Chapter 2

Marissa got up from the bed and walked over to where Ryan was standing. She put her jacket over her camisole.

"Ryan, who's at the…" she paused when she saw Trey was there. "Door." Marissa looked at the guy standing opposite her. He seemed to be eyeing her up and down. "I'm Marissa. Marissa Cooper."

"Yeah, we've met," Trey said. She obviously didn't remember him. "I'm Trey…Ryan's brother. We met 2 Thanksgivings ago?"

"Right! I remember you," Marissa smiled.

"So, man, what are you doing here? I thought you wouldn't be getting out for a while yet," Ryan wondered.

"Well, I got out early and I ran into Theresa. She told me where you were staying. I thought I would surprise you," Trey replied.

"Well we certainly are surprised," Ryan said. Then he remembered. "Come in…it's not much of a place…but it's cozy." Trey stepped inside the pool house and looked around.

"You've certainly done well for yourself little brother," Trey said. Trey looked at Ryan, and then his gaze landed on Marissa. She looked uncomfortable. It was odd when she first met him, him being in jail and all. Now it was even odder. Suddenly Seth and Summer walked into the pool house.

"Dude, where did you guys disappear to? That party was awesome," Seth said enthusiastically.

"Coop, you missed some serious stuff!" Summer added. Then she realized that someone else was in the room. "Ew, who's that?"

"That's my brother," Ryan said.

"The other half of Ryan," Seth added.

"Hi, I'm Trey," Trey said introducing himself.

"I'm Seth, Ryan's half-brother," Seth said. He leaned over to Summer and whispered in her ear, "the darker version of Ryan." Summer giggled and hit Seth playfully in the arm.

"So, what are your plans?" Summer asked trying to be polite by starting a conversation.

"I don't know really. I was hoping to get a job around here, maybe get an apartment," Trey ventured. "Start over."

"I'll help you look for a job tomorrow. I'm sure Sandy and Kirsten will let you stay in the guest room tonight," Ryan suggested. He led Trey into the house, leaving Marissa, Seth and Summer behind.

"Whoa, awkward," Seth said stating the obvious.

"Tell me about it. No offense, but I just don't get a good vibe from Trey. I hope he really meant that he's going to try to start over," Marissa whispered. Summer turned to her friend.

"Coop, where did you and Chino disappear to at the party?" Summer asked.

"We just came back here to catch up and talk," Marissa said innocently. Summer gave her a death look.

"Marissa Cooper, I know you. When you like a guy, you don't JUST talk to him! What were you and Chino doing?" Summer asked in a high voice.

"Sum, don't freak out, but we got back together," Marissa smiled.

"About time! Coop, I knew Chino still had the hotts for you," Summer said.

"Sure Sum…anyways I thought you weren't paying attention to what Ryan and I were doing…you and Seth looked pretty comfortable together," Marissa teased. Seth and Summer had spent the whole time at the Bait Shop making out and dancing.

"Coop, that doesn't matter. What matters is that you and Chino are back together!" Summer squealed.

"Sum, I thought what happened with us at the party did matter," Seth interjected.

"Cohen! Of course it mattered! But Coop just got back with Ryan!" Summer said. She was about to ask Marissa some more questions when Ryan and Trey walked back into the pool house.

"Trey's spending the night in the guest room," Ryan told him. "I'm helping him with job hunting tomorrow."

"Oh, well, I'll come with you," Marissa said, standing up from the bed and walking over to Ryan, letting her hand slide in his. Ryan looked at Marissa affectionally. There was silence for a while. "So, do Sandy and Kirsten have any big dinner plans? I was wondering if we could all go out and catch up..." Marissa suggested.

"Sure, that sounds good," Trey said and smiled. Marissa smiled back. She might not like Trey, but she would have to deal with him being here in Newport.