Reupload because I'm a dork who missed posting a chapter
/\/\
The next day Rosie woke up to a text from Taylor.
'Pierce and I are doing the end of summer party. Its next Sunday. Board games, movies a taco and ice cream bar. Please come.' Taylor said
Rosie took a breath 'How long has this party been planned?' she sent
'We discussed it a few days ago. Talked to our mom yesterday. This is a new thing. We were not purposedly avoiding inviting you or anything. I promise.' Taylor sent
'I'll talk to my dad but should be fine. I'll be there.' Rosie said
'I'm really sorry about how everything went down. And I'm so sorry you and Nolan broke up. Pierce told me.' Taylor said
'Thank you. I appreciate the apology for your part in everything. And thank you but it is what is best right now. And I figured Nolan would go to someone for support. I'm okay with you all knowing. Makes it easier for me.' Rosie sent.
She went downstairs and let Sascha out before making herself break fast.
Hunter came down. "Morning." He said
"Morning." Rosie said.
Hunter started some coffee and Dave was downstairs a few minutes later as well.
"Hey dad. End of year party is next Sunday. At Taylor and Pierce's. Can I go?" She asked
Dave smiled and nodded. "Of course."
"Something that happens every year?" Hunter asked
"Yes. Last year I hosted it. The year before was Cass." Rosie said. She took out her phone and texted Taylor 'Can I invite Hayley?'
Taylor got the text and made sure her mom didn't care about one more person before texting her back 'YES! Absolutely.'
"Hayley is invited as well." Rosie told Hunter.
"Let her know. I have no issue with it." Hunter said
"What is the party this year?" Dave asked
"Board games, movies. And a taco and ice cream bar." Rosie said
"Sounds fun." Dave said with a smile.
Rosie nodded and sat down with her breakfast and ate.
Hunter and Dave sat down and ate some breakfast as well.
"Do you know what you need for back to school?" Dave asked
"Yes. I have a list." Rosie said
"I'm going to take you today." Dave said
"Okay." Rosie said
Dave looked at Hunter. "You have any plans?"
"My ex has asked me if I would tag along and help with the kids since the six of them at the mall can be. A lot." Hunter said
Dave chuckled. "I have no doubt."
"We will all be at the same mall?" Rosie asked
"Probably." Hunter said
They finished eating and got ready and left.
At the mall Rosie was looking at some new shirts.
"Can I see this list?" Dave asked her
Rosie pulled it up on her phone and showed him.
Dave looked and raised an eyebrow. "New piercing?" He asked
Rosie had forgotten that was on the list. She chuckled. "I forgot that was on there. Notice the question mark? I was going to talk to you about it."
"Okay. Where on your ear?" Dave asked
"Well. I was hoping you had reconsidered and would let me get my belly button pierced actually." Rosie said
"When you are eighteen. Not before." Dave said
Rosie nodded. "Why is it such a big deal? You have no issue with any ear piercing. And I can get even you not wanting me to get any face piercings. But why the belly button?"
"They can get infected a lot easier than others." Dave said.
Rosie nodded. "Oh. Okay. Fair." She said
Dave smiled. "I wasn't expected you to be so willing to accept that."
Rosie shrugged. "You gave me a real reason. And I respect you. Why wouldn't I accept it?"
"A lot of teens wouldn't." Dave said
"Well. I'm not like a lot of teens." Rosie said
"No. This is true." Dave said
She picked up a few shirts and went into the changing room to try them on.
Hayley was coming into the store with Callie and their mom. Hayley smiled when she saw Dave and waved.
She looked at her mom. "You haven't met papa's fiancé right?"
"I have actually." Her mom said she went over to him. "Hello." She said
"Hello." Dave said with a smile. He looked at the girls. "How has shopping been going?"
Callie held up a few bags. "Good."
Hayley sighed. "For you."
"Not having as much luck?" Dave asked
"Being tall sucks. Everything is to short." Hayley said
"I'm sorry you got the tall genetics." Her mom said
Hayley shrugged. "Could be worse."
"Ain't that the truth." Rosie said from in the dressing room.
"Come out and meet Ms. Maddox." Dave said
Rosie came out of the dressing room with a smile and all the clothes she had tried on. "Hello." Rosie said. "Nice to meet you Ms. Maddox."
"Nice to meet you too. And you call me Helen." The woman said
Rosie smiled. "Okay Helen."
"Hunter has told me how you really stepped up to help him get the girls to lessons one day. I appreciate it." She said
Rosie nodded. "Happy to do it."
"Wait. When did you two meet?" Hayley asked
Dave looked at Helen.
"I ran into him and papa when they were out." Helen said
"Oh." Hayley said.
"Where was I?" Hayley asked
Helen chuckled. "At home with your sisters. Its when I went out with a friend."
"Ah. The boyfriend you aren't telling us about." Hayley said
"Hayley." Helen said
Hayley rolled her eyes.
Helen didn't notice but Dave.
"Just because your mom didn't see that doesn't mean I didn't." Dave said crossing his arm at the girl.
Hayley looked at Rosie. "Help me find jeans." She said grabbing her and pulling her away.
"She rolled her eyes?" Helen asked Dave.
"Yes she did." Dave said
Helen sighed. "Her attitude is getting worse by the day."
"Its the age. Not that I think that makes it okay. Rosie was pretty bad with the eye rolling at fourteen. Its definitely gotten better." Dave said
"Good to know. Thank you." Helen said
Dave nodded.
"Based on what Hunter has said I think that might have more to do with the fact that you aren't pretty strict about respect." Helen said
Dave chuckled. "I am at that."
"I appreciate that when my girls are with you they will have two parents who wont accept the disrespect." Helen said
Dave nodded. "Absolutely. Hunter has told me that you tended to be more of the disciplinarian when you two were together. He has also said he has changed some since."
"I have noticed that yes. Its true. He let them get away with a lot when we were together. But I think even since being with you he has gotten abit better about not letting them get away with things. But the disrespect was always something we both agreed on not allowing." Helen said
Dave nodded and smiled. "I'm glad to help."
Hayley came back over with a stack of jeans to try on.
"Do not roll your eyes at me." Helen said sternly.
"Sorry." She said
"Go. Try them on." Helen said
Rosie had a few more things to try on as well.
Dave raised an eyebrow and picked up a shirt from the pile. "This will not fit the schools dress code."
"I need something new for the party." Rosie said
"Will that even cover half your stomach?" Dave asked
"I don't know." Rosie said
"Try it on." Dave said sending her into the dressing room.
"Oh mom." Hayley said. "Rosie's friends always throw an end of summer party I have been invited. Papa has said its okay with him if it is with you."
Helen looked at Dave. "Parents at these parties?"
"Yes." Dave said. "Rosie actually hosted last year. It changed up every year. I know the mother of the two throwing it. She is a very attentive parent. She will be there."
"You mean a helicopter parent." Rosie said from in the change room.
"No actually Rosie. I have seen helicopter parents. She is not." Dave said. "And don't even speak like that about your friends parents." He said
"Okay. Sorry." Rosie said
"Its fine. You can go." Helen told her daughter
"Yes! Thank you." Hayley said
Hayley came out. The jeans fit her but were long.
"You like them?" Her mom asked
"Yes. But they are quite long." Hayley said
"We will get them hemmed. I think that's the only way we will be able to find pants that will not be to short." Helen told her
Hayley nodded. "Okay." She smiled.
Rosie sighed. "Love the shirt but yeah it doesn't cover much." She said not coming out of the dressing room.
"Sorry Rose." Dave said.
The girls both came out in the same shirt to show a few minutes later.
"Um." Rosie said
"I didn't know you had picked this shirt." Hayley said
"Same. Its okay. I have found lots. You can have it." Rosie said going to change. "Looks better on you anyways." Rosie said
"You two cant have the same shirt?" Dave asked
"No." Both girls said definitively.
Helen chuckled. "Even trying to get the twins to match is hard. Most girls don't want to twin with their sisters."
Dave laughed. "Okay. Good to know."
The girls finished and took clothes up to the register.
"I can get the clothes for Hayley if you don't mind?" Dave asked.
Helen smirked. "Hunter told me if we happened to run into you and you tried not to let you."
Dave chuckled. "I wouldn't have even asked if it was Hunter here. I would have just paid"
"I appreciate the offer but its okay." Helen said with a smile
Dave nodded. "Okay." He paid for Rosie's.
Helen paid for Hayley's.
Callie had been playing on her moms phone while the older two girls were shopping since she was done.
"Text your dad. Let him know we are done." Helen told Callie.
Callie did so.
"We are meeting in the food court for lunch. You two are welcome to join." Helen told Dave and Rosie.
Dave looked at Rosie. "You're okay with that. It is time for lunch."
Rosie smiled and nodded. "Yes."
They all met up in the food court.
The girls all dropped their bags at a large table.
"You two ran into each other I see." Hunter said with a smile.
"Yes." Hayley said. "Rosie helped me find pants that aren't to short."
"They will need to be hemmed." Helen told Hunter.
"Of course." Hunter said
"Okay. Who wants what?" Helen asked the girls.
Her six said what they wanted.
Dave looked at Rosie.
"Sarku Japan." Rosie said
Callie had said the same while the others said other places.
"I'm thinking the same." Hunter said "I'll take Callie and Rosie." Hunter offered.
"That works." Helen said
"And I'll take the twins to get burger king." Dave said
The three of them went and got what they wanted.
Hayley had stayed at the table to watch their stuff telling her mom what she wanted from. Helen had taken the younger two and went to Popeyes.
When Rosie was walking back to the table with Callie she saw someone talking to Hayley. Actually looked like flirting.
Rosie picked up speed and put her stuff on the table. "Get the fuck away from her."
Hayley and Matt looked up.
"You know her?" Matt asked
"Yes. I do. And you. Will. Never. Come near her again." Rosie said
Matt smirked. "Why? You jealous?"
"HA! Who the hell would be jealous of you." Rosie said
"Rosie. Who is this?" Helen asked as she came back to the table.
"Someone who needs to go away. Now. Before my dad gets back to the table." Rosie said
Hunter came up from behind at that point.
"What's going on?" He asked
Rosie took a breath. "This is Matthew Black. Came back to the table he was hitting on Hayley. Told him to leave. He wont."
Hunter recognized the name and went and got between Hayley and this boy. "Go. And stay the hell away from my daughters."
Helen was surprised. She had never seen him react that way. But no one had ever hit on his daughter before. And she could tell that Rosie was uncomfortable, so she was sure there was a story there.
Matt walked away.
"What the hell Rosie?" Hayley said
"Hals. I would not have interfered if it had been just about any other guy." Rosie said
"Did you two date or something?" Hayley asked
"No." Rosie said taking a breath.
Dave came over with the other two and saw his daughter was upset. "Rose. Everything okay?"
Rosie shook her head holding back tears.
"Came to the table there was a boy here. I think he was hitting on Hayley, but Rosie was trying to make him leave." Helen said
"It was Matthew Black." Hunter said
Dave looked at Rosie.
"He wouldn't leave when I asked." She said
"He didn't show any signs of leaving till Hunter got into his face." Helen said
Dave went over to Rosie. "He is gone. He bothers you again tell me okay?"
Rosie nodded. "I'll be okay."
"You sure?" Dave asked
Rosie nodded and took a breath.
Everyone sat down and ate. Rosie didn't feel all that hungry but forced herself to eat the sushi she had.
Dave watched her and was glad she was eating but could tell she wasn't okay.
When they were done eating. Helen looked at the girls. "Who wants ice cream?" The six got up and went with her. Helen looked at Rosie. "You want anything? I can get it for you." Helen offered.
"No thank you." Rosie said
"You sure?" Helen asked
Rosie nodded
Helen went with the girls.
"Thank you." She said to Hunter.
"Of course." Hunter said putting an arm around her and pulling her into a side hug. "Always will have your back."
Rosie smiled and nodded.
"You sure you don't want ice cream? They have your favorite. Salted caramel." Hunter said with a smile
Rosie took a breath. "Does sound good.." she said softly
"I'll can go get it for you." Hunter said
Rosie nodded abit.
Hunter went to get it.
Dave smiled abit her. "I'm proud of you."
Rosie looked up at him.
"I know you are struggling. A lot has been going on for you and than this? And you still are pushing against the thoughts that I know are in your head." Dave said
Rosie smiled abit and nodded. She took a breath. "I will not let the words of that asshat affect me any longer."
Dave nodded. "Good."
Slowly everyone came back to the table.
Hunter handed her a dipped waffle cone with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream.
"Thanks." Rosie said with a smile
"Not a problem sweetie." He said with a smile
Hunter handed Dave a cone with vanilla.
"Thanks." Dave said
They all sat and enjoyed their ice cream.
"Okay. Time to get you all home. Hayley needs to start getting ready for her meet tonight." Helen said
"We will see you there." Dave said
Helen and Hunter and the six kids got up and picked up their bags. Hunter went to Dave and kissed him. "I know you offered to pay for Hayley's clothes." He said with a smile
Dave kissed him and chuckled. "I did. And I would do it again."
Hunter left with his ex and kids.
Rosie smiled at her dad.
Dave looked at her. "What?"
"I'm just really happy for you." Rosie said
Dave smiled "Thank you. And this has worked because you have put the effort into getting along with Hayley."
Rosie shrugged. "Not hard for me to win people over when I want to. And I know her issues with me were not actually with -me. So I was happy to do it."
Dave nodded "How are you feeling?"
"Ready to go home and take abit of a nap." Rosie said
Dave nodded and they both got up and grabbed her bags and headed to the parking lot to head home.
A few hours later they were all heading to the gym where Hayley's boxing match was.
While they were sitting and waiting Rosie was texting.
"Who you texting?" Dave asked
"Emily." Rosie said
"Oh. How is she?" Dave asked
"She's good. You told Uncle Aaron that Nolan and I broke up?" She asked
"No. Told Will. He might have told JJ who could have told Emily." Dave said
Rosie nodded. "That makes sense."
"You okay?" Dave asked
"Yes. She has invited me when I have some time off school to come to London again. Just me. If you are okay with it." Rosie said
Dave nodded. "Maybe. We will see."
Rosie nodded. "Okay."
The first match started, and they watched. Hunter explaining things as they were happening to Dave and Rosie.
When it came time for Hayley's match. They all cheered before the buzzer for it to start. She did well, and it was a really close match but in the end she lost. Hayley was disappointed but she showed good sportsmanship and congratulated her opponent. When all the matches had been played. Hayley came over to her family.
"You did good." Hunter said
"I lost." Hayley said
"But it was a good match. You did really well." Helen told her daughter
Hayley nodded abit.
"Remember its not all about winning." Hunter reminded her
Hayley smiled and nodded. She looked over at Dave and Rosie. "What did you think?"
"From my minimal understanding of the sport you did good." Dave said
"Thank you." She said she looked at Rosie. "You thinking about joining?"
"I think it was really fun to watch. And it certainly helped me yesterday not something I would want to participate in regularly." Rosie told her.
Hayley smiled and shrugged. "Okay."
The coach came over and talked to them for a few minutes before they all headed out.
Dave and Rosie started the drive home.
"I have a question." Dave said
"Yes." Rosie said
"I found a pack of cigarettes after your birthday party." He said
Rosie sighed. "She really wants to get caught doesn't she?" she mumbled
"So you do know which of your friends smoke?" He asked
"No. Not one of my friends. And I didn't know till I saw her smoking on my birthday." Rosie said "Well. She is a friend I guess. More family though."
"Someone from the team?" Dave asked surprised.
"Sorta." She said
Dave looked confused.
"Emily." Rosie said
Dave nodded. "I see."
"I asked her about the pack from last year after the end of year party. The family had been at the house a few days before. She said they were likely hers. She thought Aaron might have found them and thrown them out and not told her." Rosie said
"So he hasn't made it known to her if he knows?" Dave asked
"Don't think so no." Rosie said
Dave pressed the button on the car to make a call and called Aaron.
"Dave. How are things? How is Rosie? Heard about her and Nolan." Aaron said
"You're on speaker in the car she is here." Dave said
"I'm okay. Just trying to focus on myself right now. With everything going on. Did dad tell you about the pictures?" Rosie asked
"Yes. He did. I'm sorry that you are going though this." Aaron said
"Thanks." Rosie said "But I don't think this is the conversation my dad was calling you about."
"Oh?" Aaron asked
"You know how I found a pack of cigarettes after her end of summer party last year? Well I found another pack after her birthday. She caught the culprit this year. So when I asked her about it she told me who they belong to." Dave said
"Okay. I take it you are telling me this for a reason." Aaron said
"Wasn't one of her friends. Someone from the family." Dave said
"Really?" Aaron asked with a sigh "Who am I lecturing?" he asked.
"Emily." Dave said
"No way. I would know." Aaron said
"I caught her Uncle Aaron." Rosie said. "I wouldn't make that up."
"Okay. I believe you. I'm just surprised." Aaron said
"Figured if the roles were reversed I would want you to tell me." Dave said
"Yes. I appreciate you telling me." Aaron said
"Don't think Emily will." Rosie said
"Probably not. But that's life. If she didn't want me to tell him, she shouldn't have let you catch her." Dave said
Rosie chuckled. She took out her phone.
"Don't you text her and warn her." Dave said
"I'm not." Rosie said
"Okay." Dave said
Dave and Aaron ended the call.
"Can I go to California the last week before school starts?" Rosie asked
"To see?" Dave asked
"Well. Becca and grandpa but I will try seeing Lexi too." Rosie said
Dave nodded. "Okay. I'll talk to your grandpa we will arrange it."
Rosie smiled and nodded and texted Becca.
Dave pulled in at home and they both went inside. Dave called Kele and made the arrangements. Hunter came home shortly after, and Dave told him about who the cigarettes belonged to since he had talked to him about it before and about Rosie going to California before they winded down for the night.