Chapter Four
(You think you know someone. You confide in them and trust them. Maybe even begin to grow fond of them- then they break your heart and prove to you that everything bad ever said about them, was completely and utterly truthful in every aspect.). ~Bryce
I feel myself slowly starting to wake up and I sigh, wishing I could just lay in bed all day. Prying my eyes open and shielding them from the light I look down and see I'm in my loose white button up when I have no recollection ever putting it on before climbing into bed.
"What.. Happened.." I whisper looking around seeing cards, and bottles littering the floor. Did Ian throw a party or something?
My eyes widen as I look down at a naked man sleeping under me.
"Um... Ian..." I whisper softly trying to pull myself from his grip. His arm tightens around me and I huff. Really? Okay. You need to let go sir. You're not fully clothed, neither am I, and I should not be touching you.
"Hey buddy" I tap his arm.
Nothing
I poke his cheek, "Boop"
Still nothing, I sigh.
"Ian..." I say a bit more firmly.
He groans, "What..?"
"...What happened last night.."
He loosens his grip on me and I'm able to scoot out of bed.
He sighs opening his eyes and blinking a few times, "You and I had our own little party.." He says in a husky, morning tone and I smile.
"Really? Who's idea?"
"Mine of course, you're allergic to fun.." He leans up stretching.
I frown and glare at him.
He smirks, "Well good morning to you too gorgeous.."
I look around the room and grab the remote, "Yeah it's almost noon. Honey bunny.." I turn the television on and bounce up and down, "Yay! They actually have OnDemand!"
"Of course they do.. This isn't New Hampshire where the best attraction at the hotel is the filthy pool or ashtray." He stands.
I mock him and order the newest TeenWolf episode sitting back on the bed. I glance at Ian and yell, "Good god, put some freaking pants on! Or anything for that matter!"
He crosses his arms, "I don't know. I kinda like the breeze."
"Ian!" I shriek covering my eyes.
"Alright, alright, sheesh calm down mom.." He rolls his eyes finding his boxers and slipping them on.
"Thank you.. Sorry I'm not comfortable with your, junk, just hanging out and saying hello to the world..." I look over at him, "and I pray to god you don't walk around naked in front of your mom."
Ian shrugs, "The boys need to breathe sometimes Bryce"
"Whatever.. " I shake my head, "So what exactly happened last night?"
He tilts his head, "Well, you had fallen asleep. I wasn't really tired yet so I got up and grabbed a few drinks. You woke up and decided it would be cool to drink with me." He shrugs, "You drink like a trucker by the way." He says laying back on the bed, resting his head against the headboard.
"Then how did all of this happen!" I motion to all the clutter.
He rests his arms behind his head, "You thought it would be fun to play strip poker..." He smirks looking up my body, "sadly you won.."
I roll my eyes, "you are such a womanizer.." I focus on the television.
"How?" He raises an eye brow.
"Because you just always flirt and act like I'm just gonna jump into bed with you, when frankly I don't even know if I find you attractive let alone want to be with you." I cross my arms. How dare he just try to push me like he is. Acting like he's hot shit and can get what he wants with a bat of an eye lash. Well not with me he can't.
Ian leans close to me whispering, "So you're saying you feel absolutely... Nothing?" His breath is hot on the nape of my neck and I crane my head to the side, slowly losing the battle. He runs his hand up the front of my body, forcing me to press against his chest as his hand rests just below my breasts. "...Are you going to answer me?" He smirks biting my ear lobe lightly. I open my eyes wide and lean away from him.
"See?! Like that! You treat me like meat to get what you want.." I turn around to face him and lean up on my knees, "what happened to the Ian I first met? I mean I know you need to get into character and sometimes you do it without realizing it but not once since I saw you have I seen the soft, amazing Ian. The guy that went to go visit his dying number one fan when he had millions of other things he could've done. The guy that shed a tear with me when he found out i only had a few days left. Or The guy that is helping the world one small step at a time." I sigh shaking my head, "where's that guy?"
Ian stares at me for a second his brow furrowed, "I am him, the ISF is flourishing, I do try to stay connected with my fans- we just started this season though so it's a bit more difficult then in the off seasons, well be going to Comic-Con sometime within the month though. Are you upset because I'm not crying? Or being all soft?" He huffs, "news flash but I don't cry often, and I'm very.. Private. I don't show emotions that people don't need to see, and why do you need to see me like that anyway? You're fine. You're healthy and getting better each day. There's no reason for me to be that way at this moment"
"Maybe I like that side, i enjoy when you show your emotions and i don't sit here like a deer in the headlights trying to figure out what you're thinking all the time" I whisper starring deep into his eyes. Why is he so difficult! He frustrates me so much it's ridiculous, I'm running out of patience. I'm either going to walk away or slap him. Probably slap him. That sounds like the route taken by fun individuals.
I see recognition in his eyes as he shakes his head, "Did it ever occur to you that this is who I am?" his eyes squint slightly, "I don't know what you want, But whatever it is I don't think I can give it to you." He snatches the remote from me, "At least not with this stupid show playing in the background" he smirks turning off the TV.
"No!" I forget all about our previous discussion realizing now i wont know what happens to Derek, "Give it back!" I reach for the remote and he keeps it just out of reach dangling it in front of me like a fish and a lure.
"Well what do I get if I give it back?"
"Um the satisfaction of giving a girl what she wants?" I smile innocently.
His eyes had lightened to an almost white color as he leans dangerously close to me. "You want me to give a girl what she wants?"
I hold my breath, afraid if I move our faces will touch and my shell and anti-Ian barrier I've created will crack, "Yes" I whisper.
I need to move. Body! I'm commanding you to back away from the half naked man!
Our noses brush against one another and his eyes widen slightly encompassing me as he speaks, "Then tell me... What a certain girl I know", he runs his hand along my side to rest on my hip, "...would want"
My breathing is shallow as I revel in his touch and it sends tingles across every area he comes across, I bite my lower lip trying so hard to keep it together.
Oh my god why won't I move, my brain is about to go on vacation for a few hours.
"...Bryce.." He whispers " Tell me what you want..."
My elbows rest on his shoulders before I let my fingers run up the sides of his neck and into his hair, pulling it lightly, "You... " I whisper and his arms wrap around my waist pulling him flush against me. Everything in me comes alive and I feel my brain just shut off. I can't keep pushing. It's killing me every second I'm not touching him but I'm to prideful to tell him it. I can't be hurt again, especially not by him. He's one of my best friends. Something I never told Ellen or any of the other interviewers was that I did sorta keep in touch with him. Every now and again he'd email me or text me saying how nice I looked on whatever show I was on. We'd talk and we had gotten to know each other a little bit more, not much though. Him and I were so busy, we only really texted once- maybe twice a week if that. I was completely surprised when he was standing behind me on Ellen. So We'd become a bit closer over those two months, and everyday for two entire months I have thought about him in some way. I've dreamed of being right where I am so many nights.
He smirks and chuckles softly, pulling me from my thoughts "Are you sure?" He asks letting our lips brush lightly.
All I could manage was a nod before his lips crashed into mine, completely throwing me off the edge of the conscious. He leaned forward till he was on top of me and I was flat on the bed, I kissed him roughly raking my nails down his bare defined shoulder blades forcing a throaty groan from his lips.
"No fair" he said pinning my arms above my head with only one of his. The other he let run up and down the length of my body freely occasionally stoping to trace indecipherable letters, and raise goosebumps.
I conjured up enough strength to rollover so I was straddling his waist, "Ooo guess the tables have turned" I leaned down and kissed his collarbone causing him to breath heavily.
"Not for long" He runs his tongue along his lower lip, and placed his hands on my hips, grinding into me,
"Ian.. Stop teasing me.." I bite my lip and-
"Oh my god Bryce you wont believe- Oh... Sorry for interrupting.. Should I leave..? Kinda seems like a very bad and awkward time.." Alexis stands in the doorway, eyeing us and I'm thrown back into reality.
I look down at him wide eyed and Ian just smirks up at me, "Lex! Um... I swear to god it's not how it looks if it looks bad..."
Ian leans back putting his arms behind his head, "don't lie.."
I slap his arm and grab the remote, "I swear I'm not lying! He took the remote from me and Teen Wolf is on! He said he doesn't wanna watch this and I've been wrestling him for the last twenty minutes trying to get it back from him.." I pout, "he's really strong..."
Ian grins flexing his chest muscles then tares the remote from my hands again.
"So.. Let me get this straight.." Alexis lean against the door frame, "you guys decided to wrestle each other- barely clothed I might add, just to get a remote. Because you don't wanna watch a certain show.."
I nod and smile.
she shakes her head, "Wow you guys seriously need to just fuck already.."
My eyes widen and it finally dawns on me exactly how bad it looks and I roll off Him landing on the floor with a loud 'Thump', "Ow.. Thanks for catching me.."
Ian smiles leaning up, "you're most welcome.."
She sighs, "wow.. So anyways, in other non-sexually-frustrated-people news, I have a date!"
"With who?!" I shoot up from the floor, clutching the remote for dear life.
"Stiles!" She smiles and jumps up and down.
"You mean Dylan..." Ian looks over at her and I glare at him.
"Bitch I will call him Rodger fucking Rabbit if I want to.."
Ian holds his hands up in defeat and grabs me around the waist throwing me back onto the bed. I scream, scaring the shit out of the cleaning lady down the hall.
"All good! Just some girl getting raped!" Alexis wave at the cleaning lady and she nods smiling and waving back, "Holy crap, not the sharpest crayon in the tool shed is she.."
Her phone buzzes again and She squeals "Dylan's calling" she looks up at us excited, "guys he's here! I gotta go, remember to use a condom!" She rushes out the door and I yell.
"It's never going to happen Alexis!" I shake my head sighing.
"It would've if she didn't walk in" he nuzzles my neck and I giggle pushing him away.
"No. I wouldn't let it. I need to trust the person first and it takes a lot to earn my trust", I've always had those sorta issues. When Lex and I were younger our parents abandoned us. They were drug addicts and we were always the farthest thing from their mind. They'd always promise me things. Toys, play time, dinner. All empty promises though. When Alexis was born I realized I wouldn't let her go through the same thing granted she was only four and I was merely seven, we stayed strong for each other. I constantly played with her and gave her as much attention as possible, she sort of picked up my tom-boyish look and way of dressing. My short brown hair though stayed my trend, hers was long and dirty blonde. Whenever I picked on her id say she was the red-headed step child because she was the only one in the family with dirty blonde hair. Despite whatever petty arguments we got into I protected her to the best of my abilities at that age. I fed and clothed her. Wed go to school together and still have each others backs regardless of the social class there, me being some what of an outcast and she being in with the popular crowd. collage came and went by, we shared a dorm at UNH. Then everything went down hill from there. I started losing weight, and getting sick. My trust is pretty much for my sister and her alone. She's been the only person to never abandon or hurt me.
"So you don't trust me?" He glances over at me and I suddenly feel guilty.
"Don't take it personally." I shrug and he gets off the bed changing the subject, something he's good at doing.
"Hey, wanna go get food?"
I smile, "sure! Let me get dressed"
He looks down, "you're not the only one who needs to get dressed" he looks back up and I feel his eyes burning into my skin as he runs them over my body.
I shy away slightly feeling my cheeks heat up, "you'd be perfectly fine in public like that"
"So I should go naked?"
"No!"
"Okay, I'll go naked" he smiles.
I roll my eyes watching him slip on a pair of Levi's that hug his thighs and I feel myself bite my lip as I look up his body. The down right definition of beauty, looking at the chiseled muscles in his back. As he turns slightly I can make out his V-line and happy trail leading up to his abs. I feel my breathing become labored as I finally reach his eyes and he's starring right into mine. A burning fire of pure passion dancing beneath his foggy gray orbs. I'm so mesmerized by them I don't noticed them getting larger as he walks closer to me. He picks me up and slams me against the wall, my legs wrapping around his hips as he grids into me. His lips find mine in the cloudy haze of hunger and lust and I run my fingers through his hair. He places his hands on either sides of me, completely pressing his body against me. A soft moan escapes my lips when I feel the bulge in his pants press firmly against me.
"Ian..-"
"Shh... " he shushes me and kisses down to the nape of my neck.
"...Ian I can't-"
He nips at my neck leaving a fresh pink hickey and I moan pulling him closer. Wanting others to know I'm his, No- needing him to brand and claim me. He leans back just enough to unbutton his jeans, keeping me pinned between him and the wall.
Someone knocks on the door and he groans, "What?!"
"House keeping!" The Spanish lady says cheerfully and Ian sighs letting me down. I clear my throat running a hand through my hair to try and compose my thoughts.
"Um. One second!" I yell slipping on jeans and a blue Tshirt, "okay come in!"
Ian slips on a black tank top and glances at me re-buttoning his jeans. I break from his gaze knowing if it something like that happens again I won't be able to stop it.
"Ready..?" He walks towards the door grabbing his keys and I follow.
"Yes sir, ill meet you in the lobby, just gonna fix my hair really fast."
"You should leave it, sex hair looks good on you" he winks walking out of the room.
I roll my eyes and walk into the bathroom freshening up; Then grab my phone and jog to the elevator. While I'm walking out of the elevator I stop and glance around the corner hearing Ian's voice.
"Nina-"
I hear her name and immediately walk around the corner, only to find Nina in Ian's arms as they kiss. I clench my teeth to keep from frowning and showing just how upset I am, but of course my eyes have other plans as a stray tear runs down my cheek.
"Thank you.. You proved me right.."
Ian pulled away from her and looked back at me, "Bryce it's not-"
"Save the speech." I say walking back to the elevator. I make it to my hotel room before Ian and I lock the door just as he knocks.
"Bryce? Bryce please let me explain" he leans his head against the door.
I sniffle and wipe my eyes, "just leave. Im done listening to you explain. You're exactly like all the other guys out there. To think I cared about someone who can just kiss anyone with not a care in the world"
Ian sighs, "it wasn't how it-"
"Oh it wasn't how it looked? Because it sure looked like you kissing Nina. After everything I told you! Everything we've done!"
Ian closes his eyes, "please just let me in"
"No. I think you Should leave" I pull my phone out and start looking through my contacts before I finally settle on someone to text.
'Please come save me -Bryce'
I click send as Ian sighs, "I'm gonna be late for filming. Just... Come by later and we can talk." He nods and leaves leaving me alone to cry.
My phone buzzes and I look down.
'On my way love .xo'
I close my phone and curl up on the floor till I hear a knock at the door, "just go away Ian!"
"It's your knight in shinning armor."
I get up and unlock the door, the second Joseph steps into the room he wraps his arms around me and I break down.
"Shh... What happened lovely?" He ran his hand up and down my back doing his best to soothe me.
"Ian... Nina... Kissed" I manage to choke out between sobs and he pulls my head back to face him.
"How could he?" Joseph wiped my tears away and sighed, "I'm so sorry. You deserve better"
I just look at the ground, "I didn't expect him to do that.. After everything, I thought he really cared"
He pulled me against him again, "I don't know love... I don't have any answers for you... I'm truly sorry" he frowns slightly and i grip his shirt.
All I can think about is the time I cried on Ian and he held me for god knows how long. How I wished I didn't just see what happened down stairs and him and I were out getting lunch right now.
"Wanna know what's better than being sad though?" Joseph says forcing me into reality.
"What..."
"Revenge" he smirks
"Joseph, I could never-"
"Hold on love I wasn't saying go kissin people, I meant more along the lines of ignore him and get a cat. Give it all your attention and hell be pissed"
I smile and feel a bubbly giggle build inside my belly
"Ah, there's that gorgeous smile.." He grins and I laugh.
"Come on.. Lets go get some food in you sweetheart."
I nod , "okay.." Smiling I take his hand as he leads me downstairs to his car. He decides to take me to Burger King. Which I'm certainly not complaining because I could die for a greasy burger right now.
"I'm sorry that we haven't hung out"
"You've been here all of three days, it's alright love. Well have plenty of time together" he smiles and as always it infects me, making me smile as well.
"I can't wait" I say piping a fry into my mouth.
His phone goes off and he sighs reading a text, "I'm sorry, I've got to go to the set incase they need me"
"Oh right, you have to work today" I frown slightly and he puts his hand on my knee.
"Want me to bring you back to your hotel or would you like to accompany me to the studio?"
I grin, "I would love to go with you."
"Splendid!" He rolls up his wrapper and tosses it into the trash. "Shall we?"
"We shall, kind sir" I bow and we link arms. As soon as we reach the set my stomach starts doing flips. Ian is working. I wasn't thinking about it before and now I'm in the same area as him when just two hours ago I watched him make out with his co-star. Who will be here as well. Wonderful.
"Joseph?"
"Yes love?"
"Please don't leave me alone" we step out of the car and he walks around to me, linking my arm with his.
"I wouldn't dream of it" he smiles and we walk into the big building.
Immediately I hear yelling and crashing and then more yelling and I look up at him.
"They're probably filming a fight scene" he smirks.
We walk through another set of double doors and I finally see everyone. Ian and Paul are on the set yelling, that is until Ian notices me and then who I'm with and he stares daggers at me. Joseph leads me to a bench and we sit watching them work, Ian occasionally glancing over at me and meeting my eyes, the same fire still burning behind them. Except now it's not lust, it's jealousy. I grip his arm tighter slightly leaning against him. Needing his strength to get me through the remainder of the day with all of Ian's glares, which if Joseph has noticed he certainly doesn't give a damn.
I can't believe with everything that's happened today I'm not broken and crying my eyes out right now. It's almost like I'm okay. I think it's because I was already preparing myself for this and to be hurt by him in some way. Either that or my body is just waiting for me to be alone to let the flood gates open. Who knows, somehow I could be crazy enough that its Both of them. I'm okay but I'm gonna cry my eyes out anyways. Yep.
"You alright?" Joseph looks down at me.
"Oh.. Yeah.. Just thinking" I force a smile and notice Ian nowhere in sight. Hah. Probably off with Nina. I'm sure hell make quick work of that. The day drags on and before I know it I'm yawning trying to look at the clock. 11:57pm, holy cow I've been here way too long. How do these guys manage these hours? How long do they sleep between shifts, two freaking hours?
"Sounds like you need to sleep" Joseph looks up at me from my lap. Yeah, he got pretty tired and decided to lay down with his head in my lap. Which on my made Ian stare at me even more.
"I think you're right" I say fighting another yawn.
He leans up and stands, "come, I'll see you to bed"
I smile and lean against him as he leads me to the door.
"So that's how things are now?!" Ian storms up behind me, "You get rid of one and you're right on to the next" he glares at me.
"Excuse me? Sorry but I'm not the one who made out with my costar in the lobby" I glare back at him stepping closer.
Ian steps forward closing the gap between us, "no, you're just the girl who doesn't know what she wants so she takes everyone for a ride" his eyes widen slightly emphasizing his words.
Joseph pulls me towards him, "easy mate, you're getting a little touchy"
"No but I'm sure shell get touchy with you soon." He spits out in disgust.
I feel tears forming in my eyes and Ian clenches his jaw. Turning I storm out the door to Joseph's car.
"Ridiculous..." Joseph says leaving Ian alone as he follows me out to his car engulfing me in a hug. "You're alright love" he says running a hand through my hair.
"Please take me home" I say in a muffled tone against his shirt and he immediately opens my door for me to sit down. He jogs to his door and turns his car on. As we pull away I notice Ian watching from the doorway and I close my eyes. Next thing I know I'm in my bed beside Joseph.
"What happened?"
"You fell asleep in the car" he looks over at me, "I carried you to your room and laid you down"
I look around me and relax a little, "thank you..."
"Don't mention it." He smiles getting up off the bed.
I lean up, "where are you going?!"
"Home"
"Oh.." I look down, "will you stay the night?" I look back up at him, tilting my head. "Please?"
Joseph looks at the door then back at me and grins, "alright, sure"
I smile softly, "cool"
"Cool" he chuckles walking back over to the bed and taking his shirt off. He tosses his shirt onto the chair and my door flies open.
"Oh my god Bryce! You won't believe what happened to me today... Uh.. Everything alright in here?" Alexis lets my door slam closed behind her.
"Yeah.. Just chillin..." I say smiling.
Joseph nods to her, "Ello Love.. Heard you went on a date today. How'd it go?"
"Fine.. Bryce could I talk to you for a second please?.. Like right now.." She glares at me and I gets
up.
"Yeah, sure." I walk over to her and She leans closer to me.
"What the hell is Klaus doing shirtless in your hotel room?"
"I called him.."
"But why? Where's Ian?"
"...out... Probably with Nina..." I roll my eyes and She pinches the bridge of her nose.
"Oh god, what happened while I was gone..."
I sigh shaking my head, "too much to explain. Long story short I found him kissing Nina out in the lobby."
She gasps, "WHAT?!"
I nod, "We were gonna go out for lunch after our remote fight and I guess she had to stop by to drop something off and next thing I know they're kissing... I stormed off and locked the door so he couldn't get in. I don't really wanna see him at the moment.. I told you they were all the same..."
"So if that's what went down, why's hybrid boy here?"
"Well.. A girl has needs.. And thankfully there are some men than like to meet them.." I smile and look back at Joseph who waves to me.
"Everything alright?"
"Yeah, one sec!"
He nods and walks over to the mini fridge pulling out a beer.
"But anyways. Don't worry about it. I told you I don't care about Ian in that way anymore.."
She rolls her eyes, "Bryce you're talking out your ass.. But I'm not gonna argue with you.. Don't you have the first day of filming tomorrow?"
"Nope that was tonight.."
"Shit and I missed it? Ill just go with you tomorrow" she shrugs, "good luck with the Ian situation"
"Thanks, I'm gonna need it. Hopefully I won't find myself alone with him.."
"We both know that's extremely unlikely.."
I shrug and She smiles, "in other news... I kissed Dylan!"
I squeal, "oh my god really?! How was it? What happened?"
"Well we kinda just hung out all day and then we went to dinner and he was so sweet and shy and he loved listening to me just go on and on about absolutely nothing.. And then he walked me upstairs and said goodnight and I kissed him!"
I smile, "I'm so happy for you! You guys are gonna be such a cute couple.."
She giggles and jumps up and down, "I can't wait to see him again.."
Joseph walks up behind Me and wraps his arms around my waist, leaning his head on my shoulder. I try to hide the surprise in my face. "I'm gonna have to steal her back from you now mate, it's way past her bedtime.."
She grins and nods, "alright. Ill probably meet up with you sometime in the afternoon. I think we're having dinner with the cast tomorrow according to Dylan.."
"Okay.. Goodnight" I smile and lock the door after She leaves.
"What was that all about?" I turn to look at a dumbfounded Joseph.
"What..."
"That"
"What?" He raises an eye brow.
"That little stunt you pulled with your head on my shoulder" I make my way back to my bed laying down.
"That was just me trying to get her to go away cause you need your rest. You've had an eventful day" he follows and lays beside me.
"Oh.." I turn On my side so I can look at him, "thank you.. For saving me today"
He smiles softly, "I'll save you any day, Bryce." He says in his thick British accent and I feel my stomach flip. Nothing like what Ian does. Ian doesn't flip my stomach, he flips my world. I sigh and close my eyes, hoping ill have good dreams but knowing ill have nightmares.
"Goodnight"
"Goodnight love" he entwines our fingers as I fall asleep.