Chapter 8
"Merrill, wake up. We're here."
Merrill had fallen asleep almost immediately after Alicia had taken the wheel almost an hour ago. He opened his eyes and sat up.
"We're here already?"
"Yep."
"You drove through all that traffic?"
"What- you didn't think I could handle it?"
He shrugged sheepishly and yawned.
"You look like a very unhappy baby who just woke up from naptime."
"Why thank you."
Merrill flipped down the visor mirror and cringed.
"I look like hell. Was I sleeping that hard?"
"You were out like a light."
He licked his fingers and fixed his hair. Then he rubbed his face and looked at Alicia.
"Is that better?"
"Much. After all, you wanna make a hot first impression. Elle is expecting a lot, you know."
"Well, she'll get everything she expected and more because.."
He paused his sentence to lower his voice and put on his sexiest face.
"I am Merrill Hess, the hottest stud in the minor leagues."
Alicia fell apart laughing and said, "You're such a nerd, Merrill!"
"And that's exactly why you want me so bad."
"Who said I wanted you?"
Merrill leaned across the seat and gave Alicia a fiery kiss that lasted for well over a minute or two.
After they let go, Alicia ran her fingers across her lips and said, "I think that's why I want you so bad. No one has ever kissed me the way you always do."
"In order to be a good kisser, you have to have a good kiss receiver- and you, my dear, are the best at that."
"Really? I think I need another demonstration."
Alicia giggled as Merrill kissed her again, sliding his tongue past her lips and around her tongue. The sensation of his fingers caressing her neck sent shivers all over her body. Before things got more heated, she pulled out of the kiss.
"We should really go up to Elle's apartment now or we'll end up in this car all day long."
Merrill kissed her one final time and then brushed a strand of hair from her eyes.
"You are so beautiful, I don't know what to do with myself."
She smiled and kissed him back.
"Thanks. That means a lot."
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go."
They got out of the car with their suitcases and went to the front door of the apartment building. Alicia pressed the buzzer and waited. Suddenly, a cheerful voice boomed over the speaker.
"Is that you, Ali?"
"Yep! We're here!"
"Did Merrill come?"
"Yeah, he's standing right next to me."
"Hi Merrill!"
Merrill was thoroughly amused.
"Hi."
Alicia said, "Come on, girl! Open the door!!"
"Just wait two seconds- I'll be right down!"
"OK."
Alicia looked and Merrill and said, "That's my Ellen."
"How long have you two been friends?"
"She was my suitemate when we first started at NYU- that was almost four years ago."
"So she's a senior?"
"Yep."
"And you dropped out how long ago?"
Alicia hesitated before she answered.
"My parents think I dropped out a few months ago. I dropped out two years ago. Colleen knows, but please don't tell-"
"You have my word."
Suddenly, a brunette who looked like she could've been Alicia's sister burst through the door.
"Ali!! Oh my God! It feels like it's been forever!"
They squealed as they threw their arms around each other.
"Elle, you look so cute! Have you been living on carrot sticks and ice cubes?"
"I wish."
"Oh- Ellen, this is Merrill. Merrill, Ellen."
As they exchanged handshakes, Merrill said, "Nice to meet you, Ellen."
"Pleasure's mine. Alicia can't stop bragging about you."
"Alicia bragging? Never."
Alicia shoved him and asked, "Is Tyler home?"
"No, he's working until 10," Ellen replied.
She looked at Merrill and added, "Tyler's my older brother. Technically, this is his apartment. He moved here with his girlfriend last year, but they had a huge fight about four months ago, and here I am."
"I thought you and Ali lived together."
"Please! She was living with Harris-"
Alicia interrupted her and said, "It's like a boiler room out here today. Let's go inside."
She followed Merrill and Ellen into the building. As Merrill adjusted his watch, Alicia shot Ellen an anxious look.
"He doesn't know about Harrison," she mouthed.
Ellen covered her mouth and whispered, "I'm so sorry."
They got into the elevator and rode up to the 11th floor apartment. Ellen led the way to the apartment, got out her keys, and opened the door.
"Here's home sweet home."
"Nice," Merrill replied, "You have a great view of the city."
"I know. Isn't it great?"
Alicia and Merrill placed their bags down as Ellen opened the doors to the balcony.
"So, what do you guys wanna do?"
Alicia's mind was still pre-occupied with what had happened five minutes prior to that moment.
Merrill looked at her and said, "Whatever you wanna do, baby."
"I'm kinda tired after the drive. Let's just relax- if that's cool with you, Elle."
"No, it's chill. You guys sleep- I have to run some errands anyway. We'll make up for lost time tonight at Iguana's."
"Sounds awesome."
"The guest bedroom is over there. The bed's already made and everything."
"Thanks."
"No problem. I'll be back by 5 or 6."
"Ok. Bye."
"See ya."
Ellen took her purse and left the apartment. Immediately, Merrill looked strangely at Alicia.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing."
"You're too quiet. You also snapped a little at Ellen when she brought up the fact that you two didn't live together. She mentioned a name that sounded like-"
"Harrison. Harrison Peters. He was my roommate. We met at NYU and dated for a little while, and then we broke up. But, we still got along, so we got a place together. Then we had a huge argument and that's when I moved to Newtown."
"I see. Well, I'm gonna go finish that nap I started in the car. Coming?"
"Yeah, give me a minute. I'm gonna smoke a cigarette."
"OK."
Before he went into the bedroom, Merrill wrapped his arms around Alicia's waist and gave her a feathery-soft kiss on her lips.
"This weekend is all about you. We're gonna have an amazing time."
"I know we are."
They kissed again and parted ways. Alicia got her cigarettes and went out to the balcony. As she lit one, her heart felt burdened and heavy in her chest. She had just told Merrill the biggest lie imaginable.
'Ali, what the hell did you get yourself into?' she thought aloud.
She looked out upon the Manhattan skyline and let miscellaneous thoughts run through her head. Finally, she put out the cigarette and went back inside. She went into the guest bedroom and saw that Merrill was sound asleep. She climbed onto the bed and wrapped her arms around him, her body facing his.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, "You deserve the truth."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"..and then she started singing to herself in the backseat. I wanted to crack up laughing so bad, but I knew she'd get angry. Then about 10 minutes later, she turned pale and said she had to throw up. So I pulled over and she puked everywhere. The next morning, she looked like complete hell and tried to blame me for it."
"Oh, nothing tops when she turned 21. She kept lifting up her shirt and flashing everyone in the bar. I think you're still banned from there- right, Ali?"
"Shut the hell up!"
Ellen, Merrill, and Alicia sat at a table with Ellen's older brother Tyler, who was a dead ringer for Ryan Seacrest. They all burst into laughter as they sat in Iguana's, one of Manhattan's hottest nightclubs.
Ellen raised her glass and said, "Let's make a toast. To the lovely Alicia Nicole Spencer. Happy 22nd birthday- and may you have tons and tons more happy ones. Maybe all with Merrill here."
Merrill looked at Alicia and stole a kiss.
Alicia replied, "Sounds good to me. Cheers."
"Cheers!"
They all hit their glasses together and took sips of their drinks.
Tyler then said, "So Merrill, when will we see you donning a Phillies uniform?"
"I don't know..I just have to wait for the right scout to see me, I guess."
"I was with Elle and Ali at the game you guys played against the Brooklyn Cyclones. You hit, like, two home runs that were just ridiculous. How are you not in the majors, bro?"
"I guess I'll have my time."
"Well, don't forget us if you make it," Ellen said.
"You know I won't."
Ellen suddenly put her drink down and said, "I love this song! Ali, come dance with me!"
"Fine, fine."
As they went out to the floor, Ellen whispered something to Tyler.
"Don't mention ANYTHING about Harrison."
"Gotcha."
Merrill watched as the two girls went onto the dance floor. Then he looked at Tyler.
"So how much older are you than Ellen?"
"16 months. So I'm not too much older."
"Wow. I see. My brother and I are about 11 years apart."
"Are you two close?"
"Very. But my schedule prohibits us from spending a lot of time together."
"That sucks. So how long have you and Ali been dating?"
"Not that long, actually. I'd say, three weeks."
"Really? You wouldn't know that by the way you look at her. I've always thought she was cute. You're lucky- you're an amazing ball player and you've got Ali Spencer for a girlfriend."
"Does she have a reputation or something?"
"Kind of. When she was at NYU, all the guys wanted her, but she was so inaccessible. Every once in a while, she'd have a boyfriend, but she kept everything so private. She always talked about how much she loved and missed her sister, though. Colleen, right?"
"Yeah."
"She idolizes Colleen, so we weren't surprised that she moved back to Pennsylvania after-"
"After what?"
"She just had some emotional and financial problems, that's it. Elle and I really miss her. Hey, do you want another drink?"
"I'll take a Kamikaze shot."
"Sure. I'll be right back."
As Tyler left, Merrill stared at Alicia as she danced with Ellen.
'What are you hiding from me, Alicia?' he thought to himself.
He was determined, before the trip was over, to get to the bottom of what secrets Alicia was keeping from him- even if the results would change their relationship forever.
"Merrill, wake up. We're here."
Merrill had fallen asleep almost immediately after Alicia had taken the wheel almost an hour ago. He opened his eyes and sat up.
"We're here already?"
"Yep."
"You drove through all that traffic?"
"What- you didn't think I could handle it?"
He shrugged sheepishly and yawned.
"You look like a very unhappy baby who just woke up from naptime."
"Why thank you."
Merrill flipped down the visor mirror and cringed.
"I look like hell. Was I sleeping that hard?"
"You were out like a light."
He licked his fingers and fixed his hair. Then he rubbed his face and looked at Alicia.
"Is that better?"
"Much. After all, you wanna make a hot first impression. Elle is expecting a lot, you know."
"Well, she'll get everything she expected and more because.."
He paused his sentence to lower his voice and put on his sexiest face.
"I am Merrill Hess, the hottest stud in the minor leagues."
Alicia fell apart laughing and said, "You're such a nerd, Merrill!"
"And that's exactly why you want me so bad."
"Who said I wanted you?"
Merrill leaned across the seat and gave Alicia a fiery kiss that lasted for well over a minute or two.
After they let go, Alicia ran her fingers across her lips and said, "I think that's why I want you so bad. No one has ever kissed me the way you always do."
"In order to be a good kisser, you have to have a good kiss receiver- and you, my dear, are the best at that."
"Really? I think I need another demonstration."
Alicia giggled as Merrill kissed her again, sliding his tongue past her lips and around her tongue. The sensation of his fingers caressing her neck sent shivers all over her body. Before things got more heated, she pulled out of the kiss.
"We should really go up to Elle's apartment now or we'll end up in this car all day long."
Merrill kissed her one final time and then brushed a strand of hair from her eyes.
"You are so beautiful, I don't know what to do with myself."
She smiled and kissed him back.
"Thanks. That means a lot."
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go."
They got out of the car with their suitcases and went to the front door of the apartment building. Alicia pressed the buzzer and waited. Suddenly, a cheerful voice boomed over the speaker.
"Is that you, Ali?"
"Yep! We're here!"
"Did Merrill come?"
"Yeah, he's standing right next to me."
"Hi Merrill!"
Merrill was thoroughly amused.
"Hi."
Alicia said, "Come on, girl! Open the door!!"
"Just wait two seconds- I'll be right down!"
"OK."
Alicia looked and Merrill and said, "That's my Ellen."
"How long have you two been friends?"
"She was my suitemate when we first started at NYU- that was almost four years ago."
"So she's a senior?"
"Yep."
"And you dropped out how long ago?"
Alicia hesitated before she answered.
"My parents think I dropped out a few months ago. I dropped out two years ago. Colleen knows, but please don't tell-"
"You have my word."
Suddenly, a brunette who looked like she could've been Alicia's sister burst through the door.
"Ali!! Oh my God! It feels like it's been forever!"
They squealed as they threw their arms around each other.
"Elle, you look so cute! Have you been living on carrot sticks and ice cubes?"
"I wish."
"Oh- Ellen, this is Merrill. Merrill, Ellen."
As they exchanged handshakes, Merrill said, "Nice to meet you, Ellen."
"Pleasure's mine. Alicia can't stop bragging about you."
"Alicia bragging? Never."
Alicia shoved him and asked, "Is Tyler home?"
"No, he's working until 10," Ellen replied.
She looked at Merrill and added, "Tyler's my older brother. Technically, this is his apartment. He moved here with his girlfriend last year, but they had a huge fight about four months ago, and here I am."
"I thought you and Ali lived together."
"Please! She was living with Harris-"
Alicia interrupted her and said, "It's like a boiler room out here today. Let's go inside."
She followed Merrill and Ellen into the building. As Merrill adjusted his watch, Alicia shot Ellen an anxious look.
"He doesn't know about Harrison," she mouthed.
Ellen covered her mouth and whispered, "I'm so sorry."
They got into the elevator and rode up to the 11th floor apartment. Ellen led the way to the apartment, got out her keys, and opened the door.
"Here's home sweet home."
"Nice," Merrill replied, "You have a great view of the city."
"I know. Isn't it great?"
Alicia and Merrill placed their bags down as Ellen opened the doors to the balcony.
"So, what do you guys wanna do?"
Alicia's mind was still pre-occupied with what had happened five minutes prior to that moment.
Merrill looked at her and said, "Whatever you wanna do, baby."
"I'm kinda tired after the drive. Let's just relax- if that's cool with you, Elle."
"No, it's chill. You guys sleep- I have to run some errands anyway. We'll make up for lost time tonight at Iguana's."
"Sounds awesome."
"The guest bedroom is over there. The bed's already made and everything."
"Thanks."
"No problem. I'll be back by 5 or 6."
"Ok. Bye."
"See ya."
Ellen took her purse and left the apartment. Immediately, Merrill looked strangely at Alicia.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing."
"You're too quiet. You also snapped a little at Ellen when she brought up the fact that you two didn't live together. She mentioned a name that sounded like-"
"Harrison. Harrison Peters. He was my roommate. We met at NYU and dated for a little while, and then we broke up. But, we still got along, so we got a place together. Then we had a huge argument and that's when I moved to Newtown."
"I see. Well, I'm gonna go finish that nap I started in the car. Coming?"
"Yeah, give me a minute. I'm gonna smoke a cigarette."
"OK."
Before he went into the bedroom, Merrill wrapped his arms around Alicia's waist and gave her a feathery-soft kiss on her lips.
"This weekend is all about you. We're gonna have an amazing time."
"I know we are."
They kissed again and parted ways. Alicia got her cigarettes and went out to the balcony. As she lit one, her heart felt burdened and heavy in her chest. She had just told Merrill the biggest lie imaginable.
'Ali, what the hell did you get yourself into?' she thought aloud.
She looked out upon the Manhattan skyline and let miscellaneous thoughts run through her head. Finally, she put out the cigarette and went back inside. She went into the guest bedroom and saw that Merrill was sound asleep. She climbed onto the bed and wrapped her arms around him, her body facing his.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, "You deserve the truth."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"..and then she started singing to herself in the backseat. I wanted to crack up laughing so bad, but I knew she'd get angry. Then about 10 minutes later, she turned pale and said she had to throw up. So I pulled over and she puked everywhere. The next morning, she looked like complete hell and tried to blame me for it."
"Oh, nothing tops when she turned 21. She kept lifting up her shirt and flashing everyone in the bar. I think you're still banned from there- right, Ali?"
"Shut the hell up!"
Ellen, Merrill, and Alicia sat at a table with Ellen's older brother Tyler, who was a dead ringer for Ryan Seacrest. They all burst into laughter as they sat in Iguana's, one of Manhattan's hottest nightclubs.
Ellen raised her glass and said, "Let's make a toast. To the lovely Alicia Nicole Spencer. Happy 22nd birthday- and may you have tons and tons more happy ones. Maybe all with Merrill here."
Merrill looked at Alicia and stole a kiss.
Alicia replied, "Sounds good to me. Cheers."
"Cheers!"
They all hit their glasses together and took sips of their drinks.
Tyler then said, "So Merrill, when will we see you donning a Phillies uniform?"
"I don't know..I just have to wait for the right scout to see me, I guess."
"I was with Elle and Ali at the game you guys played against the Brooklyn Cyclones. You hit, like, two home runs that were just ridiculous. How are you not in the majors, bro?"
"I guess I'll have my time."
"Well, don't forget us if you make it," Ellen said.
"You know I won't."
Ellen suddenly put her drink down and said, "I love this song! Ali, come dance with me!"
"Fine, fine."
As they went out to the floor, Ellen whispered something to Tyler.
"Don't mention ANYTHING about Harrison."
"Gotcha."
Merrill watched as the two girls went onto the dance floor. Then he looked at Tyler.
"So how much older are you than Ellen?"
"16 months. So I'm not too much older."
"Wow. I see. My brother and I are about 11 years apart."
"Are you two close?"
"Very. But my schedule prohibits us from spending a lot of time together."
"That sucks. So how long have you and Ali been dating?"
"Not that long, actually. I'd say, three weeks."
"Really? You wouldn't know that by the way you look at her. I've always thought she was cute. You're lucky- you're an amazing ball player and you've got Ali Spencer for a girlfriend."
"Does she have a reputation or something?"
"Kind of. When she was at NYU, all the guys wanted her, but she was so inaccessible. Every once in a while, she'd have a boyfriend, but she kept everything so private. She always talked about how much she loved and missed her sister, though. Colleen, right?"
"Yeah."
"She idolizes Colleen, so we weren't surprised that she moved back to Pennsylvania after-"
"After what?"
"She just had some emotional and financial problems, that's it. Elle and I really miss her. Hey, do you want another drink?"
"I'll take a Kamikaze shot."
"Sure. I'll be right back."
As Tyler left, Merrill stared at Alicia as she danced with Ellen.
'What are you hiding from me, Alicia?' he thought to himself.
He was determined, before the trip was over, to get to the bottom of what secrets Alicia was keeping from him- even if the results would change their relationship forever.