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It'd been a rather long nine months for Tristan. He didn't want to say or act like things hasn't changed after his vacation in Bayville with Blaire but they had. They'd agreed that being a couple wasn't really possible for them but that didn't stop them from texting, emailing, talking and sometimes getting on Skype. He knew that she still went to the club and still flirted with the local boys. He just didn't like to admit how much it bothered him that the tall brown eyed boy named Sammy Boland was the one she spent most of her time with. So Tristan focused on his riding, finishing up home school so he graduated, and found distractions at the different towns the rodeo traveled to. However didn't go as far with any of the guys or girls he met as he'd gone in the summer with Blaire, but he still had some fun. Which he smiled as he drove thinking back to those three days with her. He let out a long yawn as he passed the sign for Bayville. "Which hotel again dad?", Tristan asked glancing in his peripheral to his dad sitting in the passenger seat. His dad had driven the first leg of the trip but Tristan had taken over around midnight and it was nearly 1pm and he'd not slept.
“The Tides Motor Inn.", Alex answered. "Right.", Tristan said with a nod blinking a little to keep himself awake. He sighed a little in relief as he pulled their truck and trailer into a spot. Alex groaned getting out of the truck and stretched he could hear his back and shoulders crack being crammed in the truck for the long drive didn't do him any favors and neither did age. Alex took off his worn tan cowboy hat and tan his hands through his short dark brown hair and sighed. Tristan climbed out of the truck and stretched. "You walk a bit, stretch a little I'll go check in and get the keys.", Alex suggested as he walked over to the office. Tristan nodded and leaned against the truck blinking rapidly as he tried to keep his eyes opened. Alex checked in and came back with the two card keys for the room. "Come on get you into the room so you can sleep and I'll head to the field to help the crew get the animals out of the trailers.", Alex suggested getting their bags from the truck leading Tristan to the room and unlocked it. It was just a simple room with two queen sized beds. Tristan followed along taking out his cell. He sent a quick text to Blaire, 'In Bayville. Tides motor inn room 28. Sleep now.' As soon as he shut the door behind him Tristan was taking off his boots, pulling off his shirt and stepping out of his jeans. Alex shook his head as he looked at his son who as quickly as he undressed he was passed out sleeping on his stomach. “Get some sleep kid.”, Alex said quietly heading out of the room and taking the truck over to the field where the rest of his crew was going to meet to get the animals at least settled before they started getting the rings together.
Over at school Blaire ignored the buzzing of her phone on her book bag waiting till the bell rang for the end of eighth period which was her AP biology lab to check it. As she walked down the hall she pulled out her phone and smiled ready the text. She mmmed a little as she pocketed the phone before going into her AP English class. She took her seat smiling her mind going elsewhere as she thought about driving to the hotel to see him after school. A girl next to her learned over to her. "Psst... Blaire. Don't forget we have cheer practice after school today.", the girl reminded her. Blaire frowned a little being reminded she had to wait an extra two hours to go see Tristan. But as she thought about it she started to smirk. She could work with that. Her mom had let her take her car to school since she'd have to stay late so she'd just drive to the hotel and show up wearing her cheer uniform, oh that was perfect she now couldn't wait to get his reaction to seeing her on the uniform. She'd sent pictures but really a two-d image was very different from seeing something in person. Blaire mostly spaced during her final class before quickly heading to her locker at the bell to get her cheer bag. "Hey Blaire.", Sam greeted opening his locker next to hers. "Hey Sammy.", Blaire greeted. "Do you need a ride home tonight?", Sam asked. Blaire shook her head holding up her black cheer bag as she closed her locker. "I meant after practice. I have chess club so I'll still be here.", Sam explained. Blaire sighed and smiled looking up at Sam. "I've got my mom's car. And I have somewhere to be right after practice and I'd feel rather bad to have you drive me there.", Blaire explained.
She would have felt bad and mostly weird if Sammy drove her to meet up with Tristan. Sam raised an eyebrow then frowned getting the idea. "Oh. He's in town. Guess I'll see you at school Monday. Bye Blaire.", Sam said closing his locker and walking away. Blaire sighed watching him leave. She knew it wasn't easy for him. But she had made it clear that when Tristan was in town she was all Tristan's. Blaire sighed and headed down to the gym. She changed into the rather short burgundy and white shirt and the matching low cut long sleeve crop top and get white tennis shoes before heading out to the gym for practice. It was a long and tiring practice but the whole time Blaire was in high spirits. The way she saw practice it was just getting her limber for what she had on her agenda next. She quickly gathered her clothes staying in uniform. "Blaire? Why aren't you changing? And you still coming to the opening of the dot tonight to eat with us?", Jessa asked confused. Blaire looked over her shoulder at Hope's girlfriend and smiled. "I'll be there. But I'm making a stop between here and home.", Blaire said with a wink. Jessa raised an eyebrow. "Ohh Tristan got into town. See you later then.", Jessa waved with a giggle. Blaire waved and headed out to her mom's car and headed for the hotel.
Blaire pulled into the parking lot and looked around for room 28. “Well I don’t see the truck. Which could mean they are gone. Or it could mean just Mister Whitland is gone.”, Blaire said with a smile finding the door. She paused at the door seeing the ‘do not disturb’ sign. “So Mister Whiteland is gone. Which means Tristan has their room to himself…”, Blaire said her smile changing to a smirk. She looked at the sign and debated if she should leave and just let Tristan sleep. But instead she decided that sign was more for hotel staff and knocked anyways. Inside the room Tristan grumbled as his eyes half opened and he looked around the room as he heard the knocking. He rolled off the bed rubbing the back of his head as he stumbled across the room to the door. “Can’t a man get sleep? What’s the point of a do not disturb sign…”, Tristan muttered opening the door not even thinking twice or caring that he was just in boxers and a brass pendant of a mythical human face with bull horns that Blaire had sent him for Christmas since it was supposed to be a protective charm. “Don’t you know what do not disturb means?”, Tristan asked before looking to who was actually at the door. Blaire smirked. “The not part sounds foreign to me. But if you want I can leave and come back later cowboy. Nice boxers by the way.”, Blaire commented putting her hands on her hips looking him over before looking up at his half open eyes. “Blaire?”, Tristan said waking up blinking a couple times his voice was a little scratchy from having just woken up. He tilted his head a little and looked at her in her short skirt and cropped top and smiled. “Okay can definitely get into the cheerleader fantasy now. Get in here.”, Tristan said grabbing her arms and pulling her into the room closing the door and leaving the do not disturb sign.
Blaire giggled a little being pulled into the room before wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning up kissing him. Nine months was a long time to wait just to kiss someone, sure she’d kissed Sammy and a few other local boys but none of them were Tristan. None of them made her feel what he did. Tristan may have been half awake when he opened the door but he was very much awake at the moment as he pressed Blaire against the door and picked her up deepening the kiss running his tongue across her lips wanting entrance. Blaire parted her lips and moaned a little as his tongue mingled with hers. Blaire tightened her arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around him pressing herself as close as she could get to him. She held the kiss a little longer before pulling back a little. “God I’ve missed you.”, Tristan said breathless. Blaire smiled. “I’ve missed you too. So not to be forward but….”, Blaire said taking one hand from around his neck and ran her hand down his chest and tugged at the waistband of his boxers. Tristan smirked and kissed her again and adjusted his grip on her and moved to the bed he’d been sleeping on and sat down with her on his lap. Blaire smiled and pulled back from the kiss and stood up from his lap.
Tristan raised an eyebrow and looked at her with a smile. Blaire grinned back at him as she slipped off her white canvas shoes. Tristan rubbed his lips together watching getting the idea he was in for a show much like their first time. And he was right. First she pulled her top off revealing just a strapless bra, then her skirt revealing a pair black thongs, next the bra was tossed aside then finally thongs. She held up a her index finger and turned grabbing her back and pulled out a condom she’d been carrying all week since she knew he’d be getting there. Tristan laughed a little. “Prepared as always. Now it’s been nine months, get over here goddess so I can worship.”, Tristan said using his index finger to indicate her to come closer. Blaire giggled and moved over to him and was quickly pulled down to the bed getting exactly what she wanted, him. Neither were really thinking about that his dad could return to the hotel any time and walk in since he has a key to the room too, both just enjoying that carnal act.
Alex had grabbed some food and was on taking it back to Tristan figuring he’d slept long enough and could probably do with something to eat. He didn’t think anything of other vehicles in the parking lot as he walked up to the door. He saw the do not disturb sign was still up and figured for a moment that his son was still sleeping. However as he went to unlock the door he stopped hearing faint moaning. “If that boy ordered porn…”, Alex started to grumble till he heard a female voice specifically calling out Tristan’s name. Alex quickly took the key from the door and shook his head turning back to the truck. “Seriously? Been in Bayville a few hours and he’s already getting laid? Must be that ‘friend’ he spent our vacation with last summer. They better be using condoms.”, Alex said shaking his head getting back into the truck and heading back to the field. Neither realized how close they were to a parent finding out about them as they laid down next to each other Blaire snuggling up close to him enjoying being in his arms again both a little out of breath. “Nine months is way too long…”, Blaire said with a sigh nuzzling at his neck. Tristan mmmed a little nodding in agreement running a hand along her back. “Yeah. So I’m not complaining, cause god that was good, but we didn’t have to have sex first thing you know.”, Tristan said.
He didn’t really want this to just be about sex, granted it was part of it since they spent all their time apart talking but he didn’t want to be the guy that came into town and she had sex with her then left again. Blaire smiled and kissed his chin then his nose then his forehead before lightly kissing his lips. “I know that. But I’ve waited and craved you for nine months, I’m not patient enough to wait the extra hours. The squad was lucky I didn’t skip practice to get here that much sooner.”, Blaire explained. Tristan smirked and sighed. “Well now that you’ve gotten that out of the way do I get to see you tonight for an actual date that can end in another round of this?”, Tristan asked. Blaire nodded. “There’s a new restaurant opening, they just do burgers called The Dot. I was supposed to meet up with some of the others, just Hope, Jessa, Bianca and Gabriel for dinner. Instead of being the fifth wheel can meet you there and you join us.”, Blaire suggested as she rolled out of the bed. “Sounds like a good plan. But where are you going? Stay.”, Tristan said wrapping an arm around her middle and pulling her back to him. Blaire giggled and tilted her head back and kissed his cheek. “I need to go home lover boy. Daddy is expecting me since I’ve got my mom’s car.”, Blaire explained. Tristan sighed and kissed her shoulder before letting her go. “Alright so what time do I meet you at this Dot?”, Tristan asked. “Seven.”, Blaire said gathering up her clothes starting to get dressed again. Tristan just sighed and watched her put the clothes on and it was almost as entertaining as when she took them off. Blaire ran her brush through her hair and pulled it back into a ponytail so it didn’t look a complete mess from sex. “I’ll see you tonight handsome.”, Blaire said leaning over kissing him goodbye before heading out of the hotel and driving home.
"Hey pumpkin how was practice? Did it run long or something today? You're usually home by now.", Colby greeted as Blaire walked into the house. "It was invigorating daddy. And yeah ran a little longer than normal trying out some new routines.", Blaire explained. She didn't like lying to her dad but she knew him and he'd go ballistic if he knew she'd been at a hotel room having sex. "Oh alright. So are you still going out with your friends to that new burger place?", Colby asked. Blaire nodded grabbing a bottle of water. "Yup. Gabriel and the others are going to pick me up. Which I should get a shower in and get changed so I'm ready when they get here. We might hit the club after if that's okay.", Blaire answered. Colby nodded as he packed his lunch/dinner. "Yeah that's fine. I know Gabriel will make sure you arrive back on time. I'll be working the overnight. So I'll be home around four. Your mother is on a mission so we'll see her in the morning probably.", Colby said. "Alright daddy.", Blaire said giving him a hug before heading to her room to shower and get dressed to go on her date with Tristan. Colby finished packing his lunch/dinner to take for his long shift on duty. “I’m heading out Blaire! I’ll see you in the morning sweetie!”, Colby yelled down the hall having heard the shower water stop. “Alright daddy! Be safe! See you in the morning!”, Blaire yelled from her room while trying to decide on what outfit she wanted to wear.
While Tristan was in the shower to get ready Alex decided he’d drive around enough that maybe his son’s visitor was gone so he returned to the hotel. He didn’t hear any noises and cautiously walked into the room to only hear the shower. He looked around and was relieved to see no sign that the girl was still here and other than the bed sheets being messed up there was no signs anything had even happened. Alex sat down at the small table and sipped at what was left of his drink and waited to tease his son. He didn’t wait long as Tristan walked out of the bathroom with a towel on and jumped. “Christ dad scare the shit out of me why don’t ya.”, Tristan said shaking his head a smile on his lips. Alex smirked shaking his head. “So did you have a good ‘rest’?”, Alex teased using air quotes when he said the word rest. Tristan raised an eyebrow as he went to get clothes from his bag. “Air quotes dad? Seriously? What’s your damage?”, Tristan asked glancing over to his dad. “Oh no damage. And I’m the one that should be saying seriously. We’ve been in Bayville going on seven hours now and within the first like five you were entertaining a girl.”, Alex commented.
Tristan froze for a moment wondering exactly how much his dad had heard. “What can I say...”, Tristan said with a shrug getting out clothes. “I just. What the hell? Was this at least the same girl from our R&R during last summer?”, Alex asked. “How do you know it was a girl? I go both ways after all.”, Tristan commented starting to get dressed. “If that was a boy he’d got a damn feminine voice.”, Alex countered. Tristan laughed a little sitting on the bed putting his necklace back on before starting to get his boots on. “So you heard us? Exactly how much did you hear?”, Tristan asked. He was trying to determine if his dad heard Blaire’s name. Which really to Tristan he’d not be fazed by his dad knowing he was sleeping with Blaire Delaney. However he knew Blaire didn’t want her dad to find out and knowing her dad was a SEAL and is a captain on the police force he wasn’t interested in being target practice for one of Colby’s guns. “Just heard a girl saying your name. Then about faced and went back to the truck and left.”, Alex answered watching his son curiously. “What you getting your boots on for?”, Alex asked. Tristan sighed inwardly relieved that his dad didn’t hear him calling Blaire’s name. “Got a date. I’ll be back later. I wouldn’t recommend waiting up.”, Tristan said pulling on his blue over shirt and starting to button it as he walked for the door grabbing his keys. “Bye dad.”, Tristan said with a smirk walking out the door. Alex sighed shaking his head. “JUST USE CONDOMS AND DO NOT GET ARRESTED!”, Alex called after Tristan who was already out the door and getting in the truck.
Blaire locked up her house when she saw Gabriel’s SUV pull up before rushing out and getting into the back with Hope and Jessa. “So Jessa tells us that Tristan is in town.”, Bianca teased. Blaire grinned. “Oh yeah. Already saw him and he’s meeting up at the Dot. So woo I’m not fifth wheel. Now I can ignore you four the way you ignore me by being completely focused on Tristan.”, Blaire teased right back. “Oh good, though what are going to do when if one of the townies you keep company with such as oo I don’t know Sam Boland shows up and your all cozy with Tristan?”, Hope asked. “They get told I’m with Tristan while he’s in town. And Sammy already knows Tristan is in town. So it’s all covered.”, Blaire explained as they drove into downtown and Gabriel parked. They filed out, Blaire looking around and didn’t see the Whitland’s truck. She sent a quick text to Tristan, ‘We just got here and are grabbing a table. See you soon.’. Tristan was trying to find the restaurant in question. Finally he saw the sign and grabbed a spot heading inside. He looked around the small twenty table place and saw in the far back a booth with Blaire and her friends and an empty space next to Blaire. He smiled knowing it was for him.
Blaire’s eyes kept looking around trying to find Tristan and when she spotted him she smiled and waved him over. However she sighed a little seeing Sammy right behind Tristan who didn’t apparently notice Tristan and thought the wave was for him and waved back. “God damn it..”, Blaire groaned. Hope and the others looked and spotted Tristan but then saw Sam both making their way through the crowd. “Hey gorgeous.”, Tristan greeted with a smile. “Hey beautiful..”, Sam greeted at the exact same time. The others at the table coughed trying to not laugh at the awkwardness of this. “Hi Tristan, glad you found the place. Hi Sammy. You remember Tristan from last summer.”, Blaire said feeling a bit weird with them both standing there side by side. Tristan with that darn smile and his little dimple, those bright shamrock green eyes wearing the necklace she got him and a black tee under a blue over shirt and a pair of slightly worn jeans and boots. And just an inch taller was Sammy with his sweet smile and puppy brown eyes wearing a maroon checkered button up and jeans but sneakers. Sam groaned inwardly and glanced to Tristan. “Yeah…I remember. So I’ll just go then. See you around Blaire. See you guys at school.”, Sam said giving a forced smile and a nod to the table before turning and leaving. Tristan raised an eyebrow at Sam and watched him leave before sitting down. “Okay so that was awkward.”, Tristan admitted. “You think?”, Hope said shaking her head. “I didn’t mean to offend him. He could have joined us I’m sure we could pull another chair over.”, Tristan suggested. Gabriel shook his head. “He wasn’t going to sit with you here Trist, no offense man.”, Gabriel explained. Tristan raised an eyebrow before remembering he’d heard the name Sammy and vaguely remembering his face from the club during the summer. “Oh he’s that Sammy. Okay, yeah now I get it.”, Tristan said nodding put an arm around Blaire’s shoulders.
Blaire nodded leaning into him a little. “He’ll be alright. He bounces back after you leave.”, Blaire explained. “He’ll just keep distance from me till you have to leave again.”, Blaire added. Tristan nodded. “Alright. So burgers huh?”, Tristan said pulling the menu Blaire had a little closer so they could share. The group caught up on what was going on since they’d last seen Tristan and ate their burgers all ignoring that somewhere in the restaurant Sam had sat down with some other kids he knew but kept looking over to Blaire. The six left their share of the bill on the table and filed out of the restaurant. “So we are headed to the club are you two coming?”, Gabriel asked putting an arm around Bianca’s waist. “Sure.”, Blaire said. “No thanks.”, Tristan said at the same moment. Blaire blinked and looked at him. “We aren’t?”, Blaire asked. “We can if you really want but I had other ideas. And not dirty ones so mind out of the gutter Hope.”, Tristan said choosing to pick on Hope who over time he’d learned would be the first to make that segway. Blaire raised an eyebrow now intrigued. “Alright, so we aren’t going to the club. I want to see what exactly you have in mind that’s not in the gutter.”, Blaire said. Tristan grinned. “I did miss your sweet sixteen last week so going to make it up to you. Dinner was fun guys. I’ll see you around since I’m in town for the next five days for the rodeo.”, Tristan said giving a nod to her friends before leading her to the truck. “Just make sure she’s home by 2 so her dad doesn’t freak.”, Gabriel warned. The others waved and got into Gabriel's car to go to the club.
“Don’t worry I’ll get you home by 2.”, Tristan said getting in the cab. “I’m not worried about it. As long as I’m home and in my bed alone before 4 I’m good. Dad’s working the overnight till 4 and mom is on a mission so won’t be home till dawn.”, Blaire explained buckling up. Tristan grinned. “Good to know.”, he said with a wink driving away. “So where are we going?”, Blaire asked watching street signs as they drove. “You’ll see. It’s still early not even nine so we got lots of time before I need to get you home.”, Tristan said driving further out from town. Blaire realized where they were going and rolled her eyes. “We are going to the field where the rodeo is being set up. How is that about my birthday?”, Blaire questioned. Tristan smiled. “Because my horse is there and I want to take you for a ride.”, Tristan explained. “Take me for a ride before you ride me?”, Blaire teased getting a little closer to him in the cab. Tristan smirked and reached over to hold her hand. “Something like that.”, Tristan said shaking his head as he reached the field and pulled in near where the horses were being kept. Blaire hopped out of the truck and followed him over to the horse stalls where he stopped at the stall of a white 15 hands American quarter stallion. “Evening Paxton.”, Tristan greeted patting the horse sweetly. “Let’s get you saddled up and some exercise.”, Tristan said getting his saddle and going into the stall saddling Paxton up before leading him out of the stall.
“Ladies first.”, Tristan said looking to Blaire. Blaire smiled and was glad she’d chosen to wear boots with her skinny jeans and strapless empire-waisted black top with a white crochet design on the chest. She took the reins and easily mounted Paxton making sure to stay more forward to allow Tristan space since apparently they were sharing the horse. Tristan smiled and climbed up onto the saddle behind her and held the reins giving a gentle kick to Paxton and they were off. Blaire leaned back into him enjoying being a passenger rather than the rider. It was actually a nice night for a ride for late May. “So you enjoying the ride?”, Tristan asked. Blaire nodded. “Yeah. But I always like going riding. Though I’m not usually a passenger but the rider.”, Blaire answered. “What Sammy doesn’t have you ride with him?”, Tristan asked knowing she rode at Sam’s family ranch. Blaire sighed. “I ride my horse Chloe when at the ranch. Could we maybe not discuss Sammy?”, Blaire asked. Tristan nodded. “Alright won’t bring him up again.”, Tristan said deciding it better to just ride to where he wanted to go. He after all was enjoying having her there basically on his lap leaning back against him as they rode. He found a spot fairly far from the fair grounds near a tree line and brought Paxton to a stop before climbing down. Blaire raised an eyebrow as they were just in a clearing but climbed down.
“So what are we doing?”, Blaire asked as Tristan tied the reigns to a tree. “Same thing we did the first date I took you on. It’s a clear night sky and I remembered from the last time we had the rodeo that there was this clearing out here and it wasn’t too far of a ride on a horse.”, Tristan explained taking a blanket off the back of Paxton’s saddle and laying it out on the ground and sitting down patting the space next to him. Blaire smiled and sat down next to him before laying back to look up at the stars. Tristan laid down next to her putting an arm under her head bringing her a little closer. “Look there’s Gemini, my sign.”, Blaire pointed tracing her star sign in the sky like a game of connect the dots. “Yup. There’s Pollux and there’s his ‘twin’ Castor. And if you follow up this way.”, Tristan said taking her hand and tracing back up and over across the sky. “You have the big dipper which then going just over here.”, Tristan said still guiding her hand with his outlined the little dipper. “You have the little dipper and Polaris, the northern star. The one true constant in the night sky.”, Tristan explained. Blaire smiled knowing all this information but finding it cute that he was trying to show her by moving her hand. “Which reminds me of you actually.”, Tristan commented. Blaire raised an eyebrow and laughed softly. “That is about the lamest line I’ve heard, and I’ve heard a few babe.”, Blaire teased. “Well lame or not it’s true. The north star is one of the brightest in the sky and is that solid point that you can navigate by. Of all the people I’ve met you stand out as the brightest. Between the fact mentally you’re bright and then your bright smile and those bright sapphire eyes. Since meeting you I keep finding my way back to Bayville and to you. And you are a constant in my life because we talk every day in some manner, which I don’t generally do that.”, Tristan explained. Blaire nodded. “Yeah Rose has mentioned a few times that I’ve talked to you more in a month than she has ever.”, Blaire teased.
Tristan shrugged a little and sat up reaching into his pocket. “Either way. I got you a birthday present and wanted to give it to you while we’re out here looking at stars.”, Tristan said handing her the white square box with a ribbon close to her eye color tied around it. Blaire sat up and took the box looking at it smiling before opening it carefully. She took off the cover and blinked looking at the sterling silver north star pendant necklace with what she knew were cubic zirconium. “It’s…it’s the north star. Oh babe you are lame.”, Blaire teased before kissing him. “But I love lame, at least from you.”, Blaire said taking the necklace out looking at its box. Tristan smiled and laughed a little at her reaction. “Mind putting it on me?”, Blaire asked. “Sure.”, Tristan agreed taking the necklace. Blaire pulled up her black hair away from her neck as Tristan brought the necklace around her neck and clasped it. Blaire let her hair back down and looked down at the star now around her neck. The chain was just long enough that the pendant fell just above her cleavage. “It’s beautiful Tristan. Thank you.”, Blaire said running a finger over the pendant. Tristan smiled starting to kiss along her neck and shoulder. “You’re welcome. Glad you like it.”, Tristan answered still kissing along her shoulder before stopping noticing her goosebumps. “Are you cold?”, Tristan asked. “A little but I’ll be alright.”, Blaire answered. “Aw…let’s head back to the truck at least warmer in the cab.”, Tristan suggested rubbing at her arms to help her get warm before just taking off his long sleeved over shirt and putting it on her shoulders. “You can wear this for now.”, he offered. Blaire giggled a little and nodded slipping her arms into the shirt. She liked how it was warm and smelled like him.
“How about we go to my house next.”, Blaire suggested getting up. Tristan raised an eyebrow at her getting up and gathering the blanket. “You sure about that? You want to explain to your parents who I am and what’s going on between us?”, Tristan asked. He wasn’t exactly prepared for the idea of meeting her parents though if she wanted him to he’d meet them. Blaire smiled and shook her head. “Wasn’t really saying about going to meet my parents and all that seriousness. Granted I’d be okay with you meeting them, though I’d probably exclude the whole we sleep together part of what is going between us. After all I like you the way you are, not filled with bullet holes from my dad’s guns. I know mom would like you, especially if I drop the knowledge bomb that you know her moves.”, Blaire teased. Tristan smirked remembering last summer when he danced to single ladies and realized that her mom is Dazzler. “But dad is different. He’s overprotective about me. I guess I understand why, I’m his little girl and he wants to protect me from all pain including potential heart break. Which he sees being involved with anyone is a potential heart break. If he had it his way I wouldn’t see anyone till I’m thirty or at least till after I graduate college. But I think maybe with not knowing we sleep together and since you wouldn’t be introduced as a boyfriend he could like you. You have some similar qualities.”, Blaire explained. Tristan nodded. “Right, well if or when you do want me to meet them I will in whatever capacity or however we are explaining our relationship to them. You already know my dad, just not introduced officially as a girl I like spending my time with. But if I’m not meeting them why did you suggest your house?”, Tristan asked. Blaire shook her head. “Remember what I told you when we left the Dot.”, Blaire suggested climbing up on Paxton’s saddle. Tristan thought and then smiled. “Right they aren’t home. Guess getting cozy in a warm bed does sound better than doing the same thing in the cool open spring air.”, Tristan said as it clicked climbing up on the saddle behind her. “Glad you figured that out.”, Blaire teased relaxing into him again as they rode back to the truck.
Once Paxton was back in his stall the pair headed for the beach house it was already after eleven by the time they reached the house. The lights to the house were all still off the house next to them had one light on. “Guess Aunt Sadria and Uncle Azriel are still awake.”, Blaire commented noticing the faint light and knew it was coming from her Aunt and Uncle’s living room. “They going to check on you or anything?”, Tristan asked glancing to the light. He remembered the couple from last time, they seemed rather nice and easy going. Neither had seemed to say a word against the idea of him being with Blaire, so he hoped that still was their opinion. He really wasn’t looking to get him or Blaire into any trouble with her parents. “No they’ll stay at their house. Come on.”, Blaire said taking his head and unlocked the door heading inside. They didn’t bother turning on any lights, Blaire knew her way around her house in the dark and Tristan vaguely remembered but kept his hands on her to know where they were going. Blaire easily found her way to her bedroom some of the moonlight shining into her room through the window offered enough light so she didn’t bother switching on the light as she turned and wrapped her arms around his neck leaning up kissing him. Words weren’t exactly necessary since both knew what the other wanted, clothes starting to get cast aside making their way to the bed for a second time that day.
Over at the Draven the lack of Blaire’s presence was noticed by not just Sam who’d gone only because some of the guys he knew said he should come and maybe try flirting with one of the other fully available single girls in the club but other boys that Blaire would be seen with and then some she wouldn’t like Apollo. Sam didn’t bother asking why Blaire wasn’t at the club, he didn’t want to hear the answer because he knew it would contain the name Tristan. Sam hated that Tristan had only known Blaire a couple years and seen her only a grand total a maybe two weeks yet he was the one Blaire chose to be intimate with and to ignore all others to spend even the few fleeting days with. Yet when Tristan wasn’t around he was still there. Sam knew she texted and talked to Tristan often, but at least when Tristan wasn’t there Sam got to be with her. He was the one that walked the halls of school holding her hand or having an arm around her, he was the one that went on dates with her, and the one that got to kiss her. And at the moment it was eating him up on the inside knowing that somewhere Tristan was probably doing more than just kissing Blaire. Sam didn’t really have interest in flirting with the other girls so he just sat at the table drinking his soda frowning a little.
Gabriel noticed the sad look on Sam’s face and sighed. “Am I the only one that feels bad for Samuel?”, Gabriel asked looked around the two booths worth of his friends. Bianca turned her head a little to look and sighed. “No I don’t think you are sweetie. We all feel bad for Samuel. He’s head over heels for our Blaire but she might not say it out loud however we all know she’s already fallen for Tristan.”, Bianca said. Cora Lee looked over to Sam and shook her head. “The boy probably should just give up really. I mean he knows, or at least has to have an idea what Tristan is to Blaire. Who could be okay with basically having being a timeshare with someone?”, Cora Lee said shaking her head. “Maybe Sam doesn’t care? Maybe he’s just happy for what time he gets her to himself? Yeah it’s gotta sting and suck those moments she’s with Tristan but since Tristan isn’t here often he at least doesn’t have to deal with that pain and jealousy about sharing her time year round.”, Rose commented having been dragged out, a rare thing. “Insightful little wolf.”, Merrick commented having walked up behind the booth being talked into showing up at the club by Jenna who said she wanted to dance with him before going to the bluff. Rose froze for a moment and turned her head to look up and see him standing behind her. He was dressed up a little in gray slacks and a more fitted green button up.
Both booths actually turned to look at Merrick a little shocked to see him there. He didn’t often turn up at the club, they saw Rose more than they saw Merrick. Malcolm smiled happy to see his best friend and roommate. “Hey Merrick, glad you finally decided to join the gang for a night out.”, Malcolm greeted. Merrick smirked and shook his head. “Trust me I’m not here of my own free will or to hang out with you guys.”, Merrick said. Rose raised an eyebrow as the others also looked a little confused by that statement. Merrick nodded in the direction of Jenna, a junior in high school with soft brown eyes and chestnut brown hair. Jessa looked over and recognized her. “Jenna O’Connell? She’s a junior on the varsity cheer squad.”, Jessa stated. “Shit I do for girls.”, Merrick said tugging at the collar of the shirt that Jenna had insisted he button all the way. Rose clenched her teeth a little doing her best to hide that it bothered her he was there with one of the girls from his book. “So you’re here on a date?”, Cora Lee questioned confused. “I thought you didn’t go on dates just fucked whichever girl you called from your book.”, Cora Lee added. Merrick chuckled and shrugged a little smirking. “Generally speaking yes. Nice observation little cousin.”, Merrick commented. “So what is Jenna special or something?”,Cora Lee asked. Merrick laughed shaking his head. “No, she’s not special. But one rule is ‘ladies choice’. She wanted to come to the club tonight before we do extracurricular activities. And since I’m an obedient lover…”, Merrick said with a shrug. Rose rolled her eyes as Jenna started walking over.
The girl was all smiles as she linked her arm with Merrick’s leaning up even in her heels to kiss his cheek. “There you are Merrick, thought I’d lost you for a moment.”, Jenna said her voice a bit high and chipper. She looked at the booths and recognized faces but they weren’t people she ever talked to other than Jessa who was on the JV cheer squad. “Um, hi. Merrick doesn’t generally introduce me to his friends.”, Jenna said with a smile. Malcolm laughed a little glancing from Jenna to Merrick seeing the contrast in expressions. Rose noticed it too. Jenna seemed all smiles and almost glowing at being on Merrick’s arm and Merrick looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. “They aren’t my friend, well Malcolm is but that’s about it. But fine. Jenna O’Connell; that’s William Maximoff, his boyfriend Atif Alston, his twin Ashley Alston, Roselyn Howlett, my cousin Cora Lee Bryant, her boyfriend aka my best friend Malcolm Durov, Gabriel Worthington, his girlfriend Bianca Hamilton, Hope Summers, and her girlfriend Jessa Sanchez. Wait you are missing three people. Where are Rachel, Thomas and Blaire?”, Merrick asked. “Rachel and Tommy are in Manhattan with Landon and Lily. Landon’s jazz band had a gig.”, Cora Lee stated. “And Tristan is in town so your guess is as good as ours where exactly Blaire is.”, Hope stated. Merrick nodded. “Possibilities endless with those two. If they are as inventive as me and some.”, Merrick commented with a smirk his eyes falling on Rose for half a second. “Well nice meeting you guys. Now come on Merrick I want to dance.”, Jenna said tugging at his arm. “Right…dancing….”, Merrick said giving Rose a ‘save me, please’ look. Which Rose covered her mouth to hide the laugh as she watched him dragged to the dance floor.
Rose wasn’t the only one who was hiding that she didn’t like seeing Merrick at the club with a girl. Across the room with the other Academy students was Emma. Her eyes narrowed on her big brother and the ‘hussy’ he was with. Apollo put an arm around Emma’s shoulders and followed her glare. “What’s the problem Em? Don’t like the Jenna girl?”, Apollo asked. “She’s a worthless human so strike one, she’s a peppy cheerleader with not an original thought in her head so strike two, and she’s completely unworthy of my brother big strike three.”, Emma said shrugging his arm off. “Then why not do something about the unworthy meatsack?”, Talia suggested having half paid attention as she was snuggled in the booth with Alex’s arms around her. “Simple, I’m not allowed.”, Emma stated. Talia scoffed. “And who said you aren’t? Certainly not my father. Messing with a meatsack is perfectly fine and in line with the goals of the Acolytes. You just aren’t allowed to mess with Merrick because of that stupid Haven law.”, Talia said. “It’s not your father who wouldn’t allow it. It’s my brother. Merrick made it clear he doesn’t want me to interfere with his ‘social’ life. But this meatsack…she just I can’t place it but I don’t trust her. I can’t get a clear view in her head of what she’s going to do, but I just can feel it. She’s a plotter and she’s got an obsession with Merrick and someday she’s the type that will snap and do something stupid.”, Emma said. “Well if Merrick doesn’t want you to intervene, respect your older brother and don’t.”, Alex said which got him a look from the whole table. “However, if the girl does start thinking about doing something stupid that would cause harm to your brother act accordingly. So respect his wishes for now till the moment you have proof that the townie will do him harm and then protect your brother as a sibling should.”, Alex explained. Emma nodded and silently watched her brother and the human he was with.
Slowly Rose found herself being left alone at the booth as the couples all got up to go dance together and Ashley left to Skype with Xavier. It was part of why she didn’t like going out with everyone as much, they all had paired off like some Noah’s ark. Rose sighed and spun the water bottle she’d been drinking between her hands slowly peeling off the label. She watched the others looking happy enjoying the company of the one that meant the most to them. Then her blue eyes fell on Merrick dancing, poorly, with Jenna. He didn’t seem like a bad dancer, he had balance and with all the animal ability he had grace but it was obvious he didn’t like dancing as his brother Demitri or Landon do. And it didn’t help that Jenna wanted to try and lead. Rose snorted a little watching them. If she knew anything it was that you can’t lead if someone’s not willing to follow, and Merrick wasn’t the type of guy that followed. Rose found it amusing a little to watch him looking so out of place dancing with Jenna. Till of course the song changed up to something slower and Jenna got her arms around his neck and was kissing him while dancing. Rose decided she was in Sam’s boat at the moment. She may be okay with sharing Merrick with other girls, when she didn’t have to see it. But having it right in front of her she couldn’t do. So Rose got up from the booth and decided to duck out the back to just get some fresh air.
Mike noticed that Rose had ducked outside and decided to follow. Sure he knew he probably had zero change ever with her, but he still thought on some level he was her friend and maybe it was possible. “Hey Rose.”, Mike greeted. Rose turned her head and gave a partial polite smile. “Hi Mike.”, Rose greeted. “Needed some air? Guess being the extra wheel can suck. I know that feeling. The guys all have girlfriends now and I’m the odd man out.”, Mike questioned. Rose nodded. “Yeah something like that. It’s part of why I haven’t come out much with everyone. But come fall it won’t matter.”, Rose said. She wasn’t going to give the other reason she wasn’t seen out much, which was because she was off at the XC castle with Merrick having their way with each other. “Won’t matter? Oh right you’re going to England with Billy and Atif for college right?”, Mike confirmed. Rose nodded. “Yeah the three of us are going to Cambridge for well the next eight years.”, Rose said. “Eight?”, Mike asked. “Yeah I’m going for medical school and Atif is going to be a clinical psychiatrist. Billy will be the one that gets out before us since he’s going for astronomy.”, Rose explained. “Wow, I mean I had heard you wanted to be a doctor. But wow. I mean you have the brains for it and the dedication to make it happen.”, Mike said. Rose smiled. “Thanks Mike.”, Rose said with a shrug. “I know last time I asked this it was kind of bad, but do you want to dance?”, Mike asked. Rose sighed but shook her head. “No, I just wanted some fresh air. As you said last time we danced it kind of ended bad.”, Rose said being polite. She didn’t feel like dancing and certainly not on the same dance floor where Jenna was all over Merrick. Mike nodded. “Alright well I’ll just hang out here with you since we are both the extra wheel in our circles of friends.”, Mike stated leaning against the wall next to her.
Inside the club Merrick had noticed Rose slip out to the alley and then saw Mike follow after her. Granted he was pretty certain Mike had failed back at the dance a couple years ago, but Merrick also knew Mike still liked Rose. Merrick shook off the thought of annoyance that Mike was outside with Rose. Instead he did his best to just focus on Jenna, which wasn’t exactly working for him. The song ended and Merrick took a step back. “I’m going to get some air. Be back in shortly.”, Merrick stated. Jenna nodded. “Alright, I’m going to go get some water and hang out with a few of my friends if you don’t mind.”, Jenna said glancing to a booth of her friends. Merrick shrugged. “Whatever. Go have fun with your friends I’ll be back.”, Merrick said moving to step away but Jenna leaned up and caught a kiss before he walked away. He returned the kiss because after all he wouldn’t be rude. Jenna smiled and happily went over to talk with her friends. Merrick made his way off the dance floor heading for the back door to find himself face to face with his older brother Demitri. “You aren’t ditching that poor girl are you?”, Demitri asked. Merrick groaned and cracked his neck a little looking down a little at his brother whom he had a couple inches on. “No Demitri. Not that what I do is any of your business. I’m getting some fresh air. My senses are going insane in this enclosed space with all these people. She’s over talking with her friends having a good time. Now if you’ll excuse me.”, Merrick said stepping around Demitri. Demitri shrugged and stepped aside and watched Merrick walked out the back door and then looked to the girl shaking his head.
Rose didn’t say anything to Mike and he didn’t really know what more to talk to her about. But when the heavy back door of the club swung open both jumped a little. Rose looked over a little surprised to see Merrick. Mike gulped a little always have been a bit intimidated by Merrick since they were kids. And without Landon around Mike felt a bit unsafe around Merrick, even though he’d been told a thousand times that Merrick was neutral now. Merrick raised an eyebrow smelling the fear from Mike and laughed. “Should I say ‘boo’? Because you look like you might piss yourself Mikey.”, Merrick said with a smile letting his teeth show a bit of fangs. Mike gulped a little and Rose rolled her eyes trying to not laugh at Mike. “It’s alright Mike, Merrick’s just being an asshole. Don’t worry. He won’t hurt you, at least while I’m here.”, Rose stated. Mike looked from Merrick to Rose feeling a little relieve. “O is that so little wolf? And why might I behave just for your sake?”, Merrick teased. “Because I can and will kick your ass if you start trouble.”, Rose stated. “Oo... That I'd like to see.”, Merrick teased with a laugh. “Isn’t your cheerleader missing your company?”, Rose questioned. “Isn’t she a junior? A bit young don’t you think.”, Rose added. “She’s the same age as you Rose, or you forget just because you’re a senior doesn’t change what year you were born. And she’s busy talk to her friends.”, Merrick answered.
“Um..well I’m going to go inside.”, Mike said still a bit nervous standing there and ducked inside. Merrick watched him and laughed walking over to stand in front of Rose. “So what’s your problem little wolf?”, Merrick asked. “Problem? I don’t know what you’re talking about Merrick.”, Rose stated. Merrick scoffed. “Right. Cause you have no problem at all. I can smell the annoyance radiating off you. So I ask again…”, Merrick said putting a hand on either side of her, giving some space if she wanted to get away, against the brick wall. “What is your problem?”, Merrick asked leaning close so his face was inches from hers. “I have no problem Merrick. I’m sure Jenna’ll be missing her dance partner by now.”, Rose said a bit of her annoyance conveying in her tone. Merrick smirked. “Ooo that’s your problem then. Jealousy.”, Merrick laughed. “It’s not jealousy Merrick. I know you see other people. We just hook up for sex and nothing more. So you taking one of your little black book girls out on a date doesn’t bother me.”, Rose defended. Merrick smirked and leaned in kissing Rose quickly. “What did you do that for?”, Rose demanded. “Because I wanted to and because I can.”, Merrick stated. “Would you rather I not?”, Merrick asked.
Rose glared at him but as she glared she saw that devious glint in his green-yellow eyes and couldn’t stay pissed. “No.”, Rose said with a sigh. Merrick smirked. “Thought so.”, Merrick said leaning in kissing her again running his tongue along her lips. Rose kind of hated herself in that moment but she didn’t care that inside was a girl who thought she was on a date with Merrick. So she let her arms go around his neck pulling him close and her lips parting slipping her tongue into his to mingle. She didn’t like that for the first moments he didn’t taste right, reminding her he’d kissed Jenna. She was a tad more forceful with the kiss wanting to erase the taste of Jenna from him. And it didn’t take long of their tongues mingling for any taste of Jenna to disappear replaced by her. Merrick growled a little into the kiss bringing his hands off the wall to grab her waist tight pressing close against her. This wasn’t his general MO, after all when he was with a girl she was the only one he focused on. But something about being in the same area of Rose he couldn’t focus on Jenna. Instead all he wanted was to be pressed close to Rose kissing her lips or nibbling at her neck at the least. Rose moaned a little enjoying having him so close and then hearing him growl like that didn’t help matters. Rose let the kiss continue a bit longer till she felt his claws starting to scratch at her sides under her shirt. She pulled back knowing that if she let this go it would turn into more than it should. And she may not like it but he wasn’t hers tonight. “Heel.”, Rose said breathless.

Merrick sighed his claws retracting and taking his hands away and a step back. “I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t. But I get close to you and all I want is more of you.”, Merrick apologized. Rose nodded. “I know, trust me I know.”, Rose said. “I’m going to go back inside. Should find Jenna and see if we can leave.”, Merrick said. “You don’t have to leave the club Merrick.”, Rose said. “Yeah I do. Too many scents in there but of them the one I keep finding is yours. And even if you aren’t at the club it’s all I pick up because you have spent so much time in here hanging out with your friends or play gigs with my cousins. So I’ll get Jenna and see about going elsewhere.”, Merrick said heading for the door. Rose sighed and leaned back against the wall and nodded. “Alright. I’ll see you around or maybe tomorrow night?”, Rose questioned. Merrick stopped as he was about to open the door and looked at her and smiled. “Yeah. I’ll see you tomorrow night little wolf.”, Merrick confirmed with a wink heading inside. He quickly sought out Jenna and with a couple whispered suggestions and some nibbles at the right places Jenna said goodbye to her friends and left with Merrick.

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It'd been a rather long nine months for Tristan. He didn't want to say or act like things hasn't changed after his vacation in Bayville with Blaire but they had. They'd agreed that being a couple wasn't really possible for them but that didn't stop them from texting, emailing, talking and sometimes getting on Skype. He knew that she still went to the club and still flirted with the local boys. He just didn't like to admit how much it bothered him that the tall brown eyed boy named Sammy Boland was the one she spent most of her time with. So Tristan focused on his riding, finishing up home school so he graduated, and found distractions at the different towns the rodeo traveled to. However didn't go as far with any of the guys or girls he met as he'd gone in the summer with Blaire, but he still had some fun. Which he smiled as he drove thinking back to those three days with her. He let out a long yawn as he passed the sign for Bayville. "Which hotel again dad?", Tristan asked glancing in his peripheral to his dad sitting in the passenger seat. His dad had driven the first leg of the trip but Tristan had taken over around midnight and it was nearly 1pm and he'd not slept.
“The Tides Motor Inn.", Alex answered. "Right.", Tristan said with a nod blinking a little to keep himself awake. He sighed a little in relief as he pulled their truck and trailer into a spot. Alex groaned getting out of the truck and stretched he could hear his back and shoulders crack being crammed in the truck for the long drive didn't do him any favors and neither did age. Alex took off his worn tan cowboy hat and tan his hands through his short dark brown hair and sighed. Tristan climbed out of the truck and stretched. "You walk a bit, stretch a little I'll go check in and get the keys.", Alex suggested as he walked over to the office. Tristan nodded and leaned against the truck blinking rapidly as he tried to keep his eyes opened. Alex checked in and came back with the two card keys for the room. "Come on get you into the room so you can sleep and I'll head to the field to help the crew get the animals out of the trailers.", Alex suggested getting their bags from the truck leading Tristan to the room and unlocked it. It was just a simple room with two queen sized beds. Tristan followed along taking out his cell. He sent a quick text to Blaire, 'In Bayville. Tides motor inn room 28. Sleep now.' As soon as he shut the door behind him Tristan was taking off his boots, pulling off his shirt and stepping out of his jeans. Alex shook his head as he looked at his son who as quickly as he undressed he was passed out sleeping on his stomach. “Get some sleep kid.”, Alex said quietly heading out of the room and taking the truck over to the field where the rest of his crew was going to meet to get the animals at least settled before they started getting the rings together.
Over at school Blaire ignored the buzzing of her phone on her book bag waiting till the bell rang for the end of eighth period which was her AP biology lab to check it. As she walked down the hall she pulled out her phone and smiled ready the text. She mmmed a little as she pocketed the phone before going into her AP English class. She took her seat smiling her mind going elsewhere as she thought about driving to the hotel to see him after school. A girl next to her learned over to her. "Psst... Blaire. Don't forget we have cheer practice after school today.", the girl reminded her. Blaire frowned a little being reminded she had to wait an extra two hours to go see Tristan. But as she thought about it she started to smirk. She could work with that. Her mom had let her take her car to school since she'd have to stay late so she'd just drive to the hotel and show up wearing her cheer uniform, oh that was perfect she now couldn't wait to get his reaction to seeing her on the uniform. She'd sent pictures but really a two-d image was very different from seeing something in person. Blaire mostly spaced during her final class before quickly heading to her locker at the bell to get her cheer bag. "Hey Blaire.", Sam greeted opening his locker next to hers. "Hey Sammy.", Blaire greeted. "Do you need a ride home tonight?", Sam asked. Blaire shook her head holding up her black cheer bag as she closed her locker. "I meant after practice. I have chess club so I'll still be here.", Sam explained. Blaire sighed and smiled looking up at Sam. "I've got my mom's car. And I have somewhere to be right after practice and I'd feel rather bad to have you drive me there.", Blaire explained.
She would have felt bad and mostly weird if Sammy drove her to meet up with Tristan. Sam raised an eyebrow then frowned getting the idea. "Oh. He's in town. Guess I'll see you at school Monday. Bye Blaire.", Sam said closing his locker and walking away. Blaire sighed watching him leave. She knew it wasn't easy for him. But she had made it clear that when Tristan was in town she was all Tristan's. Blaire sighed and headed down to the gym. She changed into the rather short burgundy and white shirt and the matching low cut long sleeve crop top and get white tennis shoes before heading out to the gym for practice. It was a long and tiring practice but the whole time Blaire was in high spirits. The way she saw practice it was just getting her limber for what she had on her agenda next. She quickly gathered her clothes staying in uniform. "Blaire? Why aren't you changing? And you still coming to the opening of the dot tonight to eat with us?", Jessa asked confused. Blaire looked over her shoulder at Hope's girlfriend and smiled. "I'll be there. But I'm making a stop between here and home.", Blaire said with a wink. Jessa raised an eyebrow. "Ohh Tristan got into town. See you later then.", Jessa waved with a giggle. Blaire waved and headed out to her mom's car and headed for the hotel.
Blaire pulled into the parking lot and looked around for room 28. “Well I don’t see the truck. Which could mean they are gone. Or it could mean just Mister Whitland is gone.”, Blaire said with a smile finding the door. She paused at the door seeing the ‘do not disturb’ sign. “So Mister Whiteland is gone. Which means Tristan has their room to himself…”, Blaire said her smile changing to a smirk. She looked at the sign and debated if she should leave and just let Tristan sleep. But instead she decided that sign was more for hotel staff and knocked anyways. Inside the room Tristan grumbled as his eyes half opened and he looked around the room as he heard the knocking. He rolled off the bed rubbing the back of his head as he stumbled across the room to the door. “Can’t a man get sleep? What’s the point of a do not disturb sign…”, Tristan muttered opening the door not even thinking twice or caring that he was just in boxers and a brass pendant of a mythical human face with bull horns that Blaire had sent him for Christmas since it was supposed to be a protective charm. “Don’t you know what do not disturb means?”, Tristan asked before looking to who was actually at the door. Blaire smirked. “The not part sounds foreign to me. But if you want I can leave and come back later cowboy. Nice boxers by the way.”, Blaire commented putting her hands on her hips looking him over before looking up at his half open eyes. “Blaire?”, Tristan said waking up blinking a couple times his voice was a little scratchy from having just woken up. He tilted his head a little and looked at her in her short skirt and cropped top and smiled. “Okay can definitely get into the cheerleader fantasy now. Get in here.”, Tristan said grabbing her arms and pulling her into the room closing the door and leaving the do not disturb sign.
Blaire giggled a little being pulled into the room before wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning up kissing him. Nine months was a long time to wait just to kiss someone, sure she’d kissed Sammy and a few other local boys but none of them were Tristan. None of them made her feel what he did. Tristan may have been half awake when he opened the door but he was very much awake at the moment as he pressed Blaire against the door and picked her up deepening the kiss running his tongue across her lips wanting entrance. Blaire parted her lips and moaned a little as his tongue mingled with hers. Blaire tightened her arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around him pressing herself as close as she could get to him. She held the kiss a little longer before pulling back a little. “God I’ve missed you.”, Tristan said breathless. Blaire smiled. “I’ve missed you too. So not to be forward but….”, Blaire said taking one hand from around his neck and ran her hand down his chest and tugged at the waistband of his boxers. Tristan smirked and kissed her again and adjusted his grip on her and moved to the bed he’d been sleeping on and sat down with her on his lap. Blaire smiled and pulled back from the kiss and stood up from his lap.
Tristan raised an eyebrow and looked at her with a smile. Blaire grinned back at him as she slipped off her white canvas shoes. Tristan rubbed his lips together watching getting the idea he was in for a show much like their first time. And he was right. First she pulled her top off revealing just a strapless bra, then her skirt revealing a pair black thongs, next the bra was tossed aside then finally thongs. She held up a her index finger and turned grabbing her back and pulled out a condom she’d been carrying all week since she knew he’d be getting there. Tristan laughed a little. “Prepared as always. Now it’s been nine months, get over here goddess so I can worship.”, Tristan said using his index finger to indicate her to come closer. Blaire giggled and moved over to him and was quickly pulled down to the bed getting exactly what she wanted, him. Neither were really thinking about that his dad could return to the hotel any time and walk in since he has a key to the room too, both just enjoying that carnal act.
Alex had grabbed some food and was on taking it back to Tristan figuring he’d slept long enough and could probably do with something to eat. He didn’t think anything of other vehicles in the parking lot as he walked up to the door. He saw the do not disturb sign was still up and figured for a moment that his son was still sleeping. However as he went to unlock the door he stopped hearing faint moaning. “If that boy ordered porn…”, Alex started to grumble till he heard a female voice specifically calling out Tristan’s name. Alex quickly took the key from the door and shook his head turning back to the truck. “Seriously? Been in Bayville a few hours and he’s already getting laid? Must be that ‘friend’ he spent our vacation with last summer. They better be using condoms.”, Alex said shaking his head getting back into the truck and heading back to the field. Neither realized how close they were to a parent finding out about them as they laid down next to each other Blaire snuggling up close to him enjoying being in his arms again both a little out of breath. “Nine months is way too long…”, Blaire said with a sigh nuzzling at his neck. Tristan mmmed a little nodding in agreement running a hand along her back. “Yeah. So I’m not complaining, cause god that was good, but we didn’t have to have sex first thing you know.”, Tristan said.
He didn’t really want this to just be about sex, granted it was part of it since they spent all their time apart talking but he didn’t want to be the guy that came into town and she had sex with her then left again. Blaire smiled and kissed his chin then his nose then his forehead before lightly kissing his lips. “I know that. But I’ve waited and craved you for nine months, I’m not patient enough to wait the extra hours. The squad was lucky I didn’t skip practice to get here that much sooner.”, Blaire explained. Tristan smirked and sighed. “Well now that you’ve gotten that out of the way do I get to see you tonight for an actual date that can end in another round of this?”, Tristan asked. Blaire nodded. “There’s a new restaurant opening, they just do burgers called The Dot. I was supposed to meet up with some of the others, just Hope, Jessa, Bianca and Gabriel for dinner. Instead of being the fifth wheel can meet you there and you join us.”, Blaire suggested as she rolled out of the bed. “Sounds like a good plan. But where are you going? Stay.”, Tristan said wrapping an arm around her middle and pulling her back to him. Blaire giggled and tilted her head back and kissed his cheek. “I need to go home lover boy. Daddy is expecting me since I’ve got my mom’s car.”, Blaire explained. Tristan sighed and kissed her shoulder before letting her go. “Alright so what time do I meet you at this Dot?”, Tristan asked. “Seven.”, Blaire said gathering up her clothes starting to get dressed again. Tristan just sighed and watched her put the clothes on and it was almost as entertaining as when she took them off. Blaire ran her brush through her hair and pulled it back into a ponytail so it didn’t look a complete mess from sex. “I’ll see you tonight handsome.”, Blaire said leaning over kissing him goodbye before heading out of the hotel and driving home.
"Hey pumpkin how was practice? Did it run long or something today? You're usually home by now.", Colby greeted as Blaire walked into the house. "It was invigorating daddy. And yeah ran a little longer than normal trying out some new routines.", Blaire explained. She didn't like lying to her dad but she knew him and he'd go ballistic if he knew she'd been at a hotel room having sex. "Oh alright. So are you still going out with your friends to that new burger place?", Colby asked. Blaire nodded grabbing a bottle of water. "Yup. Gabriel and the others are going to pick me up. Which I should get a shower in and get changed so I'm ready when they get here. We might hit the club after if that's okay.", Blaire answered. Colby nodded as he packed his lunch/dinner. "Yeah that's fine. I know Gabriel will make sure you arrive back on time. I'll be working the overnight. So I'll be home around four. Your mother is on a mission so we'll see her in the morning probably.", Colby said. "Alright daddy.", Blaire said giving him a hug before heading to her room to shower and get dressed to go on her date with Tristan. Colby finished packing his lunch/dinner to take for his long shift on duty. “I’m heading out Blaire! I’ll see you in the morning sweetie!”, Colby yelled down the hall having heard the shower water stop. “Alright daddy! Be safe! See you in the morning!”, Blaire yelled from her room while trying to decide on what outfit she wanted to wear.
While Tristan was in the shower to get ready Alex decided he’d drive around enough that maybe his son’s visitor was gone so he returned to the hotel. He didn’t hear any noises and cautiously walked into the room to only hear the shower. He looked around and was relieved to see no sign that the girl was still here and other than the bed sheets being messed up there was no signs anything had even happened. Alex sat down at the small table and sipped at what was left of his drink and waited to tease his son. He didn’t wait long as Tristan walked out of the bathroom with a towel on and jumped. “Christ dad scare the shit out of me why don’t ya.”, Tristan said shaking his head a smile on his lips. Alex smirked shaking his head. “So did you have a good ‘rest’?”, Alex teased using air quotes when he said the word rest. Tristan raised an eyebrow as he went to get clothes from his bag. “Air quotes dad? Seriously? What’s your damage?”, Tristan asked glancing over to his dad. “Oh no damage. And I’m the one that should be saying seriously. We’ve been in Bayville going on seven hours now and within the first like five you were entertaining a girl.”, Alex commented.
Tristan froze for a moment wondering exactly how much his dad had heard. “What can I say...”, Tristan said with a shrug getting out clothes. “I just. What the hell? Was this at least the same girl from our R&R during last summer?”, Alex asked. “How do you know it was a girl? I go both ways after all.”, Tristan commented starting to get dressed. “If that was a boy he’d got a damn feminine voice.”, Alex countered. Tristan laughed a little sitting on the bed putting his necklace back on before starting to get his boots on. “So you heard us? Exactly how much did you hear?”, Tristan asked. He was trying to determine if his dad heard Blaire’s name. Which really to Tristan he’d not be fazed by his dad knowing he was sleeping with Blaire Delaney. However he knew Blaire didn’t want her dad to find out and knowing her dad was a SEAL and is a captain on the police force he wasn’t interested in being target practice for one of Colby’s guns. “Just heard a girl saying your name. Then about faced and went back to the truck and left.”, Alex answered watching his son curiously. “What you getting your boots on for?”, Alex asked. Tristan sighed inwardly relieved that his dad didn’t hear him calling Blaire’s name. “Got a date. I’ll be back later. I wouldn’t recommend waiting up.”, Tristan said pulling on his blue over shirt and starting to button it as he walked for the door grabbing his keys. “Bye dad.”, Tristan said with a smirk walking out the door. Alex sighed shaking his head. “JUST USE CONDOMS AND DO NOT GET ARRESTED!”, Alex called after Tristan who was already out the door and getting in the truck.
Blaire locked up her house when she saw Gabriel’s SUV pull up before rushing out and getting into the back with Hope and Jessa. “So Jessa tells us that Tristan is in town.”, Bianca teased. Blaire grinned. “Oh yeah. Already saw him and he’s meeting up at the Dot. So woo I’m not fifth wheel. Now I can ignore you four the way you ignore me by being completely focused on Tristan.”, Blaire teased right back. “Oh good, though what are going to do when if one of the townies you keep company with such as oo I don’t know Sam Boland shows up and your all cozy with Tristan?”, Hope asked. “They get told I’m with Tristan while he’s in town. And Sammy already knows Tristan is in town. So it’s all covered.”, Blaire explained as they drove into downtown and Gabriel parked. They filed out, Blaire looking around and didn’t see the Whitland’s truck. She sent a quick text to Tristan, ‘We just got here and are grabbing a table. See you soon.’. Tristan was trying to find the restaurant in question. Finally he saw the sign and grabbed a spot heading inside. He looked around the small twenty table place and saw in the far back a booth with Blaire and her friends and an empty space next to Blaire. He smiled knowing it was for him.
Blaire’s eyes kept looking around trying to find Tristan and when she spotted him she smiled and waved him over. However she sighed a little seeing Sammy right behind Tristan who didn’t apparently notice Tristan and thought the wave was for him and waved back. “God damn it..”, Blaire groaned. Hope and the others looked and spotted Tristan but then saw Sam both making their way through the crowd. “Hey gorgeous.”, Tristan greeted with a smile. “Hey beautiful..”, Sam greeted at the exact same time. The others at the table coughed trying to not laugh at the awkwardness of this. “Hi Tristan, glad you found the place. Hi Sammy. You remember Tristan from last summer.”, Blaire said feeling a bit weird with them both standing there side by side. Tristan with that darn smile and his little dimple, those bright shamrock green eyes wearing the necklace she got him and a black tee under a blue over shirt and a pair of slightly worn jeans and boots. And just an inch taller was Sammy with his sweet smile and puppy brown eyes wearing a maroon checkered button up and jeans but sneakers. Sam groaned inwardly and glanced to Tristan. “Yeah…I remember. So I’ll just go then. See you around Blaire. See you guys at school.”, Sam said giving a forced smile and a nod to the table before turning and leaving. Tristan raised an eyebrow at Sam and watched him leave before sitting down. “Okay so that was awkward.”, Tristan admitted. “You think?”, Hope said shaking her head. “I didn’t mean to offend him. He could have joined us I’m sure we could pull another chair over.”, Tristan suggested. Gabriel shook his head. “He wasn’t going to sit with you here Trist, no offense man.”, Gabriel explained. Tristan raised an eyebrow before remembering he’d heard the name Sammy and vaguely remembering his face from the club during the summer. “Oh he’s that Sammy. Okay, yeah now I get it.”, Tristan said nodding put an arm around Blaire’s shoulders.
Blaire nodded leaning into him a little. “He’ll be alright. He bounces back after you leave.”, Blaire explained. “He’ll just keep distance from me till you have to leave again.”, Blaire added. Tristan nodded. “Alright. So burgers huh?”, Tristan said pulling the menu Blaire had a little closer so they could share. The group caught up on what was going on since they’d last seen Tristan and ate their burgers all ignoring that somewhere in the restaurant Sam had sat down with some other kids he knew but kept looking over to Blaire. The six left their share of the bill on the table and filed out of the restaurant. “So we are headed to the club are you two coming?”, Gabriel asked putting an arm around Bianca’s waist. “Sure.”, Blaire said. “No thanks.”, Tristan said at the same moment. Blaire blinked and looked at him. “We aren’t?”, Blaire asked. “We can if you really want but I had other ideas. And not dirty ones so mind out of the gutter Hope.”, Tristan said choosing to pick on Hope who over time he’d learned would be the first to make that segway. Blaire raised an eyebrow now intrigued. “Alright, so we aren’t going to the club. I want to see what exactly you have in mind that’s not in the gutter.”, Blaire said. Tristan grinned. “I did miss your sweet sixteen last week so going to make it up to you. Dinner was fun guys. I’ll see you around since I’m in town for the next five days for the rodeo.”, Tristan said giving a nod to her friends before leading her to the truck. “Just make sure she’s home by 2 so her dad doesn’t freak.”, Gabriel warned. The others waved and got into Gabriel's car to go to the club.
“Don’t worry I’ll get you home by 2.”, Tristan said getting in the cab. “I’m not worried about it. As long as I’m home and in my bed alone before 4 I’m good. Dad’s working the overnight till 4 and mom is on a mission so won’t be home till dawn.”, Blaire explained buckling up. Tristan grinned. “Good to know.”, he said with a wink driving away. “So where are we going?”, Blaire asked watching street signs as they drove. “You’ll see. It’s still early not even nine so we got lots of time before I need to get you home.”, Tristan said driving further out from town. Blaire realized where they were going and rolled her eyes. “We are going to the field where the rodeo is being set up. How is that about my birthday?”, Blaire questioned. Tristan smiled. “Because my horse is there and I want to take you for a ride.”, Tristan explained. “Take me for a ride before you ride me?”, Blaire teased getting a little closer to him in the cab. Tristan smirked and reached over to hold her hand. “Something like that.”, Tristan said shaking his head as he reached the field and pulled in near where the horses were being kept. Blaire hopped out of the truck and followed him over to the horse stalls where he stopped at the stall of a white 15 hands American quarter stallion. “Evening Paxton.”, Tristan greeted patting the horse sweetly. “Let’s get you saddled up and some exercise.”, Tristan said getting his saddle and going into the stall saddling Paxton up before leading him out of the stall.
“Ladies first.”, Tristan said looking to Blaire. Blaire smiled and was glad she’d chosen to wear boots with her skinny jeans and strapless empire-waisted black top with a white crochet design on the chest. She took the reins and easily mounted Paxton making sure to stay more forward to allow Tristan space since apparently they were sharing the horse. Tristan smiled and climbed up onto the saddle behind her and held the reins giving a gentle kick to Paxton and they were off. Blaire leaned back into him enjoying being a passenger rather than the rider. It was actually a nice night for a ride for late May. “So you enjoying the ride?”, Tristan asked. Blaire nodded. “Yeah. But I always like going riding. Though I’m not usually a passenger but the rider.”, Blaire answered. “What Sammy doesn’t have you ride with him?”, Tristan asked knowing she rode at Sam’s family ranch. Blaire sighed. “I ride my horse Chloe when at the ranch. Could we maybe not discuss Sammy?”, Blaire asked. Tristan nodded. “Alright won’t bring him up again.”, Tristan said deciding it better to just ride to where he wanted to go. He after all was enjoying having her there basically on his lap leaning back against him as they rode. He found a spot fairly far from the fair grounds near a tree line and brought Paxton to a stop before climbing down. Blaire raised an eyebrow as they were just in a clearing but climbed down.
“So what are we doing?”, Blaire asked as Tristan tied the reigns to a tree. “Same thing we did the first date I took you on. It’s a clear night sky and I remembered from the last time we had the rodeo that there was this clearing out here and it wasn’t too far of a ride on a horse.”, Tristan explained taking a blanket off the back of Paxton’s saddle and laying it out on the ground and sitting down patting the space next to him. Blaire smiled and sat down next to him before laying back to look up at the stars. Tristan laid down next to her putting an arm under her head bringing her a little closer. “Look there’s Gemini, my sign.”, Blaire pointed tracing her star sign in the sky like a game of connect the dots. “Yup. There’s Pollux and there’s his ‘twin’ Castor. And if you follow up this way.”, Tristan said taking her hand and tracing back up and over across the sky. “You have the big dipper which then going just over here.”, Tristan said still guiding her hand with his outlined the little dipper. “You have the little dipper and Polaris, the northern star. The one true constant in the night sky.”, Tristan explained. Blaire smiled knowing all this information but finding it cute that he was trying to show her by moving her hand. “Which reminds me of you actually.”, Tristan commented. Blaire raised an eyebrow and laughed softly. “That is about the lamest line I’ve heard, and I’ve heard a few babe.”, Blaire teased. “Well lame or not it’s true. The north star is one of the brightest in the sky and is that solid point that you can navigate by. Of all the people I’ve met you stand out as the brightest. Between the fact mentally you’re bright and then your bright smile and those bright sapphire eyes. Since meeting you I keep finding my way back to Bayville and to you. And you are a constant in my life because we talk every day in some manner, which I don’t generally do that.”, Tristan explained. Blaire nodded. “Yeah Rose has mentioned a few times that I’ve talked to you more in a month than she has ever.”, Blaire teased.
Tristan shrugged a little and sat up reaching into his pocket. “Either way. I got you a birthday present and wanted to give it to you while we’re out here looking at stars.”, Tristan said handing her the white square box with a ribbon close to her eye color tied around it. Blaire sat up and took the box looking at it smiling before opening it carefully. She took off the cover and blinked looking at the sterling silver north star pendant necklace with what she knew were cubic zirconium. “It’s…it’s the north star. Oh babe you are lame.”, Blaire teased before kissing him. “But I love lame, at least from you.”, Blaire said taking the necklace out looking at its box. Tristan smiled and laughed a little at her reaction. “Mind putting it on me?”, Blaire asked. “Sure.”, Tristan agreed taking the necklace. Blaire pulled up her black hair away from her neck as Tristan brought the necklace around her neck and clasped it. Blaire let her hair back down and looked down at the star now around her neck. The chain was just long enough that the pendant fell just above her cleavage. “It’s beautiful Tristan. Thank you.”, Blaire said running a finger over the pendant. Tristan smiled starting to kiss along her neck and shoulder. “You’re welcome. Glad you like it.”, Tristan answered still kissing along her shoulder before stopping noticing her goosebumps. “Are you cold?”, Tristan asked. “A little but I’ll be alright.”, Blaire answered. “Aw…let’s head back to the truck at least warmer in the cab.”, Tristan suggested rubbing at her arms to help her get warm before just taking off his long sleeved over shirt and putting it on her shoulders. “You can wear this for now.”, he offered. Blaire giggled a little and nodded slipping her arms into the shirt. She liked how it was warm and smelled like him.
“How about we go to my house next.”, Blaire suggested getting up. Tristan raised an eyebrow at her getting up and gathering the blanket. “You sure about that? You want to explain to your parents who I am and what’s going on between us?”, Tristan asked. He wasn’t exactly prepared for the idea of meeting her parents though if she wanted him to he’d meet them. Blaire smiled and shook her head. “Wasn’t really saying about going to meet my parents and all that seriousness. Granted I’d be okay with you meeting them, though I’d probably exclude the whole we sleep together part of what is going between us. After all I like you the way you are, not filled with bullet holes from my dad’s guns. I know mom would like you, especially if I drop the knowledge bomb that you know her moves.”, Blaire teased. Tristan smirked remembering last summer when he danced to single ladies and realized that her mom is Dazzler. “But dad is different. He’s overprotective about me. I guess I understand why, I’m his little girl and he wants to protect me from all pain including potential heart break. Which he sees being involved with anyone is a potential heart break. If he had it his way I wouldn’t see anyone till I’m thirty or at least till after I graduate college. But I think maybe with not knowing we sleep together and since you wouldn’t be introduced as a boyfriend he could like you. You have some similar qualities.”, Blaire explained. Tristan nodded. “Right, well if or when you do want me to meet them I will in whatever capacity or however we are explaining our relationship to them. You already know my dad, just not introduced officially as a girl I like spending my time with. But if I’m not meeting them why did you suggest your house?”, Tristan asked. Blaire shook her head. “Remember what I told you when we left the Dot.”, Blaire suggested climbing up on Paxton’s saddle. Tristan thought and then smiled. “Right they aren’t home. Guess getting cozy in a warm bed does sound better than doing the same thing in the cool open spring air.”, Tristan said as it clicked climbing up on the saddle behind her. “Glad you figured that out.”, Blaire teased relaxing into him again as they rode back to the truck.
Once Paxton was back in his stall the pair headed for the beach house it was already after eleven by the time they reached the house. The lights to the house were all still off the house next to them had one light on. “Guess Aunt Sadria and Uncle Azriel are still awake.”, Blaire commented noticing the faint light and knew it was coming from her Aunt and Uncle’s living room. “They going to check on you or anything?”, Tristan asked glancing to the light. He remembered the couple from last time, they seemed rather nice and easy going. Neither had seemed to say a word against the idea of him being with Blaire, so he hoped that still was their opinion. He really wasn’t looking to get him or Blaire into any trouble with her parents. “No they’ll stay at their house. Come on.”, Blaire said taking his head and unlocked the door heading inside. They didn’t bother turning on any lights, Blaire knew her way around her house in the dark and Tristan vaguely remembered but kept his hands on her to know where they were going. Blaire easily found her way to her bedroom some of the moonlight shining into her room through the window offered enough light so she didn’t bother switching on the light as she turned and wrapped her arms around his neck leaning up kissing him. Words weren’t exactly necessary since both knew what the other wanted, clothes starting to get cast aside making their way to the bed for a second time that day.
Over at the Draven the lack of Blaire’s presence was noticed by not just Sam who’d gone only because some of the guys he knew said he should come and maybe try flirting with one of the other fully available single girls in the club but other boys that Blaire would be seen with and then some she wouldn’t like Apollo. Sam didn’t bother asking why Blaire wasn’t at the club, he didn’t want to hear the answer because he knew it would contain the name Tristan. Sam hated that Tristan had only known Blaire a couple years and seen her only a grand total a maybe two weeks yet he was the one Blaire chose to be intimate with and to ignore all others to spend even the few fleeting days with. Yet when Tristan wasn’t around he was still there. Sam knew she texted and talked to Tristan often, but at least when Tristan wasn’t there Sam got to be with her. He was the one that walked the halls of school holding her hand or having an arm around her, he was the one that went on dates with her, and the one that got to kiss her. And at the moment it was eating him up on the inside knowing that somewhere Tristan was probably doing more than just kissing Blaire. Sam didn’t really have interest in flirting with the other girls so he just sat at the table drinking his soda frowning a little.
Gabriel noticed the sad look on Sam’s face and sighed. “Am I the only one that feels bad for Samuel?”, Gabriel asked looked around the two booths worth of his friends. Bianca turned her head a little to look and sighed. “No I don’t think you are sweetie. We all feel bad for Samuel. He’s head over heels for our Blaire but she might not say it out loud however we all know she’s already fallen for Tristan.”, Bianca said. Cora Lee looked over to Sam and shook her head. “The boy probably should just give up really. I mean he knows, or at least has to have an idea what Tristan is to Blaire. Who could be okay with basically having being a timeshare with someone?”, Cora Lee said shaking her head. “Maybe Sam doesn’t care? Maybe he’s just happy for what time he gets her to himself? Yeah it’s gotta sting and suck those moments she’s with Tristan but since Tristan isn’t here often he at least doesn’t have to deal with that pain and jealousy about sharing her time year round.”, Rose commented having been dragged out, a rare thing. “Insightful little wolf.”, Merrick commented having walked up behind the booth being talked into showing up at the club by Jenna who said she wanted to dance with him before going to the bluff. Rose froze for a moment and turned her head to look up and see him standing behind her. He was dressed up a little in gray slacks and a more fitted green button up.
Both booths actually turned to look at Merrick a little shocked to see him there. He didn’t often turn up at the club, they saw Rose more than they saw Merrick. Malcolm smiled happy to see his best friend and roommate. “Hey Merrick, glad you finally decided to join the gang for a night out.”, Malcolm greeted. Merrick smirked and shook his head. “Trust me I’m not here of my own free will or to hang out with you guys.”, Merrick said. Rose raised an eyebrow as the others also looked a little confused by that statement. Merrick nodded in the direction of Jenna, a junior in high school with soft brown eyes and chestnut brown hair. Jessa looked over and recognized her. “Jenna O’Connell? She’s a junior on the varsity cheer squad.”, Jessa stated. “Shit I do for girls.”, Merrick said tugging at the collar of the shirt that Jenna had insisted he button all the way. Rose clenched her teeth a little doing her best to hide that it bothered her he was there with one of the girls from his book. “So you’re here on a date?”, Cora Lee questioned confused. “I thought you didn’t go on dates just fucked whichever girl you called from your book.”, Cora Lee added. Merrick chuckled and shrugged a little smirking. “Generally speaking yes. Nice observation little cousin.”, Merrick commented. “So what is Jenna special or something?”,Cora Lee asked. Merrick laughed shaking his head. “No, she’s not special. But one rule is ‘ladies choice’. She wanted to come to the club tonight before we do extracurricular activities. And since I’m an obedient lover…”, Merrick said with a shrug. Rose rolled her eyes as Jenna started walking over.
The girl was all smiles as she linked her arm with Merrick’s leaning up even in her heels to kiss his cheek. “There you are Merrick, thought I’d lost you for a moment.”, Jenna said her voice a bit high and chipper. She looked at the booths and recognized faces but they weren’t people she ever talked to other than Jessa who was on the JV cheer squad. “Um, hi. Merrick doesn’t generally introduce me to his friends.”, Jenna said with a smile. Malcolm laughed a little glancing from Jenna to Merrick seeing the contrast in expressions. Rose noticed it too. Jenna seemed all smiles and almost glowing at being on Merrick’s arm and Merrick looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. “They aren’t my friend, well Malcolm is but that’s about it. But fine. Jenna O’Connell; that’s William Maximoff, his boyfriend Atif Alston, his twin Ashley Alston, Roselyn Howlett, my cousin Cora Lee Bryant, her boyfriend aka my best friend Malcolm Durov, Gabriel Worthington, his girlfriend Bianca Hamilton, Hope Summers, and her girlfriend Jessa Sanchez. Wait you are missing three people. Where are Rachel, Thomas and Blaire?”, Merrick asked. “Rachel and Tommy are in Manhattan with Landon and Lily. Landon’s jazz band had a gig.”, Cora Lee stated. “And Tristan is in town so your guess is as good as ours where exactly Blaire is.”, Hope stated. Merrick nodded. “Possibilities endless with those two. If they are as inventive as me and some.”, Merrick commented with a smirk his eyes falling on Rose for half a second. “Well nice meeting you guys. Now come on Merrick I want to dance.”, Jenna said tugging at his arm. “Right…dancing….”, Merrick said giving Rose a ‘save me, please’ look. Which Rose covered her mouth to hide the laugh as she watched him dragged to the dance floor.
Rose wasn’t the only one who was hiding that she didn’t like seeing Merrick at the club with a girl. Across the room with the other Academy students was Emma. Her eyes narrowed on her big brother and the ‘hussy’ he was with. Apollo put an arm around Emma’s shoulders and followed her glare. “What’s the problem Em? Don’t like the Jenna girl?”, Apollo asked. “She’s a worthless human so strike one, she’s a peppy cheerleader with not an original thought in her head so strike two, and she’s completely unworthy of my brother big strike three.”, Emma said shrugging his arm off. “Then why not do something about the unworthy meatsack?”, Talia suggested having half paid attention as she was snuggled in the booth with Alex’s arms around her. “Simple, I’m not allowed.”, Emma stated. Talia scoffed. “And who said you aren’t? Certainly not my father. Messing with a meatsack is perfectly fine and in line with the goals of the Acolytes. You just aren’t allowed to mess with Merrick because of that stupid Haven law.”, Talia said. “It’s not your father who wouldn’t allow it. It’s my brother. Merrick made it clear he doesn’t want me to interfere with his ‘social’ life. But this meatsack…she just I can’t place it but I don’t trust her. I can’t get a clear view in her head of what she’s going to do, but I just can feel it. She’s a plotter and she’s got an obsession with Merrick and someday she’s the type that will snap and do something stupid.”, Emma said. “Well if Merrick doesn’t want you to intervene, respect your older brother and don’t.”, Alex said which got him a look from the whole table. “However, if the girl does start thinking about doing something stupid that would cause harm to your brother act accordingly. So respect his wishes for now till the moment you have proof that the townie will do him harm and then protect your brother as a sibling should.”, Alex explained. Emma nodded and silently watched her brother and the human he was with.
Slowly Rose found herself being left alone at the booth as the couples all got up to go dance together and Ashley left to Skype with Xavier. It was part of why she didn’t like going out with everyone as much, they all had paired off like some Noah’s ark. Rose sighed and spun the water bottle she’d been drinking between her hands slowly peeling off the label. She watched the others looking happy enjoying the company of the one that meant the most to them. Then her blue eyes fell on Merrick dancing, poorly, with Jenna. He didn’t seem like a bad dancer, he had balance and with all the animal ability he had grace but it was obvious he didn’t like dancing as his brother Demitri or Landon do. And it didn’t help that Jenna wanted to try and lead. Rose snorted a little watching them. If she knew anything it was that you can’t lead if someone’s not willing to follow, and Merrick wasn’t the type of guy that followed. Rose found it amusing a little to watch him looking so out of place dancing with Jenna. Till of course the song changed up to something slower and Jenna got her arms around his neck and was kissing him while dancing. Rose decided she was in Sam’s boat at the moment. She may be okay with sharing Merrick with other girls, when she didn’t have to see it. But having it right in front of her she couldn’t do. So Rose got up from the booth and decided to duck out the back to just get some fresh air.
Mike noticed that Rose had ducked outside and decided to follow. Sure he knew he probably had zero change ever with her, but he still thought on some level he was her friend and maybe it was possible. “Hey Rose.”, Mike greeted. Rose turned her head and gave a partial polite smile. “Hi Mike.”, Rose greeted. “Needed some air? Guess being the extra wheel can suck. I know that feeling. The guys all have girlfriends now and I’m the odd man out.”, Mike questioned. Rose nodded. “Yeah something like that. It’s part of why I haven’t come out much with everyone. But come fall it won’t matter.”, Rose said. She wasn’t going to give the other reason she wasn’t seen out much, which was because she was off at the XC castle with Merrick having their way with each other. “Won’t matter? Oh right you’re going to England with Billy and Atif for college right?”, Mike confirmed. Rose nodded. “Yeah the three of us are going to Cambridge for well the next eight years.”, Rose said. “Eight?”, Mike asked. “Yeah I’m going for medical school and Atif is going to be a clinical psychiatrist. Billy will be the one that gets out before us since he’s going for astronomy.”, Rose explained. “Wow, I mean I had heard you wanted to be a doctor. But wow. I mean you have the brains for it and the dedication to make it happen.”, Mike said. Rose smiled. “Thanks Mike.”, Rose said with a shrug. “I know last time I asked this it was kind of bad, but do you want to dance?”, Mike asked. Rose sighed but shook her head. “No, I just wanted some fresh air. As you said last time we danced it kind of ended bad.”, Rose said being polite. She didn’t feel like dancing and certainly not on the same dance floor where Jenna was all over Merrick. Mike nodded. “Alright well I’ll just hang out here with you since we are both the extra wheel in our circles of friends.”, Mike stated leaning against the wall next to her.
Inside the club Merrick had noticed Rose slip out to the alley and then saw Mike follow after her. Granted he was pretty certain Mike had failed back at the dance a couple years ago, but Merrick also knew Mike still liked Rose. Merrick shook off the thought of annoyance that Mike was outside with Rose. Instead he did his best to just focus on Jenna, which wasn’t exactly working for him. The song ended and Merrick took a step back. “I’m going to get some air. Be back in shortly.”, Merrick stated. Jenna nodded. “Alright, I’m going to go get some water and hang out with a few of my friends if you don’t mind.”, Jenna said glancing to a booth of her friends. Merrick shrugged. “Whatever. Go have fun with your friends I’ll be back.”, Merrick said moving to step away but Jenna leaned up and caught a kiss before he walked away. He returned the kiss because after all he wouldn’t be rude. Jenna smiled and happily went over to talk with her friends. Merrick made his way off the dance floor heading for the back door to find himself face to face with his older brother Demitri. “You aren’t ditching that poor girl are you?”, Demitri asked. Merrick groaned and cracked his neck a little looking down a little at his brother whom he had a couple inches on. “No Demitri. Not that what I do is any of your business. I’m getting some fresh air. My senses are going insane in this enclosed space with all these people. She’s over talking with her friends having a good time. Now if you’ll excuse me.”, Merrick said stepping around Demitri. Demitri shrugged and stepped aside and watched Merrick walked out the back door and then looked to the girl shaking his head.
Rose didn’t say anything to Mike and he didn’t really know what more to talk to her about. But when the heavy back door of the club swung open both jumped a little. Rose looked over a little surprised to see Merrick. Mike gulped a little always have been a bit intimidated by Merrick since they were kids. And without Landon around Mike felt a bit unsafe around Merrick, even though he’d been told a thousand times that Merrick was neutral now. Merrick raised an eyebrow smelling the fear from Mike and laughed. “Should I say ‘boo’? Because you look like you might piss yourself Mikey.”, Merrick said with a smile letting his teeth show a bit of fangs. Mike gulped a little and Rose rolled her eyes trying to not laugh at Mike. “It’s alright Mike, Merrick’s just being an asshole. Don’t worry. He won’t hurt you, at least while I’m here.”, Rose stated. Mike looked from Merrick to Rose feeling a little relieve. “O is that so little wolf? And why might I behave just for your sake?”, Merrick teased. “Because I can and will kick your ass if you start trouble.”, Rose stated. “Oo... That I'd like to see.”, Merrick teased with a laugh. “Isn’t your cheerleader missing your company?”, Rose questioned. “Isn’t she a junior? A bit young don’t you think.”, Rose added. “She’s the same age as you Rose, or you forget just because you’re a senior doesn’t change what year you were born. And she’s busy talk to her friends.”, Merrick answered.
“Um..well I’m going to go inside.”, Mike said still a bit nervous standing there and ducked inside. Merrick watched him and laughed walking over to stand in front of Rose. “So what’s your problem little wolf?”, Merrick asked. “Problem? I don’t know what you’re talking about Merrick.”, Rose stated. Merrick scoffed. “Right. Cause you have no problem at all. I can smell the annoyance radiating off you. So I ask again…”, Merrick said putting a hand on either side of her, giving some space if she wanted to get away, against the brick wall. “What is your problem?”, Merrick asked leaning close so his face was inches from hers. “I have no problem Merrick. I’m sure Jenna’ll be missing her dance partner by now.”, Rose said a bit of her annoyance conveying in her tone. Merrick smirked. “Ooo that’s your problem then. Jealousy.”, Merrick laughed. “It’s not jealousy Merrick. I know you see other people. We just hook up for sex and nothing more. So you taking one of your little black book girls out on a date doesn’t bother me.”, Rose defended. Merrick smirked and leaned in kissing Rose quickly. “What did you do that for?”, Rose demanded. “Because I wanted to and because I can.”, Merrick stated. “Would you rather I not?”, Merrick asked.
Rose glared at him but as she glared she saw that devious glint in his green-yellow eyes and couldn’t stay pissed. “No.”, Rose said with a sigh. Merrick smirked. “Thought so.”, Merrick said leaning in kissing her again running his tongue along her lips. Rose kind of hated herself in that moment but she didn’t care that inside was a girl who thought she was on a date with Merrick. So she let her arms go around his neck pulling him close and her lips parting slipping her tongue into his to mingle. She didn’t like that for the first moments he didn’t taste right, reminding her he’d kissed Jenna. She was a tad more forceful with the kiss wanting to erase the taste of Jenna from him. And it didn’t take long of their tongues mingling for any taste of Jenna to disappear replaced by her. Merrick growled a little into the kiss bringing his hands off the wall to grab her waist tight pressing close against her. This wasn’t his general MO, after all when he was with a girl she was the only one he focused on. But something about being in the same area of Rose he couldn’t focus on Jenna. Instead all he wanted was to be pressed close to Rose kissing her lips or nibbling at her neck at the least. Rose moaned a little enjoying having him so close and then hearing him growl like that didn’t help matters. Rose let the kiss continue a bit longer till she felt his claws starting to scratch at her sides under her shirt. She pulled back knowing that if she let this go it would turn into more than it should. And she may not like it but he wasn’t hers tonight. “Heel.”, Rose said breathless.

Merrick sighed his claws retracting and taking his hands away and a step back. “I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t. But I get close to you and all I want is more of you.”, Merrick apologized. Rose nodded. “I know, trust me I know.”, Rose said. “I’m going to go back inside. Should find Jenna and see if we can leave.”, Merrick said. “You don’t have to leave the club Merrick.”, Rose said. “Yeah I do. Too many scents in there but of them the one I keep finding is yours. And even if you aren’t at the club it’s all I pick up because you have spent so much time in here hanging out with your friends or play gigs with my cousins. So I’ll get Jenna and see about going elsewhere.”, Merrick said heading for the door. Rose sighed and leaned back against the wall and nodded. “Alright. I’ll see you around or maybe tomorrow night?”, Rose questioned. Merrick stopped as he was about to open the door and looked at her and smiled. “Yeah. I’ll see you tomorrow night little wolf.”, Merrick confirmed with a wink heading inside. He quickly sought out Jenna and with a couple whispered suggestions and some nibbles at the right places Jenna said goodbye to her friends and left with Merrick.