Second Chances and Open Skies

He smiled. The waitress brought his breakfast over. It was a plate of biscuits and gravy with two fried egg, "Wanna bite?" He asked as he finished setting it up and was abou to dig in.

Chris nodded slightly, "I've never had biscuits and gravy."

He looked at her in disbelief, "What? Never had? Oh my." He waved the waitress over, "I need at small plate of gravy and a biscuit. Please"

Chris laughed, "We don't have them up north."

"Crazy northerns." He teased.

She smiled athim just as the waitress brought her food.

Chris took a small bite, trying it out.

"So?" Luke asked as he ate his breakfast too.

"It's really good." She smiled.

Luke nodded, "Of course. Anyway, sweetheart, I'm just about done so I've gotta go. Do you want a ride bck to Jade's?"

"If you don't mind." Chris smiled, "I'd probably get lost on the way."

He smiled and helped her ino the truck. They headed toward Jade's.

"I'll pick you up at three." Luke smiled as they said goodbye and he kissed her cheek. Chris happily went back in the house and saw Ben laying on the couch.

"The hangover has kicked in. Fuck running." He groaned.

Chris smiled, "Where's Jade?"

"Fuck if I know." Ben muttered. He yawned and then winced.

878

Jade finally finished her task of caring for all of the horses. She found Chad, kissed him goodbye and walked back to the house.

"I'll see you later." Chad called as she walked.

"Oh here she is." Chris smiled as she walked into the room.

Jade looked slightly surprised, "Hi..."

"You must be exhausted." Chris said.

Jade smiled and looked at Ben, "You told her?"

"It's not like he needed to tell me. I figured when you two slipped out last night." Chris said.

Jade laughed, "Yeah but I wanted to tell you." She pushed Ben's feet out of the way and sat down on the couch.

"You smell like animal. Go shower." He said with a frown, "You may seriously make me puke."

"Benjamin!" Chris snapped.

He laughed slightly, "I'm half kidding and I'm THAT hungover."

Jade smiled, "I've missed you guys." Chad walked in and dully noted that his girlfriend was sitting on the couch with some other guy.

"Hi. I'm Chris." Christina introduced herself immediately to ease some of the tension.

"Hey. Chad. Nice to meet you." Chad smiled.

Ben didn't plan on being polite until Jade and Chris both glared at him.

"I'm Ben." He nodded at Chad. Jade rolled her eyes and stood up. She took Chad's hand and headed upstairs.

"Lovely." Ben grumbled when they were gone.

"Well, you knew she had a boyfriend." Chris pointed out.

"Yeah yeah whatever." Ben mumbled.

*&*

Chad sat on Jade's bed and yawned. Something to his left on the floor caught his eye. He grabbed the piece of clothing before Jade could stop him.

"These aren't my boxers." He said loudly.

Chris smirked, "You really do like her. You never got overthe crush you hadon her when you were like ten. Thats a fifteen year old crush, Ben. MOVE ON. She has. You had sex with a drunk girl. Not Jade. Because drunk Jade and sober Jade are two very different people."

878

Jade froze and stared at him.

"What he FUCK!" He snapped. Jade's jaw dropped.

"Uhm...." Chad stood up and walked toward her.

"Fuck you." He snapped.

"Fine. Stop being a bitch." Ben muttered.

"Stop being stupid." Chris said.

*&*

"Let me explain!" Jade said.

"I think this speaks for itself." He said holding up the boxers.

Ben raised his ead when he heard raised voices upstairs. He realized that he hadn't picked up his clothes and smirked to himself.

*&*

"Chad," She began. He shook his head.

"I fucking love you. You take advantage of me every day. Fuck you, Jade." Chad snapped before he threw the underwear down and stormed out of the house.

"What's wrong?" Ben asked chipperly as Chad walked into the room.

"Fuck you." Chad replied before he kept walking.