By Your Side

Chapter 9: Moving out

Brandon's POV

I make one final trip from my car to my dad's apartment carrying my belongings. I am moving in today and I'm kind of relieved because I can finally get away from Moms. As I set the last bag down in the living room, I collapse on the couch.

Since my dad is fostering AJ I have to stay on the couch because he is living in my old room. Dad offered to get another bed to stick in the room, but AJ is one of the last people I would want to share a bedroom with.

I am already not crazy about living with the guy again, but I don't really have a choice. As long as he doesn't talk about Callie we should be okay, I will just do my thing and he can do his.

I feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket and I lazily search for it not wanting to move from the comfort of this couch. I read a text from Cort asking if I wanted to come over later. Moms have had our cell phones for almost a week, and just gave them back this morning, so I haven't talked to Cort since before the lock down. I tell her I can't wait, and drift off to sleep.

A slamming door startles me from my rest and I immediately jump up.

"Oh, hey. Sorry dude, I didn't mean to scare you." AJ says while holding back obvious laughter from my reaction.

"it's fine." I look at the clock on the microwave and notice that it's seven o'clock and Cort should be home from work by now.

AJ has been talking for a few minutes now, but I haven't been paying attention. I nod attempting to make it seem as though I have been listening to this whole story. When he is finished talking, I grab my shoes and throw on a sweatshirt. "I actually have to go. Tell my dad I'll be back later."

"Um... ok." Aj looks at me probably thinking I just want to get away from him because I am leaving so suddenly. He would be right... I do want to get away from him, but I did also tell my girlfriend that I wold be over soon.

***

I pull in the driveway and see Cort playing with Mason in the front yard. As soon as I step out of my car I feel arms wrapping around me and pulling me into a hug. "Oh my God, Brandon! I' glad you are alright." Instead of saying anything, I pull her in tighter to me.

We go inside as she asks me all about the shooting and the lock down. "So is your family and all of your friends okay?"

"Yeah, everyone is okay... or at least as okay as you can be after something like that." She looks at me not really sure how to respond to my answer. "So how are you and Mason liking the new house?" I ask changing the subject.

"It's really great!" she smiles while holding my hand. "I can't thank you enough for everything you have done for us... I promise I will pay you back, Brandon.

"I'm glad I could help."

"So how is everything at home with you? You go back to school soon right? Are you all freaking out?"

"Uh- yeah, school opens back up on Monday. It will be weird going back but I think we all need to get back into our normal routines. And actually... I'm- I moved in with my dad." I avoid her gaze because I know she will want to know why I had to move in with him.

"What? When? Did something happen?" She asks with concern.

"I just moved my stuff there earlier today. My moms thought it would be a good idea for me to get out of the house for a while."

"Are they like kicking you out!?"

"No. Well... sort of. They found out about my past with Callie" It feels so strange talking about Callie with her. I know she says she is fine with our history, but that doesn't mean I feel comfortable disclosing any extra information to anyone let alone her.