Cop car

Fading First Love

Justin shakes his head at me and says, "Does your daddy know about this boyfriend of yours, darling?" I smirk and nod, patting Waylon's head. Thomas slaps my ass as he walks by with a beer in hand back to the coach to watch college football.

"You're funny, Rhett." I roll my eyes, but smirk as I steal the beer out of his hand and take a swig.

"No, that's not going to be happening at my house. We are going to be setting up some rules right here and now?" Brantley announces, and I sigh in annoyance and nod reluctantly.

"First off, you're not aloud to see that boy unless I or another adult is present. Absolutely no sex will be happening around here, you got it? I will not be liable for you making children under my care. Second, if I catch you with any weed I will tell your father. You should not be involved in anything like that.
Third, drinking will only be happening in light doses and when I am present. I don't care how much you crave that shit, I will not have you drinking and driving. Fourth, if that ex of yours comes around and so much as raises his voice at you, you will call me. I don't care what it is about, I will not let abuse happen under my roof. Okay, there might be more rules I haven't thought of yet, but I'll inform you of them later." Brantley states and I nod because his rules are very practical.

"Wait, what is this talk about an ex being abusive?" Justin asks, looking at me with sympathy and anger in his eyes. I look away from him and focus on Waylon who looks up at me with a twinkling eyes.

"It really isn't something you need to worry about, Justin. I have it handled." Brantley announces, cracking his knuckles. I smile up at him and he shoots me a smirk.

We all settle onto Brantley's couch to watch the college football game and for a short amount of time I just enjoy being present with great people. I let the fun just soak in and let go of the worries plaguing my mind. I watch the game enjoying it and letting my love of football take over as Thomas and I take turns screaming at the tv. We laugh and tease each other like siblings and it brings a huge smile to my face. I laugh at the way Waylon pursues everyone who had food and they all feed him. I fall asleep with my head on Brantley's lap as he plays with my hair.

"You need to stay the fuck away from her, you got that, boy?" I hear Brantley call, his voice waking me from my slumber. I open my eyes and cast them towards the door to see a shocking sight. In the doorway, Brantley is balled up staring down Sam who looks lost. I get up and find myself moving towards the door and I feel my heart drop when I remember what Sam had said to me. He was angry and he honestly deserved to be. I watch his eyes light up when he sees me walk behind Brantley and he gives me a hopeful smile. I feel the pit in my stomach grow as I touch my cheek instinctively. Waylon brushes my side, his tan and black hackles raised as he bares his pearly white teeth at Sam. His vendetta against Sam started a a year ago when Sam started acting differently; he would never let Sam pet him and would growl at Sam when he got close to me. I lay my hand on Waylon's giant head and I feel tears rolling down my face at the sight of him looking at me with hope. Brantley looks back at me and his muscles bulge as he takes a step closer to Sam.

"Get off my property before I throw you off, you piece of shit." He threatens, pointing towards the road. I watch the fear and desperation grow in Sam's eyes as he looks between my face and Brantley's.

"Please just let me talk, Kate. Just for a minute. I promise I won't take anymore of your time after. Please, sweetheart." He begs and I give into his pleading voice and my nickname I couldn't resist that hadn't heard in nearly a year. I push past Brantley and he looks at me with concerned eyes.

"I will be right in the door and I will take your ass out if you so much as look at her in the wrong way, got it boy?" Brantley states as he steps behind the door and Waylon heels at my side. Waylon's amber eyes watching Sam the way a predator watches its prey and he licks his lips. I lay a hand on his head to restrain him from leaving his own marks on Sam's body.