The same day Jake went to the Timberlake’s house to spend some time with Phin in Justin’s studio. Phin was processing their parent’s breakup and needed some distraction urgently. His melancholic mindset was useful for writing. He got deeply inspired and started working on a ballad with Jake’s help. 

„Man, this is real good stuff,“ Jake complimented Phin after working together for several hours.

„It’s a shame I’m best in writing, when shit happens in my life,“ Phin replied. 

Jake felt pity for his best friend. First he got dumped by Lisa and was still not over it. And now he needed to deal with the fact, that his family was falling apart. It was a lot to handle at once. 

„At least they broke up in peace. I know it still sucks, but if they manage staying friends, it won’t be that bad in the end,“ he tried to comfort Phin. 

„Ya, I know,“ Phin replied. „I just didn’t see that coming. Neither was Si. He freaked out, blaming them for doing that to him another time.“ 

„Hey, um… talking about Si… is he home today?“ Jake wanted to know. 

„Ya, he was out the whole night. I bet he’s still in bed. Why?“ 

„It’s nothing important… I just have a question…“ 

Some time later Phin and Jake went upstairs to have something to eat. They made sandwiches and sat down at the kitchen island. Silas showed up at some point, just wearing boxer briefs and a shirt, also being hungry. 

„Did you sleep until now?“ Phin asked his brother with full mouth. 

„Yup,“ Silas answered.

He came closer and grabbed one sandwich from Phin’s plate. Then he took a bite and gave his brother a sassy smile. 

„Dickhead,“ Phin said annoyed. 

„Do you have a second, Si?“ Jake asked next. 

„Sure. What’s going on?“ 

„Can you show me your bike? I’m thinking about buying one myself,“ Jake lied. 

Phin gave Jake an irritated look, being surprised about his sudden interest in motorbikes.

„Ya, no problem. It’s in the garage.“ 

Both went outside, while Phin continued eating in the kitchen. 

„Here it is,“ Silas said. „You can have a ride, if you want to get a feeling for it.“

 „Actually, this is not about your bike,“ Jake replied. 

Silas frowned.

„I know about you and Lizzy.“ 

Silas’s stomach dropped to the floor. He didn’t know how to react. 

„You’ve been at our place last night. She confessed, that you’re seeing each other,“ Jake continued talking.

Silas’s heart was pounding wildly against his chest.

„Who knows about it?“ 

„Just me.“ 

„How?“

„New security system in front of our house.“

Silas’s grabbed his face in deep desperation. 

„Fuck!“ 

Jake gave him a stern look.

„Why you let this happen, Si? I don’t understand. The world is full of beautiful girls in your age. Why Lizzy?“ 

Silas closed his eyes for a second and took a deep breath. 

„I didn’t plan that. The last thing I expected to happen was falling in love with her. I tried to ignore my feelings but… I failed…“ 

Jake looked at him for a moment. He didn’t came to start a fight. The only thing he wanted was making sure, that Silas was having serious intentions. 

„Look, I know my sister. I’m sure she was hitting on you hard. You got weak at some point…“ 

„You’re wrong, man,“ Silas interrupted him. „The complete opposite was the case.“

Jake frowned. Silas continued explaining. 

„She didn’t do anything since I came back from London. All she did was being a good friend and helping me with my casting.“

Jake scoffed.

„She manipulated you by faking lack of interest.“

Silas cracked a smile.

„I don’t care to be honest. Since the day I came back and saw her at Phin’s party, she was on my mind day and night. Having her was all I wanted.“ 

„So? Things are serious?“ Jake wanted to know. 

„They are,“ Silas immediately said. „Trust me, they are. I love her with all of my heart. The last thing I want is her getting hurt in any kind.“ 

„Then we’re at the same page,“ Jake answered. „But I’m still concerned about you hiding things. I don’t think this will work out on long term.“ 

„We can’t tell anyone,“ Silas said. „No one will understand and you know it.“ 

Jake nodded. 

„I gave Lizzy my word to keep quiet. But don’t make me your partner in crime.“ 

„This is fair. Thank you, JC.“ 

Jake smiled. 

„Can I still ride you bike?“ 

Silas chuckled. 

„Feel free…“