**Chapter 6: Adrian's Presence**

The days turned into weeks, and Adrian's presence became a constant in our lives. He was always there, lurking in the background, his sharp tongue and quick wit making him a favorite among our loud and boisterous family. I found myself watching him more and more, trying to understand what made him tick. At first, it was just a glance, a fleeting look in his direction. But as the days went by, I found myself stealing glances, my eyes drawn to his tattoos, his crooked grin, and those piercing eyes that seemed to see right through me. I'd catch him looking at me, and quickly look away, feeling like I'd been caught doing something I shouldn't. Carter seemed to approve of Adrian, and that was a surprise. Carter wasn't easy to get along with, and he didn't suffer fools gladly. But Adrian, it seemed, was different. They'd spend hours talking, laughing, and joking, their banter easy and familiar. As I watched them, I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. Why did Adrian seem to fit in so seamlessly with our family, while I felt like an outsider? I was the one who'd grown up here, who'd been a part of this crazy, loud family for years. But Adrian, with his tattoos and his rough exterior, seemed to belong more than I did. One evening, as I was walking home from the library, I saw Adrian's truck parked outside our house. I slowed my pace, wondering if he was here to see Carter or just to hang out. As I approached the house, I heard the sound of laughter and music coming from the backyard. I turned the corner, and there he was, Adrian, standing by the grill, flipping burgers and chatting with Carter. He looked up and caught my eye, smiling as he did so. I felt a flutter in my chest, and quickly looked away, trying to play it cool. Carter ambled over to me, a plate of food in his hand. "Hey, cuz, you hungry?" he asked, his voice loud and boisterous. I shook my head, feeling a little self-conscious. "I'm good, thanks." Carter raised an eyebrow. "You're not going to eat? What's wrong, you're on a diet or something?" I rolled my eyes. "No, I'm just not hungry, okay?" Carter chuckled and nudged me with his elbow. "You're such a lightweight, kiddo. You need to eat more." As we stood there, Adrian made his way over to us, a plate of food in his hand. "Hey, Emma," he said, his voice low and smooth. "How's it going?" I shrugged, feeling a little more at ease. "It's going." Adrian smiled and nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm glad to hear that. I'm enjoying the evening." As we stood there, Carter started teasing Adrian about his cooking skills, or lack thereof. Adrian laughed and joked, his eyes sparkling with amusement. I found myself watching him, feeling a sense of wonder at how easily he'd fit into our crazy family. As the evening wore on, Adrian stuck around, chatting and laughing with us. I found myself feeling more and more at ease, like I'd known him for years. And when he finally left, I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. As I went to bed that night, I couldn't shake the feeling that Adrian's presence had changed something. I wasn't sure what, or how, but I knew that things would never be the same again.