Next chapter is ready! Thanks for all the fantastic comments and following this story!
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Late after Adrianna's birthday …
Silver and Teddy were among the last to leave Stardust.
"I can't believe we've been engaged three whole hours!" Silver squealed admiring the diamond ring on her finger. Her arms are entwined around Teddy's neck.
"I know it's like a huge deal," Teddy agrees as the song ends. "Looks like we completed our mission to be the last couple on the dance floor," he says looking around. "How bout a slice of birthday cake before we go?"
Silver nods agreeably and they pick up two cake plates before finding a cozy table. A few other stragglers are finishing cake and drinks at the bar.
"It is a huge deal being engaged,"Silver says, watching the adorable way Teddy is practically inhaling his cake. She feels like she could watch him eat cake the rest of her life.
"But also it was the easiest decision I've ever made," Teddy looks up with frosting on his cheek.
"And the best," Silver adds. "How's the cake?" she giggles, thumbing off the french vanilla frosting.
Teddy nods in approval wolfing down the last bite. "You know what's going to be tough though?" he asks, motioning his fork at the empty plate. "Deciding what cake to order for the reception."
"Hmm good point," Silver laughs considering. "How bout triple chocolate?"
"Sounds delicious."
"Yeah but you'll totally wreck my dress when you feed it to me," Silver adds.
"I won't argue that point," Teddy says leaning in to kiss his fiance.
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"I don't give a fuck about Annie!" Jasmine seethed over her cell to Liam that night.
"Jasmine calm down." Liam said as he raced his motorcycle down the interstate in the general direction of kansas. He had a bad feeling about Patrick and thought he was the one responsible for the foul play going on at Adrianna's birthday. Or maybe he just wanted to think that. He hated the idea of Annie with some possessive creep like Patrick.
"Are you even listening to me?" Jasmine berated him.
"Look Jasmine, I'm going call you back, but I need to call Dixon." Liam ended their call without waiting for a response. He didn't want to waste time finding Dixon before hitting the road. Dixon had his own shit to deal with, but Annie was his sister after all and Liam knew time and any intel Dixon might have would be helpful.
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"M-max what are you doing here?" Naomi mumbled groggily from under a blanket on the couch. She blinked her eyes repeatedly wondering if Max was some illusion. She was back home in her sister's condo.
"Hey there sleeping beauty," Max smiled.
"What are you doing here?" Naomi repeated, sitting up. For some reason she felt a bit disoriented.
"Are you watching 'If I stay'?" she giggled over Max's chic flic selection, despite feeling totally self-conscious over her disheveled state of appearance and questionable night out.
"Well I know it's one of your faves..you know they stole this scene of Mia running through the hospital from Rose running through Titanic?"
"Max! Don't change the subject! Where is – you're date – and" Naomi couldn't exactly think straight. She had a pounding headache and didn't recall half of Ade's birthday bash.
"Naomi chill. Madison is home and I brought you home because I think someone spiked your drink and I couldn't leave you alone. Obviously."
"Oh is that all?" Naomi felt a little silly, jumping to the conclusion Max might have actually been there because he cared about her or even still loved her. "Well you can leave since I'm fine."
"Naomi your sisters not home and I'm not leaving you alone."
"No seriously, Madison is waiting." Naomi got up throwing the pillow at him. She started towards the bathroom, but instantly became light-headed and stumbled forward. Max leapt up and grabbed her around the waist catching her before she fell.
"No chance I'm leaving you alone tonight," Max said with concern.
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"Dixon, why haven't you been answering your phone all night?" Liam demanded when he finally got a hold of Dixon.
"What time is it Liam?" Dixon asked.
"Never mind that. Do you know where Annie is?"
Dixon rubbed some sleep from his dark brown eyes. "Not exactly but she texted she was going on a road trip before school starts."
"What?! And you just let her go off like that? Doesn't that sound a little crazy?"
"No but you are sounding a little crazy bro..."
"Dixon, we need to find Annie I think she's in trouble."
"Liam, where are you? You haven't done anything stupid." It was supposed to be a question but came out more like an accusation.
"I'm going after her."
"Dixon nearly choked on air. "You're what? No no no...get back work tomorrow in case you forgot."
"Dixon I just can't shake this feeling -"
"Liam, Annie is fine! Obviously she wanted to take a last trip before starting at Cali U. She probably thought the apartment was crowded with me home and I'm positive she'll be moving into her dorm next week."
"I don't know this isn't like Annie."
"Isn't like Annie? Dude are you forgetting I grew up with the girl, this is exactly like Annie. Impulsive free spirit all that."
"Uh I lived with her the past 2 weeks and she never talked about taking a tri\\\\\\p before school."
"Really? Well I didn't realize you two got so close in my absence," Dixon drawled getting sleepy. After being on the road with his record label, only to come back to the fiasco that Ade's birthday became he needed some sleep.
"We didn't but I did happen to find out she has an ex boyfriend that is pretty obsessed with her if you ask me." Liam continued.
"Are you sure he's the one who's obsessed with Annie? Are you even listening to yourself – look Liam get your pretty boy white ass back home and we'll call Annie and clear this up in the morning...aight?" Dixon seemed final in his resolve.
"Um, I'll see you." Liam clicked "end" on the call. Was he being ridiculous? If Annie texted Dixon she was going on a road trip maybe she was...but maybe not...and something inside him wouldn't let it drop until he knew.
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Early the next morning...
"Patrick...please stop," Annie begged. Patrick was driving erratically; he'd become completely paranoid they were being followed.
"Annie, will you shut up so I can think."
"You're acting crazy and scaring me," Annie cried. She attempted to grab the steering wheel as they veered off the road but Patrick dealt her a sharp backhanded blow in the face. "Oww!" Annie's hand reflexively went to her mouth where Patrick hit her; blood splattered from her nose onto her hand and she began to cry. She was exhausted; they'd driven all night and morning and Patrick only let her get out once at some seedy gas station bathroom and had barricaded himself in front of the door the entire time. He'd stolen her cell phone and purse. Catching a glimpse of herself in the sideview mirror she was horrified by the dark circles under her eyes, her mascara tear-streaked face, and lower lip puffing up from where Patrick struck her.
"Annie, I know my methods have been a little extreme," Patrick ranted, weaving through several freeway lanes, "but you put me in an impossible position."
"You cannot keep me your hostage forever!" Annie cried desperately.
"Hostage? Annie you will be my wife and all you have to do is cooperate."
"No Patrick, I told you I don't want that. My life is in Beverly Hills. I'm starting at Cali U in a week...I had a job interview tod-"
"Shut up! Shut-up! Slut!" Patrick pounded the steering wheel.
"This is not how you treat people you care about. You need help." Annie pointed out delicately.
"No! You are my wife! You do as I say! I own you!" Patrick started shaking her violently with his free hand. Annie became limp against the force of his powerful grip; she'd never known Patrick to be so unstable.
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Later that day...
Jasmine was taking early lunch away from floral boutique the next day on her lunch break. She was eating at the French Dreams which catered to the brunch/lunch crowd. The lunch break she normally spent with Liam, the only highlight in her day of drudgery. Unfortunately, Liam had taken off after Annie so she was simply killing time.
She spied Max and Madison arguing near the counter and automatically began eavesdropping.
"Naomi's in a fragile state right now," Max was speaking in a reasonable tone.
"Yeah I get that," Madison replied evenly. "But why is that our problem? Why did our relationship suddenly become all about her?"
"Aren't you being overly dramatic?" Max asked.
"Max she has a hangover! Not some terminal disease!"
"Okay, well ...I'm going back to the table. Why don't you come eat before everything gets cold."
Madison glowered as Max retreated towards Naomi. It was irritating how she had become the third wheel. Spinning around she caught sight of Jasmine and cast her an impersonal smile.
"What's up?" Jasmine asked, sounding just as miserable as Madison felt.
"Duh," Madison nodded at Max his arm slung over the back of Naomi's booth section. "Are you blind?"
"So?" Jasmine asked at least you don't have virtuous Annie as your competition. Liam is off being her superman. Lame."
"How stupid are you?!" Madison blurted out,.as she sucked down the vanilla chai latte she ordered in no hurry to return to Max and Naomi. "Annie is no competition! She is totally naïve and unsophisticated. You already got her halfway back to Kansas so just finish the job...it's a shame I didn't manage to get Naomi tossed in Patrick's trunk."
"Annie is a threat while Liam is chasing after her."
Madison brushed off her worries, with a wave of her impeccably manicured fingernails. ""It will work out in your favor. Liam will not be gone long."
"I guess..." Jasmine looked a fraction less forlorn. Madison could be smug, but probably wouldn't lead her in the wrong direction. "Yeah and Max will forget Naomi too."
"Maybe..." Madison speculated. "But you wouldn't know it by the affection he is showering on her." Her eyes narrowed as she flashed back to high-school when she'd bend over backwards to get her crush's attention and meanwhile they were spellbound to the Naomi's of the world with their golden girl looks and secret clubs. She knew one day she'd have her revenge and she finally got that with Max.
Their attention was diverted in the next moment, catching sight of Silver rushing in over to Naomi.
"Hey girl! Glad you're doing better after last night! I didn't expect to see you here!" Silver exclaimed breathlessly sliding into the booth across Naomi and Max while her order was prepared. She decided to forgo the obvious "together" addendum to her comment. Why spoil the floating on air feeling of being engaged.
"A little thanks to Max," Naomi smiled back to her usual feigning helplessness. Clearly she made a full recovery.
Silver smiled, privately wondering how many girls were going to be sacrificed at the alter of Max and Naomi before they were permanently reunited. Naomi was like the sun to Max, every time he got to close to her force-field he got pulled right back in. It was inevitable.
"We didn't expect to see you either Mrs. Teddy Montgomery," Max teased conspiratorially.
"Silver?! What is that?" Naomi's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Hmm?" Silver asked trying to be nonchalant.
"Do not sass me bitch!" Naomi pointed at Silver's ring finger. "You are not engaged!"
Silver blushed and smiled uncontrollably.
"Oh my god! Oh my god!" Naomi covered her mouth, bouncing against Max as she leaned in for a better view of the ring.
"Maybe..." Silver nodded ecstatically.
"When? How did it happen?"
"It was at the party," Max informed her. "Where is the lucky guy?" he asked Silver.
"Class," Silver said.
"I'm in shock! I'm speechless!" Naomi squealed.
"That's a first," Max teased her.
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