Here's the story y'all voted for! Hope you enjoy! [Reminder-This is A/U]

Song of the Chapter: All Points To Lauderdale-ADTR

(1)

"I hate being here," I whispered harshly, taking the last gulp of the bottle of beer in my hand.

"Then don't," Dave simply said, causing my frustrations to grow more.

"I told you I can't, Hunter said he wants me here." I hissed, slamming the empty bottle down on the table. Flashing a quick grin at the bunch of girls on the next table as they giggled and whispered at us, I took back the serious look onto my face when I looked at Dave. "What?" I asked, when his dumbfounded face stared back at me.

"How many times have I told you not to give women hopes?" He shook his head disapprovingly at me, while I rolled my eyes.

"I didn't," I held my palms up innocently. "I just looked at them, D, it's not like I asked to fuck."

"But they are probably thinking that," Dave cracked a smirk. I looked around the room, noticing Hunter was talking with some guy. And there was no one else in the room that I knew. "How long are you gonna stay like this?"

"Hmm?" I hummed, acting like I had no clue of what he was talking about. I guess he realized the look on my face, because he leaned forward and grabbed my wrists tightly.

"Don't be such a baby. You're twenty-one. You need someone in your life," he growled, his voice so low that over the loud music I barely heard him.

"Look who's talking!" I yanked my hands back. "You're twenty-five and you're telling me to find someone?"

"I'm a cripple," he hissed, and my heart skipped a beat. I watched as his eyes cast lower, attempting to hide the still cackling pain in them. But I saw. He couldn't hide anything from me. "No one needs to carry my burden. I'm just looking out for you as a big brother. I'm just doing my duty."

"And I appreciate it, D. So very much." I said, touching his hand, trying to ignore the tightening in my chest.

"Look, Randy. Mom is out. We never know when she'll wake up. I don't know how much longer Hunter will have me sitting here like a worthless piece of shit, doing nothing. I left everyone to go to the marines, and I paid the price. I'm not going to let you make a stupid decision like that," Dave scratched the back of his head. "That guy over there, who was just talking with Hunter. He has been eying you since he came here. Why don't you give him a shot?"

"How did a lecture of a lifetime turned to romance and dating, huh?" I scowled, but looked at the direction where the man was. He was good looking, had muscle, long black hair pulled into a messy bun, and had the look of someone who had money. Not that I cared, of any of those facts. I looked back to Dave just as the man turned to look at me. Hoping that I was not caught looking by him, I shook my head at Dave. "No."

"I don't see anything wrong in that guy," Dave frowned, his eyes never leaving that man.

"Dave, you're not gay, stop looking at him like that," I chewed on my lip to hide a smile. "Or are you?"

"No, no, no, no," he wildly shook his head, his eyes wide. I laughed, winking at him before standing up from the table and giving him a parting nod. It looked as if Hunter was not going to introduce whoever that person he said was coming to this party. It was better if I went to my room to do my stuff.

Just as I stepped out of the hall, a hand grabbed me. I jumped, about to punch the person but stopped, when I saw it was just Hunter. "Come on." He said, gripping me by my elbow and dragging me to the private side of the house, to his office. Turning the lights on, he gestured for me to sit as he settled down in his comfy chair, leaning back and tapping on his chin in a thoughtful gesture. I tried not to squirm uncomfortably under his piercing gaze. That man was always planning something to get under my skin. And not for the first time, I wondered how mom even met this guy.

It only took me less than five minutes to explode.

"Are you fucking kidding me?!" I hissed, throwing back the chair I was sitting and bringing myself to my feet.

"Do not cuss on me, boy," Hunter rose from his chair, his hazel eyes glinting dangerously. "I am only doing what's best for you."

"You're not doing what's best for me! You're sacrificing me to get your fucking nephew into this family," my hands slammed on the table as I got into his face, fuming. "Trust me, Hunter, that's not gonna happen as long as I'm alive."

"You're doing what I say, or our family is going down."

"There is no our family, Hunter," I said frustratingly. "It's my family. You're still just a stranger who happen to cross mom's path."

Hunter's eyes narrowed, his lips pursing to a thin line. I could tell that he was angry. Enraged even. The vein on his neck was pulsing visibly, and his brows were furrowed, wrinkles so deep on his forehead. "Your mother is in no condition to fret over your childishness. We're in need of money. We are bankrupt!"

"So you're going to sell me because of that? Because you don't have money? That's very nice of you," I hissed, sarcasm dripping down my words.

"I'm not selling you, Randy," Hunter rounded the table, stopping right next to me. "I'm just giving you a good future with a good guy, who'll take care of you. I'd have let you marry a girl, but I know you don't swing that way."

I averted my gaze, my hands clenching to tight fists. He always rubbed that on my face. "I'm capable of marrying a man I find interest in. I don't want help."

"It's not just about you," Hunter said in a low voice, grabbing my hand when I tried to storm away. "Just remember that if you try to do anything stupid, you'd pay for it. I will give you a month, Randy. Find someone worthy enough, or you're stuck with Reigns."

I wrenched my hand out of his grasp, giving him a disgusted look before walking out of the room. As soon as the door was closed behind me, I sprinted down the corridor, to mom's room. I hated being treated like an object, like some toy to just use and throw away. That was a reason why I never went out, just keeping my nose stuck in books and internet like a typical nerdy teenager, except, that I was over twenty years old. Almost twenty-one. I hated how Hunter had the authority to handle everything in the family rather than me or Dave. Choice, was something that I had never felt or touched or seen in this household for the past two years. I slowed down when I was near her room, and calmed myself down before going in there. She was fast asleep, like she had been for the past year and a half. She had met Hunter five years after dad died, which meant three years ago. The fact that Hunter became my step-father in six months was just sickening.

I didn't hide that I disliked the guy. The bad vibe he always gave off made me wonder why had mom even dated him. I hated her for that single fact. I smoothed a hand over her wavy auburn hair, thinking if I'd ever get to see her, big, doe-like, gray eyes ever again. I pressed against her on the bed, draping an arm over her slender waist and angling my head on her chest so I could keep gazing at her peaceful face.

"You okay?" Dave asked, and I heard the faint metal clunk of his left foot as he walked into the room. I nodded, hiding my face in mom's neck like I was still that little kid who ran to her for everything. "You're crying," Dave's hand brushed over my short hair, and he sat down at the edge of the bed. I sat up, making room for him and drew my knees to my chest, so I didn't crush mom.

"He wants me to marry his nephew," I mumbled, wiping my nose. "Said we were bankrupt and me marrying Roman would be good for us."

"You mean, Reigns?" I gave a bitter nod at his question in confirmation. "What the fuck is he doing?" Dave muttered to himself, before taking my hand. "You know you don't have to do it, right?"

"He'd make me," I hissed angrily, brushing away a stray tear.

"He can't make you do anything, Randy," Dave gently squeezed my hand. "You're an adult now. You make your own decisions. Not him."

I dragged my hand away from his, hiding my face in my hands, and sighing frustratingly. "Is it because I'm gay? That he hates me so much?" But the feelings were mutual, between me and Hunter, although it was different reasons for me.

"Don't stay stupid things, Randy. It's the twenty-first century, no one cares if you're into men or women today." Dave waved me off, and I peeked at him through my fingers. He was so terrible at making people feel better, but I still loved him. I chewed on my bottom lip, looking at mom again. "You know... You could run away."

My head snapped towards Dave, eyes going as wide as they could. "W-what?" I stuttered.

"You can run away for a while," he said again, his voice so nonchalant that he made the meaning behind those words easy like a piece of cake. "At least until things calm down in this place..."

"You've got to be kidding me," I muttered incredulously, immediately dismissing the thought of running away from home.

"If you do, this is a good time," Dave continued as if oblivious to the refusal I was expressing with all of my actions. "Everyone's focused on the party on the other side of the house. I'll be able to distract the guards while you get away from here."

"Dave, I said no," I angrily got up from the bed, and walked away. He was surprisingly fast, getting in my way and blocking the door like a roadblock when I was just about to step out of the room.

"Listen to me," he hissed. "This might be your last chance to go out there and see the world before you'll be locked down with a man you don't even want to be with for the rest of your life. Imagine going out there and finding the one you want."

"You've been watching way too many romance movies," I accused, although not admitted outloud, that his words did ignite a spark within me. What if I meet 'the guy?' How would a life without spoiled brats around you would feel like? What was like the world outside?

"Let's go," Dave dragged me to my bedroom. One day, my arm would fall off just because of all these dragging people do on it. "I'll give you my card and my phone. Leave yours here. One use, Hunter will find you."

"Dave-"

"The first thing you gotta do is take as much money as you can from the ATM. Then find a place to stay the night. Try to-"

"D!"

"Keep a low profile and since it's only for a while bare with motels and not so expensive clothes. Call me when you find a place to stay the night and call me every fucking night. Don't ever miss one night calling me or the next day you'll have me knocking at your doorstep."

"David!" I grabbed his shoulders, stopping him. Taking a deep breath, I pushed all the swirling thoughts in my head to the back of my mind. "Hunter gave me a month. He said if I could find someone that's worth our family within the time, he'd reconsider his deal with Reigns."

"So he wants you to find a rich asshole who can fill his pocket up in two seconds?"

"You're including us in that category too, you know," I lightly chuckled.

"This is different," his lips curved into a small smile. "But you should leave," then he turned serious again.

"Why do you want me to leave this house so much?" I frowned. "I can find someone even if I stay here and..." I trailed off, not having anything to fill in.

"And what, Randy? Even you don't know what to do yet. A month isn't that long. It'll pass like this," he flicked his fingers, and pulled a backpack out of my wardrobe before checking clothes and shoving them in. Everything was happening so fast. About an hour ago I was enjoying a good party, having a good time and then Hunter just had to ruin it by telling me he made a deal with Roman Reigns; who I haven't even seen yet. Now, I was going to run away, out into a world that I barely know all by myself, in the middle of the night.

"Snap out of it," I slightly jumped when Dave's hand appeared waving in front of my face. "Here," he handed me the bag, and his whole wallet, including his phone. "By the way, why do you only have like, three boxer shorts for underwear?" He sent me a teasing grin.

"Gimme that," face crimson, I yanked the bag out of his grasp and slung it over my shoulder. "That's none of your business."

"Everything about my baby brother is my business," he laughed, reaching out to smack my butt to which I punched his shoulder. Not that it would hurt him. "So... Bye." He said, suddenly turning awkward and shifting his weight from one leg to the other.

I wrapped my arms around him tightly and hugged him, burying my face at his neck. "I love you," I muttered.

"Yeah, yeah, me too," he muttered back, patting my back. Only god knew when I'd see this asshole again.

"Just keep in mind," I pulled away, stepping back. "You're not a cripple. You're the strongest man I've ever known."

A soft smile broke out on Dave's face, and I allowed myself to be happy about it. He rarely was like this, so I'd appreciate every second of him.

"We'll see each other again soon, kiddo. Keep in touch with me," he said, going to the window and opening it wide. "Hey!" He called out to probably the guards in the courtyard. "There's someone in here. I need you up here!" A few seconds later, he drew back, quickly stepping aside. "No one's there. Get out while you can."

I gave a stiff nod, jumping out into the metal staircase of the fire escape. It seemed like every guard was going up to Dave's room, but I didn't want to take a risk. I sprinted through the courtyard, approaching the front gates as soon as I can. Seeing security at the gate I halted, moving to hide behind a neatly trimmed small pine tree before picking up a rock that was broken from the rocky pathway to the house. I threw it to the opposite where I was, waiting for the sound of it crashing against the wall took the men's attentions. And only one's attention was caught. I tried again, and to my luck this time, the other one went to check on the sound, asking his mate to follow him. Grinning, I slipped through the gates and into the cold night, catching up a taxi that was parked outside.

"Take me to a motel nearby," I ordered, slipping a fifty dollar note into the driver's hand. It was too much, I knew, but it was not only for the ride, but for him to keep his mouth shut also in case.

I was nervous, to say the least. This was my first time going into the town alone, because at the moment I didn't even have my bodyguards with me. I prayed Dave to be okay, and with me gone, the bad feeling of my home I had grew. And I didn't even say goodbye to mom. A shattered sigh left my lips, and I pressed my face against the window looking outside, subconsciously counting the lamp posts which passed. I grimaced at the sight of the motel the taxi driver dropped me off, but since I didn't know any other, this had to be the best choice. I went in, a damp smell of something very not likable wafting in the air. The place was not very clean and tidy, and I had to hold my legs from turning around and rushing off to a hotel leaving this damned motel.

"May I know if there's a room to rent for the night?" I asked politely, unable to resist the manners I've been taught. The young man begind the counter looked me up and down, cocking an eyebrow and chewing gum noisily and obnoxiously in his mouth.

"No rooms," he flat out said. "That guy there just rented out the last one we had." He pointed to a retreiving man down the hall.

I didn't know where else to go. "Look, I'll pay you double, can I just have that room?"

"You'll pay double the amount? Really?" It was almost disgusting how money could have you anything you want. "Hey, you! The white guy!"

I watched as the man halted, and then looked back. And I found out why the boy called him white guy. He was as pale as a ghost, with fiery hair that went as a stark contrast to his zombie-like feautures. Piercing green eyes moved back and forth to me and the receptionist, if you could call this guy that, inspecting us deliberately.

"Yeah?" His deep accented voice made me look at him again.

"This guy paid double, give him the room keys."

The pale man glowered at me, and then at the other guy. "Look, mister, I came here first. I rented the room out first. He can go and search for another one and I'm not giving this back," he growled, clenching his hand around the keys.

"I'm the owner here. It goes as I say. Give him the room keys," the other hissed. Sensing a brawl, I groaned inwardly.

"I don't know any other place to go, okay. I'm new here," I just had to lie. "I think I'm lost, and I'm dead tired. I just want a good sleep, that's all."

The man pursed his lips, narrowing his eyes at me. I crossed my arms and waited for him to answer, averting my gaze to the floor. "How about we pay half the room rent and share the room?"

"What?" I hissed. "No way."

"Then I have the same answer for you, doll," my breathing almost stopped as he called me that. Who did he think he was?

Gritting my teeth, I clenched and unclenched my jaws in frustration. If I went out into the roads again at this time, someone would find me. Hunter was probably searching for me by now. And there was this fucker, not letting things go on my way.

"Okay," I said, thinking about the single bed and the two not so little guys trying to fit on it.