A/N: OK, big change! I was researching some info on minor league baseball (cause I be a dorkus majorus) and the closest minor league team is actually in Trenton, New Jersey. Therefore, I decided that Merrill plays for the Trenton Thunder- so I've also come to the conclusion that he lives in Trenton, not in Philadelphia..so no more apartment in Philadelphia! =) Have a blast reading…H

Alicia tapped her fingernails against the table she was sitting at alone. Then she looked at her watch and sighed.

Where is she? She thought to herself.

Then she saw the station wagon pull into a parking spot in front of the café. Colleen hurried in and as the door host stopped her, she pointed at Alicia and walked back to where she was sitting.

"I'm so sorry I'm late. Bo's teacher would not stop talking to me."

"That's fine. I've only been here for about 10 minutes."

"OK."

"Are you hungry?"

"Not really. I just want some coffee."

Alicia got the waitress' attention and asked, "Can we get another cup of coffee?"

"Sure. Anything else?"

"No thank you."

Colleen looked at Alicia and said, "So, what's up?"

"Well, there's something I wanted to talk about."

"Is it bad?"

"No."

"You're not pregnant, are you? I told you not to-"

"Coll, I'm not pregnant."

"Don't scare me like that."

The waitress came back and poured Colleen a cup of coffee as Alicia kept talking.

"Merrill wants me to move in with him."

Colleen looked a little bewildered.

"You mean, you two would be living together at his apartment in Trenton?"

"Yeah."

"Honey, you're jumping in too fast. You don't have a car."

"I know, but he said he would drive me to work."

"What if he's busy with training or something?"

"Then I'll give you a call."

"What if I'm busy?"

"Colleen, we'll deal. Don't worry."

"Did you tell Mom and Dad?"

"Why should I have to consult them about everything I do?"

"Put yourself in Mom's shoes. If you had a daughter and she moved in with her boyfriend, wouldn't you wanna know?"

"But it's not like I'm moving in with some stranger. This is Merrill. Mom and Dad know and love Merrill. I'll call them before I go to work tonight and tell them."

Colleen placed her hands on Alicia's and looked her straight in the eyes.

"Are you positive? This is a big step."

Alicia smiled and said, "I'm 100% positive."

Colleen sat back and said, "I guess that means we won't be near each other anymore."

"Trenton is only, like, 15 minutes away. We'll still see each other every day."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Colleen avoided Alicia's gaze because her eyes were filling with tears.

"Colleen, what's wrong?" Alicia asked.

"If I get emotional thinking about you being so independent, how am I gonna be when Bo is a teenager? I'm so oversensitive."

Alicia laughed and said, "You're also a dork. I'm not like I'm moving to Zimbabwe. Trenton is right next door. Now you're making me feel terrible."

"Don't let me stop you from making important decisions. If this is what you want to do, go for it."

"Your blessing means more to me than you'll ever know. I value your ideas and opinions and everything else that you say so much. I seriously don't know what I would do without you."

"Well, you don't have to worry about that because I'm not going anywhere."

They embraced each other and then fell out laughing.

"We're such nerds," Alicia said.

They both finished off another cup of coffee and then the waitress came back with their check.

She said to Colleen, "Has anyone ever told you that you look just like Diane Lane?"

Colleen laughed and said, "Sometimes, but thank you. That's better than someone telling me I look like Roseanne, I guess."

"Are you two sisters?"

"Yeah."

"I could tell. You look so much like each other. Well, have a great afternoon."

"Thank you."

As the waitress walked away, Alicia said, "I swear, you should start a quarter jar for each time you get the Diane Lane lookalike compliment."

"I would be financially set for the rest of my life."

Colleen reached in her wallet for money to pay the bill, but Alicia stopped her.

"No, it's my treat."

"Ali…"

"I said, my treat."

Alicia left money on the table and they both got up and left.

"It looks like it might snow today," Colleen said.

"I still can't believe Christmas is almost three weeks away."

"Same here. I need to start shopping soon."

" So what's on your agenda for the rest of the afternoon?"

"I'm gonna help Graham out with some things at the church…that's about it. But I might pick Bo up early from daycare and take her to lunch later."

Alicia thoroughly admired the fact that Colleen had given up her career as an accountant to be a stay-at-home mother.

I hope I can be a mom like that one day, Alicia thought to herself.

"Sounds fun. I have to be at work at 2."

"Until when?"

"I'll probably end up closing."

"If you have the car, how's Merrill getting around?"

"His cohort-in-crime, Jack Underhill. You know, the shortstop? The team is doing training exercises today."

"I see."

"Alright. Well, I'm gonna head back to the house and call Mom and Dad to let them know what's going on with Merrill and I."

"Well, call my cell phone and let me know how it goes, OK?"

"I will."

They gave each other a hug and Colleen said, "I love you, sis."

"I love you too. See ya later."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Alicia rummaged through one of the many boxes that were now littering Merrill's apartment. After a reluctant but positive approval from her parents, she had just moved into his place.

"It's gotta be in here somewhere…come on..come on..aha!"

She pulled out a halter top with an extremely low V cut down the front. Then she pulled out a pair of her lowest low riders and stilettos. After she got dressed, she put the last touches on her makeup and hair.

"Alicia! Baby, are you ready?"

"Yeah, here I come!"

Alicia came out of the bedroom and stood in front of Merrill.

"Is this OK?" she asked.

He almost passed out when he saw what she was wearing.

"Whoa. That top is cut really low. And your hair is wavy…God, I love when your hair is wavy. That's incredibly sexy. You did this on purpose, didn't you? You just wanted to drive me crazy."

"Well, look at you, Mr. Banana Republic!"

"You're gonna freeze your ass off."

"Honey, I do have a coat, you know."

"You look really hot."

"You're the one who looks amazing. All your ex-groupie girlfriends are gonna be all over you."

"That might happen, but I'll only have my eyes on one beautiful woman."

"Yeah- Kylie."

"Kylie's not going to be there, Alicia. And even if she is, it won't make a difference to me."

Alicia sat on Merrill's lap and kissed his cheek. Then Merrill looked at her and ran his fingers down the exposed part of her chest.

He said, "If we don't leave now, we're never gonna make it to the party."

"I'm ready. Are you?"

"Not just yet. I will be after I do this."

Merrill began kissing Alicia and lowered her body onto the sofa. Then he placed his lips on her chest and kissed the same area his fingers had been tracing.

Alicia giggled and said, "Merrill, that feels amazing, but seriously- if you don't stop, we really won't make it. It took me a while to coordinate this outfit and there's no way I'm ready to strip it off just yet."

"Come on..all you have to do is slip off the jeans."

"As much as I'd love to, I'm looking forward to partying. We can do this all we want when we get back."

"OK, OK. I'll get your coat."

"Thanks, baby."

A moment later, Merrill handed Alicia her winter coat.

As she zipped it up, she asked, "So where exactly is this party?"

"At Colton Leonard's place. It's about 20 minutes from here."

"Is he the one who inherited all that money from his grandparents? The one you were telling me about not too long ago?"

"Yep. His house is ridiculous. You'll love it."

Merrill opened the door for Alicia and they left the apartment. On the drive to Colton's house, Alicia and Merrill made random conversation.

"Christmas is in two weeks," Merrill said, "It seems like summer was just yesterday, huh?"

"Yeah. I'm excited about Christmas, but I can't wait for New Year's. Time Square, baby. You have to go with me this year- Ellen and Tyler are having a huge party at their place. You can see the ball drop from the roof of their building..it's amazing."

"Sounds like a plan. This'll be the first New Year's where I've kissed someone at midnight who I actually care about- not just a girl I meet that night who happens to be there."

Merrill wrapped his hand in Alicia's and said, "Thank you for coming with me."

"Why wouldn't I? I love spending any time with you."

"You know what I was just thinking?"

"What?"
"I've never taken you on a real date. We've done stuff at the house and at my place, but I've never formally taken you out to dinner or to a movie- that's pathetic."

"Not necessarily. I didn't even realize that until you brought it up. I've been perfectly content with what we already have."

"Good. That's less money for me to spend."

Alicia hit Merrill as he laughed. Within 15 minutes, they were at Colton's house. After finally finding a place to park, they walked into the house. It was packed with people and almost immediately after he stepped in, people surrounded Merrill. Alicia silently stood behind him and took off her coat. She tapped Merrill on the shoulder.

"Don't you wanna take off your coat?" she asked.

He quickly said, "Yeah, babe- here," and handed her his coat without even looking at her.

She sighed and looked around for a place to put the coats. She saw another woman head into a guest room with coats, so Alicia followed her. Sure enough, there was a pile of coats on the bed. Alicia put the coats down, straightened her top, and left the room.

One of the men Merrill was standing with said, "Wow. Who is that and why is she alone?"

Someone else said, "She's beyond hot."

Merrill laughed and said, "That's my girlfriend, Alicia."

"Yeah right, Hess. You with a steady girlfriend? Sure.."

Merrill said, "Ali! Come here a sec!"

She walked over to them and he held her hand.

"Baby, these are some of my teammates. Gary, Chris and Peter. Guys, this is Alicia."

Alicia shook hands with all the guys and then Merrill said, "We're gonna go mingle. See ya later."

As they walked away, Alicia gave Merrill a malevolent glare.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"The minute we stepped in the door, you forgot I was there. But as soon as I came back from putting our coats away and your buddies noticed me, I re-appeared in your sight. What's up with that?"

"I'm sorry. The guys all swarmed me and I was overwhelmed in conversation. You know I love you, sweetie."

He held Alicia in his arms and kissed her. Then he heard someone call out his name.

"Oh, that's Ryan Greene. He plays for the Reading Phillies. I'll be right back, OK?"

"But I don't…"

Alicia looked down and mumbled the rest of her sentence.

"I don't know anyone."

She took a glass of champagne and sat in a chair away from everyone. As she finished her glass, a strikingly beautiful woman approached her.

"So I see that you've joined the 'I'm Merrill Hess' Girlfriend Club.'"

"Come again?"

"Merrill is quite the ladykiller. How long have you two been dating? A week? Week and a half?"

"Almost four months."

The woman laughed and said, "Wow. That's an eternity for him."

"Do you know Merrill?"

"Honey, I'm a member of the club. I'm Marisa."

"And when did you date Merrill?"

"About a year ago…it only lasted for two weeks. But an amazing two weeks, I tell you. Well, you've been seeing him for four months, so obviously you know what he's like in bed. God, what I would give to have just one more night with him."

Alicia slammed her champagne glass onto a nearby table and stood up.

"Excuse me, Marisa. Thanks for one hell of an enlightening story."

I need a cigarette, Alicia thought to herself.

She got her coat out of the guest room and her purse as well. Then she went to the patio area and shivered as the bitterly cold wind stung her face. She quickly lit a cigarette and took a long drag that warmed her lungs. Another man was outside and his cigarette had gone out.

"Can I borrow your lighter?" he asked.

"Sure."

As soon as Alicia's eyes met his, a strange sense of déjà vu came over her. The feeling was vice versa.

He looked at her and asked, "A..Alicia Spencer?"

She covered her mouth and said, "Oh my God. Ethan Wilson. I can't believe this! How the hell are you?!"

They threw their arms around each other as he replied, "I'm good. And you?"

"Same as always."

"It's been at least 4 or 5 years since we saw each other last, right?"

"Yeah. We had a very interesting two summers together."

"You're telling me. I remember writing 'Alicia Wilson' all over my notebooks and everything."

Ethan had been the love of Alicia's high school life and deep down, she still held some feelings for him.

"So what are you doing with your life?" he asked.

She finished up her cigarette and replied, "I'm a server at LaStalla in Newtown."

"I remember that place- it's amazing. So did you graduate from NYU?"

She shook her head and said, "I dropped out because I thought I was in love with someone who was just using me."

"That sucks. But you live and learn from your mistakes, right?"

"Exactly."

"Hey, it's freezing out here. Let's go inside and talk."

"OK."

They went back into the party and stood in a corner.

Ethan asked, "Are you and Ellen Anderson still hanging out?"

"Of course. I went and visited her during the summer."

"How's she doing?"

"She's good. She's working for Nickelodeon Magazine."

"I could see her doing that."

Their eyes locked in a somewhat awkward gaze.

"By the way," Ethan said, "You look amazing. I mean, you were always beautiful back in high school, but now..damn. Now I'm regretting breaking up with you back then."

"Um, if I'm not mistaken, I broke up with you."

He ran his hand through his tousled blonde hair and laughed.

"It was mutual."

"So what are you up to?"

"I actually work in public relations for the Phillies. I'm good friends with Colton's brother, so here I am. What brings you here?"

"I'm dating Merrill Hess…I came with him, but I have no idea where he went."

"Isn't your sister married to his brother?"

"Yep."

"Wow. How did that come about?"

"When I moved back to Newtown, I went to one of his games here and…I guess the rest is history."

"He's a great player. I bet he'll get a pro contract anytime soon."

"Yeah. He's great. I love him."

"Well, there goes my attempt of asking you out to dinner."

Alicia gave him a sympathetic smile and replied, "If Merrill wasn't my boyfriend, I'd absolutely go out with you."

"Thanks. That makes me feel so much better."

As they continued talking, Ethan put his hand on Alicia's waist. Across the room, Merrill noticed it as he talked with some friends. He excused himself and approached Alicia.

He wrapped his arms around her from behind and said, "There you are. I was looking for you."

"Merrill, hey. This is a really good old friend of mine, Ethan Wilson. Ethan, this is Merrill."

Ethan said, "I've been to a couple of your games. You're one of the best in the league."

Merrill looked at him with a somewhat menacing glare.

"Thanks. Come on, Ali- there's someone I want to introduce you to."

Alicia quickly wrote her number on a napkin and handed it to Ethan.

"Give me a call sometime- it's been way too long."

"I definitely will. I'm about to leave, though. I have to be up really early tomorrow. It was so good seeing you."

Alicia let go of Merrill's hand and gave Ethan a big hug.

"Don't be a stranger," she said.

"I won't. You're living in Newtown, right?"

"Yeah."

"I'll give you a call next time I'm visiting my mom. We'll have coffee or something."

"Sure thing. Bye, Ethan."

"See ya."

He walked away and Alicia watched. Then she looked at Merrill, who was looking at the ground.

"Done yet?" he asked.

Alicia scoffed and said, "Don't even try to play the jealous game with me. He was the love of my high school life."

"Not by the way he was looking at you. Who knows what would've happened if I hadn't have noticed him putting his hands all over you."

"Merrill, you're being a big baby. He put his hand on my waist. No big deal."

"Whatever."

"Oh yeah? Well, did you date a girl named Marisa?"

Merrill eyes hardened in a puzzled gaze.

"How did you know that?"

"All of us members of the 'I'm Merrill Hess' Girlfriend' club are tight like glue. You should know that."

"This is so stupid, Ali. This is something high school couples fight about."

"Who said we were fighting?"

He rolled his eyes and walked ahead of her.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"I need a drink," he said, without looking back at her.

Then he stopped in place and turned around. He couldn't resist Alicia, even when he was irked by little things she would do.

"Come on," he said, holding his hand out to her.

She took it and they went to the makeshift bar that had been set up in the living room.

After a conversation with someone, Merrill took Alicia aside for a minute.

"Hey, listen- I'm, um, sorry about that."

"About what?"

"About being jealous. It's just that I feel sometimes that you're too good to be true. Even when I see another guy glance at you, I feel insecure."

"Why would you? You have no reason to be insecure. Everyone here that I've met at this party pretty much says that you're the best ball player in this room. All the girls love you because you're gorgeous- if anything, I should be the jealous one. I look like an Amish farm girl compared to that Marisa chick."

"Ali, girls like Marisa have one major problem- they're fake. Physically and mentally. That's why I love you so much. You're not afraid to express your opinions and you're intelligent- and you're not afraid to go out in public with no makeup on. I know that sounds so dumb, but it's a big issue for me. I like a woman who's very confident in herself- and you may not agree with me, but you are."

Alicia smiled and wrapped her arms around Merrill's neck.

"You really know how to make a girl feel like a princess."

Merrill pressed his face against hers and replied, "That's because you are my princess. My little Pennsylvanian Princess that I love and cherish and adore."

"Thanks. Now I feel like I'm three years old again."

They laughed and shared a kiss. As Merrill kissed Alicia, he heard a familiar voice from afar. He opened his eyes a little and then groaned.

"Damn," he said, "I had a feeling she'd show up."

"Don't tell me.."

They looked at each other and said, "Kylie."

"I didn't think she'd show up," Merrill said, "I heard she moved to New York or something."

"Well, maybe she won't notice us."

"You don't know Kylie the way I do. She'll find me anywhere. Maybe we should just leave."

Before she could give him an answer, Alicia's cell phone rang.

"Sorry, babe- it's Ellen. I'm gonna go talk to her in the guest room. If you want, we can leave when I get off the phone with her."

"OK."

Alicia hurried into the guestroom where all the coats were, sitting on the floor by the bed.

"Elle Belle! What's up?"

"Nothin much. You?"

"I'm at a party with Merrill. It's all of his baseball buddies and other minor league VIPs. But guess the hell what?"

"What?"

"You will never guess who I ran into while I was smoking outside."

"Who?"

"Ethan Wilson."

"Shut up!! Ethan Wilson, your high school soulmate? The one you used to drool over every single day?"

"Yep. Ellen, he's beautiful. He's, like, 10 times hotter now than he was back in high school."

"Hotter than your man?"

"No, no, no. He asked about you."

"He did? Did you get his phone number? Maybe I'll give him a call."

"Yeah, I got it."

"So how's the party otherwise?"

"Actually, it kinda sucks. I don't know anyone, I'm being ogled by every man in here, every girl is after Merrill, and it's freezing! I'm over it and I think Merrill is too. We're gonna leave soon."

Meanwhile, as Merrill checked a missed call on his cell phone, he felt fingernails gently scratch his neck.

Thinking it was Alicia, he said, "That was a quick call, sweetie. You ready to head home?"

"Wow. Is that all a girl has to do to go home with Merrill Hess? Scratch the back of his neck?"

He turned around and laughed uneasily.

"Well, hello there, Kylie. I would say it's nice to see you, but.."

"What's with the rudeness there?"

"You know what? I don't have time for girls like you."

"Oh really? You weren't saying that seven months ago."

"That's because I didn't realize then that you're nothing but a manipulative teenager trapped in a grown woman's body."

"Ouch, cowboy. Such harsh words from the man who couldn't stop screaming my name on all those heated nights. So are you still dating your sister? Oops, I meant sister-in-law."

"Alicia and I are still dating."

"Good for you. Well, one day, she'll see you for who you really are, like I did."

"Don't ever compare yourself to Alicia."

"You're right. There is a difference between class and trash."

"You said it, not me."

"Aren't we quite the son of a bitch?"

Back in the guestroom, Alicia got off of the phone with Ellen and grabbed her and Merrill's coats. When she got outside the room, a sick feeling came over her when she saw Kylie talking to Merrill. She immediately saw the look of disgust and detestation on Merrill's face.

"What's going on?" she asked.

He replied, "Nothing. I just find it amazing who can get invited to a party like this nowadays."

Kylie said, "You should direct that question to your little pet there, not me."

Alicia desperately wanted to ignore the comment, but her spirit wouldn't let her.

"What did you call me?"

Kylie put her hand down on the table that was holding their drinks and said, "You know, there's nothing I get a bigger laugh out of seeing than grown women rocking the Britney Spears look. I mean, look at you. It's a holiday party, not Amateur Night at the strip club, kiddo."

Merrill finally stepped in.

"Come on, Ali. We don't have time for this bullshit. Let's go."

As Merrill went to take Alicia, Kylie purposely knocked a glass of red wine onto Alicia's jeans.

Alicia screamed, "You stupid bitch!! You spilled that on purpose!"

"Ooh, and she's smart too."

Alicia looked at Merrill and whimpered, "These jeans were almost $200- they're Diesel! And now they're ruined!"

"It's OK, sweetie- it's replaceable. Let's leave now."

Kylie said, "Puh-lease. Those jeans aren't Diesel- they're fake. You probably bought them on sale at Limited Too. Everything about you is probably fake."

Kylie touched a strand of Alicia's hair and continued, "Even down to the ratty hair."

Alicia couldn't hold back any longer. She swung at Kylie, hitting her on the side of her face. Kylie pulled Alicia's hair and scratched her neck with her nails. Merrill held Alicia back and a few other people restrained Kylie.

Alicia spit at her and said, "Go to hell, you asshole!"

"I would rather go to hell than be Merrill's girlfriend! He's just going to use you and throw you out like he did with every other girl who's here tonight! He's just pretending to be nice to you because you're family!"

"Kiss my ass, you bitch."

Merrill threw Alicia's coat on her and said, "We're leaving- now!"

Merrill literally dragged Alicia outside, where she started to hysterically cry.

"I hate her, Merrill. I've never hated anyone or anything in my life, but I hate her!" she sobbed.

"Let's not talk about it. Let's just go home."

They walked to the car and Merrill helped Alicia in. As he started driving, she leaned her head against the window. When they were at a stoplight, he noticed the scratches in Alicia's neck.

"God. She really scratched the hell out of you, sweetie."

"No shit."

He touched the scratches and she drew in air between her teeth sharply.

"I've never been in a fight," she said.

"You know what? I am so glad that you made the first move, because I was thisclose to hitting her myself. I mean, I've never, ever heard a woman say things like that to me. I've had some bad breakups, but that's just ridiculous. And Kylie and I never officially dated! We spent a lot of time together, but I never really considered her my girlfriend."

Alicia buried into her coat and tried to ignore the bitter stinging of the scratches. Within 10 minutes, they were at the apartment. Alicia changed into her pajamas and immediately crawled into bed. A few moments later, Merrill came into the bedroom with some ice and Neosporin.

"Is that for me?" she mumbled.

"Yeah. Lean back against the pillow, sweetheart."

She did so and he gently pressed the ice against the scratch marks. After a while, he took it off and rubbed Neosporin on the marks.

"This is so you won't have scars. My mom used to use this whenever Graham and I would get scrapes and it always works."

Alicia closed her eyes and said, "I have such a bad headache. I think it's because I was so mad and upset. It kinda scared me. I've never been so infuriated at anything in my entire life. Not even with all of the Harrison drama."

"Maybe they should hook up."

"Yeah, and imagine what their kids would be like?"

"Horns and hooves."

"And fake-as-hell bleach blonde hair and silicone implants."

Merrill laughed and then brushed a stray strand of hair from Alicia's face.

"If I had known that was going to happen, I wouldn't have brought you to the party. I wouldn't even have gone. I'm sorry you didn't have a good time tonight. I promise I'll make it up to you."

"You don't have to make it up to me."

He kissed her on the lips and replied, "I love you so much, baby- you know that, right?"

She nodded and yawned, saying, "And I love you too."

Merrill reached over and turned out the lights, climbing underneath the sheets with Alicia.

"You have no idea how terrible I feel," he whispered.

"Mer, it's not your fault that Kylie is an unimaginable bitch monster. Don't even worry about it. It's over and done with."

"I can't believe she had the audacity to pour wine on your jeans. I remember you talking about how much you loved those jeans."

"Maybe Colleen can get the stain out…damn it, Colleen. She's gonna be so pissed at me for getting into this situation."

"You're telling me that Colleen wouldn't have done the same thing in that circumstance?"

"We're talking about Colleen here- Lady Gandhi."

"Yeah, you're right. But she'll understand."

"You know what? I've had enough of this. I just want to sleep and forget this shit ever happened."

"I agree. Goodnight, sweetie."

"Goodnight."

About a minute passed and then Merrill whispered, "You're not asleep yet, are you?"

"No..why?"

"You know what's horrible?"

"What?"

"When I was watching you fight Kylie, it..um..well, it kinda really turned me on."

Alicia sat up, took a pillow, and smacked Merrill with it as hard as she could.

"Go sleep on the couch outside!" she yelled.

"I was kidding!"
"No you weren't!"

He laughed and said, "I'm sorry. You're not mad, are you?"

"Even though it's not funny..thank you for making me laugh. I really needed it. And thank you for the ice and the Neosporin..you're the absolute best and sweetest boyfriend a girl could ask for."

They kissed and buried back underneath the covers.

Then Merrill whispered again, "Especially when I was holding you back..you were about to pop out of your shirt."

Alicia pushed him out of the bed and he fell onto the floor.

"And stay there!" she said.