Chapter 11

Lester's party was being held at the same club we all went to the first time I went out with the guys. I was really nervous on the way over to the club and just wanted this night to be over with, I didn't want to have to watch Lester and his girlfriend and I didn't want to be around happy people. I wanted to be home with Ben & Jerry, now there is two guys that have never let me down.

Once we arrived at the club I was even more nervous if that were possible. The guys had rented the whole second floor for the party and it looked fabulous. There were already quite a few people there and I didn't know most of them, but if I had to put money on it I would guess they were family. I also noticed that most of the Rangemen were making their way in, including Ranger and Lester along with Rachel and Miranda.

"Hey Steph, let's go get a drink."

"Good idea Val, I could use something strong to help me get through tonight."

"Hey girls, how are you two doing tonight?"

I turned to see Rachel behind me with Miranda at her side.

"Good, just on our way to get a drink. Why don't you join us."

If looks could kill Val would be seriously dead right now.

"Where are my manners, let me introduce you to Miranda. This is Valerie Forbes, she is married to Ram and this is Stephanie Plum. Steph and Val are sisters."

"Pleasure to meet you both, Stephanie I have heard a lot about you and have been dying to meet you."

"Nice to meet you as well Miranda, now how about we see about some drinks." This was going to be a long night.

"Hey where are you four going?" I have no idea who she was, but I was guessing she was Ranger & Lester's sister. "Hi, I'm Celia and you must be Stephanie. It is a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Hi Celia, yes I am Steph and this is my sister Val. We were on our way to get drinks, would you like to join us?"

"So ladies, what will it be?" asked the bartender.

I answered first. "I'll have a shot of tequila and a Raspberry Smirnoff with 7up."

Everyone wound up getting a shot of tequila and some type of drink. The next thing I know I heard a scream, I turned and there was a beautiful woman making her way towards us. She ran right to Miranda, hugged her and then kissed her. Back the fuck up...this was not just a hello kiss but a I can't wait to get you alone kiss. I must have had a shocked look on my face and Rachel explained to Val and I what was going on.

"Miranda is Gabby's girlfriend and she was in New York on business, Gabby has been in LA helping a friend with an art gallery opening."

"Gabby, I would like you to meet Stephanie and Val."

"Nice to meet you both, I didn't mean to be rude. It has just been a long couple of weeks since we last saw each other."

Well holy shit, someone was definitely spreading the wrong rumors around Rangeman. And like a fool I listened to them.

Maybe this night was going to turn out to be a good one after all.

The five of us were down on the main floor of the club dancing (the music hadn't started upstairs yet) when I heard a voice behind me and felt some one grab my arm.

"Cupcake, how about a dance with me?"

"No Joe, go away."

"What, the Rangeman whore not allowed to dance with anyone but a Rangeman?"

"Fuck off Joe. Speaking of whore's where is yours?" I tried walking away but the grip he had on my arms just got stronger.

"You've got some nerve calling Teri a whore."

"Let go of my arm asshole.

Just then Ranger, Lester, Tank and Bobby came over. Lester got right in Joe's face.

"Morelli, let her go now."

He let go and got right back in Lester's face.

"Oh look the Rangemen have come to save their play toy."

"That's it I've had enough." And then Lester punched Joe in the face, and he went down to the floor. Teri, Eddie, Carl and Mooch all came running over. Teri wasn't looking to happy.

"What the hell is going on here?"

"Eddie I'm glad your here. Can you please get him the hell out of here."

"Joe are you going to press charges?"

"Damn right I want to press charges, this thug assaulted me."

"EDDIE! It wasn't Lester's fault, Joe grabbed me and wouldn't let go. As for you Joe, go ahead and press charges. I'll just go down to the station and talk to your captain and then show him the bruises on my arms."

Everyone looked down and you could see the bruises already starting to form.

"Fine, you win this time. Let's get out of here."

"Who the hell was that guy?" Gabby asked. Miranda and Celia looked shocked as we all stood there.

"He is my ex-boyfriend, and he still doesn't get it even after 6 months."

"To hell with him, let's go enjoy my party upstairs. The music is starting and so are the shots."

For some reason when Lester mentioned the shots he looked right at me. I smiled back at him. Once we got upstairs Miranda pulled me aside and asked to speak with me.

"Steph can I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure." I wasn't really sure where she was going to go with this and I started getting nervous.

"What is up with you and Lester?"

Okay, I wasn't expecting that. "What do you mean?"

"Well for starters you are all he ever talks about. I have been here for 3 days and have heard all about you. So I am just wondering if there is something going on. I know for a fact that me more than likes you."

"Honestly, I have no idea what is going on. I think I may have made a big mistake where Lester is concerned."

"Is this about what happened 3 months ago?"

"He told you about that?"

"Don't get mad at him, I have known him for quite a few years and we became really close friends. He is actually one of my best friends. He was the first one to know about Gabby and I, I don't know what we would have done without him. He is falling in love with you Steph and you either need to step up or tell him to let it go."

"It's not that easy Miranda..."

"Yes it is. You just need to figure out what you want, but from the looks of things yesterday I think you want him. I saw the looks when you thought I was his girlfriend, and don't deny it. A couple of the guys have been trying to figure out what happened with you two and so they started the rumor that I was his girlfriend. They were hoping it would send you into action and tell Lester how you really feel."

"I'm sorry about yesterday, it's just that I don't know how to talk to him now. I do want him in my life and not just my working life, I want him there in every facet of my life."

"Don't worry about it, I probably would have been the same way. Now are you going to talk to him? I can see that you are both hurting over this."

"Yeah, I'm gonna talk to him. I am going to get some air, this has been a strange evening and it's not even half over yet."

"Okay, hurry back we have to do some shots to catch up with the guys."

I went out to the deck area, it was still kind of chilly so it wasn't opened up for business yet. I wasn't standing there two minutes when I felt someone come up behind me. When he put his hand on my shoulder it sent tingles down my spine and I am sure he felt me shiver.

TBC