Prologue

~Summer~

“Mark!” I screamed, running out into the hallway. “What did you do with my phone charger?!”

“I’m borrowing it!” Mark yelled from his room. 

I groaned, bursting into his room. 

“We’ve been over this. You can’t take my things.” I said harshly, pulling the chord out of the wall. 

“Hey! Marley!” Mark exclaimed, trying to get it back. “I lost mine!” 

“Too bad.” I rolled my eyes. “Hey babe.” I added to my boyfriend who was laying shirtless on the couch. 

“You look hot.” He replied, his voice thick with sleep. 

“Says the shirtless one.” I winked, bending down to kiss his forehead. 

“Stop!” Mark yelled, throwing a pillow in our direction. 

“Mark.” A familiar voice said in the door. 

I gasped, looking up to see my dad standing in the doorway with an amused look on his face. 

“Mark, Marley, your mother and I would like to have a word with the two of you.” My dad said, taking a step back. 

“What? Since when are you two like a pair?” Mark raised his eyebrows, getting up from the bed. 

“Since the two of you became a problem.” My dad rolled his eyes before walking away. 

Mark and I exchanged looks. 

“You did it.” We both said at the exact same time. 

“How about just having your backs?” Logan suggested. 

“Oh shut up.” I laughed as Mark and I walked out of the room. 

It was the weirdest experience, sitting on the couch next to him with our parents standing in front of us. 

We hadn’t seen our dad in about three months. And we’d never gotten in trouble by both of them at the same time. 

“Jane has brought it to my attention that the two of you have been causing problems lately.” Dad said, crossing his arms. 

Mark and I exchanged looks, knowing exactly what they were talking about. 

“And I’m talking not doing your homework with your brothers…” My dad said, giving us a look. 

“Not showing up for dinner.” Jane added, crossing her arms as well.

“Staying out all night.” 

“Disrespecting Henry.” 

“Not doing your chores.” 

“Disregarding babysitting duties.” 

“Disregarding the point system. Come on guys that’s been in our family forever.” My dad added, looking extremely disappointed. 

“Fighting all the time.” Jane added. 

Mark and I glanced at each other. I knew that my face mirrored the guilt on his.

“So we’ve come up with an idea.” My dad grinned, acting like he was thrilled. 

“The two of you are going to be doing something this summer where you’ll have to pull your weight and get along with each other.” Jane added, exchanging grins with my dad. 

“Since when do you two plot things together?” Mark frowned, crossing his arms. 

“Unnecessary.” Our dad shot Mark a look. 

“So what’s this supposed master plan?” I rolled my eyes, leaning back against the couch. 

“The two of you are going to stay with Aunt Audrey for the summer.” My dad said, his eyes set on Mark. 

“No!” Mark exclaimed. 

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I yelled, leaning forwards angrily. 

“Dad! Our life is here! Our friends are here! This is the summer before my senior year!” Mark yelled. 

“She lives in North Carolina!” I yelled. 

“You can’t make us leave!

“Logan is here!” 

“Nicole is here!” 

“Dad!” I exclaimed. 

“No arguing. Go upstairs. You leave tomorrow morning.” My dad shook his head.