Guts

Please read the authors note at the end! Thanks!

~•*•~

True to my word, here I am heading towards the boys' locker room... after Mason literally dragged me up to the school after the game. I can't help it. I'm scared. I'm not really one for confrontation and this is a major one. I turn the corner to see boys from both teams already leaving the locker room and heading to their cars.

Oh shoot. What if he's already left?

No, he couldn't have. I would have seen him, because he would have needed to pass by me on his way out. Oh god he's still here.

I lean my back against the wall a few yards from the locker room and text Stiles to see if he's found Scott and Kira yet since they didn't show up to the game. Coach was pissed and blamed them for our loss.

Without really meaning to, I focus my hearing and listen to see if my brother is saying anything. Yes, I'm being nosy, but I'm really worried about him right now. His fears were only night terrors, but now, if he's getting them during the day, I don't know what I'll do.

"We lost," I hear Liam say.

"But are you okay?" I hear Brett's voice reply. Brett? Why would Brett and Liam be talking? They've never had a casual conversation. All their conversations have ended usually in Liam attacking Brett and ending up with a black eye.

"Why'd you do that?" Liam asks him. "Why'd you help me?"

"Because of Scott," Brett states. "He saved me. He saved all of us. Do you know how lucky you are?"

"What do you mean?"

"Scott's a true alpha," Brett tells him. "That means he didn't get his powers because he was born with it; not by stealing it or killing. He earned it. You're not strong cause you can lift a lot of weight now. You're strong because you endure. Satomi calls it strength of character. You're lucky to have him."

"Then why is he not here?" my brother shoots back.

It's silent for a bit until Brett speaks up. "I may not know Scott very well, but I can tell that he has a very good reason for not being here. You're his beta, which means you're like a son or younger brother to him like Satomi is like a mother to me. I know he will do anything to make sure you're okay. You just need to trust him."

It's silent again. "I think I can see why my sister likes you," Liam mumbles. I feel my face get really warm.

What the hell, Liam?

"Lily doesn't like me, Liam," Brett replies, quickly. "She's told me many times. I know she doesn't."

Oh, if you only knew why I am standing here right now.

"And I know my sister very well," Liam says. "Just don't hurt Lily. I know I don't really have a say, but I swear if you hurt her-"

"Relax, I would never hurt her," Brett cuts him off. "Besides, you don't need to worry. She's been avoiding me like the plague." His voice is dry and almost upset. I hear shuffling around and a bag being picked up. "See you around, Liam."

"See ya," Liam mumbles.

I hear footsteps coming closer to the door and I panic.

That's him. He's coming. Crap, what was I gonna say to him? How do I even start?

I see him step outside the locker room, running a hand through his messy curls. Damn.

I stand there trying to gather up the courage to open my mouth and make a sound to signal that I'm here. He turns his head and spots me a few yards away.

"Oh, uh... Hi, Lily," he mumbles. "You waiting for Liam?"

"Yeah," I say without thinking. He nods and starts to walk past me. "No- wait. No, I'm not waiting for Liam. I was actually waiting for you."

My statement takes him off guard. "Me?" He says in disbelief, pointing at himself.

"No there's a guy named 'You' behind you," I reply sarcastically. "Of course you."

"Why?" He asks.

I don't know if I have the guts to tell him. How do I even tell him?

"Well- I... um-" I stutter. I swallow and take a deep breath. "There's this guy that I've just realized I like, and I don't know how to tell him."

Brett's expression hardens. "Why don't you just ask your darling brother?" He huffs. "You know, I thought when I told you my feelings about you, and you rejected me, we could just go on with our lives, but no. You just have to come into my life over and over again to make it harder on me, and now your asking me for relationship advice?"

"What?" I say, shocked and confused. "No, Brett-"

"I can't believe you," he fumes. "You know-"

"Brett, the guy is you!" I exclaim.

"I-" He stops himself as he processes my admission. "What?" He questions, his voice an octave higher than usual.

"Look, I wasn't thinking for myself when we were at the police station," I tell him. "I've realized that all my life I've done everything for Liam. All my choices were made for his benefit, but Mason helped me realize that he needs to fight his own battles. I can't protect him forever. Liam was the main reason why I ran away from you then, because I only thought about how mad he would be. Now, I see that this is my decision. I like you, Brett."

"You like me?" He sputters out.

"Yes," I say looking down at my converse. "I'm sorry I hurt you by being dumb. Can you forgive me?"

"Wait, what? Lils, no," he says, dropping his duffel and lacrosse stick and grabbing my hand with both of his which makes me look up into his cerulean blue eyes. "Why would you even think that I wouldn't forgive you? I'm the one who should still be apologizing to you. I was terrible to you and Liam, and I can't say 'sorry' enough for that."

One of his hands reaches up to brush my hair out of my face. My heart beats faster and I hear his speed up as well. "You don't have to," I tell him, placing my hand over his.

"I do," he replies, in a hushed voice. "I'm-"

"Don't say it," I tell him, grabbing the back of his neck to pull him down. I catch him off guard as I stand on my tip toes and kiss him. His body goes very stiff as I hear his heart race in his chest. He stays still and unmoving, and so I pull away, confused and almost embarrassed at what I'd just done.

I am inches away from his face and can clearly see the look of surprise on his face, his blue eyes wide and lips slightly parted. My one hand is still clutched in his, and I slide my other hand off the back of his neck. "S-sorry," I mumble, looking away from his face.

"What are you sorry for?" Brett asks me, putting a hand under my chin to make me look up at him again. "I'm just- wow. I've- I have no words. I mean, you changed your mind, are you sure?"

"Damn sure," I reply, cracking a small smile. "It's my life. I want to be with you."

With that, Brett flashes me a million dollar smile, leans down, and presses his mouth to mine. His strong arms wrap around me as I stand on tip toes again, wrapping my arms around the back of his neck. Butterflies erupt in my stomach and I feel a warm tingly feeling all throughout my body as if my skin is buzzing with electricity.

"You know, I know I okayed this, but if I'm going to see stuff like this, I'm really going to think about changing my mind," I hear a voice behind Brett. We break apart to see Liam standing there wearily, holding his duffel bag and lacrosse stick.

I blush. "Don't worry, we won't," I mumble.

"Good," Liam breathes. "Come on, Lils. Say goodbye to your boy-toy. Mom is outside. We still have school tomorrow, and we need to find Scott and Kira."

"He's not my-"

"Whatever," Liam shrugs with a hint of a smile as he passes by me and heads out.

I turn back to Brett. "I guess I gotta go," I tell him.

He leans down and presses a kiss to my lips. "I text you later, and I expect to see you at my next game on Friday," he says with a smile. "And wear my sweatshirt that you still have. I want to see everyone's faces when they see you wearing it."

My face flushes when I remember about the Devonford Prep lacrosse hoodie still in my room.

"Yes, Lily," Brett chuckles. "Don't think I didn't remember that I had you keep it."

"Fine I'll wear it," I say. "But just to piss Madison off. I actually can't wait to see the look on her face."

We both laugh as we walk out of the high school, his hand in mine.

The end

~•*•~

So that's it. That's the end of Lily and Brett's story. Well the very dramatic part of their story. The part that's actually entertaining to read.

I know it's short and it leaves off quickly, but if I continued the story, it would all just be boring fluff (I do love my fluff though)

Even though this is the end of Second Chances, I'm debating on whether or not to do a few one shots about Lily and Brett. Maybe before, during or after the story takes place.

Let me know if you want me to do something like that, and if so what should I write?

Thanks for getting through my whole book,

Catherine