AN: Sorry for taking forever to update. I have been distracted and kind of lost where I was going with this one. Hopefully I have not lost too many of you. Many of you did not like the date with Preston. I kind of figured that would be the case or at the very least that you all would have an issue with his lack of attention. I know that I had an epic fail on responding to everyone's reviews but I will get caught up with them on this chapter. Just to warn you I have included my first ever attempt at writing a bit of citrus. It is at the end of the chapter and I need to know what you all think of it.

Chapter 12 Octopi and Steamy Dreams

The rest of the week went by quickly with the exception of Wednesday. Preston called on Wednesday wanting to know how I was and what I had planned for the weekend. It was awkward for me to talk to him. I had come to the conclusion that we were better off as friends but I had not told him that yet. He may be one of the best kissers in the world but he was not wholeheartedly interested in me. I liked Preston but he was hung up on Eggs and I did not want to try to compete with that. "Hey Sookie, how has your week been going?" He asked once I answered the phone.

"Fine just busy with school work and stuff, You?" I replied.

"Great. I was wondering what you were doing this weekend. I got invited to an art opening for one of my frat brothers on Saturday. Um … would you want to go with me? We could go to dinner first and then walk around and drink cheap wine looking at overpriced pretentious art." He offered in an excited voice.

"That sounds interesting but I am going home this weekend." I answer sort of relieved that I have an excuse to say no. Is it bad of me to think that way?

"Oh that's ok maybe some other time." The way he said it almost had me changing my mind.

"Sure umm was there anything else you wanted Preston? I need to get into class." I had like ten minutes till Meriwether would start but I needed to hit the bathroom.

"No um Sookie when does your class get over? Maybe we could get coffee or something. I want to talk to you about Monday night." He asked.

"This one is over at two and the one after is done at four fifty." I wanted to talk to him more about our date too.

"Ok what building I come get you and we can get an early dinner?" I could hear him moving around on the other side of the phone.

"Meet me at the bus stop outside of Lago. Ok I got to go I will see you later." I say in goodbye.

"Bye Sookie" He hangs up. I make my pit stop and head off to class. Meriwether breaks us up into groups to work on a case study. Both of my classes are over before I know it and I am heading out to meet Preston. He is standing with his back to me as I approach. He must have be day dreaming because he jumped about a foot when touched his arm to get his attention.

"Sorry Preston I thought you knew I was here." I apologize.

"No it's cool. You ready to go?" He asks smiling at me. I nod my head. "Let's go to the Hub before it gets too busy." He said grabbing my hand and steering me across the street. The Hub is one of the many dining establishments on campus. It was a combination grill and coffee shop. The lines were not too long when we went in. I got a gyro and a carton of milk. He got one of the monstrous burgers the Hub is known for a side of fries and a pop. We claimed one of the booths in the back of the room where there were fewer people.

"So what did you want to talk about?" I ask taking a sip of my milk.

"I feel like a dick. I thought about what you said about Eggs and you are right. I did not pay attention to you. I am sorry. I was hoping to make it up to you this weekend but you're not going to be here." He admitted looking forlorn.

"Thank you for apologizing. I have thought a lot about Monday night too and I think we would be better friends. I like you, you are a nice guy and a great kisser but I don't think that is enough." I reply hoping not to hurt his feelings.

"Why is that not enough? Great relationships can start with liking and kissing." He countered with a smirk.

"I would always be afraid that I was not enough or that you would feel like you were missing out on something else." I blushed looking down before continuing. "Our first date was with a group of your friends one of which you spent a good chunk of the night looking at. I felt like you had to pretend to like me when you were being watched."

"I apologized for that. Would you give me another chance to take you out?" He asked hopefully.

"I don't think that I can if there is a chance that you have feelings for someone else." I look him in the eye.

"So you are saying that you won't date me if I am into Eggs. If I figure out my feelings about him would you give me a chance then?" He questioned.

"Is there really anything to figure out? I mean you told me that you like him, I guess you can see if he reciprocates your feelings or not but that leaves me hanging. I don't want to be someone's second choice." I said firmly.

"Ok I can understand that I am just disappointed that we didn't have a chance." He responds sadly.

"I think we can still be great friends though. I think you are a great guy." I smile shyly at him.

"Sure we can be friends but I am not going to give up hope that you might change your mind." He gave me a smile that would have had any girl swooning. We finished eating and then talked about random things coming up. He told me about the skit that the ΑΤΩ was doing for homecoming. They were convinced that they had it in the bag this year. They had a few drama majors that were taking the lead on the production. He also invited me to the party that they were throwing the weekend of Halloween. We talked till seven when he walked me to the bus stop giving me a friendly hug goodbye. I got home feeling good about our friendship. I was also proud of myself for standing up for my own feelings. Bill had always had his way of making me think I was hurting him if I did not agree with him. For the first time in a long time I knew what I wanted and was not afraid of it.

I was packing up to head home Friday afternoon. I was finally getting to break out my fall clothing. It was starting to really feel like fall outside. You would not have known that it was October if it was not for all of the pumpkins on people's door steps the last week. This was always one of my favorite times of year. For me it was really just a preamble for the holidays. Thinking about the holidays made me think about Hunter. I knew that the coming months would be hard on all of us but especially him. This would be his first holiday season without his parents. I was not looking forward to cleaning out her stuff either. However Jason had roped Alcide and Hoyt into helping. He did promise that I would feed the both of them but it was relatively free manual labor. I got everything into my bag and headed for my car. Jess was staying because she had a date with a guy named Collin from one of her studio classes. He was a major hunk and had the most amazing British accent. I called Daddy leaving messages on both phones that I was on my way home. Traffic was light on the way making for an easy drive. Dean greeted me excitedly when I got out of the car. He about knocked me down with his enthusiastic jumping. Daddy and Hunter were in the kitchen working on supper.

"Hey" I said walking up to the counter. "What are you guys making?"

"Sookie do you know what octopus macaroni and cheese is?" Hunter asked with the biggest smile.

"I can't say that I do. Is that what we're having?" I reply in mock horror.

"Um hm only it's not real octopuses they are hotdogs. See." He answered holing up a hotdog that had been cut up.

"That's really neat Hunter." Hunter went on to tell me how he didn't do any of the cutting his job was to push the button of the food processor to great the cheese. He thought it was the real fun and asked Daddy what else we could put in it. I think it was one of the healthiest baked mac and cheeses we have ever made. He ran an onion, carrots and a squash though the thing laughing the entire time. It tasted pretty good too. At eight Daddy got Hunter tuck in and told him a story like he use to tell Jason and I when we were little. He would take normal fairy tales and change them up. One time he gave Cinderella a bad case of flatus which really made the story. I mean when you are that little the funniest things are farts and boogers. I do have to admit that they are still rather funny at this age. Once Hunter was fast asleep, Daddy and I went down stairs. I curled up on the sofa with Dean and Daddy sat in his chair putting his feet up.

"Baby girl I think this is going to work out. Hunter and I have been getting into a good routine. He is having a blast with Gran during the day. On Tuesday he didn't want to leave." He said with a smile on his face.

"That's great Daddy. How have you been doing?" I returned his smile.

"You know I have been doing better than I thought. With your Gran and Jason around to help it has been fine. We had one little issue with dinner during the week. He had a fit when I put food on his plate without telling him what it was. He was very adamant that it was not how Mama did it." His smile faltered slightly.

"How did you handle it?" I asked.

"He has been helping me make dinner every night since so he knows just exactly what it is he has on his plate. What time are you and the boys going over tomorrow?" He changed the subject.

"Jason said that they would be coming to get me at nine which probably means he will show up at ten." I reply getting up to go get a glass of water.

"Alright I think Hunter and I will be going over to Gran's for the day. You make sure those boys clean up before y'all come over for dinner." Daddy followed me getting a beer from the fridge. I noticed that Daddy had been drinking a little more recently but I did not want to get into an argument with him about it. We talked for a bit more before I headed up to bed. I picked out a comfy pair of jeans and an old t-shirt to wear for the next day. I took a quick shower and pulled on my pajamas before getting into bed. I was out almost instantly.

I had a really intense dream where I was sitting in the living room of my apartment on the sofa. I was reading a book of some kind when a hand started massaging my shoulder. It was soon followed by a second and a pair of lips that placed soft kisses down my neck. Then all of a sudden I was lying down and who ever had been kissing my neck was over the top of me. His kisses had progressed down my front to my chest. He took one of my nipples into his mouth sucking and biting it while he worked the other with his hand. I let out a moan as he continued his way down my body towards a part of me that desperately needed his attention. His hands found its target as he closed in with his mouth. My breathing was fast and shallow. I heard a familiar voice coming from the man that was worshiping my body. "Lover, look at me." He commanded before diving in. I looked down into a pair of bright blue eyes I knew very well. I woke up out of breath and drenched.