Chapter 15
Thanks to you all for taking the time out to read my story and write your wonderful reviews. This is my next chapter, hope you enjoy it …..Sandy
Casey's P.O.V
I lay there stretched out on the trampoline looking up at the blue sky above me, Ricky was due to come home today and I wasn't looking forward to it, I didn't know how to react around her. I couldn't bounce up and down on the trampoline today as my stomach ached since Courtney punched me. As a kid I always believed if I could jump high enough I would actually reach the sky, or if I could get the longest ladder I would finally reach it. I suppose as a child I always fanaticised about the sky, the clouds, the stars. Still today, I lie here wondering if there is a world beyond there, that big blue sky, if my mum is up there looking down on me.
End of P.O.V
"This is where you are hiding then" said Brax as he approached the trampoline. "You know Case this is your home so I don't want you to feel you cannot sit around inside in the couch" exclaimed Brax.
"I know" smiled Casey, I just like it out here as he pulled himself in an upright position. "Do you think there is another world up there" questioned Casey as he looked up towards the sky.
"Possibly, but whose to know" replied Brax, why do ask?
"It's silly, but I often wonder if my mum is up there looking down at me" explained Casey.
"I can't answer that Case" replied Brax as he looked towards Casey, but I no for sure she is with you in spirit.
"Anyway, I must go to collect Ricky" explained Brax, "Heath and Bianca are inside taking care of Matthew until I get back."
"Fine" replied Casey as he lid back down on the trampoline looking up towards the sky.
"What are you up to" questioned Jett as he arrived in the gate towards Casey.
"Not much" replied Casey "Just hanging" "Do you want to come over to my house and have a game on the Xbox" asked Jett.
"That's sound's cool" replied Casey anywhere but here as Ricky is coming home. "I just need to let uncle Heath know" said Casey as he ran inside.
"Hi Casey" replied Kyle as he came in from outside. "Where is Heath" questioned Casey as he looked around the lounge.
"He is probably gone next door" replied Kyle, "Is there anything wrong".
"Is it OK if I go to Jett's house" quizzed Casey as he looked towards Kyle for approval.
"Am, I suppose" replied Kyle, really unsure if he should be giving permission to Casey to go especially when Ricky was coming home. "But make sure you stay next door" said Kyle, your dad might want you back here when he gets back.
An hour later Brax pulled up in his UTE with Ricky. He felt Ricky was a bit apprehensive about coming home and having to deal with life away from the support of the doctors and nurses.
"Everything is going to be fine" exclaimed Brax as he held Ricky's hand, you will have the support from me, Kyle, Heath, Bianca and Phoebe.
"We will get through this" as he squeezed her hand a little tighter trying to reassure her.
"Thanks babe" smiled Ricky, "What are we waiting for then" as she opened the car door and stood out.
"Yay! Welcome home" said Phoebe as she saw Ricky and Brax approach the door. Ricky stood and smiled holding Brax's hand
"It is good to be home" replied Ricky as each of them in turn gave her a welcoming hug
"Are you all better now?" questioned Darcy from where she was positioned on the couch. Darcy has some mixed feelings about what had happened between Casey and Ricky and still kind of blamed herself for leaving Casey with Ricky on that particular day.
"I am getting there" exclaimed Ricky as she sat down on the couch beside Darcy, but I have still a long way to go so may need some help from time to time with Matthew if you are up to it.
"For sure" smiled Darcy as she leaned into towards Ricky for a hug.
"Where is Case" questioned Brax as he remained standing at the front door.
"He is hanging out with Jett" replied Kyle, "Is that OK, I wasn't sure if I should have let him go or not?"
"No that's fine" said Brax, but was kind of disappointed he wasn't there at the same time. Everyone chilled out chatting for a while until a knock came to the door.
"Sorry to interrupt you" said Gina as she opened in the door "welcome home Ricky, you are looking well".
"Could I possible have a quick word with you Mr. Braxton" asked Gina as she looked in Brax's direction.
"Is everything OK with Case" questioned Brax as he approached Gina.
"Yes! everything is fine" replied Gina with a smile, Jett was wondering if Casey could stay for a sleepover tonight if that is OK with you of course"
Brax paused for a minute as everyone waited for his response. "OK" replied Brax, "but he has to be back here first thing".
"I will make sure of it" replied Gina as she headed out the door.
After everyone had gone home, Brax and Ricky found themselves sitting on the couch cuddled into each other as Matthew slept in his bassinet.
Brax's P.O.V
I was happy Ricky was home she completed our little family unit here. In my head all I could think of was Casey, I know he is only here a very short time but I missed him. I wondered how he was feeling, was he nervous, scared or upset about Ricky being here. I hope I can get Casey to trust Ricky again, find a solution to make things work for us all as a family.
Ricky's P.O.V
I missed cuddling into Brax like this, he always made me feel so safe. But I know he is missing Casey and I know it is because of me that the kid decided to stay at his mate's house. I need to make things right between Casey and I, but what can I do, where do I begin?.
End of P.O.V
Casey managed to avoid Ricky during Sunday, by hanging out with Darcy and in his bedroom. Brax noticed this also, but was just happy to have Casey at home, he knew he needed time to deal with Ricky himself. Monday came around quite fast another week of school for Casey and another week of putting up with Courtney and his mates.
"Can you sign me in Darcy" questioned Casey as they approached the school gates.
"Why are you not going in" questioned Darcy "I just can't face it today" exclaimed Casey, please if you sign me in they will think I am in class, please Darcy do it for me and I will owe you one.
"Fine" replied Darcy, but if you get caught which you will, I had no part to play in this as my dad would kill me, and you can be sure uncle Brax will kill you for bunking off school.
"I will take my chances" replied Casey as he ran off towards the beach before anyone saw him.
Ricky's P.O.V
I decided to venture out for a stroll with Matthew in his pram. I was apprehensive about it, but knew deep down going for a walk with my baby was a good thing. I opened the front door and pushed the pram out, I paused and took a deep breath before I headed off.
I came to the beach which I hadn't seen in a few weeks it felt great. I was stopped in my tracks by Marilyn Chambers, she was lovely and worked in the local diner, but sometimes didn't know when to stop talking.
As Marilyn was rambling on about something I spotted Casey sitting over at the far end on the sand staring out towards the sea then I noticed three older boys approach him, they seemed to be chatting and laughing so I presumed they were friends of him.
I turned back towards Marilyn and nodded to her as If I had been listening to her rambling, but my attention was drawn towards Casey again. I could see one of the boys empty out Casey's school books onto the sand and Casey standing up and pushing him. I felt I needed to get down to him or even ring his dad but didn't thing I had the right to do either of them.
Then I noticed the three boys grab Casey and walked towards the water and threw Casey into it and they laughed this time louder as if they were making fun of him. Casey finally found his feet in the water and strolled back out only for one of the boys to shove him onto the ground, and it looked like they made a treat towards him before they headed off along the beach.
"Take care of yourself Ricky and not forgetting this little handsome man" replied Marilyn before she headed off. I remained where I was as I watch Casey shove his books into his school bag and headed towards home dripping wet. My heart went out to him, I just wanted to go over to him and hug him and reassure him everything would be fine, but I couldn't.
End of P.O.V
"Hey, I didn't expect to see you in here today" questioned Brax as Ricky pushed the pram into the restaurant.
"Well I decided to get out and get some fresh air" replied Ricky and then I couldn't head back home without calling in and say "Hi"
"Well I may as well have lunch with you now while you are here" replied Brax as he picked Matthew up from the pram.
"I suppose you didn't see Casey on your travels" questioned Brax, I forgot to give him lunch money so thought he may have popped in.
"Actually, I saw him head in the direction of home" replied Ricky, maybe he needed to get something from there, as much as she wanted to tell Brax what she saw, she didn't want to rock the boat any further with Casey.
"He will probably get something to eat there so" replied Brax as he continued to make Matthew smile with his cooing.
"How is Casey settling in at school" questioned Ricky as she took a sip from her drink.
"I presume he is fine" replied Brax, he doesn't say too much and I don't want to push him, I just hope he can trust me enough to come to me if he has any problems.
Casey's P.O.V
I went back home hoping Ricky wouldn't be there as I had no idea how I was going to explain how I was dripping wet, I knew my dad was at the restaurant. I was glad there was no one there so I got changed out of my uniform and pulled on a t-shirt and shorts.
How was I going to get four bottles of vodka from the restaurant without being caught by my dad or Kyle. I felt sick, I ran into the bathroom and vomited, I couldn't face another beating from Courtney but If I didn't deliver by Wednesday I knew I would.
End of P.O.V
Casey walked into the restaurant, It was Tuesday and lunch time and he knew Brax was at home doing the books so it would only be Kyle there.
"Hi mate" said Kyle as he saw Casey walk in, Let me guess you forgot your lunch money so came in for some freebies"
"Sorry, is it OK" questioned Casey.
"Of course mate" replied Kyle, after all it is your dad's restaurant, let me check in the Kitchen and see what's there.
As once as Casey saw the coast clear he quickly ran inside the bar and grabbed one bottle of vodka shoving it into his school bag before Kyle walked out again.
"You are under age to be inside the bar Case" explained Kyle, come on lets go over here and we can have lunch together and a catch-up.
When Casey arrived home after school, Brax was sitting at the table still doing the books and Ricky was sitting on the couch feeding Matthew his bottle.
"How was school Case" questioned Brax as Casey arrived in the door.
"It was fine" replied Casey as he turned to head towards his bedroom.
"Wait a sec Casey" said Brax as he stood up and approached Casey.
Casey turned towards his dad, feeling nervous and guilty that he had a bottle of vodka in his bag.
"I got a call from the school today mate" replied Brax, you weren't at school yesterday.
Casey paused not expecting this question "I did go to school" exclaimed Casey nervously but I felt sick so I came home "I thought it would be all right"
Ricky lifted her head looking towards Casey, knowing he was lying and making up another lie to cover for it.
"It's fine" replied Brax, but in future you need to inform Gina or a teacher if you need to go home, you cannot just take off.
"Fine" replied Casey, can I go to my room now? "Sure" said Brax as he rubbed his head before heading back to the table.
"Well what have you got for me Braxton" questioned Courtney as he shoved Casey into the wall at the corner of the school.
"My name is not Braxton" replied Casey getting angry "I am Davidson".
"What ever, I couldn't care less" said Courtney as long as you got my four bottles of vodka, you can call yourself "Harry Potter" if you want as he laughed out loudly, Jaime and Tyler laughed also.
"I could only get one" replied Casey and I am not getting anymore for you we are done here.
"What part of you didn't get it that I needed four bottles not one" questioned Courtney who was starting to get pissed off now.
"I couldn't get anymore" said Casey so take it or leave it as he pulled the bottle of vodka out from his school bag and left it on the ground.
Courtney shook his head annoyed and picked up the bottle and opened it
"You will be sorry Braxton" he said as he forced the vodka into Casey's mouth as Jaime and Tyler held him back up against the wall.
"Where did that alcohol come from" questioned Mr. Copeland as he approached the boys.
"Braxton brought it in Sir" replied Courtney with a smug look on his face "He even tried to get us to drink it but we said no" isn't that right boys as he turned towards Jaime and Tyler who both nodded in agreement.
"Casey do you realize you have broken the school rules by bringing in alcohol" questioned Mr. Copeland and you have been drinking it also as he smelt Casey's breath.
Casey could only stand and say nothing as he knew he was in deep trouble now.
"You three get back to class immediately" said Mr. Copeland and you Casey come with me to the principal's office.
"Why would you do such a stupid thing Casey" questioned Gina as she looked at Casey with a stern look. Casey just shook his head.
"Is that all you have to say Casey for yourself" asked Gina, "fine, please wait outside my office until I contact your dad"
Ricky was sitting at the kitchen table reading a book when Brax opened in the door and shoved Casey in towards the lounge.
"What the hell was wrong with you" shouted Brax as he stared at Casey.
"What is going on" questioned Ricky as she stood up from the table.
"This clown here decided to bring in alcohol to school and drink it only to get suspended for the rest of the week" shouted Brax again still having his eyes fixed on Casey.
"It wasn't my fault" shouted Casey back towards Brax.
"Don't make me laugh" replied Brax, so you are saying the bottle jumped into your bag and opened itself and into your mouth.
"Let him explain" said Ricky in a calm tone as she looked over towards Brax.
"What is there to explain" shouted Brax getting even louder. "You are grounded for the next two weeks" explained Brax as he looked crossly at Casey, no Xbox or phone so hand it over now as Brax put his hand out for it, you will also work your butt off in the restaurant because by the time I am finished with you, you will be glad to get back to school.
"That's not fair" cried Casey "I hate you".
Brax shook his head "Do you know what my dad would have done if Heath or I did what you are just after doing" exclaimed Brax, he would have beaten us black and blue with his belt "you Sunshine are getting off lightly".
Casey looked towards Ricky
"Don't look at her" shouted Brax, she is not to blame for this.
"No you are" cried Casey "you and my mum for bringing me into this stupid world"
Brax could feel the anger rise inside him and without having any control he smacked Casey across the face, full force with his hand.
Casey put his hand to his cheek as the tears streamed down his face and looked at his dad in disbelief. He left his phone on the back of the couch and ran towards his bedroom.
Brax stood there he couldn't believe what he had just done, he felt sick inside himself. He could see the pain and hurt across Casey's face. He looked at Ricky who also stood there is shock before he turned and headed out the front door without saying a word.