Thanks for reviewing. I got a lot last chapter, keep them coming!
This will probably be my last update for a while (a week or so) because I am going on a cruise, and won't have access to the internet.
I am working on Dirty Dancing, I swear, I am, it's just taking a while. I'm having some issues with the chapter. Sorry. I hope to get it up before I leave.
This is the first chapter I've had trouble with so far...
Review.
Oh, yeah, Greg is being played by Ryan Donowho. I've never liked him, especially after he was Johnny on the OC.
Chapter named No Good, after the song by Kate Voegele.
RIP Danny - you will be missed
"Have you told Troy?" Shyanne asked me two days later over the phone. I'm in the living room with the laptop on my lap.
I shook my head, typing away. "No, it's stupid, Shy. I don't even have a reason for feeling weird around Greg. I just do," I replied, sighing. "At first I thought it was because I met him wearing no pants, but I don't know anymore," I mumbled, biting my lip.
"It doesn't matter, sweetie, if you feel this way, you should tell Troy," she told me. "He's always telling you not to keep this stuff locked up, and tell him how you feel. It doesn't matter if you think it's stupid, he probably won't think so. He'll be happy you told him, and you two will talk about it," she added.
I let out a breath, and saved my lesson plan. The school sent me a letter yesterday saying they were giving me a family living class because the teacher quit because of a family emergency, and instead of hiring someone to replace him, they are spitting it up between the teachers who can teach it. Apparently, with some of the classes I took in college, I qualify to teach it. I now have five full English classes to teach and family living. They did the same thing to Kara. "But, it's nothing, Shy," I insisted. "It's all in my head, I know it is. I feel weird around some guys, sometimes this happenes since my rape," I told her. "Maybe he reminds me of the guy who did it or something."
"Gabi, you don't remember who raped you, you never saw his face," she reminded me.
I closed the laptop. "I know I didn't. Maybe just his body type or something?" I guessed. "God, I don't know, he just freaks me out. I always find him looking at me, and when he's close to me, he touches me in some way, and when Troy and I kiss, he always says something to break it up," I admitted. "Thank God he sleeps in the guest room on the other side of the house or we probably wouldn't being having any alone time," I said.
"See?" Shyanne responded. "You should tell Troy these things. Greg probably has a crush on you," she told me.
I shrugged. "Why? I mean, what would be the point of having a crush on a married woman?" I asked, leaning my phone against my shoulder, and began to twirl my wedding ring. I've noticed that I do it when I am nervous. "Besides, all I see is Troy, and everyone who knows me knows that," I stated.
"You don't gotta convince me, Gabs, it's Greg," she replied. "And, if it's working you up this much, you have to tell Troy. Every time you keep something to yourself, you cause problems between you and Troy. Do you really want that now?" she questioned.
I groaned, and used my hand to keep the phone up again. "No, I don't want that. I hate causing problems between us, and I know I'm always the one to fuck us up," I answered. "But, I just don't think the fact that Greg gives me the heebeegeebees is a good enough reason to talk to Troy about it," I told her.
Shyanne was quiet for a second. "Whatever you say, Gab," she responded.
"Please don't do something stupid like call Troy later and tell him," I ordered her. "Promise me," I demanded.
"Bleh, fine, I promise," she agreed. "I gotta go, love you," she told me.
"Love you, too, bye," I said, and hung up the phone. I threw the phone onto the coffee table, and ran my hands over my face. I know I should tell Troy, I know I should, I just never learn my lesson. Troy thinks he is fine, so why shouldn't I? I've only known the guy for two days, and I can already tell he's a flirt. That's probably the reason why he does the things he does. Then again, so is Tommy, and I don't mind Tommy at all. Besides, the only time Tommy flirts with me is when Troy is around to piss him off. Greg does these things when Troy is around, actually, he does them the most when Troy isn't around. I don't know, my instincts just tell me not to trust him.
The front door opened, and my heart flew to my throat. Troy, or Greg? Troy had to work today, so Chad took Greg out, thank God. "Brie?" Troy called out, and I smiled with relief. I jumped up from the couch, and met him in the dining room. "Hey, babe," he greeted with a smile, and wrapped his arms around me in a hug. I felt safe in his arms, and didn't let him go even when he made a move to let me go. "Are you alright?" he wondered.
I took in his scent before letting go a moment later. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," I assured him, keeping my arms around his neck, and my body curved into his. "I miss you when you're at work, you know that. It's newlywed syndrome," I covered up. "And, you had all yesterday off, but all you did was hang out with Greg. The day before that, Tommy was over, so you were with Tommy the whole night. I am going through serious Troy withdrawals," I informed him.
"What are you talking about?" he questioned, his hands sliding down to my back pockets, and squeezed a little. "You had me all night last night. I spent the day sleeping at the firehouse," he told me.
I giggled a little. "True, the past couple nights have been, well, in Sharpay's words, fucking fantastic," I told him, making him grin. "You definitely stepped up your game," I stated.
He laughed. "Thanks," he replied.
"But, I'm not having sex withdrawals, I'm having Troy withdrawals. You know, cuddling, kissing, watching a movie together, only us, those withdrawals," I told him.
Troy reached down to the back of my thighs, and picked me up, making me squeal. "Well, we have time until Chad and Greg appear," he muttered, walking me to the couch, and sat down.
"This isn't cuddling," I mumbled to Troy, because when he sat down, it made me straddle him.
He shrugged. "Not my problem," he said before kissing me.
I have to admit that it felt good to be able to kiss him somewhere other than the bedroom for once. This wasn't what I wanted though, later, yes, now, no. Now, I just want to be with him, and not in a sexual way, in an intimate way. "Troy, I want to cuddle," I reminded him after I pulled away.
"Baby, I want to cuddle as much as the next guy," he said, and I gave him a look. "Okay, I want to cuddle as much as the next guy who is completely whipped by his wife, but you're straddling me, and you're always looking sexy," he told me.
I couldn't help but smile at him. He's so sweet, and such a guy. "Troy," I started, fixing the collar of his work shirt.
"That's my name, don't ware it out," he joked, and I rolled my eyes. "Sorry, Tommy moment," he added. I chuckled while running my fingers down his cheek. I looked into his eyes, and ran my thumb over his bottom lip. He smiled before grabbing my hand in his. "Why are you looking at me like that?" he questioned, sitting up a little.
I bit my lip. "Like what?" I asked, blinking to try and erase the look. I don't even know what look it is.
"I don't know," he responded, cupping my face. "It's just... something. Something I should be concerned about. Is there something going on with you?" he questioned. "Something you haven't wanted to tell me?" I let out a whine, and my head fell to his shoulder. "I knew you were acting funny, what's up?"
I pushed off his chest so I could see his eyes. "It's nothing, I swear," I tried to tell him. "I'm being stupid, and-" I stopped when the front door opened. Troy and I both looked towards the door.
"Chad's here!" Chad called from the front door. "Oh, yeah, and Greg," he said a second later as they walked over to us. "Sorry for interrupting, but I'm good at it," he added, seeing our position.
I moved to get off Troy, but his arms held me in place. "We'll finish later," I promised before giving him a peck on the lips, and fell to the side of him. I hooked my legs over one of his, and was firmly pressed against his side with his own arms around me, while mine were around his middle.
"You're too good at it," Troy muttered in annoyance, kissing my forehead. "You guys have fun today?" he asked Greg as he sat down on the curve of the couch.
Chad sat down next to me, and stole the remote. "Of course, he was with me, I'm loads of fun," he spoke up, turning on the t.v.
"Oh, buckets," I pretended to agree sarcastically, and he faked a glare.
"That's not very nice, tell her we had fun, Greg," Chad ordered.
I, unfortunately, looked towards Greg for the answer like Chad and Troy did. "Yeah, it was cool," he answered, looking at me. "He showed me around town, and took me to some teenage diner before we played some basketball," he explained before I looked away, uncomfortable under his intense gaze.
I was now sitting with one leg hooked over Troy's so I was facing the t.v. more, and was tracing the lines of his hand. I'm beginning to think it's all in my head. Actually, I've been thinking that for a while. He looks at me, so what? A lot of people look at me. It's just the way he looks at me. It's intense, and he has this look in his eye, this look of.. I don't know how to explain it. I get this feeling in the pit of my stomach, a bad feeling, and I don't like it. It makes my heart beat faster, but not in a good way like Troy does. Kind of like the scary feeling you get in the line of a huge roller coaster, or when you are about to go into a haunted house, or when you are watching a scary movie, and you know something bad is about to happen. It's creepy. He can make me feel all that with one look, isn't that bad?
"Earth to Brie," I heard Troy say, and I looked up from his hand.
"Huh?" I mumbled, looking into his eyes. I like when he looks into my eyes. It doesn't make me scared, it makes me feel peaceful, and at home, like where ever he is, I'm at home because I'm with him. Sometimes, when we're getting hot and heavy, it makes goosebumps break out all over my skin, and my heart accelerate in a good way. Or, when he says something dirty, and his eyes are sparkling, it makes me blush.
He smiled at me, which made me smile back. "Are you palm reader now, or something? You've been playing with and staring at my hand for five minutes," he told me.
I let go. "Oh, sorry, what are you guys talking about?" I asked, and felt Troy's hand on my thigh. I leaned against his arm, and looped my own through it.
"Greg asked you what you did all day, and you were totally zoned out," Chad answered, flipping through the channels.
Oh. "Oh," I said, looking towards Greg. Ugh. "I did some lesson plans, and talked to friends on the phone," I told him, but looked into Troy's eyes through most of it. Is that rude?
"You got a family living class, too?" Chad cut off whatever Troy was about to say. "That's so cool, can I-"
"Yes, Chad, I'll let you see my lesson plans," I answered his unasked question.
He grinned and messed with my hair. "I knew there was a reason you're my first wife," he joked.
I stuck my tongue out at him, and fixed my hair. "You two were married before?" Greg questioned, looking directly at me with that creepy stare.
Troy and Chad laughed while I averted my gaze. "They were nine, and it was fake," Troy told him, looking down at me. "She's all mine," he stated, and I smiled.
"Yeah, I-" I was stopped when the phone rang. Troy reached for it.
"Hello?" he answered. He instantly started laughing. "I don't know, Shyanne, I can ask her, but I'm pretty sure of the answer," he told her. "Why are you yelling at me?" he questioned at her while I looked at him funny. "Maybe you should have made sure it was Gabriella before asking a question like that," he said. "Fine, keep yelling at me, I'll ask her right now. Brie, have you had an orgasm every time we've made love?" he asked me.
I was shocked for a moment before turning pink. "Give me the phone!" I demanded, reaching for it, and he held it above his head. I heard Chad's laugh. I didn't hear Greg's, though. Is that weird? Most guys would laugh in that situation.
"I will when you give me an answer," he replied, keeping the phone away from me.
I glared. "If that's the only way, fine! Yes, are you happy?" I asked, finally getting the phone.
"No, does it happen more than once?" he questioned while I was getting up.
I smacked him upside the head. "Just because you had to be an ass, I'm not going to answer that," I responded before walking away. "Especially in front of your friend's," I added. Well, Chad is my friend, too.
"It's alright, I already know the answer!" Troy shouted to me. "It's yes, especially recently!" he called out as I went up the steps.
"Keep telling yourself that!" I yelled to him. Damn him, he's right. "Shyanne? Are you still there?" I asked into the phone.
I could practically see her getting mad. "No, I am going to kill your husband next time I see him, father of your soon to be children or not," she told me.
I went into me and Troy's bedroom. "I'll punish him myself don't worry," I assured her, laying down on my stomach on the bed. "Why didn't you tell me about this problem when we were on the phone earlier?" I questioned.
She whined. "I was going to, but we got into your thing, which made me momentarily forget my thing. You seriously have one every time you and Troy are together?" she asked in a sad voice.
I didn't want to lie. "Yes, half the time more than once," I answered. "Is Adam, uh, not getting you there?" I tried to put it in a nice way.
"Usually, yes. Last night and the time before that, no. I mean, he just comes before I do, and then stops," she responded. "What do I do, Gabi? You have way more experience than I do in this department," she reminded me.
Was that an insult or a compliment? Eh, I'll take it as a compliment. "Tell him," I said matter-of-factly.
"I can't just tell him, Gabs. That's so awkward," she whispered. Is he there or something? "What would I say? You know, last night, when you came, I didn't. So, let's go try that again the right way?" she guessed.
"Uh, yeah," I agreed, scratching my head. "Shy, it's either tell him now, or go a lifetime without orgasms," I told her. Oh, God, how depressing. "You can put it nicer, I don't know, do something romantic, and casually bring it up. Then, maybe it will give him initiative to give you a couple in a row, that would be fun," I commented.
She groaned this time. "You can't just bring that up casually, Gabriella!" she exclaimed.
"Stop shooting down my ideas! You have to tell him or you won't ever have one again!" I replied. "Okay, maybe not ever again, but not every time, and if you're not getting one every time, that is completely unfair," I stated. "Besides, he's your husband, if you can't talk to him about things like this, you have issues. Yes, it may be awkward, and it will embarrass him, but in the end it will make things better. Get him a kama sutra book for his birthday, that's soon," I told her. "That could be fun, too," I mentioned.
"I'll tell Adam when you tell Troy your own issues," she informed me.
I glared. "Oh, that's a low blow," I gasped. "That is completely different. Mine is all in my head, and Greg will be gone in a few days. You have to sleep with Adam forever," I reminded her.
She huffed now. "Fine, I'll do some romantic dinner tonight, wear something totally slutty, and my new lingerie, and talk to him about it, but if this makes us completely weird, and I still don't get any, I am personally coming to New Mexico to kick your ass," she stated.
"You'll be thanking me tomorrow when you have a fucking fantastic night in Sharpay's words," I assured her.
"Whatever, bye," she said.
"Bye bye," I responded, and hung up. As soon as I hung up, the phone rang again. Interesting. "Hello?" I answered it.
"Finally, I've been trying to call for the last ten minutes. Did you get that second line yet?" Sharpay asked me.
I chuckled. "Hi, Shar, I miss you, too. No, we didn't. I'm calling about it sometime this month," I told her. "What's up?" I questioned. I haven't told any of my friend's here about my Greg issues. Everyone seems to like and accept him besides me. Which is another reason I think this is all me with something in my head.
"Well, no one works tomorrow morning, and it's a Thursday, so I was thinking we could all go out to the club tonight," she suggested. "Greg is leaving in a few days, and the clubs won't be over packed tonight. I already talked to Zeke's mom, and she is totally excited to keep Junior for the night, so what do you think?" she wondered. Sharpay and Zeke only go out with us a once in a while these days because of Junior, they hate leaving him. I don't want to say no because Greg creeps me out.
I bit my lip. "Sure, I'll talk to Troy and Greg about it as soon as we get off the phone. I'm sure it won't be a problem," I said.
She squealed. "Great! I'll call Taylor," she screeched before hanging up.
"Bye to you, too," I muttered to myself as I got up off the bed. "Troy," I called out when I reached the bottom of the steps, and didn't see the guys anywhere. There was noise downstairs, and I could tell they were in the manly room. When I got down there, I found them playing video games, and Greg was reading my cosmopolitan magazine. What is it with guys reading girlie magazines? I walked up behind the couch, and wrapped my arms around Troy's shoulders. Chad and Greg jumped when they noticed my presence, Troy just grinned. I kissed his neck. "It's not fair, I never scare you," I sighed.
"That's because," Troy started, reaching behind him to grab me, and pulled me over the couch, and onto his lap. "I can sense you coming," he finished, kissing me.
"Hey, her feet messed with the 'fro," Chad complained, playing with his hair.
Greg let out a laugh from behind me. "What doesn't mess with that thing?" he questioned, making Troy laugh, too.
"Now, wife, what are you doing in the manly room. Trust me, you are not anything remotely near manly," Troy commented.
Before I could answer I felt Greg's arm over my shoulder, and the magazine appeared in my face. "Here's your magazine," he stated the obvious, and I took it from him.
"Thanks," I murmured softly, not liking the touching. His arm slowly left my shoulder, and his hand swept down my back. Tommy would do that, right? When you think about it, Tommy would just throw it over my head, surprising me, making me roll it up, and smack him with it a couple times. Greg had to slowly touch me and make my insides coil. UGH!
"Your reason for violating the manly room laws?" Troy asked again, his arms wrapping around me.
I shook the creepy feeling. "There are laws?" I questioned, raising my eyebrows.
Troy and Chad pointed towards the wall. There was a big white poster with black marker written all over it. First rule was no women allowed unless they are doing laundry or cleaning the litter box, or coming up from the garage. It says in parenthesis that Troy does all those things, too, but I do them also. The second rule was whatever mess you make while in the manly room, you must clean up before leaving the manly room, and the parenthesis this time had Tommy in caps. My eyes flicked over the rest which were rather amusing. I started laughing. "Don't make fun, state your business," Troy said.
I rolled my eyes. "Sharpay and Zeke want to go out, and got his mom to watch the baby. So, we're going to the club tonight," I informed them.
Troy smiled, and nodded. "You up for that?" he asked Greg.
I looked over my shoulder for his answer while leaning closer to Troy. Greg nodded, looking from me to Troy. "Hell yeah," he agreed.
"There is your answer, now you must leave, female," Troy told me.
I opened my mouth in shock. "Troy! Can't I play-" he started shaking his head. "Please? Guitar Hero! That's not fair! It's my game, too. Just one song.. or three," I pleaded.
He sighed. "Fine, but we have to take a vote," he informed me. I gave him a look. "It's a rule," he told me. "Rule one, the asterisk, look down at the bottom of the page," he pointed out. At the bottom of the page next to an asterisk said 'the only time a girl can hang in the manly room is if all men unanimously agree to her staying'. Seriously?
"Seriously?" I said aloud.
Troy nodded. "Boys, what do you say?" he questioned his friends. I grabbed onto Chad's t-shirt, and pulled him forward.
"If you say no Chaddeus Danforth, I will tell Taylor what really happen in seventh grade at that make out party at Allison's house when you had to play seven minutes in heaven with Angela Whitman," I threatened.
Chad really looked scared. "She can stay," he squeaked.
Troy laughed from behind me. "It's cool with me," Greg mentioned. Of course it is.
I smiled in triumph before making my way between Troy and Chad to sit. "Hey, I haven't said yes, yet," Troy commented.
I scoffed. "Your answer is yes unless you want the same problem Shyanne has right now, only reversed," I warned, grabbing the guitar from the floor.
He cleared his throat. "You can stay," he agreed.
"I thought so."
A couple hours later, I was looking at myself in the mirror. I was the first one to start getting ready because I'm the girl. I'm probably the last one getting ready, too. I thought I looked pretty hott, but do I want to look this hott when I feel so weird around Greg? I'm wearing a pair of red pants along with a red belt that is made up of circles with black intricate drawings in them. The pants are tight on my thighs, and flare at my ankles, they ride a little low on my hips, too. I'm also wearing a black top that has one strap over my left shoulder, and is strapless and sleeveless on the other side. It stops right at my belly button, and is a really sexy top. I got it when I went shopping with Tanya. It covers my boobs, though, so it's not totally slutty. I'm wearing black strappy shoes that have red heels, and I have a black bracelet that goes all the way up to my forearm and stays there. I left my hair curly, but it looks messy curly, which gives off the sultry vibe. I did my make up lightly, and in my skin tone, nothing too flashy, and clear lip gloss.
I finally decided to wear it since all this Greg stuff is in my head, and grabbed my clutch purse on my way out of the bedroom. I went downstairs this time to find Troy at the bar, completely ready, reading a sports magazine. He was wearing a pair of dark jeans, and a dark gray and white plaid shirt that had the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and it was unbuttoned at the top. He also wore his white converse, and of course, his wedding ring. Just like me, neither of us ever take them off.
"Hey," I greeted, walking over to him.
Troy looked up, and whistled lightly. "Looking fucking sexy, Bolton," he complimented, closing the magazine.
I smile as he turned so I could stand between his legs. "So, it's sexy, not slutty?" I questioned with hope in my voice, linking our hands together. He explained to me a long time ago that there is a difference between sexy and slutty.
"Let's see," he proposed, letting one of my hands, and twirled me around. I spun once before he tugged me deeper between his legs, and wrapped his arms around my waist with his hands on my but slightly. "It's definitely sexy," he stated, kissing the underside of my jaw.
"Good, because I wore it for you," I murmured, kissing him on the lips.
He nodded into the kiss, his hands squeezing my butt lightly. "Mm, I love you so much," he breathed before we got too into it and I ran a thumb across his lips, and he kissed it.
"I love you, too," I whispered, leaning my forehead on his.
He moved his hands so they were on my skin, making flames dance across my skin. "What would make this outfit kinda slutty would be red leather pants, but I'm up for you changing into a pair," he told me.
I smiled, lowering my eyes. "I don't have any," I admitted, nipping at his lip, and pulled it with my teeth for a second. "I have a black pair, though. I just haven't worn them, yet," I mentioned.
"Damn, please wear them soon," he pleaded, kissing me gently. "Hey, what did you need to talk about earlier? We never got around to it," he reminded me.
My stomach dropped. Shit, I forgot. "Can we do it later, maybe tomorrow? It will probably be a long talk, and we don't have the time right now," I said.
"Can you at least tell me what it has to do with?" he asked, sticking his bottom lip out. "Please?" he said in a sad voice.
I kissed his cheek. "Nope," I answered. He made a frustrated face. "Sorry, you'll find out soon enough," I assured him just as I heard Greg come down the steps.
I turned to see him wearing a polo and jeans, and frighteningly white shoes. He's more of a pretty boy than Troy. Troy is like an all American boy, wearing plaid shirts, and converse with his hair all scruffed up. You could tell Greg spent more time on his hair. "Hey," he greeted, and blatantly checked me out, his eyes moving up and down my body. I don't think Troy noticed because I felt his lips on the back of my neck, making me lean back against him. "You look nice, Gab," he said. See, that bothers me. Not the compliment, the way he checks me out. I don't know, though, Tommy does that, too, but I know Tommy isn't interested in me. I know he only does all that to piss Troy off to amuse himself, I don't know how Greg really feels. UGH!
I bit my lip and nodded. "Thanks," I mumbled, taking in a deep breath.
"Ready to go?" Troy questioned, his chin on my shoulder now.
Greg nodded. "Yeah, you guys?" he asked.
Troy got off the stole, and intertwined one set of our hands. "Yeah," he repeated, and we left the house, locking it behind us. Greg sat in the back of the car, leaving me the front with Troy. I avoided conversation by singing along with the stereo. As soon as we pulled up, we saw the group in a huddle, and it did not look good. "Fuck, Brie, you invited Tanya?" Troy questioned, turning off the car. I gave him a panicked look. "I invited Tommy," he said.
"Uh oh," I commented, undoing my seat belt.
Greg's head appeared in between our heads, closer to mine than Troy's. Okay, now maybe I am just paranoid. "Why? Is that bad?" he wondered.
I scooted over to my door. "Yes, very bad," I assured him, getting out to break up the fight.
".. You had to fucking cheat on me, and then-" Tanya was going on before I cut her off.
"Okay, you three separate," I ordered Tommy, Kara, and Tanya.
"Me?" Tanya asked. "You're still friends with the little slut-"
"Hey!" Tommy interrupted. "She's not a slut, you and I both know our relationship was going no where," he told her. "I don't get why the fuck you're still hung up on it, I know you've moved on," he said.
Tanya glared at him. "Maybe because every boyfriend I've ever had has cheated on me, and you knew that. You once promised you weren't that guy, remember that?" she questioned him.
"Alright, let's stop with the fighting," I spoke up, and noticed Kara looked extremely small and guilty. "That is just going to ruin everyone's night, and I know deep down the three of you can get along," I said, looking on the bright side, and they all looked at me with doubt on their faces. "Okay, yes, Tommy cheated on you with Kara, Tanya," I started. "It was a mistake, but everyone knew you and Tommy were just having fun, sorta, and were not going to last. The both of you have told me than on separate occasions. And, yes, I am still friends with Kara, they didn't mean for it to happen. Plus, I'm sure Tommy feels like a jackass for cheating on you, don't you, Tommy?" I asked in a strained voice.
He nodded. "Yeah," he agreed. "I should have broken up with you first, sorry," he apologized.
"And, I know Kara hates that she broke you two up even though it was heading that way anyways, don't you, Kara?" I questioned.
"Yes," she said in a small voice.
"So, why don't you all think that over and play nice tonight?" I suggested.
Tommy rubbed his head. "I will if she will," he muttered.
"Me, too," Kara spoke up.
Tanya scowled. "Whatever," she mumbled.
I smiled. "Good, now," I said, turning towards Greg. "Greg, this is Tanya, Tanya this is Greg. A friend of Troy's who is visiting, you two should walk in together," I introduced them. "Let's go," I demanded, grabbing onto Troy.
"Nice job, Dr. Phil," Troy commented, wrapping an arm around my waist. "Is that why you invited Tanya?" he questioned, jerking his head back to where Greg and Tanya were talking while we walked.
I shrugged. "Maybe," I responded, and he shook his head at me.
"You are so your mother," he stated as we got past the velvet rope.
"Hey, Tanya is still transitioning into single life, and Greg is leaving in a couple days, and is a bit of a player, it's the perfect set up," I insisted.
We stopped to wait for the others. "I don't mind that you meddle, I know you're doing it to try and make things better," he said, and kissed me.
"Alright, I'll find us a table," Sharpay announced, scanning the place. Sharpay used her powers and quickly got us a big enough place for us all to be comfy in. Because my luck sucks lately, I got put in between Troy and Greg on the stylish couch. I put my black and red clutch purse down on the low table in front of us before running my hand through my hair awkwardly, and squeezed Troy's fingers. He lightly squeezed my fingers in return.
"I'm gonna go get a drink, you want something, Brie?" Troy asked, glancing down at me.
I nodded. "Sure, just get me a coke or something," I answered. My hand left his, but I kept my arm looped through his.
"You can drink if you want tonight, babe, I won't if you want to," he told me, being all sweet.
I smiled. "It probably isn't a good idea for me to drink if we're trying to get me pregnant," I informed him, and the realization dawned on his face. He didn't say anything, just kissed me, his free hand coming up to entangle into my hair.
"I'll go with you, Troy," Greg spoke up, breaking our kiss. I hate that. All the guys agreed to go a with them a moment or two after.
When the guys left, all the girls were eerily quiet because of the tension Kara and Tanya were giving off. They were on completely opposite sides of our sitting area. "Are you two seriously going to make this night weird?" I questioned them. Neither of them spoke. "Don't make this weird for everyone else, you guys were friends before, remember?" I asked.
"That was before someone slept with their friend's boyfriend," Tanya remarked.
"I know you don't like me or anything," Sharpay started, looking at Tanya. "But I kinda know how Kara feels having done something I completely regret, and am even a little repulsed by," she went on. "Well, you probably aren't repulsed by it," she said looking towards Kara now. "But I know Kara regrets it, and wishes that it wasn't her that broke you two up. Tommy is right, you have moved on, and you are happier now," she mentioned. "And, Greg is here, and you can hook up with him if you want. If you ask me, he's kinda cute," she commented. I made a gross face. Easy for you to say, you aren't totally uncomfortable around him.
Before anyone could say anything, my phone went off in my clutch, and I had a pretty good idea who it was. I opened the phone. "Hi, Tara," I greeted my niece.
She giggled. "Aunt Gabi! Uncle Troy there?" she questioned me while the girls talked around me.
"Yeah, sweetie, he is. Do you want me to get him so you can say goodnight to him?" I asked. She's been doing this a lot lately. I find it cute. She did it with AJ, too.
"Uh-huh," she agreed, and I stood up.
"I'm going to go find Troy," I told my friends, and began to walk towards the bar.
"Aunt Gabi, do you know that there is a take your kid to work day?" she questioned me.
I smiled, making my way through the crowd. "Yes, I do," I informed her.
"Daddy just told me about it, but his job is boring. Do you think Uncle Troy could take me to his job this year?" she wondered.
"I don't think so, hun, Uncle Troy's job isn't that kind of job," I told her.
I could tell she really wanted to go with Troy. "Oh. Can I go with you, then? I could see Uncle AJ!" she exclaimed.
I chuckled. "We'll see when that day comes around," I replied, seeing Troy and the rest of the guys at the bar. I came up behind him. "Hey, it's for you," I said to Troy, and he turned around.
He took the phone from my hand. "Hey, Tara," he greeted without even having to look at the caller ID. "I'll be back," he mumbled, giving me a kiss on my forehead before walking away.
"Well, our drinks just came, we'll bring them back to the girls," Zeke spoke up, picking up his and Sharpay's glasses.
"We'll wait here for Troy to come back," Greg volunteered me.
Chad looked towards me for my own answer. "Uh, yeah," I agreed, slipping my hands into my pockets. "He'll only be a minute, it's past Tara's bedtime," I revealed.
"Cool, let's go, then. I need to break up Kara and Tanya," Tommy said, and lead the guys back to the girls.
I hopped up onto the vacant stool behind me, and crossed my legs. "Does she call him every night?" Greg asked, sitting on the stool next to me.
"Tara? Only a couple times a week. She's known Troy since she was born, and is ecstatic he's finally her uncle," I told him.
Greg nodded, so I did, too. There was an awkward silence for a minute. "Troy's right you know," he mentioned.
"About what?" I wondered, scratching my head.
Greg turned towards me more, and looked into my eyes in a way that I only wanted Troy to. It didn't give me the same feelings Troy did, it didn't feel right. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, Brie," he confessed. I didn't know what happened to me. I felt paralyzed, and disgusted. If this was any other guy I would tell him I'm happily married and to take a hike, but this is Troy's friend, I can't just say that to him. And, the only person who is allowed to call me Brie is Troy. He leaned forward and pushed a curl behind my ear in an intimate way that I didn't like.
I leaned back away from him. "The only one who calls me Brie is my husband, Troy," I stated, stressing the word husband while getting off the stool. "So, I would appreciate it if you didn't call me that," I told him.
Greg got off the stool, too, and stepped closer to me than I wanted. "Did you know that Troy has nicknamed all his girlfriend's?" he questioned.
I was really getting pissed now. "Actually, I did, but then again, Troy nicknames everyone," I replied. He kinda does. He calls Tara Tare Bear. He is the one who started calling Benny Benny Bam. He's nicknamed all our nieces and nephews. "And, I'm not his girlfriend, I'm his wife," I reminded him.
Greg gave an overexaggerated nod. "Right," he said like he really was remembering it.
"I'm back," Troy made himself known, and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "You guys didn't have to wait for me," he added.
"We wanted to," Greg said for me again. I can speak myself, that is really beginning to annoy me. The only time Troy speaks for is when he knows how I feel. Then again, he knows how I feel alot.
Troy nodded. "Let's go, then," he suggested, picking up his beer, and handed me my coke. Greg led the way back to our friends with Troy in the middle while I held his hand. Greg sat down next to Tanya, and Troy sat on the edge of the couch so I would be forced to sit in between again.
I brilliant idea hit me. I put my glass down. "Come dance with me," I told Troy, holding my hand out. We are in a club.
"No, if you two go dancing, you'll get all hormonal, and leave," Sharpay complained.
Troy grinned, grabbing my hand. "We'll behave," he assured her while standing up.
I nodded in agreement. "Scouts honor," I said, holding up three fingers.
"You were never in scouts," Taylor pointed out.
I shrugged, pulling on Troy's hand. "Oh, well," I breathed, and Troy laughed walking behind me. "Lucky for her, it's a slow song," I commented, leading Troy to a less crowded spot, and looped my arms around his neck. Troy's arms wound around my waist, pulling me close, and my body curved into his perfectly as it always does.
"You know it's killing me that you have to tell me something, and I have no fucking clue what it's about, right?" he wondered, resting his forehead on mine.
"Sorry," I mumbled, biting my lip nervously. I'm gonna defintely talk to him about it now. Greg is now making moves on me, and called me Brie. I can't not anymore. I might have been able to get out of it before, but now? Nope. "We'll talk tomorrow," I promised. "We have to," I sighed. "Just have fun tonight."
He nodded once, took my hand in his, and twirled me around before pulling me back to him. "Alright then, but we're talking tomorrow morning," he informed me.
"If you want," I said softly, kissing him gently. I rested my head against his chest, and worried silently about what he would think. Would he think it's all in my head, too? Should I explain what Greg did tonight? Am I making a bigger deal out of this than it really is because of my rape? Am I the wrong one here?
"You're thinking too hard," Troy murmured in my ear, and I smiled, loving he knows me this well.
"It's one of my many flaws," I commented, pulling away slightly so I could look into his eyes. "I think too much."
He kissed my nose. "I wouldn't call it a flaw, more like a characteristic," he corrected.
I smiled at him. "I love that about you, you know. You always look at the bright side of things. I call it a flaw, you call it a characteristic," I used as an example.
"I guess I'm just a glass half full kinda guy," he commented, grabbing one of my hands in his before giving me a twirl. He pulled me back to his chest, and I hooked an arm around his neck. My eyes scanned over his face with my heart swelling because I have him. This whole Greg making me uncomfortable thing is making me appreciate how Troy and I are never uncomfortable with each other. I know I can talk to him about anything even though sometimes I don't want to. Even if what we are talking about embarrasses me like tomorrow's probably will, I know he will make me feel better about it, and make me stop feeling embarrassed. I love him so much that I don't even know how to explain it. There has to be- "You're thinking too hard again," he spoke up, breaking off my thought. "What are you thinking about so much tonight? Is it about whatever the hell is bothering you or whatever?" he questioned.
"In a way," I answered, my hand making it's way to his hair. "Do you think there is such a thing as loving someone too much?" I asked him, looking into his eyes. "Because, if there is such a thing as it, I think I love you too much, I'm just not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing, yet," I explained.
Troy kissed me. "If there is such a thing, I'm pretty sure I love you too much, too," he agreed. "If it's a bad thing, I'm not seeing the consequences, because I've never been happier in my life than when I am with you," he told me.
"Back at you," I whispered, and pressed my lips against his. I kinda stopped dancing when we started kissing. I felt his finger trace my tattoo which oddly turned me on, and I let his tongue into my mouth.
"You see? This is why we should never let the two of you dance by yourselves," Chad stated, breaking our kiss. At least I got a good five minute make out session in. That's better than the five seconds Greg gives us.
"If you two can't handle this, we're all just gonna have to go back to our seats," Zeke told us. Geez. You would think that we're fifteen instead of twenty three.
I pouted. "Yes, Daddy," I agreed, and walked behind then back to the couch. I saw that most of the girls were gone, Tanya, Sharpay, and Taylor included, leaving Kara. There should have been enough room for me now, but from were Troy and Greg sat, there was only enough room for a Gabriella sandwich. I got another brilliant idea. I stood in front of Troy. "Open your legs," I ordered in a nice voice.
"Why?" he asked, but did the action anyways.
I grinned, turned around, and sat down in between them. He scooted back and opened his legs wider so I would be more comfortable. "So I can have the best seat in the whole club," I answered, leaning back against him while his arms slithered around me tightly. I heard Tommy making fun of how cute we are, making me turned my head towards him, but instead of seeing him, I saw Greg. It looked like he was pissed, and I couldn't help but wonder if it was because I was sitting in between Troy's legs, or something else. I hoped for something else, because that look was no good.
I woke up the next morning, and went directly into the shower. Troy soon joined me, demanding to know what my little problem was. I told him the shower wasn't exactly the best place to talk. So, we showered, among other things, and got out about half an hour later.
I got dressed in a fitted black top that had about five buttons in the chest area, so I unbuttoned two of them. The black top was sleeveless, and hugged my curves. I matched it with blue low riding, fitted jeans that had a few holes in them, and flared at the ankle. I put on black strappy heels, too. I left my hair curly, like usual (when I don't, Troy complains), and put on make up lightly.
"Can we talk now?" Troy questioned, coming into the bathroom, and hopped up to sit in between the sinks.
I couldn't help but chuckle at his eagerness while touching up my eyeliner. "In a few minutes," I responded.
He was let down like a five year old who was told no cookies until after dinner would be. "Why do you wear all that gunk? It takes so long to put on, and you're beautiful without it, you know," he informed me.
I put the cap back on my eyeliner, then gave myself a once over in the mirror. "You have to say that because you're my husband," I joked, putting all my make up away. I looked over at him and saw that he was wearing a blue and white plaid button up with blue jeans, and black sneakers. He was pushing the sleeves up his arms to his elbows as he often does as I watched him.
"Can we talk know?" he repeated, looking at me with puppy dog eyes.
I sighed, dreading the talk, and nodded. "We don't have to talk in the bathroom, do we?" I asked. I grabbed his hand, and pulled him off the sink, and out of the bathroom. I dragged him across the clean bedroom, and sat him down in the puffy comfy chair that was next to the balcony.
"Alright, so what's bothering you?" he questioned.
I started pacing because I'm nervous. "Okay, I love you, and I like most of your friends, the fact that I love Tommy even astonishes me, and I know it's weird that I feel this way.." I started to ramble.
"Brie," Troy caught my hand, stopping me mid-pace. "Just spit it out," he said.
I nodded, taking in a breath. "I don't like Greg," I squeaked out with my eyes closed so I wouldn't see his reaction. Of course, that was stupid, so I quickly opened my eyes.
He was staring at me normally. He didn't have some 'what the hell' face on, and didn't look mad. That's good. "Why?" he simply asked.
"Because, he's always looking at me, and he always breaks up our kisses, and he just gives me the creeps," I tried to explain. "I don't know why he does, he just does, and when he touches me, it's just weird," I went on. "He hits on me, Troy, and not like the way Tommy does. It bothers me. Then, last night, at the club, he called me Brie, and pushed hair behind me ear, like you do. Plus, he told me last night I was the most beautiful girl he's even seen. If he told me I was pretty, I wouldn't be getting so worked up. Maybe. But, the most beautiful girl he's ever seen, Troy? That seems too intimate to me," I stated. "I don't know, maybe it's because of my rape, I just don't feel comfortable around some guys, I know that. I'm sorry, I know he's your friend-"
"Hey," Troy cut me off, linking our hands together again, and sat me down on the ottoman. "You're really worked up about this. He really does freak you out, doesn't he?" he questioned.
I nodded sadly. "Yes. I'm sorry," I apologized, taking my hand from his. I covered my face with both my hands. "I know it's stupid, and probably in my head-"
Troy removed my hands from my face, causing me to stop talking. "Don't ever think what you're feeling is stupid, because it isn't. You're allowed to feel this way, especially with your past," he assured me.
"But, I feel like I shouldn't because he's your friend," I whispered, looking into his eyes.
"It doesn't matter," he replied. "I know Greg is a flirt, I just didn't think it'd bother you because Tommy doesn't," he told me.
I bit my lip. "It feels different when Greg does it. It bothers me. I know Tommy doesn't like me like that, even though he does want to see me naked. Tommy only flirts with me in front of you to piss you off, Greg does it the most when you're not around," I confessed. "And, the way he looks at me, it's not a in friendly way, it's.." I trailed off.
"It's what?" he wondered, squeezing my fingers.
"It's in a way that you look at me, and you're the only one I want to look at me that way," I told him. "I'm being paranoid, huh?" I mumbled, feeling embarrassed.
Troy let out a breath, then grabbed the ottoman to pull me closer. "I don't care if you're being paranoid or not, I'm gonna talk to him about it," he informed me.
"Troy, no!" I disagreed. "He's leaving tomorrow, it doesn't matter," I insisted.
"Yes, baby, it does matter. I'm not gonna let you go on feeling uncomfortable in your own home. That's not right," he stated. "I'm going to tell him to stop with the flirting because you don't like it, and he will. I don't want you to feel like that, especially when I have a night shift tonight," he said.
Shit, I forgot about that. "Promise you won't make it seem like I am some whiny wife or something?" I asked.
"Seeing as your're not, I won't. I'll handle it," he reassured me. "Don't worry."
I hoped that he could, and Greg really would stop.
I like the beginning, and middle, I think the ending could have been better.
I hope I described Gabriella's inner battle well enough. And, Greg's actions. Review what you think.
Next chapter: More Greg!
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-- Kayleigh