Another chapter. Because of my lack of update, I choose to upload two chapters. Hope you like this one also.
Chapter 10! Enjoy!
"Ahh, why didnt you just say so?" Puck said and smiled.
"I didn't know how you would take a rejection. I've met a few guys who didn't take a rejection that well" Rachel said earnestly.
"Seriously? Those guys were jerks. I'm not that kind of a guy. I respect people and their choice and if you didn't know. I'll beat down any one who gets in Kurt, Santana or Brittany's way. They're my peeps" He took a big sip of his beer before continuing "And if you like the vag, then it's up to you" He said and shrugged.
"Great to know" Rachel said and smiled broadly.
We all sat chit chattering about nothings and enjoying the food, when I noticed Finn had went awfully quiet. I could see he was a bit confused and I was a bit nervous for what stupid thing he probably would say.
"You don't look gay" He suddenly said and I frowned at him. I could see the others doing the same. Inclusive a big eye roll from Santana.
"And what do you exactly mean by that?" I asked annoyingly. I looked to Rachel, who looked a bit offended, but she didn't say anything. Finn looked a little embarrassed, like no one was supposed to hear it.
"I-I mean.. You don't act like one.. and dress like one" He stammered away. Santana scoffed loudly.
"So, Britt and I do?"
Finn's face grew redder. "No, I don't mean it like that, but you guys kiss and are together and stuff.."
"So, I don't act gay because I don't go wandering around kissing girls all the time?" Rachel asked harshly "Should I dress manlier for you? Is that the only perspective you have of lesbians? Or haven't you been looking at Santana and Brittany? They dress normally, like every else gay people do." Finn's eyes widened more at Rachel's outburst.
"I didn't mean it like that. With Kurt and Blaine you can see it." I face palmed.
"Hey!" Kurt piped, "What do you mean by that?"
Finn scratched his neck, probably trying to find a way out of this conversation. "I mean.. you guys dress differently, so people just know that you are gay"
"So a man can't dress properly without being labeled as gay?" Blaine asked offended.
Santana snorted. "Pff! Nothing about Hummel's dressing is, NOT screaming gay". Brittany lay a hand on Santana's arm and looked disapprovingly at her. Santana looked down for a minute until she caught me smirking at her. She gave me a death stare, before shrugging and listening to the conversation again.
"Just because I know how to dress fabulous. You are just jealous" Kurt huffed and sat back with crossed arms.
"Yeah, totally" Santana smirked. I giggled a bit and caught Rachel's eyes. I smiled and got a shy smile back, before she cleared her throat.
"I think you got the wrong impression of homosexuals, Finn. There is every kind of us and you can't assume everyone is the same. Because we definitely aren't, but if you would excuse me.." Rachel said and put down the tablecloth. I looked questionably at her; "I have to go find some random girl on the street and molest her" She smiled brightly. Everybody laughed except Finn, who sat with his mouth open. Puck clapped him on his back and laughed louder. Finn was about to say something.
"Okay. Let's just stop this topic now and let's get into the living room" I said and stood up. Everybody went to the living room, except for Rachel. She stood back and started to gather the plates. "You don't have to do this. Why don't you just go and join the others?" I asked.
Rachel shrugged. "I want to" She smiled the big lovely smile that I had grown fond of. She followed me into the kitchen and sat the plates down in the sink. "Shall I help you wash it?"
"No, I'll do that later. Or make Finn do it. Either way, later" I said and smiled. I leaned against the kitchen table across from Rachel. We stood looking at each other for a moment. "So, I had a really great time last night"
"I did too. Too bad we had to end it so shortly" Rachel said smiling.
"Yeah" I fiddled with the hem of my dress. "Maybe we could do it again? It could be dinner first, at that Italian place and perhaps a movie afterwards?" I asked hopefully.
"I would like that" Rachel said "Maybe this time we could actually watch the movie" She added playfully.
"Maybe…" I blushed and looked down. Rachel laughed heartily and my heart fluttered at the sound. I looked up and into her eyes. I could get lost in them. She is so caring and the way she looks at me, makes me feel like, I'm the world to her. I know it sounds weird, after all we hadn't known each other for that long, but I get that feeling that, she knows me better than Finn does. Oh god… Finn. Santana is right. I can't keep doing this to him. Why am I such a jerk?
"Quinn?" Rachel asked softly. I blinked a couple of times and looked at her.
"Sorry, did you say something? I guess I zoned out"
Rachel smiled, "I guess you did" She said and put a soft hand on my cheek. I closed my eyes for a moment and enjoyed the feeling. "What's going on in that pretty little head of yours?"
I blushed. "So many things" I said quietly. Rachel let her hand down.
"Maybe, someday you can tell me about it?" She asked.
"Yeah… " I straightened. "So did you ask anything?" Rachel looked down for a moment, but smiled again when she looked at me. I know, it was the wrong answer. I don't know why I said it like that.
"Yes. I asked if you wanted to join the others." As Rachel asked, Santana came into the kitchen.
"Are you coming or what? And take some beer and cokes with you. " I rolled my eyes and nodded. I opened the fridge to take some cokes and beers. With my hands full, I turned to Rachel.
"Coming Rach?" I asked.
"Nope. Berry and me are having a little talk" Santana said and smirked. Both Rachel's and I's eyes widened at that.
"A-about what?" I nervously asked.
"Oh, nothing you should worry about Quinnie" She said sweetly and with a smug face.
"Stop calling me that!" I said through gritted teeth. Rachel giggled.
"Don't worry Q. I won't hurt her. Now, get your ass out of the room" Santana said. I scowled at her and reluctantly left the room. When I entered the living room, Finn and Puck were in a discussion about some game.
"Beer!" Puck said loudly and took them.
"Help yourself" I muttered and sat down next to Kurt and Blaine. "Beer or coke?" I asked them.
"Beer" Blaine said and took it from my hand.
"I guess you still don't drink beer?" I said and handed a coke to Kurt. He smiled and reached for it.
"You guessed right" He said. I opened my own can of coke and took a sip.
"How is it going?" I asked them.
"Oh, it's going great. I just finished a new collection and hopefully, we'll start next week producing it. And about Christmas, it will hit the stores around the country" Kurt said excitedly. I smiled widely.
"That's great, Kurt. What about you, Blaine?"
He took a sip of his beer. "It's pretty much the same. I finally got the promotion to be partner at the firm. I work as a lawyer. So, now I get the big cases" he said and put an arm around Kurt.
"That's lovely" I said and smiled. Kurt looks so happy. He really deserves this.
"Yeah, it's pretty great. How about you Quinn? Kurt's been telling quite a lot about the former popular HBIC Quinn Fabray."
"Oh, that doesn't sound good. " I laughed nervously. Kurt laid a hand on my arm and smiled comfortingly.
"It's not bad, Quinn. Some of it was, but you changed. So, don't worry" Kurt said.
"Well, I'm doing fine. Working and other stuff" I said and shrugged. Kurt send me a look, like he knew something. I suddenly felt nervous.
"So, you work with Rachel, right?" Kurt asked. I nodded. "What do you think of her?"
"Not now, Kurt" Blaine whispered lowly, but I heard him.
"What do you mean by that, Blaine?" I asked.
"Nothing" He said and fiddled with his beer.
"Well, you obviously meant something" I said a tad angrier than I meant to.
"He didn't mean anything, Quinn. It's just a question. Rachel wanted to go to Broadway and now she's a teacher. Kind of a turnover, don't you think? So, what do you think of her?"
I looked suspicious at him, but decided to answer anyway. "I think she's a good colleague and yes, she told me about Broadway, but everybody changes their dreams sometimes, right? Anyway, I like her. She's fun, kind and I love talking with her.." I stopped myself and blushed. I looked at Finn, to see if he heard any of it, but he was engrossed in conversation with Puck. Kurt and Blaine smiled knowingly, and Kurt was about to say something, when Santana and Rachel entered the room.
"Where's Britt?" Santana asked.
"I'm here" Brittany said and sat down on the couch. "I was just in the bathroom and then mom called." Santana joined her. "She wanted to know if you're home on Wednesday."
"I don't know yet, babe. I'll check it, when we're back home, okay?" Brittany nodded and cuddled into her. I looked up to see Rachel standing a bit awkward in the room.
"You can sit her, Rach" I said and patted the empty place next to me.
"Thank you" She said and sat down. I locked eyes with Santana, who just smirked and whispered something in Brittany's ear. Brittany looked up and nodded, while smiling brightly. Rachel took a sip of her coke and turned towards Brittany. "Did you see the documentary about penguins the other night? The one you talked about."
Brittany nodded, "Yes I did. Santana did too. She didn't want to, but I told her, that I wouldn't do that thing in bed that…" Santana stopped her with a hand over her mouth.
"Not now, Britt" She said blushing. Everybody looked like they absolutely didn't need hear what was about to come out of Brittany's mouth.
"Ehm, okay Brittany. What did you think of it?" She asked. I watched Rachel getting all excited about the topic. She's so cute. She caught me looking and smiled shyly. I blushed because I got caught and looked down. I took a sip of my coke, and looked up at Rachel again. She tried subtly to look at me from the corner of her eyes. I tried not to laugh at how adorable she looked.
"Does anybody need a beer or other drinks?" Finn's voice startled me and I looked up at him. Everybody except Puck, shook their heads.
"No thanks, Finn. Blaine and I will be leaving soon. We have a plane to catch tomorrow morning." Kurt said. Finn nodded and walked out to grab some for him and Puck.
"Are you already leaving?" I asked.
"Yes. I have some business to tend to. Next time we'll be here a little longer" Blaine said and stood up. Kurt soon followed. Rachel also stood and walked over to hug them both.
"We'll see you soon Rachel. I've already booked those tickets to Wicked. Now you have to come" Kurt said and smiled. Rachel laughed.
"Yes, I can hear that. I'll find a way then. Have a good trip home and take care of each other, okay?" She said. "I can't do it from here". Both Kurt and Blaine laughed and nodded. She hugged them both tightly, before stepping back to let others through.
"It was nice, Kurt and great to meet you, Blaine. Maybe next time, we could chat a bit more" Finn said and briefly hugged Kurt, and shook hands with Blaine. Brittany took the chance to give them both a squeezing hug and Santana only nodded. I followed them out to the door.
"It was a lovely dinner, Quinn. Thank you for invitation and it was a nice evening" Blaine said and hugged me.
I smiled; "Thank you for coming. I was great meeting you" I said.
"I'll go start the car" He said and walked outside. I stood while Kurt took his jacket on.
"It was great seeing you again, Quinn, and indeed, it was a lovely dinner. I hope when we're back in town someday again, we could meet up again? Maybe ask Mercedes if she has the time? Are you still talking to her?"
"Yes, sometimes. She's busy with her talkshow in LA. But we still talk sometimes. I could ask her one day." I said.
"Oh, that could be great. I miss my sassy black girl." He said and laughed. I laughed with him.
"Yeah, she could be quite a handful, but that's Mercedes. But it would be great seeing you and Blaine again." I said. Kurt hugged me and smiled. He turned around to the door, but stopped. He turned to me with a sudden serious expression.
"Quinn. I like Finn. He's been a great stepbrother to me, and while he's not the sharpest knife, I don't like it when he gets hurt" I must have looked confused, even though inside I knew what he meant. "I know about you and Rachel. She told me and I already told her about my standing in this, but Rachel is really smitten with you, don't tell her I said that, and I can see it's requited." I was stunned for a moment and kind of joyful about Rachel. There was a loud horn outside. "That's my cue. Take care of yourself and you know what to do, honey" He said and hugged me before he walked out to the car. I watched them drive away. So apparently, everybody knows about us. Okay, not everybody. Not the man who are supposed to know. I groaned out in frustration.
"Is everything okay?" I turned around and saw Rachel.
"Yes, yes. I just.." Rachel looked skeptically at me with a raised eyebrow. "No, it's not… But I can't talk about it right now. Not with the others here" I said and motioned to the living room. There was a sudden outburst of laughter from the room. Rachel nodded and took her jacket.
"I think I'll head home. Thank you for tonight, Quinn. It was nice meeting your friends and so."
"Already?" I said a tad disappointed.
"Yes. I've promised my dads to eat brunch with them tomorrow and it's getting kind of late" She said.
"Okay, can I call you tomorrow?" I asked.
"Of course" She said and smiled sweetly. I gave her a hug and kissed her on the cheek.
"Goodnight sweetheart" I whispered.
"Goodnight Quinn" Rachel said and stepped out of the house. She was still on the porch when I stepped out.
"Rachel, wait" I said and closed the door. I took quick steps towards her and kissed her. Instantly I could feel her hands in my hair as my hands roamed her back. I deepened the kiss and pushed her up against the wall. We parted and I leaned my forehead against hers. "Sorry. I didn't want you to leave without a kiss".
"I'm not complaining" She said and smiled. I gave a small peck and stepped back.
"Goodnight Rach" I said.
Rachel giggled. "Goodnight Quinn" She walked to her car and I watched her. She glanced back and smiled. I smiled back and walked inside. I closed the door and took a deep breath, before walking into the living room again.
"Hey babe. Come here" Finn said and grabbed my hand. I lost my balance and tumbled down on his lap. I could clearly smell the beer on his breath, as he began to kiss my neck.
"Not now, Finn" I said and moved a bit. It was a bit awkward since Santana, Brittany and Puck watched us. Puck smirked, while Santana looked downright disgusted.
"We are going home. It's late" Santana said and stood up with Brittany. I pleaded with my eyes for them to stay, but Santana ignored me. "We'll let ourselves out. Come on, Puck"
Puck looked surprised, "Hey! I don't want to go home yet".
"Yes, you will" She said and grabbed him. "Bye". Brittany stood a bit waving before Santana also dragged her with her. Suddenly there were quiet in the house. I felt a hand on my thigh. I removed it and stood up.
"I said no, Finn"
"Oh come on babe" He said and stood up swaying. He took a step towards me, but couldn't hold his balance, so he leaned against me.
"God, how much did you drink?" I asked. He held on to me tight and tried to kiss me. I dodged his try, but he did not stop. "I'm not dragging your ass upstairs, when you're like that. Now stop that, and lay down on the couch" I said and dragged him over to the couch. He felt down on the couch but not without dragging me down with him. He held me tight as his hands roamed around my body. "Finn. Stop it" apparently, he didn't hear me. I hit him hard on his arm and he let go of me. I stood up and straightened my dress.
"Ouch. Why did you do that?" he asked and pouted, while he caressed his arm.
"I told you, I didn't want to and you wouldn't listen. You're drunk, Finn"
"Hey! I am not drunk! I'm perfectly fine" He said and tried to sit up. He failed as he fell down on floor.
"Yeah, perfectly fine" I mocked.
"Oww" It sounded from the floor. I rolled my eyes.
"Are you okay?"
Finn sat up. "Yeah"
"Good" I said and sat down next to him. There was a bit quiet as we both sat, starring out in the room.
"I didn't know Rachel was gay" He said and sounded a bit more sober.
I shrugged. "How could you? I haven't told you"
"Why not?" Finn asked.
"I didn't think it mattered," I said.
"You have spent a lot of time with her lately"
"You spent a lot of time with Puck. You're not hearing me complaining about it" I said annoyed.
"I don't like you're spending that much time with her"
I laughed. "That's ridiculous. She is my colleague and a good friend. I work with her, so I can't avoid her, because you say so. And for the record, I'm spending time with Brittany and Santana. You don't say anything about them."
"It's not the same. I know those two, but nothing about Rachel. What if she try to do something?" He said.
"She's not"
"You don't know that" Finn said and sounded a bit angry.
"Finn, relax alright?" he nodded and stood up.
"I just want you to be careful, okay?" he said. I nodded. He walked slowly and carefully towards the stairs. I should say it now. It's the right time. I know he will be mad at me, but he should know.
"Finn?" He turned around.
"Yeah?"
I could feel my heartbeat increase. "I…" There was a moment of silence.
"You…?" He said and motioned encouragely.
"I love you. Sleep well" I finally said.
"I love you too babe" He walked upstairs and soon I could hear the bedroom door close. I sighed loudly and groaned. I'm such a coward. I sat staring out in the room, before grabbing the empty bottles and cans, to take to the kitchen. I didn't want to go to bed yet. I did the dishes and sat down at the kitchen island with my phone. It was 11.30pm, but I took the chance.
'Are you awake?' I wrote and put down the phone. The phone vibrated soon after.
'Yes. I couldn't sleep apparently'
'Well, I haven't tried yet. Trying to avoid bed right now. I miss you'
'I miss you too'
I smiled and felt a flutter in my stomach. 'Can I call you?' There went some time, before the phone vibrated again.
'Sorry. Went downstairs to get something to drink. Yes, you can call.' It called three times before she picked up.
"Hello Quinn"
"Hi Rach. What are you doing?"
"Relaxing, thinking about stuff. What about you?" She said.
"Just sitting here. Trying to avoid going to bed and Finn. What are you thinking about?" I asked.
"Everything. Work, the audition… you" Again the butterflies in my stomach went crazy. There was silence for a moment but I could hear her breathing.
"Rach?"
"Are you going to leave him?" She asked quietly.
I sighed. It was the first time; Rachel had mentioned anything towards my relationship with Finn. "Yeah I am."
"Okay" Another break. "Good" She said. I smiled.
"When are you getting your answers about your audition?" I asked and changed the subject.
"The upcoming week. I certainly hope so"
"It's a step down from Broadway" I said and smiled. Rachel laughed quietly.
"Yes, but as I told you, Broadway isn't my thing anymore. Yes, I love to perform and that will never change, but you know. I got a change of heart. And being here isn't so bad" She said teasingly.
"Oh, it isn't?" What changed it?" I asked.
"A beautiful blonde"
"Do I have a reason to be jealous?" I asked.
"You should be. She's gorgeous"
"Is that so?"
"Yup. I really like her" Rachel said and I blushed a bit.
"I really like you too and I think you're quite stunning yourself"
"I'm glad to hear that" I could hear the smile.
"I know you don't have time tomorrow, but maybe Monday, we could grab our usually coffee and walk in the park?" I asked.
"Definitely" She said.
"Great"
"Who are you talking to?" I swirled around and saw Finn, standing in the doorway.
"Uhm, I have to go" I said and hung up. "Just Rachel. She called about some work"
Finn frowned. "It couldn't wait? It's over midnight"
"She's… She works hard and it was important. Sorry if I woke you up."
"Hmm, okay. You didn't wake me. I just wondered where you were. I heard your voice and walked downstairs. Are you coming to bed?" He asked and took some water.
"Ehm, yeah" I took my phone and walked upstairs. I sat down on the bed and wrote a quick text to Rachel.
'Sorry, Finn walked in and I kind of panicked. Sleep well and dream sweet. Goodnight beautiful' I put the down on the nightstand and changed my clothes to a pajamas pants and a t-shirt. I walked to the bathroom and removed my make-up. I have to be more careful, if I dont want him to discover it himself. I returned to the bedroom and saw Finn already in bed.
"You got a text" He mumbled.
"Okay, Goodnight" I said and laid down.
"Night" Finn said shortly. I checked my phone.
'It's okay. Sweet dreams. I'll miss you until Monday' I smiled to myself. I put the phone back down on the nightstand. I closed my eyes and dosed off rather quickly. What a day…