Erin shifts closer, tucking her legs behind his. She's naked. Her breasts are bare against his back, warm and soft and cozy. Her arm is draped over his waist, hand opened and resting against his sculptured chest. She's spooning him. Erin is actually spooning him. With no idea how they ended up in this position, she had no complaints. She's been awake for the last few minutes, trailing her fingers along his bare chest, slowly and carefully raising him from his slumber.

When she feels him shift in front of her, his breath uneven now that he's awake, she tightens her hold around him, "Good morning," she mumbles into his neck, her lips brushing across his skin.

Jay turns over, shifting his entire body to face her. His hair is ruffled and she finds herself curious about how she looks right now. By the tired and sated grin on his face, she figures it can't be too bad. With the way he's looking at her, she honestly feels like she's the most beautiful sight he's ever seen, perfection, a wonder that amazes him. Jay lies on his side, facing her. He smiles harder, pulling her hand out from beneath the blankets to press a kiss to the center of her palm. Even though she didn't know the actual time, it feels too early for this.

"Jay," she groans in a tired objection

He continues the teasing anyway; he doesn't stop. His lips glide down the center of her palm to reach her wrist. Nipping at the pulse beating gently through her wrist, she bites back a moan. It's too early...or maybe it's not. Suddenly, he's moving closer in her arms, mouth seeking hers, threading his fingers through her hair as his lips press against hers. It's a chaste kiss in comparison to the previous ones they've had the last few nights, but as his arm wraps around her waist, flushing her naked body further against his, she knows it has the potential to lead elsewhere. His hotel room grows heated in passion and temperature as the kiss escalates.

Jay gives himself over to it, to her and rolls his naked form above her, startling her completely awake while keeping most of his weight supported by his arms situated on both sides of her head. He pressed kisses across her shoulder, trailing up her neck, ghosting over her collarbone before returning to her mouth, "This is how I pictured waking up yesterday morning," he says, humming against her lips, "You should stay the night in my hotel room more often."

"I wish I could," she whispered, fingers intertwining with his brunette hair, "but I have to divide my time between you and Annie. She gets me tonight," he draws away and he stares down at her with a puzzled expression on his face: eyebrows knitted together, mouth ajar and face flushed, "What?" she reads his face before chuckling to herself, "not like that, Jay."

"Oh okay, now where were we?" he resumes his last act, lowering his lips down onto her pulse point in the crook of her neck.

As his mouth moved against her flesh, biting down, kissing, licking and nipping at her flesh, she notices his hand reach out towards the bedside table, fumbling around until he grabs the protection he was looking for and handing it over. His lips continuously assault her neck as she takes the foil package from him, tearing it open with her teeth, discarding the foil and rolling the condom down his shaft. No words were further shared between the two of them as her arms wrapped around his neck and he pushed himself into her, his member reappearing and disappearing with each thrust. He saw her watching, eyes trained down on where their bodies connect and it takes all of him not to follow her gaze. For all he knows that if he does, this'll end before it really even started. And both he and Erin deserved more than a quick little tryst in his hotel room, especially since he won't have her tonight.

Erin's head fell back against the pillow; the strain from holding it up and looking down was starting to weigh against her neck.

"Faster Jay," she practically pleaded; her legs opening wider allowing him to increase his speed and hit new angles they have yet to discover. His mouth comes back to hers, silencing her demands and taking her mind off of thinking, focusing it all back on the pleasure coursing through her.

Unfortunately, the loud blaring of his cell phone from his pants discarded somewhere near the foot of the bed stills his movements for a second. Her lips froze against his as he increased the pressure of his kiss, "I'm ignoring it." He pulled out and thrusted back in, focusing her back on the important moment at hand. It takes less than a second for them to find that steady pace once more, and just as her fingers drag along his back, scratching and marking him, his cell rings again. She grips his hips, trying to still his movements but he continues on, "Jay…"

"No, ignore it." He starts to trail his lips along her jawline, "and look, it stopped ringing."

"It could be important." It rings again.

"Fuck." He's irritated; his forehead falls and rests in the crook of her neck. She pats his back, frowning at the loss of contact the second he pulls out and rolls from off the top of her. He reaches for his cell, his hands fumbling in the pockets of his pants until he finds it, "You better be dead or dying." He doesn't even waste a second to check the caller ID. She laughs at his threatening tone before rolling out of bed, now in search of her own phone to see if she had any missed calls. She had placed it on silent last night to ensure they wouldn't be deserved. Unfortunately, he didn't do the same.

It had been Will on his phone, going on and on about how photos of Jay and Erin were captured by the public and posted on social media and celebrity gossip and news sites. He's talking so fast that Jay is barely keeping up; he's not even able to get a word in until his brother pauses to catch his breath, "Are you done?" Jay sounds irritated.

"I think so…yes."

"I can't believe that's why you called."

Will's breath hitches, "I'm going to call you on skype," he immediately retorts.

"Is that really necessary? I was kind of busy."

"Just get on skype. I won't keep you long and I promise to leave you alone until Sunday night."

Jay hung up his phone, rose from the bed and grabbed one of his shirts out of his opened suitcase. He tossed the gray t-shirt towards Erin as he grabbed a pair of boxers to throw on. Erin sat up, a confused expression on her face as she pulled the large t-shirt over her head, "I think you're the first guy I've been with to ever push for me to put clothes on."

"My stupid brother wants to skype me," he growls, lifting his laptop and walking back over to the bed, "I'm not expecting to have you on camera but if we don't want him to know you're here I can't be getting distracted. And you Miss. Voight," he leaned over to press a light kiss against her lips, "are a distraction."

Halstead climbs back into the bed as Erin lies back down. She figured she might as well get in a few extra minutes while Jay is video chatting with his brother. The skype tone rings out through his hotel room and he answers after the first ping, "Now what was I getting at when I first called," his brother skipped the greetings and went right back into his earlier monologue, "I'm not getting on the girl, Jay," this perks up Erin's ears; she's well aware that she's the girl he's talking about, "we all know why you traveled back to D.C. and I saw the picture you posted on social media of the two of you with the vaguest caption ever."

"A picture's worth a thousand words. That is not vague."

Will rolls his eyes, "That's vague. I have gotten too many calls from paparazzi and reporters wondering if that meant you two were official."

"What did you tell them?"

"Nothing…I didn't know. It was too vague."

"Is that why you called? Because my social media caption wasn't clear enough?"

"…no," Will sighed.

Erin rolled over to face Jay; he's currently sitting up in the bed, back against the headboard as his legs were warm and crossed beneath the comforter. Erin was under it as well, scooting closer to practically lie against his side, throwing one leg around his and cuddling against him further. His brow rises in curiosity, but he doesn't look in her direction, "What are you getting at Will? You call me going off because pictures of me and Erin holding hands, kissing and acting like a couple were released. Then you're saying that you don't know if we're a couple or not because my post on social media wasn't clear enough. And now you're telling me that everything you just said has nothing to do with why you called in the first place."

"I want you to try and stay out of the spotlight when you're with Erin," this causes her to sit up and face Jay with the softest expression he's ever seen; Will, on the other hand, was holding his hands up in defense, waiting for Jay to interrupt him with a heated rebuttal, "I have no problem with you being together with her, but considering who she is, I think you need to be cautious."

"Out of both of us in this relationship, you think I'm the one who should be cautious around her?" Jay is actually too confused to be upset.

"I know you can handle yourself. I want you to be cautious so she doesn't screw us over the second you break her heart."

Jay had planned to respond. He had a rebuttal ready but before he could part his lips, Erin had leaned against him, head on his shoulder, smiling as she waved at Will on the screen. Oh, how Jay wished he had a camera ready? He wish he had recorded the look on his brother's face the second he realized that not only was Erin now on the screen but she was in his hotel room dressed in only his shirt with her sex hair wild atop of her head. His brother didn't have to ask to know that she had spent the night. It was early in the morning and she was not dressed for public eyes. It had taken his brother a couple of minutes to realize she had asked him a question; he blinked his eyes until he focused on her, "It's Will, right?"

"Yes, yes ma'am." Jay bit back a chuckle at his brother's embarrassment.

"Erin is fine," she corrected before pulling the laptop onto her own lap, "Sorry to cut in, but I wanted to respond to what you were saying."

"I meant no disrespect."

"I figured," she shrugged, "but I still want to respond anyway. It's just over the last day I've been hearing a lot of people's opinions on what's been going on between me and your brother. And with all due respect whatever happens between me and your brother, whether good or bad is between me and your brother, not you, your staff, my parents, no one but me and your brother."

His brother is speechless.

"On that note Will," Jay grabs his laptop back, "we shall go," and before his brother could say anything else, Jay ends the skype call, shuts his laptop and sets it down on the end table.

"I hope you're not mad."

He cups her cheek, "Why would I be mad? You have been the only person that has been able to shut my brother up. Believe me, we've all tried." It's the little things. Jay captures her lips with his, only separating when she starts to pull away, "What?"

She snickers, clipping his chin with her hand, "Nothing, I just need to use the bathroom," after pressing one parting kiss to his lips, she climbs out of bed.

Halstead sits back, hands intertwined over his sculptured chest as he watches her smooth legs lead her towards the in-room suite bathroom. He bit his lip the second the door shut and once it locked, he reached for the hotel phone, dialing room service and putting in an order for breakfast and coffee, fingers crossed as he prays that this time he'll finally get her order right.

When she returns from the restroom, she finds him still lying in the same position. A smirk covered his features as he watched her walk barefoot around his hotel room, going from the bathroom to her side of the bed to grab her cell. She crawls back into the bed, pulling her phone from the end table to check her messages; a few from Annie and a couple from her guards.

Thanks to Annie, I didn't have to send a search team out looking for you. She told us where you went, -Atwater

Next time give us a heads up; I don't want to lose my job. It has good benefits :) –Sorensen

A taxi, really? When you're ready to come home, please call me. Don't take a cab, -Roman

I wish you would have given us a heads up. Also, you need to tell your friend that we're your guards, not her chauffeurs, -Dawson

Erin sighs, running a hand through her wild hair before typing out an individual apology to each guard. She had been rash. She had been impulsive. Her emotions got the best of her and she wasn't thinking about others. She was acting like a teenager, keeping secrets from her parents, storming out when she heard things she didn't like, allowing her emotions to get the best of her and refusing to see anyone else's perspective. Erin sighed, scrolling through her unanswered text messages. She's so distracted; she doesn't see or feel Jay roll over onto his side, extending his arm over her lap. She only pays attention when he speaks, "Are you okay?"

"Who would have thought being together would cause so many problems?"

His brows furrow as he draws away from her, "Are you having second thoughts?"

"No," her answer is quick, clear and stern, "I just never thought being together would offend so many people. And it's not just our family members Jay, it's our friends, it's some of your fans, it's some of my dad's voters, the media, people who I have never met or knew existed. How could what we do in our personal life, who we choose to see outside of work offend them?"

"I don't know," he runs his hand over his face; he's exhausted, "And to be honest, I don't care," she shifts in the bed, pulling her eyes away from her phone screen as she turns to face him, "All I care about is you. They don't like us being together, so what? Fuck them."

"You make it sound so easy," she turns back to scroll through her messages, moving along to her email after reading all her texts and responding to a few of them, mainly from her guards and brother. She'll come back to Annie's messages later…or maybe not at all.

"It sounds easy because it is easy," he takes his previous position, lying on his side with his arm draped over her lap, "I didn't just get this bad boy reputation because of my escapades in the sheets," she rolls her eyes; that wasn't exactly something she wanted to be reminded of, "I also got it for my tendency to not give a shit about what people, more specifically people I don't know think about me."

"…but your decisions only affect you. My decisions affect voters. Reelection is next year and if I screw up, my dad's competition could use that to their advantage."

"That isn't fair on you."

"Yeah well," she bites her lip and shrugs, "that's just how it's always been, at least for me. I can't speak for the children of other politicians. I had my rebellious phase, that moment when I honestly had enough and didn't give a shit about what anyone, including my parents, thought of me," she shrugs again as her eyes skim the subject of each email, "Hey, I got a last minute invite to a charity auction; it's in a couple of hours, would you want to come with me?"

The topic change was casual yet sort of abrupt. She must have grown tired of talking about her past. He noticed that for the time he's known her, some topics she didn't delve into too much. He tried searching her online but her family must have paid big dollars to keep her rebellious stage secret. The people who probably knew about it were limited.

Jay notices that Erin's waiting for an answer. She's going regardless of if he's coming along or not, but she got an invite, it had a plus one attached, and she figured she might as well extend the invitation, especially since she has to divide her time and hang out with Annie later. Jay glances up to find Erin glancing down, eyes wide, waiting and questioning and he finally answers with a shrug, "Yeah, I'll go with you."

"Don't feel forced. I don't mind going alone."

He sits up, "No, I honestly don't mind. It'll be good for my image," she quirks a brow in disbelief, "and of course to spend time with you and donate to those less fortunate than me."

She chuckles, "Sounds good, I'll rsvp us then."

Erin's fingers tap against the screen, most likely accepting the invite and sending off texts to her guards to update them on her plans for today. The charity auction didn't start until around noon so they had a couple of hours to enjoy the peace, quiet and solitude his hotel room offered. He had no plans to leave the bed in the next few hours; unfortunately when there's a knock on the door, he remembered that he ordered room service, "Damn it, I was comfortable."

"I can get the door."

Jay looks at her, scanning his eyes over her body, "…not dressed like that, I got it." He rolls out of bed, grabbing a pair of sweatpants to throw on, "I would prefer it if I were the only guy privy to that look," he sends her a wink before getting the door.

Even though a young man took his order, a young woman was the one to deliver it. She could hear the short conversation occurring under the threshold of the door. Erin would join, maybe stake her claim, but the last thing she needed was some random girl running off and selling a story about her staying the night at her boyfriend's place to the highest bidder. So, Erin stayed silent, a bit uncomfortable at the seductive tone that filled the woman's voice as she obviously flirted with a publicly taken man; it's out there, everyone should know at this point. He basically claimed her and made it official on social media.

When the door is shut and Jay rolls the cart further into the room, Erin sets her phone to the side and starts to climb out of bed, "You know, I would much prefer it if I were the only girl privy to that look," she nods towards his untamed hair, bare chest and handsome smile.

Jay smiles, recognizing her words as the words he just said to her moments ago. She walks over, and he thinks she's coming towards him, maybe for a kiss or a hug, but she goes straight for the coffee, looking between the two and wondering which one is for her, "That's you, please tell me I got your order right this time."

She lifts the mug and takes a cautious sip, "Sorry babe." Erin sits the cup right back down.

"One day, I'll get it. I swear."

"You know I was in the bathroom," she reminds, lifting the lid of each dish to see what he ordered, "You could have just asked me how I take my coffee."

"I don't want to ask. I want to get it on my own."

"You like to make things complicated," she chuckles.

"No, I just like a challenge."

"But, every time you fail I end up without coffee."

He swipes a strawberry from the plate before responding, "Which is why you should be my number one cheerleader because when I win, you win."

Erin begins lifting the lid of each covered plate, scanning her eyes over the assortment of food he had ordered. He was definitely trying to impress her. From the fruit to the variety of pastries, Jay hadn't left a breakfast item unordered. Erin lifts the last lid; the plate is empty besides a folded note, "Are you two passing letters now?"

"What's it say?" Jay is just as confused as she is.

She grabs the folded piece of paper and opens it, "It's a phone number," the note is handed to him, "I'll kill her." While holding eye contact with her, he slowly rips it in half, "Hmm."

She accepts the gesture. She makes no big deal of it. It's kind of sweet and rewarding considering his reputation. It says a lot; it speaks volumes. It basically lets her know that he's in this…maybe for the long haul. Erin crosses her arms and grips the bottom fabric of his shirt that she's wearing, "I think I'm going to shower before I eat," he hears her say, watching her as she sauntered over towards the bathroom, tossing the shirt off to the side somewhere.

And in his defense, he lasted at least five minutes. And they didn't get to finish what they started earlier. Jay remained restless in his seat and struggled to distract himself before thinking fuck it and grabbing a condom before ambling on towards the bathroom. With each step, he loses an article of clothing, leaving a trail behind him. His boxers were the last to be discarded before he stepped through the bathroom door. Emma was standing behind the glass, shower wall, relaxing beneath the stream of warm water as it rinsed through her hair. Jay pushed back the door, stepping inside quickly and quietly before using his teeth to rip open the foil packet of the condom. Without turning to face him, she smirks, "About damn time."

Jay's hands came circling around her waist, "A bit impatient, huh?"

"I need you," she retorted, leaning her head back against his chest, "I really needed you."

"Well I'm here," he whispers, kissing the lobe of her ear.

Jay suddenly turns her around in his arms, keeping a tight hold of her waist to ensure she didn't slip and fall. His lips find immediate purchase against her own, deep throating the kiss with both of their mouths wide open like he's trying to reach the back of her throat somehow. It's intimate. It's setting the mood. It's definitely going to lead to something else. The charity auction wasn't for a couple of more hours; they had time. His mouth leaves hers and while she's not too happy about it, when his lips begin trailing kisses against her flesh, she becomes satisfied with the alternative.

"You smell heavenly," he whispers, nose grazing over the skin of her shoulder. She didn't get to do much washing before he joined her shower but she did manage to wash her face, neck and shoulders. And by how much attention he's paying to those areas, she's happy she did.

Erin's head tilt reflexively to grant him better access as the grazing of his nose turns to his lips gliding along her skin. She's hungry –for food and something else. And he's taking his time. He's taking his time with her. Over the last few days everything had been done in such a rush, it's like they couldn't get enough of each other, but now, he's exploring her body, taking mental notes of what she likes done, her wants and all that in between. There's a sigh that passes her lips, one full of content and ease, and more appropriately want, or possibly need.

Her hands slide up his chest, "…maybe we can save the slow for another time," she says in a rush, face flushed and eyes dilated. He cups her face with both of his hands and lays a heavy kiss upon her lips, one that tells her all she needs to know. He heard her. He accepts.

One of his hands finds itself in her hair, cradling the back of her head, as his lips moved against hers in such a hard and forceful manner. It's one that he learns she likes. He nips at her pulse, biting and sucking hard as his hand stumbles alongside the triangular shelf in the corner of the shower, grabbing for the already opened foil of protection. Slow goes out of the window the second the rubber is in his hands, and as Erin wraps her arms around his neck, pulls him closer and kisses him, dragging her nails down his back as he gathered her in his muscular arms.

-x-

Jay notices this event is much more uppity than the last one he attended with her. The last was open to everyone; all you needed to do was purchase a ticket. This charity auction event was only open to those in a particular financial bracket; it was invite only. The dress code was business casual and Jay realized that if he was going to be dating the first daughter, he's going to need to update his wardrobe. He owned one tuxedo that he always wore to reward shows, he owned two business casual outfits that were normally reserved for interviews and the rest of his wardrobe consisted of jeans, t-shirts and leather jackets. He was wearing his last business casual outfit –slacks, navy blue cardigan, white buttoned up shirt beneath it and a blue tie wrapped around his neck. If she had anymore last minute invites, he would just have to either purchase another outfit or wear what he wore at the speaking event.

Erin stood beside him, fingers intertwined with his as they enter the building. She's in dark jeans, a plain, white shirt loosely tucked in with a light pink blazer that she pulled on at the last minute; it wasn't her favorite blazer, the shoulders were a bit stiff but they matched her heels. Erin tugged him close, nodding for her guards to spread out and give them some privacy, "Okay, so the items that are being sold today are pretty expensive so the bidding will probably start at or around five-"

"Hundred?"

She shakes her head and whispers, "Thousand."

"I got money don't get me wrong, but not enough to just be dropping five grand on some item I most likely won't have any use for."

"You don't have to buy anything," she reassures him, bringing his hand up to brush her lips over his knuckles, "I'm not expecting you to get something. This was last minute. And besides, five grand is normally the starting bid. No one here has bought something from the starting bid. And between you and me, a lot of people here will just overbid just to seem like the richest person in the room."

The couple continues to walk inside the establishment, eyes drifting along the artifacts that are going to be up to sell later. Their hands remain intertwined the entire time and as they move down the corridor, their shoulders occasionally bump together, "All the money earned today will go straight to charity so it's for a good cause."

"What's the highest bid you've seen one item reach?"

"…a couple million and it was for a fucking lamp, can you believe that?"

"Damn."

She chuckles, "I know right."

Each item in the room that was to be auctioned off consisted of a tour of a winery, a winetasting, theater tickets, a bottle of vintage wine, a meet your favorite sports team pass, a couple of gift baskets mostly filled with fine cheese, jewelry and a few paintings by artists that neither of them recognized. It was for a good cause though so she was going to buy something regardless. And when she catches Jay's eyes drifting over the passes to grant the buyer access to their favorite sports team, she makes a mental note. Maybe she'll get it for him as a thank you for coming with her to these events? She knows they're boring yet he has never complained. It's the little things.

The couple makes it through the first room with few greetings, introductions and conversations. Many people here act as if they're above the others, only attending to show off their wealth, to give back once out of the year or to write it off on their taxes. Erin preferred to steer clear of them; her annoyance always showed when she was engaged in conversation.

"Alright," Erin pulls Jay to a stop, "we're about to talk to a few interviewers; they're not hired by the host so there's a huge chance personal questions will be brought up. We're told to try to keep the conversation on topic, focus it on the charity, why we're here and promote it, maybe get people to donate or volunteer."

"You're a professional at this."

Erin laughs at that. Her hold on his hand tightens, "Yeah, well, my mother has been bringing me to events like this since my rebellious period. I guess it was a way to show me how fortunate I am, or to try to steer me back on track and get me used to the people in higher society. I guess at one point she figured I'll turn out like them," she nods towards a few woman of the highest class, gossiping as their husbands discussed business deals.

"I'm assuming it didn't stick."

"Hell no," she states matter of fact.

Erin and Jay reach the interviewers. No flash photography and no sound of camera shutters capturing photos. It was only video cameras positioned on tripods with interviewers posted up in front of each one. Jay was bored; he could think of a million and one ways to spend his time but he knew that his time with Erin was limited. After this event, he's going to be dropped back off at his hotel while she goes to play laser tag with Annie. He was uninvited after yesterday, apparently to keep the peace and try to manage two separate relationships at once, appease two people at the same time. Jay rolled his eyes at the thought. Annie didn't like him. And honestly, he didn't like her either.

"Ms. Voight," the interviewer greeted with the nod of her head, "I'm Francine."

"It's nice to meet you and call me Erin."

Jay stands a few feet behind Erin, watching her in what appears to be her natural element. The microphone is held in the interviewer's small hand just below her chin, "I didn't know you were on the invite list."

"It was last minute. I actually RSVP'd a few hours ago."

Francine pushed her black-rimmed glasses closer to her eyes, "Did you have your eyes on any special trinkets back there?"

"I sure did, but I'm not saying, at least not now."

"This is your fourth charity auction you've attended, right?"

"Sixth."

Francine's eyes widen in amazement, "Oh sixth, yes, sorry! I'm sorry!"

"It's okay," Erin waves it off. She doesn't expect anyone to actually know how many times she's come to this type of event. She hardly remembered herself.

"Normally you and you mother attend together, I assume with her role as first lady, she's pretty busy."

Erin nods, a graceful smile appearing on her face, "You assume correct, and like I said earlier this was last minute. I can hardly get her to fit lunch in with me when I ask her weeks in advance so I know her attending a last minute event was unrealistic."

"And you brought your boyfriend as your plus one," Jay looks up at the mention of himself.

Erin glances back, waving him to step forward, "I sure did."

Jay finds himself beside his girlfriend, her arm looped through his and holding him against her side. When the pair turned to face forward, to look at the interviewer, Francine's eyes had been drawn towards Erin's neck, focusing intently on her collarbone; he automatically knew what she was looking at –a hickey. He had noticed it when they left the hotel, but he said nothing, mostly because her hair covered it, but with the shift of her body, her reaching back to grab and pull him close, her hair had shifted and now Francine, their interviewer, a woman paid to get a story was staring at it. He was screwed.

"Do you have any more questions?" Erin doesn't notice Francine's eyes, at least not right away.

"I uh," the woman is stuttering; Jay hopes the camera isn't drawn towards it because he wouldn't hear the end of it, "I uh, actually cut for a second," she turns to her cameraman and he immediately heeds her order, pausing the video camera. Erin appears confused and before she could probe further, Francine answers the unspoken question, "You have something right there."

Erin glances down quickly, angling her head to carefully exam the darken shade to her complexion. Her face reddens either out of embarrassment or anger, Jay didn't know but he hoped it was the former. However, when her hand grips his and he feels himself yanked away towards an empty corridor, shoving him against a wall the second they're out of sight, he knows she was the latter, "What the fuck is this?" Her hand lifts her hair, broadcasting her hickey as if he didn't notice it.

"It's called a hickey babe." Jay's grinning. He finds the frown lines on her face absolutely adorable. His hands reach for her hips, brushing around her waist only for her to swat him away.

"Yeah, I get that, but why is it on my neck?"

"I left it there."

She rolls her eyes, "Well I hope so considering you're the only one who has been kissing me."

"I don't see the problem," he shrugs. He doesn't see the big deal of it.

By the look on her face, his comment wasn't well received. Erin released him; she took a step back and ran a hand through her hair, drawing her fingers through the strands, untangling her ends, "I'm a public figure." He still didn't see the importance.

"Who gives a shit what they think or say?"

"I do! I do because my decisions don't just affect me; they affect my parents too. I'm not a rock star with a bad boy image. This works for your reputation, not mine."

"Well I'm sorry," he snaps; he's frustrated by her reaction so he forces the apology out.

"Sorry isn't going to make this damn hickey disappear, Jay!" She takes another step away from him, pinching the bridge of her nose, "You don't get it. Leaving a hickey on the neck of the first daughter will get you pat on the backs, praises and applause; it'll get me rumors of promiscuity, name-calling and who knows what else, and that's just for me. What about my dad, my mom, my brother, the voters who support my dad? I have people who depend on me maintaining a certain reputation and having my rock star boyfriend leaving hickeys on my neck doesn't help!"

"I said I was sorry," his eyes reflected his apology; his eyes held every ounce of emotion that his words failed to possess, "I'm sorry," he reached forward and smiled when she allowed him to pull her closer, "It's not every day a guy gets to date the president's daughter. I didn't think leaving a hickey would be such a big deal. It wasn't for all of the previous girls."

"I'm not like the previous girls."

"I'm starting to notice."

"…just starting?"

"I'm sorry," That reputation of his prevented him from showing any hint of emotion. His apology fell flat, but by the look in his eyes, she could tell he meant it.

Erin nods, a hint of a smile brushing across her lips, "Yeah, well, there's nothing we can do about it now. I don't even have any makeup with me to cover it up."

"If they publish anything you don't like, I'll kick their ass."

She releases a small chuckle, "That isn't necessary. All I need for you to do is restrict the hickeys to areas the camera cannot see."

"I can do that." He kisses her. It's brief; if it was up to him, it would have lasted longer, but she was in control. And because of that, she ended the kiss just as soon as it had started.

For her to be freaking out only moments ago, she had gathered herself together and reentered the world of the upper class. She had entered the room and by the smile on her face, it appeared that nothing was wrong. Her hair had been purposely situated to fall over her shoulder and hide the present mark, the reminder of their night and morning together. Her posture was straighter than before, her smile was big –although still forced- and her voice was chipper as she greeted and held conversation with many of the guests. Jay had surmised that this was how this world operated, at least the world in her realm. There was forced smiles, fake interest and boring conversations she had to make it through the evening.

Jay couldn't help but wonder about this woman. He wanted to know more about her. Her past, her life, what she loved, hated, any and everything she was willing to tell him, he wanted to know. She was a natural at this, at fitting in and based off her personality, he could only assume it was self-taught. Erin loved to help, she loved to be involved, but she hated the show of it, the glitz and glamor of it all as if it was something to be watched.

When Erin finally broke away from another conversation, she approached a table, waiting to collect her numbered paddle as he approached, "That was quite an act."

She rolled her eyes jokingly, "You could see through that, huh?"

"Yeah, but that's only because I know you."

"Thank you," she receives her paddle from a volunteer before turning to face him, "It was kind of obligatory that I at least say hi to them. A few of them were senators and others were people who graciously donated to my father's campaign. It would have been rude if I didn't."

"I do not envy you," he laughs, tossing an arm around her shoulders.

"I don't envy myself either, but I am grateful."

Tucked under his arm, paddle in her left hand and right arm wrapped around his waist, she leads them towards their seat, "I'm lucky, you know?" He nods, but remains quiet, his silence hinting for her to continue, "I have two great parents. I never had to worry about food, how I'm going to pay for school, clothes on my back and a roof over my head. I kind of pressed that luck in my adolescence and a little in college, but after Nadia…you know…I realized that," she hesitates, she pauses and considers her next words carefully, "I realized that everything my parents did, all the rules they set, all the times they yelled at me, punished me, forbade me from hanging with certain people was for my best interest. I couldn't see it then, or at least I didn't want to, but I see it now. I'm grateful to be privileged, to be fortunate, and to be alive because not many people are awarded those advantages."

"Like Nadia?" He was treading on shallow water bringing her up, but when he felt her shoulders slacken, he sighed in relief.

She nodded and smiled, "Yeah, like Nadia."

Jay wanted to press for more information; he wanted to know more details, but two things stopped him: the sad, dazed look on Erin's face and some random guy from across the room calling her name. Erin wasn't ready to talk about Nadia, to tell her story to someone that didn't already know about it. And the guy calling out her name just had horrible timing, interrupting their conversation and any thought Jay may have had in inquiring more information about his girlfriend's old friend. The topic of Nadia, he felt drawn to ask. It was a painful question to ask, he knew that, but he wanted to ask anyway.

As the guy approached, the sad and dazed look on her face turned confused, her brows knitted and her head tilted to the side as the guy approached. Jay was curious. He didn't know the guy; he didn't expect to know him. It's still the early stages of their relationship and getting to know each other involved getting to know the people in each other's lives. By the look on the man's face as he jogged over, he could tell that he was comfortable with Erin. By his wardrobe, he could tell he wasn't a guest and by the nametag stuck to his buttoned-up shirt, he could tell that he was a volunteer. Maybe he's another extension to Erin's life. Maybe meeting him will show another layer to the Erin he's really trying to get to know. Jay was eager.

"Landon," the smile on Jay's face dropped at the mention of the guy's name; he wasn't so eager anymore, "what are you doing here? Take no offense but you don't fall into the income bracket that's required for these types of events."

"Don't I know it?" He chuckles, hands shoved into the pockets of his slacks, "I'm actually a paid volunteer here," he glances down at the name tag Erin must have overlooked, "I had to pick up part time work. I told you I wanted to apply to your place of work."

"What's wrong with where you currently work?"

"I was demoted. I still get cases don't get me wrong, but I don't get as many and the pay is lower." Landon steps towards her and her shoulders immediately stiffen.

Erin reflexively raised her hand and pressed it against his chest, gently pushing him away, "I told you no. If you want another job, you'll have to find it for yourself."

"Oh come on. I'll treat you to that dinner you're always pestering me about."

She chuckled, "I think you're mixing us up. You're the one who is always pestering me about dinner." Jay's stepped closer, reminding her of his presence the second his shoulder bumped against hers; she didn't forget about him, she was just preoccupied in conversation, and before Landon could argue with her about which one of them were the initiators of dinner, she turned to face her boyfriend, "Landon, this is my date, Jay."

"Also her boyfriend," Halstead extended his hand. His other hand went around Erin's waist.

Landon appeared to be surprised. He looked between the both of them, obviously caught off guard that Erin, the woman he knew was single for who knows how long now had a boyfriend, a well-known boyfriend who based off the tabloids were too opposite and different to actually attempt a relationship. Landon shakes Jay's hand slowly, "So you two are…"

"Together, yeah," Jay's grip tightened around her.

"I thought those were rumors."

"Nah," he withdraws his hand from Landon's grip, "the tabloids were right about this one."

An awkward silence fell over the trio. The two guys appeared to have some sort of a stare down. It was ridiculous. Erin moved closer to Jay, hands running over his chest as she peered up at him, "We should go find our seats."

Jay glanced down at her, eyes capturing her own. He looked about ready to kiss her but she stopped him, stepping away before his lips could touch hers. She gave him a look, one that told him that she knew what he was doing. Jay was trying to claim her, in front of Landon of all people. He was probably the guy that posed the least threat to their four day relationship. She knew Jay was territorial of what he cherished; she figured based off his relationship history or lack thereof that he had commitment issues and maybe that came from a lack of trust, but whatever reason it was, she wasn't going to validate it, she wasn't going to encourage it. She wasn't that type of woman. If someone wanted to be with her, they would have to trust her. It's as simple as that. And she had to nip it in the bud in the early stage of their relationship.

Halstead flops down in the foldable chair beside her, "You're not mad at me again, are you?"

"Nope," she retorts. She's definitely mad.

"You're definitely mad," he sighs, "Look, I'm sorry, you know I'm new at this whole relationship thing and girls normally like the territorial, jealous type thing."

"When are you going to realize that I'm not like most girls?"

Jay watches as her fingers trace the bolded number on her paddle; she's staring forward, watching as people filled in the seats around them. He nudged her shoulder with his own, "It's taking some getting used to. I haven't dated in a while. The last serious relationship I had was years ago and she was not the first daughter of the country."

"I was mad about the hickey because of my title, but I'm not mad about this because of my title," she shifts her body in the seat to turn and face him; "I am not that type of girl. I know Landon likes me," he rolls his eyes, "I know you know that too, but I don't need you acting all caveman anytime a guy shows an ounce of interest. I can take care of myself. I am perfectly capable of warding off the interests of other people; it didn't just start four days ago when we started dating. I've been doing this for years. Consider me a professional."

As the charity director comes out to speak, Jay reflects on what Erin said. With each mistake he makes, he learns just a little bit more about her. She faced forward and he continued to watch her, ignoring the awkward side glances she sent his way when she realized he was staring. This woman, this person who was completely different than every girl he has ever showed interest in, put her foot down. Most women were just happy to be standing next to him, holding his hand or hugging him to even care about if he did something to offend them or not. They didn't want to ruin the relationship –or the hookup- because he was him, he was a celebrity, a rock star. Erin didn't care about that. He felt himself panic on the inside. This is why relationships didn't work for him; he freaked too much. His heart was racing, his leg was shaking and his hands were sweating. Maybe they dived into this relationship too fast, maybe Rixton was right about them being too different, maybe they won't work out.

And just as soon as those doubts started to seep its way into his mind, he felt her hand slide over and rest atop his knee, comforting him with just the slight squeeze of her hand.

The auctioneer was now on the stage, talking in rapid speed as he read off the starting value, only increasing it as different people in the audience raised their paddles. Jay didn't care though; he knows he should but he's too focused and drawn in by the woman next to him. Her hand gripping the paddle on her lap as her foot tapped impatiently. She was up to something; that much he could obviously tell.

And that question is soon answered the second he sees her paddle fly into the air.

Jay stared harder, "Er…" She doesn't say anything, too focused on the auction. Erin had initiated the starting bid of five thousand; it increased by a hundred from a guy two rows behind her and then jumped up by five hundred from a guy a few seats over in their row.

Erin's paddle pops back up into the air, "$6,000."

Now he's too curious. He doesn't want to look away from her but he feels the need to see just exactly what has her willing to spend six grand. And that's when he notices the passes. She's making a bid on the passes that would grant the owner to meet their favorite sports team.

The bid continues to rise between the three people around the room, paddles flying into the air with each number called out. Erin is persistent though. When the bid reaches eight grand, one person drops out of it, deeming the passes unworthy to be bought at a higher value. Erin continues, throwing her paddle in the air while glaring at the back of her competitor's head; he wasn't giving up, not until Erin shouted, "$10,000."

Jay looks at her, intensity in both of their eyes, "Wow."

Erin sets the paddle back on her lap, content with her win and Jay is beaming ear to ear, that drive, that determination and that purpose in her eyes as her face beamed in pride. Halstead's arm was slung over the back of her seat and he leaned over, pressing the softest of kisses against her lips. He draws away just as soon as his lips settle on hers.

The remainder of the auction goes off without a hitch. She doesn't bid anymore and he doesn't blame her. She just dropped ten grand on two passes to meet her favorite sports team. Jay has absolutely no idea what sports she likes, what team she favors and who she plans to take with her. He has a lot to learn about her. By the end of the auction, Erin rose to her feet, grabbed his hand and pulled him up as well, "We have to go pick up my prize."

"Is it really considered a prize if you paid for it?"

She shrugs, leading him off towards the collection table, "I don't really know," she hands her paddle over and collects the envelope filled with two passes, "Here."

"What?" He glances down at the envelope extended towards him.

Erin rolls her eyes and repeats, "Here."

"I can't accept that."

"The ONLY reason I bid for them was for you," she grabs his hand and slaps the envelope inside of his opened palm, "Ten thousand big ones. Please don't waste my money."

"It's not wasted if it's for a good cause." He repeated her earlier mantra.

She rolls her eyes, "You know what I mean."

Just as it was decided before entering the building, Erin and Jay had met up with her guards in the lobby. This morning Erin had kept her promise; she called her guards when she was ready to leave the hotel, but informed them to drive over in two separate cars –hers and their government official one. She wanted to drive her and Jay to the charity dinner; she didn't mind if they followed, but she enjoyed this bit of independence no matter how small it seemed.

"Alright Er," Atwater approached, leading the three other men over, "what's next on our agenda?"

"I'm going to drop Jay back off at his hotel and then we're going to laser tag."

"Who is included in this we?" Roman pitched in.

"You guys, myself and Annie."

Dawson shakes his head, "We're not playing."

"And why not?"

"We're on the clock. That's unprofessional."

"I don't give a damn, come on guys," Erin practically pleaded, reaching out towards them, "If you don't join us then it'll be just me and Annie. Please," she makes eye contact with each one of them individually, "I don't ever beg but I will literally get down on both of my knees and beg," they look at her in disbelief.

And she takes that as a challenge, taking a step back before slowly lowering herself down to her knees. Sorensen is the first to speak up, looking around nervously, "Erin, what are you doing?"

"People are staring," Dawson muttered, keeping his voice low.

Roman scolded, "Erin, get up."

"I am not above begging," She sits on the floor, resting on bended knees, "and I don't care who's looking but please you can't leave me alone with her."

"That's enough of that," Roman said through gritted teeth, gripping her arm and pulling her to her feet, "you're embarrassing yourself. Erin, your friend flew all the way here to hang with you, not us, you! You invited her down and now she's here and now you have to deal with it."

"I see why you keep them around," Jay nudges her shoulder with his own.

"Do you guys ever choose to not be the voice of reason?" Her arms folded over her chest.

"Don't act like a kid," Atwater tossed his muscular arm around her shoulders, "I'll let you know the plan. You go drop your dude off at his hotel and we'll pick up Annie and meet you at the laser tag place."

"You're not going to tail me?"

"As long as you stay in the car after you drop him off, you'll be fine," Dawson spoke up, withdrawing the keys to the truck out of his pocket, "but call one of us once you drop him off and call one of us as soon as you get to the place."

"Yes sir," she nods.

"I'm serious, Erin. We're giving you a bit of freedom here."

Sorensen nods to back up Dawson's reply, "If your parents find out, it could cost us our job."

It doesn't take long for them to decide to walk Erin to her car, even with Jay close by, they felt more comfortable when their sights were on her. Erin is under Atwater's arm, being one of her closest friends –and her favorite guard- she always saw him like a brother and found warmth and comfort in his presence and his teddy bear-esque physique.

Erin is in the driver's seat; Jay in the passenger. She doesn't pull out of the parking lot until her guards are long gone. A sigh falls from her lips and her shoulders relax, "It's just the two of us again," she focuses on the road as she merges into traffic, "peace at last."

"…maybe not for long," Jay shifts in his seat; his fingers toying with a loose strand from his sweater.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Annie," she looks over at the mention of her friend's name, "more precisely your relationship with her. I thought she was your best friend."

"I don't have a best friend, Jay. You know that." Her statement is final. And he's okay with that; the title of Annie is not what he wants to talk about, instead it's, "Do you ever get the sense that she's using you? Annie I mean."

Her mouth shuts. She swallows dryly. She only reopens her mouth to bite down upon her bottom lip. Her shoulders are tense. It's obvious just how visibly upset she is…but Jay purposely overlooks it to pry for more information, "It's just that…I noticed when," he takes a deep breath, "I noticed when we were all out yesterday, you paid for everything. I could tell you didn't want to but you did anyway. I'm just curious is all."

"I don't want to talk about it."

Figures.

"…fine, if you don't want to tell me about that then how about you tell me about last night?"

Erin's eyes seem to focus intently on the road, staring harder than normal, "What are you talking about? What about last night?"

"You seemed off when you came over. What happened?"

Erin's hands grip around the rim of the steering wheel, "We uh, we got into a fight."

"Who?"

"My dad, Annie and I," she sighed, a mask of hurt covering her face, "It was actually them versus me. It was an argument…about you. And I pissed my dad off a lot. Annie felt it was necessary to add in her two cents. I ended up storming out. Annie and I parted on an okay note but I really don't want to face her right now, pretending that everything is okay when it's not."

Jay looked at her, like really looked at her and took her in. She was blinking away the emotion that fought to shine in her eyes. She did everything in her power to focus on the road, her fingers were drumming against the wheel and she was slowly inhaling and exhaling breaths of oxygen. He sits up in his seat and reaches his hand over and she flinches. He frowns, "Pull over Erin." She rolled her eyes.

"That's really not necessary."

"Erin, pull over."

"Fine," she hit the signal and pulled over onto the shoulder of the empty road, one of which Erin had never driven on. Her GPS was taking her through an alternative route back to the hotel, a route that had less traffic than the main roads. She put the car in park and shifted to look at him.

Halstead unbuckled his seatbelt, "I don't know what was said about me," he whispered, voice coming across lighter than he expected as he reached over to run his hand through her hair, "but I'm all in Erin. There is nothing that is going to come between us."

He doesn't give her an opportunity to reply, instead he tugs her by the wrist, motioning for her to climb over the middle arm rest and situate herself on his lap, facing him, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning into his embrace, "I wish they could see what I see in you."

He released a heavy breath before he wrapped his arms around her waist, burrowing his face into her brunette hair, "As long as you see it, I'm okay with that."

"What if that's not enough?" her voice is low, "I really want us to work out. I like you a lot," she finally admitted; her face is buried in the crook of his neck and it muffles her voice. He still hears her and the break in her voice causes him to tighten his arms around her waist.

"We'll make sure it's enough," he reassures, hand running up and down her back gently, "I promise, okay?" he feels her head nod against the crook of his neck, "And I like you a lot too."

Erin pulls away only to look into his eyes. He's telling the truth. That much she can tell. The way he's looking at her, she's never seen that look cast in her direction before. Erin smiled just as his hand came up to caress the side of her face, drawing her head towards him so he could press the softest kiss against her forehead, showing her just how deep his affection goes. The affection he has for her goes far beyond sex, it's an affection that he's never showed for anyone ever. And as she goes back to her seat, he realizes that it kind of frightens him.

-x-

Annie is out of breath. Erin is out of breath. Both of their faces are flushed, splotchy and somewhat coated with sweat. It had been an intense game of laser tag; two games back to back that lasted way longer than any of them intended. A pack agreement was reached between them the second a group of college kids had beat them in the game two times in a row. Erin had an image to uphold and she was not against a little innocent bribery to keep it that way.

"I can't believe you treated them to dinner," Annie laughed, taking in the cool breeze of the night sky, "It was like ten of them."

"Our score was embarrassing," Erin chuckled, feeling Annie link their arms together, "they didn't just beat us Annie; they creamed us. And they promised not to gloat too much the second I agreed to treat everyone to pizza."

"You let them talk you into it," Annie shook her head in disbelief, "You're too nice for your own good. You got to learn how to say no, Er."

"…say no to everyone but you, huh?"

Erin felt herself jerked back when Annie suddenly stops walking. Their arms still intertwined and looped together; her guards are spread out, two walking up ahead and two gradually following behind. The spring temperature dropped at night and since Erin had changed her clothes –opting for a pair of yoga pants and a shirt that covered her hickey- to make laser tag easier to play, she hadn't really considered how outside would feel. The cars were already parked; they were heading home, walking along the sidewalk in a rush in hopes of getting inside the building. Erin could envision the heat that awaits her. She craved it. Unfortunately, since Annie's feet appear to be planted on the cement and she made no move to release Erin's arm that vision of warmth was going to be in the distant future.

Her neon green sneakers seemed to be the most interesting thing because that's all Erin could focus on. She saw the look on Annie's face; she looked hurt. And Erin felt horrible for putting that look there, "I'm sorry."

"What did you say to me yesterday," Annie rhetorically asked, tapping her chin in thought for dramatics, "Oh yeah; you're only apologizing to save face," she releases her arm and takes a step back, "I can stay in a motel tonight, Erin. I don't mind."

"That's not the issue. I don't mind you staying with me. I want it. Need it actually, but that just sounds desperate of me."

"What's the problem then, Erin? Talk to me. We used to talk about everything."

"…back when we were 15 we did."

"Don't do that."

Erin takes a step back, "Don't do what?"

"Don't try to undermine our friendship, Erin. You always do that. You've been doing that since Nadia died!"

"Don't bring her into this. You didn't know her. You've never met her. You know nothing about her so don't bring her up and act like you do! You don't know anything."

Annie bites her bottom lip, knowing she's misspoken but honestly too riled up to care. She bit her tongue long enough, for years, and it appeared that this was the time for her to finally get it all off her chest, "I know that she was your best friend. I know that you blamed yourself for her death. I know that you refuse to see anyone as a best friend out of fear that you'll forget and replace her. I know that Kelly, even though I haven't met him, is as close a best friend to you as I probably am and you still refuse to call anyone that. I know that Nadia wouldn't want you to blame yourself. I know that you're lonely, really lonely. I know that you have disdain for the word best friend and that has everything to do with Nadia. I know that-"

"It's just a stupid fucking label, Annie!" Erin's high-pitched voice causes her guards to approach, "It's just a title; it's not that fucking serious," she feels Atwater's hand fall to rest on her shoulder in an attempt to calm her down; it doesn't work, "It means nothing. It's useless. You wouldn't want to be my best friend, trust me; I'm saving you and Kelly a lot of trouble."

"I voted for him," Annie admitted; she changed the conversation the second she saw Erin's lips quiver. Her goal wasn't to make her cry. That's the last thing she wanted.

Erin uses the back of her hand to wipe her eyes and nods overly eager, "He won."

"Yeah he did. It was pretty much a landslide victory, his opponent had no chance," Annie approached her, reaching for Erin's wrist to lower her hand from her face, "I just want you to be happy. That's why I'm hesitant about Jay. I know Kelly, Travis, Justin, me, I know we make you happy and that's all I want for you."

Erin's phone vibrates in her pocket but she doesn't break the moment to check it. She lets whoever is calling go to voicemail. This is a required conversation between her and Annie. It has been a long time coming.

"I am happy," Erin adamantly asserted, "I am so happy because of all of those people you just named and because of Jay too. My parents, my job, my philanthropy, I have so many reasons to be happy Annie and yeah what happened to Nadia left a wound on my heart, but that doesn't mean I'm unhappy. It just means I'm a little cautious."

"And I'm a little spoiled," Annie shrugs her shoulders.

"A little?"

"Oh shut up," Annie chuckled, bumping shoulders with her as they resume their walk towards the condo, "I guess I got a little carried away," she purposely didn't look Erin's way to see the look of disbelief on her face, "okay, I got carried away a lot. I got comfortable. It's just when I want something, realize I can't afford it and go to put it back, you offer and it has become so hard for me to turn it down. I'm sorry for taking advantage of that. And my earlier comment still stands, you need to learn how to say no, especially to me."

"I love you," Erin intertwined their arms once again.

The duo, led and followed by secret service, walked into the lobby of her high-rise. She waved at a few of her neighbors that lived on different floors as she made her way to the elevator. Her phone vibrated again –she ignored it once more. Annie was filling her in on some story Travis told her early this morning. It was one of his many hilarious tales. Erin loved that kid. Her phone pinged, "You should check that. It could be important."

Erin pulls out her cell, focused down on the screen as she walks out of the elevator. She sees two missed calls and one voicemail message from her dad's campaign manager. This couldn't be good. She played the voicemail, putting the phone to her ear and listened in, "Erin, look at social media, now." She deleted the message.

Her heart rate is racing but her face remains calm. No one would ever know how nervous she is right now. She kept a relaxed face, expression unreadable as she tapped on one of her social media apps. Instagram. Her mentions are through the roofs, her tags are doubled that and she doesn't even know where to start. Erin clicks on the most recent tag –a picture- of her, zoomed in and focused on her neck –her hickey. Her breath hitches. Now she's positive her emotions are evident on her face. By the tone of her dad's campaign manager, this was not good.

Someone watched the interview. Someone saw the hickey before she could cover it with her hair. Someone paused the video and took a screenshot. And now someone posted it. She was pretty sure if she went to her other social media accounts those notifications would all relate to this. It's so many screenshots, from different angles, at different focuses and some with different filters. It's too much. She felt Annie's hand rest on her lower back to escort her into her home; her guards must have been finished searching it.

"What's wrong?"

"Get on social media."

"Which one?"

Erin shakes her head, "It doesn't matter."

Annie doesn't remove her hand from the small of Erin's back. She uses her free hand to reach inside of her pocket and withdraw her cell. It takes a few seconds for her to see exactly what has Erin as white as a ghost, "Oh Erin…"

"I know." Her voice is covered and masked by her cell vibrating in her hand. It sounds louder than normal. Her senses are heightened by all of this, "Hello," she doesn't hesitate to answer.

"By the sound of your voice, I take it you looked at social media."

"Yes Trudy," Erin whispered.

"And?"

"And what?"

Platt sighed, "Do I have to do all of the thinking? How are you going to fix this? It needs to be fixed. We can't have this a year before elections, Erin. Come on," her dad's campaign manager didn't hesitate to bust balls, but she always had a soft spot for her, "you know I like you. I hate to get on you, but you need to fix this. I don't know how since it's on the internet now, but figure it out, especially before your dad gets wind of it."

"Yes ma'am."

"And in the future, watch your image a little more carefully."

The call ends.

Annie is no longer beside her. Now, she's in the kitchen, pouring themselves both a glass of wine, "What did she say?"

"I need to fix this."

"What are you going to do?"

Erin flops down onto the couch, phone in hand as Annie walks over, holding out a full glass of wine, "Thank you," she gulps down half of it before setting it down beside her, "And I honestly don't know yet. I mean…what's the worst that could happen?"

"Your dad doesn't get elected, your reputation is slaughtered or you lose your job."

"…over a hickey?"

"Public image and all of that, remember?"

Erin clicks on another photo, it's of her hickey and it's posted by a fan page account that combined her middle name –Lindsay- with Jay's last name –Halstead. It was one of many fan pages she has come across since the announcement of their relationship. The pages were filled with paparazzi pictures of them together –and separately-, it was filled with article clippings of unconfirmed gossip and the one photo of them that Jay has posted on his account. They were dedicated, Erin will give them that. Erin reads the caption beneath the photo of her hickey.

He left a freaking hickey on her neck 3 OMG! I'm dying! #Goals

She was tempted to comment. She actually came close to it by typing up a somewhat sarcastic comment –that was definitely going to be misconstrued as anger and irritation- before deleting it. Erin clicks on the list of comments beneath the photo, ranging from sweet comments of people who are happy they're together, to some jealous ones from fans who cannot believe he's taken and a few sprinkled in that are honestly not worth repeating. Erin scratches her forehead even though it doesn't itch; she's screwed. Another comment loads up, one that made all the nasty comments before sound like compliments. This is exactly the reason why she was angry earlier.

Erin takes a screenshot, ensuring the photo showed the picture, the fan page account name, the caption and the comments beneath it before texting it to her boyfriend. She wanted him to see firsthand why she had a problem with this. None of the comments were against him. If he was mentioned, it was simply in reference to them being together. He wasn't called names, he wasn't degraded, his job wasn't mentioned and he wasn't metaphorically dragged through the mud.

"It's going to pass, right?"

"Yeah, once a celebrity gives them something else to talk about it will, but it's the waiting that's going to drive me insane." She sets her phone down, lifting her glass to take another sip of wine.

"I can't imagine."

Her phone buzzes and she lifts it, knowing it'll be Jay that had replied. And while she expected a response, she didn't expect to get a screenshot sent back to her. It was the same picture posted by the same fan page with the same caption and comments underneath it. The only difference is there's an added comment to the phone, one with a blue icon beside the name –it's an official account. It's Jay's official account. He left a comment under the photo, tagging every person who left a nasty remark.

Mind your fucking business.

Erin's eyebrows shoot up her forehead. She almost drops her wine glass. She didn't send the screenshot to him for him to seek out the account and comment. She just wanted him to understand, to see where she's coming from and why she reacted like she did earlier. Erin immediately exits out of the screenshot and goes back to the actual page; she opens up the comments and scrolls through. The likes for his comment are rapidly increasing. More comments have been added since he took the screenshot and sent it. The new comments are filled with admirations, praising him for defending 'his girl' and even the original poster had commented, using emojis and abbreviations as she freaked out over Jay Halstead leaving a comment underneath her photo. She continues to scan the new comments as they pop up and finally, there's another one from Jay; this time he tagged the original poster in it, Can you please delete this photo?

Seconds later, it's gone. And her phone starts to ring; it's him and she answers right away, "I told you I have your back," he's smug.

"You never told me that."

"Well I'm telling you now."

Erin watches Annie get up and quietly disappear into her guest bedroom leaving her alone to finish her conversation with her boyfriend, "You do know that was only one copy of the photo," she kicks off her sneakers, "I'm pretty sure that picture and all of your comments have been screenshot and are currently being posted everywhere. I'll bet you 20 bucks that if you turn on celebrity gossip, they're talking about that right now."

"Nah, I'll pass, I'll easily lose that money."

Erin hops to her feet, leaving her shoes and empty wine glass behind as she walks into her bedroom, "Sorry I didn't make it back over there. I'm really exhausted from laser tag and emotions."

"Emotions?"

"I don't want to get into it," she places him on speaker as she goes back to Instagram, "I really need to just delete my social media accounts. These pictures are everywhere."

"So what? What's the worst that can happen?"

He's so cool, calm and collected. She definitely needed someone like him in her life, someone who wouldn't overreact, someone who would level her out and someone who would defend her. It's the little things.

"I'm really starting to like you," she admitted; her voice is as light as it has ever been.

"Fortunately for us, the feeling goes both ways," his tone matches hers, falling soft only to bring back up the bravado with his next words, "Alright Erin, that's one picture down, probably thousands more to go. Send me the next fan page and I'll get started."