AUTHOR'S NOTE: Many thanks to everyone still supporting this story through reviewing, reading, and following; it's highly appreciated!
Brax has just jumped in the shower to freshen up after working in the morning followed by picking his brothers up from school.
Kyle and Casey are currently out in the backyard; Kyle reading a book from the Alex Rider series and Casey is busy kicking and running around with his soccer ball.
Both boys didn't have any homework that night as nothing was issued and Casey was back on track after Kyle's help over the weekend with his overdue homework.
"I sometimes wish you were more athletic Kyle, then we could be kicking this ball around together," Casey puffs as he dribbles the ball.
"Why don't you ask Romeo to come over and play or even Ryder?" Kyle comments; not taking his eyes from his book.
"Because Ryder said he was helping out his Aunt and Romeo also said he was busy," Casey replies and approaches his older brother who is relaxing in one of the acapulco chairs under the patio.
"Come on Ky; please," Casey begs.
"You know I'm no good Casey, I'd spend the whole time with my face in the grass," Kyle replies.
"I don't care, it's just for fun," Casey answers.
"Well I'm having fun now; quietly reading. I don't like kicking a ball Casey. I'm sorry," Kyle replies.
"Fine: be like that," Casey playfully grumbles and starts to bounce his soccer ball on his knee and catch it with a kick in the air with his foot.
"No offense Kyle, but only geeks read for fun," Casey says.
Kyle huffs and rolls his eyes.
"Geez Case; none taken," Kyle replies sarcastically.
"If you'd give reading a chance..."
"Reading is boring!" Casey interrupts.
"You should at least give this Alex Rider series a read. They are really good and you would really like them, Casey. It's about a kid who's a spy and it pulls you into the story."
Casey turns to him, "Isn't there a TV version? I'll stick to that."
Kyle shakes his head; Casey was impossible when it came to enjoying a good book.
A few minutes pass and Kyle starts to get bugged by Casey's playing close by as he couldn't concentrate on his book with the constant poof of Casey's ball.
"You're not meant to do that under here," Kyle comments and gazes at his younger brother who is continuing to bounce and kick his ball; trying to show off with his trick shots.
"What's the worst that could happen? I'm just kicking a ball," Casey argues.
Brax had always told the boys no games involving balls, bats, or anything with a chance of getting caught on chairs, tables, or appliances or breaking windows were allowed to be played under the cover of the patio.
"Brax is going to find out you broke his rule. Didn't you learn anything from Saturday with your homework?" Kyle asks.
Casey shrugs and is now kicking the ball gently with his foot and catching it in his hands.
"Brax is in the shower," Casey casually replies.
Kyle sighs.
"I'm just saying I wouldn't Casey," Kyle responds, trying to be the big brother and sway Casey from doing the wrong thing.
"Well I'm not you," Casey retorts.
Kyle shakes his head and goes back to reading his book.
Casey continues to play around with his soccer ball then gives a hefty kick but completely misses the catch; stumbling in an awkward haste in order to save his ball from straying but to no avail and with a hard bang the soccer ball bounces off the barbecue.
Casey gasps and Kyle looks up from his reading upon being startled by the bang and observes his little brother.
Casey retrieves his ball that has now bounced on the ground, and stands staring at the damage.
"Oh no; far out; no; I'm so dead!" Casey exclaims with a heavy sigh and rolls two of the barbecue dials in his hand that had broken off when his soccer ball smashed into the outdoor appliance.
At the panic in Casey's voice, Kyle throws down his book and gets up from the chair.
"What the heck did you do?" Kyle exclaims, his eyes wide when he notices Casey holding onto the two broken off dials and the now two vacant spots on the barbecue controller with snapped pieces hanging loose.
Casey stares over at Kyle with worried, pleading eyes.
"What do we do?" he says in a panic.
Kyle steps back.
"We; what do you mean we? Since when is what just happened a we?" Kyle answers.
"You distracted me by not wanting to play and talking about your stupid book," Casey tries to argue.
"I never did anything; it's your own fault for stupidly playing around where you weren't supposed to," Kyle replies, feeling a little annoyed at Casey blaming him.
"I don't need an: I told you so. I get it was stupid, but please help me Ky, please. Brax is going to be so mad and I don't want a lecture, let alone be punished," Casey pleads with sad eyes.
Kyle huffs; wondering why he is always having to fix his little brother's mess.
As much as he knew Casey deserved to be in trouble for breaking the rules, Kyle hated seeing Casey get into trouble and couldn't help his protective big brother instincts that resulted in helping Casey get out of trouble.
"Let me see if I can fix it somehow. Just watch out for Brax, because I'm not taking the slack for this if he catches us," Kyle huffs and takes the knobs from Casey's hands.
Casey nods.
"Thanks Ky," Casey says and pops his head into the door, listening out for their oldest brother.
"You know, maybe he won't notice?" Casey suggests and Kyle rolls his eyes, he wasn't sure if it was Casey's stupidity or optimism that had him stumped.
"This is Brax, Casey; he always notices."
"Well please try and make it unnoticeable," Casey begs.
"I can't work miracles," Kyle mumbles under his breath.
Kyle is well aware Brax would be furious and the barbecue is one of the expensive kinds so if this couldn't be fixed Brax would need a new barbecue and Kyle did not want to be around if that had to happen.
Kyle fiddles with the knobs, trying his hardest to get them to work and stay in place but the task is becoming almost impossible and the older teen's hands shook with nerves.
Casey flicks his head out of the doorway and looks to Kyle.
"I can't hear the shower anymore. Hurry up Kyle; Brax will be out here soon!" Casey says in panic.
Kyle huffs and only gets more nervous.
"Don't rush me; I'm trying!" Kyle yells back softly.
"Try faster!" Casey pushes.
"Remember I'm doing this for you," Kyle responds and Casey huffs and turns back to face inside.
Casey is ready to distract Brax if need be when after a few more minutes Kyle gives an excited cheer and heavy sigh.
"I think that will do; well to at least make it look not broken," Kyle says and steps away from the barbecue.
"You think it will work?" Casey asks and Kyle shrugs; picking up his book.
"I'd rather not stay around to check," he replies.
"Good idea. Thanks Kyle, for helping me out," Casey says and Kyle gives a nod.
The two teens walk inside just as Brax exits the bathroom and walks down the hall, smiling at his younger brothers.
"I hope you're not planning on playing with that ball inside?" Brax questions and eyes Casey.
"No, just putting it away; there's just so much you can play outside," Casey chuckles.
"What about you Kyle? I thought you were eager to enjoy a relaxing afternoon outside reading?" Brax asks.
Kyle shifts on his feet.
"It got too cold," he replies.
Brax raises his brow.
"I know it's Winter but it's still sunny and somewhat warm out there," Brax comments.
"I just decided to read inside now okay?" Kyle smarts without meaning to, but the nerves got the better of him.
Brax frowns.
"Fair enough, I'm not stopping you, but next time, less of the attitude Kyle," Brax warns and Kyle stares down at the floor.
"Look: never mind. I was thinking, what about a nice barbecue for dinner tonight; invite Heath and Bianca over."
Casey and Kyle exchange glances.
"Some nice juicy steaks, snags, chicken kebab sticks," Brax says and rubs his hands together enthusiastically.
"Um, actually Brax I can't. I forgot to tell you I was invited to have dinner at Ryder's for dinner. His Grandpa is cooking fresh fish that he catches himself in the morning," Casey blurts out and nudges Kyle to follow along with his story.
"Um...yeah he invited me too," Kyle adds in a mumble.
"Since when are you boys more interested in fish than barbie meats?" Brax questions suspiciously.
"It's really awesome fish; you should try it sometime," Casey replies.
"Ryder brings it to school sometimes," Kyle adds.
"Hmm, well I wish you both had asked me rather than told me at the last minute. I guess that just leaves Heath, Bianca and me to have a barbecue. Better go check the gas," Brax responds cheerfully and walks outside.
"Now what do we do?" Casey whispers.
"There's that we again, Case."
"Well you fixed it..."
"And you broke it," Kyle argues back.
"If we just go now, maybe he won't suspect anything?" Casey suggests and starts to rush off, with Kyle following behind.
The teens reach the hall when they freeze, upon hearing Brax storm through the back door; swinging the door loudly.
"Boys: come here for a second please," Brax demands.
Kyle turns to walk back immediately when Casey grabs his hand.
"Please don't tell on me, Kyle."
Kyle sighs and hopes he can keep his wits about him to protect his baby brother.
Casey and Kyle stand side by side and notice Brax is holding the broken dials in his hand.
"Do either of you know how my barbecue happened to get broken?" he asks and shows them the dials.
Casey glances over at the clock on the cupboard.
"Is that the time? We have to go if we want to make it in time to reach Ryder's," Casey mumbles and grabs Kyle ready to slip away.
"Halt! Your rush to get away makes it suspicious; was it you?" Brax demands towards Casey.
"No! I was playing with my ball. I wasn't even anywhere near the barbecue the whole afternoon," Casey lies.
"So it was you then Kyle?"
Kyle shifts on the spot and Casey holds his breath hoping Kyle was not about to dob him in.
"Um...ah..."
"Kyle was too busy reading and he wasn't near the barbecue either. Why are you blaming us? Maybe it was Heath?" Casey blurts, trying to cover for Kyle and himself.
Brax raises his brow.
"Heath knows not to mess with my barbecue and besides he's not that strong to be able to break off two dials at once. So I'll ask again: what happened and who did it?"
Casey and Kyle remain silent.
Brax huffs, "If one of you does not own up by the time I count to five, you will both be punished. One...Two..."
Casey and Kyle continue to not say a word as Brax counts down.
"Five...Very well; I know for a fact one of you is deliberately lying to me and the other is lying by omission and you are both old enough to know I do not tolerate lying. Casey you are on laundry duties for a week and that includes: collecting, washing, drying and folding, and Kyle you are on dishes, meaning: cleaning the table after meals, washing, drying, and putting away. Maybe next time you boys will save yourselves the trouble and tell the truth. Now I'm going to go and buy some new knobs and because neither of you owned up, you can split the payment from your allowances," Brax explains.
Both teens groan.
"And tell Ryder you won't be joining his invitation for dinner that is unless that was a fabrication too?" Brax implies and grabs his Ute keys to leave.
Kyle knocks Casey on the arm.
"I told you he would notice," Kyle grumbles.
"Alright; I don't need the: I told you so. I know I shouldn't have done what I did, but thank you for sticking up for me, even if it meant you got punished," Casey says.
Kyle sighs and wraps his arm around Casey's shoulder.
"You protect me from bullies; I have to protect you sometimes, even if I have to suffer the consequences."
Casey smiles over at Kyle.
"You're the best, Ky."
"Don't you ever forget it," Kyle laughs and ruffles Casey's hair.
Later that night, Casey and Kyle sat at the outside table, playing a game of Snap, Bianca is helping make the salads and potato bake for the barbecue, and Heath stands beside Brax at the barbecue.
"What's with the fancy new knobs?" Heath asks and points to the two new dials on the barbecue.
Brax glances over at Casey and Kyle and scowls.
"Somehow the old ones got broken," Brax replies as he flips over some of the meat on the grill.
Soon enough, all the meat is cooked and Brax serves it up onto a large plate for everyone to grab at their own leisure.
Bianca places the two types of salad down on the table: a basic garden salad and an avocado and corn salad, and then places down the warm creamy potato bake.
Heath slips in next to Bianca on one side of the table; opposite Kyle and Casey, while Brax sits alone at the head of the table.
It was warm enough outside with the heat from the patio heat lamp for them to have dinner outside.
Kyle packs away the cards, while Casey makes a fast dash to fill up his plate with meat, potato bake and a little bit of salad.
"Oi: slow down Casey; where are your manners? Bianca should be having the first serve as our guest!" Heath snaps.
Casey puts his filled up plate down and his face flushes with embarrassment.
"I'm hungry," he mumbles.
"Oh it's alright, he's a growing boy," Bianca replies and wraps her arm around Heath.
"There is plenty for everyone and thank you for making these salads and potato bake Bianca; they look wonderful," Brax says as he is next to grab a plate of food.
"Well Babe: no time like the present to dig in," Heath tells Bianca, however she remains waiting.
"I think Kyle should go next; he's a growing boy too Heath."
Heath grumbles but looks to his little brother.
"Well, go ahead Ky; fill up," Heath states.
Kyle grabs a plate and puts his favourite meats on his plate and piles up the rest with the two types of salad and a bit of the potato bake.
Unlike Casey, Kyle loved eating salads as well as his meats.
Finally, Heath and Bianca grab their food and all four Braxtons and Bianca enjoy their barbecue meal.
Once finished, Casey went to bring out the cards for him and Kyle to play again, but Brax clears his throat.
Kyle hangs his head and quietly gets up, beginning to clear away the dirty plates.
"Thank you Kyle," Bianca praises as she hands Kyle her plate.
Brax gets up and cleans up the barbecue.
Heath wraps his arms around Bianca ready to cuddle when Bianca kindly pushes him off to help put the leftover food in Brax's fridge.
Sighing, Heath decides to wait for his girlfriend and helps his big brother tidy up.
Having no-one to play cards with, Casey pulls out his phone instead and scrolls through that.
Bianca walks up behind Kyle in the kitchen. He is currently washing up the dirty dishes.
Bianca places down the salad bowls.
"That is very sweet of you Kyle to be cleaning up and helping out like this. Brax and Heath must be so proud of you, being so responsible," Bianca praises and this time Kyle becomes bashful.
"Thank you Miss. Scott," Kyle replies quietly.
"Would you like a hand with the dishes?" she asks.
Kyle glances out the window at his older brothers. He didn't know how to say no to his Principal or his brother's girlfriend but he didn't want Brax to come in and find him not doing his assigned punishment.
Kyle weighs up the pros and cons before turning to face Bianca.
"It's okay. I can manage, there is only a little bit here," Kyle whispers.
Bianca smiles and after placing the food in the fridge goes back out to join her boyfriend and his family.
Bianca and Heath left just after 8PM; heading back to the flat, before Bianca finally leaves properly by nine, while Casey and Kyle sat up to watch a movie before bed and Brax busied himself with the restaurant's books.