and rummaging through his bag for clothes. The soft click of the door indicated he had vacated the bedroom.

He was just trying to comfort you, It's not even his fault really. I scold myself, balling my fists. I rip the covers off and do a couple sets of push ups. Maybe I should go for a run too.

A knock comes from the door and I slump to the ground.

"Come in" I say, slightly forgetting I'm just in boxer briefs. Jace's head pops in through the small opening of the door.

"Hey" his quiet voice floated into the room. I grab shorts from my bag, standing away from his view and pulling them on quickly before facing him.

"Hey...let me guess, Charlie said something?" I asked and he shook his head.

"No, but he looked like a sad puppy and figured it had something to do with you when you weren't with him" he said after shutting the door. I sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed my face with my palms. I gave him the run down of the phone conversation and he nodded with a frown.

"I'm sorry. I would be devastated too if Matt did that but we don't know if Trey will end up accepting it in the end" he tried to be optimistic.

"You didn't hear the disgust in his voice" I sadly replied. He gave me a sympathetic look. "I lost Beth and now I may lose Trey" I shook my head.

"Well I mean losing Beth was probably for the better anyway..." he trailed off and I wanted to thump myself in the head for even thinking about that.

"I just mean, that losing people in the last month from shitty situations suck...not that the situation with Charlie is a shitty situation...." I winced from my word vomit "Gosh I sound like a grade A asshole" I groaned and he chuckled.

"No, no I think I understand what you are trying to say. You're disappointed about losing people who you thought cared about you"

"Yes, and I am grateful that breaking it off with Beth led me to where I am with Charlie" I said "But Trey, he's been my best friend for 12 years"

"Just know you have alot of friends and a boyfriend/brother who care about you right in this very house" he gave a small smile.

"I know. Thanks, Jace" I told him gratefully. It was true that I made more friends but there was still an ache in my chest from my best friend potentially disappearing from my life. "Will you send Charlie back up here?"

"Of course" he chirped before giving me a quick hug and skipping out of the room. I pinched the bridge of my nose thinking of what to say, then Charlie entered.

"Hey.." I said patting the space next to me. He sat down, body turned to me. "I'm sorry, I just needed a minute but I know I shouldn't have rejected the affection"

"It's fine Tan. I can respect that you needed a minute, it hurt yes but you needed to process the situation" I smiled gratefully at him.

"One of the many reasons why I love you. Very understanding" I took his hand. I then told him Jace and I's whole conversation. He scowled when I mentioned Beth but then I explained in Jace's better words why I grieved about losing her and he seemed to understand it.

"I am 1000% glad you broke it of with b***h-any..." he said and I chuckled "However, I hope you don't lose Trey" he added. Cupping the nape of his neck.

"We'll see but at least I have you" I told him sincerely and he gave me a wide smile before I pulled him into a kiss. He tasted tangy like orange juice. I hummed against his lips.

"Make up s*x?" He questioned.

"We weren't really fighting to have "make up s*x" though" I laughed and nipped at his bottom lip.

"Okayyyy well then do you just want to have s*x?" He asked bluntly. I shook my head with laughter and he pouted "Is that a no?"

"Nope"

"Good" he said before attacking me with a deep kiss.

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"Food's cold" Dakota said as soon as we made it down the stairs. Jace smacked his arm lightly with the back of his hand with a glare. "What? I was just saying" he mumbled

"We don't mind heating it up" Charlie reassured before making our way into the kitchen where little breakfast wraps were sitting on a pan. We placed four on a plate and microwaved them before eating them quickly and joining the two in the living room.

"Damon and Sebastian at work?" I asked as we plopped down on the couch. Jace and Dakota moved to the recliner next to the couch. Dakota's arms securely wrapped around Jace's waist.

"Yeah, their first day at their new jobs" Jace smiled.

"Nice, wish we could've wished them a good luck and good day" I said

"They were up early" he waved it off "but ill be sure to let them know" he said as he fished his phone out of his pocket. He tapped on his screen before setting aside.

"Ryder gone too?" I asked and Jace nodded. I finally looked at the TV screen and noticed they had '21 Jump Street' playing.

"Mmm Channing is fiiiiine" Charlie commented staring at the screen.

"Should I be jealous?" I chuckled

"Maybe" he winked at me, knocking his shoulder into mine.

We finished the movie before Jace asked us what we wanted to do for the day.

"Give us a tour of your hometown" I told him.

"Okie dokie, sounds like a plan. You joining us, Kota?" He turned and asked his brother.

"Nah, I'm going to head to Corrine's for a little bit and I'll pick up pizza for lunch" he told him.

"Okay" Jace replied, giving him a quick peck and hopping off his lap. We stood and followed him out of the door. He first led us to his High school. It looked like any old high school, big depressing brick building. He then took us to a*****e to buy lettuce then ushered us to a park where he told us he feeds the ducks on the bridge over a river. He broke off pieces of the lettuce head and gave us them, letting us join in on feeding the ducks that gathered around quaking and pecking up the lettuce from water's surface.

After the park we mosied over to a diner that he said served the best milkshakes in town. They were pretty good actually, just the right creamy, thick goodness with the good homemade whipped cream topping it *chefs kiss* perfection. By the time we made it back to Jace's, Matt's blue car was parked and he was sitting on the front steps looking deep in thought.

"Hey, Mattsy. How'd the ultrasound go?" Jace asked as we made our way through the front door. Matt sat on the floor of the living room and Jace sat down in front of him. Charlie and I gave each other odd looks before sitting down on the couch.

"Twins" Matt spoke quietly. All three of our mouths dropped open. Matt grabbed his phone from his pocket and showed us a recording of the Amber's first ultrasound. He said he had to get permission from the tech and she said it was fine so he recorded while she gooped up Amber's stomach and then when she found what she was looking for, she turned the screen to point out there were two babies in the womb. Then the phone fell and a loud thump sounded, the recording ended after Amber screamed Matt's name.

"You fainted?" I asked and he nodded with a grimace.

"Wow" Jace said "Could you see the genders?"

Matt shook his head "Usually not until 20 weeks"

"Sooooo, not to switch topics but does that mean you didn't talk to her about a break?" Charlie asked and I gave him a glare and he shrugged his shoulders.

"How could I after finding out that I'm not only having one but two kids now?" He exasperated.

"Well like I said, you shouldn't feel obligated to stay with her Matt, you can be in your babies lives while not being with their mother" Charlie said softly.

"I know but then I got to thinking..." he said and bit his lip.

"About what?" Jace questioned.

"Ryder and me" he sighed "I like him a lot...but im scared of screwing up what we already have, An unexpected and beautiful friendship like the one I have with you..." he said while looking at Jace "Except the difference is there is this undeniable attraction that makes me want to kiss him so bad but at the same time I don't-" The front door suddenly opened.

"Hey Kota" Jace yelled out

"-want to just kiss him to see if it's worth the risk losing what I had before" Matt finished. Then we looked up at the person who walked through the door, only to be met with Ryder. He was dressed in black jeans, riding jacket and his helmet under his arm and his facial expression stoic.

"I was in the neighborhood and seen you were here, figured I'd ask how the ultrasound went"

"Oh... uh we're having twins" Matt muttered getting up off the floor and walking toward him.

"Congratulations" Ryder replied.

"Thanks" Matt's voice was quiet.

"Your mom wanted to get together for dinner tonight" Ryder turned his attention to Jace. The front door opened again and this time it was Dakota with two boxes of pizza and wings from Pizza Hut.

"Hey, Ryder. Staying for lunch?" Dakota asked lifting the boxes in his hands.

"No, thank you. I was just leaving" he gave a smile before turning to Matt once again. His lips pressed quickly to Matt's and pulled away just as fast. "You don't have to risk anything" he simply said before turning to the door and opening it.

"Ry" Matt called, following him out the door. The silence in the room was loud.

"Well, I didn't see that one coming" Dakota commented before moving toward the kitchen " Come eat!" He called out. The front door opened and Matt crept back in the house slowly. He looked up at us and we all let out a soft and sad 'aww' as his eyes were glittered with unshed tears.

"Matt " Jace sadly said, getting up and hugging him.

"He didn't let me get a word in" Matt muttered.

"I mean it did sound kinda bad" Jace admitted with a frown. "Like you were talking about Amber and not your friendship with him"

"I know, I was trying to tell him but he wouldn't listen he just kept saying that it was fine and we were still friends and that's enough for him before he rode away" he sobbed. I looked at Charlie and jerked my head in the direction of the kitchen and he nodded in a silent agreement. We left the room for his privacy and met with Dakota in the kitchen who was munching on a wing. 

"Soda is in the fridge" he told us

"So what was that about?" he asked as we grabbed paper plates, picking out slices of pizza and some wings. 

"Ryder walked in when Matt was talking about how he didn't want to kiss him just to see if it was worth losing what they have already, except he didn't hear the didn't part and so it sounded like Matt just wanted to kiss him to see if it was worth it" I concluded.

"Well and the the fact of the 'worth itisking it' part could've been translated to his and Amber's current relationship was also a factor" Charlie added and I nodded pointing a finger in agreement since my mouth was full.

"Ahhh, I see" Dakota said as he sipped on a can of coke "Drama, gotta love it" 

Pshh, seriously. Reality show, I swear.