(Chapter 6- Bad Boy Surprises)

I stand in front of the mirror trying to tame my hair but with no luck whatsoever so I finally give in and put it into a simple ponytail. I don't know why of all days it has to choose today to be unmanageable. It's just my luck.

I suppose you're wondering why today is so important. Well after Brody and I got back from our little visit with his parents yesterday my parents insisted on having them over for dinner tonight. As I think about it I can't help but roll my eyes. Seriously these people never get up. It's all about forging ahead in the business world in my family, well at least to my dad and sister anyway. Mom just likes to make an impression.

I walk into my closet and pick out a nice outfit that will please my mom or that I think will and put it on. I easily decided on a pair of blue shorts and a white blouse. Yeah, not the most sexy look but that's not what I'm going for anyway. I finish by slipping on a pair of matching flats and I'm on my way to the dining room for dinner.

"Not in here, in the living room." Mom scolds as soon as I enter the kitchen.

I quickly hold up my hands and mumble a quick sorry and exit to the living room.

I sigh forgetting about the show we have to put on for important guests. We all have to line up in front of the door and greet them kindly, the picture of a perfect family.

Dad and Heather are both setting on opposite ends of the couch and watching some television show as I slump down in the corner and sulk. I was really hoping that I would get today to just relax a little and read a good book or something before going back to school tomorrow. It was my last good day before I had to go back and see the jerk that cheated on me and stomped on my heart.

Ok I gotta think of something else before I get depressed again. There are more important things to think about now than him.

The door bell rings breaking me from my thoughts and we all stand. I sigh taking my place next to heather while she straightens out her clothes to make sure she's looking her best. No that she has to try, she always does. Mom rushes in to stand with us and dad then opens the door.

"Rick, how are you?" Dad smiles shaking his hand. "Come in."

As they all pile in dad closes the door behind them and takes Mr. Bauer's jacket. While dad introduces us I find it hard to concentrate on anything else but Brody's eyes. There just holding me there. I quickly take in his appearance once I'm able to break free of his stare and am utterly shocked.

He is not in his normal bad boy attire but his instead he is in a pair of dark jeans and a dress shirt with his hair perfectly fixed that makes me want to melt. Sure he was always hot before but this....this is something else entirely. What happened to my bad boy.

Ah there I go again with the 'my bad boy' stuff again. What is wrong with me? Maybe I should seek some professional help. I could picture it now.

'Mrs. Bryant what can we help you with?'

'Well.....you see there is this really hot bad boy at my school that I can't stop ogling and I don't want to like him....oh and I keep calling him my bad boy. Can someone help me with that?'

Yeah, I don't think so. Maybe this stuff is better off in my head.

"Are we going to join the rest of your family or are you going to keep checking me out all night." Brody smirks.

I look around the room and realized we are alone and blush. Oh crap I need to do some damage control here.

I smile back at him sweetly. "Sorry I couldn't tell if you were really Brody or not. Thought you might have kidnapped him. But alas you talked and erased all doubt."

His smirk turned into a full on smile at my words. "Yeah, they made me do it. Don't make fun."

"It's actually not bad."

Oh no. Please tell me those words did not just come from my mouth.

Amusement is clear on his face by this point. "Did miss perfect Farrah Bryant just pay me a compliment?"

And just like that the smirk is back. I knew that smile would never last.

"Yes even I am capable of such niceness. Maybe you should take some notes." I smirk back.

Two can play at this game.

"I don't do nice." He chuckles. "Now let's get this night over with. I've got to be somewhere in an hour."

Wait he's leaving. That hardly seems fair. I have to stay here and suffer through this whole thing but he just gets to leave when he wants?

"Leave? Where to?"

"Why do you care?" He asks.

"Maybe I want to leave to."

He looks like he's thinking it over before he speaks. "Ok. One hour."

He suddenly turns and walks in the direction to the dining room.

"Wait you didn't tell me where we were going." I reminded.

Without even stopping he says "You ask too many questions" and then he's gone.

I scowl at the empty door way he went through. Why does he always have to be so...so....Brody. For once I wish he would just give me a straight answer and stop being so cryptic and secretive.

You would think he were Clark Kent or something? I almost laugh at that thought. Yeah right, Brody Bauer saving the world from crime? That will be the day.

Just then he pokes his head back through the door. "Bryant, you coming?"

"Yeah." I smile still thinking about Brody breaking out in a Superman costume and follow him to the other room.

Everyone is seated around the table already claiming their spots except me. And where do you thing I get to sit? Yep you got. In between to the two most annoying people I know. Heather and Brody. Well this should be fun.

I tune out the useless chatter as I pick at my food. Yes, I'm still sulking. I want to be upstairs in my PJ's, one my bed reading Wuthering Heights but instead I'm sitting down here listening to my dad talk business and my sister brag about her grades and college courses. Why can't I just be a nerd tonight?

Once we get to dessert the conversation has become a little less dull and a little more pleasant since we're not talking about my sisters achievements or my dad's business. It's actually about the tennis game last night. I really enjoyed watching and playing it. I think that's one of the few things I actually have in common with my dad. All conversation quickly comes to a halt though as Brody stands to leave.

"As entertaining as this has been I've somewhere to be. Come on babe."

He holds his hand out to me and I gladly take it standing with him.

"Already?" His mom asks looking at her watch.

"It's been an hour." He states stepping behind his chair and pushing it in.

Wow that's a shock. He's does have some redeeming qualities.

"Ok." She sighs. "Just don't be too late."

Dad eyes me curiously but doesn't protest to me leaving since the almighty Bauer's are letting their son go. It's not like we're need here anyway. We're merely just props in this room full of people.

"That goes for you to Farrah. Not too late." Mom warns.

"Ok mom. Bye." I say quickly giving her a kiss on the cheek and leaving the room.

That went a lot better than I thought. I thought for sure there would be some argument.

Brody pulled us through the front door and closed it behind us.

"Wait how are we going to leave? Didn't you come with your parents?"

"I've got my own form of transportation." He smiles.

Oh no. Why do I feel like I'm not going to like this?

All fears came true when I saw the motorcycle sitting behind the Bauer's car.

"Oh no." I say shaking my head. "Hell no."

"What's the problem?" He sighs. "Don't tell me you're afraid."

"I've never ridden on a motorcycle." I panic.

"Don't worry it's simple. Just lean with me and you'll be fine." He states handing me the helmet.

"And if I don't?"

"Then we lose balance, crash and well.....you know." He says as if it's nothing.

I feel the fear riding up in me again and begin to tightly grasp the helmet in my hands.

He suddenly breaks out in laughter as he takes the helmet from my hands. "Calm down, would ya."

He places it on my head and touches my skin as his straps it on. I feel tingles erupt from within. Our proximity is so close I can hear his breathing and it causes makes mine hitch in the process. Oh no.

"Just relax." He whispers smoothly while tightening it one last time. "You're gonna be fine."

His words cause me to let go of my hesitation as I go under his charm. What is happening to me? I've totally gone off the deep end now. Yet somehow with him....I don't care.

Our close moment quickly gets interrupted though when Brody pulls his shirt off and hands it to me.

"What are you doing?" I squeal turning my head away from him.

"Uh changing?" He says like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "I'm not going out like this."

"I have neighbors you know." I scold.

I turn back around to see that he has another shirt on that's more him and he takes the one I'm holding.

"Yes. I know." He smirks turning to one of the girls we go to school with staring from across the street.

Her mouth is literally gaping as she stares at him. I mean yeah I know it's good but come one have some strength girl. Don't be so affected. Yeah I know what you're thinking....I'm one to talk.

"I think you're neighbors like me. Maybe I should visit a little more often." He smiles and winks at her.

Ok now he's just teasing.

"Could you stop flirting for five minutes so we can leave?" I snap with slight irritation.

'Jeeze Farrahh calm down. Why are you so upset? It's not like he's kissing her or anything.' Not that it would bother me if he did.

He shoots me an amused look. Oh no.

"If I didn't know any better I would think you were jealous." He smirks.

Man he does that a lot. I wonder if he knows how hot-

Don't even think it Farrah.

I fake a laugh and then glare at him. "In your dreams."

"You know it." He says climbing on the bike.

Oh lord did he just say that. I feel the blood rush to my cheeks as I try to look anywhere but him. Wow he knows how to make a girl blush.

I look across the street and see poor Mia still staring at him although now her mouth is closed. He really knows his affect on girls and yet he still uses it to his advantage. Pompous butt.

"Hop one." He orders staring at me. "You didn't want to stand here all night."

I sigh and get on behind him. Wow we're close.

"You have to hold on." He says. "Wrap your arms around me."

"What?" I squeak.

Oh sweet lord how will I survive this?

"Unless you want to fall off wrap your arms around my waist." He repeats.

I listen to him this time despite my nerves and do as I'm told. I can feel the heat off our bodies through the closeness. It is wrong of me to actually enjoy this?

He starts the motorcycle and within seconds we're off. The wind blows through my hair sending it in all directions. Thank goodness I put it in a ponytail today or else it would be a mess. As we sped down the road I felt myself loosening up and enjoying the ride. It felt so good and freeing to do this. Now I understand why Brody liked it so much. Who wouldn't?

By the time we reached our destination I was actually bummed about getting off. I could definitely spend the evening doing this.

"Where are we?" I asked looking around in the now dusk atmosphere.

"Just picking up a delivery." He says getting off the bike.

Delivery? What kind of delivery?

"Wait here." He orders before walking off in the direction of the unknown person standing under a tree.

I watch him closely as he goes to meet said unknown person and become a little suspicious. I mean why on earth would he bring me out here this time of night to pick up some secret del-

Oh my gosh is that a brown paper bag? What's in it and who is this person?

Brody opens the bad and looks in it then hands over some money and it's then that I know what her getting. Drugs.

Oh god we're going to get arrested and go to jail, then this goes on my permanent record then the next this you know I'm a juvie. Just great, what have I gotten myself into? I can't believe he let me come with him to meet his drug dealer. Is he insane? That's stupid, of course he's insane, he's buying drugs.

He looks back at me then to the guy one last time before turning and leaving. I wave of panic comes over me quickly the closer he gets.

He easily swings his leg over the bike and hops back on. When I make no attempt to move he speaks. "Aren't you coming?"

I shake my head. "Not with that I'm not."

He looks at me confused and follows my eyes down to the bag he's holding in his hand.

"What this?" He asks holding it up.

"What else?"

"It's not what it looks like." He states.

"Then what is it?"

"I can't say, but it's not."

"I don't believe you. Either show it to me or I'll walk back."

"Do you always have to be so complicating?" He asks with annoyance in his voice.

"Show it?" I demanded.

There was no way I'm giving in on this. I mean we're talking about my permanent record here. I'm not about to lose everything because of one mistake.

He's sighs when he sees my serious look and pulls the contents from the bag.

"Here." He says holding it out to me.

Once my eyes land on it I'm more than confused.

"That's a book." I state.

"Really?" He replies with sarcasm.

It's only then I take a second look that I realize what kind of book it is.

"Jane Eyre?" I say trying to hide my smile.

"I wanted to see how it ended and I couldn't be caught buying a book like this." He confesses shyly.

At this point I couldn't help but burst out laughing. I mean of all the things to come out of that bag this was the last thing I expected. I mean a historical romance really? My sides were literally hurting I was laughing so hard.

"I'm glad you find this funny. Let's go." He says a little too angry.

I take a minute to sober up before finally getting on the bike with him again. I could tell he was not happy with me at the moment. Ok maybe I shouldn't have laughed but that really took me by surprise. I couldn't help it.

We finally made it back to my house thirty minutes later and Brody didn't bother speaking to me as I got off and undone the helmet.

"I'm sorry I laughed." I said handing him back his helmet. "It was just a surprise that's all. If it makes you feel any better it's a really good ending."

He glances at me and seems to have visibly calmed down some.

"And the book?"

"Don't worry you're secrets safe with me." I smiled.

Oh what this would do to his rep. I could just imagine the hard time he would get over this. He would murder me for sure.

"It better be." He warned but in a non threatening way. Oh my bad boy, what am I going to do with you? You're just full of surprises. First the clothes then the book. This was not the way I predicted this night turning out.

"I've gotta got. I'll see you tomorrow." I smiled turning away from him.

"Wait, Blake's not been calling anymore has he?" He asked.

"No. I think you put a stop to that." I admit.

"Good. If he does-"

"I'll tell you." I said cutting him off.

I shake my head walking into the house and closing the door. What a night. Turns out there's more to the bad boy than I thought and it's kind of cute. I wonder what else he likes.

I yawn walking up to my room thinking about school tomorrow and if things are going to be weird now. I mean he's just been found out surely he'll be a little embarrassed now.

Oh if only our English teacher knew. What would she think?

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This chapter is dedicated to JessyKourtney for the awesome banner to the side >>>>>>