AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry again for the delayed update. Many thanks to Bonnie Sveen Fan and Braxton54 for the reviews and thanks to everyone still reading.
Three more weeks pass by and finally Casey's grounding is up.
The teen pulls himself out of bed on the Saturday morning at ten and bounds into the kitchen where Brax is cleaning up his and Kyle's breakfast dishes.
"Is today the best day ever or what?" Casey announces loudly.
Kyle, who is happily playing his guitar on the couch and practicing some of his new song, glances over at his brother.
"What makes you so cheerful this morning?" Brax asks.
"Well I'm no longer grounded! So that means no more extra chores, and can I please have all my stuff back now?" Casey replies eagerly.
"Yes, you may, but all in given time. First you need to have some breakfast," Brax says.
"Who has time for breakfast? I'm going to text Romeo as soon as you give me back my phone and see if he wants to go surfing and hang," Casey announces.
"Well you can do that after breakfast," Brax informs and hands Casey a bowl of cereal.
Casey begins scoffing down his breakfast as Brax leaves to go to his room to retrieve Casey's phone and ipad.
Upon return Casey has already polished off his cereal and is eagerly waiting for Brax to hand him his phone.
Brax holds Casey's phone out to him but does not give it.
"I know you are bursting to go out and be back to normal but I don't want you getting carried away and getting in trouble," Brax warns.
"I won't; I've learnt my lesson. Please don't ever ground me for that long again," Casey begs.
"That all depends on you, Champ," Brax chuckles.
Casey huffs.
"Can I just have my phone back now," he whines.
Brax hands the phone to Casey and the teen quickly turns it on and scrolls through to Romeo's number and sends him a text.
"Romeo said he's all good to go to the beach, so I'm going to meet him there," Casey says excitedly and jumps up from his chair.
"Forgetting something?" Brax asks and glances at the empty bowl on the table.
Casey grabs his bowl and dumps it in the sink before running to the bedroom to get changed into his board shorts and swim tee-shirt.
"That's sounding really good, Ky," Brax praises as he stands behind the couch.
Kyle stops playing and looks up at Brax.
"Thanks, but it's still only a work in progress. Toby said he'd help me out with it and give me some tips," Kyle replies.
"What time are you meant to be there?"
"Toby said around eleven after he drops James to his friend's place," Kyle replies.
"Did you need a lift over there?"
"No, thank you, Toby is coming to pick me up," Kyle answers, just as Casey comes rushing out to go grab his surfboard from the laundry.
"Why is Toby picking you up?" Casey asks.
"I'm going over to his place to practice playing some music and before you ask: no, Scott won't be there so there's no need for you to cancel your day with Romeo to come hang with me at the Jenkins' house," Kyle says.
"I wasn't going to ask," Casey grumbles.
"Anyway, see you all whenever I get back!" Casey quickly changes his demeanor back to cheerful and grabs his board and beach bag with his water bottle, towel, and phone and rushes out the door before Brax and Kyle finish saying: 'bye' and 'have a nice day'.
Romeo and Casey dump their belongings down in a prime spot on the beach and each grab their boards and make a run towards the water.
"Just look at the awesome surf, today," Romeo comments as the teens watch the ideal waves flow in.
Casey and Romeo spend a good few hours between the surf and flopping down on the sand talking.
It isn't until two in the afternoon that the teens decide to finish up their day at the beach.
They carry their board and belongings and after a quick rinse off in the shower block, they head into the surf club, under the idea of playing a game of pool.
"Hey, I could really go for a juice right now; how about you?" Romeo suggests.
"Sounds great but you're forgetting one thing: I'm still broke," Casey replies.
"No problems; I can shout, just remember that you owe me a juice next time you have money," Romeo jokes.
"Fine, but you might be waiting for a while, because Brax is still holding out on the allowance," Casey says.
"Good afternoon boys," John greets.
"Can I please get a kale, orange, carrot and apple juice," Romeo requests and hands John his money.
"Can I get a pineapple, orange, apple and mango juice," Casey asks and when John gives him a look Casey quietly adds a 'please.'
"And where is your money?" John asks when Casey doesn't produce any money.
"I'll be paying for him too," Romeo speaks up and gives John some more money.
John scoffs and places the money in the till before making the boys' their juices.
"You haven't gotten yourself in any more trouble have you, young Casey?" John says with a chuckle.
"No, it's a bit hard anyway when you've been on restriction for far too long," Casey grumbles.
"You should be lucky Brax has even let you off at all, in my opinion," John says, to which Casey rolls his eyes.
"I don't care about your opinion, so mind your own business. It's finally my first day free," Casey replies in a slightly rude tone.
John huffs at Casey's comment, given the teen's attitude toward him.
"Obviously that hard hand of Brax's hasn't taught you to mind your manners when speaking to adults!" John states, causing Casey's face to turn red from embarrassment; he would never be able to live that down knowing John knew what happened that day to Kyle and himself.
Romeo furrows his brow as he looks at his best friend, confused.
"Why'd you have to say that for?" Casey mumbles under his breath as he feels his cheeks burn.
John chuckles upon seeing Casey's utter humiliation.
"I'm just making a point, young lad, so I suggest you keep that attitude of yours in check and yourself out of trouble, otherwise I wouldn't be surprised if your brother uses that hand of his again and you wouldn't want a repeat of that day with his Ute; boy I bet you especially, as well as young Kyle felt that one for awhile," John chuckles, pointing his finger at Casey.
Casey shuffles his feet staring at the ground as Romeo remains looking confused.
"Can we please just have our juices and go?" Casey asks, not looking up as he speaks to John.
"Oh: alright," John dismisses and places the juices on the counter.
Casey quietly takes his.
"Thanks," he barely whispers.
Romeo grabs his juice from the counter as Casey walks away.
"You boys have a good day and don't do anything I wouldn't do!" John calls out.
Romeo thanks John and races up to Casey.
"Trust me; we won't," Romeo chuckles as he mumbles his comment to Casey, however Casey ignores his friend, still reeling from the embarrassment.
Romeo frowns and nudges Casey.
"Hey: are you alright? Has it got something to do with what old man John said?" Romeo asks.
"I don't want to talk about it," Casey mumbles, still not looking up as he takes a sip of his juice.
"Why not?" Romeo urges with a chuckle, but Casey still ignores his friend.
"Come on Case; I'm your best friend. I'd tell you if it was me," Romeo presses.
"Romeo, I don't want to talk about it; okay? So just leave it!" Casey says firmly.
"What's the big deal? What did he mean about Brax's hand and you feeling it for a long time?" Romeo urges as he nudges Casey again.
Casey feels his cheeks redden at the mention of it again.
Casey huffs and glares at Romeo.
"Fine: you want to know? John saw Kyle and me get spanked big time outside the house when Brax found out about his Ute," Casey snaps and immediately turns back away, feeling the humiliation of his best friend knowing about his punishment.
Romeo gasps and stands with his mouth open and lets out a choked laugh.
"Whoa: I didn't think anyone did that nowadays," he says.
"Yeah, well, Brax does and it really hurts when he does it because it's not some light tap either; it's hard," Casey mumbles.
"Can we please stop talking about this, it's embarrassing!" Casey huffs and turns away, sipping his juice.
"Yeah: sure. I'm just surprised that's all. I only remember getting one from Mum when I was five and ran onto the road and ignored her when she was telling me to get off the road, but seriously: you and Ky are teenagers," Romeo says.
"Well according to Brax that doesn't matter. If we disobey after being given several warnings or do something dangerous or really bad – like trash his Ute, then we get...we get it," Casey quietly explains.
"So it's happened before that time?" Romeo asks, shocked; having assumed it was just the once as he takes a sip of his juice.
"Yes, it's happened before. It's happened all our lives, it's just Brax's way, and it depends on what we do to how badly we get it. Sometimes it's just one or two but for really bad stuff we might get a maximum of five," Casey explains.
"Wow, that sucks," Romeo mumbles.
Casey sighs and shifts on his feet awkwardly.
"Look, I really don't want to talk about it anymore and I'd appreciate it if you didn't say anything to any of our other friends. I don't want Ky and I to be more humiliated. It's bad enough we get spanked in the first place but now our nosey neighbour John knows and won't let us forget it," Casey says.
Romeo shrugs and wraps his free arm around Casey's shoulder.
"You know I won't say anything, Case; this topic is closed," Romeo assures with a laugh, causing Casey to finally smile.
The two teens continue to sip their juice at one of the tables then Romeo goes to put his juice container in the bin and takes notice of an advert on the notice board.
He pulls it off and reads it.
"What's this?" he asks.
John overhears and approaches the teen with one of his hands on his hip.
"It's a one off celebration for tonight only," John explains.
Romeo smiles and goes back to Casey to show him the advert.
"Get a look at this? Wouldn't it be just awesome to go to that?" Romeo asks and shoves the flyer in Casey's face.
Casey looks at the extravagant flyer advertising a one night only celebration special at Luna Park in Sydney.
"Hell yeah, but you know I'll have to ask Brax first. I can't just sneak off to Sydney," Casey replies.
"That's cool. Why don't we go back to yours after I drop my board back at mine and ask and if he says no we come back here and play pool then go to the arcade," Romeo suggests.
Casey nods and slurps his final bit of juice and chucks the container in the bin as he and Romeo exit the Surf Club with their boards and belongings.
Romeo and Casey, walk into the Braxton house, and Casey rests his surfboard against the wall near the door.
The bustle of the teens alerts Brax who comes out of the bedroom where he has been doing some tidying.
"G'day, boys; good surf?" Brax greets.
Romeo couldn't stop staring at the eldest, thinking back to his and Casey's previous conversation.
"Yeah it was pretty awesome but Brax, I wanted to ask if I could please go to this night celebration at Luna Park; it's a once in a lifetime opportunity?" Casey asks and hands his big brother the flyer.
"Is anyone going with you?" Brax asks as he reads the advert.
Casey smiles cheekily, and replies, "Romeo will be there."
Brax sighs, "I meant an adult, Casey. I don't like the idea of you wandering to Sydney in the night time on your own."
"Well, can you take us then?" Casey asks.
Brax shakes his head.
"I'm sorry; you know I'm working tonight, Case. I can't take you boys to Sydney," Brax replies.
Casey hangs his shoulders.
"What about, Kyle, he's boring like an adult," Casey smarts.
Brax rolls his eyes and shakes his head.
"Firstly, be nice to your brother or else you'll be grounded again! Secondly you'll walk all over Kyle and you won't listen to him and thirdly, despite Kyle being mature enough he is not an adult either; so no, Kyle doesn't count."
"Well, we'll ask Heath then," Casey grumbles.
"You can't do that either; Heath has gone out with Bianca for the rest of the evening," Brax explains sympathetically.
Casey huffs.
"This is so unfair! I finally get the chance to go out for a night and no-one wants to help take me! You probably just don't want me to go so are making excuses!" Casey angrily accuses.
Romeo stops looking at Brax to glance at his friend momentarily.
"Whoa, kiddo: you just hang on one minute there; I am not making any excuses. Casey, I want you to go out and have fun and I'm sorry that I can't, or Heath can't help you," Brax says firmly as he approaches his youngest brother.
Casey looks down feeling ashamed for snapping unnecessarily at Brax.
"I'm sorry. It's just I really, really want to go," Casey says sadly.
Brax sighs heavily.
"It's alright," he comforts, then turns to Romeo who is staring at him again.
"What about your Mum, Romeo?" Brax asks.
Romeo shrugs.
"I'm not sure if she has plans but we can ask," Romeo replies.
"I'll give her a call to check," Brax states.
"If she can't take us, how would you even know if I went anyway?" Casey asks quietly.
Brax raises his brow at Casey.
"Are you seriously implying that right now? I always find out Casey. Do you really want to be restricted again?"
"No, I was just saying," Casey grumbles.
Brax huffs and looks at Romeo oddly.
"Is something the matter, Romeo?" Brax asks, having taken notice of the teen staring at him since his and his brother's arrival.
"Um...no," Romeo replies.
Brax walks off to call Romeo's mother and Casey gives Romeo a nudge with his elbow.
"Stop being weird," Casey whispers.
"Sorry, I can't help it. I just can't believe Brax...you know," Romeo whispers.
"Shut up about that Romeo!" Casey says through gritted teeth.
The teens hear Brax get a response from Mrs. Smith and turn their attention on listening.
"Hi Jill; no it's okay the boys are over here. Now I want to ask if you are at all free tonight to supervise the boys as they wish to go to this one night only celebration at Luna Park and I told Casey he could go with one condition that he has an adult present," Brax explains.
Casey is staring intensely at his big brother waiting for an answer.
"Say yes, Mum!" Romeo yells out, to which Brax glares in response.
"Very well; I'll tell them. Good day, Jill."
Brax hangs up his mobile and looks at the teens.
"So?" Casey asks eagerly.
"So, Romeo, your mother has offered to take you both to Sydney for the evening and said that it is also okay for you to stay the night, Casey," Brax informs.
A wide smile spreads over Romeo and Casey's faces.
"Yes!" they both cheer at once and high five each other with a loud slap.
"I'm going to see how many hot dogs I can eat then go on the rotor and see if I can hurl!" Casey exclaims.
Brax rolls his eyes.
"I hope you are not going to spend the night being silly," Brax implies.
"You won't be supervising so what does it matter?" Casey says cheekily.
"I can always tell Mrs. Smith you don't want to go," Brax snickers.
Casey's eyes widen and his mouth opens, dumbfounded.
"No, don't; please Brax," Casey begs.
Brax laughs, "Relax, Case; I'm only joking. I wouldn't do that to you unless you gave me a reason too."
Casey frowns.
"That wasn't funny," he moans.
"Just make sure you have your phone fully charged so you can contact Mrs. Smith or even me if you need to," Brax says seriously.
"I will," Casey dismisses quickly, before deciding to ask Brax for a boost.
"Brax, can I ask you one more thing?"
"Go ahead, Case."
"Can I have an advance on my allowance so I can pay for the admission fee?" Casey cheekily asks.
Brax huffs, and gives Casey a look.
"Do you think you are ready for that?"
Casey hangs his head.
"No, I guess not, but I had to ask. You see it'll only be forty dollars, as it's a discounted special price for the night," Casey informs.
"How else were you planning on getting in, if I did not give you an advance?" Brax asks.
"I didn't really think about that," Casey mumbles.
"I can pay for the admission and anything else for the night," Romeo says.
Casey smiles happily at his best friend.
"Well that's very generous of you, Romeo; just make sure Casey doesn't take advantage of you," Brax states.
"Brax, I don't," Casey whines.
"I know you, Case."
Casey folds his arms in a sulk.
"I'm honestly happy to do it, Brax. I'm just glad Casey and I can have some fun."
Brax nods.
"Alright, well make sure you boys have a decent meal and don't just live on snacks and hot dogs," Brax states firmly.
Casey rolls his eyes; why did Brax have to be so strict about things all the time?
Romeo lets out a laugh.
"Don't worry; my Mum won't let me go without a decent meal, so I'm sure that goes for Casey too," Romeo assures.
Casey taps Romeo.
"Let's go to my room and get my things."
Moments later Casey rushes out with his school bag packed with his things to stay over at Romeo's.
"Before you leave Casey, put your surfboard back where it belongs, huh; not holding the wall up?" Brax urges with a chuckle.
Casey chuckles and drops his bag.
"Sorry."
He rushes to return his surfboard back into the laundry and passes Brax in the kitchen on his way back into the house.
"You boys have a good time and behave for Mrs. Smith, Casey," Brax says.
Casey rolls his eyes.
"I always behave," Casey moans cheekily.
Brax scoffs, "I beg to differ."
"I promise I won't cause any trouble," Casey assures.
Brax nods and smiles, "That's what I like to hear."
"We better get going if we want to be ready to head to Sydney and we still need to drop your things at my place," Romeo prompts.
Casey takes one more look at Brax and smiles at his big brother.
"Thanks so much for letting me go, Brax."
"You're welcome, Casey; have fun, Champ," Brax replies.
Romeo nudges Casey along.
"Bye Brax!" Romeo yells.
"See you tomorrow," Casey adds and turns to Romeo before adding: "This is going to be awesome!"
Casey closes the front door, and the two teens run down the driveway, laughing and full of excitement.