CHAPTER 32
S&M
"Ooooh," Addison laughed as they pulled up to a large building on the outskirts of town. "It's literally an old power plant!"
Zed laughed and passed her the backwood to finish. "Yeah. It was built in the twenties and was fully operational until about ten years ago. It turned into this crazy multi-level music venue shortly after."
She took a deep drag. "Are you sure I'm dressed okay?"
He laughed again and grabbed her hand. "Why are you so nervous? It's very off-brand for you… You know you always look hot."
She rolled her eyes. "I know that… But…" she shrugged. "I sort of feel out of my element… maybe I should have worn jeans..."
He took the backwood back and put it out. "Baby, it's just an open mic night... And that skirt is deadly… if we weren't already running late..." he ran his hand up her thigh.
She smiled and pushed his hand away. "But it's your friends… and people you grew up with… and..." she shrugged her shoulders and sighed.
"Adds, look at me," he whispered as he ran a hand down the side of her face, pulling her in closer. "Wynnie and Wyatt already love you… and Willa will too whenever she decides to stop being a bitch and give you a chance."
"It's not just them."
"I don't give a shit about anyone else... You and me… forever..."
"And after," she breathed as his lips met hers.
His hands went to her hair, pulling her in deeper, only to be interrupted by a sharp knock on the window.
Zed rolled his eyes and pulled away, rolling down the window. "Can I help you?"
Wyatt laughed and poked his head into the car. "You know your Dad is going to be pissed if his car smells like pot. You better air it out before you get home tonight."
"You're just jealous you missed out."
He shook his head and smiled. "Maybe a little…. How did you even convince him to loan you the jag?"
"That was all my mom."
"I love that woman," Wyatt smiled. He looked over at Addison. "You excited Pom-poms?"
Addison popped a piece of Juicy Fruit into her mouth and nodded as she handed one to Zed.
"Thank you, Baby," he whispered, grabbing her hand and giving it a small squeeze.
"Let's go then!"
"Where are the girls?" Zed asked as he got out of the car.
"Already inside. We knew you'd be late and Wynnie wanted to make sure she got a good spot on the line-up." Wyatt replied as he jogged around the car to open the door for Addison.
Zed rolled his eyes. "Always the gentleman."
"Damn right," he laughed, placing a kiss on Addison's hand as he helped her out of the car. "Someone's got to be."
"Thank you, Wyatt," she smiled, looking over to Zed as he walked over to them. "And don't let him fool you, Jacobs over there can be quite the gentleman as well."
"Thank you, Baby," Zed laughed draping his arm around her.
"So..." Wyatt said, draping his arm around her as well. "What is a girl like you doing with a guy like Zed?"
"Hey!"
Wyatt laughed. "No offense, Z."
"How can I not take offense!"
Addison giggled and leaned into Zed's shoulder as they continued to walk through the parking lot. "I don't think I ever really had a choice. We tried to just be friends…"
"Longest month and a half of my fucking life."
She giggled again. "The harder we tried to fight this, the stronger it got… until one night..."
Wyatt laughed. "Bet I can guess when that was… I still can't believe you broke up with Nat over the phone at like one in the morning."
"That was my fault," Addison said. "I told him to call her… I don't share."
"To be fair, I offered to call and break things off the morning after your birthday party."
"True..."
"What happened at your birthday party?"
Zed shrugged his shoulders and smiled. "Oh, the usual… a tab or two of X, live music… a killer make-out sesh that we pretended didn't happen for a while..."
Wyatt shook his head and laughed. "You two really did try, didn't you?"
"Yeah… we did."
"Well, dick move or not, you two seem really happy together… Which is more than I can say about you and Natalie. I've seen you smile more today than I saw in the year before you left."
Zed kissed the top of Addison's head. "How could I not smile and be happy… I love you."
"I love you, too… forever."
"And after."
"Awwww…" Wyatt gushed. "You're so cute."
Zed rolled his eyes and pushed him away from them as they approached the line to get in the door. "What in the..."
Wyatt laughed and draped his arm around Zed. "Yeah, they finally started carding out here, too. I guess they got tired of all of us sneaking onto the upper floors."
"What's on those?" Addison asked.
"21 and over….Downstairs is all ages. We used to be able to get past the one security guard to get upstairs to buy drinks… Not so much anymore."
"Sucks to be you," Zed laughed as he pulled out two ID cards from his wallet, handing one to Addison.
She took it from him and examined it. "Wow, Owen really did a good job. It looks perfect!"
"How old are you Pom-poms?"
Addison rolled her eyes at the use of her apparent new nickname. "According to this, 21."
"And according to your California issued ID?"
"Seventeen."
Wyatt smiled. "Such a baby still."
Her eyebrows shot up. "Baby, huh" she smiled and bit her lip. "… question… Do they have concerts here?"
"Yeah, the top floor is a huge concert stage. They get some pretty major names roll through here."
She nodded her head. "I bet you a drink I don't even need to use this," she challenged holding up her new ID card.
"Seriously?" he looked over to Zed for confirmation.
Zed held his hands up and took a step back from them.
"And I'll bet you two drinks I can get you two in as well," she smiled sweetly.
Wyatt looked back to Zed. "Is she serious?"
Zed shrugged his shoulders and bit back a laugh, knowing exactly what was about to happen.
"Okay," Wyatt smiled. "You're on. And if you get rejected, I'm picking out a song for you to sing on stage."
Addison held out her hand. "Deal." As they shook she locked eyes with him. "Just so you know… I don't lose."
"Neither do I."
Zed rolled his eyes dramatically as they moved up in line. "Why am I attracted to the ultra-competitive ones?" He stopped dead in his tracks and turned back to them, quickly stammering out an explanation. "I mean that in a totally not physical attraction kind of way!"
"So, you're not attracted to us?" Wyatt teased, elbowing Addison playfully. "I think we're pretty hot!"
"I… I..."
Addison smiled and grabbed Zed's hand, "We'll discuss this more later," she whispered with a wink as they stepped up to the bouncer.
"ID..." the large, intimidating man gruffly stated, crossing his arms in front of him, making his muscles bulge even more.
Addison reached into her wallet, pulling out a business card and handing it to him.
"This isn't an ID."
"Yes, it is," she said, batting her eyelashes and flashing him a smile. "Flip it over."
The bouncer huffed in annoyance as he turned the card over. As he read, his eyes grew larger. He looked between her and the card several times before hitting the call button on his walkie talkie. "I need a VIP table reserved for…" He looked up to Addison. "How many, Ms. Donnelly?"
"Five...maybe more."
He nodded. "At least five." He handed the card back to Addison and pulled out a small stack of gold wrist bands. "Enjoy your evening at the Power Plant. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you," she smiled turning towards Zed and Wyatt. "Let's go boys."
As they walked through the entrance, Wyatt started to laugh. "What in the fuck just happened?"
"I told you I don't lose… looks like you owe me a few drinks." She stopped walking and smiled even wider. "Wait, those are comped… I guess I'll have to come up with something else."
Wyatt swallowed loudly before he answered with a smile of his own. "You are something else, Addison..."
"Oh, so now I'm Addison?" she said with a breathy giggle.
He shook his head and took a step back, looking between the two of them. "So are either of you going to tell me how we're suddenly on the VIP list?"
Addison flashed the same card she had given the bouncer. "Next to my car, this was the best thing I got for my sixteenth birthday. My Bamm! Records executive card."
Wyatt's jaw nearly hit the ground.
"I don't normally like to throw around my last name, but..."
"It's gotten us into some pretty awesome shows," Zed laughed as he clapped him on the back.
"But..." Wyatt looked between the two of them. "If you have that, why did you just get fake ID's?"
Zed scratched the back of his head as he stole a heated glance towards Addison. "We, um… were planning to go to a… non-music based club while we were in town."
"Wher…."
"There you guys are!" Wynter shouted, interrupting him. "I'm up next!" she said as she ran past them carrying a guitar.
Wyatt looked back at Zed and Addison. "To be continued… Let's go watch Wynnie make an idiot of herself."
Wynter came rushing back over, almost out of breath. "Oh," she panted. "One more thing… I had nothing to do with it! K! Bye!"
"Woah, wait a sec..." Zed said, grabbing her arm. "Since when do you play guitar?"
"You taught me, remember?"
"I only taught you three chords."
She pulled her arm away and smiled. "That's all I need!" She waved and ran back off.
"What was that all about?" Zed asked, turning to Wyatt.
"It's Wynter. Who knows," he laughed, shaking his head. "Come on. Wills texted and said they were upfront."
They made their way through the crowd, sporadically stopping to say hello to friends, shaking hands, and slapping palms. As they approached the stage, Wyatt stopped walking.
"You have got to be kidding me..." He turned to Zed and Addison with wide eyes. "I swear, I had no idea..."
"What are you..." Zed's voice trailed off as he finally spotted what Wyatt had. "Well..." he said with a forced smile, looking at Addison. "Looks like our night just cleared back up. Let's get out of here." He squeezed her hand and turned back around.
"Zed, man… I'm sorry."
"What is going on?" Addison asked, stopping him from walking any further.
Before he could answer, they all heard Willa call out to them.
Zed sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Adds… my ex-girlfriend and her friends are at the table next to ours."
"Oh..."
"I'm not about to put you in that position, Baby."
She rolled her eyes and smiled, squeezing his hand. "Alpha and Omega?"
"Forever and after," he answered pulling her closer to him. "You know that."
"Then why are you stressing? Let's go watch Wynter."
He arched a brow. "Seriously?"
"Yeah… Besides, you had to go to school with my ex for an entire year. I think I can handle one night."
"I also punched him out… and you two were already broken up BEFORE we met."
She shook her head and smiled, looking up at him through her lashes. "True..."
"Don't give me that look."
She ran her tongue along her bottom lip, pulling it between her teeth. "What look."
"That one, right there," he laughed. "I'm going to end up dragging you out of here and fucking you in the backseat of my Dad's car… If we make it that far."
"And that's why I'm not worried!" she smiled victoriously, standing on her tippy-toes to peck his cheek. "You're mine, just as much as I'm yours."
"So you're staying?" Wyatt asked hopefully.
Zed laughed nervously and pulled Addison into his side. "I guess so..."
They made their way to the table just as Wynter took the stage.
Zed scowled towards Willa.
"What?" she asked innocently.
"We're having a little chat once Wynter is finished," he whispered, pulling Addison onto his lap as he sat down, ignoring the glares coming from the table next to them.
"Hi everybody!" Wynter said excitedly as she adjusted the microphone. "I'm Wynter Barkowitz and I'll be playing a little song for you today so… Here we go...
It's just a stupid little love song
It's just a stupid little
It's just a stupid little love song..."
Zed followed Wynter's gaze to see who she was eyeing as she sang. He rolled his eye. "She seriously isn't over Taylor?" he asked Wyatt.
"Here we go
Put em' up
Put em' up, put em' up..."
Wyatt shook his head.
"No, she isn't you selfish prick," Willa snapped.
"Again! Not my fault!"
"Again, yes it is! Of course, he was going to dump her when you dumped his sister!"
"They were only together for three months!"
Wyatt cleared his throat and motioned towards the stage, making them both roll their eyes and focus back on Wynter.
"Your grandpa fought in world war two
Your cousin landed on the moon
Your mother is a diplomat, the senator of Connecticut
Your sister's got a 4 point O
Your father's got his own talk show
Your brother aced the science test, he found the cure for morning breath
I came here by taxi
You came by limousine
And all I have to offer you is this
Just a stupid little love song
3 chords and a microphone
Just a stupid little love song
hip hop and rock and roll
So sit right down I'll sing this song to you
Put em' up
Put em' up, put em' up..."
"Someone has a crush..." Addison whispered into Zed's ear. "Look that way… tall, long dark hair..."
He glanced to his right and smiled. "That's Jay. He goes to St. Andrew's across town. He took a few guitar lessons from me over at the music store… nice guy."
"Well, he hasn't taken his eyes off of Wynter since she started singing."
"The captain of the football team
The cheerleader's recurring dream
You're on the road to Harvard Law..."
Zed smiled again. "I don't know why I never thought of it before. They'd actually be perfect together."
"Wanna try to set things right?"
He kissed her cheek. "I'll see what I can do, Baby," he whispered in her ear as Wynter hit the final chord of her song.
Everyone around the table stood up and screamed as they clapped for her. Just as Addison went to sit back down she was shoved forward.
"Oops..." a sickeningly sweet voice called out.
She turned to see Zed's ex-girlfriend, Natalie, walk by. She forced a smile to her face and sat down. "Guess I deserved that one."
"You don't," Zed replied harshly, glaring at Natalie and her group of friends. He shook his head and turned to Willa. "You and me, let's go."
"What did I do?" she snapped, earning a look from Wyatt. She held her hands up. "Fine… I'll meet you over by the bar."
He leaned down and kissed the top of Addison's head. "I'll be right back, beautiful. Want anything non-alcoholic to drink?"
She giggled at the distaste in his voice. "Diet Coke?"
"You got it, Baby..." he kissed her cheek and stood up, motioning for Wyatt.
Wyatt followed him a few paces away from the table."What's up?
"Dude, keep an eye on Addie… please."
"I highly doubt she'd do anything, man. She's amazingly chill."
"I know, but Nat would. And Adds doesn't back down. She might look like a cinnamon roll, but she's got a right hook that could knock a grown man on his ass. Natalie would be on the ground before she managed to get off a pop of her gum."
Wyatt laughed and bit his lip in amusement. "If I'm being honest, I'd totally be okay with that."
Zed shook his head. "You never did like her."
"Nope. Pom-poms, on the other hand…"
Zed eyed him suspiciously. "If I didn't know you were completely in love with Wills, I'd be worried."
"That I am… doesn't mean I can't appreciate the fact that my best friend finally landed a great girl."
Zed couldn't hide the smile that spread across his face. "I swear I'm going to marry her someday…" He sighed and shook his head. "Just watch out for her for a minute."
"As long as you don't make Willa feel too bad."
He arched his brow. "She did this shit on purpose."
"She was watching out for you...in her own twisted way..."
"I know… I just..." he ran his hands through his hair in frustration.
"I get it…. Just remember she loves you while you're yelling at her."
Zed laughed and nodded. "Fair enough. I'll be right back."
Ten minutes later, he was kissing Addison's cheek as he placed her Diet Coke down in front of her. "Sorry about that, Beautiful." He sat down next to her, draping his arm around her. "Did I miss anything?"
"Not really," she smiled, leaning into his touch. "Just a few embarrassing stories of your youth and a really tone-deaf cover of a Christina Perry song."
"Ouch..."
"She's not wrong," Wynter laughed.
Zed smiled and shook his head. "She usually isn't, she's got a hell of an ear... but I was referring to..."
Wyatt shrugged as he pulled Willa down onto his lap. "Except for the occasional death glare, all was quiet on the ex-front."
"Babe, I told you. I'm fine," Addison reassured him. "I deserve a few glares and whispers. I slept with her boyfriend. Said boyfriend then left her for me…. If you did that to me, I'd probably cut a bitch."
Willa spit out the sip of water she had just taken. "Oh. My. God!" she said through a laugh as she tried to clean up the mess. "I did not expect that… sorry!"
Addison smiled and handed her a napkin.
Zed shook with silent laughter. "It's a good thing I'd never do anything like that to you," he whispered as his hand moved up the side of her leg.
"You better not…" she moved his hand away from the hem of her skirt. "Let's not add any more fuel to the fire. I feel bad for her. I can't imagine what losing you would feel like."
"Don't. And you'll never have to find out… I'm so in love with you, Addison."
"I love you, too..." she pushed him away with a smile.
"Seriously..." Wynter sighed dreamily as she threw her arms around them. "You two are so insanely adorable together." She smacked a kiss on Addison's cheek and looked around to Zed. "By the way, I ran into Mack backstage and told him that you were here. He put you on the lineup."
He stared at her dumbfounded. "Why?"
She rolled her eyes. "Because you haven't graced this stage since the night before you left and you're still kind of legendary around here."
"But I don't even have anything written or rehearsed. Hell, I don't even have my guitar."
Wynter rolled her eyes again. "You can borrow mine, duh! And as far as songs go, just play a fucking cover. You don't always have to be a musical genius."
He shook his head and smiled as he reached around Addison to ruffle Wynter's hair. "Oh fine, Wynnie… you win."
"Don't call me that!"
He threw her a wink and hugged Addison tight as the next person took the stage. Both of them ignoring another "accidental" bump into their chairs.
After a few more performances, Wynter nudged him. "Hey, you're coming up. Figure out what you're playing yet?"
He shook his head. "Nope. What do you want me to play?"
Her mouth dropped open. "You're going to let me pick?"
"Why not?" He answered with a shrug.
She smiled and rubbed her hands together. "How's your Gavin Rossdale these days?"
Zed laughed and hid his face in embarrassment. "Oh, no."
"Oh, yes!" Wynter said excitedly, practically bouncing in her chair.
Addison looked between the two of them. "I feel like I'm missing out on something here."
"Zed kind of made a name for himself around here by impersonating the always sexy Bush frontman," Wyatt said with a large smile. "Some people legit thought he was British… The ladies loved it!"
Addison threw her head back in a laugh. "Oh. My. God… I have got to see this!"
"You mean he hasn't broken out the accent in good ole Los Angeles?" Willa asked with a heavy cockney accent.
"That would be a negative!" she turned and looked up at Zed, poking her bottom lip out in a pout.
"Not the pout!" he laughed, leaning over to kiss her. "You know that thing is lethal..." he whispered in his best English accent.
Addison's eyes went wide. "I didn't think you could get any hotter..." she pulled back and fanned herself. "Yeah… you need to pull that out more often." She shook her head and took a sip of her Diet Coke.
Zed chuckled and looked over to Wynter. "I guess I'll be playing a Bush song then. Any particular one you had in mind?"
She nodded excitedly and handed him her guitar.
A few minutes later Zed was standing on stage. He locked eyes with Addison. "How's everyone doing tonight?" He asked using the accent again.
The crowd hooted and hollered their response. He threw a wink at Addison and started to strum. The crowd grew louder as they recognized the song.
"It Must be your skin that I'm sinking in
Must be for real 'cause now I can feel
And I didn't mind
It's not my kind
It's not my time to wonder why
Everything's gone white
And everything's grey
Now you're here now you're away
I don't want this
Remember that
I'll never forget where you're at
Don't let the days go by
Glycerin
Glycerin..." He continued to play as he locked eyes with Addison once again. He shook his head and smiled. "She's probably going to kick my ass for doing this, but… I need my girl up here to help me sing the rest."
Addison gave him a look of pure shock. "So much for not adding fuel to the fire," she muttered under her breath as Wyatt pulled her up closer to the stage and picked her up. She narrowed her eyes. "You're lucky I love you," she said as Zed motioned for her to take the next verse. He blew her a kiss and started to strum out the next chord progression.
"I'm never alone
I'm alone all the time
Are we at one
Or do you lie
We live in a wheel
Where everyone steals
But when we rise it's like strawberry fields
If I treated you bad
You bruise my face
I Couldn't love you more
You've got a beautiful taste..."
Zed walked up to her and sang along.
"Don't let the days go by
Could have been easier on you
I couldn't change though I wanted to
Should I have been easier by three
Our old friend fear and you and me
Glycerin
Glycerin
Don't let the days go by
Glycerin
Don't let the days go by
Glycerin, glycerin
Glycerin, glycerin..."
He leaned down and kissed her cheek. She smiled and turned towards him, mouthing the word 'trouble' as she smirked and shook her head. He bit back a laugh and started to sing again.
"Bad moon white again
Bad moon white again
And she falls around me..." he stopped playing and grabbed her hand, turning her towards him.
"And you fall around me..." he took off his borrowed guitar and passed it to her.
"And she falls
And she falls
And she falls… Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Addison Donnely!" he called out as she rolled her eyes and tore into the guitar solo.
They subconsciously moved even closer together as they began to sing the last verse together.
"I needed you more
I wanted us less
I could not kiss just regress
It might just be
Clear simple and plain
That's just fine
That's just one of my names
Don't let the days go by
Could've been easier on you, you, you
Glycerine
Glycerine
Glycerine
Glycerine..." Their noses brushed together.
"Oh my glycerine..."
As Addison drug out the last power chord on the foot pedal, he closed the small distance between them and kissed her as the crowd erupted in applause.
"I love playing with you, Baby," he whispered in her ear as they stepped away from the microphone to acknowledge the crowd.
She giggled and leaned into him. "And I love you… You do realize you just made tonight a whole lot more difficult."
"Totally worth it," he smiled kissing her cheek.
When they got back to the table, Wyatt, Willa, and Wynter gave them another standing ovation.
Zed waved his hands. "Stop, I'm blushing," he teased as Wyatt gave him a high-five.
Willa shook her head. "You two… that was..."
"Intense!" Wynter interjected as Willa grasped for the right words.
"Yeah," she smiled. "What Wynnie said."
"Don't call me that!"
Zed smiled and hugged Addison closer to his side. "Now do you get it, Wills?"
Willa nodded her head. "Yeah, I think I do..." she said quietly, stealing a glance towards Wyatt.
Wynter grabbed Addison's hand and pulled her down to her chair. "Can you please teach me a little more on the guitar while you're in town?! I've never seen a girl shred like you can!"
Addison smiled. "Of course! I'd be happy to."
"Well..." Wyatt said as they all sat down. "As much as we, and pretty much everyone else, enjoyed that… I don't think someone else feels the same..." he casually leaned towards the table next to them, where Natalie was making out with someone none of them recognized.
Wynter rolled her eyes. "Halfway through that solo, she decided to play the jealousy card. She was eyeing you the entire time she was making out with him," she mock-whispered to Zed.
"Like that ever worked in the past," Willa said with a laugh. "Zedward doesn't do jealous."
Zed rolled his eyes. "I hate that nickname, Wills. So much."
"Wait..." Addison held her hand up and turned to Zed. "Since when don't you do jealous? Are you telling me this whole throwing punches at anyone who happens to glance in your girlfriend's direction is new?"
"What?" Wyatt laughed.
Addison spun back around. "Yeah, I've lost track of the number of fights he's gotten into."
"Fights are nothing new… Fights over a girl, however, are very new!" Wynter added. "Anytime they would argue, she'd flirt and make-out with some random guy. Z never even batted an eye."
Zed shrugged. "What can I say? I never cared before."
"Aww..." Addison blushed.
"You're not the only one that doesn't share well with others," he said as he pulled her into a kiss.
They all heard a frustrated scream and watched as Natalie stormed off, throwing her hip into the back of Addison's chair once again on her way by.
Zed let out a low growl.
"Easy, boy..." Addison whispered
"No, this is ridiculous!
"Z, it's fine. She's obviously still hurt."
"No, it isn't fine. Trust me, this is classic Natalie. I highly doubt she's been pining away for me since fucking October." He looked to his friends for backup.
Wyatt nodded. "Yeah, she was dating Mark on the football team by homecoming… Johnny on the basketball team by Winter Formal…."
"Then Brad on the baseball team by Spring Fling..." Willa added with a smirk.
"And Mark again for prom."
"See," Zed said. "She's just doing this..."
He was cut off by his name being called from the stage. They all glanced up to see Natalie standing on the stage. "This one's for you..." she said into the microphone as a backing track began to play.
Addison tried to hold back a laugh. "You know, Babe… I can overlook a lot, but a country fan? You really did have bad taste before me!"
Willa spit out her water again. "Damn, girl… I need to stop drinking around you," she laughed as Addison handed her another napkin.
Zed shook with silent laughter until the words his ex was singing finally sunk in.
"Right now, he's probably slow dancing
With a bleached-blond tramp
And she's probably getting frisky
Right now, he's probably buying
Her some fruity little drink
'Cause she can't shoot whiskey
Right now, he's probably up behind her
With a pool-stick
Showing her how to shoot a combo
And he don't know
I dug my key into the side
Of his pretty little souped-up-four-wheel drive
Carved my name into his leather seats
I took a Louisville slugger to both headlights
I slashed a hole in all four tires
Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats..."
Zed rolled his eyes and hugged Addison closer to him.
"Um… Where's Taylor?" Wyatt asked suddenly.
Zed's head snapped over towards the table next to him. He quickly looked back to Wyatt. "You don't think..."
"… I put nothing past them…"
"Shit!" Zed pushed away from the table.
"I got it, man!" Wyatt said, already on his feet. "The last thing you need is another fight."
Zed nodded and reluctantly sat down.
"Right now, she's probably up singing some
White-trash version of Shania karaoke
Right now, she's probably saying "I'm drunk"
And he's a-thinking that he's gonna get lucky..."
Addison smiled up to him. "To be fair, you probably are…"
He cracked a smile and pulled her back into a hug, kissing the top of her head. "I love you. I'm sorry you have to deal with this."
"I love you, too… And I told you, I'm fine. It's just one night."
"I might have saved a little trouble for the next girl..."
Zed and Addison both cringed and looked at each other. "Pitchy?" he laughed.
"Just a bit..." she giggled.
"'Cause the next time that he cheats
Oh, you know it won't be on me!
No, not on me..."
The venom in her voice was enough to catch their attention. They both looked up to find Natalie staring daggers at Addison.
"That's it..." Zed snapped, looking at Addison. "It's one thing to be pissed off at me, it's another thing for her to target you. Between the chair shoves and now this? This ends now. I don't want this to happen every time we try to go out while we're in town…Wynnie?"
She flipped him off. "Yes, Zedward?"
"Can I borrow your guitar?"
"Again?"
Zed stood up and grabbed the guitar from Wynter. "Yeah." He leaned down and kissed Addison. "I love you, Baby."
"I know. I love you too."
"You own me."
She smiled and bit his lip. "I know that, too."
"Good," he laughed, nipping her nose, just as Wyatt came back to the table.
"Car is fine… empty threat for once. Taylor was in the men's room."
Zed sighed in relief. "Thank fuck."
Wyatt gave him an odd look, eyeing up the guitar in his hand. "You going back on stage?"
"Yeah..." he stole a quick glance towards Addison.
"I've got things covered here."
He let out another relieved sigh and pulled Wyatt into a hug. "Thanks, man."
Wyatt hugged him back. "It's all good. Go reclaim the narrative."
Zed chuckled and nodded his head. "You know me too well."
"That I do," Wyatt said with a laugh.
A few minutes later Zed was walking back out onto the stage."Hi, me again..." he joked as he re-adjusted the microphone. "I wanted to tell you a little story..." he started to lightly strum out a melody. "About a guy who moved out to LA with nothing but music on his mind, until one day..." he looked down and smiled at Addison. "He met a beautiful, bad-ass, rocker girl, who flipped his life upside down with nothing more than a smile and a simple handshake…"
Addison blew him a kiss as he started to sing.
"I'm such a bore, I'm such a bummer
There must be more behind the summer
I want someone to make some trouble
Been way too safe inside my bubble, oh
Take me out and keep me up all night
Let me live on the wilder side of life
Carry me away
Carry me away
Carry me away..."
"He's got it bad," Wynter said, nudging Addison's arm.
"So do I," she answered, not taking her eyes off of Zed as he serenaded her. They might be having to pay for their past transgressions tonight, but they were worth it. They belonged together. Anyone could see it.
"Carry me away
Carry me away
Carry me away…" he walked to the edge of the stage and held his hand out.
"Again?!" she asked in disbelief.
Zed nodded his head. "I'm not going to make you sing again..."
She rolled her eyes playfully as Wyatt picked her up again to boost her up onto the stage. Zed twirled her under his arm before starting to strum again. He looked into her eyes and sang from his heart.
"You carnivore, you loose cannon
Can I have some more? I can't understand it
You fast car, you foolish spender
You know you are, and I surrender..."
She couldn't help but laugh.
"So come on over and wake me up
Put some of your tequila in my coffee cup
You know I need you, and that's for sure
You're just the kinda crazy I've been lookin' for
Carry me away
Carry me away
Carry me away
Where the sun hits my face all different
Carry me away
Carry me away
Carry me away…." he moved the guitar behind him and pulled her to him. "I wouldn't change our story for anything. It's wild and crazy, and out of control, just like us... I love you," he said close enough for the microphone to pick up.
"I love you too, Z," she whispered breathlessly, lost in his eyes.
"WOOOOOOOOOH!"
They both laughed and looked to see Wyatt, Wynter, and even Willa, standing on the table cheering them on.
Zed grabbed her hand and ran off stage, kissing her as soon as they were hidden from public view. "I'm serious, Adds," he whispered against her lips. "I love our story. Shady start and all."
"What good love story doesn't start rough?" She smiled as his hands went into her hair, deepening their kiss.
The sound of someone clearing their throat from behind them pulled them apart. "Zed..."
He smiled and pulled further away from Addison. "Adds, this is Mack. He's the stage manager here, and he also manages the music store I used to work at. Mack, this is my girlfriend, Addison."
"So I've heard," the older man said, holding out his hand to shake hers. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Addison."
"Likewise, Mack," she said with a smile.
"I have to say, Zed. Whatever they're teaching you out at that fancy arts school is definitely paying off… Any chance I can lure you back?"
Zed laughed. "Mack, you know I loved working for you but,"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, Julliard… I know!" Mack teased. He looked over to Addison, "Keep an eye out for this one, he's got quite the fan base up here."
"So I've seen," Addison replied with a quiet giggle.
Mack pulled out his phone. "Mind if I snap a picture for the wall?"
Zed's mouth dropped open. "You're putting me on the wall?"
"I'm putting both of you on the wall," he answered with a chuckle. "If that's okay."
Zed nodded furiously.
"What's with the wall?"
Mack smiled. "It's lined with pictures of all the big names that have come through these doors… I want to get a picture of you two so I can say you played here BEFORE you became famous." He shook his head, smiling larger. "I saw that performance earlier tonight. You kids have what it takes… I fully expect to see you headline upstairs one day."
Addison nodded, blushing slightly.
Zed wrapped his arm around her as they smiled for the camera.
"And got it!" Mack said, looking at the photo captured on his phone. He turned it around to show them.
"Z, you're weren't looking at the camera!"
"Why would I look anywhere else, when I can look at you?"
"Damn, that was smooth," Mack laughed.
Addison blushed again.
"Enjoy your evening, kids."
"We will," Zed said, shaking Mack's hand.
As they made their way back towards the table, Zed spotted Jay standing near the bar. "You ready to help me sing Wynnie's praises?" he asked, kissing the top of her head.
"Actually, I think I'm going to head to the ladies room."
He pulled back and looked at her. "You okay?"
"Of course," she said, brushing off his concern. "I just need to pee."
He shrugged his shoulders and pulled her in for a kiss. "Fair enough...I guess I'll meet you back at the table then..." he kissed her again and ran his hand down the side of her face. "See you in a few, Gorgeous."
She nodded and squeezed his hand, not trusting her voice at the moment. She made her way through the crowded room almost in a daze. When she was finally safely inside she let out a shaky breath and leaned her head against the wall. Even though they'd been together for eight months, she was still occasionally caught off guard by the depths of her feelings for him. The words "I love you" didn't come easy for her, but with Zed, they weren't nearly enough. She closed her eyes and exhaled again, trying to get a hold on her emotions.
"You bitch!"
Addison's shirt was suddenly very wet and very cold. She opened her eyes to see Natalie standing in front of her. She silently cursed as she brushed the ice cubes and excess soda off of her white silk blouse. "Natalie, I know you're upset..."
"You don't get to talk to me, you homewrecking skank! Do you have any idea who I am? Who my father is?"
Something inside of her snapped. She pushed off the wall and took a step forward, "Well..." she said in a dangerously calm voice as she grabbed a paper towel to blot at her shirt. "I had thought you were a girl who was heartbroken because her boyfriend broke up with her over the phone at one in the morning immediately after professing his love for me after he finished screwing me against the door to my house… and I actually did feel bad about that…" she shrugged her shoulders. "Well, that and the nightly phone calls that lasted for hours, and the lingering touches every time we were together, oh… and the multiple times we kissed... yeah… I felt pretty bad about all of it… until now." She looked over to her and smiled. "Now, after hearing about the little head games you used to play, and hearing from his friends and family about how much happier he is now… I don't think you ever really loved him."
"Of course I loved him!"
"Did you?" she inched closer to her. "Because if you really loved him the way he deserves to be loved, you would never have treated him that way. He is the most amazing person I have ever known, he's loving, and caring, and he deserves the world! I think you just loved the idea of having a really sexy, bad boy on your arm… I bet it drove your parents crazy."
"How dare you..." Natalie raised her hand, but before she could strike, Addison grabbed her wrist.
"I know I'm right. I know your type. You think everyone should give in to what you want because you were fortunate enough to be born into an affluent family. But guess what, it doesn't make you special. You may have it easy right now, but someday you're going to wake up and realize that all you are is a terrible person who no one really likes for any reason other than your name and money." She let go and turned her back to her, continuing to blot at her shirt.
"You fucking..."
"Natalie! Enough!"
Addison turned back around to see Willa standing behind them.
"You lay one finger on her and I will put you in a trunk on one of your Daddy's car lots and help people look for you. I am not playing."
"Why do you care? You don't even like her!" Natalie snapped.
Willa stood up a little taller and crossed her arms. "That's where you're wrong. Unlike you, she's one of us."
Natalie rolled her eyes. "You and your stupid 'pack' or whatever the hell you call yourselves..."
"Yeah, my family. The one you would have never belonged to."
Natalie huffed and turned her attention back towards Addison. "Don't think he isn't going to do the same thing to you one day." She pushed past them and stormed out.
An awkward silence filled the bathroom.
"So…" Addison finally said as she blotted at her shirt again. "Just how long were you in here for?"
Will smiled and hopped up to sit on the counter. "Long enough to know that I owe you an apology."
Addison gave her an odd look. "For what?"
"For telling Nat that you'd be here tonight… I knew she'd get all territorial and try to make the night hell for the two of you… What I didn't know was that she'd go so far as to throw a drink."
Addison rolled her eyes. "Look, I get it. You've been friends with Zed for a long time… And… I'm the new girl that he chose over everyone back home…"
Willa shrugged her shoulders. "Basically."
"But I do love him."
"So do we…" she sighed. "Zed is family, and family is the most important thing to me...Which is why I wanted to make sure you were good enough for him. Lord knows that boy has a spotty track record of picking them."
Addison smiled and shook her head as she grabbed a few paper towels. "While I appreciate you looking out for your friend, I don't feel the need for your approval."
"I know… which is one of the things I like about you. Natalie is an over-privileged, two-faced, bitch who was always cashing in on her family's influence… And I was worried you were the same. But, I was wrong. You are nothing like her. And I mean that as a compliment. I'm sorry I rushed to judge you before I got a chance to know you..." It was quiet for another moment before she added. "I meant it though… You're one of us now."
"Thanks, I guess?"
Willa laughed and hopped down. "And Natalie was wrong. Zed really and truly loves you. He would never do anything to hurt you."
Addison smiled, "Thank you."
"You're welcome. I've known Zedward for a loooong time, and I have never seen him like he is with you..." she smiled and shrugged. "And you look at him the same way I look at Wyatt."
"I'm pretty crazy about him."
Willa shook her head and laughed. "And can I just say, hearing you put Natalie in her place was the best thing ever! Fresh start?"
"I'd like that."
"So would I."
Addison held up a finger. "I have to ask you one thing though... What is with the Zedward thing?"
Willa laughed again. "Have you seen Twilight?"
"Who hasn't?"
"Fair point… So you know how Rpatz always has his hair standing like straight up?"
Addison threw her head back and laughed. "Oh. My. God!"
"The boy does love his hair product… and you throw in that accent he can do?"
"Oh, I am so going to cover him in glitter someday," Addison giggled.
"You have to send me a pic!"
Addison nodded her head and smiled. She looked down and tried to blot her shirt again, letting out a frustrated sigh. "Mind if I get to the sink?"
"Not at all," Willa answered moving.
Addison unbuttoned her blouse and shrugged out of it. As she stood at the sink, attempting to rinse the dark stain off, she heard Willa gasp. "What?" she asked, looking at her through the reflection in the mirror.
"Um… I don't mean to um… presume anything… but…." she shrugged. "I couldn't help but notice..." she walked closer to Addison and softly ran her finger down her bicep. "Ligature bruises?"
Addison's eyes went wide. "How did you..."
"Use jute or another natural fiber rope next time. Nylon cuts into the skin more and can be unnecessarily painful."
Addison's mouth dropped open.
"What?"
She turned the water off and spun around. "Care to share?"
Willa bit back a laugh. "Wyatt and I dabble in some rope play from time to time."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. I had no idea Zed would ever..."
Addison smiled. "We just started. Actually, we had plans to go to this club tonight… crap, I can't remember the name..."
"Shut up!" Willa exclaimed. "You guys were going to Gym?"
"Yeah! That's it! You know of it?"
"Of course! It's the best fet-club in the area! But you have to be at least 21."
Addison shrugged her shoulders. "We have fake ID's… which reminds me..." she dug in her pocket and pulled out the gold wristbands from earlier. "We're on the VIP list upstairs."
"What the hell, Pom-poms?!" Willa laughed. "Why have we been wasting our time down here?"
Addison rolled her eyes and motioned towards Willa.
"Oh, right… me and my stupid schemes… Sorry again."
"It's fine," Addison smiled. She looked back down at her shirt. "The only thing that's going to save this thingis a trip to the dry-cleaners. Silk and soda don't mix."
Willa smiled and shrugged out of her jacket. "But lace and leather do… Here…" she said, offering it to her.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah… I'm sure. That bra is gorgeous! Victoria's?"
Addison took the leather moto jacket from her and slipped it on, turning back towards the mirror. "La Perla."
Willa's jaw dropped. "Are you serious? Their bras are like $300 to $400! Hell, their underwear are like $200!"
Addison nodded. "A fact that I remind my boyfriend of on a regular basis when he rips them to shreds."
"Savage," Willa laughed, taking a step closer to her. "Who knew Zed had it in him."
"You have no idea," Addison answered, smiling. "He's the only person I have ever met that can keep up with me. We've been incredibly reserved tonight because I actually felt bad for Natalie," she rolled her eyes. "Well, I'm over hiding how we really are together. If she doesn't like it, she can kiss my perfectly toned ass."
Willa shook her head, "I never thought I'd like someone Zed dated… but, here you are basically the best person I have ever met… I swear if you tell me you're a horror fan..."
Addison laughed. "One of the first things Z and I bonded over."
"American Werewolf in London?"
"Classic… but my favorite is The Omen 2."
"Damn, you were so close to being perfect…" she laughed. With a wicked gleam in her eye, she took a step closer to Addison. "What do you say we go put Natalie in her place once and for all?"
Addison pretended to ponder. "You know, I'd like to say that I'm good letting it go, but… I am kind of all pent up from wanting to knock her out," she smiled wide and nodded. "I'm in, what did you have in mind?"
The door of the bathroom swung open. "YOU GUYS ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS!" Wynter exclaimed running over to them. She stopped short when she noticed Addison's lack of shirt. "What happened?"
Addison shrugged nonchalantly. "Natalie and a Dr. Pepper."
"That no good, two-faced, ugly..."
"Woah!" Willa laughed.
"Too much?"
Willa pinched her fingers together. "Just a little."
"Oops...Anyway, what I was trying to find you guys to tell you is..." She jumped up and down excitedly. "Zed just introduced me to the most amazing guy! Seriously, I have never met someone so perfect! You have to come meet him!"
"Um, what happened to Taylor? You've been pining over him for months!"
Wynter sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "I'm tired of chasing after him. And Jay is…." she smiled and blushed.
"Well, I say go for it! You deserve someone who can't take their eyes off of you! Think he'd want to go upstairs?" Addison asked pulling out the wrist bands again.
"How did you…" she shook her head. "YES!"
Addison handed her two of them.
"This is going to be the best night ever! Let's go!"
Willa pulled her back as she started for the door. "We're not going up just yet."
"I know that look," her voice dropped to a whisper. "Whatever you are plotting, I want in!"
Willa drapped her arms around both of them. "Let's go show Natalie what we should have shown her a long time ago"
"What's that?"
Willa smiled. "That she doesn't mess with the pack."
A few minutes later Wynter slid back into her chair at the table. "Sorry to keep you waiting!" she smiled sweetly up at Jay.
Zed groaned in frustration. "Did you find the girls?" he asked anxiously.
She nodded her head and smiled. "Yeah, you'll see them in just a sec..."
Zed narrowed his eyes. "What are you hiding?"
"Na na na
Come on
Na na na
Come on
Come on
Come on Come on..."
Zed and Wyatt's heads snapped towards the stage at the sound of Addison and Willa's voices.
"Na na na na..."
"Well..." Wyatt said as he took in the sight of Willa singing as she and Addison danced together. "I guess that answers your question, Z."
"I didn't want to ruin the surprise," Wynter laughed, taking in their shocked expressions.
"Feels so good being bad
There's no way I'm turning back
Now the pain is my pleasure
Cause nothing could measure..."
"Um, Wynter..." Zed asked, swallowing thickly, unable to tear his eyes away from the stage. "Why is my girlfriend not wearing a shirt?" He smiled and ran his tongue along his bottom lip. "Not that I'm complaining."
"Love is great, love is fine
Out the box, out of line
The affliction of the feeling
Leaves me wanting more..."
"Natalie threw a drink on her."
"WHAT?!" He reluctantly tore his eyes away from the stage, searching the crowd for his ex.
"Easy, Z… Your girl handled Natalie just fine all on her own."
"Shit… were the cops called?"
Wynter laughed. "No punches were thrown… not that any of us would have minded."
He let out a sigh of relief and looked back towards the stage.
"Cause I may be bad
But I'm perfectly good at it
Sex in the air
I don't care
I love the smell of it
Sticks and stones
May break my bones
But chains and whips
Excite me..."
Wyatt subtly adjusted himself under the table as he tried to casually take a sip of his drink. "Nice..." his voice cracked. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Nice song choice."
Zed was about to tease him when Addison started to sing.
"Just one night full of sin
Feel the pain on your skin
Tough, I don't scream mercy
It's your turn to hurt me..." She licked her lower lip and motioned for him to join her on stage.
"Well, I, um… It's only fair..." he stammered as he stumbled to get up to her. The second he was on the stage she grabbed his shirt and pulled him towards her.
"If I'm bad tie me down
Shut me up, gag and bound me..." she winked and wrapped a leg around him.
"Cos the pain is my pleasure
Nothing comes better
Yeah…."
He couldn't take it anymore. He grabbed her ass and lifted her up, kissing her hard.
"Cause I may be bad
But I'm perfectly good at it
Sex in the air
I don't care
I love the smell of it
Sticks and stones
May break my bones
But chains and whips
Excite m..." Willa was cut off by Wyatt's lips against hers. She giggled and dropped the microphone as her arms wrapped around him.
Wynter laughed and looked over to Jay as she stood up. "I love my crazy pack!… Meet me by the elevators!..." She jumped onto the stage and grabbed the microphone to finish the song.
After a rather raucous round of applause, the five of them walked arm and arm, laughing towards the elevators.
"Wynter!"
They all stopped walking and turned around to find Taylor running towards them with Natalie a short distance behind him.
"Wynter, wait!" He said, coming to a stop in front of them.
"Taylor," Wynter responded quietly. "What do you want?"
"A second chance?" he panted, catching his breath. "I'm thinking you, me, and that new action movie that came out yesterday. What do you say?"
"What do I say?" She cocked her head to the side and arched her brow as Jay walked over to join them. "I say you can take your second chance and shove it up your ass."
"Ooooooooh….." They all laughed as Taylor straightened himself out.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. I've been trying to get back together with you for months since you broke up with me for no reason other than your sister told you to! And now, all of a sudden, you want to give things another try? I don't think so. As far as I'm concerned you and your evil hag of a twin can rot in hell together." She grabbed Jay's hand and smiled up to him, turning around and walking towards the elevator.
"And just where do you think you're going?" Natalie snapped. "You're making a big mistake, Wynter. Almost as big of a mistake as Zed made. But, if you're both happy scrapping the bottom of the social barrel..."
Wynter spun around and started towards her, only to be stopped by Addison.
Addison took a step forward and rounded her shoulders. "Actually, Natalie, we're going upstairs, would you care to join us?"
Natalie rolled her eyes. "It's 21 and over you idiot."
"Oh… so you don't have one of these?" she pushed up the sleeve of her borrowed jacket and held up her wrist, smiling sweetly as she showed off the gold wristband. "VIP." She took a few steps closer to her."Do you have any idea who I am? Who my father is?" she whispered, using Natalie's own words against her.
Zed bit back a laugh and grabbed her hand. "Baby, she is not worth it."
"Trust me, I know..." she smiled.
"You bitch..."
A low growl tore from Zed's chest as he stepped in front of Addison protectively. "You don't get to talk to her again." He turned to Taylor. "Keep your sister in line or I'm not going to hold my girlfriend back."
"Just wait until I tell my father!" Natalie sneered.
Willa rolled her eyes. "For reals? You're playing the 'daddy' card? What exactly is he going to do? He owns a local car dealership."
She stomped her foot angrily and grabbed her brother's hand before storming off towards the exit as the all watched them.
"Are things always this exciting?" Jay asked in a mock whisper.
Wynter laughed and hugged him. "Thankfully not..." she looked around him towards Zed and Addison. "It must be these two!"
Zed rolled his eyes. "It was a long time coming. I'm proud of you Wynnie."
"Don't call me that!"
Before Zed could even laugh, Wynter charged and tackled him to the ground. She jumped up and smiled.
"Owww..."
Everyone was doubled over in laughter as Addison helped him to his feet.
"Baby, you totally just got taken out by a girl," she giggled, pulling him into a kiss.
Zed shook his head and rubbed his side. "Jay..."
"Yeah, man?"
"Did I mention she's the only girl on the Varsity Football team?"
Jay looked at Wynter and smiled. "You are amazing."
"Thank you," she whispered with a soft blush spreading across her cheeks.
"Okay, if we're done tackling Zedward, and telling off exes, I say we head upstairs!" Willa said, motioning towards the elevator lift.
Addison nodded her head. "I need tequila."
"I need you," Zed chuckled, picking her up and carrying her towards the lift.
She wrapped her legs around his waist. "You've got me."
"Damn right I do," he said with a large smile across his face as he leaned in to kiss her.
An hour later the six of them were several rounds into their night in the VIP section when Jay pulled Wynter away.
"They seem to be hitting it off quite nicely," Addison smiled as she rested her head on Zed's shoulder.
"How have we never met him before?" Wyatt asked, grabbing for the bottle of Grey Goose in the center of the table. "Damn, it's empty..." he sighed as he stood up and stretched. "You want another Z?"
Zed looked into his nearly empty glass. "Sure, why not." He kissed the top of Addison's head. "You two need another?"
She shook her head. "No, we're good."
He lifted her chin up and kissed her softly, "I'll be right back."
As soon as they were alone, Willa picked up the bottle of Patron that she and Addison were drinking and poured another round for them both. "So… something I've been wondering since our bathroom chat..."
Addison smiled and took a sip. "Yes?"
"I'm assuming from the bruises, Zed is the rigger?"
She shook her head. "No, it's a pretty even split. He's tied me a few times, I've tied him..." she let out a slow breath. "God is he hot in a reverse prayer tie..."
"Really?"
She nodded and took another sip. "The way his chest looks with his arms behi..."
Willa cut her off. "Let me clarify. I meant, do you really trade-off?"
Addison smiled and giggled. "Oops. And, yes. Is Wyatt always in charge?"
Willa threw her head back laughing. "Nooooo. I am the alpha in the relationship. Especially when we play."
"Really?" Addison asked sitting up a little straighter and turning towards her. "So Wyatt is 100% submissive?"
"I mean, he takes control… when I let him," she said, clinking glasses with Addison.
"While we're...expanding our conversation on such topics..." Addison stopped, trying to choose her words carefully.
"Just spit it out, I am far too close to drunk for a complex question."
"Fair enough," Addison laughed. "Okay… bluntly… have our boyfriends ever hooked up?"
Willa nearly spit her drink out. "Damn, Pom-poms..." she laughed. "I was not expecting that one." She shook her head and took another sip. "As far as I know, they are both straight as an arrow."
"Bullshit," Addison laughed, pointing across the room towards the bar where the boys were standing. They were both laughing and holding onto one another.
Willa tilted her head to the side. "Huh… I never really thought about it before..." She looked back at Addison. "What about you?"
"I didn't think about it until earlier tonight when Zed mentioned being attracted to 'competitive ones' when Wyatt and I were betting on whether or not I could get us up here."
Willa held up a finger. "Okay, first off I was asking if you'd ever thought about you being bi, but now I'm all kinds of interested in this new development."
Addison laughed. "I prefer not to limit myself to one gender. I happen to be madly in love with a guy… That doesn't mean I haven't been attracted to or had some fun with members of my own sex."
"I swear, Zed won the fucking lottery with you," Willa laughed, toasting her again.
"What about you?"
"Well, Wyatt and I have been together since like the sixth grade. But… I've always been attracted to women as well."
"What's not to like?" Addison asked with a shrug.
"Exactly!" she shook her head and smiled. "So, what exactly happened with this conversation earlier?"
Addison took another sip of her drink. "Like I said, Z mentioned being attracted to competitive people, but then he turned super pale and started stammering about it not being a physical attraction, which I didn't believe for a second, but then Wyatt teased him and shot back with a 'so you don't think we're hot?' and..." she shook her head and giggled. "My poor boyfriend looked like he was about to die right there on the sidewalk."
"I don't know how I didn't see it before..." Willa whispered almost to herself.
"Wanna figure it out?"
Willa smiled and finished off her drink. "What did you have in mind?"
Addison scooched in closer and started to whisper out her plan.
A few minutes later Zed and Wyatt were back with a new bottle of vodka.
"Sorry that took so long," Wyatt said, kissing Willa's cheek.
"Long line?"
"Not really," Zed answered with a shrug. "We just got to talking and lost track of time… sorry, Baby."
Addison playfully rolled her eyes. "You forgot about me?"
"Never," he smiled leaning down to nip her nose.
"Actually," Willa said, standing up. "Addison and I were just about to go for a walk… get some fresh air… now that you boys are back, you can come with."
"I'll follow you anywhere," Wyatt said, pulling her in for a kiss.
Zed pulled Addison up to her feet. "I know just the spot."
The four of them walked through the crowded room, and through a door clearly labeled "EMPLOYEES ONLY".
"Um, Zedward..." Willa said as they walked down a dark narrow hallway. "I have a feeling we're not supposed to be in here."
"Ease up, Wills… Carpe Noctum."
"Quoi?"
Addison giggled and turned back to her. "Seize the night!"
"I don't need to 'seize the night'… I own the night," Willa laughed just as Zed opened up another door.
"You girls said you wanted to go for a walk," He said motioning for them to enter. "How about a walk in the park?"
Willa giggled and pulled Wyatt along as they went to explore the new room.
"What is this place?" Addison asked in wonder as she gazed around at the hundreds of lights surrounding them.
"It's a light garden," he whispered, wrapping his arms around her from behind.
"It's beautiful."
"You're beautiful..." His hand traced the curve of her hip as he spun her around. "I know it's not Paris, but I'm so fucking happy we came to Seattle."
She smiled and wrapped her arms around him. "As much as I was looking forward to getting lost and making out with you in the catacombs, I'm glad we came too. I think we needed the closure more than we realized. And it's been nice to get a peek into your life from before you moved…" she took a deep breath and sighed. "Do you miss it?"
"Miss what?"
"Being here. Your 'pack'..." she said with a sad smile.
"Sure I miss them, but..." he shrugged his shoulders and pulled her flush against him. "Moving to California was the best damn decision I have ever made. I finished my first year at Seabrook High with a 4.0 and a five-star rating, I have a job that pays double what I was making at the music store… There's sunshine and minimal rain… I have amazing friends… I'm sure there's something else too..." he snapped his fingers a few times and shook his head in thought. "Can't place it..."
Addison giggled and rested her head on his shoulders.
"Oh, yeah… that's it..." he leaned down and kissed her softly. "You are the most important thing in my life. If I hadn't moved, I would have never found you. I'm so in love with you Addison."
"I love you too."
"Forever," he whispered, guiding her face towards his.
"And after," she breathed as their lips brushed against one another's.
The sound of Wyatt's laughter pulled his attention away from her lips.
Addison smiled. "Baby?"
"Yes?"
"When are you going to admit to yourself that you have a thing for Wyatt?"
He pulled back a little with a shocked expression on his face. "What?"
"It's totally fine. But you need to be honest with yourself."
"I'm not gay."
"I didn't say you were."
"I'm in love with you."
"And I love you too, but that's not what we're discussing." She ran a hand down his face and pulled him in for another kiss. "Your eyes have followed him all night… I don't blame you, he is pretty hot."
"Addie!"
"What? I may be crazy head over heels in love with you, but I'm not blind."
"He's my best friend."
"And Bree is mine, doesn't mean we haven't had some fun."
"But you're Bi."
"And if we're going by the looks of things, so are you."
"I am not."
She pulled away and arched her brow. "Promise me something."
"Anything."
"That you won't freak out..."
"Addison..." he said in a low wary voice.
She threw him a wink and turned around. "Hey, Wyatt?"
"What's up, Pom-poms?" He called out from somewhere deep in the maze of lights.
"Can you and Willa come here?"
"Addie! What are you doing?" Zed asked in a hushed whisper.
"Relax, baby..." she said, brushing off his concern with an eye roll just as Wyatt and Willa appeared next to them.
"You called?" Wyatt said with a laugh.
Addison and Willa exchanged a quick look.
"You remember our little wager outside?"
Wyatt rolled his head back, feigning annoyance. "Yeah… can't believe I freakin' lost a bet."
Addison and Willa both giggled.
"Well, I thought of something you can do for me."
"And what would that be?"
"Kiss me."
Wyatt and Zed's heads both snapped towards her. "WHAT?!"
"A bet is a bet," Willa said with a shrug, making them both look at her as well.
Wyatt looked at Zed.
He held his hands up and shrugged.
"OoooK…," he whispered taking a step closer to her.
Addison stood up a little straighter and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down to her level as their lips met.
Zed took in a sharp breath as he watched the kiss deepen. She grabbed for his hand and pulled him towards her, kissing him as well. Ever so slowly she backed away guiding their faces towards each other until they were locked in a fiery kiss.
"That is so damn hot," Willa whispered as she and Addison stood back and watched.
"Yes, it is…."
Willa turned to her and leaned in, "Welcome to the pack, Pom-poms," she whispered as she closed the distance and kissed her.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Oh I miss the days when I could sit down and write in peace and quiet. Hopefully the extra long chapter makes up for the fact that I haven't updated in a few weeks! Hope everyone is staying sane and safe!
SONGS USED IN THIS CHAPTER:
Stupid Little Love Song, Fefe Dobson
Glycerine (Live), Bush ft. Gwen Stefani
Before He Cheats, Carrie Underwood
Carry Me Away, John Mayer
S&M (remix), Rihanna ft. Britney Spears