"Okay! Let's go, let's go, let's go!" I grabbed my phone and shoved it in my pocket, sprinting down the stairs with Alex ahead of me.

Basically, Hayley accidentally told us the wrong time for when we were leaving and ended up showing up at my house an hour earlier than I was told. Then she made me panic and now here we are. "I am so sorry," she laughed while Daniel started the car.

"You give me way too much anxiety, Hayles. We're not gonna speed into the future just by going an hour earlier than we planned," I huffed while drinking some water.

"I didn't know! Dylan wanted to meet everyone and catch up today and it slipped my mind that he and I changed plans, I just forgot to tell you the right time," she chuckled.

I shook my head while chuckling before Alex, who was sitting beside me, decided to lay his head in my lap. He grabbed my hand and placed it in his hair. "You're sleepy?"

Last night, he just wasn't able to sleep so he started trying to make me laugh to keep me up with him but I was tired from the kissing so I went to sleep. "Yeah," he kissed my hand. He seemed a little upset this morning and I didn't get the time to ask him, so it's the first thing I intend to do when I get him alone.

x-X-x

We were stopped at a fast-food restaurant and Hayley and Daniel were getting our food, so I took this as a moment to talk to Alex. "Hey, do you wanna take a walk with me? I wanna talk to you about something," I held his hand.

"Sure," he stood up and walked out with me.

"You seem a little off today, babe. You alright?" I asked while he rocked our hands back and forth like I always do.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He wasn't fine. He looked sad, with his grey hood pulled up while his eyes were a little red and puffy. He looked like he had either cried or was going to cry.

"Baby?" I asked while halting and pulling him back to face me.

"I'm fine, Faith," he lied again.

"Okay," I nodded. "Can I give you a hug?" I pouted.

"Will you, please?" he chuckled slightly while wiping his eyes before hugging me.

"Why are you crying, hmm? What's wrong?" I asked softly after pulling away only enough for my eyes to meet his.

"Last night, after you went to sleep, I just started thinking about you and uh- I don't think I deserve you, Faith. I know I've done a lot for you-"

I cut him off. "A lot more than what I've done for you, Alex."

He nodded, "Maybe. But I haven't been through the shit that you have. I should've been there for you at every moment. I should've been there at the beach, I shouldn't have left you." He was crying.

"Alex, you came as soon as you knew. You have done so much for me, more than I ever can. I don't think I can ever repay you for all you've done, for how much you've been there for me." I wiped his cheek.

"Don't start doubting yourself, please. I love you and I am so thankful for everything you've ever done. You're living with me to make sure I feel safe at every given moment, for god's sake. You're perfect. You are everything I could ever ask for. I love you," I hugged him tightly. "If anything, I don't deserve you," I kissed his cheek softly.

"If I'm all that you say you are, then you do deserve someone like that. You deserve the world Faith, but I can't give it to you," he sighed.

"I have the world, Alex. I have you, that's all I need, that's my world. It starts and ends with you." I smiled softly.

He sniffed while nodding slowly.

"You okay?" I stood up on my toes and rested my arms around his neck.

"I want chicken nuggets," he sniffed.

"Okay," I laughed. "Let's go get you chicken nuggets," I led the way back in. We sat down where Hayley and Daniel were and we all ate and talked before getting back on the road. Daniel was tired of driving so he very hesitantly handed the car to Alex. I took shotgun. Alex grabbed my hand and put it on the shift stick, holding my hand while shifting the gears when needed.

After a while, we arrived.

"Dylan!" Hayley shrieked in excitement, jumping out of the car and hugging him. He's just graduated college and found the love of his life while he was at it. Good for him. I'm happy for him.

"Hey," he hugged her back while we all stepped out of the car. "Hey, kiddo," he pulled me into a hug.

"Hey, Dylan," I smiled while pulling away.

"Who are the guys?" he nodded his head at them while holding my and Hayley, one arm around both of us.

"That's my boyfriend," I gestured to him. "Alex." Alex came up and did that dude handshake thing with Dylan, you know what I'm talking about.

"Ryder?" Dylan questioned. Alex nodded in response. "I hear a lot when I visit, nice to officially meet you," he nodded.

"You too," he smiled while nodding.

"So you take good care of her?" he wrapped his arm back around my shoulder.

"Yes," I laughed, "He takes very good care of me," I answered.

"You love her?" he lifted an eyebrow at Alex. "

Very much," Alex nodded before excusing himself to get his bag and mine while Daniel came up to meet Dylan.

"And this is Daniel." Hayley introduced.

"Oh, the crush?" Dylan asked while smirking. Hayley pinched his arm while he winced.

"Nice to meet you," Daniel did the same guy thing.

"You too," Dylan nodded. "Now, little sis, while you are here with a guy, he isn't your boyfriend yet, so I'm gonna take my favorite sister away, and talk to her for a little bit," he smirked before pulling me away. "How've you been?" he asked while we walked around.

"I've been good, I guess," I mumbled the last bit.

"You had a different boyfriend last time I saw you. What's his name? Colby?" he questioned.

"Cody," I corrected him. "It didn't work out," I shrugged.

"Asshole?" he asked.

"Psycho," I replied.

"For real?" he asked in shock while I simply nodded. "And how does Ryder treat you?" he looked at me suggestively.

"A lot better," I replied. "I really love him, he helped through a lot," I laughed slightly.

"Oh, I see. You're in love, love. Seems like a keeper," he smiled.

"And you can tell the first time you meet him?" I chuckled.

"The guy seems genuine. It seems like he has a good heart," he replied. I looked at him in confusion. "Judging from the way his jaw clenched and eyes stuck to my hand wrapped around you, even though he is here for my wedding," he laughed.

"He's perfect for you. You probably don't even remember this, but two years ago when I came to visit, I saw you argue with him while setting up for the soccer game and I remember teasing you about liking him. Obviously, you didn't back then. But hey, look at you now!" he recalled.

"That's right! That did happen, but to be fair, I was fourteen." I gave him a pointed look and he nodded in agreement. "I think you should hang out with him a little while we're here. I think you two would hit it off," I replied.

"And what about Daniel?" His eyebrows perked up.

"He likes her. They've kissed a couple of times, they're getting there. Let it happen, don't play the annoying, overprotective brother. He's a really good guy, especially for Hayley." I answered.

"Does he keep her happy?" he questioned.

"Yeah, he does." I nodded.

"Good, that's all I need to know." He led us back to everyone else, his arm dropping as we approached them. He began conversing with Daniel and Hayley while I stood with Alex.

"It's his wedding we're here for, Alex. You don't have to shoot daggers, he's basically my brother," I kissed his cheek while laughing.

"Mm-hmm," he narrowed his eyes at me playfully while nodding before kissing me and then tickling me.

"Alex!" I squealed while laughing. He had me against the car and was about to kiss me when Dylan came and patted his shoulder.

"Wanna have a little chat?" he squeezed Alex's shoulder.

"Dylan," I warned.

"Don't worry Faith, I won't hurt your little pretty boy lover," he waved his hand dismissively.

I rolled my eyes while they walked off, Daniel with them while Hayley and I went inside.

"He likes Alex. They'll hit it off," Hayley said while we got seated in the living area.

"I know, I'm glad." I sighed in relief.

"Alex seemed a little off today, is he okay?" she questioned.

"Yeah, he's okay." I nodded with a smile.

He's okay.

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