Chapter Four: Temper, Tempter

To tell you the truth, I was sick of knowing about all these things that my brothers did and never got in trouble for. Me, I got in trouble for everything. Just because they were becoming big pop stars didn't mean they should get away with everything. I refused to put up with it anymore.

I already told them it was so easy. You'd think they'd have learned something from that.

The very next day I was walking past the garage (which they had been given as a room when Mackie was born) and overheard them planning revenge.

"She is such a little sneak,"Taylor practically growled he was so mad.

I was unconcerned.

"She called Lindsay's house to find out whether or not she had a brother!"Isaac exclaimed."I can't even figure out where she got the number."

Silly boy. I got it out of his "little black book". Good grief, he put it under his mattress, not in a locked safe.

"Well she obviously was snooping around for some stuff on me. How else could she have found that Harlequin?"Zac sounded more amused than mad. Just wait, I thought. You're turn will be soon.

"I still can't believe you read that trash,"Taylor muttered."It's like porn."

"Lets focus people!"Zac shouted."We're being outsmarted by a seven-year-old!"

Seven and a half, I'll have you know.

"Exactly,"Isaac replied."She's seven. How much more can she do than read our diaries and check up on our curfew? Speaking of diaries, Taylor, how the heck did you get an eighteen year old to date you?"

"She thinks I'm seventeen."

"What kind of half-wit would think YOU were seventeen?"Zac laughed.

"Shut up."

I was done listening in after that. My next piece of business was to get Jennifers phone number and let her know the truth about her "boyfriend".

This was going to be really fun.

* * *

Taylor's personal "little black book" was even easier to find than Isaac's. He kept his in his backpack.

I skipped all the Jennifers I knew out of it until I came across a number for one unfamiliar Jennifer Galipoux. I dialed the number and asked for Jennifer.

"This is Jennifer,"a tired voice said.

"Hi, my name is Jessi Hanson. I'm Taylor's little sister."

"Oh! Hi Jessi!"At least the creep had told his girlfriend about his family."What can I do for you sweetie?"

"You just sounded so nice from Taylor's description I wanted to talk to you myself,"I lied.

"Really?"She sounded flattered."I've been wanting to meet your family but it just hasn't worked out yet. You guys always seem to be busy."

"Busy? We're home every night. You should come over for dinner tonight. It's spaghetti night."I said cheerfully.

"I'd love to!"Jennifer exclaimed."Are you sure that would be alright with your parents?"

"Of course. I already asked them,"I lied again.

"Okay. Is six o'clock okay?"

"Perfect."

"I'll see you then."

Perfect was right. I mentally reminded myself to get out the disposable camera mom bought me to capture the look on Taylor's face when Jennifer showed up at our front door that night.

* * *

We were just sitting down to one of Mom's famous spaghetti dinners (I didn't lie about that part) when the doorbell rang.

"Who could that be?"Mom wondered out loud as Dad went to answer it.

I just grinned. Zac looked at me suspiciously, most likely thinking it was his turn next. Nope, I was still finishing up with Taylor.

I grabbed the camera out of my pocket and snapped a picture of Taylor just as Dad led Jennifer into the dining room.

Priceless. I was going to have to consider selling this one to Tiger Beat.

"Jennifer?"Taylor asked, his voice cracking (his voice was already starting to change by then).

"Hi, Taylor!"The pretty brunette cheerfully said, walking over to where he was sitting and placing a kiss on his cheek.

He turned beet red."What are you doing here?"he croaked.

"Oh, you're sweet little sister invited me."

Immediately my three older brother's heads all turned and looked at me, death looks on all their faces. Apparently they were considering this an attack on all of them. Whatever.

"I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity for us all to discuss your relationship,"Dad told him.

Taylor was starting to turn purple. I think he'd forgotten to breathe. I leaned across the table and smacked him on the shoulder, which seemed to snap him out of it. He must have been really worried though, because he didn't even seem to care that I had just hit him.

"Yes, I think that would be nice,"Mom added.

"Um."Jennifer was starting to sense something wasn't right."Is there something wrong?"

"No, of course not dear,"Mom said calmly."We just found it very interesting that an eighteen year old girl would be dating our fourteen year old son."

"Fourteen?"Jennifer went pale."Taylor's fourteen? Oh my god, I swear I didn't know! He told me he was seventeen!"

"That's all right,"Mom said, patting her on the shoulder."We assumed you couldn't have known. Since you're here, and Jessi DID invite you to dinner, you might as well stay."

I guess Mom figured out I was the little sister that had called her.

Taylor stared at his plate for the entire rest of the meal. Everyone else chatted with Jennifer like we'd known her for years. She was pretty cool. And she listened to me. Not too many girls her age did that. She even said I could call her anytime. I was planning on taking her up on that.

"You can call me to baby-sit anytime,"she informed Mom and Dad while tickling Mackie."It would be a pleasure to spend more time with your children."

I though I was getting off pretty good in this whole situation, when as she was leaving Taylor sent me this death look. I wasn't really concerned. I mean, what could he do to me?

Apparently plenty.

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