Chapter Five Hundred and Seventy

"Your Mum looks like she's about to be sick, by the way," Xavier added.

Charlie waited outside the car, her head spinning. She still hadn't recovered from walking in on Ruby in bed with Romeo and now she had seen her post-coital with Casey. She wasn't sure which situation was worse. Both were horrific. She tensed her hands and let them go continuously.

"What's up?" Watson asked, joining her.

Ruby and Casey climbed sheepishly out of the car.

"Oh. Well, at least it's not still up," she remarked.

Despite herself, Charlie laughed. She glared at Watson who grinned at her. Putting her 'angry mother' face back on, Charlie whirled on Ruby, who dreaded what was coming. Watson and Xavier stood a safe distance away.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Ruby?"

"It just… happened, Charlie," Ruby said.

"You're not even supposed to be out," Charlie reminded her. "You've only just come out of hospital. You're not supposed to be screwing a River Boy in the back of a car!"

"He's not a River Boy," Ruby argued.

"He's a Braxton," Charlie snapped. "It's the same thing."

"Actually…"

Ruby stopped talking. Her mother's face was frightening.

"I just… um… I really care about your daughter, Sergeant Buckton," Casey put in.

Charlie glared at him.

"Congratulations," she said. "Might I suggest that you show her some respect in that case and not have sex with her within five minutes of knowing her in the back of your mate's car?"

Casey swallowed anxiously. He hadn't meant it to happen. And it hadn't felt seedy. They had been having a genuinely emotional conversation, something that was unusual for him. And like Ruby said, it had just… happened. But he was mortified to have been caught by her mother. It wasn't exactly the best way to make a good first impression, especially considering he knew he would have to work harder than any other guy thanks to his family.

"I'm sorry," was all he could say. "And I genuinely do respect your daughter. I think she's amazing."

Charlie shook her head and turned back to Ruby. She could hear Xavier sniggering in the background.

"I just can't believe you would do this, Ruby," she said. "Especially after…"

"I'm sorry," Ruby said, interrupting her. "We didn't mean to. We just got carried away. But I'm nearly eighteen, Charlie. You can't control me. You can't boss me around."

"You hit the nail on the head," Charlie agreed. "You're nearly eighteen. You're still in full time education. You're my child living under my roof. I'm sorry but I can boss you about. And this behaviour is not acceptable. Okay?"

Ruby glared at her. She was furious for being humiliated in front of Casey and Xavier.

"Get in the car," Charlie ordered.

Ruby reluctantly agreed.

"Watson will help you fill your tank up," Charlie told Xavier. "Then you need to head home. John's worried about you."

Xavier blanched. He had enjoyed Ruby getting into trouble. He had forgotten that he had broken some rules of his own.

"Casey!" Charlie called back. "Get in the car."

Casey panicked and followed, sitting as far away as possible from Ruby on the backseat.

It was an awkward journey to the Braxton house. Nobody said a word. When they arrived, Ruby managed to squeak a goodbye. Casey waved at her as Charlie led the way to the front door and rang the bell.

"I normally head in by the back door," Casey told her. "Mum doesn't usually answer if people knock. In case it's bailiffs or something."

He felt embarrassed telling her. He always felt embarrassed if strangers came to the house. He led the way round to the back garden. Brax was on the phone. He hung up as soon as he saw his little brother being escorted back by a police officer.

"What's happened?" he asked worriedly.

"Nothing illegal," Charlie said stiffly.

She told Casey he could go inside.

"I found Casey in the back of a car with my daughter, Ruby," she said.

Brax looked at Casey's retreating back. He looked back at Charlie, a broad smile on his face. He looked extremely impressed.

"Well, I didn't know he had it in him!" he remarked. "He's never been too successful in the romance department!"

Charlie shook her head in disgust.

"I am telling you now to keep your brother away from my daughter," she snapped.

"Or what?" he challenged.

"Ruby is a good kid with a bright future ahead of her," Charlie said. "She does not need to be hanging around with a member of your family."

"Well, that's very hurtful," he replied. "What's wrong with my family, Sergeant?"

"How long have you got?"

He chuckled.

"Look, all banter aside, Casey's a good kid," Brax said reasonably. "And he definitely hasn't done this kind of thing before. I will talk to him but if he really likes your daughter, I'm certainly not going to stand in their way."

Glaring at him, Charlie turned and left, slamming her way back into the car.

"I guess I'm dropping you home?" Watson said.

Xavier arrived home to find Gina and John, worried about his whereabouts. Once they had ascertained that he was safe and well, he was immediately in a lot of trouble for absconding with the car without permission. All in all, his adventure had not been worth it at all.

Ruby was surprised to find Joey at home when they arrived. Evidently, Charlie had messaged her and she had come running. Now, Ruby was perched on the sofa, Joey was sat in the armchair and Charlie was wearing out the carpet while she paced.

"Do you even like this boy?" Charlie asked. "I mean, he seems to like you."

"Yes, I do like him," Ruby said.

"Well, you were in love with Romeo a couple of days ago!" Charlie reminded her.

"And he used me!" Ruby reminded her.

"You can't just go from one guy to the next, Ruby!" Charlie argued.

Joey watched them as if she were at a rather aggressive tennis match.

"Why not?" Ruby demanded. "What's wrong with letting Casey help me feel better?"

"You could get hurt for one thing," Joey interrupted.

"He's a nice guy," Ruby insisted.

"He's a nice guy until he realises that you like someone else," Joey said.

"He knows about Romeo," Ruby told her dismissively.

Charlie finally stopped pacing.

"What does he know?"

"That I liked someone, he used me and now I'm over him."

"Which is a lie," Joey told her flatly. "You're not over Romeo. Of course you're not. And that means that you used Casey. And that's not fair. You've done to him what Romeo did to you. You've made a very complicated situation even more complex, Ruby. Why?"

"I was just… hurting so much," Ruby said, tears filling her eyes.

Charlie sat down and held her hand.

"And Casey was so nice to me," she continued. "I was so hurt by Romeo and I just wanted someone to be nice to me. But I didn't mean for it to get so far. I'm sorry."

"Do you actually like him?" Joey asked.

"Yes, I do," Ruby said.

Charlie put her face in her hands. It wasn't the answer she wanted. She did not want her daughter to get involved with a Braxton. She knew Joey felt the same.

"Charlie, he isn't a River Boy," Ruby said quickly, pulling her hands away. "He even explained that to me himself. I know he's a Braxton but he doesn't live that life. He doesn't want that life. He's a nice boy. I swear."

"He is still from that family, Ruby," Charlie said. "Heath was awful to Joey and you know what Brax did recently. They're career criminals. How on earth do you expect Casey to turn out differently?"

"Because he wants to," Ruby said. "For starters, he actually goes to school and he's doing well there. He's such a nice guy, Charlie. If you'd just give him a chance…"

"No," Charlie said. "I'm sorry. I can't agree to you two being together. I just can't let there be a connection between our families."

She shook her head, apologising again. Ruby turned to Joey.

"I'm sorry but I agree with Charlie," Joey said. "Maybe if all this hadn't happened with Romeo, I might believe in your romance but I don't think a bunk up in the back of a car warrants bringing these people into our lives. Heath Braxton is a vile person. And Brax… well, I don't even know where to start with him. He literally tried to steal my girlfriend the other week. I'm not a fan."

"But those are his brothers' issues," Ruby said. "Or your issues with his brothers. Those things have nothing to do with Casey and I."

"There is no you and Casey!" Charlie snapped.

"There could be!" Ruby snapped back.

"No!" Charlie argued. "I'm not having it, Ruby."

"Then you've just forced me to have another one night stand. Congratulations."

"That's not fair…"

"Well, you're not letting me pursue something with someone I just slept with…"

"Because you shouldn't have done it!" Charlie said.

"But I did do it and I did like it and I do like him!" Ruby said. "It's not my fault that Heath bullied Joey or whatever and that Brax wants to screw you! Maybe you should both get over it and just be happy for me. There's actually one guy in that family who's nice. And finally, I've met someone who actually likes me and I like him."

"But what about Romeo?" Joey asked quietly.

"What about him?"

"How can you just switch your feelings off like that?"

"Because I have to," Ruby said sadly. "He used me. He hurt me. He's now behaving as if I don't exist. Not only have I lost someone I had feelings for but I've also lost one of my best friends. And it hurts. And the only way I can stop it from hurting is if I just move on and forget that whole mess ever happened. It was a huge mistake and I am so sorry for it."

Charlie and Joey both looked worried.

"Can I go to my room now?"

They let her go.

Brax waited for all the doors in the house to stop slamming before he headed into Casey's bedroom. His younger brother was lying on his bed, listening to music. Brax stepped in and switched the stereo off. He sat on the edge of his bed.

"What did that teacher want?" he asked.

"He wanted to show me his support at school," Casey said moodily. "He wants to put me forward for a Science program. Only Heath chased him away and scared the shit out of him by coming home absolutely off his face."

Brax sighed. He felt bad for the kid.

"Well… that's Heath, I guess."

"He thought he was here to cause trouble," Casey said. "Mr Copeland is one of the people he attacked on Valentine's Day. Him and Ruby's step mum."

"Yeah…" Brax said awkwardly. "About Ruby…"

Casey rolled his eyes. He should have known this talk was coming.

"First… well, uh… you were safe, right?"

"Of course we were safe! I'm not an idiot!"

"Okay! Sorry," Brax said, holding his hands up in defence. "But… well, her Mum was pretty angry."

Casey sat up, looking him in the eye.

"I know it probably wasn't the best way to win Charlie over but I really do like Ruby," he said. "I have real feelings for her. I mean it."

"Well, I'm pleased to hear that," Brax said honestly. "And I want things to work out for you. But I think you need to work a bit harder to charm her parents. They already seriously hate me and Heath. I'm not sure I can help you."

"Well, maybe while I'm trying to make things work with Ruby, you could try and win them over too?" Casey suggested. "Honestly, Brax, I need all the help I can get."

Xavier's mood had plummeted even further. His mother was so angry with him for taking the Mad Max car out without permission to 'show off', that she had decided that the car needed to go. She had demanded that John sell it. Xavier was never allowed to drive it again. He was devastated.

Charlie and Joey had gone for a coffee at the Diner, still trying to work out what on earth do with Ruby and her recent lack of judgement. They took a corner able and hoped that Colleen wouldn't buzz around them too much. But they didn't want to get embroiled at work at the restaurant and they couldn't stay at home with their very angry, teenage daughter.

"What on earth are we meant to do with the kid?" Charlie asked, sipping her coffee.

"I don't know," Joey admitted. "I mean, I hate to say she has a point about the one night stand thing…"

Charlie sighed and nodded.

"But do you think she really likes this Casey or is she on the rebound or…?"

"Maybe a combination of both," Joey suggested.

They looked up when a shadow appeared over them. Joey grimaced when she realised it was Brax who had approached them.

"Can we help you?" she asked coldly.

"Look, I know I'm not your favourite person but putting all that aside, I've spoken to Casey and he really, really likes your daughter," Brax said honestly. "Like, proper feelings. And I know you both hate my family and maybe with good reason. I don't know the details of you and Heath. I wasn't there and I don't remember what happened. But Casey really is a good kid. He's not a River Boy and he never has been."

Charlie and Joey exchanged glances.

"And for the record, I am sorry about trying to kiss you," Brax added. "I was out of line. It was disrespectful. I was in the moment and I shouldn't have done it."

He very much wanted to add that next time, he would wait until she was ready to reciprocate but decided to keep that bit to himself.

"Okay," Charlie relented, looking at Joey for agreement. "If they do genuinely like each other, we'll consider giving our permission. But we need to talk about it first. And we need to get to know Casey. And for the record, thanks for your apology. We'll wait for Heath's."

Brax nodded and left the Diner.

Having found Charlie and Joey had left the house, Ruby had gone for a walk, finding herself out on the beach. Of course, Romeo was there with Indi, acting like he didn't have a care in the world. It was like he had completely forgotten their night together and all the pain he had been in over his broken relationship. Now, all of a sudden, he and Indi were love's young dream again.

"Hey," said a voice.

Ruby smiled when she saw April, who came to sit beside her.

"How are you?"

"Xavier told you what happened, didn't he?"

April looked awkward. She had genuinely tried to be nonchalant.

"Your pitch was a bit weird," Ruby explained.

"Sorry," April apologised. "And… well, I think he might have told a whole bunch of people."

"Of course he did," Ruby sighed.

She could always trust her ex to spread the word.

"Are you okay, though?" April asked.

"I'm fine," Ruby confirmed. "It wasn't how it sounds. Casey and I genuinely like each other. We have done for weeks. But um… I don't think my parents are going to let us be together. They're not exactly Braxton fans."

"That's sucks," April commiserated.

"Yeah," Ruby sighed.

She held her breath when Indi, followed rather slowly by Romeo approached them.

"Hi!" Indi said. "Look, I heard what happened. With Casey. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Ruby said tightly, watching Romeo's face, trying to read his expression.

"Ruby, I know things have been tough for you lately but you do know you have friends, don't you? You can always talk to any of us. We'll be there for you. You don't have to jump onto a backseat with a River Boy…"

Ruby clenched her jaw. She tried to tell herself that Indi was being kind but really, she was being patronising.

"I guess I'm just saying that you should try and find someone special, someone you can have a relationship with that means something, like Romeo and I have, not just something casual with someone like Casey Braxton," Indi continued.

Romeo winced.

"It's not good for you," Indi said. "Especially when you're grieving."

"You think I should find someone as special as Romeo?" Ruby asked.

Romeo panicked, silently willing Ruby to calm down. But he knew Indi had triggered her hurt and anger. He knew it was too late. His world was about to implode and there was nothing he could do about it.

"Yeah," Indi said, smiling and linking arms with him.

"Funny you should say that," Ruby said, watching his scared face.

Indi remained oblivious.

"Because I did find Romeo only the other night when you guys were fighting," Ruby informed her. "You know, when he stood you up? He was with me. In my bed. So, perhaps I won't use your perfect relationship as an example of true love after all."

She stood up and stormed off.

Next time… word of Romeo and Ruby's betrayal spreads around the Bay…