Chapter 27
POOL
December 25th
"Oh, baby, baby, if you seek Amy tonight… Oh!
Oh baby, baby, we'll do whatever you'll like..."
Addison's hips swayed as she danced around the kitchen whisking the contents of a mixing bowl.
"Oh, baby, baby, baby
Oh, baby, baby, baby..."
She set the bowl down on the counter and adjusted the temperature of the stove.
"Love me, hate me
Say what you want about me
But all of the boys and all of the girls
Are begging to if you seek Amy
Love me, hate me
But can't you see what I see?
All of the boys and all of the girls
Are begging to if you seek Amy.."
She ladled a small amount of batter onto the griddle and spun around to grab a spatula only to let out a loud shriek.
"JESUS FUCKING CHRIST YOU CUM GUZZLING GERBIL FUCKER!" She screamed clutching her chest.
Bonzo covered his mouth, choking back a laugh. "That has to be one of the most creative curses I've ever heard."
She panted trying to settle her heart. "You scared me half to death!" She leaned across the kitchen island and punched him as hard as she could.
"Christ! That hurt..." he laughed standing up and rubbing his arm. "But that floor show was so worth it."
She rolled her eyes and grabbed the spatula, turning back to the stove to flip the pancakes. "I didn't expect you back yet."
"Yeah, I figured that out from the sounds I heard coming out of your bedroom in the pre-dawn hours… You and Z are either back together or you just decided to fuck him to death… so… do I need to call a mortician, or...?"
Addison shook with silent laughter as she poured more batter onto the griddle. "Shouldn't you have been off having your own sexcapades instead of listening to mine?"
"Avoiding my question much? And I wasn't trying to listen. I'm pretty sure half of Malibu heard you two last night."
"Damn… only half?"
They both turned around at the sound of Zed's voice.
He walked over and wrapped his arms around Addison from behind, kissing her cheek."Wanna try again?"
She giggled and turned around in his arms. "Morning, Baby."
"Well, I guess that answers my question," Bonzo chuckled.
Zed bent Addison low and kissed her. "Morning, Baby…"
She pulled him into her further, wrapping her limbs around him.
"Have I ever told you how hot you look barefoot in the kitchen."
"I'm always hot."
"Um… pancakes are burning," Bonzo called out, interrupting them.
"Shit!" she hit Zed's shoulder until he set her back down and let her discard the now burnt pancakes.
"You're making pancakes?" he asked nuzzling against her neck as she poured out the next few.
"Mmhmm. The ridiculously fattening buttermilk kind, too."
He laughed and bit her shoulder. "My favorite."
"I know," she giggled, swatting him away. "Now go sit down so I don't burn anymore."
"Yes ma'am..." he nipped her ear and smiled as he backed away from her and went to sit next to Bonzo. "I thought you'd be at Bree's."
Bonzo huffed. "Yeah, right. Have you met her Dad and older brother? They're terrifying!"
"Awww..." Zed said pinching his cheek. "Did the former and current NFL D-Line stars scare you?"
"You both could have fucking warned me! Her Dad is literally referred to as Mack Truck! There was no way in hell I was going to try and spend the night! And to think… we were actually supposed to be staying there over break!"
"Oh, please. Mr. Mack is a big ole' softy," Addison giggled as she plated a few more pancakes. She turned around and met his eye. "It's Gus you have to worry about."
Zed shuddered. "Aww, man… You remember that party out in the Valley?"
"I've literally never seen anyone else physically carry four teens out of a party all at once before… and that was when he was still at USC! That man is a beast."
Bonzo dropped his head down to the countertop. "Not. Helping."
"This can't come as a shock, Bonz," Addison laughed as she set a plate of pancakes in front of each of them. "You two have been dating for like what, 3 months? Surely her family came up at some point."
"All she said was that her dad was retired, and her brother lives in Wisconsin. She failed to mention that he was there playing for the Packers! You can imagine my surprise when we walked into church last night."
Zed pulled Addison down onto his lap making her wince. "Still sore?"
"A little… just remember, turn about is fair play."
"Bring it on, Baby..." he smacked a loud kiss onto her cheek. "Thank you for breakfast, beautiful. I'm starving."
"Hopefully you can keep these down… How are you feeling?"
"Shit, man..." Bonzo said around a fork full of pancakes. "I should have asked you when you first walked in."
"I'm feeling better… Maybe a little tired… But definitely better than I deserve to." He stabbed a bite of food and popped it into his mouth, moaning as the fluffy goodness hit his tongue. "God, these are fucking fantastic." He held up a bite for her to take.
She smiled and accepted the bite, shaking her head as she chewed. "Oh yeah, I'm going to have to hit the gym hardcore."
"I'll give you a workout..." Zed purred as he bit her shoulder, making her giggle.
Bonzo let out a loud sigh. "Is this what I'm going to have to deal with from here on out? Remind me to ask for a bunk trade… Maybe Bucky..."
"Speaking of..." Addison said as she hopped up from Zed's lap and walked over to where her phone was resting on the counter. "I wonder if he and Lacey have had any luck finding a new drummer."
"Well, I wouldn't call him and ask now," Bonzo said.
She looked up from her phone. "Why not?"
"Um… it's Christmas? I'm sure he's busy with family and shit like that."
"Fuck..." Zed muttered.
Addison smiled, setting her phone back down. "Now or after breakfast?"
Zed rolled his eyes playfully as he stood up and met her halfway, pulling her into a kiss. "I mean, I'm always down for having sex with you, but that particular 'fuck' was because I didn't even realize today was actually Christmas day."
"To be fair, you kinda have an excuse."
"Detoxing or not…"
She snuggled into his side and sighed. "Do you want to celebrate?"
"I haven't really in years."
"Me either… How do you usually spend the holidays?"
"Smoking a bowl and drinking until I pass out."
"What a coincidence," she giggled. "That's what I do!"
Zed laughed and kissed the top of her head. "What a pair we make."
"That's for sure," she sighed running her fingers through his hair. "We can always do what Daddy and I used to do."
"Sushi poolside?"
She nodded her head. "Yup… What says 'Happy Birthday, Jesus' more than raw fish and swimwear?"
He laughed again and wrapped her into a tight hug. "That, my dear, sounds perfect." He looked over to Bonzo. "What do you and Bree have planned?"
"She's coming over here to hang out later this afternoon to escape the craziness that her house apparently turns into on Christmas."
"Perfect!" Addison said with a large smile. I'll place the order at NOBU. Bree can grab it on her way over. Until then… I'm thinking a Christmas movie marathon."
"Yes!"
"Finally!" Bonzo laughed. "Which one first? Frosty? The Year Without A Santa Clause? Miracle on 34th Street?!"
Addison and Zed exchanged a look before breaking out into fits of laughter.
"Oh, no..." Bonzo swallowed. "Nothing good can come from the two of you laughing like that."
Zed wiped his eyes. "We could start with Silent Night."
"Or Red Christmas… or Black Christmas..." Addison added.
"Ooooh, maybe A Christmas Horror Story!"
"Or All Through the House!"
Bonzo shook his head. "You two are so fucking twisted..." he stood up and stretched. "You definitely belong together…. Ruining a perfectly wholesome holiday…." he muttered under his breath as he grabbed his phone. "I'm going to take a nap. I had a hard time falling asleep last night with all the screaming and moaning."
Addison and Zed started to laugh again as he headed towards the stairs. As their laughter died down, Zed looked into her eyes and smiled.
"I love you, Addison."
"I…" she sighed and wrapped her arms around his waist, snuggling into the crook of his arm. "I adore you, Z."
"Hey..." he lifted her chin so she'd meet his eyes. "No pressure. I know, okay… Forever."
"And after."
"That's all I want."
Her brow shot up in challenge. "Really? ALL you want?"
He laughed and leaned down to nip her nose. "Okay, maybe not ALL…"
"Oh, really?"
"Really… Like right now, I want to finish eating those pancakes. And after that… I'm thinking you for dessert."
She smiled and shook her head, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth.
"Fuck the pancakes..." he scooped her up and threw her over his shoulder, making a mad dash up the stairs.
"You sure you don't want to join me, Beautiful?" Zed whispered into her ear, placing kisses along her neck.
Addison giggled and pushed him away. "If I take a shower with you, it'll end exactly like our bath last night."
"I see nothing wrong with that..."
"You said your muscles were sore. You need the hot water. Go!" she smiled even wider pushing him away with her foot.
He grabbed her ankle and pulled it up to his mouth, biting her, making her laugh even more. "Fine. Have it your way." He leaned over and smacked a loud kiss onto her lips before jumping off the bed and heading into the en suite.
Her cheeks hurt from smiling so much. In less than 24 hours, she felt like her life had been shifted back onto its proper axis. Still, there was a small part of her mind, that couldn't shake the feeling that this was all too good to be true. As the sound of the shower started, she leaned over to her nightstand and opened the drawer in search of something she had buried in there years ago.
"As if the first cut wasn't deep enough
I dove in again 'cause I'm not into giving up
Could've gotten the same rush from any lover's touch
But why get used to something new?
'Cause no one breaks my heart like you..."
She pulled out a silver picture frame from the back, carefully dusting off the glass as she stared at the picture. Senior Prom. Zed holding her, gazing into her eyes like she was the only thing in the universe that he saw. They were so in love. She smiled and traced his handsome features. Could they really be that happy again?
"When you kiss me, I wish we could see what happens next
For a moment, I could forget what happens in my head
If I doubt you, would you come through?
Happy second chance or happy ending
But this time please don't leave me sinking
I'm underwater, No air in my lungs
My eyes are open, and I'm giving up
You are the wave, I could never tame
If I survive, I'll dive back in
As if the first blood didn't thrill enough
I went further out to see what else was left of us
Never found the deep end of our little ocean
Drain the fantasy of you
Headfirst into shallow pools
And I wonder, is it better to get it over with?
The illusion can shatter before we begin..."
Happy second chance, think I could forget
This time please don't leave me sinking..."
Her phone ringing broke through her thoughts. She set the frame next to her on the bed and leaned over to her nightstand to grab her phone.
"Merry Christmas, Brother-dear."
Bucky laughed from the other end. "Merry Christmas, Sis… you sound… different?"
"I do?"
"Yeah… What's up?"
She sighed, plopping back down onto the plush mattress. "Nothing. What's up with you? How's the fam treating your girlfriend?"
"Are you kidding? They're already planning our fucking wedding."
She sat up quickly. "You fucking proposed?! You didn't even ask for my help picking out a ring! You have taste for shit! What were you thinking!"
"NO! God… you know I would have talked to you first… It's just my family being their typical loud obnoxious selves."
She shook her head and laughed. "I can only imagine."
"Speaking of loud families, how are things over at Bree's?"
"Actually..." she let out a breath. "I'm in Malibu"
"WHAT? Why? Are you at Rise?!"
"No! I just decided to stay at Daddy's."
The line was silent for a moment. "You did?"
"Yup..." she said popping her p at the end. "Bree's ENTIRE family came in for the holidays and I just needed some quiet."
"Are you okay? You can stay in a hotel if it's easier. I won't even bitch about the bill if you want to order everything on the room service menu twice...Do you need me to come stay with you?"
"B… I'm fine…" she sighed and stood up, grabbing Zed's boxers and putting them on as she walked to the window. She looked around at the serene beach below and smiled. "Actually, I think I might be better than fine."
"Does this mean you're finally going to stop living in that crappy apartment and move back in after the tour?"
"Still undecided, we'll see… speaking of the tour… any luck auditioning drummers? I know we've got a few lined up through Bamm! But I'd really prefer not to go there if possible."
"I know… And yeah, we've auditioned a couple. We've got one more scheduled for tomorrow that sounds promising. His name actually ends in 'Acey' too, so Lacey is stoked."
"Good deal. Keep me updated."
"Will do."
They sound of the shower stopped. "Hey, B… I've got to run. Enjoy the rest of the break."
"I will. I'll talk to you later Adds."
"Laters."
"Oh, and Adds..."
"Yeah?"
"Whatever it is your doing, keep it up. Happy sounds good on you."
She smiled and nodded her head. "I will." She hung up the phone just as Zed opened the door. She turned around and almost dropped her phone at the sight of him. Wet hair pushed back away from his face, beads of water still dripping down his sculpted chest, a gray towel wrapped low on his hips. She ran her tongue along the inside of her lower lip before bringing it between her teeth.
"You look so perfect standing there
In my American Apparel underwear
And I know now, that I'm so down..." he sang as he walked over to her, making her smile.
"They're more comfortable than mine."
He laughed and pulled her in close.
"Your lipstick stain is a work of art
I got your name tattooed in an arrow heart
And I know now, that I'm so down..." he nipped her nose before kissing her lips, slowly walking them back towards the bed. "You can wear my underwear anytime, Baby."
"I don't think we're going to be watching movies," she said in a breathy whisper as her hand grabbed his hardening bulge through the soft towel.
"We could always just make one," he teased.
She rolled her eyes and giggled, pushing him back onto the bed. "Been there, done that."
"But that one was YEARS ago now," he laughed as she straddled his waist. "I think it needs some updating." He scooched himself back on the bed further, only to have the picture frame slide into his arm. "Is that our prom pic?" he asked as he glanced down.
"Yeah," she said with a shy smile.
"God's that night was perfect… and you..." he whispered, brushing her hair away from her face. "I swear there were nights when I was deployed out there in the desert when the only thing that got me through was remembering the look in your eyes that night." He kissed her softly. "I never thought I'd get a chance to see it again…"
She ran her fingers through his wet hair, gazing into his eyes. He still looked at her like she was the only thing in his world. "I can't believe I ever doubted this."
"I know exactly how you feel, Baby…" He smiled, grabbing onto her ass and rolling them over.
"Hey, Bree's pull… Ahhh!"
They both looked over to the door to see Bonzo standing with his back turned towards them.
"Sorry… Need the gate code for Bree," he rushed out in apology.
Zed leaned down and kissed the top of her head as they laid in one of the lounge chairs. The afternoon had been nearly perfect. They swam, ate sushi, went for a walk along the beach, and now as the sun set, they were lounging by the pool smoking.
"Girl, if I have said it once, I've said it a million times," Bree said as she exhaled. "You were made for the Malibu sun. I haven't seen you this at peace in a long time."
Addison smiled and took the joint from her. "I haven't felt this way in a long time… I don't think it's all Malibu," she said as she glanced up at Zed, handing it to him. "But… yeah, I didn't realize how much I missed this place."
"Where have you been living?"
"He doesn't know?" Bree asked with the hint of a laugh behind her words.
Zed tightened his arm around her. "What don't I know?"
"I... it's not important," she shrugged.
"Fine… be that way..." he said with a wink, exhaling. "I'll get it out of you eventually."
"She's not the only one Malibu looks good on." Bonzo chimed in, taking the joint from him. "I finally get that fucking song you wrote,"
"What song?" Addison asked turning her head up to look at him.
"I don't remember..." he offered, shrugging his shoulders.
Bonzo snorted out a laugh through his exhale. "Bullshit. It was literally the only song you've written that E and I vetoed. Talk about a song that made you want to sit in a corner and slit your goddamn wrists..."
"Bonz! Really?"
"What? I'm just saying… I get it now," he shrugged. "You two seem very… serene here."
Zed rolled his eyes and huffed.
Addison turned around and straddled his lap, running a hand down the side of his face as she looked him in the eyes. "Can I hear it?"
"Don't look at me like that. You know I'm going to give in and I don't want to."
She smiled and pulled his face to hers, kissing him softly. "Please..."
He wrapped his arms around her tightly, holding her in place. "Fine...
There's no reason, there's no rhyme
I found myself blindsided by
A feeling that I've never known
I'm dealing with it on my own..." he whispered against her lips.
"Phone is quiet, walls are bare
I drink myself to sleep, who cares?
No one even has to know
I'm dealing with it on my own..." he ran a thumb down her cheek as he gazed into her eyes.
"I got way too much time to be this hurt
Somebody help, it's getting worse
What do you do with a broken heart?
Once the light fades, everything is dark
Way too much whiskey in my blood
I feel my body giving up
Can I hold on for another night?
What do I do with all this time?"
"...Z..." she whispered, her bottom lip trembling.
He brushed a kiss against her lips.
"Every thought's when it gets late
Puts me in a fragile state
I wish I wasn't going home
Dealing with it on my own
I'm praying but it's not enough
I'm done, I don't believe in love
Learning how to let it go
Dealing with it on my own
I drive circles under street lights
Nothing seems to clear my mind
I can't forget
It's inside my head, so
I drive, chasing Malibu nights
Nothing seems to clear my mind
I can't forget
It's inside my head, so
I drive chasing Malibu nights
Nothing seems to heal my mind
I can't forget
It's inside my head, so
I drive, chasing Malibu nights..."
He was cut off by Addison's lips against his. Her hands were in his hair pulling him into her even more as their kiss intensified.
"Seriously..." Bonzo said smiling over to Bree. "Please tell me this gets better. I've already walked in on them once today."
Bree laughed and nodded her head. "You have no idea… But, you get used to it… Just get in the habit of knocking before you walk into any room."
Addison pulled back laughing. She grabbed a throw pillow from the chaise lounge and threw it at her best friend. "We are not THAT bad!"
Bree dodged the pillow. "Yes, you are! Don't even try to deny it!"
Zed laughed and nipped at her shoulder. "We kinda are..."
"...Maybe..." she said with a hint of a smile. She softly kissed him once more. "But we can't help it."
"Never could..." he answered with another kiss. "So… Where have you been living?"
She smiled against his lips. "A small two-bedroom apartment in Santa Monica," she rushed out in one breath.
He sat up a little and looked down to meet her eyes. "Really? I would have guessed the strip. Are you anywhere near my old place?"
Addison buried her face into his neck, desperately trying to avoid embarrassment. "It may be exactly your old place..."
"What?!"
Bree choked on smoke as she laughed. "You heard that right. I always thought it was a little nutzo myself, but..." she sighed through a giggle. "I'm sure you can imagine the profanities that were spewed my way when I voiced my opinion."
Zed ran a hand through her hair and held her close. "I don't get it. If you thought I had done everything you were lead to believe, why?"
She peeked up from his shoulder and gave him a small, sad smile. "… Leasing that apartment was my way of keeping you close."
He kissed her roughly.
"Okay, enough of that you two. If I have to peep any more X-rated content I may be returning my sushi to the ocean..." Bree laughed as she stood up and stretched. "Let's go shoot some pool."
"There's a pool table?" Bonzo asked, standing up and joining her.
Zed looked up and nodded. "Yeah, there's an entire rec room on the second floor."
"How am I just hearing about this! Let's go!"
Addison stopped as they stepped off the stair landing on the second floor. She grasped Zed's hand tightly, her own hand trembling.
Bree and Bonzo continued down the hall, chatting happily as they walked towards the room, not paying attention to Zed and Addison behind them.
"Hey..." he whispered, getting her attention. "You okay?"
She shook her head. "I haven't been up here since..."
He nodded in understanding, pulling her into a hug. "We don't have to go. They'd more than understand if we ducked out."
She pulled back and met his eyes. "I'll be okay… as long as I have you with me."
He squeezed her hand and leaned down to kiss her.
"Are you two coming?" Bree called out from in front of the doorway. She turned back to Bonzo. "Now this," she paused for dramatic effect as she opened the door. "This has been my favorite room since I first came over in elementary school." She opened the door and flipped on the lights. Bonzo could barely keep his mouth from hanging open in shock.
It was an enormous rec room that spanned the entire length of the house, complete with a pool table, an air hockey table, a pinball machine, and three full-sized arcade games. There was an area set up for watching movies, along with about three different gaming systems.
"Oh my God!" Bonzo said as he took it all in.
"While everyone else geeked out across the hall in the studio, I'd be over here."
Zed laughed as he and Addison joined them. "Man… how many days did we lose track of up here?"
Bree snorted a laugh. "Weeks!"
"Wow… I just… I could never imagine having this kind of stuff at my disposal growing up." His eyes hit the air hockey table, making him smile. "I haven't played in years, but I bet I could kick all your asses."
"Oh, bring it!" Addison laughed.
"Oh no," Zed chuckled as he wrapped his arm around her. "Watch yourself, Bonz. You haven't met 'I have to be the best at everything' Addison, yet."
"Oh, it's fucking on!"
"Wait! We should play for shots!" Bree shouted excitedly.
Bonzo turned and looked at her. "What do you mean?"
"We play a game, whoever loses takes a shot. Easy peasy!"
Addison shrugged her shoulders. "Fine with me. I always end up sober."
"That's why we're playing with vodka!" Bree snapped.
"Won't matter… I don't lose."
"Don't worry, Baby. I'll keep you out of trouble."
"Whatever you say, Trouble." Addison laughed and made her way over to the cheesy, dated, vampire-themed pinball machine against the wall.
"Oh, my god!" Bree said as she jumped up and down. "Do you remember the last time we were all up here, Zed? It was the day you two got back from Greece!"
"I don't remember all of it… I was pretty drunk… my girlfriend kicked my ass at Mario Kart that night. But I do remember the pool table..."
Addison rolled her eyes, trying to hide her smile. Of course, he would remember that. She ran her hand along the side of the game. There was a large black coffin inside that would pop open to let the ball drop down into it for extra points, as well as little bats that lit up when they were hit. She always had loved playing it. The moment she heard the dinging bells and saw the flashing lights, she was transported right back to that night.
"I want to jump into the neighborhood pool with you
I wanna dive into that ocean with you
Whisper words that would only make sense to you
I wanna love you til my lips turn blue
Pull me close
Pull me close
Wrapping your arms around me
My legs around your body
Pull me close
Pull me close
Wrapping your arms around me
My legs around your body
Got my favorite song on the radio
Give me the chills when you put it on, put it on
Skin keeps glowing in the indigo
The way we feel, no they'll never know
The way we feel, no they'll never know
Heatwaves on the pavement on these summer nights, honey
Nothing they can do, no they can't take this high, away, away
The way that you love me makes me feel brand news
Pull me close
Pull me close
Wrapping your arms around me
My legs around your body
Pull me close
Pull me close
Wrapping your arms around me
My legs around your body
Got my favorite song on the radio
Give me the chills when you put it on, put it on
Skin keeps glowing in the indigo
The way we feel, no they'll never know
The way we feel, no they'll never know"
"That's ridiculously sappy..." Mason's voice cut through her headphones. "I think I might have puked a little."
"Damnit, Mason!" Dale snapped. "Stop touching everything!"
Addison giggled and pulled her headphones off as she headed over towards them. "Mason!" she launched herself into his arms and held him close. "When did you get here?"
"He's been aggravating the shit out of me since you started that last take," Dale said as he readjusted the controls on the mixing board.
"You know you love me, Daddy Dale." Mason held her at arm's length and gave her an appraising once over. "Damn, you are tan!"
"Well, an extended stay in Hawaii followed by a trip to the Mediterranean will do that."
"And you've been home for how long? A few hours? And you're already back in the studio recording?"
She shrugged her shoulder with a mischievous smile across her face. "I wrote it on the plane and wanted to get it down as soon as possible. It's a present for Z."
"Of course it is," he laughed, hugging her again. "Speaking of... where's he at?"
"Across the hall in the rec room with Bree."
"Where you should be, Mase," Dale added, hitting the playback button and listening to what Addison had just recorded. "Sounds real good, Sweet-pea."
"Thanks, Daddy."
"I'll finish mixing everything, you guys go have fun… Try not to destroy them too badly though, Adds."
"I make no promises," She giggled walking over and kissing his cheek.
Mason pressed another button on the control deck. "What does this one do?"
Dale swatted his hand. "Sweet-pea..."
"I'm on it," she rolled her eyes and grabbed Mason's hand, pulling him out of the room and across the hall to where Zed and Bree were sitting in front of the large television, arguing over which gaming console to use.
"I call winner!" Mason shouted.
zzzzzzzzzzz
"YES!" she screamed as she threw the controller down and jumped up onto the couch to celebrate her victory. "In your face Jacobs!"
Mason laughed as he poured another shot, handing it to his defeated comrade. "Dude… never pick Rainbow Road. What were you thinking?"
Zed groaned as he took the shot from him and slammed it back. "Fucking tequila..."
She dropped down to straddle his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Hey, you don't like it, maybe you should win next time." She pulled him in for a kiss. "Mmm… you taste so good."
"You sayin' I don't always," he teased, biting her bottom lip.
"You know you do," she giggled kissing him again.
Bree and Mason both made gagging sounds next to them.
"And on that note, I'm going to go pass out in your room," Bree slurred.
"Really? Already?" Mason asked looking at his watch. "Shit… is it really after midnight already?"
Addison looked up at the clock and nodded. "Yeah."
"Fuck, my mom is going to kill me."
"Since when do you have a curfew?" Zed laughed.
"Since I stayed out all of last week," he blanched. "She's seriously pissed."
"Mase, you've been drinking. Just call her and tell her you're staying."
He stood up and grabbed his phone out of his pocket. "Wish me luck..." he muttered as he and Bree walked out of the room.
"You up for another game?" she asked Zed.
"Sure. Whatcha wanna play?"
She stood up and looked around the room for their next battle, her eyes landing on the pool table. "Pool?"
Zed groaned. "I just lost a Mario Kart tournament… that's five shots of tequila… and now you expect me to play pool?!"
"Awww..." she purred as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'll make it worth your while..."
He shook his head and laughed, smacking her ass. "Rack 'em up, Baby."
What followed next was the most sexually tense game of pool in the history of rec rooms.
Every time she took a shot, she made sure to lean way over, strategically displaying her ample cleavage right in front of a nearly drooling Zed. She would then slide the cue back and forth between her fingers, looking back and forth between her fingers, looking up at him through her lashes as she did so. Whenever she had to take a shot from close to where he was standing, she would make a show of leaning over slowly and sticking her ass out, never failing to look back over her shoulder before striking the ball.
To say that Zed was distracted would be an enormous understatement. However, he wasn't completely unarmed in their little game. Rather than trying to distract her during his own shots like she was doing to him, he would wait and make his move while she took hers. When she would lean over with her cleavage on display, he began meeting her gaze with his ring brown eyes, licking his lower lip and adjusting the prominent bulge in his jeans.
While she was visibly affecting him with her tricks, his were clearly working as well. Her shots grew increasingly sloppier the more obvious his arousal became. When she bent over in front of him again, he closed the distance until he was leaning over her back, whispering tip into her ear.
She missed the ball altogether, and he gently placed his hands over hers and guided her, brushing his lips against the outer shell of her ear as he breathed, "Like this." And then he proceeded to gently rub himself against her backside as they followed through the shot, causing her to moan and throw her head back, squeezing her eyes shut against the sudden pleasure of feeling him so close.
She threw the cue down on the table and brought her hands up behind his head, effectively trapping him against her. She leaned back into him, rubbing her ass against his erection as she pulled his mouth down to her neck.
Between her luscious scent and the extreme pleasure of feeling her grind against him, Zed was quickly drunk on more than just tequila.
He parted his lips and left wet kisses along her neck, punctuated by soft nips with his teeth. Her groaning in his ear only fueled his desire, causing him to buck his hips against her more fully. He reached his hands around the front of her, sliding them under her shirt and anchoring her with one large hand pressed against the soft flesh of her stomach. The other hand had a mind of its own, roaming higher until he was cupping one of her breasts, squeezing it roughly when her piercing brushed under his palm.
She gasped loudly and spun around in his arms, pressing herself against the front of him as his hands slid down to grab her ass. Their mouths met frantically, each of their tongues fighting as they swallowed each other's groans of need. Zed picked her up and sat her down on the edge of the table.
Positioning himself between her legs, he growled against her lips when she wound them around his waist eagerly. He reached up to hold her face and pulled back so that he could stare into her heavy-lidded eyes.
"I love you, Addison," he whispered.
"I love you too, Zed. Forever."
"About that..."
"What?" she panted, glancing between his eyes and his lips.
"Forever… And after… We never finished talking about it."
"About what?"
He grabbed her left hand and brought it up to his mouth, kissing her ring finger.
"Yes, we did."
"No, we didn't… You changed the subject with really, really, really hot sex."
"Do we have any other kind?"
He pretended to ponder for a moment. "No, not really… but still… I wanted to ask you something."
"Zed, I swear to God if you ask me to marry you right now I will punch you."
He laughed and kissed her quickly. "No, I'm not asking you right now…"
She let out a relieved sigh.
"No, I wanted to ask you something else… You've said your last name will never be anything but Donnelly…"
"Yeah..."
"What about something a little less conventional?"
"Z, I think the tequila is messing with your head."
"What if you didn't have to change your last name?"
"Well that wouldn't really present a united front, now would it," she laughed.
"What if the person who wanted to marry you, was willing to change their last name for you then."
"Are you saying you'd be willing to do that?"
"Baby, I don't care what my last name is, I just want you forever and after."
She pulled him back to her lips, igniting a whole new kissing frenzy. Shoving her hands into his hair, she yanked and pulled at it as she sucked on his lips and tongue, making him moan deeply.
"Is that a yes?" he laughed.
"It's an 'I'll think about it'."
"I'll take it!"
She giggled and leaned backward, pulling him down with her. He followed happily, climbing onto the table on his knees as she continued to pull him down on top of her.
.
A few minutes into her game, she felt a pair of familiar arms wrap around her waist. "You look like you're thinking something naughty."
She smiled as his lips left a trail of warm kisses across the back of her neck. "Just remembering a certain game of pool..."
He spun her around pinning her back against the pinball machine with his body. With a loud groan, he pulled her to him, crashing his mouth down on hers. His hands were everywhere at once, roaming over her body before settling in her hair, holding her head in place while he ravaged her lips with his own. He reached down and grabbed her ass, gripping it tightly before lifting her and setting her on the pinball machine, wrapping her legs around his waist.
"See what I mean?" Bree giggled, breaking into their bubble. "They're impossible!"
"Come on, Adds you guys can do that later… you ready to feel the pain?" Bonzo laughed as he flipped the air hockey table on.
"Uh… absolutely." She tried her hardest to sound excited, but all she really wanted to do was drag Zed back to her bedroom to finish what they had started.
For the next two hours, Addison was subjected to numerous competitions. The four of them locked in an all-out war. They played, pool, darts, Donkey Kong, Rampage, just about anything they could turn into a battle. There were one-on-one bouts as well as team matches.
"Damn, Adds! I thought you were competitive!" Bonzo laughed as he handed her yet another shot of vodka.
"Fucking hate you, Bonz..." she grimaced as the alcohol went down her throat. "So off my game tonight." She stood up only to sit right back down when her vision went blurry and the room began to spin.
"Alright, I'm calling it," Zed laughed as he stood up and helped her back to her feet. "We need to get you to bed."
"I'm fine..." she whispered through a hiccup. "Fucking vodka."
"Yeah, okay drunkey… Are you good to walk or do you need me to carry you?"
"As much as I love it when you carry me, I'm going to walk just to prove my fucking point," she snapped as she walked off towards the door.
Zed shook his head with silent laughter as he waved to Bree and Bonzo, and then followed after her.
When he got into the hall he could hear her crying. He looked to his left, finding her sitting between the doors of her father's office and bedroom. "Shit..." he mumbled under his breath as he jogged over to her. He slid down the wall beside her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into him.
"I miss him so fucking much..." she hiccuped through her sobs.
"I know, Beautiful..." He wiped her eyes with the pads of his thumbs. He held her tight, letting her cry into his shoulder, slowly rocking them back and forth.
"Don't you cry tonight
I still love you, baby
Don't you cry tonight
Don't you cry tonight
There's a heaven above you baby
And don't you cry tonight..."
She smiled through her tears. "I always did love that song… and you sing it better than Axl… just don't tell him I said that." She rested her head against his shoulder, wiping her nose with the sleeve of her shirt. "Is this ever going to get easier?"
"I read something a few months after my mom died that I try to remember… As for grief, you'll find it comes in waves. When the ship is first wrecked, you're drowning, with wreckage all around you. Everything floating around you reminds you of the beauty and magnificence of the ship that was, and is no more. And all you can do is float. You find some piece of the wreckage and you hang on for a while. Maybe it's some physical thing. Maybe it's a happy memory or a photograph. Maybe it's a person who is also floating. For a while, all you can do is float. Stay alive…" He took a breath and brushed a kiss on her forehead.
"In the beginning, the waves are 100 feet tall and crash over you without mercy. They come 10 seconds apart and don't even give you time to catch your breath. All you can do is hang on and float. After a while, maybe weeks, maybe months, you'll find the waves are still 100 feet tall, but they come further apart. When they come, they still crash all over you and wipe you out. But in between, you can breathe, you can function. You never know what's going to trigger the grief. It might be a song, a picture, a street intersection, the smell of a cup of coffee. It can be just about anything… and the wave comes crashing. But in between waves, there is life.
Somewhere down the line, and it's different for everybody, you find that the waves are only 80 feet tall. Or 50 feet tall. And while they still come, they come further apart. You can see them coming. An anniversary, a birthday, or Christmas..." he whispered, hugging her tighter. "You can see it coming, for the most part, and prepare yourself. And when it washes over you, you know that somehow you will, again, come out the other side. Soaking wet, sputtering, still hanging on to some tiny piece of the wreckage, but you'll come out.
She nodded her head as her eyes filled back up with unshed tears. "We've lost so much... Daddy, your mom..." she closed her eyes, unable to say anything else.
"I know. I miss them..." He smiled and ran his hand down her face. "The two of them..." he shook his head. "They would be so happy that we found our way back to each other, though"
She laughed softly, leaning into his touch. "They would be… They were always so sure of us."
"Yes, they were."
"Daddy always thought of you as his future son-in-law… despite my numerous attempts to remind him of my stance on marriage."
"I thought that was negotiable?"
"And I think it's too soon to reopen those negotiations."
His chest shook with silent laughter. "Fair enough."
She rolled her eyes as she let out a loud yawn.
Zed scooped her up into his arms and stood up. "Let's get you to bed."
She nodded her head and rested against his shoulder as he carried her up the rest of the steps and into her bedroom.
As they lay in her oversized California King bed wrapped in each other's arms, Zed placed a soft kiss to the top of her head. "I have this crazy idea..." he whispered into her hair.
"And what would that be?" she sleepily slurred as she nuzzled further into his chest.
"I owe you a proper Christmas. I think we should start a tradition of our own."
"Zed..."
"Don't fight me on this, Baby. Please?"
"Fine," she sighed sleepily, giving in to him and his warm embrace.
.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I swear I must have written and re-written this chapter about 4 different times. Sorry if it sucks. The next chapter (which was originally included in this chapter) is already written, so it won't take me WEEKS to update next time! I am also working on the next Watch Us Shine chapter, I promise I haven't forgotten about it!
SONGS USED IN THIS CHAPTER
If You Seek Amy- Britney Spears
Pool- Paramore
You Look So Perfect- 5SoS
Malibu Nights- Lany
Indigo- Alice Grey
Don't You Cry- Guns 'N Roses