We stood in the bakery section of the local grocery section in front of some glass cases.

"A cake?" I looked at Nash and Nixon.

"Yep," they both answered.

"Why a cake?"

"Because we must mourn what they have lost, and we all love cake," Nixon explained, raising a finger.

They looked through the case until they found one with blue icing. "Perfect," Nash said. He pulled out a cake without any writing on it. But I didn't need to know why he picked this cake, and it doesn't take a great genius to figure it out.

He took the cake to the baker and whispered something to him. He gave Nash a look, then shrugged as he took the cake to the back and wrote something on it.

"What did you say to him?" I asked him.

"You'll see," he said, shooting Nixon a knowing look.

Once Nash paid for the cake, we returned to the house as Pat and Nate looked at the cake and rolled their eyes. I would learn that Noah likes to dish it out, but he doesn't like to take it.

The boys all made their way to his room and walked inside with the cake. Noah looked at it, and it read: here lie Noah's balls, may they rest in peace. He looked at it and nodded. "Real cute guys."

"Yeah, we thought so," Nash smirked.

"You guys are tools."

"You have to admit that it's funny." Nixon snickered.

"Funny? That's hilarious!" Nolan said.

The brothers laughed while Noah got pissed. I couldn't help but giggle when he zeroed in on me.

"You think this is funny?" He shot me a glare.

"Well, yeah." I giggled some more.

"I'm glad you think this is so funny, considering your friend did this to me!"

"Whoa, wait. I had nothing to do with that."

"Oh? Because it seems ever since you got here, there has been nothing but problems."

"Noah, hey man, come on," Nixon said.

"No." He snapped his face towards Nixon. "She doesn't belong here, and her parents dumped her on us because they don't give a shit." He turned back to me. "Now, I see why."

I stood there, shocked, and looked at him. I have never felt so hurt. The boys didn't know what to say. I turned and walked out of the room. It was true that I was dump there, and my parents didn't care. Why stay where I'm not wanted?

Nash walked over to Noah. "That was a dick move."

"Like this wasn't?" He pointed at the cake.

"This was mine and Nix's idea, and Maggie had nothing to do with it. So, if you want to be pissed, then be pissed at us." He walked out of the room. He walked over to my room and knocked on the door. "Mags?" I didn't respond. He opened the door and saw me packing. "What are you doing?"

"Packing. I'm a burden and not wanted here." I wouldn't even look at him. Noah's words had hurt me.

"Maggie, he didn't mean it. He's mad."

"Yeah, like my parents didn't mean to leave me with no intention of coming back. It's okay, and I know I'm not wanted." I picked up things and shoved them into my bag.

He walked over and touched me.

I tried to fight him, but he pulled me to him. "Why doesn't anyone want me, Nash? What did I do wrong?" I started crying.

"Hun, I don't know, but I know that I want you, and so does my family."

"But Noah." I sniffled.

"Noah is a tool, and his opinion doesn't mean shit right now."

I buried my face in him. "But I wanted to feel wanted. I feel like I have no home, no family, and no one."

"Well, you have me."

I looked up at him with tear streak cheeks.

"And you have us."

I turned to see the rest of them standing there, minus Noah. Nate and Pat walked into the room, and Nate looked at me. "Maggie, we know it has been rough being here, but it's been worth having you here. You're family to us."

"But Noah." I sniffed.

"Don't worry about Noah. I'll take care of him. Know that you're welcome here as long as you like. Isn't that right, boys?"

"Yes," they mumbled.

"I didn't quite get that."

"Yes," they answered with a plastered smile.

"Now excuse me, I have a matter to attend to with ole blue balls himself," he said, leaving the room.

I looked at Nash as he put his hand up to stop me from saying anything else.

Then we heard yelling coming from Noah's room. We all hurried to the door to listen.

"But Dad," Noah whined.

"I don't give a shit, Noah. You had no right to say those things. The last time I checked, she didn't tell her friend to give you a blowjob and stop!"

"Can we not talk about that?"

"Who cares? So you got one and ended up with blue balls, and it happens to the best of us."

"This is so embarrassing."

"Yeah, well, it's about to get worse. As of right now, Maggie is a permanent guest in this house, which means if you or any of your yahoo brothers cause her to leave, I will cut off your dicks. Do I make myself clear?" He looked at all the brothers.

I watched as the boys covered their manhoods.

"Crystal," they said.

"Good. Now let's have some cake." He carried out the cake. "Who wants cake?"

We all raised our hands. You didn't have to ask us twice.

As we ate cake, Nixon looked at me and said, "You look like you blew a Smurf." He laughed, as did everyone else.

"So, do the rest of you." I shrugged, causing them to shut up. Never make a joke about something when you look equally guilty.

As I ate my cake, Noah attempted to talk to me, "Maggie?"

I looked at him.

"Look, I'm......"

I cut him off. "Save it. You made it clear how you feel about me. So, let's call it a day." I walked away, and I wouldn't let him off that easy. What he said hurt, and an apology would not make things any better.

He sighed and looked at his brothers, who looked away.

"This is a fantastic cake," Nixon said.

"The best," Nash said.

"A little help here," Noah whined.

"Sorry, brother, but you're on your own," Nathan said, taking a bite of cake.

He looked at Nolan.

"Not going to happen," Nolan said.

"Ma?"

"You know Nate. I think coffee sounds great."

"I think you're right. Bye," Nate told Noah, following Pat into the kitchen.

"Thanks for the help, guys!"

They all shrugged. It looks like Noah would need to figure this one out on his own with me. It was time he learned to get his temper in check.

I was in the kitchen with Pat and Nate when Noah came in. He walked over to me. "Maggie?"

I shot him a look. "Please hear me out," he begged me, then he looked at his parents. "Do you mind?"

"No, by all means, go ahead," his mom answered, drinking her coffee.

He rolled his eyes at them as he looked at me. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean any of that. I was angry, but it's no excuse."

"No, it's not. Noah, do you think I enjoy getting dumped on people? I've had that done to me my entire life. To know your parents don't want you because, hey, you're in the way of their freedom. It sucks, and you deal with it."

"I know that I messed up, but please, please forgive me."

I looked at him. "Beg."

He gave me a look. "You're not serious?"

"Yep, now start begging." I pointed to the floor.

He huffed, then got on his knees and looked up at me. "I beg you to forgive me. Please, please, please forgive me."

The boys watched, as did Pat and Nate as Noah was on his knees, begging for my forgiveness.

"Do you forgive me?" He looked at me with hope.

"Let me see." I tapped my finger against my chin then looked at him. "No."

He stood up. "What?"

A smirk grew upon my face. "I'm kidding."

"Huh?"

"Yo, tool, she forgave you," Nathan said to him from the doorway.

He looked around to see everyone grinning, then back at me. "Well, played grasshopper."

I shrugged. "Well, I had to learn a few things from you, boys."

He kissed me on the cheek and walked out of the kitchen. Nash gave me a look, and I shrugged.

"I believe our boys have met their match," Nate told Pat.

"I believe you owe me five bucks." She held out her palm to him, and he pulled a five out of his pocket and slapped it in her palm.

"Remind me never to bet with you again."

"Yeah, sure. Didn't you learn anything from when we were kids?"

"That you're a sneaky little thing? Yep." He sipped his coffee as she playfully smacked him and rolled her eyes.

I love Pat and Nate. They're awesome.