Part XVII

It was a quiet afternoon in the Cooper household. Just then, three vehicles arrived. Out came Julie, Caleb, Summer, Jodie, Ryan, Lindsay, and Inna.

"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Cooper!" Inna greeted warmly.

"Inna! How was your trip?" Julie pulled her into a tight hug.

"It was alright…"

"Come in!" Caleb smiled opening the front door.

Jodie held Summer's hand as they all went in.

"I should wake Marissa up…" Summer said squeezing Jodie's hand gently.

Letting go, Jodie nodded and sat beside Inna on the couch.

"I'll help you wake her lazy ass." Lindsay smiled leaving Ryan with Caleb.

Slowly opening Marissa's door, stray garments were on the floor.

"Alex is here." They both sighed as their gaze looked up to the bed.

Alex and Marissa were definitely naked under the sheets. Good thing they didn't forget to cover themselves in case of sudden entry.

"How cute?" Summer whispered.

Alex chin rested on Marissa's head while the brunette rested her head on the blonde's chest. They were holding each other close even though they were already asleep.

Lindsay and Summer sat on Marissa's side of the bed. Feeling additional weight, Marissa stirred and faced her sister and best friend.

"Hello there Coop! Guess you have early servings of Alex today!" Summer grinned at Marissa who could only blush.

Alex gently woke up at the sound of Summer's voice. She looked at Summer and Lindsay and then looked at her girlfriend. She kissed Marissa's forehead then closed her eyes again.

Marissa looked up and smiled at Alex.

"Not to be rude and all… But Inna's already downstairs…" Lindsay sadly pointed out.

"Should I be worried? Marissa asked.

"No." Alex replied with her eyes closed.

Marissa kissed Alex's lips softly. She turned towards Summer and Lindsay.

"I'll get dressed."

"We'll wait downstairs." Summer and Lindsay stood up and walked out of Marissa's room.

As the door closed, Marissa stood up and dragged one of the blankets to cover her. She walked towards the window and slightly opened the curtains. She saw Inna by the pool talking to Julie.

"You're worried…" Alex whispered to her ear.

The blonde has stood up dragging a blanket with her too.

"Should I be?" Marissa turned and looked into Alex's blue eyes.

"No."

Marissa smiled then looked out the window.

"What does she have that I don't?" She asked the blonde.

Marissa knew Alex loved her. But sometimes she found it hard to understand why Alex would stay with her if someone like Inna was after her. Inna was definitely hotter than Marissa.

"Don't ask what she has that you don't…" Alex began to speak taking Marissa's hand.

"Ask what you have that she doesn't." Alex placed Marissa's hand on her chest.

Marissa felt the blonde's heart beating.

"You have this. It would always be yours. Not until you don't want it anymore."

Marissa looked up to Alex and the two fell into an embrace.

Trust her Marissa.

They stood there for a while near Marissa's bedroom window. They didn't realize someone was watching next door.

----

"So you never played competition basketball before?" Inna asked enthusiastically.

"Nope. Only Alex does. I tend to watch. But Ryan and I play with her sometimes. Just for fun." Jodie nodded smiling.

Jodie and Inna were talking near the bar. Marissa was cuddling with Alex in the couch listening to Caleb's stories. Summer and Julie were in the kitchen preparing dinner. Lindsay and Ryan are helping them out.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

"I'll get it." Caleb smiled as he stood up.

"DJ!" Caleb greeted happily.

"He's DJ?" Alex whispered into Marissa's ear.

"Yup. And believe me… He's nothing compared to you…" Marissa smiled and gave Alex a long lingering kiss.

DJ flinched at the sight of Alex and Marissa's public display. No one noticed though.

"OK GUYS! DINNER TIME!" Summer yelled happily walking out of the kitchen.

Her eyes bugged out when she caught sight of DJ.

"Something wrong babe?" Jodie asked on her way to the dining room.

"No. Save a seat for me."

"Ok." Jodie replied kissing Summer's cheek.

Summer walked towards Alex and Marissa worriedly.

"Can I borrow Coop for a while?"

"Sure." Alex stood up and smiled.

"Save a seat for me." Marissa stood up whispering to Alex.

She gave the blonde a soft kiss on the lips before letting her go.

"Coop… Are you brain dead or something?"

"No. Why?"

"Don't you think Inna is enough? You had to drag DJ too?"

"I had no choice Sum. He's our neighbor and his family is out of town…"

"This is not going to suit Alex's taste for a New Year's party…"

"I trust Alex. She's trusts me."

"I know. But that doesn't mean you're immune to temptation. You're practically dragging the snakes in. I can understand Inna. She's Lindsay's friend since God knows when… But DJ… You liked him. That's all."

"Past tense. Liked him."

"Still!"

"You're not helping Sum!" Marissa glared slightly at her friend.

"Well kick DJ out to make me feel better!"

"I can't. He's already inside."

"You have to… He'll try anything to get to you."

"What makes you say that?"

"He thinks you'll leave Alex for him." Summer rolled her eyes.

"I would not!" Marissa said in a serious tone.

"Then kick him out!"

"How many times am I going to tell you…? I can't!"

"Then be ready my friend. I don't think fireworks are not the only ones catching fire tonight."