-1No More Secrets

By: Fox Almasy

Ch. 1

Starting Out

Fox: Hey everyone. So sorry for the long wait, but I finally got my laptop and now I can do n e thing and not have to worry about a stupid virus.

Kojisa: Yep and here's the 1st chappy to the sequel of The Bet. Hope you all enjoy

Disclaimer: I don't own ne thing just the plot and OC's

BABABABABABABA

Brad grunted as Naomi leaned over and gentle shook him awake. Brad blinked against the harsh light of the morning sun and pushed himself up to stare at her. The guitarist did not appreciate being awakened at the same time that Naomi had to go to school.

"What is it? Why you waking me up?" Naomi sighed and shook her head.

"What'd you forget? You've gotta watch Riley today remember?" Brad fell back against the pillows and groaned. It wasn't that he didn't like the kid it was just that when she was around he had to watch her like a hawk. She the bad habit of getting into and making a mess of everything. Like the time she had attempted to make Brad lunch while he was on the phone with their old manager. Needless to say their neighbor thought the apartment was on fire due to the smoke billowing from the windows.

"Remind me again how I got stuck watching the kid."

"Oh knock it off. Besides Riley adores you!"

"What ever… when she's suppose to be coming?"

"She should be here around 8. You've got a half an hour still, but I didn't want you to be sleeping when she got here." the 24-year-old threw the blankets off of him and slowly stood up and stretched. He ran his fingers through his hair then slowly shuffled into the kitchen where a cup of coffee had already been set out for him. He sat down and took a sip and glanced at Naomi as she strolled out of the bathroom with all her books and her binder.

"Well do I at least get breakfast?" Naomi shook her head and pushed a plate towards him over the top of the island that stood in the center of their kitchen.

"Brad what would you ever do without me?" He shrugged and sat down on one of the barstools and took a bite.

"Probably order pizza."

"And beer right? Ya typical bachelor. Anyway I've gotta get to class."

"You coming home early today?"

"I don't know. I may have to give a seminar to the freshman."

"Ya I definitely don't miss college."

"Well geez the two years I've known you it didn't seem like it was very hard for you."

"Alright don't go criticizing me." Naomi smiled and reached across the counter to grab her bag.

"See you when I get back." She stopped to kiss him on the cheek then left. He watched her leave then glanced around the quiet apartment before standing and turning on the TV. He was curious to see what number that music video had gone to. As he put the fork into his mouth the commercial had ended and they were now moving on to the number 3 spot which was where they were at last week.

"We've got a new number 3 this week…" he smiled at this news and took another bite. As that music video ended the hostess came back on. "And moving up from number 3 is Devilzcrow with their song Crawling In The Dark." By next week they should have the number one spot he thought to himself.

Brad quickly finished the food that Naomi had prepared for him and then disappeared into the bedroom to change. As he was walking out and pulling a black sleeveless shirt on the buzzer rang signaling that someone was downstairs. He walked over to the com system and pressed the button.

"Yeah?"

"Hey Brad it's Benji."

"Alright just a sec." he pressed the unlock button and waited for his fellow band member to get to their floor. Rosco was at the door barking as Benji knocked. Brad walked to the door and pushed the pup to the side with his foot and unlocked the door.

"Brad I really appreciate you watching her."

"No biggy. But remind me again why you're still in school?"

"I told you I wasn't going to quit. I want to graduate then I'll be completely focused on nothing, but the band. I promise." He walked over to the kitchen counter and set Riley's backpack down. "Speaking of the band how's the new song coming along?" Brad turned and walked into the kitchen and offered Benji a soda.

"it's coming. I've almost got it down. Maybe by tomorrow I should have it finished."

"Great. Hey thanks again for watching Riley. I'll be by around 2:30 to pick her up OK."

"Ya no problem. Isn't she suppose to be in school though?"

"No Since she barely turned 5. She missed the cut off by like a day or something. Oh and try to refrain from letting her bring back any animals."

"Oh would you lay off that already."

"Brad in the past two years she has brought back 2 cats, 3 birds, a lizard, a dog which ended being too sick to survive remember how well that went, and a rabbit." Brad smiled and leaned against the counter.

"Well What can I say she's got a knack for finding animals."

"Just try. I'd really hate to go through the whole dog episode again."

"Alright don't worry. No animals."

"OK. Bye Riley I'll see you later OK!" Riley came running into the kitchen and launched herself into her Daddy's arms.

"OK Daddy bye." as soon as her dad was gone Riley glanced at Brad and smiled innocently.

"Uncle Brad?"

"What?" he answered uneasily.

"Do you think maybe we could get some ice cream?" Brad was about to say no but stopped at the puppy dog faced she was giving him. Brad sighed and stared down at her.

"You know if I ever have kids I hope they're not girls."

"How come?"

"Because I don't think I could tell them no. Go get your jacket."

"Can we bring Rosco?"

"Hnn I don't care, just hurry up and get me my shoes."

"OK!" Brad watched the little girl run out of the room and return a few minutes later with his shoes and Rosco on a leash. He stared down at the dog with annoyance before turning and holding the door open for the little girl and followed her out.

"So Riley why'd you scare your last babysitter?" the little girl shrugged as she led the dog into the nearby elevator.

"I didn't like her. She smelled funny and talked funny."

"Yeah I've finally found a babysitter." responded Benji before taking another drink of his beer. Brad set his down and glanced over at the 22 year old singer.

"She any good?"

"Well she's not too bad . . . The only thing is I don't think she brushes her teeth often and she's got a lisp, but other than that . . . It's just that no one wants to baby sit Riley. The last one told me that she thought Riley was possessed." at this they both glanced over at the girl sitting quietly in the corner of Brad's tiny apartment where she sat playing with a doll.

"I seriously doubt she's possessed . . . Where do you find these people?"

"The ads in the paper." Brad shook his head and finished his beer before retrieving another.

Brad chuckled at the memory from just a few days ago. He reached out and took Riley's hand in his as they started out across the crowded crosswalk.

"Now your dad's gotta go find you another one."

"Why can't I stay with you?"

"Because I'm not a babysitter."

"You could be! I like staying with you Uncle Brad!"

"I think you just like me for my food."

"No! you're a lot of fun!"

"You do know I'm not your real uncle right?"

"Of course you are! Because Daddy is an only child so I get to pick as many uncles as I want!"

"So how many do you have?"

"You, Uncle Jack, and Uncle Bit." Brad shook his head, but stopped as Riley stared off toward the park.

"What's the matter kid?"

"There's a birdie over there!"

"Yeah well that's where it's gonna stay."

"But I want it!"

"No I'm not aloud to let you bring any more animals home."

"Please it could get hurt."

"It's fine! Wild creatures can survive on their own."

"But-"

"Listen forget about the bird or forget about the ice cream!"

"OK!"she let go of his hand and began leading Rosco once more toward the ice cream parlor down the street. Brad shook his head and shoved his fists into his pockets.

"I'm so screwed if I ever have kids."

BABABABABABABABABABABABABABA

Naomi leaned her hip against the closed apartment door as she attempted to balance a stack of books and put the key into the lock. She sighed in relief as the lock clicked and she was able to nudge the door open.

"Brad I'm home." she glanced around the living room and frowned as she set her stuff down. "Brad?" she smiled as she move toward the office/spare room as sounds of a guitar and the soft muffle of Brad's voice filtered from beneath the closed door. She reached out and quietly opened the door and peeked her head in.

Brad sat bare footed and cross legged in the black recliner with sheets of paper in front of him and his guitar in hand. He plucked at the strings then would reach forward and scribble something illegible on the papers. She smiled as he finally sat back and began to play the song he had been working on for about a week and a half.

"There never seems to be, because what I believe a moment I'm not trying to show them who I am why can't they understand the things that they're denying, they're denying…. So what should I do? Just lay next to you as though I'm unaffected? And who should I be when they're judging me as though I'm unaffected?" he stopped there and ran his fingers quickly through his hair.

"Sounds like it's coming along good." Brad jumped slightly and looked over toward the door where Naomi stood.

"Shit I didn't know you were home." She smiled and walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders and rested her chin on his shoulder as she scanned the paper in front of them.

"I like catching you when you're working." He reached forward and shuffled the papers into a semi organized stack.

"I just need to get this last song done."

"How many of the songs did you write for this one?"

"All of them." Naomi frowned and sat down on the arm of the chair.

"I thought you and Jack were sharing the burden?"

"Jack says he's run into a huge wall of writers block. So I offered to just write them."

"Where do you get the inspiration?"

"I don't know . . . Just lucky I guess." Brad turned and glanced toward the door as someone knocked. "We expecting company?" Naomi smiled and walked out of the room.

"Oh yeah I forgot to tell you, but Leena and the Taskers are staying for dinner." Brad groaned and leaned back against the cushions.

"Geez thanks for the warning."

"Brad be nice!"

"You know I don't get along with them. Especially Kris."

"Oh come on. They've been really nice to you."

"Ya Ya. By the way Benji's coming over later so we Can go over the songs before practice tomorrow."

"OK." Brad cringed as Naomi opened the door, but didn't stay to greet the guest and headed for their bedroom and turned on the TV in there. He could hear their voices and laughter through the all too thin walls and was grateful that Naomi hadn't made him go in there.

"Brad! Benji's here!" Brad stood from the bed and stood in the doorway and motioned for Benji to meet him in the other room.

Kris watched the two men walk into the spare room before sitting down and glancing at Naomi questionably.

"What?"

"Why does he always want to avoid us?" Naomi glanced briefly at the closed door then glanced back at Kris.

"He's never really said but I think he believes that you all don't get along. Besides he usually shuts himself up at times like these."

"What do you mean?" questioned Kelly as she pulled up a seat next to her sister.

"He's been spending all his time writing songs for their new album they're publishing in a couple days. He's gotta go over the songs with Benji then they'll have a few days to relax before the recording." they all stopped and turned as Riley came running in from the living room and smiled up at Naomi.

"Naomi . . ."

"what?"

Can I have a cookie?"

"How about after dinner?" the little girl shrugged and turned on her heal and walked back into the living room.

"Must be tough."

"What do you mean?" Questioned Naomi as she sat down facing the sisters.

"I mean having to deal with him doing that."

"Oh . . . It's no biggy he usually does it while I'm at school. It's just that they're down to the wire right now and need to get things done."

"Did you ever ask him when you get to meet his family?"

"Yeah actually I did."

"And?"

"And we're going to go see them for Christmas vacation." Kris's eyebrows rose and she took a quick drink of soda before setting the glass down.

"Wow he's actually taking you? Are you nervous?"

"I don't know. A little. I mean what if his mom doesn't like me."

"Come on someone not like you? That's crazy she'll love you."

"Yeah and I'm going no matter what." Naomi turned and grabbed the phone as its shrill ring sounded through out the apartment."

"Hello?"

"Hey Naomi it's Bit."

"Oh hey Bit what can I do for you?"

"Is Brad around I gotta ask him something about one of the chords in this song."

"Sure just a sec." Naomi stood and walked out of the kitchen to the spare room and knock on the door.

"What is it?" Came Brad's voice.

"It's Bit he needs to talk to you. Also dinner is ready so if either of you are hungry go ahead and come gets some food." the door opened and the two men exited the room and Brad gently took the phone from Naomi.

"Hello?" Naomi didn't stay to listen and instead went back to the kitchen and began getting plates down.

Dishes were stack on the counter and the kitchen was now pleasantly silent. Naomi left the kitchen, not wanting to deal with washing she made her way to the bed room and sat down on the bed next to Brad.

"You finally ready for the recording studio?" Brad nodded and glanced at Naomi out of the corner of his eyes.

"So how are the evil sisters and their psychotic friend?"

"Brad!"

"I'm just messing with you."

"They're fine. They wanted to know why you weren't out their with us."

"I don't like sharing you." Naomi rolled her eyes, but began to giggle as Brad wrapped his arms around her waist and pushed her back onto the bed.

"Brad behave." he smiled and kissed her neck.

"Sorry I can't help it." He sat up again as the buzzer sounded through the apartment signaling that someone was here. Brad sighed and bent down to kiss Naomi gently before standing up and walking out of the room. Naomi sat up and scooted back against the head board as Brad's voice could be heard from the other room.

"Who is it." And the reply.

"Brad it's Jack I need to talk to you." Naomi shook her head and stood to change into boxer shorts and a tank top. She knew better by now then to wait for them to finish talking. She laid back down and reached over to set her alarm for school the next day. After turning off the lights Naomi wrapped her arms around her pillow and closed her eyes as Brad let Jack into the apartment.

BABABABABABABABABA

Fox: Well hope you all enjoyed and don't forget to review!

Kojisa: That's right and we love ya all