Jaxon

The movie is already playing as Mara, and I walk into the dark theater, holding hands and looking for a place to sit when I spot Talan. Crap. He and I were supposed to go fishing at the river this afternoon. 

I'm not surprised to see him here, though. There is only so much else to do around our rural towns. His home reservation practically has nothing, and although there are several more businesses in New Sable, only some places cater to young people. One of which is the theater. 

"Talan's here with Kinsley and Ama," I say to Mara and gesture toward them, suggesting we sit in the empty seats behind them. 

As we approach the three of them, I crouch down, sneaking up to Talan to startle him and let him know we're here, too, since I completely forgot about him. Amalia and Kinsley jump in surprise, but Talan stays unfazed. After a brief conversation, I recline into my seat to enjoy the show.

As the film progresses, I can't help but notice Amalia sitting extra close to Talan. A year ago, that would have thrown me into a fury.

I always somewhat knew she had a thing for him. It didn't bother me until I thought he had one for her. I told him to stay away from her. I didn't use those exact words, but he got my meaning. Then I had a little talk with Amalia.

Did I blow it out of proportion? Yep. I'll say this, though. My reaction made perfect sense to me at the time. 

People around the state know Talan by name because he's a boxing prodigy. In our area, local guys fit into one of four categories. They're his friends. Talan's their idol; they fear or want to fight him.

Girls just want him.

Unlike me, he has a quiet personality, but his looks and notoriety attract them, especially during a boxing match. He always wins, and that adds to his popularity. Me? I lose sometimes, but I'm a hell of a gorgeous guy. Girls are always chasing us around, and we've made out with them whenever we've had the chance.

They hold boxing events all over the state during the season. I've seen guys on the team cheat on their girlfriends whenever we're in another town overnight. I didn't understand why girls wanted to act married when going out with a guy. Most of the guys in my crowd didn't take having a girlfriend seriously. I didn't want that happening to Amalia. Honestly, I wouldn't have let her go out with any of my friends.

Talan had family problems. His mom lives in San Diego, and his dad was gone a lot. So, by fifteen, he was having girls over when his dad was away. I was envious but pitied his home life even more whenever I thought deeply about it. 

I knew how Talan was with girls. 

Amalia was naïve, and I worried she'd get hurt. 

In her first-grade year, some bullies terrorized her, and even though I was only a second grader, I felt responsible for the incident that started the problem. I had encouraged her to make friends with three girls playing in the sandbox on the first day at our new school. I took her to them and introduced her, and when she tried to play with them, the ringleader, a little blonde demon, threw sand in her eyes. I wanted to defend her by pushing that girl down or at the very least, throwing sand in her face as Amalia stood there crying, but all I could do was take her up to a teacher and tell him. The girls got in trouble but blamed Amalia for telling and picked on my quiet little sister the rest of the year. Making friends was difficult for her after that, and it took her a while to grow out of her shyness.

An epic big brother failure. Amalia was my first best friend, so I made it my responsibility to look after her ever since. 

Talan and I thought it best not to have a girlfriend. Why would we want one? Why would any guy tie themselves to a girl when there are so many hot girls out there?

My entire outlook changed once I met Mara. Since I met her, she's the only girl I want. She owns me. 

The way Talan and Amalia are leaning toward one another, shoulders brushing together, they resemble a typical couple on a date, and somehow, I don't feel bothered by it anymore. 

Talan is a cared-about family member, and I remember the exact day he became one. 

2 Summers Ago

Talan surprised us by showing up at the house right when we were about to leave for a camping trip, a week after we first met him. Our entire family, including Kade and Kinsley, had just piled into the pickup. Amalia and Kinsley were sitting in the back seat with me. Erik and Kade were sitting in the truck bed beneath the Camper shell.

Dad rolled his window down. "We're camping by the river for the weekend. So the kids won't be home until Sunday," he said. 

Talan nodded but kept his eyes on us until we pulled away. I saw my dad watching him through the review mirror as we crept a little up the street. The truck practically stopped, so I leaned out my window and glanced behind me. Talan had turned around, but he was standing there hanging his head. A look of concern passed between my parents. Then, Dad threw the truck into reverse, drove back to Talan, and invited Talan to come with us. 

Talan's vacant look disappeared, replaced by a wide, cheery smile, his demeanor instantly livening up with excitement in his eyes. "Sure!"

Before he climbed inside the truck bed with Kade and Erik, Mom questioned if there was someone he needed to ask or call.

"Nope."

She shared another concerned glance with Dad and told Talan they should inform his dad or someone else about his whereabouts for the weekend.

Talan thought for a second. "Aunt Rayna can tell him. I can pick some clothes up from there if we stop at their house before we leave?" 

I didn't understand it then, but my parents' hearts went out to him that day. Dad grew up in foster care, and he once said meeting our mom saved his life, so he must have understood how Talan was growing up. Talan's dad's neglect wasn't his fault. Nor was it Talan's fault that he had to grow up fast. 

On second thought, there was no excuse for my overreaction. Talan is a great guy, a great friend, the best. 

It hits me that Talan didn't go out with anyone I knew about over the entire summer. And Amalia never goes out with anyone, ever. I watch them for a few more seconds and figure. What the hell. Live and let live. Amalia is old enough to take care of herself. If she's going to date anybody, it may as well be him. 

I guess I've grown up since that cold winter day when I acted like a prick to my sister and my best friend.

Occasionally, Amalia turns around and looks at me. I pretend not to notice anything. I'm positive they're holding hands when I stand up to get popcorn.

I accept the idea of her and him and decide to mind my business from here on out, but not before one last thing. I plan to get them together at the house after the movie and wait for them to tell me they're a couple now.