Chapter Ten

( I'm scared of commitment. I'm not good with all of that shit. But I'm good with my family. Why don't I start there? ). ~Dylan

"Baby?" I whisper softly running my fingers lightly down her arm.

"Mm..." She keeps her eyes closed and I hold back a laugh. Since I've been sleeping over every night I've gotten use to waking her in the morning. When her eyes stay closed she has no intention of waking up but at least she made a noise this time. She typically lays there like a lump for a good half hour before I have to yell an shake her. There are typically three stages of trying to wake her. Softly- like I just tried a few times. Slightly urgent, which I'm about to do. And zombie apocalypse. Today is an important day so I'm just gonna skip urgent and go straight to zombie apocalypse.

"Alexis! Get up! They're everywhere! They're breaking down the door- oh my god they've got me!" I scream and yell clawing at the bed sheets and she screams rolling out of bed and grabbing a lamp.

"I will fuck all of you undead creatures up- ...really Dyl..." She glares at me sighing, "why can't you wake me like a normal person?"

"I try but you don't respond like a normal person, ya boob" I grin poring myself a cup of coffee.

"It's your day off anyways why are we awake at 10am.. That's practically night time..." She rubs her eyes and I smile softly.

"Because there's someplace we're going today. It's very important"

"Oh yeah? Where..." She says putting on a shirt and walking over to me kissing my cheek.

"...My parents house" I hold my breath as she stares at me, "my parents are having a cookout and I thought it would be cool if you met the family and stuff" I shrug taking another big gulp of coffee.

"I know nothing about your family" she says walking over to her suitcase, "and I have nothing presentable to wear"

"First of all that's why you're going to the cookout, and second you have tons of clothes in those suitcases- I'm almost positive there is something nice you can wear." I smirk at her and she sighs. I can see she's nervous and I walk over to her wrapping my arms around her waist.

"Relax baby.. It's not that big a deal, my family is pretty cool honestly."

"It's not that, I'm just not good with parents" she buries her face in my neck and I run my fingers through her hair.

"You'll be fine, I promise. And if you're not ill just punish you later for being bad" I grin and she smiles back.

"I like that sound of that."

"So you'll go?"

She sighs, "only for you"

"Yes!" I smile and spin her around, "we need to leave in about an hour to get there in time, is that alright? Or do you need more time?"

"That's perfect, I need to shower!" She says running to the bathroom and stepping into the shower, not even bothering to close the door behind her. I just shake my head and wonder how I could get so lucky. Glancing at my phone I notice a couple texts.

'Charity Masquerade Ball Tomorrow at 5pm EST. Hope to see you there! -Ian '

What a loser sending out mass texts.

'Hey honey bug, reminding you that grandma is coming down tonight so I need you to pick up some prune juice on the way here. thank you sweety! See you soon.

-Mom'

Wow that makes me feel manly. Ian reminding me like a little bitch and my mom telling me to pick up prune juice. I'm so whipped.

"Hey baby ill be right back okay? Gotta run to the store!" I say grabbing my keys and heading for the door.

"Alrighty! Ill be ready soon!" She hollers and I leave the room locking the door behind me. I guess Alexis has been seeing some girl an awful lot lately and it's starting to put her on edge. She told me Bryce is having the same problem, but they kinda need to understand that sorta thing comes with the territory. I mean, it'll eventually die down but for now they're gonna be kinda watched. Especially by paparazzi since they're around Ian and I so much. I'm surprised there haven't been accusations or people saying were dating and stuff. I mean we are, but it's just odd not seeing it in the paper. Then again I haven't read the paper lately, I've been sorta preoccupied with a certain someone wanting all of my attention.

I grin thinking about Alexis, as I'm walking into the gas station grabbing a bottle of juice. She definitely sucks most of my time up. Between her and work I'm surprised I even sleep anymore.

"2.49$ please"

I nod to the guy and toss him a five walking back out to my truck, "Keep the change" I yell back waving. I try not to be selfish and give when I can. Ian's more of the giver though. Than man has helped every charity under then sun. He couldn't find any other charities to help so he created his own. The Ian Somerhalder Foundation. That man is a saint in human form.

I finally get back into the hotel room and Alexis is out of the bathroom.

"Hey baby, where'd you go?" She asks slipping on a light blue dress that cuts off at her knees. She looks absolutely beautiful.

"Had to grab grams some juice. Guess mom forgot again" I shrug and Alexis smiles walking over to me.

"You're so sweet. Keep up this niceness and you may get a treat later" she taps my nose turning away to slip her sandals on. Did I mention she was a handful?

"Snap it up turtle we gotta get going" I smile and she shoves me lightly.

"Be good, you"

"Aye easy on the muscles, they're sensitive" I rub my arm.

"Honey if your muscles are sensitive they're not muscles"

We walk out the door and I close it behind me, "wait... What do you mean"

He laughs linking arms with me walking to the elevator, "nothing boo, nevermind" she taps my arm and I just sigh shaking my head.

"Such a smart ass. You and your sister deserve an award"

"Her? Psh. I taught her everything she knows."

"Nice to know you're president of the club"

She nods her head as we walk out to my truck, "not president, I like to think of myself more as a dictator because its my way or people start dropping like flies" she grins and I open her door for her.

"Yes my queen" I roll my eyes and she bows before climbing in laughing. We drive a solid forty-five minutes before we finally park outside my parents house. She fidgeted with her dress the whole way here so I could only imagine how nervous she is now that were actually here. We step out of the car.

"Ready?" I look at her and hold out my hand.

"As ready as ill ever be" she smiles and takes my hand. We walk up to the door and I walk inside. The first to run up and greet me is my older sister Julia.

"Hey little brother!" She hugs me and I smile.

"I'm not that much younger than you Julia.."

"Still younger though!" She laughs and looks at Alexis, "who's the girl?"

"Julia this is Alexis, my.. Girlfriend" I take a huge leap and look at Alexis for approval. At first she looks as though she's going to correct me but she smiles and hugs Julia.

"Hello I'm Alexis, it's wonderful to meet you"

"Likewise! Welcome to the family" she grins guiding her towards the rest of the family. Oh lord she's gonna kill me when we get home.

My mom walks over to me and hugs me tightly kissing my cheek and taking the juice.

"Hey mom"

"Hello puddin! How have you been?"

"Good, working a lot" I shrug slightly and my dad walks around the corner pulling me into a hug.

"Who's the stunner you brought with you? She's certainly winning grandpa over" he laughs and I close my eyes shaking my head. My family can be terrible.

"Her names Alexis Folk. She's my girlfriend" I nod and watch Alexis do her thing. All smiles an laughs even when I can tell she's scared shitless.

"Hey dad I'm gonna go see her okay?"

"Sure have fun. Oh! Say high to grandpa and grams first" he nods towards them and I sighs.

"Alrighty" I make my way through my family members I haven't seen in years to the girl that stands brightest in the crowd. I snake my arm around her waist and I feel her relax into my and a real genuine smile creep onto her face.

"Hey sweety, I was just telling your grandmother how amazing you are on set" she grins.

"Oh really now? Don't believe her. I'm average" I shrug and she slaps my arm.

"I'm with him everyday, he's just being modest"

I lean over and whisper into her ear, "you're gonna get it when we et home if you keep this up"

"If that's how this will go, I'll be sure to keep up what I'm doing" she nips at my ear and I straighten up clearing my throat.

"I'm so proud of you Dylan" grams pulls me into a hug and I kiss her cheek.

"Thank you, it means a lot" I lean back up and Alexis intertwined out fingers.

"I watch you every Monday on television and I think you do a splendid job!" I grin and think how lucky I am to have such a supportive family. The day goes by way to fast. One minute I'm helping my dad cook some burgers on the grill and the next were all sitting around a fire roasting marshmallows. Alexis sits between my legs and we all tell funny stories like we use to.

"When Dylan was younger he had a fixation with taking his clothes off all the time"

I cover my face, "mom I thought we weren't going to break out the embarrassing childhood stories"

"What family would we be if we didn't embarrass our son In front of his girl?" My dad laughs wrapping his arm around my mom and I smile. The night goes by fast. Too fast. I find myself not wanting to leave but we have a very busy day tomorrow so I kiss my family goodbye and promise to visit again soon. Alexis falls asleep in the car so I pick her up and carry her up to her room laying her down. She's so peaceful when she sleeps. She had a pretty strenuous day today though. She played with all my nieces and nephews and kept them busy, heck she even played with the dog. I've never seen someone fit so well with my family before. She loved it. I pull the blanket up by her neck and she mumbles.

"Dyl?"

"Yeah sweetheart?"

"Why aren't you in bed?" She keeps her eyes closed snuggling into her pillow.

"Tyler needs to talk to me about something so I told him id stop by after the cookout. Ill be home soon though" I lean down and kiss her forehead and she smiles.

"Please be careful. The crazies are out"

I chuckle, "nah you're in bed for the night" I run my fingers through her hair then grab my coat and head for the door.

"Hey Dylan?"

"Yeah?"

"...Keep your eyes out"

I nod knowing exactly what she's talking about. She's gotten so paranoid lately and I have no idea how to make her feel better. Usually she's only calm and normal when I'm with her so I feel bad that I gotta leave but I told him I'd talk to him. I just wish it could've been over the phone like a normal person.

I turn and make sure her door locks behind me before I head to the elevator and I swear I feel eyes on me. I feel a shiver go down my spine as I'm walking to my truck and my phone rings.

"Dylan speaking, how may I serve you?"

"You can hurry your little ass up. It's freaky over here at night" Hoechlin says and I can hear the urgency in his voice.

"Alright dude chill ill be there in less than five" I hang up an start the quick drive to his place. As soon as I notice him on the stairs. He get up and walks over to me.

"Hey. Glad you could make it"

"Yeah I could've been with my girl right now. No big deal." I shrug, "what's all of this about anyways?"

"Well I was going through my pictures of yesterday and I noticed something very fucked up" he pulls out his phone and opens his photos.

"What's so weird-" I take his phone looking through each photo a bit more closely now.

"In every single one of them. I don't know whether to call it freaky, flattering, photo bombing or scary as shit" he throws his arms up and I do my best to just ignore it.

"They're just fans. No big deal" I shake my head, But something still rubs me the wrong way. They're in every photo with Bryce and Alexis. How did we not notice them before? I don't know, but I'm just gonna ignore it. Everyone has those few weird fans. Tyler Posey had to deal with it for a while actually. I hand him back his phone.

"Have you told anybody else about this?"

He shakes his head, "No I was just gonna let you know then probably tell Bryce when I see her next"

"Don't. Oh and I think Bryce might need a date to the Masquerade Ball tomorrow night if you're interested?"

"How can I be her date if its a Masquerade Ball?"

"I don't know! Use your imagination." I slap his arm and he smirks.

"Guess I'm renting a tux"

I nod, "Well I'll probably stop by to grab you tomorrow, all the guys are sorta riding together"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean no girls can be around us for the day while we get ready. Have you never been to a masquerade ball?!" I shake my head.

"Do I look that old to you?" He rolls his eyes, "but alright I'll let you get back to your she wolf" he smirks and I glare at him.

"Thanks. See you tomorrow. Be ready by 5!" I yell as I climb into my truck.

He nods walking into his loft. I don't even realize I'm speeding until I'm pulling into the hotel parking lot going 65. I park and climb out when I hear rustling behind me.

"Who's there?"

"Calm down its just me" Ian says walking around to my side.

"Jesus you scared me, what are you doing out so late?" I grab my jacket and walk towards the lobby.

"It's only midnight. I didn't realize I had a bed time" he smirks and I grin. I missed my best friend. Him and I barely talk anymore. He's been so different lately so it's good to see he's getting his old self back. We step into the elevator and I push the button before him.

"Going to see Bryce?"

"Sorta. Just checking on her"

"Have you talked to her about that night yet?"

He looks at me from the corner of his eye then looks forward, "what night..."

"Don't play dumb, I know everything. She confides in her sister and of course Alexis tells me everything"

"Good to know nothing is private anymore" he says stepping out of the elevator.

"Whatever. Have you talked to her yet?"

"Nope and I'm not going to. It was an accident. I wasn't in my right mind."

I stop dead in my tracks, "you sleeping with her was an accident?! How can you say that?" I grab his arm and pull him around. "Do you have any idea how much she cares about you?"

"She definitely has a wonderful way of showing it"

"She's confused Ian. And hurt. She doesn't know what to feel because you won't talk to her, you just violently fuck her one night and then nothing. Put yourself in her shoes for a change" I shove passed him and walk to Alexis's door.

"She's taken interest in Hoechlin anyways"

"No. She's trying to take in interest in him. He wants her. She wants to get over you because she thinks you don't want her now. She thinks it was just a one nighter. Only difference is your still around... For now" I shake my head and walk into her room, closing the door behind me. Ian waits in the hallway for a few minutes before sighing and I hear the elevator ding again. Guess he decided not to go see her. God what is he thinking! I know he loves her. He wouldn't get out of bed for a solid week after he thought she died. Something happened that day and they connected on a level I've never seen him on before. I shake my head and kick my shoes off walking towards the bed. Alexis snores softly and I move the stray hairs away from her face. I take take my jeans off and move the blankets curling up into bed beside her. I wrap my arm around her waist and she sighs softly.

"Welcome back" she mumbles and I just smile and kiss her shoulder. She falls back to sleep instantly, but I wait up for a little while unable to stop everything from running through my head. Those fans, the ball tomorrow, Hoechlin crushing on Bryce, and now my best friend trying to convince himself he doesn't deserve her. Whoever said fame was easy clearly wasn't human.