Brandon

I can see Lizzie has been trying to get hold of me; I ignore the messages. Yeah, I know it's a crap way to be toward your bestie, only I know her as I know myself. She's only going to lecture me, and I'm not interested in being lectured by Lizzie, my parents or anyone. I'm practically an adult, though sometimes you'd think I was a kid the way they like to treat me.

Denver is walking out his door. We decided to use my truck, then swap it to a car I've hired downtown. There's no way I'd find this guy and give him what he deserves if I wanted anything traced back to me.

"Ready." He says as his huge frame walks towards me. I'm leaning against the outside of my truck on the driver's door. My legs are crossed in front of me as I smoke a cigarette. "Haven't you given that shit up yet, man? What is wrong with you? Those things are gonna kill you one day." He isn't impressed.

I merely shrug my shoulders. I know they're bad for me; shit, everyone knows how bad they are for your health and as a football player, I really shouldn't smoke at all. So far they've not had an impact, so I'll continue. It does irk me some that Lizzie finds it despicable, and I did contemplate giving up for her. I'd pretty much do anything for my Lizzie Baby. Only right now, I've got other shit on my mind that needs handling first.

"So, what's the plan, buddy?" Denver asks as he straps himself into the truck. He runs his hands through his thick hair. I can see he's concerned by the way his eyebrows are furrowed. Man, he is looking SERIOUS.

"We're going downtown to pick the car up."

"Did you hire it in your name only? That's a pretty dumb thing to do, and they can trace it. You know that right?"

"Look, I'm not that stupid. That kid at school, Jessop or whatever the hell his name is, sorted me some fake ID out a while ago." Now Denver's eyebrows are shooting to the top of his head.

"Man, what the fuck do you need fake ID for? Holy shit." Well, it's a bit obvious, right?

"Er, drink."

"Ah."

He never has a problem because he never gets asked for his. Don't ask me why, but it's the truth. It's not even like I've got some kind of kid, baby face. At least, Lizzie says it looks like a grown man's, and I purposely leave my stubble on for a few days. Secretly, my bestie loves it, so I leave it for her. Is that sappy? Sure it is. I don't ask myself why I want to do this for Lizzie; I don't even question if that's what besties would do for one another, different sex besties that is. You get my drift, right?

"Okay, well, glad you've taken care of that then. I guess." I know he's less than impressed. Denver is one of those guys that is straight and narrow. He doesn't live on the edge, he doesn't skip class, he doesn't smoke, and he always turns up to football practice. He takes care of Lilly as if she is a petal and worships his parents. Don't get me wrong, I worship mine too and Lizzie. For real. I love my parents. They're solid, good folk. But I like a bit of danger too.

I drive my truck too fast, which is why my father won't let me swap it in for a Mustang. He's already told me that I'd end up killing myself if I had one. But I do have designs on a nice, hot ride. A burning red Ducati motorbike. Lizzie isn't happy about that. No siree. She certainly isn't. She even told me she'd stop being my best friend if I so much as get on one. I know she's just kidding. There ain't nothing stopping Lizzie and me being best friends forever. I'm getting one, and that's all there is to it.

I've been saving from the hefty allowance my folks give me every month, and on the side I also deal with stocks and shares. It's risky, but I'm fucking good at it, and I've made a killing. My father wants me to step into his shoes and run the business one day; no doubt I will. I'd love nothing more than to take on the family business and make a go of it, but I love dealing with the shares. They give me an adrenaline kick, and I love adrenaline kicks. I'd also like to fly a plane, but dad has definitely put the brakes on that. For now. When I'm a few years older, he won't be able to tell me no.

"We'll pick the car up and then drive to speak with Ted and find out who the guy was that hooked up with Tammy last night." I flick my cigarette out the window and rest my arm on it.

"Isn't he going to want to know why? What's our excuse?" Denver sure is asking a whole bunch of questions right now. I've got this covered.

"Stop worrying. I've got this." I glance at him as I continue to drive. We're nearly downtown and the traffic is much heavier. "He's obviously in gear, Denver. I'm going to tell him we want to score some and if he's got the guy's name that hooked up with Tammy. I bet he doesn't even know anything happened to her. Trust me, Ted would have been too high to even notice if his folks had come back home early. You know what a waster he can be. Too much money and not enough sense. He's a jerk with a capital J."

"That'll work. Only," here we go. I knew there would be an only.

"Only what, Denver?" I sound pissed off. I know I do, but this is in the bag, so why Denver is coming up with shit all the time, it's just pissing me off.

"I don't like the idea of him or anyone thinking I'm trying to score drugs."

"Man, you need to chill out some. Just stop worrying about shit. I've got this already. He won't even see you. I'm going to say it's for me. Ted isn't going to give a rat's ass who it's for. He just doesn't give a damn. You saw what his party was like. Most of the girls were naked in the pool or hot tub and making out with any guy they could get their hands on. And where was Ted? High on the fucking sofa. Now stop with all the questions already."

Denver shrugs his shoulders. My phone beeps; I can feel it vibrate in my pocket. I bet it's Lizzie again.

"Lilly wants to know why you're not picking up. Lizzie is trying to get hold of you." Denver tells me, glancing down at his mobile.

"Listen, I know they're heading over to Tammy's. She's just trying to check up on us. You know what girls are like. Tell Lilly we're out doing guy stuff. We'll see them tomorrow."

We pick the rental car up. Nobody questions my fake ID. It went as seamlessly as I thought it would. Denver finally relaxes and exhales.

"Told you it'd be fine," I say as I get into the small Nissan and begin to drive to where Ted lives. It's about a fifteen-minute drive.

I turn my car down the tree-lined road that you could easily fit two trucks down side by side and creep along the road until I see Ted's house. It's not quite as impressive as our house; his dad has money, but he's not a billionaire like my old man.

The large white building with sash windows stands next to one very similar, only painted in baby blue. There are a couple of lights on downstairs, but I don't see any other cars on the drive. Maybe his folks aren't back yet, and Ted's car is possibly in the garage. Upstairs, two lights are on, and I see movement in one of the windows. That's encouraging.

Pulling up on the drive, Denver asks, "Sure, this is a good idea?"

"For fuck's sake, man. You should have stayed at home. I thought you wanted to get your hands on the creep who did this to Tammy."

"I do."

"Good, now shut the fuck up and stay low if you don't want him to see you in the vehicle."