Here's another chapter. I would have written it sooner, but my 3 year old has been sick the past few days. Thanks for all the reviews! Anything familiar belongs to JE. All mistakes are mine.

Chapter 11

I woke up the next morning still feeling emotionally drained from my conversation with Ranger. I figured it was best to keep busy today. I caught the remaining of my skips and took the receipts to the bonds office. I said hey to Connie and Lula, gave Connie my body receipts and sat on the couch.

"We still going out tonight girlfriend?" Lula asked.

"Yes I could really use a night out with a few drinks" I said. "Why don't you guys meet at my house since you haven't seen it yet? Then we can ride together to the bar?"

"Okay" said Connie "what time?"

"How about 7? Then we can get dinner first."

"Sure" Lula said.

"Sounds good" Connie said.

I said bye to the ladies and was walking to my car when my phone rang.

"Yo" I said.

"Hey beautiful, still want to have lunch with me?" Lester said.

"Absolutely, where do you want to meet?"

"How about meet me at Rangeman and we can ride together to Shorty's?"

"Okay, I'll be there in 15 minutes."

"Sounds good beautiful." Then he hung up.

I headed to Rangeman.

We were sitting at a table 30 minutes later waiting on our pizza.

"Ok beautiful. You've got some explaining to do. What have you been up to the past year? You obviously got some training because your body looks toned and amazing and Tank told me about you disarming Ranger the other night." Lester said.

"Fine I'll tell you, but it's not that interesting." I told Lester everything. I feel like all I've done since I've been home is tell my story over and over again. Oh well.

"Sounds like you finally took control of your life." Les said.

"Yeah I guess I did" I said.

"No new man in your life?" he asked.

"Nope, I kind of swore off men the past year."

"That's no fun beautiful."

"Maybe not, but it was necessary. I don't have the best track record with relationships Les."

"Maybe you should give me a shot then. I won't disappoint you." Les said and waggled his eyebrows at me.

"I'm sure you wouldn't. You know I love you Les, but your more like my big brother."

"I can deal with that lil sis" he said. "I heard you're going out with Connie and Lula tonight."

"Yeah nothing big, just dinner and then to a bar to dance."

"Sounds fun."

We ate our lunch and drove back to Rangeman. Lester walked me to my car and gave me a hug and leaned down to give me a kiss on the cheek when the elevator opened and Ranger walked out. He gave us a weird look.

"I'll see you later beautiful, thanks for having lunch with me." Lester said then started walking up the stairs. I turned to Ranger.

"Hey" I said.

"Babe", he said. "This is the second day in a row that I found Lester kissing you. Should I be jealous?" He actually sounded a little jealous, but it was none of his business. I told him we were just going to be friends.

"Not at all Ranger, I'm sure Les will kiss you on the cheek to if you ask him nicely." Ranger just stared at me. I think he was deciding if he was mad or amused.

"Smartass" he finally said.

"Well I gotta go. I'll see you around." I said. Ranger nodded and walked towards his car. I got in mine and drove home.

I was dressed and ready to go by 6:45 that night. I was wearing a sexy little black dress and 4 inch FMP's. My hair fell in soft curls around my shoulders. I was looking hot! Connie and Lula arrived a few minutes later. We piled into the Cayenne and went out to dinner. We arrived at the bar at 9 and started drinking. An hour later we were having a blast on the dance floor when Tank, Lester and Cal walked up to us. Tank started dancing with Lula and Cal asked Connie to dance. That left me with Lester.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as we started dancing.

"Apparently Tank couldn't stay away from Lula. He told us he was coming here to meet up with her and Cal and I decided to tag along. Hope that's ok beautiful."

"Yeah it's fine" I said.

We spent the rest of the night dancing and having fun. Everyone got really drunk, expect for Cal and I, we were the designated drivers. I had cut myself off after one big margarita. Cal and Connie seemed to hit it off and they left the bar together around midnight, which left me alone with a very drunk Lester, Tank and Lula. Great! Lula's car was at my house and I had no idea where Tank lived. Lester stayed in an apartment at Rangeman but I didn't want to bring him there and get him in trouble with Ranger. I just drove everyone back to my house. Lula and Tank passed out on the mattress on my pull out couch shortly after we made it home.

"Ok Les, that's the only couch I have, so if you promise to be a good boy and keep your hands to yourself I'll let you sleep in my bed. Okay?"

"Sure beautiful" Lester said as he winked at me.

We went to my room and got into bed and Lester passed out immediately. Thank goodness.

I woke up the next morning to someone yelling. Huh? It took a few minutes for me to register what was being said.

"What the hell is going on here? Babe, why are you in bed with my cousin?" Ranger! Shit! He sounded pissed. I looked at the clock; it was 6 in the morning. What the hell is he doing here this early? And how does he even know where I live. Never mind it's Ranger he knows everything.

"Ranger, Shhh. Go to the kitchen; I'll be down in a minute." I didn't want him to wake Lester. I knew he'd have a nasty hangover. I'll let him sleep a while longer. I put on some workout clothes, threw my hair in a ponytail and walked downstairs. Ranger was sitting at my kitchen table and he looked beyond pissed.

"What the hell are you doing breaking into my house at 6 in the morning Ranger?" I asked.

"Babe."

"Don't babe me. Answer my question."

"Lester was supposed to meet me in the gym this morning at 5:30. He didn't show up and he wasn't in his apartment. I tracked his phone and saw that he was here. I came to get him. I just didn't expect to find him in your bed." Ranger said sounding hurt.

"Chill out Ranger nothing happened with me and Lester. I think of him as my big brother. Tank, Lula, and Lester got really drunk last night, so they all just crashed here. Lula and Tank took the couch and that left just the bed. I told Les he could sleep in it with me. It was completely innocent. Not that it's any of your business by the way."

"Babe."

"No Ranger. My love life is none of your business and you can't just break into my house whenever you feel like it."

"Okay. I'm sorry Stephanie."

"Thank you. You may as well go back to Rangeman. Lester's going to have a nasty hangover. He's not going to be any good to you today. You can deal with his punishment later." I said.

"Fine I'll leave him alone for now. Can I take you to breakfast since I'm already here?"

"No thanks. I was going to work out then make them some breakfast and wake them up."

"Ok babe, maybe another time" Ranger said and got up to leave. He looked a little hurt. I know I shouldn't care but I felt bad for him.

"You're welcome to stick around and eat breakfast with us" I said.

"Ok, thanks babe" Ranger said sounding happier. "Where are you working out at?"

"I have a small home gym in the basement."

"Mind if I workout with you? I didn't get to this morning. I was too busy tracking Lester down."

"Sure."

"I have some spare workout clothes in the car. I'll change and meet you down there."

"Ok" I said and went downstairs. I got started running on the treadmill. Ranger walked down a few minutes later where some gym shorts that sat low on his hips and no shirt. I almost tripped on the treadmill when I saw him. He looked so freaking sexy. Mmm, maybe I should just jump him. He can be a workout and breakfast all in one.

Ranger gave a mega watt smile and said "Babe that sounds like a good idea to me." Shit I must have said that out loud.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to say that out loud. My hormones got the better of me. It's your fault for not wearing a shirt." I said.

"I'll be more than happy to help you with those hormones babe."

"I'm sure you would Ranger, but we're just friends remember?"

Ranger just nodded and started on the punching bag I had in the corner.

An hour later I was finishing up lifting weights. Ranger was running on the treadmill.

"I'm heading up to take a shower then I'll start breakfast" I said. Ranger just nodded.

I had just walked into the kitchen after my shower when Ranger walked upstairs.

"Mind if I use your shower babe?"

"No go for it" I said. "Why don't you wake up everyone once you get out."

I decided to make Lula and the guys some pancakes and bacon. I figured some carbs and grease would help with their hangovers. I knew Ranger wouldn't eat pancakes. I made him an omelet with bell peppers and onions; I made myself one too but added some cheese and diced ham to mine. I also made us some whole wheat toast and diced up some fresh fruit. I was finishing everything up when everyone walked into the kitchen. I got them all a cup of coffee, some water, and some Tylenol. I brought the pancakes and bacon to the table. They immediately dug in, except Ranger of course.

"Don't worry Ranger. I don't expect you to eat pancakes. I made you something else." I said and walked back to the kitchen to grab our food. I gave Ranger his plate.

"Thank you babe."

"You're welcome."

The other three just sort of grunted and kept eating. I don't think they were ready to face the day yet. Hopefully the food would make them feel better.

"This is really good. I take it you learned to cook while you were away?"

"Yup, I can cook just about anything now."

"Proud of you babe" Ranger said. "You've accomplished a lot in the past year, and I really like your house and your home gym."

"Thanks!" I said smiling at him.

"You told me the other night that you were a different person, and you have changed a lot, but all of the changes I've seen have been for the better. You're still the same Stephanie that I've always known though babe. You're just a stronger person who finally believes in yourself the way I've always believed in you. I am in love with you Stephanie." Ranger said quietly where only I could hear it. Wow, I really didn't know what to say to that. Ranger has always believed in me and supported me and all of my craziness. Thankfully the doorbell rang at that time and saved me from that conversation.

I got up quickly and answered the door.

"Hey darling" It was Kevin! Yay!

I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a kiss.

"Kevin! I've missed you so much!" I squealed.

Kevin was looking at something behind me. I turned around and saw Ranger staring at us with his blank face on. I had told Ranger about Kevin and Shawn but I had never mentioned that they were gay and a couple.

Ranger's POV

My morning had started off bad, finding Stephanie in bed with Lester, until she explained what had happened. After that things got a lot better. I got to watch her work out; she had come a long way. She obviously worked hard the past year with her training. She looked so sexy and watching her workout was a huge turn on. It took all of my will power not to grab her and kiss her senseless. Then my babe made me breakfast which tasted amazing. I can't believe she actually learned to cook. I decided to try again and tell her how I felt. It looked like she was actually starting to believe me and think about giving me a chance until her doorbell rang. I followed her to the door and she opened it and threw herself at the guy, Kevin, and kissed him. What the fuck? She had told me that she worked for Kevin's bonds office and that he helped her train. They seemed very close. Could he be her boyfriend and she didn't want to tell me? I already disliked this guy.