The doorbell rang and was followed by voices, which brought the conversation noise level in the living room up. I continued to draw with Molly as the doorbell rang again. I didn’t hear any voices at the door, but the noise level was still pretty loud as Steven and Jake started talking football.

The hairs rose on my neck and I snapped my head up to look at the hallway opening. There standing beside Alison was Shane. I saw him whisper something to Alison before he moved towards me.

“Molly, how about you go show grandma what you drew.” She agreed and Shane then took her seat. I stared into those bright greens eyes that held so many emotions.

“I’m sorry for the way I behaved to your sister and especially to you. I should have at least told you I was invited and given you my reason of why I wouldn’t attend.” I glanced at Alison and saw her watching us, before I looked back at Shane.

“But you are here.”

“Yes, because I need to put my past completely behind me. And attending a holiday with my friends and people I consider family, is the right thing.”

“Why?” I asked in the same whisper that we were having the conversation in.

“Three years ago, my parents, sister, brother, myself and my fiancé were on our way home from the mountains in west Virginia for Thanksgiving at the cabin we had rented. I had ended the trip early since my fiancé and I had gotten in a fight. The weather was horrible, but my father said that we were fine in our explorer. We were, but the other vehicles weren’t. A tractor and trailer lost traction coming the other direction on the highway. Our car was pinned under it. We were also trapped there when the line of cars behind us slammed into us. My parents were in the front and died instantly. Kelly and Joshua were in the back seats. They too died on impact from behind. Quinn and I were pinned in the middle. I watched him die beside me. The car had spun to where he was slowly being crushed to death. I couldn’t do anything to help him except hold his hand until his last breath. The EMT’s arrived not a minute later and kept me alive while the fire crew worked the metal around to get me out. I haven’t celebrated a holiday since.” I saw the pain in his eyes so clearly that my chest was hurting for him. Shane started to get up but my hand on his hand made him pause and look me in the eyes.

“Shane I understand now. Please stay.” I whispered. Shane gave me a soft smile before his other hand sat on mine and I truly smiled at him.

“Thank you for listening to my story.” He said softly.

“I’m glad I did too. So QPC?” I asked gently. Shane smiled sadly at me.

“Quinn Percy Caudwell. Yes I did take his name when he passed.”

“He looked good with you.” I whispered. Shane looked at me and he didn’t look surprised.

“I know. I loved him, I was happy with him, and I was ready to be his partner even though I knew something was missing.”

“What was missing?”

“He was just missing something. I wasn’t all the way whole with him.”

“Wait, why aren’t you surprised?”

“When Alison put her phone on speaker last week.” His features seemed to darken a little. “Who is Trevor?”

“Alison didn’t tell you?”

“No, she said I should ask you.” He mumbled.

“Trevor Brown, one of my old comrades and fellow IT friends, came to visit. He wanted to check out my new place and get away from his wife who had all her friends over. He brought me her chili.” Shane visibly relaxed with every word that came out of my mouth.

Behind Shane I saw my brothers tensing as Marcus and his brothers walk into the living room.

“Hold on.” I growled as I stood in line with my brothers. I glared at Nick and Brad as they stayed behind Marcus like cowards.

“Jason, Jake, Luke, and Lucas I would like to re-introduce you to my neighbor Marcus Clearwater and his brothers, my other co-workers and guests, Brad and nick Clearwater” Alison said cheerfully. Marcus stuck his hand out but none of us moved to return it.

“Zachary!” our mother scolded. All four of us flinched.

“yes.” We said in unison.

“This is your sister’s house so behave and be respectful to her guests. I don’t know what your problems with them, but greet them like the proper gentlemen I raised you to be.” Lucas was the first to return Marcus’ handshake and then it went up the line. After I shook Nick and Brad’s hand I walked over to Shane who was grinning ear to ear.

“What?” I mumbled.

“You four haven’t changed in that department.” He chuckled. I rolled my eyes at him. “And what is with the Zachary?”

“Our mother gave all four of us the same middle name so that when we were all in trouble-“

“Which was most of the time?” Shane guessed and I nodded.

“She could call one name and get all of us at once”

“Instead of calling four names.”

“Yep” I shrugged.

I saw some of my brothers going downstairs so I led Shane down so he could see the basement.

“Wow.” he whispered.

“yea, This was our idea.”

“I can tell.”

“But the bar and dance area was Alison’s idea. Want to play darts since the others have taken the pool table?” I said as I jerked a thumb to the dart board. Shane grinned at me.

“You are determined to beat me aren’t you?” he chuckled. I smiled as we started taking turns throwing darts. We played in comfortable silence until Alison interrupted the pool game. I looked at the football and knew things would get interesting very quick very soon.

“Game time boys!” Alison said happily.

“You going to join us?” Lucas asked as Shane and I put the darts away and the others put the que sticks on the table.

“Maybe.” She chuckled as she headed back upstairs. I shared a glance with my brothers before we were all racing up behind her.

Alison and Lucas talked a little more while myself, Shane, Jason, Jake, Marcus, Nick, and Brad all headed to the flat back yard. I helped Lucas define one of the goals while Jason and Jake did the other. We split into our teams and then dictated our spots. Once Alison came out we then lined up for our touch football game.

Being leaner than my brothers I was always a receiver with Alison But I was surprised when Shane ended up in front of me.

“Well hello again.” He said smugly. I grinned at him.

“Now I know my team can beat yours.” I said wickedly as I listened for Jason to snap the ball.

“Your team may beat mine, but you won’t get past me.” he whispered.

“What makes you so sure?” I said confused on his logic. He smiled again before he leaned closer. His proximity made me blush a little.

“Don’t question my dominance. I always end up on top.”

Next thing I knew I was on the ground staring up at the sky while I thought of what Shane said. My gut clenched more when I realized how sexual that was. I looked back at Shane and saw him smiling with a hand out. I clasped it and then was jerked up and looked into Shane’s eyes. They were full of so much hunger and it was directed at me.

I numbly walked over to the huddle, ignoring my brothers’ raised eyebrows. I glanced at Alison and she gave me a ‘What-Happened?’ look. I couldn’t hide the blush but I did look away from her.

Soon we went back to the line for a defensive play. When I got ready for their blitz, Shane looked completely serious and I started to feel nervous.

“What?” I mumbled. He cocked his head at me before a wry grin took his lips.

“I always wondered what you would look under me with passion on your cheeks and in your eyes.” He whispered. I stood there in shock as Shane ran past me. When I walked to the huddle I was trying to push the distraction and images out of my mind but they just wouldn’t.

“What happened?” Alison asked out of breath.

“They blitzed us and Luke let Shane get by.” Lucas growled as he shot daggers at me.

“Luke?” Alison asked me amazed.

“He doesn’t play fair.” I mumbled, Alison smiled wickedly at me.

“Then how about you and I start not playing fair back?” she winked at me and I grinned from ear to ear with a nod.

“Okay, you two work on them and we will push their offense back.” Jason agreed with a smile.

Walking back to the line I didn’t take my eyes off Shane’s crotch. When I was a foot in front of him I finally looked up into his eyes. His eyes knew where my eyes were walking up and it had darkened his.

“I’d never admit this to my brothers but I have always loved to have my lollipops drizzled in a little honey.” I said as I glanced down at his crotch again. I heard Brad snap the ball. I pushed Shane to the ground with a little force since he was a big guy. Once around him I covered Alison after she grabbed the fumble. I was smiling all the way. Shane’s shock look will be permanently engraved in my mind. I don’t think I will ever be able to get that expression from him again. Walking to Alison I saw her smiling as she started walking back to the huddle beside me.

She raised an eyebrow when she looked at Shane still on the ground. I looked at Marcus and frowned at him on the ground as well.

“What did you say to him?” Alison asked me. I smiled and looked straight ahead.

“Let’s say it involved honey.” I glanced at her and she blushed. “You?”

“Will you be mad?” she asked in a whisper.

“For this moment you are a female friend not my sister, because I’m curious.” I stopped when Alison stopped and laughed at me.

“Okay” she said before continuing walking. “I told him I was wondering what my legs would look like without my pants on and wrapped around someone’s waist who gave me flowers today.” She smiled as I felt my face flush a little from embarrassment, anger, and the erotic images that flashed through my head.

“I think I might use that, but change it a bit” I mumbled.

“Oh and what did you mean by honey.” I head curiosity and teasing in her voice. I blushed more.

“Okay, um.. the honey…was so I could lick a lollipop.” I whispered. Alison paused in her steps but I continued at a slower pace.

“I could use that too.” She smiled and we joined the huddle.

After another ten minutes Shane and Marcus had figured out what Alison and I were doing and retaliated tenfold. Another hour of playing and everyone was red faced and breathing hard from the tough game. Shane and Marcus though were like Alison and I. Their faces were red from the sexual teasing we did to each other.

“Alright Last play and then you all need to get cleaned up!” mom yelled from the window. The game was tied and the Clearwater and other’s team was holding their own. Then again both of our fast runners were down and trying to distract their runners.

Stepping up to the line I met Shane’s mischievous eyes with my own.

“What you going to say now?” I teased.

“Not sure.” Jason started sounding off in the background.

“What comes to mind?” I asked curious of what did go on in his mind.

“Only one thing.” He whispered as his eyes turned serious.

“What?”

“Go out with me.”  he said in all seriousness. I stared at him but habit kicked in when Jason snapped the ball. Holding Shane from going after Jason, I stared into his eyes and saw the fear lurking in them.  Glancing around I saw everyone was watching Alison, so being impulsive I relaxed and quickly moved close to him.

When my lips were at his ear I whispered a ’Yes’ before I gently kissed his cheek. Without looking back I walked over to where everyone was starting to huddle around Marcus. Alison slid to her knees beside him and Brad checked his pulse.

“Marcus?” Brad said concerned.

“Damn Ail, you weren’t supposed to hurt him.” Jake teased. I nudged his ribs.

“Shut up!” Alison yelled. She looked back at Marcus but the fear I saw in her eyes told me how much she really cared for Marcus. “You better be joking right now because this still won’t get you out of our deal.” She scolded Marcus.

Marcus coughed and opened his eyes. My body relaxed before anger settled in.

“Damn knock the wind out of me much Ali.” He groaned as Brad helped him up. I looked at Alison and watched as her eyes grew moist and red.

Alison got up and stormed away. I shot daggers at Marcus.

“Way to blow it.” Lucas sighed.

“Don’t do that to her!” Jason growled. Jake just plain out growled at him. As I walked past him I slapped him upside the head, not turning to see his face. But his ‘I deserved that’ was clear as day as we all walked in and took turns changing or washing hands.