Brett

What the hell did I just do? Oh my god I kissed Patrice! Patrice Parker the least popular girl in school why would I kiss her? I couldn't breathe think or move but she jumped back shocked pissed. Pushing her hair back unable to speak. She couldn't tell anyone about this I would be so dead. She seemed to be trying to speak but couldn't find the words. My head was spinning quickly I looked around no one seemed to be around thank god. I didn't look at her I just ran out hearing Evan call to me I stopped frozen oh shit he had seen hadn't he? Archie suddenly spun in front of me blocking me. I heard Evan groan. Feeling myself relax a little so he hadn't seen he couldn't he had been out here with Archie the whole time eating ice cream.

Evan: "Oh hell Archie has a plan this is never good"

Eying him I shock my head this better not be the blood-master all over again.

Archie: "Seems like Brett has a conundrum here my friends he wants Lucy back I want Kendra to say yes, Evan just wants to keep his girlfriend alive. Maybe we can help each other"

Brett: "Wait what do you want Kendra to say yes to your already going out"

Archie: "True and I am very lucky but Kendra and I never get any alone time were always being watched so I want to take her away"

Evan and Brett: "Away to where man?"

Archie: "She loves Australia so I want to take her there you yuppies are the ones who can make that happen"

Yuppies how the hell did we just get called yuppies? Archie spun as we kept walking my heart was beating so fast I swear Evan's eyes were burning holes in my back, breathe Brett he didn't know he couldn't just be cool. How did Archie except to get Kendra to say yes. She had never gone anywhere without her parents or team, she was a good girl traveling alone with a teenage boy was not what a good girl did. The church would frown upon it so would her parents, she never defied them. As if reading my mind he grinned like a madman.

Archie: "See Brett I have one card that even a stud like you can't play, you may have the physical structure of a demi god but I have the body of an old wheezy car that no matter how much money you throw at it sometime it's going to break down and be unable to start back up"

I must have been staring cause he grunted like talking to a two year old wheeled up to my face right over my foot which I believe he did on purpose. Yelping jumping up and down I must of looked like a fool. Which amused them both.

Archie: "In simple terms I am dying so I can play the terminal card Evan said it best no one says no to a boy with a terminal illness. However I can't just ask Kendra I would seem desperate which I am yes but I have my pride so I will help you get Lucy back if you help me get Kendra"

Brett: "How am I suppose to do that no offense but in case you didn't notice her friends all hate me!"

Archie: "Simple stud muffin once you get Lucy back convince her to convince Kendra to say yes convince her they need a vacation.

Evan: "I am so glad I have no parts in this"

Archie turned his evil grin onto Evan now who seemed to go as pale as I felt. What made them so sure I wanted Lucy back?

Archie: "Oh but you do best friend Goldman, See I know you want to buy that necklace Patrice saw two weeks ago when we were cruising the mall"

Evan: "Yea well some dreams are meant to die, that thing cost $600 even with working after school for two years. I only have like 300 saved up it would be amazing to give it to her for our three year anniversary in October but..

Archie: "Imagine the look on her face as you spin her in your arms than kneel on your knees and present her with that beauty it can it will happen if you help me use your connection your dad works for an airline company he can get us tickets to anywhere"

Evan: "So what's in it for me if I do this?"

Archie: "I'll give you the rest of my wish money than you can buy Patrice that necklace and dinner at her favorite restaurant"

Evan: "Wait your wish money that's yours they gave it to you to spend it on anything you want!"

Archie became quite as he sat motionless finally looking up to see our shocked expressions he cleared his throat.

Archie: "Yes they did and the thing that I want most is for my friends to stay happy stay healthy and stick together, if being sick has taught me anything it's to appreciate what you have because you never know what's coming next"

"So what do you say boys do we have a deal?"

Brett: "No way dude I've done a lot of thinking I don't even want Lucy back"

He shock his head what was his issue why didn't he take my words seriously.

Brett: "Don't look at me like that look I was lost for awhile in this popularity thing but I'm starting to get my head cleared I have my own dreams, my own plans and Lucy isn't fitting into this"

Archie: "Your so lost Brett but someday you'll clear your head, when you do I'll be right here waiting just don't take too long I may not have much time left. What do you say Evan?"

Evan: "I'm in but no one can know mom still hasn't gotten over the whole 13 thing a secret between friends can you dig?"

Brett: "First we are not friends and second who the hell says dig? We are not living in 1950 small country town or not lame ass…

I chased him tackling him as he yelped Archie sighed wheeling himself inside his apartment as I chased Evan all the way home. Power felt great. Smiling as I walked into the house I felt free for the first time in life, free to dream, to hope, to live my life on my own terms, to date who I wanted when I wanted eat what I wanted when I wanted. I saw my mom sitting at the table as I walked in talking on her cell.

Christina: "Oh Concetta I have to go he's home now yes I will okay I understand no worries I am sure she's fine she's with Lucy uh huh I will okay love you to bye babe"

So she was talking to Charlotte's mom okay cool grabbing some water from the fridge I sat across from her. I could see the strain under her eyes. My mom was by no means old but she had been through a lot having my brother at only 15 struggling through school, college, building up her own life. His death which I know she has taken a toll on my whole family. None of us have been the same since Jason died. I wish I could make things easier for her.

Christina: "Darling how was school?"

Brett: "Great mom I made captain I like all my teachers so far"

Christina: "That's great sweetie I knew you would your dad will be so proud we have to celebrate this weekend do the courses look hard?"

I shrugged honestly school was never easy for me I wasn't stupid but I just never seemed to grasp the work. Grabbing my hand she smiled at me how did she always know when I needed her?

Christina: "I just talked to Concetta she told me you and Lucy got into a huge fight last night, she's pretty upset guess Lucy went off the deep end, Kayla saw her refusing to eat at lunch, who was the girl she beat the crap out of? Concetta is concerned Liz will flip when she sees the headline, she's worried about Charlotte she hasn't heard from her in awhile"

My eyes went wide my mom hardly ever cursed but she was dead serious as she asked me squeezing my hand.

Christina: "I'm not mad son I get it your young you like to play the field but here's the thing about dating. Dating is a tricky thing and doing it right is difficult. But it is honestly, the most important thing you will ever do. Because how you date will dictate who you date. And who you date will become your wife. And who your wife is will determine your future family and so forth and so on. Lucy is very dear to all of us moms she's our best friends daughter which makes her our daughter so were always concerned for her Liz has no interests in being her parent neither does Eric which leaves us to raise her watch out for her. Your destined to be with her Brett I mean she is perfect for you don't blow it I know she's difficult but all good woman are, you have to remember she's had a hard life so give her allowance to have her melt downs it's your job to make sure she knows how you feel, make her feel loved protected make sure she knows you value her for more than just her body, it's what inside that counts Brett.

Be physical. The right way! Hold hands, put your arm around her shoulders or eventually her waist, kiss her head, put your hand on her knee, these sweet gestures speak volumes & make a woman feel cared for. Going too far physically only confuses the relationship & it can never be undone. Handle her heart with care."

"Women are strong, but they are also delicate. Don't ruin that. Do not be responsible for hardening a woman's heart. Tell her you love her, a lot. In fact, tell her all sorts of nice things. Everyone deserves to be complimented. Serve her. Not like a waiter. Perform acts of service for her; make her breakfast, offer her your jacket when she's cold. Surprise her. Again, a little can go a long way. Just stick with small surprises. Bring her a case of her favorite soda, pick her flowers.

Brett: "Mom how about if I decide what's good for me? I don't want Lucy back I know she means a lot to you, don't get me wrong I'll always care for her as a friend but she's not he girl for me"

My mom stared at me like I was crazy but I wasn't for the first time ever I felt so sure of myself. She didn't know what to say.

Christina: "I want you to be happy Brett I am not trying to force you to be with Lucy but I am worried for her. I know how much you two love each other I don't want you to blow it like I did, Eric was my true love and I let my pride get in my way I didn't tell him how I felt because I thought he would be happier going after what he wanted, maybe he is but I doubt it he has never settled down he sleeps around he's playing a dangerous game, I don't want that to happen to you really think about what happened last night why you said what you said and did you mean it if not than why did you say it?

Brett: "I did mean it mom she needed to hear it she has issues mom, I just I can't I don't want to be with her. I'm sorry I don't want to hurt you but it's my life my heart my body"

Christina: "You never disappoint me darling I just hope your happy with your decision and the consequences"

What did she mean consequences? Sure Lucy is pissed but she's gorgeous she'll find someone else and be fine, if not she always has her girls. Getting up I kissed my mom's checks heading upstairs tossing my football. She cleared her throat yelling to me as I headed up the steps.

Christina: "Oh and for god sakes tell Charlotte to call her damn mom before she has a heart attack"

Heading down the hall I wondered what I should do I was halfway to my room when my dad called to me spinning around I went into his office. He was at his desk working on his computer.

Dad: "Brett how was school?"

I shrugged sitting down tossing up the rubber football in the air catching it,

Dad: "How was practice?"

A question I could answer excitedly.

Brett: "Awesome dad I made Captain of course Coach says I have an excellent chance at being All star player of the year, our team looks tight man oh Coach says that he can see me being accepted Ohio state or University of southern Cali if I can pull my grades up"

Dad: "How are the grades going?"

Brett: "Not well but it's early"

Flicking my bangs back I watched his reaction his face didn't show any emotions but he sighed shaking his head telling me he was not happy.

Dad: "Brett I want you to get into the best school you have the athletic ability but if you get injured your screwed"

I didn't see the big deal my parents had money why couldn't they buy my way into school? Tossing the ball in the air I sat back rolling my eyes. My mom walked in than clearing her throat.

Christina: "Did Brett tell he decided not to get back together with Lucy?"

My dad's explosion gave her the answer she wanted sighing I just wanted to go to my room and play grand theft auto why couldn't they just let me live my life and they live theirs. My mom calmed him down thank god but I knew this wasn't closed.

Dad: "What are you thinking Brett?"

Brett: "I'm thinking I want my own life I know you guys love Lucy but were not destined to be together she's a great girl but she's too high maintenance for me I want a chill girl I want to have fun not live in drama"

Dad: "Brett do you want to go to college?"

Brett: "Yes that's one reason we can't be together she won't accept that I got into Penn State she wants me in Cali with her"

Dad: "Brett your scholarship doesn't pay for even half a year of tuition"

Brett: "So I'll get a job help you pay for the rest I know it won't be easy but will make it work"

Dad and Christina: "Honey that's the thing…

What was wrong? I sat up why were they staring at me swallowing I felt my face burning up. They kept looking at each other, squeezing each other hands.

Christina: "When Jason died we had to dip into the savings accounts it's unreal what it takes to bury someone now a days, we didn't have time to think about what we were doing we were devastated it was so unexpected so painful we were in a daze we needed to bury him that took money.. money we didn't have, we thought we could rebuild it by the time you were old enough to need it but times have been hard, the business isn't doing as well as we thought. We realized about three years ago that we couldn't do it so we did something"

Brett: "What did you do?"

Dad: "I didn't want to tell you. I made a deal with Liz and Eric since they have no interests in being parents, Liz was worried Lucy was starting to get more famous and she was making headlines, those headlines effected her whole family, Liz's parenting was coming into question so she was told by her agents to reign Lucy in, she couldn't do it from La or Nashville, I know in her own way she cares for Lucy she didn't want what happened to Liz's costars son to happen to Lucy so she asked us to have you keep Lucy busy to distract her keep her calm her keep her in line if you can keep her healthy keep her from becoming a Hollywood sleaze show before she's twenty they will give us however much we need to get you into the top college but you have to do your part work hard at school and sports and keep Lucy happy and you get a free ride"

So I was being bought basically like a cheap slut, my face flushed I wanted to scream at them tell how stupid how wrong this was. This wasn't fair to either one of us, but the looks on their faces stopped me. My eyes lifted to his desk where there was a picture of the four of us when I was a kid Jason was smiling arms wide open he was wearing a cape, I was so young but I was looking up at him, our parents sat on each side of us smiling. Now they weren't smiling they were stressed worried sad. I swallowed against my better pride. Sometimes being a man means sucking it up doing what you had to grow up and take responsibility. My parents were counting on me to grow up have a successful life to be everything Jason was suppose to be and couldn't.

Brett: "How do you suppose I make it up to Lucy?"

Mom's shoulder sagged in relief dad grinned punching my arm.

Christina: "Never underestimate the power of the written word. As nice as it is to hear good things, it's even better to have them written down so you can reference back to them. You should write letters or notes to your love often."

"Also ask yourself why you two are always fighting? Is she really always the bad guy? Did you ever give a reason to feel how she does?

Dad: "Son let me tell you something about girls their fickle bipolar and sensitives buy her some chocolates and write her a nice letter she'll be giving it up to you in no time, Brett you better get her back Lucy has money her family has power keep her happy and Liz will get you into any college in the state. We have a deal."

Brett: "I keep Lucy out of the headlines keep her sane for three years I get a free ride?"

Dad: "In more ways than one son"

He snickered as I got up I went over and hugged him turning to leave he threw a box at me. Grinning to him I gave him a thumps up condoms just what I would need once I was done with my new plan. No matter what now I would get Lucy back if it meant a free ride to college hell yeah.