A/N: Sorry it took so long to update. I had to get on Netflix and re-watch seasons one through two to get the motivation I needed. I hope you enjoy this chapter! And remember to leave a review! They keep me going :)
King Brady let out a long heavy sigh, sinking further into his throne. King Boomer rolled his eyes, watching his brother from his own throne. "Brady, any further and you'll end up on the ground." He mocked.
Brady groaned, sinking further down until he hit the ground, his crown slipping off his head but he didn't seem to mind it. "Boom, it's been hours. They're not back yet." He whined for the millionth time today.
Boomer shrugged, "Mikayla said she'd take Jamie for herself all day." He reminded him.
Brady sighed, "I know, man, but they've been gone foreveeerrrrr." He moaned miserably.
Boomer sighed, running out of ideas. He's done everything they could do in order to keep entertained while the girls were out. He tried and tried to keep Brady distracted but he lost interest quickly, whining about how long it's taken Mikayla and Jamie to get back. He was sure Brady would start crying soon if they didn't show up.
"Relax, Brady, I'm sure they'll be here soon. They're not supposed to be out after sunset and look, the sun is about to set." He assured Brady.
As if on cue, the large castle doors opened and the two girls came tumbling inside. Boomer reeled back in his chair, taking in the sight of the two flustered girls. "What did you two do? Run all the way back?" He asked, grimacing.
"Jamie!" Brady squealed, leaping to his feet, sprinting across the room and pouncing onto Jamie for a desperate hug.
"Okay?" Boomer mumbled to himself, watching Brady with curious eyes. How did he move so fast, so quickly? And why is he clinging to her like an angry octopus? Or a psycho girlfriend after her boyfriend was gone for three minutes.
"Brady." Jamie whispered awkwardly, glancing at her cousin who was shocked still, glaring holes into Brady. How will she explain this to her? "Brady, people are looking." She whispered again, tapping his legs that he'd wrapped around her waist. "You're also kinda heavy." She added.
Brady froze, snapping out of his reverie. His eyes widened as he went over possible things he could say to cover up his over-friendly greeting to Jamie. He jumped off of Jamie and quickly straightened out his shirt, clearing his throat awkwardly.
"You're so weird…" Mikayla mumbled, rolling her eyes.
Brady burst out chuckling overdramatically, "Ha, yeah, that's it! I'm just weird!" He agreed with Mikayla. Boomer shook his head, embarrassed for his brother. He suddenly thought of something and raised a quirky eyebrow, "Unless you're just jealous, Mikaykay." He said teasingly, wiggling his eyebrows.
Mikayla rolled her eyes again. Typical Brady. "HA! Jealous? Pfft, I'm glad it's not me for once." She mumbled, sighing in relief.
Boomer tapped his throne's armrest before hopping to his feet, walking over to the odd bunch. He stuffed his hands into his pants and rocked on his toes, "So where ya ladies been?" He asked.
Brady scowled and stepped back, crossing his arms over his chest, a frown on his lips, "Yeah, where have you been?" He asked, eyeing them both suspiciously.
Mikayla glared at him, "None of your business, Brady." She snapped. Jamie furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Mikayla, frowning at her. What's with that attitude?
Brady scoffed, feeling offended, "Well you're just a big grouch today, aren't you?!" He snapped back, pouting his lip.
Boomer nodded in agreement, "Yeah, what's up with that 'tude, girl?" He asked curiously. "Somethin' up?" He wondered.
"No." Mikayla mumbled, storming out of the throne room and into the castle.
Boomer made a popping sound with his mouth, "Whoa." He mumbled, watching Mikayla leave. He turned back to ask Jamie something but was caught looking at Brady clinging to her again. This time it was a normal embrace that Jamie happily returned. "Awww, you two just look so adorable!" He gushed, clapping his hands together in excitement.
Jamie gasped and pushed Brady away, running a hand through her hair awkwardly. Brady chuckled, watching her face as it got red, her eyes avoiding contact with him. Boomer gasped, clasping a hand over his mouth. He forgot that Jamie didn't know about his little talk with Brady earlier.
Brady wrapped an arm over Jamie's shoulders, squeezing her tight, leaning into her ear, "He knows." He whispered.
Jamie gasped, jumping out of his hold to face them both with wide eyes, "How?!" She asked, panicked.
Boomer shrugged, "I heard you guys-"
Brady slammed a hand over his mouth half way through his sentence, chuckling awkwardly, "I told him!" He exclaimed sheepishly. Boomer furrowed his brows and looked at Brady from the corner of his eyes questioningly.
"You told him?" Jamie hissed, walking up to him, stopping inches away. Brady felt intimidated by her vicious snarl.
"Of course I told him." He mumbled, trying to step away from her slowly. "He's my brother, my partner, I tell him almost everything." He explained nervously.
Boomer scowled, "Almost?" He asked skeptically.
Brady glanced at him and shrugged, a sheepish look on his face. "Brady!" Jamie shouted, poking his chest. Brady looked back at Jamie and winced, the look on her face scaring him. "You could have asked if I was okay with him knowing!" She hissed, furrowing her eyebrows, looking disappointed.
"I-I'm sorry! It sort of slipped." He mumbled.
Boomer shook his head, stepping up to them, "I drew it outta him." He admitted. Brady gave him a look and Boomer just gave him a wink before facing Jamie. "Don't worry about it, Jamie. Your secrets' safe with me. I got Brady's back, therefore, I have yours too." He said, smiling at him.
Jamie grinned from ear to ear, hugging Boomer tightly. Boomer choked, not having enough air. These Makoola's are something else. Jamie let him go and held him at arm's length, "Thank you, king Boomer!" She sighed happily.
Boomer chuckled nervously, blushing, "Aw, it's no problem, Jamie." He said sheepishly, shaking his head in embarrassment. "So, what's got Mikayla all worked up?" He asked moments later.
Jamie shrugged, "She was fine before we got here." She stated simply. "I don't know."
"Maybe you could talk to her?" Boomer suggested.
"I know Mikayla. She'll talk when she's ready." Jamie said with a long sigh.
Boomer shrugged, walking to his throne and dropping down into it. Brady glanced at Jamie and shot her a small smile before walking to his own throne. Jamie sighed, smiling for herself. She missed him while she was gone, she noticed just how much now. She walked to the thrones, stopping just before tripping on one of the crowns. She bent over and picked it up, looking at it curiously. It was very beautiful and elegant, she thought. She looked at both kings, noticing Boomer's crown was next to him whereas Brady's crown was missing. She giggled and placed it gently on his head.
"That's better." She said as she moved some hair from his eyes that stared at her longingly. She giggled at him again, biting her lip. She had to resist the urge to kiss him right now. She moved away and sat on the couch, suddenly feeling the weight of the day on her. She sighed heavily, throwing herself to the side, laying on the couch.
Brady watched her with a small smile. She was so adorable, it killed him. He then noticed that her outfit was very dirty. Not that he minded. But it made him wonder what the girls were up to. Then he noticed some marks on her wrists. They were red and if he squinted, he could see they were bruising. Something in his stomach twisted at the sight, his heart racing. He would ask her immediately when they were alone.
"Hello, my kings."
They all sat up straight to greet the large Makoola that walked into the throne room. "Hey, Mason." The kings greeted lazily.
"Oh, there you are! I've been looking all over for you, Jamie." Mason said, moving to sit next to her. She moved, allowing him the space. "I was wondering if you wanted to train with me." He said, giving her an enthusiastic smile.
"What about Mikayla?" Jamie nearly whined. She was too exhausted to train right now.
"I don't know. She seems upset." He said.
"How could you tell?" Boomer asked, leaning forward in his throne.
Mason reached into his belt and pulled out a machete, "Well, she threw this at me when I tried talking to her."
"What?" Jamie hissed, utterly shocked that Mikayla would do such a thing. "I need to talk to her." She huffed as she got up and moved to walk into the castle.
Mason stopped her quickly, handing her Mikayla's machete. "Take this. Be careful." He said, nodding at her.
"Be brave." Boomer added, clenching his fist as a sign for her to be strong.
"Good luck." Brady added as well, giving her a wink.
Jamie shook her head, feeling confused. Could talking to her be that hard? Can't be. They're cousins, best friends. She sighed and continued into the castle, marching straight up to Mikayla's room. She knocked once before simply walking in.
"Mikayla?" She called out as she shut the door behind her. There was no response and no sign of Mikayla anywhere. Then she heard the shower on. She walked to the bathroom door and knocked, "Mikayla?" She called through the door.
"I don't wanna talk right now." Mikayla answered.
"We have to. Tell me what's going on." Jamie demanded but with a soft tone.
"I said I don't wanna-"
"I heard you." Jamie cut her off. "Didn't you hear me? Talk to me. What's wrong?" Jamie demanded a bit more firmly.
"Nothing, Jamie." Mikayla said.
Jamie could imagine her sigh. She placed the machete on one of the beds and went to sit in front of the bathroom door. "You're acting weirder than usual. I know there's something up. You know you can tell me, Mikayla." Jamie encouraged.
"Jamie, I don't wanna talk about it. It's nothing you should worry about." Mikayla responded.
"Mikaykay…" Jamie pleaded. "I'm not leaving until you talk to me." She said with a sigh.
"It's just… I can't seem to get you for myself…" She confessed. "I had you today and I almost got you killed!" She shouted exasperatedly.
"But you saved our skin afterward. It's okay, Mikayla." She assured, a smile apparent in her voice, Mikayla noticed.
"Not really. I mean, what's up with you hanging out with Brady? It seems he gets more attention than I do!" She exclaimed.
Jamie sighed, "I won't deny that." She rubbed her forehead. "I'm sorry, Mikayla, I really am." She mumbled.
"And now dad wants you too? I can't catch a break!" Mikayla continued complaining. "You came here to see me!" She whined.
"I know, I'm sorry!" Jamie exclaimed exasperatedly, letting her head fall against the door. "I'll stay with you… watch movies…" She offered. Mikayla noticed she didn't sound too happy about it. Jamie sighed, Brady popping into her thoughts. She really wanted to be with him but she couldn't do that to Mikayla, no matter how badly she wanted to be with him.
"You don't want to." Mikayla said, finally opening the door. Jamie squeaked, falling back into the bathroom. Mikayla sighed and walked over her, climbing into her bed.
"Of course I do, Mikayla!" Jamie said, standing to sit on her bed across from Mikayla's. "Why else would I suggest it?" She said, forcing a smile.
Mikayla looked up at her through lashes, kicking her feet, "I got Twilight." She mumbled.
"Ew, no. Seen it." Jamie said, rolling her eyes. "You got Pirates of the Caribbean?" She asked hopefully. Mikayla nodded. "Dibs!"
"Dibs!" Mikayla said a split second after her. "Damn it!" She hissed. "You always get dibs on Jack!" She whined.
Jamie pretended to pick at her nails, "What can I say? He's my man." She teased with a grin. Mikayla pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. "Oh come on, we all know Will is handsome too!" She said, giving Mikayla a wink.
Mikayla threw her hands in the air and groaned, "But I always get Will!" She whined.
Jamie couldn't help but laugh. "We'll watch the last one and you can get Philip." She suggested.
"Oh, no way!" Mikayla said with disgust.
"There is no pleasing you, Mikayla." Jamie mumbled, rolling her eyes. Mikayla just huffed in response. "Fine, you can get Jack. I'll call Will." She groaned.
Mikayla grinned, "Yay!" She hopped to her feet and went to set up the movie.
"I'll get the snacks!" Jamie exclaimed before running out of the room. She took to the left, going to get the snacks but something stopped her. She smirked and turned on her heel, running in the other direction, up the long flight of stairs all the way up to the king's room.
She peeked her head in and found it empty. Boomer must be out playing his games. Then a pleasant sound filled her ears. That of a guitar being strummed. Jamie grinned, her belly all full of turbo butterflies. She quietly shut the door and tip-toed across the room, standing at the doors to the balcony. She sighed happily, watching king Brady strum his guitar in a beautiful melody sitting on the rail of the balcony. She nearly gasped when he started singing. She couldn't believe he had such an amazing, beautiful, outstanding voice. She literally got gooseflesh watching him sing to the moon.
So give me something to believe
'Cause I am living just to breathe
And I need something more to keep on breathing for
So give me something to believe
Some thing's always coming, you can hear it in the ground
It swells into the air with the rising, rising sound
And never comes but shakes the boards and rattles all the doors
What are we waiting for? What are we waiting for?
Jamie could feel her insides tingling at the sound of his voice. She frowned when he stopped singing. He stopped strumming his guitar all together and sighed heavily. She scowled, feeling there was something wrong.
"Brady?" She whispered, taking a step out onto the balcony. She gasped when Brady jumped, losing his balance on the wall. She was quick to run to him, hugging him around the waist and keeping him steady. "It's just me!" She breathed, her heart racing, her face pale.
"Jamie?" Brady breathed, also having been scared witless. He turned around in her embrace, putting the guitar aside. "How long have you been standing there?" He asked, his voice slightly shaking.
"That song. Did you write it?" She asked quietly, leaning away to look at his face.
Brady blushed and shook his head, "Nah. It's by one of the bands I listened to back in Chicago." He mumbled.
"That's where you're from?" She asked curiously.
"Yeah. Hadn't I mentioned that?" He asked confused. He could have sworn he had mentioned it that day on the beach.
"No." She shook her head. "Chicago sounds like a fun place." She said, smiling at him.
Brady sighed and shrugged at her statement, "I guess." He said simply.
"I love your singing." She whispered, looking deep into his eyes.
Brady blushed, "Thanks. I do get that sometimes." He mocked himself. Jamie giggled. "So what brings you up here?" He asked, stroking her hair.
"Just wanted to see you is all." She said, smiling up at him.
"Me too. So bad." He admitted, chuckling. He loved the way that made her smile from ear to ear. It made him feel all warm and fuzzy. "Did you talk to Mikayla?" He asked curiously.
Jamie rolled her eyes, "Yeah." She huffed.
Brady made a pained face and winced, "Oh, that bad?" He asked.
"She's just jealous." She mumbled.
Brady's face changed in a second to that of surprise and triumph. "I knew it!" He exclaimed excitedly.
Jamie scowled at him, "Not of me! Of you!" She exclaimed, pulling away from him and crossing her arms over her chest.
"Huh?" Brady deadpanned from his previous triumph moment.
Jamie sighed, "She's not jealous of me being with you. She's jealous of you being with me." She explained. She scowled after having heard herself. "Wait." She hissed, trying to find a better explanation. "She's not jealous of me being with you, as in, she likes you. She's jealous of you being with me, as in, you're taking me away from her." She explained, hoping it would be easier to understand.
Brady thought about it, letting the words set it. He shook his head in confusion, "That's ridiculous." He scoffed.
"It's true." Jamie shrugged.
Brady scoffed again, rolling his eyes around, "I have as much of a right to have you that she does! I need you too, you know." He whispered to her ear playfully, tickling her ear with his nose. Jamie giggled uncontrollably at both what he said and what he did.
"Yeah but she doesn't know that!" She said between giggles.
Brady stopped playing with her ear and pulled away, looking serious. "And she doesn't need to know." He said quickly, hopping off the wall, careful not to step on her.
Jamie sighed, "Brady, what are we doing?" She whispered, taking his hands into hers.
Brady pursed his lips, swinging their arms from side to side as he thought about it. He simply smiled and looked up at her, staring into her sparkling eyes, "I don't know but whatever it is, it's right." He whispered, leaning in to press his forehead to hers.
Jamie smiled, biting her lip as she looked up at him through lashes, "So right." She agreed quietly. "Are we ever going to bring it up?" She asked worriedly.
Brady sighed, ignoring her question for a moment. "Are you going to leave me?" He asked in a mere whisper, lowering his head so she couldn't look into his eyes. See the sadness in them. "Go back home?" He added, his voice lower now.
Jamie's heart clench, her stomach twisting. She reached out and cupped his cheek, gently lifting his head but he resisted, not looking up. "Leave you? How could I?" She whispered, smiling at him, running a thumb over lips cheek and lower lip.
"You can't just stay here. What about your dad?" He asked, now glancing up at her through lashes.
"I can work things out, Brady. Let's just see where this goes, get our heads straight." She said softly.
Brady lifted his head to look at her. His eyes were filled with so much emotion. She could see the worry on his face. Brady closed his eyes and closed the gap between their lips. He kissed Jamie longingly, passionately, sweetly. Jamie closed her eyes, immediately melting against him. She missed the feel of his lips on hers. The kiss was short-lived but just perfect. Jamie felt a shiver run down her spine. She ran her hands down Brady's arms and grabbed his hands, giving them a squeeze.
"I can't get my head any more straight, James." He whispered, stealing a quick peck from her. Jamie breathed a laugh, closing her eyes, fighting the tears. She didn't want to cry but she was so overwhelmed with emotion. She never felt this way before, she didn't know how incredible it is. "I don't want you to go." He whispered, wrapping his arms around her waist.
Jamie smiled, squeezing her eyes tight to rid them of tears. "I'll talk to my dad-"
Brady chuckled and hugged her tight, "I'm talking about now, James." He whispered to her ear, playing with it again.
Jamie giggled but had to pull away, holding him at arm's length. "I have to go. The castle will come tumbling down if I don't have a night with Mikayla." She said jokingly, with sadness laced in her tone.
Brady moaned sadly, throwing his head back. "We have to tell Mikayla." He announced.
Jamie was surprised he'd say that. A minute ago he'd take it to the grave with him. Now he wants to tell her? "Why?" She asked curiously.
"Maybe then she'll understand why I keep you to myself." He teased, taking a sloppy kiss from her.
Jamie flinched against his kiss and laughed, giving him a playful push. "I'll tell her…"
Brady shook his head overdramatically, "No. I wanna tell her." He said, smiling at Jamie.
Jamie was shocked now, her eyes wide, "You sure that's a good idea?" She asked skeptically.
"You're worth it." He said with a flirtatious smile.
"Oh, stop it." Jamie moaned exasperatedly, hiding her red face behind her hands. "I can't take it." She laughed.
"I'm sorry, I get all mushy when I'm around you." He laughed with her. "I really like you." He teased, removing her hands from her face gently.
Jamie smiled sweetly at him, blushing more, "I really like you too." She teased back. She groaned, knowing she had to get back to Mikayla already. She gave Brady a quick peck and leaned to his ear, "Don't lock the door." She whispered, breathing into his ear for good measure. She quickly turned on her heel and skipped out of the room to attend her moody cousin.
Brady sighed heavily, running a hand over the back of his neck, leaning onto the balcony. "That girl will be the death of me." He whispered before walking into his room to patiently await her arrival. Maybe then he could talk about the marks on her wrists. He frowned, climbing into his bed, a nervous knot forming in the pit of his stomach as he began to worry again.
A/N: Again, sorry it took so long to update! I hope you enjoyed this little chapter. Oh, the song Brady was singing is Believe by The Bravery. I heard it while writing and liked it so, I used it :) Keep an eye out for the next chapter! Jamie will try to escape Mikayla's clutches and sneak into Brady's room. Will Boomer be a problem? Will she get caught? Will she even make it there? Hm, smells like a chapter similar to everyone's favorite: chapter 5 ;) Let me know what you think so far! 'Til next time!