Suddenly, a smile spreads across her face as she allows herself to take in the atmosphere, and she hears, I don't dance now, I make money moves. Instantly her hands go up in the air, as the crowd chants the lyrics too, causing her and her friends to join in, as they finish the line in concert, "Aye, Say I don't gotta dance; I make money moves. If I see you and I don't speak; that means I don't fuck with you. I'm a boss, you a worker, bitch I make bloody moves."
The heavy air weighing down the moment is no longer present, instead they're enjoying the environment. Putting the stress of their conversation, and what lies ahead behind them.
While the ladies join the crowd dancing and singing along; Fitz and the guys are listening to Jake and others chat. The air isn't as stiff as it began, with Fitz feeling rather annoyed with Jake's presence, and seeing him obviously having words with Liv, that didn't end in the best manner.
Thankfully Drew being in Fitz's ear kept things calm enough, to where questions were answered, without a brawl breaking out. Nonetheless, that wasn't because Fitz wanted it that way. He was honestly really close to giving in to his desire to drop him like a bad habit.
But, the tension is now almost nonexistent at this point amongst the group, due to the large supply of alcohol and food that's made its rounds. In addition to Jake now standing in a different group with Brandon, Mike, and Joel, just within earshot of Fitz, Harry, Drew, Josh, and Chris.
Despite Fitz nodding his head during conversation, he is only partly listening,, as he mulls over the reasoning Jake gave for showing up at the party. And he considers how Mellie provided him with the invitation. Just thinking about that factor has him irritated and frustrated with her manipulative antics.
And, what bothers him most of all, is the fact he believes Jake is aware that Mellie used his presence to cause disarray and discomfort for them at the party. But he doesn't care; which means, his true reason for being there is far more important to him, and is likely nefarious in nature.
Hence him feeling uneasy, but he also knows that if Liv hasn't asked him to leave yet. She must have a plan of some sort to deal with him, and he's eager to find out what it is.
Instantly, the music snaps him out of his head, and they're all now more aware of the dancing going on around them. It's evident that everyone is having a great time; the atmosphere rivals any spring break they've ever attended. Suddenly, Brandon is the first to comment, "Damn, this joint is lit."
They all nod in agreement and smile. Fitz then looks at Harry and Drew, and sees them looking across the yard. When he follows their eyes, he sees Liv, Abby, and Stacy dancing freely. But more noticeably he sees Liv, and only her. She's grooving to the music with her cup in the air, and she's dropping it like it's hot repeatedly, and having a blast doing it. As Abby, Stacy, Sara, and a host of others cheer her on.
He'd be lying if he said he wasn't envisioning her doing those moves naked; but his thoughts halt as he hears guys around him notice her too, which snaps him back to reality once again. He then hears Brandon say, "Man, that is not the same Livy from freshman year. My God she's a hottie now."
Fitz wants to say something, and Harry sees him dying to jump in. But, he urges him to chill, which works until Jake adds, "Yeah man. She's always been hotter than fire; I heard she's seeing somebody."
This makes him and the guys pay attention, as he hears Brandon reply, "Already? Man, who is it? Because if he's not here; he's about to be replaced, with those moves she's showing off."
Jake shrugs his shoulders as he responds, "I don't know; it's supposed to be a friends with benefits type of situation." Brandon then raises his cup as he replies, "Well damn, let me go put in my application as the next friend in line." He and Jake clink cups in celebration, as Jake replies, "That makes two of us, brother."
Hearing their conversation, Fitz can't hold back. As he walks up to both of them; Harry and Drew look at each other, wondering where he's going. When they see him heading for Jake. They realize something must have happened, that they didn't notice. Fearing the worst, despite them being in mid conversation with Josh and Chris; both Drew and Harry take off after him. But, by the time they reach him, he's looking them squarely in the eyes, as he assertively says, "Hey, I know yall are just clowning. But, you're right on the edge of being disrespectful talking about Liv. So, relax. Okay?"
Harry and Drew both think to themselves, oh shit. Regardless of the people partying around them. In their circle, it's like time is standing still. Despite Fitz's tone being calm, direct and assertive, not overly aggressive in any way. His point is immediately felt by both Brandon and Jake; prompting Brandon to quickly apologize as he nudges Jake, and says, "Our bad man, we, we, didn't mean any disrespect. Just drunk speak, you know."
His nervous laughter, after his response doesn't help matters at all. Fitz wants more than anything to knock both of them on their asses. Drew and Harry, now flanking him, can feel the tension rising. But, they allow him leeway, understanding now why he's so upset.
They then hear his tone change, as he says, "What I know is that drunk speak, will get both of you an express pass out the door if I hear it again." Harry interjects, trying to diffuse the situation as he says, "I think we can all agree; cooler heads need to prevail here guys. Let's all chill and continue to have a good time." Drew backs him, as he adds, "Yeah, it's all good guys."
The mood is slowly calming, but then Jake opts to ignorantly stoke the beast, as he replies, "You know, if I didn't know better. I'd think you were her friend with benefits." His stupid chuckle afterwards proves to be a an awkward mistake, as Immediately, Harry outwardly says, "Dude, please shut up! You can't be that dumb."
With nothing but space and opportunity between them. Fitz steps to Jake, and Brandon moves out of the way, as Fitz replies, "And if I am; ask yourself if it would be wise for you to keep being disrespectful." The level of fear and confusion in Jake's eyes is evident. He swallows hard, and his eyes bulge. A signal for Drew, this needs to end now, before it escalates.
Being the best friend that he is, Drew swoops in to prevent his best friend from being arrested for assault, and to prevent being a witness to a murder himself. Because one thing is certain, and that is the fact that Fitz is as serious as a heart attack.
Drew steps between them, and makes eye contact with Jake, as he says, "This would be a great time for you to walk away, while you still can." Brandon hurries him as he replies, "Yeah, come on man; let's take a walk. This is too intense."
Jake pauses, then agrees to follow Brandon, as he realizes Fitz's focused demeanor, and he takes note of his stance, and the position of his hands. As he backs away, he also takes note of the steely blue/grey eyes Fitz is sporting. The coldness emanating from them literally causes him to second guess turning his back to walk away. But, he does, as Brandon urges, "Hurry up dude." And while Jake follows suit; he's still trying to make heads or tales of what just happened, in his drunken head.
With Jake and Brandon disappearing into the crowd; Fitz hears Chris say, "Man, that was crazy. Dude has issues." Josh adds, "Hell yeah. I don't blame you for vying to drop his ass Fitz." Fitz takes a breath, and he takes a swig of beer, then smartly replies, "The night is young fellas, stay tuned."
They all share a laugh, and both Drew and Harry look at each other as they hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. But, regardless, they have their buddy's back, as they attempt to encourage him to let the incident roll off his back, especially given the setting.
But, Drew asks, "Hey man, you good?" Before he can reply Harry chimes in, "Yeah Iron Mike, you good homie?" They all chuckle at his joke as Fitz replies, "Yeah man. I'm good. Sorry I lost it a little. I didn't mean to put yall in an awkward position."
Harry replies, "There wasn't anything awkward about it bro. He was out of line, and you checked his ass. We had your back 100%." Drew adds, "He's right bro. We were ready for whatever happened. That said, I didn't want you to pick up an assault charge though. And you know guys like Jake are the first ones to file charges."
Fitz nods as he says, "You're right. I guess I wasn't thinking straight. Thanks for having my back guys. Even if it wasn't wise." Harry pats him on the back as he replies, "You were thinking with your heart man; it makes sense. And even though he could've tried to file assault charges. I would have testified it was self defense, just like everybody else in ear shot." Drew looks at him as he jokes, "I don't know if knocking two people out would be considered self defense, but hey. I could be wrong."
Harry responds, "To be fair, the only person who was in jeopardy of taking a nap on the grass, was Jake's punk ass. Did you see how he stepped to the side when Fitz stepped to Jake." Drew chuckles as he responds, "Man, I thought he was going to pee himself or run." Fitz adds, "Or both." They all laugh hysterically, and clink cups, as they recount the incident with humor.
It then dons on Fitz that he hasn't told them about Mellie bringing Nick. So he decides to bring them up to speed. Understanding she could show up at any minute. Upon sharing the details surrounding how she met Nick. Harry says, "Man, what in the entire fuck is her deal?" Drew adds, "In a word, everything. Everything is her deal. This is nothing more than a temper tantrum that will blow up in her face. And, it will be epic I'm sure."
Fitz asks, "Why do you say that?" He responds, "Because you're not checking for her anymore bro. And, that's not a part of her plan. Her reason for being pissed at you is because she can't lure you into helping her anymore."
He nods as he says, "True. But I think the most interesting part about it is the fact Liv and Abby have never met the guy she's dating." Harry gives a look of confusion as he asks, "Why not?"
He shrugs his shoulders as he replies, "According to Liv, he doesn't come here; Mellie goes to his place or they meet wherever they're going." Drew responds, "That's odd. Unless she knows something is off about him. And doesn't want Liv and Abby to expose whatever the issue may be." Fitz replies, "That's funny. I thought the same thing when Liv told me they'd be meeting him for the first time tonight too. Harry nods as he says, "Or, maybe he's the one that's not interested in coming around. Because I can't see Mellie keeping this tidbit to herself. Especially when you think about how mad she was that you'd start blowing off her text messages."
Fitz then recalls the comment she made when they met, and he told her he wouldn't be pursuing her anymore. She did seem still upset about his lax in responding to her text messages and calls. That thought leads him to ask, "Why would that be the case Harry? It's not like I live here with them."
He agrees as he replies, "No you don't. But, we all come here to hang out at times. So, assuming she's told him about your relationship and friendship. You wouldn't seem like a threat to their relationship per se. But, I'd imagine it would be kind of weird from his perspective to see you here. I mean can you think of a more awkward situation than the one he's in, based on how he met both of you? And now he's dating her."
Both Drew and Fitz have to admit he has a solid point; as Fitz replies, "Damn. That does make sense man. I didn't think of that at all." Drew agrees as he says, "Yeah I see your point Harry. But, we are all adults. And, if he had an issue with coming around Fitz, due to how they met. He wouldn't have taken Mellie's number when she was out on a date with him." He nods as he replies, "Touche. That's some foul shit. Even I wouldn't have done that. Dude is destined for karma to bite him in his entire ass."
Fitz and Drew both laugh as Drew says, "I see you're channeling your inner Abby on that retort my dude." He has to laugh at himself as he replies, "Maybe. But it doesn't make it any less true." On that they all agree. And Fitz puts a bow on the conversation as he says, "Regardless of what the reasoning is as to why Nick hasn't been introduced to the group yet. It's going to happen sooner than later."
Hearing him, Drew thoughtfully tasks, "Are you cool with him coming man? I mean I know you're over Mel. But, I mean seeing him here. Is that going to be cool with you?" Fitz nods as he replies, "Yeah man, I'm cool. Just ready to see how it all unfolds, you know?" They both nod as Harry replies, "One thing is for sure; it will definitely work out more so in your favor, than hers." Drew asks, "How?"
He replies, "Because you and Liv are together out of genuine feelings for one another, and she's using Nick as a pawn to get back at you." Fitz responds, "Do you really think that's the basis of their relationship? That's quite a reach." He nods as he says, "Maybe. But, you've got to admit her timing for introducing him to the group couldn't be more interesting."
Drew finds his take fascinating as he asks, "You really think she'd risk bringing him around us, knowing he could be exposed if something is off about him. Just because his presence could make Fitz feel inferior?" Harry replies with humor as only he can, as he says, "Does a bear shit in the woods?"
They crack up, as Drew almost drops his plate and Fitz almost spills his beer, laughing so hard at his response. And as their laughter quells, they have to admit, it's entirely possible Mellie would do such a thing, in the name of trying to trash Fitz, to make him feel bad or look bad, for not doing what she felt was necessary to make her feel or look good.
Fitz says, "Man, I guess her arrival will be the main event after all. Even if she doesn't get the response she's searching for. There's no doubt there will be fireworks." Harry adds, "Absolutely, and sign me up for a front seat to see this fucking train wrek. I hope dude's not sensitive. Because if he is, he's not going to make it being with her. Her ability to start shit, wherever she goes is uncanny." They nod in agreement with him, as Drew replies, "Man facts. I swear her and Jake would be a couple made in hell. They're literally the same person."