EDIT: Quite frankly I'm very unhappy with this chapter. I've done upwards of seven rewrites ever since it was posted and I would delete this chapter entirely if it didn't set future events in motion. I apologize profusely for this chapter. Seriously; I'm sorry.

Phillip's P.O.V.

I knocked on Vaughn's front door and waited patiently for someone to answer. I knew if it was Chelsea answering it would take her a while to get to the door, especially if she was sitting. I heard the occasional muffled grunt coming from the house.

"Oh forget it. Just come in the door's unlocked." I pushed the heavy door open to see the brunette struggling to stand.

"Need a hand?" I was struggling to not laugh as my sister's pregnant best friend. Chelsea had always been so nimble, even as a gawky teen, but now she couldn't even manage to get out of a chair. She looked up at me, clearly surprised by my presence.

"Umm, yeah." I extended my hand. "Grab the wrist, you'll have a better grip." She nodded and tightly gripped my wrist. "On three. Ready?" Another nod. "One. Two. Three." I stepped back and pulled my arm towards me. Chelsea made it to her feet with ease..

"I'm gonna have to teach Vaughn that trick. So, Phillip, how can I help you?"

"I knew Lilypad was here recently." I said directly, not wanting to beat around the bush. "I wanted to see her but I didn't want to risk hurting her more." I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly. "So I wanted to know, how was she?"

"She's doing well. I mean, she's healing."

"I didn't know he would do that." She shook her head.

"I, mean, that too. But I didn't mean it like that."

"I know what you meant." I sighed, my heart heavy with guilt. "Do you think she'll ever forgive me?"

"I think she has already started to." I looked up to see a kind smile. "Yes she's hurt by your actions, but in a way she understands your side." Chelsea didn't spare my feelings, I couldn't blame her, I just didn't like hearing the truth. "You didn't make Will attack her and she gets that." She paused contemplating something. "I haven't forgiven you. You did some messed up shit. Like, really messed up." Somehow she managed to go from having the demeanor of a wise sage to that vicious dog. "If it were me I'd want you flogged and your kneecaps broken." I knew those threats weren't exactly hollow, the second Lillian left I got more than a talking to from Chelsea. I deserved it and I deserved this, I really was a shitty brother. "But then again, Lillian is much more forgiving than I." Her voice switched back to a more pleasant tone.

Cam's P.O.V.

I was sketching bouquet ideas for Rutger. He had ordered a few for the fall music festival and wanted a few options to pick from. I wanted to use flowers that bloom in the fall. I had my heart set on chrysanthemums and goldenrod, with red or orange leaves as the foliage. I was so absorbed in my art I didn't notice Ash arrive.

"Morning Cam." I grunted a hello, trying to stay focused on my designs. I wasn't surprised by his arrival since it was a Wednesday, but I was worried he'd bring up Lillian. "Hey, umm, Cam. Can I ask you something?"

"You just did." My bad joke managed to get a chuckle from the farmhand.

"In all seriousness though, I umm, couldn't help but notice the gift you got from Lillian. It was really thoughtful of her. What's going one there? I mean, I know you aren't together, err, I highly doubt it, I was just curious. " I looked up at my eager brother. Whenever he got excited or nervous he just went on and on, saying much more than need be; I mean I had that issue too but it was nowhere close to his level of rambling. "'Cause if you weren't I was gonna ask her out again." It was obvious this wasn't going to stop anytime soon. No matter how many times she made it obvious that she wasn't interested, it just wasn't going to stop. Each rejection she gave hurt him but I'd be damned if that didn't make him more determined.

"Stop Ash." I demanded. My words came out more harsh than I anticipated. His eyes widened at my response.

"What?" He laughed a little as if it was a joke, completely oblivious to the truth.

"Just. Stop." I insisted.

"No need to get defensive." He then felt to need to explain his reasoning, as if I didn't know already. "I know she wasn't ready before but I really think she's ready now." My eyes narrowed. I wasn't sure if i was more annoyed at the fact that he wouldn't respect Lillian's space or if it was his unwavering pursuit of the girl I was dating. But I was quickly losing my patience with Ash.

"She isn't interested in you. Hasn't she made that clear?" I got no response. "Move on. The longer you pine after her the worse your rejections will be." My voice was cold. I desperate, I just wanted this to end.

"How do you know what she'll do?" I never noticed how dense Ash could be at times. He was twenty two. I shouldn't even have to have conversations like this.

"Seriously?" I stared at him blankly. I could see the pieces falling into place in his head as he put it all together. The hurt washed over his face.

"How could you?" I dropped my colored pencil, I could feel my heart racing. He had no idea how difficult it was for me to let us happen in the first place. This was what I was dreading when I took Howard's advice. "You couldn't let me have this one, could you?" I felt a headache coming on. I took a few deep breaths, trying to stay calm. "You just had to be selfish, didn't you." That's it. That pushed me over the line.

"How could I?" I stood quickly and leaned over the counter. "For all my life I've been dealing with your mothers bullshit just so I can have you in my life. The only people I have managed to be close with are my family members. And yet the first time I actually start to open up and have feelings for someone, you expect me to ignore those just because you can't understand the meaning of 'I just want to be friends'." I didn't mention the fact that she was an adult and made her own decisions. "And yet you're so focused on Lillian, who doesn't even like you in that way, that you're oblivious to the fact that Laney has been pining after you for years." It felt as if I was in a bad teen drama. "If you can't be happy for me I don't want you around me." I pointed towards his farm. I could see the look of betrayal in his eyes but I was done with his self centered attitude. A lot more came out that I planned on, but it all needed to be said at one point or another. I sat back down and just looked over my sketches while I waited for him to leave.

Lillian's P.O.V.

"I'll be there in a second." I called to the impatient pounding at my door. I left my paint covered brush on the half finished chair. I opened the door to get a kiss. Something about it wasn't right. This wasn't loving and gentle, it felt like an angry passion. I opened my eyes to see bit of ginger blonde hair. I pushed the body away to see Ash and his red hat. "What the hell is wrong with you?" I scowled.

"You said you'd tell me when you were ready to date. But you didn't keep your promise." I groaned, shaking my head at his naivety.

"Have you never been turned down before? I was being polite. Clearly it wasn't obvious enough." I wasn't in the mood to deal with this today. I was tired from a late night of sanding the chairs and preparing the beehives.

"You lied." His voice was quiet.

"I didn't lie." I looked down at my feet. "At the time I really wasn't ready. But things changed. That still doesn't change the fact that I only see you as a friend."

"Some way to treat your friend."

"Seriously?" I laughed bitterly. "I'm sorry that I hurt your fragile feelings, but I owed you nothing. I didn't need to give you an update on my readiness to date. It's my goddamned right to date whoever I please, I'm sorry you didn't realize that sooner." I took a few deep breaths ending my rant. "And if you really have a problem with being turned down, take it up with Laney. I'm sure she has a lot to say about being rejected by a good friend." I emphasized the last two words before shutting the door in his face.