Landon looked furious as he stormed over to where I stopped in my tracks. His breathing was heavy and his nostrils flared angrily. He was on a mission and it seemed like my face was about to be the target of his fist.

"Landon..." I trailed in a wary tone, holding my hands out in front of me.

"Shut the fuck up," he spat, Fox moving to stand in front of me as Landon stopped before us.

His harsh glare cut through me and I froze in place.

"You're ruining my life!" Landon seethed, coming closer so that he was almost chest to chest with Fox.

"Back off," Fox said, more calm than I expected.

"You thought telling the Hanson's about me was a good fucking idea?" Landon continued, ignoring Fox who was trying to get him to back up.

"I thought they could help," I said in a small voice.

"There's nothing to help!" Landon exclaimed, throwing his hands up. "You should've kept your mouth shut!"

"Hey," Fox sharply interjected. "We're just trying to help you, show a little appreciation."

"I don't need help from faggots," Landon spat with narrowed eyes.

Even though he was spitting insults at us, I couldn't find it in me to be angry with him. He was deeply closeted and I didn't even want to think about how much self-hatred his parents had instilled in him.

"You seriously think anyone can change my parents' minds?" Landon continued. "You just made it worse!"

Landon stepped closer, causing Fox to back us up a few steps.

"You really need to back off," Fox warned in a stern tone.

"I'm sick of you stepping in and trying to be a fucking hero," Landon hissed, shoving Fox backwards so he knocked into me.

Fox's shoulders tensed and I could tell he was starting to lose his patience. Landon shoved him again but Fox didn't retaliate. It wasn't until Landon shoved him harder to the point where he stumbled that Fox started to defend himself.

Landon was about to throw a punch Fox's way and before I could step in to stop it, someone else did.

Wren has sprinted up out of nowhere and restrained Landon, holding him back from his brother.

"You need to leave," Wren said in an even tone as he continued holding Landon back.

"Get the fuck off me," Landon seethed, pulling himself out of Wren's grip.

Landon's scowl landed on me as if he wanted to kill me on the spot.

"You," Landon spat, pointing at me like he wished his finger was knife that could slice through my skin. "Stay the fuck out of my life."

With that, he stomped off, leaving us speechless in his wake. I let out a breath, finally feeling like I could unfreeze from the shock of the situation.

"Is that the guy that attacked you at the tournament?" Wren asked his brother.

Fox just wordlessly nodded, glancing toward me.

"Come on," he said, motioning me to follow him. "I'm not leaving you out here to wait for Josh while Landon could still be around."

Without even thinking about it, I followed behind Fox to Wren's car. Wren wasn't far behind us, but he was still obviously stunned from the previous situation, his care for his brother showing through his concerned expression.

I climbed into the backseat, sending Josh a text that I would be with Fox, while Fox and Wren got in the front. Wren wordlessly started the car and began the drive to our destination.

I couldn't help but start to doubt myself. Maybe Landon had been right. Maybe I was just making everything worse for him by getting involved. Dark clouds formed in my mind as I thought of what he might have to endure because of me.

I was so lost in my thoughts, I hadn't noticed the car had stopped until Fox turned to face me, his eyebrows knitted together.

"I just have to go order contacts," Fox told me. "I'll be right back."

I nodded as he got out of the car and headed into the building in front of us, leaving Wren and me alone.

"Why was that guy trying to start something with Fox?" Wren asked, his head facing forward.

His voice was so even and calm, like this was just another casual conversation.

"It doesn't matter," I mumbled, leaning my head back on the seat.

Wren scoffed, still looking straight ahead. "He looked like he wanted to kill him."

"If you're so concerned, talk to Fox about it," I spat, my eyes darting to the back of his head.

Before any more words were exchanged between us, Fox exited the building and made his way back to the car. He opened the door and leaned in but didn't get in the seat.

"My prescription is too old so I need an eye exam," Fox told us with a sigh. "They had a cancellation so they can do it in like half an hour."

I got out of the car, causing Fox to stand to his full height and lean on the open door.

"I take it you're coming inside?" Fox asked, an amused look on his face.

Wren stepped out of the car after us. "No point in sitting around in the car," he said.

"Right..." Fox trailed off, grabbing my hand and leading us into the building and over to the waiting area.

I sat between the brothers as Wren picked up a random magazine and started looking through the pages. We sat in silence for a few moments, the only sounds being the flipping of pages and phones ringing.

"Should we tell the Hanson's about Landon?" Fox whispered, leaning close to my ear.

"I don't know," I replied in a hushed tone. "Maybe they already know he's not happy."

Fox drummed his fingers on the armrest between our chairs, looking lost in thought as he stared down toward the floor.

"I hate him," Fox admitted after a few moments. "But I had internalized homophobia like that before. Maybe not as bad but I did." He kept his voice quiet, so not even Wren would be able to hear.

I nodded, placing my hand over his and stopping his movements.

"I feel so helpless," I confessed with a sigh. "Like, if he truly believes he needs to be 'fixed,' there's nothing we can do to change his mind."

"Especially since we can't get near him without him trying to throw punches," Fox added, letting out a frustrated breath.

Wren slapping down the magazine he was holding turned our attention toward him. He ran his thumb through the others before picking out another one and skimming through the pages like he had before.

Fox's gazed stayed on his brother moments after mine had turned to his face. He looked at him with a thoughtful expression, something I wasn't used to seeing when it concerned Fox and Wren. It wasn't a look of annoyance or hatred, but rather an expression that seemed like Fox was trying to figure something out about his brother.

Maybe it was progress. Or, maybe I was reading into it too far.

"Fox Ridley?" A young woman in a lab coat, holding a clipboard, called out.

Fox stood with a sigh, his hand lingering against mine for a moment before he followed the woman into one of the exam rooms.

Once Fox was out of sight, Wren slapped down the magazine he was holding and secured his stare on me.

"What were you two talking about?" Wren asked, tilting his head to the side with curiosity.

"None of your business," I replied, picking up the magazine he had just put down and starting to flip through it.

Wren scoffed, ripping it out of my hands. "You two aren't quiet. I heard you."

"Then why are you asking?"

"What's going on with that Landon kid?" Wren asked, ignoring my words.

"It doesn't matter," I snapped.

"It does when this isn't even the first time he's tried to assault him," Wren countered. "You're my only insight to Fox, so you have to tell me."

"I'm not," I denied with a pointed look. "Don't put me in that position, Wren."

Being between the two brothers was the last thing I wanted.

Wren sighed, leaning back in his seat and looking straight ahead as he brought his bottom lip between his teeth.

"Look," I started, turning in my seat to face him. "I'll talk to Fox and tell him you're feeling guilty–"

"I'm not guilty," Wren sharply cut me off, snapping his head to look at me.

I gave him a knowing look, raising my eyebrows in suspicion. He was guilty; he just didn't want to admit it.

"I'm tired of being at odds with him like we're ten years old," he countered. "There's a difference."

"Whatever, it doesn't matter that much," I replied, turning away from him to look straight ahead. "I'll talk to him."

"Fine."

"You can say 'thank you' you know," I said in a sarcastic tone, glancing at Wren through the corner of my eye.

Wren didn't bother acknowledging what I said with a response. Instead, we sat in silence for a little while longer until Fox had finished his appointment and ordered new contact lenses.

Fox adjusted his glasses on his face as he motioned for the two of us to get up and follow him out of the building.

"Have I ever mentioned how much I hate eye exams?" Fox asked as we slid into the car.

"You hate a lot of things," I reminded him.

He turned glare at me as Wren started the car and maneuvered out of the parking lot. I responded with a sheepish grin, causing Fox to shake his head and turn around.

"Bring us to Elijah's house," Fox instructed his brother.

Wren didn't say anything as he drove the way to my house. The two of us shared a look when he dropped us off in my driveway but no words were spoken.

The door was surprisingly locked when we got up to the house. Ava was usually home by now but I supposed she could've stayed after school or gone to a friend's house. What was more puzzling was that Josh hadn't made it home yet. And I hadn't heard from him when I texted to let him know I was leaving with Fox, though I knew he read it.

"House to ourselves?" Fox asked with a smirk.

I chuckled at him, shutting the door behind us. "It's almost like you planned it."

"Maybe things just work out for me," he said, pushing me back against the door and beginning to kiss up my neck.

I tilted my head to the side, giving Fox better access as his lips continued their journey on my skin.

As Fox's lips burned my skin, all thoughts of the day left me. I didn't think about Landon and his outburst or my mother and Dave's plans. All that mattered was Fox and the time we had together now.

Fox brought his lips to mine and my hands found their way to the back of his neck, pulling on the strands of hair at the base.

I bit down lightly on his bottom lip, eliciting a low groan from him as he tightened his hold on my hip.

"Wanna go upstairs?" Fox asked breathlessly against my lips.

I answered him with a brief kiss before pulling away and dragging him up to my bedroom. Fox straddled my hips on my bed, cupping my cheeks in his hands as I placed my mouth back on his.

My hands traveled to Fox's hips, holding him close to me. I let my fingers play with his belt loops, tugging on them.

Fox pulled away, but kept his face close to mine. His glasses fogged slightly before almost instantly clearing. My attraction to him was apparent as I gazed at him, biting down on my bottom lip.

He sent me a coy smile, knowing exactly how I felt about the way he looked.

His glasses were my weakness, I would admit it.

Fox brought his hands to my shoulders, leaning me back so that I was completely reclined while he sat up on my hips. He quickly pulled his shirt off, his glasses becoming disrupted on his face before he straightened them out. Then he helped me tug off my shirt, kissing my chest as soon as it was discarded onto the floor.

He left marks up my chest and on my collarbone before brushing his lips against my ear as he spoke.

"It's your turn," he said in a low, raspy voice and I knew exactly what he meant.

"Are you sure you want to?" I asked him, unable to keep a smile from blossoming on my face.

"Yes," he instantly replied, bringing his lips to my jaw. "I want to."

Those were the only words that needed to be spoken for us to switch positions and continue what we started.

***

After we had finished, Fox and I made our way downstairs to the living room. Fox was flat on his back on the couch while I sat on top of him.

"You're sitting on me like I'm not going to be sore later," Fox said, resting his hands on my thighs that were on either side of his hips.

"You'll live," I replied with a wide grin, leaning down to kiss his cheek.

Fox grabbed my head before I could sit back up, pulling my face to his to give me a long kiss on the lips.

I situated myself into a more comfortable position as I deepened the kiss.

I continued kissing him until a throat clearing caused me to spring upward.

My eyes met Dad's, and they widened in panic. I hadn't even thought about how he would feel about Fox and I being here alone. He didn't even want us up in my bedroom.

Mindy stood beside him, an amused expression decorating her face.

Fox practically shoved me off of him so that he could sit up, feigning innocence like we hadn't just been caught.

"I'm just going to pretend like I didn't see that," Dad said with a light smile, walking past the couch. "And like I don't see what's on your neck, Elijah Christopher."

Fox groaned in embarrassment while Mindy chuckled and followed Dad into the kitchen.

"If your Dad didn't hate me before, he's going to hate me now," Fox grumbled, putting his face in his hands.

I rolled my eyes, lightly shoving Fox's shoulder. "Stop it."

Fox sighed and glanced down at his phone after it buzzed in his pocket, then looked back up at me.

"I have to go," he said, staggering a bit as he stood from the couch. "Ian is staying the night."

"Is everything okay?" I asked with concern, standing up beside him.

Fox shrugged with a solemn expression. "He just needs to get away from his house sometimes."

I didn't want to let my mind wander to the absolute worst, but I couldn't help it. Even though Ian wasn't all that friendly, I had grown fond of him during my time here and I couldn't bear the thought of him being stuck in an abusive home.

"Can you drive me home?" Fox asked in a low tone, motioning toward the front door.

I nodded, heading to the kitchen to grab Dad's keys so I could borrow his car and letting him know where I was headed. Fox and I made our way outside and into the car, starting toward his house.

"So..." I trailed, briefly looking over to Fox as I drove out of the neighborhood.

"I can't talk about Ian with you and keep your eyes on the road," was his instant response.

I scoffed. "I wasn't going to bring up Ian. I know you can't spread his business."

"So what were you going to say?"

I paused for a moment, debating on whether I should actually start this conversation.

"I was going to bring up Wren," I admitted.

Fox sighed, throwing his head back onto the headrest.

"Don't be dramatic," I said, lightly swatting at him.

"Both hands on the wheel," he demanded, grabbing my hand and placing it back on the steering wheel. "Why the hell do you want to talk about Wren?"

"Because he seems like he's really guilty," I started. "And wants to make up with you but doesn't know how."

"And he's too fucking prideful to talk to me about it?" Fox was obviously annoyed, like any other time his brother was brought up.

"You know you're cold to him," I retorted, raising my eyebrows. "If he tried talking to you, you'd brush him off."

Fox didn't say anything, but I took that as him admitting I was right.

"Aren't you tired of feuding with him?" I asked in a soft tone.

"I guess," Fox admitted with a sigh, running his fingers through his hair. "But I can't just flip a switch and get along with him."

"Maybe you should spend time with him," I suggested which just earned me a scoff.

"Just because I don't want to fight with him doesn't mean I want to be best buddies," he said.

"Okay," I replied as I neared his house. "But he cares about you. I can tell."

Fox didn't respond as I pulled up to his house, but the look on his face said a lot. I wouldn't care so much about helping Wren out if I didn't think it would be a good thing for Fox if the two of them got along. The thoughtful, contemplating look on his face told me that his rocky relationship with his brother was something that weighed down on him.

Fox looked up at his house and then back to me, parting his lips slightly.

"If Landon tries showing up at your house or anything..." Fox started, causing me to shake my head.

"Don't worry about it," I stopped him. "Go see Ian. He needs you."

Fox nodded before leaning in and leaving a slow kiss on my lips.

"I—" Fox stopped short, his eyes widening. "I, uh, I'll see you tomorrow."

He quickly got out of the car and scurried up to his house, looking back one last time before going inside.

I sat in the car for a few more minutes, shocked at Fox's rushed departure.

Was he going to say he loved me?

I couldn't push the thought out of my head. Love seemed so unattainable, but I couldn't help but wonder if the feelings of belonging, safety, and pure happiness I felt with Fox, was all that made up what love was.

It felt too soon. But at the same time, it felt right.

**