"Felix decided not to stick around for pizza?" I ask as I walk into the kitchen to see Riker at the table with his laptop and a plate stacked up with three slices of pizza. The seat once occupied by Felix now vacant.

"Said he had to do a few things," he shrugs and points to the smaller box on the counter next to the fridge. "I got your favourite."

I grin, "This is why you're my favourite."

"We all know your favourite is Greyson, don't lie," he rolls his eyes and smirks as he slips his headphones over his ears, drowning out my voice.

I roll my eyes at the comment before heading upstairs to drop my stuff off. Running back down the stairs, I grab the small pizza box Riker got me with alfredo sauce and grilled chicken on it before grabbing a plate and opening the other box. I pick a few slices out of the box and slip them onto the plate, grabbing the marinara sauce from the corner of the box hoping Riker doesn't notice.

Heading upstairs, I take a detour down to the end of the hall and raise my fist to knock on the door decorated with band posters and a big green G. I don't wait for approval to come in, and instead knocked as a curtesy before stepping inside.

"I brought you some pizza," I say as I hold the plate up when I spot Greyson sitting on his bed with a game controller in his hand.

"Marinara?" He asks, pausing his game at the sound of my voice and grins when he sees it sitting on the corner of the plate. "You're the best, Vee."

"I know," I smile and hold out the plate for him to take. "I'll be in my room. And, just so you know, Dad knows you dropped out."

"What?" He asks with wide eyes, his face curling in betrayal. "Stevie!"

"Don't give me that look. I didn't tell him," I roll my eyes. "He wanted me to let you know you're not as clever as you think you are."

"Is he mad?"

"The man that didn't even go to university?" I question before smiling. "No, he's not mad. He's waiting for you to tell them, and said whatever your reason is, he knows it's a good one."

"He's trying to make me feel guilty for not telling them."

"Or, he genuinely just wants to give you the space to tell them yourself," I shrug. "Don't freak out, Grey. Mom and Dad are going to understand your decision, no matter what it is."

"I feel bad."

"You needed time. That's okay," I smile softly as I shift my weight on my feet, heading for the door to his room again. "I just wanted to let you know so you aren't surprised when he's not."

"Thanks."

"Yup! I'll be in my room if you need me," I tell him again as I shut the door quietly behind me, making my way across the hall to my room.

As I step into my room, I open the pizza box and head for the mattress – setting it down on the comforter before grabbing my bag to pull out my books and weekend homework. There isn't much but I intend to get it done tonight to have the weekend off. A routine I got myself into when I was twelve years old, the habit sticking since.

Time goes by spent writing answers and taking bites of pizza – eventually finishing my homework and nearly a whole pizza. The day has somehow been longer than I expected it to be and when I reach for my phone, I am distracted by commotion taking place in the hall. The sound of both Isaac and Riker's voices filling the space.

"Hey Ike." I step out of my room with a smile on my face, walking towards the stairs where the two are standing. "How was your date with Mika?"

"It was good," he bobs his head. "Really good."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"Yeah, me too," Riker smirks. "Now I can tease you about being whipped."

"Not going to happen."

"Oh please, you're both people pleasers," I roll my eyes at the two of them, heading for my bedroom again.

"And you're not?" Isaac asks.

"Nope," I smirk. "I don't give two shits what people think about me."

"You care what Felix thinks," Riker pipes up and my eyes widen at the comment, my stomach flipping.

"Felix?" Isaac asks. "Like, Felix Montgomery?"

Riker hums. "Why was he asking about you?"

"I can't control what Felix talks about, Riker," I roll my eyes at him and continue walking, though that doesn't stop them from continuing to bug me.

"You like him, don't you?"

"Like what? His arrogance? Or that stupid look he gets on his face when he thinks he's being charming?" I ask and turn around, both my brothers grinning at me but before they can say anything else, shouting breaking out downstairs.

"What the hell?" Riker asks as he walks over to the railing, peeking down onto the main floor. "Mom's home."

"And Dad's here," Isaac adds, joining him. "This should be interesting."

"Be quiet! They're going to know we're listening," I frown, pushing them over to the staircase. They each step down a few stairs before sitting a few steps below me. Riker pressing his back into my shins as we listen to the noise.

"Why is dad even here?" Riker questions.

"He was in his studio," I explain, wrapping my arms around myself as we listen to the two of them shouting at each other.

My mom is clearly surprised to see him here. It wasn't like we got a decision in who we live with. When they told us this summer that they were separating, my dad bowed out and told us we were going to stay in the house with mom. We didn't argue. Not that we really had a choice in the matter, but for those first few days it was weird not having him around the house.

For the first time in our lives, it wasn't because he was out on tour or doing press for a new album. We were used to him being gone before, but not for this reason and it all felt different. He isn't halfway across the country or the world. He's here. In California. A thirty minute drive away.

Eventually we got used to it, but it seems like now – anytime they are in a room together, they fight and for reasons we don't even know. All they told us was that they decided they needed some time apart and it is the best decision for all of us, but listening to them argue now isn't good for any of us. It's a reoccurring event that never seems to have an ending.

"Way to tell us, Vee," Riker rolls his eyes.

"Sorry."

"Why are you guys eavesdropping?" Greyson asks as he sits down next to me, startling both the twins.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Isaac asks.

"Came in for the weekend," he lies, shrugging his shoulders. "We shouldn't be listening to this."

"It's our life too, Grey," Riker argues. "They didn't just mess up their lives. They messed up ours too."

"He's right," I mumble as we fall silent, listening closely to the shouts.

"It's my house too!" Dad shouts. "I don't understand why you can't just let me come see them."

"You didn't even tell me you were coming!"

"I don't have to tell you everything."

"Wrong answer, dad," Greyson shakes his head next to me and I eye him, the same look of disappointment coating all of our facial features.

We hate this just as much as they do. No one wants them to argue like this. It's hard to listen to, knowing that they are perfect together and if they can't work, where is the hope for the rest of us. They are so good together. So good that it almost doesn't seem possible, but yet, they have somehow landed themselves in a position where all they do is yell at each other.

All I can think about is where it all went wrong.

"You're unbelievable! This is exactly why I didn't want to do this with you. You don't listen to anything I say and just do whatever the hell you want," she yells back. "That's not how marriage works."

A moment of silence fills the air and I find myself holding my breath in anticipation of my dad's response. My heart begging him to say the right thing.

"4A...how did we end up here?" He asks. "We were never supposed to be these people. The people that yell at each other over stupid shit. You're...I don't want this life if all we're going to do is yell at each other and it seems like that's all we do now. If we can't just sit down and work through our problems, how are we ever supposed to get better?"

"I don't know, Luke," she mumbles and from the corner of the mirror at the end of the stairs I can see him pull her into his chest, wrapping his arms tightly around her.

"How can two people who love each that much fight as much as they do?" I ask quietly watching them.

"I don't know," Greyson mumbles. "I really don't get it."

"Maybe we should call it quits before it gets too ugly," Dad suddenly says and red flags go up, my eyes widening at the statement.

"No, no, no," I shake my head.

"Maybe you're right," mom agrees and my heart sinks. "I can call the lawyer in the morning."

"This is bullshit!" Riker yells and my eyes widen, realizing he's broken our cover with his yelling. Not that I blame him. I want to scream at how unfair this is too.

"Shit," Greyson swears, scrambling to get up to his feet. "Hide."

Each of us get up and run for our rooms, hoping they'll ignore the sound. I want nothing more than for their relationship to be fixed and we all understand it takes time, but three months has gone by and no progress has been made. They don't talk. They ignore each other as much as possible. And when they are together, they shout.

When my dad showed up with my car on my sixteen birthday, my happy mood was suddenly drowned out by them arguing with each other again. They couldn't even put aside their differences for me and I wonder if they can't do it for me, their daughter than will they ever be able to?

I wonder if they can look pass the ugly and focus on the things that matter. They love each other and that should be enough, but it is clear it isn't. They are on the verge of breaking our family up further and the thought devastates me. I don't want them to be separated. I want them to be a us and even though nothing is going to change the fact that we're family – it doesn't mean it hurts any less.

And it hurts like hell.

a/n;

So...for all of my Bubble Wrap readers, you may have noticed a familiar nickname mentioned and that would be because Greyson, Riker, Isaac and Stevie are Luke and Emery's kids! It wasn't the original thought going into this book but I quickly realized that the parents I was painting in my head were them and thus this spin-off/sequel was created!

Are you surprised? Excited for more 4A and Luke?

Remember to vote if you enjoyed the chapter!