Happy Birthday to Me

This story is about a gay relationship and sex between consenting gay teens, both High School Seniors. This is completely a work of fiction and is not intended to suggest anything about the personality traits of anybody mentioned in the story that isn't publicly known about them.

Any similarities to actual people or places - other than the ones specifically mentioned - are purely coincidental.

If it isn't legal for you to read this for any reason, please use that handy browser line and jump to a subject/site that is more appropriate. Copyright Cory Radke.

Comments are always welcome. Thanks to Jakub, Uncle Tank, George, RJ, Jason, Shane, Michael, Barry, Honzih, Robbie, Baron, Rich, dfwtx, Mike, Roo, Sam, Scott, Rob and Lee for their notes after reading Chapter 4. I'm indebted to all of you for taking the time to e- me.

Want to comment? You may email me at cory.08@outlook.com

And check out the HBTM story blog at www.cory08online.tumblr.com

Happy Birthday to Me

Chapter 5

Cory still had a grin on his face from how he had confounded both foes and friends alike as he headed down the stairs toward the locker- room and his meet with Coach Morin. He was surprised to see Jay on his way up.

"Hey Jay hope you had a great weekend. How come you're here?"

"Hiya Cory and ya I did. I just dropped by to make sure the laundry picked up all the bags this time. They left a couple behind on their first pickup. A truck just came by for the rest. Can't have any of the guys be missing gear on Friday."

"No way... and by Murphy's Law the absent gear would all be cups."

"OUCH! Aaron and I would be BIGGGGGGGGGGGG trouble if that happened."

The two guys shared a laugh and went their separate ways. Entering the locker-room, Cory turned and headed down the hallway. He waved at Coach Thompson and said "Hey Coach!" as he passed the open door and got a wave and a "Hi Cory" in return.

With a left turn at next crossover Cory was in the back area of the locker-room where the newer coaches had their offices. With a scan of each name plate, Cory stopped at Coach Morin's door and knocked hearing a friendly "Come on in" from the other side.

With a turn of the handle, Cory went into an office that was barely large enough for the desk, guest chair, Coach Morin's chair and file cabinet that filled the space. There were schedule boards, department notices and posters across the walls.

"Hi Coach Morin, I'm Cory Radke. I appreciate that you made the time to meet with me."

Coach Thomas "Tom" Morin was a 29 year old 6'2" 198# brown haired hazel eyed powerhouse who came off more like a high school football defensive end or safety than the Olympic-caliber swimmer that Cory knew him to be by reputation. Besides being Branson's Boys Swim Team Coach, Morin was also the Soccer Coach and a Math teacher.

He waved Cory into the guest chair and looked him in the eyes.

"When Coach Thompson asked me to meet with you Cory, I was surprised. I know you don't play soccer and I don't think you want a tryout for Swim Team. So naturally I was intrigued as to why Branson's star quarterback would want some time."

"Sorry Coach" Cory laughed "I'm a survival only swimmer so you won't be seeing me in a Speedo. I'm here because I want to request your permission to help your program."

"I'm sure that losing the opportunity to see you in a pair of Speedo's is a devastating prospect for a large number of Branson students" Coach Morin said with a broad smile. "As for the program assist, I've been at Branson long enough to have heard of the famous 'Cory-missions', but never expected to be on the receiving end of one. Is that what you have in mind?"

"Yes Sir."

"Then let me hear about it."

Pulling out his tablet, Cory turned it on and brought up the outline he had put together last night.

"Coach I have already received approval from the Branson Athletic Booster Club to make this proposal, but it is solely your decision on whether or not to accept it" Cory began scrolling through each item in the outline.

"The Club would like to create a Swim Team Scholarship Fund to accomplish two goals. First, it would pay the activity fee for up to 8 students annually who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford it. Second, it will provide a complete set of new gear for each team member. This will include four Powerplus Speedo shorts, two sets of warm up jackets and pants, and two pairs of shoes to wear on deck. All items will have a custom design to Branson colors and will be delivered in time for the new season. Finally, the swim team will be added to the football team's existing laundry contract to take the burden of keeping the gear clean off team members and their families."

"Cory this is an unbelievably generous proposal and one that I could never have put together on my own with the budget that I'm allowed by the school. However, I have a guess that it wouldn't fit the specifications of a 'Cory-mission' if it didn't come with a price."

"Yes Coach, but there are only two. There is a budget for a student or students to coordinate and design the custom appearance of all gear. I get to choose who that will be, but you - and the Athletic Department Director - will have final approval on the design itself."

"That's acceptable, and since Coach Thompson is the Athletic Department Director, I don't think you - of all people - will have any problem on that end. Am I right?"

"That's my hope Coach, but Coach Thompson is his own man. I'm sure he'll want to know that you're committed to this proposal."

"So what's the second 'price'?"

"I want a specific Branson student to be given a serious tryout for a team position. Whether or not he makes the team is solely your decision. All I'm requesting is the tryout and an allowance during that tryout for the fact that as a result of family circumstance he has been forced to sit out a year from competition."

"Cory it sounds like you're asking for at tryout, but expecting me to give this student a team position no matter how he performs."

"No sir, I promise that you will have absolute discretion on whether or not to put this student on the team and the Scholarship Fund and gear is not dependent on you making the decision I might prefer. All I request is an awareness of the circumstances that impacted this student's ability to compete last year. I compared his times from the two years he did compete with members of last year's Swim Team and he was at, or near, the top in every event."

"Whoever this student is, he's got roughly eight weeks until tryouts so he does have a window in which to get back into shape. If his times come in anywhere near what you say he's performed previously, I wouldn't expect he'd have any trouble making the team on his own."

"Coach, I agree with you 100% and plan on making my own investment in getting him back into competitive shape. My concern is more with the head game and whether or not he can mentally overcome the really bad place his family is currently in and regain the confidence to do his best in tryouts."

"Cory times are tough for too many Branson students and your Scholarship Fund idea will allow some who couldn't otherwise afford it make the team - including a couple who made the team last year but are thinking of dropping off because of cost. I will give everyone who does tryout an equal opportunity. I'm also willing to put in some of my own time after school to help your 'Cory-mission' get back in shape for the tryouts. However, it sounds like the biggest obstacle will be to bring back his confidence level, and that will take a friend to help him achieve."

"I hope to be that friend sir."

Standing up Coach Morin held out his hand. "Then you got your work cut out for you Cory and we've got a deal. Keep me updated and let me know how I can help."

Similarly coming to his feet, Cory shook Coach Morin's hand. "Thank you Coach and I appreciate your willingness to put in after school time to help out a Branson student."

"Even though I'm an underpaid teacher, I'll always do what it takes to help any student reach their potential. And who could say no to being part of a 'Cory-mission'" Coach Morin said laughing.

Just then the warning bell rang. "You better get to class Cory."

"I keep repeating this with bells lately. Yes sir, Coach!"

Cory waved bye to Coach Morin and headed out the back way from the locker-room to the nearest stairwell and his first period class. As he walked through the door of his AP Math class, Cory came to a halt in front of his teacher and another student.

"Cory" his teacher said calmly yet with tone of surprise "this is a first for you - and certainly not something I would have ever expected - but this gentleman is here to escort to the principal's office. Obviously, you're excused for however long that takes and since you've already got all the class work for the week turned in I don't anticipate any issue with you missing today's class."

"Thank you sir. I will get back if I can."

He then stepped back and allowed the other student to pass him and lead the way to the main office. "Shouldn't we be doing this with ominous music playing in the background?" Cory said to the other student as they walked through the doors into the main office.

Mrs. Blanchett was at the long counter as the two students entered. "Hi Cory and thank you Mr. Simmons."

"Hi Mrs. Blanchett, I can't think of anything I've done to warrant the summons, but I must admit that what's running through my head right now is a DVD from history class of the French Revolution and a scene of an old woman cackling 'la guillotine, vive la guillotine' at the base of the bloody execution block."

"Don't worry Cory, we got rid of the execution block oooooooh I think it was a week or two before the start of this school year" said Mrs. Blanchett smiling. "And Mr. Donohue will see you, right now."

"Thanks Mrs. Blanchett and I wanted to keep my promise and let you know that all went great with the 'Cory-mission' you helped accomplish. Jay has been signed up as the new assistant team equipment manager and Coach Thompson, Aaron and Jaxson all approve."

"That's fantastic, Cory. Thank you for letting me know that everything worked as planned. Now, head on in anytime you're ready."

Walking around the counter, Cory went down the hall and knocked on the principal's door. "Enter." Opening the door, Cory walked in and then shut the door behind him.

"You asked to see me, Mr. Donohue" Cory said to his principal.

"Yes Cory. Please take a seat."

"Thank you sir." Sliding his backpack off his shoulder and into his hand Cory placed it on the floor as he took a chair in front of Mr. Donohue's desk.

"Cory, I had a disturbing phone call this morning that I felt you had a right to know about before I have a meeting with the parties in question tomorrow."

"Sir?"

"I received a call from the father of Hudson Wagner who claims that you physically assaulted his son at a party after last Friday's football game. Would you care to comment?"

"Mr. Donohue, the party took place after school hours and off school property in a private residence at which adults were present to chaperone. I don't mean to be difficult, but I fail to see where Branson has any jurisdiction in the matter."

"That's an evasion not an explanation, Mr. Radke."

"Sir, while you are correct to say it is not a full explanation I would respectfully disagree that it is an evasion. The matter is solely between Hudson Wagner and me, for which I apologized to him this morning. In addition, even though I don't believe it is my actual responsibility, I also agreed to pay a bill that was presented to me and incurred when Hudson was checked out and medically cleared."

"So you admit that you assaulted Hudson Wagner."

"Sir that's not what I said. In point of fact, I was the one who was assaulted and I only used the force necessary to defend myself and to prevent injury to me. I have been told by two people that Hudson was not significantly injured during the incident and as I already said was medically cleared."

"Mr. Wagner's father claims to have a medical report that states there was 'tenderness' from physical impact to Hudson Wagner's stomach, chest and sides."

"Mr. Donohue, I have been told that there are multiple Facebook pages that present four different videos from the altercation between Hudson and me that in no way show any hits like you describe. Quite literally there were no hits at all."

"Then how do you explain the medical report?"

"Sir I cannot explain a medical report that I haven't seen, but I do know that Hudson Wagner is in school today. If he has any injuries like you describe they aren't preventing him from attending classes, which suggests that they are minor. And, if they do exist, I absolutely did not cause them. I left the party moments after the incident that I had with Hudson and went home where I was for most of the weekend. After the event I didn't see Hudson or anyone else who was at the party. I would be happy to have a GPS locator report on all my vehicles printed out and provided to you by tomorrow morning."

"It would seem there is a major disagreement over the facts of the matter."

"Sir, once again, I intend no disrespect, but Branson has no jurisdiction in this issue. And you having a meeting over something that has already been handled between Hudson and me would, on its face, seem inappropriate."

"Cory it's not your place to decide that" Mr. Donohue said with some anger in his voice. "And the meeting tomorrow is to discuss the incident in light of your participation in school athletic activities."

"Mr. Donohue if you are having a meeting to discuss my position as starting quarterback of the Branson varsity football team then our current discussion should have been conducted with Coach Thompson present. If you are suggesting that any change in my role on the football team is being considered, then I should have been notified at the start of this meeting and had the opportunity to first contact my attorney and have him present."

"Cory, I will be informing Coach Thompson about my meeting with Hudson Wagner's father. I know from your school record that you have court-awarded status as an emancipated minor. As a consequence, you have every right under District guidelines to be fully informed of any disciplinary action being contemplated and the appeals available."

"Sir I will be contacting my attorney and advising him of this conversation as soon as I leave your office."

"You should do as you think is right Cory, as will I. I had hoped that this meeting would not be a confrontation, and if I did anything to provoke that I'm sorry. But at a time when the district is under enormous public pressure to prevent student-on-student violence, this is not a matter I am prepared to ignore."

"Mr. Donohue these are the facts. First, I did nothing but defend myself last Friday and that can be verified by multiple videos and, if necessary, testimony from several dozen Branson students and the parents who were chaperoning the party. Second, I did not hit Hudson Wagner at any time, any place or any where."

"Cory because of your reputation and school record, I am generally prepared to believe you. However, I will still give Hudson Wagner's father the courtesy of a meeting just as I gave you the same courtesy. If I choose to undertake any action after listening to what he has to say, you will be given every opportunity to respond and appeal."

"Thank you sir. I should probably return to class."

"Yes Cory that would be a good idea."

Heading out of Mr. Donohue's office, Cory did not return to class but instead walked out of the school and in to the bus load area. Pulling out his phone he speed dialed Steven's office.

"Cory I was about to head into an Executive Committee meeting, is this matter urgent."

"I'm afraid it is Steven."

Step-by-step Cory went through his conversation with Mr. Donohue, answering the questions Steven had about the incident the previous Friday and his actions this morning upon arriving at school.

"Cory, I will need to have additional research done, but on the face of it I would agree with your assessment that Branson has no jurisdiction in the matter. If Hudson Wagner's father wishes to accuse you of assaulting his son then he should be discussing the complaint with the Portland Police, not the school."

"Steven I don't believe that the point of the meeting tomorrow is to impose some sort of discipline or expel me from school. Instead I think the goal is to have me removed as starting quarterback."

Cory then went on to detail what Hudson had said to him during the lead up to their latest skirmish. And the apparent anger directed at Cory by both Hudson and his family at how he had won his position as Branson's starting quarterback. He finished by telling Steven about the keying of his car and the investigation that Aaron Rocha was undertaking to identify the perpetrator from the surveillance video made by the Charger's security system.

"Hmmmmm... I'm not certain that any evidence Aaron is able to get off the video, in and of itself, is exculpatory. Unless the video unmistakably shows that Hudson was moving without injury - which is unlikely - it will only prove that he was angry enough to lash out at you by damaging your personal property. An act which the Police could use to infer that you had hit him. I suggest you lock down the witnesses you mentioned, especially Nathan and his parents, while I put the firm's IT personnel on to capturing the video from the Facebook pages of Branson students. I will also contact the school district's legal counsel and inform them of Mr. Donohue's potentially extra-legal actions. They may choose to intervene and stop the meeting before it occurs. Both the school district and Hudson Wagner's father are treading on thin ice by making an accusation without benefit of a Police investigation."

"Steven for obvious reasons I would very much prefer that no such investigation occur. I have no concern that it will prove that I hit Hudson Wagner, but the fallout would certainly shred my cover story."

"That may be the price you have to pay Cory. However, let's not get ahead of ourselves."

"Okay Steven, I still want the medical bill that Hudson gave me this morning paid. I promised Hudson I would do that and it's also implied in the promise that I gave to Aaron."

"Cory I'm not sure that's wise. By paying the hospital bill, you'd be intimating to an investigatory authority that you had done something that warranted compensation."

"Steven I want the bill paid. I will scan it and forward it to you by email. You have access to my personal credit card, and I trust you will be able to come up with the legal language necessary to make it clear I paid the bill out of a desire to put the incident behind me not out of a sense of guilt."

"Okay Cory, you are the client and have a right to make poor choices. I just hope this doesn't come back to bite you."

"As do I Steven, but I'm going to keep my word."

"Alright Cory, I have some work to do and you need to get back to classes. I'm sure we'll talk more later and I may need to come over to the house tonight."

"That's your decision Steven but remember Jaxson is on guard against both burglars and attorneys."

The two shared a laugh as Cory hung up on Steven then pulled out the copy of the medical bill Hudson had shoved into his hand from his pocket. He took a picture of it with his phone and emailed it to the law firm.

Cory then pressed the 911 app that instantly notified Aaron Rocha that he needed to speak with him.

In less than a minute, Cory's phone rang.

"Cory I'm not sure I have told you this before, but I really wish you wouldn't do that. When you hit the 911 app all sorts of alarms automatically go off here. And you probably scared Jaxson half to death because the computer control system at the house also goes into lockdown. Until I drive out and reset the system he won't be able to get out of the house."

"Oooooooooops. Sorry Aaron. And tell Jaxson sorry from me too. That was the first time I ever used that app. It's simple reflex. When I want to talk to Trent or Troy right away I just send a 911 text to them."

"I understand Cory. Adrian and Declan do the same thing with their friends, but your security protocols are set up a little different from what I've put together for the twins. Now, why were you calling me?"

Cory quickly repeated the details of his meeting with Mr. Donohue and his subsequent conversation with Steven.

"Cory I want you to know that I trust that you did not hit Hudson Wager. You were too upset when you told me about what happened Friday night for me not to pick up if you were lying."

Cory laughed. "Is this a special 'Dad' sense that you have?"

"In part, but it's also the result of a great deal of interrogation technique training."

"I'll be sure never to lie to you Aaron."

"You never do Cory. And if you did we'd have to go to stage two punishment like we discussed."

"Aaron there is something going on here. I know I didn't hit Hudson Wagner, but somebody did. And I don't believe that Trent or Troy or any of the other players at the party on Friday would have gone after Hudson in retribution for him taking a single swing at me. As far as everyone was concerned, the incident was over when I left Nathan's house."

"I agree. We need more information."

"Aaron we need to know what the medical report on Hudson says."

"I concur, but you know what you're asking me right?"

"Yes, and you know I wouldn't ask it if it wasn't necessary. You need information to evaluate the security situation and I need information to figure out what play is being run here. And, I have no doubt that Steven will be calling you shortly to ask the same thing."

"As a matter of fact, I just got a text to call Steven. My guess is that he didn't mention it to you because he didn't want you to be that deeply involved."

"This is my life we're discussing, Aaron. I am involved."

"I know Cory. Why don't you go back to class and try to focus on your day. Let Steven and I do what we do best."

"Ok Aaron. I will email you the copy of the bill Hudson gave me that I sent to Steven."

"Thanks. Bye Cory."

"Bye Aaron."

Ending the call, Cory scrolled through his email and forwarded the bill image he had sent to Steven to Aaron. For the few minutes left before 1st period ended, Cory just sat on the curb trying to analyze the play. Someone was deliberately trying to take him out and he wasn't going to let that happen any more than he allowed an opposing team an easy sack during a game.

When he heard the bell ring, Cory stood up threw his backpack over his shoulder after replacing his phone in its pocket and walked to his 2nd period class.

As he moved through the door of his 4th Period AP Social Studies class Cory looked at the back and smiled. 'Cool' he said to himself seeing that Chris hadn't made it to class yet. Cory got an odd look from his teacher as he bypassed his normal seat and walked back to the last row taking a seat and dropping his backpack.

As he pulled out his tablet, Cory saw Chris step through the door and head to the rear of the classroom taking the seat next to him.

"What are you doing back here Cory?"

"I decided to practice a little self-defense. If you're going to go out of your way to trip over me I thought that leaving together would make that more difficult."

In spite of himself, Chris laughed. "You do know that I'm not normally that clumsy. I managed to get through the rest of the week without tripping over you."

"Ya but let's not put fate to the test when, by simple prevention, I can make school safer for both of us." What Chris had first said suddenly registered and Cory's face fell wondering if there was somebody else Chris would prefer to sit by. "Why? Don't you want me to sit next to you? If it's a problem I can move."

"Nooooooooo you're good" Chris blushed wildly "I can ummmm get used to you ummmmm being in a different seat."

"Cool. Then it's settled."

With that the bell sounded and their teacher began class.

Fifty minutes later they were heading out the door. Chris started to turn toward the south stairwell when Cory put his hand on his arm. Chris flinched. "You okay if we stop by my locker for a minute so I can trade out books?"

"Sure Cory."

Heading the other direction Cory walked toward his locker.

"Cory why is your locker in Frosh hall?"

"It's the locker I was assigned when I first came to Branson and I guess I just like it. I never really got the urge to move so I ask for it every year."

"Ok that's a little weird, but if it's what you want I can deal."

Seeing Jay at his locker, Cory said "Hey Jay. How are classes going for you today?"

Looking up at Cory with a stranger standing next to him, Jay wasn't sure what was going on but was his normal friendly self. "Hi Cory. And good thanks as long as my teachers don't pile on TOO much homework."

With a note to Jay's look at Chris, Cory made the introductions. "Jay Wald meet Chris Caldwell. Jay is the spectacular new addition to the Branson Football team helping keep the guys on a winning track as our assistant equipment manager."

"Hi Jay" Chris said holding out his hand. "I saw you on the sideline during Friday's game."

"Just doing my job" Jay said shaking Chris' hand still wondering what the connection was between this tall blond senior and Cory.

"And doing it really great" Cory said from half behind his locker trading out books.

Finishing up Cory closed the biometric lock and turned to look at Chris. "Ready for lunch?"

"Sure"

"See ya at practice Jay" Cory said waving as he and Chris went back down the hallway.

Jay watched as Cory and Chris ambled away picking up on whatever conversation they'd previously been sharing. He watched his QB for a minute then mentally shrugged and turned back to his own locker.

As they pounded down the south stairwell, Cory picked up the conversation he and Chris had started heading out of AP SS.

"How come I never see you around Rich?"

Chris laughed. "Well, we've got separate lunches and I think most of the time Rich just prefers the pretense that we're not related during school hours."

"Oooooooooookay... that makes absolutely no sense to me. Trent and Troy are nearly attached like Siamese twins. Wherever you see one you almost always see the other. Being an only child, I guess I don't understand brother-brother rivalry. I'm not sure that Jaxson can even imagine ignoring me, but then I wouldn't want him to either."

"It's okay I think I've gotten used to it. We were a lot closer but things just changed."

'There it is again' Cory mused. 'Something is going on between Chris and Rich besides the issue of having to share a bedroom.' Cory knew, however, that he hadn't earned enough of Chris' trust to just blast forward and ask him what it was. 'Just gonna have to figure some way to reconnect them.'

Cory held the cafeteria door open for Chris. "Let's get some food bud, I'm starving."

Without even asking, Cory picked up a single tray and started piling both his food and Chris' picks on it. He also added a few extra things for Chris to his own section of the tray. When Chris looked at him funny Cory just winked.

"Dude you gotta get back into training if you're going to make swim team and you can't do that on what you normally eat."

"Cory you got this fantasy that I'm going to make swim team at Branson. The money just isn't there."

"I told you to trust me. You swim like I know you can and you'll make the team. I guarantee it even if I have got to throw you like a football down the lane."

As they both ran their pay cards after the cashier had totaled up their lunch purchases, Chris laughed and smiled at Cory.

"You got this weird idea that you can fix anything."

As Cory carried their combined tray to Trent and Troy's table, he said "Chris I'm a playmaker but I'm also a realist. I KNOW that I can't fix everything, but I do know what I can fix. You're just gonna have to hang on for the ride bud."

"Cory you do know that A.E. Housman said that 'the house of delusions is cheap to build but drafty to live in.'"

"And you, my good friend Chris, should remember that Paul Watzlawick said that 'the belief that one's own view of reality is the only reality is the most dangerous of delusions.'"

"I'm not going to win this one am I?"

"Never try to out quote the playmaker" Cory said grinning. "Just focus on the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. 'faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.' Now sit down and eat."

"Uh oh Troy" Trent said looking at his twin "you better duck, QB is in quote mode."

"Yikes, I'm outta here" Troy said laughing as he slid under the table. A few seconds later he stuck his head just above the edge "is it safe to come out yet bro?"

"Troy get your twin ass up here or..." Cory said.

"Yes sir QB!" Troy said taking his seat. "Just save me from any more inspirational quotes."

"UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH..."

"We hear that a lot don't we Troy?"

"Ya bro, I wonder if it's something genetic?"

"Do you think there's a treatment for it or is it one of those incurable things?"

"Chris you eat" Cory said "I'm going to commit mayhem on twins."

Trent, Troy, their girlfriends and Chris all laughed as Cory tossed a cherry tomato across the table. As it bounced off Troy's chest and on to the tray in front of him, he picked it up and looked at the ceiling as if he was recreating the scene of Aragorn throwing the apples in Lord of the Rings.

"I didn't know food fell from the ceiling in here."

"UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH..."

"There it is again" the twins said together.

"I give up" Cory said sitting down and starting to eat his lunch.

Amy reached across the table and patted Cory's arm in sympathy "don't worry, I feel the same way all the time." She leaned back and turned to give Troy a kiss then looked back at Cory "but I found this usually fixes him up."

"Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... maybe I should give it a try" Cory said in apparent consideration.

"No way" Troy said in mock shock "besides Amy's are tons better and you'd never even THINK of giving me tongue."

"UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH..."

The table began to laugh again at Cory's misfortune as he looked up and saw Nathan at a table just a few away. "Hold on guys, I'll be right back."

Stepping around other students Cory tapped on Nathan's shoulder. "Hey Nathan... you got a minute?"

"Sure Cory what's up?" Nathan stood and followed Cory out of the crowd to the side of the cafeteria.

"Can you tell me how you met up with Hudson on Saturday and what he said to you?"

"My Mom, Dad, me and my little sister were heading out to visit my grandmother when I saw Hudson walking by our house on his way back home from a run. I went up to him and told him that going after you at the party was not cool and that if he planned on doing it again not to show up at the house anytime you were around. He told me that he felt really bad over what happened and was going to talk to you about getting things right between the two of you."

"Nathan this is really important. Could you see if he had been hit at all?"

"What are you talking about Cory? I could see a little bruising on his hand where you held him and stopped his punch - which was hella sweet by the way - but other than that he looked totally fine. He didn't even have a shirt on when I was talking to him from being out on his run. There wasn't a mark on him."

"Did he say anything to you about having his hand checked out?"

"Ya he told me his Dad wanted him to go to the Emergency Room to get a Doctor to look at it and then give you the bill, but that he didn't really want to go. I told him that was a totally asshole idea unless his hand hurt and he said that it was just a little sore. My Dad was standing next to me and said he was going to walk down when we got back and talk with Hudson's Dad about it. I mean about the idea of Hudson going to the hospital just to rack up a bill to give you."

"Nathan I'm really sorry for pushing you on this but I just need to know... so you didn't notice anything that made you think that Hudson had got beat up?"

"Nothing. Why? Is he telling people that you beat up? Cory, you didn't even hit him after he tried to punch you. My Mom thought that was great and got mad at my Dad when he said he thought you should have taken a shot at Hudson for being a dipshit."

"Nathan do you think it'd be okay if I came by after practice to talk to your Mom and Dad about this?"

"Sure I'll phone Mom and tell her that you're gonna come over. We usually eat dinner about 7PM. You know Mom's going to ask me to ask you to stay and have dinner with us."

"Thanks Nathan but I'm only going to be able to stay a few minutes to talk to them about Friday. If I don't get home Jaxson will be pissed at me for holding out on his dinner."

"Dude that dog is seriously great but also crazy demanding" Nathan said laughing.

"Ya I know bro, but I love him so just gotta deal with the way he is. Thanks Nathan I'll see you at your house tonight."

"See ya Cory."

Walking back to the table, Cory sat down and started to finish up his lunch. Almost everyone else was done eating and there were only a few minutes left before the warning bell rang.

"QB we still haven't talked about what happened this morning" Troy started.

"I know Troy" Cory said as he slammed food in his mouth. "Look it's nothing big. I apologized to Hudson for what happened Friday at the party, he gave me a hospital bill for checking out his hand and I promised to pay it."

"PAY IT?" Trent yelled getting stares from students around their table. "What the fuck are you talking about Cory? He tried to take a cheap shot at you and he wants you to pay his medical bill?"

"Hold on a minute" Chris said looking at Cory. "You didn't tell me that Hudson punched you."

"Guys don't get excited. Chris I didn't you tell because Hudson didn't connect with the punch. He TRIED to punch me and I stopped him. And Trent, I apologized and promised to pay the bill because I'm the one who let Hudson get at me and push me out of control of both myself and the situation. It was my bad. Besides me apologizing surprised Hudson so much it got me past him with nothing else happening."

"QB..." Troy took over "that is seriously messed up logic. Hudson did all the wrong and you're paying all the cost. How does that even come close to making sense?"

"Troy I know it doesn't make huge sense in the high school right/wrong ethos. But it makes sense to me and how I believe I should live my life. And I'm the one who has to live with himself. We good?"

"QB we're always good" the twins said together.

"UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH..."

"And Chris I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I just wanted to put it behind me and not mess up having dinner with you and your family."

"Okay Cory, I understand especially if Hudson didn't actually punch you" Chris said. "But you still should have said something at some point just so I knew it had happened. I kind of feel responsible, ya know?"

"Chris it wasn't your fault it was Hudson's hand coming toward my face so don't worry about it."

"Alright Cory."

Trent and Troy looked at each other over the interaction between Cory and Chris - and Cory not telling Chris the whole story of what Hudson had said at the party - but didn't say anything.

Whatever anyone else was going to say got interrupted by the warning bell.

"I don't what it is about this year, but it seems my destiny to not finish lunch" Cory said laughing as he picked up the two unpeeled bananas he had on the tray.

"It could be that fate just thinks you're fat" Troy said without even a smirk on his face.

"UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH... why do I keep forgetting to hurt you guys?"

"Why are you including me in that?" Trent said. "I didn't utter a single word."

"Ya but you were thinking it."

Trent smiled blushing.

"Let's go to class guys" Cory said.

With Trent and Troy beside him as regular, Cory walked through the open doors into the locker-room. "Look twinish ones, I'm going to be late on the field because Coach is gonna want to talk to me. Get things started... k?"

"How do you know that Coach..." Trent started to say.

"RADKE!"

"Oooooooooookay, guess you do know. We'll get it done Cory."

Breaking off from the twins Cory walked into Coach Thompson's office and closed the door. "Hey Coach."

"Hey Coach? Hey Coach? Cory you better have a lot more to say to me than 'hey coach.'"

"Coach I did not hit Hudson Wagner at the after game party last Friday. He tried to punch me and I stopped his fist, that's it. I didn't respond in anyway. As I told Principal Donohue, not only did I not hit Hudson, but there was only one punch thrown. And that was the one that Hudson aimed at my face."

"Cory, the principal asked me to suspend you from the football team immediately. He wants suspension to continue at least until after the meeting with Hudson Wagner's father tomorrow, and potentially a lot longer if the evidence shows cause for disciplinary action."

"Coach there is absolutely no justification for suspension. Hudson, and apparently his family, has had it in for me since I beat out his brother for the position of starting varsity quarterback. This is nothing more than a play for revenge."

"Well you apparently gave them an opportunity to put that play into action."

"Sir I'm the first to admit that I lost control of the situation. But that is far from sufficient reason to suspend me."

"I happen to agree with you Cory which is what I told Principal Donohue. He then ordered me to suspend you which I refused. I told him that to suspend you he would first have to fire me. At least for the moment, he's not willing to do that. But, right now, both our butts are on the line."

"Coach Thompson the last thing I would ever do is to put your career in jeopardy. If it would make things easier on you I would voluntarily submit to being suspended."

"Cory I appreciate the sentiment, but don't go all noble on me. If I went out right now and told the team you were being suspended most, if not all, of your teammates would walk off the field - even if that meant forfeiting Friday's game to Oakeswood."

"Coach I would tell the team to stay and play. This is my fight, not yours and not the team's."

"Cory do not play the martyr. It's not a role that fits your personality and it's not what I need right now. I need you fighting and using that head of yours to find a route out of this play."

"Coach I have stuff in motion, but I'm not comfortable discussing it with you because I don't want to get you in the shit deeper than you are already."

"Whatever you're doing I know it is having an impact. The main office has been under siege since Donohue hauled you in for that meeting by everyone from the district's legal department to the Superintendent. If Principal Donohue's aim was to handle this quietly he's failed spectacularly. In fact, I've heard that far from it being you who is facing suspension, it's our fearful leader."

"Coach I promise all I've been doing is attempting to protect my rights and do the right thing as I see it. I apologized to Hudson this morning because last Friday I failed at my responsibility to control a volatile situation. And, I promised to pay Hudson's hospital bill for exactly the same reason. I did so against the specific advice of my attorney."

"Cory you're a good kid with a good heart, but sometimes you do have the right to be selfish and put yourself first."

"Coach if I did that then I wouldn't be the 'good' kid you just complimented me for being and I wouldn't be able to look at myself in the mirror."

"Ok Cory. Go get changed out, get on the field and do your job for the team."

"Yes sir, Coach!"

Opening Coach Thompson's door, Cory went down the aisle to his locker. He pulled it open and saw that Aaron had loaded in full practice gear. It wasn't until he had stripped off that Cory saw something he didn't expect and realized that Coach Thompson wasn't the only one anxious.

There in his locker in its rightful place was his helmet.

Tapping it for luck Cory thought 'don't worry Troy I'll get us all through this.' Then he geared up and went out on the field.

As he pulled into the Underwood's driveway, Cory knew that the next 30 minutes might very well decide whether or not he remained starting quarterback for the Branson varsity football team.

Stepping out of the Charger he locked the doors and set the alarm seeing the file folder he'd brought with him on the passenger seat. After practice was over, Cory had first stopped at the house to feed Jaxson then printed out the documents Steven had emailed back to him. With apologies to his annoyed puppy, Cory had left the house and drove the same way he'd come last Friday - to Nathan's house.

It only took a single knock at the door for it to be opened by a smiling Nathan.

"Hey Cory come on in. Mom and Dad are waiting for you in the living room."

"Thanks Nathan could you join us please."

"Sure bud."

Leading the way, Nathan sat down as Cory shook hands with Mr. and Mrs. Underwood then took a chair facing the three of them.

"Mr. and Mrs. Underwood I appreciate you taking the time to see me and I hope that I'm not interfering with your dinner schedule."

"Not at all Cory" Mrs. Underwood said "and I hope you will stay and have dinner with us."

"Thank you Mrs. Underwood, but I'm going to need to get home myself afterwards."

"Well, just remember you're always welcome."

"Thank you again Mrs. Underwood. I don't want to take up too much of your time, but as Nathan probably told you there have been questions raised at school about last Friday's party. Mr. Wagner has accused me of beating up Hudson and has a meeting scheduled tomorrow with Principal Donohue to present both his complaint and a medical report he was given by the hospital on Saturday that supposedly support the charges."

"Nate told us Cory" Mr. Underwood said "and quite frankly I don't understand it all. To begin with it was Hudson who tried to punch you Friday, not the other way around. And even more baffling is the fact that we all saw Hudson on Saturday morning as we were getting ready to leave to visit my mother and didn't see any bruises on him."

"Nathan told me that at lunch Mr. Underwood, but I just want to ensure that we're all on the same page. What Mr. Wagner told Principal Donohue was that Hudson had injuries to his stomach, chest and sides."

"That simply isn't possible Cory. Hudson was walking home without a shirt on when we saw - and spoke - with him and there were no visible injuries anywhere on him. Other than him breathing a little hard from jogging there wasn't anything off about him at all. I went over to their house when we got back about 1PM and told Colin Wagner that his plan to take Hudson to the hospital for an exam and present you with bill was nothing more than sheer vindictiveness. He told me that he didn't trust Hudson hadn't been injured and had every intention of having him checked out to be sure. I reminded Colin that Hudson was the one who had thrown the punch and you simply protected yourself, but sadly he didn't seem to care."

"Just to be clear, if Principal Donohue begins discipline action against me for 'attacking' Hudson would the three of you be willing to speak with my attorney and sign a statement stating exactly what you told me about your perspective on what happened Friday night and what you saw while speaking with Hudson on Saturday morning?"

"Absolutely Cory" Nathan said looking at both his Mom and Dad for approval. "Hudson said he was going to make things up to you. I don't know how that changed so hugely between Saturday morning and today."

"Neither do I Nathan, but it did. Mr. and Mrs. Underwood, I'm really sorry that you and your family have been dragged into this quarrel between me and the Wagners. I want you to know that - as I promised Hudson this morning - I have paid the hospital bill that he gave me. I also apologized to him for what happened on Friday."

"Cory I know that Nathan has already said this to you" Mrs. Underwood interrupted to add "but I don't see anything for which you had to apologize. And I say that as a Mother who's had to discipline a sometimes unruly child."

Nathan looked embarrassed and Cory smiled.

"Thanks again Mrs. Underwood, but as I've told several people already today I expect better of myself than I showed last Friday. I allowed Hudson to get to me and that was why I apologized to him."

"It would be nice if Hudson - or his father - showed the same strength of character that you do Cory" Mr. Underwood said.

Standing up Cory again shook hands with the Underwoods. "Thank you Mr. Underwood, but I'd just like this entire episode to go away. And thank you again for the dinner invitation. Nathan may I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure Cory."

Walking to the front door Cory turned to Nathan.

"Can you tell me which one is Hudson's house?"

"It's five houses down on this side... white with a brick driveway."

"Thanks Nathan. I'll see you at school tomorrow."

"Later bro."

Heading down the steps to the Charger, Cory unlocked the passenger side and pulled out the file folder he had brought with him. He didn't think the Underwoods would mind if he left the car parked in their driveway while he took care of his next round of business.

Nathan and his Mom and Dad had confirmed their conversation with Hudson and its content, but there were still a lot of unanswered questions and even more that didn't make sense. To start, Cory had no idea how Hudson had ended up with the injuries Principal Donohue had described. From the timeline Cory had pieced together it seemed that as late as 1PM on Saturday there wasn't anything wrong with Hudson beyond the bruising of his hand from Cory catching his fist in mid punch and crushing it in anger.

Cory knew that he hadn't beat up Hudson, he knew that none of his friends or teammates had done it and he knew from the discourse between the Underwoods and Hudson on Saturday that he had in no way acted or appeared to be hurt.

Hudson was a self-centered bully but not a masochist. So Cory didn't see him beating on himself. Plus why would Hudson go out of his way to hurt himself when his stated plan was to make peace with Cory when they next met up at school?

'UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH... I'm just going around in circles' Cory thought to himself.

Since there was no discernible pattern to the facts he had - and no clear logic that fit what Cory knew of Hudson's personality - the only option remaining was to attempt a fake out and see what yardage it got him.

With a few steps, Cory was on the sidewalk and on his way to Hudson's house in a probable repeat of what his current nemesis had done on Saturday.

At the fifth house, Cory knocked on the door. An older man whom Cory assumed was Hudson's father answered. "Hi sir, I'm Cory Radke. I was hoping to speak with Hudson Wagner."

The man looked at him strangely for a moment. "Hudson is not available to speak with you Cory. And I fail to see the need for conversation anyway. What I have to say will be said to your principal during our meeting tomorrow."

"Sir I came here for two reasons. First was to give Hudson this" Cory handed over the file folder that contained a copy of the paid hospital bill and the letter Steven had prepared disclaiming any liability. "This morning when I apologized to Hudson I also promised that I would pay the bill he gave me. And I wanted him to know I always keep my promises."

Mr. Wagner took the folder that Cory offered and opened it. His head snapped up to stare at Cory again as he noticed the letterhead.

"And the second reason?"

"I'm suggesting that you reconsider your strategy and cancel your meeting with Principal Donohue."

"You are?"

"Sir your position is weak and lacks any likelihood of success. If you had any direct evidence that I physically attacked Hudson you wouldn't be going to my principal, you'd be going to the police. Since you're not that tells me that you've got nothing."

"You're pretty bold for an 18 year old who has spent the last three years messing with my family."

"Actually sir, for two more weeks I'm still 17. And, in point of fact, I haven't done anything to your family. Hudson was the one who attempted to bully me as a freshman and it was your other son's lack of field skills along with his camp injury that cost him his position as starting varsity quarterback. Compare our records. With him as quarterback Branson had two losing seasons. With me as quarterback, we've had two winning seasons and won a State Championship."

"You've certainly got balls boy."

"I'm not a boy sir. And as I said, I always keep my promises. If you proceed with your meeting tomorrow with Principal Donohue, I will file a complaint with the Portland Police. That will set in motion an investigation that will not only confirm my innocence, but will probably identify whoever actually hit Hudson."

Cory could see the anger rising rapidly in Mr. Wagner, but something he was saying was having an impact. The only way the man should be this mad was if he understood exactly how weak his position was so Cory decided to play his last card - his fake out was clearly moving him downfield.

"I will also instruct my attorney to file a civil lawsuit against you for defamation, libel and slander. You started this fight sir. I'm going to end it and it's going to cost you major."

"Get out of my house and off my property. Now."

Cory stepped back as the door slammed in his face with enough force to shake the front of the house.

'That was interesting' Cory thought. 'Something still doesn't add up and I need to get whatever Aaron has discovered to tell me more.'

Cory backtracked to the Charger started it up and began his drive out of Hudson's neighborhood. He had just made a decision on his next two stops when the Uconnect system notified him of an incoming call. Cory looked at the caller ID and saw it was unidentified, but he answered it anyway.

"Hello?"

"WTF did you do Cory?"

"Hudson?"

"I had it planned out. I was going to tell the truth. In the meeting with Principal Donohue I was going to deny you hit me even though I knew Dad would be pissed. Now you wrecked it. I was going to do right by you. And now Dad thinks he kno... "

"Hudson? You there?"

'What the fuck was that?' Cory thought. Hudson was a lot more than upset, he was agitated, scared and nearly out-of-control. Cory had heard that voice from a couple of players during the Championship game when Branson was up against it and facing the prospect of losing. It had taken Cory clamping down on the squad to get them back on track.

But with Hudson calling him from an unidentified number he had no way of calling him back. 'And what did Mr. Wagner think he knew?'

"WHAT THE HELL is going on this year?" Cory yelled in the car slamming his fist on the steering wheel.

'UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH... FOCUS Cory' he said to himself. Back in control Cory realized at the moment there was nothing he could do about Hudson. He'd have to wait until school tomorrow to corner him and determine what was going on. But beyond doubt there had been repercussions from Cory's visit to the Wagner home.

As he pulled into the strip mall and the store that was his first stop, Cory was on target. He was focused. He was determined. And he knew he could get this part of his day completed without being further burdened by the tumult that was Hudson Wagner and his father. This was going to be the non-hassle, good part of his day.

Twenty-five minutes later after an additional stop in the grocery store a few doors down, he was back in the Charger and taking a right back on the street. With a tap to the Uconnect activation switch he said "dial Chris" and heard the call go through.

"Hello?"

"Hi Mrs. Caldwell, this is Cory Radke. May I speak to Chris please?"

"Hold on just a minute Cory and I'll get him. I just wanted to let you know that we're all still enjoying your pies. I'm impressed at how tasty they all are."

"I'm glad you like them. I had fun making them."

"Hold on just a moment and I'll get Chris."

"Thank you." Cory waited.

"Hello?"

"Hey Chris are you doing anything?"

"Nope. Just finished my homework and was going to watch some TV."

"Can I convince you to go back to Starbucks with me to talk for a while?"

"Sure. How long before you can be here?"

"How does now sound? I'm just pulling into your driveway."

Chris laughed "Sounds like somebody assumed that I wouldn't be doing anything."

"Nah. I was just hoping you might be free."

"Well, I'm not free, but let me put some shoes on and I'll be right out."

"I'll be waiting" Cory said disconnecting the call.

He left the Charger idling but unlocked the passenger door. A couple of minutes later Chris came out of the house. As he opened the door, sat down and buckled up he said "Now this looks like the car I normally see you impressing everyone with at school."

"It wasn't really my choice" Cory said as he carefully backed up and turned back on to the street for the short drive to Starbucks. "It was a birthday gift from my Dad last year."

"Nice gift."

"Ya but remember I'm still just Cory" he said smiling over at his friend.

"I'm with ya 'just Cory' but it's still a great ride."

"Enough about me so did you have a good day?" Cory asked as he pulled in to Starbucks and parked.

"It went okay, it's always fun to watch you stuffing bananas in your mouth."

"UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH... one day this year, I'm going to manage to have a quiet lunch with you and not be faced with a list of problems."

"What's going on Cory?"

"Look Chris, I'm not trying to hide anything from you or hold back but it's still all too fresh and I need time to decompress. That and a couple of other things are really why I wanted to see you."

As the two teens got out of the car, Cory grabbed a bag and followed Chris into the coffee shop. Cory walked up to the counter and ordered again. "One nonfat chocolate smoothie and one nonfat strawberry, please." After paying and waiting for the two smoothies to be made, Cory led Chris over to the same table they had sat at the day before.

"So here's your first choice... which one do you want?"

"Chocolate please."

"Here ya go" Cory said sliding the chocolate smoothie Chris' way and pushing a straw into the strawberry. After taking a drink he looked at his friend "Oh man that tastes good. Thanks for coming out with me by the way; I definitely needed some Chris time."

"Thanks. I always enjoy time with you."

Reaching down Cory picked up the bag he had carried in with him. "And here's your second choice" he said sliding the bag across the table over to the tall blond.

"What's this?"

"You can look in the bag and find out."

Chris looked into the bag and then into Cory's eyes. "Cory I can't accept these."

"UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH..." Cory said "why do people keep saying that to me?" then he laughed. "Yes you can and yes you will."

"You sure are certain of yourself."

"Ya but it's just one of the burdens of being Cory" he looked at his friend and laughed again. "But seriously, they're yours. Well, one of them is and the other one is for Rich."

Chris reached into the bag and pulled out a new Apple iPhone 5s. "Cory neither one of us can accept a gift like this. Plus Mom and Dad won't be able to afford the monthly bill."

"Already taken care of buddy. The phones are paid in full for unlimited voice and data for the next two years. All you have to do is pick which color you want - black or space gray. There's also an AT&T gift certificate in each box for you to get a skin. It seems that everyone I know drops their phone constantly so I'd suggest the Otterbox Defender case, but it's entirely up to you. There's enough loaded on the card to get whatever case and other accessories you might want."

"Cory you can't do this."

"Sure I can."

"Okay allow me to rephrase. You shouldn't do this."

"Ya maybe, but I can and I did. I want to be able to call or text or IM you and I want you to be able to get a hold of me and right now that can't happen. This makes it happen. Plus, think of how happy Rich will be. He might just smile at you and want to hang out with us at lunch... wouldn't that be great!"

"Cory you are seriously crazy, but I really appreciate it and so will Rich."

"So which color are you going to pick?"

"I think I'll go for the black because if it's going into a case no one will really know what color it is anyway. I don't know what kind of skin Rich might pick and the space gray phone will give him some options."

"Well aren't you just the considerate big brother."

Cory and Chris spent the next several minutes doing set-up on the new phone and putting in contact information for each other's phone into the phone of the opposite person - pics included.

"Cool that's one thing down and two more to go. Sooooooooooo" Cory said reaching into the pocket of his jeans and pulling out a VISA gift card. "This is for you too."

"Ok Cory this is getting out of hand. I know I told you I wasn't free, but I'm also not a friend you need to buy. I'm already your friend."

"Chris this isn't about buying you since I think we've already ascertained that my saving you twice means that I have a claim on you." Chris started to blush. "But we'll leave that aside for now. This is about me keeping my promise."

"Ooooooooooookay what promise is that?"

"My promise to get you on the Branson Swim Team."

"Cory I'm not trying to be ungrateful, but I told you that my family just can't afford the activity and gear fees for me to go out for swim team. Plus I haven't competed in a year and am really out of shape."

"That's why you're taking this" Cory said picking up the VISA gift card and putting it in Chris' hand.

"Huh?"

"On Wednesday you're coming over to my house to watch Star Trek Into Darkness and spend the night. On the way there we're going shopping and get you all the gear you need to start training."

"You think about this stuff way to far ahead."

"Nah I just do it one step at a time."

"Ok I'm going to play along for a minute. So I get the gear to start training. How am I going to pay for the Branson activity and gear fees assuming I even succeed in making the team?"

"Already got that covered."

"Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooof course you do" Chris said rolling his eyes.

"Are you mocking my finely honed play call skills? I'm shocked" Cory said grinning broadly. "As of 7:15AM this morning, Coach Morin accepted my outline to create the Branson Swim Team Scholarship Fund sponsored by the Booster Club. The Fund will pay the activity fees for up to 8 students and will also pay for an entire new set of gear for every member of the swim team. In addition, it adds the swim team to the football team's laundry contract so no swim team member has to worry about keeping their new gear clean."

"Cory we just talked about this last night after dinner. How did you put all that together in 12 hours?"

"Actually it only took about 2.5 hours including my meeting with Coach Morin, but I think the phrase you're looking for is... very adroitly."

"UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH..."

"Hey no stealing my line" Cory said. "Actually, now that I think about it, I should have that trademarked to me."

"Cory you can't do this."

"Sure I can. All I have to is call my attorney and have him put together the trademark paperwork" Cory said with mock seriousness.

"No I mean you can't just put together a Scholarship Fund like that."

"Chris you keep saying that, but it's already done. Of course, there is part three."

"Should I just faint under the table now."

"Naaaaaaaaaah take a couple drinks of your chocolate smoothie and reenergize yourself."

As they both took drinks from their increasingly melted smoothies Cory smiled benevolently and Chris looked at his friend just shaking his head.

"Okay I think I'm ready give me part three."

"Part of my deal with Coach Morin is that the new gear will have a custom design in Branson colors. However, I get to pick the person to coordinate the design process and find an art student to actually create the design. So I picked you. You will be paid $500 by the Booster Club to split between you and the artist you choose in whatever way you decide."

"Cory you do know that I've been drawing anime since I was a kid and am in Branson's AP Art Class right?"

"Actually I didn't because we've never swapped schedules, but that works out perfect. You can create the design for new swim team custom warm up suits, swim shorts and shoes and keep the $500 for yourself."

"That simple."

"Ya pretty much."

"Do you always make things happen like this?"

"Ya it drives the twins and Brandon crazy" Cory didn't notice the look of jealously sweep over Chris' face when he mentioned Brandon's name "but I gotta be me. And after 3 years they've pretty much gotten used to it... which is more than I can say about me and the speaking of twinish. So they are one up."

"Let me get this straight so I can go home and sleep tonight without my head exploding."

"Okay fire away."

"Rich and I have new phones that are fully paid for the next two years."

"Yep."

"I'm coming over to your house on Wednesday to watch Star Trek and spend the night after we go shopping for training gear."

"Yep again."

"And if I make it past the swim team tryouts I can be a member of the team because of the new Swim Team Scholarship Fund."

"Yep times three."

"Finally I'm going to be paid $500 to design a custom format for the new swim team gear in Branson colors."

"Got it all in one, Chris. If you were playing golf you'd be amazing."

"And this is what it's like being a friend of Cory Radke."

"That I'm not sure I can answer because I've never been a friend to myself as that would be kind of weird and borderline incestuous. But I will say that this is what it's like for YOU to be my friend."

"This is going to require some getting used to."

"Not really. Just suspend disbelief and stick by my side and I guarantee that all will be well."

"There isn't anything else I need to know is there?"

"Well just one thing."

"UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH..."

"Hey you're using my line again. I'm going to have to charge you a royalty for that you know. Actually, I kinda like having you for a friend Chris. I've never had one at Branson who started talking like me just from experiencing regular contact. It's kind of appealing."

"So what's the one more thing?

"You've got about eight weeks until swim team tryouts. Coach Morin has offered to train you after school - on his own time - to help you get ready. Remember though the Branson swim team isn't exactly a powerhouse. I looked up your event times from when you competed at your last high school and if you get anywhere close to them you should have a really good shot at making the team."

"You looked up my event times?"

"Sure I was doing research. BTW... great pic of you in the Speedo. I was going to ask the twins if they thought it would make a cool banner. That way some of the pressure would come off of me."

"You are not turning me into a poster boy, Cory."

"That's what I said, but there I am in the main lobby at school."

"Dude I have to get home."

"Ya me too, Jaxson is probably pissed at how long I've been gone."

Gathering up all their stuff, Cory and Chris headed back to the Charger. Chris was clearly reeling from what had transpired over the short period of time he'd been at Starbucks so Cory just stayed quiet and let him process it all. But he couldn't resist one last shock.

As Chris got out of the car back at his house, Cory leaned over as he closed the door and said "tell your Mom good luck from me when she has the job interview."

He then backed up and pulled on to the street as Chris stared.

After coming to a stop as he pulled into the garage back at his house, Cory was surprised to see Aaron's vehicle in the parking circle. As he walked into the house Jaxson was in his normal place staring at him. "Hey Jaxson and yes I know I was gone longer than I intended." He then went down on his knees and gave his puppy his usual hug. "But I did good getting Chris a phone and letting him know about his shot at making the swim team."

Jaxson gave his master a long wet face lick in forgiveness.

"Thanks Jaxson. So where's Aaron?"

Cory followed Jaxson into the kitchen as his dog stared out the window into the backyard then looked up at him. "Over at the guest house huh? Is he going to come back over?" Jaxson shook his head up and down.

"Cool. Then I got time to make myself some dinner. I'm hungry."

Cory was busy munching on a sliced Italian roast beef and farm house cheddar Panini when Aaron Rocha walked through the back door with an even taller and more powerfully built companion.

"Hey Cory. Nice looking sandwich."

"Thanks Aaron. And it tastes better than it looks."

Cory was surprised that Jaxson was on his back getting rubs from the unknown person. Normally his dog was crazy suspicious of any new people and acted like they were burglars from hell to be ripped into small pieces. Jaxson liked people but it always took him a while to trust them. He could only guess that Aaron had vouched for the other man and got Jaxson to play nice for a change.

Cory looked from Jaxson to the other man to Aaron with the question in his eyes.

"I vouched for Charlie and provided a few treats when we first got here and it seems that for a big guy he might be capable of giving better tummy rubs than me. So in exchange Jaxson was willing to overlook the normal two week background check" Aaron said with a little grin. While Adrian and Declan hadn't yet convinced their Dad to get a dog it was clear that Aaron loved Jaxson as much as Jaxson loved Aaron.

After a few minutes, the other man finished Jaxson's tummy rubs and a very satisfied Jaxson took his place next to Cory's side.

"Cory I want to introduce you to Charlie Moretti. He's my Navy Seabee buddy who owns a good sized construction company here in Portland. We were over looking at the changes Emma, Adrian and Declan want to make to the house."

"Hi Cory, great to meet you" Charlie said offering his hand.

Cory shook his hand smiling "Hi Charlie and I'm glad that Jaxson was willing to overlook his normal test out period with you."

"I think he probably senses that I'm a dog guy. Between my three sons and I we have 10 dogs."

"Aaron's probably told you to leave the other dogs at home while you work on the guest house. Jaxson is probably willing to give a friendly welcome to you, but I'm not certain that offer will be extended to any of your canine friends."

"With his training, I'm not surprised. That's one special puppy you got there."

"Thanks, I love him too."

"Charlie wait here for me" Aaron said "I need to talk to Cory for a few minutes. There's a chance Cory might want to talk to you after we're done."

"Sure Aaron."

"Cory let's go into the den."

"Ok Aaron." Cory was surprised by Aaron not wanting to speak in front of Charlie, but assumed it was necessary.

Cory followed Aaron into the den and took the chair next to him. "So what's all the mystery Aaron?"

"No real mystery, Cory, I just wanted to talk to you about this."

Reaching into his pack, Aaron removed a fat envelope and handed it over to Cory. "This has the original SD card from the Charger along with an enhanced version of the video my team pulled off it and burned on blu-ray. I also put in multiple photo print outs of specific images. Lastly, you have the full medical report on Hudson Wagner we accessed from the hospital including diagnostic images."

"And?"

"Cory you were right in guessing that it was Hudson who keyed your car. Our facial recognition technology proved that beyond any doubt and the photos are completely clear."

"That's hardly a surprise, but from the way you're talking I'm guessing that there's a surprise coming I'm not going to like. And that is happening with entirely too much regularity of late."

"Good assumption. While it's now evident that Hudson was the individual who damaged your car he is not real source of any potential danger to you."

"Hudson Wagner was never a source of danger to me, Aaron. At most he's an ongoing source of annoyance."

"That is, however, not how I would describe Colin Wagner. When facial rec confirmed Hudson's identification it also pulled up a second image from existing Saeth files."

"Please explain."

"Colin Wagner is an Engineering Project Manager at Saeth Construction and currently holds the position of Chief Supervising Engineer for the Columbia River Bridge project."

"WHAT?"

"I checked the files of my predecessor and his name came up when the first incident occurred between Hudson and you during your freshman year at Branson. That information was not flagged, however, and I was not briefed on it when I took over as Chief of Security for Saeth."

"Aaron how did the father of someone who's been an ongoing antagonist of mine get this freaking close and nobody say anything?"

"Your father was told but my predecessor determined that the likelihood of interaction between you and Colin Wagner was low given that Hudson wasn't involved in any of the same classes or school activities as you."

"DAD KNEW?"

"Calm down Cory this is not the end of the world."

"Did anyone bother to do a crosscheck on Hudson's brother? The one I replaced as starting varsity quarterback which generated an ongoing family feud between myself and the Wagners that is currently exploding in my life?"

"In short. No."

"Great."

"But the bottom line remains the same Cory."

"That ignores the fact that Colin Wagner has a meeting tomorrow with Principal Donohue where he is going to demand that I be suspended as varsity quarterback. He may also demand that I be suspended FROM Branson."

"A specific review of the hospital report will show that there is no way you could have caused the injuries the ER doctors reported on Hudson. At the time they saw him they noted 'tenderness' but no bruising. If you had somehow met up with Hudson after the party and beat him up there would have been obvious bruising."

"Aaron I know that I didn't beat up Hudson or cause his injuries. What you don't know is that I went to the Wagner house tonight and had a conversation with Colin Wagner that ended with him nearly taking a punch at me too."

"That might change things."

"YOU think?"

"Cory let's not get ahead of ourselves. You've been off the world stage for three years. Yes, your father has pictures of you in his Saeth office, but there is little or no reason why your Dad would have direct interaction with Colin Wagner where those photos could be seen. When I get home, I will go online and check your Dad's schedule over the last two years and see if he ever met with Colin Wagner in his office. Saeth Construction is in an entirely different building from the corporate headquarters and for the most part your Dad goes there for meetings, not the reverse."

"I'm still shocked that Colin Wagner could get this close to me and nobody said anything. If I knew he was a Saeth employee I never would have gone to his house tonight. I also now cannot use Saeth Construction for the work I wanted to do here. While there is no reason for Colin Wagner to have any involvement in what is essentially a very minor project, it's going to raise flags that I don't want coming up on his radar."

"Which is why I asked Charlie to stick around thinking you might want to talk to him."

"Okay Aaron. I agree that even though I look a lot like Dad, the chance of Colin Wagner making the connection is pretty low. And I appreciate you thinking ahead and having Charlie stay behind. I want to read through the medical report on Hudson, but since I'm not invited to the meeting between Colin Wagner and Principal Donohue there's no real reason for him to set eyes on me again."

"Cory you are 17 going on 18 and to most adults every teenager looks the same. I look forward to discovering if you say the same thing when Adrian and Declan get a little older."

"I'd never say that because Adrian and Declan are unique and always will be. Besides they utterly look like you - totally studly."

"Well one of the reasons I decided to use Charlie to remodel the new house is that he's previously built interrogation facilities. I plan on having him put in a dungeon to hide the twins from horny teenage girls."

"Good luck with that Aaron. Hate to tell you this, but they get looks from the high school girls."

"Cory my weak parental heart did not need to hear that."

"Be strong my Coach!" Cory said laughing as he stood up with Aaron and walked back to the kitchen. Cory stopped for a minute to pull out his tablet from the backpack he'd left on one of the island stools.

"Hey Charlie, how would like second project? In case you have a weak parental heart like Aaron here, I'm going to warn you in advance that it's going to test you big time."

"I think my heart is strong enough. Let's hear about it."

"Alright here goes. I want to build the most amazing high school regulation swimming pool ever constructed along with a glass sided infinity edge combination hot tub and lap pool that will overflow into the main pool. I am asking that you include a commercial quality filtration and heating system because I know that Jaxson is going to want to swim in it too, and I don't want it clogging up with dog hair. Finally I want the entire project done in 30 days, but that's the maximum outside range. Get it done in 3 weeks and I'll give you a 25% bonus. Get it done in 2 weeks and I'll give you a 50% bonus. Here's the information on specs for a regulation pool and the DynaDome moving pool enclosure I want. The entire under glass area needs to be heated for use in winter."

"Wow Cory that's an amazing project and one that I'd love to do. But with your time frame I don't know how you can possibly get it designed and bid out."

"I'm not interested in a bid. I want you to undertake it as a design/build project and if necessary pull in whatever experts you need on a 24-hour basis. Cost is irrelevant. Time is everything. This is going to freak Aaron out but I don't care if you have to bring 200 people on the property to get it done. I want it designed, permitted and under construction this week. Just let me know how much money you want in advance and Aaron will arrange with my attorney to have it wired into your account same day. I trust you will treat me right and give me a fair price."

"That goes without saying as I'd never mess with Aaron, but I'm concerned about design and material approval."

"Don't be. I'm going to ask Emma Rocha to work with you on this. She knows my taste and I trust hers. I've got pictures of what I generally want the project to look like. I want this done and am not interested in any extended approval process. I'll pay Emma enough to gain you access to her 24 hours a day. If you need it, I'm sure she'll give you approval within minutes of design and material presentation. I own the properties on two of the three sides of the fenced backyard. And I'm planning to talk to my neighbors on the third side about an arrangement to give you at least 12 hours a day for construction. Wake up your team Charlie and get them to work."

"Will do boss."

"Aaron, I need to you to talk to Emma for me. I'll pay her $25,000 to oversee this project and make it look great. It's to be geared for maximum training use and individual coaching which means lines, lane markers and timers, but also should be usable as a residential pool. You heard what I told Charlie. I'm not saying I won't be involved in the project, I just want to make it clear that I don't want a minute's delay because I'm in school, at practice, doing homework or asleep."

"Ok Cory I'll talk to Emma, but you already know that she'll agree to do it both because she loves you and because Adrian and Declan are going to freak out when they hear about it. So you'll have two extra voices asking her to take this on for you."

"And I'm sorry in advance for any security problems this is going to create."

"Don't be. I know that Charlie does a full background check on every person who works on his team and he trusts them absolutely. I wouldn't have brought him on to the do the house project if I thought he couldn't do the work without risking security. Since the perimeter fence and security systems will be breached during construction, I want your permission to hire 24-hour security to watch over the property until everything is put back in place."

"Aaron, do what you think is necessary and send the bills to Cynfab. I don't want an army around me, but I'm not going to make you crazy during your first week of working for me. I'm going to have enough to deal with convincing Jaxson not to freak out from all the people wandering around."

"Ya he does get protective of his play area."

"Well that's going to get smaller, but I'm hoping that having the ability to jump in a warm pool will keep him happy. That's why I want a filtration system that is sized more for public use than home use. I don't want an issue with water quality because of Jaxson's desire to jump in the pool."

"If anything I'll make sure that part of the system is overdesigned to handle the issue Cory and will ensure there are a couple dog-friendly walk out ramps for him" Charlie said.

"Thanks. Is there anything I missed?"

"Nothing I can think of boss. Just pay my bills and I'll be happy" Charlie said holding out his hand. "We'll get this done."

"Deal" Cory said shaking Charlie's hand.

"Now I got to get to work and Aaron you probably want to get home to talk to Emma and the boys. You know what I need from her for the project at your house. With all the guys I'll have wandering around this place, it'll actually be easier getting your job done at the same time. So Cory has done you a favor."

"Charlie could you wait for Aaron a minute at the front door, there's one more thing I need to tell him."

"Will do. Good night Cory."

"See ya Charlie."

As Charlie walked out of the kitchen Cory turned to Aaron. "Aaron I wanted you to know that I've invited Chris Caldwell over to the house on Wednesday to watch a movie and spend the night."

"Well it's about time you had a friend over Cory. You need to stop being a hermit in this place" Aaron said. "You know I never said you couldn't have anyone over here. It was always your choice to only let Trent and Troy meet you at the condo."

"Okay Coach, I hear you. I just wanted to let you know."

"Alright. Talk to Jaxson and then get some sleep. You're about to be surrounded by more people than you've ever seen in your life."

"Thanks Aaron, and thanks for talking me down off my freak out about Colin Wagner. I'll see you tomorrow for training."

"Just doing my job boss. See ya."

A few minutes later, Aaron and Charlie were gone. Cory contemplated options for a few minutes and then said "Hagrid?"

"Computer online." The house system announced from its speakers.

"Locate Arris 1 please."

"Arris 1 is currently onboard Saeth 1 with a registered flight plan from Beijing to Sydney."

"Please send a message to the flight deck of Saeth 1 requesting that Arris 1 contact Arris 3 soonest."

"Message composed and transmitted."

"Thank you Hagrid."

"You're welcome Cory."

It took less than 5 minutes for Cory's phone to ring. Caller ID showed "Saeth 1".

"Hi Dad."

"Hey Cory. What's going on son? Are you ok?"

"Jaxson and me are both good. Dad how come you didn't tell me about Colin Wagner?"

"I got a priority email from Grace that included a report from Aaron so I know most of what is going on as of 8 hours ago. Cory I'm sorry that I didn't tell you about Colin Wagner. You were barely 15 when the event between you and Hudson occurred. I didn't think there would be a repeat and I didn't believe that the Wagner family connection to Saeth was significant."

"Dad I went to the Wagner home tonight because I didn't know about that connection and met Colin Wagner. Nothing big happened, but it ended more belligerently then I initially expected. I also received a phone call from Hudson right after that was cut off in the middle of him saying he thought his Dad 'knew something.'"

"Cory if I have to handle Colin Wagner you know I will. I'm your Father and will always do whatever is necessary to protect you."

"I know Dad and I love you, but I should have been told."

"Cory I made a mistake, but it was more in the interest of making your first year at Branson as easy as possible then in any attempt on my part to withhold important information from you. I honestly didn't believe that you and Colin Wagner would ever come in contact."

"Well we did. Though there is a big gap between thinking you know something and actually knowing something. I don't know what it is Dad but something is going on inside the Wagner family. I'm going to try to get Hudson to tell me but my instincts lead me to believe he won't - whether it's because he's still mad at me or because he's scared of his Dad, I don't know. My read of Colin Wagner, however, is that when it comes to me he is not the most stable of persons. Hudson told Nathan he was willing to 'make peace' between us on Saturday morning and then flipped 180 on that this morning."

"Cory you know from Aaron that Colin Wagner is Supervising Engineer on the Columbia River Bridge project. While he's not indispensable, moving him off that job will cause disruption that I would prefer to avoid."

"And I'm not suggesting that you do that Dad. There is too much in motion and I haven't figured out Colin's real play yet. I did a fake out on him tonight that had a major impact. How much I won't know until tomorrow."

"Cory I trust your strategic skills. You're probably better at that than I was at your age. You know what Mom has done with her Saeth stock. She's deliberately set the company up more as a partnership between us than a family company. I guess I'm telling you that if you want something at Saeth, it will be done."

"Dad it's your company. You built it and you made it what it is today. I'm not going to start randomly second guessing you by needlessly imposing myself in corporate decisions. But I'm not going to allow Colin Wagner to mess up my life or my senior year at Branson."

"Ok son. I'll start an investigation on my side to see if I can get you any additional information. And promise that I will keep you updated. I'm also going to have Aaron monitor all of Colin Wagner's email and phone calls to data mine for anything relevant."

"Thanks Dad. How come you're on your way to Australia?"

"Saeth Mining is in the closing stage of purchasing an Australian mining company that holds licenses to large tracts of land that have yet to be explored. I'm going to finalize that purchase and coordinate the merging of the two companies."

"Sounds great Dad. Good luck and have a safe flight."

"Thanks Cory. Get a good night's sleep and good luck in this Friday's game. I got Brandon's video of the first home game and you did fantastic. I'm proud of you son."

"Love you Dad."

"Love you Cory."

Cory finished up his dinner and cleaned up. "Come on Jaxson. I know it's only 9:00PM but it's been a long day and while I'm not ready to sleep, I am ready to stretch out and relax."

Heading upstairs Cory stripped, got ready for bed and then lay down with his tablet in hand doing a mix of both school work and personal research. Shortly before 10PM he called over to Jaxson who'd been lying in his own bed while Cory worked.

"Hey Jaxson come here for a minute."

The puppy dutifully padded over and put his head on Cory's abs his loving yellow eyes staring into his master's as the teen idly scratched his ears.

"Jaxson I need you to be good for me over the next couple of weeks. There are going to be a lot of people running around outside, making noise and a big mess. But when they're done we're going to have a great new place to play together. Don't worry about the men, Aaron is going to make sure they're all good guys and he's going to have other guys walking around to make sure that we stay safe. Nobody is going to come in the house unless Aaron is here to watch them with you. We got a deal?"

Jaxson leaned up and gave Cory a long doggy lick in agreement.

"Great now let's get to sleep, we got a run in the morning." As Jaxson trotted over to his own bed, Cory opened his night stand and pulled out a dog treat. "Here Jaxson and thanks buddy." As usual his puppy caught the homemade treat in mid-air. As he settled down to munch it Cory turned off the lights and rolled over to go to sleep.

It had been a long and stress filled Monday. Cory hoped that Tuesday would be a much better day.

The new day dawned as colorless as Monday. After their run, Cory and Jaxson returned to the house where Cory fed and put out fresh water for his Weimaraner then went upstairs to shower, shave and get dressed for school.

Somewhat matching the day, Cory pulled out a gray AE tee, UA gray Boxerjock boxer briefs and gray AE crew socks. After pulling those on he added a pair of RVCA Rough Blue jeans and his Stefan Janoski low Premium iD customized gray leather Nikes with red soles, laces and swoosh. He topped it all with a Crate Charcoal Heather pullover hoodie with red screen print.

After Cory put his tablet back in his pack he headed downstairs to make and eat breakfast - a PB&J on 12-grain bread with a fruit salad of chopped strawberries, bananas, kiwi and blueberries.

With Jaxson in tow Cory quickly ran upstairs to brush his teeth then down to grab his pack and give his puppy a goodbye before buckling into the Charger and starting his drive to school.

He was surprised when Uconnect notified him of an incoming call and smiled when the ID showed it was Chris.

"Hey Chris trying out the new phone?"

"Ya and thanks again. I just got to school and was waiting for you but thought I'd call you instead."

"Cool you can keep me company while I drive. So are we all good for tomorrow?"

"Definitely. Mom and Dad both said yes."

"That's good. I've got a guest room you can have all to yourself. So neither you or Rich will have to share a room with anyone for a night."

As Cory mentally reminded himself to email Maria and ask her to get the guest room ready for Chris he wasn't able to see the other teen's reaction at learning that he and Cory would not be sharing a bed. It had been the major focus of Chris' shower that morning.

"Cory is it ok for me to ask you something?"

"Sure bud you can always ask me anything you want."

"How did you know that Mom got a call for a job interview?"

"DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE you can't expect me to reveal all my QB powers or I'll cease to be a mystery and you'll find me entirely less interesting than you do right now."

"I didn't realize that the prescience was a QB power."

"It's not but as Tennessee Williams wrote 'the future is called perhaps which is the only thing to call the future. And the only important thing is not to let it scare you.'"

"So are you telling me that 'perhaps' you knew that Mom was going to get a job interview."

"No I'm saying that you should never allow what I do know, or don't know, to scare you.

"You do recognize that it is way too early in the morning to have a debate over philosophy."

"Yes and as Shakespeare said 'I will be the pattern of all patience; I will say nothing.'"

"So in other words you're not going to tell me how you knew."

"Yep pretty much."

"Even if I tell you that I can't imagine ever finding you less interesting no matter how long I know you?"

"I'll accept that as a major compliment, but..."

"You still won't tell me what you know."

"Yep."

"You know Cory you can be very exasperating."

"Maybe but I'm lovable in equal measure."

"That you are."

"Why Chris that was a very nice thing to say at the start of a cloudy school day."

"So how long before you pull in?"

"Just a couple of minutes, I think. So what did Rich think of his new phone?"

"He about blew through the roof in excitement. I think he spent half the night sending texts and IMs to his friends. I don't think any of them have the 5s yet so he's suddenly King of his crowd."

"Well good for him. I'm glad I could make him happy."

"Does that apply to me as well?"

"I've been trying to make you happy since we first met."

"Cory we first met when you saved me from flying headfirst down the south stairwell."

"I know but that made you happy didn't it?"

"LOL that it did."

"Cool and I'm pulling in to the senior's lot right now."

"Ya I see your Charger. Talk to you live in a minute."

Pulling into the first available space he found, Cory grabbed his pack as Chris opened the driver side door.

"Why thanks good sir" he said stepping out as Chris backed up to give him space to stand up. "If I knew Branson was offering valet service I would have let you park for me."

"No fair teasing me. This is the like the car of my dreams."

"I'd never tease you Chris. Did you get a good night's sleep or did all of Rich's texting keep you awake?"

"I just rolled over and let him type. His bed is far enough from mine that it didn't bother me."

"That's cool. And I'm glad that your mom is scheduled for a job interview. I hope she gets through the interview without any problems. That'll take one worry off your shoulders buddy."

"Thanks Cory and I've already started sketching some ideas for the swim team gear."

"That's fantastic. Not to put you under extreme pressure but you only got about two weeks to do the design and get it approved by Coach Morin and Coach Thompson before it needs to be to Speedo. Custom gear normally takes longer to turnaround, but I worked a deal to get them to operate under the Booster Club timeline."

"And why shouldn't I have guessed that" Chris said as the two tall blonds walked toward the east entrance.

"See you're getting better, you're starting to more easily suspend disbelief when it comes to me."

Bumping his shoulder against the football player Chris said "Cory I think you've used up your exasperating quota for today."

"I hope not because I think you're going to need to allow me a bottomless supply or I might start to become annoying. And then you wouldn't want me as your friend and I'd be sad." Cory looked at Chris with puppy dog eyes.

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh maaaaaaaaaaaaan puppy dog eyes? That's not playing fair."

"I don't have to play fair I just have to win" Cory said smiling.

'I think you've already won me' Chris thought to himself. "We better book it to first period or we'll be late. I'll see in AP SS."

"Hey just STAYING in first period would be a major achievement for me this week. See ya in 4th Chris."

Cory took his tablet out of his backpack and a seat in his AP Math class almost concurrently. He had just enough time to send the email about the guest room to Maria before warning bell rang and the other students piled into class en masse.

After everyone got settled, their teacher began the day's lesson. Cory was enjoying the discussion of the intermediate value theorem when the door opened and Branson's perpetually less-than-friendly appearing Assistant Principal walked in to pull the instructor over to the side for a quick conversation.

'Oh no not again' Cory said to himself.

All eyes were on Cory as the teacher looked his way. "Mr. Radke your presence is again desired in the main office."

As he put his tablet back into his school pack, Cory slung it over his shoulder and looked at his teacher with a shrug and apology as he followed the Assistant Principal out of the class and back the same way he'd gone yesterday to the main office.

A smiling Mrs. Blanchett stood in the same position as the previous day as he entered behind the gloomy faced Assistant Principal. "Cory events are transpiring in such a way as to bring us together with surprising regularity this year. That hasn't happened in previous years so something is incontestably out of alignment in the cosmos."

"I would agree with you on that point Mrs. Blanchett. But as Woody Allen said 'eighty percent of success is showing up'. So here I am showing up."

"Well said Cory and I believe you know the way to Principal Donohue's office."

"Through the crack of doom?" Cory said with a smile.

"Not I think today, Cory."

For the second time in as many days, Cory went down the hall and knocked on the principal's door. "Please come in." Opening the door, Cory walked in and, once again, shut it behind him.

As he turned around he was surprised to see not the face of the familiar Principal Donohue but instead a female face.

"Please take a seat Mr. Radke."

Cory took a seat and placed his school pack on the floor next to him. "Cory I'm Dr. Shauna Fraser, Superintendent of Schools. I've been reviewing the thinnest file on any student called to the principal's office twice in two days that I've ever seen in my long career in education."

"Anything of interest?"

"Other than it appears that you would be more correctly placed on this side of the desk and not in a chair in front of it, no. Your grades are stellar, your aptitude tests suggest that you should have been in college two or three years ago, and those teachers and coaches I've asked about you use superlatives most often applied to the paintings of the grand masters."

"I'm just a Branson senior, Dr. Fraser."

"A senior who managed to singlehandedly throw both one of my most prominent high schools and central administration in to an uproar."

"That was Principal Donohue's decision not mine, ma'am."

"For which he has rightly chosen to take a few days off for personal reflection."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I consider Principal Donohue to be a good man and I wouldn't have chosen that path for him.'

"No I don't believe you would and that's yet another thing that makes you an even more astonishing individual, Cory. Every person I speak with here at Branson tells me that you are unfailingly polite, friendly, unassuming, a gifted student who goes out of his way to appear average, and apparently more interested in the welfare of your fellow students than you are of yourself. Which given the ego of the average High School senior sets you in a class of one."

"Dr. Fraser, I can only speak of Branson not the other high schools in the district, but I am hardly in a class of one. There are a number of students here who stand up for others and help out even when not asked. That's something that has always made me proud to be a student here at Branson."

"Point taken, Cory. But you are singular in that you are the first student - at least of which I'm aware - who has had more than one teacher refuse direct orders from their principal and threaten to resign over an instruction to discipline you."

"I would never ask any of my teachers to risk their career over me. I offered to accept suspension rather than see that happen."

"Again, point taken, but it did happen."

"Dr. Fraser my desire has been only to continue my senior year at Branson unmolested by charges over which the school has no jurisdiction and which have no relevance to my position either as a student or as starting quarterback of the Branson varsity football team."

"That your attorney has made very clear along with a detailed accounting of the rather startling cost the district would have to bear in legal fees should Principal Donohue have made the decision to proceed with disciplinary action against you. An accounting that the central office legal department has advised both me and the School Board is both true and accurate. However, that point is now moot."

"Pardon me, Dr. Fraser?"

"This morning a few minutes after I arrived to discuss the situation in person with Principal Donohue, Mr. Wagner called to notify us that he was cancelling today's meeting and had no plans to either reschedule or in anyway resubmit the charges he made against you. In his words he 'wanted the entire matter forgotten.'"

'My fake out worked' Cory thought 'but I don't believe for a minute that this play is finished. Colin Wagner has just moved the goal posts. The question is to where.'

"I'm sure that Mrs. Blanchett will be happy to know that she can proceed with her week without me walking through the main office door."

"As will I Cory."

"May I be excused to return to classes, Dr. Fraser?"

"Certainly. Though I fail to see why when I have been informed by each of your teachers that you've already turned in all the homework due through this Friday and beyond."

"I'm just a student, Dr. Fraser. I belong in class learning from my instructors."

"Thank you for meeting with me Cory. You might see me in the hallways as I plan to stick around Branson for a few days until Principal Donohue makes a decision on the future of his career."

"I hope you enjoy your time at Branson, Dr. Fraser. And I'm sure that Coach Thompson would say we'd be honored to have you attend our game with Oakeswood this Friday on our side of their stadium."

"Thank you for the invitation, Cory."

"Thank you for allowing me to proceed with my high school career as I would wish it to unfold."

Cory reached down to grab his backpack and return it to his shoulder. Standing up he nodded to Dr. Fraser then turned and left the office. Waving to Mrs. Blanchett as he walked out of the main office doors, Cory went to the nearest wall and leaned his back against it.

'UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH... now where is the blitz going to come from? I need answers and Hudson is going to supply them. I just don't think he'll give them to me.'

Just then the bell rang and Cory was engulfed by a wave of students intent on their day, their problems, their personal desires and whatever was to come in second period. Cory decided to join them.

Cory turned into his 4th period class and saw a smiling Chris with an empty seat next to him. "You beat me" he said to his friend.

"Guess that just means you can't be number one at everything."

"Chris I already know I'm not number one at everything. For example, I can swim to survive, but I'm definitely more a dog-paddler than dolphin."

"Good then I got something to teach you for a change."

Cory saw an opening with what Chris had said and immediately took advantage of it. "Chris I'll offer you a deal. You ace your tryout and make the Branson Swim Team and I'll turn myself over to you for swimming lessons."

"Cool. You got yourself a deal Cory. And that means we can buy stuff for both of us when we go shopping."

"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey... Coach Morin tried to get me in a pair of Speedos when I went over the outline of the Swim Team Scholarship Fund with him. I turned him down and your and my deal has nothing to do with style of swimwear."

Chris frowned at him and gave his own version of puppy dog eyes.

"UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH... remind me to trademark puppy dog eyes too."

"So did it work?"

"Chris I own several pairs of perfectly good board shorts that would be great to use in swim lessons. IF you make the team and earn that right."

"Ya but you know that the right gear makes the winning easier."

"Have you been talking to Aaron? I think I used that same line on him to justify the extra equipment room space I needed for my gear."

"No. Maybe being around you is teaching me how you think."

"Well stop that! This is a brain for one only."

"Great. I'll check the speedo.com website and see what suits will look good paired with your eyes."

"UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH... I didn't agree to wear Speedos."

"Ya but you know you will."

"You're not playing fair you know."

"I don't have to play fair I just have to win" Chris said smiling.

"Will you stop stealing my lines?"

"Ya but you know my price."

"Ok ok ok... I will CONSIDER buying a pair of Speedos when we go shopping tomorrow. Happy?"

"Sure am."

"UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH..."

"Ya know I'm starting to agree with the twins, I think that might be some kind of genetic anomaly."

"It's from having friends who are determined to drive me to seek out the nearest padded room."

"Nah it's from having friends who care about you as much as you care about them."

'And one who is starting to love you' Chris thought staring at Cory as he pulled out his tablet to get ready for the start of class.

With that the bell rang and their teacher began the discussion of U.S. Constitutional history.

The rest of Cory's Tuesday went off without any problem. Coach Thompson was satisfied that the matter with Colin Wagner had been resolved and any question about Cory being able to play on Friday was off the table.

Coach Thompson was also secretly pleased that Donohue had been forced on leave to consider his future. He and Donohue had butted heads more than once when Branson's football program was not operating on the winning side of the column as the Principal felt that it reflected poorly on his running of the school. Coach Thompson thought Donohue was an ass who was more concerned about his next career move then on running a school focused on high education standards.

With practice over, Cory sighed as he got in the Charger. He was glad this day was over. Colin Wagner had gone underground for now, but Cory had no doubt that he'd be back. Hudson had been out of sight all day and Cory wasn't sure of the best way to approach him, but for now he was just glad to be heading home.

After he parked in the garage and closed the door, Cory walked in to a Jaxson who was so happy to see him at what Jaxson considered the right time that he jumped up to put both paws on Cory's chest and slobber his face with doggy kisses.

"Ok Jaxson, I know you love me and I love you. Now let's go play catch for a while and then we'll get you dinner before Aaron gets here for my workout. Deal?"

Jaxson scampered off to the back door happy to wait for dinner if it meant both play and tummy rub time.

For the next forty-five minutes in the growing darkness of an early autumn evening, Cory and Jaxson did what they enjoyed most - played catch and ran each other around the backyard.

Cory hoped that Jaxson wouldn't be too upset by how much of his play area got lost to the new pool, but there would still be enough yard in which the buddies could play catch and wrestle. Plus Cory knew that the Weimaraner was a natural hunter and at home in water, so he guessed his dog would love the new pool and the chance to paddle around chasing his favorite nerf footballs.

About 5:40PM Cory told Jaxson to clean up his toys and went inside to fill his puppy's food and water bowls. Just a couple of minutes later, Jaxson used the automated dog door keyed to his locator chip to let himself back inside and attack his food. As Jaxson munched his food, Cory first went outside to close up the storage box and then upstairs to change into workout gear.

When he came back downstairs it was 6PM. Which meant that Aaron was in the entryway and Jaxson was on his back with his tongue hanging out going crazy happy from the tummy rubs.

Even with all the problems it had turned out to be a good day.

Ninety minutes later, Cory and Aaron were stepping out of the locker-room shower area and toweling dry. Cory put on the clean clothes that Maria had left for him and Aaron dressed in the clothes he'd worn to the house.

The workout gear that Aaron had worn was piled with Cory's and would be washed and returned by Maria to Aaron's locker for use on Thursday - and Cory's next workout session.

"Hey Cory you got a few minutes?"

"Sure Aaron what's up?"

"I've got some drawings from Charlie. He had his design team working all night and Emma went over everything this morning with an architect that Charlie brought on for the project who is also a former Olympic swimmer. It's got some killer stuff in it."

"Oh ya?"

"The boys are saying they're going to run away from home and move in with you just to be able to use the new facility. Their coach told them that swimming is a great way to improve flexibility for football."

"Well Chris is volunteering to be my swim instructor so I'll ask him if he'll do the same for Adrian and Declan."

"You're finally going to learn how to swim?"

"Hey I can dog-paddle with the best of them."

"Cory besides the instruction I received at the Academy, I had 24 weeks of underwater training just to reach the stage where I could be accepted for Seal Qualification Training. That includes a test where I had to swim underwater with my hands and feet bound for at least 350 feet. The twins could swim better than you can now when they were 5."

"Ok ok ok... I get your point Coach Rocha. But I'm not wearing a Speedo doing it" Cory pouted.

"You'll do what your swim Coach says."

"Chris only gets that title IF he makes swim team. That's our deal. It's also my way to help him regain the confidence to KNOW he can make swim team."

"If you want to help him regain his confidence then agree to let him decide what gear you're going to wear. That'll give him the incentive to follow his own training and get ready for tryouts."

"UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH... is there some big conspiracy that I don't know about to get me in a Speedo? First it was Coach Morin, then Chris and now you. If I didn't know better I would think you were all communicating behind my back."

"Don't get paranoid, Cory. Even Emma said something about it. She wanted to know why you told Charlie that the hot tub and lap pool were to be glass sided."

"I saw a pic online of a glass sided tub and a three-sided glass lap pool and thought they looked cool."

"I think you want to show off your worked out body."

"UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH..."

"You know that Trent and Troy were telling Adrian and Declan about their theory on why you keep saying that. I'm starting to think it makes sense. At your next physical I might suggest the Doctor give you a genetic marker test."

"Can we PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE just look at the draft plans for the pool and stop talking about me?"

"Yes boss."

For the next 30 minutes, Cory went over the draft plans with Aaron. He used the comment function to make some notes to Charlie and Emma, but not many. He was really impressed with what Charlie's team had come up with and the ideas from the swimmer-architect were great. While he was a little disappointed that the hot tub and lap pool wouldn't directly overflow into the main pool it made sense for them not to given the pool's primary function as a training facility... besides the stepping stones and shallow water area Charlie's team had designed to connect the two were totally tight.

"What's this section Aaron? And why is the pool offset to the house like it is? I would have thought it would make more sense to put it in the middle."

"By offsetting it, the hot tub and lap pool will be near the ravine side of the property and provide the maximum level of privacy. Also, Charlie is pre-planning. He thinks that eventually you're going to want to convert the pool to Olympic size. So the equipment room, pump infrastructure and filters are all geared for that and he's going to prep the ground and piping to make expanding the pool easy."

"Makes sense to me. Sounds like Dad isn't the only one with an eye toward pre-planning."

"Seabees are trained to construct facilities that can multi-task and be easily upgraded if necessary. So he's just anticipating a client's prospective desire."

"He's done it well. Thank Charlie and Emma for me. So what's the program from this point forward?"

"I'll email your comments off to Charlie when I get home. He's going to have his team work through the night to finalize the plans and then Emma and the swimmer-architect are going to review them first thing in morning. Their goal is to have the plans in the hands of the permit department by noon. Charlie has a Seabee buddy in the permit department who's going to rush it through. It's going to cost you extra to have inspectors on site rather than scheduling them, but since it adds so little to the budget Charlie didn't think you'd mind."

"He's right. Thanks Aaron."

"With a little luck construction should begin on Thursday so you'll see ground being moved before we start our next workout."

"That's fantastic. See ya Thursday Coach Rocha!"

Cory and Jaxson followed Aaron back upstairs with Cory waving bye to his security chief while Jaxson woofed his. Cory then went into the kitchen to make himself some dinner - chicken breast, brown rice and broccoli. With dinner eaten and dishes cleaned up, Cory headed upstairs to brush his teeth, floss and use mouthwash to rinse. He then stripped off and got into bed.

With the end of the Colin Wagner matter, Cory was tired and fell asleep early and quickly.

Wednesday morning dawned sunny for the first time in two days, but much colder than normal. Dressing for the weather and because he planned on a quick visit to his neighbors, Cory put on Nike Tech Fleece pants and hoodie, a white Bike Performance Jogger supporter and his favorite Nike Flyknits.

Leaving the house Cory took a slow pace both because he didn't want to get winded and he was hoping to time this perfectly to connect with his neighbor - at which he succeeded.

Just as he neared the Anderson's driveway he saw Mrs. Anderson heading out of the front door toward her idling Mercedes. Kicking up his speed, Cory ordered Jaxson to behave.

"Hi Mrs. Anderson! Do you have a minute to talk?"

"Yes I do Cory. What did you need to discuss?"

Cory came to a stop in front of the older woman and Jaxson politely sat down to wait for their run to continue.

"Mrs. Anderson I'm sorry for the short notice, but I just received the information from my construction company last night. I'm going to install an in-ground pool and cover at the house. Construction is expected to begin tomorrow. I would like to offer you and Mr. Anderson a suite at The Benson at my cost for the duration of construction - which is supposed to take two weeks but depending on weather may go as long as three."

"Cory I appreciate the offer and I'll discuss it with Mr. Anderson tonight and let you know. But given the extraordinarily short time that you are projecting for construction, I think we will be able to manage without having to leave the house - especially since for two of those weeks Mr. Anderson will be out-of-the-country on a business trip. I'd prefer to be in my own home instead of an impersonal hotel room, suite or not. What hours are they expecting to work?"

"To maximize speed, the plan is to operate from 7AM to 7PM."

"Since I'm at the office myself until about 6PM, you're only talking impinging on my life for 1 hour a day and potentially two weekends. That's hardly a major impact."

"I very much appreciate the indulgence, Mrs. Anderson. I apologize in advance for any noise that might bother you. And my offer for the suite stands even if you wish to take advantage of it only on the weekends. You have my cell phone number, please use it if you wish to change your mind or have any complaints about the work."

"And I appreciate your consideration Cory. While it is short notice, not many neighbors would make such a generous offer for mitigation. I know to get the work done in such a short period of time you must be paying your construction company a very large amount extra to cover the size of the additional work crew."

"I am Mrs. Anderson and they have been offered a bonus for completing the work in the shortest time possible. Besides my own personal desire to get the pool operational immediately, I didn't want to overly impose on your generosity of spirit by allowing the construction work to go on too long."

"Well Cory when our construction company took three months to complete work on our new ground floor master suite and sitting area, Mr. Anderson and I heard not one word of complaint from you or Jaxson. I think we can manage to survive for one-quarter of the time."

"Thank you again, Mrs. Anderson, and have a great day at the office. And not to belabor the point but my offer stands up until the last day of construction. Just let me know."

Cory waved as Mrs. Anderson got in her car. She allowed the teen and his dog time to clear the driveway and continue on their run before she began her drive to the office.

As he got back to the house after their regular six mile run, Cory felt Jaxson tense into protective mode and start a low rumbling growl. Proceeding up the parking circle, he saw two trucks with people standing around talking between them.

Getting closer, Cory saw that one of the people was Charlie.

Keeping a firm hold on Jaxson's leash and telling him to calm down he slowed to a halt about 20 feet away. "Hey Charlie what's going on?"

Charlie turned from the group and walked over to where Cory and Jaxson where standing. While Jaxson had stepped down from protective mode Cory could see his body vibrating slightly from his low growling.

"It's ok Jaxson, it's only Charlie. Remember he's the guy that Aaron introduced you to and from whom you got some great tummy rubs." Jaxson looked Charlie over but with Aaron not in the picture still didn't completely relax.

Charlie stood calmly about 8 feet away from the pair. "Sorry Cory, but I forgot about Jaxson's special training. I should have called you and given you a heads up that I was heading over with a survey crew."

"It's ok Charlie. Why don't you have the other guys move away from the front door so I can get Jaxson inside. I'll give him food and water and then be back out to get your crew working."

Charlie went back to the guys and had everyone return to their vehicles. Cory took Jaxson up to the front door and let them both inside then released his puppy from the leash. Jaxson wasn't moving from the door.

Getting down on his knees Cory looked his puppy in the eyes. "It's okay Jaxson, we're both safe. Remember I told you that Charlie was going to bring a lot of other guys on the property to do some work outside? Well, this is the first of them. They're not going to come in the house and Aaron is going to make sure that everything stays safe outside. Ok buddy?"

Jaxson finally calmed down and followed Cory into the kitchen. As his master was scooping food into his bowl, Cory heard the front door open and Jaxson tensed again.

"Don't worry Cory, it's just me" Aaron said.

"Hey Aaron, Jaxson and I are in the kitchen" Cory called out as he finished filling up Jaxson's food bowl and picked up his water bowl to rinse out and refill.

"I take it we have one unhappy Weimaraner on our hands" Aaron said smiling as he walked in the kitchen.

"Oh ya."

"Charlie told me that he forgot to call you on his way over and it is my bad to not have called you either. I had planned to be here before Charlie got here but obviously didn't make it."

"It's okay Aaron. I don't know that Jaxson has had anything to be excited about in three years so this is his first real chance to protect his territory. But I'm glad you're here. I told him last night and again just a few minutes ago what the plan is, but it's going to take this guardian on four legs a little while to get assimilated to the short term new order of things."

"That's what I'm here for boss. I know you have to get ready for school. So I'll watch over Jaxson and give him another briefing to keep him calmed down. We may have to move him over to the guest house during the hours you aren't here. Obviously, I'm going to need to shut down his doggy door access to the backyard. I think I'll also have Charlie quickly construct a duplicate of Jaxson's bathroom area in my backyard so he can at least have the 'facilities' to which he's accustomed."

"Makes sense Aaron and something I should have considered in advance. You do know by doing that the twins are going to get into their heads that you'll let them get a dog of their own."

"Ya but I'll make sure they understand that is a discussion we'll have AFTER the pool is in and Jaxson is comfortable that his territory has been secured. We don't need to introduce another wild card into the mix."

"Agreed. And tell Adrian and Declan that I appreciate their being considerate of Jaxson's feelings while all this upheaval is ongoing. Ok I'm running late and need to get in the shower. If you could do me the favor of frying up a couple of eggs and dropping some toast I'd appreciate it - otherwise I may be skipping breakfast."

"No problem boss I'll fix you up."

Cory headed upstairs to get ready for school. Thinking ahead to his shopping trip with Chris, Cory decided to dress up a little. He stopped at his dresser to pull out pair of gray AE performance trunks and blue crew socks and left them on his bed. Then headed in to the closet where stripped and then went in to the bathroom to shower and shave.

Coming out several minutes later, Cory put on his underwear and socks and then went in to the closet where he put on a pair of Levi 501 Warrior jeans, an AE turquoise Plaid Button Down and AE deep navy Shawl Sweater. He took his game royal and black Nike Free Trainer 5.0 iD's out of their cubby and laced them on. Then grabbed his school pack and took the stairs two at a time back down to the kitchen.

Cory smiled thanks to Aaron and dug into the eggs, toast with peanut butter and mixed fruit salad of bananas, strawberries and blueberries that was waiting for him in front of one of the island stools. After wolfing down his food Cory went on knees to say goodbye to Jaxson who was at the back door staring at the survey crew laying out the markers and lines for the new pool. His puppy gave him a couple of kisses then went back to his monitor duty.

Cory smiled and gave Jaxson some pats and ear scratches telling him that everything was going to be okay then headed out to the garage for his drive to school.

As Cory walked up toward the east entrance Chris stepped out. "Hi there" he said kind of shyly. "So we still on for tonight?"

"Do I look like the kind of guy who'd stand you up?" Cory asked.

"No don't think so but just wanted to check."

"I'll pick you up at home after practice. Pack whatever clothes you want to wear tomorrow. The guest room will have everything else you need so you don't have to worry about anything."

"You make it sound like a luxury hotel room."

"It's not but the staff makes sure that every guest need is fully anticipated and satisfied."

"LOL... you do that know you're seriously crazy sometimes?"

"Ya but it's all just part of the Cory charm."

"And you do know that you've said that before right?"

"Uh huh, but it bears repeating" Cory said with a smile.

"That outfit looks great on you."

"Thanks I picked it out just to impress you."

"PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE you always dress good" Chris said thinking 'fuck if he keeps saying stuff like that I'm gonna go hard right here in the hallway in front of everyone.'

"You mock my thoughtful effort to make a positive impression on you? I'm hurt" Cory grinned at the tall blond as he headed toward his first period class. "I'll see you in 4th Chris."

"You definitely will Cory."

Other than the problem with Jaxson in the morning, Wednesday was rapidly turning in to Cory's best day of the week. There were no interruptions in any of his classes and he and Chris joked through 4th period AP SS and lunch.

He didn't realize how much their growing friendship was becoming a point of interest for Trent, Troy, their girlfriends and Jay. Cory was just happy that he'd made a new friend for senior year and was glad to be learning more about Chris.

Cory knew that he needed to get with Nathan to brainstorm who might be the right person to approach Hudson for more on what was going on in the Wagner family. Outside of his "groupies", Hudson had never been one to pile up a long list of friends so Cory was at a loss as to whom to approach. But he needed more information especially about any residual interest that Colin Wagner might have in him. However, with the immediate threat passed it didn't seem a must do item.

As Cory got in his car after practice he was resigned to the idea that he would be required to gratify Chris by buying a Speedo while they were out shopping. As Aaron had reminded Cory the goal was to do what it took to restore Chris' confidence so he'd succeed in tryouts.

Like most males his age, Cory still hadn't acclimated to the idea that he'd actually WEAR the Speedo, but he was willing to give it a shot. The knowledge that Chris would have to first make swim team at least gave him some time to get used to the concept - though he held out hope that Chris wouldn't actually demand he put on the racing suit.

With a press on the start button to get the Charger running, Cory entered Chris' address in the Nav system and reluctantly headed toward swimsuit doom.

When he was five minutes out from the Caldwell home, Cory hit the Uconnect button and said "dial Chris."

"Hey Cory!" Chris sounded excited for a reason that had nothing to do with the call.

"Hey Chris. I'm about 5 minutes out. I'll pop the trunk when I get there so we can load in your stuff and my school pack. Ok?"

"Sure hurry up and get here already."

"I'm almost there. What do you want me to do hit warp speed?"

"Nah just hurry up!"

Cory didn't know what was going on with Chris but whatever excitement he had bubbling inside was infectious. It even kind of made the whole Speedo shopping trip seem somewhat less like a horror.

He had barely pulled into the driveway and put the Charger in park when Chris exploded out of the front door - a gear bag and his school backpack in one hand. Cory popped the trunk and got out with his own pack as Chris dropped his stuff in and half ran to the passenger seat. Cory set his school pack next to Chris' and closed the trunk walking back to the driver's seat to buckle up.

"CORY YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT!!!!!!!" Chris screamed in joy.

As he sat back in the driver's seat Cory looked at the excited blond "mmmmmmmmmmmmm... I don't know if I'll believe it or not as you haven't told me what 'IT' is."

"MOM GOT A FULL-TIME JOB OFFER AT A LAW FIRM!!!!!!!!"

Then completely without warning a big IT happened.

Cory had barely opened his mouth to say congratulations when Chris' lips pressed on his in a full-on passion filled kiss. Cory scarcely registered the circumstances before his senses exploded and he unconsciously reached up to wrap his hand around the back of Chris' head not only entwining his fingers into the teen's hair but also extending the kiss.

It seemed like an eternity before Chris broke the kiss.

"What ... the ... fuck" Cory panted.

"OMG what have I done?" Chris yelled as he tried with fingers that suddenly wouldn't coordinate to open the car door.

"Chris STAY" Cory said putting his hand across Chris' chest and holding him against the passenger seat.

"Oh God Cory I'm sorry. Don't hate..." Chris got out before Cory put his fingers over his mouth to quiet him.

Taking the Charger out of park, Cory started to back up. "Ok mall."

"Cor..."

"Please... don't ... talk. Think." Cory said to himself more than to Chris, but he could see tears streaming down Chris' face.

With his head down looking at his lap Chris could see the tears falling off his face to wet the t-shirt and jeans he was wearing. He had put the shirt on special for Cory because people always said it brought out his eyes. Now he couldn't imagine what the football player who had been his friend was thinking.

Cory drove in silence, but while his senses carefully steered the vehicle his mind was in overdrive. So much he'd locked away because of the pain, so much he'd hidden and never told anyone but Jaxson, so much that he had never wanted to resurface.

Memories.

His parents, his friends at St. Albans, his teachers, the headmaster so many people had never understood why he'd done what he did four years ago.

But he knew and he barely caught the sob that threatened to escape from his throat. He knew Chris was hurting and he didn't want his friend's pain to grow because of the doors that had been flung open by the kiss they had shared.

Cathan Bryne.

Cathan had been Cory's first friend at St. Albans. It always had seemed to everyone else that they had been destined to be friends. They didn't know why and they never really talked about it, but fate had brought them together at the right time in the right place.

From their personalities, to their likes and dislikes, to their attitude toward and life and commitment to helping others, to their amazingly high intelligence that awed their teachers but never turned them in to competitors only collaborators, the two friends matched each other like a perfect binary star. Two blindingly bright suns orbiting around each other in synchronicity.

Joseph Campbell once wrote that 'the the goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature.'

For five years where you saw Cathan you saw Cory and where you saw Cory you saw Cathan - two suns always in orbit. In classes, on the athletic fields, studying, or just hanging out together the friends were closer than brothers and closer than twins. They not only spoke alike they thought alike. Where one started a sentence the other finished it without pause. Where one began a thought or idea the other completed it.

Everyone knew they were friends, but no one knew - and being so young even they didn't realize - that the heartbeat to which they were matched wasn't the universe but each other.

That came to a crashing halt one Friday.

Literally.

Being day students, Cory and Cathan both attended classes at St. Albans but lived at home. Like so many of their fellow classmates, they had talked about the next year when they would graduate to the upper school and become boarding students. There was no real discussion or decision as they instinctively knew they would be roommates, but the sign-up period hadn't come yet. The school year was barely one-quarter over and infinite time was ahead of them.

Until that Friday.

That day Mrs. Bryne was driving. Cory preferred it that way because with his parents so often away, he was usually ferried home by one of his Dad's security personnel. While he never saw Mr. and Mrs. Byrne as parents they seemed more like his family than his own.

And then it happened.

A drunk driver going too fast ran a red light and slammed into the vehicle right where Cathan was sitting. The 13 year old was ejected from his seat belt and slammed with incredible violence into his best friend and the door beyond.

With Cory staring into Cathan's eyes in mind-rending shock, the light faded and the heartbeat of the universe stopped - in an instant a sun disappeared. Cathan died in Cory's arms.

Mrs. Byrne was focused on her son and her own grief and afterwards so was everyone else. Alone before the Memorial Service, Cory had gone into Chapel to be with his friend. Holding Cathan's cold hand Cory looked at the peaceful face and promised to never forget. He swore that no one would ever feel the pain he did which was why Cory never drank or did drugs - nothing that would ever take control of his thoughts, his life, or his surroundings from him.

The counselors that his parents had sent him to succeeded in closing the wound, but because they didn't understand it - and because Cory couldn't explain it - they hadn't healed the emptiness. The synchronous orbit in which he'd spent five years was empty except for him. And to Cory's mind the universe was empty. In his heart and soul Cory existed alone.

Within weeks Cory realized that he couldn't stay at St. Albans. While to the outside world nothing had changed. Cory knew he had.

His grades were still exemplary, his success on the athletic field was unmatched, and he still stepped up to help others, but the only way he could emotionally survive was by closing the door not only on Cathan but on everyone else - to endure Cory's universe had to become a void.

Yes, Cory would have friends but in all the years since Cathan had died only Jaxson had managed to work his way into Cory's cosmos. Other than his Weimaraner Cory existed in solitary.

Being who he was Jaxson offered nothing less than unconditional love. He had protected not only Cory's person but also his soul and that's why he had become Cory's family.

When Cory had gone to his parents and told them he didn't want to continue at St. Albans he couldn't explain that HE couldn't be there because Cathan wasn't there. His Mom and Dad didn't see the door Cory's mind had put up in self-defense.

Neither did they, or the counselors Cory had talked to, recognize that as a 13 year old he neither understood or had explored what it meant to experience true love.

For Cory, St. Ablans had become empty in the same way his heart had been emptied - though to Cory's eyes Cathan's after image haunted every square inch of the school.

All Cory knew, deep in his subconscious, was that he had to escape and be alone as his sun was alone in its orbit.

And so he had researched and forced his parents to accede to his desire to become an emancipated minor. He wanted to be where no one knew him and no one had any expectations. Cory had found that in Portland and at Branson.

Even though Trent and Troy's various girlfriends had attempted to hook him up with countless others - no one had come close to opening the door behind which Cathan still existed for Cory. For all those years he had experienced the heartbeat of the universe and a mere mortal no matter how beautiful in the eyes of others couldn't compare.

That had been shattered by Chris' kiss.

Somehow a new sun had begun to dimly shine within Cory's universe.

And while the awareness had yet to be thoroughly refined, Cory now knew what he hadn't consciously known during the five years he'd shared with Cathan - he had loved him.

At that moment of realization, Cory came fully back to himself. They were parked at the mall with a now dry-eyed Chris next to him.

"You're gay" Cory said.

"Yes, but..."

"So that's what Rich meant about you not wanting your butt saved. That's crude. And certainly not appropriate to who you are. Do you want me to beat him up for you?" Cory asked looking at Chris smiling.

Chris laughed "tempting, very very tempting, but no thank you. He's just disappointed that his big brother is a fag."

"Chris please don't say that about yourself."

"Why? It's what kids called me at my other school."

"You're not at your other school; you're at Branson."

"Is it what you want to call me Cory?"

"No and we got shopping to do so let's get in before all the Speedos are snapped up by eager body show-off swimmer types."

"Cory are we okay?"

"We're 100% okay Chris."

"Cory are you lying to me?"

"Chris I'm a lot of things. And because of you I believe I may finally have the prospect to become a lot more. But one thing is absolute. I will NEVER lie to you." Cory said reaching out to hold Chris' hand and rub his thumb over his palm. "Look when we get to the house we'll talk, but right now let's just go spend some bucks and get you geared up, ok? I want you thinking and looking like the new guy on the Branson Swim Team."

"Ok Cory and thanks."

"For what?"

"For saying we're ok. I need that real bad right now."

"Don't worry about it Chris. And for the record, I'm going to buy a Speedo, but I get to pick it out. Ace the tryouts and I'll wear it for you. You place in the top two of any single event and I'll wear it public if you want. Deal?"

"DEAL!"

As Chris turned to get out of the Charger, Cory - who was still holding onto his hand - pulled him back.

"You know that kiss?"

Chris shook his head yes afraid to say anything.

"It was the hottest and sexiest kiss I've ever had."

Even under the less than flattering lights of the mall parking garage, Cory could see Chris was blazing red in a blush and tears were back in his gorgeous jade green eyes.

Author's Notes:

This is not where I intended for this chapter to end (I seem to say that a lot don't I? LOL). As I think I told a few readers, my plan was to run this chapter through the end of the day on Wednesday and so far we've only made it to about 5:30PM.

So that gives you a hint that there are easter eggs left to discover including one very big one.

Enough reason to look forward to Chapter 6? You tell me.

It seems to be my pattern to push scenes forward from one chapter into another. In my original story notes for Chapter 5 there were four more scenes that fill the time between where Cory and Chris are right now and when they go to sleep.

But I didn't plan for this much of story Cory's background to come roaring out in this chapter. Believe it or not there's more.

The roller coaster isn't over yet.

So strap in and get ready for more chills, more screams, and definitely more tears.

At this moment, my plan is for Chapter 6 to be shorter because the general aim of that chapter will be solely to get Cory and Chris firmly oriented on the path they'll walk for the rest of the story.

And yes, Hudson and his evil Dad are lurking and scheming somewhere.

Like I warned you, HBTM was never intended to be a quick fuck and dash porn story. But for those of you willing to hang on (and who read my author's notes) there will actually be a sex scene in the next chapter. How's that for a hint? :-)

To take a look at the HBTM story blog go to...

www.cory08online.tumblr.com

It's been updated with images of story Cory 2.0... so check him out. I finally discovered the guy who was in my head when I think of story Cory. It also includes a pic of Coach Morin who is going to become more important in the story for a reason that will be revealed chapters to come.

Hey, I can't let all the mysteries out once now can I?

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Positive and constructive comments are always welcome.

You may email me at cory.08@outlook.com