Chapter 31
Bruno opened one eye blearily before reaching up his hand to his eyes and rubbing them awake.
He held his hand to his head and cursed himself silently.
His head was a little fuzzy from the night before; the last thing he remembered was Steph and him making out at the foot of his bed...later followed by finishing the bottle of wine and possibly another few beers.
But then what?
He vaguely remembered moving things to the bed but...
He sat up a little and felt the blankets rise and fall steadily next to him.
Looking over he noticed the flame of Steph's hair sprawled on the pillow as she slept on her side facing away from him, and snoring softly.
"%$# " he whispered, "%$# we're screwed...oh %$# " he cautiously looked under the blankets and was a little relieved to see he was still wearing underwear.
He took a breath in and lifted the blanket a little from Steph and swore aloud, "Sh*t!"
Steph woke up, startled and rolled over, and looked at Bruno.
He raised his eyebrows, waiting for her to register.
Steph's eyes widened as she sat upright with a shriek, "Sh*t!"
Bruno nodded, then politely coughed and looked away, pointing to Steph's bare chest.
She looked down and gathered the blankets up around her, holding her hand to her head, "Oh sh*t, sh*t, sh*t...um...morning?" she tried to smile at Bruno, who faked a smile back.
Steph wiggled a little under the blankets the peered over the sides of the bed, "Where the hell's my bra and panties?"
Bruno helped by checking his side and saw her panties hooked onto the edge of the bedside table and her bra was thrown over near the door.
He climbed out of bed to retrieve them, as Steph pointed out, "How the hell did you manage to keep your gear on, yet mine's all thrown across the place?"
Bruno shrugged and handed her underwear back, then stood next to the bed, his hands folded under his armpits, "Soo...um..."
Steph flipped the blankets down, as Bruno politely turned his back, while Steph put her bra on and clasped it up, then put her underwear on under the blankets, "Ok...scenario, I am buck naked in the morning, next to you, who has underwear on, but we cannot guarantee they were always on you and"
Bruno tilted his head and noted something on the floor, he shook his head and turned back to Steph, "Yeah we did it"
Steph shook her head, "Huh?"
Bruno sighed, "I have evidence, so to speak"
Steph crawled over and looked down at his feet, groaned and threw herself dramatically on the bed, "Oh we are so %$# ed!" she threw her arm over her eyes, "Well at least in a drunken stupor we remembered a freakin' Trojan! Score 1 to sex ed!" she pulled a pillow over her face and screamed into it.
Bruno sighed and sat on the bed, "Look, I'm sorry, I should've stopped this all from happening" he lowered his head, "I'm sorry, I never meant to try and take advantage or-"
Steph sat up, slamming the pillow back on the bed and smiled a little, interrupting him, "Hey don't blame yourself for this, I'm half to blame" she laughed a little, "Or probably most of it is my fault" she sighed again and sat cross legged, "Sh*t...you weren't a...um..." her eyes widened a little as she nodded, asking with her eyes.
Bruno gave a slight nod as Steph slapped her hand to her forehead, "Oh %$# it...I'll forever be known as the virginity stealer...%$# , two virgins on one road trip, what are the odds huh?" she shook her head and brushed her hair back with her hands and sat a little straighter, "Look" she turned to the clock on the bedside table, "It's only 8:30am...I doubt anyone else would be awake just yet...so if I sneak out now, we should be sweet"
Bruno watched as she slid off the bed and started gathering her clothing from the floor, and getting dressed, "Wait, we're not even gonna talk about this?"
Steph looked at him as she started on the buttons of her top, "Look, Bruno, I don't even know what last night was...it's all kinda a mishmash of kissing and hands and drinks and sh*t"
Bruno lowered his head as she came and sat beside him, trying to get him to look at her and sighing, speaking softly, "We'll talk about it later, ok? Promise...but right now, getting busted is the last thing we need, ok? It'll just complicate things more"
Bruno looked up at her and nodded, "Yeah I guess so"
She smiled and reached for his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze and leant over to give him a kiss on the lips, "You're a sweetheart" she smiled before grabbing her shoes, "But I have to make a quick exit stage left" she shook her head, "Oh geez the last time this scenario happened the roles were reversed and I was the one left lying on the bed" she looked back at Bruno, "I promise we'll talk about this later ok?" Bruno nodded, and with that she quietly peered out the door before tiptoeing down the hall.
Bruno sat on the bed a moment longer before flopping on his back with an exasperated sigh.
Alvin blinked his eyes awake and noticed Brittany snuggled up next to him and the memories of the night before came flooding back.
He smiled smugly to himself and thought for moment, "Wow...last night...I could get used to that" he looked again at Brittany and edged himself away from her to the side of the bed and looked around for his underwear.
He picked them up and stood up, putting them on before heading to the bathroom.
Brittany stirred a little and rubbed her eyes, sitting up on her elbows.
She looked around for Alvin and became a little surprised when she couldn't see him anywhere...then she heard a faint trickling sound and giggled a little, relieved.
She had put her panties on again after, (while Alvin claimed to have "accomplished" the "deed" he'd have to sleep the night commando style), and looked over the side of her bed for a shirt to wear, and found Alvin's.
She leant over the side of the bed and picked it up, pulling it over her head and down her body.
She then placed a pillow behind her and sat up, smoothing the blanket over her lap.
She giggled a little reminiscing about the night before and closed her eyes, biting onto her bottom lip and smiling as she thought about it.
Thinking how everything had turned out so perfect...apart from it hurting a little...well more than a little actually...and the way it had ended.
She opened her eyes and frowned a little thinking back; where she felt bad having had to fake it.
She felt a little guilty, but remembered from one of her conversations with Steph where she'd mentioned it's not uncommon for a girl not to climax the first time; as Steph had said, "Just moan a bit, grip a little harder and thrust a little faster and he'll think he's the king sh*t of sex...he'll be happy cause he'll think he's satisfied you and you'll be happy to be able to get some sleep, finally"
Brittany giggled again to herself as Alvin came out, "What's so funny?"
She looked up at him, "Nothing" she said, smiling sweetly at him.
He walked over and climbed up on the bed, leaning over her and kissing her lightly on the forehead and the lips before lying on his side next to her, "So last night was kinda cool huh?"
Brittany nodded and started playing with his hair, "It was pretty amazing"
His face fell a bit, "I didn't hurt you did I?"
Brittany ruffled his hair, "Not much"
He sat up a little higher on his elbow, "But I hurt you though?" he reached out and took hold of her hand.
She patted it and stroked the side of his face, "First time is supposed to hurt...it wasn't unbearable...a little uncomfortable at times, but overall" she kissed his head, "I could do it all again"
Alvin's eyebrows raised, "So, like now?"
Brittany laughed and slapped his arm, "No, not like now"
Alvin frowned playfully and slumped onto the pillow, "Why not?"
Brittany looked at the clock, "Cause it's 8:30am and we all agreed to have breakfast at 9am...so get up"
Alvin groaned and pulled the blankets over his head, "Don't wanna go"
She slipped out of bed and headed to the bathroom, "You can join me in the shower if you want?"
Immediately Alvin threw the blankets back and looked at her, eyes wide and grinning as Brittany giggled and nodded before disappearing into the bathroom.
Alvin clambered over the bed and fell off the edge; Brittany quickly coming back and looking at him, a little startled, "What the hell?"
Alvin jumped to his feet, "And I'm ok!" he laughed as he followed Brittany into the bathroom.
Steph looked between Simon and Jeanette's and Theodore and Eleanor's doors, trying to think who'd still be asleep in order for her to sneak in.
She threw her bets on Theodore and Eleanor, figuring Simon and Jeanette were pretty early risers and had probably been awake since the crack of dawn.
She checked her pockets and was relieved to find she still had the two door keys.
Matching the number to Theodore and Eleanor's she quietly opened the door and crept in, only to be met face to face with both Eleanor and Theodore.
"And where have you been?" Eleanor asked, with hands in hips and a stern look on her face.
Theodore stood with his arms folded and the same stern look.
Steph's mind scrambled for a good excuse, "Uhh, I stayed in Simon and Jeanette's room, I was just returning your key?" she smiled awkwardly.
Eleanor shook her head, "Nice try but we checked and Simon said you didn't crash there either" she took a step forward and pointed her finger, "Where were you Steph?"
"%$# " Steph thought; her head was still fuzzy from the night before, but she forced herself to come up with a plausible alibi, "Oh well, after I went to check on Alex, I realised I forgot something back in the RV, so I went down there and...got...it and then when I came back, I just ended up sleeping in with Alex cause I figured you'd all be asleep and since I'd had something to drink, I figured I may be a little loud, so yeah, I stayed in with Alex after all, um, crashing on the lounge so the poor diddums could sleep and spew and whatever" she flashed a smile as Theodore and Eleanor exchanged a look and then looked back at her.
"I am so busted" Steph thought as Eleanor stood right in front of her, making her back into the door.
Eleanor frowned at her, "What did you forget in the RV that you had to go and get it so early in the morning?" she narrowed her eyes, making Steph feel like blurting out the truth.
But instead she took a deep breath and said, "I wanted to get my aspirin, in case I had another hangover?"
Eleanor stood staring at her a second longer before stepping back, "Hmm, ok, that I can believe" she turned as Steph let out a sigh of relief and watched as Eleanor fetched her shoes, "Well go get ready for breakfast then"
Steph looked confused, "Breakfast?"
Theodore rolled his eyes, "We all agree to meet for breakfast together at 9am...and it's already a quarter to"
Steph snapped into action, "Right, right, breakfast, yep, I'll be there" she saluted and opened the door behind her, slipping out, before coming back in seconds later, putting the key on the side table, as Eleanor pointed out, "Oh and Steph?"
She looked up as Eleanor nodded to her clothing, "You might wanna give Bruno his socks back too"
Steph looked down at shoes in her hands and noticed she'd somehow scooped up Bruno's socks in her rush, "Oh %$# " she quickly came in the closed the door, gathering Eleanor and Theodore in the middle of the room and speaking quietly, "Ok detectives, you busted me, I ended up in Bruno's room last night ok?"
Theodore gasped as Eleanor's face fell, "Steph?"
Steph shook her head, "Look, I went in to talk to him-"
"About what?" Theodore pressed.
Steph frowned, "Doesn't matter...just...stuff...look nothing happened..."
Lie.
"We had a bit to drink, we talked, we laughed, and we crashed, but NOTHING happened"
Lie.
Eleanor and Theodore looked at each other and back at Steph.
"What about Alex?" Eleanor asked softly.
Steph sighed and rubbed her temple, "Yeah, I know, it sounds worse than it is"
Lie.
"And I'll let him know, I will"
She sighed, unsure when she'd actually talk to Alex...but knowing she'd definitely have to at some point.
"But you cannot say anything to him, or the others, ok?" Steph pleaded.
Eleanor looked at Theodore and back at Steph sighing, "Ok, we won't say anything"
Steph sighed, relieved.
"But" Eleanor started, making Steph tense up a bit, "You gotta promise you'll talk to Alex"
Steph took a breath in and closed her eyes nodding, "I will, I'll let him know and explain it all to him"
Eleanor rose her eyebrows as Steph's eyes widened, "I will, promise...can you guys cover that I was here last night, please?"
Eleanor smiled softly, nodding and hurried her out the door, "Come on then, go get ready for breakfast"
Steph stood outside the door and leant on the wall in the hallway.
"%$# , I just dodged a %$# ing bullet" she looked at her and Alex's room, "Now to bite another one" she summoned her courage and was about to open their room, when she spotted a cleaner's laundry shoot and tossed Bruno's socks down it saying to herself, "Sorry Bruno, looks like I owe you a new pair of socks".
She opened the door to their room and crept in.
Alex was sitting up in bed flicking through the TV channels.
He looked a hell of a lot better than the night before and smiled widely as he spotted Steph creep slowly into the room, "Aww, there's my gorgeous nurse now, I was wondering when you'd show up for your shift"
Steph smiled nervously at him, "Oh hey, so feeling better then?"
He threw the blankets back, "Much better, I've even had a shower and gotten changed" he smiled proud of himself, "But maybe you should come and check me out just to be sure?" he winked at her, patting on his lap.
Steph smiled; she wasn't in the mood for this...she just wanted a shower and then to get through the rest of this trip without %$# ing things up any more, "Look Alex, as much as I'd love to give you the once over, I slept in this getup all night, I need a shower, I have shocking morning breath and we're supposed to be at breakfast in like 10 mins" she headed into the bathroom.
Alex looked a little dejected, "Oh, well, alright then...um, want some help getting ready then?" he stood up and was about to follow Steph into the bathroom with her when she smiled, "Uh, that's ok, I got things under control in here" and closed the door, locking it.
Alex took a step back and scratched his head, unsure why Steph was acting so distant from him.
In the bathroom, Steph placed her hands on the basin and looked in the mirror.
She looked at herself and felt like punching the mirror.
She grumbled under her breath and started pacing the bathroom, gripping at her head and trying to sort her feelings out.
"Ok, so let's do this logically" she told herself, and shook her head, "Gee that's rich coming from you Steph, do things logically? Hey here's something logical, let's sleep with the new guy" she closed her eyes and unbuttoned her shirt, sighing "Ok, so Alex...well he's a great guy...Fantastically great guy...hot, makes me laugh, great kisser, would do anything for me" she stopped and pulled her shirt off her shoulders, "But Bruno..." she started pacing again and threw her shirt to the floor, "Also a great guy...also hot, and makes me laugh...and damn good kisser...and...gets me" she stopped and stomped her foot, yelling out, "%$# !"
Alex ran to the door, knocking and trying the handle "Steph, babe, you ok? Let me in"
Steph, holding her hand to her head and who was now close to tears from the frustration called back, "Yeah, no I'm ok...I just, um, stubbed my toe!"
Alex called back, "Ok...sure you're ok?"
Steph felt a tear fall down her cheek and wiped it away, "Yeah, yeah I'm fine"
Alex nodded, "Ok then" and walked back, confused and went back to watch TV on the bed.
She took off her shorts and looked at herself in the mirror once more, standing in her bra and panties and shook her head at the image, balling her fists up, "%$# Steph what the hell?" she said to herself and stripped her underwear off, hurling them on the floor, then covered her breasts up with one arm and stood in the shower.
She turned the water on and let it ripple over her head and down the curves of her body, "Sh*t, I'm falling for two guys" she said to no one, "And I'm gonna be made to make a decision to pick one...who the %$# do I choose? Either way someone's gonna get hurt" she slipped down the wall of the shower stall and curled her knees up, sitting under the water as it fell on and around her and raced down the drain.
Downstairs in the buffet hall, there was a mixed bag of moods.
Alvin and Brittany couldn't keep their hands off one another and were kissing each other more than they needed too at every given second; Eleanor and Theodore kept looking back and forth between each other, Steph, Alex and Bruno, occasionally raising their eyebrows at Steph; Bruno ate quietly at the end of the table, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone; Alex was still recovering from the night before, and so only had dry toast for his breakfast, but was perplexed at how every time he tried to advance on Steph, she'd either shrug him off, or make an attempt to change the topic; Steph simply sat silent and reserved, wishing she could just crawl into a hole, rewind time and delete all the sh*t she'd caused.
Simon looked over at Steph, who sat there stirring her scrambled eggs, "So where did you crash last night then?" he asked, and took a bite of toast.
Steph's head whipped up as she looked around the table at everyone looking at her, "Uhh..."
"She was with us" Eleanor interrupted, everyone now looking at her, "Yeah Steph said she came in late when we were asleep and then woke early and left to get something from the RV"
Jeanette looked back at Steph, "What'd you forget?"
Steph muttered out, "Um, toothbrush"
Alex looked at her, his head tilted, "It was in your toiletries bag though?"
Steph added quickly, "Oh yeah, I know, but for some reason I thought I'd left it in the RV" she tried to make a joke of it, "Guess I was having one of my blonde moments"
Alex nodded slowly and took a bite of toast as everyone went back to their own meals.
Steph mouthed to Eleanor, "Thank you"
Eleanor just looked over at Bruno, then Alex then back at her with a wide eyed expression, as Steph closed her eyes and nodded a little, taking a small bite of her eggs.
Alvin looked between everyone and shook his head.
What the hell was with everyone this morning?
He coughed for their attention and imitated starting a chainsaw, "Nnnneeeeeyyyyaahhhhh" the others all looked at him.
He smiled and shrugged, "Sorry, just the tension was getting so thick, I was starting to lose sight of you all"
Steph shook her head and stood up, "I need a %$# ing coffee" and headed towards the line up for the espresso coffee.
Brittany nudged Alvin, "What?"
She looked at him and nodded in Steph's direction.
He looked at Steph and back at Brittany, "Why me?" he looked at Alex, "You go"
Alex shook her head, "Nah, she's not been the same this morning...I don't wanna in case it's something I've done" he scratched his head, "What that is I have no idea"
Alvin scouted the others before sighing dramatically, "Oh for %$# 's sake" he pushed his chair out and walked after Steph.
Steph was waiting in the queue to place her coffee order when she felt someone come and nudge her.
She turned to see Alvin, smiling stupidly at her, "Hi"
Steph rolled her eyes and turned back to the line, "Wha'dyou want Alvin?"
He folded his arms and the smile left his face, "OK, what's up?"
Steph shook her head, "Dunno what you're on about"
Alvin poked her in the arm, "Ok, so last night I see you sneak into Bruno's room"
Steph's eyes widened as Alvin smirked, "So it wasn't just to say goodnight then?" he tilted his head and continued, "And now this morning you're all silent and sh*tty, Alex is totally confused thinking he's done something wrong, you've got Eleanor covering your ass for some reason...what happened, you hook up with Bruno last night?" he leant in a little as Steph closed her eyes, taking a breath in and looked at him, "Ok, yes, I spent the night in Bruno's room"
Alvin stood a little straighter, his eyebrows raised at this confession, "So you two did hook up or somethin'?"
Steph scratched her forehead, "Um, yeah, more the or somethin'" she opened her eyes slowly at Alvin.
His mouth dropped open, "WHAT? %$# !"
The other patrons all stopped and looked at him as Steph slapped him on the arm, "Alvin!"
He looked back at the others, who were all looking at them and held a thumbs up, calling back, "Nothing, sorry" he looked around, "Sorry folks" and turned his attention back to Steph, "Seriously what the %$# ?"
Steph bounced a little, "I know, I know...look we had a few drinks and one thing lead to another and now I've totally %$ #ed everything up...help me?"
Alvin shook his head, and held his hands up, "Whoa I have no idea how to clean this mess up"
Steph pouted, "Please? I begging now" she sighed and looked down at her feet, "I don't know what to do"
Alvin took pity on her and gave her a hug, "Cheer up babe" he stepped back and thought for a moment as the line moved, "Ok, well, who do you like more?"
Steph shrugged, "That's the problem...I think I like both of them"
Alvin nodded, "Ah...that is a problem...you gonna fess up to Alex?"
Steph sighed, "I'm gonna have too aren't I?"
Alvin folded his arms and nodded, "Yeah"
The barista called out, "Miss what'll you have?"
Steph turned to notice she was next to place an order, "Oh, um...double shot flat while, biggest size you got"
The barista nodded and wrote the order down, placing it in a line up with the other orders and motioned for Steph to step aside to wait for her order.
Alvin stood next to her in silence for a while before smiling, "So Britt and I had a pretty awesome night doing 'or somethin' too" he smiled up at Steph who couldn't help but smile back, and nudged him, "Britt's gonna kill you you're telling me this"
Alvin shrugged, "Eh, she'd probably tell you too"
Steph laughed, "That's what I mean, she'll kill you that you're telling me before she's had a chance to"
Alvin waved her off, "Just act surprised and sh*t then"
Steph folded her arms and looked at him, "So...was it all you had expected?"
Alvin nodded, "More or less...pfft, what the hell have I got to compare it to?"
Steph shrugged, "Porn?"
Alvin shook his head laughing, "No way, that's totally fake and over the top and half of them positions...um, so I've heard" he lowered his head and slapped his hand over his eyes, "Oh sh*t"
Steph just laughed and poked him, "Haha, so busted"
He glared at her smiling, "But no, it was great...took every freakin' ounce of strength though not to...*ahem* ...too early ya know?"
Steph just snorted and shook her head, "I don't need to know that!"
Alvin just looked at her blankly, "What? Things start feeling really good, really quick and-"
Steph covered his mouth and pointed a finger at him, laughing, "Shut up just shut up" she took a breath in, and dropped her hand from his mouth and patted him on the shoulder, "You will learn young grasshopper"
"Jumbo double shot flat white?"
Steph stepped forward and smiled at the barista, adding a sugar to her coffee and carefully picking the large mug up and turned to Alvin, "Oh gosh...we have to go back now don't we?"
Alvin nodded, "Yep"
Steph screwed her nose up, "Can't I just have both of them?"
Alvin shook his head smiling, "Yeah I don't think that's gonna work"
Steph rolled her eyes, "Ok, OK, come on"
Alvin nudged her, "Perk it up though, draw less attention to ya" he smiled as they sat back at the table.
Steph playing it up, took a sip of coffee as she sat back down, "Oh sh*t that's better, sorry I hit a total caffeine low" she shook her hair and sipped her coffee, "Man, them lounges are a pain in the ass to sleep on, I had a shocker of a sleep on them" she smiled and turned to Alex, "Sorry, I was a bit over tired this morning, but I have my coffee now, and it's a double shot, so the buzz'll be back in me in a matter of seconds" she beamed and leant in kissing him on the cheek.
Alex was a little stunned, but smiled none the less, "Well, let's hope you have a better night sleep tonight then?"
She smiled at him and took a bite of her muffin, stealing a glance at Bruno who just shook his head a little at her and looked away.
She felt her heart sink as they all finished their breakfast.
Once they'd all checked out (there was a fair amount to pay on the rooms, and Alex and the Chipettes said they'd chip in to cover costs too, otherwise Dave would have flipped out at the bill) and were loading things back in the RV, Alvin asked Alex if he was right to drive.
Alex had shrugged saying he'd cope, but didn't admit the fact he'd rather spend time with Steph.
Simon pulled Alvin aside from the others, "I'm fine to drive; why are you asking Alex to?"
Alvin just shook his head at Simon, "Because" he started to head back to the RV when Simon pulled him back, "What's going on? What do you know?"
Alvin just imitated zipping his lips, "I can't say, but trust me, I know what I'm doing"
Simon rolled his eyes, "Where have I heard that line before? Oh yes, every time something bad is about to happen" he folded his arms as Alvin shook his head and sighed, "Look, Steph needs to sort something out...and she needs for Alex to not be there...just yet"
Simon rose an eyebrow curiously at Alvin, who just returned a pat on the shoulder, "Just go with it would ya?"
Simon sighed and adjusted his glasses, following Alvin back round to the RVs.
Alex kissed Steph and made his way over to 'Einstein', hopping into the driver's seat, as Theodore, Eleanor, Jeanette and Simon followed.
Alvin made his way into 'Hot Stuff' and sat in the driver's seat.
Brittany sat in the passenger seat while Steph sat on the lounge and Bruno at the booth.
Once they headed out of the hotel car park and were back on the road again, Alvin motioned to Steph.
She stood up and leant on the back of the driver's seat, "What?"
Alvin, keeping his eyes on the road, pointed down the back, "Now you've got at least two hours to sort out this whole mess, so get in there and start talkin'"
Brittany looked between the two of them, confused, "What's going on?"
Steph head butted the seat, "But I don't wanna"
Alvin shook his head and tried to reach back to stop her head-butting his seat, "I don't care, sort it out"
Brittany looked back at Bruno, then at Alvin, "Sort what out?"
Steph pouted, "Yes daddy" she poked her tongue out as Alvin smirked, "I saw that"
Steph smiled a little and rolled her eyes, turning to Bruno she nodded toward the back room, "Come on you, we need to talk"
Brittany watched as Bruno followed Steph into the back room, "What's going on? Why do they need to talk?" she looked back at Alvin, "What do you know?"
Alvin sighed and rubbed his eyes a little, resting his hands on the wheel, "Steph slept with Bruno last night" he glanced over at Brittany, whose mouth was gaping open, and shook his head, "Do not say a word to anyone"
Brittany quickly closed her mouth and turned back to face the road as Alvin leant on one arm, driving one handed.
Brittany turned to him, still trying to take all this in, whispering loudly, "But what about Alex?"
Alvin's eyes widened and his eyebrows rose, "Why'd ya think I asked him to drive?" he shook his head, "Look this isn't our mess to sort out"
Brittany nodded, "Yeah but we'll have to pick up the pieces after"
Alvin sighed and nodded, "What are good friends for hey?" he smiled over at Brittany, who returned the smile back.
Steph sat on the bed as Bruno closed the door, looking a little puzzled, "You didn't tell Alvin did you?"
Steph rolled her eyes, "He figured it out, saw me going into your room last night"
Bruno raised his eyebrows, "So he knows?"
Steph shook her head, "Yes, ok, I told him, and he's probably out there telling Britt, but don't worry 'bout them, we need to talk"
Bruno started pacing the room, "Sh*t this is totally screwed up"
Steph sat up on the bed and patted a spot next to her, speaking calmly, "Bruno, sit down"
He looked at her and hesitated, but she looked up at him, pleading with her eyes and he caved in, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Steph took a deep breath in, "Ok...so what happened last night, happened...and we can't change that or make it go away or any of that sh*t...but now it poses the question of what do we do now?"
Bruno looked back at her and swung his body round to face her, "Guess it's up to you...you have to choose"
Steph lowered her head, "That's not what I wanted to hear"
Bruno shook his head, "Well, maybe not, but it's what you have to do, I can't choose for you, I'll just end up choosing myself"
Steph didn't look up as Bruno continued, "And I'll bet if you were to ask Alex he'd say the same thing and ask you to choose him" he felt his voice beginning to raise a little and took a deep breath in to calm himself.
He tried to speak calmly, "Look, Steph, as I've gotten to know you I've noticed you're unlike any other girl I've known"
Steph rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Yeah I'm the town bicycle, everyone gets a ride"
Bruno shook his head, "No, you're not like that at all...look maybe last night wasn't a good judge of your character, considering we were both a little under the influence...But I meant all what I said last night too" she looked up a little, making Bruno smile a little, "You are all those things and more...and I can tell you that if you decide to choose me, then I'd be sure to let you keep being you...I'd never try and change you...that's who I've come to like, the crazy and fun loving, spontaneous Steph that you are"
Steph smiled, feeling a tear well up in her eye.
She wiped it away and sniffled a little, "Oh gosh you're making this harder now you know?"
Bruno just laughed a little and reached out for her hand, "But if you decide you'd like to stay with Alex" he sighed heavily, "Well I'd probably feel gutted for a while, but you'll always know how I feel about you, and I'll always be there for you...no matter what"
Steph's eyes softened and a tear made its way down her cheek as she brushed it away with her hand, "You really are a sweetheart Bruno...and I think I do kinda feel like I'm starting to fall for you too" she sighed, "But I have to talk to Alex"
Bruno nodded, "It's only fair"
Steph sighed dramatically, "Oh gosh, this has turned out to be one freakin' drama of a road trip"
Bruno laughed a little, as Steph smiled and leant over to give him a hug.
She sat back and sniffled a little, "Ok..." she looked at the bedroom door, "So now to face the onslaught that is Brittany"
Bruno sat up straighter, "Let's do this"
Steph laughed a little as they emerged from the back room.
Brittany whipped her head around and called out, "Oh my gosh! You two?"
Bruno looked at Brittany and back at Steph, rubbing the back of his neck, "Uhh"
Steph rolled her eyes and marched up to Brittany, grabbing her hand, "Oh geez, come here"
Brittany unfastened her seatbelt and followed Steph into the back room, Steph closing the door, rolling her eyes.
Bruno took the passenger seat and exhaled, as Alvin smiled at him, "Heavy sh*t?"
Bruno nodded, as Alvin laughed nervously, "You don't get a boring day with Steph around, I'll say that" he looked over at Bruno, "But you're doing ok though man?"
Bruno shrugged, "Best as I can, I suppose...sorry you're caught up in this too"
Alvin waved him off, "Eh, all part of being Steph's friend...she has to deal with our celebrity status while we put up with her...in general" he laughed a little before they both sat in silence for a while.
Alvin broke it by asking, "So...who advanced on who?"
Bruno smirked, "She did...then we drank a little more and well...then it was morning"
Alvin laughed, "You don't even remember any of it?"
Bruno shook his head, "Not really...does that count as your first time if you don't remember it?"
Alvin raised his eyebrow and nodded, "Yeah I think it does" he whistled, "Missing out then"
Bruno raised an eyebrow questioningly, "Huh?"
Alvin smirked proudly, "I scored last night too...but I can remember it all"
Bruno sat up a little and folded his arms, "Oh yeah?"
Alvin sat up and winked, "Oh yeah indeed"
The two guys laughed as Alvin cruised down the freeway.
Brittany meanwhile had been pacing the back room and nattering at Steph about all the complications she'd now caused and all the consequences of what had happened, while Steph sat there rolling her eyes, eventually flopping back on the bed, "Oh for %$# 's sake, shut up Britt!"
Brittany looked stunned as Steph sat up, "Yes, I know it was a stupid mistake and I know the sh*t I've gotten myself into but you are not helping!"
Brittany pouted and folded her arms, sitting on the bed next to Steph, "OK, look, I'm sorry" her expression softened, "But what are you gonna do?"
Steph shook her head, "I have to talk to Alex first"
Brittany leant back on her hands, "He's gonna lose it you know?"
Steph nodded, "Yeah I know" she sighed and lay back on the bed, Brittany joining her moments later, as they both stared up at the ceiling, "I mean Alex is the best...he's an amazing guy...but he deserves someone better and as equally amazing as he is...and I don't think that's me"
Brittany folded her hands on her stomach, "So you'd rather be with Bruno then?"
Steph shrugged, putting one hand behind her head, the other resting on her stomach, "Well...maybe...what do you think?" she looked over at Brittany, who looked at her, then back at the ceiling, "Well...I mean we all thought you were a little crazy falling for Alex so quickly...but maybe that's just how it happens with you?"
Steph shook her head, smiling "No I looked first at the fact Alex was hot as...that's what I wanted first, then I got to know him, and, well thankfully he turned out to be a pretty awesome guy" her smile fell away, "But I didn't see that with Bruno...instead it was reversed...I got to know him before...then I started noticing him a little more, ya know?"
Brittany shifted to her side, propping herself up on her elbow, "You are one complicated chicky Steph"
Steph looked over and gave a little smile, "Yep, that's me...you know what?"
"What?"
Steph rolled onto her side the same as Brittany, "I blame this all on my mum"
Brittany drew her head back a bit, and laughed nervously a little, "What? How?"
Steph pulled at a thread on the bedspread, "Think about it, maybe I wouldn't be so %$# ed up, you know, if I had a mum around to help me out with situations like this?"
Brittany shook her head, "Yeah I don't think so Steph...look at us girls, at the guys, we all didn't have mothers growing up, and we've turned out...fairly ok"
Steph nodded, "Yeah ok...sorry I was just looking for a scapegoat to push my troubles on to" she smiled a little and looked down at the bedspread before she remembered something, "Oh yeah"
Brittany raised her eyebrows as Steph poked her, "I heard you and Alvin got a little more than cosy last night too?"
Brittany's eyes widened and she blushed, rolling onto her back, "ALVIN!"
Alvin looked back in the rear view mirror briefly, then over at Bruno, smiling, "And now Steph's changed the subject"
Bruno laughed and settled into the seat.
Steph laughed and slapped her playfully, "So...details?"
Brittany closed her eyes, smiling, "Well...it was..." she exhaled, "It was fantastic, oh my gosh, amazing...but ow! It hurts!"
Steph laughed, "Yeah I said it would"
Brittany nodded, "Yeah but you didn't explain how much...oh man, I was like, "How much longer does he need? Get off me!""
Steph burst out laughing as Brittany giggled, continuing, "And then it was like, "oh so you're done? That's it?" and he rolled off gave me a kiss and within seconds was asleep!"
Steph clutched at her stomach from laughing, "Yeah that's generally how it is the first...second...sometimes third time"
Brittany gave her a look, "Really? I get nothing?"
Steph shrugged, "Unless you tell him what you want and how you want it"
Brittany frowned, "But I don't know all that yet"
Steph nudged her, "Washing machine?" making Brittany burst out laughing again.
When they'd calmed down again Steph asked, "So you had to fake it then?"
Brittany stretched out and nodded, "What else was I supposed to do?"
Steph smirked and shook her head, "No you did the right thing...just don't let Alvin know that"
Brittany nodded and sat up, fixing her hair, "Ok, shall we head back out then?"
Steph sat up and twirled her hair round in a loose bun before letting it fall down her back, "I guess so...sh*t then I have to talk to Alex" she groaned, "Nahhh don't want too"
Brittany gave her a supportive hug, "Just explain it honestly...if he loves you like he says he does, he'll understand"
Steph looked over at her, "Seriously?"
Brittany nodded, "Uh-huh...and hey, if you end up with Bruno, well, for Alex, better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all"
Steph raised an eyebrow at Brittany who just shook her head, "Or some sh*t like that"
The girls giggled before standing up, fixing themselves up once more and heading back into the main cab.
Alvin looked back and said nervously, "Uh, lots of laughing back there"
Steph nudged Brittany and held her fingers up, spacing them a little apart, "You said it was this big Britt?"
Brittany and Bruno lost it in laughter as Alvin almost slammed his foot on the brake, screamed out, "WHAT? That's not %$# ing true!" he looked back briefly, horror expressed on his face, "Britt?"
Brittany, still laughing shook her head and managed to get out, "She's kidding Alvie, I didn't mention anything about your...*ahem*...manhood"
Alvin turned red and gripped the wheel, driving on as everyone else continued laughing.
After stopping at a diner for lunch, Steph and the girls headed into the bathroom to freshen up before the next leg of the trip.
Now it was Steph's turn to drive, but Alvin offered to drive a second leg, so she could talk to Alex.
He also mentioned to Simon they'd be taking Bruno with them, and when Simon tried to question him, Alvin just smiled, "You're not trusting me Simon"
Simon sighed and rolled his eyes, hating the fact he was once again out of the loop of what was going on.
In the bathroom the girls were all standing around the vanity; Brittany fixing her makeup, Jeanette washing her hands and Eleanor leaning on the vanity bench looking at Steph, who was leaning on the back wall next to the hand dryer.
Eleanor finally plucked the courage and asked, "So Steph, you sure nothing happened with Bruno?"
Jeanette's head whipped up and looked at Steph in the mirror, "What? That's where you were?"
Steph nodded slowly, "Yes, I spent the night in Bruno's room" she sighed and closed her eyes, "And ok, we didn't do nothing...we did something" she opened her eyes slowly, "Bruno and I slept together after falling victim to too much drinking"
She paused, waiting for the verbal onslaught.
Brittany stood with her back to Steph, looking on in the mirror applying lip gloss as Eleanor and Jeanette took a step closer to Steph, cornering her against the wall.
"What? Steph!" Eleanor started as Steph simply gave an awkward smile.
Jeanette shook her head, "But Al-"
"Yes I know, and I'm gonna talk to him very soon" Steph started rolling her eyes and holding her hands up.
Eleanor paced the bathroom and stood with her hands on her hips, "You realise how irresponsible this is don't you?"
Steph replied sarcastically, "Yes mamma Ellie, I do"
Eleanor frowned at her as Brittany turned round and came to stand next to Steph, "Look, girls, Steph needs us now. What's done is done, and nothing can change that...but we're Steph's friends and we should be there for her no matter what"
Steph smiled at her and gave her a small hug, "Thanks"
Brittany smiled back before gathering her things at the vanity again, "But it doesn't excuse the fact that what she did was totally stupid and this is why you shouldn't drink yourself stupid, especially when alone in a room with a guy who is not your boyfriend" she smiled at Steph in the mirror as Steph's face turned red, "Dammit for a second I thought you were on my side"
Brittany turned and grinned at her, "Just saying it how I see it is all"
Eleanor and Jeanette looked at one another and then at Steph, sighing, "OK, while we're not happy with what you did, Britt's right"
Jeanette came and hugged Steph, "We're here for you no matter what"
Steph smiled as Jeanette stepped back, "Thanks girls" she sighed, "Right let's get part two moving then" and they headed back out to the guys, who were hanging near the RVs.
Alvin placed his Big Gulp into the cup holder and slapped his face a little, Alex leaning over asking, "You sure you wouldn't rather Steph drive?"
Alvin shook his head, "Nah man, I'm good to go"
Alex shrugged and went to sit down as Steph hauled him back up, "Nope, we're going back here"
He raised his eyebrows at her, smiling a little, as Steph shook her head, "I have to talk to you about something"
His face fell as he looked over at Brittany and Alvin, both of whom avoided eye contact and followed Steph into the back room.
Once the door had closed Brittany looked over at Alvin, "This is not gonna end well is it?"
Alvin shrugged, "I seriously have no idea...guess we just brace ourselves"
Alex sat cautiously on the bed and looked up at Steph, "What's going on? What's this about?"
Steph paced the room before sitting next to Alex and taking hold of his hands, making him a little more wary, "Alex...sh*t" she felt the tears building behind her eyes already, and took a deep breath in, "Ok...I'm ok...right"
Alex tilted his head, "What's going on Steph?" he asked softly.
Steph closed her eyes and braced herself, biting hard on the bullet that was about to be fired, "I slept with Bruno last night" she opened her eyes slowly and waited for the information to sink in.
It felt like time had stood still before the information seemed to register with Alex.
He threw her hands down and stood up, "WHAT? Please tell me you're %$ #ing kidding me right?"
Alvin flinched in the driver's seat, "And the bomb has hit"
Brittany bit her bottom lip and sunk into the passenger seat.
Steph lowered her head and sat with her hands in her lap, "Look, I wish I was kidding, but that's the truth of it"
Alex rubbed his face with his hands and paced around, "Well, how'd it happen?"
Steph took a breath in, "Well I went in to talk with Bruno about the kiss earlier that day and-"
"What %$# ing kiss?" Alex blasted her.
Steph cursed herself silently, and looked up at him, "Only briefly at the Wild West Saloon...during the heist scene...look it'd been on my mind to see what'd it be like, but it meant nothing then, I swear...I just wanted to see"
Alex shook his head, unsure if he wanted to hear any more, but the curiosity was starting to get to him and he asked, "Oh and so after that you thought, "Hmm, now I've kissed him, I wonder what it'd be like to %$# him?""
Steph rolled her eyes, she was starting to get defensive, "No, I went in there purely to talk, cause I knew it'd been bugging Bruno, so I wanted to straighten it all out...we talked, we had a bit to drink and we laughed and then one thing led to another, I kissed him-"
"You kissed him?" Alex asked, clearly surprised.
Steph nodded, "Yes, I kissed him..." she exhaled heavily, "And then next thing I knew it was morning and there we were in the bed and well, we just pieced it all together and..." she looked up at Alex, who simply shook his head, his eyes all glassy and watched as he turned and sat on the other side of the bed, his back to her.
She crawled over and knelt just behind him, "Alex, please say something" the tears fell down her cheeks, but she didn't bother to wipe them away.
They sat in silence for a while before Alex asked softly, the words catching in his throat, "Who do you love, him or me?"
Steph lowered her head and sniffled, "Um...well...you see"
"Just answer the damn question Steph" Alex growled, then sighed, his voice softening "Please?"
Steph played with her hair, "I can't answer that"
Alex turned to face her, his cheeks stained with the flow of tears also, "And why is that?"
Steph looked up honestly at him, "Because I love you both, for different reasons" she added quickly, "I know it's not the answer you want, or even an answer you can learn to deal with, but you have to...I love you still because you're the first real guy who's ever just been amazing to me, you've been there for me no matter what and have put up with my crazy sh*t. You've shown me what it's like to be appreciated by a guy, not just used for sex" she edged a little closer, "But I also love Bruno because he's the first real guy who's ever been able to see the real me"
Alex nodded a little as Steph sighed, "I can understand how this would be hard for you to hear, but Bruno just kinda sees me beyond what's on the outside, beyond the outer being of me...like there's just some kind of connection I can't explain...I dunno, it's just like he gets me, so to speak, or something" she reached slowly and took hold of Alex's hand, and lifting his chin, to make him look her in the eye, "But I will always, always love you"
Alex closed his eyes as another tear fell; Steph wiping it away.
"So this is it for us then?" Alex finally asked, looking her in the eyes.
Steph gave a soft smile, and stroked his face, "I wish it didn't have to be"
He held her hand to his face before bringing it round to his mouth and kissing it, "Then don't let it"
Steph felt the tears running down her cheeks, "I have to know though; will I lose a best friend out of this?"
Alex shrugged and shook his head, turning away from her, "I'll always love you too...no matter what, I'll always be there for you"
Steph smiled and hugged him from behind, "Thank you" she kissed him on the cheek as Alex turned and held her face in his hands, bringing her lips to meet his.
Without stopping it, Steph held his face too and came to sit on his lap as Alex shuffled back a little on the bed to give her more room.
She pushed him gently back onto the bed and slowly took his shirt off, running her hands over his chest.
Alex sniffled and looked up at her, "We can't do this"
Steph held her finger to his lips, "I want to end on a high note" and she leant back in to kiss him, "Please?"
Alex relaxed and nodded, letting his hands wander the curves of Steph's body, taking her all in, knowing this would probably be the last time he's ever be this close to her.
Brittany kept looking back at the door of the back room.
She looked over at Alvin, "It's been awfully quiet in there for a while now"
Alvin smirked, "Reckon they've just punched each other out?"
Brittany frowned at him and slapped his arm, "No stupid...maybe I should check on them?"
She was about to get up when Alvin grabbed her arm, "No, Britt, leave them, they'll come out when they're ready"
Brittany nodded and settled back in the seat before gasping, Alvin looking at her, "What?"
She shook her head, "They wouldn't be...you know...would they?"
Alvin laughed a little, "I've heard of make up sex...but break up sex? Does it even exist?"
Brittany shrugged, "There's no rule about it"
Alvin sniggered, "Steph writes her own rules"
Brittany nodded, "I guess when you care so much about the other person you end up writing your own set of rules" and stared out the window again.