The Hidden Ones: Resurrection - 36. The Scoop!

---Ryder---

In my thirteen years of fame I thought I had seen it all. I thought I had been around long enough to anticipate every trend or change that would hit music. But then again that’s exactly what people told me. Every musician who met me on those first tours told me what a surprise I was. How I would change music. But I guarantee none of them could predict what’s coming now. Hell I can barely anticipate it and I work with the kid!

Still though, of all the people on this earth, he had to be a Haner? I couldn’t help but smile as he left our room. Leave it to Harry to have a child as creative as him. I don’t know how popular he’ll be. I don’t know if he’ll be able to pack stadiums. But I know he’ll change music. I know his love for all different types of music will change how people listen.

“You’re really proud, aren’t you?” Teddy asked turning to me with a smile.

“Kid works hard.” I shrugged. “He deserves the attention the song is getting.”

“Honestly though,” Teddy began. “How much of that song was him?”

“Most of it.” I nodded my head. “I only truly wrote the lyrics. He had some issues because he can’t really play guitar, but I followed what he wanted, and the bass was just following his drumming.”

“And he pays attention for that long?” Teddy asked, shooting me a wary look.

“Why don’t you watch us practice tomorrow night?” I sighed. “It’ll all make sense to you then.”

“Alright.” He shrugged his shoulders. “You think he’s mature enough to handle all of this?”

“It’s Oli, he always finds a way to rise to the challenge.” I happily answered. “Besides, you must think so if you think he’s old enough for sex!”

“Oh, don’t be a prude.” Teddy rolled his eyes. “He’s curious, and this is a good chance for him to safely explore with his boyfriend.”

“Gee, where were you when I was thirteen?” I couldn’t help but tease.

“Sitting next to you in math.” Teddy lightly laughed. “Maybe if you were friendlier you would’ve gotten that monkey off your back sooner.”

“Bet you still wouldn’t’ve let me bottom.” I exhaled.

“Nope.” Teddy smirked. “But I would’ve blown you during lunch.”

“Teddy!” I shouted in a laugh.

“That’s what you get for dropping out of high school.” He playfully provoked.

“Bullshit.” I called as his wandering hand began to find its way into my pants. “You were way too much of a golden boy for that.”

“Yeah.” He confessed, wrapping his fingers around my length. “But who knows, there’s always been something about you.” He continued as he slowly began to stroke me. “Like after that retro night at the barn. I would’ve let you fuck me in that backroom if you really wanted.”

“Yeah?” Was all I could manage out as I let him work his magic.

“Yeah.” He nodded his head. “The way you were moving your hips that night, you had me thinking about it for weeks.” I let out a moan and went to reach for him but before it could progress anymore he let me go and pulled his hand away.

“Teddy,” I complained.

“Oh, you thought you were gonna get lucky just like that?” He smirked. “I was just giving you a preview of tonight.”

“How about an early showing?” I pleaded. “I’ll make it worth your while in a few hours!”

“You already promised we’d go lie on the beach before the sun sets.” He shrugged.

“Fine.” I groaned as he stood up and tried to pull me out of bed. “But we’re fucking every night of this vacation right?”

“Duh.” Teddy rolled his eyes. “You asked the dumbest questions sometimes.”

“Can you believe that’s only four more nights?” I sighed, as he pulled me down the stairs. “Can we please do this again?”

He thought about it for a few seconds before nodding his head. “Of course.” He smiled. “I-I think I really needed this.”

“I did too.” I said, catching his smile. “When’s Oli’s spring break?”

“You know we don’t need to take him right?” Teddy giggled.

“Yes you do!” A young voice cried out from the living room.

“Now we’re definitely leaving you behind!” I provoked as we slipped out the door. “Really though, how could we leave him?”

Teddy couldn’t help but laugh at my words. “You have a soft spot for him.”

“He looks like you.” I shrugged, as Teddy narrowed in his gaze. “And he’s kind of funny.”

“Only because you’re so immature.” Teddy rolled his eyes, before letting my hand go and falling into a lounge chair.

I pulled one as close as possible and laid back. “You know, we could always move here.” I bravely began. “It’s nice and secluded so we’ll always have privacy, and you’re so accomplished I’m sure a hospital around here would hire you.” Teddy shot me a dissatisfied look and kept his silence. “I know.” I sighed.

“I love it here, I really do.” Teddy reassured as I grew quiet. “But I can’t leave my family, or my hospital, or my friends, or,”

“New Jersey.” I answered for him as he nodded his head.

“We grew up there.” He shrugged. “How could you ever want to leave?”

“I can think of a few reasons.” I sighed. “Then again, I can’t spend my whole life running.”

“No, you can’t.” He shook his head. “Didn’t you miss it for all those years?”

“Yeah.” I admitted with a nod. “But I needed to be gone, ya know?”

“I do.” He agreed, thinking it all over. “Why didn’t you want me to know about the song you wrote for me?” He suddenly pressured. I stayed quiet and laid back in my lounge. “Ry,” He lightly whispered.

“It’s just not easy for me to talk about.” I finally spoke in a sigh.

“It’s about that night when you,”

“Yeah.” I interrupted, not wanting him to go further. “I just, I don’t even remember how I got out there. I was so fucked up and suddenly I was outside my parents and grandma’s grave, and I-I just saw our names there.” I shook my head. “And I started screaming,”

“I remember.” Teddy desolately nodded his head. “It was the worst night of my life.”

“Worse than when the video leaked?”

“A million times worse.” Teddy replied. “Because the night you blacked out, I just knew it was the beginning of the end.” I felt his arm reach around me as we both thought back on it.

“I miss her so much.” I suddenly confessed in a heavy breath. “Everyone says time heals, but with this, I don’t know if it did.”

“It didn’t.” Teddy confirmed in a serious voice. “During her eulogy, you-you said there’s a hole in you that’ll never be filled. And I think you’ve been trying to fill it with drugs and alcohol but that, it only made things worse.”

“I know.” I forced in a nod. “She wouldn’t be proud of the way I handled it.”

“No.” He shook his head. “But she always believed in second chances.”

I couldn’t help but smile at his words, but it quickly faded as I realized how much I had been letting her down. “Can you come visit her with me?” I asked in a low voice.

“Of course.” He quickly answered. “I’ll go wherever you need to find peace.”

I nodded my head once more but quickly tried to hide my emotions as I heard the door swing open then slam shut. “They’re trying to figure out who I am on the news!” Oli proudly announced.

“That’s not the news.” Teddy sighed, as he began to lightly rub my arm.

“Whatever.” Oli dismissed. “You’re just jealous because no one cares about you.”

“I don’t know, the media is going to eat this whole boyfriend’s little brother thing up.” I shrugged. “They’ve apparently been poking around to learn if I’m dating him again anyway.”

“Says who?” Oli pouted.

“Mike told me back when I was in the hospital.” I explained, as he began to bite on his lip the same way his older brother does. “Said whenever a member of the press made it to him they would try and bribe him for it.”

“Who the fuck is Mike?” He shouted, frustrated that he was quickly losing the limelight.

“Hey! Watch your mouth!” Teddy shouted turning towards him. “And Mike really kept that a secret for us?”

“Yeah.” I quickly nodded my head. “Who would’ve guessed that?”

“I always told you he was good at heart.” Teddy proudly smiled as Oli exhaled a disgusted groan and quickly made his way to the dock.

“Ryder are you coming in?” Oli shouted, waiving to me.

“Give me some more time with Teddy.” I dismissed as he made a face and jumped into the water.

“He’s so, so,”

“Crazy?” I guessed drawing a laugh from Teddy.

“He is.” He nodded his head. “Crazy, energetic, unpredictable, but at the same time so loving and sweet when he wants to be.” As the words came out of his mouth I saw him connect the dots in his head. “He reminds you of your grandma!”

“No,” I lied, but my growing blush was starting to deceive me. “He just,”

“I won’t laugh.” Teddy swore with a smile.

“I just, if I could go back and see what she was like as a kid,” I shrugged. “I just know she would be like him.”

“I see it.” Teddy assured as his smile grew. “She would’ve really loved him, wouldn’t she have?”

“Yeah, he, he’s curious and passionate, and just, creative.” I bragged as though he was my own.

“Go swim.” Teddy rolled his eyes. “I just have to accept that you love my little brother almost as much as me.”

“That’s not a problem, right?” I checked with him.

“Ryder, all my exs pretended he didn’t exist.” He sighed. “And I-I hated them for it. But you, you accept everything about me.”

“And I always will.” I smiled, laying a kiss on his lips and jumping out of my seat.

“But don’t think I didn’t notice you forgot to hire a lifeguard!” He shouted as I ran into the water. “Get one tomorrow or our streak ends tonight!”

“What streak?” Oli prodded as I joined him.

“None of your business.” I answered, giving him a light shove.

“So we’re coming back for my spring break?” He excitedly asked, trying his hardest to shove me back.

“Man, you’re just two for two today with eaves dropping, aren’t you?” I couldn’t help but tease.

“I’ve been getting better though!” He said in a loud voice. “

“I know.” I nodded. “And yeah, we’re going to try to. It depends on your mom and brother.”

“Can Mark come too?” He excitedly asked. “He doesn’t each much, and, and I swear he listens to rules. He can even share a bed with,”

“Don’t even finish that sentence.” I interrupted in a laugh. “Because if he can come he’s sleeping on the other side of the house from you!”

“So he can?” Oli yelped.

“I’d have to check with your parents and his’.” I exhaled. “But I don’t see why not.”

“Fuck yeah!” He exclaimed in a loud voice.

“What’d your brother say about language?” I reprimanded giving him a hard shove into the water.

Once more he tried to shove me but couldn’t. “No fair! You’re too fat!”

“He’s not fat, he’s just bigger than you.” Teddy defended, slowly walking to us. “I hate the ocean.” He remarked, finally reaching us.

“You just need to get used to it.” I shrugged, reaching for him.

“Ryder no!” He shouted, as I tried to pick him up. “Your heart,”

“That’s become such an excuse.” I teased, finally getting him off his feet, only to drop him back in the water.

As he emerged from the water he tried his hardest to knock me over, but just like his brother couldn’t. “Physical therapy is paying off.” Teddy smirked.

“Just wait until I start going to the real gym.”

“EW!” Oli shouted. “Don’t make this gross!”

“Yeah Teddy.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “Stop flirting with me.”

“Me?” Teddy asked. “You’re so dead.” He smiled, trying his hardest to knock me over, until finally I fell back and brought him with me.

The next couple of hours in the ocean were the most I saw Teddy and Oliver laugh together. Don’t get me wrong they’ve been getting along a lot more lately, but they’ve never clicked like this. It’s like they both have a new found respect for one other. More importantly, it’s like Oli’s no longer afraid of showing his affection to people, and that, well it might be the most important breakthrough we’ve made all week.

***********************************************************************************

The next day seemed to be more of the same. We were even able to convince Teddy to come swim with us again! I could tell he hated the ocean, but wanted to spend time with us. He’s making more and more sacrifices for me, and that, it’s something I’ll make sure I repay in full.

We couldn’t help but laugh as every now and then Oli would glance over to the lifeguard I had finally hired. If I had known he would be that much of a distraction I would’ve hired a woman! But still, at mid-twenties with a twelve pack, well Oli definitely has good taste! Hell, I’m positive me and Teddy weren’t entirely innocent of keeping our eyes to ourselves either!

“You sure you don’t mind us going out again.” Mrs. Haner checked as night rolled in. “We can take Oliver with us if you two,”

“It’s fine.” I dismissed. “We have to practice anyway.”

“Teddy,” She checked, making sure I wasn’t just being polite.

“It’s okay.” He nodded his head. “When they’re not practicing he’ll probably be on the phone with Mark anyway.”

“Well we still have another five minutes before we leave if you change your mind.” She instructed rushing upstairs to get ready.

“I don’t talk to Mark that much.” Oli defended in an unamused voice. “We haven’t even called each other today.”

“That’s because you had the lifeguard.” I couldn’t help but tease, drawing a laugh from Teddy.

“What?! I-I,” He nervously stuttered. “I did not!”

“It’s okay.” I laughed. “I’m just playing around.”

“Plus that guy was totally hot.” Teddy remarked nodding his head.

“He was.” I agreed. “He was pretty nice too. I’m sure he cleans up when he works the public beaches.”

“Definitely.” Teddy nodded. “He looked straight though.”

“How can you tell?” Oli suddenly asked, trying his hardest to hide his blush.

“Just can.” Teddy shrugged. “What do you think? Was he hot?”

Oli hesitated at first but as he looked at the two of us he nodded his head. “He looked like a model.” He confessed. “but, but you two are dating each other.”

“So.” I shrugged. “It’s not like we hit on him.”

“We were just enjoying what God made.” Teddy laughed.

I nodded my head with a smile. “And God did a good job with him.” I giggled, as we both tried our hardest to show Oli it was okay. “Not as good as Teddy, but still,”

“Why do you always have to do that?” He grumbled with a grossed out look. “But I, I can look at him while dating Mark?”

“I wouldn’t make it a habit.” Teddy shrugged. “But then again I wouldn’t make it a habit of staring at people in general. You’ll learn the balance, but for now, it’s okay to admit that he was hot.”

“He was hot.” Oli quickly announced. “Is he coming back tomorrow?”

“I don’t know it depends who the company sends.” I said, not putting much thought into it. “But I imagine he’ll be back before the end of the week.”

Teddy couldn’t help but softly laugh at his brother’s question. “He’s still human Oli.” He reminded him. “You have to treat him with respect.”

“Of course, I’m not stupid.” Oli dismissed. “I just think he was good looking.”

“Who?” Mrs. Haner asked, coming back downstairs. “That lifeguard?”

“Yeah.” Teddy answered as Oli’s blush immediately returned.

“Did you see his hair?” She asked. “They did not make lifeguard that good looking when I was young. What did you think of him Oli?”

“Nothing.” He grumbled, quickly looking down at the table in front of him.

“Oli was too busy looking at his abs to notice his hair!” Teddy teased in a laugh.

“Teddy!” Oli yelped in a loud cry.

“It’s okay, I’m glad you have good taste.” She tried to comfort. “Besides you can talk to me about guys.”

“Yeah, that’s how you get on her good side.” Teddy instructed.

“Forget that.” He shook his head.

Teddy looked back to their mom and rolled his eyes. “Don’t worry, tomorrow you’ll see him fake drowning to get mouth to mouth like its some type of TV show.”

“Who? Oli?” Harry asked finally coming downstairs. “I thought I saw him staring.”

“I’m gonna die!” Oli exhaled, dropping his head to the table.

“Oh please, all four of you were staring.” Harry rolled his eyes. “Even I could tell he was hot.” He teased, drawing laughter from everyone but Oli.

“Oh god!” Teddy exhaled. “Please never say that again.”

“We straight people can still have opinions you know?” He shrugged. “Speaking of hot people, are you ready to go?”

“Uck!” Teddy and Oli both revolted glancing to one another.

“I’m ready.” She giggled as he led her out the door. “Be good Oli!”

“He’s not, you don’t think,” Oli began as the door shut behind them.

“No.” Teddy shook his head, seemingly reading his younger brother’s mind. “He’s just messing around.”

“But like,”

“Stop thinking about it so much.” I comforted giving him a bump as I stood up. “Just don’t be a pig about it all and you’re fine. People are good looking, it happens.”

He nodded his head and quietly followed me as we made our way downstairs. “Where do you think you’re going?” Oli asked, turning and staring at his older brother.

“Ryder said I could come watch.” He smirked, getting under his brother’s skin.

“Just don’t distract me.” Oli ordered heading right to the drum kit. “I don’t come into your operating room and tell you what to do, so don’t come in here talking and making noise.”

“Okay.” Teddy said, trying to hide some laughter. “I’ll just watch.”

“He’s right.” I supported, making sure Teddy knew we weren’t just playing around. “Our song already has over a million views, and now that people are actually starting to buy it, well we need to deliver.”

“I get it.” Teddy nodded his head. “Just go ahead and play.”

I picked up a guitar and took a breath as Oli started to twirl his sticks. “Start with some old rock?” He asked as I nodded my head. “Zepplin?”

I stayed quiet but started to play the intro to Ramble On and watched as Oli quickly picked up and began to play. I’ve read the comments on our video. I know that people think Oliver is some sort of joke, but I swear he’s anything but that. It only takes him a few seconds to detect what song I’m playing and start playing it himself.

But not only that, his laser focus at age thirteen is something else. I know he gets distracted in school, I see it when he works on his homework. But this isn’t that. With music he’s constantly expressing himself and moving. He doesn’t have to sit and listen, no not with this. With this he gets to create. He gets to turn all that static in his mind into music, and perhaps that is what makes him so great.

I could tell by the expression on Teddy’s face that he didn’t believe it was still Oli behind that kit. He watched him closely as Oliver tuned the world around him out and made the drums sing with hits from every different genre he could. Don’t get me wrong, Oli is a metal head at heart, but he listens to more music than anyone I’ve ever met! His go to may be Messiah, but he’s not afraid to dabble into some hip hop, rap, EDM, punk, classic rock or whatever else he can get his hands on. I know Teddy has watched Oli play before, but never like this.

As we took a break and Oli began to scroll through his phone I saw the expression on his face change. “They know about me.” He gasped, as a video began to play on his phone.

Me and Teddy rushed over to the kit and peered over his shoulder as a video of some rip off TMZ show began to play.

“As promised, we have the first scoop!” The host began. “We cracked the case on who Oliver Haner is and you’re not going to believe it! See this young man?” The host asked as a picture of young Teddy appeared on the screen. “Looks familiar right? Well that’s not Oliver!” He proudly announced. “That’s his older brother Dr. Theodore Haner of St. James, better known as this doctor!” He exclaimed as picture of Teddy from the press conference flashed on the screen.

“Or as Ryder Sullivan’s ex and current boyfriend!” The man shouted as though he was uncovering some huge conspiracy. “The boyfriend he cheated on with that infamous video!”

“Wait, so this doctor not only took him back, but he let his kid brother join a band with him?” Another host cackled.

“You can’t make this stuff up!” The lead host shouted. “So now this boy,” He paused as a picture of Oliver overlaid the picture of Teddy. “Is in this weird spider webbed love affair and stuck trying to make music. But who even knows if he’s actually making the music! For all we know Sullivan is doing this as a favor to wet his whistle if you know what I mean! They say that erectile dysfunction of his,”

“Okay!” Oliver shouted quickly shutting the video.

“Too much for you?” I couldn’t help but laugh .

“No!” He shouted trying to hide the red on his face. “Just, don’t you have a doctor to go see about your broken parts?” He tried to tease.

“Broken parts?” Teddy cackled. “Penis isn’t a bad word.”

“Ew.” I couldn’t help but let out, reflecting the face Oli was making. “Let’s just drop it all together.”

Oli quickly nodded his head in agreement. “So, is this a bad thing?”

“That they know you?” I checked as he nodded his head. “They were going to figure it out eventually.” I shrugged. “But now that the cats out of the bag do you want an interview?”

“Ryder,” Teddy groaned, starting to stare me down.

“Better we set the record straight with the truth then let them start rumors.” I sighed. “Look, I don’t love sending him into the spotlight either but better we do it our way than theirs.” Teddy nodded his head as he understood my message. “What do you say Oli?”

“Let’s do it.” He nodded with determination in his eyes. Watch out world. Here comes Oli!