A/N: Oh my goodness! Sally-10718, thank you so much for your reviews! They bring me so much joy! I hope you like this next chapter! And I hate to break it to you, but this is a Juke sloooow burn. But they'll get there eventually, I promise! Happy reading!


After spending the morning alternating between freaking out about the gig and the flirty banter she and Luke had shared over text and then at their band meeting on Friday (but really, that text!), Julie spent Saturday night at her dad's house to help him get ready for the three extra mouths at Sunday lunch, bringing the grand total of diners up to ten, one of the largest Sunday Lunches to date, even without Carrie, who had a test to study for.

"I really think you'll like them, Dad. They're really great!" she said excitedly as she helped him set the table on Sunday morning.

"I believe you, mija. You've always had a good sense about people. I'm sure they're wonderful."

"They really are! Reggie is a little like a lost puppy-speaking of, he asked if you could help him write a budget?" Julie paused as she set out a plate and turned to look at her father.

Ray shrugged and gave Julie a faintly confused glance as he laid out forks and knives. "I'd be happy to, but did his parents not help him with that?"

Julie frowned. "Reggie's parents aren't exactly the nurturing type. They were actually pretty neglectful from what I gather, although he's never used those words."

Ray frowned too. "I'm sorry, Julie. I'm happy to help Reggie with anything 'adulting'-related, as you kids say."

Julie laughed. "I'll be sure to pass your message along."

Ray smiled. "Tell me about the other two boys?"

"Well, Alex is adorable. He's got anxiety, so ya know, be chill. He's also got a kind of strained relationship with his parents, although better than the other two."

"I'm sorry your friends and their parents don't get along well," Ray commented.

"Yeah, me too. I know what it's like to wish you could be with a parent and not be able to be with her, but it seems infinitely worse to know that your parents are out there but are knowingly separating themselves from you, whether actively or passively."

Ray pulled his daughter into a hug. "I know, mija. I miss her too."

Julie nodded and pulled away. "We should probably finish up. Tia should be here any minute with the arroz con grandules, and you know she'll be annoyed if she has to help us set the table, on top of cooking everything."

Ray laughed, even as he noticed she hadn't said much about the guitar player, Luke. "You're probably right. Although why she insisted on cooking on the day she meets your friends, I don't know. It would have been far easier to just order take out."


Luke was having a lot of fun at the Molina's Sunday Lunch. It was cool how everyone sort of talked over each other and reached for what they wanted. It was much more chaotic than anything his parents had ever done. And it was pretty cool how no one stayed in the same seat the whole meal.

With most of the food in the kitchen and everyone sitting in the dining room, people would periodically get up to get more food or refill a drink or whatever, and odds were good someone else would have taken their spot by the time they returned. It really threw Luke off at first, when Reggie stood up to grab another soda, and two seconds later Julie's Tia Victoria had taken his seat and was asking Luke about how he got interested in music. And about five minutes later, when Reggie reappeared on his other side, Carlos swapped seats with Victoria so he could ask them what kind of video games they liked, whether they played sports, and what it was like being in a rock band.

At one point, Luke ended up with Carlos's friend Danny between him and Julie. It was obvious that the kid had a huge crush on his buddy's sister, and Julie had no idea. Julie was trying to keep Danny involved in the conversation, while also talking to Luke about the family. Julie smiled at the general bustle of the table. "You guys didn't know Mom, but she would have loved this. She loved bringing people together, you know?"

Luke smiled at her and nodded. "That's what she loved about music, isn't it? The way it transcends race and nationality and culture and brings people really together."

Julie's smile widened, and Luke felt his heart stutter. He noticed Danny turning red, and hoped he hadn't done the same. "That's it exactly. She loved how thousands of people could all be listening to the same song at the same time, vibing with it, really experiencing it, you know, and all be totally different. Different gender, different age, different socioeconomic status. But in that moment, they're all together."

"That's really cool," Danny said quickly as he turned an even deeper shade of red and looked down at his plate.

Julie bumped his arm with her elbow in a friendly way. "Yeah, she was amazing. I wish you guys could have known her. You would have loved her so much, and I know she would have loved you guys too."

Luke grinned at the awkward teenager. "So Danny, tell me about your family. Are they crazy like the Molinas?"

Julie gave him a mock-indignant glare that he just laughed at as Danny responded. "Not like the Molinas, but my family is definitely a little nuts. My parents are lawyers, so we have a lot of really intense debates in our house. Things can get super heated, but then as soon as the discussion is over, that's it. No one's passion about politics or philosophy becomes unpleasantness to someone else once the conversation has ended. My oldest sister lives in New York City, and her philosophies have changed a lot from what they were when she lived at home, but it still never gets ugly."

"How many sisters do you have?" Julie prompted.

"Three sisters. And then I have a brother, too. Anna's the oldest, she's twenty-three. Emilia's next, she's eighteen. Then my sister Josie is fourteen, and my brother Ricky is twelve."

"Dang, that's a lot of siblings! Your house must be pretty full!" Luke exclaimed. "I'm an only child, so my house was always pretty quiet. It felt a little empty."

"Yeah, sometimes it feels like I can't get a minute to myself. But I also love them. No one has your back like a sibling."

"I always wished I had a sibling. Maybe a little sister. I feel like I would do the intimidating older brother thing well," Luke commented. Julie laughed. "What?"

"Luke, you're basically a puppy. No way would you ever be able to intimidate your little sister's significant other."

Danny laughed with Julie at that, and Luke felt himself flush a little. "I totally could if I needed to! Just like I bet you could with any of Carlos's potential dates."

Julie smirked at Luke. "Well, I know from experience that I intimidate the folks who ask out Flynn and Carrie, even from my fun-size stature of 5 feet 4 inches tall. So I'll have no problem intimidating anyone who comes near Carlos with less than ideal intentions. Do you have any experience intimidating people?" she challenged.

Luke paused, thinking back. "You know, I think one time I scared a girl that Reggie liked off." Julie's expression was clearly challenging his claim, and it made him pause. "OK, so I literally hid behind a closed door and jumped out and scared her, which is different than intimidating her," he conceded.

"That's what I thought!" Julie said triumphantly, taking a bite of her cake.

"Uh, I'm gonna get some more water," Danny mumbled, slipping out of his seat and grabbing his glass.

Julie hopped smoothly from her chair to his now-vacant one, sitting immediately beside Luke. His stomach flipped at the suddenly diminished distance. "So, I'm sorry everything is so crazy here," she said a bit more quietly now that she was closer to him.

Luke beamed at her. "Don't be! I love it! Organized chaos is what I live for. And my family's nothing like this."

Julie chuckled. "Yeah, I know. My dad's a pull-you-into-a-hug-and-let-you-cry-on-his-shirt kind of guy, whereas your dad's a hand-you-a-handkerchief-and-pat-you-on-the-back kind of guy. My mom liked to celebrate with a little bit of rum and take out, your mom celebrates with brownies and a pot roast."

Luke nodded. "I forget sometimes how close you are with my parents. Not even Alex and Reggie know them the way you seem to."

Julie smiled at him. "I love your parents, even as different as they are from mine. I wouldn't change them at all!"

There was a warmth in Luke's chest that exploded at her words. He looked into her eyes as he said confidently, "Good."


Things felt especially crazy at Sunday Lunch that week. Flynn chalked it up to the three enthusiastic boys that had joined them for the first time, along with the absence of the typically-calming Carrie. Flynn had started off the meal sitting next to Tia Victoria, so naturally, they gossiped about Julie and Luke.

Ten minutes into lunch, Tia had nudged Flynn and nodded subtly to Luke."Oh mija, do you see how he keeps looking over at her? It's adorable!"

"Tia, you don't even know! Carrie walked in on them working on a song the other day and she said she thought they were about to kiss, their faces were so close!"

"Really? So do you think they'll start dating soon?" Tia sounded so hopeful.

"Who knows? They both keep spouting some crap about 'our friendship is more important,' and 'what happens to the band if it doesn't work out?' Really, I think they're each just scared the other doesn't feel the same way."

"Ohhh. But it's so obvious that their feelings are mutual!"

"Only to the rest of the world, apparently." Flynn sighed and rolled her eyes.

"And what about you, Flynn? Any cute boys you're hoping will ask you out? Or who you're going to ask out?"

Flynn shrugged. "I mean, I like this guy, but I'm pretty sure he likes this other girl. And really, that's okay. We totally clicked, he's cute, he has great taste in music, but I can handle being just friends. I didn't even tell the girls until the other night. And technically, I didn't tell, Julie just figured it out." She glanced over to Julie, and then to Reggie.

Tia wrapped one arm around the girl and squeezed her tightly. "I'm sorry, mija. But don't give up. You could always tell him how you feel, and maybe you'll be surprised."

Flynn smiled. "Thanks Tia, but a mutual friend of ours is pretty sure he's about to ask out this other girl."

"What do Julie and Carrie think?"

"They think so too. Julie gives me a tiny pity-glance every time he walks in the room. Carrie doesn't say anything, but she's friends with the girl and that girl definitely likes him back."

"Well, remember that you are a wonderful young woman. You're gorgeous, talented, smart, and the best friend I've ever seen. Any man would be lucky to catch your eye." She leaned in closer and whispered in Flynn's ear. "And Reggie's missing out on a lot by picking some other girl." Flynn's eyes widened for a moment and she looked over to Tia Victoria, who just smiled softly. "I know my girls, Flynn," she said quietly.

"You rock, Tia."


"Dang, I need to leave if I'm gonna make it to Emily's on time! Dad, do you mind if I head out? I promise to help with clean up next week!" Luke felt the explosion of warmth in his chest thrum at Julie's words. He couldn't describe it, but he kind of loved that Julie was so close with his mom.

"Go, Julie! Have fun!" Ray said, waving his daughter out.

"We can help clean!" Reggie volunteered. "None of us has anywhere to be for a while!"

"Well, that's very kind of you, boys, but not necessary," Ray replied. "Carlos can help, and I know Victoria's going to stick around for a bit, too! She always does."

"No, please let us help! It was so fun, and it was so kind of you to invite us!" Alex insisted, and Ray shrugged.

"Well, if one of you wants to help by putting all of the leftovers in smaller containers so they'll fit in the fridge, there are glass jars and things in that cabinet over there. And then the serving dishes can come to me at the sink. And if one of you could sweep the dining room, it doesn't have to be perfect, but Tori will kill me if she steps into the room and it crunches under her feet."

Alex grabbed a broom before Ray had even finished talking. "Sweeping is my favorite! I'm on it!"

Ray laughed. "Thank you Alex. And lastly, if one of you could take out the trash and put a new bag in the trash can." Reggie started for the garbage, so Luke reached for the cabinet with containers for the leftovers.

"So Luke, you grew up in Brentwood?"

"Yeah, in the house right next to Julie and the girls, actually."

"So she's told me. Do you still live in Brentwood?"

"Nah, it's too expensive. The guys and I rent a small house in west Nashville. It's a little cheaper there. There're a few college kids in our neighborhood, and a few families. It's not exactly the fanciest area, but I really like it."

Ray nodded as he washed dishes by hand. "I understand. I grew up in Memphis, and we didn't exactly live in the best area, either. I mean, it wasn't unsafe, but it also wasn't like Brentwood. But I loved it a lot. It surrounded me with a lot of different perspectives, which is how I got interested in cameras, actually."

"Right, Julie mentioned you're a-videographer?" Luke asked, unsure of the exact word.

Ray nodded. "That's right! And a photographer. You have a good memory!"

"Sorry, how did different perspectives lead you to cameras?" Luke asked as he carried over the first big serving bowl to the sink.

"Well, every photo or video has a very specific perspective, unique to that moment and that camera. Similarly, every person has a unique perspective. Put a camera in someone else's hands, and you see the world through their eyes, if only for a moment. I loved getting to share my view of the world with anyone who would look. I still do. I have a few photos in a gallery downtown, on top of the videography business."

"That's super cool. I never thought of it that way," Luke said, nodding enthusiastically.

"Yes, that was something Rose really appreciated about my work, too. She told me that my session with the Petal Pushers was the reason she even gave me the time of day." Ray chuckled, but Luke's brain started running in overdrive.

"The Petal Pushers? As in Rose and the Petal Pushers? You married Rosalinda Vasquez?"

Ray laughed. "Didn't Julie tell you?"

Luke shook his head. "It must've slipped her mind. Or else she thought I wouldn't know them. They only released the one album."

"I know. I took the photos for the album cover."

"Wait, so that's how Julie's mom knew Trevor Wilson. She was the lead singer of the band before they became The Tributes! She wrote their biggest hits! Her song won a Grammy!"

Ray nodded. "Julie wasn't kidding when she said you have a one-track mind when it comes to music," he commented.

Luke shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Molina! I just never knew! But it explains so much! Rose and the Petal Pushers was an incredible band! I always wondered why Rose left! She sort of dropped out of the public eye, for the most part."

"She left because she got sick. She got better that time, but it made her realize what was most important to her wasn't the fame or the money; it was all about the music. So she kept writing and she kept playing and she taught piano and guitar lessons. And then we had Julie and Carlos, and they became her whole world." Ray's tone had turned wistful and then sad.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Molina! I didn't mean to pry, or bring up anything unpleasant!" Luke panicked, thinking his host was about to cry.

"No, you didn't. And please call me Ray, Luke. We're both adults, after all."

"Yes sir," Luke said with a nod, carrying over the last serving bowl and then carefully putting the leftovers in the fridge.


The Best Band EVER

LUKE the puppy: JULIE YOUR MOM WAS ROSALINDA VASQUEZ? ? ? ?

LUKE the puppy: WHY DIDNT YOU TELL US? ? ? ?

Julie: ?

Julie: I didn't think you'd know who she was?

Julie: Besides, to me she was just Mom. Not Rose and the Petal Pushers. She left the band way before I was born.

Reginald: wait ur mom was rose from rose and the petal pushers? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Power Alex: No way, that's pretty cool!

Power Alex: What days are we having band practice this week?

Julie: Did Dad tell you, Luke?

LUKE the puppy: yea

LUKE the puppy: and uh i mite o him an aplgy

Power Alex: Oh boy, what'd you do this time, Luke?

LUKE the puppy: nothing bad

LUKE the puppy: i just got a lil excited bout ROSALINDA VASQUEZ

LUKE the puppy: jules, is it wierd if i had a crush on ur mom in 7th grade

Power Alex: Um, YES!

Power Alex: Julie, I would apologize for him, but you already know him.

Julie: lol it's fine. I mean, yes it's weird, but I think I can handle it.

Reginald: tbh i had a thng 4 her 2

Julie: lol whatever Reg

Power Alex: If it makes you feel better, I *never* had a crush on your mom. Although her music is incredible, and I definitely had a crush on the drummer. Chris Lewis was GORGEOUS

Power Alex: Drummers *are* objectively the hottest band members. No offense to the rest of you.

Julie: lol this is such a weird conversation. Also, Uncle Chris *was* pretty good looking back in the day.

Julie: Gotta go! It's time for me and Emily to pull the cookies out of the oven!

Julie: Also, I can't do practice on Tuesday like normal. I have other plans! Sorry! But I'm good every other day!


When Julie came home after her baking lesson with Emily, Flynn was watching High School Musical in the living room. Julie flopped onto the couch beside her bestie and didn't say a word. But when it got to the part where Taylor and Chad tricked Troy and Gabriella into being apart, she looked over at Flynn.

"We haven't really talked about it. Do you want to talk about it?"

Flynn rolled her eyes. "Do I ever want to talk about my own drama?"

Julie scrunched her eyebrows. "Well, for the last three years, you've been supporting me in my own drama, which hasn't left us much space to talk about yours. The way I see it, we're way overdue." She pursed her lips. "So talk."

Flynn sighed. "I like him, okay? I think he's great! He's adorable and hilarious and yeah, the way he rocks on stage with you guys is hot and he's got an awesome voice, but did you know he also plays upright bass? We've actually jazzed together a few times, and it's a lot of fun. And he's supportive and he makes a great cup of coffee and I'm really into him and he likes Kayla."

Julie pulled her best friend into a tight hug. "I'm sorry, Flynn. You're way cooler and prettier and funnier and overall better than her, you know."

Flynn shrugged. "Tia Victoria said the same thing."

"How did she know?" Julie asked, pulling away just enough to look Flynn in the eye.

"Beats me. Tia knows everything, though."

Julie laughed as she settled back into their hug. "True. Well, I grabbed ice cream and soda and cookie dough on my way back after lunch, if you wanna wallow a bit. We can even turn on Love & Basketball, I grabbed it from home."

Flynn grinned. "You know me so well. Let's do it."

Julie handed her the DVD. "You put the movie in, I'll grab the snacks and sodas."