My Brother's Best Friend

Chapter 11

Andrew

I sit through this lecture and realize I have not retained any information. I can not continue like this. I seriously need to get my head in the game. Natalia is safe at home. She is okay and Blake will keep an eye on her until I am back, and I can do so myself.

I hate that I had to leave her in that home, and my best friend was basically homeless, but there is no other way. I still can't believe that Marsha kicked Blake out because he turned 18. She is one of those parents. I know their home is not the best, but Blake and Natalia don't really like talking about their home life, so I never pushed or asked too many questions.

I just hope she doesn't do the same thing to Natalia. I also hate the looks her step-dad gives her, but she is the safest in her home right now. Blake should have a place to take her to real soon, and I will be back soon enough, so this eases my mind a bit.

I'm pretty upset that my parents wouldn't help Blake by allowing him to stay there. I even told my mom he could stay in my room, and he wouldn't be a bother, but she said no.

I wish my parents would be open to helping them. I could wait closer to Natalia's birthday and ask again, but it's not like my family is going to take her in and let her live there while I get myself together and get us a place. My mom hates Natalia and Blake, not for anything they did. They are amazing, but my mom worries too much about what people will say. She knows their backstory, and their mom and step-dad, so she gets angry when I hang out with them or even talk about Natalia. My parents say I need to hang with people in our tax bracket and fall in love with a girl that comes from a respectable background and family, but ever since I saw Natalia, I knew. I just f*ck1ng knew that she would be my wife one day. She is so beautiful. I love that she's nice, smart, kind, polite and the one weird thing is how much I love her hair. It's like an orange-red color. She shines in the sun. So beautiful.

"Hey Andrew, we're all going to the club to look for some girls to hook up with and blow off some steam. You down to come with?" Conrad, one of my classmates asks. I shake my head.

"No can do. You know I'm not here for all that. I have to study to pass these early placement tests to get out on the field. I plan on getting out of here asap," I tell him.

"Yeah, whatever lover boy. Just say you want to go home already to see that chick," I chuckle. He is not wrong, so I don't bother denying it. Yes, they know about Natalia, the girl I left back in my hometown that I plan on returning to once I better myself.

"You know she won't know if you go out and have some fun. She also won't know if you hook up with someone else. Plus, you will get practice and become a pro for her. Come on man, let's go out. All the guys are going," he acts like any of this will change my mind.

I shake my head. "I'm going to study for tomorrow's test," he sighs.

"Suit yourself," he says before walking out.

I am not interested at all. I am not looking to mess anything up. My eyes and heart are already set on my red head. I have goals I need to meet for her. To give her everything like I promised I would. I am going to become the man she deserves.

I am 2 hours deep into studying and my eyeballs hurt. I take a much-needed stretch break, grab a snack and return. I check my phone and I have a message from my uncle. I open it and it's a picture.

It's Natalia.

She is talking to some people, and she is holding a kitten.

"Your girl just so happened to pop up at the clubhouse. I think she is friends with the kids here. I've seen her a couple of times now. Just thought you should know,"

I stare at the picture. She looks beautiful.

"Please keep an eye on her for me,"

I see the 3 dots...

"Don't trip, potato chip. You know I got you. I will keep an eye on her when she is at the clubhouse. Don't worry. I won't tell your mother either. I am not sure who she hates more; your little girlfriend or me. Hahaha," I shake my head. Mom hates that my uncle is a biker and that he chose to live his life differently. She judges him real hard, but my uncle is happy living his life the way he wants to. I think he gets a kick out of pissing mom off too. She hates that dad has a rebel brother. My dad and his brother are so different, it's crazy. I think the only thing they have in common is how great they both work with their hands. They can build you a house from scratch. That's the level I am trying to get to, although I already know so much, as I have grown up around this and have learned many things throughout the years. I am still expected to become certified in the field.

"Thanks man," I reply and get back to it.

Or try to, but my concentration is now lost.

All I can think about is her.

I wonder what she is doing right now at this very moment. I wonder if she knows I miss her?

I just need to remain positive. Everything I am doing is for our future, and with that positive note, I log on to take the practice test. My family has pull, and if I can pass the actual test, I won't need to be here as long as I thought. Apparently, with money and the Whitmore last name, anything is possible.