Disclaimer: Not me

Sorry about the delay had some technical difficulties for a minute! But I should be good now!Big thanks to all who R&R and give me love! please Review to let me know how you feel about the story!

This story is unbeta'd so all typos are mine!

Chapter 7

JJ was sticking me very closely across the middle of the yard. I kept trying to fake him but the kid was fast. We should definitely get him into football this summer on the offensive line! He's really good, I can't shake him! It didn't help that my uncle just kept yelling "get open" at me as if that was going to somehow magically make me open. Grandpa was having a hard time getting open from Ant as well. They purposely spilt us up stating that it would be too much speed on one team. Pussies.

Anyway, Uncle Jazz was playing alright defense as well keeping Uncle EM from making the pass by blocking his line of vision without using their last blitz. Counting loudly and waving his arms in front of his line of vision.

I finally got some space to drop back and ran up the "sideline" of the property, Uncle Em let it fly right into my hands. I stopped just before I bowled over my sisters and my cousin, who all just screamed as we came their way, I scored the game winning point on JJ.

As we were walking back to the house I could hear my Grandpa talking to Uncle Em.

"Damn, they're fast! Just like Edward was when he was young!"

"I am still fast!" I didn't even see my Dad come out of the house.

I shook my head as I gulped down a Gatorade and chuckled at his defensiveness. Anthony took it upon himself to tease him as well. I knew that was a bad idea but I also knew I would be dragged into it if things went left, which it quickly did.

"Ha, Dad you are not as fast as we are! In your dreams old man."

My Dad took step toward the edge of the porch. His brow furrowed, He side eyed Ant and I, then pointed to the end of the property back to the porch, twice. Symbolizing two laps. Shit!

He leaned down into the perfect runners pose and before I could even get to my feet he was off. I had to give him props he was still very fast but unfortunately not fast enough. I leaped off the porch startling Renee into a squeal and took off after him. Although Anthony was trying he never caught up to him. Whereas I was on his heels within seconds.

He let out an audible huff as I passed him at the end of the yard. The second lap was equally as embarrassing for him because by then he and Ant were neck and neck. I was already seated by the time they got to the steps.

I was happy to be back at it! Having fun and joking around. It felt good to run again, and I mean really run. Not just the bullshit shuffle I was giving my team lately.

I'd really been half assing every part of my life but no more. I made decision the other day. While sitting in the office waiting for an answer from a girl who in hindsight probably didn't really love me to begin with I made a choice to live again. And I have. Although she does have a hold on me, I will live.

I am joking with my family, I will be more attentive to their needs and the needs of my team.

My Therapist is going to love this!

Once we went back into the house my mom was looking at us a weird.

"Wha? Is there something on our faces?" I joked.

"Yeah, his face!" She laughed as she pointed to my Dad.

"Yes, it's really creepy sometimes. How much you both look like Edward." I shrugged at my grandma.

At least twice a week I hear about how either myself or Anthony look or talk or walk or even sound just like my Dad. Anthony had at least some of Mom's features. I looked just like my dad just with brighter hair. I even get some of our pictures confused its creepy, I see it.

I, unlike my brother and father was carrying the super ginger gene from my surrogate. My skin was fairer then theirs, and my hair was brighter.

I was somehow blessed with the ability to tan in the summer months. Thanks to my Dad!

I haven't seen her in years. I honestly can say I don't miss her which in my therapist thinks is a problem. My Mom has loved and token care of me for as long as I can remember and Vicky has done nothing but brought weird shitty memories to me.

So with graduation coming up I was caught in a strange place where social convention says I should invite the person who pushed me out of her butt. I on the other hand felt no need for her presence. She would text or call every couple months or years but it never lasted long.

But these are thoughts for another day.

I was laughing at my grandma as she got in Ant's face counting similar features of her father, the person we apparently looked like.

My phone vibrated in my pocket just as she was about to inspect to my ear for the third time.

"-MASE!-Randy Marsh." I chuckled at the all caps from Randall. He was really the only person I'd talked to; I mean really talked to about all this craziness.

"-What's up, Bruh? -M." When I think about it I was really going to miss him when we left for school.

"-WTFRYD? We r goin 2 da beach. Com out Bro!- Randy Marsh."

I always hated how he text talked! But I laughed as I shook my head at the invite. It would be my first social outing in months, I felt like I wanted to go though. It was strange, to have the want to be around people again.

I showed my Dad the messages with an expression on my face that held a question of permission to go. He shrugged and asked what time would be leaving out and coming home.

"-What time are you guys going out? – M"

"-Around 7ish. Gotta get lighting fluid! It's gonna b a fire (Fire emoji)! Can you pick me up? - Randy Marsh." I shook my head again and laughed. He would build these crazy bond fires. I smiled and showed it to dad, I didn't want any problems.

It was almost 4:00 now and I would have to pick him up and drive out about a half an hour to the beach. I still had to go home, shower and change. I was excited though, just to get out and be around people.

After getting the go head from my Dad, I said good bye to my family. As I was on my way out to my truck Carlie stopped me.

"Mase, I'm going to the bond fire too. Just so you know." I didn't get where she was going with the warning. We often went to the same parties and events I never cared before. Sometimes we would even ride together, Mom's request, but I never minded.

"So? Why would I care?" I asked specious. She narrowed her eyes as she was also confused by my lack of caring about her whereabouts. "Seriously Cari, we've gone to other parties together why would I care if you come?"

I really looked at her face then and it was bright red. "Never mind, Can I ride with you?"

I was still very confused but nodded. "I am leaving the house around 6, I have to pick up Randall."

"OK." She slowly and awkwardly turned on her heels and walked. back into the house. That was strange but I moved on.

I felt good, looked good. I thoroughly washed my hair, something I hadn't done in a while. Don't get me wrong I would "wash" it but not thoroughly and conditioned it as well. I didn't shave because chicks like beards and even though I am supposed to be staying away from girls I still want to be attractive.

I was wearing these light distressed jeans with holes on the knees from Abercobie. A dark green thin hoodie that didn't have sleeves from H&M with a white t-shirt underneath and my loose knit hat. Again I say I looked good!

My family came home around 6:00 after I texted Cari for 15 minutes straight making sure that she would be here on time.

We as drove off our street I saw that she was noticeably nervous. An at that moment I truly realized how self-absorbed I'd been through this time. My sister obviously had something important going on and I should've already knew about it.

"What's going on?" I asked directly.

She sighed heavily. "I don't want to put anything else on your plate Mase."

"What's going on?"

"I just wanted to talk, ya know."

I nodded waiting on her to say whatever she had to say. It was concerning, we had always been able to talk freely to each other. She was one of if not my best friends.

"So, how are you holding up?" I huffed at her and cut my eyes. "Seriously Masen, we haven't been able to REALLY talk in months. I feel like you've cut me out."

I took my eyes off the road to look at her and my stupid heart broke. I could only whisper my apology. I felt like shit because it was true. I really did talk to anyone but Randall, he listened when I was going off.

"I was really bad for while Carlie." I spoke keeping my eyes on the road now. "I felt like it was my bed so I had to lay in it. I can't tell you how sorry I am for cutting you out. I just... I just… I'm sorry."

"I didn't ask you so that you'll feel bad! I Just wanted to know how you were."

"Well, I'm better now. The other night I went over to MaKenna's and she told me that she didn't love me anymore." She sucked in air in shock. "It's fine though. I'm fine, really. I don't think I could've handled it a couple days ago but I'm good now. I still love her but I understand I hurt her and she can't forgive me. This IS the bed. I laid in it and now I'm getting up and trying to push on."

Her hands were balled up in her lap like she was going to punch something. I laughed at her angry face as we pulled on to Randall's street.

"Do not be angry at her she has the right to feel however she wanted to feel. And I still feel like I'm winning, you want to know why?" I asked in my creep voice.

"Why?" her eyes narrowed

"Because she still wanted to bump uglies!" I gave the wheel all had to give as I humped it which made her punch me.

"You're so gross!" She screamed and hit me again. I laughed and it felt good to bullshit with her.

"So, what's up with you?" I asked as I honked my horn for Randall to come outside.

Her eyes went wide as she looked at the house. "What's wrong? Did Randall try something with you?" instinct kicking in. I would completely murder him!

All the happy appreciative thoughts of my friend were gone and all I could see was red!

"NO! God No! clam your ass down." I was about to respond but he came out and got in the cab of the truck!

"BRO!" we dapped hands over her head and she looked all awkward. "Carlie! How's it going short stuff?"

She just rolled her eyes. I pulled away from the curb but paid attention to both of their behavior as we made small talk. As soon as Randall hopped out to get go in the store to grab the fluid I was on her.

"What the fuck is going Carlie don't lie?"

"Ahh, So, Randall kind of knows a secret that you don't know."

I was confused and frustrated "What secret? Just tell me what is going on!"

"I want to Mase! Just give me a seco…." She huffed as he reappeared. The bastard come out of the store faster than I ever could've imagined.

"So are we picking up your girlfriend? Where is she gonna fit?"

"The fuck Randall. I told you what happened the other night. We aren't getting back together."

He pulled his head back in confusion "Not you bro! I would never. I was asking Carlie about Kebi."

"Ah no, she has her dad's car. That's why I'm riding with you guys, I'll ride back it her." She said a little small and kept her eyes on the road.

I was confused by all of it.

"I'm sorry to hear that she got in trouble. What did your parents say?" What the fuck are they talking about!

"I haven't told them…" Still in her small voice. I have always hated when she got like this but I knew not to press her when she was.

The ride to beach was cool asides from the confusing moments. Randall said the whole team should be up here and they were excited to hear I was coming up too.

The only hiccup would be if Makenna showed, which was likely. We shared social circles! Ugh! But its whatever I'm still going to have fun! I hope…

When we got their there was already about 20 people waiting for festivities. But before we got out of the truck I had to ask one more time.

"Carlie, what is going on?"

She got out but leaned into the window then with a nod she said " I'm Gay."