Author's Note: So… fifty chapters, over 50,000 words and more love from you guys than I possibly deserve. All in less than thirty days. Not too shabby for a story I started on a whim. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to review, you keep me motivated to write. (No, this isn't the end, but we're getting fairly close.)
Credit for the title goes to hhh569 (for putting it in a review) and Mike Jones 'cause it's from his song. (well, kinda)
Matt checked his watch again. Britt wasn't exactly the most punctual person, but forty five minutes late was pushing it. He was reaching for his phone when he heard one of the guys say, "Holy shit, who is that with Brittany?" Looking up he saw the girls walking through the door. Brittany was, as always, gorgeous in a low cut black top and jeans, but Rachel? Holy shit was right, she looked fucking hot.
He watched as they walked a few feet into the pizza joint. Wait for it, wait for it… ah there it was. Britt stopped, flipped her hair behind her shoulder and said something that made Rachel laugh. Growing up with four sisters had taught him a few tricks, and he knew a pause for effect when he saw one. The jukebox didn't come to a screeching halt, but slowly almost every male eye in the room found its way to the two hotties, and followed them as they weaved through the crowd to the table.
Leaning down, Brit kissed his cheek. "Sorry we're late."
"No prob," he said, enjoying the vantage point. He could see the black lace peeking out of her neckline.
"Yeah," said one of the other football players, "looks like it was totally worth it."
Matt glanced at him, making sure he wasn't looking down Brit's shirt too, but Eric was practically drooling over Rachel. He punched the guy in the arm, and muttered in a low tone, "Off limits dude. That's Puck's girl."
Eric, not known for his intelligence or discretion, didn't take the hint.
"Thought she was Finn's girl, not Puck's. Besides," he said, sweeping his arm out, "doesn't look like either one of them bothered to show up."
Matt could tell that Rachel was about to bolt, and Brit was nudging him hard. He jerked his head at Mike, and thankfully the dude got the message. Mike jumped up, and threw an arm over Rachel's shoulder.
"Hey Rach, you look awesome, come on, let's go pick out some songs on the jukebox." He quickly guided her away.
As soon as they were gone, Matt pulled his phone out of his pocket. Britt snatched it out of his hand, and held it out of his reach.
"Uh-Uh, you are not calling Puck."
"Why not?"
"Because she doesn't want to see him."
"What the fuck? What happened?"
Britt gave him one of those, 'It's a super secret girl thing, so complicated a man couldn't possibly understand' looks. See? This is why having sisters was handy. He actually knew what that look meant.
"Fine." He'd just text him.
She gave him his phone back, and leaned over further so her mouth was touching his ear.
"No texting either."
"Come on Brit, he's gonna kick the shit out of me…"
"Do you like my shirt?"
He nodded.
"Do you want to have any chance of finding out what's under it?"
Gulping, he paused and finally threw the phone on the table. Had she just threatened him? What had Rachel Berry done to his girlfriend?
She straightened up and smiled, "That's what I thought." With an exaggerated sashay, she moved towards Mike and Rachel.
Matt looked at the six other people sitting at the long table, and assessed the risk. Eric was, as previously demonstrated, a complete douche, but he doubted that Rachel would be interested in him. Of the three remaining jocks, two had brought dates, which left Trevor. Somehow he didn't think the scrawny, acne scarred sophomore would give Puck a run for his money. Now, he just had to hope Mike had enough good sense not to fall head over heels for her, which he was prone to do when any member of the opposite sex showed him attention, and he might be able to keep Puck from beating him senseless tomorrow.
Irritated, he punched Eric in the arm again. "Off limits."
"Dude, I got it, I got it. You got bigger problems than me anyway, bro."
"Huh?"
Eric nodded his head toward the threesome at the jukebox, and he saw that two guys were closing in on them, fast. In a purely non homo way, Matt could appreciate that the guys were what his sister Jenny would call 'studs'. Fuck, he had really been looking forward to that seeing more of that black lace. Picking up his phone, he replayed Britt's words in his mind. She hadn't said anything about picture mail. He quickly snapped a picture just as Rachel looked towards him. Satisfied that it did her new look justice, he quickly typed in a message.
Dude, come get your girl, before someone else does.
Hitting the send button, he waited for the photo to go through before erasing it. He stood up, and walked over to them, wrapping his arms around Brittany's waist. One of the guys, clearly the wing man, glared at him and walked back towards the table he had come from. Mike, obviously oblivious as to what was going down, looked relieved.
"Dude, I'm glad you're here. I'm starving, I'm gonna go eat."
What a fucking tool, now Matt was stuck. The remaining guy seized the opportunity, and moved in closer to Rachel, angling his body so that he had her full attention. Matt was trying to decide how to tell the dude to fuck off politely, when Rachel spoke up.
"You know what? I'm really hungry too. It was a pleasure to meet you… Jason, was it? Maybe we can chat later." Her words were nice but her tone said she'd rather drink battery acid. Hooking her arm in Matt's elbow, she let him guide both girls back to the table.
Britt was giggling as they walked away. "His name was Daniel."
Rachel grinned mischievously. "I know."
Once they got to the table, Rachel settled into a chair between Brittany and one of the random date girls. He hadn't bothered to learn their names. They all ate pizza and talked for almost two hours, and Rachel even chimed in with a few dirty jokes.
Matt had to admit, he was damn impressed with Rachel Berry. Even when Mike fawned all over her, she was polite but maintained her distance. She made it clear to everyone that she wasn't available, without actually saying the words. Confident now that he wasn't going to get his ass kicked by Puck, he suggested they move on to their next destination. The sooner the better, he wanted to see some lace before Britt's curfew. They were busy gathering and counting out money for the bill when he heard Rachel gasp. About damn time Puck showed up.
When he glanced at the door, he was shocked when he saw Finn standing there. Fuck, fuck, fuck. This could not be good. Brittany grabbed Rachel's arm and pulled her towards the bathroom.
"Be right back, just need to have a quick girl talk."
Matt nodded, and turned back toward the approaching giant.
"Hey Finn, what's up? Where's Quinn?"
Finn waved him off. "Where did Rachel go? I need to talk to her."
