"Hey, it's me….and we have a huge problem and it would help if you'd pick up the phone, which you're not doing. Anytime now. Nothing? Ok fine, here's what's going on. My parents suddenly decided to haul us all off to Tree Hill for the rest of the summer, guess what that means? Yes, Josh, our days of juvenile espionage and possible summer romance are as good as over and unless you figure out some brilliant plan to get me out of it before 8:30 tomorrow morning, WE ARE SCREWED! Yes, that's right, you heard me, SCREWED! So anyways, if there's any chance that you get this before I leave call me and if not, still call me and we'll figure something out, ok? I'll talk to you soon…I hope…Bye"

The studio was unusually silent this morning; silence isn't something that I like too much of. And hearing Jamie's message just seemed to cut through it all. She was uncertain as I was about everything we were dealing with; just thinking about where her head's at is making me miss her more. It's been less than 24 hours and I feel like she and I are hanging in limbo. Lastnight I was the one that secretly wished that when the summer was over, I'd have no trouble leaving her behind, I entertained the idea that I could just go back to New York and if it was meant to be, next summer she'd be there. Well, it looks like I got exactly what I thought I wanted and I'm not sure I want any of it anymore.

Reversing karma isn't easy but I figured turning it back little by little is a good start…so I picked up the phone and silently prayed that she wasn't already on her way 2000 miles away from here. I waited for her voice to come through but instead I got this.

Hi! Welcome to Jamie's house of whores! Today's special is the hey!!!! With a side of oww!!! Jamie!!!

I chuckled at the sound of Rhys' voice and Jamie's muffled scream as the phone shuffled from girl to girl…

Ignore that last part guys, that was the head whore and she can get kind of ditzy sometimes. Anyways, if you can't already tell, you've reached Jamie's phone. And Rhys' too!!! (Rhys yelled in the background) We're not here but leave us and message and if we dig you, we just might call you back.

I heard the familiar beep follow and I left Jamie this, "Hey Jam, and Rhys too. I just got your message. I miss you already. Is it ok if I say that? Or are we not coupley enough for me to say that yet? Either way, I'm not gonna take it back, cuz I really do miss you. Anyways, even if you're in the middle of North Carolina with Rhys and your entire familia, still give me a call. And maybe I can figure out a way to come spend the day with you. But it all depends if I hear your voice on the other end, doesn't matter what time…call me ok? Bye."

Just as I hung up, I saw my Dad walk out of his office looking like absolute crap. His hair was completely disheveled, he was still wearing the clothes I left him in yesterday morning and his face was completely the opposite of what I was used to seeing. There was no smirk, no smile, and no light in his eyes. He just seemed so empty.

"Jesus Christ, Dad! What the hell happened to you?"

He gave me a hint of his trademark smirk, a good sign I thought. "I'm fine Josh, stopping worrying"

He went into the kitchen and fished around in the cupboard for something decent to eat. He came back with a giant box of Lucky Charms, two bowls, spoons and a carton of milk. He set them down on the floor where I was sitting and he sat down with a quiet ease and began pouring the cereal out of it's box. He looked at me and quietly asked

"Josh, why didn't you tell me who Jamie really was?" He didn't look angry or pissed off. His eyes were sad and full of patience.

"Dad, I'm not gonna lie to you, k? I knew she was a Scott, but it's not like you've ever put a limit on who I can and can't date. I really do like her but if it's bothering you or if you want me to break it off-"

"Josh!" my dad cut in

"Yeah?"

"Slow down" he smiled at me

"Sorry."

"Can I talk now, kid?"

"Ok"

"Now, Joshua, what I say here stays between me and you. No matter how much you like this girl, I'm begging you from a father to a son, please don't say anything."

This had to be big, because he only calls me Joshua when he's stark raving mad or no bullshitting dead serious.

"I won't say anything Dad. I swear." I honestly couldn't promise that in my heart though but there was no going back now.

He nodded and took a deep breath, "You need to understand that there are certain things I can't tell you. Not because I don't want to, but because I don't love you but because I'd be giving up a part of my heart that only you mean more to me than. I'd be disrespecting Haley and Nathan, even if I don't like him all that much and I'd be disrespecting their children and as a father, that's the last thing I want to do, especially if I have a son of my own. Josh, I love you more than life itself, but just thinking about it, let alone even opening my mouth to tell you any of this makes me feel like I'm ripping my heart out and bearing it for the whole world to see. But I will tell you this, Haley didn't do anything wrong. It was all me, but I can't help feeling that she hurt me so bad. And I don't think I'll get over that."

At this point he was in tears and in a very un-Chris Keller like way, he just let them run down his cheeks and into his half eaten bowl of Lucky Charms. For what seemed like an eternity, I heard nothing but the sound of my father's quiet sobs and the ticking of the clock. I wasn't sure what to say so I let him speak again.

"Am I scaring you, Josh?"

"No, Dad. It feels good to know that you're human"

He chuckled softly "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean that I've never seen you so real before. Well at least about love. It feels good to know that you're hurting just as bad as the rest of us, even if you're better at hiding it."

He was laughing now like I'd just said the funniest thing in the world "You think that I'm good at hiding my emotions? Josh, have you heard my music, sometimes I feel like I give too much away."

I shrugged, not knowing if he was back to his old self or if he'd really went over the edge and lost his mind.

"I haven't lost it….yet" he smiled at me as if he'd just read my mind. I could tell he was back. "Well maybe I have."

"Why?"

"I kind of feel like taking a road trip to Wilmington to see Tara." Aunt Tara was my dad's wild child baby sister. Younger than my dad by 12 years, she acted more like my sister than my aunt whenever we all spent time together. Her favorite pastime is driving my dad into his grave far earlier than his time.

"Are we doing Nana Dee's before or after Tara?"

Nana Dee is a long story. She's basically the only actual family I have. According to her and my father, she's my biological maternal great-grandmother. It's a little strange because of all people she'd know about where I came from but I've never thought of asking 'til now. Nana's always been there for as long as I can remember and to me, she's always been just as much apart of our small close-knit family as my dad or Aunt Tara. She basically took up where my Dad and Tara's parents left off. I really don't know much about them either except that my grandfather is dead and my grandmother is living in some beachfront condo in Florida with her third husband Egbert or the manwhore as Tara likes to call him…and I've only seen them a handful of times in my life.

"I'm thinking that Nana Dee usually goes and stays with Tara this time of year so it works out perfectly instead of going to see one and then feeling guilty about leaving early to see the other" My dad explained logically.

I nodded and then I heard the phone ring. My heart immediately jumped and I could have sworn it was Jamie…until I realized it was my dad's phone and not mine.

"Well speak of the devil" he spoke into the phone "We were just talking about you"

"Oh really, and what were you saying oh great and powerful rockstar brother of mine?" my aunt asked cheerfully

"Stop being so nice" he told her

"Stop being an asshole and I just might take your place" she remarked snidely

"Damn, I've missed you sis" my Dad said with a smile on his face

"Well I may or may not have missed you, Chris. It all depends on what you brought me back from that fabulous month long, sold out, sex filled, drug induced and rocked out tour of yours"

"So that's all I'm good for, Tara? Freebies? And I had actually thought you changed"

"Ha! So you're stupider than I thought. Chrissy, you should know better, look who I'm related to!"

"Let's move on…" my dad said quickly trying to avoid his dreaded childhood nickname that only Tara used for him

"Aww, am I making you mad Chrissy?"

I saw my dad roll his eyes childishly "No Tata, I'm not mad. But is there a reason you're calling me because if there's not I'd actually like to get a word in edgewise here that doesn't have to do with me being humiliated by my baby sister."

I heard her laugh on the other end "Oh my god, Chris you haven't called me Tata in forever. Isn't that what Josh used to call me when he was a snotty faced creature with jam hands?

After hearing that, I yelled, "Hey! That's not funny!"

"Oh shit, hi Josh!" she said

"Hi Auntie Tata, guess what?"

"What, favorite nephew of mine?"

"Dad and I are going on a road trip and guess where it's ending?"

"Umm…do I wanna know?" she asked although I'm pretty sure she knew the answer.

"Right at your front doorstep, so you might wanna attempt to clean that massive dungeon of yours before we get there"

"What the hell!" My dad yelled out confused "How come it took you ten seconds to say what I've been trying to tell her for the last God knows how long?"

I shrugged as if to say "I have no idea what you're talking about"

"Well fuck that, why didn't I get Josh to do it for my in the first place?" he asked

On the other end we heard a gasp and a familiar old voice. "Now who is using that foul language around my baby?"

It was Nana Dee.

"Now how do you know that it wasn't your baby?" my dad asked her in an attempt to be clever

"Because I taught my Joshua better than that didn't I baby?" she asked sweetly

To mark the irony of the situation, I gave my Dad the finger and answered her question in the voice I only use for her "Of course, Nana"

"Well good", she said "Christopher, you really do need to remember you manners child. I don't like you around them funny lookin' L.A. people, you need to come home and get your mouth washed out with soap. And I saw you on T.V today, boy you're lookin' a bit thin there. You aint on none of them 'Hollywood' diets are you?"

"Not at all Nana" my dad replied

"That's what I wanna hear, cuz baby when y'all get home, I'm gonna have to fatten you up. You too Josh, I don't like seein' so much bone on a child as handsome as you."

I opened my mouth to say something but she cut me off by saying "Now boys, you know I'd love to stay and talk but my show is on so I'ma have to call you back, alright?" And just like that she was gone.

At precisely 1pm everyday, Nana dropped everything she was doing to watch 'Days of Our Lives'. It doesn't matter where she was or who she's with, you better get her in front of a working TV by the time the old man says "Like sand through the hourglass, these are the days of our lives…"

Well not that I know that he actually says that….and not that I've actually watched it…but it does have a certain addictive quality to it.

Ok…let's forget that I even entertained that thought in my mind.

My dad put the phone down and asked "When do you want to leave?"

"Are you sure you feel like driving, Dad? I mean if we left now, it wouldn't be as long but there's traffic and shit to think about"

I saw my dad's forehead crinkling like he had an idea "Well, we could fly and call it a road trip in the air"

"That works"

"Ok, so I'll call Al and ask him if he doesn't mind flying us out there"

"So should I start packing?"

"Yeah but first" he picked up the remote control for the TV and flicked the power switch. The first thing I saw was Bo, Nana Dee's favorite daytime TV hero. My dad and I smiled at eachother like idiots as he said "You tell noone about this closet obsession we both seem to have…nobody"

"Like I'd want anyone knowing that my father watches 'Days of Our Lives'" He coughed fakely. "Or, that I watch it with him" I said admitting defeat

And with that, the two of us sat there splayed out on the couch and the floor watching Bo and Hope fight for and lose true love again and again.

Call us lame and lamer…but I love my dad, indeed I do.

Hey, sorry this chapter was short and a little bit slooooow. I wanted to give Chris a bit of a background before I go on and get into whatever drama I have in store. Once again, sorry for not updating until now. Keep R&R'ing my loves!

-Baila