Eighteen year old Ryan Asher Taylor closed his book when his phone buzzed with an incoming call from his best friend, Dylan. He knew exactly why Dylan was calling him. Tonight was the stay over party at his house since his parents were away on a vacation. Although Ryan wasn't the partying type, yet he was comfortable with these get-togethers amongst close friends and family. Since childhood, he had been used to such get-togethers as his huge family loved hosting parties nearly every week. 

"Ryan come down for breakfast before Nate and Queen finish off your share, " yelled his mom, Patricia Taylor from the dining room downstairs. Ryan rolled his eyes. His kid brother, Nate and his pet golden retriever, Queen were forever hungry! At twelve, Nate was already hateful and tried to copy him in everything he did. And Queen? She aped Nate!

His dad, Benjamin Taylor was the youngest amongst all his brothers. The oldest being their uncle, Henry Taylor who lived in the house opposite to theirs with his wife, Hannah Taylor and their five sons and a male dog! Recently their oldest son, Stuart Taylor had announced his engagement to a girl called Allison Green and the whole family was excited. To add to the excitement, Stuart Taylor's twin brother Sean rescued an orphan girl called Vienna Russell and brought her home. Their other sons, Denver and Daxton were twins and of the same age as Ryan.  The youngest son was Drake who was of Nate's age and as such the two were inseparable. And of course Queen found a boyfriend in Timmy, Drake's pet golden retriever and the two were inseparable too just like their owners were! 

The next older to Ryan's dad was Nolan Taylor who lived three houses away with his wife, Pauline Taylor and twin boys, Nick and Nelson, who were twenty. 

With so many crazy boys in the family, they were always avoided by their neighbors who were tired of their antics but it all changed with the arrival of Allison and Vienna. The sweet-natured girls calmed the boys down considerably and the neighbors let out sighs of relief. 

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. 

While the rest of the boys helped with the business, Ryan wasn't interested at all in hotels and restaurants. He was studying pre-medics, majoring in biology and hardly had any spare time to indulge in anything else. He was termed the nerd of the family as he was the most intelligent amongst all his cousins. 

The phone buzzed again and Ryan accepted the call. "What now Dylan?" He asked in exasperation. 

"Just tell me, are you coming over or not?" Asked Dylan impatiently. 

"Sure, keep some Buffalo chicken wings ready for me," he said with a chuckle. Dylan's mom made the best ones ever and with her away, he knew that it would be impossible for Dylan to arrange for that delicacy. 

"Sure, Vicky's here. She makes those exactly the same as mom does," said Dylan with a chuckle. Ryan's heart started beating with excitement. Victoria Gardner was Dylan's twin and the only one who made Ryan's heart skip a beat everytime she was near. But he never let her know his feelings as Dylan was his best friend and as such she was forbidden for him. Moreover, Victoria hung around more with them than with girls. Always dressed in a pair of jeans and a tee-shirt, she was more interested in fishing and football than in girly gossip and dressing up. Both boys were excessively protective of her but it all changed when three years ago, she was sent away to San Antonio to her grandparents house. Ryan missed her more and more but with the years gone by he had become too preoccupied with his studies to think much of her. It didn't mean that he had forgotten her, though! 

"Oh, right. I didn't know that Victoria could cook?" Chuckled Ryan, trying to calm himself. 

"Oh, you wouldn't know her now, " chuckled Dylan. "See you tonight then, bro," he said, disconnecting the call. Ryan smiled to himself. Now he was more interested in the stay over than ever before. He wouldn't want to miss a chance of seeing the changed Victoria. 

"Ryan, are you coming or not?" Yelled his mom, bringing him out of his reverie. He dashed down the stairs to the dining table to grab his share of the breakfast. Nate gave him a mischievous look which immediately made Ryan suspicious. He looked around but couldn't detect a thing although he was sure that his kid brother was up to some mischief. 

He served himself the pancakes and sandwiches that were left behind. "Mom, tonight I'd be sleeping over at Dylan's place," he informed his mom. She nodded in agreement. She hardly objected to his outings since they were quite rare. He was always neck deep in studies and didn't go out much. The whole day, Ryan completed all his studies and assignments. He was eagerly waiting to go to Dylan's house tonight. 

He closed his book at last and took a shower. Coming back to his room, he changed into a maroon and white football jersey and his favorite pair of black jeans. Chrckimg himself out in the mirror, he was quite pleased with his look. His blue eyes sparkled back with excitement which was only because of someone returning home. For the first time in years he had made the effort to look good. He had always sported a crush on Victoria since her fourteenth birthday but had always buried his feelings in his heart. Adding a dash of his favorite cologne, he walked out of his room. 

"Mom, I'm going, " he yelled at his mom who was preparing dinner. 

"No drinking, Ryan. You have college tomorrow, " reminded his mom.

"Don't worry, I won't. I'll be home early in the morning, " he promised, picking up his car keys and walking out. Dylan didn't live very far away and he reached his house in five minutes. 

Dylan clapped his back and pulled him inside. "I thought you wouldn't come, future doc," he said with a chuckle. Ryan rolled his eyes. 

"So where are the others?" He asked, looking around. He knew that he was actually looking for Victoria but couldn't say that directly to Dylan. 

"Crashing in my room. They're all watching a movie. C'mon, join us," said Dylan and they raced up to his room. The moment he walked in, the others attacked him. 

"What a pleasant surprise! Our future doctor is here," exclaimed Dani, who was Dylan's girl. Ryan grinned at her. He hadn't been able to catch up with them much in the past but he liked all of them. 

"Man, so good to see you," said Cameron, another good friend who opted for finance with Dylan. Ryan hugged him and sat down with him. 

Ben, who was the most happy-go-lucky chap around jumped at him and dragged him away from Cameron's grasp, giving him a bear hug. "In a month, you've grown hotter, Dr Taylor. I can feel your bulging muscles here," he said with a grin. Ryan groaned and slapped his hand away from his biceps. 

"And you've grown creepy, Ben," said Ryan, pushing him away with a laugh. His eyes looked around for Victoria in the room but she wasn't there. Mila, who was Cameron's girl, Chris, Katelyn, Phil, Alex and Sandy were all there and they hugged him one by one. Ryan was impatient as he had met everyone except the one he had come here for. 

Cameron dragged him to sit with him and they restarted the movie for him. Ryan watched for five minutes but his heart was restless. He needed to see her! He got up from his place, no longer able to control his urge.

"You guys carry on. I'll get us something to munch on," he offered. Dylan waved him off.

"Thanks man. Vicky's in the kitchen. Ask her if you need help," he told his best friend. Ryan's face broke into a grin. That was exactly what he was looking for. Information about Victoria. He nodded and walked out of the room, slowly climbing down the stairs, his eyes hooked inside the kitchen door. Was she inside? He couldn't hear a single noise coming in from the kitchen. He got down and walked towards the kitchen, his heart thundering in his chest, ready to burst out. He was never so excited in his entire eighteen years of life as he was now. 

"Shit!" A hot voice came from the kitchen and Ryan's body broke into goosebumps hearing her. She was inside after all! He could hardly recognize her voice. Last when he had heard her, her voice sounded immature, girlish and shrill.