A.N. Don't own em.
Banks and Connie supported Connie as she wove back and forth on the sidewalk, still humming We're Off to See the Wizard. Suddenly, Connie tripped over nothing on the sidewalk and Banks saved her once again from falling on her face.
And to think, she's so graceful on the ice, he muttered to Julie.
Must be the skates, she replied with false cheer. Banks, thanks again for doing this.
He grinned at her. Are you kidding? I wouldn't miss this for the world. This is Blackmail Heaven.
Julie laughed, knowing Banks would never breathe a word about tonight to anyone. That was just the kind of guy he was, totally trustworthy. Shut up, Gaffney , she told herself.
he began, righting Connie before she fell again. I don't think it's such a good idea to take a cab. She may pass out on the way and then you'd never get her out of the cab, let alone to her bed.
Julie bit her lip. You're right, she agreed. I hadn't thought that far ahead.
After righting Connie yet again, Adam let out an exasperated breath and swung her up into his arms. Connie let out a giggle and hooked her arm around his neck, leaning her head against his shoulder. Noticing that Connie was being way too quiet after her energy just a few minutes before, Julie scrutinized her friend with narrow eyes. Julie took in the fact that Connie was beginning to look a little green.
Great, just great . Can tonight get worse for either of us?
Why don't I drive you guys back to your dorm and you can call her mom to tell her she's spending the night? he suggested, eyeing Connie's complexion nervously.
Julie blinked in surprise. That's really sweet of you, Banks, but... look at her. She could be sick any minute.
he asked, shaking his head in confusion.
Julie stared at him like he was stupid. Adam. You have a Porsche.
Grinning, he tossed his hair out of his eyes. Is that all? Don't worry about that. It's a convertible, we'll just keep the top down. He shrugged. Besides, I'd rather she be sick in my car than in a cab you'd have to help clean up.
Okay, is it any wonder why I like this guy? Julie asked herself as she shook her head in wonder.
Sighing, she nodded. All right, but if she gets sick, I'm helping you clean it up.
No you're not, Julie. If she gets sick, you're taking care of her while I clean it up, he retorted, shifting a now still Connie in his arms.
He had a valid point, so Julie stopped arguing with him. As they neared Banks' house, Julie thought over the night. On the one hand, she wished she'd just stayed home and written that paper, maybe watched a movie. But as she walked next to Banks, she found that she didn't mind the night's events as much as she thought she would.
Finally they reached Banks' driveway and he set Connie on her feet to pull out his keys. As he went to the garage, Julie held Connie upright and glanced at the house nervously.
Are we going to wake your parents? she whispered.
They're out of town for the weekend, he replied in a normal voice. He unlocked the side door of the garage and walked in saying, Wait there, I'll pull the car out.
A few seconds later, the garage door started to open and Adam backed his Porsche down the driveway until Connie was lined up with the passenger door. Okay, let's get her in here, Adam muttered as he came around the car.
Julie eyed him as he positioned Connie on the backseat. Are you okay to drive?
Huh? Oh, yeah, I didn't drink anything except water tonight. Straightening, he shot her a grin. Did anyone ever tell you, you worry too much?
Just shut up and drive, Cake-eater, Julie responded as she got in the back with Connie.
Blinking at her use of his old nickname, Adam did as she said. Soon they were heading back towards Eden Hall and Julie's dorm room. At one point in the drive, Connie woke up and started babbling. Julie couldn't understand most of it, but at least it was a sign that she didn't have alcohol poisoning.
By the time they got on the freeway, Julie had made a decision. She'd had enough. Banks, give me your cellphone, she yelled over the wind.
You might want to wait to call her mom until we're not on the freeway, Julie! he answered, glancing at her in the rearview mirror.
I'm not calling her mom. Connie was already going to spend the night at the dorm with me.
Silently, he dug the phone out of his pocket and handed it to her. Julie quickly flipped it open and searched through his contact list until she found the number she was looking for. Pressing send before she had a chance to reconsider or to think about how badly Connie was going to kill her for this, she brought the phone to her ear.
One... two... she counted silently. On the third ring, someone picked up, and a groggy voice slurred,
The car swerved slightly as Adam jumped in his seat and stared at her in the rearview mirror.
Julie? What time is it? A crash came through the line that Julie assumed was Guy's alarm clock meeting the floor.
Julie glanced at her watch but couldn't read it. I don't know. Look, you have to answer a question for me.
Julie, can't this wait until tomorrow? Guy was beginning to sound very annoyed.
No, it can't. It's really important, Guy.
The other end was silent for a moment. Is there something wrong with Connie? His voice held a note of panic.
Do you love Connie?
What kind of question is that? Guy snapped, sounding rather relieved. That's what you woke me up for?
Julie rubbed her temple and waited for him to answer. Finally, he sighed. Julie, what kind of question is that? he repeated softly. I've loved her since I was ten years old. You don't usually get over that sort of thing.
Julie let out a breath. Could you meet us at my dorm then?
Why? Where are you?
Banks is driving us to the dorm from the party. Connie got a little...smashed and she's passed out on the backseat. I think you're the one she wants there when she wakes up, so could you just meet us there?
Guy sighed in her ear. I'll be there in ten. Bye Julie. Hearing the click signaling that Guy had hung up, Julie flipped the phone shut and handed it back to Banks who was looking pretty nervous.
Everything's fine, stop looking so worried, she ordered, nudging his shoulder.
So Guy isn't going to kill me, right? Adam joked, turning off the freeway.
Nope, but I sure hope Connie doesn't kill me. She sat back against the seat with Connie's head in her lap as Banks laughed.
When they finally reached the parking lot outside the dorms, Guy was already there waiting for them. He walked over to the car and looked down at Connie, sighing.
Why do you always do this? he muttered, lifting her out of the car with Banks' help. Come on, baby. Wake up, Connie, he whispered in her ear as he carried her towards the door to the building.
Julie heard Connie murmur something and Guy respond as she and Adam walked ahead of them into the building, leading the way to Julie's dorm room. Opening the door, Julie walked in and turned on the light. Banks held the door for Guy, who set Connie on the bed and took off her shoes.
Where's your roommate? Banks asked, walking up behind Julie who was getting pajamas for Connie.
Glancing over her shoulder, Julie shrugged, struggling to think of words for a moment. She's never here on weekends. I think she spends them at her boyfriend's or something.
Checking his watch, Adam cringed. Don't we have practice tomorrow morning?
Crap. Yeah, we do. Sighing, Julie got a bottle of water out of the mini-fridge and handed it to Guy for Connie. You better go home and get some sleep. I'll walk you out, she added, grabbing her jacket.
Guy and Banks said goodnight to each other as he and Julie left the room. They walked silently until they reached the double doors leading outside. Thanks for everything tonight, Banks. I really appreciate it and I know Connie does too. She just, uh, can't express it right now.
Adam grinned at her, running a hand through his hair. No worries. Ducks fly together, remember?
Grinning back, she gave him a quick hug and then pushed him towards his car. Try and get some sleep, otherwise Coach will kill us all for ruining his lead scorer.
Scoffing, Adam turned and headed to the driver's side of the Porsche. See you bright and early tomorrow morning, Julie! With that he drove out of the parking lot, leaving Julie standing there, warmth still making her arms tingle from their hug.
Team dynamics, she muttered to herself, whirling to face the doors leading inside. Can't screw up the team dynamics.
