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Merrick spent the first two weeks after Leslie’s car accident locked in his bedroom pacing in his wolf form still enraged. His mother checked on him three times a day but he still lunged at the door wanting to get out and to find those responsible for causing pain to him and the woman he loved. Finally Kim looked into the room and he was asleep on his bed in human form. It was then she knew he’d calmed down. Merrick avoided his sister, Emma tried to come and apologize to him but he wouldn’t see her. Instead he’d taken a leave of absence from work at the shelter and from Wal-Mart both being rather understanding given the situation he was in. He had to play catch up in his classes for the two weeks he missed but his teachers had been told by his mother about the accident and were lenient with him. Merrick went to the hospital to visit Leslie every day bringing her lilacs. Her parents slept in the hospital room and the only reason he didn’t was because there wasn’t anywhere for him to sleep while her parents where there. Finally Leslie woke up she smiled at her parents and cried happy to see them again. But as her eyes looked to Merrick they filled with fear and she started to hold the sides of her head and scream as if she was in pain. She was mostly normal, but still needed help with certain things and she couldn’t retain new memories.
Her parents moved her into a special inpatient facility closer to them to see to her needs. But when Merrick would go to see her the same thing would happen she’d hold the sides of her head and scream in pain. He was eventually after a few days told to just not come back as it seemed to cause more harm than good. Merrick didn’t take this very well. To know that the sight of him caused the woman he loved such pain. To know that his own sister had done this to her. Merrick decided that love was just not for him then. If this was what his sister would do to women he loved he just wouldn’t love anyone. Merrick decided he couldn’t go back to the shelter the pain would be too much to bare. So instead he filled the void of the shelter…the void of Leslie with his black book. He tried to dull the pain that he felt with being with other women. None of them were Leslie. None of them could truly fill the void he felt. Any pleasure he got from these encounters was temporary and never really dulled the ache he felt in his heart. His family tried to help him, they tried to have him talk to Isis about his grief. He refused, rather rudely at that. He didn’t want the pity from his family or their friends. He just wanted to be left alone. He figured going back to his old ways of sleeping with whoever he felt like was better than doing drugs and drinking or worse yet killing himself.
The only other people that knew about Emma’s actual involvement in Leslie’s accident were Kim and Christian. No one had even thought for an instant to call to tell Rose about Merrick’s relationship with Leslie or it’s tragic end. So when she flew back to Bayville with Billy and Atif to visit family and be there for her cousin’s graduation Rose smiled a little as she looked at her phone thinking about calling Merrick. It’d been almost a year since she’d been home and that goodbye sex may have been a good send off but it kind of left her wanting more over the months she was gone. She’d thought about him a few different times while away. Often when she was at her lowest points. Wanting to just let her worries fade away in his arms as he’d managed to do throughout her senior year. Of course when she landed she had to do the traditional rounds. First stop was her hotel then it was straight to her Uncle’s house where the rest of the family and her friends was all there for Rachel’s graduation party. Rose had even been surprised that she saw Tristan there, though not surprised that Blaire was on his arm. She played catch up and found out that Tristan and Blaire were actually having a go at really dating not just dating when in the same zip code.
Once she was able to get away from the party Rose got out her phone and sent a text to Merrick. ‘Hey just escaped my family and friends. Can we meet?’. Merrick was busy so to speak in Jada’s apartment making out on her couch when his phone buzzed. Jada grumbled but Merrick pulled back. “Hold on it might be work.”, Merrick said pulling his phone from his pocket. Jada sighed a little annoyed as he checked his phone. Merrick read the message internalizing his smile. ‘Should I count myself special that after your friends and family after a transatlantic flight you contact me for sex?’ Merrick sent back. “Sorry Jada, they need me to come into work.”, Merrick said getting up from her couch. “Are you serious?”, Jada asked. “Of course I’m serious. I’ve gotta go. I’ll call you when I can.”, Merrick said leaning over with a hand on the back of the couch giving her a long deep kiss. “Alright…”, Jada sighed. “Call me when you get off work. Or just stop in.”, Jada said. Merrick winked. “I’ll see what I can do.”, Merrick said heading out. Rose laughed a little walking to her motorcycle her dad had taken out of storage for her as she read the text. ‘Yes you should. So are you going to meet me or not?’ Rose replied. ‘Given me fifteen and I’ll be at the castle.’ Merrick replied walking to his GTO that was parked outside of Jada’s place. Rose smirked before putting her helmet on. ‘See you there’, she replied pocketing her phone and starting up her motorcycle and pulling away from her Uncle’s house. Merrick got into his GTO and drove away making a stop at the old Haven first before going to the castle to meet Rose.
Rose had gotten to the castle first as she didn’t have a side stop. She looked out the window hearing the engine of the GTO and blinked looking at it. He’d finished it, it was perfect and pristine like fresh off the assembly line. Her favorite color may be green but there was something about the shade of blue that he’d chosen that she had to admit she liked. Merrick climbed out of the GTO and looked up seeing her looking out the window and gave a wave before heading inside and up the stairs to the room. There wasn’t words this time when he walked into the room. Once he had closed the door both ran on animal instinct no words beyond the phrase ‘oh god’ and the other’s name were used. It was a blur as Rose had nearly a year of pent up desire that she wanted to have released and Merrick wanting to dull that pain of Leslie was glad to provide that release Rose craved. And unlike the last month of trying to fill the void and dull the pain with random sex as he heard Rose’s growling, calling his name and felt her claws etching into his flesh the pain was gone all that remained the Rose and the uncontrolled animal desire that she brought out of him. What had started against the door ended on the bed that they’d used in previous encounters. Their clothes scattered between the two locations, Merrick’s shirt completely ruined having when shredded by her claws during her impatience of trying to get it off him.
Rose sighed contently laying on her stomach waiting for her heartbeat to return to normal as her long red hair stuck to her shoulder blades from sweat. She turned her head to look at Merrick who’d just laid down on his side with a slight wince. “You alright?”, Rose asked. Merrick nodded. “Yes. I just had some damn satisfying sex, I’m great.”, Merrick said giving her a kiss. “Well you winced.”, Rose countered. “Because my back is currently bleeding, I’ll live through.”, Merrick said moving to sit up. Rose turned her head a little to watch him sit up. She smiled a little looking over the deep claw marks she’d left on him. “I’d say I’m sorry but, well I’m not. You know how I get when I’m enjoying myself.”, Rose teased. Merrick nodded. “Yeah I remember.”, Merrick said getting up and searching for his boxers getting them on and gathering up his other clothes. Rose sighed and rolled over sitting up, not bothering with trying to cover herself. “You have somewhere better to be that you need to leave so quick?”, Rose asked. Merrick raised an eyebrow at the question. “Better? No. But…”, Merrick said with a shrug. He couldn’t bring himself to really stay with anyone after sex, the idea of staying just reminded him about the time he spent cuddled with Leslie. And thinking of Leslie just hurt him too much. And as he thought about Leslie the pain reflected in his eyes. Rose raised an eyebrow seeing the look in his eyes, a look she wasn’t familiar with in his green-yellow eyes.
“Merrick? What’s wrong? You have a look I’ve never seen in your eyes before...pain.”, Rose said moving to the end of the bed kneeling looking at him. Merrick shook his head. “Nothing for you to worry about little wolf. I should go to the clinic get these claw marks taken care of.”, Merrick said trying to avoid and deflect. Rose narrowed her eyes at him and grabbed his arm. “Merrick Edward Bryant-Frost tell me what is wrong, please? I’ve never seen you look like that. It worries me. And like it or not I do care. You’re my friend.”, Rose insisted. Merrick shook his head. “Don’t start using my full name. Like I said it’s nothing you need to worry about.”, Merrick said moving to pull away not willing to look at her. Rose tightened her grip on his arm and reached grabbing his chin so he had to look at her. “Come on Merrick. I want to know, that look in your eyes worries me. I don’t like the idea of you in pain. So please tell me.”, Rose said. Merrick let out an exasperated sigh. “You really want to know what happened? No one told you? Guess that probably makes sense. None of your friends would have a reason to bring me or what happened while you were gone up.”, Merrick said. “Yes I want to know. What happened while I was gone?”, Rose asked letting his face go but keeping a grip on his arm. “I had a girlfriend.”, Merrick stated. Rose blinked granted it shouldn’t shock her that some girl would finally get him to be serious about her, but he said ‘had’. “Alright...but that doesn’t tell me what happened or why you have such pain in those eyes.”, Rose said.
Merrick sighed he hadn’t talked to anyone about Leslie in over a month now. “I was dating Leslie…”, Merrick stated. “The vet tech you like from the shelter. That...was… well what happened then?”, Rose asked. “It got serious. I love...loved her and she loved me. We were going to move in together. Then...well then the accident happened.”, Merrick tried to explain. Rose let his arm go as she slumped down onto the bed. He had loved Leslie. He’d been serious enough that he wanted to live with the woman. “Accident?”, Rose questioned softly. “Well yes and no, kind of a premeditated accident.”, Merrick explained. “Emma and Talia….went into cahoots and went after Leslie. Emma caused permanent brain damage to her and Talia covered it up to make it look like the car accident caused it. I used to go see her to visit her and bring her flowers but Emma short circuited her brain so much that seeing me made Leslie yell and scream holding her head in pain. I was told to stop coming to see her.”, Merrick explained the pain he’d been holding back since that day showing in his eyes. “I’ve kind of just fallen back into my old habits since. Opened my black book up. Kind of my own way of dealing with the pain.”, Merrick said. Rose growled her bone claws starting to pop from between her knuckles. “I’ll fooking kill those bloody bints…”, Rose growled. Merrick raised an eyebrow. “I only understood the words ‘I’ll’, ‘kill’ and ‘those’ in what you just said. You aren’t allowed to kill my sister, you need to promise me that. No one else knows, other than my parents, that Talia and Emma were involved. So no killing, since really didn’t think X-Men were allowed to kill people. Isn’t that why Wanda is still alive despite everything she’s done?”, Merrick said.
Rose rolled her eyes but was still growling. “True X-Men aren’t supposed to kill people, and that is why Wanda is still alive. But doesn’t change that I want to rip them apart for hurting an innocent person all because she loved you. You are should be allowed happiness and love Merrick. And those were swears I used just with a UK twist.”, Rose explained. “If that is British swearing, it’s terrible. A year away and you forget how to swear and learned that crap? Because it was crap.”, Merrick said shaking his head. Rose looked at him confused a little. He had just told her that his own sister basically ruined his chance at happiness and he was focusing on how she chose to swear. “You are seriously focusing on my choice of swears right now?”, Rose questioned. “Better than focusing on what happened. I don’t like talking or thinking about it. Why do you think I’ve gone back to having meaningless sex with my little black book of girls?”, Merrick explained. “That isn’t the healthiest choice.”, Rose said shaking her head. Merrick shrugged. “Maybe but it’s a fun choice. How’s your year been then?”, Merrick countered trying to change the subject. “Boring. Lonely.”, Rose said simply. Merrick nodded. “And you’ve dealt with that how?”, Merrick asked. Rose shrugged. “Lots and lots of wine.”, Rose said. “Hi pot, nice to meet you I’m kettle.”, Merrick teased.
Rose rolled her eyes. “I never said you had to get better right now. I just said it’s probably not the healthiest way to get back. It will take time. And drinking isn’t dangerous for me.”, Rose said. “Neither is having sex for me. Well sex with you is dangerous, but worth the claw marks and blood loss.”, Merrick smirked. “You could get a girl pregnant or catch a STD.”, Rose pointed out. “STDs are why I get checked out. And pregnancy is why I always bring my own condoms.”, he answered. “Condoms can fail.”, Rose stated. “I’m aware. But not overly concerned at the present moment. I’ve been having meaningless sex since I was fifteen, they haven’t failed me yet at least.”, Merrick countered. Rose chuckled softly and leaned up, kissing his nose. “Promise me something, Mer?”, she asked. Merrick’s nose wrinkled and twitched at the kiss. “If you stop trying to shorten my name like that.”, Merrick said. Rose chuckled. “Alright, Merrick.”, she said tilting her head. “Try to get better? It doesn’t have to be today, tomorrow or even this month but someday.”, Rose requested. “I’ll take it under advisement. You going to try and get better? I mean how are you lonely? You live with Atif and William. And I’m sure there are guys over there who’d happily keep you company.”, Merrick answered. “Do you really think I’d be around those guys much? I mean come on. I might sleep with you but I’ve known you my whole life, Merrick.”, Rose said. “You also hated me for the majority of your life.”, Merrick countered. “I didn’t hate you. I thought you were a jackass. There was only a few times I actually hated.”, Rose defended. “Ooh. Fine I stand corrected. You disliked me for most of your life. Till the volleyball game I got dragged to.”, Merrick said rolling his eyes but smirked.
“Are you complaining? And didn’t you dislike me the same?”, Rose asked. “No, not complaining that you decided to kiss me that day. Or that you started meeting me here to originally make out till that day you decided to take this from making out to sleeping together. But I didn’t dislike you the same really. I was generally indifferent about you.”, Merrick explained. “Indifferent but learned more about me than anyone else I know that I haven’t lived with?”, Rose countered. “Yeah basically.”, Merrick shrugged. Rose chuckled shaking her head. “So we both agree to try and get better?”, she asked. “Sure, eventually. Maybe you will even, I don’t know, smile when you’re over there.”, Merrick suggested. “I smile.”, Rose defended frowning a little at him. Merrick shrugged and set his clothes down on the edge of the bed and pulled his phone out. “I might regret this but whatever.”, He said opening the photo gallery and the most recent photo being the one of her from a few months before she left last year. He’d removed all the pictures of Leslie, having saved them to a flash drive but unable to look at them anymore. He turned the phone and showed the picture to her. “Is it that smile?”, Merrick questioned. Rose raised an eyebrow and looked at the photo and smiled a little biting her bottom lip slightly. “You have a picture of me on your phone?”, Rose asked. Merrick rolled his eyes. “Don’t read too much into it. Just liked how you looked in the firelight is all. But is that the smile you have when you’re there?”, Merrick asked. Rose sighed. “Not exactly.”, Rose admitted.
Merrick nodded. “Look it’s not my business if you smile or don’t smile over there. We aren’t exactly friends after all. My only business is that when you are here, at least with me, I can make that smile come back.”, Merrick said. Rose smiled looking at him. “What want another picture to remember it by?”, Rose teased. Merrick rolled his eyes and put this phone away. “I prefer candid photos. It makes sure that the smile is real and not posed.”, Merrick said getting onto the bed lightly pushing her onto her back and pinning her naked body down leaning over her. “And I’ve got a good memory, after all I did just see that smile a few minutes ago when I had you yelling my name.”, Merrick teased kissing and biting at her neck. Rose smiled but rolled her eyes. “Just offering.”, Rose stated. “Mmm. Do I want to even know what kind of pictures you have of me on your phone?”, Merrick teased. Rose laughed a little. “I have pictures from the volleyball game but that’s about it.”, Rose said. She sighed a little. “You should go get medical attention, you are starting to look a little pale.”, Rose commented. Merrick sighed and climbed off her. “Yeah, probably should. Kisa is going to yell at me for starting fights with wolves again.”, Merrick teased with a wink starting to get dressed. He sighed picking up his shirt and looking at the torn remains. “Thankfully I wasn’t emotionally attached to this shirt.”, Merrick said tossing it into the fire. Rose laughed and got off the bed starting to get dressed. “Well you should never wear any clothes you really like when we meet up, claws tend to shred things.”, Rose teased.
“Very true. And why I generally have extra clothes in the car. Which shit, hold on. Forgot something in the car, stay right there.”, Merrick said remembering something. Rose raised an eyebrow and sat down on the end of the bed pulling her shirt on to wait. Merrick ran back downstairs to the car and came back up. Rose tilted her head looking at him wondering what he went back to his car for. Merrick laid the single Rose Iris on the bed next to her and leaned down giving her a kiss. “Welcome home egghead.”, Merrick said with a smirk. He pulled on the spare shirt and headed for the door. Rose looked at the flower and smiled before looking back at him. Sometimes without probably meaning to he could be so sweet. “Hey Merrick. I’m home for the month so feel free to call me any time.”, Rose said. Merrick stopped at the door and nodded. “I’ll keep it in mind. Look forward to your next call. Later little wolf.”, Merrick said before leaving and heading down to the GTO. Rose laughed a little standing up and getting out her phone. She didn’t know why but this she wanted to remember, so she snapped a picture of the iris on the bed the sheet still messy from them having sex and some drops of blood from Merrick’s back. She sighed and put her phone away picking up the iris before leaving as well.
The last eight months had been a rollercoaster for not just Merrick. Holly Boland had been trying to figure out these past months how to tell her son that she had been talking to Alexander Whitland much less that she’d slept with him. She’d wanted to tell her son, especially as she got to know Alex better. And when she had finally decided she would tell him it happened to be the same day he came home with the saddest look on his face. He’d been told by Blaire that she treasured him as her friend and would always be his friend however she was going to date Tristan on a serious basis. Holly couldn’t bring herself to tell him that she was sort of unofficially seeing Tristan’s father after he just got friend zoned hard by Blaire for Tristan. She knew she’d have to tell him. Alex was going to be coming back to town, they’d set up a business arrangement Holly having some new foals that she just couldn’t keep and so was selling to Alex. And since there was a rodeo that was going to be going on not long after it timed out well and gave Tristan a chance to finally see Blaire since they had become official. While Tristan was at a party with Blaire Alex drove out to Boland Ranch with the trailer to see Holly and check out these two new foals in person. He hadn’t really thought about if Sam would be at the ranch when he was out there. All Alex was thinking about was getting to see Holly again. Three days with her in October hadn’t really been long enough and then waiting eight months to see her again even with getting to talk to her on the phone was just too long. He pulled up the driveway and saw her car over by the barn and went in that direction parking his truck with the trailer behind it near the barn.
He jumped out of the truck smiling and walking to the open barn doors. “Holly?”, Alex called looking around the barn for her with anticipation. Samuel’s head raised up from one of the stalls as he stood up having been cleaning Boden’s stall. “Can I help you? I’m Samuel Boland. My mother is out on the training area with a student.”, Samuel greeted. Alex had seen a picture of Samuel the weekend he was with Holly back in October, but pictures didn’t really prepare him for meeting the boy in person or how tall he really was. Alex was used to being shorter, his own son had five inches on him and now he was looking at Samuel and realized this boy had closer to seven inches on him. “Ah, I see. Nice to meet you Samuel. I’m Alexander Whitland. Was coming by about the two foals. You’re mother was selling them to me. Wanted to get a look at them first hand before we completed the deal.”, Alex greeted extending his hand. “Whitland?”, Samuel questioned taking Alex’s hand and giving it a rather firm shake. “Um yes..”, Alex answered. He knew the history the boy and his son had and that it all circled around Blaire Delaney. Samuel nodded and let Alex’s hand go and climbed over the stall door and brushed off some dirt from his jeans. “The foals are this way.”, Samuel said leading the way out the back side of the barn to the enclosure where the horses were able to graze and run.
Off to the far side was Chloe Blaire’s blonde Arabian with two black Friesian Arabian mix foals. “Well that’s them. The twins Castor and Pollux both are colts. They are Friesian Arabian. We’ve started halter-breaking already with them. They have their mother’s temperament. They will be a year old in a week.”, Samuel explained leading Alex over and lightly running his hands over the twins before patting Chloe. “This is their mother Chloe. Over that way is their father Demon.”, Samuel explained pointing to the large black Friesian grazing. Alex held a hand out to the two colts letting them sniff at him before lightly petting their coats. “They both look like a fine pair. Castor and Pollux? Who came up with those names?”, Alex asked looking the twins over. Samuel sighed as he patted Chloe. “Well their mother’s rider, Blaire Delaney. She figured they were born under the Gemini sign so name them after the brightest stars in the constellation.”, Samuel said a little sadness in his voice when he said Blaire’s name. Alex nodded. He knew what Sam was going through. He’d been close to Aurelia in high school and wanted so bad to be more to her and it hurt when he wasn’t. It hurt even more when she found Logan and he knew she was in love and he’d never really had a chance and if he did the chance died when she found Logan. “I see. Then I guess I’ll be keeping their names.”, Alex commented. Samuel nodded. “Figured.”, Samuel said. Alex raised an eyebrow. “And why is that?”, Alex asked. “You said Whitland. I only know one person with that last name that deals with horses and you and him have some similar features. So my gut says you are Tristan’s dad. So figures you wouldn’t change the name of the colts that your son’s girlfriend gave them.”, Sam explained.
Alex sighed and nodded. “Yeah, your gut is right. Wasn’t sure if I should give my last name or not. I know how it feels to get that friend zone talk. My best friend did that to me when I was a young man. It hurt, but she is happy and her happiness is what I wanted for her. And I’m happy too just took a number of years.”, Alex said. “Yeah well it’s only been a couple months for me, so not seeing the silver lining other than after senior year she’ll be going to Harvard and I’ll be going to Yale so I won’t have to see her with your son.”, Samuel stated. “Samuel.”, Holly said having ridden up on her chestnut thoroughbred with a white diamond marking on the bridge of her nose. Holly clicked a little bringing her horse to a stop. Not far behind her was a young girl, maybe ten riding a white thoroughbred. “Misses Boland?”, the girl asked. Holly looked over her shoulder and smiled. “Melinda, Samuel will help you getting Blossom into her stall.”, Holly said. Samuel sighed and nodded climbing over the fence and lightly taking the Blossom’s reins. “Come on Melinda. We’ll get Blossom settled in and you can groom her and feed her a sugar cube.”, Samuel said leading the way back to the bar. Holly waited for Samuel to round the corner to the barn before getting down from her horse.
She patted her on the neck and tied the reins loosely to the fence. “I’ll get you settled soon Ellie.”, Holly said before climbing on the fence and looking at Alex. “So how’d that go? I’m guessing he knows who you are then.”, Holly said. Alex sighed and nodded. “Yeah I thought you’d be in the barn but found him instead. Introduced myself including last name and he kind of figured that connection out. Didn’t bring up the other connection.”, Alex said with a small smile leaning on the fence from his side and giving her a kiss. Holly smiled returning the kiss briefly but pulled back and looked at the barn. “I haven’t figured out how to tell him about you. I had thought to tell him couple months back, but then Blaire friend zoned him officially. And I just couldn’t tell him that I was seeing you.”, Holly explained with a sigh. Alex nodded. “I get it. Kid lost the girl he wanted to a Whitland. I don’t want him thinking he’s losing his mom to one too.”, Alex agreed. “Except he isn’t losing me. He’s my son and he’ll always come first above everything else. And I can’t really keep you from him. Not really looking to keep you a secret after all. So guess I have to tell him today. You want to stay for dinner?”, Holly concluded. “Sure. Tristan’s in town with Blaire at a graduation party for Blaire’s friend Rachel. Blaire’s got her car so I don’t have to worry about getting him.”, Alex agreed.
Sam walked out the back of the barn to bring in the horses for the evening and noticed how close his mother and Alex were leaning on the fence. “Samuel when you finish up go up to the house and wash up. Mister Whitland is staying for supper.”, Holly instructed. Samuel sighed and nodded. “Alright mom.”, he said starting to bring horses inside. “Come on.”, Holly said with a nod to Alex. Alex climbed over the fence and walked with Holly and Ellie to the barn. “You sure having me stay for dinner is a good idea?”, Alex asked glancing to Samuel as he was bringing in the horses. Holly nodded as she got Ellie settled into her stall. “Come on. You can help me start dinner.”, Holly said getting into her car. Alex nodded and unhitched his trailer following her up to the house in his truck. The inside of her house hadn’t really changed since the last time he was there just a couple new photos and awards that Samuel had won were added to the display. “Pretty spectacular kid you have.”, Alex commented setting his hat down following her to the kitchen. “That I do.”, Holly said getting a bowl out of the fridge and setting it aside to wash her hands. “So what do you need me to do?”, Alex asked looking around the kitchen as he washed his hands.. “Start up the grill. It’s just on the deck out the kitchen door. I’ve had chicken marinating over night. I already made potato salad yesterday. So just need to cook the green beans and the chicken.”, Holly explained. “Mmm grilled chicken, potato salad and green beans? Sounds almost as tasty as what I’m hoping could be dessert later.”, Alex said coming up behind her as she was uncovering the bowl of marinated chicken and kissed at her neck. Holly laughed and shook her head. “We’ll see, now go start the grill.”, she ordered. Alex laughed and took the bowl of chicken and headed for the grill while Holly got the green beans ready.
Dinner was rather awkward as Holly and Alex both tried to not be too close and how to bring up that they were seeing each other to Samuel. After dinner Alex helped Sam with clearing the table. “So I’ve seen a number of chess trophies around the house. I understand you are really good. I know how to play, I wouldn’t say I’m all that great but I’m a fair player. What would you say to a match?”, Alex offered. Sam raised an eyebrow. “Why? You and my mother have been eggshells all evening. And now you are trying to be buddies with me. What is your play Mister Whitland?”, Sam asked. Holly reached up and hit her son on the back of the head. “Samuel Thaddeus Alexander Boland you will mind your manners.”, Holly said sternly. Sam sighed rubbing the back of his head he hated when his full name was used. Sam took a seat at the kitchen table and looked at his mother. “Fine you want me to mind my manners, I will. And it’s good manners to not tell lies. So just stop whatever you are doing and tell me what is going on mom.”, Sam said. “Fine. Over the last few months I’ve been talking with Alex and getting to know him.”, Holly said. Sam pinched the bridge of his nose. “So… my mother is dating Tristan’s father? You have to be kidding me? I deal with one Whitland already because of Blaire and now this.”, Sam said moving to get up. Holly shoved her son back into his chair.
“Do not take that tone with me Samuel. Yes we are seeing each other but obviously I live here and he lives in Oregon so it’s a long distance situation. Where this is less about a physical relationship than it is to just have someone we both know we can talk to and have a connection with.”, Holly explained. “I like your mother, a lot. I haven’t known anyone else like her and I enjoy her company. I enjoy having someone to talk to. I’m happy when I’m around your mom or just talking to her on the phone.”, Alex spoke up. “What about dad, mom? I thought he was why you turned every guy down. Because I know there have been lots of guys who’ve asked you out since dad.”, Sam asked. “Don’t do that Samuel. I love your father, I will always love him. What I have with Alex doesn’t change how I feel about your father. It doesn’t replace him. No one will ever be able to do that. I’m not saying I’m in love with Alex, I don’t know if well enough and haven’t been with him long enough to say something like that. But I do know I like him, a lot. And last time I checked I was allowed to have happiness.”, Holly countered hurt in her eyes. That her son would dare to suggest she’d ever stop loving his father. Samuel sighed and looked down having seen the look in her eyes. “I…I didn’t mean it like that mom. It’s just…a Whitland? Someone you’ll hardly see?”, Sam countered. “His last name has nothing to do with this Samuel so stop making it about that. Yes his son is Tristan, that doesn’t matter. And the fact I hardly see him kind of works. I’ve spent the last twelve years as a single parent doing things my way. If I had someone here all the damn time I wouldn’t know what to do because they’d get underfoot not knowing how I do things and me not being flexible in changing at this point in my life.”, Holly explained.
Samuel sighed. “Fine mom. Can I go now? I’m going to go meet some friends in town if that’s okay.”, Samuel said. Holly sighed. “Yes you can go. Be home by curfew.”, Holly said. Sam nodded and stood up without any additional words walked out of the kitchen and out the front door the sound of his truck starting and pulling away. “Well…that went…it went.”, Alex said. Holly sighed. “He’ll be alright. He just needs to get over it. And once he’s at Yale it should bother him even less given when you are here he won’t be.”, Holly said shaking her head. Alex sighed and wrapped his arms around her pulling her closer hugging her. “You’re right, he will get over it. It takes time is all. But at least now he knows.”, Alex said rubbing her back. Holly nodded and wrapped her arms around him resting her forehead on his chest. “Yeah. And time I’ve got.”, Holly agreed. “So about dessert?”, Alex asked. Holly laughed and poked his side. “Sorry wanted to make you laugh and figured inappropriate timing was a perfect way.”, Alex defended. Holly smiled shaking her head. “Come on cowboy. Unless you forgot the way to my bedroom in eight months.”, Holly teased getting out of his arms and heading upstairs. Alex smirked. “Oh I think I can remember.”, Alex said following after her.

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Merrick spent the first two weeks after Leslie’s car accident locked in his bedroom pacing in his wolf form still enraged. His mother checked on him three times a day but he still lunged at the door wanting to get out and to find those responsible for causing pain to him and the woman he loved. Finally Kim looked into the room and he was asleep on his bed in human form. It was then she knew he’d calmed down. Merrick avoided his sister, Emma tried to come and apologize to him but he wouldn’t see her. Instead he’d taken a leave of absence from work at the shelter and from Wal-Mart both being rather understanding given the situation he was in. He had to play catch up in his classes for the two weeks he missed but his teachers had been told by his mother about the accident and were lenient with him. Merrick went to the hospital to visit Leslie every day bringing her lilacs. Her parents slept in the hospital room and the only reason he didn’t was because there wasn’t anywhere for him to sleep while her parents where there. Finally Leslie woke up she smiled at her parents and cried happy to see them again. But as her eyes looked to Merrick they filled with fear and she started to hold the sides of her head and scream as if she was in pain. She was mostly normal, but still needed help with certain things and she couldn’t retain new memories.
Her parents moved her into a special inpatient facility closer to them to see to her needs. But when Merrick would go to see her the same thing would happen she’d hold the sides of her head and scream in pain. He was eventually after a few days told to just not come back as it seemed to cause more harm than good. Merrick didn’t take this very well. To know that the sight of him caused the woman he loved such pain. To know that his own sister had done this to her. Merrick decided that love was just not for him then. If this was what his sister would do to women he loved he just wouldn’t love anyone. Merrick decided he couldn’t go back to the shelter the pain would be too much to bare. So instead he filled the void of the shelter…the void of Leslie with his black book. He tried to dull the pain that he felt with being with other women. None of them were Leslie. None of them could truly fill the void he felt. Any pleasure he got from these encounters was temporary and never really dulled the ache he felt in his heart. His family tried to help him, they tried to have him talk to Isis about his grief. He refused, rather rudely at that. He didn’t want the pity from his family or their friends. He just wanted to be left alone. He figured going back to his old ways of sleeping with whoever he felt like was better than doing drugs and drinking or worse yet killing himself.
The only other people that knew about Emma’s actual involvement in Leslie’s accident were Kim and Christian. No one had even thought for an instant to call to tell Rose about Merrick’s relationship with Leslie or it’s tragic end. So when she flew back to Bayville with Billy and Atif to visit family and be there for her cousin’s graduation Rose smiled a little as she looked at her phone thinking about calling Merrick. It’d been almost a year since she’d been home and that goodbye sex may have been a good send off but it kind of left her wanting more over the months she was gone. She’d thought about him a few different times while away. Often when she was at her lowest points. Wanting to just let her worries fade away in his arms as he’d managed to do throughout her senior year. Of course when she landed she had to do the traditional rounds. First stop was her hotel then it was straight to her Uncle’s house where the rest of the family and her friends was all there for Rachel’s graduation party. Rose had even been surprised that she saw Tristan there, though not surprised that Blaire was on his arm. She played catch up and found out that Tristan and Blaire were actually having a go at really dating not just dating when in the same zip code.
Once she was able to get away from the party Rose got out her phone and sent a text to Merrick. ‘Hey just escaped my family and friends. Can we meet?’. Merrick was busy so to speak in Jada’s apartment making out on her couch when his phone buzzed. Jada grumbled but Merrick pulled back. “Hold on it might be work.”, Merrick said pulling his phone from his pocket. Jada sighed a little annoyed as he checked his phone. Merrick read the message internalizing his smile. ‘Should I count myself special that after your friends and family after a transatlantic flight you contact me for sex?’ Merrick sent back. “Sorry Jada, they need me to come into work.”, Merrick said getting up from her couch. “Are you serious?”, Jada asked. “Of course I’m serious. I’ve gotta go. I’ll call you when I can.”, Merrick said leaning over with a hand on the back of the couch giving her a long deep kiss. “Alright…”, Jada sighed. “Call me when you get off work. Or just stop in.”, Jada said. Merrick winked. “I’ll see what I can do.”, Merrick said heading out. Rose laughed a little walking to her motorcycle her dad had taken out of storage for her as she read the text. ‘Yes you should. So are you going to meet me or not?’ Rose replied. ‘Given me fifteen and I’ll be at the castle.’ Merrick replied walking to his GTO that was parked outside of Jada’s place. Rose smirked before putting her helmet on. ‘See you there’, she replied pocketing her phone and starting up her motorcycle and pulling away from her Uncle’s house. Merrick got into his GTO and drove away making a stop at the old Haven first before going to the castle to meet Rose.
Rose had gotten to the castle first as she didn’t have a side stop. She looked out the window hearing the engine of the GTO and blinked looking at it. He’d finished it, it was perfect and pristine like fresh off the assembly line. Her favorite color may be green but there was something about the shade of blue that he’d chosen that she had to admit she liked. Merrick climbed out of the GTO and looked up seeing her looking out the window and gave a wave before heading inside and up the stairs to the room. There wasn’t words this time when he walked into the room. Once he had closed the door both ran on animal instinct no words beyond the phrase ‘oh god’ and the other’s name were used. It was a blur as Rose had nearly a year of pent up desire that she wanted to have released and Merrick wanting to dull that pain of Leslie was glad to provide that release Rose craved. And unlike the last month of trying to fill the void and dull the pain with random sex as he heard Rose’s growling, calling his name and felt her claws etching into his flesh the pain was gone all that remained the Rose and the uncontrolled animal desire that she brought out of him. What had started against the door ended on the bed that they’d used in previous encounters. Their clothes scattered between the two locations, Merrick’s shirt completely ruined having when shredded by her claws during her impatience of trying to get it off him.
Rose sighed contently laying on her stomach waiting for her heartbeat to return to normal as her long red hair stuck to her shoulder blades from sweat. She turned her head to look at Merrick who’d just laid down on his side with a slight wince. “You alright?”, Rose asked. Merrick nodded. “Yes. I just had some damn satisfying sex, I’m great.”, Merrick said giving her a kiss. “Well you winced.”, Rose countered. “Because my back is currently bleeding, I’ll live through.”, Merrick said moving to sit up. Rose turned her head a little to watch him sit up. She smiled a little looking over the deep claw marks she’d left on him. “I’d say I’m sorry but, well I’m not. You know how I get when I’m enjoying myself.”, Rose teased. Merrick nodded. “Yeah I remember.”, Merrick said getting up and searching for his boxers getting them on and gathering up his other clothes. Rose sighed and rolled over sitting up, not bothering with trying to cover herself. “You have somewhere better to be that you need to leave so quick?”, Rose asked. Merrick raised an eyebrow at the question. “Better? No. But…”, Merrick said with a shrug. He couldn’t bring himself to really stay with anyone after sex, the idea of staying just reminded him about the time he spent cuddled with Leslie. And thinking of Leslie just hurt him too much. And as he thought about Leslie the pain reflected in his eyes. Rose raised an eyebrow seeing the look in his eyes, a look she wasn’t familiar with in his green-yellow eyes.
“Merrick? What’s wrong? You have a look I’ve never seen in your eyes before...pain.”, Rose said moving to the end of the bed kneeling looking at him. Merrick shook his head. “Nothing for you to worry about little wolf. I should go to the clinic get these claw marks taken care of.”, Merrick said trying to avoid and deflect. Rose narrowed her eyes at him and grabbed his arm. “Merrick Edward Bryant-Frost tell me what is wrong, please? I’ve never seen you look like that. It worries me. And like it or not I do care. You’re my friend.”, Rose insisted. Merrick shook his head. “Don’t start using my full name. Like I said it’s nothing you need to worry about.”, Merrick said moving to pull away not willing to look at her. Rose tightened her grip on his arm and reached grabbing his chin so he had to look at her. “Come on Merrick. I want to know, that look in your eyes worries me. I don’t like the idea of you in pain. So please tell me.”, Rose said. Merrick let out an exasperated sigh. “You really want to know what happened? No one told you? Guess that probably makes sense. None of your friends would have a reason to bring me or what happened while you were gone up.”, Merrick said. “Yes I want to know. What happened while I was gone?”, Rose asked letting his face go but keeping a grip on his arm. “I had a girlfriend.”, Merrick stated. Rose blinked granted it shouldn’t shock her that some girl would finally get him to be serious about her, but he said ‘had’. “Alright...but that doesn’t tell me what happened or why you have such pain in those eyes.”, Rose said.
Merrick sighed he hadn’t talked to anyone about Leslie in over a month now. “I was dating Leslie…”, Merrick stated. “The vet tech you like from the shelter. That...was… well what happened then?”, Rose asked. “It got serious. I love...loved her and she loved me. We were going to move in together. Then...well then the accident happened.”, Merrick tried to explain. Rose let his arm go as she slumped down onto the bed. He had loved Leslie. He’d been serious enough that he wanted to live with the woman. “Accident?”, Rose questioned softly. “Well yes and no, kind of a premeditated accident.”, Merrick explained. “Emma and Talia….went into cahoots and went after Leslie. Emma caused permanent brain damage to her and Talia covered it up to make it look like the car accident caused it. I used to go see her to visit her and bring her flowers but Emma short circuited her brain so much that seeing me made Leslie yell and scream holding her head in pain. I was told to stop coming to see her.”, Merrick explained the pain he’d been holding back since that day showing in his eyes. “I’ve kind of just fallen back into my old habits since. Opened my black book up. Kind of my own way of dealing with the pain.”, Merrick said. Rose growled her bone claws starting to pop from between her knuckles. “I’ll fooking kill those bloody bints…”, Rose growled. Merrick raised an eyebrow. “I only understood the words ‘I’ll’, ‘kill’ and ‘those’ in what you just said. You aren’t allowed to kill my sister, you need to promise me that. No one else knows, other than my parents, that Talia and Emma were involved. So no killing, since really didn’t think X-Men were allowed to kill people. Isn’t that why Wanda is still alive despite everything she’s done?”, Merrick said.
Rose rolled her eyes but was still growling. “True X-Men aren’t supposed to kill people, and that is why Wanda is still alive. But doesn’t change that I want to rip them apart for hurting an innocent person all because she loved you. You are should be allowed happiness and love Merrick. And those were swears I used just with a UK twist.”, Rose explained. “If that is British swearing, it’s terrible. A year away and you forget how to swear and learned that crap? Because it was crap.”, Merrick said shaking his head. Rose looked at him confused a little. He had just told her that his own sister basically ruined his chance at happiness and he was focusing on how she chose to swear. “You are seriously focusing on my choice of swears right now?”, Rose questioned. “Better than focusing on what happened. I don’t like talking or thinking about it. Why do you think I’ve gone back to having meaningless sex with my little black book of girls?”, Merrick explained. “That isn’t the healthiest choice.”, Rose said shaking her head. Merrick shrugged. “Maybe but it’s a fun choice. How’s your year been then?”, Merrick countered trying to change the subject. “Boring. Lonely.”, Rose said simply. Merrick nodded. “And you’ve dealt with that how?”, Merrick asked. Rose shrugged. “Lots and lots of wine.”, Rose said. “Hi pot, nice to meet you I’m kettle.”, Merrick teased.
Rose rolled her eyes. “I never said you had to get better right now. I just said it’s probably not the healthiest way to get back. It will take time. And drinking isn’t dangerous for me.”, Rose said. “Neither is having sex for me. Well sex with you is dangerous, but worth the claw marks and blood loss.”, Merrick smirked. “You could get a girl pregnant or catch a STD.”, Rose pointed out. “STDs are why I get checked out. And pregnancy is why I always bring my own condoms.”, he answered. “Condoms can fail.”, Rose stated. “I’m aware. But not overly concerned at the present moment. I’ve been having meaningless sex since I was fifteen, they haven’t failed me yet at least.”, Merrick countered. Rose chuckled softly and leaned up, kissing his nose. “Promise me something, Mer?”, she asked. Merrick’s nose wrinkled and twitched at the kiss. “If you stop trying to shorten my name like that.”, Merrick said. Rose chuckled. “Alright, Merrick.”, she said tilting her head. “Try to get better? It doesn’t have to be today, tomorrow or even this month but someday.”, Rose requested. “I’ll take it under advisement. You going to try and get better? I mean how are you lonely? You live with Atif and William. And I’m sure there are guys over there who’d happily keep you company.”, Merrick answered. “Do you really think I’d be around those guys much? I mean come on. I might sleep with you but I’ve known you my whole life, Merrick.”, Rose said. “You also hated me for the majority of your life.”, Merrick countered. “I didn’t hate you. I thought you were a jackass. There was only a few times I actually hated.”, Rose defended. “Ooh. Fine I stand corrected. You disliked me for most of your life. Till the volleyball game I got dragged to.”, Merrick said rolling his eyes but smirked.
“Are you complaining? And didn’t you dislike me the same?”, Rose asked. “No, not complaining that you decided to kiss me that day. Or that you started meeting me here to originally make out till that day you decided to take this from making out to sleeping together. But I didn’t dislike you the same really. I was generally indifferent about you.”, Merrick explained. “Indifferent but learned more about me than anyone else I know that I haven’t lived with?”, Rose countered. “Yeah basically.”, Merrick shrugged. Rose chuckled shaking her head. “So we both agree to try and get better?”, she asked. “Sure, eventually. Maybe you will even, I don’t know, smile when you’re over there.”, Merrick suggested. “I smile.”, Rose defended frowning a little at him. Merrick shrugged and set his clothes down on the edge of the bed and pulled his phone out. “I might regret this but whatever.”, He said opening the photo gallery and the most recent photo being the one of her from a few months before she left last year. He’d removed all the pictures of Leslie, having saved them to a flash drive but unable to look at them anymore. He turned the phone and showed the picture to her. “Is it that smile?”, Merrick questioned. Rose raised an eyebrow and looked at the photo and smiled a little biting her bottom lip slightly. “You have a picture of me on your phone?”, Rose asked. Merrick rolled his eyes. “Don’t read too much into it. Just liked how you looked in the firelight is all. But is that the smile you have when you’re there?”, Merrick asked. Rose sighed. “Not exactly.”, Rose admitted.
Merrick nodded. “Look it’s not my business if you smile or don’t smile over there. We aren’t exactly friends after all. My only business is that when you are here, at least with me, I can make that smile come back.”, Merrick said. Rose smiled looking at him. “What want another picture to remember it by?”, Rose teased. Merrick rolled his eyes and put this phone away. “I prefer candid photos. It makes sure that the smile is real and not posed.”, Merrick said getting onto the bed lightly pushing her onto her back and pinning her naked body down leaning over her. “And I’ve got a good memory, after all I did just see that smile a few minutes ago when I had you yelling my name.”, Merrick teased kissing and biting at her neck. Rose smiled but rolled her eyes. “Just offering.”, Rose stated. “Mmm. Do I want to even know what kind of pictures you have of me on your phone?”, Merrick teased. Rose laughed a little. “I have pictures from the volleyball game but that’s about it.”, Rose said. She sighed a little. “You should go get medical attention, you are starting to look a little pale.”, Rose commented. Merrick sighed and climbed off her. “Yeah, probably should. Kisa is going to yell at me for starting fights with wolves again.”, Merrick teased with a wink starting to get dressed. He sighed picking up his shirt and looking at the torn remains. “Thankfully I wasn’t emotionally attached to this shirt.”, Merrick said tossing it into the fire. Rose laughed and got off the bed starting to get dressed. “Well you should never wear any clothes you really like when we meet up, claws tend to shred things.”, Rose teased.
“Very true. And why I generally have extra clothes in the car. Which shit, hold on. Forgot something in the car, stay right there.”, Merrick said remembering something. Rose raised an eyebrow and sat down on the end of the bed pulling her shirt on to wait. Merrick ran back downstairs to the car and came back up. Rose tilted her head looking at him wondering what he went back to his car for. Merrick laid the single Rose Iris on the bed next to her and leaned down giving her a kiss. “Welcome home egghead.”, Merrick said with a smirk. He pulled on the spare shirt and headed for the door. Rose looked at the flower and smiled before looking back at him. Sometimes without probably meaning to he could be so sweet. “Hey Merrick. I’m home for the month so feel free to call me any time.”, Rose said. Merrick stopped at the door and nodded. “I’ll keep it in mind. Look forward to your next call. Later little wolf.”, Merrick said before leaving and heading down to the GTO. Rose laughed a little standing up and getting out her phone. She didn’t know why but this she wanted to remember, so she snapped a picture of the iris on the bed the sheet still messy from them having sex and some drops of blood from Merrick’s back. She sighed and put her phone away picking up the iris before leaving as well.
The last eight months had been a rollercoaster for not just Merrick. Holly Boland had been trying to figure out these past months how to tell her son that she had been talking to Alexander Whitland much less that she’d slept with him. She’d wanted to tell her son, especially as she got to know Alex better. And when she had finally decided she would tell him it happened to be the same day he came home with the saddest look on his face. He’d been told by Blaire that she treasured him as her friend and would always be his friend however she was going to date Tristan on a serious basis. Holly couldn’t bring herself to tell him that she was sort of unofficially seeing Tristan’s father after he just got friend zoned hard by Blaire for Tristan. She knew she’d have to tell him. Alex was going to be coming back to town, they’d set up a business arrangement Holly having some new foals that she just couldn’t keep and so was selling to Alex. And since there was a rodeo that was going to be going on not long after it timed out well and gave Tristan a chance to finally see Blaire since they had become official. While Tristan was at a party with Blaire Alex drove out to Boland Ranch with the trailer to see Holly and check out these two new foals in person. He hadn’t really thought about if Sam would be at the ranch when he was out there. All Alex was thinking about was getting to see Holly again. Three days with her in October hadn’t really been long enough and then waiting eight months to see her again even with getting to talk to her on the phone was just too long. He pulled up the driveway and saw her car over by the barn and went in that direction parking his truck with the trailer behind it near the barn.
He jumped out of the truck smiling and walking to the open barn doors. “Holly?”, Alex called looking around the barn for her with anticipation. Samuel’s head raised up from one of the stalls as he stood up having been cleaning Boden’s stall. “Can I help you? I’m Samuel Boland. My mother is out on the training area with a student.”, Samuel greeted. Alex had seen a picture of Samuel the weekend he was with Holly back in October, but pictures didn’t really prepare him for meeting the boy in person or how tall he really was. Alex was used to being shorter, his own son had five inches on him and now he was looking at Samuel and realized this boy had closer to seven inches on him. “Ah, I see. Nice to meet you Samuel. I’m Alexander Whitland. Was coming by about the two foals. You’re mother was selling them to me. Wanted to get a look at them first hand before we completed the deal.”, Alex greeted extending his hand. “Whitland?”, Samuel questioned taking Alex’s hand and giving it a rather firm shake. “Um yes..”, Alex answered. He knew the history the boy and his son had and that it all circled around Blaire Delaney. Samuel nodded and let Alex’s hand go and climbed over the stall door and brushed off some dirt from his jeans. “The foals are this way.”, Samuel said leading the way out the back side of the barn to the enclosure where the horses were able to graze and run.
Off to the far side was Chloe Blaire’s blonde Arabian with two black Friesian Arabian mix foals. “Well that’s them. The twins Castor and Pollux both are colts. They are Friesian Arabian. We’ve started halter-breaking already with them. They have their mother’s temperament. They will be a year old in a week.”, Samuel explained leading Alex over and lightly running his hands over the twins before patting Chloe. “This is their mother Chloe. Over that way is their father Demon.”, Samuel explained pointing to the large black Friesian grazing. Alex held a hand out to the two colts letting them sniff at him before lightly petting their coats. “They both look like a fine pair. Castor and Pollux? Who came up with those names?”, Alex asked looking the twins over. Samuel sighed as he patted Chloe. “Well their mother’s rider, Blaire Delaney. She figured they were born under the Gemini sign so name them after the brightest stars in the constellation.”, Samuel said a little sadness in his voice when he said Blaire’s name. Alex nodded. He knew what Sam was going through. He’d been close to Aurelia in high school and wanted so bad to be more to her and it hurt when he wasn’t. It hurt even more when she found Logan and he knew she was in love and he’d never really had a chance and if he did the chance died when she found Logan. “I see. Then I guess I’ll be keeping their names.”, Alex commented. Samuel nodded. “Figured.”, Samuel said. Alex raised an eyebrow. “And why is that?”, Alex asked. “You said Whitland. I only know one person with that last name that deals with horses and you and him have some similar features. So my gut says you are Tristan’s dad. So figures you wouldn’t change the name of the colts that your son’s girlfriend gave them.”, Sam explained.
Alex sighed and nodded. “Yeah, your gut is right. Wasn’t sure if I should give my last name or not. I know how it feels to get that friend zone talk. My best friend did that to me when I was a young man. It hurt, but she is happy and her happiness is what I wanted for her. And I’m happy too just took a number of years.”, Alex said. “Yeah well it’s only been a couple months for me, so not seeing the silver lining other than after senior year she’ll be going to Harvard and I’ll be going to Yale so I won’t have to see her with your son.”, Samuel stated. “Samuel.”, Holly said having ridden up on her chestnut thoroughbred with a white diamond marking on the bridge of her nose. Holly clicked a little bringing her horse to a stop. Not far behind her was a young girl, maybe ten riding a white thoroughbred. “Misses Boland?”, the girl asked. Holly looked over her shoulder and smiled. “Melinda, Samuel will help you getting Blossom into her stall.”, Holly said. Samuel sighed and nodded climbing over the fence and lightly taking the Blossom’s reins. “Come on Melinda. We’ll get Blossom settled in and you can groom her and feed her a sugar cube.”, Samuel said leading the way back to the bar. Holly waited for Samuel to round the corner to the barn before getting down from her horse.
She patted her on the neck and tied the reins loosely to the fence. “I’ll get you settled soon Ellie.”, Holly said before climbing on the fence and looking at Alex. “So how’d that go? I’m guessing he knows who you are then.”, Holly said. Alex sighed and nodded. “Yeah I thought you’d be in the barn but found him instead. Introduced myself including last name and he kind of figured that connection out. Didn’t bring up the other connection.”, Alex said with a small smile leaning on the fence from his side and giving her a kiss. Holly smiled returning the kiss briefly but pulled back and looked at the barn. “I haven’t figured out how to tell him about you. I had thought to tell him couple months back, but then Blaire friend zoned him officially. And I just couldn’t tell him that I was seeing you.”, Holly explained with a sigh. Alex nodded. “I get it. Kid lost the girl he wanted to a Whitland. I don’t want him thinking he’s losing his mom to one too.”, Alex agreed. “Except he isn’t losing me. He’s my son and he’ll always come first above everything else. And I can’t really keep you from him. Not really looking to keep you a secret after all. So guess I have to tell him today. You want to stay for dinner?”, Holly concluded. “Sure. Tristan’s in town with Blaire at a graduation party for Blaire’s friend Rachel. Blaire’s got her car so I don’t have to worry about getting him.”, Alex agreed.
Sam walked out the back of the barn to bring in the horses for the evening and noticed how close his mother and Alex were leaning on the fence. “Samuel when you finish up go up to the house and wash up. Mister Whitland is staying for supper.”, Holly instructed. Samuel sighed and nodded. “Alright mom.”, he said starting to bring horses inside. “Come on.”, Holly said with a nod to Alex. Alex climbed over the fence and walked with Holly and Ellie to the barn. “You sure having me stay for dinner is a good idea?”, Alex asked glancing to Samuel as he was bringing in the horses. Holly nodded as she got Ellie settled into her stall. “Come on. You can help me start dinner.”, Holly said getting into her car. Alex nodded and unhitched his trailer following her up to the house in his truck. The inside of her house hadn’t really changed since the last time he was there just a couple new photos and awards that Samuel had won were added to the display. “Pretty spectacular kid you have.”, Alex commented setting his hat down following her to the kitchen. “That I do.”, Holly said getting a bowl out of the fridge and setting it aside to wash her hands. “So what do you need me to do?”, Alex asked looking around the kitchen as he washed his hands.. “Start up the grill. It’s just on the deck out the kitchen door. I’ve had chicken marinating over night. I already made potato salad yesterday. So just need to cook the green beans and the chicken.”, Holly explained. “Mmm grilled chicken, potato salad and green beans? Sounds almost as tasty as what I’m hoping could be dessert later.”, Alex said coming up behind her as she was uncovering the bowl of marinated chicken and kissed at her neck. Holly laughed and shook her head. “We’ll see, now go start the grill.”, she ordered. Alex laughed and took the bowl of chicken and headed for the grill while Holly got the green beans ready.
Dinner was rather awkward as Holly and Alex both tried to not be too close and how to bring up that they were seeing each other to Samuel. After dinner Alex helped Sam with clearing the table. “So I’ve seen a number of chess trophies around the house. I understand you are really good. I know how to play, I wouldn’t say I’m all that great but I’m a fair player. What would you say to a match?”, Alex offered. Sam raised an eyebrow. “Why? You and my mother have been eggshells all evening. And now you are trying to be buddies with me. What is your play Mister Whitland?”, Sam asked. Holly reached up and hit her son on the back of the head. “Samuel Thaddeus Alexander Boland you will mind your manners.”, Holly said sternly. Sam sighed rubbing the back of his head he hated when his full name was used. Sam took a seat at the kitchen table and looked at his mother. “Fine you want me to mind my manners, I will. And it’s good manners to not tell lies. So just stop whatever you are doing and tell me what is going on mom.”, Sam said. “Fine. Over the last few months I’ve been talking with Alex and getting to know him.”, Holly said. Sam pinched the bridge of his nose. “So… my mother is dating Tristan’s father? You have to be kidding me? I deal with one Whitland already because of Blaire and now this.”, Sam said moving to get up. Holly shoved her son back into his chair.
“Do not take that tone with me Samuel. Yes we are seeing each other but obviously I live here and he lives in Oregon so it’s a long distance situation. Where this is less about a physical relationship than it is to just have someone we both know we can talk to and have a connection with.”, Holly explained. “I like your mother, a lot. I haven’t known anyone else like her and I enjoy her company. I enjoy having someone to talk to. I’m happy when I’m around your mom or just talking to her on the phone.”, Alex spoke up. “What about dad, mom? I thought he was why you turned every guy down. Because I know there have been lots of guys who’ve asked you out since dad.”, Sam asked. “Don’t do that Samuel. I love your father, I will always love him. What I have with Alex doesn’t change how I feel about your father. It doesn’t replace him. No one will ever be able to do that. I’m not saying I’m in love with Alex, I don’t know if well enough and haven’t been with him long enough to say something like that. But I do know I like him, a lot. And last time I checked I was allowed to have happiness.”, Holly countered hurt in her eyes. That her son would dare to suggest she’d ever stop loving his father. Samuel sighed and looked down having seen the look in her eyes. “I…I didn’t mean it like that mom. It’s just…a Whitland? Someone you’ll hardly see?”, Sam countered. “His last name has nothing to do with this Samuel so stop making it about that. Yes his son is Tristan, that doesn’t matter. And the fact I hardly see him kind of works. I’ve spent the last twelve years as a single parent doing things my way. If I had someone here all the damn time I wouldn’t know what to do because they’d get underfoot not knowing how I do things and me not being flexible in changing at this point in my life.”, Holly explained.
Samuel sighed. “Fine mom. Can I go now? I’m going to go meet some friends in town if that’s okay.”, Samuel said. Holly sighed. “Yes you can go. Be home by curfew.”, Holly said. Sam nodded and stood up without any additional words walked out of the kitchen and out the front door the sound of his truck starting and pulling away. “Well…that went…it went.”, Alex said. Holly sighed. “He’ll be alright. He just needs to get over it. And once he’s at Yale it should bother him even less given when you are here he won’t be.”, Holly said shaking her head. Alex sighed and wrapped his arms around her pulling her closer hugging her. “You’re right, he will get over it. It takes time is all. But at least now he knows.”, Alex said rubbing her back. Holly nodded and wrapped her arms around him resting her forehead on his chest. “Yeah. And time I’ve got.”, Holly agreed. “So about dessert?”, Alex asked. Holly laughed and poked his side. “Sorry wanted to make you laugh and figured inappropriate timing was a perfect way.”, Alex defended. Holly smiled shaking her head. “Come on cowboy. Unless you forgot the way to my bedroom in eight months.”, Holly teased getting out of his arms and heading upstairs. Alex smirked. “Oh I think I can remember.”, Alex said following after her.