Chapter Thirty (R18)

Aspen

"So, kids," the boys' dad starts at breakfast Saturday morning just as we finish filling our plates, he's bouncing in his seat with an ear-to-ear smile on his face, reminding me of an eager little boy, "Ashlynn and I would like to incorporate a new Saturday night tradition."
I glance at all four of the boys, wondering if they have any idea what he's fixing to spring on us. All I end up getting in return are confused shoulder shrugs or a shake of the head in answer to my silent question.
"So, we would like to make Saturday night Family Game Night," my mom says when it appears that Collin is too keyed up to finish.
"What?", "Are you serious?", "You've got to be kidding me?" and "Seriously?" can be heard from the mouths of each of the boys. Saturday night game night was a common occurrence for me and mom, so it's not something that bothers me, since I'm already used to it.
"I know that you all have lives, but we would like to take time out of everyone's busy schedules one night a week and set down and just spend time together," Mom continues, glancing at each of us.
Collin clears his throat, obviously irritated at his boy's lack of enthusiasm at the idea, "As Ashlynn said, you all have lives, maybe even girlfriends or a boyfriend, I don't know, but this is important to us. Heck, bring your girlfriends or boyfriend if you'd like, just give us a heads up first, so that we know to plan for extra company." Mom coughs, obviously trying to get Collin's attention without causing a scene, her irritation at that new piece of information clear as day on her face has Collin back-peddling just a bit, "But, also remember that this is *family* night. Girlfriends and boyfriends won't be allowed all of the time and friends, sorry, I know it seems hypocritical, but they can have you any other night out of the week."
"So, this starts tonight?" Lincoln asks, biting the side of his bottom lip, a nervous look on his face that I hadn't seen before now.
Collin heaves a frustrated sigh before answering, "Yes, son. It starts tonight."
"Okay," Lincoln says, sounding irritated.
"Did you already have plans?" Mom asks, trying to play peacekeeper, with so much testosterone in the room, things could easily escalate quickly.
"Well, I met this girl Raleigh last night," Lincoln says, glancing at Boston and me with a look of guilt on his face, before continuing, "and we were supposed to hang out."
"Well, son, just invite her," Collin says like the solution is simple, "that's what we said, right?"
"Yeah, it's just..." his ears turn red in embarrassment as he searches for the right words, "I like her and I don't want to run her off because, well, if no one has noticed, this family can get kind of crazy."
"Who are you calling crazy?" Jackson asks, sounding insulted, which causes the other three boys to snort in laughter.
"When the shoe fits..." I say with a smile.
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Lincoln is humming his rendition of *Shivers* as we lay around the downstairs entertainment room as some superhero movie plays on the TV.
Lincoln is sitting at one end of the couch and I'm sitting between Boston's thighs, with my back resting against his chest at the other end. Boston's playing with my hair, running his fingers through it, then stopping to massage my shoulders, before returning to running his fingers through the length of my hair again.
"You really like that song, don't you?" I say with a chuckle as he begins to hum it all over again.
"I told you, that song is the shit," Lincoln says, then smirks and takes a big breath.
But, before he can start his humming again, Dallas interrupts him, "No, *No Resolve* is the shit."
"You're right about that," Lincoln agrees as he reaches over from the chair beside the couch and gives Dallas a high five, "there are actually a lot of up-and-coming artists who have done some incredible covers of popular songs."
"Oh, yea? Like who?" I ask, genuinely curious. He lifts his right eyebrow in disbelief, which irks me, "What?" I ask haughtily, "I'd like to check them out. Is that really so hard to believe?"
"Honestly, I wouldn't know." He says, losing the attitude, "You always have your earbuds in, so we don't even know what kind of music you listen to.
"Names. Now?" I demand, pulling my cell from between my legs and pulling up YouTube so I can search up the names he gives me.
"Umm...let's see..." he says, stroking his chin as he thinks, "*No Resolve*, obviously, they have several covers out, aside from the Sheeran song, that are awesome. Then there's *State of Mine*, *IPrevail*, *Drew Jacobs*, *Leo Moraccholi* is pretty good but he's more of an acquired taste, *Casey Edgar*, and *Brandon Davis* are both new country artists that are really good if you're into country..."
"Slow down, I can only look them up one at a time, Dude!" I tell him, with an irritated eye roll.
"Pull up your little notes app and note them down, I'll repeat them." I do, and he does.
And I spend the rest of my day searching up new artists and listening to their covers as well as their own songs if they have some. And they are *all* freaking *amazing*! Well, except for the Moraccholi dude, he's definitely a taste that I don't see myself acquiring anytime soon.
"So," I say, interrupting the silence once I've made it through the list, "whose version of *Thunder Rolls* do you like better?" I ask, glancing at each of the boys.
"Thunder Rolls?" Jackson asks, "isn't that a country song?"
"It is, but it's been covered by other artists. Here listen," I pull up the Garth Brooks version. "This is the original version first," I tell him before pressing the play icon.
Once it is done, I bring up the *Brandon Davis*, *State of Mine* and *No Resolve* version.
"So, which was your favorite? The first one-the original by Garth Brooks or the second one by Brandon Davis, State of Mine and No Resolve?" I ask, raising up a finger as I list off each of the artists.
"The country version was good, but hands down the rock version," Boston says, with a nod of his head.
"I agree with Bos, hands down the Brandon Davis/State of Mine/No Resolve version," Lincoln says.
"Me too," both Dallas and Jackson say in agreement with their brothers.
"I thought so, too. I grew up listening to the Garth Brooks version, but there is just something about the rock version that makes me choose it over Garth's." I tell them honestly, then I bring up the Blake Shelton song, covered by State of Mine and Drew Jacobs, which I much prefer to Blake's version as well, "Okay, tell me which of these two you prefer," I say as I hit play of Blake's version first.
"Damn," Lincoln says with a grin once I've finished playing *State of Mine* and *Drew Jacob's* version of *God's Country*, "Hands down State of Mine/Drew Jacobs."
"Right?" I say in way of agreement. "How is it that these people can remake these songs, and make them a gazillion times better than the original artist could? I'm not sure if I would be insulted or proud if I were the artists," I say, thinking out loud.
"No kidding." Boston agrees, then places a chaste kiss against my temple, "It would be kind of like a backhanded compliment, they liked the song enough to remake it, but then they did it better."
At the sound of the doorbell ringing, Lincoln stiffens and looks as if he's going to be sick, "You okay there, Lincoln?" I ask, sitting up and placing my hand on his back, rubbing it up and down to try to ease his nerves. "Do you want me to go let her in before she thinks you stood her up at your own house?" I ask, moving to stand up.
"Would you?" he asks, looking desperate.
Instead of answering, I make my way to the front of the house and pull the door open to find the girl from last night standing in front of me. She's absolutely stunning with her shoulder-length blonde hair and emerald green eyes. She's just a few inches shorter than I am, but it looks like we have a similar build.
And she looks nervous, too.
"Raleigh?" I ask with a genuine ear-to-ear smile on my face.
"Aspen, right?" she says, her hands fidgeting with the zipper on her olive green jacket.
"Yes, sorry Lincoln asked if I would come to get you," I tell her, stepping back to let her enter, "I think he's a bit nervous and needed to calm down."
"He's nervous?" She squeaks, causing her fair cheeks to turn bright pink with embarrassment.
"Yes," I tell her with a giggle, wrapping my arm around her shoulders like we're besties, trying to help calm her nerves. As we begin making our way back down the steps that lead to the game room, I try to ease her nerves just a bit when I say, "I think he may *really* like you. I've not ever seen him get nervous before."
"Really?" She asks, sounding genuinely surprised.
"Yeah, he's a good guy. But if he hurts you, let me know and I'll have Boston kick his ass for you." I tell her with a wink just before I open the door and gesture for her to enter first, "Are we ready to get down and party?" I ask to get their attention, but instead of hearing me, they're too busy busting each other in the heads with pillows. I try to stifle a giggle as I watch them looking like a bunch of girls at a sleepover having a pillow fight.
*Do girls even have pillow fights when they have sleepovers?* I wonder, as I watch the scene play out before me. I've never been to a sleepover before, so I wouldn't know, but that's how it's always depicted in movies. So, it's got to be right, right?