The Bet 2: Dark Secrets

By: Fox Almasy

Ch. 9

The Secret Is Out

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The sun was shining brightly high overhead and the humidity was fairly low today. June was definitely the time for summer to begin, and not to mention for graduations to occur. Hundreds of seats had been set up in front of the stage and people were pouring in to the bleachers to look for their seats.

Brad found a seat quickly and hurriedly saved seats for Naomi's parents who had yet to arrive. He felt a hand on his arm and glanced down at his mother where she sat next to him with Lynn and his step dad.

"Brad you should relax they will get here."

"I know, but they were suppose to be here already."

"Oh Brad! Over here!" Brad looked up again and smiled as Naomi's mom scooted into the aisle and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Mr. Fluegal followed close behind and offered Brad a stiff hand shake before taking his seat and staring at the stage. Brad sank down onto his own chair and leaned back. He didn't like the idea of Naomi being out in this heat while she was six months pregnant, but she wouldn't take no for an answer. She was determined to walk the line and graduate with the rest of her class and who was Brad to argue with her?

Naomi Stood waiting for their cue to enter the stadium and take their seats in on the football field. She couldn't believe she was finally done with school, she was graduating. She smiled and rested her hand on the part of her graduation gown that covered her stomach. One of the twins had the hiccups. It felt strange when one had the hiccups, but when they both had them it was even weirder.

Naomi looked up as music began to play, signaling their turn to enter the stadium. Smiling Naomi followed the girl in front of her. They took their seats and Naomi quickly glanced around the stadium in search of Brad and her family. She found them sitting a little in front of where her row was and she smiled and waved as Brad caught her eye. He smiled and waved back.

The ceremony moved quickly and soon they were announcing the names and were already on G. soon they were on H and Naomi found herself already standing and making her way to the stage.

"Kennedy Holland . . . Christine Horde . . . Naomi Hunter. . ." she smiled as a loud cheer erupted from her family and friends. Glancing out over the graduates, she could see the Taskers and Leena jumping out of their chairs and throwing their hands up into the air in celebration. Naomi took her diploma and made her way back to her seat.

The graduation didn't last much longer and soon fireworks began going off as the class song began to play. Most of the graduates threw their caps into the air while others pushed through the crowd as family and friends rushed onto the field.

Naomi finally made it into the stands and pushed through the crowd until she reached Brad, her parents and his mom and step dad.

"Man these people are crazy!" she exclaimed before being dragged into a hug by her mother who then lightly kissed her cheek. Brad hung back with his mom and step dad, allowing her parents to shower her with their praise. She looked over her mother's shoulder and smiled at him, before her dad pulled her into another hug. Jessica looked up and smiled at Brad as he draped his arm over her petite shoulders.

"Thanks for coming mom."

"It was no problem. I feel so bad that I missed yours."

"Don't it wasn't that big of a deal for me anyway, beside's you had Lynn to look after."

"I know, but I wish I could have just been there."

"Mom don't worry about it."

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Naomi laughed as she listened to the sound of the radio. She couldn't see where she was going because Brad had insisted that she wear a blind fold. As soon as their families had left, Brad had informed her that he had a surprise for her.

"Brad please tell me where you're taking me."

"Just be patient you'll see."

She waited quietly and tried to look around as Brad's black pick up came to a stop.

"Just wait here OK I'll be right back."

"Brad." she heard his door open and shut, but he had left the truck running. He returned a few seconds later and they continued on, but at a slower pace. Naomi waited quietly and sat up when Brad shut the truck off.

"OK you ready for this?" she nodded and waited. Brad walked around the truck and opened Naomi's door. Taking her hand he helped her out and walked her in front of him. "Alright here it is." he pulled the blind fold off and Naomi's eyes widened. In front of her was a huge two story log home. Stairs led up to a wrap around porch and the front door. The front of the house was nothing but windows all the way up to the roof so that you could see into the first floor room and if you were at the right level could see into the second floor. Behind the house were a few empty pastures and behind that were trees. In fact the home itself seemed to be centered in the woods. Near the porch steps was a sign that said for sail, with a SOLD placed over the top.

Naomi turned and stared up at Brad, curiosity in her eyes.

"What's going on here?"

"You said we needed a bigger place right. So I bought this for you, I know you like the country." Naomi smiled and threw her arms around Brad.

"It's beautiful! Where are we anyway?"

"Orange County. From what I've seen it seems like a pretty nice place." Naomi smiled again before kissing him lightly.

"Have I told you lately that I love you?"

"Yeah but it never gets old." She kissed him again before stepping back to look up at the house. Brad reached into his pocket and pulled out the key to the house and held it up to Naomi. She smiled before grabbing the key and quickly making her way up the steps. Putting it into the lock, she pushed the door opened and stepped into the house with Brad behind her.

Naomi stared around in amazement. To her left was a fairly large dining nook and to the right was a huge living room and in front of her was a long wide hallway. Everything was already fully furnished. Stepping into the dining area, Naomi disappeared through a door adjacent to the one she had entered and found herself in a spacious kitchen with an island. The island was line with river rock and there was so much room that Naomi couldn't find words to express herself.

She moved across the kitchen and pushed open another door and found herself in a game room. Three steps led down into the room where a pool table stood off to the left. To the right was a massive flat screen TV and an entertainment center and in front of that were two leather couches and a recliner.

Naomi wander through the room, eyes moving to take in everything from all the furniture to the many windows that offered a view to the beautiful country outside. A few other things were set up in the game room such as an air hockey game and a foosball table.

They went through yet another door with Brad leading the way and were met with what seemed to be a mud room. Naomi turned to Brad and arched a brow.

"I can't believe you did all this. What else does this house have?"

"Well from here you can go into the office or you can go back to where the hall way was. there are two stairs leading to the second floor. One leads to the master suite and the other to the rest of the second floor. From the living room you go up to the master suite or you can go into the library. The master suite has both a balcony that goes outside and one that looks down into the living room. The master bath has a large shower with about three shower heads and there is also a bath, you know one of those ones that looks like a jacuzzi.

And as for the rest of the second floor there are a total of 5 bedrooms. Each with its own bathroom. They all face the back of the house where there's a great view of a pool and the guest house."

"A guest house! I don't know what to say! Can we afford all this?"

"Of course . . . Well your father kind of helped until I get this whole thing with my manager straitened out."

"Brad this place is beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it. Come on I want to show you the second floor."

"OK." he took her hand and led her through another door and up the stairs. The whole house seemed so open and Naomi just couldn't seem to get over it. She was led around to the different rooms that were all furnished with beds and dressers. Then finally the last room Naomi didn't think she could be any more surprised. She had been telling Brad about how she wanted to do the nursery for the twins. The last room was just like she had pictured the twin's room to be. The rooms were all huge and two large windows looked out to where the sun could be seen setting through the trees.

The cribs, dressers, and changing tables were made out of wood like she had wanted. The blankets and other cloth items were green for one twin and blue for the other like she had wanted. Everything was perfect. Turning she threw her arms around Brad and buried her face against his neck.

"You never cease to amaze me." he held her tightly until she loosened her grip and smiled up at him. "OK show me the master suite!"

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July

Naomi quickly put her phone and wallet in her purse as she moved towards the door of their apartment. Boxes were stacked everywhere and poor Rosco was constantly hiding under their bed. He seemed to know something was going on and wasn't quite sure what it was.

Grabbing the keys off the side table, Naomi checked to make sure the door was locked before going down stairs to meet Kelly. They were going out for the day because Kelly had a date and needed some advice on what to wear.

Kelly looked up and smiled as Naomi stepped out of the apartment and made her way over.

"So you ready?" Naomi nodded and walked over to the passenger side of Kelly's car. They slid in and maneuvered out into traffic before starting up a conversation. "OK so tell me what this house is like that Brad bought you."

"It's incredible! It's huge and there's a guest house."

"Oh my God. He really went all out on it didn't he?" Naomi smiled and glanced out the window.

"I couldn't believe it. Well you'll get to see it when you and everyone help us move."

"Man I can't wait to see it." they were silent again and Kelly turned up the radio.

They stopped at the mall and walked around for an hour and a half until they had finally accumulated a full outfit. Kelly couldn't stop talking about this guy she had met at a club. She seemed completely excited about it and all Naomi could do was smiled at her friend's excitement.

"So you like the outfit right?"

"Yes Kelly or else I wouldn't have let you buy it."

"OK I'm just kind of nervous."

"Don't be, you'll be fine." Kelly nodded and continued driving.

"Hey do you mind stopping by a grocery store?"

"No not at all. I've got to pick up a few things anyway." they pulled into the parking lot of the store and walked inside. Naomi quickly went through the few things she needed and headed off to the designated aisles.

When she had gotten everything she needed, she went and waited in line.

"Hey Naomi." She glanced over her shoulder and frowned.

"What?"

"Look at this." She held up one of those gossip magazines and Naomi frowned at the image of her and Brad on the front page. The picture had been taken a few days ago when they had gone out to dinner. Naomi's hand shook as she grabbed the magazine and stared at it.

"Happy couple expecting, but does she know what he's hiding." Naomi read out loud and looked at Kelly. She almost didn't want to know what it said, she knew it was likely that the story wasn't true, but it was also possible that it was true. They had written about Benji and how his girlfriend had died.

Since then more stories had appeared about Jack and Bit and they were both true. Jack had helped his friend rob a store. His friend shot the owner and Jack was driving the car. He had got off with a promise of community service.

Bit had been driving under the influence and wrecked his car. The girl in the passenger seat was killed and Bit's friend had taken the blame for him. They all had their secrets and they were all true. Naomi was afraid this may be true also.

Kelly watched Naomi as they sat in the car. They hadn't left the parking lot yet and the magazine was sitting unopened on Naomi's lap.

"Hun. Whatever it is may not be true."

"I know, but all the other stories have been, I'm just worried. If Brad had a secret he would have told me wouldn't he?" Kelly was silent as they both looked down at the magazine. Naomi took it in her hands and slowly opened it to the page.

Kelly watched her read and was surprised when Naomi let the magazine drop from her fingers.

"Naomi-"

"Take me home please." Kelly nodded and drove out onto the road.

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Brad was glad to finally get to the apartment after spending all day at the recording studio. He didn't want to be around there till he could figure out a way to get rid of Sarah, but nothing was coming to him.

Everyone else was getting anxious and irritated at the fact that their private lives were put out there for the world to read. Brad couldn't blame them either.

Reaching into his pocket he drew out his key and stepped into the apartment. He looked around at the silent Apartment. Naomi should have been home already. He moved farther into the apartment and stopped when he saw Naomi sitting on the couch.

"Naomi?" she peered over her shoulder at him before looking back down at her lap. Something wasn't right.

"Is it true?" she murmured and look back at him. Brad frowned and stepped closer.

"Is what true?"

"This." she responded and tossed something at him. He caught it and looked down at what it was. He held up the magazine and felt his heart drop into his stomach. Opening it he scanned the story inside before looking back up at Naomi. She stared at him as he tossed the magazine onto a near by table. "Well?"

Brad's mouth went dry as he looked anywhere, but at Naomi. Why the hell was all this happening? Why couldn't it just stay in the past?

"Yes it's true." two tears slipped down Naomi's cheek as she wrapped her arms around herself and turned away from Brad. He walked over to her and rested his hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged him off and stepped away.

"Why didn't you tell me? We're not suppose to keep secrets from each other remember? Why wouldn't you tell me something like this?"

"Why? Maybe because I don't like thinking about it! Have you ever thought about that? I was trying to make it disappear and you know what else? I'd do it again if I had to. As long as it kept mom safe I'd do it a thousand times over."

"You still should have told me!" Brad shook his head and turned away from Naomi. He moved towards the door and grabbed his keys to his truck. "Where're you going?"

"Out." he slammed the door behind him, leaving Naomi in the deafening silence that followed his departure. Tears began slipping quickly down her cheeks as she slid to the ground and buried her face in her hands.

What had happened? They were so happy and now this had to come up. Naomi stood and called the first person she could think of.

"Hello?"

"Kelly it's Naomi."

"Hey what's the matter? Why are you crying?"

"It's true, it's all true and Brad just left. Do you think you could come over?"

"Of course! I'll be there in like five minutes."

"Thanks."

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alright another chapter enjoy