Day's turned into weeks and before they knew it, a month had passed. Freddie discovered in Tyler, the man she wished she could want. He made her feel safe and loved, but he couldn't erase the wounds that he didn't even know were there. Freddie knew that she was damaged, and she didn't think she could ever forgive herself enough for her mistakes to let someone else into her heart. She knew what she was doing was wrong, that going through with this bet was going to hurt people she cared about. Good people who didn't deserve the pain she would bring them. But she couldn't lose, not to him, it would be like losing him all over again. Her only hope was to make Reid forfeit the bet before either of them did irreversible damage to their friends. These thoughts chased themselves across her mind as she got ready for a night out at Nicky's with Tyler, Ally, and Reid.

It had been Tyler's idea. The naïve boy was completely oblivious to the tension that was always present between Reid and Freddie, but then again most people were. People have a way of not seeing beyond their own little world. As the four friends piled into Tyler's hummer, it was all Freddie could do to keep a smile on her face, Reid had his hands all over her so called best friend and it made the fuming raven haired girl want to puke. The ten minute drive to Nicky's seemed to take a lifetime. Then Ally broke the silence.

"Tyler, didn't you know that Freddie is an amazing singer?" She asked loudly over the music blaring in the car. Tyler turned down the radio and looked over at Freddie, eyebrows raised.

"No, I didn't." He said with a smile, placing his hand upon his 'girlfriends' leg.

"I don't sing." Freddie said sternly. Ally rolled her eyes.

"Lies!" She insisted, and Freddie glared harshly at her. "Reid, you've heard Freddie sing, haven't you?"

Reid glanced at Freddie and gave her a suggestive smirk.

"Why yes, I have." He replied coolly. Freddie gave him a look of warning, but her attention returned to Tyler as he squeezed her leg.

"So, I'm the only one in this car who hasn't heard you sing? Now, that's just not fair Fred." Tyler whined jokingly. "Sing me a song, babe."

Freddie shook her head in refusal. Ally laughed wickedly.

"Either sing now, or at Nicky's." She insisted. "Tonight's karaoke night!"

"Joy," Reid inputted. "A bunch of drunken fools butchering Shania Twain."

"I'm not going to sing." Freddie insisted firmly. Tyler and Ally looked at each other like conspiring children.

"We'll see." Ally whispered.

They pulled into the bar's parking lot. Reid and Ally hurried out as did Tyler, but as usually he was a gentleman and came around to get Freddie's door.

"Thanks." She said with a smile as he helped her down. She pressed a light kiss to his cheek. He smiled and blushed. He took her hand and they made their way into Nicky's.

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Midnightfarie