The Bet
Ch.11
Is It Too Soon To Forgive?
Fox: Alright this is the last chapter (wipes sweat from brow). N e way I was thinking about maybe doing a sequel not quite sure yet so I want ur opinion. If u all want one then there will be 1 more chapter to this, which will really be the prologue for the next story.
Kojisa: Ya so let us know what you think and enjoy the chappy.
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Strong hands slid slowly up long legs as one came to rest in red hair and the other on a raised knee. Warm breath fanned out over exposed skin as lips trailed kisses across soft flesh.
"Brad . . ."
Naomi sat up and stared around her darkened room as drops of sweat trailed down her skin. She ran her fingers quickly through her hair as she stood and walked out onto the balcony. The cool air was soothing as Naomi leaned against the railing and stared out over the lights of New York.
Why was he plaguing her dreams? All she wanted was to forget about him and yet she couldn't even get him out of her unconscious thoughts. It had been a month already and he was still a part of her life.
"Why can't I just forget about him?" She stepped back from the railing and turned to go back inside. Sliding the door closed behind her Naomi quietly made her way to the kitchen for a bottle of water from the fridge. She glanced at the thermostat as she twisted the cap off and took a quick drink. "Hmm it's only 75 degrees why am I so hot?" She replaced the bottle and wandered toward the couch and turned the TV on. Flipping through the channels she stopped on one of the HBO channels and lay down. After about a half-hour she was asleep and this time without any dreams.
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Kelly moaned as she sat up and shuffled into the living room. She frowned at the TV then walked over and looked down at the couch.
"Naomi what are you doing out here?" Naomi opened her eyes and glanced around.
"Oh I couldn't sleep."
"You know I wasn't going to say anything, but you haven't exactly been yourself. We've all noticed. Is something wrong?" Naomi sat up and tucked her legs under her.
"I'm fine."
"It's just ever since you stopped seeing Brad. You seem kind of depressed." Naomi frowned and stared out the window. No matter what somehow Brad always managed to be brought up in the small talk.
"You're worried for nothing. I'm fine."
"Alright whatever you say." Kelly stood and shrugged. She knew it was futile to argue with Naomi. "I'm going to go buy some things today. You wanna come?"
"I don't know maybe."
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"Bwad how come Naomi's not hewe?" The little girl stared up at him with large eyes as she petted her cat absentmindedly.
"You probably won't be seeing her anymore kid."
"Why?"
"Because we're not friends anymore."
"Why?" Brad stared with half lidded eyes as Riley waited for him to reply.
"You ask too many questions." Riley shrugged then stood, picked up the cat and walked slowly toward her Dad who was sitting on the opposite side of the stage. Brad reached for his guitar determined not to think about Naomi. He already had enough to worry about with the concert being the next day he didn't need to be thinking about her to.
"Alright I think we're all set. We're sold out, the sound system's working now all we gotta do is make it to tomorrow." Jack stood at the edge of the stage looking over at the empty seats. "Tomorrow this place is going to be packed." He glanced briefly at his watch then shrugged and jumped down from the stage. "You've all got the rest of the day off. Just make sure you get some sleep tonight."
"What time is it?" questioned Benji as he grabbed Riley and forced her into her jacket. She squirmed away and ran to the edge of the stage and jumped down with the cat in her arms. "Riley get back here!"
"It's 2 why?"
"I have to take that cat to the vet."
"Are you serious?" Brad waited for Benji's reply as he finally caught his daughter and put the jacket on.
"Ya dead serious. She called my mom and my mom insists that the cat go to the doctors. I don't even take myself to the doctors why do I want to take a cat." Brad shrugged and put his guitar in its case and slung it across his back. "Do you want to come?"
"Ya Bwad come with us!" Riley pleaded eagerly and put on her best puppy dogface. Brad sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Alright fine I'll go."
"Yay!"
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Naomi sat staring at the changing room as Kelly quickly changed into an outfit. The curtain slid back and Kelly walked out with her hands extended as she twirled around in a circle.
"What do you think?" Naomi eyed the skirt that reached mid thigh and the sequined halter-top with the low cut front.
"Well it will definitely generate a reaction from the male portion of the population."
"Naomi!"
"I'm just kidding . . . it's really hot. Now why are you looking for an outfit again?" Kelly rolled her eyes and walked back into the dressing room and began taking off the outfit.
"OK I wasn't suppose to say anything. I was just suppose to take you shopping and make sure you and I got an outfit. Kris and Leena have a surprise planned for you tomorrow night. Now that's all I'm saying." Responded Kelly as she stepped out of the dressing room once again clothed in her torn jeans and black ribbed tank.
"A surprise? How come?"
"Because you seem down lately now let's go find you something OK." Naomi smiled and let Kelly drag her to her feet and lead her off toward the clothing section.
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"Brad remind me never to bring her with me again if I have to ever bring this cat back."
"Trust me I will." They both glanced to the little girl walking in front of them. Benji was relieved that she seemed to have finally forgotten about the whole ordeal. Unfortunately God seemed to have it in for him because at that moment Riley turned around and stared up at him.
"Daddy . . ."
"What?" Riley glanced down at her kitten where it walked next to her on a harness.
"Why did they do that to Peanut butter puff?"
"Which part?"
"Why'd they stick that thing up hew butt." Benji rubbed his face and sighed. He glanced at Brad to see him trying to hold back a laugh.
"Jeez Riley I told you already they were checking her temperature."
"But-"
"OK Riley how about if you stop asking about the vet office I'll buy you a Pretzel."
"Ya a pwetzel! OK Daddy!" Benji shook his head and walked toward a bakery.
"Brad watch her for me please."
"Ya sure." As soon as Benji disappeared into the store Brad glanced around and groaned. Riley was gone.
"Riley!"
"Hi Naomi!" Brad turned and glared up at the sky
"You're trying to torture me aren't you!"
"Bwad look who it is!" Brad shoved his hands into his pockets and strolled over to the little girl who was now holding Naomi's hand.
"Riley how many times does your Dad have to tell you not to wander off?"
"But look Bwad it's Naomi!" Brad glanced quickly at Naomi then down at Riley.
"Come on Riley we gotta go." Riley frowned and looked up at Naomi. Neither of them were looking at each other. But what was wrong? Riley didn't understand.
"You better go Riley." The little girl let go of Naomi's hand and followed Brad back down the street.
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Kelly watched the little girl walk away then turned and followed Naomi toward their pent house.
"Who was that?"
"Her name is Riley. Her Dad is a friend of Brad's."
"Well he didn't lie about that."
"Ya that's the only thing." Kelly looked away and stared at the ground.
"Would you ever give him another chance? I mean start over and find out the truth?"
"I don't know. Come on lets go." Kelly fell silent and glanced down at the bags she carried. She just hoped this surprise did the trick.
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The crowd could be heard on the other side of the stage curtain. Brad drew in a deep breath and glanced down at his guitar case.
"Hey Brad." Brad turned and looked over his shoulder as Jack and Bit strolled toward him.
"Ya?"
"We got something for you." They reached into their pockets and held out a wad of 100-dollar bills.
"What's this?"
"It's the 500 we owe you."
"But I didn't win."
"Come on you know you did. Even if you two never admitted to going out you still got her so just let me pay you the money so I can keep my dignity." Brad stood and pushed their hands away.
"Really you don't have to." Bit grinned and began to put the money back, but Jack stopped him and took the money.
"Alright have it your way." They turned and walked toward their instruments and Jack quickly pent down and placed the money in Brad's guitar case.
"OK Riley remember you have to stay on the side stage where I can see you. Don't go running around OK."
"OK Daddy."
"You promise?"
"I pwomise."
"Good girl now go sit down." Riley grinned and hurried off toward her seat and sat down. Benji smiled and moved toward the mic placed at the front of the stage. He glanced around then down at his mic and took a shaky breath.
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"Come on guys where are you taking me?" Naomi was actually thrilled at being blind folded and put into a car and was now being led somewhere that she didn't know.
"You'll see and I think you're going to like it."
"Come one give me a little hint."
"No can do." Naomi smiled, but didn't ask anymore questions. She could hear the sounds of a bunch of people, but still wasn't able to figure out where she was. They were pushing through people and then they finally stopped.
"OK you ready?"
"I've been ready since you blind folded me." Naomi blinked as they removed the cloth. She glanced around and frowned.
"Where are we?"
"Just watch."
"Naomi!" Naomi turned and was surprised to see Riley.
"Hi what are you doing here?"
"My Daddy's singing!"
"Singing?"
"Yeah he sings in Devilscwow!" Naomi blinked and looked up as the curtain rose. She scanned the band and was shocked to see Brad to the right of the lead singer.
"The singer's your dad?"
"Yeah! But Bwad wites the songs." Naomi turned to look at the others as they waited for her response.
"Don't be mad at us OK we just were tired of seeing you so down."
"No it's OK I'm not mad. I mean maybe I could give him a chance to redeem himself."
"Can I stand hewe with you Naomi?" Naomi smiled down at the little girl and rubbed her head.
"OF course."
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"I'm not a perfect person
There's many
things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant
to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That
I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me
To
change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the
reason is you
I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I
must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I
wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all
your tears
That's why I need you to hear
I've found a
reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over
new
and the reason is You
I'm not a perfect person
I
never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before
I go
That I just want you to know
I've found a reason for
me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and
the reason is you
I've found a reason to show
A side of me
you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is
you." Naomi was surprised by the words of the song. They had
said that this was their most recent one. Only written about a
month ago. She glanced down at the little girl at her side as Riley
continued to try and get Naomi's attention.
"What is it?"
"Daddy said Bwad wote that song about you." Naomi felt a bang of something she wasn't sure of. Happiness, sadness, or maybe guilt she couldn't figure it out. All she knew at that moment was that Brad was staring strait at her. His eyes were filled with something she couldn't quite decipher. Then he broke eye contact and looked out somewhere else in the crowd.
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"There never seems to be
Because
what I believe
A moment I'm not trying
To show them who I
am
Why can't they understand
The things that they're
denying?
They're denying . . .
So what should
I do
Just lay next to you
As though I'm unaffected
And who
should I be
When they're judging me
As though I'm
unaffected?
A chance they'd never give
To ever want to
live
The life that I am made of
There's nothing left to
prove
My heart's forever true
What is it they're afraid
of?
Afraid of . . .
So what should I do
Just
lay next to you
As though I'm unaffected
And who should I
be
When they're judging me
As though I'm unaffected?
Before
they even saw my face
They knew that I was not the same
And
decided I was not the one for you
For you . . .
So what
should I do?
I'm not unaffected
And who should I be?
I'm not
unaffected
So what should I do
Just lay next to you
As
though I'm unaffected
And who should I be
When they're
judging me
As though I'm unaffected?
Unaffected . . .
Unaffected . . .
Unaffected . . .
Unaffected . . ."
As the finally word left Benji's mouth the entire
building erupted into cheering, whistles, and screaming. Naomi
found herself joining in and turned her head as Kris tugged on her
arm.
"We've got one more present for you!"
"There's more?"
"Ya." Naomi looked down as Kris shoved something into her hand. She examined the object and smiled.
"A backstage pass?"
"Ya. So go kiss and make up already." Naomi laughed and shook her head
"You guys are amazing!"
"Well of course we are!" Naomi turned and let Riley drag her toward the back stage entrance.
"You can come meet my Daddy now!"
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Brad grinned and opened his guitar case. He frowned and reached in to grabbed out the money at the body. Turning it over he smiled and shook his head.
"They never take no for an answer."
"So you're a guitarist and a song writer?" Brad dropped the money into the case and turned around. Naomi stood there dressed in dark blue jeans and a black satin cami. Her hair was done up in some sort of complicated twists. He had seen her in the crowd but had to admit she looked more beautiful up close if that was even possible.
"Ya."
"I was thinking that maybe we should start over. I want to know who you really are."
"Alright my name is Brad Hunter I'm 22 and I use to live in South Carolina with my Mom and Step Dad. I've never been rich a day in my life and I wasn't quite sure what a Thoroughbred was until I met you. I've never even been to Kentucky and going to Hawaii was the second time in my life that I've ever been on a plane. The first being when I was five and we almost crashed. I never really wanted to ever go near a plane again. I do play the guitar and the one I had that day was mine. I write our songs with a little help from Jack. That's about it."
"Nice to finally meet you Brad. Everything is pretty much the same except I don't have boyfriend."
"Really what happened?"
"I broke up with him the same day I found out about the bet." Brad crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.
"What made you want to come?"
"My friends got me the ticket and the backstage pass."
"Really? I thought they hated me."
"I think they're warming up to you." Brad pushed away from the wall and moved closer to Naomi till their bodies were almost touching.
"That's surprising." He wrapped his arms around her waist and grinned. Naomi blushed slightly but wrapped her arms around his neck. Brad pulled her closer and pressed his lips to hers. He was about to deepen the kiss, but pulled away and stared over at Riley who was giggling from her spot next to Benji. Benji quickly hooked one arm under both of hers and the other one was quickly clamped over her mouth.
"Come on Riley I think it's time to go." Naomi smiled and stepped away from Brad.
"No it's OK." Benji stopped and set the girl down again.
"See Daddy this is Naomi! Naomi this is my Daddy!"
"Hi."
"Hi and you're Naomi. I've heard a lot about you from Riley. Name's Ben, but everyone else calls me Benji."
"I guess I can introduce you to the other members." Brad took her hand and led her over to Bit and Jack.
"This is Jack the one that helps with the songs. And our Drummer Bit."
"I remember you two from that club."
"Ya you're friend takes her food seriously." Replied bit as he sat down and took a drink of water.
"Uh ya she's always been like that."
"Naomi!" Naomi looked over her shoulder and smiled as Kelly, Kris, and Leena approached.
"If it's not too much trouble maybe you're friends can come with us to eat because I'm starving so can we hurry up." Announced Leena as she stopped next to Naomi. Naomi glanced up at Brad.
"I'm sure they'll come. I just hate to see the bill afterward."
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Fox: OK people R&R and let me know if ya want a sequel
Kojisa: Yep hope u all enjoyed the story. Oh and the Songs belong to Hoobastank