wowwww, my longest yet! enjoy :)
"I know you don't know me, but I feel like we can help each other."
"How so?"
"I have information you could use."
"And…?"
"It'll help you. Believe me, when I'm done with my research, I think you're going to need it."
Suddenly all that could be heard through the iPhone speaker was crackling, static was interfering with the phone call coming from a blocked number. There was rustling on the other end, some movement and what sounded like hushed whispering behind the speakers. This was most definitely the sketchiest phone call.
"How will I know what you're even talking about? I don't even know who you are."
"In time, everything will be explained. When it's right, I'll call you back."
"Okay, I guess?"
The phone line clicked off.
For the sake of Massie's future, she needed to pretend like everything was okay. Her amber eyes were currently scanning over the prenuptial agreement Alicia's father prepared for her and Tristan as per William's requests while Tristan was in her ensuite bathroom taking a long shower. Or, the lack of context in the agreement, if Massie was being honest. Basically, Massie has no right to the company until she's married, which is like so fucking barbaric, William.
Then, instead of being a normal parent and making her the CEO, it's her spouse?! What is this fuckery of a document?! Grabbing her gold iPhone xS off of her mahogany nightstand, Massie drafted up a quick email ignited in rage at the demands her father was making in this agreement and sending off changes to be made to Len Rivera immediately, marking the email as urgent.
Pulling up her text messages while Tristan could be heard singing some Luke Bryan song in the shower, Massie's thumbs moved furiously across the touch screen.
The Prettier Committee & Guests Minus Claire 👑
Massikur: so we have a problem
Leesh: What happened?
Deeeeelyn: don't tell me he didn't wake up
K Gregs: Wow Dylan, for a Buddhist you're pretty pessimistic.
Plovyy: I 3 it
Derrington #23: If you're reading this, I'm at practice. I'll text back as soon as it's over, promise.
Joshy Hotzy: F U HARRINGTON AND UR DAMN AUTO REPLY MESSAGES
Massikur: i just got the prenup
Leesh: My dad said that your dad dictated it
Derrington #23: If you're reading this, I'm at practice. I'll text back as soon as it's over, promise.
Massikur: that's the problem; i have no legal right to Block Financial until im married n my spouse is automatically made ceo…..
K Gregs: WTF?
Kemp: Well hello every1.
Derrington #23: If you're reading this, I'm at practice. I'll text back as soon as it's over, promise.
Plovvy disliked Massikur's message
Plovvy disliked Derrington #23's message
Plovvy: is it non-specific to this certain spouse?
Massikur: it doesn't name anyone y?
Derrington #23: If you're reading this, I'm at practice. I'll text back as soon as it's over, promise.
Massikur: derrick i will kill u
Plovvy: when can i come over
Massikur: he's showering then we're hanging out b4 they go for a golfing torny so i guess come round 4?
Kemp: count me in 2.
Plovvy: not a 3some
Kemp: damn. Ok, still ill come.
Rolling her eyes at her friends ridiculousness and sort of nervous to see what's going to come from seeing Plovert later, she locked her iPhone and put it back down to charge as she heard the shower water stop running. Tristan had come over a little after everyone left this morning to do what their days had planned for them, and he acted the exact same as he did the night before. Massie wondered if the drugs he was given had any lingering effects, or if the girls were really onto something with their dissociation theory.
"God, your water pressure is fantastic," Tristan commented as he came out of her bathroom with a plush white towel wrapped around his hips.
Massie had been faking busy on her Macbook Pro she pulled onto her lap, peering over the top of the screen and giving her fiancee a smirk and a wink. When it came to keeping up appearances, Massie was a pro. Plus, Tristan was acting normal again and fuck it, he's hot. It brought her back to the days where they first started fooling around, when she was off limits and his boss' daughter and he was her father's assistant who she knew she shouldn't corrupt.
"Hey, whatever keeps you standing in my room without a shirt on works for me," she chided, closing her rose gold MacBook and putting it back into one of the drawers of her nightstand as Tristan came stalking towards her with a wicked grin.
"Oh, really?"
"Really."
He ran his left hand through his damp hair as he came near Massie, who instinctively leaned back on her bed with a smirk as he climbed on top of her. She let her hands find their way down his back, her pointed nails sliding down his tanned skin leaving little trails he loved as he preened and lifted his chin in delight.
Massie grinned at the effect she had on Tristan, she loved making him weak. The two worked well together, for the most part, because they were like water and oil. It was always reactive. Some would say that's what's to doom a relationship, which was what most of her younger relationships were like if she was being honest, but with Tristan it worked for the most part.
His hands resting on her hip bones, Tristan began to apply some heavy pressure with his thumbs digging into her skin as his lips started leaving trails of small kisses down her neck and decollete.
"We haven't been able to spend time like this together in so long," he whined as he continued to leave small kisses down her skin, goosebumps following his touch.
"I know," she breathed out, rocking her hips into his and using her left hand to tug at the knot he had tied his towel into.
"Someone's a little impatient today?" He questioned, lips curled into a sinister grin before pressing a hot kiss to her plump, swollen cherry red lips.
"When am I ever patient?" Massie retorted with a raised brow, leaning up and wrapping her legs around his hips.
"You make a good point."
Smirking, Tristan flipped Massie over so she was on her back and slowly lifted up her cropped Burberry sweatshirt. Tossing it to the side of her queen bed, he leaned down and began to start trailing little kisses down the middle of her spine which made Massie's head shoot back. Tristan used his left hand to hold her down on the bed, his right taking her ponytail in his hand and tugging on it which made a soft moan escape from her lips.
"Tristan, are you ready? We're leaving in two minutes." William Block's voice rang through the intercom, interrupting them and making them jump.
"Fucking shit," Tristan cursed before unraveling himself from his fiancee and climbing off the bed to find where he put his outfit for the golf outing.
It wasn't that Tristan didn't want to go, it was that he'd much rather be spending, uh...quality time with Massie right now. Any time he spends with William he appreciates, and has even more so since his father's passing a year ago, but the past two weeks he's been seeing less and spending less time with Massie than he'd like.
"I just need a minute to finish getting ready," he replied into the white speaker before muting Massie's microphone and turning to her with big eyes.
"When I come back?" Tristan pleaded, as he began to pull on a pair of AG tapered fit walnut pants after tugging on a clean pair of Calvin Klein briefs.
Massie sighed, giving him a rather irate look that made his insides start to crumble. She held it for about a minute or so as he continued to dress himself with a light blue Polo Ralph Lauren Oxford button down, tucking it into his pants and pulling on a black suede moto John Varvados jacket. She finally broke into a small smile, nodding her head as he let out a loud sigh of relief and tied his Gucci Ace sneakers.
"I have to run before your father kills me. I love you, I'll be back as soon as we're done, and we can pick up where we left off?"
"I may have plans, now that you're going to be busy."
"Mass, don't play me like that."
"Well I'm not going to sit up here like Rapunzel and wait for you to come home!"
"Fair enough. I'll see you when we're both done, okay? I love you."
"I love you."
A quick kiss to the lips and Tristan was running down the stairs. Massie could hear him from her upstairs bedroom apologizing to William as they left the Estate, going to one of William's collectors cars where Isaac would drive them to the Westchester Country Club to golf for the afternoon with some of their stockholders.
After his stunts last night, William realized he needed to break Tristan in if he was going to be handing this company over to him once he married his daughter. And boy, did he have a lot of work to do.
"I just feel like it's…..a little strange William left it so open ended, I guess."
"What do you mean open ended?" Massie inquired.
Massie, Chris and Kemp were currently sitting in her living room while her father and Tristan were golfing at the Country Club and Kendra was away for the rest of the weekend on a spa retreat. She claimed that the planning for the engagement party was 'sooo stressful' and she needed to take the remaining sunday and monday since it was a long weekend to unwind in peace. Right. Not like Massie was stressed out or anything, but it's fine. At least for now she had the house to herself.
Reaching over, Massie picked up the opalescent mug she was currently drinking her Cardamom Macchiato from David's Tea out of and took a long, calming sip while Chris continued to look over the prenuptial agreement. He kept pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose, and Massie finally saw what Dylan had always seen in Chris Plovert.
He was cute, in a smart-compassionate-everything Massie never wanted in a guy kind of way. He ran if anyone called him, he was well read and very well educated being valedictorian of the boys class every year since grammar school. She would kill to spend a day inside his brain, just trying to understand the way it worked. Him clearing his throat brought her out of her daydream and back down into reality.
"Like, it just refers to your spouse."
"Yes, that's the problem, Plovert."
"Hi Kemp, how high are you today?"
"Eleven."
"Cool. Anyway, Mass, if you're following what I'm thinking, right?"
"Okay."
"If it's open to your spouse, then things can get pretty crazy here."
"How crazy?"
"Well, this whole time we've been trying to end this wedding. What if that isn't the answer?"
"Then what is, Chris?"
"Replacing the groom."
"What?"
"If this is applicable to any person as long as it's your spouse, then...then we could...well, technically...technically you and Derrick could get married, that would make him your spouse."
"So you're saying...swap the groom?"
"Yeah."
The brunette wasn't sure if she was dizzy, or if the room suddenly decided to start spinning.
When did it get so hot in here? Did anyone else hear that whistling going on or was that just her? Marry...Derrick? Of course in the long run that was what the two wanted, but not in like...not in six months time! They've barely spoken in the past four years, and now marriage is on the table?! They haven't even kissed in four years! What if there's no spark anymore?
"Whoa whoa whoa, wait a second here. Derrick and Massie are getting married?" Kemp asked in disbelief, reaching over Massie's glass and mirror covered coffee table and grabbing her left hand. "But Tristan bought you this, right?"
"Why did we agree to let him be part of this?"
"He's helpful, when he has a reason to be."
"I'm not sure how realistic it'll be to just swap out a groom, Chris."
"Well, that's where the scheming comes in. We need to get everyone together, and start planning this out."
Derrick panted, leaning down and touching his toes while the sting of the cold October air filled his lungs. He welcomed it, he loved the sensation and he loved the pain it gave him. This was his prime time, he was always in his best place of mind right about now during the soccer season.
His team, the New York City Football Club was currently winning this season and he would be damned if he let that go. Being the goalie was hard, because he was always the first one to be blamed if they lost, and the first to be congratulated if they won.
With everything else going on in his personal life, it was amazing to him that he could keep his headspace so clear when it came to soccer. But, it's his job, and he takes it very seriously. He would do anything to keep his position, he fought so hard to get here to start with.
Balancing professional sports and a professional business career wasn't easy, but it was so worth it to Derrick. He needed it, he couldn't spend his entire life playing soccer or he'd grow to hate it, and he knew he couldn't support a family based off of that.
Derrick had been running sprints on and off the past twenty minutes of his practice, and his jersey was clinging to his skin in an uncomfortable fashion. Grabbing at the ends, he pulled the sky blue jersey over his head and tossed it into his pile alongside his gym bag where his phone was lying on top of.
Running his left hand through his sweat-dampened hair, he used his right hand to unlock his iPhone and scroll through his missed messages. First, he went through his group chat where he learned the details regarding the royally fucked up prenuptial agreement and shook his head in anger at what William was putting his daughter through. Once he was properly filled in, he moved to his next text message string, which was from Chris.
Plovvy: Dude. I think I have a way out of this mess for her.
Plovvy: But I can't promise u'll like it.
Plovvy: who am I kidding ur gonna love it.
Plovvy: r u done yet?
Plovvy: call me when u r.
Plovvy: actually dont i just got to massies
Derrington #23: hi
Plovvy: wow look whos alive!
Derrington #23: whats good
Plovvy: u never saying that again
Derrington #23: ok fair. what's your great idea?
Plovvy: do u think massie would keep her last name?
Derrington #23: what do u mean?
Plovvy: like is she more of a massie block-harrington kinda girl?
Realizing what Chris was implying, Derrick felt his knees going weak. He needed to talk to Chris as soon as possible but Chris said not to call. He raked his fingers through his sweaty hair once more as he weighed his pros and cons out right now before making a rash decision. Standing up, Derrick grabbed his things, stuffing his sweaty shirt in his sports duffle with his name and number on it and jogging over to his BMW x6.
Derrick kicked off his cleats, changing into a pair of Nike black and white swoosh slides and tossing his practice cleats into the backseat of his car. His body basically autopilotted the entire drive to the Block Estate. Whipping into the driveway and thanking whatever Gods above it was only Chris and Massie's cars parked at the house, Derrick climbed out and jogged up the stairs with his duffle on his shoulder. He didn't bother knocking since the front door was open, pushing the double doors and padding into the mansion.
"Oh, this is where you're doing secret meetings now?" Derrick asked, out of breath and also realizing by the way Massie was staring at him that he never put his change of shirt on before getting inside his car.
His chest glistened under the sunlight streaming in through the floor to ceiling windows in the living room, and he wiped the sweat off of his forehead with his forearm before taking a seat on the couch across from Massie. His navy blue Nike shorts were loose around his legs compared to the mens Nike black training leggings underneath them he was sure Massie would give him hell for. But hey, it was mid October and fucking freezing.
"Nice to see you dressed for the occasion." She remarked, watching as he discarded his gym bag on the wooden floors and shaking her head.
"I told you I was going to run off that latte, didn't I?"
"Maybe if I was more aware of the lack of clothing you practiced in, I'd come watch once in a while."
"I practice every even numbered day that isn't a game day, sweetheart, come by some time. You can even wear one of those little cheerleading outfits from high school if you'd like."
"Okay, okay, no need to bicker like a married couple!"
Both Massie and Derrick's head shot up and glared at Chris in response to his comment.
"Maybe that was funnier in my head."
"I think so."
"Yeah, probably. Anyway, can you fill me in on this plan now?"
"Congrats, dude!" Kemp yelled as he came in from the kitchen with a plate stacked high with different variations of chips, pretzels and other snacks from her pantry. "You're getting married! Can I be best man? Wait, do you ask me in a special way like the chicks do it? If so I want to be surprised at a hibachi grill. I think that would be sick."
"I'm getting married?"
"I think we're getting married."
"Yeah, that's kind of my plan," Chris laughed nervously and began to rub the back of his neck as a blush crept up his neck. "The contract is extremely non-specific when it comes to the spouse being named, which half of me believes William did on purpose."
"You think he's purposely trying to make it so Massie doesn't have to marry him?" Chris noted the heavy level of disdain in Derrick's voice when he said 'him', and how he won't even mention Tristan's name in conversation unless he's forced.
It must be hard for him, Chris thought to himself, seeing the literal love of his life go through something like this. It was probably easier four months ago when they first got engaged and Massie didn't tell anyone any of the shit going on behind the scenes in their relationship. Derrick was under the impression she was happy, he probably thought this was the best thing for her and that he could provide things Derrick couldn't for her.
Now though? Seeing the love of your life going through such turmoil and really not having any way to stop it was hard. Scheming constantly, basically having to hide everything even though everyone and their mother knows it should be you who put the ring on that finger? That must be even harder.
"No, but I think he's leaving it open ended in case so he doesn't have to prepare another." Chris cleared his throat before continuing.
"It's literally a blank statement, the only name filled in is Massie's. But if you read it, it says that her spouse which we'll just call Tristan for arguments sake even though the paperwork isn't specific or binding, he doesn't just get the Block Financial...he gets control over the entire Block Enterprise. That's trademarks, legal rights to everything including mergers, it's...Mass it's the entire company he's handing over. It's worse than we thought."
If her head wasn't spinning from everything already, she was in for it now. What was she supposed to do? She knew that with Derrick, she was safe. Derrick would sign everything over to her, Derrick would be her partner. Derrick would love her unconditionally, he would treat her properly and take care of her. He was her soulmate, she knew that, she didn't ever doubt that. She wasn't afraid to marry him, she was fully in support of it. She was just afraid of how he felt about it.
Tristan, though? Tristan would make sure she had no control over anything. He was like her, always on a power trip. The thing about oil and water is all they do is react, much like her and Tristan. It's a constant power struggle between the two, and neither of them ever gave in. It worked in a sexual manner, but once business was on the table it was a constant screaming match.
Lamps were constantly being replaced because they were typically the first things Tristan would throw. Massie lost count of how many times she'd shattered bottles of his cologne on his bathroom floor in his apartment, or his wine glasses in his kitchen after he would throw their dinner plates against the walls during an argument. The two were extremely explosive.
Her and Derrick were never that level of explosive. They would argue, yes, but every couple did. They never laid hands on each other besides when she'd slap him, but that was different and Massie only did it when she was younger because he was an asshole of a boyfriend.
Massie's phone dinged with an email notification, which brought her amber eyes down to her iPhone sitting on the coffee table. Reaching down for it at the same time Derrick did, their fingers grazed each others and she immediately stared up at him with a longing, desireful gaze before raising the phone up and unlocking it.
Reading the email and trying to concentrate with Derrick's knees touching hers was hard enough. It was like every time they touched, even in the slightest, she felt flames rising on her skin and in her belly. Once she could concentrate on the actual context of the email from Len Rivera, her eyes began to well up with tears and the words began to swim on the screen.
"Block?"
"Mass, what's wrong?"
"Talk to us."
"Earth to Massie?"
Massie handed the phone with the email pulled up to Chris who was sitting beside her as Derrick stood, coming around to her and wrapping his arms around her shoulders as he took a seat beside her on the large overstuffed brown leather couch.
"C'mere,"
Massie leaned back into his arms, sniffling and wiping at her cheeks with her sleeve until she buried her head into his chest. Gawd, how many times was she going to cry on him?! Then, she let loose and couldn't help it as the tears kept trailing down and her body started shaking from her crying. Derrick held her tighter, pulling her into his lap and rubbing small circles into her back as his bare chest, once glistening from sweat, was now wet from her tears.
Her manicured fingers were wrapped in her sleeves, clutching onto any part of Derrick she could grab. His shoulders, his forearms, it didn't really matter. She just needed physical confirmation that he was there, he was with her and would continue to stand by her during this entire mess. He still didn't know what the email read, but by her reaction, he was sure it was not what she hoped.
Chris read over the message from Alicia's father. It was a blatant 'no', but a long one at that. Len went on and on, explaining how he and William had gotten into an argument over the prenuptial agreement because it wasn't typically how they were prepared at all. Usually the point was to protect the individual person's assets and properties in case of divorce, not liquidate and hand them over on a silver platter.
Len wrote how he had a very hard time drafting it because of how unfair it was towards Massie, but he knew if he didn't that William would take it to someone else who would underhand her even further. He advised Massie to come to his office prior to the meeting they set to sign the agreement, because he and his associates are currently in the works of drafting up a way to still protect Massie if her and Tristan divorce.
"Massie, you know I love and care for you like a daughter, which is why I had such a hard time working on this. I can't let you sign this in good consciousness. I cannot alter it, your father was very clear with me. If I did not agree to draft it, however, he was ready to go to another attorney at the Country Club who was ready to underhand you further. I am working with my colleagues on other options for you. Sit tight for now, try and delay the signing if possible. Do not schedule it with my office for another two weeks, if you can. I need to meet with you beforehand. Again, I look at you as a second daughter, and I wouldn't live with myself knowing you were signing away your birthright to someone who wasn't entitled. William cannot know I am underhanding him right now. I will call when I finalize your documents.
Best,
Len Rivera.
Len Rivera and Associates, PC
The Art of Representing People."
The email wasn't what bothered Massie. If anything, she was so appreciative of how clear Len was making it that he was trying to protect her. Len was her father's go to attorney for everything. He was on retainer for her father's company, and the only attorney he trusted with any of his personal business. Len treated Massie like a second daughter, that much was true.
What bothered Massie was the fact that here Len Rivera was, acting like more of a father to her than her own. She didn't know or understand where William got off thinking this was moderately okay, or why Kendra went along with it, either. Of course Massie was taken care of in all aspects, she worked for her father and didn't have to worry about money or anything because whether she showed or not in the office, the direct deposit went through every week.
But, the amount of business deals alone Massie closed for William because he and Tristan couldn't? Block Enterprise would be dead in the water without her. She poured her blood, sweat and tears night and day into her father's company to make him proud and make the transition from father to daughter as smooth as possible for them and their employees. To pass it to her fiance, her abusive and morally corrupt fiance who would throw her in the dirt once those papers were signed? It repulsed her that her father actually believed it made any sort of sense.
Sobs continued to escape her body as Chris held the phone out in eye's view for Derrick to read, considering his hands were full of a crying Massie and it looked like she didn't want to go anywhere else any time soon. Derrick shook his head, muttering curses and comments under his breath in response to the email as he smoothed the brunette's hair down and her sobs began to slow.
Derrick continued to soothe her, as Chris excused himself and went into the state of the art kitchen to make some tea for her and coffee for him and Derrick. He knew Derrick thought of tea as dirty bean water, and Chris really needed a caffeine kick right about now. Taking his phone out of his pocket, he replied to a text Dylan had sent him before starting up the Keurig and giving the couple inside a little privacy.
Dyl 🔥 : How is everything going?
Chris Plov💙🖱🎮: oh, ya know, not great.
Dyl 🔥 : are they freaking out?
Chris Plov💙🖱🎮: she keeps crying, idk if he even processed it yet tbh
Dyl 🔥 : lmk if you need me and i'll end my session
Chris Plov💙🖱🎮: i will, go teach those broads how to be zen. Love you 3
Massie blew out a breath of air, letting her cheeks puff out and leaning her head against his shoulder and blinking up at the man in front of her. How many times has he picked her up when she's fallen in her life? And how many times has she done the same for him? It wasn't just luck that they kept coming back to each other, there was a reason why the universe kept pushing them together. It was like the spirits above kept placing bets on 'how long until they realize?'
"Normally I'd apologize for getting your shirt wet, but I guess I really don't have to this time," Massie suppressed her giggle, biting her lower lip and blinking up at him through her damp eyelashes.
Derrick leaned back on the couch, holding her eye contact as he moved his hands from her shoulders to her lower back. He pulled her by her hips into him, and she moved with him so she was straddling him against the couch. Massie let her arms fall round his neck, tilting her head to the side with a shy smirk as she watched his movements. Derrick stuck his pink tongue out, licking his lower lip slightly before tugging on her hips and making her fall directly into his chest further. He took his left hand and tangled it in her chestnut brown hair, tugging her head up to meet his.
Massie met him halfway, staring into his warm brown eyes before leaning in and kissing his lips softly. It had been so, so long since they had felt this feeling. This fire, these sparks, this electricity that flowed between the two of them was addicting and something they longed for. Derrick kissed her harder, and Massie moaned into his mouth before letting her hands tangle in his curly hair and tug.
She smirked as she heard him moan out of delight, and couldn't help but start letting her own hips grind into his as they continued to kiss. Derrick turned to the left, leaning back so he was now laying on the couch and Massie crawled on top of him, hungry for more of him. She left one hand tugging on his curls, the other exploring his naked chest, toned arms and shoulders like this was the last time she would have the opportunity. Truth be told, she wasn't sure when the next time would be.
"Hey Mass, I made you Oolong because you didn't have any more Darjeeli-what the hell guys?!"
The pair broke apart, Derrick panting and Massie brightly blushing as she too tried to steady her breathing. Looking down at Derrick, he gave her a wink and she responded with one of her own and a breathless giggle before turning around to look at Chris' horrified face.
"God, is this what it feels like to be a parent?! See, I told Dylan to speak for herself! I can't even believe I witnessed that! I'll give you two a minute to collect yourselves, here's your tea. Derrick, I made you and I coffee, I'll bring that in now. Don't start trying to make baby number two while I'm gone, alright? I can't handle two pregnant women in my life."
"God, he is so dramatic!"
Snickering, Derrick let Massie climb off of him and sat up straight. Reaching over onto the coffee table, he picked up Massie's iPhone since his was most likely still in his car, and used her screen as a mirror to attempt to put himself back together.
"Can I use your shower? I didn't realize how rough I looked when I literally ran here after practice."
"Wow, things really haven't changed." Massie retorted in a sing-song voice before nodding her head. "I'll bring you upstairs."
After Derrick's shower and Chris went on for another twenty minutes about how Massie and Derrick 'disrespected' him by having such a heated makeout session basically in front of him, it was getting close to the time Tristan and her father was expected back and Massie was not ready to see either of them.
"Can we go do something? I don't want to be here."
"Yeah, let's go grab dinner, maybe? I'm starving."
"Yeah, for more than just food. OWWW, WHAT IS WITH YOU AND HOTZ LATELY?"
"We expect dumb comments from Kemp, not you." Derrick responded pointedly before tugging his shirt on.
Derrick, Massie and Chris were currently in the kitchen. Derrick was finishing dressing, pulling on his black Rag & Bone henley. He already put on his 7 for all mankind skinny fit medium wash jeans, and Ferragamo suede tan loafers. Grabbing his wallet from the counter and the keys to his BMW, he stuffed it in his jeans pocket and turned to look at Massie and Chris.
"I'll drive," he offered before the three of them collected the rest of their belongings and left the house.
It was around six pm as Derrick pulled his blacked out BMW x6 into the parking lot of Tuscan Nights, an upscale Italian restaurant three towns over. Massie was craving pasta after not really being able to eat at her engagement party and Chris was no help in terms of wanting to pick a restaurant, so Derrick drove to his favorite restaurant. It also happened to be the restaurant where Massie and he had a lot of their bigger dinners. Birthdays, anniversaries, job opportunities, it all kind of happened here.
As Derrick parked his car, Massie tugged on her grey AQUA twist front cashmere sweater and Levi's mile high ankle skinny jeans in a light wash. She was thankful that she changed out of her sweats in general, and that she dressed her outfit up with a pair of Jimmy Choo Aqua colored Romy heels, considering the restaurant that Derrick chose was upscale. Well, more upscale than the Japanese restaurants her and Chris usually frequent.
Chris climbed out of the backseat as Massie dug on the floor of the passenger seat for her Tory Burch Fleming shoulder bag. Her door was opened by Derrick, who flashed her a grin and waited until she got out before closing the door and again opening the front door to the restaurant for her.
"Oh, how dreamy, thank you Derrington!" Chris fake-swooned, following Massie and pretending he was holding it open for him.
Derrick rolled his eyes and laughed, following the two inside.
"If he really thinks he's going to take away your birthright, he has another thing coming. Wouldn't it be a fucking slap in the face if you started working for Harrington Montgomery?" Derrick actually laughed at the thought, shaking his head as Massie's amber eyes lit up in flames.
They were each currently nursing a glass of wine, the boys sharing a bottle of a Pinot Noir while Massie had her own bottle of a Sauvignon Blanc. They were currently conversing and plotting over a meat and cheese board, which was Massie's absolute favorite thing in the world to do. It also gave her the best ideas.
"You marry me, then we merge companies. It's...it's brilliant! It's covered in the agreement, it would be the beginning of an empire!"
"Are we really plotting world domination now, Mass?" Derrick asked, raising an eyebrow and taking a sip of his wine.
"I am. You should know I always am."
"I never doubted that for a minute, baby. And it makes sense, what you're saying. From a business point, I think a merger would be phenomenal for both you and me, both of our companies, because you know as soon as I'd get the reigns, they'd go right back to you."
"This is what I've been saying!" Chris grinned in excitement, grabbing a piece of prosciutto and popping it into his mouth.
"God, I love a good cheese board. It just really gets me going."
"I have to agree with you there, Mass." Plovert echoed.
"Block might be impressive now, but when we first started dating? God, she had a horrible taste in food."
"Really?" Chris asked in disbelief, looking at Massie quizzically.
"Oh my god Derrick, can we not?"
"Like, it was so bad. She wouldn't touch anything that wasn't organically farmed, everything had to be pesticide free and certified as such, she was a psycho."
"I mean...she still is…"
"Hi, she's sitting RIGHT HERE!"
"She also used to put onions on absolutely everything, it was repulsive."
"Okay, maybe we can talk about my good qualities once in a while?"
"I mean, you looked like a good kisser from what I saw back there…"
"How drunk are you, Plovert?"
"Drunk enough to order a second bottle if you're into it."
"I'm so into it."
"You guys can spend the night, it's fine."
When Derrick's car pulled into her massive driveway, the headlights illuminated three cars. Chris' latest toy, his red Tesla Roadster 2018, was in plain view parked next to Massie's newest 2018 Audi Q7 SUV in white, and her father's cherished cherry red 1970 Plymouth Superbird. She felt slightly less anxious knowing Tristan had gone back to his apartment, texting her when she was at the restaurant letting her know he was going home from the tournament and planned on calling her later that night. Plus, she triple checked his location to make sure he wasn't at the Blocks.
It wasn't that she didn't want to see him, but she didn't know how he'd react to seeing her with Chris and Derrick, and having them both stay over. That part might have pushed Tristan over the edge and back into 'Old Tristan' territory, so what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him for the night.
Climbing out of his BMW, Massie picked her purse up and dug through it for her house keys figuring by now William was asleep so she couldn't expect the door to be unlocked. Once she found her Gucci keychain, she let the boys up the stone stairs and unlocked the double wooden doors before pushing the heavy doors open and entering the threshold.
She was right, William was dead asleep upstairs meaning he'd be gone before the sun rose the next morning. Massie knew that she had kept some random pieces of clothing in her closet the boys could put together, some belonging to them and some just men's sweatshirts or sweatpants she preferred over women's because let's face it - men's clothing is always ten times more comfortable.
Making a pit stop into the kitchen after locking the front door and setting the alarm, Massie had the boys extend their arms and began piling them full of all of her drunk cravings. Chris carried rice cakes, baked lays chips, mini pretzel and Oreo thins up to Massie's bedroom while Derrick followed with an armful of VOSS water bottles and Gatorade's for him and Chris. Massie brought some extra sheets and blankets up behind them, turning down the lights as they went up the stairs.
Once they reached her room, the three deposited their loot like trick or treaters on Halloween night on Massie's pristine plush white carpet. Her bed was big enough for all three to fit in comfortably, but Massie would have them pull out the futon anyway. The girls never had issues sharing a bed before, but if her father came in and saw her in bed with two young men, he'd probably stroke out.
"Eh ma gawd, does this mean we finally get the exclusive invite for a Massie Block sleepover?"
"I think so! Now we get to finally be part of...oh my gawd, Der...THE PRETTY COMMITTEE!"
"I hate both of you."
Massie rolled her amber eyes as she hung her purse up in the coat closet. Boys could be so immature...such, well...boys sometimes. None of them would admit it, but they all could probably drive home safely right now if they wanted to. It's just that none of them wanted to.
Massie was tired of always being alone. Even if Tristan spent the night, she was still technically alone because he wasn't really 'there' for her. She didn't feel the company so to speak. She finally felt whole again last night when all the girls stayed the night.
Derrick sort of felt the same. He wouldn't lie to anyone, he loved living by himself in his penthouse apartment. He could cook whatever he wanted, clean whenever he wanted (or not clean whenever he wanted), he didn't have anyone to answer to besides himself or if any of his friends came over for the night. The apartment itself was perfect, overlooking the Hudson and it was a gorgeous view at night.
Half of him used to lie awake at night staring at his view in his bed, wondering what Massie would've thought of it. He had bought the apartment all according to their plan. Their idea of living together, their life they planned, all of it. Derrick knew she'd love the view, probably hate that the laundry wasn't in his apartment, and would be mildly annoyed with his weed-smoking neighbors who sometimes smoked with Derrick.
Chris and Dylan have been living together for the past two years in a studio apartment on the east side of Westchester County. It was sort of weird, they literally saw less of each other when they started living together. Dylan was so busy at first creating her studio and finalizing plans, and lately Chris has been jumping from startup idea to startup idea, it was hard for either of them to find time for themselves, let alone each other.
The three felt so lonely that tonight was sort of exactly what each of them needed.