Chapter 11

Brian POV

"What are you drawing'?" I asked as I came to sit next to Suki.

We were all out in the garden having a barbecue seen as Tej and Suki were over. The best part of it for me was that I was allowed to get up and walk around because Mia didn't want to ruin the little time I had with Tej and Suki while they were visiting.

She titled the pad slightly. "Designs of course."

I chuckled. "Should've guessed."

"So, who did you piss off this time?"

I nodded towards Vince. "Although someone lied to him so he would do it."

"I made a bad move," Vince muttered. "And it's not my fault he's made out of glass or something."

"Who lied to him?" Suki asked, not looking up from the drawing.

"I'm guessing the cop who tried to set me up," I shrugged. "At least he got someone to do it for him."

Suki looked out of the corner of her eye but then went back to drawing. "Set up?" Tej asked, looking around at them all.

Letty went straight into explaining to Tej about the whole thing. Suki would look up every so often but her primary focus was on her drawing. I smiled at that. She was way too relaxed all the time. Nothing phased her, ever. I wished everyone in the world could be as laid back as her.

"So you didn't invite us to this one either?" Suki asked, obviously talking about the job to get rid of Renner.

"What you talking about?" Rome asked, confused. "We let you in on the whole Carter thing."

"And we got searched for it," Tej reminded him.

"Doesn't stop the fact that you were still involved," Rome grinned as he threw a sweet at Tej.

"They haven't grown up much have they," Suki whispered.

"I was just about to ask if they were always like this," Mia said as she sat in the chair on the other side of me.

I closed my eyes and put my head back. "Yeah, always."

"You OK?"

I nodded. "A little sleepy after those painkillers you gave me."

She patted my arm. "I didn't want you to be in pain."

"OK, I might not have gotten back up after the beaten," I mumbled. "But I'm not made of glass like Vince said."

"Sorry..."

I opened an eye to look at her. "You've changed your tune with me."

She shrugged. "I erm... I didn't handle hearing about what had happened to you too well... It scared the hell out of me and I just had to see if you were OK. It made me realise that there was something still there."

"How much of a something?" I asked with an innocent smile.

"Not as much as you're hoping for," Mia said sadly. "But don't leave again, OK?"

"Mia," I sighed. "I didn't want to leave the first time."

"I know," she nodded. "But no matter what they say or do, please stay."

"OK, but if I do go back to Miami, which will probably happen... I promise I'll come back."

She smiled as she curled up on the chair. "Good, even though we haven't exactly been the best of friends since you got here it's been nice to have you around again."

"Brian," Mia whispered.

I opened my eyes and stretched. It hurt a little but it made me feel surprisingly better as well. "What?"

"You fell asleep, but foods all done so I woke you up to eat."

"Was that it?"

She chuckled lightly. "Yes, come on sit up."

I sat up to realise I was lying on a beach towel near the edge of the garden. I stood up and stretched a little more before wandering over to where the others were. My chosen seat was between Mia and Tej.

As I sat down Tej leaned over slightly and whispered, "What I said back in Miami, I didn't mean it. I wouldn't have helped with the garage if I did.

"You had a point though."

"What are you two whispering about?" Leon asked with interest.

"I told him that Suki and I helped him out a hell of lot when he came back to Miami but as soon as Rome came back and he did that job, we didn't seem to matter anymore."

"It never bothered me," Suki said.

"Hey man, I did nothing wrong," Rome muttered.

"Well it doesn't matter anymore," Tej mumbled. "So leave it out."

Rome suddenly laughed. "Is this the real reason you didn't want them to come to LA?"

Suki hit Tej's arm. "You almost lost me a chance to visit LA because you were being sulky?"

"I offered to take you anywhere you wanted," he defended.

"They always like this?" Mia whispered.

I nodded, a smile on my face. "Definitely."

Mia chuckled as Jesse was picked on to say grace. They all grinned as he got through it with the help of Leon. Once he had finished everyone lurched forward and grabbed at the food. By time they'd all grabbed what they needed the big bowls of food in the middle were looking much emptier.

"Hey," Tej suddenly said. "I just realised, after we helped you two with Carter you never paid us back."

I rolled my eyes. "I'll buy all the rounds next time we go out."

"Better yet," Dom smiled. "Why not a party tonight?"

"Oh, a party!" Suki said excitedly.

"You can put one together that fast?" Tej asked.

"Helps that he's the King of the streets," I whispered.

Tej shrugged. "In that case I'm down for a party."

I grinned but then stopped when I saw Mia watching me like hawk eyes. "What?"

"Bed rest, remember?"

"Apart from that nap I lasted all day today," I sighed. "And that nap should only help with me getting through the party."

"You would think they were married already," Leon muttered.

Mia threw him a look before softening. "Promise me you'll go lie down if you don't feel good?"

"If you take me there," I smiled but then look away hastily when Dom shot me a warning look.

I watched as Mia danced with Leon. The party had started around two hours ago and since then she was either getting a drink, talking or dancing. It meant that I never had the chance to ask her to dance like I wanted to. I tried once and she said in a while, when a slower song came on. I figured it was because she didn't want them moving around too much. It seemed she never listened when I said I was feeling much better.

Letty had said that she was happy looking him that she didn't want to stop. It was also probably the fact that she didn't want me to leave again or she was worried I would get taken away. I shook my head at that, I would never leave her now.

I gave up and went over to where they were dancing. "Can I cut in?"

Leon debated for a moment but then nodded. "Sure, go ahead."

I stepped pass him and pulled Mia to me before she could say anything. I put MY hands on her hips and started to dance. At first I moved like I didn't have a clue what I was doing, causing her to smile. She relaxed after that, moving with me.

"Glad I didn't sit around all night like you told me to?"

She tried not to smile. "Maybe."

"Remind me to thank Vince."

She slowed her movements and looked at me in shock. "And why would I do that?"

"If he didn't beat me up you wouldn't have worried and we wouldn't be better than we have been since I got back," I shrugged.

She smiled. "I don't think he'd be too happy to hear he helped you out."

I looked slightly worried. "Yeah, I'm not sure I'll get off so lightly next time if he heard he helped me the first time."

"First time?" Mia chuckled. "First time he beat you up was not that night, do you not remember outside the diner that time?"

"I had him," I pouted. "If Dom didn't interrupt I would have so won that fight."

"Sure you would have," she laughed. "I'll let you have that one."

I put my lips close to hers. "Really?"

She nodded nervously, but moved forward a little, pressing her lips to mine. I hadn't planned to kiss her, I just wanted to see how close I could get. But once the shock wore off I kissed her properly. She responded instantly and wrapped her arms tightly around me. His mind was racing.

Eventually I had to pull away and I gasped for air. Mia looked worried but I smiled before kissing her neck. She tried to see if I was OK but she melted against me. Her head rolled back and she moaned a little as I nibbled just below her ear.

"As much as I like you putting on a show with my sister, mind stopping?"

We moved apart slightly and received a groan from everyone who had been watching. Mia blushed as she looked at the floor. "Sorry," I muttered. "I got carried away."

"Uhuh," Dom nodded as he went to walk away. "Just remember who you're getting carried away with."