"Keeping Secrets" is the sequel to "Country Mouse, City Mouse." If you haven't given that one a read he, please do!

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Chapter 1

Just over a year had passed since Ravyn moved back to North Carolina. She had sold her mother's house and moved in with her boyfriend Shannon. They had been together for almost an entire year. Her best friend, Jenn, was still dating Shannon's best friend Jeff. Whom had made a full recovery after flipping his car the year before. He spent quite a bit of time in rehab, but was now completely sober. The two couples spent a lot of time together since both Ravyn and Jeff's older brothers were always traveling. Ravyn worked part time at Shannon's tattoo shop, Gas Chamber Ink, but also did some writing for newspapers and magazines.

"Princess," Chad called from his work station. "Do we have anything else on the books tonight?"
Ravyn checked, "Nope."
"Then I'm going home," he said smugly.
She laughed, "Go for it. I'm sure we can handle closing up. Though it will be ever so hard without you!" He laughed at her joke and walked out of the shop. She filed a few more sketches while Shannon finished working on a clients drawing.
"You two are ridiculous," he laughed.
She walked over to him and sat down on his desk. "You know we're the entertainment around here," she smiled. "You wouldn't have it any other way." She leaned down and kissed him. He chuckled and shook his head at her silliness.
"What do you say to closing up early, City Mouse?" he winked.
"I'm for it, Country Mouse," she grinned. "Maybe swing by the house for a bit? Then meet up with Jenn and Jeff?"
He smiled, "Or go home.. And eventually call them to come over."

He reached up to put his hand behind her neck, gently bringing her head down to his level to kiss her, gently biting her lip. "Can we go... now?" she hinted. He stood up and dangled her car keys from his finger. She snatched them from him and kissed him again, smiling. They made sure the shop was locked up and headed back to their house.

*****

Jenn and Jeff arrived at Shannon's a few hours later. The four of them sat around in the hot tub laughing. They hung out as a group at least three times a week. Usually it was just to watch movies or hang out by the pool.
"Matt invited us to go see him at Summer Slam next month," Jeff informed them. "Shane will be on the card too."
"Where is it this year?" Shannon questioned.
Jeff smirked, "Madison Square Garden."
"Oh," Ravyn lit up. "We're definitely going!" Her friends laughed at her enthusiasm. "I'll finally get you guys on my turf!"
"I've never been to New York," Jenn was clearly excited.
Ravyn smiled at her friend, "We're going to have so much fun! I can't wait to take you guys to Coney Island!"
Jeff started laughing, "You and Shannon can join the Freak Show!"
"Look who's talking, Jeffro!" Ravyn splashed him.

Moments later an all out splash fight began. Jeff tried escaping by leaping from the hot tub into the pool. Everyone soon followed him. They used pool floats as shields, but it made no difference really. They were all still soaking wet. Jeff and Ravyn's competitive spirits kept them battling long after Jenn and Shannon retreated to the house. They were still ducking and dodging each others splashes when they realized how dark it had gotten. And that they had been left. Jeff noticed first, looking around the pool in the darkness for Jenn. Ravyn splashed at him, then looked around for Shannon and laughed.

"We've been ditched, Hardy!" she snickered.
He smiled smugly, "Yep, they know when they can't compete."
"Ha!" she splashed him again. "Get over yourself!" She got out of the pool and headed inside before he could get in the last splash. She heard Jenn and Shannon talking in the livingroom. She smirked as she walked in and flopped onto the couch, exhausted. Jeff shuffled in from the patio and deposited himself in the recliner with a thud.
He glanced at Shannon, "Your woman doesn't play fair."
"You're just salty because you were out matched," Ravyn yawned.
"You wish!" he flung a pillow at her.
She rolled out of the way and the pillow fell to the floor. "It's pretty obvious that you can't show me up Nero."
"If I were less tired.. I'd swanton bomb the shit out of you right now," he huffed.

Ravyn burst into giggles at the thought of Jeff trying a swanton in her livingroom. Shannon and Jenn watched them in a stunned silence. They didn't know what to make of the situation. Ravyn and Jeff had grown closer since Jeff's accident. But they weren't best pals, which was why Jenn and Shannon were so confused by their sudden bond over the past weeks.

"Were you guys out there drinking the Kool-Aid?" Shannon asked.
Ravyn smiled at him, "Nah, just putting your friend in his place."
Jeff threw his hands in the air in mock frustration, "Babe, we need to get out of this place! It's full of crazy people!"
Jenn just laughed at him, "Like our place is any less crazy."
"I didn't say it this time," Ravyn snickered.
Jeff stood up, pretending to be angry. "I'm outta here!" he waved his arms dramatically. "You're the only one left on my side, Punk!" Shannon shrugged his shoulders and went back to eating his bowl of cereal, trying not to laugh. "No for real though. I'll call you tomorrow." Jenn and Jeff finished saying goodbye and headed home.

*****

Jenn called Ravyn at noon the next day. She promised her that she had exciting news and asked to meet her at the ice cream shop by the Gas Chamber so she could tell her all about it. Both girls were only five minutes away so they headed directly there. They pulled into the lot right behind each other and parked. Jenn got out of her car squealing.
"I got it! I got it! I got it!" she jumped up and down.
Ravyn jumped up and down for a moment too, getting lost in the excitement. "Wait.. Got what?" she asked.
"That photography job I've been waiting for!" she exclaimed. "The one with TRAVEL magazine!"
"Jenn that's awesome!" Ravyn smiled excitedly. "When do you start?"
"Whenever I can! It'll mostly be an editing job at the offices in Raleigh," she explained. "But they'll also be paying for me to randomly go shoot places. Some for a day or two at a time!"
Ravyn ran over and hugged her friend, "I'm so happy for you! You're going to have such a good time!" The girls ordered ice cream and sat together for an hour talking about all the cool places Jenn was going to see. They were so excited that they barely took breaths between sentences. Finally they headed home with plans to meet up the next day. Ravyn couldn't wait to get home and tell Shannon Jenn's good news.