AN- Hello everyone, here is chapter 8. Sorry it's been so long since I updated, but I'm already planning the sequel, lol, I multi-task.
P. S. Don't get me wrong, I like Guy but I need to make him a slight jerk in this chap. No worries, he redeems himself.
Connie awoke the next morning and stumbled down to the kitchen. Her parents were sitting at the table, and her mother was fussing over Chloe.
''Hi, Aunt Connie!'' Chloe exclaimed, as she took another bite of her scrambled eggs.
Connie smiled and sat down next to her. ''Hello Chloe. How did you sleep?''
Chloe's nose bunched up as she thought of her answer. ''Very nice.''
''So, what are your plans today, Connie?'' Sarah Moreau asked.
''I'm going to stop by Tammy's again. We still have a lot of catching up to do.''
By now, Julie had entered the kitchen.
''Mommy!'' Chloe exclaimed.
Julie walked over and kissed her daughter's head softly. ''Morning Munchkin.''
She sat down and Connie's father, Will, poured her some coffee.
''Thanks.'' Julie said.
''What are your plans, Julie?''
She shrugged. ''Probably showing Chloe around the city.''
Chloe's eyes lit up. ''Can I get souvenirs?''
''By which you mean stuffed animals which you have enough of.''
Chloe put on her best puppy dog eyes, to which Sarah and Connie both laughed at. Julie sighed, but smiled at her young daughter.
''Maybe one.''
Chloe smiled.
Connie walked over to Tammy's house later that morning. Just as she was about to knock on the door, it opened and Dean Portman nearly ran her over.
''Hey, small person here!''
Dean laughed and gave her a big hug. ''God, Moreau, I haven't seen you since college.''
''I should have known you'd be staying here.'' Connie said, as he released her.
''So, I take it you know Tammy.''
''My best female friend. Before I met Julie.'' she said.
''I like her. She's good for Fulton.'' Dean said.
Suddenly, a familiar blonde popped up next to Dean and smiled at Connie.
''Mandy!''
''Connie!''
They hugged and smiled at each other. ''How've you been? Is the magazine alright?''
Mandy nodded. ''Of course. You still read it?''
Connie laughed. ''It's my guilty pleasure.''
Dean grinned. ''Well this has been fun, but we need to go.''
Connie noticed how he carefully took Mandy's hand. ''Mandy's helping me pick out something for the baby.''
Mandy grinned. ''See you later, Connie.''
''Bye you guys.''
She watched as they walked toward Mandy's car and then entered the house. She found Tammy sitting in the living room again.
''Connie! You're back! Sit down and start talking.''
Connie laughed. ''It's good to see you again too.''
She sat down in the same chair she'd occupied yesterday. ''Where did I leave off?''
''That weekend.'' Tammy reminded her.
''Right. Well, we pretty much spent the weekend kissing in secluded corners of the cabin. We weren't quite ready to tell my family of the route our relationship had taken.''
''Well, no duh.'' Tammy smirked. ''So, what happened when you got home?''
''Charlie, we need to go.''
Connie was currently laying on her bed, with one captain hovering over her, currently nibbling on her neck.
''They won't miss us.'' he murmured softly.
Connie sighed happily. She didn't know why she was telling Charlie they had to leave. The moments they spent together were perfect. Suddenly he went from her neck back up to her lips and she wrapped her arms around his neck, eagerly kissing him back.
She whined in protest when he pulled away, but he shook his head and sat up.
''We need to tell him, Cons.''
The cold dose of reality hit her like a ton of bricks. Guy. Her ex-boyfriend, his best friend. The one person who would get hurt by the news.
She sighed and sat us as well, leaning her forehead against his for support. For strength.
''We do. He might get upset.''
Charlie kissed her forehead and then nodded. ''He might get pissed.''
She sighed again and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She nestled her head in the crook of his neck.
''I need to be the one to tell him. It's better if it comes from me. Plus, if he gets really mad, he won't hit me. Just, look out, ok?''
He chuckled. ''Hey, it would take a lot more than Guy's fist to knock me out. Or keep me away from you.''
She smiled and kissed him softly. ''Tomorrow.''
''Tomorrow. Now, where were we?''
''Right about here.'' she muttered, pulling him back down.
''So, how did Guy take it?'' Tammy asked.
'You'll find out. But now it's my turn to ask questions. Dean and Mandy?''
Tammy smiled. ''Apparently they have a past together. She traveled to Chicago on business, met him at his restaurant. Imagine their surprise when they find out they're staying at the same house.''
Connie laughed. ''So, they're together?''
''Yeah. Why, does Dean somehow fit in your story?''
''Actually he does. But not the way you think. That's not until much later, though.''
Connie stayed behind after practice, waiting for her and Guy to be alone. Charlie caught her eye before he left and she smiled softly at him. He nodded in reply and mouthed the words, my room later. She grinned and nodded back.
Once the team was gone, she sat down next to Guy on the bench. He was currently re-lacing his skates with new string. He looked up and her and smiled.
''What's up?''
She shrugged. ''Nothing. We haven't talked in a while. How are you?''
''I'm good. I met someone.''
She smiled brightly. Maybe this would be easy. ''That's great! I'm really happy for you.''
''Thanks. How's the dating thing working out for you?'' he asked, his attention turned back upon his skate.
''Good. I, uh, actually met someone too.''
He froze and looked up at her again. ''Really? Anyone I know?''
''Yeah, actually. You do know him.'' she closed her eyes and sighed. This wasn't as easy as she'd hoped.
''Connie?''
''It's Charlie. He and I are together. There's an us.''
She wasn't looking at him anymore, afraid of what his facial expression would be.
''This is your funny way of getting back at me?''
Her head shot back at him, her eyebrows furrowed. ''What?''
''You're dating, no probably sleeping, with Charlie. Great way to get back at me for breaking up with you. Hooking up with my best friend, I have to hand it to you.''
''How dare you! It's not like that.'' she snapped.
''Really? So what is it Connie. Do you love him?''
She opened her mouth to answer, but found she couldn't. Did she?
He shook his head and stood up. ''Fine, just do whatever it is you're doing with him. I don't care.''
''Clearly you do. What, are you angry that I dared to move on. That I found someone that makes me happy!''
''It's up to you Connie. If really makes you happy fine, you can have him. But you don't get me.''
''Are you serious? Do you have any idea how immature you sound. I get that you're hurt, but grow up Guy.''
She shook her head in disgust and stormed past him, leaving the locker room and letting the door slam behind her.
''Wow, Guy kinda went overboard.'' Tammy commented.
Connie sighed. ''I think he still loved me. It hurt that I'd moved on.''
''But still, to act like that. What did you do?''
''I went to the only place I could feel better.''
Connie knocked hurriedly on the door, silently begging for him to open it quickly. He did so, and she drove right into his arms.
''Cons, what's wrong?''
He brought her gently into the room and closed the door behind them. ''Sweetie, please, tell me.''
She looked up at him, silent tears streaming down her cheeks. ''He hates me. He hates us.''
He knew at once who she was talking about and was torn between comforting her and leaving to beat the crap out of Guy. He settled for the first one.
''Shh, it's ok. It's ok.'' he whispered, rubbing her back soothingly.
After a few minutes, she gently pulled back and gave him a watery smile. He kissed her forehead tenderly and whispered the words he most feared. ''Are you sure I'm worth it?''
''What do you mean?''
''I know you have Guy have a lot of history. Are you sure...I'm worth losing all that.''
Her response was to kiss him passionately, to which he happily replied.
''Charlie, I'm not going to let him dictate my life.'' she laced her fingers with his and gave him a proper smile.
He grinned and kissed her softly.
''Awww, I love Charlie, just by listening to this story.'' Tammy said.
Connie grinned and stood up. ''Would you like something to drink, Tammy?''
''This again? Yes, I'd love the same thing I had yesterday.''
''One ice water, coming up.''
Connie walked into the kitchen and followed the similar steps she'd used the other day.
''So, when does Guy redeem himself?'' Tammy called.
''Pretty soon.'' Connie called as she walked back into the living room, handing Tammy her water.
''You need to come around more often.'' Tammy mused. ''You treat me so well.''
Connie laughed.
Connie stood at her locker the next day when she felt a presence next to her. She glanced to her right and there stood Guy, looking sheepish.
''What do you want. You know, I could easily call Charlie over here.'' she slammed her locker shut. ''Or even kick your ass myself.''
''I'd deserve it. I overreacted yesterday. I'm sorry.''
''You would. You did. You should be.''
She started to walk down the hallway, away from him but he caught up with her.
''Connie, please accept my apology.''
She stopped and turned towards him. ''I'll have to think about it. We both will.''
Suddenly, Charlie popped up so quickly next to Connie, Guy had to blink twice to make sure he was there.
''I need at least two days to think about it.'' Charlie commented, wrapping an arm around her waist. ''But it's leaning towards acceptance.''
Guy grinned and caught Charlie's eye. An understanding seemed to pass between them, noticed by Connie, but she chose not to ask.
''See you guys later.''
Guy walked down the hallway and Connie turned towards Charlie.
''Hey Spaz, what's up.''
''I wanted to walk you to class.'' he said, carefully taking her hand. ''And I wanted to know your viewpoint on PDA.''
Connie pursed her lips, thinking about it. ''I'm pretty ok with it.''
''Cool.'' he said.
Then he tugged her towards him, laying a kiss on her lips.
''What was the understanding thing all about?'' Tammy asked.
''I found out later that Guy and Charlie already had words. Guy apologized, and asked Charlie to take care of me, that I deserved that. Charlie, apparently replied with an I know and said that he would. All Guy needed to do was apologize to me.''
''So when do you two finally admit you've fallen head-over-heels in love with each other.''
Connie smiled softly.
''During the most amazing summer of my life.''
AN- Want more? Then stay tuned for the next chapter and I promise to bring it out sooner than this one.
