February 18, 2023

Black and white converse - check, black skinny jeans rolled up a few times - check, black Wu-Tang tank top that bared her cleavage perfectly - check. Victoria looked damn good and she had every intention to since her eldest cousin decided to make a wager out of picking up chicks at the mall. Like taking candy from a baby. She mumbled to herself as she walked up to the house and knocked on the door. She checked herself over once more before knocking on the door again. She started smirking as she watching the door slowly open up to Axl and Aleric standing side by side with a lighter haired kid.

"Boys." She looked at each of their faces, her dark eyes lingering on the stranger and his blue eyes for a moment longer before she focused her attention on Axl again.

He shook his head. "You're not going to win and that's a promise." He moved aside, pushing the stranger to the side. "Zeke, this is our cousin Vee. She's Vic's older sister."

"We'll see about that. Where's Ale? Is she ready?" Vee looked between the three young men before her eyes settled on Aleric. "It's great to see you, 'Ric… You're looking like death these days. Might I recommend some xanax?" She grinned as she poked his side.

Aleric rolled his eyes, smirking at his little cousin. "Shut up, she's on her way down." He watched as Vee shrugged, adjusting the sunglasses on top of her head. "You plan on winning this weird ass bet today?"

"Oh most definitely, I'm definitely not losing to that asshole. He's not even cute, he's just silent." She smirked, looking at Axl. "Sorry, Guns N Roses, that's a Lowman thing and I'm definitely better at it." She flicked his chin as she stared up at him.

"Did you just say I'm not cute?" Axl shook his head. "I'm handsome as fuck."

Vee nodded her head. "You're right, you're not just not cute, you're a ugly little critter." She smirked, sticking her tongue out at the young man.

"The lies you spew… I can be cute, handsome, beautiful. My face knows no boundaries." He smiled at her. "You're not winning this bet! I'm gonna charm them with some actual Lowman charisma."

Victoria smirked, shaking her head. "You have no charisma... Especially any Lowman charisma." She shook her head. "Besides you should know by now, I always win."

"Seriously? You don't know me at all then. I'm not always quiet, I turn on the charm and charisma when I need to." He shrugged. "You'll see."

Vee shrugged. "Really? You think the quiet thing doesn't work?" She shook her head, hearing Ale yell her name. "You're clearly not ready for this..." She turned around, grinning at her cousin and best friend. "Hi! Are you ready?!"

Ale nodded her head and smiled. "Hey gorgeous… Yeah I'm so ready for this!"

"See, fatness? Everyone wants to watch your ass hit the floor. I'm gonna win, I'm gonna have fun and maybe I'll hand over my prizes once I'm finished with 'em." Vee smirked, patting her cousin's cheek before her dark eyes landing on the guy beside Aleric, she grinned at him and shook her head. "Come on, Al, let's go wait for the boys."

The brunette nodded and grinned. "You're so kicking the boys asses… Even the tall one I see you eyeing V." Ale smirked and shrugged. "Nothing gets past me."

"Shhhh! Just trying to see who he is. He keeps staring me too." She rolled her eyes and shrugged. "Who is he?"

Ale smiled. "That's Rina's best friend Zeke." She nodded and shrugged. "He's the All-American athlete but he's smart too."

Vee shrugged. "Good for him... Let Axl know gender is open." She smirked, pulling Ale toward her Range Rover.

"Just keep pretending you don't think Zeke is hot." Ale shook her head. "I think Axl would flirt with both genders, to be honest. He's open minded like that."

The brunette shook her head. "Nah... I barely paid him any attention..." She shrugged. "I'd have to actually look at him... But hey, good because I'm more than happy to take both genders from him."

"You won't be disappointed if you do look at him." Ale nodded. "Axl is so gonna lose… I cannot wait."

Vee looked back, seeing Axl, Aleric and Zeke walking out of the house. "Are they riding with us?" She inquired, letting her dark eyes linger on Zeke for a moment before she looked back at Ale. "Shit... Shut up." She smirked.

"I told you!" Ale smiled at her cousin and hugged her neck. "I think they are riding with us. It should make the ride home fun, giving Axl shit about being a loser."

The older of the two beauties shook her head. "Dunno what you're talking about." She smirked again, shrugging. "Hurry up, boys, I'd like to make it to the mall before it closes." She leaned on Ale and sighed. "Fuck that boy is pretty."

"Just wait until you see him smile or take his shirt off." Ale chuckled. "Yeah! Move it! I need to hit up H&M!"

Vee looked at Ale and shook her head. "Someone needs to let him know we're getting married... Don't let him catch me staring at him!" She shook her head, trying not to laugh.

"You two would make a pretty gorgeous couple." The brunette smiled and nodded. "Put on some sunglasses, then stare all you want."

"Come on! Let's go!" Axl smiled at the pair of brunettes. "I gotta get a prime spot and work my magic."

Vee shrugged her shoulders, grabbing her aviators from the collar of her shirt and slipping them. "Your prime spot means nothing now that I'm in on this, boo... No one can resist the dimples."

"I have dimples too." Axl smiled widely. "I'm the total package. I'm universal. I'm everyone's type." He flicked Vee's ear before getting into the SUV. "Let's roll out, Zeke's in on the bet too! He needs to find a new girlfriend and this bet is going to help him do so."

Vee shared a look with Ale before shaking her head. "Sorry sweets, not happening... Lowman bet only." She got in the diver's seat, looking back at Zeke, flashing him a dimpled smile before shrugging.

Zeke shrugged and smiled. "Well, you guys enjoy the bet then. I'll roam around and see if I can't find me a cutie to chat up while you guys are busy."

"I'll get you a number if she's just not good for me..." Vee shrugged again, now looking at Ale. "Here you play something." She grabbed the auxiliary cord and handed it to her cousin.

"Ezekiel doesn't need help in the numbers department… He's sort of a manwhore." Ale chuckled as she started playing music. "Ain't that right Zeke?"

Zeke shook his head. "Nope! I dunno what you're on about. Don't listen to her, she spreads lies!"

Vee looked back briefly and shrugged. "Not my business... If you are then hey, go you, everyone has their own hobbies." She gave him a smile before looking back at the road, making her way to the mall.

"Sex is a hobby of mine but that's not even the point." Zeke rolled his eyes as he flicked Ale's hair. "I knew I should have just let Rina take me to the spa with her and Chloe! Ale you're so mean to me, I thought we were homies."

Vee shrugged again. "Like I said... Not my business, babe, it's yours." She looked back at him and gave him a dimpled smile. "But you better not touch Ale again."

"Yeah, or she'll beat your ass." Ale smirked back at Zeke before looking back at Vee. "You see the shit I have to deal with? You wonder why I always come running to you when I need my sanity back."

Victoria shook her head. "Just live with me... You know Mama loves you to death and beyond." She laughed, nodding. "You're so their favorite."

"I'm totally moving in! We can be roommates!" Ale clapped her hands. "Better yet! We should look into moving in together or something. A cute apartment."

Vee started nodding. "Oooh yes! That's such a good idea. Next year when we graduate, let's move to the city!" She smiled. "Look, boys, you might just be losing all your competition."

"Yes! We'll get one of those dope loft type apartments. The kind with actual bedrooms and not just the one big space." The brunette smiled. "We'll get you some city girls and Chuy will complain about me moving across the bridge. It'll be perfect."

Vee grinned widely, nodding her head. "Hell yes and we'll decorate it super cute and have a cute little house warming party." She shrugged. "Maybe I'll change it up and start dating a city boy."

"Maybe you can find one at the college." Ale nodded. "We're so gonna live together before we live with any boys. I told Chuy I had to try living alone before I thought about moving in with him. I mean you've been to his place right?"

Vee shook her head. "No... Unless it's the art school. I don't mind a little designer. Unless we're headed straight for the football team." She smiled. "Nope, not that I recall. Who knows?!"

"Oh yes, art school guys. There are some handsome ones on the lacrosse and football teams at the regular college." She nodded. "I'm taking you to Chuy's house soon then… Because you'll just die at the way he has his place."

Vee shook her head. "Hell yes... Have you seen the lacrosse them at school? Damn those boys look good. I don't know who number twelve is but I need to." She shook her head again, smirking. "Is it unclean and unkept?!"

"Pretty boy is number twelve." Ale looked at Vee then to the backseat at Zeke who was lost in his own world. "No. He's like this super OCD clean freak Vee… He lectured me because I just walk out of my clothes in the middle of the floor… Lectured."

Vee looked back at Zeke and the backseat and scoffed. "Hey you... Sex addict! You're number twelve on the lacrosse team?!" She looked back at Ale and shrugged. "You're naked, tell him to quit whining."

"Yeah! I'm number twelve! Why!?" Zeke smiled. "Twelve for lacrosse, forty-two when at away games. Sixty-nine on the football team. Just so you know to look out for me if you come to a game."

Vee eyed Ale for a moment before shrugging. "Just curious... I didn't know who twelve was but always thought whoever he was is sexy as hell." She looked back at him. "I'll be on the lookout..."

"I'm so into this song." Ale bopped her head and smiled. "I'm so gonna learn to work a pole to this song."

Vee looked back at her cousin in the front seat and shook her head. "Can we have a pole in the apartment?"

"Yes, yes we can. We can have two. Oh. My. God." Ale smirked. "I want one of the slutty ones like at that strip club. The light up ones."

The brunette started to grin, nodding. "Oh hell yes! I need one now! I wonder if I could put one in my room without my dad seeing it..."

"Probably. Just get the collapsible kind." Ale nodded. "Just need to install the base plates and you're good."

Vee reached over for Ale's hand and squeezed it. "Watch." She smirked. "Hey, number twelve, if you help me put up this pole in my room, I'll perform on it for you..." She shrugged, looking back at him.

"You've got yourself a deal." Zeke smiled at her. "Just tell me when and where."

The brunette looked at Ale and smirked again before looking back at Zeke. "Gotta buy the equipment first then I'll call you."

"No." Axl shook his head. "You can't get his number Vee… I mean you can but it doesn't count as part of this bet situation."

The brunette pulled into a parking spot and shrugged. "I'm not counting it... We haven't set foot in the mall yet. That's when the games begin." She looked back at her cousin. "Besides I clearly don't need to do much to pique his interest... That's called natural." She got out of the SUV and pushed her hair over her shoulder, watching Zeke get out of the car beside her.

"You played into his sexual side… 'Oh Zeke, come set up my stripper pole and I'll dance for you, hehehe." Axl laughed. "I sound just like you Vee."

She shrugged, flicking his forehead. "I do not sound like a damn four year old. I didn't think he was actually gonna agree, shut up..." She smirked, pushing him toward the entrance of the mall and the food court.

"He has a dick! Of course he was gonna agree to that shit." Axl shook his head. "I'm gonna go talk to those girls right there… They're pretty cute."

The brunette smirked, shrugging. "Whatever... You're just mad because I potentially could have started the whole bet right there. Meet back here at four. Mama wants everyone at the house early... Her and your mom have some big shit planned or something like that."

"I had plans after this but I guess I can cancel since the moms want us in one place." Axl shrugged. "You can get Zeke's number but you're gonna have to ask his keeper before you use it. Ree is very protective of her best friends."

Vee shrugged. "It won't count. We set up rules, plus I wouldn't use it anyway... So she doesn't have to worry." She smirked, pulling him towards a table. "Four, no later than. No using Aleric or Zeke to get any attention and Ale stays with me. She's not the wingman for you either." She patted his face.

"I think you'd be on his dick first chance you got." Axl shrugged and started backing away from his younger cousin. "I see you now, Mrs. Gundersen." He smirked at her and nodded. "I know the rules! I don't need a wingman and I especially don't need those uglies to get attention."

Vee shook her head. "Guys aren't really my thing remember? Forever Miss Lowman." She smiled, nodding her head. "See ya later, brat." She blew him a kiss before walking off toward Ale. "You ready for this? I'm about to wipe the floor with your brother." She smirked.

"I'm ready for it. I'm ready to see him lose." Ale nodded and smiled.

Vee nodded as she pulled her phone out of her back pocket to look at the time. "Two hours... Let's have some fun."

"She's cute." The brunette pointed at a blonde and smiled. "Looks like she plays for both teams."

The brunette shrugged. "Let's see just how well of a team player she is then..." Vee approached the blonde Ale pointed to, giving her a smile. "I'm sorry, I noticed you dropped this..." Vee picked up the key fob and handed it to the blonde. "Damn you're gorgeous... Sorry." She shrugged.

"Thank you, hadn't even noticed I dropped it." The blonde smiled back. "I'm India." She grinned, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "You're the gorgeous one… Look at those cheekbones."

Vee put a hand to her face and smiled again. "You're welcome, I know how much it sucks to lose things... Especially when you really need 'em." She pushed her hair over her shoulders. "Thank you, but your eyes they're just gorgeous."

"Thank you." India nodded and smiled. "So, anyway we can exchange info, maybe hang out in the future?"

Vee smiled, letting her dimples appear. "Yeah, definitely. My name is Vee, by the way... I don't have my phone right now but if you've got a piece of paper or something then I'll take that and text you later when I get my phone." She nodded her head.

"I don't have paper… I've got one of those paper cozy things from my starbucks." The blonde shrugged as she scrawled her name on the cozy before passing it to Vee. "It was really nice to meet you Vee."

Vee looked down at the name and number on the cozy before smiling. "Yeah, thanks babe, it was great meeting you. I'll definitely be texting you later." She nodded as she backed away from India and moved back toward her cousin and stuffed the cozy in Ale's purse. "Come on, let's see what else we can find."

"She was really pretty." Ale nodded. "Too bad she'll never get that text."

Vee shrugged. "Seemed clingy and too chipper." She shook her head, her dark eyes on another blonde. "Clearly it's blonde day in Oakland. Daddy would be so proud of me..." She smirked. "I'll be back... If she's a good talker, I might just use her number." She turned around and grinned as she started walking backwards toward the blonde. She scoffed as she hit the girl and turned quickly. "Oh damn, I'm really sorry... Uh, my bad." Vee bit her lip, batting her eyes at the blonde.

"It's coo'." The blonde smiled at Vee. "No harm done."

Vee nodded, tucking her bangs behind her ear. "Forgive me but you're just beautiful... I love your smile." She covered her face, shaking her head. "I'm really sorry, I'm not normally like that."

"Thank you." The blonde nodded. "You're a beauty yourself… I'm Karina."

The brunette smiled, nodding. "Vee and thank you, that's sweet of you."

"No problem." Karina smiled. "It's nice to meet you Vee. Can't say I've met a Vee before. Guess that makes you one of a kind or something…"

Vee smiled at the blonde and nodded. "It's a nickname I've had since I was a little kid..." She shrugged. "But we can go with the latter." She smiled again, flashing her dimples at the blonde.

Karina chuckled and nodded. "You're just trying to kill me huh? With those dimples."

"No!" Vee laughed, shaking her head. "Just ignore them..." She shrugged, reaching out to tuck a lock of Karina's hair behind her ear. "Is there anyway we could get together one day soon? Exchange numbers and talk more?"

"Yeah, sure." Karina smiled and passed Vee her phone. "We could grab coffee or something."

Vee nodded, entering her number in the blonde's phone. "Text me later and we'll set up a date." She called her number from Karina's phone and ended the call after she felt her phone vibrate.

"I will." Karina nodded. "It was nice meeting you Vee."

Vee smiled, backing away from Karina. "Yeah, you too, babe." She started walking back toward her cousin. "I think I just met my blonde counterpart."

"She was hot… You better actually hang out with her." Ale nodded. "You need a blonde you in your life."

Vee laughed, nodding her head. "I know she was... She had a nice rack. I'm surprised I could walk away."

"You know you're gonna go back for seconds." The brunette chuckled. "You're just gonna rack up blondes huh?"

The brunette shrugged. "Vibe she gave me... She's never been with a girl before." She smiled. "I don't want to but it's all I see... I'm telling you... It's national blonde day."

"Totally have to corrupt the straight chick! If you won't give me her number and I will." Ale looked around and nodded. "I know! They knew you were coming out today."

Vee shrugged. "I'll let you know how it goes..." She smirked, rolling her eyes as she saw a group of guys standing by the escalators and pointed toward the first brunette that was facing towards her and Ale. "This one might take a little longer."

"I wish you good luck, not that you're gonna need it." Ale smiled. "Go get you a brunette boo!"

Vee smirked, rolling her eyes as she approached the group. "Boys." She smiled at them before her eyes landed on her target. "I'm gonna be completely honest here, you're extremely good looking and I was just hoping we could exchange numbers, maybe get together sometime?"

He looked at her with a cocked eyebrow. "You look familiar... I'm pretty sure I've seen you in my dreams." He chuckled and shook his head. "Forgive me and my lame ass line. I've been waiting for an occasion to say that. I'm sorry."

She laughed, shrugging. "It's ok... No big deal. It was cute." She gave him another smile, letting her dimples show a bit.

"Oh, thank God." He smiled, flashing his own dimples. "I'm Ryder."

Vee nodded her head, smiling. "Vee... So do you go to school around here or...?"

"I'm a freshmen over at SFSU." Ryder nodded. "It's sorta around here. What about you?"

The brunette shook her head. "I'm about to be a junior at Skyline..." She shrugged. "What are you studying?"

"Seriously? That's cool. Skyline was my school's rival. Could never really win at lacrosse against you guys but whatever." He chuckled and shrugged. "I'm studying to be an engineer, minor in architect. Nothing too fancy."

Vee smiled. "My brother's on the team... Lacrosse is life for him, you might've played when he was on the team." She nodded. "Hey, that's pretty cool, bet it's interesting."

"The two toughest guys I played that were on Skyline were Zeke and Vic… I always had to give those two props after games." Ryder nodded. "It is pretty cool. I'm into buildings and designing… Why am I talking to you about this shit? It's a conversation for a whole new time. Still wanna exchange info?"

Vee started smirking, nodding her head. "Vic Lowman, number seventeen?" She shook her head. "Hey, no it's cool, it's interesting, I'm down to listen to you talk about it. But yeah, definitely. My little cousin has my phone right now but if you've got a piece of paper or something then I'll call ya tonight and we'll set up a date?"

"Yeah, Lowman. Man, if he doesn't play in college locally I'll be upset because I won't get a rematch." Ryder smiled as he pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and scrawled his name and number down. "Perks of being an aspiring architect, always carrying around paper and pens. That sounds cool. It was good meeting you Vee."

She smiled. "Play your cards right and I may just let you meet him." She nodded her head, pocketing the piece of paper. "See ya, babe." She backpedaled, moving toward Ale who was now standing with Aleric and Zeke. "That was interesting."

"Did you just flirt with Ryder?" Zeke smirked at Vee. "He's a fuckboy."

Vee shrugged, looking back. "Seemed pretty nice, didn't meet my requirements for fuckboy material, sex addict."

"He's cheated on every girlfriend he's had. If that ain't a fuckboy then I don't know what is." Zeke shook his head. "I'm a proud sex addict."

Vee shrugged again, eyeing the young man in front of her. "Not like I'm actually putting the number to use… Just for this bet." She shook her head. "Good for you, Zeke."

"Good." He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm just trying to look out for you. My bad for trying to be a friend."

She nodded her head. "Did I knock you for that?" She shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest. "Don't think so…"

"No but the way you said my name, made it sound like you were a little irked. My bad." Zeke shook his head and backed away from the brunette. "I'm gonna head over to Sport Authority. I'll see you guys in a bit."

Vee scoffed, shaking her head. "I didn't say your name is any way… But I'll be sure to just not say it anymore, decrease confusion and all." She turned around and started to walk off.

"You're getting upset with me right now? You're the one that italicized my name! Yes, I can tell when someone speaks in italics." Zeke bit back a smile. "You added too much attitude to it. Good for you, Zeke."

The brunette turned around, groaning. "I did not italicize your damn name! We're not texting right now, shut up…" She scoffed, starting to glare at him. "Excuse me and my attitude… We're clearly in the wrong place."

"You did!" He nodded. "Vee, just admit it! You got annoyed with me!"

She cocked an eyebrow at him and shook her head. "Fine, admit you were jealous then."

"I wasn't jealous. I could never be jealous of Ryder. I could never even channel jealousy, you're not my girlfriend to get all jealous over." He shrugged. "I was just trying to let you know what he was all about. You seem to have it all figured out though so just ignore me."

She shoved at his chest and turned around, walking off toward the Nike outlet. "Gladly!" She huffed, pushing her curly hair over her shoulder.

"What the fuck was that shit?" Ale caught up to Vee. "Huh?"

Vee looked back at her cousin and shrugged. "I don't know… I have no clue what the fuck even happened. One minute it was a joke and shit, but now I don't know." She shook her head. "I have no clue, Ale."

"You just shoved the Hulk. I'm surprised he isn't foaming at the mouth right now and ripping off his shirt to come after you." The brunette shook her head. "How dare you italicize his name though? It's so not nice Vee." She chuckled and shook her head.

The brunette shrugged again. "Let him… I don't care. I'm not scared of him." She smirked, shaking her head. "Shut up, Al, I was trying so hard not to laugh back there but then he just hit a switch and it pissed me off…"

"Mr. Sex Addict has anger issues, granted he works them out in sports and sex." Ale smiled. "He pissed you off when? The attitude remark or the not being jealous thing?"

Vee shrugged once more. "I'm not scared of him, A, if he wants to come after me, he can." She looped her arm through Ale's and started to leave the store, looking toward where Aleric and Zeke were standing with Axl as Zeke paced the small area. "I don't know… I guess the jealous thing but I don't know why that'd upset me. I'm dumb, ignore me."

"Ohhh, you like him!" The brunette clapped and started dancing a circle around Vee. "Ha! He hit a nerve because you wanted him to be slightly jealous!"

The brunette shook her head. "No, Al…" She groaned. "I don't… No I don't, I don't care." She shook her head, covering her face. "No."

Ale pulled Vee into a hug and patted her head. "It's ok. He's stupid. He doesn't matter! He thinks people speak in italicized speech. Like what in the actual fuck!?" She kissed her cousin's forehead and walked her into the store. "Let's get Vic and Ree some matching Nike socks and sweats, since we're fucking cool like that."

"I just fucking tanked the bet… I don't even care about anything else. Over that douchebag. I never lose, Al." She shook her head. "They'd be so cute although she'd never wear her sweatpants, she'd just take his… Give him a hoodie and sweatpants, they'll find their way into Ree's hands within five hours of us giving it to him." She smiled.

"We'll just write up some fake ass numbers or some shit…" Ale shook her head. "Well, I told you he was a pretty boy. I think we should get him two sets, so if she steals one he'll at least have another to last a few more hours."

Vee rolled her eyes. "I hate that fucking guy… Douchebag." She shook her head, grabbing a hoodie off the rack before grabbing the matching sweatpants. "We should monogram them with his last name on them. She's trying to rep the name anyway." Vee smiled, nodding.

"He's not a douchebag… He's just a little rough around the edges." The brunette nodded. "Let's monogram them all… I'm saying we're just gonna be decked out and matching. Roni, Axl and Aleric too! What about little man? We can get him something too."

Vee grabbed her cousin's arm and jerked her back. "Oh my fucking hell! Did I show you the pictures I got of Vin and Carlos?" She grinned. "Well he can be rough around the edges somewhere else."

"No! Did they do some cute and matching shit again? Man, I swear Carlos is life sometimes." Ale nodded. "Yeah, fuck Zeke! Stupid ass white boy! WE DON'T FUCK WHITE BOYS! BROWN BOYS REIGN SUPREME!" She shouted, laughing as customers turned their attention their way.

Vee covered her face, laughing at her cousin. "Shut up, stupid, I'm so done with you right now." She shook her head, pulling Ale toward the register. "Hey we want these monogrammed with Lowman on them. On the pants, put them going down the sides in the matching accent. On the hoodies, put them on the hoods. But then this set, put Catalano." She smiled at the brunette behind the counter. "Thanks, babe… They were in an entire matching set. They're so fucking cute…! They're so fucking, they have to be!"

"You need to try yourself a brown boy. I swear to God." Ale nodded.

Vee shrugged. "I'll find me one then." She nodded her head. "Oh my god, I need them to just get married already, jesus, they're so perfect together. I'll jump with you!"

"I will introduce you to a few." The brunette smiled. "Yes! Marriage! Let's go find her a wedding dress!"

The older of the cousins shook her head. "No, no, no, let's pick out the engagement ring first!"

"Then the wedding bands..." Ale grinned widely. "A huge ass rock because that's what she deserves!"

Vee nodded her head. "Us looking all gorgeous in bridesmaids dresses." She smiled. "Vin's gonna be the ring bearer, I can't wait for all of this!"

"We'll be looking half as perfect as Roni." Ale smiled. "Shit! He's going to be so cute and perfect!"

Vee laughed, shaking her head. "Oh my god, we have to tell her about our plans." She smirked, shaking her head as she heard her name being called. She looked around before seeing Axl, Aleric and Zeke walking toward her and Ale. "Oh god."

"She better love every detail!" Ale shook her head. "I'll block you from douchebag. Hide behind me, crouch down a little since you're taller."

Vee laughed, shaking her head. "She will… Roni loves weddings." She shrugged. "You don't have to hide me, might give him the idea that I'm scared of him…"

"What are you weirdoes doing?" Aleric smiled at the brunettes. "Getting more Nikes? Getting me something nice?"

Vee moved toward Aleric, wrapping her arms around him. "Hug on me until I can get home to my mom!" She whined, resting her head on his chest. "We're buying everyone cute monogrammed hoodies."

He nodded and wrapped his arms around his younger cousin and smiled. "I got you Vee." He squeezed her tightly. "Oh yeah? I think Rina will just steal everyone's."

"See this is why he's the best... Apart from you, boo!" She smiled at Ale and nodded her head. "That's why we're getting her a set and Vic gets two sets because we know she steals all of his clothes." She shrugged.

"I'm surprised he even has clothes left." Aleric shook his head and smiled. "I need to see if they ever fixed the monogram on my sweats… I had asked for Aleric and they spelled it Alaric with an A."

Vee scrunched up her face and shook her head. "Dumbasses... That's not how we spell your name, they should know better." She rested her head on her big cousin's chest and sighed. "Oh we didn't get Zeke one... Or Carlos. What's Zeke's size?"

"Zeke is a size XL." He nodded. "I don't know Carlos' size though, probably around there too. He's sorta short and bulky."

Vee waved him off. "I know Carlos' size. He's the same. She better hurry up, she's got two more to do. Shouldn't even take this long." She rolled her eyes, looking over Aleric's shoulder at Axl and Zeke.

"She's too busy staring at Zeke to do her job." Aleric rolled his eyes and smiled. "Can't take that kid anywhere. I swear. At least him, Ree and Chloe aren't all together. That turns into a situation you never wanna be in."

Vee shrugged. "Let her know he's a sex addict." She gave her cousin a smile before pulling away from him and walking back to the counter to hand the girl two more hoodies. "Can I have one of them say Acostas, the other say Gundersen? Thanks." Vee accepted her first order before moving back to her cousins. "How many numbers did Axl get?"

"He got four numbers and ended up almost getting his ass beat by another guy for hitting on this blonde but the guy saw Axl's size and Zeke and decided not to try it." He shrugged. "Then we got cinnabon and quit."

The brunette groaned, covering her face. "I only got three before me and Zeke got all WWE." She shook her head. "I'll tell Axl once I get all the monogrammed hoodies back." She shrugged.

"That was a pretty damn good show until it went all serious." Aleric shook his head. "At least we know he's not a little pussy and is gonna call you on your shit and you on his… Mrs. Gundersen." He smirked down at her and nodded.

Vee shook her head, walking back to the counter to grab her other two hoodies before she checked all the merchandise over for any errors. Seeing there was nothing wrong with them, she paid the girl and turned back around to her cousins. "Shut up… that's not my name, forever a Lowman."

"Yeah, right!" He shook his head adamantly. "I think you'll fall in love with someone and get all married. I'll be your best man, alright?"

The brunette shook her head, smirking. "Not into that shit… But I'll be your best man and we'll take world's best pictures ever." She nodded her head, pinching his cheeks before moving past him with Zeke's hoodie in hand. She approached Zeke and Axl, giving them both a small smile. "Can I talk to you?" Her dark eyes fell on Zeke.

Zeke nodded slowly and smiled. "Yeah, of course."

She pointed toward the entrance of the store and started to walk through it back out of the store before stopping to look back at the young man. "Me and Al got you a monogrammed hoodie…"

"That was sweet of you two." He smiled. "So, about earlier. I'm sorry about it."

She nodded. "No, don't apologize… That was all me. I honestly don't know what happened but I'm sorry I yelled at you and I'm sorry I shoved you. That was really out of line." She shrugged, pushing her hair over her shoulder before giving him a smile.

Zeke nodded. "It's fine. I honestly didn't think it was going to get all serious and shit. So, it's good. No hard feelings?" He smiled at her.

"Ok, yeah of course… No, no hard feelings at all." She passed him the hoodie. "It was a joke, I just don't know what the hell even happened."

"I didn't know either." He shrugged. "Thanks for this." He examined the hoodie and smiled. "That's dope, all monogrammed and whatnot. Thank you Vee."

She smiled, nodding her head. "I was gonna get her to put sex addict on it but I figured we'd get some weird looks…" She shrugged, staring up at him.

Zeke chuckled. "I would have rocked it proudly."

"That or number twelve… That was my next move but then I was like 'Nahhh, I'll do his last name.' " She smiled, shrugging again. "But I figured you're apart of the group so you should have a hoodie too."

"I'm happy you spelled it right, I don't know how many times it's been spelled with an -on and not an -en." He nodded. "Part of this crazy Lowman group? That's the first time I'm hearing of it. I'm honored."

She shrugged, giving him a smile. "I used my best judgement, figured it was the unusual spelling then the common one." She moved toward the seats by the railing and sat down. "Hey feel honored, we don't let anyone in the family… Accept Carlos, but that's because he's the best and Roni's."

"I am honored. It took a few years to even get cool enough to hang out with Axl and Aleric before a year ago I was only cool enough to hang out with Ale and Rina." Zeke smiled as he draped the hoodie over his shoulder. "Carlos is a pretty cool dude, I've hung out with him and his group a lot."

Vee nodded. "If I had the chance to choose a big brother, it'd so be him. He's the best thing ever." She looked up at Zeke and shrugged. "I'm gonna go ahead and head out to the car, tag along if you want." She stood up.

"Actually I'm gonna stick around the mall when you all leave." Zeke nodded. "Gonna meet up with some friends."

Vee looked back at the young man, shrugging. "Well ok, then… Have fun, I guess." She nodded her head, adjusting her shirt.

"It was really cool meeting you though Vee… We should hang out sometime and not get into an argument about italics." He smirked at her.

The brunette shook her head. "Whoa… Did you already forget about our deal? You're supposed to be setting up a stripper pole for me, remember?" She gave him a dimpled smile, moving back to him.

"Oh, I remember the deal. I also remember you saying you needed to buy the equipment first." Zeke smiled at her. "I'm just waiting for you to hit up Hustler's and get that pole…"

Victoria laughed, shrugging her shoulders as she stared up at the handsome young man. "It won't take long, figured you could go with me anyway… Help me carry out stuff if I can't do it myself? The terms of the deal still standing?"

"Yeah, I'll go with you and help you carry everything out." He nodded and smiled. "The deal is still standing. I don't mind putting in work."

She smiled, shrugging her shoulders. "Guess I need to shop for a good little outfit then…" She nodded her head.

"Gotta pick out a stripper name while you're at it too." He smirked. "My stripper name is Max Magnum… I'll be coming to a strip club near you when I'm of age."

The brunette laughed, rolling her eyes. "Wait a second, you're a stripper? Then that means you can get on the pole too." She nodded eagerly. "We'll go outfit shopping together."

"I turned into a stripper twice while drunk at a party and it just stuck." He shrugged. "I will work the pole and do it while dressed like a cop, firefighter or lumberjack."

Vee smiled, nodding her head. "I'm pretty sure that's going to be the most interesting night ever…" She shrugged.

"Oh most definitely." He nodded and smiled.

Vee smirked, shaking her head. "You're a damn mess, get out of here before I take you back home with me." She started to back away from him.

"I'll see you around Vee." Zeke smiled as he backed away as well. "It's been a pleasure."

The brunette shrugged. "Maybe, I might go back in hiding…" She smirked, walking toward Ale as Ale left the Nike store. "Don't give me that look, Alessandria, nothing even happened. I apologized and that was that."

"Uh huh. Whatever you say." Ale smiled and nodded. "You ready to go home and see what our moms have planned?"

Vee nodded her head, looking back to see Axl and Aleric walking toward them. "We suck at this shit… I only got three before Zeke and I decided to yell at each other in the middle of the mall." She shrugged. "You win, darling."

Axl smirked. "Yes! I win! Victory is lovely even by a small margin." He pulled his younger cousin into a hug and smiled. "Next time."

"Yeah yeah yeah, what's the payment?" She shook her head, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "I would've had your ass had Zeke minded his business."

"He's a good ass dude, he doesn't mind his business when it comes down to guys fucking girls over." He shrugged. "Um, you gotta wash my car while dressed as a chicken."

Vee rolled her eyes. "None of the numbers I got were going to be used, but now?... Might have some fun. Although he cost me a shit ton of fun, Axl." She nodded, moving closer to the mall exit. "Fuck that... Ok."

"Well, I'm sorry he fucked up your fun." He nodded. "So, you're into the chicken suit, I can get one for you by tomorrow."

Vee shrugged again. "Why a chicken suit? I could do it in the parking lot of walmart and actually earn some money while doing it..." She smirked, unlocking the Range Rover with her fob as they approached the SUV.

"Because it'll be funny to see a chicken washing my car." Axl shrugged as he got into the backseat. "What do you think our moms have done?"

Vee looked between her cousins before shrugging. "Probably ran for Governor and the other is running the campaign. Honestly wouldn't surprise me." She plugged her phone up to the auxiliary cord and turned on pandora before she pulled out of the parking spot.


February 28, 2023

Carlos sipped on his pink lemonade as he sat in the park. His favorite thing to do when on his lunch break. He was a people watcher, he sat, he observed, he talked to the occasional old cholo that he knew from growing up in the neighborhood but mostly he sat and thought. His mind wandering from topic to topic until it finally settled on a specific topic. Today's topic being what color to paint his new project car. Red or black?

"Carlos." The brunette tapped on the young man's head. "Earth to Los."

"What?" He looked up at the young woman and smiled. "What's up?"

She sat down and shrugged. "Have you heard? Zeke met your girlfriend's little sister Vee and I guess they hit it off."

"You came all the way over here to tell me gossip?" Carlos chuckled and shook his head. "You could've texted that to me. Who told you?"

"Um, who else? I did text you. You didn't respond to me. I knew you'd be here and I work like two blocks away from you." The brunette trailed her fingers through her hair and smiled. "I just thought I'd let you know, so you can keep an eye out on the situation. I know you're protective of Vee."

"Yeah, I know Lex." He flipped his sister off before swatting at her hair. "Take your ass back to work, you have a kid to provide for. I'll catch you later. I gotta go see Vee." He passed his lemonade to her before standing up from the park bench. "I gotta dish out some I told you sos."

.

.

.

.

Carlos smirked to himself as he pressed the doorbell. He had made a few calls and sent a couple texts before driving over to the Lowman home. He needed to talk to Vee and see where she was at with Zeke because he knew exactly where the young man stood already. "Vee! Open up! I know you're in there!" He pressed the doorbell a few more times before stopping and rocking back and forth.

"I hope this is good…" Vee growled, pulling the door open and stared at Carlos. "What are you doing? You don't ever use the damn doorbell. You're interrupting some shit, Carlos."

"What? Are you in there with Zeke right now?" He smirked at her and wiggled his eyebrows before pushing into the house. "Oh yeah, I heard."

The brunette shook her head. "What? Who?" She closed the front door and locked it. "Oh the Hulk? Uh no? Why would he be here?"

"Because you two like literally hit it off. I heard about your near boxing match in the mall." He shrugged. "Soooo, did you like him?"

Vee rolled her eyes. "Carlos! Where's your information coming from?!" She shook her head. "We got in a screaming match, he's a jealous jerk. What's there to really like?"

"Where isn't it coming from?" He rolled his eyes. "I knew you would meet him eventually. He's not even that much of a jerk. You had to have thought he was at least good looking."

The brunette shook her head. "Is that supposed to be an answer? For real, who told you we met?" She shrugged her shoulders. "He alright, I didn't really check him out or anything."

"My sister." He shrugged. "You're so lame right now."

Vee smirked, rolling her eyes. "Aren't you friends with each other? Text him yourself…" She shook her head. "Wait, you were just promoting him to me? I am not a pimp or something!"

"I texted and talked to him on the drive over." He shrugged his shoulders again and smirked. "I was trying to open your mind to a variety of flavors. Zeke being one of my highly recommended ones. I also love playing matchmaker, don't judge me."

The brunette rolled her eyes before she looked down at herself, remembering she was only wearing a huge shirt. "Uh huh, and how did your talk with him go?" She shrugged. "Clearly you meant another Zeke before he was a douchebag."

"It went well." He smiled. "What did I interrupt? Do I need to sit out in the backyard while you finish whatever it was? I thought I told you that he has some anger issue."

Vee shrugged again, shaking her head. "No, it's just a friend hanging out." She nodded. "What do you mean it went well? What'd he say?" She covered her face for a minute. "Nah, you never mentioned his jealousy issue."

"I'm sorry but I'll be out of here soon then." Carlos shook his head. "He said some great things about it. Some interesting things. He did feel bad for being a dick. I know that I didn't. I thought I'd leave the bad shit out."

Vee rolled her eyes, waving the man off. "No, no, no… Don't go, I missed you. Let just get some pants. Kane can wait a while." She nodded her head. "Tell me what he said, Carlos! You know I wanna know."

"Kane is upstairs?" He shook his head and rubbed his face. "That's not a good thing."

Vee shrugged. "Why? What's up?"

"You're messing around with Kane." Carlos sighed. "Zeke's cousin."

The brunette shrugged again, shaking her head. "You have no proof that I'm messing around with him. We could be working on shit for school." She eyed Carlos. "Will you tell me what he said now?"

"I'm sorry for making the assumption." He nodded. "He said that you were gorgeous and cool. That he'd like to get to know you if he ever got the chance to talk to you again."

Vee waved off the apology and grinned at her brother. "What's it matter if I am messing around with Kane? I'm not married or dating Zeke."

"I guess it doesn't matter." Carlos shrugged. "Not like you're gonna date Zeke or anything. You think he's a jealous jerk. I have to report this back to him later."

The brunette groaned, rolling her eyes. "You wreck my nerves. I could tell him that myself… If I even ever saw him again. No number, I didn't even look for him on any sites. It's fine… Why do you care so much, Los? Seriously."

"I don't care." He shook his head. "I just wanted you to meet him because I thought you two would hit it off and like each other but I was obviously wrong."

Vee groaned again, moving toward the front door. "If you're gonna be salty and a jerk then I'm going back up to my room and going back to sleep." She shook her head. "He's hot, really cute and perfect but he's not my type. Ok? He's the king of the school and I'm the kid that skips a lot to hide out in the studio. There's nothing there… I could've been interested but it wouldn't have mattered."

Carlos shrugged as he moved towards the front door. "I'm not being salty. He's not your type. I can understand that. I won't be pushing the subject again plus he was the only one in my rolodex. So, you can sleep easy. I can't play matchmaker again." He smiled.

"I liked him, ok? Until he turned on the jealousy and it wasn't cool." She shook her head. "Stick around, Vic's outside drawing. I don't know where my sister and her child are but I'm sure you do." She shrugged her shoulders. "You know you practically live here anyway."

He nodded slowly before smiling. "I actually can't stick around. I left work and kinda have to go back so I won't get fired."

"Don't fucking tell him I told you what I said, Carlos. I'll have to murder you… And no, for the record, I'm not sleeping with Kane as some weird stand-in shit."

"I'm not gonna tell him." He shook his head. "I didn't need an explanation. You know it's none of my business who you do whatever you want with."

Vee nodded her head. "Doesn't mean you don't care, Los. Otherwise you wouldn't have said it's not a good that Kane's upstairs right now." She shrugged. "Don't tell Vic either. He thinks Kane went home."

"I'm not gonna tell Vic anything." Carlos nodded. "I'll see you after work. I'll be back by to annoy your ass."

Vee smirked, nodding her head. "Don't interrupt nap time next time." She stuck her tongue out. "I'll miss you, princess." She blew him a kiss before moving back up the stairs and to her bedroom.


AN: Andddd... Axl & Aleric are here! Vee met Zeke and Carlos is loving it, although he wants wring Vee's neck for her behavior (;

Feedback was amazing last chapter! Let me know what you all think about this new one!