Boyfriend Stealer

Chapter 10

"Is Codie up yet? It's nearly ten o' clock." Steve asks Laura, curiously.
"No, I haven't seen or heard her. I'll go check on her." She replies, as she gets up.

"Yeah, I hope she's not too upset about this." He says, right before she exits the kitchen.

Laura peaks into Codie's room and sees that she's sitting up, looking at something, in her bed. Taking a step into the room, she looks closer and sees that it's a picture of Codie and Chris together. A few tears trickle down Codie's cheeks, as she continues to look at the picture.

"Hi, sweetie." She sits down on the bed beside Codie.

"Oh, hey mom. I was just, you know..." She motions to the picture in her hand.

"I know, I miss him, too." Tears start trickling down both their faces.

"Does Sarah know?" Codie asks.

"Actually, no because she was at Annie's house all day yesterday and stayed the night there, too." Her mom tells her.

"Oh, that's right. I forgot she was going over there."

"That's alright, I know you go into your own little world when you're with dogs. The police brought the jacket by and we determined that it's not Chris', but probably one of his friends'."

"Oh." Codie says, sadly.

"Don't worry, they'll find him." They hug tightly, as more tears come rolling down their cheeks.

*****
Later that day, after breakfast, Parker comes over asking to see Codie. At first, Codie is too upset and doesn't want to talk, but then decides it might be nice to talk to a friend.

They head into the living room and Codie throws on a game show on TV. She notices it's her and Chris' favorite, Family Feud, and tears start trickling down her cheeks. Immediately Parker notices and asks her what's wrong, as he goes over and gives her a hug.

Between sobs, Codie tells him about her brother. Parker comforts her and reassures her that they'll find him. She cries into his shoulder as he gives her another hug. She pulls away from him, as she finishes crying.

"Hey I've got a brilliant idea!" Parker says, with a big smile on his face.

"What? Nothing can cheer me up." Codie groans.

Just then, Buddy comes in and hops on Codie's lap and starts licking her face, but she doesn't even laugh.

"I thought you loved dogs. You must be really sad. However, I think my idea will work, just give me ten minutes and I'll be right back." Parker says, as he gets off the couch and goes into the kitchen.

"Whatever!" Codie calls after him, as he leaves.

****
About fifteen minutes later, there's a knock at the door, waking up Codie, who had dozed off without even realizing it. She gets up and sees a note on the table and starts reading it. She gets interrupted by another knock and quickly opens the door and sees it's Parker.

"Okay, please close your eyes." He says.

"Why?" Codie asks.

"Please!" He begs.

"Fine." Codie closes her eyes.
She hears Parker opening his truck door and then his footsteps.

"Okay, open them!"

Codie opens them and exclaims, "ahhh!! Oh my gosh! They're so adorable!"

Parker is holding two Labrador puppies, one chocolate and the other blonde. She immediately takes the blonde puppy from him and cuddles and kisses her.

"Is that the one you want? She's really sweet but has a little bit of separation anxiety." Parker says.

"You mean I get to keep one?!!?" Codie starts jumping up and down, excitedly.

"Yep." Parker smiles proudly.

"Oh, thanks so much!" She gives him a huge hug.

Then she remembers the note and invites him in and goes back to the note from her parents.

Codie,
Your dad and I are going to see a movie to take our minds off missing Chris. We would have taken you with but you looked so comfortable sleeping and we knew you were tired. We'll be home later.
Love ya!
Mom

Thanks so much for reading! This chapter is dedicated to 7Jesus7Freak7 . Thanks for bein' a great friend! The picture is of the two puppies and is from google images.