Crys' POV

The cab ride home isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Harv is just sitting with his head leaned back and staring at the roof. It's only a five minute ride, so I'm simply staring out the window while occasionally making sure Harv is still awake. With things being in a comfortable silence, my anxiety eases and I find myself calming down.

Upon arriving at our apartment, I pay for the cab and hold the door open for Harv to stumble out of. I guide him to our place with my hand on his forearm and the other gently on his back, he at least wasn't a difficult drunk. Though once we were in the elevator, he started nodding off.

Stumbling inside our place, I lead him to his bedroom and attempt to gently lower him to his bed. Taking in a breath I didn't realise I needed, I start to take his shoes off. Looking up at him, he appears to have nodded off the instant his hit the pillow.

Debating on how nice I want to be, I decide to at least put him under his covers. Not an easy task, since he's on them. While I try to gently pull them out from under him, I find myself wanting to slap him awake to do it himself.

"Ugh. Why did you have to get so damn drunk?" I mutter lowly to myself, finally getting the covers free.

"My girlfriend and I broke up." He mumbles so quietly, I almost miss it.

Looking at him, his eyes now slightly open, and all I see is sadness. I suddenly feel bad for my bitchy thoughts moments ago.

"I'm sorry, Harv."

"Don't be." He smiles sadly. "Don't think she even loved me anyway." He mumbles to himself, like he was brushing it off.

Feeling like he shouldn't be left alone right now, I sit with him on the edge of his bed. When I look at his face, he has closed his eyes again, though a tear has flowed down the side of his face. Without actually thinking, I start to brush my fingers through his hair. Something I did to the twins when we were all younger. His body tenses for a brief moment before he relaxes again.

"Thank you." He breathes out.

After a minute, his breathing evens out and his face smooths. Another moment later and I decide it's time for my shower and PJs.

"Goodnight, Harv." I bid my farewell, before slowly making my way to the door.

Closing the bedroom door quietly, I walk to the bathroom on our side of the apartment. Adjusting the heat before stepping in, I wash my work shift away while enjoying the warm water run over me. Once done, I change into black PJ shorts and a purple singlet.

Climbing into my soft bed, I can't help think that tonight hadn't been as bad as I thought it would be. Maybe my anxiety will easy up with time.

Harv wasn't bad to be around, he certainly wasn't a bad drunk. That had been a lot of my worry tonight, being alone with a drunk man. Sure, I've trained with Lee but really I don't know how I'd react if the situation arises.

At some point, I hear the twins stumble in while arguing about nonsense. Knowing they are home safely, my thoughts shut off and sleep takes over my exhausted body.

○●○●○●○●○●

The next morning I wake up to sunlight glaring on my face, thanks to my tired brain not closing the damn curtains last night. After doing my morning business, I put a bra on and tie my long hair up.

While making myself a hot cup of liquid gold, I decide that I'm going to make the three hungover men breakfast. Perhaps it'll help everyone start our last day of freedom on a better note.

Bringing my much needed cup of coffee to my face, I inhale the distinctive smell with closed eyes and a smile on my face before bringing it to my lips. But before I get to taste even a drop, there's a knock at the door.

Who would be here this early?

The thought that maybe it was him makes my heart rate rise and my breathing become slightly laboured. The familiar shake of my hands begins as I slowly walk to the door.

Looking through the peephole, I sigh in relief when I see a girl on the other side. Taking a moment to slow my breathing, I open the door to the early visitor.

Before I even get a chance to greet her though, she looks me up and down with disgust on her face. I get I'm in my PJs, but still I don't look that bad.

"Who are you?" She almost snaps at me with a scrunched up nose.

Stunned by the random rudeness, I take a moment to look her up and down too.

She is definitely attractive, with strawberry blonde hair and green eyes. She probably has a beautiful face but it's hard to tell under the make up she's caked onto it.

"I live here. Who are you?" I ask back with fake politeness.

"Live here? Did those twins decide to let one of their booty calls move in? Disgusting." She asks, clearly horrified by her own assumed discovery.

Narrowing my eyes at the rude cake in front of me, I have to take a few breathes so I don't slap her for talking about my brothers like that.

"No, actually. The twins are my brothers. Now, who are you?" I say barely hiding how angry I am.

"I'm Chloe, Harvey's girlfriend. Now let me in so I can see him." She says as she tries to barge into our home.

I don't move out of her way to let her in though, planting my hand firmly on the door frame. Even if they were actually still dating, I doubt I would have let her in anyway. She huffs at me before glaring, what I'm sure she think is a scary face in my direction but just reminds me of a child's glare.

"Move out of my way, I need to talk to Harvey! Or are you as stupid as those twins are?!" She almost screeches.

I try to calm down. I try to breathe. I even clench my fist to try and not punch this stupid cake. But it's all for nothing once she insults James and Jeremy.

Pointing my finger in her direction almost prodding her chest and narrowing my eyes, my lit fuse going off in her face.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" I practically sneer. "You show up here first thing in the morning, insult my brothers and I, try forcing yourself into my home and lie to my face. All while being disgustingly rude, just so you can try to force a conversation with your EX-boyfriend."

She starts to open her mouth so she can interrupt but I continue before she can utter a word. My brothers are my world so when people are hurtful towards them, I get very protective.

"Next time you want to slip in and force an unwanted conversation, try being tactful or even polite. If he wants to talk to you, he'll call you." And with that, I slam the door in her face, breathing laboured from my angry rant while closing my eyes.

After a moment, I realise I just told off a grown woman that I didn't even know. Feeling like a bitch, I open my eyes with plans to at least remake my coffee only to see Harv standing in his doorway.

Shit.

We just stare at each other for a few moments. He's in a bit of a trance, while I'm just standing there like a deer in headlights. I clear my throat to attempt to break the silence between us.

"I'm so sorry. If you wanted to talk to her umm, I'm sure she hasn't gotten far yet if you want me to go get her?" I offer while silently hoping I don't have to.

He shakes his head side to side before walking over towards me, stopping a small distance away. I'm getting a bit weirded out by how close he is, but oddly don't feel uncomfortable or threatened.

"No, thanks." He chuckles lowly. "Thank you though, for getting rid of her." He says with a small genuine smile.

"Well, I didn't think you were too interested to have a meaningful conversation moments after waking up hungover." I tell him truthfully.

He nods slightly, "Thank you for last night too. For all of it. But ahh, can we maybe not mention it to your brothers?" He asks with a hint of desperation swimming in his chocolate eyes.

I quirk my head slightly to the side confused before he sighs defeated.

"Practically crying over her and needing the company that you gave, more than I thought I needed. They'd never let me live it down." He admits, not meeting my eyes.

I give him an understanding smile before nodding in agreement. We walk back to the kitchen together and Harv remakes our coffee, since my cup's now too cool. My lack of caffeine is possibly why I was so angry at Chloe.

While Harv takes care of the coffee, I pull out ingredients to make everyone bacon and eggs for breakfast. While everything is cooking, James and Jeremy stumble in.

"Hi boys. Have fun last night, did we?" I stir, greeting them slightly louder than needed.

James just glares at me while Jeremy goes straight to the fresh coffee.

"Be nice, Crys. We are allowed a wild night out before college starts back up." Jeremy whines while flopping into the dining chair.

"You didn't have to ditch me after nagging me to go with you though." Harv grumbles to himself.

The twins simply look at each other and smile before looking back at Harv.

"We're sorry man. But we couldn't resist the siblings we happened to find. Just so god damn hot." Jeremy fakes remorse.

Serving up everyone's food, we all enjoy the greasy food and hot coffee that's slowly making us functional.

"So, what was with all the yelling?" James inquires, breaking the peace.

"Just an unwanted visitor." I wave off, unsure of the details I should give.

"Chloe came by. Crys basically told her to fuck off." Harv decides to do me in. Apparently he already told them of their break up.

I slowly look up at my brothers, they're staring at me with wide eyes and open mouths. I simply give them a sheepish smile, not entirely proud of myself.

"Holy shit." Jeremy mutters.

Upon seeing Harv's confused face, James decides to fill him.

"Crys is only a year younger and has always been protective of us, even though she doesn't need to be." He mutters the last part. "When we were in high school she'd have such a fierce look on her face when having a go at someone, the jocks shat themselves." He chuckled remembering the old times.

"She just hasn't been like that since coming back." Jeremy cuts in.

"She called you stupid." I muttered, slouching in my seat.

"So wait a second, you guys never told me your sister was in her last year as well. How does that work?" Harv questions, understandably confused.

"I'm actually more than a pretty face, you know?" I explain jokingly. "Nah, I got dual credits during high school and I did summer classes." I shrug.
(A/N I hope it makes some sense!)

No need to know I buried myself in school and college work, to keep myself from thinking about our parents or him.

He nods looking slightly shocked before the boys clean up dishes and we spend a day together having a Back to the Future movie marathon.

Tomorrow we begin our last year of college and I'm glad to be doing it with James and Jeremy. Having Scarlet and Harv as friends, will make it easier too.

I just hope I can juggle college, work and gym.

How hard can it be...

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Edited 20/06/2018

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