moomin: Max will stop… in time. We just have to get him to that point.
Keep thinking that way.
Um, no, we’re not… well, there will be moments along the way.
Yeah, he deserved a drink in the lap for sure.
Natalie36: They will… eventually.
keepsmiling7: Lol, at this point you’d be right.
Well… yeah, it’s gonna happen.
begonia9508: Assumptions is the name of the game here, for all of them.
Max can pretend disinterest, but we all know better.
This group will be good for Liz and Aaron.
Earth2Mama: That could get really awkward with the Maria/Kyle/Tess triangle, huh? We will see how those three come out if it and if they can avoid too much drama.
Lol, voting for hot dirty dreamer sex? Hmm… who knows…
Uh-oh 5, huh? That was probably an interesting experience, lol. We’re glad you enjoyed your time with your nieces.
Alien_Friend: Lol, you just never know. Easing the tension would certainly help things, huh? Michael’s a good friend and he’ll do his best to get Liz and Aaron out of the house and involved. The group definitely has their good moments.
Oh, that secret… we’ll see.
kay_b: Misunderstandings, assumptions… it’s all part of the story here.
Tony called that one right, didn’t he?
itsme69: Lol, but then it would be over so soon!
The Max and Liz story should be interesting as it unfolds.
Smac: Thanks! Funny how everyone sees so clearly what’s going on here except for those involved, huh? Dirty dreamer sex, huh? You just never know. Michael hadn’t forgotten his promise to help Liz. Isabel, believe it or not, is a decent person… it’s just weeding through all the crap to get to her. Oh, the blowup between Maria and Tess… yeah, probably not gonna be pretty.
Cardinal:
You know us so well… Lol, yes… but that situation will present itself soon.
Rodney: You’re right, his behavior and reactions do need to be reevaluated. But it’s gonna take some time before he gets to that point.
Hmm… would hate to be in that closet when those two got locked in there. Well, either of those two pairs, actually, lol.
Eva: Ah, yes, you’re right on the money! The fights would die a sudden death if Liz didn’t come back at Max when he has something rude to say… which, granted, is often. Ah, yes… more patience please.
sptfire86: Lol, let’s see if the night continues as it has started….
kismet: Oh yeah… and we get prove of this today lol.
Tony is soooo wise! Denial is the group motto.
Alex is missing, but he will be back soon.
Part 21
Fateful Encounter
Tony grinned in amusement and handed the girls their drinks. “You’re getting a lot of attention tonight, girl.”
“Guess slutty’s in tonight,” Tess snorted and slammed another shot back.
Max grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet as he stood. “Let’s dance before you start a war that I have no interest in bein’ in the middle of.”
“Says the girl whose skirt is just as short as Max’ dick,” Maria said, giggling when she earned a death glare from Max.
Liz snorted into her drink, causing the liquid to erupt over the sides of the glass. “Oh, my God,” she choked out. “That was great!” Sooo not true, but it was still funny.
Isabel tried to keep a neutral expression. She knew why her sister was being a bitch to Maria and she felt for her. On the other hand, Maria was her friend and it wasn’t fair to leave her clueless.
“Michael and Kyle are really doin’ their best, huh?” Tony asked, nodding towards the bar where the boys were with... four girls!
“Fine friend,” Maria complained, “about an hour ago he was all over me.”
Isabel rolled her eyes and shook her head. “They’re guys,” she muttered. “They’re slaves to their dicks.”
“That’s true, especially for guys in New York,” a new voice said from behind.
Maria glanced up and smiled when she recognized Courtney. “Hey, you found the City’s newest hot spot!” She motioned for the other girl to join them and then introduced her to the others.
Isabel frowned. Somehow the girl seemed familiar. Hadn’t she been with her at the hairdresser last week? The one who had made rude comments about the coffee there?
“So which guy were you rambling about?” she asked when she sat down next to her new and only friend in New York for now.
“Oh, Michael and Kyle.” Maria turned and pointed at them.
“Ah, the best friend, right?”
“Um-hmm. I’ll introduce you if he ever shakes loose of the herd of skanks that have him cornered.” She rolled her eyes. He seemed perfectly happy to be in the midst of skank heaven.
“And who’s the other guy?”
“That's Kyle.”
“Another friend of yours or just a random guy?”
“Good friend.”
“Very good friend,” Isabel snorted.
“Uh-huh,” Courtney said, amused. “Ya got a thing for him?”
“We just have a thing... together. It’s just annoying for him to be all over me one second and then the next minute he’s hornier than hell for a bunch of bitches in heat.”
“Ah, c’mon, I bet if ya get out there on the dance floor where he has a good view he’ll be all over you in no time again. You’re much hotter than those girls, Maria.”
“Well,” she tossed her hair back over her shoulder and sighed dramatically. “I suppose that’s true.”
“If I’m right, then you’re gonna introduce me to your best friend,” Courtney said, grinning and taking Maria’s hand to drag her out on the dance floor.
Isabel looked after them, worried. If Maria’s new friend was right, Tess would be in a pissy mood all night.
Tony glanced between the two girls he had been left with. Isabel looked like she had something on her mind but she was steadily going through her drinks. Liz was staring holes through Max and Tess out on the dance floor and watching her alcohol intake. “I’m gonna get a complex here, girls. I’m a pretty good-lookin’ guy and I’m sittin’ here bein’ ignored by two hot girls.”
“You’re not bein’ ignored,” Isabel denied and gave him her sweetest smile.
“Not bein’ adored either,” he snorted. “You wanna dance?”
Isabel glanced at Liz. Well, she was no one’s babysitter, right? “Yeah, sounds good.”
Liz forced a smile when they got up and moved out onto the dance floor. They made a disgustingly perfect couple, she thought as she watched them. She sighed when Max and Tess started walking towards the table. Of course. Tess pointed to something to her left and took off towards the restrooms. Yes, this had been such a good idea!
Max threw himself back down in his chair and stared at her.
“What?” she snapped.
He gnawed on his lip ring as he shrugged. “Just tryin’ to figure you out.”
“Don’t even try,” she answered coldly and glanced away from him.
“I just don’t get the arctic treatment I get from you when you’re the one with this whole other life that you hide from everyone.” He shook his head, studying her rigid profile for several minutes. “Guess it explains a few things though, doesn’t it?”
“What do you mean by that?” she asked.
He took a drink of his beer and shrugged. “Where’s Aaron tonight?”
“None of your business.”
“Ya know, I don’t get why you’ve gotta be such a fuckin’ bitch all the time,” he snarled, slamming his bottle on the table. “You’re the one who started this war between us and you’ve never told me why. You let them all think it was me and that’s fine, whatever, but I’m gonna eventually find out why the fuck you went from hot to cold in a heartbeat.”
“Don’t waste your energy on it,” she told him.
He rested his forearms on the table, slowly spinning the bottle between his fingertips. “Then tell me why we’re at each other’s throats all the time.”
“Because that’s the way we are. Point,” she told him, not really interested in taking the discussion any further.
“It’s interesting how you think you get to make all the rules.”
“Fine, if you can’t help it, Max, then just go on and ramble as much as you’d like. I’m tired of the game right now,” she leaned back in her chair and took her drink in her hand, smiling at a guy who passed the table and looked at her.
Max met the guy’s gaze head-on, his eyes gleaming dangerously as he gave a sharp shake of his head.
“You are unbelievable,” Liz said as she realized what he had done.
“Why? ‘Cause I don’t care to see another guy puttin’ a move on you?”
She rolled her eyes. “Goodbye, Max.” Liz got to her feet again, deciding to sit at the bar as long as it would take to empty her drink and then she planned to go home.
Max smacked his palm down on the table and sat there for several seconds before he got up and stalked over to the bar to stand next to her. “You know, I’m about fed up with your attitude. You’re the one who walked out on me so I don’t know where you get off actin’ like I’m the bad guy.”
“Get the hell outta my face now, Evans,” she hissed.
“Tell me what the fuck happened that mornin’, Liz,” he insisted. “Just tell me and I’ll walk away.”
“Max, we just had sex, okay? It was just that and the next morning... it was over.”
“And up until that mornin’ I wouldn’t have pegged you as the type for a one night stand.”
“Guess you were just wrong.”
“I’ve been wrong about a lot of things, but I don’t think that was one of ‘em. That night wasn’t just about a quick fuck and I’m gonna hound you until you tell me what happened.” He motioned to the bartended and nodded when the man handed him another beer. “You’ve obviously got a lotta shit goin’ on and you don’t want anyone to know about any of it, but that’s eventually gonna blow up in your face. Keep hidin’ that kid of yours and eventually he’s gonna realize what you’re doin’ and he’s gonna believe you’re ashamed of him.”
*****
Kyle tried to focus on what the girl in front of him was saying, but he couldn’t help but let his gaze slip out on the dance floor where Maria and someone he didn’t know were dancing. Her hips swayed to the music in a delicious way and her body was just too hot to ignore.
Michael smirked when Kyle couldn’t keep up with the conversation going on around him. His eyes were locked on Maria and if he didn’t watch it he was gonna start drooling at any moment.
“So?” The black-haired girl in front of him put her hands on her hips and looked at him questioningly.
“Hmm? Yes,” he said, gambling on that being the right answer. He swallowed when she glared at him. “Um... no?”
Michael snorted and then laughed when his friend had no clue about what he was talking about.
Kyle shrugged and grinned sheepishly. “Sorry, ladies, higher brain malfunction.”
“Excuse us, ladies,” Michael said, bumping his friend’s shoulder so that he would move.
“What’re you doin’?” Kyle asked.
“Saving you from anymore embarrassing answers since you’re not interested in Missy.... Mindy.... whatever her name is, anyway.”
“Well, fuck, man... do you SEE Maria out there?”
“I can see her,” Michael said.
Kyle rolled his eyes. “No, you don’t.”
“I’m just not drooling over her like you do.”
“I was just thinkin’ about goin’ over there. You don’t have to go... you can stay over here.”
“I’m gonna get a drink,” Michael agreed. He was pretty sure Maria would introduce the other girl in no time anyway.
“Good idea, let’s grab a drink,” Kyle said when he noticed Maria leading the way to the bar.
“You’re hopeless, Valenti.”
“I’m tellin’ ya... this thing we’ve got works, man.” He leaned back against the bar and grinned at Maria when she collapsed against him, laughing at something the other girl had said. “You’re lookin’ awful hot out there, Maria,” he said with a teasing grin.
Michael insinuated himself in between them and the new girl and held his hand out. “Michael Guerin,” he introduced himself.
“Courtney Banks,” she said with a bright smile. Close up he looked even better.
He mentally repeated her name, trying to figure out why it sounded familiar and then shrugged it off when it didn’t come to him. “Haven’t seen you around before,” he said.
“I just got to New York a few weeks ago.”
“Wanna drink?” He nodded at the bartender when he motioned to the bottle he held and then held up two fingers when she said yes.
“Thanks,” she said when he handed her the bottle, their fingertips brushing against each other briefly.
Maria glanced between Michael and Courtney and rolled her eyes.
“So Courtney, how d’you know Maria?”
“We met yesterday at a photo shoot.”
“Oh, right, you were the one she came out with, right?”
Kyle snickered. “You guys came out together, huh?”
Maria grinned, enjoying havin his attention back.
His arm settled around her waist as he watched Michael and Courtney ease into a conversation as if they weren’t even standing right there.
“He’s going into flirting mode,” Maria said.
“And he can still hear you,” Michael said, motioning for them to go away.
Maria glanced at Kyle. “Ya wanna go home?”
Kyle’s eyebrows lifted in interest. “Yeah? I mean, that’s not a question. I’m ready if you are.”
“Uh-huh, just lemme talk really quickly to my new coworker,” she leaned in, “gotta warn her.”
“Oh, please, like that’s gonna matter.”
“Trying anyway,” she said and leaned in to steal a kiss.
“Okay, give it your best shot.”
Maria let go of him and poked Courtney on her shoulder. “Hey, can I talk to ya for a sec?”
“Don’t go anywhere, Michael,” Courtney said, letting her finger trail across his chest as she moved past him.
The girls went in directions of the restrooms, where the music wasn’t as loud. Maria turned to look at Courtney, taking in a deep breath. “Okay, me an’ Kyle are leaving now.”
“Okay...?” She wasn’t sure why exactly Maria had wanted to talk to her but she was sure it wasn’t to let her know she was leaving.
“Alright, here it is... Michael, I can see you’re drawn to him.”
“Is that a problem?”
“Well, no, not really. If ya want him go for it. You should know though that he’s a one night only guy.”
“Well, sometimes that’s all you need,” she said with a wink.
Maria nodded, a little surprised. “Okay, I just wanted you to know. Michael’s pretty honest about that as well, but since we work together I don’t want you to hate me because he’s a jerk,” she said with a smirk.
Courtney smiled. “I appreciate the warning and no worries; if he stays true to form then I won’t hold it against you.”
“Have fun then and just wait a while in case ya choose his apartment,” she told her with a wink. “Kyle lives there as well.”
Courtney nodded with a grin. “Gotcha.”
“Alright,” the girls started to walk back to find Michael and Kyle at their table again, where everyone else was sitting again.
“Did we miss anything?” Maria asked as she sat down in Kyle’s lap.
“Nope, just Evans lightin’ the place up with his sunny disposition,” he answered.
“Fuck off, Valenti,” Max snapped.
“Ready to leave?” she asked, grabbing Kyle’s collar with both hands to bring him closer.
“I’ve been ready. I was never ready to leave your apartment, remember?” he growled against her lips.
“Think you can hold back until we get home?” she teased.
“We caught a ride with Guerin and he doesn’t look like he’s ready to leave which means we’re gonna have to catch a cab.”
“Uh-huh, fumbling in a cab...” She bit his earlobe playfully. “Can’t wait.”
“Can you cover my part of the tab and I’ll pay ya back tomorrow?” he asked his roommate.
“Got ya,” Michael nodded as he pulled the other blonde girl next to him into his lap.
Tess made a face at Kyle and Maria and tried to shoot the finger at them but only unbalanced herself and nearly fall off of her chair. Max quickly moved to steady her and slid her beer closer when she made a grab for it.
“Don’t come home anytime soon,” Kyle said, the comment aimed more at Tess than Michael, since he knew his roommate wouldn’t do that even without his reminder.
Tess shot to her feet and weaved drunkenly. “I’ve got my own sex to have,” she slurred before turning to grab Max’s ears with the intent of holding him still so she could kiss him. “Tell him about all the sex we’re gonna have, Max.”
Max just rolled his eyes and caught her when she collapsed in his lap. “Oh, yeah, lots of sex,” he repeated, shaking his head.
Michael snorted, shaking his head at his little sister. He leaned forward to look at Max intensely. “Ya get her home safe.”
“Not goin’ home,” she muttered. “’m goin’ with Max.”
Max nodded at Michael over her head. “I’ll take care of ‘er.”
Liz rolled her eyes at Max and his new drunken buddy. Why was she here again?
Michael turned his head to look at Courtney in his lap. The girl was hot, just the type he preferred. One of his hands rested on her lower back, soothing the bare skin under her top.
Max shifted and caught Liz’s disgusted expression. “Whatcha say we cut outta here early, party girl?” he murmured against Tess’ ear.
“Uh-huh, let’s go,” she nodded wildly.
Michael watched them go and exchanged a look with his older sister. “You got any idea what’s goin’ on with her?”
Isabel just shrugged, it wasn’t her secret to tell, and Tess would kill her if she did. But please, wasn’t it all too obvious suddenly?
He shook his head and focused on the girl in his lap again. “So, got any plans for the rest of the night?”
“Hmm, let’s see,” she bit her lip, pretending to think.
He raised an eyebrow when she got playful. “Gotta think about it, huh?” he played along. She was a sure thing, he knew it.
“Yeah, well, there are some options,” she teased.
“Options?” he asked, confused. There were no options.
She looked at him, smiling. It was cute how his eyebrow lifted up when he frowned at her; it spoke to something gentle in him. Maybe going home with him wasn’t a good idea. She wanted to get to know him a little better because he was pretty interesting.
Michael cleared his throat, wondering what she was thinking. “So, what kinda options are we talkin’ about?” Maybe she just meant somethin’ like his place, her place... someplace in between?
“Sex or no sex I guess,” she told him with a wink.
“I know what my vote is.”
“But you’re gonna have an occupied apartment and I have...” she made a face, “nothing you wanna see, sooo...” she got out of his lap, but turned and rested her hands on each of his thighs, “I guess this’s gonna have to wait for a while.”
“No, no, it doesn’t have to wait. There’re other options... car? Hotel room?”
She chuckled. “Ya know that sounds a little desperate.”
He grinned. “It did, huh? Make ya change your mind?”
“Tempting,” she let her eyes wander down his body. Damn, he was hot. Was she really willing to risk an amazing night with him? Who knew if they would ever get the chance again.
“Uh-huh, sounds like you could still change your mind.”
Courtney smiled and leaned forward to brush her lips against his. “See you around, Michael.”
“Not if I see you first,” he said with a grin.
She chuckled and straightened up, winking at him before she turned to leave. Oh yeah, he was staring after her, she could feel it.
Isabel smacked the back of his head. “Close your mouth.”
“Did you just got dismissed, Guerin?” Tony asked, laughing.
“She’ll be back,” he said, leaning to the side to watch her until she was swallowed up by the crowd.
“Not tonight though.”
Liz got up from her chair, gathering her things together. “Alright, guys, I think I’m gonna leave now.”
Michael glanced up at her. “Hey, I’ll give ya a ride.”
“You don’t have to,” she denied.
“Well, no, I don’t have to do anything,” he said with a grin. “I do things ‘cause I want to.” He glanced at his sister. “Hey, Iz, you want me to go ahead an’ get the tab before I take off?” He grinned. “Or did ya just wanna get it out of the kindness of your heart?”
“I’ll get it,” Tony said.
Liz motioned over her shoulder. “I’ll just run to the restroom first.”
“Okay, I’m ready when you are,” Michael said. He waited until he and Isabel were alone before he brought up the subject that could go one of two ways. “So, Iz...”
“Sooo Michael....” She said suspiciously, “whatcha want?”
“What makes you think I want somethin’?”
“The way you look at me.... the way you started that sentence. I know you, Michael, so just go ahead and get it out, whatever it is.”
“Well, see... the thing is...” he rolled his eyes when she gave him the look that told him he was in danger of being smacked again. “Don’t you want Tess to come hang out over at your place?”
“Hang out?”
“Yeah, ya know... until she finds her own place.”
Isabel bit her lip to keep her from telling where to stick that idea. Knowing about Tess’ feeling she could only imagine how weird she had to feel being around Kyle all day. “Okay,” she answered, already missing the quiet her apartment offered.
“I mean, I know it’s a hassle and the kid’s... wait, did you just say okay?”
She rolled her eyes. “She can stay with me. Not for long though. She’s gotta find her own place.”
“Hey, I can help with that. We’ve just gotta make sure she finds a job.”
“She already has one,” Isabel told him and then made a face. “And she might be late on her first day.”
“She has one? Hell, when did she have time to find a job?”
“When she was out shopping with me,” Isabel said proudly. “It’s at Mitchell’s store in the mall.”
“Okay,” he said slowly. “But Mitch sells computers and other electronics... what’s she gonna be doin’?”
“Tess can sell anything, Michael.”
“Ah, sales... well, that’s probably a good place for her to start. I’ll keep my ears open an’ maybe we’ll get lucky an’ find an apartment for her.” He smirked. “I don’t think we’re gonna be able to pawn her off on Evans long-term.”
“They seem to get along good though.”
Michael snorted. “Go figure, right?”
Isabel glanced over her shoulder when she saw Liz from a distance. “Ya won’t try anything with the waitress, right?”
“Huh-uh, not my type.” His head snapped to the side to glare at her when she made a sound of disbelief. “No comments about my type only bein’ required to be female an’ breathin’ either.” He shrugged. “She’s nice an’ just seems to be havin’ a rough time. Kinda seems like she could use a friend or two, ya know?”
Isabel narrowed her eyes at her brother. Since when did he care about people other than his family and the few close friends he had? “If you say so.”
“Okay, Iz, let’s be serious here. Me,” he pointed to himself, “her,” and then to Liz. “Do you see it happenin’?”
“I’ve seen a lot worse things happen,” she shrugged.
He snorted. “Whatever. I’m not the only one who has questionable taste on occasion.” He grinned and gave her a shove. “Of course my bad decisions are always alcohol-induced.”
“Okay, I think I’m ready to leave,” Liz said as they approached them.
He stretched as he stood up and he glanced at his sister. “You need a ride home?”
Isabel glanced at Tony. “I don’t think so.”
“Ah, got it.” He lifted his foot to place it on the chair next to Tony and leaned over under the guise of checking his shoestring. “What you two get up to’s your business, but she’s not locker room conversation, got it?”
Tony shrugged his right shoulder, not bothered by the warning. “I don’t kiss an’ tell, Guerin.”
“Well, we’re gone. Iz, get home safe an’ if you decide to go out an’ play, make sure he wears a ‘raincoat’,” he said with a teasing grin.
Isabel groaned. “Good night, Michael.”
A/N: Here is the trailer for our new fic Double Dare, posting will start next Sunday.
DOUBLE DARE