The Other Harper

Chapter 2: To The Homeland

Jess

"Babe hurry up we need to get to the airport." I called out to Brett.

"I'm coming I can't get my hair to stand up." He called back.

"You and that hair." I rolled my eyes, putting Rocky in his kennel.

Jacob is gonna stay here with him while Brett and I are back home in Vegas. Brett finally came down and we headed out. We got to the airport and boarded the plane about an hour after we passed through security.

I laid my head on his shoulder and fell asleep when we took off.
- - - -
I could feel someone shaking me. "Jess baby wake up."

I open my eyes and stand up. We get off the plane and we get our rental car. I texted my mom saying we were on our way.

"We're not even gonna stop by my parents house, even though your parents live right next door." Brett turned the car on.

"It's understandable babe. They treat you like you were never born. I wouldn't go there either."

My stomach growls and Brett looks at me.
"I'm hungry." I whine.

"Me too. In N Out?" He asked.

"You know me so well." I kissed his cheek.

We drive to the nearest In N Out and get food to eat on the way to my parents house.

I'm stuffing my face full of fries when Brett laughs. "What?" I asked with my mouth full.

"You have ketchup on your face." He laughs.

"Oh yeah?" I smirked. "So do you!"

"What no I don't." He replied.

I flicked ketchup at him and it got on his nose, "Now you do!"

"You little shit." He pulled into my parents driveway.

I stuck my tongue out like a little kid, finishing my fries.

Brett is laughing. God his laugh is the best.

We get out and I'm wearing a hoodie Brett gave me after we got engaged, that says Brett Harper Fitness on the front of it, and the back it says Mrs. Harper with the number 17 on it, for the year we got engaged, which is this year, 2017.

He grabs my hand and we walk to my parents door. I knock before walking in.

"Mom!" I exclaimed, running toward her. "Hey Jessie!" She hugged me. "Mom you remember Brett, right?" I asked her. "Oh of course I do. Brett how are you?" My mom asked him. "I'm great, Laurie." Brett responded.

Brett

"Is that the kid from next door?" I heard Jess' dad's voice.

"It is!" Jess exclaimed.

Her dad came in the living room where we were.

"Brett Harper!" David said.

"David Taylor!" I replied, in the same way he did.

We bro hugged it, cause her dad is cool like that. He's actually only 14 years older than me because him and Laurie got married when she got pregnant with Jess at 17.

"So mom, dad we have something to tell you." Jess said.

"Okay go on." Laurie replies.

"We're engaged!" Jess squealed.

"Oh my god! Congratulations!" Her mom exclaimed.

"Congrats you two." David said.

"Thank you." I responded.

A little bit later, her mom said they were gonna start dinner.

David stood up, "Brett why don't you grab us a couple beers and come outside with me."

I nodded, grabbing two Bud Lights out of the fridge and walking out back with him. "I know you're only 14 years younger than me but Jess is my only child, I know you wouldn't hurt her but I need your word that you won't." David looked at me.

"I promise I won't hurt her." I took a drink of my beer. "Good. You're a good kid, Brett."

I notice my dad outside and I turn away real fast. "Still not talking to them?" David asked, flipping the steaks.

"Hell no. They treat me like I don't exist." I replied. "That's really fucked up." He said. "Yeah, my brother's are the same way." I sigh.

After dinner, I'm standing by the pool in my swim trunks, looking over at my parents yard, when I hear Jess.

"BRETT WATCH OUT!"
I can barely react before she pushes me in the pool.

"You little shit." I kissed her. She kissed me back. "You're lucky you're so damn cute, because this hair took 45 minutes to get perfect this morning." I held her in my arms.

"I love you." Jess laid her head on my shoulder. "I love you too baby." I responded.

A/N: don't you just love how Brett doesn't let it bother him that his family doesn't care about him? Jess is perfect for him.