Ok, so I know it has been a loooong time since my last update and I'm sorry. There are excuses, of course, some better than others, but thanks for the reviews urging me to update. This isn't a complete chapter and usually I won't post unless it's a complete chapter, but I want you guys to know that both my story and I are still alive. My next update will be coming soon, I promise.

xxxxx

Trey let out a low whistle, obviously impressed with Marissa's drinking ability. "I guess this is your scene," Trey said quietly. Marissa took another hit from the joint and passed it back to Trey, who put it out in an empty can.

"Vodka is really more my thing." Marissa said, already feeling the warmth from the alcohol spreading through her body.

She hadn't had a drink for days and her tolerance had already dropped. In the back of her mind she could hear a little voice telling her that she shouldn't be here, not like this. Marissa had been trying to cut down on her drinking lately. Things had gotten out of control and Marissa knew that if she had any hopes of getting back together with Ryan, she needed to cut down on her drinking. It wasn't easy though. After every fight with her mother or run in with Caleb, drinking was the only way she could relax and forget her numerous problems.

"You look deep in thought." Trey said, interrupting Marissa.

"Oh yea, well." Marissa stuttered. She suddenly felt uncomfortable being here with Trey. She knew that if Ryan walked in it would probably be over between them before it even got started again. "Um, we should probably open the windows or something, it's pretty much hot boxed in here."

Trey stood up and walked toward the windows. "You really think Ryan will mind?" He asked skeptically.

Marissa turned to him and said, "Yea!" She was just about to add 'you really don't know Ryan do you?' when she realized what she was saying. Of course he didn't know Ryan. So much had changed for both of them in the last couple years.

"Shit," Trey said while running a hand though his hair. "He's gonna kick me out for sure," Trey said as he paced around the room. "Why do I always do this? Why do I always screw everything up? I mean first the shit with Kirsten and now this." Trey picked up a book laying on the table and threw is across the room.

Marissa took a step back from Trey. "I think it will be ok," she said trying to calm and reassure him. "We just need to get the smell out of here." Marissa could tell that Trey was really upset and he was starting to scare her.

"Do you have a cigarette or something?" Marissa asked. Trey responded by crossing the room and pulling a pack out of his jacket. Trey lit the cigarette and sat down on the couch.

"Ryan was always the good kid," he said thoughtfully as he exhaled a puff of smoke. "Probably not by Newport standards or anything, but he was always the only one in our family who had a chance at a normal, non-incarcerated life." Trey looked up and saw that Marissa was still standing across the room with her arm crossed protectively in front of her.

Trey let out a deep sigh and said, "I'm sorry. I know I get a little intense sometimes. I finally have a chance and I don't want to screw it up, but the harder I try …." Trey ran his fingers through his hair and took another drag of his cigarette. Marissa still hadn't moved from her position across the room. "Look, I'm not going to hurt you or anything."

"Oh yeah, I know," Marissa said, trying to sound cool. "Intensity must run in the family. Ryan gets the same way sometimes." She looked longingly at the door. She wanted to like Trey and to help him for Ryan's sake, but he was making it hard. Marissa figured that she should just leave now. Her being here when Ryan got back was only going to make things worse.

"Yea, why don't you go ahead and split." Trey said, as he noticed Marissa looking at the door. "I'll deal with Ryan." Marissa looked relieved in spite of herself. She gathered her stuff to leave and headed for the door.

"Thanks," Trey said, "if I don't see you again … well, be good to my little bro. He really cares about you."

Ryan walked slowly back from the beach. That was another perk of life in Newport. Beautiful beaches were never far away. Ryan liked the ocean. He didn't really have a desire to surf or swim in it; he just like to sit on the beach, look out across the endless expanse of water and listen to the waves. It always had a calming affect on him, especially at night, and calming was what he needed tonight.

Ryan didn't know what to do. He wished that Trey had never appeared on their doorstep. He knew he was being selfish, but he liked his life. After all the years of poverty, instability, and abuse, he finally had a chance at a good life. While guilt and obligation might force Ryan to allow Trey back into his life, whatever the consequences, Ryan absolutely drew the line when it came to the Cohens.

Ryan didn't think that Trey was capable of doing anything really bad. Sure he might steal some stuff and do all sorts of drugs, but Ryan didn't think he would do anything major or violent. If Trey was going to slip, it would be back into petty crimes, not on to more serious offenses. But when he saw Trey with Kirsten, Ryan felt something. It was just a flash, a quick crawl of the skin, or as Seth would say, his spider senses were tingling. It was just enough to increase the doubt in Ryan's mind.

Ryan had to choose between his old family and his new family. His loyalties to his brother had caused him to drop his guard. After all, Ryan probably wouldn't have survived as a kid without Trey looking out for him, but they weren't kids anymore and this wasn't Chino. Ryan was going to ask his brother to leave.

Ryan turned the corner and the house came into sight. He could see light streaming out of the large windows. He could also see Marissa walk out of the pool house, jump quickly into her car, and drive away.