Author's note: with tomorrow being Christmas Eve, I wanted to make sure I was able to get this posted for you guys. I hope you enjoy. We're getting closer to the moment you're waiting for. I hope you enjoy.

Happy Holidays!

Chapter 8

Aubrey POV

"Bre?" Chloe's voice called from the living room as I stepped out of the shower.

"I'm in the bathroom." I called as I toweled off.

Chloe burst into the bathroom, grinning. She stopped when she took in my naked damp body and the look in her eyes went from happy to hungry in an instant. I smirked in response. She crossed the small room and pulled me against her as she claimed my lips with a passion and force that took my breath away. Her hands ran down my back until they could squeeze my ass. I moaned into the kiss and Chloe sucked on my bottom lip before pulling back.

"I love it when I get home to find you wet and naked." She said, wiggling her eyebrows at me.

I chuckled and pushed her back. I grabbed my bathrobe from the hook behind the door and put it on before Chloe could get any other ideas. I wanted to know what happened after I had left Beca's room earlier that evening.

"You're in a good mood. I take it Beca's ok?" I asked leading the way into our bedroom.

"Oh, yeah." Chloe said vaguely, as though she had completely forgotten the events of that evening. I smirked at her and pulled her down on the bed next to me.

"Well…" I prompted when she didn't continue right away.

She glanced up at me. "Sorry, Bre. There's so much to tell you. Beca finally opened up to me, but I'm not sure where to start."

"She did? Oh, Chloe, that's wonderful. Can you start with is she ok?" I asked as patiently as I could.

Chloe grinned. "Yeah, it is, isn't it? And she's alright. Or at least she will be."

"What does that mean?" I asked losing all patience.

Chloe grimaced. "Sorry, um. Jesse called Beca's dad to bail her out tonight. When he picked her up they fought about her arrest and he wouldn't even listen to her side of the story. From what Beca said, she and her dad didn't have the best relationship to begin with." Chloe frowned. "At the beginning of the school year, Beca's dad made a deal with her. He told her if she really gave college a chance, he would help her move to LA if she still wanted to go after her freshman year."

"What?! Beca's moving to LA in 6 months?" I yelped, interrupting Chloe.

Chloe waved vaguely in my direction in an attempt to calm me down. "Not necessarily, Bre. Beca told me that her dad took back the offer tonight. And she said that she wasn't even sure she wanted to leave anymore. I think it's still a possibility, but not a probability. So, we still have time to win her over. Especially, since we've both decided to stay at Barden for grad school." Chloe had this determined look in her eyes, that I wasn't sure was safe for the girl on the receiving end of that determination.

I made myself take a deep breath and think over what Chloe had said. "Alright, what else happened tonight?"

The determined look on Chloe's face dissolved and was replaced by a look that was a weird combination of excitement, longing and lust. I wasn't sure how to take that. I'd never seen that look in her eyes before and I could feel the jealousy start creeping in.

"What?" I asked when it became apparent that Chloe was lost in thought again.

Chloe turned back to focus on me. "Oh, um…right, well Beca is brilliant musically. I mean, I knew she could sing, but Aubrey, she can do so much more. She makes these amazing mixes that are just perfect. The best DJs on the east coast couldn't compete with what Beca can do."

I raised an eyebrow. I'd never heard Chloe give such a glowing review to anyone or anything before. I knew she generally likes just about everything, but she doesn't gush about things in that way. "Really?" I asked skeptically.

Chloe nodded emphatically. "Oh, totes, Bre. She really knows what she's doing. It might actually help the Bellas if we give her a chance to help with the set list for the semi-finals."

I shook my head. "No, Chloe. You know that we got to the finals last year, with these songs. We will get back there with the same songs. We have to get back to the finals. I won't risk it, even for Beca."

"Please, Bre. Just give it a chance." Chloe whined.

Frustrated, I got up and started pacing the room. "No, Chloe. Just drop it ok? You know what this means to me."

Chloe sighed heavily. "Ok, fine."

I glanced over at her and saw that she had lain back on the bed and was staring up at the ceiling. I felt bad for snapping at her. I sighed and moved to kneel next to the bed. "Chloe, I'm sorry. I just have to get back to the finals and blow everyone away so I can erase the puke-gate incident from everyone's minds. You understand that right? It's something I need to do. I have to redeem myself."

Chloe sat up and studied my face. After a long moment she leaned forward and gently laid a kiss on my lips. "I know, honey. I'm sorry. I just think that Beca could help with that. And I think it would help us win Beca over. But, I won't force it. I love you, and I trust you. So, whatever you want to do, I'll support you."

"Thank you." I said smiling. I gave Chloe a quick kiss before standing and moving to the dresser to pull out some pajamas. I wanted nothing more in that moment than to curl up in bed with Chloe and just hold her until we both fell asleep. It wasn't until we were snuggled up in bed with the lights off that I remembered the look Chloe gave me when we were in Beca's room earlier. "Chloe?" I asked quietly.

"Hmm?" She murmured, sleepily.

"What did you want to tell after the competition? You gave me that look in Beca's room. What was that about?" I asked, hoping she hadn't forgotten.

Chloe's eyes flew open and she grinned up at me. "I got verbal confirmation that Beca's gay!"

"Really?" I asked, a smile spreading slowly across my face.

"Totes! Jesse mentioned it after you walked away."

"Oh, so that's what you were talking about." I stated, realizing the reason she was so excited when she got on the bus.

She laughed. "Yep."

I chuckled. "Good. Did he say anything else?"

Chloe thought for a moment. "No, but I think she's told him more. I'm going to try to corner him at some point and find out what he knows."

I rolled my eyes thinking that Jesse was in trouble. I kissed Chloe's forehead and let me head fall back on the pillow. I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

At rehearsal the next day, it was glaringly obvious that something had changed in Beca. She was flirting more openly with Chloe, and she didn't seem as guarded around her as she used to be. I had to fight my own jealousy through every second of rehearsal. I couldn't decide if I was more jealous of Chloe for receiving so much of Beca's attention, or of Beca for having so much of Chloe's focus on her. To make matters worse, I couldn't seem to even get a rise out of Beca. Anytime I tried to pick a fight with her, she just rolled her eyes and smirked. While this sent heat flooding through my system, it didn't seem to affect Beca at all. By the time rehearsal ended, I wanted to scream and I had no idea if we had even accomplished anything in the rehearsal.

"Alright, ladies. I'm calling it. See you all tomorrow." I called out over the room. I didn't even wait for them to leave; I just moved over to a chair and slumped into it, groaning. What the hell am I going to do? If this keeps up, I'm going to tear apart the Bellas. I sat there struggling to come up with a solution for several minutes before and idea hit me. I sat up and looked around, relieved when I was Chloe and Beca standing and talking near the exit.

"Beca!" I called. "May I speak to you for a minute?"

Two sets of confused but curious eyes turned to look at me. I had to bite the inside of my cheek from grinning. After a moment, Beca turned back to Chloe, said something to her before moving over to meet me in the middle of the rehearsal floor.

"S'up?" She asked.

"I just realized that I never properly thanked you for what you did last night." I said with a smile.

Beca's eyebrows shot up. "Um, it was nothing. I just figured it'd be better for everyone if I was the only one in trouble." She shifted awkwardly.

"I know, Beca. It means a lot to me that you'd be willing to do that for the Bellas. I just wanted you to know that." I said before leaning in to place a lingering kiss on her cheek. I felt her breath catch and I pulled back to smile down at her.

Beca blinked up at me. "Um, you're welcome," she said finally. She blinked again and seemed to come back to herself; she glanced over at Chloe who was watching us with a smirk. Beca blushed, and cleared her throat. She glanced back at me. "Uh, I should go." She muttered before turning and fleeing the room. When she reached the door, she called over her shoulder, "I'll see you tomorrow." And then she was gone.

I laughed and turned to Chloe. She launched herself at me. I opened my arms and caught her. I spun her around as she peppered kisses all over my face. When I put her down, she leaned in to rest her head on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry you were jealous." She said.

I smiled and kissed her hair. "It's ok. It just made me realize that I needed to change tactics. " I pulled back enough to let me see her eyes. "I'm sorry that I was jealous."

Chloe's smile was quick and sweet. She leaned up to give me a lingering kiss that left me breathless. With a final nip on my neck, she leaned in to breath in my ear. "Take me home, Bre. I need to feel you."

A shudder ran through my body. "Yes." It was the only word I could get out. Chloe chuckled. She grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the building.

Beca POV

The next day's rehearsal was torturous. When I walked in, I was still feeling guilty for my reaction to the kiss Aubrey placed on my cheek. I mean I had finally decided to ask Chloe out on a date, but before I could work up the courage, Aubrey called me over and I completely forgot about Chloe the instant the blonde's lips touched my cheek.

As soon as I saw the mischievous glint in Chloe's eyes and the smirk on Aubrey's face, I knew I was in trouble. Chloe didn't act any differently towards me, which had already been driving me crazy all year. It was Aubrey that turned the rehearsal into a living hell. She started it during our daily cardio warm up. As we jogged around the risers, she stayed just behind me, and anytime I wasn't moving fast enough for her, she'd slap my ass and say, "Faster, Mitchell," or something to that effect. Which inevitably sent heat raced through my body and my heart to start pounding harder in my chest. Unfortunately, it didn't stop there. Aubrey started finding every possible excuse to touch me. Her touches always lingered a second longer than necessary and sent desire rushing through me.

After the second time this happened, Aubrey was correcting my posture. I lost my composure. "Oh my God, Aubrey. We're not going to be scored lower it I don't walk around like I have a stick up my ass!" I snapped.

Aubrey's eyes darkened and she stepped into my space. "You don't know that, Beca. We have to be perfect if we're going to make it into the finals." She snapped back. I swallowed hard, but managed to keep from taking a step back from her. After what felt like a lifetime, Aubrey shoved past me to go back into position. As she did so, her breast brushed against my arm and I forgot how to breathe. When I had myself composed I looked up and caught Chloe looking at me. She winked before turning around to start the song.

After the longest three hours of my life, Aubrey finally announced the end of rehearsal. Relief flooded me and I rushed to grab my bag and get the hell out of there. Chloe's voice stopped me.

"Hey, Beca. Wait a minute." She called. I groaned and felt my shoulders slump. I reluctantly turned to face her, trying to force a polite smile onto my face.

"What's up, Chloe?" I asked.

"Aubrey and I were going to go to the cafeteria to get some dinner before we head to the library. I was wondering if you'd like to join us."

Really? Right now I would rather eat live snakes. I thought. But I couldn't tell her that. I also couldn't grab her and kiss her senseless, even though in that moment, I really wanted to. Instead I said, "Sorry, I can't."

Her face fell. "Why? Do you have other plans?"

Her lost puppy eyes softened my resolve and I sighed. "No, I, um. I was going to ask Kimmie Jin for some help with my math homework." I lied.

"Oh, come on, Becs. Your homework will still be there after dinner. Besides, you need to eat." She pleaded. "Plllleeeeeeaaaassssseeee?"

All my reservations dissolved and I couldn't help but smile. "Alright, fine."

"Yay!" Chloe squealed and pulled me into a hug, which immediately reminded me why I wanted to say no in the first place. But the damage was done. Chloe grabbed my hand and pulled me over to Aubrey. "Bre, Beca is going to come to dinner with us at the cafeteria!"

Aubrey turned to me with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. "That's great. I'm starving." She said, her voice dropping into a husky purr that sent a shudder through my body.

The cafeteria was crowded, and I had to wait in line for fresh fries; so by the time I got over to the table, Chloe and Aubrey were already seated. I had hoped that they would sit next to each other so I could get a little distance to try and keep my composure. I wasn't so lucky. They were seated across the table diagonally from each other, so no matter where I sat, I had to sit next to one of them and face the other across the table. I hesitated for a moment before dropping my tray next to Chloe and slumping into the empty seat. I kept my head down and started picking at my food. I was too aware of the heat of Chloe's body next to mine. Her shoulder brushed against mine as she reached to grab a napkin from the dispenser in the middle of the table. I let out a little gasp as heat began racing through my system. I turned it into a little cough and quickly took a sip of my drink. I noticed Chloe's little satisfied smile and looked up to find myself caught in the intensity of Aubrey's gaze. It bore into me, causing heat to rush to my core. I squirmed under that gaze, but I couldn't look away. An eternity later, Aubrey smirked and went back to eating.

When I could no longer stand the heavy silence, I asked, "So, what are you guys majoring in? I just realized that I don't know."

Aubrey smiled and said, "I'm pre-law and Chloe's a history major."

"Oh, that's cool. So, um, what are your plans for after graduation?" I asked to keep the conversation going.

"Well, Bre just got accepted into Barden's law school and I'm still waiting to hear back about Barden's graduate program. I love it here and I want to stay for a while longer. But eventually I want to teach." Chloe said.

After that, the conversation came easily. I found myself laughing and joking with Aubrey, and grinning at Chloe's exuberance. Aubrey was in the middle of a funny story about her and Chloe's first frat party when I felt a hand on my thigh. I froze. The fingers started idly tracing patterns on my jeans and I felt my center clench at the nearness of that hand. I glanced over at Chloe, but she just kept her eyes focused on Aubrey. The small smile on her lips was the only indication that she knew what she was doing to me. I wanted to push her hand away. I wanted to leave. I wanted the hand to move higher. I needed it to end. I never wanted it to end. I wanted Aubrey's hand to join Chloe's. Fuck, fuck, fuck! I am so screwed!

I glanced at Aubrey. She was staring intently at me, with eyes that had darkened to nearly black with desire. I swallowed hard and shot a look at Chloe. She was still focused on Aubrey, who had continued her story, though I had no idea what she was saying. Before I could stop myself, I slipped off one of my shoes and extended the leg that Chloe wasn't touching out to let me run my bare foot up Aubrey's calf. She gasped, her eyes locking onto mine. She completely lost her train of thought as she pressed her leg into my caress. I felt Chloe's fingers squeeze into my thigh and looked over at her. She was looking back and forth between Aubrey and I. Her breath had also hitched and I noticed that her eyes had also darkened with desire.

I smirked. I had finally turned the tables on the two of them. I sat back, quickly slipping my shoe back on. "Well, I gotta go. Thanks for asking me to dinner. I'll see you guys tomorrow." I said with a grin. Both seniors looked shocked. When they didn't immediately respond, I picked up my bag and my tray and went to return the tray before leaving the cafeteria. I glanced back once before I reached the door. Chloe and Aubrey were staring at me. I smirked and gave them a little wave before walking out.

I was nearly back to my dorm when I stopped dead in my tracks. The happiness for finally getting the best of the seniors had worn off enough for doubts to creep in. What the hell just happened? I asked myself. Are they playing some sick game with me? Do they both really want me? Or is this some grotesque competition to see who can get me into bed first? What the fuck am I doing? Chloe and Aubrey are best friends. Can I really get in the middle of that? Do I want to? Oh, dear God, yes. I'm going to hell. I want them both more than I've ever wanted anything in my life. But, I don't think I'll survive it if I lost either of them. Shit, Shit, Shit. I'm head over fucking heals in love with both of them. What the fuck am I going to do? As this last question repeated itself through my mind, I decided I needed to talk to someone. I turned away from my dorm and headed across campus to find Jesse.