Chapter thirty – six – Awkward Meetings

Sitting at my desk I went through the schedule of the upcoming initiation. It showed that Four and Lauren had experience, they came up with a schedule within a week and it was very thorough. Eric would oversee the transfer class so that meant I had to spend a lot more time with Lauren. I hadn't spoken to her after she more or less made it clear we were not on the same page about a lot of things. She disapproved of my relationship with Eric at the time and also the fact that I went through with the new rules. I didn't feel bad about it, I still didn't feel bad about it. Braden deserved getting his ass kicked, but Lauren made it clear that she disagreed. It would make this upcoming initiation emotionally tiring for me. This time I had the final say, I had to become the Eric to the Dauntless-born initiation class. It actually sounded pretty fun. Glancing up when a knock echoed through my office, I told whoever it was to come in.

"Rose."

"Trevor." I greeted him with a small smile.

He took a seat before my desk, getting comfortable in the one-seat. He wore his military outfit which meant that he went out on the field today. It wasn't even eleven in the morning yet but he already traveled through the city to check in with the patrol captains for a status report. I didn't envy him at all. I preferred sitting at my desk and going through future plans.

"Max informed me that you're pushing Eric to convince Four to take your job."

I laughed, "It's not my job. I'm just here until Four is ready to accept his new role."

Trevor narrowed his eyes at me, leaning closer to take a good look at my face. It was like he was trying to see through me. Unfortunately for him, I was no longer the girl who showed everything on her face. I learned to show a bit more restraint.

"You're talking like he already did."

I nodded, "At Wes' memorial Four let me know that he's going to take the job. So like I said I'm just waiting until he's ready to become the next Wes." I bit my lip, not too pleased with my own words, "Well, not the next Wes. We wouldn't want that. Just a new and better leader of Dauntless." I hated how I rambled on but apparently, I couldn't stop now that I noticed how embarrassing I was, "Four." I mumbled the last part, tearing my gaze away from Trevor who looked like he was ready to burst out in laughter.

"I don't understand."

"Don't understand what?"

He leaned back in his chair and gestured to me, "You have friends who are loyal and kind. You're considerate of those around you and you are without a doubt a true Dauntless. So I don't understand how you and Eric happened."

My cheeks heated, "How it happened is embarrassing to talk about." I told him, "But I believe there is more to Eric than meets the eye. He is intelligent and loyal to those he cares about. He might look unapproachable, but once you get past the sarcasm you'll find out he's also very fun to hang around with."

"Yeah, that only applies to you." Trevor grabbed his tablet and started to scroll through it, probably an important email which needed his attention, "It surprised me that he's actually more dependable than Wes." He lowered his tablet, a serious look on his face, "What did Wes say to you that made you look like someone told you we no longer serve Dauntless cake?"

I made a face, "I like Dauntless cake, but I'm not obsessed with it like some people."

"What's your poison then?" Trevor asked.

"You trying to get in my head?"

"You avoiding the subject?" He asked.

Trevor was a big guy, he called me a true Dauntless and in heart and spirit, I was. I loved my faction and I wanted it to stay the same, no drastic Erudite changes. But Trevor he looked like a true Dauntless. He was tall and looked like he worked out every day, he probably did. His hair shaved at the sides, but a bit long and pulled in a bun at the back of his head. Part of a tattoo peeked through the collar of his military jacket. No doubt he was covered in them. He looked like a true Dauntless and for some reason, this guy sitting across me was being friendly. It almost felt like he wanted to become my friend. I felt like I could trust Trevor.

"I love a good drink every once in a while." He raised an eyebrow at me, "I'm not talking about beer. I'm talking hard liquor. I love it, but it gets me in trouble most of the time. It's actually how Eric and I sort of started our relationship."

"So blame it on the alcohol then?"

I laughed. Eric and I were probably both drunk that night we met at the chasm. But the fact that we were still together had very little to do with alcohol.

"I thank the stupid party with the awful sex and awful people who led me to steal a bottle of whatever it was that got me drunk at the chasm. Because now I'm very happy with Eric."

"I can tell." Trevor told me, "So Wes, what did he say?" The amusement left Trevor's voice, "This has to be done Rose, you need to talk to me about what happened in that room." His voice was quiet and calm and it made me want to talk about it, but I couldn't.

I looked him straight in the eyes, hoping he got the hint as I made up some excuses. It would have made Candor cringe at how bad my lies were.

"Like I said he thought I was cheating on Eric." I made sure to keep my gaze steady, making sure my voice was firm and unwavering, "He threatened to tell Eric I've been sneaking around with Four."

The confusion in Trevor's eyes told me he thought my words were odd. I assumed he got the hint because he nodded and got to his feet, letting go of the subject.

"Thank you, Rose." The way he said my name told me he wasn't done with the subject yet.

A small smile spread across my face, "Anything to help you, Trevor."

He caught onto the fact that I specifically meant him. He got my silent hint and acted upon it. I was sure then that Trevor could be another ally. With Four and Trevor leading the faction I had a little hope again. Things were not over yet.

"I need to run," Trevor told me.

"About Four-" I told him before he left my office, "He'll be stepping in a little before initiation starts. Right now he has to prepare together with Lauren. Eric is already getting him up to speed. Once the preparations are finished I'll step down and Four will take over this office."

Trevor sighed, "Great, I'm also very pleased Eric and Max mentioned this to me."

I grinned at him, "Sarcasm." I pointed out, "Even you are no stranger to it. You might become Eric's new Wes." Trevor rolled his eyes at me, "Max didn't tell you because he doesn't want to make an official statement yet. He is of mind that Four might back down at the last minute so he's patiently waiting till Four officially starts using this office."

"I see, well let's hope Four doesn't back down at the last minute."

Watching Trevor close the door behind him, I stared back at the papers in front of me. Four promised me he'd step up, so far he has been working together with Eric to prep for the leadership position. I had faith in him, he was Dauntless' last chance of shaking off Erudite. He wouldn't back down at the last minute, he wouldn't do that to the faction or me.

Collecting the papers I needed to review the plans for capture the flag, I made my way to the door, surprised to see Eric burst through it like he owned the place. I gave him a look which said that much. He ignored it and grabbed the papers from me.

"Let me guess, you're upset with me because I made you ask Four to take the job and now he actually did and you feel annoyed because unlike everyone else Four doesn't take orders just like that."

He glared at me, "If you know then I suggest you don't be your cheeky little self with me right now. I'm not in the mood."

I pressed my hand against his chest, his jacket was zipped open so I could feel his heath and it made me tingle from my fingers to my toes. Leaning in I felt him tense up, he was putting his guard up with me. He wanted to stay moody and annoyed for a little bit longer. He didn't want me to change his mind with a little bit of loving. I couldn't give him what he wanted though. The minute I touched his firm chest I was lost in my desire. Eric stood in the doorway, viewing me with mild interest. If I did what I wanted we'd be giving the higher-ups a show, we were after all in the more secure quarters of Dauntless. It was where the leaders worked alongside with their assistants. Members of the other factions were received at this part of the compound, things could quite awkward if I pushed Eric against the cold brick wall and kissed him with everything I had, letting my hands wander all over that firm chest of him. It was so tempting though.

"I want to get you in the mood."

He placed his hand on my lower back and pulled me close to him, "I can tell." He leaned in, brushing his lips against my neck, "But you're not getting yourself out of this." He then pulled away and stepped back, leaving my office while waiting for me to join him, "I don't know how you did it, but it wasn't me who convinced him. So I feel like I should get the right to be annoyed right now without you trying to smooth things over with sex."

I pouted, "I'm not trying to do that." I told him, stepping out of my office as well, turning around to lock it, "I just I don't know, felt the need to feel you up."

Facing my husband he surprised me by suddenly being up in my space. I barely had time to react when he leaned in and kissed me, pushing his tongue into my mouth and fully dominating me with that kiss. I grabbed his tee, clutching it tightly as I let the kiss happen. It settled the fire within me, but it was still there simmering. When we were alone I'd go with it, annoyed husband or not.

Eric pulled away from me, "Let's grab dinner."

"You should do that."

We both turned to face Max who looked amused by the whole ordeal, "So this is what you meant when you said you're always up to no good?" He asked, making me wish I was anywhere but there, even singing songs at the Amity bonfire sounded like heaven to me right now, "We have the pleasure of always meeting each other in situations like this, Rose." Now he was openly making fun of me. He wasn't wrong though, we did always meet at the most awkward moments in the hallway.

"I suppose that's the kind of relationship we have." I muttered, "We'll get out of your way."

"No need to feel so awkward around me all the time. I didn't originate from Abnegation, you know."

It was interesting that he brought it up because I realized no one actually knew where Max came from. It didn't feel like he was a true Dauntless. A Dauntless-born would not betray their own faction like this. He made it a point to tell us he wasn't from Abnegation so he was either Erudite or Candor. If I was going with my gut feeling I'd say he's also from Erudite which meant Erudite had been ruling Dauntless for quite some time. The majority of our leaders had been from Erudite, of course, things were going wrong. We needed more variety in leadership, different opinions and different views on life.

"I can almost hear you think." Eric pointed out.

"Huh?"

He grabbed onto my shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze, "Whatever, so we're heading to the dining hall." He told Max, "Things are moving along with Four."

"That's good." Max told him, "Keep up the good work." His eyes softened as he trailed his eyes from Eric to me, "The both of you."

Eric released my shoulder and turned on his heels, heading to the dining hall without warning. I flashed Max an awkward little smile and then followed after my husband, ignoring Max' amused chuckle.

"You're cute," Eric told me as I caught up with him.

"I thought you didn't want to get distracted by me."

"I didn't want you to put your hands all over me, trying to smooth things over with sex. I have no problem with you being cute. You have moments like that, it reminds me of the girl I met at the Chasm that day."

We never really talked about our first meeting, it wasn't a heartwarming story of two people falling in love with each other at first sight. It was a lot darker than that. It was more like two people trying to forget about their problems and using each other. The fact that Eric brought it up after Trevor questioned me about it made me long for that future I talked about with him. Without thinking it through I slipped my hand in his, wanting to feel his warmth. He glanced down at our hands, we were about to walk into the dining hall but he didn't pull away.

"Like I said, you have your moments."

"It's because it's you," I whispered.

He gave my hand a squeeze, he apparently liked hearing me say that. We walked to the leader's table and sat down, filling up our plates. Neither Max nor Trevor were around which made us having dinner together a lot more intimate. Those around us disappeared in the background, I focused solemnly on my husband, trying to lighten his mood. I knew very well it drained him emotionally to be friendly with Four all day. I didn't get his dislike toward the guy but I was glad he was trying.

"These papers." Eric scanned through them, "You're being thorough."

"Even if you're messing around with stun guns, it still a gun, you know. I know very well that you want to toughen up our initiates, but no one should get seriously injured playing a game which is supposed to be fun." I shrugged a shoulder, "So I'm being thorough."

"Keeping tabs on the inventory and prepping the infirmary. You're going all out." He placed the papers down and looked at me with a new light in his eyes, "You sure you want Four to take over from you?"

"Yes!"

"What did you just agree to so loudly?"

Hearing Michael's voice so close by actually made me jump. None of my friends approached me whenever I was together with Eric, they liked to keep their distance from him. I viewed him with curiosity but also kindness, because I was honestly happy that Michael dared to approach me when I was together with Eric. I placed my hand on Eric's thigh, trying to make sure he would be kind enough.

"Nothing of importance." I told him, "What's up?"

"Your father is back from Amity."

"I've noticed." I smiled at him.

"So we figured we should do drinks with him, we're meeting up with him at the bar after dinner. You coming along?" He trailed his eyes to Eric, "You're welcome to join us as well, Eric."

"That's actually really nice of you guys." I told Michael, "Stop trying to make me cry all the time. Is this a new dare Zeke made up?" I joked.

Michael sighed, tearing his eyes away from me which made me suspicious of him. I almost dared to believe it was actually a dare Zeke made up.

"It's not a dare Zeke made up." Michael mumbled, "Anyway, drinks after dinner?"

Without consulting with Eric I agreed to it, "Yes, I'd love to. But my husband is probably going to refuse." I glanced at the man in question, we silently agreed that it was better for him to decline, "I'll join you after dinner."

Michael folded his arms across his chest, "You know that eventually your father and Eric-" He glanced at my husband and continued even though Michael looked fucking anxious about it, "Need to get over their fight. He's your father, according to my sources you were a real daddy's girl. So the two important men in your life should at least try and be civil to each other." He directly spoke to Eric then, "Don't you agree?"

Eric straightened in his chair which worried me, "I agree."

I never dared to imagine him saying that, I was speechless and it appeared that Michael was also at a loss for words.

"So we'll meet up with your group for drinks," Eric told him.

Michael nodded, "Okay, good."

Michael left us to it, joining our friends again. I noticed them glancing at us a few times, all of them probably as shocked as Michael and I were. No one would have guessed Eric would decide to join us all for drinks. But Michael was right about me being daddy's little girl. I did want my father and Eric to be at least civil around each other.

"Thank you," I told him quietly.

"I'm doing this for you."

"I know and I'm grateful for it." I leaned in and pressed a kiss to his neck, "I love you."

Sitting in a booth cramped up with the most important people in my life wasn't great. It was awkward at first, but once we all had a few things the tension seemed to evaporate. I sat across my father and Four, I noticed how my father warily glanced at Eric from time to time. It was pretty clear to me that my father didn't like the man I was married to, not one bit. Thankfully he didn't try and kick his ass, that was at least some progress.

"So you got married to Eric while I was away."

I nodded, "Yes, that happened." I quietly confirmed.

"When were you going to tell me?"

I lowered my gaze, "I didn't think about it."

"It slipped your mind?" He asked, sounding offended by it.

I leaned back in my chair which caused me to lean into Eric. I knew my father wouldn't like that, but right now I needed someone's support. The questioning was making me uncomfortable, I didn't want to ruin anyone's night by saying the wrong things.

"People died. So I did kind of forget about it."

That seemed to make my father seem less annoyed with me, "I heard about May. I know things weren't great between you two, but at some point in your life, you were friends with her. So I'm sorry you had to go through something like that again and that I wasn't here for you."

"It's okay, dad." I told him, "I'm not alone." I smiled at him, using his and Four's words to reassure him.

"I can tell." He then reached for his beer and finished it off, "So Eric, this goes without saying, we both know where we're standing. But if you hurt my little girl I won't hold back, Dauntless leader or not."

Eric finished his drink as well, placing his bottle down on the table, "Got it."

Eric didn't even look offended by the fact that my father just threatened him. Either he didn't feel threatened at all or he thought my father had the right to threaten him. Biting my lip I nervously traced the rim of my brown bottle.

"Rounds are on Zeke by the way," Michael announced.

I glanced at him, "So there was a dare."

Zeke didn't look happy about that, he apparently didn't think Michael would go through with whatever dare he made up. Michael looked proud of himself, grinning from ear to ear as he sipped his beer.

"When we were trying to come up with things to do tonight, we were also deciding who'd invite you guys," Xenia spoke up since no one else did.

When I raised an eyebrow at her she merely shrugged.

"Oh, come on. It's freaking Eric." She threw a pointed look at said man, "No offense, but you know this as well."

He didn't say anything in return which meant that he knew what she was talking about. I leaned into my husband and pointed at Michael.

"So Michael was man enough to invite us?"

"Exactly," Michael smirked.

After that, the conversation became a lot lighter, the fact that Eric didn't get offended probably made them all relaxed a little more.

Pressing my hands against Eric's chest I pushed him down with all my might, smirking when he fell down on the bed and stared at me in surprise. Not giving him time to react I quickly crawled on top of him and straddled him, placing my hands firmly on his chest.

"You trying to take advantage of me?" He asked, the playful glint in his stormy eyes making me feel even more daring than usual.

"I'm not trying." I told him, smiling when he chuckled in response, I trailed my hands up and cupped his face, "I'm just really happy right now." Leaning down I captured his lips for a kiss.

He buried his hand in my hair, keeping me in place as we played around for a little bit. He tightened his grip on my hair when I trailed my lips down and pressed them against his neck. Pushing my hands up his shirt I felt him up, feeling his heated skin under my fingertips made me tremble all over. He must have felt it because the sound of approval which came from him told me my playtime was over. He grabbed onto my hips and flipped us around, pushing me down with his weight. I loved the feeling of him, taking his jacket off I tossed it aside, giggling when it fell down with a rather loud thud. Eric bit my lower lip giving me a hard kiss and then pulled away. The whining sound I made caused him to chuckle. He got to his feet and kicked his boots off, also taking care of mine. He grabbed the hem of his tee and pulled it over his head, tossing it aside as well. He crawled on top of me and kissed me once more, taking his time as he pushed his tongue into my mouth. With his shirt gone I could explore every part of his bare chest without restraint. He unzipped my pants and slipped his hand into my panties, brushing his fingers over my most sensitive part. I pulled out of the kiss and tightly held onto him. It was supposed to be my night of spoiling him, but apparently, he had other plans. Either way, we'd both get what we wanted eventually.