Chapter 14

A.N. Yay an update! I'm sorry, I suck, I know...I'm sure you can see I've posted about a million stories, plus started and finished a co-written One Tree Hill/OC Crossover in the time since I've updated but I'm working on it...this story is hard...but I'm hoping to end it soon so here goes this chapter...

Ryan searches the crowded party for any sign of Summer, he'd explained to Sandy and Kirsten why the car was missing, or rather a simplified version of the truth. Summer was stressed out and she'd needed some space...alone. Ryan knew that there was more than the stress that had caused her to bolt. He also knew that Sandy and Kirsten k new the root of the problem as well. Ryan couldn't say they were in an ideal situation. They were their best friends exes. Exes of relationships that had never officially ended but weren't together either. No, the situation sucked from any angle you looked at it.

Just as Ryan is convinced that Summer won't be showing up she walks onto the patio in a clingy black dress, she offers him a small smile from across the patio and gestures to the pool house. "Hey," she greets softly before they slip unnoticed into the pool house.

"You okay?" Ryan asks.

Summer nods, "I'm better. It's just that it's been easy to forget about Seth and Marissa, we've been having so much fun this summer that I forget that we don't just have a typical, simple, relationship."

"Do those actually exist in Newport?" Ryan jokes, but then turns serious. "What do you want to do?"

"Right now I want it all to be about us, call me selfish," Summer bites her lip. "I don't want to parade us around, I just, I like things the way they are right now. When Seth and Marissa get home then we'll tell them and make it official, but can't things stay the same for another month?"

"Sounds like a good plan to me," Ryan nods gently kissing Summer. "We should get back out there though."

They no more then stepped foot out of the pool house when Summer's cell phone rings, glancing at the caller ID she wears a puzzled expression, "it's my house." Flipping the phone open she says, "hello? You're home?" Summer's expression changes from puzzled to excited, "no, I'm at the Cohen's for a party. Is everything okay? Okay, yeah, of course."

"You're dad home?" Ryan guesses.

Summer nods, "and he wants me to come home right away. I'm sorry. But I'll try to meet up with you guys at Mickey's at 9:30, okay."

"Sure," Ryan nods and then adds, "I'd kiss you but..."

Summer grins, "I'll see you later."

"Hey guys," Ryan greets Fai, Lei Mei and Jason.

"Hey," everyone returns the greeting but after taking in that Summer isn't with Ryan, Lei Mei asks, "where's Summer?"

"Her dad's finally back in the country and he wanted her to come home," Ryan states as he slides into the booth. "But she said she'd try to meet us here."

"Well then, this gives us the perfect opportunity to talk about her party," Lei Mei grins.

Ryan nods, "we could have it at my place, the Cohen's wouldn't care."

"That sounds great," Fai nods. "We figured we could just do a movie night, get tons of food to eat and just veg. Plus Lei Mei makes an awesome chocolate cake."

"Sounds great we can..."

"Summer!" Lei Mei's startled words statement cuts Ryan off.

Ryan turns quickly taking in Summer's very somber appearance he jumps to his feet, "what's wrong?"

"My dad and the step-monster are getting a divorce. Good news, right, no more evil step-monster."

Ryan kisses Summer, knowing that her words are not what she's actually feeling, "do you want to go? We could go back to my house?" He whispers.

Summer shakes her head, "I want to stay."

They both settle bad into the booth, Summer cuddled up to Ryan with her head resting on his shoulder. "So Summer," Lei Mei addresses her as soon as they settle, "you know how you are coming to my wedding in a week and a half?"

Summer nods, "of course."

"Well, how would you like to be there in a bridesmaid's capacity?"

Summer lifts her head, "what?"'

"I know it's really, really, short notice, but my friend Miriam's grandfather died and she had to fly to London for the funereal. And if I'd known you sooner I would have asked you anyway."

"Really?"

"You don't have to if you'd be uncomfortable."

"No," Summer shakes her head, "I'd love to."

Lei Mei grins, "great. The dress..."

Jason gently places a hand over Lei Mei's, "I thought we were taking a wedding break?"

Lei Mei grins sheepishly, "right." Then to Summer she adds, "we'll talk later."

"So what's going through your head right now?" Ryan asks, he and Summer were cuddled on the couch in the den after watching a movie and hadn't yet discussed her father's impending divorce.

"That I don't want to go home," Summer sighs. "I know it's stupid, me being upset about my dad and Lynne getting divorced...I complain about Lynne all the time but...I dunno, even though it's never been a normal family it's still as close to normal as it's been in years. And all this really means is my dad has found someone who interests him more than Lynne so I've got to adjust to a new woman and then they'll get married and we'll move into a new house.

"And the funny thing is, since my mom left I thought I had the steady home life. But no, she's got a normal job, she's a teacher and her husband is a teacher and they're having a baby and it's going to be just perfect. I never thought my mom would have that kind of a life, she was always to all over the place, who would have thought she'd have what I want?"

"And living with her isn't an option?" Ryan asks.

Summer looks up at Ryan, "she lives in North Carolina, do you want me to move to North Carolina."

"Not particularly, but if you'd be happier..." Ryan trails.

"I wouldn't, I couldn't live there," Summer shakes her head. "I'd rather put up with all of this crap then be the "new girl"."

"I wish there was something I could do," Ryan murmurs.

"There's not, I'll adjust." Summer promises, "but every time this happens it reminds me that I'm not going to raise my kids in Newport."

"Really?" Ryan is surprised by this, but he shouldn't be, every time the things he has Summer figured out she reveals something new about herself. "Why not, I always thought you loved Newport."

"I do love Newport, but it's the only thing I've ever known. I want kids to have normal lives, not grow up with all the drama we've had to put up with."

"There's drama everywhere," Ryan points out.

"I know, but I'm talking about all the drama that surrounds money and esteem...always being in the limelight and having to be someone you're not." Summer shivers and Ryan tightens his hold on her, "I grew up in this life and that's why I love it. But I hate it at the same time, and if I could do it all over again and have a choice I wouldn't want to be raised here."

"You amaze me," Ryan whispers.

"I know," Summer responds with a small smile and a kiss. "I should go. I'll talk to you tomorrow?"

Ryan nods, "tomorrow."

A.N. Hey! It's actually a sweet non-cliff hanger-y chapter! Isn't that amazing...I didn't even know I could write those! Anyway I only see three more chapters in the future, the next one being Lei Mei's wedding stuff, then Summer's birthday and then one final chapter to end this sweet little (long) story!