"They're upstairs, playin' video games, I think," Jessica Hanson said.

"Thanks," Nicole said politely, then she ran up the stairs. She opened the door to the room that Isaac, Taylor, and Zac shared. Isaac and Taylor were playing a video game, as Jessie had said, and Zac was building a Lego castle in the corner. As soon as she came into the room, Isaac stood.

"Zac, take over for me, okay? I've gotta talk to Nic," he said, ushering his younger brother over to the video game system.

"What's going on guys?" Taylor asked, but before she could answer, Isaac had pulled her out into the hall.

"Nicole," he whispered, "I really like you."

"I...I think I like you too," she breathed back, blushing. "But..,"

"But what?" he said. "I like you, you like me, we're both single....it's not going to hurt anyone if we go out." Nicole was about to tell him about Casey when he pulled her to him, pressing his lips to hers again. It felt so right that she decided to put off telling him about Casey right then. Isaac pulled back and, taking her hand, began to lead her back to his room. "So," he said, "it's me and you now?"

"Yeah," she whispered, but all she could think of was Taylor. Back in the room, she avoided his piercing eyes, looking at her hand, entwined in Isaac's.

"Hey!" Zac exclaimed. "Are you guys going out?" Isaac smiled down at Nicole.

"As of about ten seconds ago, yes," he said. Then their mom yelled up the stairs for Isaac to come down and help his father to grill the burgers. When he left the room, Taylor shut down the PlayStation and turned to face Nicole, where she sat on his lower bunk bed.

"So when did this happen?" he asked, implying her and Isaac.

"Well," she said, "I was out in the hammock and he came over, and I was upset, and he made me feel better, and then we just started kissing." She shrugged nonchalantly. "But I have to tell you something," she whispered, looking around for Zac.

"Don't worry, he went to the bathroom," Taylor said. She proceded to tell him about Casey, and Casey's crush on Isaac. When she finished, Taylor shook his head.

"I don't know," he said. "It sounds kind of sneaky Nic. You aren't going to tell her, are you? What if she like, hates you for this?"

"I wasn't planning on telling her.....but how do I tell Ike not to mention it around her?" she asked.

"Don't worry," Taylor said, "I'll tell him about it tonight, if you want me too. After all, what are almost-brother-in-laws for? That's what I am to you now, you know?"

"Yeah," Nicole said, laughing, and feeling good that he didn't mind her going out with Ike. Although she didn't know why he would.

Nicole was lying in front of Isaac, and they were both on their sides. Ike had his arm protectively wrapped around her, and he was gently nibbling on her ear.

"Come on guys," Zac said. "You're acting like you've been going out for like a year!"

"Well," Isaac said, "we did the 'getting to know you' stuff when we were like five, so we skipped straight to the make-out session. It's better that way." They all laughed, and Nicole leaned back until Isaac's lips met hers. Then there was a knock on the door. They quickly pulled back as Taylor opened it, laughing. There stood their father.

"Okay love-birds," he said, "you guys have to get up early tomorrow to perform at the mall, so you need to go on to bed. Nicole, why don't you share that bunk, but with Tay. Okay?"

"Yes sir," she said, saluting him jokingly. He laughed and shut the door.

"Okay," Isaac said, pointing from Taylor to Nicole, "I better not find out that anything happens between you two tonight, go that?" He tried to look serious, but his face broke into a silly grin.

"Fine," Taylor said, "whatever happens tonight, you will never find out about." He sat down beside them and put his arm around Nicole's shoulder. "Right babe?"

"He'll never know," she said, giggling. Isaac pretended to be upset.

"Now hold on," he said, frowning. "Maybe I should re-state that point." He kissed Nicole softly and then punched Taylor in the shoulder. "Got it now?"

"Ow...loud and clear," Taylor said, rubbing his shoulder. "Okay Nic," he said, "do you want the inside or the outside part of the bed?"

"Mmmm...inside," she said. "Do you have anything I can sleep in?" she asked, pointing to her jeans. Taylor handed her a gray tee shirt and a pair of black Umbro shorts, and she went to the bathroom to change. The clothes fit perectly, and they smelled like Taylor; a mixture of Ck One and soap. She returned to the room and stood up on the bed, kissing Isaac goodnight in his top bunk. Then she slid into the bottom bunk, next to the wall. Taylor crawled in beside her, and she shifted over to give him more room.

"Good night!" Zac suddenly screamed, jumping onto their bed. He gave them a big hug. "I love you guys!"

A little while later, she heard Isaac softly snoring, and Zac mumbling in his sleep. But Taylor was breathing normally, his back to her. She softly pinched his backbone, tickling him as she had done when they were younger. He turned over, smiling at her.

"Hi," he said. She smiled at him, thinking of how cute he looked in the moonlight. "I still don't believe you're going with Ike," he said. "I guess it was bound to happen though," he finished, looking deep into her eyes.

"Yeah, it's kind of strange. I just never felt this way before today. You know, about Ike," she said, suddenly feeling guilty again, and not knowing why. They were silent for a moment, but soon she heard Taylor's breathing turn rythmic as he fell asleep. She turned to face the wall and soon fell asleep herself.