After that first interaction with Alex, I chickened out about going inside, and asked Zack to take me for some coffee instead. He graciously agreed, and helped me into his car. I was shaking from head to toe, both with sadness and anger. It was obvious that Alex still believed all of the things that he had said, and that I was the last person he wanted to see. I tried to block all of that out as we pulled up to my favorite local coffee shop.

"Oh Zack, you remembered how much I loved Songbird."

I was giddy with excitement at getting some caffeine and catching up with the handsome man in front of me. He was 2 years older than me, but he had never treated me as a little kid like Rian and Jack had. They saw me as a little sister, but I had always known Zack had seen me as something more. He opened the door to the coffee shop and my mouth immediately started to water. The smell of fresh coffee and pastries filled my nose and a small tear rolled down my cheek as I thought about the many nights I spent here reading and writing. Zack, without a word, ordered my favorites, and we settled into a small booth that was secluded from all of the others.

"So," Zack started, looking into my eyes and smiling a toothy grin, "what is the great Rachel Prince doing now days? You get even more beautiful with age, you know."

I blushed and sipped on my coffee before speaking.

"Well, I am a recent college graduate. Looking for a job as a therapist, raising two cats, and trying like hell to stay young looking through all the stress of adulthood."

Zack laughed. "You really look great Ray, I am so glad to see you with a tan, and is that a tiny bit of a southern accent I hear? You've changed Prince."

I blushed and looked down into my coffee. It felt so normal to be sitting here with Zack like this, and it secretly made me long for a chance to have gotten to know him for the past 5 years. He had always been a sweet, old soul, but now he seemed so much more confident and strong. It was very attractive. I was pulled from my thoughts by a familiar set of boney arms wrapping around my neck, and a very tattooed set of arms grabbing me by the waist. Suddenly, Rian and Jack had me hoisted in the air and where swinging me back and forth while chanting my name. I giggled, and Zack smiled at my obvious joy at seeing my old friends. After they put me down, they ordered some coffee and sat down next to me in the booth, squeezing in tight. Rian pulled my hair and Jack poked my ribs, and I felt home. It was just like old times; my brothers where here and they were showing me love the way they knew how.

"Surprised you came back Rach," Rian said as he tickled me, "I don't think I would have if I where you."

"Me either," Jack chimed in, "especially not for that asshole we call a singer."

I smiled and Zack relayed the incident from earlier, to which Jack rolled his eyes and Rian said a few curses under his breath.

"See why we need you, Prince" Jack asked with more frustration that I am used to seeing from him. "He is out of control."

I nodded and explained that I was happy to help, even if we had some unresolved issues. I wasn't scared of him anymore. I couldn't be scared, because he needed me, just like he always did. I had to get him off of his sinking ship.