Author POV

Jace’s brow lifted slightly, but he nodded. “I forgot my phone. I came back to grab it.”

“I can’t find my diary.”

A blink passed through his eyes. He masked it with a shrug. “Maybe ask Blaze. He went in to check on you too. He probably saw it.”

Her stomach tightened. She ran out and headed straight for Blaze’s room. She didn’t knock, obviously not in the mood for pleasantries.

But she stopped short the moment she entered.

Blaze stood near his dresser, towel slung low on his hips, on his chest, water still dripping slightly from a shower. His dark tattoos spread over one shoulder and across his chest, and his hair was damp and tousled.

Jennifer froze, and her eyes stayed a moment too long before she turned her head quickly, heat rushing to her cheeks. “Blaze!”

Blaze chuckled, amused. “What? I'm not fully naked, Doll.”

“Where’s my diary?” she demanded, ignoring the flip flop in her chest.

He smirked and walked to her slowly, still towel clad. “So feisty this morning. And cute. You really don’t look 18, Jennifer. Not acting like it either.”

“Put on some clothes,” she snapped, not daring to look up.

“What? You never watched a man naked in a movie at Hannah's?” he teased, grinning.

She gasped. “Blaze!”

He laughed again. “Relax. Your diary’s in your room. In your wardrobe. I picked it up but didn’t read it. I thought about it… but changed my mind. You might stab me for it.”

Jennifer crossed her arms. “You shouldn’t go through my things. I have privacy.”

“Now you have privacy?” Blaze tilted his head, stepping a little closer. “Since when?”

“Since I’m not seven anymore.”

The tension was thick for a second before Jace and Axel’s voices echoed from the hall.

“Let’s go! The car's ready!” Jace called out.

Jennifer exhaled, slipping past Blaze with a mumbled “Thanks,” and ran back to her room. Just as he said, her diary was there. Untouched or so it seemed.

She changed quickly into something more casual, her hands fumbling with the buttons. She was still flustered.

First the kiss with Jace. Now Blaze, half naked, teasing her, smiling at her like. Was he doing that just for sibling fights?

She felt like her skin was on fire.

And now… Axel.

She stepped into the car, slipping into the passenger seat beside Axel. He was quiet, sunglasses on, jacket half zipped. A strong scent of cologne filled the space.

“I’ll drive you to college,” he said with a calm tone.

She nodded, but her heart wasn’t calm.

Instead, her mouth betrayed her.

“What is wrong with me!” she blurted out.

Axel turned to her slightly. “What?”

Jennifer faked a quick laugh. “Nothing. Just… morning nerves.”

He narrowed his eyes a bit. “Is something going on? Nervous about your first day in college?”

She shook her head. “No. Nothing. Everything’s fine.”

He didn’t push her and just turned the key and pulled off.

But inside, Jennifer was drowning in thoughts.

‘What is wrong with me? I kissed Jace. I saw Blaze practically naked and didn’t want to look away. Now I’m sitting beside Axel, and I’m wondering what it would feel like to touch his hands… his lips.’

‘This isn’t normal. This is wrong. They’re my brothers.’

But then again… were they?

"Will Blaze and Jace be home today? We left the hotel without them" she asked, hoping to sound casual.

Axel, with his eyes on the road, gave a short nod. “Blaze will be at the shop most of the day. Jace might stop by the MC and pick you up later. I have a studio session for my playlist.”

She nodded, then hesitated. “I want to join the motorcycle club.”

Axel laughed immediately, a laughter deep and rough. “What?”

“I’m serious,” she said, folding her arms. “Why not? I’m eighteen. I can make my own choices. And you guys promised to introduce them to me.”

Axel glanced at her like she’d grown two heads. “Blaze would lose his mind. And Jace? Hell no. I wouldn’t even let you.”

Jennifer frowned. “Why not?”

“Because the motorcycle club isn't what you see on the outside. You're the only family we’ve got left and neither of us is going to risk you joining the club. If anything ever happened to you…” He trailed off and shook his head. “No way.”

She huffed, rolling her eyes. “I’m not porcelain, Axel. I can handle things now. Besides, I have you guys. Three for one, remember?”

He pulled up at the college gate and parked, turning toward her. He gently brushed a stray curl behind her ear, then cupped her face in his large hands.

“You may be grown up now,” he said softly, “but you’re still my little mouse. Don’t forget that.”

She scoffed, but her cheeks warmed. “I hate that nickname.”

“No, you don’t,” he said with a smirk.

She got out, closed the door, and made her way into campus. Everything was new. The faces, buildings, energy. Still, she felt the familiar stares. People whispered and looked. Some girls even scoffed at her as she passed. She was used to it. Creepy, rich weird girl of the Lancaster family.

She headed into her first class and, afterward, made her way to the cafeteria. She noticed an unfamiliar face.

A guy, tall, blond, flashy watch. He stared like he knew her.

She tried to ignore it, but he came right to her table, tray in hand.

“Hey,” he said with a grin. “Name’s Daniel.”

Jennifer glanced up briefly. “Okay.”

“Okay?” He laughed. “That’s your response?”

She shrugged, sipping from her bottle.

Daniel sat down uninvited. “You new here?”

Before she could answer, a sudden rush of noise passed through the cafeteria. Girls were gasping, whispering and gawking. Jennifer didn’t care until someone called out, “Damn, who is that?”

She turned around slowly and her heart jumped.

Axel?

Wearing his dark jacket, boots, and that brooding expression that turned heads. And he was walking straight toward her.

Jennifer tried to look calm, but inside she was flustered. Axel handed her something.

“You forgot your phone,” he said simply.

“Oh… thanks,” she muttered.

Girls at nearby tables looked ready to faint.

Axel turned to leave, but she rushed after him, catching up by the exit.

“Hey,” she said, breathless. “Can you pick me up later? Not Jace?”

Axel raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“I just… want to come home with you,” she said, voice softer.

He nodded after a pause. “Alright. I’ll be here.”

Jennifer smiled faintly. “Thanks, Axel.”

She went back to class and Daniel wouldn't stop staring. She had crushes in high school but neither of them looked at her that way and they definitely weren't isolated.

She had not seen Daniel talk to anyone since she got to school. Just her and it was definitely creepy and felt like he was stalking her.

She pulled out her phone and snapped a quick picture of him, then texted it in her brother's group chat.