Caroline was happy to be headed home after the show because all she could think about was putting her feet up. She was hungry and thought it would be easier to just grab some food and a bottle of wine on her way home, hoping Tyler hadn't eaten yet.
The cab ride home was faster than most nights. She was happy that traffic was light because the smell of. Chinese food was making her stomach grumble. Caroline fumbled with her purse as she tried to put her key in the lock, sighing in relief when the door finally opened
Caroline walked into her apartment, placing the food on the kitchen counter. She tossed her coat and purse on the couch. Caroline opened the cupboard, taking down two wine glasses. She put them on the table and started to uncork the bottle of merlot.
She poured the wine, bringing her glass to her nose. She smiled as the bittersweet smell filled her nostrils. She took a small sip before picking up the other glass and scurrying down the hallway to Tyler's office. She smiled at the light sound of music lingering in the hallway, Tyler liked listening to a playlist of his favorite songs while he worked.
Caroline chuckled when she heard the lyrics of a Ramones song coming through the office door, she opened the door, and felt as if she was hit in the stomach. The catchy music faded and were replaced with the sound of breaking glass as the wine glasses fell from her hand, her body freezing at the sight of her friend Amanda riding Tyler on top of his desk.
"Oh my god Caroline," Tyler said in shock before throwing Amanda off him and pulling up his boxers. "I can explain," he said, holding out his hands. He started to walk toward Caroline while Amanda slipped on her dress.
Caroline was frozen, she didn't know what to do but stand there as her eyes shifted between the two. Her fists were clenched so tight her knuckles were white. "Explain…he can explain?" she mumbled to herself, her breath coming in quick pants.
"Caroline please," Tyler said, reaching for her hands, but was met with a fist to his face.
"DON'T TOUCH ME," Caroline yelled, shoving him out of the way as she walked passed him and threw her fist at Amanda, the girl hit the floor holding her cheek.
"You can have him," she spat, turning to look at Tyler, shaking her head trying to fight the tears that threatened to come out. She let out an exhausted sigh and stormed out almost slipping from the wine and glass.
"CAROLINE PLEASE WAIT," Tyler yelled, struggling to put on the rest of his clothes and by the time he was done she was gone.
Caroline ran out of the apartment building and didn't stop until her lungs burned, her eyes were hurting from the tears and her breathing was hard. She finally slowed downed, and she felt like she was going to collapse.
She stopped to catch her breath, her hand supporting her side. She shook her head, trying to get the image of Tyler and Amanda out of her heard. She screamed in frustration, her hands going to her hair. She looked around to see where she ended up.
Caroline took a deep breath and ran her hands along her jean pockets, sighing in relief when she felt her phone. She dialed the person she felt would be the most understanding.
"Hey Care what's up," Elena chimed through the phone.
"Lena I need you," Caroline chocked out, her hand wiping the tears from her eyes.
"What's going on, where are you, should I call Tyler," Elena said in panic. She quickly got up from her couch and started looking for her shoes and coat.
"Tyler…" Caroline whispered
"Tyler…Tyler what, Care you're scaring me what's going on?" Elena said, walking out of her apartment.
Caroline took in a deep breath and choked out, "I caught Tyler fucking Amanda."
"What!" Elena shouted, stopping in her tracks. She felt a rage build in her as she hit the elevator button. "You can't be serious Care."
Caroline shook her head, sobbing a little, "Come get me please I'm in the park a few blocks from my apartment." Caroline walked toward a bench and let herself fall into it as tears strung her eyes. "Please."
"I will be there in a few minutes sweetie," Elena said, pulling her car keys from her purse. She clicked it to unlock her lexis.
Caroline nodded and hung up her phone. She set it down on the bench and let her head drop between her knees. She started to take deep breaths in an effort to calm down. Caroline's body felt numb, and her eyes were heavy.
She sat with her head between her knees for what felt like hours, but jumped when her phone rang. She lifted her head and answered it.
"Lena…" Caroline whispered.
"Caroline, its Tyler. Babe, please talk to me. I am so sorry you have to believe me. I am such a fucken idiot. Please Care you mean the world to me, where are you I want to talk," Tyler said, as he walked further form their apartment. His lip was cut and swollen from where Caroline hit him, and it was starting to sting. He was walking toward the park.
Caroline just sat there with the phone pushed against her ear.
"Babe please," Tyler said, sighing.
"I will never be your babe again Tyler," Caroline said, in a voice so low that she was barely able to hear herself. "Never," she growled, hanging up and letting her head drop back between her knees.
"Care," Caroline heard, and squinted through her hair to see Elena kneeling down in front of her. "Elena," she said softly.
Elena picked her up and hugged her. She stayed that way until Caroline was ready. Caroline sobbed into Elena's shoulder, clinging to her. Caroline wasn't strong enough to hold back anymore, and as soon as Elena grabbed her she broke.
"Shhh…its ok Care, you'll be ok" Elena said softly, running her hands up and down her back. "You'll get through this."
Caroline squeezed Elena one more time and broke away. She wiped at the tears on her face, and took a deep breath.
"Come on sweetie," Elena said, smiling at her. "I'm parked on the side of the street because I think this called for me to break the law."
Caroline laughed and leaned into Elena as she wrapped her arm around her. By the time they got to the edge of the park Caroline saw that Elena's car was practically on the curb. She wanted to laugh, but stopped when she saw Tyler leaning against it.
"Care what is it," Elena said, confused. Elena followed her gaze and saw Tyler leaning against her car.
"Oh hell no, Tyler you better get the fuck off my car. You have done enough," Elena said, growling as she let Caroline go and stomped toward him.
"Caroline please I need to talk to you," Tyler said, ignoring Elena and walked toward her.
Elena stepped in front of him and put her hands out to stop him. "Back off," she warned. "If she wants to talk she will talk to you, but right now you leave before this gets ugly."
Caroline put her hand on Elena's shoulder pulling her back, "Lena its ok, wait in the car this won't be long."
"Care you don't need to talk to him," Elena said, crossing her arms.
"This won't be long Elena, its ok," Caroline said with a small smile.
Elena sighed and held up her hand, "Five minutes," she said. "That's all I am giving you before I bring my car all the way on the sidewalk."
Caroline let out a small laugh and nodded. That is exactly why she loved Elena, because she knew she would do it. "Ok."
"Alright," Elena said, turning on her heels and bumping her shoulder into Tyler as she walked to her car. "Oh and Tyler I hope your dick falls off, prick."
Caroline smiled and looked down at her feet.
"Elena always a pleasure," Tyler retorted and took a step closer to Caroline.
"That's close enough Tyler," she said, holding up her hand to stop him. When he didn't move again she wrapped her arms around herself.
"Care I am so sorry," Tyler said, his eyes pleading. When she didn't responds he started to get nervous. "I don't know what I was thinking. Amanda means nothing to me. It just happened, and I'm sorry that it did. You have to believe me when I say I didn't mean to hurt you, I love you Caroline."
Caroline took in a deep breath, standing up straight. She looked at Tyler, noticing his swollen lip and red eyes. She crossed her arms, "How long?"
"What?" He said, his brows furrowing.
Caroline narrowed his eyes at him. "How long have you been fucking Amanda in our apartment?" she said through gritted teeth.
"Care it's—"
"HOW LONG!" she shouted, cutting him off.
Tyler's head fell, and he mumbled, "Three months."
Caroline shook her head, clenching her fists. She looked at him, and saw the hurt in his eyes, but she didn't care. "Are you done?" she said, sucking in a breath.
"How can I make this up to you? How can I fix this? I don't want to lose you," Tyler asked pleading, before bringing his hand up to Caroline chin so she could look at him.
Caroline stared at Tyler, looking him over. His lip was cut on the right side and a bruise was forming at the corner of his mouth, but that was minimal to how she felt right now. Caroline felt empty, and cold.
Caroline shook off Tyler's hand and stared at him, coldly. "Goodbye Tyler," she said and walked passed him. She sighed when he grabbed her arm
"Caroline please don't go," Tyler said, his voice small.
"Let go Tyler," Caroline said bitterly. "You mean nothing to me and whatever you have to say means nothing," she spat, her statement cold and void as she pulled her arm from his grasp and walked to Elena's car.
Tyler stood in place, watching them drive away. He sighed, running his hands through his hair. He shook her head, realizing he just threw away the only women he truly cared about.
Caroline wiped away the tear from her eye, and took a drink of her wine.
"Well that's the whole story," she said, shrugging. "It's been two weeks since I've seen him, but that's not without his lack of trying."
Klaus shook his head. "Tyler is a twat," he said angrily. "If he can't see how amazing you are, then he is a fool," Klaus said, slamming the rest of his drink because he felt tension growing in his muscles, and he wanted nothing more than to hurt the guy. He looked down at Caroline and smiled.
"He lost someone special." Klaus said softly, his eyes locked with Caroline's and that earned a smile.
"Thank you Klaus," she said, smiling at him. This is the best she's felt in two weeks, and it was nice because she felt a weight lift off her shoulders.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen," the waitress said, sighing as she started to place drinks on the table. "Sorry this took so long but here are your shots of tequila and sliced lemon." After the drinks were set, she started to clean up the plates.
"That's what I am talking about," Damon said, clapping his hands together. He smiled at the waitress before she walked off.
"It's time to drink up everyone," he said with a chuckled and placed shots in front of everyone.
"I am going to go to the ladies room," Caroline said, putting her napkin on the table. She stood up, "I'll be right back."
"I'll go with you Care," Elena said, smiling.
"Hurry up with your lady business we have shots to take," Damon said, shaking his hand at them.
Elena chuckled, and looped her arm with Caroline's as they walked to the bathroom. "So are you having fun sweetie," she asked, holding open the bathroom door for Caroline.
"Actually I am," Caroline said with a smile before walking to the stall. Thank you for this Elena."
"Don't even worry about it, you know I love you," Elena said from the stall next door. "Now spill, what were you and Klaus getting close about."
Caroline laughed, shaking her head. She finished her business and walked up to the sink. She started to wash her hands, "I don't know what you mean we're just talking. It feels good just to talk."
"He likes you, you know, I can see it by the way he looks at you," Elena said, walking out of her stall. She smiled at Caroline and started washing her hands. "I am not saying you start dating him or start a relationship, but maybe give him a chance. I think you two would be good friends," she said with a shrug.
Caroline smiled, but didn't know how to respond to that. She always had guy friends, but she was never really attracted to them. "Friends, I would like that." Caroline said, grabbing a towel to dry her hands. She then checked herself in the mirror. "Are you planning on being friends with Damon," Caroline smirked at Elena in the mirror.
"Oh yes good friends," Elena said with a chuckled. "I will even have sleep overs and maybe play doctor" Elena said, tossing the towel in the waste basket. She smirked at Caroline and started to fix her makeup.
"My god, please not at your apartment," Caroline said laughing as she put her lipstick back in her purse. "I am still held up on your couch, be nice."
Elena laughed, shaking her head. She sighed and looked at Caroline, "I think it's time you get your apartment back."
Caroline looked down at the sink, nodding. "I know Tyler said he has only a few things left, so just one more weekend," she said, looking back at Elena with a small smile.
"And we will redecorate that apartment like no tomorrow," Elena said with a big smiled. She grabbed Caroline's hands, "I was thinking new colors, bed, furniture, the works. Out with the old and in with the new you, the real you."
Elena squeezed Caroline's hands, "Now come on I have a hot guy practically eating out of the palm of my hand waiting for me, and your friend is waiting to."
Caroline chuckled and looped her arm with Elena. They walked out of the ladies room and back to their table. Klaus and Damon stopped talking as they took their seat.
"So what were you two talking about while we were gone?" Elena asked pickup up her glass of wine.
"Oh just the company we're keeping for dinner," Damon smiled, glancing at Klaus. "Alright let's take these shots and order ourselves some dessert."
Damon gave each of them a lemon before licking his hand and putting salt on it. "Ok I am assuming everyone knows how to take tequila shots," Damon smirked, looking at Caroline.
She rolled her eyes and snatched the salt away from him, "keep watching Damon maybe you'll learn a thing or two." She smirked, salting her hand.
"There's the spirit," Damon smiled, he looked at Klaus. "Alright Klaus salt it up man."
Klaus took the salt from Caroline and smiled as he grazed his fingers across hers. Caroline felt tingles from Klaus's little touch. When she looked him, she smiled seeing him lick his hand. She chuckled because he seemed embarrassed by licking his hand.
"Hand it over Klaus," Elena demanded with a smile. She leaned across the table with her palm open. She faced Damon and licked her hand slowly, grinning as she placed salt on it.
Caroline laughed, "Close your mouth Damon."
Damon shook his head and smirked. Reaching for his shot he raised it up, "to Caroline may you remember this night fondly, and hopefully realize that I am much better looking than Klaus."
Caroline laughed and looked up at Klaus smiling. Klaus raised an eyebrow at her with a dimpled smirk. She smiled and shook her head "no" reassuring him that Damon had nothing on him.
"Hey hey I am still giving the toast you two can make goo goo eyes at each other later," Damon said, shaking his hand at them. "Ahem where was I…oh yes I am much better looking than Klaus, and hopefully that will drown out any problems," Damon said with a smile and lifted up his glass. "Cheers!"
The clinking of four shot glasses hitting their dinner table was enough to make Caroline grin ear to ear as each of them sucked on their lemons. The night ended up being so much fun, and she felt like it's been ages since she was genuinely happy. Caroline closed her eyes when her head started spinning without realizing it she gripped on to Klaus's knee to balance herself.
"Are you ok sweetheart," Klaus asked, placing a hand on her back.
"Yeah, sorry just got a little light headed," Caroline chuckled, opening her eyes. She looked down and saw her hand still on Klaus's knee. "Um sorry," she said, pulling it back.
Klaus chuckled, smiling at the blush staining her cheeks when she pulled her hand away. "No harm done, now are you sure you're alright?"
"Yeah, but I think I need to slow down. All this alcohol is catching up with me," She laughed, leaning back on her chair.
"Hey hey hey I heard that, we still have one shot left missy, and you can't back out on me now," Damon said, placing the last round in front of them. "Unless you want to admit that Elena and I can definitely outdrink you and Klaus."
"Damon quit being a dick, if she says she's done then she's done," Klaus retorted, moving the shot away from Caroline.
Caroline laughed knowing Klaus meant the best, but even though she needed to stop didn't mean she wanted to. "You know what," Caroline said, smirking, she grabbed the shot. Not wanting to give Damon the satisfaction of victory, she held it up. "I will not let you win Damon," she said, re-salting her hand.
Klaus smirked, picking up the salt. "Alright then let's do this," he said, handing the salt to Elena.
"I am right there with you Caroline, we need to stop drinking soon," Elena laughed, salting her hand.
"Oh come on ladies you can't seriously be that much of a light weight," Damon laughed, lifting up his shot glass with his salted hand. "This is nothing," Damon said, and clinked his glass against Caroline's. "Cheers."
Caroline smiled and tossed the shot back. She sucked in a breath, giggling as she tossed her lemon on the table. "Ok we're even, but I need to slow down if I intend on remembering tonight."
Caroline leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes to stop her head from spinning. She might have been wrong on how much alcohol she could handle because she was feeling wobbly.
"So it's only after ten, what else should we do tonight" Elena asked, leaning on the table.
"I don't know we only had the intention of eating dinner, but then again we didn't except to have such lovely company," Klaus said with smiled, looking at Caroline. He was a little worried about Caroline because she had quite a bit more to drink then everyone else. "Are you up to doing anything Caroline?"
Caroline popped her eyes opened and giggled because her stomach twisted from the sudden movement. She looked at Klaus, and then Elena. "I am up for anything, in fact I think we should go dancing. Envy is only a few blocks as away."
"Ahh that sounds like a great idea," Elena said grinning. She looked at Damon and Klaus, "Are you up to spinning us around on the dance floor?"
Damon laughed, "I'm pretty sure you just want to be up against my body Elena."
"I actually wanted to be up against Klaus'," Elena laughed as Damon's smirk disappeared. She shook her head, nudging at his side, "Oh come on you guys it will be fun."
Klaus laughed, "Fine let's go dancing."
Caroline and Elena cheered in victory as they stood up. Caroline locked eyes with Klaus mouthed thank you. He smiled, standing up to slid on his jacket.
Damon walks out from the side of the table, pulling his jacket on. He looked at Klaus, "Klaus lets go pay the bill and let these ladies wait by the door."
"Sure," Klaus said, putting his hand on the small of Caroline's back as he guided her away from the table. "This will only take a minute."
"It's fine," Caroline said, waving her hand in the air. She looked at him, "You really should let me pay for me and Elena's meal Klaus. I mean it was my invitation," she said, reaching for her wallet.
"Don't be silly Caroline," Klaus said, leaning closer to her ear. "I will buy you dinner anytime."
Caroline smiled as a chill go down her spine when she felt his warm breath against her ear. She couldn't help but chuckled at the tingle, she looked up at Klaus, "Thanks." She kissed him on the cheek, and walked with Elena to the door.
Damon walked up to Klaus and patted him on the shoulder, "So killer I am assuming we will discuss business when we have less pleasurable company because you know boss man doesn't like a sloppy job"
Klaus shrugged off Damon's hand, looking at him. "I am aware Damon," Klaus said stiffly, he pulled out his wallet and handed his credit card to the cashier. "We will meet tomorrow and go over the details of the upcoming job. Right now I intend on enjoying the rest of my evening."
Damon nodded, pulling out his wallet. "Yes, Caroline seems to be getting over her heartbreak rather nicely," Damon smirked, handing his card to the cashier. "You sure know how to mend a broken heart."
"Will you be splitting the bill gentlemen," the small brunette asked holding up both their cards.
Klaus narrowed his eyes at Damon. "Actually, Damon said he was going to cover the whole thing," Klaus said, grabbing his card. "Thanks mate," he smirked, patting him on the shoulder and walking off.
"Dick" Damon scowled as Klaus walk backed to the girls.
Klaus walks up to a giggling Caroline and Elena, "what's going on here?" he asked with a smiled, stopping next to Caroline.
"Oh nothing just girl talk," Elena said sweetly, winking at Caroline.
Caroline chuckled shaking her head. She looked at Klaus, "are you guys ready to go?"
"Yes we are, I am more than ready to shake this booty with this lovely lady's help," Damon said with a smile, as he wrapped his arm around Elena.
"Well, let's get moving," Elena said, leaning into him as they walked toward the door.
Klaus smiled at Caroline as his hand landed on the small of her back. She looked up at him and smiled as they walked into the streets of San Francisco.