New Step Brother, New Family, New Life? Thanks for Nothing, Dad

McCartney's POV

"I still can't believe you lost! To Kris of all people, too!" Smokey whined, hanging upside down on the couch. Her face was starting to turn red from the blood rushing to her head. I find it strange that this was a normal position.

For both of us.

As I hung upside down, hair falling towards the ground, Alexandra stared at us like we were crazy. Which we kind of are. Oh well.

Anyway, Alexandra sighed in exasperation before replying, "I told you, he stole my weapon, cornered me and just pushed me off! Why does it matter anyway? It just means that boys are equal to girls."

"Oh whatever! Let's just get over this and get on with our lives," Josie commented, randomly laying on her back and throwing Smokey's bright yellow bouncy ball up in the air and catching it.

"Fine, fine," Smokey said grudgingly. We were in the entertainment room, apparently our prime hang out spot. I decided that since we don't talk about guys much, which I found strange for a group of girls, I wanted to.

"Soooo," I started, dragging the 'o' out long than normal. I flipped around and sat on the ground with my back to the couch. Smokey did the same, Josie sat up, and Alexandra sat by Smokey so our little group formed a small circle. "Anything to talk about?"

"Um...not really," Smokey said, staring at me like I was crazy. I shrugged and rolled my eyes.

"Just wondering how things are going with your boyfriends," I said with an innocent shrug. Josie laughed at my so obviously fake innocence.

"Trent and I are fine. He's perfect. You know, romantic, sweet, protective but not too clingy. Athletic and kind. Just really... great," Josie said in a sort of dreamlike fashion. Some how I found it kind of annoying. Probably because I didn't have a boyfriend. Maybe that's why we don't talk about this that often.

"Ethan's great too, just in case you all were wondering," Smokey said with a sort of smirk. "He's really been faithful too. I don't think I've see him so much as look at another girl since we got together. I guess I'm special to him or something like that."

"Wow, that's strange. It was only yesterday when he was going to parties and making out with everyone there," I commented. Smokey shot me a daggered glare and I smiled my innocent smile once again.

"Well that doesn't mean he will change back. I think he really likes you," Alexandra piped up, grinning mischievously at me. I rolled my eyes and tossed my hair back over my shoulder. So, Josie and Smokey were happy. That leaves Alex and me single.

"Well, I'm glad you guys are in such good relationships. Ethan and Trent and great guys," I said, making up for my earlier comments. "In the mean time, I think we need to make a fire in the Pit."

Ah, the Pit. Ever been to a bonfire party? Well the Pit is the perfect place for that. It's a hole in the ground about five-and-a-half feet in diameter, covered in ash surrounded by cement in a sort of homemade fire pit. A random assortment of lawn chairs, logs and old blankets surround the pit. Smokey and I made it a while back when we decided we wanted to host our own party. It's located at the far back of the pasture on the side nearest to the highway. There's a gate, and an old dirt road the breaks off from the highway that no one uses anymore. So, when we invite people over for one, they drive and park either on the rode or in the grass alongside it. It's a pretty amazing spot.

"Really? Now? You mean a whole big sha'bang or just us?" Smokey asked, glancing at confused Alexandra. She's the only one who has never experienced the Pit. I guess we should introduce the guys too.

"The whole thing! I haven't been to one of those in a long while!" Josie exclaimed, a smile forming on her face.

"And tonight's the best night for it. Anne and Dad are out doing whatever it is they do, that I really don't care about. So Smokey, take Josie and call the whole Phonebook. I'll tell the news to the guys and Alex. Remember, parents can't know. Break!" I exclaimed. Josie and Smokey took off up to me and Smokey's bedroom.

In case you are wondering, 'the whole Phonebook' means everyone in our contacts on our phones. Which happen to be a lot of people.

As I turned to leave the room in search of the guys, Alexandra caught my arm. "Listen," she said quietly, biting her lip nervously. "There's something I've got to tell you... About Kris and I."

"Kris and you?" I repeated, tilting my head in sort of a confused state.

"Yeah," she answered, looking away. "Um...well I know you guys dated once before and it didn't turn out so well. But I think he's changed and I really like him and he asked me out. I guess what I was wondering is.... are you okay with it?"

"With you and Kris dating?" I asked, the surprise evident in my voice. Never before had either of them ever seemed that interested in the other. I mean, we never really found out what happened behind that boulder. But I guess now I know. "Of course. I'm perfectly ok with that." I couldn't help but grin.

"That's great! I was so afraid you would be upset about it! Thanks!" Alexandra said with a bright smile. She hugged me, then continued to hold my hand so she could pull me out of the room. "Hurry up! We gotta find the guys so you can explain to me how this Pit thing works."

"Alright! Don't go so fast!" I said, jogging to catch up with her. We found the guys in Ethan's room. I must admit, it was one of the only times I had ever been in his room. He had done a lot with it since the days when it was still a guest bedroom. Posters put up on painted blue walls. Different comforter, different dressers, different desk with a laptop perched on top.

"Hey. What are you two doing in here? This is a guy's only zone!" Ethan said, chuckling. I could only roll my eyes.

"That's not what you said to all those girls you brought home before," Alexandra commented, smirking. Ethan narrowed his eyes at her, and probably would have said something more if Kris hadn't turned his attention away from her.

"So what are you girls doing here anyway?" Kris asked, though he was staring at Alex. I rolled my eyes again.

Then I replied, "Oh, Smokey, Josie and I wanna have a Pit party and I figured you guys would wanna be a part of it. It's just a bonfire party. Other people will supply the refreshments, snacks, that sort of thing, and we supply the place. It's out at the back of the farm. No parents know about it. Complete secret. So don't blow it."

Tyler stood up and smiled. "Sounds amazing."

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The moon was just beginning to rise. My group of best friends had spent half the day gathering enough wood for the whole night. We had even set up a few tents decked out with electric lanterns and sleeping bags.

Now, with the fire slowly burning and keeping us warm, we sat and waited for people to show up. Maybe this party wasn't such a good idea only three days before the wedding. I was just beginning to doubt anyone would show up when the roar of engines sounded, becoming steadily closer.

From there, people poured in. Every type of person too. The football players and cheerleaders (most likely because of Ethan, Tyler and Trent), the musicians, the delinquents and even some of the fighters from Kletka I knew personally. It seemed like almost the whole junior and senior class were there. People dragged in coolers full of who knows whats, blankets and even their own tents.

I walked over to someone I hadn't expected to be here. He didn't like to do much outside of his own illegal antics.

"Jackson!" I exclaimed, hugging him from behind. Jack jumped, causing me to let go and fall down. I burst out laughing at his expression when he saw me.

"What the hell, Mick?" he asked, though I could see his smile in the dim light. He grabbed my hands and pulled me to my feet. "Long time, no see, eh? How's the battles wounds doing?" he asked, poking my sides. I winced the slightest bit, since I was still sore. But other then that they were healing up fine.

"Great, actually," I replied with a slight shrug, grinning back. Jackson didn't let go of my hands as a serious look came across his face that I hadn't seen since he fought in Kletka alongside me.

"Look, there's a reason I came tonight. I got Smokey's text and I know I don't come to these often, but I really needed to say something. I want you to know how thankful I am that you didn't tell those cops what happened, even though you and I both know entirely well who hurt you," he said softly, so low only I could possibly hear over the loud talking of the people around us.

"Don't worry about it, Jackson. You know I would never turn you in. I wouldn't do that to a friend," I replied. Jackson smiled and pulled me into a hug, which I happily returned. After all, we're only just friends.

I heard someone cough pointedly, and pulled back to see Smokey staring at us. "Looks like that's my cue. Stay, have some fun. You of all people need it," I said to Jack with another grin before prancing over to Smokey.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? Tyler was watching you and him the whole time! I'm trying to play matchmaker here and you aren't helping," she whined, staring at me. I quickly glanced around and met Tyler's gaze. He smiled slightly and I sighed.

"Ok..." I muttered and headed towards him. Someone handed me a plastic cup full of beer, which I gladly accepted. I sipped it until I reached Tyler, leaving only a small amount in the bottom of the cup. I dropped the glass in a nearby trash bin and turned to Tyler with a smile.

"Fancy seeing you here," he said with a laugh. I laughed back, but stopped when a dizzy phase set over me. Tyler caught me as I stumbled into him, staring at me in concern.

"Are you alright?" I glanced up at his face, outlined in by the soft golden light of the fire. I don't know why my mind was swirling, and the world was spinning, but he stayed still. And I couldn't help but think how handsome he looked. Then I proceeded to mumble:

"I think someone spiked my drink."