Chapter 10: If I Never See Your Face Again – (Maroon 5): You say I'm not your type, but I can make you sway. It makes you burn to learn you're not the only one. I'd let you be if you put down your blazing gun.

000

Why are you doing this?

The sun beat down on the vixen with almost unbearable intensity as she ignored the thought and stepped from the pavement and onto the cooler, yet still magma-like sand and made her way towards the water.

I was bored. There's nothing to do at the apartment and I've actually finished most of Panther's homework...what's wrong with going to the beach?

It was well crowded, the young of Cornerian City now out of school and eager to gather amongst friends on the coastline of the city in order to bear the heat and enjoy their summer break. She smiled as a pack a wolves, no older than 8 or 9 she was sure, ran past her and straight into the cool and refreshing water.

She followed them, casually looking in each direction for the familiar white towers that played host to the beach's lifeguards...where he would be.

You didn't come to the beach to swim. You came so you could be with-

No. I came to enjoy my day off. So what if Fox is here? I can't plan around his schedule.

While there was a believable truth behind the thought her conscious still knew it was false. She did have the day off, and while she was bored out of her mind at the apartment, it was still because of Fox that she decided to come here. More times than not lately she found herself longing for his company when he was gone.

Especially after what had happened the other night at the theater.

She had called Panther the day after, getting no answer with every attempt. Thanks to that the worry in her stomach had continued to grow and grow until she couldn't stand it anymore. The fact that Panther could be ignoring her because he already knew about what had happened...that he refused to speak to her over the phone and was waiting until he returned to express how furious he was at all that had went on between her and vulpine while he was gone...it had eventually caused the vixen to do something she hadn't wanted to.

"Where's Panther?"

"Like I know."

"Mitch I'm serious." she replied, forcing herself to sound stern as she faced the lupine in the doorway of his apartment, "I'm worried about him."

That was a lie.

"Feh...I bet." he had answered, "Shouldn't you be with your friend?"

"Mitch I swear to god...

"I don't know!" he retorted, an angry and annoyed look in his gaze as he threw his hands up, "I haven't talked to him for two weeks."

Really? That's great!

Looking back now she realized just how sick of a thought that was. But it wasn't because Panther hadn't been heard from for such a long time that she was happy, in all honesty that did worry her. But it was the realization that Panther still had no idea Fox even existed that had made her so happy. All this time she had been worried about all that Mitch had tried to make up and tell the black cat to make it look like she was cheating on him with the vulpine, but now she knew that he had been just as unsuccessful about reaching him as she had been.

"I hope he's okay." she had forced herself to add, "Surely we would have been told if something had happened to him."

The lupine still didn't look convinced but decided not to contest her. If there was one thing he hated more than anything else, it was trying to put up with the sapphire vixen's attitude when she was angry. She already disliked him, they both knew that, so it was with that knowledge that Mitch managed a nod before stepping back and placing a paw on his door.

"Yeah. Wolf would have let me know." he muttered uncaringly, "He's fine. We'll see him again in a few weeks."

With that said, and both of them knowing they wanted the conversation to end, he flicked the door and turned around, the last thing the vixen seeing was his tail as he walked away before it disappeared behind the door.

The cool water running up around her feet jerked her back to reality and she allowed the memories of the previous day to fade away. It had been good news and bad news. Good since Panther still didn't know about Fox, bad that the black cat had been unheard from for the past 14 days. Despite the many flaws she had been mentally picking out about him since Fox's arrival, she still loved him, and the worry that tugged at her heart for his safety was all too noticeable.

It's like Mitch said, Wolf would have let us know. They both may be reckless and carefree, but Wolf has the mind about him to stay out of trouble...or atleast alive.

She shot another glance across the crowded beachfront towards the closest of the lifeguard towers, narrowing her gaze and attempting to decipher just who it was that was sitting in it's perch. After a few seconds she gave up, knowing how odd she probably looked standing there like that, and finally deciding to quench the heat that beat down on her. She took another few steps into the water before finally crouching down and allowing it to reach her shoulders, letting out a gasp of surprise at the coolness of it.

It's been so long since I've been swimming. In fact...the last time was with Panther a few months ago.

Recalling the occasion she remembered how much fun it had not been. It wasn't just the two of them that had came, rather all of the cat's friends, and friends of those friends as well. It had basically been a beach party for 30 or so reckless teenage alcoholics who had nothing planned other than causing trouble and getting drunk.

Maybe that's why I wanted to come here. Just to have a better memory of the beach instead of that one.

Taking a breath she dove forward and finally submerged her entire body beneath the cold liquid, the sun's rays now completely unnoticeable. She allowed her tongue to pop out, grabbing a taste of the salty water before swimming a few more feet out and surfacing. Reaching up and brushing away her bangs she once again cast a glance towards the lifeguard towers, ignoring the scolding her conscious dealt her every time she allowed her attention to return to the vulpine.

You caught a break with Panther not knowing about him...don't push your luck.

I live with him though, how can I get around that? Besides, what is wrong with wanting to hang out with him?

Oh I don't know...maybe a repeat of what happened three days ago!

She slowed her breathing and allowed the water to keep her afloat on her back as she continued to recall all that had went down that night.

I still didn't break any rules. And neither did he.

Upon thinking this she couldn't help but remember just how stupidly she had acted before them all. It had been as if she wanted Mitch and Blake to get the wrong impression.

"Hey there she is." the vulpine had said after finding them, "I was wondering where you had gotten off to."

He was just concerned about me...

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to make you worry."

Yes...but why did I say that? Why did I have to sound so...attached?

To add insult to injury the vulpine and Mitch had knocked heads, making it that much worse. Not that it had been a real fight though. No, she knew that if that had been the case then she wouldn't have been able to talk to Mitch yesterday as the lupine would have either been dead or still hospitalized.

"I'm looking for someone. She's a fox. Blue fur, great personality, cute smile. You seen her?"

It had to have been the thousandth time those words had ran through her head by now, and still it brought a blush to her face as she recalled them. Even facing a bad situation he had somehow still managed to get to her. It was almost as if everything he did was flawless...and more times than not as of late she was left wondering just how in the hell he hadn't been claimed by someone else by now.

And every time she wondered that she found herself feeling jealous of whoever it could have been.

And you shouldn't.

Needless to say the rest of the night had still been awkward between them, but for some reason all she really remembered of it was resting her head on his back for the entire ride to the complex before silently staying by his side until they reached their apartment and went inside. Neither of them had been sure of what to say, and she was sure he had been thinking about it the entire ride home, just as she had...but if either of them had managed to come up with something they would never get the chance to voice it as Katt all but grabbed her by the paw and forced her into the vixen's bedroom as soon as they arrived.

She basically received the same lecture that Fox had, and more than likely had given similar responses as well.

"We're just friends Katt."

"That's not what it looked like earlier tonight."

"It was just a movie!" she had retorted somewhat angrily, "We grabbed a bite to eat, saw a movie, and came back here. Nothing else!"

"Then why haven't you told him yet?"

"Told him what?"

"About Panther."

The silence that filled the room after the question seemed to prove the vixen's guilt but she still refused to acknowledge Katt's assumptions about them, knowing that no matter how things might have looked between the two foxes that there was still nothing to be guilty of.

"It's...it's just not came up yet."

"Mhmm," the pink feline had replied, shooting her a look of disappointment. "And why not?"

"Katt we've just known each other for a few weeks. Don't you think that's a little soon for complete strangers to talk about each others love life?"

"You didn't look like complete strangers earlier."

The vixen knew an annoyed look had come over her at this point as she realized just how many holes Katt was managing to poke in her story, and apparently it had been enough of a sign to cause the feline to press no further.

"What do you want me to do Katt?" she asked angrily, "Just ignore him? Stay away from him until Panther returns just because you think I'll do something stupid like cheat on him?"

"I didn't say that Krystal, I just meant-

"We have done nothing wrong." she continued, interrupting her pink friend, "We are just friends. He's the same to me as he is to you. Got it?"

The way she had asked those last two words made Katt pin her ears back in discomfort and the vixen had immediately regretted the harsh tone that she had taken up with her. But there was something about discussing her relationship with the vulpine that made her so...defensive. To the point that it actually made her assertive and angry. Why couldn't they see that the two of them were just friends? Was it that hard to tell? Or was is impossible for a male and a female to hang out without being in a relationship with each other?

"Fine." Katt had answered, her tone somewhat hurt and annoyed, "But the longer you lie to yourself the harder it's going to be to face the truth."

What do you mean by that?

The sound of water splashing around her caused her mind to once again be ripped from its thoughts as she was pulled back to reality. She turned her head and noticed a few huskies apparently racing towards the buoy that floated much further out into the ocean. Letting out a sigh and deciding she had been out here by herself for long enough she casually swam back the short distance to the shore, never noticing the now empty lifeguard towers as her mind was already thinking about that same night once again.

"Fox?"

She had been standing at the end of the hallway as she called out his name, knowing he was stretched out on the couch as she could see his tail resting on the edge.

"Yeah?" he had answered, throwing a hand up in the air to let her know he was awake.

"About what you said earlier...at the theater...

She didn't know why she was doing this, especially after the conversation she had just shared with Katt. Maybe it was because she had yet to say anything to him since they had returned, or maybe it was just because she wanted to say goodnight. Or maybe it was simply because she couldn't stop replaying those words over and over again in her head.

"Thank you." she finished, gripping the corner of the wall and watching the back of the couch.

"I just said what came to mind when I thought of you." he had responded, his voice somewhat playful in order to hide the tenseness of the situation.

"Yeah," she had answered, assuming the same joking tone in an attempt to disguise her feelings as well,"I bet."

The two of them shared a small laugh and she stood there a few moments more, trying to decide what to do next. Part of her had wanted to lay down beside him and spend the rest of the night talking and watching tv, despite everything that had happened that day. But this time her conscious was able to win the battle in her head and instead she turned away and decided to return to her room.

"Good night Fox."

"Night Krystal."

This time it was the feeling of sand hitting her toes that returned her to reality, and somewhere in her head she realized that these daydreams of hers were becoming a problem. It was as if all she had to do anymore was just think of the vulpine and before she knew it her mind was recalling some time or place where they had been spending time together.

You should be doing that with Panther! Not Fox.

She slowly sloshed through the water until it was nothing more than wet, and eventually hot, sand. She looked around for a few seconds more until she found the place where she had left her blue flip flops, quickly and timidly stepping across the lava-like grains until she reached them and slipped them on.

She hadn't been there more than half an hour, but just getting out of the apartment had been an improvement from the usual routine on her day off. Most of the time she slept in and afterward laid around, ate, watched television, jogged down to Slippy's shop to visit Katt, then returned for more of the same. But now, despite every other reason her mind came up with, she had one true motive for coming to the beach...even if she had yet to see it.

But she would.

000

The vulpine glanced down at his cell phone, thankful that within five more minutes it would be 3pm and his shift would be over. It wasn't that he didn't like the job, because he really did. Being outside, despite the heat, was something he enjoyed. The fact that it was on the beach just made it that much better. So it wasn't for that reason that he was glad it was almost time to head home, rather it was what would be waiting for him when he got there.

You've got to get over yourself.

The aviators on his face hid the look of thoughtfulness as he once again passed the time by thinking of her. He was all too aware of the conversation that Katt had given them both that night, but for some reason they had managed to push it aside and ignore it, each fox telling the pink feline that she had nothing to worry about.

Well, we are just friends. And what's wrong with wanting to spend time with her?

It wasn't that he wanted to spend time with her so much as it was he loved to spend time with her. It didn't matter what others saw when they looked at them, not as long as he could continue to enjoy her company every day. He was well aware of her situation and he would never do anything to hurt her, no matter how much he envied the lucky bastard that had claim on her. The way he saw it they were getting along so damn well right now that perhaps simply being friends might be enough.

That's not the truth and you know it.

He reached down and took another sip from his water bottle, ignoring it's warm taste and instead focusing on making another sweep across his area. That was perhaps the best part of this job, being able to just sit there and daydream about whatever...or whoever...he wanted. At least until he let someone drown because of it.

The realization that something like that could happen had jerked him from his thoughts more than once these past few weeks, but so far there had been no victims due to his subconscious thoughts.

"Hey private! Shifts over!"

The voice being yelled at him from below caused the vulpine to jump in surprise. He leaned back and looked down, catching the cocky grin of Andrew, another one of the lifeguards...and apparently the one who was going to take his spot today.

"Bout time." he replied, reaching down and picking up his bag and water bottle before jumping the 6 or so feet from his perch. "I really think that one of these days I'm going to die of boredom."

"Nah," the wildcat replied with a grin, brushing his brown fur away from his eyes, "You won't. Trust me, I've tried."

The two of them shared a laugh before he added, "Any action today?"

"Not for me." the vulpine retorted, leaning back against the side of the tower, "But I think Bryan went in once for a surfer. Something about his board hitting him in the head after wiping out or something. Had a nasty cut."

"Gnarly." Andrew answered, giving him the hang loose sign, "Gotta love them surfer-boys. Oh and speaking of action..." he continued, nodding down the beach towards the shore at a group of vixen's and she-wolf's, "I think you've got a few admirers."

"Feh...yeah right." he replied, trying to act unconvinced but managing to steal a glance behind his sunglasses. Sure enough the group of 6 or so, all easily his age, were resting together under a large umbrella...all of them shooting him the occasional admiring look.

Casually he looked back at Andrew before stealing another look in the other direction.

"Well they're looking at one of us." the cat replied with a smirk, "And since I've told just about everyone in the city that they are invited to mine and Morgan's wedding this November...I can't help but think it's you."

He didn't reply at first, well aware that not only were these girls checking him out, but others had also been doing so throughout the day as well. It surprised him to say the least, considering how it never seemed to phase him. But he knew why. It was because his thoughts were on a completely different vixen in his life the entire time. The way he looked at it, if he was going to waste time thinking about females then it might as well be about Krystal.

Even if its wrong.

"You should go over there and socialize," he went on, causing the vulpine to laugh in disbelief.

"Yeah," he replied, still grinning and taking on a sarcastic tone, "I'll go over there all by myself to that group of supermodels and come back with every one of their numbers right?"

"Go for it." Andrew answered, his tone hosting seriousness and assurance, "What have you got to lose?"

Even if I did though...what would it accomplish? I don't know any of them like I know her...

Yes. But none of them are taken. None of them can get hurt from the game you are playing.

"You're crazy." he managed to reply, but now thinking over the idea.

"Maybe," the wildcat spoke back, "But I know an invitation when I see one." he continued, nodding towards the group once again, "And it's right there."

The fact that he was even considering going over there and doing this made him feel two things, the first being a nervous feeling that filled his stomach. He had never been much a recruiter, especially in the situation he'd be in if he decided to go through with Andrew's offer. It wasn't like he didn't know how to talk and act around other vixens or females, because he did. That came natural to him for some reason and it had won him the envy of nearly all his friends at the academy. Yet he never went anywhere with it...he had never wanted to.

But now he did. Around Krystal it was all he focused on, regardless of how he felt about it. It was wrong of him, but then again it was natural. All he was doing was being himself, nothing more, nothing less...and if that came off as something else then so be it.

The second thing he felt was excitement. Just imagining what it would look like if he could go over there and do such a thing as win over the opinion of every one of them, it was farfetched, but still fun to imagine.

"There's six of them dude," he muttered, taking another look and getting a head count, "I'm not that cocky."

"I'd go for it."

"Then go ahead." the vulpine replied casually, "You go over there and hit on those girls and I'll marry Morgan this fall. Sound good?"

The wildcat cracked another grin and the two of them couldn't help but laugh at the idea.

"Okay what about this;" he went on, a determined look on his face, "For every number you can get I'll work a shift for you."

"Mhmm."

"I'm serious!" he exclaimed, a legitimate, yet playful look now overtaking him, "If you get one number then I'll work one of your shifts for you. It'll be like a paid day off."

"Andrew-

"C'mon private," he went on, once again calling the vulpine by his nickname, "You're shipping out within the year and who knows what will happen...god forbid...so why not live a little?"

After hearing this the whole thing seemed to take another turn for him. Regardless of how he felt about it, Andrew was right. Within the year, if things went as planned, he'd be in the military and out in space fighting for his life on the front lines. Death would be an every day threat and there wouldn't be any promise that he'd live through it all. That being said...with the knowledge that he might not ever get to experience some of the greater thrills that life had for them all, his mind seemed to take a new look at the group of females that continued to shoot him playful glances.

I know she's taken. And even if she wasn't...someone as beautiful as her would never be on my level. So if that's the case, if I know it'll never happen, then what would be wrong with looking at other options?

Part of him wanted to feel guilty for thinking like this, but why? What did he have to feel guilty over? For cheating on Krystal? How could he do that if they were nothing more than friends right? That's what they told each other, and everyone else. They were just friends. So doing something as crazy as this...as crazy as looking at other options...in reality he knew there was nothing wrong with it.

But for some reason he knew it would feel wrong. Even though he didn't have her, he still loved her. It wouldn't be her he would be going against, rather himself.

That's a stupid way to think of it.

"Look," the cat added, jerking the vulpine from his thoughts, "Here comes a couple now. They're doing the work for you."

Still leaning against the side of the lifeguard stand he cast another darkened glance towards the group from behind his aviators, his gaze quickly resting on a red vixen and gray she-wolf as they made their way towards them. He caught their attempted looks of seriousness, but the closer they got the more those expressions seemed to melt away to one of nervousness and girlish excitement as they continued to stare right at him.

Just go for it. It's like he said, just live a little for once.

"Okay fine." he replied, looking back at Andrew and swallowing the nervousness that was making itself known within him. "But I'm holding you to your deal."

"Tell ya what," he answered quickly, "You get all six and I'll make it a whole week."

"Yeah." the vulpine retorted, still hesitant to believe him but choosing to turn his attention towards the two gorgeous creatures now only a few feet away from them.

"Hey." he said casually, turning and facing the two, causing them to blush and look away.

Hardly eighteen I bet, but damn...easy on the eyes.

"Hi," the replied in unison, the vixen brushing her bangs from her eyes and the wolf looking down at the sand.

"My friends and I were wondering if you might like to join us for a little while." the fox continued, managing to hold his gaze but eventually looking away as well as he shot her the smallest of smiles.

"You know..." the she-wolf added, looking at his shirtless chest but going no further up, "to hang out."

So nervous...it's like they've never talked to a guy before.

The vulpine knew he was in great physical condition, and had been told on a few occasions that he was 'perfect' boyfriend material for any female who was lucky enough to have him, but he had never thought anything of it. Part of him still blamed the damage left behind by Fara as the reason why he had stayed out of the game for the past few years...but now all of that could change.

Still...it just doesn't feel right. Maybe I should just decline. Tell them I'm tired or something...

"He'd love to." came Andrew's voice from behind, instantly dashing the vulpine's hopes of escape and causing the two girls to smile at each other in happiness.

"Just go easy on him," he continued, "He's been here since sunrise so I'm sure he's worn out."

Not being sure if what he had just said was a sexual note or simply the truth, the vixen and wolf couldn't help but shoot the vulpine a seductive grin before both of them took one of his paws and pulled him back towards the rest of their group.

Damn you Andrew.

He allowed the two females to pull him across the beach, casting a glance at each of their backsides and confirming that the back was just a flawless as the front.

Still nowhere close to her though...

Seconds later they had reached the waiting group of four and the vulpine took another quick inventory of just whose company he was about to be in. In addition to the vixen and she-wolf that he had already met, there was another vixen, this one brown and just as beautiful. Beside her sat a lynx, her spotted fur coating her entire body as she looked up at him with an impressed smirk...her score in the looks department also nowhere lower than a 9 of 10. Then by her side was another she-wolf, this one's fur being black and choppy, hanging down halfway over her eyes and hugging the curves of her black two piece bikini. It was with a struggle that he managed to look away from her and to the final female of the group; a black pantheress with silver eyes and a tuft of fur just above her chest that made the vulpine glance away in surprise.

All of them had to be either his age or a little younger, and apparently all eligible for the Ms. Corneria contest from the looks of it. He reached up and rested the aviators on his head before allowing the two to pull him down onto one of the blankets, wondering just what it was they were going to want from him.

"Oh my god I can't believe you two actually did it." the lynx said, catching the vulpine's gaze and blushing before looking away.

"I can." the other vixen spoke up, shooting the red fox an amused look, "Tina's such a-

"So what's your name?" the pantheress asked him, her composure held together far better than the rest of her friends.

"Tell me yours first." he replied with a grin, getting the expected blush and giggle from them all.

Why is this so easy for me?

Maybe it's because you don't love any of them.

"Roxanne." she answered, leaning forward until she was laying on her towel and looking up at him while resting her head on her paw. "Now you."

"Fox." he said smoothly. "Fox McCloud."

"Ooh...sounds heroic."

He looked to his left at the brown vixen as she spoke the words, amusement all too evident in his gaze as he watched her grin back at him.

"That's Amy," the pantheress continued, "to her left is Paige, to her right is Brooke, and you've already met Tina and Marianne."

As the introduction finished he couldn't help but allow his gaze to rest on Brooke. It was this one out of them all that seemed to grab his full attention. Compared to the she-wolf that had assisted in dragging him over here, this one...Brooke...seemed leagues ahead, and he couldn't help but look her over a second time. Her brown eyes were almost black and, as noted earlier, her hair rested just above them, her fur seeming somewhat choppy and puffed out around her black two-piece. It was something he had never noticed on a she-wolf' before...or any female on the beach for that matter. But there was one truth to this one, if nothing else.

She looked damn sexy in it.

She caught his gaze and returned the small smile he offered her, allowing a blush to overtake her as well but unlike the others not looking away from him. Knowing not to make himself look like an idiot he turned his attention back to the other she-wolf by his side who had began talking.

"So what's it like being a lifeguard?" she asked, scooting up beside him. "Is it a hard job?"

"Nah." he answered casually, "It's more boring than anything else."

Once again a wave of shy and nervous laughter went through them all, the vulpine allowing his gaze to rest on the she-wolf across from him as he admired her rugged look of absolute beauty once more.

Regardless of what I think about this...that one...Brooke...damn she's beautiful.

"What do you do to pass the time?" this time the question being asked by lynx.

He merely shrugged in response, "Not much. Just watch the waves I guess."

And daydream about the most beautiful fox you've ever seen.

"Ugh, that does sound boring." the pantheress answered, still looking up at him from her stomach, "It doesn't seem worth any amount of credits."

"Not in this heat." added the first she-wolf.

"You must be pretty tough to stay out here all day like you do." the red vixen spoke up, adding to the pile of compliments.

"He looks like he can handle it." the lynx continued, locking eyes with him and winking.

"Yeah." the pantheress added, "I bet you work out a lot don't you? You look like the type."

"A little." he answered, leaning back and propping himself up with his paws, shooting yet another glance at the she-wolf' across from him that had yet to speak up. "They get you in shape at the academy pretty quick."

"Ooh a soldier boy." the vixen by his side exclaimed, placing a paw on his arm and giving a soft squeeze. "No wonder you are so well behaved."

He couldn't help but blush at this, finally allowing their numerous comments and looks to get the best of him as he looked away. Despite how weird this felt, being around all of them when in his heart he still loved Krystal, he had to admit that he was enjoying himself. It had been far too long since he had done anything like this...if ever at all.

"How come you're out here on the beach and not out in space?" the lynx asked, "Not that we're complaining or anything...

"I like a year being 21." he answered, doing his best to regain his composure from their onslaught, "Until then I'm killing time."

"But I thought you only had to be 18 to join the military?"

"He's going into the Air Force."

At the sound of this new voice he couldn't help but look up at the she-wolf across from him, finally hearing her speak up for the first time but almost instantly forgetting about it as he once again admired her beautiful gaze. It was right then and there that he decided, if this led to other things, that it would be her that he'd try for. He knew it was silly and immature to think of it like that, but why else was he doing this in the first place, if not to try and win one of them over?

Or all of them.

"Yeah." he murmured back, the softer tone in his voice causing the other females to exchange a knowing, and somewhat jealous, smirk as they realized the connection that had already been made.

"Brooke would know about that stuff." the pantheress replied, causing the vulpine to look down and meet her amused gaze.

"So...you can talk then?" he asked, the playfulness in his tone just enough to make the she-wolf' blush and look away before forcing a nod.

He wanted to say something else, something witty and charming that would push the envelope even further, but before he could think of anything he felt a paw rest on his waist, remaining there for only a second before entering his pocket and pulling out his phone.

"Need something?" he asked with a grin, watching her type away on his phone.

"Just adding all of us." the red vixen answered, looking up at him and sticking out her tongue, "So we can stay in touch."

"Good idea." the brown vixen spoke up, shooting him another flirtatious gaze, "That way we can come keep you company next time."

"I've got a job you know?" the pantheress spoke up, "I can't just skip out of work whenever I want." she looked up at him once again, her gaze resting on his chest as she admired his muscular physique before adding, "Or...maybe I can. I've got a few sick days saved."

"Your loss." the gray she-wolf at his side answered, casting him a hungry look.

This is crazy. It's like they're all in heat and I'm the only guy left on the planet.

He cast a wary glace around the still very crowded beach, easily catching the envious gazes of other males that were within sight of the group.

"Would that be okay?" the brown vixen asked. "If we...ya know...

"Yeah, sure." he answered, shooting her a small grin before looking back ahead at Brooke. "It's no problem."

"Here." the red fox by his side spoke up, reaching down and sliding his phone back in into the pocket of his trunks, shooting him a smirk while doing so. "Now you've got all our numbers, so you better not forget to drop us a text next time you're bored,"

"Or looking for some fun." came the quick addition from the lynx, causing them all to blush and immediately scold her.

The vulpine merely smirked in return, still amazed at how well this all seemed to be going. He allowed his line of sight to fall back on the she-wolf' across from him, her looks still blowing him away as he did his best to discreetly admire her flawless body. She was no Krystal. No one in the galaxy could ever match that vixen. But still, if he had to pick a runner up, as of right now it would be Brooke.

Once again he found himself trying to think of either a response to the previous comment or something to say to the gorgeous she-wolf that would get her to speak up once again. But before he could do either he felt the familiar vibration of his phone in his pocket and proceeded to digging it right back out, half expecting it to be one of the girls already shooting him a text as another means of flirting with him.

"Hmm." he mumbled, realizing that it was a call, and then realizing who it was. "You mind if I...

"Don't worry about it." the pantheress spoke up, smirking at him, "We're about to head out anyway."

"Just don't forget to drop us a text okay?" the brown vixen asked, grabbing onto his arm and looking up at him.

"Sure thing." he replied, casting her a smirk and causing her to look away.

He stood up and flicked open the phone, still holding it by his side as he gave them all a final nod and smile before locking sights with Brooke one final time. He held her gaze for a moment more before finally giving her another small nod and turning away, bringing the phone up to his ear as he did.

"Hey." he spoke happily, knowing whose voice he'd get to hear on the other end.

"Hey." came the reply, her tone almost sounding both jealous and sad.

"What's up?" he asked, ignoring the signs and choosing to still focus on how great his day had been so as of late.

"Not much." she answered, the sound of a horn in the background telling him she was outside, "Just killing time. You?"

"Just leaving work."

"Oh..." came the somewhat distant response, "Well. Since you are on your way, could you get some...milk at the store?"

"...yeah...sure thing."

"Okay." the vixen replied, forcing a friendly tone. "Thanks. See ya later."

"See ya."

By now he had made his way across the beach and was at the parking lot nearing his Suzuki, but after that phone call he just couldn't seem to think straight anymore. There were so many things about it that didn't seem right. She sounded sad, almost disappointed with the way she talked. Maybe even jealous. And their conversations were usually longer and happier than that, not so awkward and one sided.

Even the reason she called him seemed off.

Milk? Why would she call me for that? She's always texted me beforehand when I needed to grab something on the way home.

Besides...I had cereal this morning. The milk hadn't even been opened before then.

He decided not to dwell on it that much, knowing that within the next half hour he'd be back at the apartment where he could speak to her face to face. Whatever the problem was, whatever it had been that made her sound so sad, he was sure that he could fix it.

Of course...if he hadn't been the cause of it that is.

000