Running down the hall, Aspen practically drags me back to the waiting room.

My heart pounds in my ears as I take in Lena covering her mouth, silent tears streaming down her face as the Doctor talks as we round the corner.

"We're here!" Aspen bursts through the door, moving to his mom's side and taking me with him.

The room is silent and his grip on my hand tightens.

"Don't tell me–"

"He's out of surgery." The doctor says. "Offier Jones was shot twice. Once in the shoulder and one in the leg. The shoulder wound was clear through but it was near the ball and socket joint. The bullet fired into the leg traveled. We got it out and gave him blood transfusions."

"So he's okay?" Aspen demands and I rest a hand on his leg to calm the shaking.

The doctor grimaces and the sight has both Jones boys running their fingers through their hair. Just like their dad does.

"He's weak but stable." He confirms. "However, he has a long road of physical therapy and healing ahead of him." A rather long road by the sound of it.

"He's alive, that's all that matters." Mom says, hugging Lena. She's right.

"May I?" Lena asks, going to stand up.

"It's late and he's tired but I think seeing his family will be good for him." The doctor nods.

I attempt to let go of Aspen's hand but he holds tight. We follow Lena down the hall, mom right next to her incase she collapses. I've never seen her so frail and weak.

Watching her fling herself on her husband, a new wave of tears pouring down her face, a new sense of guilt washes over me. They don't deserve this. Houston hugs his dad but the sight of the blood has him paling.

"Easy." Garner throws an arm around him, grabbing the trashcan in time for him to puke his guts up.

"Blood ain't for everyone." Steve manages to tease as his son heads for the bathroom.

Aspen stills in front of his father before collapsing on the ground. If it wasn't for the fact I'm so short, I would've gone down with him. He hugs him, letting go of my hand as he clings to his father for dear life.

"I-I-I was so scared." His voice cracks.

"It's okay." Steve murmurs, using his good hand to hug his son. "I'm golden. We'll be playing catch next week."

"Absolutely not." My mom and Lena snap and he tries to chuckle.

"Women, such worriers"

Aspen grins, "I never understand why they freak out."

I slap the back of his head as he stands back up. Without us he'd probably be dead.

"Hey there, Jov." Steve says and I hug him.

"I'm happy you're okay." I offer, hating how he smells. So sterile and clean, not like the honey soap Lena makes him use because it's good for his skin.

"Thank you for helping him." He whispers, kissing my forehead.

"Always." The fact he knows doesn't even phase me. I'd do it a thousand times.

Standing back to my feet, Steve focuses on my twin. "They told me about my son who was handling the updates like a champ, holding my daughter as he paced the halls."

"I'm so–"

"Gentry Rawlings, the only thing you should be apologizing for is not hugging me." Steve cuts him off and my brother hugs him. "Thank you for stepping up when others couldn't, it makes me proud."

This chokes him up, "I just... I did what was needed."

Sometimes I forget how mature my brother can be. He's a lot more than the clueless dumbass he lets the world see.

A hand grabs mine as a nurse ushers us out of the room, Squeezing once, I focus on our moms.

"I'm driving Lena home." Mom says, her eyes distant like she's trying to plan the next month with no answers. "So Gentry take my car home and Jo drive Aspen's truck back."

Nodding, I head for the parking lot.

Pulling onto the road, I sigh. "Aspen, driving with you making my entire right side immobile isn't safe."

My arm is placed on the wheel as he readjusts himself. "There."

"Smartass." I mutter, merging onto the interstate.

"What happens now?" He asks.

"I don't know." It sucks but I have no idea. We're in uncharted waters and it makes me sick to think about.

His phone rings and I'm a Barbie Girl fills the truck. Fighting back laughter, I watch as he declines the call.

"Did you tell Mere?" I ask, still not over her ring tone. Gentry changed it last year on a $20 bet and Aspen never fixed it.

"Nope." He turns his phone off. "I was supposed to swing by an hour ago."

And she just noticed, how sweet. "Can I ask you a question?" He grunts. "Why do you waste your time with her?"

He quiet for what feels like forever, "Somethings even I can't understand, Jojo."

"But she's just so... horrible." I state, not having a better word to describe her.

"That's your opinion."

"At least she's not following you to college." She plans on going to UGA with the rest of our school. I can see it now. She'll room with April or May, join a sorrority, and spend her weekends living it up at tailgates.

"I don't give a shit where she goes." He snaps. "The question is, where are you gonna be?"

"I have no idea." I whisper, hating how sweaty my palms get at the thought of next year. "I just hope she magically learns to be a better person."

"Why do you care?"

I blink, my grip on the wheel tightening. "Because it's gonna be a stressful month for everyone and Meredith hates it when your attention is else where."

She hated it when Brooklynn was born. She hated it every time Aspen prioritized us over her, even when we were going through Hell. I don't think his dad almost dying will be any different.

"I can handle her." He snaps. "Why don't you focus on your own boyfriend who is so blind with jealousy."

"Beau is not jealous." This idiot doesn't know when to stop.

"Sure." Aspen snorts. "I heard how he reacted when he learned you were with me in the middle of the night."

"He didn't react." I defend weakly but even I don't believe it. He definitely had an attitude.

Pulling in the driveway, I slam the gears into park, taking the few minutes we have alone before everyone else gets here.

"Why are you so insistent my boyfriend is jealous?" I demand, unbuckling and twisting to face him.

"Because he hates the fact that you're so close with guys, especially me." He pushes, leaning forward.

"He does not and it's not like you've never been bothered by Mere talking to guys."

"I haven't."

"Bullshit, Aspen."

"Were you ever jealous of Jay talking to other girls?"

"No." I gulp, I never felt the need to. He's Jay.

"There, now you see my point."

"All I see is that you continue to hate my boyfriend for learning how our relationship works." It takes time to learn these things.

"It's been almost two months, how much time does he need?"

"I don't know, you and Mere  are apparently still figuring that out yourselves." I spit.

He grabs the hand I was about to shove him with, "You're adamant he isn't jealous."

I nod, clearly.

"Fine, then you wouldn't have an issue in telling your boyfriend where you'll be sleeping tonight."

"Why should he care?" I counter, staying still as he moves closer.

"Because you'll be with me, in my bed, in another one of my sweatshirts since the one you're currently in smells like hospital." My heart speeds up. "I don't think Boo would be very fond of the image that would paint in his mind."

"Go to hell."

Staring into each others eyes, we wait for the other to break. I don't breathe as he leans in, his lips grazing my cheek before stopping by my ear. "Looks like I'm right."

I stay silent, hating the fact I don't hit Aspen as he hugs me. He's not right but there are just some things Beau will never understand. He was bothered about the bachelorette watch party but hid it. I don't want to know how he'd feel about this.

And it's none of his damn business.

"Can we call a truce?" He asks, nestling his head against my shoulder.

"What for?"

"I won't purposely be an ass to Beau and you won't bother Mere."

My mind plays with the idea. "How about you won't be an ass to Beau at all."

"I can only promise so much." He counters with a yawn. Fair enough.

Sighing, I run my fingers through his hair. "Why?"

"Because I'm tired of fighting with you, Jojo. We only have months before graduation. I dont want to ruin it bitching over things that we aren't gonna change."

"Then, yeah, we have a deal." I say, swallowing the lump in my throat.

That's the best thing for us.

Going inside, our moms text asking if we want anything from McDonalds. I guess in all the chaos no one really ate dinner. We say no, heading for the basement.

Once I've changed, I'm pulling back the covers when Aspen walks out of his bathroom. "You take the bed."

"What do you mean?" I ask, overly confused as he throws a pillow on the floor.

"We have a truce. Us sleeping in the same bed would definitely piss Beau off." He says and I try to search for the game he's play but he's genuine.

"Don't be stupid."

"I'm serious." He defends himself, grabbing a blanket.

Moving, I grab his hand. "Aspen, your dad almost died tonight. I know how you get and I know you'll be better off in your own bed. I'll take the floor."

"Don't." He grabs my arm. "Please stay."

Taking in his broken eyes, I relent.

The silence calms us as arms wrap around me.

"Thank you, Jojo." He whispers, kissing my temple.

"Always, Penny."

The people we love should never thank us for simply loving them.

*****

Waking up with my face pressed into Aspen's chest, the sound of muffled voices and pots clanging drag me out of bed. However, arms yank me back into place.

"Sleep." He murmurs and I laugh.

"You can sleep, I want to eat."

That gets him up and moving. Wandering upstairs, we find Gentry trying to make eggs.

"Jesus Christ, Gen." Aspen turns the stove off. "There's more shell than eggs in that pan."

My brother sags against the counter. "I was just trying to help."

They hug and I watch, knowing they share a bond even I could never understand. They're brothers.

"Thank you, but there's a French toast casserole in the fridge dad keeps frozen for lazy days." Aspen claps his shoulder.

Houston and Garner stumble into the kitchen, disheveled hair and last nights clothing still on. Gross.

"So I take it we aren't going to school today?" Garner asks.

Reading the clock as 11:30, I shrug. "Guess not."

The front door opens, causing us all to jump before mom and Lena walk into the kitchen. Both in unlatching outfits and tired eyes.

"Dad sends his love." Lena offers, kissing both her boys cheeks before doing the same to us.

"How's he doing?" Aspen asks, standing tall.

"Way too chipper for someone who has two holes in him but after Allie hunted the doctor down, we were assured he looked great."

I snort, knowing mom probably searched the entire hospital for that man.

"We have to make calls to the insurance and to doctors for physical therapy so please keep it down." We're ordered as they go into the dinning room.

Sharing a look with the boys, we decide to help out in any way we can.

*****

Hours later, after we've cleaned and organized almost the entire house, we find mom and Lena hunched over the table with their heads in their hands.

"What's wrong?"

"The doctor just said Dad won't be up to travel for Thanksgiving break." Lena offers defeatedly.

That would mean... "But we always spend Thanksgiving together."

"I know, but we just–"

"I'll take the kids." Mom says.

"What?" We all ask.

"The kids can still drive up on Wednesday and meet me in Tennessee. That way Steve can have a few days to recover in a quiet house."

"Allie, I could never ask that of you."

"You aren't." Mom shrugs. "I'm offering and it's more like an order."

"Thank you." Lena lays back in her chair, trying to process everything.

"So that means we can drive ourselves." Gentry says and I groan.

I'm so not looking forward to a road trip with them. The parents being with us is the main reason we've survived. I can't kill one of them under supervision.

That's the sort of behavior that gets you grounded.

*****

Around sundown, I'm pulling into our driveway to pick up a few things when a face taps on my window.

"Hey, Boo." I offer through a yawn as I get out of Aspen's truck.

"Where were you today?" He asks, hugging me.

Resting my head on his chest, everything from the last 18 hours manages to catch up with me. "We were at Aspen's house. His dad made it though surgery and they're hoping he'll be discharged by the end of the week if everything seems to progress the way it's expected to."

The doctor was positive but I can't help but have my doubts.

"That's wonderful, I'm happy he's okay." He rubs my back before letting go and I smile.

"Me too, it was a long night."

Going for my house keys, he follows. "So you stole Aspen's truck?"

"No, I borrowed it to grab some clothes for my family."

"Why, you apparently found something to put on." He remarks, eyeing the sweatshirt I'm wearing.

"Beau, please–" My voice dies out as I walk up the front porch steps, taking in my front door wide open. "Call Aspen."

"Why should–"

"Shut up." I snap, trying my hardest to not drop my phone as I dial his number.

"Jojo?"

"The front door was open." I manage to say, shaking so badly.

"Where are you?"

"On the porch wi-with Beau."

"Stay there, I'm already on my way." The line cuts off and I sit on the stairs, hugging my knees to my chest.

"Why is he coming?" Beau demands. "I can go check it out."

"There are some things you won't understand." I offer blandly.

"Your dad?" He finally pieces it together.

"I don't know, maybe." Better safe than sorry.

"Still, I could–"

"Beau, please." I state, slapping the porch. "Aspen promised to lay off being an ass so could you please do the same."

Quietly, he nods.

"Thank you. I don't need you two to be best friends but Aspen knows you aren't going any where and you need to get that he isn't either. Deal with it, I need you to shove your ego aside."

"Of course, I'm sorry." He sits beside me. "I'm an asshole and right now I'm definitely being selfish."

"You sorta are." I agree but deep down I appreciate him acknowledging it.

"I'm here to help however I can, Cutie." He says.

Leaning in, I kiss him.

Someone clears their throat. "Let's check this shit out."

Standing to my feet, I let Aspen lead the way into my house with a baseball bat in hand. Nothing seems out of place, the kitchen is just as messy as it was yesterday. The box of pizza is still on our table and the TV is still playing.

I don't relax until we've checked every room, coming up with no answers.

"It's all clear."

"I told you there was nothing to worry about." Beau cheers, hugging me. "I'll go home unless you need any help."

"No, I'm good." I assure him with a kiss.

Aspen watches him leave, in complete shock. "What's his deal?"

"He agreed to be nice to you." I jab his gut, moving to gather the items mom asked for.

Grunting, he helps. "Who do you think opened the door?"

Dropping mom's shirt, I fumble for my words. "I-I'm not sure."

"Jovie."

"I'm not. We left in such a rush last night, it's possible I didn't close the door properly." Last night is a blur. I honestly don't remember anything from the time Gentry called me to arriving in the waiting room.

Finishing up the list. I triple check the back and garage doors to ensure they're locked before walking out front.

Aspen studies the house, "Let's just say I'm happy you're staying at our house to help out."

Smiling, I try to swallow my nerves. "Me too."

Even if it was a phantom wind, I know my family has a ghost.

*****

Hi, this is late but it's been a very chaotic 24. I didn't go to bed till 4, my mom had a scare on her drive back to Tennessee from dropping me off at LSU.

I learned you can can call 911 at any state and be connected to emergency personnel anywhere

Everything is ok now and now I'm gonna go watch LSU win the championship!!