"Are those my boxers?" I yell at the group of teenagers huddled around an article of clothing that look suspiciously like...yup. Definitely my boxers.

They squeal when they've been caught and immediately drop it, running past me and out of my room in a fit of giggles. The girl who had my boxers in her hands—Chelsea, I think her name is—grins up at me with red cheeks.

"You're so hot." She breathes before running off to her group of friends that are cackling at her bravery.

I blink at nothing in particular. What...the fuck?

I slowly bring my hand up to the bridge of my nose before giving it a hard pinch that I hope will distract me from my irritation. I take a deep breath before bellowing out, "Mia!"

There's no mistaking the annoyance in my tone and that's probably why my little sister actually listens to me and comes to my room right away. "Yeah?" She asks, stopping in front of me.

"Keep your friends out of my room." I growl, shooting a look down the hallway where they're peeking around the wall and giggle when they catch me watching. I cringe. "They're fucking creepy, Mia."

She wrinkles her nose. "I know. They think you're hot. It's so gross."

"My room is off limits." I demand and choose to ignore what she just said. It is so wrong in so many ways. I think I shudder a little. "If I catch one more girly ass teenager in there, I'm sending all of them home. I mean it, Mia."

"Okay, okay." She backs away with a grin that makes me wonder if she even heard a word I said. "Chill out, big bro."

She turns around and jogs over to her friends who start whispering feverently to one another. I don't even want to know what they're talking about. Teenage girls are straight up scary. I kind of want to cry at the thought of having to go through this with Eleanor and Harmony, too. But in this moment at least, they're definitely my favourite sisters.

After shutting my door closed I make my way back downstairs and away from the heathens that have taken over the second floor. Only mine and Aria's bedrooms are on the second floor since it's much smaller than the large open space downstairs and Mia wanted the second floor all to herself. If only Aria knew what her little sister was doing in her old bedroom. I walk past the living room where the guest room is tucked away into the corner of the house. Eleanor and Harmony share this room and I'm secretly jealous of the little safe haven they called dibs on. I knock on the door and open it slowly when I hear, "Come in."

"Hey, Elle." I smile at my sister who—no surprise—is sitting crossed-legged on her bed, a book open on her lap. "Mind if I hide out here for a bit?"

"Sure." She grins at me in the carefree way she doesn't share outside of this family. "I heard you yelling something about your boxers?"

"You don't want to know." I wince, earning a laugh from her as I join her on bed. "Where's Harmony?"

"Helping Mom in the kitchen. She wanted to try a new recipe out."

Elle and I share a knowing look. Harmony in the kitchen was always a thing of disaster but she was passionate about baking and Mom believed in her enough to let her practice, even if the kitchen always looked like a food-bomb went off after she was done with it.

"What're you reading?" I ask conversationally as I lay back on her bed.

"Origin. It's the fourth book in a series and it's so good, Nate. It makes me want super powers."

"The characters have super powers?"

"Yeah, they're aliens. But not those weird ones that are green and have antennas or anything. They look just like humans and everything except they're from another planet and have super human strength and speed and can shoot blasts of light."

"That sounds like the entire plot for Dragon Ball Z."

"Kind of but it's also totally different. The point is it's the best series I've ever read."

"You say that about every series, Elle."

"And?"

I laugh, reaching up my arm to flick her on the forehead. "You amaze me, kid."

"Whatever." She grins. "When's your girlfriend getting here?"

"She's not my girlfriend." I roll my eyes. "She's...a friend that just happens to be a girl."

"You are so lame." She smacks her book on my chest and I bring an arm up to shield myself.

"Watch it, kid. Those books hurt."

"I know."

"Brat." I sit up and put her in a headlock, making her squeal. She laughs and smacks at my arm shouting for me to let go. Just for that, I use one of my fists to rub the top of her head forcefully and her sounds of protests are drowned out by me demanding her to say I'm the best brother ever.

"Okay, fine!" She squeals again. "You're the best brother ever! Sheesh!"

"That's what I thought." I let her go with a smirk.

"You're so mean." She pouts, matting down her hair that's now sticking up in all directions.

"Aw, you know you're my favourite, Elle."

"Hmm. That's true."

"Hey! I heard that!"

We both turn around and find Harmony standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips and watching us sternly. I can't help but grin at the little tyke who looks like a spitting image of Aria. She even has the reddish-brown hair like her.

"Come here, squirt." I motion her over and she skips to me, her earlier annoyance totally forgotten. That's what I loved about Harmony. She had the biggest heart I knew of.

"You were just lying to make her feel better, right?" She whispers in my ear when she lies down beside me.

"Duh." I whisper back. "You're my favourite."

Elle rolls her eyes but doesn't say anything like the good sport she is.

"Mia's friends are scary." Harmony crinkles her nose. "Why do they giggle so much? And all they talk about is boys."

"Boys are gross, right? You should stay away from them for the rest of your life." I tell her seriously and glance over at Eleanor. "You too, kid."

"Too late." Harmony giggles. "Eleanor likes a boyyy."

"Shut up." Elle hisses.

"What?" I sit up suddenly. "Who? Give me a name and show me his picture. His address wouldn't hurt, either."

"Nate." She groans and smacks a hand over her face. "Cut it out. And anyways, you have nothing to worry about. I'm practically invisible to him."

She mumbles the last part and I feel a tightness in my chest. Aw, fuck. Poor Elle. She's always been insanely shy and I hate that most people don't put in the effort to get to know her because of it. She's a great kid and it kills me that so many people miss out on that just because she's super introverted.

"He sounds stupid to me. Who the hell wouldn't notice you?" I make a grand gesture of waving my arms in her direction and widening my eyes. "Look at yourself, babe. You've got brains, beauty and heart. Any guy would be lucky to have you and he better know it."

"You're just saying that because you're my brother." She muffles from behind her pillow but the slight crinkling of her eyes tells me she's smiling.

"I'm only speaking the truth." I lean forward and kiss her forehead. "Seriously, Elle. You're a beautiful and kind-hearted girl. Don't you think for a single second that you don't matter or that you're not important. Capiche?"

"Capiche." She lowers the pillow and I can finally see the grin that I'd hoped was there. "Love you, bro."

"Love you too, kid." I smile when she kisses my cheek.

"Not as much as I love you!" Harmony's arms go around my neck from behind me as she jumps onto my back and I laugh at the sudden intrusion.

"Says who?" Eleanor adds and tackles me with a giggle. Their combined weight is enough to send me down and I groan in defeat when I'm smushed onto the bed.

"When did you both get so fat?" I pretend to choke. "Jesus. Cut down on the baking, Mona."

Harmony gasps so loud I can't help but snicker at her dramatics. "How dare you!"

The three of us are laughing at our own idiocy when there's a soft knock on the door. I crane my head around the two smaller heads that are blocking my vision and grin when I catch sight of blonde hair.

"Get off, brats. Shoo." I sit up as the girls crawl off of me and also look toward the door to see who it is. My eyes leisurely scan Delilah from her open-toed sandals that reveal this week's pastel orange nail polish, to the plain white dress that falls to her knees, to the pair of sunglasses perched on the top of her head. Fuck, how does she make something so simple look so fucking gorgeous? "Hey, Angel."

"Hey." She returns in a quiet voice. She smiles at my two sisters. "You must be Eleanor and Harmony?"

"Hi." Harmony gives her a huge smile that shows all of her teeth. She slides off the bed and skips to Delilah before hugging her waist and obviously shocking Del. It takes a second for her to return the gesture. "Nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine." Delilah smiles down at Harmony who cranes her neck back to inspect her.

"Yup. You're definitely as pretty as my brother said you are."

"You're the worst wingman ever." I deadpan at the little tyke who giggles and runs back to me.

"Hi, there." Delilah gives a small wave to Elle who's gone exceptionally quieter at our new guest. It'll take her a while to adjust. "Eleanor, right?"

She nods and Delilah makes her way over to us tentatively. "I heard you'd give me a run for my money with all the books you've read. What's your current read?"

"Origin." Elle answers in a quiet voice. She's so much like Delilah it's hard not to notice, especially seeing the two interact. "It's part of a series."

"The Lux series, right?" Del asks and Eleanor's eyes widen slightly. "I've read it so many times. It makes me want super powers."

"I was just telling Nate the same thing." Eleanor sits up straighter and I smile at Del fondly, not at all surprised at how instantly comfortable she's made my little sister.

"And don't even get me started on Damon Black. He will forever be my number one book boyfriend."

"Mine too." Eleanor nods excitedly. "It feels weird to admit I'm in love with a fictional guy but I totally am."

"There's so many more to fall in love with." Del promises with a wink. The big brother in me wants to make a comment about having no kind of boyfriend, fictional or not, but I've never seen Eleanor so in her element so I stay quiet.

"Have you read Hearts At Stake? By Alexandra Harvey?" Eleanor shakes her head at Delilah's question. "Oh, you have to. It's the most underrated vampire book out there and the rest of the series is just as phenomenal. I own the whole set so remind me to bring it for you the next time I see you."

"Really?" Elle's eyes light up. "Thank you so much. I can't wait to read them."

"And then we have to vent about everything. There's nothing worse than reading an amazing book and not having anyone to talk about it with."

"Oh my gosh, yes!" Elle smacks her pillow and I feel my brows rise. It's like she didn't even meet Del just a few minutes ago. "The only thing better than reading a book that changes your life is being able to talk about it with someone who's read it too and totally gets it."

Del holds her hand up for a high-five that Eleanor returns without hesitation. Clearly she's made a new friend.

"I don't read." Harmony pouts a little, obviously feeling left out. "I mean I do but not a lot."

"That's okay." Del says softly and takes a seat on what little space is left of the bed. "We all have different interests. What do you like?"

"Baking." Harmony immediately answers but then her grin vanishes just as quick. "I'm not very good at it, though."

"I love baking." Del use her finger to tip Harmony's chin back up. "And for the record, I used to burn everything I laid my hands on. Eventually I got really good and now I make some pretty tasty desserts, if I do say so myself. I don't mind teaching you."

"That's awesome!" Harmony sits up on her knees so she can throw her arms around Del who laughs and returns it right away this time. "I like you, Delilah."

"I like you, too." Del smiles.

"Nate likes you, too." Harmony whispers except it's so loud she may as well have just spoken in her normal voice. I'm pretty sure I feel the tips of my ears go red. I feel a little better about it though when a blush takes over Delilah's cheeks. "Do you like him?"

"Seriously, squirt." I poke her arm and she blinks at me innocently. "Worst wingman."

"Of course I like him." Del answers and I jerk slightly in surprise. "Who doesn't?"

"That's true." Harmony says thoughtfully. "He's the best brother in the world."

There's warmth in Del's eyes as she looks at me and I shrug, not wanting to seem full of it. I take it all back—the squirt is definitely my best wingman.

"Who let you in?" I ask her when the thought hits me.

"Your dad. I didn't get a chance to meet your mom yet."

"She was probably in the bathroom to wash herself off. I kind of got flour all over her." Harmony winces. I snicker at the image.

"Better stay here so Mom can finish cooking, yeah Mona?" She nods without protesting. "Good."

I stand up and gesture a hand at Del so she can do the same. Realizing that we're leaving, she waves a hand at the two girls. "See you soon."

They wave back with wide grins. I put my hand on the small of Del's back and lead her outside of the room. Just before I close the door, I give the girls a stern look. "There's enough chaos in the house so be on your extra good behaviour for Mom and Dad, okay babes?"

"Yes, Nate." They echo, more than used to my bossiness but they never complain. I smile my gratitude and only then do I shut the door.

"They're such good kids." Delilah says almost immediately.

"All of them are." I agree. We walk side-by-side and I'm close enough that our arms keep brushing. "Mom and Dad sure know what it takes to raise good children."

"I should ask them to make a book for me. Just look at how all of you turned out."

"We've got a bit of crazy in us too but for the most part, yeah. They did good."

"I hope Mia likes her gift." She gives me a worried look. "I took a wild guess based on what you told me about her and got her those new combat boots that just came out. You said she buys a new pair every year, right?"

"Good pick." I nod, impressed. "She meant to get them just next week."

"Oh, good." She puts a hand to her chest.

"Mom?" I call as soon as we walk inside the kitchen. She turns around as soon as I spot her reaching for something from the higher cupboards.

"Hey, hon." She greets me casually and turns back around only to do a double-take when she realizes I'm not alone. "Oh! You must be Delilah."

"Hi, Mrs. Hunter." Del responds sweetly. "It's nice to meet you."

"It's so nice to meet you." My mom walks over to us and captures Delilah in such a fierce hug I can practically see how difficult it is for her to breathe.

"Mom." I chuckle and settle my hand on her shoulder. "How about you not cut off your guest's oxygen supply?"

My mom gasps and immediately lets Del go. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I just got excited. Is everything okay?" Her hands go to Del's obviously pregnant belly for a moment.

Delilah's shoulders tense before she blows out a breath that forces her to appear more relaxed. I don't miss the nervous look she shoots me and I can feel a frown turn my mouth down. Does she seriously still think my parents will think any less of her? I make a mental note to bring it up again later.

"Everything's fine, thank you." Her smile seems weaker than usual. "Food smells great, Mrs. Hunter."

"Lily." My mom corrects sternly and leaves Delilah no option but to nod in agreement. "And thank you. I hope you like Shepard's Pie."

"Love it. And it's good timing too because I feel like I just got my appetite back."

"I do not envy you right now." Mom laughs and links her arm through Del's, steering her to one of the high stools by the counter. "Morning sickness was my enemy during all five of my pregnancies."

"I don't know how you did it." Del sits down when my mom ushers for her to do so. I take a seat beside her and place one arm on the counter along her back, choosing to ignore the way Mom raises one brow slightly. "I was just telling Nate what a good job you did raising all your kids. They're amazing."

"Especially me." I interrupt and Del nudges me in the ribs. I pretend to wince and laugh when she rolls her eyes, knowing I'm full of shit. When I look at Mom again, she's smiling. "Right, Mom?"

"Debatable." She answers without hesitation and my mouth drops. "I'm joking, honey. I'm definitely blessed to have such a great bunch of my own."

"Any tips?" Delilah inquires, looking serious for the most part.

Mom takes a minute to mull it over and fills up a glass of juice in the meantime. She hands it to Delilah who thanks her and takes a sip. "Every parent raises their kids differently. There's no right or wrong way to do it per se. I think whatever works, works. All I can tell you is to never stop trying your best and just be there. Above all, just be part of their lives in every way you can."

"That's good advice." Delilah answers quietly and gets a sort of faraway look in her eyes. Something tells me she's thinking about her father and my hand settles on her knee, wanting to comfort her. She smiles at me then shakes her head as if to ward off the thoughts. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you."

"Anytime, sweetheart." Mom touches her hand to the underside of Delilah's chin before pulling away and walking around the counter. She meets my eyes over Del's shoulder and gives me a thumbs up, mouthing wow. I grin. I knew she would like her.

"I think Mia's friends just scarred me for life." Dad shudders as he walks into the kitchen. "Chelsea just told me I'm 'pretty cute' for a Dad."

"That girl has problems." I agree.

"Looks good, baby." He says to my mom, dipping a finger in the frosting bowl and snickering when she bats his hand away. He winds one arm around her waist and pulls her close. "But you look better."

I groan loudly when he dips his head to kiss her in a way that's too fucking inappropriate. "You guys make me sick."

I'm not even surprised when Dad gives me the middle finger without pulling away from Mom.

Delilah's giggle pulls my attention away from them. "They're adorable." She whispers to me and casts a longing look their way. I guess I'm staring at her curiously because she blushes and lowers her voice and elaborates. "It's just nice to see parents that have so much love between them. I'm sure they've been good role models for you and your sisters. You guys are lucky."

I'm not going to lie—I think my heart fucking cracks a little. Her words hold so much truth that I feel almost guilty. My parents have been good role models and it's because of their amazing relationship that I never questioned love or didn't believe in it. Delilah probably didn't have that growing up and the thought hurts me more than it rationally should.

"Don't." She ducks her head. "Don't pity me. I may have only grown up with a Mom but she gave me everything I needed."

"I don't pity you, Del." I use a finger to tip her chin up so she can look at me. "I hurt for you. Greta is a kick-ass Mom and I know she gave you an awesome life but you two deserved better than being left behind. That's all."