Just wanted to say thanks everyone for bearing with me. I'm gonna leave the AN I previously wrote there. If anyone has a serious issue with my story feel free to PM me. If it's not too much to ask I'd much rather answer your questions privately then for you to leave a scathing review for all to see. This chapter will be complete soon.

Tris POV

These past few weeks have gone by too quickly. Today Tobias is introducing me to his closest friends at a barbeque at his house. Christina and Will are coming too. I'm hoping to get to the point with Tobias where we have the same friends. He assured me that his closest female friends are really nice considering they are also the girlfriends of his best guy friends. One the girls is actually the sister of his best friends girlfriend. He's told me before that his friends don't know about his past and the situation with his parents. It means a lot to me that he has trusted me with that information.

A lot has been on my mind lately and there is something I've been wanting to ask Tobias, but I've decided to wait until after this barbecue to talk to him about it. I know that no matter what he will be open minded. Although we both know how we feel about each other we have yet to exchange those three little words. We aren't in a rush though and are just enjoying our time together. I'm the happiest I've ever been in these last three years since the funeral. A lot of time I wish my parents were here to see that. I know they would've loved Tobias and would be happy for me.

I help Tobias prepare the food for this afternoon. He's cooking hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill while I prepare the fixings and a salad. I found a box of brownie mix in his kitchen cupboard so we agreed on that for dessert. He filled a cooler with various beverages from bottled water to soda and beer.

"So should I be nervous to meet your friends?" I ask.

He chuckles. "No, I don't think so. I've already talked to them and they promised to behave."

"Would they not behave because of me or do they otherwise not behave at all?"

"Definitely the latter. The girls are great, obviously, but my best friend Zeke and his brother Uriah can be unpredictable. Like I said when we first met, they are the male version of Christina and there's two of them. So, you're lucky you only have one crazy friend to deal with when I have two."

I chuckle. "Do they actually listen to you?"

"Usually, yeah. Mainly because I can kick both of their asses and I have their girlfriends and their mom to back me up. If any of the three of us have a brain it's definitely not them and I'm not being egotistical."

I laugh. "I can believe that, I guess, even without having met them."

"They're good friends though. They're practically like my brothers and their mom has been a mother figure for me as well."

"Do you think you'd ever forgive your real mother?"

He sighs. "Honestly, I don't know. I need time and she knows that. She explained her reasons for why she left but it still hurts."

"Understandable."

I don't ask any more questions so we continue preparing the food in silence.

PAGE BREAK

A couple hours later everything is ready. I change into a nicer, but still casual outfit that I brought in an overnight bag. Tobias asked me beforehand if I wanted to stay overnight and I accepted. We already talked about the potential for intimacy between us and I confessed that I wasn't ready and he understood. Tonight we just want to spend more alone time together.

"You look beautiful." He says as I descend the stairs. I blush.

"Thanks."

"Come here."

He smirks as he takes me in his arms and kisses me. Our kiss is cut short when the doorbell rings. He reluctantly lets me go to answer it but not before pecking me on the lips again.

"Hey Four! What's up, man?" I hear a male voice say.

"Hey Zeke, Uriah." Four replies as they exchange friendly slaps on the back. Four then swiftly takes them both in a headlock while they unsuccessful try to break free. I immediately notice their light brown skin and green eyes. Behind them enter two girls, one brunette and the other blonde. The girls and I laugh at Four's playfulness with the brothers. Four finally lets them go.

"Tris, this is my best friend Zeke, his little brother Uriah and their respective girlfriends Shauna and Marlene." Four says, gesturing to each one.

"It's great to finally meet you, Tris. My man Four here hasn't stopped talking about you since he met you." Zeke says.

"Likewise," I say, as I exchange handshakes with everyone.

We make our way to the living area and settle down on the couch. Each couple sitting together. Four wraps an arm around my shoulder and kisses my temple.

"So Tris, tell us about yourself." The brunette girl, Shauna, says.

"Umm...there's not much to say, really. I'm pretty normal I guess. I've had different odds jobs but haven't stuck to one just yet."

"What about your family?"

"Well, my parents died a few years ago and I guess you could say that my brother and I are estranged."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it."

Just then the doorbell rings and Four gets up to answer it. Christina and Will walk in and are introduced to Four's friends. Eventually the guys head outside to start up the grill and Christina and I talk more with Shauna and Marlene. Four's friends are really nice and I feel like I fit in with them.

"So, how long have you guys known Four?" I ask Shauna and Marlene.

"A few years." Shauna answers. "We met him through Zeke and Uriah. They've been friends with him since they were kids."

"Should I be worried about other girls and things like that?"

"No. Four isn't that type of guy. Sure, girls come on to him but he's loyal. If you're with him that means he only has eyes for you."

"Did you all get along with his last girlfriend?"

"To be honest, no. Nita wasn't very friendly and only wanted Four to herself then when he was gone she was seeing another guy."

"Yeah. Four told me about that."

"Clearly he's much better without her and happy with you."

We spend the rest of the afternoon and evening talking, eating and playing games. Zeke and Uriah suggested we play Truth or Dare which consisted of us doing many weird but fun things. Of course I got dared to sit on Tobias' lap for the entirety of the game as well as play seven minutes in heaven with him. We made good use of those seven minutes and I wasn't nervous at all.

Eventually it came time for everyone to head home. Tobias and I decided to just head up to his room and relax.

"Did you have a good time?" He asks me.

"Of course. I really like your friends. They all seem to care about you a lot. I asked Shauna and Marlene a few thing about you. Just to get their perspective."

"Oh really? Like what?"

"I asked them what they thought about your ex when you two were still together."

He scratches the back of his neck before answering. "Yeah. They didn't like her and I should've listened to them."

"Well, at least you eventually figured out she wasn't the right one."

"Yeah."

I'm suddenly nervous because I don't know how to bring up what I want to talk to him about.

"Something on your mind?"

"I wanted to ask you something."

"You can always ask me anything."

"Well ummm...next week is the anniversary of, you know, the accident and I was wondering if you could come with me to visit the cemetery."

"Of course."

I smile and eventually we drift off to sleep.