A/N: Hey, thanks for all the support from Runaway. Here's the sequel. I
hope ya'll enjoy it just as much. And remember that it takes place between
the love confession and the wedding. And I don't know how well this is
gonna start and crap like that cause I'm having a lot of problems right now
with 2 of who I thought were my best friends and a guy. So, if it's all
kinda depressing in the beginning I really apologize. I'm just really
emotionally drained right now. To the point where I'm hysterical almost
every nite. Anyways, on with the first chapter of the sequel to Runaway.
It was the morning after my whole ordeal with Jeff. I just sat up in the game room and pulled on my clothes. I sighed deeply as I looked over at Shane. A small tear ran down my cheek as I stared at his strong body. I didn't know what to do. All I knew was that I had to keep my distance from Jeff. That meant I couldn't have anything to do with him. I thought that packing up and running away would be hard, it was nothing compared to how this was gonna be.
"Case? You up?" I heard Amy whisper as she peeked her head into the room. I looked up at her and closed my eyes tightly as I tried to hold back tears. "Come on, we'll go jogging and discuss this."
I nodded at her and stood quietly as Shane rolled over. I walked into my room and grabbed on the clothes that I had been in the nite before, in the rain. I met Amy in the hall and we began our jog. We had been running for quite awhile before anyone said anything. "Why Ames?" I asked as I glanced over at her.
"I don't know. I wish I could help. Do you know what you're gonna do?" she asked.
"Avoid him."
"Shane?"
"No, Jeff. I can't be near him. I have to ask Vince if he can stop this storyline between us. Cause there's no way I can be with him."
"Oh Casey. Maybe you should break up with Shane if you feel this strongly about Jeff."
"I love Shane. I do Amy, I love him so much."
"But you love Jeff too."
"More than you can even imagine."
"So take a break. Break up with Shane and get your head straight. If you were truly meant to be with Shane, then you'll know immediately. If you survive without him, then you know you need Jeff."
"I don't think that's gonna work Amy. I just, I don't know. I wanna know why Jeff didn't say something before Shane came into my life."
"I can't help you there. I can't really help you at all with this," she said as she came to a stop. I stood next to her and put my hands on my hips. I let out a deep breath and shook my head sadly.
"I love him Amy. I love him so much," I cried. She wrapped her arms around me and rubbed the back of my head soothingly.
"I know. I know you do," she said softly. "Let's head back. I don't think you can truly handle jogging right now."
I nodded and we slowly walked back to the house. I looked up at the two story building and sighed as I shut my eyes tightly. I wiped my cheeks and slowly followed Amy into the house.
"How ya doin Kiddo?" Matt asked as he leaned against the door to the living room. I shrugged my shoulders and walked upstairs.
"She's gonna avoid him Matt," Amy said as she walked over to him and put her head on his chest, wrapping her arms around him tightly.
"Avoid Jeff?" Matt asked unsure.
"Yeah, avoid Jeff," Amy repeated.
"How's that gonna work? They're in a storyline together," Matt said.
"I don't know. All I know is that we have a mess on our hands," Amy said.
"Jesus Christ!" Matt yelled. Amy looked up at him and raised her eyebrows. "Leave it to my fuckin brother to fuck things up!"
"Matt, he couldn't help the way he felt. Just like she can't help how she truly feels. I just wish she would do something about these feelings instead of pushing them aside," Amy said with a sigh.
"How was your jog?" Shane asked as he walked up behind me and put his arms around my waist. I moved myself into him as he tightened his arms. I let out a deep breath and smiled.
"It was fine. Totally invigorating," I said with a laugh.
"I love you," he whispered in my ear. I closed my eyes tightly and pushed back my tears.
"I know, me too," I said quietly.
"Are you okay?" he asked turning me around to face him. He placed his hands on my waist and looked into my eyes. He looked at me so deeply that I was sure he could see what was wrong with me.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I answered looking down at the floor. He tilted his head me and squinted before shaking his head slowly.
"I can tell something's wrong, but if you don't want to tell me, I understand. Just know that you can talk to me about anything," he said as he placed his forehead on mine. I nodded slowly and he kissed the top of my head. I gave him a small smiled and he left my room. I shut the door behind him and sat down on the edge of my bed, breaking down into tears.
"Hello?" that gentle voice said into the phone.
"Hi, Trish," I cried.
"Casey? Are you okay? What's wrong?" she asked frantically.
"It's Jeff," I sobbed trying to calm myself down.
"Is he okay? Is he hurt?" she asked as her tone became one of worry.
"I can only hope he is!" I said angrily.
"Whoa, what's goin on?" she asked.
"He's a fuckin asshole!" I yelled.
"Case, calm down. What happened?"
"He fuckin told me he loved me!" I screamed.
"What?!"
"Trish, he told me he loved me," I said softly.
"What's so bad about that? Just tell him you're in love with Shane."
"I would, but there's one little problem with that," I said.
"What's that?"
"I'm in love with Jeff."
"YOU'RE WHAT?!" she yelled.
"Yeah, I'm in love with him. I don't know what to do," I said crying again.
"Did you tell him you loved him?"
"Yeah."
"So go be with him. Case, it's a simple solution."
"No, it's not. I love Shane. I don't want to hurt him. If Jeff couldn't tell me sooner than he doesn't deserve me!"
"No, Case, he doesn't! And Shane doesn't either. Cause what you are doing is leading him on to believe that you're in love with him and not one of his good friends. Do you know how wrong that is?! Casey, that's fucked up right there. You need to get your shit together and figure something out and soon! Cause otherwise you could be one depressed and lonely person."
"I'm gonna avoid Jeff," I said softly.
"You can't do that. You have a storyline with him. How the hell is that gonna work?!"
"I'm gonna talk to Vince and ask him to put me in a different storyline."
"Honey, it doesn't work that way. You do what you're told until they tell you otherwise. You may just be in this for quite sometime."
"No, I can't be. I need out and as soon as possible!"
"Well, ya know what? Things don't always work that way. I gotta go. See ya tomorrow," she said before hanging up. I threw my phone on the bed and walked over to the punching bag that I had hung up in my room. I started pounding away on it and had been doing so for quite sometime when the thing broke off the rope and flew into the wall.
"FUCK!" I screamed as I sat on the floor with my knees tucked under my chin.
"Case?" Matt asked as he opened the door a crack. He shook his head and walked in, shutting the door behind him. He sat down next to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his body, and holding me tightly. I rested my head on his shoulder and cried. "Shhh. Everything is gonna be okay."
"Matt, I don't wanna lose him, but I know I have to. Or this whole thing could just get worse. I can't have him in my life anymore. And I can't tell him. Will you please be my big brother and tell him?" I asked with a pout on my face.
"Casey, you're gonna have to face him. You're in a storyline with him, you live here or at Dad's house, so how do you truly think you're going to be able to be without him?"
"Please Matt? I'll think of something if you just tell him."
"Alright. I'll do it. Why don't you go out and spend the day with Shane?" Matt suggested as he helped me to my feet.
"Yeah, that's a good idea," I smiled through my tears as Matt wiped my face gently. "Thanks Matt. I really appreciate this."
"You owe me one!" he laughed as I walked down the stairs.
"Shane, ya wanna go do something?" I asked walking up behind him.
"Yeah, sure. I actually have something in mind. But let's go grab some food so we can talk it over," Shane smiled as we walked out holding hands.
"Where are you going?" Amy asked as she watched Matt pull on his sneakers.
"I have to go talk to that dumbass of a brother for her," Matt said.
"Matt, maybe you shouldn't get involved in this. This is their problem. You don't know what could happen by getting involved in it," Amy said.
"I know, but she's my little sister and I have to protect her. It's my job," Matt shrugged as he headed off towards Jeff's. He walked up Jeff's driveway and saw him sitting on the porch. He looked like a truck had hit him. His hair was all over the place, his clothes looked as if they had been slept in, and he had bottles and cans of alcohol around him. "Hey Jeff."
"Matt," Jeff said with a nod to his brother as he stared off into space.
"We, uh, we need to talk," Matt said standing in front of Jeff and crossing his arms in front of him.
"Matt, please just tell me she's alright," Jeff said quietly allowing his head to drop into his hands.
"Let's just go inside and talk about this," Matt said walking past his brother into the house. Jeff slowly got up and followed him into the living room. "Jeff, you've really fucked up this time."
"I know, Matt."
"What the hell did you think you were doin by telling her?!"
"I was afraid she'd get married without knowing that I loved her."
"Jeff, she's not your girl! She's Shane's!"
"I know!" Jeff yelled. "Jesus Matt! Do you think I don't know that I can't have her?!"
"Well, do you fuckin realize that you have completely lost her because you just couldn't keep your feelings to yourself?!"
"What do you mean?"
"Jeff, she wants absolutely nothing to do with you now!"
"But she loves me! I love her! How does.......I can't......FUCK!" Jeff screamed throwing of the two of us at the wall causing it to shatter.
"Yeah, Jeff, it's over. She doesn't want any contact with you. She asked me to tell you."
"Matt, I can't live without her in my life."
"You should have thought of that before you told her all that you did."
"Matt, you weren't there. You didn't see the look in her eyes or feel the passion of our kiss. Bro, she truly loves me. I could feel it during our kiss. And her eyes, well, you know how they change color. Well, they were this bright blue color that they turn when she's extremely happy. I know she can't stay away from me. She'll come back to me. Right into my arms.
"No Jeff. Not this time. It's over. Forget it. She loves Shane."
"NO! She fuckin loves me!" Jeff yelled getting in Matt's face.
"If you don't back off me now, I'll throw you off me!" Matt yelled back. Jeff stayed rooted to his spot and stared him down. "Jeff, get the fuck off me now!" Jeff just shook his head, not losing eye contact with his older brother. Matt placed his hands roughly on Jeff's chest and pushed him off hard, causing him to fall on the floor. "Don't fuck with me."
"Get out Matt! Get the fuck out!" Jeff yelled pointing to the door.
"Fine Jeff. Just remember that I'm just the fuckin messenger. That she asked me to do this. So you can just fuck off Jeff. Become the miserable asshole that I know you'll become," Matt said through clenched teeth. He slammed the door shut behind him leaving Jeff to sit on the floor thinking about all that just happened.
"I'm so sorry Casey. I love you baby, I truly do," Jeff said to himself as he picked up the picture he threw carefully.
It was the morning after my whole ordeal with Jeff. I just sat up in the game room and pulled on my clothes. I sighed deeply as I looked over at Shane. A small tear ran down my cheek as I stared at his strong body. I didn't know what to do. All I knew was that I had to keep my distance from Jeff. That meant I couldn't have anything to do with him. I thought that packing up and running away would be hard, it was nothing compared to how this was gonna be.
"Case? You up?" I heard Amy whisper as she peeked her head into the room. I looked up at her and closed my eyes tightly as I tried to hold back tears. "Come on, we'll go jogging and discuss this."
I nodded at her and stood quietly as Shane rolled over. I walked into my room and grabbed on the clothes that I had been in the nite before, in the rain. I met Amy in the hall and we began our jog. We had been running for quite awhile before anyone said anything. "Why Ames?" I asked as I glanced over at her.
"I don't know. I wish I could help. Do you know what you're gonna do?" she asked.
"Avoid him."
"Shane?"
"No, Jeff. I can't be near him. I have to ask Vince if he can stop this storyline between us. Cause there's no way I can be with him."
"Oh Casey. Maybe you should break up with Shane if you feel this strongly about Jeff."
"I love Shane. I do Amy, I love him so much."
"But you love Jeff too."
"More than you can even imagine."
"So take a break. Break up with Shane and get your head straight. If you were truly meant to be with Shane, then you'll know immediately. If you survive without him, then you know you need Jeff."
"I don't think that's gonna work Amy. I just, I don't know. I wanna know why Jeff didn't say something before Shane came into my life."
"I can't help you there. I can't really help you at all with this," she said as she came to a stop. I stood next to her and put my hands on my hips. I let out a deep breath and shook my head sadly.
"I love him Amy. I love him so much," I cried. She wrapped her arms around me and rubbed the back of my head soothingly.
"I know. I know you do," she said softly. "Let's head back. I don't think you can truly handle jogging right now."
I nodded and we slowly walked back to the house. I looked up at the two story building and sighed as I shut my eyes tightly. I wiped my cheeks and slowly followed Amy into the house.
"How ya doin Kiddo?" Matt asked as he leaned against the door to the living room. I shrugged my shoulders and walked upstairs.
"She's gonna avoid him Matt," Amy said as she walked over to him and put her head on his chest, wrapping her arms around him tightly.
"Avoid Jeff?" Matt asked unsure.
"Yeah, avoid Jeff," Amy repeated.
"How's that gonna work? They're in a storyline together," Matt said.
"I don't know. All I know is that we have a mess on our hands," Amy said.
"Jesus Christ!" Matt yelled. Amy looked up at him and raised her eyebrows. "Leave it to my fuckin brother to fuck things up!"
"Matt, he couldn't help the way he felt. Just like she can't help how she truly feels. I just wish she would do something about these feelings instead of pushing them aside," Amy said with a sigh.
"How was your jog?" Shane asked as he walked up behind me and put his arms around my waist. I moved myself into him as he tightened his arms. I let out a deep breath and smiled.
"It was fine. Totally invigorating," I said with a laugh.
"I love you," he whispered in my ear. I closed my eyes tightly and pushed back my tears.
"I know, me too," I said quietly.
"Are you okay?" he asked turning me around to face him. He placed his hands on my waist and looked into my eyes. He looked at me so deeply that I was sure he could see what was wrong with me.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I answered looking down at the floor. He tilted his head me and squinted before shaking his head slowly.
"I can tell something's wrong, but if you don't want to tell me, I understand. Just know that you can talk to me about anything," he said as he placed his forehead on mine. I nodded slowly and he kissed the top of my head. I gave him a small smiled and he left my room. I shut the door behind him and sat down on the edge of my bed, breaking down into tears.
"Hello?" that gentle voice said into the phone.
"Hi, Trish," I cried.
"Casey? Are you okay? What's wrong?" she asked frantically.
"It's Jeff," I sobbed trying to calm myself down.
"Is he okay? Is he hurt?" she asked as her tone became one of worry.
"I can only hope he is!" I said angrily.
"Whoa, what's goin on?" she asked.
"He's a fuckin asshole!" I yelled.
"Case, calm down. What happened?"
"He fuckin told me he loved me!" I screamed.
"What?!"
"Trish, he told me he loved me," I said softly.
"What's so bad about that? Just tell him you're in love with Shane."
"I would, but there's one little problem with that," I said.
"What's that?"
"I'm in love with Jeff."
"YOU'RE WHAT?!" she yelled.
"Yeah, I'm in love with him. I don't know what to do," I said crying again.
"Did you tell him you loved him?"
"Yeah."
"So go be with him. Case, it's a simple solution."
"No, it's not. I love Shane. I don't want to hurt him. If Jeff couldn't tell me sooner than he doesn't deserve me!"
"No, Case, he doesn't! And Shane doesn't either. Cause what you are doing is leading him on to believe that you're in love with him and not one of his good friends. Do you know how wrong that is?! Casey, that's fucked up right there. You need to get your shit together and figure something out and soon! Cause otherwise you could be one depressed and lonely person."
"I'm gonna avoid Jeff," I said softly.
"You can't do that. You have a storyline with him. How the hell is that gonna work?!"
"I'm gonna talk to Vince and ask him to put me in a different storyline."
"Honey, it doesn't work that way. You do what you're told until they tell you otherwise. You may just be in this for quite sometime."
"No, I can't be. I need out and as soon as possible!"
"Well, ya know what? Things don't always work that way. I gotta go. See ya tomorrow," she said before hanging up. I threw my phone on the bed and walked over to the punching bag that I had hung up in my room. I started pounding away on it and had been doing so for quite sometime when the thing broke off the rope and flew into the wall.
"FUCK!" I screamed as I sat on the floor with my knees tucked under my chin.
"Case?" Matt asked as he opened the door a crack. He shook his head and walked in, shutting the door behind him. He sat down next to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his body, and holding me tightly. I rested my head on his shoulder and cried. "Shhh. Everything is gonna be okay."
"Matt, I don't wanna lose him, but I know I have to. Or this whole thing could just get worse. I can't have him in my life anymore. And I can't tell him. Will you please be my big brother and tell him?" I asked with a pout on my face.
"Casey, you're gonna have to face him. You're in a storyline with him, you live here or at Dad's house, so how do you truly think you're going to be able to be without him?"
"Please Matt? I'll think of something if you just tell him."
"Alright. I'll do it. Why don't you go out and spend the day with Shane?" Matt suggested as he helped me to my feet.
"Yeah, that's a good idea," I smiled through my tears as Matt wiped my face gently. "Thanks Matt. I really appreciate this."
"You owe me one!" he laughed as I walked down the stairs.
"Shane, ya wanna go do something?" I asked walking up behind him.
"Yeah, sure. I actually have something in mind. But let's go grab some food so we can talk it over," Shane smiled as we walked out holding hands.
"Where are you going?" Amy asked as she watched Matt pull on his sneakers.
"I have to go talk to that dumbass of a brother for her," Matt said.
"Matt, maybe you shouldn't get involved in this. This is their problem. You don't know what could happen by getting involved in it," Amy said.
"I know, but she's my little sister and I have to protect her. It's my job," Matt shrugged as he headed off towards Jeff's. He walked up Jeff's driveway and saw him sitting on the porch. He looked like a truck had hit him. His hair was all over the place, his clothes looked as if they had been slept in, and he had bottles and cans of alcohol around him. "Hey Jeff."
"Matt," Jeff said with a nod to his brother as he stared off into space.
"We, uh, we need to talk," Matt said standing in front of Jeff and crossing his arms in front of him.
"Matt, please just tell me she's alright," Jeff said quietly allowing his head to drop into his hands.
"Let's just go inside and talk about this," Matt said walking past his brother into the house. Jeff slowly got up and followed him into the living room. "Jeff, you've really fucked up this time."
"I know, Matt."
"What the hell did you think you were doin by telling her?!"
"I was afraid she'd get married without knowing that I loved her."
"Jeff, she's not your girl! She's Shane's!"
"I know!" Jeff yelled. "Jesus Matt! Do you think I don't know that I can't have her?!"
"Well, do you fuckin realize that you have completely lost her because you just couldn't keep your feelings to yourself?!"
"What do you mean?"
"Jeff, she wants absolutely nothing to do with you now!"
"But she loves me! I love her! How does.......I can't......FUCK!" Jeff screamed throwing of the two of us at the wall causing it to shatter.
"Yeah, Jeff, it's over. She doesn't want any contact with you. She asked me to tell you."
"Matt, I can't live without her in my life."
"You should have thought of that before you told her all that you did."
"Matt, you weren't there. You didn't see the look in her eyes or feel the passion of our kiss. Bro, she truly loves me. I could feel it during our kiss. And her eyes, well, you know how they change color. Well, they were this bright blue color that they turn when she's extremely happy. I know she can't stay away from me. She'll come back to me. Right into my arms.
"No Jeff. Not this time. It's over. Forget it. She loves Shane."
"NO! She fuckin loves me!" Jeff yelled getting in Matt's face.
"If you don't back off me now, I'll throw you off me!" Matt yelled back. Jeff stayed rooted to his spot and stared him down. "Jeff, get the fuck off me now!" Jeff just shook his head, not losing eye contact with his older brother. Matt placed his hands roughly on Jeff's chest and pushed him off hard, causing him to fall on the floor. "Don't fuck with me."
"Get out Matt! Get the fuck out!" Jeff yelled pointing to the door.
"Fine Jeff. Just remember that I'm just the fuckin messenger. That she asked me to do this. So you can just fuck off Jeff. Become the miserable asshole that I know you'll become," Matt said through clenched teeth. He slammed the door shut behind him leaving Jeff to sit on the floor thinking about all that just happened.
"I'm so sorry Casey. I love you baby, I truly do," Jeff said to himself as he picked up the picture he threw carefully.