I hobbled back with my dad and there was someone already waiting for us. "Finn Nash?"

"That's me."

"You can hang out here Dad...we'll just be taking a couple of x-rays and I'll bring him right back to you," the orderly said pulling up a wheelchair for me to climb into.

My dad still looked nervous. No doubt thinking of all the questions that Tyler had hit me with. It's what happened to him. He got injured in college though, lost his scholarship and his dream of going pro-ball.

"Be back before you know it!" I tell him with what I hope is an encouraging smile.

"Be right here, kiddo."

X-ray was rather quick and as far as medical procedures go, pretty painless. I came back to a pizza party being thrown in my curtain cubby. I could smell the cheesy gooey goodness from down the hall and my stomach growled loudly in response.

"Hungry?" Mom asked handing me a slice of extra cheese.

"I'm a guy and a teenager... I'm always hungry," I say taking a bite and sighing.

"They snuck out while you were in x-ray to pick up some grub," Dad tells me. "Nearly gave me a heart attack as I came out to get them and they were nowhere to be found."

"Had you checked your text messages you would have seen..." Mom began but Dad, while taking a bite of pepperoni, pointed to the sign behind the hospital bed, which had a picture of a cellphone with a big red circle and line through it.

Mom frowns...she really does hate losing arguments and mumbles... "Lucky, but I know you wouldn't have checked anyway."

Dad chuckles. He knows she right but he wasn't about to admit it as in this instance he's won so he's just going to let it slide and enjoy the sweet taste of victory....PIZZA.

Brynn jumps up to sit next to me and I have to laugh as it takes some effort with her being so short.

"What?" she says defensively.

"Nothing just wondering if a running head start would have worked better," I teased and she pushed my shoulder nearly knocking me over. She's undeniable strong for such a little thing.

The Doctor comes in and takes a look around. "Well, someone is having a good time?"

My Dad puts down his pizza and my Mom is right there with him, and suddenly they are all business. I always hate putting my parents through this kind of worry. They go from zero to stressed, in like point two seconds, but I guess that's part of what being a parent is about.

The Doctor picked up on the stress levels too, rising in the room. "Dial it down, parents. Finn here is in good shape. No broken bones, just a strained tendon in his foot. You can expect some swelling, some serious bruising. It will be very tender to walk on. So my advice is, keep off it as much as you can. Twenty minutes of ice, twenty minutes of heat and keep it elevated. Alternating the ice and heat."

He then looked at me and said, "I'm going to give you a boot to take home with you. It will be much easier to get around in than crutches for someone of your height. You'll need to wear it whenever you're walking around. It will take the pressure off and help the healing process. If you are hanging out at home, I would say, keep it off and keep the foot elevated. In about two weeks you'll be back in business."

My Dad hugged my Mom. He was visibly relieved and I could almost swear he blinked back tears.

"So," the Doctor continued, "You're free to go. Your parents just need to sign you out and you should set up an appointment with your general practitioner for a follow up in about a week."

"Thanks, Doc," I say extending my hand and he shook it.

"You got off easy this time. You guys have yourselves a good night. Mom, Dad if you want to follow me I'll show you where you need to go to get this guy out of here." The doctor motioned for my parents to follow him.

"Right behind you," my dad said and him and my mom left with the doctor giving Brynn and I a moment alone.

"Sorry you got hurt, Finn," Brynn said frowning at her pizza like it was somehow responsible.

I look at her and can't help but smile, it feels good that she cares. "You know what would make me feel better?"

"More pizza?" she teases.

"No. This." I lean over to capture her lips, and they taste saucy.

She returns my kiss and wraps her arms around me so I have to move in closer. Before I realize it we are in the middle of a full blow make-out session, which we are both thoroughly enjoying until we hear a discrete cough come from somewhere near by.

Brynn leaps back so fast I thought she was going to fall off the bed, and instinctively I reach out to grab her to keep her from doing so. She laughs and so do I but as she catches my dad's eye she turns nearly five shades of red. Her cheeks look as if they've been instantly sunburnt.

Even my dad has a bit of a pink tinge. "Mom's got the car. I've got the boot," he said holding it up. "Sorry no doors," he adds pulling on the curtain to emphasize his point. "Didn't mean to interrupt. I probably should have..."

At this point Dad is rambling and I wish he would just stop talking as Brynn looks brighter and brighter as he keeps going on and if he continues I fear she may just explode or burst into flames.

"Got it, thanks, Dad," I say putting my hand out for the boot and he comes over to help me put it on. I jump up and offer my hand to Brynn who can't quite bring herself to meet my eyes just yet, or maybe she's avoiding looking at my dad, not entirely sure.

"My lady," I say, "it seems our carriage awaits."

She giggles and I love the sound. She takes my hand in hers, "You're stupid."

Her response makes my dad laugh, he grabs the pizza and we walk out behind him. I couldn't help but whisper in her ear as we walk behind my dad, "Looking for another lesson are we?"

Her blushing all over again was my reward.

Dad drove us all home, as we approached our neighborhood he asked, "Do I need to drop you off, Brynn?"

My stomach lurches, it can't be over already can it?

Brynn looks over the driver's seat to see the clock, it showed 9:30pm. "I don't have to be home until eleven Mr. Nash but if it's easier you can drop me off first?"

My Dad's eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. The look on my face must have said it all. "Well, if you want to hang out a little longer I don't mind taking you home later."

Brynn immediately brightened. "Thank you, that would be awesome."

"Okay then," Dad said and he smiles at me through the mirror. I settle back not realizing I moved forward in the seat and Brynn takes my hand once more.

We were home before I knew it and to my surprise my mom and dad made themselves scarce. "Want to watch a movie?"

Brynn shakes her head. "Not enough time. Most movies are at least 2 hours long."

"Oh, yeah...right." I say. Looking around for a clue as to what to do next.

"I wouldn't mind something to drink?"

"Great! I'll go..."

"Let me," she said, "You should have that foot up. Go take a seat."

"But you don't know where anything is?" I counter.

"It's a kitchen, Finn. I'm pretty sure I can figure it out." She walks away and I settle in on the sofa putting my leg up. She returns with two bottles of spring water.

"All I can find," she says handing me one.

"Yeah, Mom's not into sugary drinks. No soda, no juice except orange in the morning. Sometimes we do have icetea..."

"Seen it in the fridge but didn't feel like routing around for glasses. This was easier," she said twisting off the top and taking a sip. "SO... what's your darkest secret?"

I nearly spit out the water I just took a sip of, coughed a little and shook my head in amazement.

"What?"

"Come on. Finn. A goodie-good like you has to have a least one dark secret?" she pries.

"What if I'm just not that interesting?" I ask her.

She picks up my legs and settles under them. Staring at me a little too intently for my comfort and I try to resist the urge to squirm.

"Not buying it," she says after a long while. "You have to have a vice of some sort. Some kind of crazy quirk? Something that you would die from embarrassment if someone learned it about you?"

"Is this a normal first date discussion topice for you?" I asked. Wondering if this is the reason she's never been kissed. Asking a guy to emotionally expose himself to her first thing may have resulted in there being no second date.

"No. I'm just curious about you Finn, but perhaps you really are perfect."

I laugh at that. "Now you are just being ridiculous." I can't figure why this is so important to her.

"Am I?" she says, "You're captain of the basketball team, Student council president, and you're at the top of the class as far as grades. I won't be surprised if you are named valedictorian, your obviously good looking..."

"You think I'm good looking?"

She shoves me, "You're getting off point."

I sigh. "I believe in working hard for what I want, that doesn't make me perfect. Not even close."

"Is it what you want?"

"What do mean?"

"All this stuff that you do? Is it what you want or are you just trying to make everyone else happy?"

"Is this a date or an analyst session?" Byrnn's face falls. I snapped and I hurt her. I immediately regret it. She hit a nerve I didn't realize was exposed. Damn.

"I sleep with a stuffed bear."

"What?" she looks at me with wide-eyed shock. Yeah, that got her attention.

"His name is Cuddles." I continue. "I've had him since I was a really little and I can't fall asleep without him."

I see the smile spread across her lips as she absorbs what I'm saying. Yes, Finn Nash, class president, captain of his basketball team sleeps every night with a teddy bear.

Next thing I know Brynn is kissing me. I am at a complete loss as to why this is happening, perhaps she finds stuffed toys a turn on, but why ask why and I chose to just enjoy kissing her back.

She breaks away and is now looking up at me. "Do I get to meet him someday?"

Something tells me I'm going to regret telling her this. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm regretting it already.

"I don't know..." I say, looking down at her, "I really don't like introducing him to girls until I know it's serious. I don't like him getting too attached only to have his heart broken if they leave."

She smirks and starts to kiss me again. "I see," she says between kisses, "It is probably for the best."

"Yeah, and then I'd have to deal with the whole jealously issue..." I continue and now she's laughing at me. Her whole body vibrates when she laughs I noticed as she is now in a reclining position with me on the sofa and so pretty much every inch of her is touching me in some way.

"Jealous of me?" she asks stopping me mid kiss, her lips only a fraction above mine. "Why is that?" She is so close her breath brushes my lips as she talks.

"Well...I'm guessing he may be worried he'll someday be replaced. Should I meet the right girl."

"Oh!" Brynn looks at me suddenly serious, and then smiles, "Well you can tell him from me. I would never kick him out of bed."

I kiss her again, "That will mean a lot to him."

We continue talking and kissing and before I know it my dad is back to collect her.

He announces his presence long before he enters the room so not get caught in another situation like before. "It's 10:30. We had best get going, if I'm to get Brynn home by curfew."

"Okay Dad!" I holler back.

Brynn sighs and snuggles in close. I hold onto her for a few more seconds. "I'll come with, to give you a proper goodnight kiss."

Brynn gets up and waits for me to move my legs, then gives me a hand up. I'm still a little awkward in the boot.

My dad gets us to Brynn's grandmother's house and the porch light is on and Brynn's gran is at the door waiting for her. Brynn looks at the clock it's five of eleven and so she's right on time. She has a worried expression on her face.

"You okay?"

"I hope so."

It was a typical Brynn cryptic remark, and I knew not to press.

I get out of the car and walk around to open the door for her. I'm surprised she didn't just jump out before I got there, as my gait is a lot slower. I open her door and hear her saying good-bye and thanking my Dad.

She climbs out and I shut the door behind her.

"I had a nice time tonight," she tells me.

"You're a horrible liar," I tell her.

"No, really."

"I'm officially asking for a do over, at your earliest convenience, of course."

"A second date?" she asks and I wonder at the hint of surprise in her voice.

"Yes, please."

"But what will Cuddles think?" she asks.

I literally bite my tongue. Oh, how I'm going to regret telling her that.

"I think he'll be okay with it, but I'll run it past him tonight and you can give me a call tomorrow to find out his answer."

"Sounds like a plan," she tells me.

"Goodnight, Brynn. Sweet dreams," I tell her and kiss her goodnight.

"Sweet dreams," she tells me. I watch her walk up to the porch. Her Grandmother opens the door for her. She stops a moment and waves. I wave back, then watch her disappear.

Once in the car with my Dad he asks, "So how did it go?"

"I think I have a second date?"

"That's good right?"

"I hope so," and then I laugh as I realize once again I'm speaking Brynn. She is really starting to rub off on me.