Chapter Nine:

I jolted awake to an annoying stream of beeping. I hit my hand blindly in the direction of the alarm.

“Oof,” Brian groaned. I must’ve hit him instead.

“Sorry!” I apologized. “Turn off your alarm.” I whined. He chuckled and beeping stopped.

“Are you sure you want to stay home, Ace?” He asked me. I groaned and turned on the lamp. I sat up and peered at him, waiting for my eyes to adjust.

“Dude, are you seriously asking me that? When wouldn’t a sane teenager want to skip class?”

“Point taken. I can stay if you want company.” He suggested as he tucked a lock of hair behind my ear.

“Sure, I’m not your mom. I’m not about to drag your ass to school. Let’s face it, you could totally take me. I’m tiny.” I teased him. He chuckled. I laid my head on his shoulder. “Matt’s ditching, so he should be by later. I’m sure he won’t mind if you’re here, too.” I told him. I felt Brian tense up beside me.

“I didn’t realize he was coming over.” He muttered.

“Is that okay? I mean, you guys are best friends.” I asked. I’m getting the feeling that he really doesn’t want Matt hanging out with me today.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be okay with it?” He avoided my question.

“I don’t know – you tell me.”

“It’s fine, Ace.” Brian stretched and stood up.

“Is it?” I pressed. I might not know him that well, but he’s never acted like this before.

“Yes.” He replied in a chipped tone. “I think I’ll head out. One of us has to be there to take notes.” He gave me a forced smile. I rolled my eyes.

“Seriously, Bri, if everything’s fine then why are you acting like a jealous boyfriend?” I asked him. He turned back around and faced me. He opened his mouth, just to close it.

“I’m not.”

“You are, but if you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine. I can’t make you. Don’t give me the cold shoulder just because you expect me to know something that you’re not telling me. It’s not fair, man.” I told him, getting out of bed. I grabbed a pair of basketball shorts off my floor and slipped them on.

“Ace, I’m sorry. You can hang out with whoever you want to.”

“Why does it bother you?” I asked him. He sighed.

“Can we not do this right now?” He asked me.

“Are you going to quit being weird about this?” I questioned. He didn’t answer me. “Just tell me.” I tried.

“We can do this dance as long as you want to. Let’s not pretend that you don’t know that I’m jonesing for you.” He whispered. “I haven’t known you for very long, Ace. Clearly, you’ve been through your share of shit in your life. You have baggage. I didn’t want to push things.” He told me.

“Brian,” I sighed.

“Ace, I’m not asking you for anything. There’s a reason I didn’t bring this up before. I like you. It’s on the table and we can forget about it until you’re ready not to. I’m a patient man.”

“This is not how I thought today would go.” I told him, honestly. “You’re a great guy.” I told him.

“But?”

“But nothing. You’re a great guy. I’m just not looking for a relationship, right now.” I admitted. He nodded.

“I get it. I’m a big boy. You don’t have to tiptoe around my feelings.” He ruffled his hair and walked towards me. I felt instantly reminded of how short I really am. “I’m not the only on with feelings, am I?” He asked me, creeping closer to my face.

“No,” I whispered.

“Then I’ll wait. I’m okay with staying friends with you. I’m okay with learning each other before turning this into anything more.” He told me, softly. He leaned down and stroked my face. This is really gonna happen. “If we don’t have chemistry, there won’t be any reason to pursue this later.” He whispered before pressing his lips to mine, softly.

My eyes fluttered closed, involuntarily. I clutched his shirt and kissed him back. I parted my lips for him and his tongue invaded my mouth. I gasped against him and clung to him, tighter. He picked me up and I wrapped my legs around his torso.

“Brian, stop.” I panted, as I pulled away. My head is swimming and I can’t think clearly. All I can focus on is his mouth and the way his lips felt on mine. I want to feel it again. I don’t want a relationship. If I jump into this, it’ll end badly. That’s my track record. I’m not really a patient person. I see what I want and I go for it and half the time, it comes back to bite me in the ass, later.

“Do I have to?” He asked, kissing me again. I nodded, pulling away.

“We’re friends.” I told him, trying to clarify the situation.

“Friends,” he agreed, nodding. “The ball’s in your court. Whenever you’re ready to take things to the next level… if you ever are… let me know.” He requested. I nodded.

“Yeah, okay, I can do that.” I told him. “I-I need to take a shower.”

“Are things going to be weird between us?” He asked me. I looked back at him and shook my head.

“No. We’re cool, Bri.” I assured him. “I just need some time to clear my head. I can’t concentrate on anything other than your mouth.” I admitted. He smirked. “Are you staying or going?” I asked him.

“I’m gonna go. I’ll text you and see you tonight?” He asked me. I nodded, giving him a brief smile.

“I’ll see you.”

---

I showered in a daze. I couldn’t get my mind off of him. In hindsight, I don’t know if the kiss was a mistake or not. Do I regret it? No, not at all.

---

I put on a bit of eyeliner and left my hair down. I put on a clean pair of undergarments coupled with basketball shorts and a small tee shirt. I pulled on a pair of socks as Matt walked into my room.

“Hey, you’re early.” I told him. He nodded.

“Yeah, sorry. I didn’t realize.”

“Nah, it’s cool.” I assured him.

“Okay, good.” Matt smiled at me. He dropped onto my bed, ungracefully. I snorted with laughter. “What’s the game plan?” He asked me. I shrugged.

“You tell me?”

“I asked you first.” He refused. I rolled my eyes.

“Men,” I sighed. He chuckled at my response. “We could eat. I’m starving. And I could kick your ass at Call of Duty.” I taunted him. He laughed.

“You’ll kick my ass?”

“I can try.” I said, offhandedly.

“You’re on.”

---

“Suck it, bitch!” I yelled as I happy-danced around the couch. “In your face! I told you I would kick your ass!” I gloated to Matt. He grinned.

“Why do I get the feeling that you’ve played this before?” He asked me.

“Duh, because I have.” I told him. He just shook his head.

“Best three out of five?” He asked. I shook my head.

“This girl knows how to quit while she’s ahead. I’m not gonna take the chance that I’ll lose again.”

“Come on; give a man the chance to redeem himself.” He tried. I shook my head.

“Dude, calm your tits. We can find something else to do.”

“Like what?”

“A game?” I suggested. He shrugged.

“Like?”

“Truth or Dare?” I asked him. “No, we need more people for it to be fun.” I sighed. “You pick, Dimples.”

“‘Dimples?’”

“Yup,” I replied.

“Come on.” He pulled me towards the front door.

“Where are we going?” He asked me.

“On an adventure,” he answered.

---

“I would hardy call a stroll through the woods 'an adventure.'” I told Matt.

“Why wouldn’t you? Anything can be an adventure.”

“Touché. Where are we walking to?” I asked him.

“There’s an old fort a couple of miles ahead. The guys and I built it when we were kids.”

“Is that some kind of veiled short joke?” I asked him. He let out a bark of laughter.

“Now it is.” He winked at me. I rolled my eyes. We didn’t say much as we walked along the dirt path. After tripping a couple of times, Matt grabbed my hand. “I’ll never live it down if you trip and die out here on my watch.”

“I would totally haunt your ass. Don’t doubt me.” I warned him. He just smiled.

“I never did.”

“Good.”

---

“This is it.” He told me as he gestured to an old tree house in front of us.

“This feels like the beginning of a low-budget horror flick.” I told him.

“You’re something else; you know that?”

“So, I’ve been told. And that something else? Yeah, that happens to be ‘awesome.’” I smirked.

“Give me a boost.” I demanded. He gripped my waist and helped me into the tree. I can’t say that I’ve climbed many trees in my day, but this isn’t my first. It wasn’t too high up, thank God. Heights are no beuno. I stood on the landing and leaned on the wooden rail while I waited for Matt to climb up. “This is rad. I never had a tree house when I was a kid.”

“It’s a fort – definitely more manly.” He replied. I snorted and laughed.

“I wanna see the inside.” I told him, before disappearing into the door. I brushed some cobwebs out of my face and looked at the small house. It’s littered with worn playing cards and old action figures. I bet they had a ball out here as kids. It’s secluded and away from the world. That’s all you need sometimes. Well, that and some imagination.

“You think it’s lame; don’t you?” He asked me. I shook my head.

“Not at all. I’m a bit jealous, actually. I never had a fort.” I told him. He laughed.

“You can share this one. How ‘bout that?” He offered. I smiled.

“That is awesome, actually. It definitely needs a more feminine touch, though. I could paint the outside pink and get a throw rug. I could even bedazzle the rail.” I suggested. His eyes widened and he baulked at me. “Chillax, I’m kidding.” I assured him.

“I knew that.”

“Sure you did.”

“We should head back. The guys will be out of school soon.” He advised.

“Alright. Lead the way, boss-man.” I gestured to the doorway. He walked out and hopped out of the tree. I considered my chances of copying his movements and not breaking a bone and opted just to climb. Gravity and I will never get along. I’m not about to take my chances now.

“Jump, I’ve got you.” Matt told me. I shook my head and held onto the tree. I’m still about five feet off the ground. I don’t do heights, much less leap from them. “Trust me.”

“I barely know you.” I retorted.

“So, take a leap of faith.”

“If you don’t catch me, you’re so dead.” I threatened him. He held up his fingers.

“Scout’s honor,” he promised.

“Fine.” I gave in. I repositioned myself and jumped. I closed my eyes and hoped for the best. I didn’t open them until I felt Matt catch me. “I’m alive!” I squeaked.

“I told you that I’d catch you.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.” He waved away my apology and started walking.

“You know, not that I’m opposed to being carried, but my legs do work.” I pointed out. He laughed and put me down.

“It that better?”

“Much.”

“So, tell me about yourself.”

“There isn’t much to tell.”

“There’s always something to tell.” He disagreed. I sighed.

“I’m an only child. I’m used to moving around a lot. New York was my home. I don’t like having to make new friends and I like change even less. I’m scared of heights… and spiders. I like loud music, tattoos, bubble baths, books, boys and vodka.” I supplied.

“Vodka?”

“I’m Russian, dude. Don’t knock it.” I hit his arm. He just laughed. "Sometimes tequila - I'm not picky." I added.

“I didn’t say anything. Is that all there is to know?” He asked me.

“What else do you want to know?” I countered.

“Everything,” he looked over at me.

“That would take more time than we have.”

“Then I’d settle for knowing more.” He retorted.

“Alright.” I relented. By the time we reached his car, he knew all of my favorite bands, books and celebrity crushes. By the time we were back at Zacky’s place, he knew a handful of my favorite childhood memories. And by the time the guys were back from school, he knew about the kind of man my father was and some of my mother’s more colorful former lovers.

I told me about his parents and how they’re still together after twenty years of marriage. He told me that he has a little brother and how he tried to look out for him as much as he was able. I learned about his hopes of making it big in the music business and his passion for writing songs.

By the time Zacky and Brian walked through the front door, I knew that my crush on Matt wasn’t going to just go away. I also knew that I wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about kissing Brian either.

Notes

Alright, a dash of drama, but mostly fluff for everybody. More drama soon! Things can only go smoothly for so long. Comments would be awesome.
-Katie