Risky Business

"If you just realize what I just realized

Then we'd be perfect for each other and we'll never find another

Just realize what I just realized

We'd never have to wonder if we missed out on each other"

-9-

November 26, 2014

"Making it more real" apparently meant me standing in a Victoria's Secret with Jill at ten the next morning.

Don't get me wrong. When Chad first said it, my heart leaped into my throat and started beating at a million miles per hour. I started sweating...everywhere. And I even leaned in, apparently thinking that Chad was going to kiss me.

Why, you wonder?

I wonder too.

Instead of kissing me, Chad, the wonderful Cooper that he is, pulled back, away from me, and started talking about my true love – Peyton Manning- with me.

That conversation continued for about thirty minutes, until we both fell asleep. This morning, however, Chad and I both trudged downstairs, holding hands, (a requirement of Chad's). And when my parents weren't looking, Chad requested that Jill take me shopping.

I thought that it would be cool. I thought that we would be buying Christmas jackets and overcoats, or something.

But no.

We were in the lingerie store of all lingerie stores, and my pregnant cousin was currently throwing garter belts at me.

Yeah, just what I need.

Not to mention the fact that she had already picked out five thongs (ew), and three push-up bras that were three sizes too small already.

I mean…why?

Well, apparently if the bra is too small, the more attention you get.

But heck, this is winter, and we are staying in my father's house. Besides this, we are faking everything and I would just never…no.

I might dream about kissing him, but ew.

Just. Yeah. I was pretty sure that I couldn't kill Jill because she was pregnant, and I love babies. But Chad was definitely being kicked out of bed tonight.

I mean, why waste so much money on stupid lingerie? Target has nice things, I tell you.

And also…Why in the hell do people wear thongs? I mean, they're like already-made wedgies. Who wants one of those? Honestly.

"Omigosh, Sonny! Look at how adorable this is!" I nearly choked as Jill held up a leopard-print bra and thong set.

I blinked, and looked at the already scanty clothing that was in my hands. There was red, white, and blue (how very patriotic…not). Then I had zebra print (Side note: I kind of love zebra print. But, in this case…ew.), cheetah print, and now? Leopard print.

Jill was apparently creating a patriotic Amazon through my undies.

I mean…Victoria's Secret is supposed to be famous for its "pink". Why couldn't she just pick a pink, comfortable set out?

Anyway.

I just mumbled something that even I couldn't understand under my breath, shook my head, and walked over to the section of the store that carried the lotion.

That, I could put up with.

Besides, if I was nice and smooth, maybe Chad would slip off of me while we were in bed.

Ooo000ooO

Personally, I think that going out to dinner the day before Thanksgiving is just plain stupid. Meet cousin Jill, her husband Laketon, and my fake boyfriend-slash-bestie, Chad Dylan.

Don't get me wrong, I'm always in the mood for Outback Steakhouse; but on the day before Thanksgiving and on a double date? Wrong.

"So, Chad," Jill leaned forward, probably squishing her baby bump against the table. Poor kid. "Sonny and I bought some really nice things today." (She said this whilst winking about eight times.) So damn subtle, I say.

Chad, in the meantime, talent-filled, choked on his sweet tea, slapped a hand over his mouth, and turned bright red. For a split second, I wondered if I should give him the Heimlich, but then I remembered that he was the one who sent me lingerie shopping. I just let him choke. It'd make its way down and out eventually.

And what was Jill's husband doing in the midst of his wife's horny implications? Texting his mother. Not kidding.

I leaned back in my chair, contemplating pouring Chad's sweet tea over him. I mean, tomorrow is Thanksgiving. This is the season in which I should be thankful for A LOT of things.

Like, I'm thankful for my fans. I'm thankful that none of my fans came up to me in Victoria's Secret today. I'm thankful for Amy, who really is subtle. I'm thankful for my mom, who's good at being what she is. I'm thankful that Jesus saved me.

See? I'm thankful for a lot of things.

And what I'm not thankful for?

Taryn. Chad being Chad. Me fake-dating Chad. These little things that make me second guess Chad's and my relationship. Jill's unsubtle comments. Thongs. Bras that are way too small. The creepy waiter looking at me from across the restaurant.

Sucking in a breath, I elbowed Chad in the ribs, while he casted a glare upon me, whispered for him to look in the direction of the creepy waiter. ( We'll call the creepy waiter Peter from now on.)

Chad then proceeded to glower at Peter. Peter must've ignored him though, because he started coming straight towards me.

And when I thought that he was going to walk right past our table…he stopped. Right in front of me. And then he delivered a very, extremely lame pick up line. I mean, come on!

Jill was biting her lip, looking between Chad, Peter, and me, and Laketon was still texting his mom.

I could tell that Chad was panicking, because, well, I was too.

And then?

Then Chad stood up, pulling me into a standing position right along with him. He then decided it would be nice if he engulfed me in his arms, tilted me backwards, and initiated a fake boyfriend/girlfriend make out session right there in the middle of an Outback.

Somewhere in the background, I vaguely heard Jill comment on how it was "all because of Victoria's Secret".

November 27, 2014

I firmly believe that that of the male species uses the football game as an excuse to get out of helping in the kitchen.

I.e. Chad, my dad, Laketon, and I were gathered in the family room around the television, while mom and Jill worked in the kitchen.

I know, I'm a girl…but Peyton Manning was playing. I cannot miss a game.

Another thing I'm thankful for? Peyton Manning. And football uniforms…especially if they're white. I mean, baseball uniforms are sweet too, but only if they're white…and tight.

Anyway.

Mind out of the gutter, Sonny.

Some people have traditions of going out and playing their own game of football, I know, but we're different. We sit and stare and wait for the lingerie-loving, and childbearing women to get the food done. Then, we eat.

Two hours later, we were doing just that. My mom and dad were seated at opposite ends of the table…because, ya'know, they're the bosses. Jill and her mommy-loving bitch (aka Laketon) were sitting across from Chad and I…because, ya'know, we're the couples. Jill's kids, in the meantime, had their own little table where they ate their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and giggled over their own little inside jokes.

Damnit, I was jealous of stupid Jill's kids.

I kind of wished that Amy was here, but she was off with her hubby-to-be, eating at his family's place. Damn Amy's hubby-to-be.

I mean, she's not exactly part of his family yet, ya'know?

But Chad's not really part of mine, either. I mean, he's my best friend and all, and he has his own inside jokes with my family and all, and now my dad has approved him for the role of being my husband, but…

Yeah. What gives?

"I'm thankful for…" My dad cleared his throat, and began his long, drawn-out speech about how freaking wonderful his family is, and how wonderfully glad he is that Sarah Palin is the president (amen, dad). But seriously? I fought the urge to roll my eyes, and glowered at my father.

Why?

Hadn't I just gone over how thankful I was for everything? I mean, shit.

Laketon was next. Shockingly enough, he said that he was thankful for his mother. I mean, wow. Jill mentioned that she was thankful for good chain stores (alluding to Victoria's Secret, her home away from home). My mom went next, giving the longest freaking speech of all.

Then it was Chad's turn.

He shifted completely in his chair where he was facing me, and reached for my hands. And then, he looked me in the eyes and said:

"I'm thankful for this girl in front of me. I'm thankful that she's the one that I'm in love with. That the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with is my best friend."

I mean…what?

I blinked, and somewhere in the distance, I heard my mom sniffle, and Jill blew her nose.

And yes, my heart did do this gigantic, gold-medal worthy back-flip inside of my chest, but still, I knew it was just an act. So, in that order, I narrowed my eyes and glared at Chad.

He smirked, knowing that his whole little Thanksgiving spiel was Oscar worthy. But, of course, he had to finish it. So, he leaned forward, and gave me a little peck on the lips (thus electing sighs from Jill and my mom).

When he pulled away, I made sure to kick him in the shin with my heeled boot. Chad yelped, of course, but quickly covered it up with a smile and lazily placed one of his arms around me.

Best Friend Bitch.

"So Sonny," My mom started, "what are you thankful for?"

My grand response (that made my dad choke)?

"Victoria's Secret."

Ooo000ooO

"So, I thought that Peyton Manning was good tonight." Chad said this whilst he was coming out of the bathroom, walking towards my bed.

I know…it's our bed. Because, you know…we're this extremely wonderfully fake couple.

Chad said this whilst he was walking towards our bed, with boxers on and his shirt off.

Who knew that Chad had a really, really nice set of guns, along with some pretty rock-solid stomach muscles?

Not me.

I licked my lips, shaking the perverted thoughts from my head. No. I am not Jill.

"Mmmm-hmmm." I mumbled, sliding under the blankets. I was wearing the only appropriate things I had gotten from Victoria's Secret. Cute little (pink) pajama bottoms and a cute little (pink) pajama top. I looked cute and little and I approved of how I looked…just so you know. However, I was still pretty irritated with Chad because of his whole little dwonky speech at dinner, so I was giving him the Half Silent Treatment.

I capitalize it because I can. And if you don't know what it means…sucks for you.

"You look cute in those PJs, Sonny."

Why would you bring this up, Chad Dylan? Besides, I know I look damn adorable. And you look damn hot. And if you give another one of those thankful speeches and tell the truth when you give it, I think we could make hot and adorable kids together, mmmkay?

I kept my mouth shut.

"Have you ever meant to type the word shirt, and then accidentally typed shit instead?" I glared at him. I've been doing a lot of glaring these days.

But seriously…what the heck kind of conversation starter is that?

I mean…seriously!

I just grunted, hoping he would catch on to my Half Silent Treatment.

"I was accidentally sending a text message, and it happened." Chad groaned, throwing his hands above his head for dramatic emphasis.

Then, I pouted. With us sleeping in the same bed (our bed) and all, Chad had failed to send me any of his sporadic text messages throughout the night, and I was missing them. I mean, just because he was sleeping on top of me and all did not give him the right to not send me any text messages.

And who the heck was he texting to anyway?

I opened my mouth to ask him, and then quickly shut it.

It just better not be Taryn.

Chad, in all of his shirtless-boxer (they were black, by the way) glory, must've finally picked up on my Half Silent Treatment and decided that he had better shut up as well. He pulled the covers back, and crawled into bed right beside me.

And then, just when I was about to flop down on the pillow and shut my eyes, his arms encircled me, and he pulled me flush against his chest.

…Not that I minded. He smelled wonderful. Tide, Axe, and some sort of really, really awesome cologne.

I was glad that I smelled good too. I was wearing Victoria's Secret Heavenly, after all. And heck, if we had kids, they would smell freaking perfect. Of course, they'd be smelling perfect without the Victoria's Secret smell.

So what did I do, being pressed against Chad's chest and all? I breathed him in, closed my eyes, and wrapped my arms around him.

Then Chad proceeded to press a kiss on the top of my head, and say "I love you, Sonny."

And you know what? I loved him too.

…Pretty sure that I don't love him in the same way that he loves me. And I knew that if I said it back, I would move my arms, wrap them around his neck, and plant a kiss on his lips. He would then (in my fantasy and all), slowly lay me back on the bed, and deepen the kiss.

And then, one thing would lead to another, and…

Yeah.

But I kept my mouth shut, hating that I had just realized what I had just realized. Stupid freaking Colbie Caillat. We really were perfect for each other, Chad and me.

And I'm totally UNthankful for my love for him.

Lyrics: Caillat, C; Reeves, J; Blue, Mikal – Realize by Colbie Caillat

A/N: Holy cow! You guys are the BEST! I can't believe that you made the last chapter the most reviewed of this story – but I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart! Every review brought a smile to my face…So, thank you.

And I hope that you like this chapter too! If the song "Realize" didn't exist, I probably wouldn't have been able to write it. I also hope that you like Jill; I loved writing her character (sad, I know).

Please let me know what you think. And did you pick up on how irritated Sonny was over Taryn? :) Also, she loves him! Finally.