Thank you :)

With Ruby giving Charlie the silent treatment over the next few days it made living cat that household very awkward. Leah used work and Miles to occupy herself from the glares that were sent from both Ruby and Charlie but VJ whenever he didn't have to go to school had to face the worst of the screaming matches, and all over a guy what it seemed like. VJ shrugged, he didn't get girls sometimes. Instead he found a new hobby, surfing. Ruby had promised that she'd take him but judging by the stormy look on her face, he didn't dare to ask. He grabbed his board from his room and headed to the beach.

He saw the riverboys in the water surfing, watching how they owned the water. There were too many that he didn't remember he only knew Casey from school and Brax from the way Charlie bitched about him to his mum. He stood about 50 metres away from the gang, too scared to approach them because after all he was just a little kid. Casey smiled, he knew Ruby lived with VJ from the way she protected him at school. VJ smiled back before going into the water. Charlie saw the scenario after realising VJ was at the beach by himself which Leah banned. Hurriedly she ran across the sand desperate the reach him before he got in the water.

"V JAAAAAAAAAY" she called splashing her feet in the water as she took him out of the water. "You know your mum says you're not supposed to be here by yourself.

Vj shrugged. Charlie gazed at Brax feeling her cheeks redden. Then she saw Casey who looked anywhere but at her. Brax waved, but she ignored him.

"Come on home" she warned the youngster.

"I want to stay and surf" he sighed with a sad look upon his face.

"But what about them?" she nodded at the riverboys. "They're trouble"

Ruby came up and joined them. Ignoring Charlie she turned to Vj.

"Hey VJ wanna surf?" she asked placing her board in the sand. "I'm sorry for not taking you"

"It's alright" Vj smiled. Charlie glared at Ruby.

"I don't want you here while Casey's here"

"What? So now I'm not even allowed to the beach"

"Ruby they're dangerous" Charlie warned as Brax joined them, dragging Casey by the arm.

"Go on Case say hi to your girl" he nudged him before holding out his hand to Ruby. "I'm Brax" he smiled. "And you are?"

"Ruby" she smiled in return. She went to Casey and they talked. Brax looked at Charlie.

"Young love ay?" he grinned looking down at Vj. "You wanna surf buddy?"

VJ's eyes lit up as he followed Brax. Charlie held him back by the shoulders.

"You#re mums not going to be happy"

"Well why don't you stay aswell. I imagine you'd look pretty good on a board" his eyes lit up and Charlie shook her head, desperate not to smile.

"No that's her thing" she nodded at Ruby who was lapping up every word Casey breathed. Softening for a moment at how nice her daughters boyfriend seemed to be, she realised who he was.

"Vj, Ruby home" she began to walk away from where Brax was standing. Ruby rolled her eyes, likewise with Vj but they followed her none the less. Brax called after Ruby.

"Nice meeting you Ruby. And you too little fella" he called to the two kids. Ruby smiled before turning her back to them and glared at Charlie.

"I can't believe you wouldn't let us stay" she began to walk on ahead. "He's a nice guy"

Charlie ignored this comment and kept walking. Brax watched her go, turning to Casey he complimented him on his new girl.

"She's a stunner Case" he smiled. Under his breath he continued. "Just like her mum" which thankfully Casey didn't hear. The pair turned back and joined the boys but his mind was still transfixed on Charlie. He turned to Casey.

"Why don't you invite Ruby round?" he suggested wondering if he'd see Charlie.

"I can't believe you're dating a cop's kid" Heath glared at his baby brother.

"Heath shut up ay? It's the kids first girl" he glared. "You kissed her yet?" he asked.

"No" Casey admitted although he really really wanted to.

"Nevermind eh Case? You'll get round to kissing her soon" Brax looked at his brother proud as punch. He ruffled his hair and turned to the boys.

"So are we going to gossip like girls or are we actually going to feel some waves?" he declared rushing into the water with the boys. They followed as they returned to what they did best.

Meanwhile at home, Ruby had stormed straight into her room after refusing to speak to Charlie for the rest of the walk home. Charlie meanwhile had softened. She saw Casey with Ruby and the look in his eyes was similar to the way Angelo used to look at her when she was dating him. Sighing she knocked softly on her daughters door, not waiting to be allowed in because she knew she wouldn't be. She opened the door gently.

"What do you want?" Ruby rudely asked. Charlie sat down on the edge of the bed.

"About Casey. I've been a bit too harsh" she admitted. "But all I'm trying to do is protect you"

"I don't need protecting but Charlie I really like him"

"And you really liked Romeo and look how that turned out"

"Casey's different I don't care about his past I just want to know him better .That isn't much to ask right?"

"No it's not. I'm just being judgemental"

Cracking, Ruby smiled at her mum.

"Well you are my mum, it'd be worrying if you weren't but I could understand if Casey had hurt me or was known by police but he's not. He's a nice guy"

"Why don't you invite him round for dinner then?" Charlie felt she had to make the effort. "Then I can judge him, having spent the evening for him. I'll cook"

"Charlie you can't cook" Ruby laughed. "But thank you I really really appreciate it"

"Fine, the chef at Angelo's will cook it and then I'll serve it up onto plates and serve it out" she grinned. "Invite him round tomorrow night" she stood up to walk out the door. "I'm sorry"

"I'm sorry too" Ruby replied smiling at Charlie who closed the door.

Charlie knew she'd done the right thing for Ruby but still a part of her realised this meant seeing a lot more of his obnoxious older brother. The good girl, the bad boy each with their own desire from the other. But how long could this game last and who'd give in first?