The Smirking Jerk (Blake's POV)

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

I had nightmares all night long. I didn't sleep well. I barely slept actually. But I knew that my nightmare hadn't been about my brother. It was something else. I couldn't remember what though. Anyway, it didn't matter what I dreamt about, what mattered was that I'd be exhausted all day.

I didn't go for a run. Instead I tried to pry out of Jean what Josh had told her last night. The most coherent answer I got out of her was "I shall never admit defeat." That whole Josh-damages-kept-at-a-minimum was totally a lie.

Fred came to pick up his sister around ten. "I don't think I'm going to go to the Creek with you guys. It's not reasonable," he said when he walked into the house.

My mom had actually came to greet him, because she was a hugger and any new person that stepped through our threshold was a good reason to spread that love, so she immediately said, "You know what, I actually wanted to talk to you about this. I'm working on a kids' book," she wasn't, "and I would really be grateful if I could borrow your sister for a couple of days and see how she likes it."

Fred wasn't an idiot. "You don't need a day to read her a story."

My mother smiled. I chuckled. "I have a lot of stories."

"Come on man," I pressed, "just take a couple of days off. You need to live your life too."

He shook his head. "I need to take care of Jean."

"No, your parents need to take care of Jean, but since they aren't always reliable, how about you stop being stubborn and let us help," my mom told him. I gave Fred a sheepish grin. I had no control over that woman.

"I let you guys help enough already. You help me too much. I feel bad," my friend admitted.

"Please, I love finally having a girl around, and Anita adores it too. She reminds her of her grandkid. So let Jean stay with us, and go have fun with your friends," my mom told him. Sometimes I wished she could do something like magically adopt him and his sister so Fred wouldn't have to be the one taking care of his family all the time. I didn't like to see my friend in need, not when I could actually do something.

Life sucked sometimes.

Looking at Fred often gave me a kind of perspective. I was whining about Lexi not liking me, and Fred was basically spending every waking hour he had working so he and his sister could eat. When we were comparing problems, I really had no reason to feel bad about myself.

Fred sighed. "Fine, you guys win."

My mother clapped her hands happily and then, of course, hugged him.

After he managed to get out of her embrace, he went to talk with his sister, to tell her she would stay here for the weekend and say goodbye. She was quite happy with that outcome. She loved our pool.

"I'll see you at one?" I pressed, when Fred was heading out.

He smiled a little, shaking his head. "You'll see me at one."

"Perfect. And then we can nap together in each others arms!" I yelled after him as he made his way to his beat up car.

"You need to get laid Eaton!" he yelled back over his shoulder.

"IS THAT AN OFFER?"

He flipped me off and drove away.

I tried to be quick after that. I packed everything I thought I needed for the trip. I lost a good half hour searching for my tent.