Chapter 10

Again, I don't own any of these characters

The next afternoon, Max found herself sitting at the same outdoor cafe she had ran into Theo before. She has one of her textbooks out to make it look like she is busy. Sitting at the table behind her is Cassie and Addison. As Max continues to skim through her textbook, she in interrupted.

"There you are..."

Max looks up and sees Theo and tries to cover the shiver going down her spine. "Hey..."

"I was afraid you wouldn't show up."

"I said I'd be here..."

"Well, why don't we get out of here and go do something..."

Max smiled. "I wish I could, but I can't..."

Theo frowned. "Why not?"

"I got a call last night from my cousin. He's stopping in town tonight, and its been a long time since I've seen him. I hope you understand..."

"Sure. Family always comes first. So, what have you been up to the past two days..."

"Studying and going to class... And trying not to strangle your fellow Bostonians..."

Theo laughs. "Still annoying you?"

"Oh, they're getting worse. I think they are intent on destroying the curve now too..."

"Maybe there is something I can do to help?"

Max laughs. "I'm all ears..."

"Don't worry about the details..."

"So I can deny knowing anything?"

Theo laughs. "Exactly..."

"As long as they are gone, I'm good with that..."

About that time, Woody comes walking along.

"Lex, there you are!"

Max stand up and hugs Woody. "Teddy, this is my cousin, Willy. Willy, this is a new friend of mine, Teddy."

Woody shakes Theo's hand. "Nice to meet you."

Max turns to Theo. "I hate to run so soon..."

Theo shrugs. "No worries. How about we meet again her next week. Let's say Tuesday?"

"Sure. How about 5:00?"

"Its a date..."

Max nods and heads off with Woody. After giving them enough time, Addison and Cassie get up and leave as well. Everyone met back at Cody and Bailey's place.

In the kitchen, Cassie and Bailey are talking.

"How are you holding up?"

Bailey sighed. "You know, you would think I would be used to having someone out to get me by now..."

Cassie smiled. "I know, but no one has succeeded yet..."

"I guess that's the silver lining..."

"Why not call in help like London's dad?"

"Cody doesn't want to unless we have to..."

"Why not? It would be over and done with..."

"Cody wants to be able to do this on our own...As a way to show that we can take care of ourselves."

"And what do you think about that?"

"I understand why he wants to do it this way. And despite what he says, I think he still wants to prove to me that he is a real man."

Cassie was confused. "I'm pretty sure he's already showed that..."

"I know. But to him, its different now that we are out on our own..."

Cassie just shook her head. "Guys..."

Bailey laughed. "I know. But, at least his heart is in the right place..."

Cassie smiled. "That's why we keep putting up with them..."

Bailey smiled. "That and the fact we love them..."

Cassie paused. "You think they talk the same way about us?"

"Probably..."

Meanwhile, in the living room, Zack is sitting on the couch with his brother.

Zack stares at his brother. "Why didn't you call me when this first came up?"

"I thought I could take care of it..."

"Well, what are you going to do about it now?"

Cody paused. "I don't know..."

"Well, he's made it clear that he's going to try to get you and Bailey kicked out of here..."

"That I am aware of. All I can think to do is take it to campus security so they know he's making further threats..."

Zack sighs. "And after what he tried to do to Rebecca, do you really think he's all that concerned with campus security?"

"Probably not..."

"Then you need to take matters into your own hands..."

"Zack, I can't. I promised Bailey I wouldn't."

"You need to think of something then..."

"Don't you think I know that? But every time I try, I come up with nothing..."

"Well, you already know what he tried to do with Rebecca, maybe there is something there?"

"Zack, even if she went to the police now, its a he said she said and you know Theo would have the best lawyer he could..."

"Take it out of a lawyer's hands then..."

"The only way I could do that would be to get him to confess, and I seriously doubt he's going to say something that will end up with him going to prison for a long time..."

"Of course he's not going to directly. But, remember what you came up with to deal with Moose in Kettlecorn..."

"Bluff him? What if he calls our bluff?"

Zack grins. "Make sure you do it in a way that he won't..."

Cody paused to think. "I don't know..."

"Go after his weaknesses..."

"His weaknesses..." Cody paused and smiled. "Wait a minute...I have an idea..."

Zack smiled. "About time...Let's hear it..."

Cody grinned. "I'm going to need Max's help, but here's my idea..."