The four of us just stood in silence staring at each other for a while before Zave's father spoke.

"Where have you been?" he demanded from Xavier.

"Uh around." He replied nonchalantly.

"Today is really important to me and as always you and your mother just have to be selfish and make me look bad." I saw Zave's eyes twitch with anger but he didn't show any other reaction. His dad's eyes turn to me and I see disapproval in his eyes. I also gave him the 'Well I don't like you too'  look.

"Hey Evie," Mark said breaking the awkward silence. It seems he changed before coming here after leaving our place. He was dressed in a semi-formal atire. I wonder how he knew Mr.Allen.

"You two know each other?" Mr. Allen asked while looking at Mark. 

Mark smiled and answered,"Yeah we go to the same school and I'm in the same football team with her brothers."

"That's right you play football too. You know well to play it as a hobby and not base your future on it. Unlike him" he nodded his head towards Zave after the last word. Seriously what is this guy's problem? I get why Zave looks miserable most of the time. He has to deal with this on a daily basis.

"This is Mark. It'll do you well to learn from him sometimes. Maybe he can get you to look at life as a whole and not just live in your own selfish bubble." He continued. Seriously dude. After his statement Zave looked angry but still didn't utter a word and Mark looked uncomfortable. The man looked like he wasn't done killing his son's spirit. He was about to continue and I was so sure Zave wouldn't be able to hold back from doing or saying anything stupid. In case it wasn't obvious, Xavier has a major anger issue sometimes. He's been trying to keep it in check because of a pact we made some time ago. Before I knew it words were just sprouting out of my mouth.

"With all due respect Mr. Allen, Xavier is one of the least selfish people I've ever met, and playing football means the world to him. If you've ever seen him play you would see how happy it makes him. He's been lucky to find something he's really good at and loves and as his father shouldn't you be encouraging him rather than bringing him down and trying to make him into someone you would like and not appreciating him for who he is. He is an amazing human being and you should be proud to have him as a son." 

There was a moment of silence after my rant that I thought  I should have just kept quiet till I turned to Xavier to check his reaction and saw he was smiling at me like really smiling at me. Not his annoying and teasing smirks he almost always has on. His dad on the other hand had a really intimidating look on that made me want to apologize. I almost did but then Zave reached for my hand and pulled me towards the entrance without acknowledging his father.

He took me to one of the benches they had around the hospital. He still hadn't said a word and I was starting to think maybe I went overboard talking to his father like that.

"I'm sor-"

"Thank you," he cut in, stopping my apology. I turned to look at him and his smile had returned. "No one has ever stood up for me like you just did. I always thought I didn't care about whatever he did or said. But hearing you defend me like that actually feels really good. Thank you, Evie." He squeezed my hand gently. That's when I realized we were still holding hands.

"You're welcome" I smiled back at him. 

"I always knew you loved me. Was that a confession back there?" He just had to ruin the moment. His smirk was back. "I mean I'm flattered. I can definitely see us happening." He pushed his face closer to mine. I could feel his breath on my cheeks. It felt really weird. I pushed him away and he burst out laughing.

"You should have seen your face." He said between laughs. I hit his hand to stop the teasing. that just made him laugh more. I was about to say something when I heard a throat-clearing sound behind me.

We both turned toward the sound and came face to face with Mark."Uh, your dad wants you inside." He said looking at  Zave. He looked like he was going to ignore Mark before I said,

"You should probably go. His reason for doing this may be selfish but what he is doing will really help the hospital." 

He groaned. "Come with?" He pleaded with his eye.

"I can't," I said looking at my watch. " I made plans with Nina and if I cancel it she is going to kill you the next time she sees you."

"That's true. Wait here so I can drop you off at home." We stood up from the bench.

"I can take her. It's on the way to my home." Mark interjected.

"No need. I can take her myself." He opposed it strongly. He pushed me behind him like he was shielding me from danger.  Xavier obviously isn't a fan of Mark. He even looked ready to fight.

"I'm running late so I'll go with Mark. I'll call you later alright?" He nodded after a moment of hesitation before he pulled me in for a surprise hug.

"Mmm," he hummed a response. "Call me when you get home." His phone rang and he groaned. That must be his father. He held my shoulders and waited for my response. I just nodded.

"Bye. I'll catch you later." He ruffled my hair and glared at Mark before running off.

"The car's over here," Mark pointed in the direction of the parking lot. I followed him to his car and opened the door before he could try to open it for me. Weird thing is it didn't look like he had it in mind to open the door to me. It's not like he's obligated to but he looked like someone who would. He went around to the driver's seat and we set off. We sat in silence. The only sounds being heard were the other cars and their horns as they drove away.

" You and Allen huh," he said breaking the silence."How did that happen? Do your brothers know?" He turned to look at me after the last question.

"One, eyes on the road, Brandwill. Two Allen and I are just friends and no, my brothers don't have a clue so I'd appreciate your discretion." He nodded.

"Maybe you shouldn't hang out with Allen so much. He might not be a good influence on you and your brothers seem to have a valid reason not to trust him." He looked annoyed.

"I'm beginning to question the validity of their feud."

That's exactly why I need to resolve it to get the boys to at least be civilised with each other. And I knew the perfect person to help me dig out the truth. Aiden Williams Denver. My dear brother and former bff of my current bff. This should be fun.