Chapter Two (Devin's POV)

"You're so soft, you know that?" Someone's deep voice murmured. I hummed at the sound of it. I wanted to hear it again, wherever it was coming from, whoever it was coming from. I felt drowsy, though. This had to be a dream... Yea, of course it was a dream. I wouldn't like a guy outside of my dream, right?

"Devin. You should kiss me." Well, Mr. Nice Sounding Voice, I would, but I can't see anything. I felt his fingers brushing my lips and I moaned at the feeling. His thumb pressed against the corner of my mouth and sank in, my tongue pressing up against its rough texture. I moaned again and felt the thumb swish around my tongue before a pair of lips met mine.

Woww, this was a weird dream... But it felt so nice. Whoever was kissing me sure knew how to kiss. I've never even met a chick who could kiss like this. Their tongue slid past my lips and mingled with mine, his thumb still in my mouth and pushing my lips further open. I felt his teeth scraping my lips, biting them and sucking until they were swollen.

Suddenly, everything seemed to lit up now as I opened my eyes, expecting to wake up from this nightmare, but I found my vision adjusting to Rick's eyes that pierced right through me and I did the first thing I could.

Well, second. First thing I did was scream my head off. The second thing I did was bring my knee up and smash it into his gut. His eyes flashed and he winced, jerking away from me and coughing as he slumped off the bench and hit the floor, hugging his gut.

"Jesus Christ. You're worse than my uncle." He groaned, tilting his head back and sucking in deep, pained breathes. I panted for air, shooting into an upright position and wiping at my mouth vigorously. My face felt hotter and I whipped my head to glare at him hatefully.

"Oh, you're so sick! Disgusting! While I was sleeping?! You're such a pedophile!"

"Last I checked, you were legal, kid."

"Ugh! Legal or not, don't you ever touch me again! Gross! Ew! Now I have your germs all over me!" I snarled, heaving myself to my feet, only to find the world tilting a little and I stumbled, only to have Rick shoot to his feet and catch me before I fell. I groaned as my head swam.

"Whoa, slow down," Rick muttered as he set me back down on the bench and I shoved him away angrily before holding my head, "You passed out from the heat, you little idiot. All that unecessary anger just boiled your blood like a freaking soup. If I hadn't of caught you, the asphalt would've and you'd be out of the game for the season with a concussion like that."

"So what'd you want? A thank you?" I demanded past gritted teeth. Rick shrugged.

"I think another kiss might be good payment." He answered. I blushed, scowling at him before I took a deep breath and rose to my feet again, this time slowly. I noticed Rick watching me, his body tense and ready to catch me.

I think I rather have a concussion.

"Screw you," I growled, "I don't need your help. I don't need you at all. Now freaking leave me alone or I'll call the cops on you." Rick rolled his eyes and folded his arms over his chest as he leaned against the lockers that were lined up on either side of us. Looking around, I realized he must have carried me all the way from the parking lot to the locker rooms inside. I blinked and for a second, I was actually a little thankful for what he did.

"Oh, please. Who doesn't need me?" He snorted.

Okay, never mind. I hate him again.

"Me, good-bye." I snapped and started for the door, reaching out to grab it, but Rick's hand shot out and slammed the door shut, making me gasp and whirl around to glare at him. He put his hands on either side of my head, leaning on the door and giving me a wicked smirk. It actually sent chills through me.

"Don't think so. Come on, Dev. Stop playing hard to get."

"Buzz off, Patterson."

"How about we make a bet, huh?"

"Yea, I bet I can dial 911 faster than you can say 'oops'."

"Haha, very funny. No, I'm talking about a serious bet. Give me two weeks to make you fall in love with me. If I can't in those two weeks, I'll leave you alone forever." He stated. I laughed in his face, then sobered when I realized he was serious. I cocked an eyebrow at him.

"Two weeks? Wow, you're not giving yourself enough credit, Ricky." I watched his eyes glint as he gave a really dark, creepy looking smirk. It actually.... sort of turned me on.

Eugh, no! No way! Ugly smirk! Ugly face! Ugly everything on this guy!

"Two weeks." He stated. I glared at him. Was he crazy? He couldn't make me even like him a smidge after twenty years! Of course, it'd be nice to actually show him that not everyone liked him and that was a total douche. And good God, it'd be so nice to not have him around after this... Maybe it could work?

But what the hell did he mean by 'make you fall in love with me'? That could have tons of meanings behind it. Was he gonna keep up his perverted antics and just molest me into liking him? Ugh, hell no! He could do whatever he wants to me and I would never like him!

"Fine," I snapped, smirking cockily at him, "Two weeks and if doesn't work, you have to leave me alone for the rest of my life and never speak to me again. I don't even want you to think about me anymore." Rick grinned wickedly.

"You sound awfully cocky, Dev. All righty, and if I can get you to love me after two weeks, what do I get out of the deal?"

"A gold medal, ta-da. Trust me, asshole, you won't even be able to get me to like you, let alone love you." I drawled, folding my arms over my chest and standing straight. Rick just leaned closer to me until our foreheads were touching and I felt frozen in place as he stared at me with shocking blue-green eyes, his hands moving from the door to hold my head in place, his fingers brushing through my hair and giving me goosebumps.

"Let me take you," He whispered, his voice husky and erotic, "I'll bring you to my room and give you the best night you've ever had and have you begging for me to touch you all night long. I'll make you moan my name and cry as I milk you of every last drop of-"

"Devin! Hey, Devin, you in here still?" It was Damien's voice coming from the other entrance, making me gasp. Rick smirked at me, licked his lips, then pulled away from me.

"Don't forget our bet, Dev. I look forward to screwing you for a whole twenty-four hours." His voice sent heated waves of pleasure through me, warming my face as I stayed pressed against the door, watching him weave around the lockers to the other exit. I finally let out the air that I had been holding in, sinking to the floor.

Holy hell. I was just attacked by a sex craved freak!

"Yo, Dev- Holy crap, man, are you okay?" Damien asked when he saw me on the floor, rushing over and kneeling down to study my face. He took my face in his hands, dark eyes sweeping over me and sweat dotting his forehead. I blinked, snapping out of my stupor and pushing his hands away, shaking my head.

"I think I need to go home..."

"Need a ride?"

"Uh, yea... Yea, a ride would be nice." I managed. Damien nodded and helped me to my feet slowly. he put an arm around my waist and pulled my other over his shoulders to help me out. My legs still felt wobbly and weak and I wanted to walk myself, but Damien was pretty set on helping me, so I didn't bother.

I had too much on my mind to care. So, Rick thought he was so good he could charm me, huh? Yea, I'd like to see that. Hell yea I'm taking his bet and I'm gonna win me a permanent vacation away from that freak of nature.

Damien helped me to his beat up Chevy truck, putting me in the passenger seat before he walked around to close the trunk and let the coach know we were leaving earlier. I sank down in the seat, sighing with relief to be inside the trunk, even though it was freaking hot and the seatbelt almost melted my fingers. I glanced out the window, watching Damien talk to the coach before a wad of black out the corner of my eye diverted my attention.

Rick was back with his pretty Porsche, shooing a couple of guys that had finished the cleaning job that the car really didn't need. Rick stooped over to pick something up and- Oh god. I'm a pervert. I couldn't stop staring at his ass in those pants. I mean, they were leather and they were tight leather.

He stood up again and glanced around, as if he felt me watching. I whipped around in the seat again, staring stiffly out the windshield before I peered back outside to see Rick messing with one of his pockets before he put his wraparound shades on.

Damn... He looked good.

Even in the black jean jacket, I could see his muscles rippling under his shirt and his six pack bulging underneath. He was tall, taller than me, with long legs and arms. Now that I think about, he had long fingers too and his feet were huge. They had to be a size twelve or something. And...

My mind reverted back to when he was kissing me. I swore that was a dream. It felt like a dream. All dozy and stuff. And there was just no way his lips were that smooth. Talented, skillful, granted, but smooth? You'd think all that kissing and molesting would dry his lips out. Guess not... And his eyes were neat. Not as cold as Blake's were from time to time, but they reminded me of the ocean when my parents took Danny and I to the Caribbean for a vacation once.

"What the hell are you staring at?" I jumped and hit my head on the ceiling of the truck, squeaking in pain and clasping my hands on my head, snapping my head to see that Damien had gotten in the car without my knowing. I glared.

"Jesus Christ, man! You trying to give me a heart attack?! Can't you see I was trying to think?!" I yelled. Damien waved me off, giving me a bit of an irritated glare before he peered past me to look at Rick, who was getting into his car now.

"Don't tell me you were staring at him." He deadpanned. I flushed and punched him hard in the arm, making him wince and scowl at me before he started up the truck.

"Hell no," I snorted, "That guy is the biggest jerk on the planet. If you haven't met him, you're the luckiest person in the world."

"Really? Cuz it looked like you were about to drool when he bent over."

"Don't spew your homo garbage at me, idiot. Just drive me home before I puke in your truck." I threatened. That got him going and he drove out of the parking lot, swerving as far from Rick's car as possible. We headed out of the parking lot and towards my house. I couldn't wait.

Sweet, sweet air conditioning and my mama's delicious homemade strawberry lemonade.

The only thing I couldn't look forward to was hanging out with Danny and playing mindless video games for the rest of the day. The thought just depressed and now I wasn't so excited. Part of me was tempted to tell Damien to turn around and take me to Blake's, but he's get the wrong idea without a doubt. Not to mention, he probably didn't know where the Pattersons lived and my directions were as bad as a dead squirrel's.

"You should stay away from Rick." Damien said suddenly. I blinked and looked at him curiously.

"Well, yea, no shit."

"I mean it, Dev. Something about that guy is creepy and off. The way he was flirting with you at the car wash? Seriously, I thought he was going to throw you down on the hood and just-"

"Dude, no. We're not even going to discuss that."

"Just stay away from him. Call the cops if he bugs you." Damien commanded as he pulled up in front of my house. I rolled my eyes.

"No shit." I opened the door and started to get out, but Damien reached across and jerked the door shut again, making me blink.

"Hey, what's the big idea?" I demanded, turning around. Damien grabbed my face and pulled my lips to his in one huge, sort of retarded kiss. Unlike Rick's kisses, Damien's was just screwy. He didn't even has his lips together and just clamped his mouth over mine, his tongue choking me as he forced it into my mouth.

I gasped against his mouth and tongue, pushing at his chest.

"Get off!" I managed, shoving to get him off, but he was way stronger than he looked. He held me still and kissed me again. If you want to call it a kiss. I felt panic rise in my chest as he stole my every last bit of oxygen and his hands grabbed me everywhere.

What the hell was going on?! What was he doing?! Someone get him off! Get him off!

"Devin, honey!" My mom's voice called from the doorway. Damien let go of me immediately and I slammed back into the door, staring at him as I tried to put as much distance as I could between us in the truck. His dark eyes were hooded and he looked hungry for more before he relaxed back in his seat.

"That probably wasn't the best way to admit that I liked you, hm?" He asked.

"S-Seriously?! Ya think?! Don't ever do that again! Ever! And you know what? Forget it, don't even talk to me!" I snapped and threw open the truck door, stumbling out and slamming it shut behind me, listening to his truck tires squeal before he shot just down the road to his house. I wanted to bolt into the safety of my house, but I was still weak from fainting earlier and just took my time.

My mom was waiting in the doorway with a tall, glistening glass of strawberry lemonade and Damien and Rick were out of my mind faster than a cheetah as my mouth watered.

"I love you, mama." I gasped, then tilted my head back and gulped the sweet beverage down before panting for air, handing her the empty glass. My mom blinked her pretty blue eyes, staring at the empty glass in her hand before looking at me.

"Boy, you sure were thirsty. Come on inside... I've got a surprise for you." She added with a wink, making me cock my head curiously. She led the way down the hall past the den, staircase, and another hallway before we walked into the kitchen.

My eyes widened.

"Danny!" I cried seeing Danny leaning on the counter top. As soon as he saw me, he bolted off and hugged me. I was about to knock him over too, but I managed to contain myself as I hugged him tightly. Most people would've had something to say about two guys hugging, whether brothers or not, but I hadn't seen Danny in so long that it had actually burned a hole inside me and just being in the same room as him was lifting my spirits.

He pulled back to look at me, grinning crookedly like the dork that he was. He still looked the same, only now he constantly smelled like strawberries because Blake had a thing for fruit and apparently liked smelling it on Danny. He was wearing a pair of torn shorts and a hooded vest. Other than that, it was like looking in a mirror again.

"God, you have no idea how glad I am to see you," I breathed, "Today was probably the worst day ever and could really use a psychologist." Danny beamed.

"Great! Let's rant about our shitty days and play some Left 4 Dead 2. I can already hear the zombies calling our names."

"Did I ever tell you I love you? Because I love you, man!" I exclaimed, grinning as I clapped him on the back. My mom smiled warmly, reaching over and ruffling both of our hair and giving us each a kiss on the cheek.

"Not so fast, boys. First a little lunch and then you guys can shoot some zombies. I've got plenty of strawberry lemonade and I made chicken salad sandwiches." She replied, wagging a finger at us before she went to the fridge. Danny and I just grinned after her, then at each other.

"So, what's up? Ma said you had a car wash today for the team." He said as we sat down at the table in the dining room. I nodded, leaning back in my chair.

"Yea, it went all right up until Rick showed up." I grumbled. Danny scrunched up his nose in disgust, folding his arms on the table.

"Ew. What the hell did he want? Is he seriously still stalking you?" He asked.

"Like a cat and a mouse. He sort of," I paused, glancing over at my mom who was humming Nazareth's Hair of the Dog while making our lunches, then looked back at Danny and kept my voice low, "He sort of made a bet with me. See, he was being a real pain in the ass at the car wash and I got so pissed and it was so freaking hot, seriously, it's like a hundred degrees out there, and I ended up fainting and I woke up and..." I stopped again.

Should I really tell him that his boyfriend's brother basically woke me up with his tongue in my mouth?

Nah. That I'll keep to myself.

"And he started spewing this shit about making a bet with me. He said he could make me like him in two weeks and I told him shit no, but we made the bet anyway and when he fails, I'll be free of him for the rest of my freaking life!" I exclaimed in a whisper, leaning back and folding my hands behind my head proudly. Danny cocked a brow at me.

"Damn. S'pretty harsh, but hey! That's great, get rid of the stupid prick! But what happens if he wins?"

"Like hell he'll win."

"Well, what was the term?"

"... Uh. I dunno, something about sleeping with me or something, but that doesn't matter because it won't happen at all, nope, not one bit, hell no-"

"Dude, you better hope not," Danny protested, his eyes wide, "Dunno if you noticed, but Rick's one of those creeps who are for whips and chains, you know? It's fucking creepy! He's like he king of BDSM!"

"BD-what?" I asked, confused. Danny stared at me, then opened his mouth to speak, but the sound of a toilet flushing followed and I frowned, tilting my head to see Blake Patterson emerging from the bathroom down the hall. I groaned.

"Did ya have to bring him?" I asked, irritated as Blake walked into the dining room in a pair of sleek black jeans and a plain gray wife beater tanktop. Blake flashed me a smirk and sat down beside Danny, who huffed a little.

"Yea. Ma wanted me to anyway, so it worked." He answered.

"We're just staying for a little while longer, though." Blake added with a frown. I frowned with him. It was obvious they couldn't stay as long as I wanted to, otherwise dad would come back and find them in the house, then call the cops.

Just thinking about that pissed me off to no end. It wasn't fair! Danny was my brother, whether he was dating a guy, a girl, or a monster. My dad was just such an intolerant bastard that he wouldn't sit and listen two seconds to what Danny, or Blake for that matter, had to say. It drove me up the walls and I wanted to punch him whenever he spat Danny's name like a curse now.

The rest of the time of Danny's stay, I cherished every last second of it. Every little argument we got into, every argument we started with Blake, every zombie we shot together, every sandwich, glass of lemonade, and word that was spoken. Danny was just the other part of me I could barely live without. Having him around, even if we argued every so often, was like having a puzzle piece stuck back in my life and I wasn't as lonely anymore.

Danny had always been there with me. My brother, my twin, my best friend, my other half. We had done everything together. We started preschool together, drew our first family picture together, took our trip to the Bahamas, to Orlando, to Kentucky, New York. We even shared a room for the longest time until my dad decided we were too old for it. Even then, we sometimes snuck out to play video games in the living room or to run off to a party together.

And with every goodbye I was forced to say when he left after his visits, pierced me like ice and I was struck by another wave of loneliness. My heart ached and I felt empty again as Danny hugged my mom goodbye.

"Call me when dad stays at the office late again," Danny told me with a sad smile, hugging me tightly and patting my back, which I returned before we broke apart, "And if Rick keeps pestering you, kick him in the ass as hard as you can." I tried to smile back at him, but it hurt.

I watched as they departed, the door closing before I was left alone. Sure, my mom was there with a few tears in her eyes, but she wasn't the one I was missing right now.

"I hate dad so much." I managed, my heart clenching. My mom reached out and hugged me tightly, kissing my cheek.

"It's all right, honey pie... Your dad'll get over it."

"But when? It's been months now..."

"Patience, Devy. He'll come around and realize how stupid he is and when he does, he's sleeping on the couch." My mom smiled and I forced a smile back before I went upstairs and flopped on my bed, shutting my eyes and trying to fall asleep.

But it just wasn't working... I was too lonely.