Chapter One

Six Months Later

What are you wearing tonight?

I'm currently on the phone with Letty going over what we're wearing to this crazy high school party tonight. " Denim overalls and a white shirt with my favorite jacket. "

You're wearing a Canadian tuxedo? Do you really have to suppress your hotness chica?

" I look cute! Don't bug on my flava. " I defend my outfit choice. " ANd just what are you wearing tonight huh? "

Ripped jeans and a mesh shirt with my combat boots.

So her style. " So basically your usual. "

Yup. So does you know who knows she's coming with us? "

" Not yet... But she will soon enough " I say simply.

Mia needs to get out of the house and have some fun. All she does these days is sleep, eat, and homework. I know what happened but uncle Richard wouldn't want her to be this way. So tonight we're going to do something about it. When school came around Letty and I kept close tabs on her. I may not be her best friend, but I look out for my family. And that's just what Letty and Mia are.

She throws herself into her studies and gets amazing grades. We try and try to get her to take study breaks and go out with us but she never wants to. I'm honestly sick of it so it's ending tonight.

" I'll call you back. " I say before getting up from my vanity chair.

Storming into her room I grab the book she's reading. " Hey give that back! "

I shake my head. " No. Tonight we are going out so get dressed. I'm not taking no for an answer. You have fifteen minutes. "

I'm serious it wasn't easy getting an invite to begin with. It's a senior party and we're lucky to even be welcome. Heading downstairs I make sure everything is turned off in case my dad comes home early. If he sees that I'm not in bed he'll flip.

I make a sandwich to eat real quick and once I'm done I go to the bottom of the stairs. " Come on Mia! It has been fifteen minutes. "

I'm almost trampled by the door signaling Letty. Being deadly quiet I jump out and scare the living daylights out of her.

" Jesus Christo, Beaut don't do that! " She says as her heart beats out of her chest.

Giggling I call back up the stairs, " Mia, Letty is here so get your ass in gear. "

She comes down three minutes later grumbling the whole way. At least she brushed her hair and put on a better outfit.

" Do I really have to do this? " She asks.

Letty narrows her eyes at the younger girl." Yes, chica you do. Some time away from your thoughts will do you some good. Lets party! "

" Whatever. " She groans.

By the time two years with us comes up, she really comes around. She still misses her dad and Dom, but she smiles more and the spark is back in her eyes.

My dad has a lot to do with it. Uncle Richard and he are so alike in a lot of ways. He makes sure she's okay every day and even makes dad jokes. She laughs even at the corniest ones.

Dom calls the house at least once a month and letters arrive weekly for her. He never sends a letter to anyone else, just his little sister. I can respect it, but sometimes I'd like to get a letter or call so I can know for myself that he's okay.

When I was six my mom is diagnosed with aggressive pancreatic cancer. The big C. My world crashed so yeah I know what it feels like to lose a parent. It isn't fun and I still miss her every single day.

I don't like talking about her because I know it makes dad feel bad. Just like how uncle Richard didn't like talking about aunt Yani. She's Dom and Mia's mom and uncle Richard's ex-wife. She left them a long time ago and to this day we've never said her name.

" Beaut, please come set the table for dinner! " I hear my dad call from inside.

I put my skateboard which I was tuning up down and head inside to wash up. When I get in the kitchen dad and Mia are smiling like lunatics.

" What is you two looney tunes' problem? " I ask apprehensively.

Mia's grin gets wider. " I cooked dinner all by myself. "

I can't help the fearful feeling that overcomes me. " Oh, you cooked dinner? "

" Yes, why?! " She asks as her face falls.

My dad gives me the stink eye and I shape up real quick. " Because I love your cooking duh! Let's eat. " I say giving him a scared look behind her back.

Lord help me.

Two Years Later

" Beaut come on we're gonna be late! " Mia yells from the hallway.

I sit up in bed and rub my eyes before looking at the clock that read five A.M. And why am I being woken up this early on a Sunday? We have to get up at this unholy hour to skip the traffic and get to Lompoc. Today is the day. Dom is coming home after two years in prison. Letty is mad that she isn't here, but her mom dragged her to Fresno last week to see a sick aunt.

So here we are at eight-thirty sharp sitting outside of the huge metal gates with barbed wire on the top. This is where Dom has spent the last two years. It must have been horrible for him. Going in at seventeen and getting out at nineteen.

Ten minutes later the gate slides open and two guards come out first. Followed by a tall, muscular man with just a hint of a shadow on an almost clean shaved head. Wow. He has really changed. When he went in he was kind of lanky and had a mess of curls on his head. I've never thought about Dom like that but he's really hot!

Heat makes its way to my cheeks and I have to resist the urge to fan my face. No need to make a complete fool of myself. Mia gets out of the car and launches herself into her older brother's arms. He hugs her back just as tight. My dad and I wait to get out so they can have their moment.

Once they let go she motions towards us and that's our cue. My dad shakes Dom's hand and they exchange manly pleasantries while I just stare. Dom finally notices me and grins like a loon.

" Well look at you.

This is a big change from the lanky girl I remember. " He says looking me up and down.

I roll my eyes. " Yeah like you're one to talk about change. " I say lightly punching him in his rock-hard abs.

Again wow.

My dad claps his hands together breaking my stare off with Dom. " Well, let's get going. I'm sure you're anxious to get away from this place. "

Mia pulls him to the car enthusiastically. We now have back some of what we lost. It's a good day.