Flashback Six Years Ago 

 

Twelve year olds, Drake Maxwell Taylor and his cousin, Nate Elliot Taylor were inseparable since birth. They were partners in crime and were notorious pranksters who never left an opportunity to play a joke, ever. Their crude sense of humor and weird ways always had everyone laughing their heads off. Being the youngest in the Taylor household, the whole family loved them immensely. While Drake was the youngest son of Henry and Hannah Taylor, Nate was the youngest son of Benjamin and Patricia Taylor. 

The oldest amongst three brothers, Drake’s dad, Henry Taylor along with his wife had four more boys. Stuart and Sean at twenty-three were the oldest and Denver and Daxton who were eighteen were next in line. They hated the fact that they had no daughters. However when Stuart married Allison and Sean married Vienna, everything changed with the arrival of the two girls. The boys became more well-behaved and their pranks reduced a lot, well, except those of Nate and Drake, of course. There was however another male member in Drake’s family, his pet golden retriever, Timmy. 

After Henry Taylor was Nolan Taylor who lived three houses away with his wife, Pauline Taylor and twin boys, Nick and Nelson, who were twenty. 

The youngest amongst the three brothers, Nate’s dad, Benjamin Taylor and his wife had two sons. Ryan who was of Denver and Daxton’s age and Nate. However, there was another member too in Nate’s family, his golden retriever, Queen. Coincidentally, Queen and Timmy were just as inseparable as their owners and were proud parents of many lazy pups.  

The Taylor family owned three restaurants and a four-star hotel in Houston which Henry Taylor and his brothers Nolan Taylor and Benjamin Taylor handled together. Henry Taylor handled their largest and main multi-cuisine restaurant, The Grub Club while Nolan Taylor looked after their fast food restaurant, Quick Bite. His dad, Benjamin Taylor handled their hotel, Sterling Plaza. The other restaurant which was a steak-house and bar was at the construction stage. Whenever the boys were free, they helped with the business. 

“Nel bro, can you wait while we finish this?” asked Nate as he and Drake sat at their uncle’s patio, eating the delicious Black Forest Cake that their aunt Pauline made. She made the best cakes in the whole world and always invited them to taste her delicacies. 

“Bring it along and eat it in the car. I can’t keep them all waiting,” said Nelson impatiently. He was taking his girlfriend, Annalise Martin out. Since her twin siblings were also coming along, Nelson had invited the two chipmunks, Nate and Drake to give them company. 

“Aunt Pauline, we’re done, thanks, “ yelled Drake as he took his plate and hurried to Nelson’s car. 

“Don’t you dare dirty my car,” Nelson warmed the two of them. They grinned back. 

“We won’t, bro,” they chorused. Nelson drove them to Annalise’s house.

“Bro, what was the name of the girl?” asked Drake, scratching his head. Nelson rolled his eyes at him.

“Don’t even think of hitting on her, boys. She’s just ten, a child and she’s forbidden, “ warned Nelson.

“We too are children, bro,” said Nate with a wicked grin on his face. Nelson groaned. Why did he bring these two of all the people on earth! 

“Whatever! But I want you two to behave yourselves, “ he warned. 

“Yes, bro,” the boys chorused and the rest of the way, they sat at the backseat of Nelson’s 8-seater GMC Yukon and spoke in a strange code language that Nelson didn’t understand at all. 

"Sm," whispered Drake. (Stands for 'She's mine')

"Nsm," said Nate. (Stands for 'no She's mine')

"Toss?" Asked Drake. 

"Sure," said Nate. 

They took out a coin and tossed. "What are you two doing?" Asked Nelson as he drove towards Annalise's house. 

"Nothing," said Drake, hiding the coin. When Nelson was busy driving they took out the coin and tossed.

"Hsm," said Nate (stands for 'heads she's mine') 

And heads it was. So Drake sat like he'd lost his life to Nate while Nate grinned like a Cheshire cat all the way to Annalise's house. He won a girl for himself after all!

"Hope she looks like a baboon and smells like a tiger's butt," whispered Drake and Nate looked at him with horror.

"How do you know what a tiger's butt smells like?" Asked Nate curiously.

"That's out of the context," muttered Drake as Nelson parked in front of Annalise's house. The two chipmunks peered out of the window to catch a glimpse of Alexis. 

"Iwh," reminded Nate. (Stands for 'I won her'). 

Drake sighed. "Ik," he said. (Stands for 'I know') 

The door opened and a gorgeous young version of Annalise came out pulling her older sister along. Nate's mouth hung open at the beautiful young girl. He was thunderstruck by her. As for Drake, he would have to back away. He lost the toss after all but he was green with jealousy. They were followed by a boy of around the same age as the girl. The boys knew that they were twins. Nelson got down and opened the car door for Alexis at the back. Nate and Drake were occupying the last seat, so Alexis climbed onto the middle one with Aries. 

"My brother's, Nate and Drake, " introduced Nelson. "This is Alexis and that's Aries, " said Nelson. "And that is Annalise. Done? Shall we leave?" Asked Nelson, eager to drive away from the house. 

They all greeted one another and Nelson helped Annalise to the passenger seat and they drove off.

"Where are we going?" Asked Annalise. 

"Bro, anywhere but the zoo please," said Nate who was too exuberant today. Drake looked at Nate and grimaced.

"I don't mind the zoo. Someone needs to get the smell of a tiger's mmmm...," he started but Nate covered his mouth with a glare. 

Alexis giggled at their conversation. It was like music to Nate's ears. He stared at her but received a plonk on the head. "Oww," he rubbed his head. "Wtf, have you lost your head now? Why are you hitting me?” Whispered Nate.

"Sak," gritted Drake. (Stands for 'She's a kid')

They were quiet for a while and could hear Nelson having his silly lovey-dovey talks with his girl. They chuckled and received glares from Nelson through the rear view mirror. Alexis and Aries found Nelson's brothers very entertaining.

Nelson drove them to a huge 20,000-acre historical working ranch, The George Ranch Historical Park on the outskirts of Houston where there were lots of activities to do, many things to see. He parked his car and they all climbed out. The fresh green pastures, the horse enclosures, the farm animals being tended to,  the vegetable and fruit gardens, all looked like they had been transported to a different land altogether. 

"Wow, this is so interesting!" Said Aries as they all walked towards the reception to check-in. 

"Here you can discover more than 100 years of Texas history. This Park is divided into four time periods (1830s, 1860s, 1890s and 1930s) and features historic tours," said Nelson looking at the kids who all looked at him with avid interest. Annalise was also impressed by the park. They checked out activities they could opt for. There were interpreters, hands-on activities, cattle working and blacksmithing demonstrations and lots more!

"Shall we go on tour first?" Asked Drake with interest. 

"Sure," said Nelson. As they all walked towards the 1830s Jones Stock Farm, Nate walked alongside Alexis. "Hi," he said breathlessly. Drake stepped back but his eyes were glued to them and he was tremendously jealous of his brother. He hadn’t expected Alexis to be so beautiful.

"Hi," said Alexis breathlessly.

"So, which school do you go to?" Asked Nate. 

"Harmony International, what about you?" She asked with curiosity.

"We're in Westview High," informed Nate. "You should have been at our school. Life would be fun. Harmony is like a prison for the rich. You need permission from the teachers to even breathe," said Nate. 

"I know what you mean. Me and Aries too hate it. We can't seem to fit in there," said Alexis with a shrug. The more Nate interacted with her, the more charmed he was by her while Drake sulked throughout. The whole trip was a big hit with the children. They indulged in various activities together. After a picnic lunch, they all left to go home. Drake still didn’t get to talk to Alexis as much as he wanted to. It seemed as if Nate had won the girl as well as the sole right to her. After she left, a smug-looking Nate sat clutching at his heart, with his eyes closed and a victorious smile on his face while a displeased Drake sat on the extreme opposite, looking out of the window, cursing his luck.

He had no idea what he had lost! He had no idea how such a simple, childish bet would be the cause of his heartbreak! He had no idea what fate had in store for him! 

 

End of Flashback