"I'm not asking, I'm telling you, stay away from her!" The anger seeped out of Brady's eyes.

"What's it to you anyway?" Philip questioned. His face beginning to go pale.

"Chloe is my friend and I care about her. If you ever try to hurt her again I swear I'll....."

"You'll what?" Philip mocked.

"Let's just say I hope you'll never have to find out. Got me?"

"Whatever man. I don't want her back anyway. A girl like that isn't worth my troubles any ways. She was a good little lay though" Philip chuckled, egging Brady on.

"That's funny she told me you were the one minute man" Brady said through clenched teeth.

"Shut up, that slut doesn't know what she's talking about" Philip said angrily.

"See, now you've crossed the line"

"What?"

Without further explanation Brady punched Philip full force in the stomach. Philip lay on the ground doubled over in pain.

"Be smart for once Philip and stay down, just give me a reason and next time you won't be so lucky"

"Fine. I won't go anywhere near her you've made your point."

Brady helped Philip up. Philip dusted off his jacket and walked away with his head down.

Philip knew he was wrong. He had loved Chloe and he had no right to say such nasty things about her. It was just that he could not stand the fact that Chloe liked Brady maybe even loved him. Philip had known it all along. He had seen the way she looked at him. They way she never looked at Philip. He had held onto her because he was selfish. He wanted her to care for him the way she did Brady but he knew she never could. He knew he did not understand her but he wanted to. More than anything he wanted to be the one Chloe came to for help. The one Chloe told her problems to. The one she opened up to. The one she loved.

*****

A week later Chloe and Brady's friendship was back on track without having to hide it.

"I can't believe he apologized? What did you do to him?" Chloe said surprised. She was talking to Brady on the Phone about how Philip had called her to apologize.

"I had no idea he was going to do that. We just had a talk man to man, guy stuff. You wouldn't really understand. So what else did he say?" Brady asked curious.

"Just that I was really lucky to have someone in my life who cared so much for me and that he was sorry he couldn't be there for me the way I needed him to be. Then he asked if we could still be friends" Chloe relayed her story to Brady.

"Interesting. What did you tell him?"

"I said that we could give it a try but it would take some time"

"I'm really happy for you Chloe"

"You know I'm actually happy for me too"

An awkward silence passed before Chloe spoke. "Soooo.. Do you still want to go to Dot.com?"

"Ya sure"

*****

Brady and Chloe sat at a booth in the open no longer hiding from the scrutiny of Philip. They were discussing music when Philip walked in. He greeted some of his friends with high fives and loud shouting. Philip's arm was wrapped around a pretty girl in a cheer leaders uniform. It was his latest fling. Philip was taking full advantage of his new found freedom. He had forgotten what it was like to have countless girls hang on his every word. It was not that he did not care about Chloe but he had realized that he had been so infatuated with her that he had stopped living his own life. Now that his vision was cleared up and he had gotten a hold of his jealousy he found himself dating again.

Brady and Chloe turned to see what all the excitement was about. Chloe noticed the girls beside Philip. Brady watched her looking at them.

"Are you okay?" He said concerned.

"Why would you said that?"

"Just because Philip is over there with some new girl. It doesn't bother you a little?'

"Not really. What me and Philip had is over. It was great at the beginning but then it became destructive. I'm glad he's moving on"

"And you?"

"What about me?" Chloe said, self-conscious about all the questions being directed toward her.

"Are you moving on?"

Chloe looked deep into Brady's eyes. How could she tell him that she wanted to move on with him? That he was who mattered to her.

Chloe did not have to answer for now. They were interrupted by Philip.

"Hey" Philip said in passing as he made his way to a booth with his new girl friend.

"Wow, he sure has good taste" Brady said turning his head sideways, pretending to look up her skirt.

Chloe slapped his arm harder than she had anticipated.

"Ouch, what was that for?" Brady said in mock dismay.

"You know darn well what that was for"

They both laughed as Brady pouted.

"That hurt you know"

"Aaaw poor baby"

"You should kiss it better"

"I will do no such thing!"

"Fine then, I'll give you the silent treatment for the rest of the day and you know you won't be able to stand that"

"Oh I won't? Brady you have no effect on me what-so-ever"

Brady continued to give a puppy dog face and began to whimper.

"Stop it!"

Brady's antics grew louder.

"Brady, I mean it!"

He still would not cease what he was doing. People from other tables began to look in their direction.

"Brady you are so embarrassing people are staring. Stop it!"

Brady would not lose this fight, he persisted until she gave in.

"Fine where does it hurt?"

"All over" Brady smiled.

"Clever Brady"

Brady held out his arm for Chloe. There was actually a red mark forming on his forearm. Chloe slowly bent down. She gently kissed the afflicted area. Her lips parted drawing his skin closer to her tongue. Her hot breath seared his skin. The light pressure of her peck was causing him to loose focus. Brady felt a rush go through his body. Maybe it was not such a good idea to tease Chloe into kissing him. He was not ready for the effect it had on him.

"All better?" Chloe questioned. Smiling slyly as she watched him open up his eyes.

Brady nodded his head and smiled as they got up to leave.

To be continued........