~*~
Jae was back at Logan's apartment, sprawled out on the couch, reading, when she heard voices in the living room. One was Logan's, another was Max…the third voice sounded vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place it. She stood up just as Logan rolled in, announcing, "Jae, this is Max's…brother, Zack." His voice was full of the disgust that only the well-bred could manage. Only "cultured" people could make you feel shitty in one sentence.
Zack walked in, and Jae could only stare in horror. "You…" she whispered in disbelief.
Logan looked from her to Zack and back again. "Do you two know each other?"
"Something like that." She couldn't echo his refined revulsion, but she gave it her best shot. She shook her head and walked away, heading for the guestroom. Max, exchanging a questioning glance with Logan, followed her, determined to find out what was going on.
Jae looked up as Max walked in. "What's the dealio with Zack?" Max wanted to know.
"Subtle," Jae commented with an acerbic laugh.
"Doesn't answer my question."
Jae shrugged, avoiding her gaze. "He slept with my roommate."
Max got a really bad image in her mind. "You mean, you walked in while…"
"No, nothing like that," Jae assured her quickly. "I came in well after the fact. It's just… She's into casual sex. I'm not." She shrugged again, studying the floor.
"Me either."
Jae looked up at her and smiled.
Finally, Max stood up. "I'm going to grab something to eat. You want anything?"
Jae shook her head. "No, thanks."
Max nodded and walked out.
A few minutes later, someone knocked on the doorframe. Zack.
"Knock, knock."
"Go away." She didn't even attempt to make it sound polite.
"I have to talk to you."
"I'm sorry, you must have me mistaken for someone who cares."
He walked in, completely ignoring what she just said. He closed the door behind him. Jae raised her eyebrows. "I don't know if being alone with you is a good idea," she remarked.
"I don't bite."
"I won't even go there."
The silence between them stretched. "So," Jae said finally, "what exactly was so important that you had to barge in here to tell me?"
"Last week," replied Zack.
"Last week. When you slept with my roommate. Right. Anything else?"
"I slept with her, not you, so I'd appreciate if you'd stop acting like a scorned lover. Besides, from what I understand, she isn't exactly the Virgin Mary."
Jae positively seethed at that statement, even if it was true. No one, especially not this asshole, had the right to talk about her friends like that. Full of fury, she advanced towards him and raised her hand to strike, but he was quicker and caught her wrist.
"I wouldn't try that if I were you," he said, his voice low.
In a flash, she changed her strategy. "Oh no?" Her voice, playful and teasing, gave no hint of her simmering rage. She moved even closer to him, nearly pressing her body against his, and slowly ran her hands up his chest. He showed no sign of enjoying it, but he didn't move away either. Her movements still slow and deliberate, she traced his jawline, then leaned towards him. Her lips lightly brushed his. Finally, he responded; strong arms pulled her against him as he deepened the kiss, seeking entrance with his tongue.
A few minutes later, she realized she had forgotten what the purpose of doing that had been. Now she remembered. He had basically called Vita a slut. She mentally berated herself for getting so caught up in what had been a ploy to get him to let his guard down. Well, his guard was certainly down now, she thought. Swiftly, she brought her knee up to meet his groin. He let go of her, suppressing a groan.
She moved back, putting the bed between them, and said in reply to his earlier comment:
"Well, then, it's a good thing you're not me."
Just then, the door opened, barely missing Zack. Sensing the tension in the room, Logan looked back and forth between them. "Max said not to leave you two alone for too long."
"I couldn't imagine why she would say such a thing," Jae said sarcastically as she brushed past Zack and walked out.
Zack said nothing, just glared at Logan and Jae's retreating form and stalked out.
"Well, aren't we all just getting along," Logan commented to no one in particular as he followed them out.
~*~
