Hostage

Zack’s POV

I looked after Alicia and Matt walking away, should I follow them… but maybe they still had something to talk about concerning the abduction?
I looked to my side and saw Caroline frown after Alicia and Matt as well.
When I looked at her I had another thought coming my way.

This was the moment when I could talk to her about Alicia without Alicia knowing it.
I moved to Alicia seat and leaned towards Caroline.
“Caro?” I whispered.
She turned towards me and with a questioning face. “Hmm?”
“Can I ask you something?” I whispered.
“Sure.”
“It’s about Alicia… I thought a little about us and… I like her… I mean… shit… I don’t know… I wanted to know if she might have said something towards you about me.” I asked her and looked hopeful.
“Zacky, are you really thinking that I would tell you something that Alicia and I are speaking in private… that I would tell you her deepest secrets?” Caroline looked at me and shook her head.
“Oh… no… I…” I leaned a little back but then Caroline smiled and motioned me closer again.
“I’m kidding Zack. I mean… we didn’t really talk about that. But I think that you two fit really well together. I like that she has somebody with you who takes care of her. She really needs that. She is just uncertain at the moment, as long as she didn’t receive the call from the hospital she is just too afraid to admit to anything.” Caroline shrugged her shoulders.
“But you think that she likes me? I mean… when we drove here I asked her if she wanted this to be a date and she agreed… that’s a good sign, right?”
“Yes, that is a good sign. And Zack… don’t worry too much. I think she likes you, she just needs the results of her back to finally clear her head for other things… and if you keep being exactly how you are, this will be absolutely fine.” She patted my thigh and I grinned.

I looked back at the entrance and saw Alicia walking back towards us a sad expression on her face.
Matt also walked back outside but went directly over to Brian at the barbeque.
They talked and started the fire but I saw Matt always glancing Alicia’s way.
The doorbell rang and Brian walked inside to greet his new guests.
Alicia sat down beside me again and I laid my arm around the back of her chair.
“Are you alright?” I asked her and leaned a little in.
“Yes, sure.”
“You want something to drink?”
“Yes… I mean no…” She looked uncomfortable to the entrance. “Would you please stay here a little longer… There are new people coming and I don’t wanna sit here alone… I don’t know what to say.”
I grinned, “Come on Alicia. These are my friends, they are cool and easy to be around with.”
I stood up and Alicia looked at me a little shocked. I grabbed her hand and pulled her up.
“I will just take you along. Come on.” She looked still uncomfortable but when I grabbed her hand and guided her inside the house she looked a little better.
“Don’t be so shy, Alicia. I know you are not.” I winked at her and she chuckled.

We walked inside and to the kitchen area when Brian came towards us with Arin, Kim and Johnny and Lacey walking behind him.
“Hey Zack.” Arin greeted me and we hugged us. “Hey guys. You remember Alicia, Alicia these are Arin, his wife Kim and the little one is Johnny and his wife Lacey. This is Alicia my date.” I introduced officially and liked calling her my date.
“Hey Alicia, it is good to see you again.” Kim and Lacey hugged her and I saw Johnny and Arin exchange a look as if they didn’t really know what they should be doing.
“It’s good to see you again.” Alicia walked forward and finally Johnny took a heart and hugged her and Arin followed.
“I’m sorry… if we are… acting awkward or something, just tell us… We don’t really know how to react around you or Matt… this situation is so strange.” Johnny said finally.
“Don’t worry. The situation is even stranger for me.” Alicia winked at Johnny and Arin and they both grinned.
“We wanted to get us a drink. The others are outside Brian already started the barbeque.” I told them and Arin and Johnny followed their wives outside.
I grabbed Alicia arm and guided her finally to the kitchen and grabbed a beer from the fridge.
“What do you like to drink?” I asked her.
“Hm.. I’ll take a coke.” I grabbed a coke and handed it to her.
“And was that introduction so hard?” I asked her but Alicia looked out of the kitchen window not reacting to my words.

Alicia’s POV

I looked outside and saw Matt talking to Brian while they put meat and vegetables onto the barbeque, then his eyes met mine through the window and he stared back at me.
I wanted to look away, but couldn’t bring myself to do it.
“Was it?” Zacky voiced made me finally turn my head away from Matt.
“Was it what?”
“So hard to be introduced?” Zack asked and I turned my full attention back to him.
I shouldn’t be looking at Matt and thinking about everything we had been through, that was making it just harder for me and him…
“No, it was not… thanks to you.” I smiled a little at him and Zack shook his head grinning.
“What?” I frowned.
“This pained smile you are giving me. Damn Alicia , I can tell when you are just trying to fool me with your behavior. Come on, let’s get back to the others, Brad and Caroline will feel lonely between all these strangers.” Zack took my elbow and we walked outside and I was on one hand surprised and on the other I wasn’t about what I saw.
I was surprised that Zack could read my expression so well after such a short amount of time and I wasn’t surprised that Caroline and Brad were absolutely not feeling lonely and were already involved into a heated discussion with Johnny and Brian about the best way to cook something on the grill.
I smiled when I saw them, they fitted so good into the group that I couldn’t help but also try to enjoy everything.

Zacky and I sat back down and I tried to follow the conversation that were going on but I couldn’t help that every now and then my glance returned back to Matt.
And whenever our eyes met we both just stared, one time I had the feeling that he wanted to come over to me to talk again but when he made a step forward, Val his girl or not girlfriend was walking towards him and he was indulged into another conversation with her.
I saw Caroline turn my way. “Alicia can I talk to you for a second.”
“Oh sure.” I nodded.
“Come on, let’s walk inside and get us another drink.” Caroline said and I had a feeling that she wanted to talk about something that no one else should hear.
I leaned towards Zack, he was talking to Arin on his other side but when I leaned in, he looked at me for a moment. “I’m going to get something new to drink, you want something?”
“Oh yes, just another beer. Thanks.” Zack leaned towards me and kissed my cheek.
“Okay.” I grinned a little at the sudden move on his side and stood up to walk after Caroline into the kitchen.
“So what is it?” I said as soon as Caroline and I stood alone in the kitchen.
“You tell me.” Caroline asked.
“Tell you what?”
“What is going on between you and Matt? There is something you didn’t tell me or? So spill it!” Caroline looked at me her eyebrow lifted.
I sighed. “Nothing… It’s just weird to be around him.”
“Wrong answer, Alicia. I know you better then that… Lie to someone else but not me.”
“Damn it. Can we talk about this another time… and not here?” I asked finally.
That seemed to satisfy Caroline for now but she pointed her index finger at me.
“You will tell me, as soon as we are home.”
“Yes, fine. I will.”

Notes

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