Tiffany emerged slowly from a deep sleep, her body ignoring her commands to wake...she hadn't slept that well in so long. She smelled bacon...and smelled him too, warm and smoky…
She moved a little and his arms tightened around her, his body pressed against the length of her back.
"Careful," he said groggily into her hair. "Knuckleheads in tha kitchen."
She heard loud voices outside the bedroom door, the front door closing and laughter booming. Someone said something low, and the guys laughed louder.
She rolled over to face him and looked up, seeing the strong line of his jaw, his throat. His skin was so warm.
"They better not eat it all," she said.
He opened one eye and peered down at her, grinning. "If we got enough food for the guys in this apartment an' tha ones next door - pretty sure we can feed you too."
She pushed him, laughing as he chuckled, his eyes warm on her face as he held her tighter. She felt weightless, like she was floating.
Looking into his intense eyes, her cheeks flared, remembering last night...Her skin became very aware of his now, as well as his eyes on her… they were still half undressed.
"On second thought…" she brought her hands to his broad bare chest. "Let's stay here all day."
"Agreed," he said. The squeezing of his strong arms around her made her melt, his eyes still smiling at her. He wasn't as dark as his figure had been last night; this was a part of him he kept reserved, intimate and hidden, as light and carefree as the morning...time spent with him felt like opening doors that led to things she had never felt before.
He kissed her so sweetly and she held his face to hers, pulling him on top of her. He was beautiful in the morning light, his skin bright and smooth...his breath was shaky as her hands roamed over him greedily...
"Soup's on!" Mush's voice cried from the kitchen, the guys laughing outside. One was hitting a pot with a wooden spoon.
Jack chuckled against her lips. "God, they're annoying."
"I like 'em," she said with a grin.
They slowly pulled apart and got dressed...Jack passed her her turtleneck without looking, and she giggled.
"Such a gentleman."
"Some times," he said, grinning as he peaked at her over his shoulder, heading to the bathroom.
She watched him change from his jeans to black sweatpants as she sat on his bed and undid her braids...she felt warm at the sight of him in his snug briefs, facing away from her. She remembered the way they had been last night, and longed to be against him again...His sweatpants hung low on his hips, and her smile grew as she watched him place the shark tooth on his nightstand with care. He glanced up at her and grinned.
"Ya lookin' at my ass again?" he asked with that boyish smirk.
"Uh-huh," she said, laughing as he suddenly lunged and tackled her back onto the bed. His smile was broad and genuine as she laughed, their hands comfortably touching each other.
"What classes ya got today?" he asked as he rolled onto his side.
"Dance - shocker."
He laughed but her thoughts slowly strayed back to reality as she looked at him, her smile falling a little. She suddenly felt nervous, feeling the opportunity to let him into her world a little more...she had a feeling how he would react.
"Business management and internship...business law," she bit her lip, thinking of the homework and projects she needed to focus on today... "...some International Development courses."
He looked at her incredulously. "How many hours are ya takin'?"
"Twenty-two."
"Impossible."
"Some days."
"How tha hell are ya here with me, then?" he questioned. "How are ya workin' the hours you do?"
"I make it work," she said, pausing. "I have to...I'm a dual major."
His brow furrowed a little as he read her face, no doubt seeing the change and conflict in her eyes. She swallowed.
"...Dance Performance & Management, and Social Work...with focus in Human Trafficking."
She heard Spot's voice in her head, telling her not to sugarcoat anything with him. It's how she liked things anyway...but as she watched his stone-like face become almost cold, her heart beat faster and faster in her chest. The not-so-fun memories of last night came back between them...
He needed to know, even if it was only a small slice of the pie. Enough to let him in...but keep him safe.
She thought about Honey's text last night too...of how everyone else was thinking of her safety, but she was more concerned about those she'd gotten involved.
"Jack," her voice caught as she tried to piece her words together, the thoughts she had tumbling around in the back of her mind all last night. She'd chosen to push her fears aside, to feel and enjoy him...but with the morning light on his face, reality pushed its way back in between them. It shown in his eyes.
"I know the solution you might have in your head," she said carefully. "...that I should just leave the Black Diamond. But... unfortunately leaving isn't an option I have anymore...not with what I know."
His jaw tightened.
Her fingers found a strand of her wavy hair and she looked down. "I - I naturally aim high in almost everything I do. It sounds cocky and competitive but it's who I am as a person. Sometimes it's not always the smartest path to take...especially with what I'm trying to do."
She felt like she was warning him, but when she looked up to his strong handsome face she saw the attention in his eyes, the patience. She took a deep breath.
"I know I'm aiming high now, in a dangerous underworld I've chosen to infiltrate... with only a half baked plan and some college credits. Sometimes I don't know if I'm getting braver or more foolish with my choices…"
She reached out and touched the hair that had fallen in front of his face. She was afraid he'd push her away, but he didn't move. His wall was back up.
"But I can't be foolish with you," she said softly, feeling more exposed than she had been last night. She didn't know how to do this - how to be vulnerable.
His tough exterior guarded him well, but he felt as delicate as a bubble beneath her fingers. She dropped her hand and her gaze.
"They're watching my house, they're watching me," she swallowed, feeling the gravity of her words. "And now they might watch you too. It isn't just me anymore, and I cannot ask you to put yourself in danger. But…"
She swallowed and felt the grief she fought to keep down on a daily basis well up inside her.
"It didn't start with me," she managed to say through her tight throat.
His brow furrowed as he read her face.
"And it's a legacy I plan to carry for as long as I'm able," she said.
"Ya won't carry nothin' if you're dead." he said darkly, his cold eyes drilling into hers.
She felt hurt sting her eyes and she dropped her hand. She knew it was a sensitive topic, for both of them...
"You're right," she said carefully. "But if it means stopping them, just stopping one group...it might help hundreds, thousands of people. Even if I can't stop them, maybe it'll help open the way for someone who can. This takes lives every day, Jack."
The anger melted a little in his expression. But the coldness remained.
"I know I don't have to tell you that," she whispered, closing her eyes.
She thought about her mother -
She felt his thumb graze her cheek, catching the tear that escaped.
She looked up, seeing her feelings mirrored in his eyes.
"I know ya want to keep ya reasons guarded," he said after a moment. "But sometimes the hero should walk away."
She looked at him longingly, wanting so badly to take away the pain she saw beneath his stone like expression.
"I have to do what I can," she said. "I've been given so many opportunities...it's only right that I try."
She hoped her words made sense...by the way he looked at her, something had clicked. His expression was calculating, but strangely proud too.
"Jus' lemme know what I can do," he said low and roughly, looking away from her.
"Be my date for the Winter Gala?"
He looked back up at her, his mouth hinting at a grin. "If ya wanna see me in my suit again, jus' gotta ask."
She laughed and his grin grew a little.
"It's the Winter Showcase, they're making a big deal of it this year...along with brand new studios to show off to investors and alumni."
"'s that so?" he asked coyly.
"Yeah," she grinned in response, biting her lip.
"An' you wanna be seen with the muscle that built 'em? Show off."
She shoved his shoulder and they laughed.
"I'm not much for fancy gatherings..." he said huskily, his eyes roaming over her. "But it'd be my pleasure to take ya."
She smiled, blushing under his warm gaze.
"'ey Jack ya up yet?!" came a voice from the kitchen.
Jack started to leave the bed and she sat up quickly to stop him with her hand on his chest, pressing her lips to his. He froze for a moment and then deepened the kiss, leaning into her.
She broke away after a moment, before their hands could get carried away. "Thank you."
He gave her a small grin, their faces close together and his hand at the small of her back. "So when's this Gala?"
"December fifth. Right before Winter Break."
"I'll make sure my shoes are shined," he teased.
The fear and sadness were still in his eyes, and she wondered if she would ever know what had happened to him...but for now she returned his smile, and smiled wider when he kissed her one more time, growling with impatience as he broke away from her to grab a t-shirt.
"C'mon...let's go see what the goons got cooked up."
He led the way out of the bedroom, and she suddenly felt nervous, looking down to make sure she was fully dressed as he opened the door-
The guys were sprawled on the couches, standing and goofing around in the kitchen, drinking coffee and smoking pot, all dressed for the day when they looked up - all seven of them - and greeted them loudly, all smiling at her.
"'ey!"
"Mornin', Jack."
"What's doin', Tiff?"
"Want some coffee?"
"Yes please," she said to Racetrack with a relieved smile. They laughed warmly and she heard Boots' voice carry over from the kitchen where Mush was cooking -
"Nah, too easy, Michael Keaton is tha best."
"You're crazy - it's that 'Bale' guy."
"No way: Tim Burton all tha way."
"'eh, phoney!" they said in almost unison.
"None of 'em can touch Michelle Pfeiffer's Cat Woman," she added as she grabbed her purse and sweater, grinning a little.
They laughed and made noises of approval and admiration.
"Ah man, so true."
"Better than Ivy."
"Ah, come off it."
"Ya mother."
She giggled as she put on her sweater. Mush winked at her from the stove.
"So we missed a good one last night, huh?" asked the tall one with the glasses...Specs.
"Dude, it was so good," Mush said enthusiastically as he flipped pancakes. "'ey, get outta tha bacon!"
The others groaned at the sneaky one Snoddy, who snuck away with a strip of bacon hanging from his smirking mouth. Spot yanked it away from him, and Snoddy chased him down.
"Watch it!" Racetrack yelled as he poured coffee. "If I spill this on ya it'll be nearly accidental."
"Let's watch it again, I wanna see it," Boots said.
"Sorry, no replays," Jack said as he made his way into the kitchen through the bodies of his friends, snagging a piece of bacon.
The guys protested, and Jack laughed as he blocked hands.
Tiffany watched with a smile as Jack fell into routine with them, cutting up and smiling. They all talked over each other, laughing and teasing; the same faces from the pub last night, still just as light hearted and brotherly. She watched as a cup of coffee traded hands until it was passed to her by Snoddy.
"Thanks, guys."
"See tha cold front comin' in?" Bumlets asked the room as he looked in the fridge.
"'s gonna be cold as shit," Mush said as he flipped a pancake.
"It was freezin' last night," Boots said.
"You weren't freezin' your family jewels off out there on tha damned fire escape," Spot shook his head as he helped Mush. "The things I do for ya, Jackie Boy. An' that one climbed barefoot!"
They laughed, Tiffany smiled as she searched her purse for her phone. It had to be after eight o'clock…
"Shoes get in the way," she said.
"She's always barefoot," Jack said from the kitchen. His voice was warm, and Tiffany caught Mush nudging him with his elbow, the guys giving Jack looks with raised eyebrows. They teased him just like her friends did with her.
"Ain't never seen a girl do that," Snoddy said with a laugh.
"Talk about Deja Vu," Racetrack muttered as he reached for his cup on the counter next to Mush. Tiffany got the impression she wasn't meant to hear it.
"You ain't fuckin' kiddin'." Spot murmured, his eyes glancing at her.
"Least ya didn't have glass in ya this time, Cowboy - ow!"
"Glass?"
The guys froze, their eyes glancing at her; Spot and Racetrack had both smacked Snoddy in the arm, and without missing a beat they suddenly all began moving around the kitchen, looking for something to do, avoiding her eyes. Tiffany's brow furrowed.
"Y-yeah, one time he stepped on a bottle in tha summer time - nasty."
"Blood everywhere."
"Actually, it was a fight."
The guys froze again and this time looked at Jack. He was calm and matter-of-fact as he leaned against the counter, sipping his coffee. She saw the way they looked at him, like he'd missed a cue.
"An' I wish it'd been my foot - mighta hurt less," he said indifferently, his voice flat.
Tiffany moved to the couch and leaned over the back so she could see him. He was serious.
"...what happened?" she asked, hesitant to pry.
His eyes softened on her face. "I was stabbed with a broken bottle in a lousy street fight," he said slowly. "Was a...long time ago."
"When you knew Cage."
She regretted the statement the moment it left her mouth - dammit. She couldn't help but try to fit the pieces together, the life he wouldn't talk about. She could feel the sudden emotions from them, surprised and pained to have him brought up. They dropped their gazes. Jack was melancholy and thoughtful.
"If it weren't for him...I woulda bled out on tha street."
His words repeated in her head, and she tried to picture it. "Jesus..."
Mush held out his mug, clinking it with Jack's solemnly.
After a long moment, she noticed they were all looking at her, a strange intent in their eyes. She couldn't read the emotions on their faces, but she had chill bumps.
Suddenly the front door opened and David stepped in - Tiffany jumped and screamed.
The tension was broken and the guys' laughter filled the room, relieved for the comedic timing. Tiffany covered her mouth, her body shaking as she laughed with them.
"What I miss?" David turned to her on the couch and smiled tiredly. "Oh, hey there, Tiffany."
"Davey!"
"I'll be damned, here for breakfast!" Racetrack exclaimed.
They clapped David on the shoulder and shoved him towards the kitchen, Boots handing him a cup of coffee. They became engrossed with David, distracting themselves from the previous conversation...David looked exhausted, but he smiled at them all.
Tiffany noticed Jack turn away from them, pouring another cup of coffee.
"Where were you all night?" Snoddy asked pointedly.
"No call, no text. I'm insulted," Racetrack teased as he got plates down from the cabinet.
"I was at Medda's, signing you up for her next musical," David teased. The guys laughed and shoved him towards Mush at the stove.
"Shut up an' eat somethin' will ya? Ya look like you're about to fall over," Boots said as he loaded up a plate for David.
Tiffany reached for her purse again, pulling out her phone as the guys laughed behind her, teasing each other as they passed plates of pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Though they weren't as loud and lighthearted as they had been earlier…their voices were more subdued, and the same sadness she saw in Jack's eyes hung over them now, even as they fought to hide it with their jibes and fast-talking.
"How's Medda?"
"Good - she's been so busy, she wants us to come over for dinner soon."
"Done."
Tiffany swallowed as she saw she had several missed calls from Cage. Her stomach dropped a little, thinking about it...Cage actually saving someone...saving Jack.
But now she felt as if an hourglass had been turned over above her, feeling rushed. She would have to return his calls soon. She'd wait until she was alone...
She pushed the thought away and texted Honey quickly before dropping the phone back into her purse, just as Jack came up behind her with full plates.
"Boots can give ya a lift wherever ya need ta go," he said low as he put their plates on the coffee table.
She hesitated slightly, wondering what he was thinking...his face was rigid again.
She sat on the couch next to him. "I don't have class 'til noon," she purred in his ear.
He eyed her suspiciously. "Are ya tryin' to get me ta play hookie?"
Spot rolled over the other couch and landed impressively with a glass of OJ in his hand, his mouth full with bacon. He leaned forward, eyeing the two of them.
"'s a beautiful day for playin' hookie," Spot agreed, winking at Tiffany. She smiled at him mischievously.
"No cigar," Jack said as he focused on his hot breakfast, the others joining them on the couches. Mush set the OJ and syrup on the table, eyeing Tiffany with a teasing smirk.
"Sounds like a great idea to me," David said from his desk.
"I ain't havin' rich assholes walkin' 'round half-ass studios," Jack said irritably. "We've got less than a month to finish, and less than an hour before we have ta leave -"
"They'll look great," Tiffany soothed. "The gala is weeks away."
Jack cast a fast, wide eyed, hint-dropping gaze at her and she saw the guys' faces light up simultaneously, tricky smiles appearing on their faces. She smiled at Jack sheepishly and he laughed a little at her.
"Gala?"
"What's this? An event?"
"Sounds fancy."
"Why didn't the boss say anything?!"
Jack shook his head, "'s nothin' that need concern you lot."
"The hell it don't," Spot argued. He looked at Tiffany, inclining his head. "Does Jade need a date?"
They laughed, and Racetrack hit Spot with a pillow, "don't you gotta hot car ta sell or somethin'?"
Spot faked a punch and hit Race in the arm twice for flinching.
"I'm nev'ah late, I run tha joint!" But Spot glanced at his watch and sprung up from the couch, abandoning his half plate to the guys around him. "Jackie Boy, text me - see ya, Tiff!"
"So, when's the big night?" Racetrack pressed, much to Jack's annoyance.
"December fifth," Tiffany bit her lip to hide her grin. "It's the Winter Showcase, the school's chance to showboat and get money."
They laughed and Jack gave her a sly smile.
"They'll be showboat worthy," Snoddy reassured as he drowned his pancakes in syrup.
They finished breakfast and Tiffany gathered her things, the guys shouting 'see ya later' as Jack walked her to the door. Boots went bounding down the stairs ahead of her to get his taxi (he'd stopped by specifically for breakfast).
"So...I'll see ya 'round," Jack said low, his eyes avoiding hers.
Her smile fell a little...remembering she had to work tonight.
"I'll...see you on campus?" she asked hopefully.
In her mind, she knew it was smarter to stay away from him, to space out their time together...but she didn't imagine it would be this difficult to leave.
"You bettah," he said, his eyes meeting hers.
She bit her lip and her eyes drank him in as he leaned against the doorframe. She leaned forward, her hand touching his side as she kissed him one more time. His head dropped to hers, and she could feel it was difficult for him too.
She turned quickly and bounded down the stairs to catch up with Boots.
"GIRL!" Honey squealed with a broad smile, hitting Tiffany with a pillow.
They laughed and Tiffany blushed. Jade, Kiki and Honey were gathered around on Honey's bed, Tiffany sitting with her back to the wall as they pulled details about her night with Jack.
It was almost three in the morning, and their homework lay forgotten on the floor. They'd gotten home two hours ago, had showered and changed quickly into their PJs so they could talk before bed. They'd been waiting all day to be alone with Tiffany, to talk openly without listening ears. Honey laid back into Kiki's lap, Kiki's hands going back to braiding her hair.
"He's head over heels for you, babe," Jade stated as she lay back on Honey's pillows. "I know you're excited about that."
"You're worrying!" Kiki exclaimed as she watched Tiffany's face. "Don't ruin it for yourself."
"She has every reason to worry," Honey said. "Jus' don't be stupid."
Tiffany huffed loudly and rubbed her face. "You say that like it's easy."
"Just gotta be smart about it," Jade said, thinking. "It wasn't anything bad last night - the same car passed by a couple times and then left. If they fire you for having a life, let them."
"They won't," Honey said, her tone dark. "You're too valuable to them."
"Good," Tiffany turned her head to meet her friends' gazes. "It's what I have to be to get in."
"Girl, you're already in," Honey cautioned. "You heard Cage tonight - the boss is visiting at the end of this month, and I saw the way he looked at you. He was not happy last night."
"Because I ignored his calls on my night off," Tiffany muttered bitterly.
"They're up to something," Kiki said. "I heard them talking in the VIP lounge...Cage kept saying 'the client gets whatever he wants'."
They glanced at each other nervously.
"Jazzi is the one who's up to something," Jade said coldly. "She's been out 'til dawn, gone for days. Has she told you anything?"
Tiffany shook her head. She'd been trying not to think about it. She was still angry with her. "We...haven't been talking much lately."
"I don't like it," Honey said flatly.
Tiffany sighed. "I just need one shred of proof - physical proof I can run with to involve the feds and we'll have a case against these bastards."
Honey closed her eyes. "But at what cost, Tiff?"
"And Cage knows Jack?" Kiki asked. "What are the chances…"
"I don't think Cage recognized him," Tiffany said, thinking back to when Jack had approached them in the club. "...at least he acted like he didn't know him. I - was a bit distracted at the time."
The girls squealed again.
"You've got it bad," Kiki said with a wide grin. Tiffany blushed and dropped her head back against the wall. "I've never seen you like this. You're usually so focused."
"I know," Tiffany groaned and they laughed warmly at her.
"You need to focus more on dance and Jack, if you ask me," Jade crooned as she smiled at her phone, texting away. "Lord knows that's what I'm doin'...Spot is more than happy to oblige."
"And if they all get swept up in this?" Honey asked. "I haven't seen Mush in days because I'm terrified of what my actions might do to him."
"I'm torn too," Tiffany said.
"Look," Jade sat up and looked them all dead in the eyes. "If we don't get your damn shred of proof when the boss and this 'client' comes, we walk. Deal? Whatever it takes. These guys don't own the universe."
"Just our freedom," Tiffany added. dropping her gaze.
"That's not somethin' the Tiff I know would say," Jade said, reaching across the bed to touch Tiffany's face. "You know who you are - you took this on for a reason, and I believe in you every step of the way. But just because you couldn't save your momma from her demons doesn't mean you'll save her by bringing these assholes down."
Tiffany brought her knees to her chest as if to protect herself from Jade's words. "I know that."
"The bigger question is," Jade smiled big. "...what are you gonna wear to the Gala?"
She coaxed a smile from Tiffany, and they laughed before falling into a pile together, hugging each other tightly.
