AUTHOR'S NOTE: I am so glad so many of you are enjoying this story! This chapter is rated M. If you are uncomfortable reading about two consenting adults, don't read the end of this chapter. If you are comfortable with it...Enjoy!
Homecoming Week
Thursday
Zed's muscles ached. After the talk with his dad, the reality of the situation began to sink in. He was finally going to have the chance to really be with Addison and he needed to make it special for her. He plotted and planned for hours, but nothing seemed perfect. After a restless nights sleep, Zed awoke early. Needing a physical outlet to clear his head and think, he decided to head to the weight room at school for an early morning workout.
"Who's the Zombie? I'm the Zombie" Zed chanted to himself as he pressed yet another set out on the weight bench.
"My favorite Zombie" Addison said from the doorway of the otherwise empty weight room. "You have been incredibly hard to find this morning. Did you run the rest of the team off? This is by far the emptiest I have ever seen this place"
Zed smiled at the sound of her voice. He placed the heavy barbell on its stand and sat up on the bench. "Nah. We have a team session scheduled tomorrow before school, but I figured we would be running late in the morning so I'm getting my workout in now," he said catching his breath.
"You, my wonderful boyfriend, truly do think of everything." Addison giggled as she walked into the room and closed the door.
"Not everything," Zed muttered under his breath shaking his head slightly at himself.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Ooookay. So," Addison asked as she straddled him on the bench, "How'd it go with your Dad last night?"
"Amazingly, yet awkwardly, well. Apparently, everyone just assumes that we've already had sex. Here I was freaking out over my potential physical reaction and ruining your virtue, and everyone else just assumes..."
"Ruining my virtue?" Addison laughed, looking incredulously at her boyfriend. "You make it sound like I'm pure as the freshly fallen snow"
"Oh, I know you're not," Zed whispered as he slid his hands up her outer thighs, resting them under her skirt, "but still...Other people probably do."
Laughing to herself, Addison kissed his lips, "If you weren't already un-dead, I'd make some comment about you worrying yourself to death. But alas, I can not," she sighed, running her fingers through his hair and kissing him once again.
"Sorry to ruin your witty joke, gorgeous," he said as he opened his mouth to deepen the kiss.
***Whistle blowing***
"Hey, this is the weight room. Do that on your own time."
"Sorry Coach" They both said at the same time, trying to suppress their laughs.
"Uh huh, sorry. I'm sure." Coach mumbled to himself as he walked to his office shaking his head.
"I can't wait for tonight!" Addison said kissing his cheek before hopping off of the weight bench "Oh! I almost forgot! Do you like my new dress?" she asked with an innocent smile playing on her lips?
"Your new dress? Yeah, you look delicious...oh I mean gorgeous." Zed said winking at her. "You always do."
"Well, I'm also wearing something new under the dress..."
Zed's mouth opened and closed several times, speechless for once in his life. He launched himself off of the weight bench and kissed her fiercely. Addison opened her mouth, deepening the kiss. His hands wound through her hair, pulling her closer to him.
"Hey!" Coach yelled from the door of his office, blowing his whistle once again.
"You do not play fair my dear" Zed laughed as he rested his forehead against Addison's. "I'll see you in second period, gorgeous."
"Advanced Chemistry. Seems appropriate somehow" Addison whispered and gently bit his lip.
"Addison, I love you. But if I don't go take a shower now we won't be making it to any classes today."
"Well that sounds awfully tempting"
"Addie!" Zed whined.
"Okay, okay. Go. I'll see you in Chem. I love you."
"I love you too."
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"Will you two cut it out? People are staring more so than normal. You mind as well tape a huge sign to your foreheads 'We're going to have sex'" Eliza quietly shouted to Zed and Addison as they walked into Advanced Chemistry.
"Eliza!" Addison chastised,"We are not that bad. Oh god. Are we that bad?"
"You kind of are. You can cut the sexual tension with a knife. I'm getting all worked up just being near you two." Joked Bree, fanning herself with her hand while she snuggled into Bonzo's side.
"Okay. Steering this conversation in a different, less embarrassing direction..." Addison said, "Bree, How are the decorations for the homecoming dance coming along? Eliza, did you get all your DJ equipment set up?"
"The decorations are perfection! I'm pretty sure we have enough pink and green streamers to cover the entire Seabrook Yacht Club two times over!" Bree gushed excitedly.
"All my equipment was delivered this morning. I am going right after school to set it up and run a full sound check and make sure that the automation is timed correctly. I still can't believe the Yacht Club is allowing a fully integrated event to be held there. I've always wanted to go!"
"I know what you mean. It still amazes me how much progress this town has made over the last few years" Addison said proudly. "Bonzo, how are the backdrops coming?"
"Beazufaz," he said while kissing his fingers chef style.
"Perfect! Thank you so much for helping out with homecoming. Everything is going to be perfect! Don't you think Zed? Zed?"
"Huh? Yeah, perfect." Zed replied looking lost in thought.
"Z, what's wrong?" Addison asked concerned.
"Nothing's wrong, just thinking of perfection," he said with a humorless laugh.
"Hey, I've got my free period next. Do you want to talk?"
"I can't. I've got mid-day practice down on the field. Coach is really putting the pressure on. His ex-wife is coming to the game."
"Okay. I'll come cheer you on then"
"That sounds great Addie" Zed replied before opening up his textbook.
Midway through class, Zed felt a sharp poke in his side. Glancing towards Eliza he mouthed "Ouch" and gave her a puzzled look. Eliza slid her notebook over towards him. A small note was written in the corner
Snap out of it. You look like someone just ran over Puppy.
Zed quickly jotted down a reply.
Your fault. I've got to make things perfect for A and I'm coming up blank.
Eliza let out a frustrated groan that earned her a few stares from their classmates. "You and me, after class," she whispered. With that, the two friends refocused on the lesson being taught at the front of the class.
As class began to wrap up, Eliza asked Bree to distract Addison for a few minutes after the bell. Bree knew better by now than to play twenty questions with Eliza, so she quickly agreed. As the bell rang, Zed and Addison walked out hand in hand.
"Addie, can I get your opinion on some last minute decorations for the dance? I'm having second thoughts on the...um…centerpieces." Bree called out to her.
"Sure, Bree," Addison replied with a questioning look on her face. Turning to her boyfriend, "Zed, I'll be down in just a few. You sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine Addie. Take your time. I'll see you on the field. Gar gar gaza" He said kissing the top of her head.
"I love you too," she said as she gave him a final hug and went towards the cheer room with Bree.
Grabbing Zed by the arm and dragging him in the opposite direction, Eliza glared at him."Alright, Zed. We've got approximately three minutes for you to get this through your thick skull, so listen up," she warned. "Addison loves you. You love Addison. Forget what I said about all that other stuff. That was just me being bitter because my boyfriend is currently MIA and being a jerk. The way you can make this perfect is to just be you. Addie doesn't need all that other stuff. I'm sorry I took my frustration out on you."
"Are you sure, Eliza? I mean, everything feels so right when we're together, but I want to make this special for her. I don't want to mess this up."
"I am sure. Look, Bucky didn't need all that stuff to make it special for me. It was special because we loved each other. That's all that matters. I don't regret what we did. I just miss him. Besides, you're already going out to a romantic dinner on Saturday before the dance. You've also already ordered her flowers. And if I know Bree, I'm pretty sure pink rose petals will be falling down on you as you and Addie accept your crowns. So, that should just about cover it."
Wrapping her up in a tight hug, Zed thanked his best friend. "Thank you, Eliza. I'm sorry you're hurting so much right now. I swear when I see him..."
"Hey, none of that," Eliza said mock punching his arm. "I don't need Addison mad at me for you ending up in Zombie containment," she laughed.
Hearing the bell ring, Zed realized he was going to be late. "I really have to run to practice now. Thank you, E...WOOO!" Zed yelled as he ran down the hall towards the locker room.
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"So I am totally second-guessing the centerpieces for the dance." Bree rambled as her and Addison sat down on the plush chairs in the cheer room. "Do we like the pink roses with green hydrangeas? Or should we go with something like pink Gerber daisies and gre.."
"Bree!" Addison cut her best friend off. "I know you aren't having second thoughts on anything, especially the centerpieces. We ordered those weeks ago."
"What are you talking about Addie? Of course, I'm having second thoughts. I mean wha..."
"Bree..." Addison warned.
"Fine." Bree pouted, crossing her arms in defeat. "I don't have second thoughts. The centerpieces are perfect and we all know that."
"Why did Eliza need to talk to Zed. And what in the world is going on with him? Everything was fine one second and then the next, I don't know, he just looked so lost."
"Look, I can't say with 100% certainty that what I think may be wrong is actually what is wrong, but I think it may be," Bree said while walking over to Addison and sitting on the arm of her chair. "Bonzo told me that the yesterday on the way to school Eliza was warning Zed that he needed to make everything perfect for you this weekend. We're talking all the cheesy cliché things you see in movies. Romantic dinner, rose petals, soft music, everything….well, except for fire."
"What? I don't need any of that. I just need Zed."
"Addie, I know that. But just now in class, you were saying how everything needed to be 'perfect' for the dance. I'm guessing it struck a chord with him and he started to freak out a little."
"Oh my goodness. You're right. That has to be it. My poor Z. I need to go talk to him, like right now."
"Um, Addie? Football practice?" Bree reminded her.
"Right. After practice then. I'm going to go see him. Thank you, Bree" Addison said as she gave her a hug.
Addison raced down the stairs and through the hallway towards the football field, almost colliding head first with Eliza.
"Oh my god, Eliza! I am so sorry! I was running to go see Zed. I just need to tell..."
"Addison, I need to apologize," Eliza said, cutting her off. "I won't bore you with the details, but I may have filled Zed's head with a bunch of garbage because I was ticked off with your cousin. I'm sorry. But, I have set him straight and all is well again. He is back to his normal, non-pouty, cocky self."
"Thank you, Eliza!" Addison said as she threw her arms around her.
"Hey, it's the least I could do. You two deserve to be happy. You don't need my bitterness muddying that up."
"Eliza, I'm sorry about Bucky. I've got a low kick with his name on it just waiting for when I see him next."
"I might just let you," Eliza said with a smirk.
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"That's it! That's it! Keep running! Great Block Peterson! Come on Zed! Come on! Wooooo! That's my star player! Yes!" Coach yelled as Zed ran the ball into the end zone.
Taking his helmet off, Zed jogged over to the sidelines where Addison had been cheering for him. He lifted her up and spun her around before kissing her. "There's my favorite cheerleader."
"My favorite zombie," Addison smiled. She wiped away some dirt from his face and kissed him again. Pulling back to look in his eyes, she spoke from her heart, "Zed, I know what Eliza said yesterday. I don't need any of that stuff. Every meal we have together is romantic, even if it's eating pizza on the floor while doing homework. Every time we're together I hear music. To me, you're perfect. I just need you."
"You've got me, Addie. All of me. I just want you to have the world."
"If I've got you then I already do," she said caressing his cheek and pulling him in closer for another kiss.
"Don't make me use my whistle on you two again" They both heard Coach yell from across the field. "Practice till 6, Zed, be ready."
Addison looked at Zed "6?"
Sighing, Zed replied "Yup. We're down 3 starters and we've got to get the backups up to speed. Coach is really riding us. We need this win."
"Well, you'll have the whole squad cheering you on. Of course, you'll win"
"What would I do without you?"
"It's a good thing you never have to find out" Addison smiled as she kissed him once more.
**Whistle blowing** "Hey! I warned you two"
"Yes, Coach" they both laughed in unison. Zed placed Addison back down.
"I'm going to hit the shower. Save me a seat in the cafeteria?"
"You got it."
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"So I'm thinking pizza for dinner tonight. I have cheer practice until 4, I'm only about halfway through my English paper, and you have practice until 6. I doubt either of us will be up for cooking."
Addison said as Zed sat down at their table and bit into an apple.
"Sounds good to me. I'm sorry practice is going to run so late," he replied with a mouth full of food.
"Don't apologize. I totally get it. I'll probably have the squad practicing all hours of the night when Cheer Championships roll around."
"Probably. But I still feel bad that it's cutting into our time together tonight."
"No need to feel bad. We have all weekend. Besides, I want to knock out the rest of my paper tonight so I don't need to worry about it all weekend. You won't be missing much."
"You are so wonderful," Zed said staring at her.
"You're not so bad yourself you know," Addison replied, a blush forming on her cheeks.
"Okay, this is a cafeteria and some of us are trying to eat here," Eliza interjected. "Enough with the sickeningly sweet talk."
"Sorry, E," Zed said with his signature lopsided smile.
Rolling her eyes, Eliza tried to change the subject "So, I know you two have 'plans' this weekend and all but have we all decided on where we're going to dinner before the dance Saturday?"
"My vote is for La Bella's," Zed said while shoving another bite of food in his mouth.
Addison giggled. "Your vote is always La Bella's and we just had takeout from there the other day. What about Tony's?"
"That would be so amazing!" Bree exclaimed. "That's my sister-in-law's family restaurant! I can talk to my brother tonight and ask him to get us a table! That is...if Tony's is okay with everyone."
"Zaruzigaba"
"Tony's is good with me," Eliza added agreeing with Bonzo
"I think Tony's is perfect," Zed said to Addison. "Just. Like. You." he added, kissing her nose in between each word.
Addison blushed slightly. "Tony's it is then. Oh! I almost forgot. My parents felt totally guilty about missing homecoming weekend so they arranged for us to have a limo for the night. How cool is that?"
The whole table was visibly excited and began to discuss the weekends' plans in detail.
"I can't wait for tonight, gorgeous," Zed whispered placing a soft kiss under Addison's ear. Starring into Zed's eyes, her blush returned to her cheeks once more.
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"Finally" Addison exclaimed as she pushed her laptop away from her, "That paper was driving me crazy. So glad that is finished...What time is it?"
"7:42," Bree said glancing at her phone.
"5 minutes and 27 seconds since you asked the last time," Eliza said under her breath.
"Zed should be here by now," Addison whined as she hopped up from her place on the couch and began to pace. She knew she was being irrational, and that there was a completely reasonable explanation for his absence, but she couldn't help herself but worry.
"Addie, practice probably just ran late," Bree said trying to comfort her. "Are you worried or are you nervous?"
"Both?" Addison shrugged looking at Bree and Eliza. "I'm sure practice is running late, but I can't help but worry. I just feel like a piece of me is missing when we're apart. And then on top of the worrying, I've got butterflies doing back handsprings in my stomach."
"Girl, relax," Eliza said. "Everything will be fine."
"You're right. You're right. Deep breaths Addison. You've got this" Addison said giving herself a small pep-talk. Just as she was about to ask what time it was (again), Zed walked through the door.
"Zed!" Addison shrieked as she ran across the room and threw herself into his arms.
"There's my favorite cheerleader" Zed chuckled as he found his arms suddenly full of a very affectionate Addison. "I missed you too."
"I can see we are no longer needed here this evening." Bree smiled as she gathered her school books together to leave.
"Agreed," Eliza said doing the same. "Addie, go easy on him tonight. He looks dead on his feet. Well, more so than usual" She smirked to herself at her own joke.
"Bye guys. Thanks for staying over. We'll see you tomorrow at school." Addison said as their friends walked out. "She's right Z. You don't look so hot."
"Ouch."
"You know what I mean. Rough practice?"
"I don't think I have ever run so many drills in my life. But, the backups are looking good. I stayed after practice to work with them some more. I'm sorry I'm so late gorgeous."
"Don't be sorry. I'm just glad you're home now."
"Home. I like the way that sounds." He said with a wink.
"Me too." She blushed. "We've got pizza in the den. I just finished my paper. How much homework do you have?"
"Luckily none. Principal Lee said that having us practice longer tonight and winning tomorrow was more important than homework." Zed replied with a yawn before plopping himself on the couch. Addison curled up against him. "Addie, I am so sorry. But I'm exhausted. I don't even want to eat right now, and I always want to eat. Can we just put on the TV and sit here for a few minutes?"
"Sure. Anything, in particular, you want to watch?"
"Anything but football tape" Zed sleepily said with a slight chuckle.
Addison turned on the TV and began flipping through the channels. Before she had even found a show for them to watch, she heard Zed softly snoring. "My poor Z," she thought to herself. Reaching behind her on the couch she pulled down a blanket to cover them with. It may not have been what she had planned for, but there was nowhere else she would rather be than right there on her couch snuggled up with Zed. She settled on re-watching one of her favorite movies and soon drifted off to sleep as well.
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It was around midnight when Zed woke up and realized that he and Addison had fallen asleep on the couch. "Real smooth Zed, you finally get a night alone with her and you fall asleep," he thought to himself as he carefully picked up the remote to turn off the television. He knew if they stayed on that couch much longer both of them would be sore in the morning. Very quietly he began to sing into Addison's ear while gently caressing her cheek, "I know it might be crazy, but did you hear the story? I think I heard it vaguely. A girl and a zombie"
"Oh, tell me more boy. Sounds like a fantasy" She whispered, a smile forming on her face as she began to wake up.
"Oh, what could go so wrong with a girl and a zombie." Zed sang as he carefully lifted her up from the couch.
"What time is it?" Addison groggily asked as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"A little after 12. I figured we would both be grateful in the morning if we slept on a bed versus the couch."
"Mmm..good idea. I could probably use a few minutes to actually get ready for bed" Addison said while yawning.
Zed carefully carried Addison up the stairs and into her room. "M'lady," he said with a flourish of his arms as he set her on her bed.
"Thank you for the ride, my good sir." Addison giggled in response. "I'm going to go freshen up before we go back to sleep. Make yourself at home." With that, Addison walked into the en-suite.
Zed realized that his duffle was still downstairs and quickly dashed to retrieve it. When he made his way back up to Addison's room he could hear the shower running. All sorts of thoughts ran through his head. "Down boy" he whispered to himself. Unzipping his bag to retrieve his toothbrush and pajama pants, a glint of metallic foil caught his eye along with a slip of paper with one singular word written on it,
Please.
"Well, that's not awkward at all, Pops," Zed said out loud as he examined the foil packets his dad had thrown into his bag. He zipped his bag back up and quickly changed. "Addie, can I come brush my teeth?" he called while cracking the bathroom door ever so slightly.
"Sure. My toothpaste is in the top right drawer if you need it" Addison said loud enough to be heard over the running water of the shower. As she began to rinse the shampoo out of her hair she suddenly realized that she was completely naked in the same room as her boyfriend, separated only by her pastel pink shower curtain, and no one was around to interrupt them. She smiled to herself as she watched his silhouette from the other side of the curtain. "Zed? Can you grab my towel for me? Second shelf in the closet." She called out to him as she turned off the water.
"Sure thing" Zed replied with a mouth full of toothpaste. He grabbed a soft plush white towel out and handed it to Addison's awaiting hand poking out from the shower.
Addison took the towel and wrapped it around herself before opening the curtain just as Zed had leaned over the sink to rinse his mouth. When Zed stood back up, they locked eyes in the mirror. Spinning around quickly, Zed's mouth went dry and his hands went sweaty.
"You look delicious"
"Don't you mean gorgeous?"
Zed stalked towards her. He slowly ran his hand up her arm, causing a warm rush to spread over her. He ran his fingers through her wet hair, cradling the back of her head as he pulled her in for a kiss. "You always look gorgeous. Right now?" he whispered in her ear, "delicious works." She could only moan as he bit her earlobe, soothing it quickly with his tongue.
"Bed." was all she could get out. Zed didn't need to be told twice. He lifted Addison up, wrapping her legs around him, her towel falling to the ground. He let out a whimper feeling her bare against him. Addison moaned louder as he shifted her, the evidence that their actions were turning him on was quite evident. He carefully laid her down in the center of her bed. She clung tightly to him as their tongues battled for dominance. Zed began to trail kisses down her throat. One hand was on her breast as the other slowly slid up her inner thigh. Suddenly Zed stopped and sat up.
"What's wrong?" Addison asked sitting up on her arms.
"Nothing's wrong. I'm just waiting for a whistle, or a bell, or a phone call, or the front door to open."
"None of that. Not tonight. It's just you and me. Finally" Addison laughed as she pulled him down on top of her.
Zed trailed kisses along her collarbone, moving his way down to her breasts. Addison arched into him as his mouth latched on to one, causing her to gasp. His hand settling between her thighs. He could feel the warmth radiating from her. He slowly slid one long finger through her folds before pushing into her core, growling as her muscles clamped tightly around him.
"More. Zed, please." Addison whimpered. Zed added a second finger and slowly began to work them in and out. Her body suddenly on fire, she frantically raced her hands down to his waist, pushing his pajama pants down. She whimpered as she pulled him free and he thrust into her hand, hard and strong. His low growl was enough to tell her he liked what she was doing. She began using quick, hard strokes as he swelled against her palm. She whimpered as she felt his fingers keep pace with her, thrusting deeper and deeper the faster she stroked. Their kisses became sloppy and hurried. "Zed," she panted, pushing herself harder against him. He growled and began circling her clit with his thumb.
Zed felt himself swell even more from the scream of his name as Addison found her release, her inner muscles clenching his fingers even tighter. He lost it then, emptying himself into her hand with several hard thrusts.
"I love you, Z." Addison whispered breathlessly as she snuggled into him.
"I love you too." He said giving her a sweet, lazy kiss. Lowering his head, he smiled against her neck, falling asleep once more.