Thanks for all the reviews last chapter. I'm glad so many of you have liked this story thus far.
"Hey Brett," Santana softly says the next day in her Biology class.
"Hi," Brett says smiling as he sits next to her. "So my mom wants me to invite you to stay for dinner tonight."
"I can't my dad wants me home at six." Santana sadly says.
"Oh okay, that won't give us much time to work." Brett says. "I guess we'll have to work on the weekend."
"I might be able to convince him to let me stay out later on Friday night." Santana offers.
"That won't work I have a game on Friday. If we win we'll be in the semifinals for the state championship." Brett tells her.
"I didn't even know we were in the running. That's really impressive." Santana says.
After working with him at his house yesterday she gained confidence in talking to him. She wasn't nearly as nervous talking to him.
"Thanks, but it does make it harder on us with this project." Brett says.
"I'm sure we can find a way." Santana says starting to really look forward to working with him.
"We could work during lunch and our free periods." Brett suggests really wanting to do well on this project.
"I agree, my free period is next." Santana says.
"I have class, but I can skip English." Brett says.
"No you can't, it's fine I can work on it." Santana says giving him a look.
"Okay fine, but I'll help as much as I can. I don't want you to do all the work." Brett says seriously.
Santana smiles happy that he really wants to help her with this project.
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"What do you mean we can't have lunch?" Puck asks the following day. "You've been unable to hang out at all the last two days." he complains.
"I'm sorry man, but I really need to get a good grade on this project." Brett says.
"So that doesn't-"
"Hey Brett, ready to go into the library." Santana asks walking over.
"Yeah just a sec." Brett says smiling at her.
Puck nudges Brett smiling.
"I totally get it now." Puck says smirking.
"Don't you dare try to make a move on her Puck." Brett warns.
"Oh come on man." Puck whines.
"No, don't even think about it. She doesn't need you trying to get with her." Brett tells her.
"Brett come on," Santana says. "I brought you a lunch too." she says holding up a bag.
"I'm coming," Brett says jogging over to her.
He subconsciously wraps his arm around her shoulders as they walk in the library.
Santana smiles at this wondering if maybe, just maybe he might be developing feelings for her the same way she has for him.
"So I'm ready to get my study on." Brett happily says.
"You are something else Brett Pierce." Santana chuckles shaking her head.
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Friday night after the final bell Santana runs through the halls out to Brett's truck. They decided that since Brett doesn't have to be back at the school until five so they're going to work on their project. Though since Brett's parents are holding a dinner party, they're going to Santana's house.
"If my dad is home we'll have to go somewhere else." Santana says. "He doesn't like boys being over."
"He sounds really strict." Brett says helping her in his truck.
"He is, but I don't mind." Santana says praying he isn't home.
Their whole ride to Santana's house Brett explains how their football season has gone.
"The first house on the left." Santana says.
"It looks very nice." Brett says pulling into the driveway.
"It is,"
Santana shows Brett around their modest house before they get down to work. She has him working on a poster about the human body while she works on their speech.
"Are you sure this is right?" Brett asks.
"Yes I am," Santana says.
"Really because I need to get at least ninety on this project or I won't be able to play." Brett says writing it down.
"Brett you do realize that I have the highest grade and GPA in the school." Santana tells him.
"I know," Brett says smiling. "Which is why I'm so glad that I was partnered with you."
They continue to work for an half hour before the door is swung open and a very drunk Santiago comes stumbling in.
"Honey I'm home!" Santiago shouts swaying as he comes in. "Who's fucking truck is in my driveway!"
Santana literally freezes as she just stares at her father.
"Fucking answer me bitch!" Santiago shouts making his way towards Santana.
Brett frowns as he stares at the very drunk man coming their way. He assumes that this is Santana's father, but he doesn't seem very fatherly to him.
"Fucking whore who is this?" Santiago shouts looking over at Brett.
"Dad I'm-"
"How many times do I have to tell you whore. Never bring anyone over!" Santiago shouts walking over and slapping her across the face.
"Hey!" Brett shouts standing up. "Leave her alone."
"I'll do what I want with the whore boy." Santiago shouts slapping her even harder.
Brett shoves Santiago away and pulls Santana into him.
"I think it's best if you leave." Brett growls puffing his chest out.
Santiago takes one look at this really strong man and decides not to test him. He leaves but not before calling his daughter a whore again.
"Are you okay?" Brett asks leading her over to the couch.
"I'll be fine," Santana says.
"San," Brett says.
"Listen you have a game and if you don't leave soon you'll be late. I'm fine, I promise." Santana says trying to get up.
"No San, you're shaking something is wrong." Brett says holding her back.
"Please Brett just go to your game." Santana begs.
"I can't go until I know that you are okay and safe." Brett tells her.
"Brett your game." Santana tries not wanting him to question her.
"Screw the game, your safety is more important." Brett says taking her hands in his.
"I'll come to the game with you and we can talk after you win okay." Santana says not wanting him to miss such an important game.
"But-"
"Brett I know this game is important to you and I would feel awful if you miss it for me." Santana says.
"Okay, but only if you come and stay by my family so I know you're safe." Brett says sighing.
"Deal,"
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"Hey Sanny," Ruby says running over and hugging Santana.
"Hello Santana," Mr. Pierce says coming over.
"Sanny you watch Bretty's game too?" Max junior asks.
"Yes I am," Santana says hugging the young Pierce's.
"You don't mind if we sit with you seeing as the kids I don't think will want to move." Mrs. Pierce says.
"That's fine; I've never actually been to a game before." Santana admits.
"We come to all of Bretty's games." Ruby says.
The Pierce's and Santana talk about the game with Mr. Pierce, Max senior telling her all about the other team. Mrs. Pierce, Carol just chuckles as her family all tries to gain and keep Santana's attention. She sure hopes her son keeps this one around.
Meanwhile out on the field Brett is warming up with Puck. He's having a hard time focusing though as he's worried about Santana.
"Dude what is wrong with you tonight? You're throwing like shit and we need you to throw amazing to make it to the championship game." Puck says tossing the ball back to Brett.
"Sorry I'm just well I've got some things on my mind." Brett says tossing the ball back.
"Get focused on the game man. Stop worrying about everything else and focus." Puck scolds him.
"Just give me a few minutes." Brett says.
He heads over to the bench and looks up in the stands. It makes him smile when he sees Santana and his family sitting together. It calms him down some to know that she's safe, but he's still fired up that her dad slapped her. He wanted to beat the shit out of the man right then and there.
"Come on Pierce we have ten minutes till the game starts!" Coach Beiste shouts.
Brett gets up and follows the team into the locker room.
"Okay men we need to win two more games before we can call ourselves state championships." Coach Beiste says. "Let's go kick some butt."
The whole team starts chanting Titans! Titans!
"Let's go do this." Puck says to Brett.
The Titans loss the coin toss and play defense first. They end up holding the Falcons to twenty yards and the Falcons end up punting. With the ball and the team in his hands Brett drives them eighty yards down the field throwing a touchdown pass to Puck. The whole place erupts with cheers.
"Bretty did it!" Max junior shouts like he's just won the game.
"Great catch man." Brett says chest bumping Puck.
"Nice pass," Puck says as they head to the bench.
"Puckerman! Get out on defense!" Coach Beiste shouts. "Pierce sit on the bench, you're getting a break."
"But Coach," Brett says needing to play to keep his mind off of Santana.
"No Pierce you're the best quarterback in the state and we need you to play well. I will not risk you on defense anymore." Coach Beiste says cheering as they get a sack.
Brett sighs, but begrudgingly sits on the bench. He knows his coach is right, but he just really wants to hit someone to get some of his anger out. Looking up into the stands he smiles as he sees his little sister sitting on Santana's lap. He's happy that his family likes Santana so much.
"Pierce! Get out there!" Coach Beiste shouts.
They end up winning thirty to twenty-four. The team carries Brett off the field.
"One more game!" Puck shouts giving Brett the game ball.
"One more game." Brett says pulling off his gear.
While he's excited they won, his worry for Santana is overshadowing everything else. He needs to change quickly needing to go make sure that Santana is okay.
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It took an hour before Brett is finally able to get Santana alone. His parents and siblings wouldn't leave them alone wanting to go celebrate.
"Sorry about them." Brett says as they head up to Brett's room.
"It's okay, I really enjoy being around them." Santana says sitting on the bed.
Brett licks his lips as he tries to think of a way to bring up her dad.
"You can just ask about it." Santana says knowing the real reason why they're up here.
"Can you explain to me why your dad slapped you and you didn't freak out or anything. You acted like it was normal." Brett says.
"Um well….." Santana softly says.
"San, you can tell. I'm your friend or at least I hope I am. I want to help if I can." Brett says taking her hands in his.
"It's complicated and I don't want to talk about it." Santana says.
"Listen Santana I need to know that he won't hurt you again." Brett says. "Cause if he does then I'm going to have to do something about it."
"You can't, it will only make it worse." Santana says pleading with him.
"I want, no I need to protect you and if he's hurting you-"
"Why do you care?" Santana asks cutting him off.
"Because I care for you." Brett softly says.
He pulls her into his body giving her a huge hug.
"I guess I can tell you, but you can't tell anyone." Santana says finally giving in.
"Okay I promise." Brett says.
He's pretty sure that Santana's dad is abusing her and all he wants to do is beat the crap at of the man. But first he needs to hear it from Santana.
"My dad hasn't been the same since my mom died summer between eighth and ninth grade. He's always drunk now and is constantly yelling at me. He calls me all sorts of names. It's not so bad though really, but when he gets drunk and mad, he gets violent." Santana softly says.
Brett just holds her tighter to him waiting for her to continue.
"He's hit me since about tenth grade. Always careful to make sure it's visible." Santana says tears starting to fall.
She feels so light finally having told someone else what her father does.
"He hasn't touched you has he?" Brett hesitantly asks needing to make sure.
He feels sick to his stomach thinking about anyone else touching this wonderful creature in his arms. All these feelings of needing to protect her and take care of her are new to him. He's never felt like this before.
"No," Santana softly says into his shoulder.
She feels so safe being with him, like he will protect her from anything. If she were to think about it, she'd find it odd that the most popular guy in school cares about her. Though she's not thinking about it, she's just enjoying being in Brett's arms. Yawning she slowly falls asleep.
Brett watches as she sleeps trying to keep his anger in check at least for now.