Chapter 15: Critics trash major line; See no appeal in HFTF

Michael was shocked to feel his shoulder grabbed. So when he felt himself being spun around, he instinctively used the moment to twist the arm that grabbed him and take back control of the situation. "Thomas?" he snapped still annoyed as he pushed Steffy's brother away and released him. "What the fuck was that? Don't ever grab me like that again. I could have hurt you."

"I'll say," Thomas grumbled rubbing his shoulder as Marcus stood a few steps behind in silent shock.

"What do you want anyway?" Michael sighed kicking the gravel. He hated that he'd reacted with the same hair-trigger instincts he'd had after getting out of prison… and for the first time since arriving in LA. He felt his skin pull tight and he fought the uncomfortable feeling settling in his belly trying to take hold after the way he'd always responded like back when he hadn't felt safe after the rape...

"To thank you," he admitted sheepishly. "For standing up for my sister the way you did."

Michael nodded and rubbed the back of his head. "What are friends for?" he acknowledged relaxing slightly. "You and your sister are my friends. Your sister has been since day one. But she is your sister..."

"Man, don't you think I know that?"

Thomas's reaction melted a little more of the ice in Michael's demeanor, but not much. "Don't know?" he sneered. "Couldn't tell by the way you were letting Barbie in there take potshots at her."

"Look, it's complicated," Thomas sighed in frustration. "There was a time when you couldn't have stopped me. Even blew up Rick's car trying to protect her."

"Whoa!" Michael leaned against his car the wind flying out of his righteous indignation on Steffy's behalf.

"Yeah," Thomas sighed joining him as Marcus slowly came closer. "But you have no clue what it's like to have everything you do personally and professionally held up like a score card that could affect how my dad views you and can get you demoted."

"That's nuts," Michael deadpanned in shock. "I mean, it's like that with my great grandfather, but only amongst BLOOD. You know, actual family. Are you telling me your dad would demote you because you stand up to the snot for your sister...? HIS DAUGHTER?!"

"I know insane, right?" Thomas sighed. "Last time, I tried to protect my family against a Logan, my dad shut down my highly successful clothing line, Taboo, and made me work in the basement with my uncle Thorne. The only reason Steffy never had to do basement duty is because she singlehandedly took on Bill Spencer and got the company back into the family. I think my dad's a little afraid to piss her off. Besides, she's the best thing to happen to Forrester and the Marketing department. She's brilliant in business, especially when it comes to selling a story or product. Still, I did keep doing my best to defend her and my mom, until I realized how guilty it made her and mom feel when Dad came down on me for it instead of Brooke or Hope."

"Wow, man," Michael sighed shaking his head in disbelief. "Loyalty and family is everything to my family. I just can't comprehend anyone doing that. How can a man call himself a father or even a man and be willing to protect his dick over his kids? It's a really sensitive subject with me." Michael flashed to the police reports Lucky had given him long ago and that he'd only recently read. The reports from his accident at the warehouse had said that Sonny had shielded Kate instinctively. Even knowing he'd been hit by a ricochet bullet was no solace. "What is man with no loyalty? Especially to his family."

"It's just since Phoebe died-"

"Steffy's twin?" Michael interrupted confused by what felt like a random segue.

"Yeah," Thomas continued. "They were fraternal. She was blonde to Steffy's brunette. Steffy's always been a bit wild, exciting, and edgy—a real tomboy, but solid under it all. Phoebe was always more sweet, girlier, ya know, and kinda earnest. Not boring by any means, but they were definitely two sides of the same coin. If we were vacationing in the mountains, Phoebe would be hiking, skiing, or in the cabin writing songs by the fireplace while Steffy was snowboarding or making new friends to hang and party with. Camping in the woods? Pheebs would want to do a nature hike or swim laps. Steffy? She'd be all about mountain biking or finding some rapids to navigate."

"I get it." Michael nodded, thinking of how people had described Jason and AJ before AJ killed Jason Quartermaine and Jason Morgan was born. "So Phoebe was more the stereotypical 'good twin'."

"Exactly," Thomas sighed, leaning beside his new friend on the SUV. "Not that she was perfect or pretended to be. She wasn't, but you get what I'm saying. I mean, she could really have a temper. Which is ironically part of how she died. It's funny because most people would expect something like that from Steffy, but she's always been the more damaged and vulnerable of the two. Anyway, when she died, we all took it hard, but especially Steffy."

"And then that prick Rick took advantage," Michael snarled.

"Yeah," Thomas agreed. "I guess she told you, but after that, things kept getting crazier and crazier with the family. And I think Steffy got really lost without Pheebs to ground her, ya know. Hope used to idolize the girls, but especially Phoebe. I think with everything that was changing, Hope reminded him of the daughter he lost in ways that Steffy never really could or should."

"Ok, this is starting to make a twisted sort of sense," Michael sighed in genuine sympathy. "It's still not right, but I can at least understand it better."

"Yeah, my dad," Thomas sighed. "He's not a bad guy. He's just... he's misguided. That's all."

Just like Uncle Sonny. It's just easier following your dick. But he only murmured, "Not for much longer with my mom around." He shook his head to keep his thoughts from going in that direction. "So I get how Marcus's loyalties are torn between his close friend and his distant cousin, but family is family. That leaves Liam having to play fiance. Wonder how they're reacting."

"Marcus is fine," Thomas said nodding to his friend who'd kept his distance so that the two men could have it out. "He gets it and he respects it. He was glad you stuck up for Steffy. He always hates when that happens. Unfortunately, he's had to get used to it. She'll just be an off-limits topic for you two. You may wanna apologize for him getting shoved in the middle."

"Planned to," Michael admitted agreeably as he watched Marcus approaching them again. "Liam?"

"Harder to read," he admitted. "But he seems to just let them vent & talk trash about each other while only making half-assed attempts to shut them down or defend the opposite party."

"I also gotta figure since he's still friends with Steffy and engaged to the harp—I mean, Hope, after all the battles she and Hope have had..." He paused. "He'll either cut me off or I'll join Steffy in the little compartment he keeps so he can ignore the tension."

"Kid musta been an ostrich in a past life," Thomas joked. Everyone laughed together, a new level of companionship and comradery apparent. "I figure he'd rather ignore it like he does with Steffy."

"Yeah, but he doesn't look as hot on a surfboard," Marcus quipped lightly, joining them against the SUV.

"Dude, that's my baby sister, asshole!" Thomas punched Marcus in a show of faux indignance.

"What?" Marcus scoffed with a chuckle, returning the blow. "She's my ex and the model for Forrester's lingerie line, Thomas. Get a grip, dude!"

"Shut up," Thomas grumbled.

"So what're we waiting on?" Michael asked suddenly.

"I rode with Marcus and I need to grab my bag," Thomas explained. "But then, I was gonna ask to catch a ride with you back to Forrester. Not in the mood for that much complaining & whining. Messes with digestion."

"So you wanna make me deal alone," Marcus asked incredulously. "Great. Thanks, man. You're a true friend, dude."

"Any time," Thomas quipped as he moved to stand.

More laughter ensued just as the remaining members of the party for lunch exited Bikini. Hope's eyes were red and puffy and Michael could practically see the righteous indignation pouring off of her in waves.

This should be good. Michael watched their approach appearing completely relaxed while completely alert for anything. He mentally shook his head as Hope practically led one of his closest friends like a loyal (beaten down) pup on a leash.

"Look, man," Marcus began before his cousin could get into earshot. "Things got a little outta hand at the table—"

"Look, far as I'm concerned, you and Liam are the only ones I owe an apology," Michael interjected. "You're my friend, but I know she's your blood so I'm sorry if this puts you in an awkward position."

"Thanks," Marcus replied shocked silent that for once someone besides Steffy and Thomas might see his side. "We're good, but can you try not to have a sequel?"

"No promises, but I'll try," Michael mumbled.

"Crap. Here we go," Thomas sighed under his breath as Hope stopped expectantly in front of Michael, who barely spared her a glance before focusing his gaze behind her on Liam and Marcus. Had he been able to see himself he would have noted it was the same raised eyebrow of warning his mother always gave his real dad, Jason, before she annihilated one of his or Sonny's lovers.

"You owe me an apology," she snapped indignantly, clearly fuming now that her pity party was done.

Michael's gaze iced over as he tilted his head and scratched his cheek unknowingly mirroring Jason just before he prepared to square off with someone. A multitude of disrespectful, nasty 'apologies' floated through his head before he rejected them all in favor of the least rude one of the bunch.

"I don't owe you cab fare to the bridge you could jump off of for all I care, little girl," he frigidly responded glaring through her with a look that could have frozen lava fresh from the core of the Earth, before lifting a softer, more apologetic gaze to his friends. "However, I do owe Marcus and Liam an apology. Guys, I am so sorry I couldn't hold my temper and thus, put you in such an awkward position."

"Look, before this goes any farther," Liam quickly piped in, his gaze offering acceptance of the apology as Marcus sighed and nodded his own. "Maybe we should all take a deep breath..."

"Who do you think you are to talk to me like that?" she gasped, regaining his icy gaze.

"I'm clearly no one in your mind, except maybe the guy whose girlfriend and friend you thoughtlessly insulted because your feelings got hurt that I didn't immediately bow at your feet and consider you a role model for having an opinion and a high school diploma." And a whore for a mother who happily screwed all of Steffy's dad's good sense out if he's willing to give you an internship let alone an entire line. With an air of indifference, he continued, "I have both of those, but I also have the common sense to want more from myself and my life than to have shit handed to me while I remain a dumb, pretty blonde with wealthy & powerful connections. Shit, who here doesn't? Marcus was adopted by Eric and his dad, Justin is a brilliant high-powered attorney. Liam's a Spencer. Hell, Thomas is a Douglas, a Forrester, AND a Marone. Two of those are OLD money, one of which is old money by European standards. Meanwhile, you've got a job because Thomas's dad is screwing your mom—out of wedlock, might I add, Princess Principles. Where was your righteous indignation over that when dear old stepdad was GIVING you the life you take for granted, while others like, Thomas, Steffy, and Marcus WORK for it."

She was turning bright red and tears were building. "Oh yeah," she hissed "And who are you? That's right. Some guy whose mommy will probably give her little hotel chain to."

"Actually," his wintry voice replied a sardonic smirk plastered across his face. "That's a five star hotel that my mother helped build from the ground up and is now singlehandedly expanding into an elite hotel chain that has the entire industry and most of the jetset buzzing over and we've barely broken ground. Besides, that's just my mom. Does the name Edward Quartermaine mean anything to you? He prefers I call him great-grandfather, but he loves it when people call him founder and CEO of E.L.Q. You know, a longtime member of the Forbes 100 as it surpassed the Forbes 500 a few years before I was born. The company that could buy and sell Forrester Creations a few times over and still have enough capital to run with Spencer Publications. See, he wants to groom me to run his multinational conglomerate and then gift it to me at any time I choose. I could have a full ride to any Ivy League I choose nationally or internationally with a single phone call. It took blackmail to get me to work at his company because I was happily working minimum wage proving myself in a coffee warehouse. I chose to only accept an entry-level internship there. You see, some people actually know what it means to work and want to earn their place in the world without trading on family connections. It's the whole point of college education and internships. Raise your hand if you've worked an entry-level job for more than a few weeks. Raise your hand if you have a collegiate degree or plans to earn one."

"Michael," Thomas sighed quietly into the shocked silence as they all stared in awe and Hope cried copiously. "That's enough."

"Th-thank you, Thomas," Hope whispered through her tears.

"Whatever. I didn't stop him for you," he scoffed with a roll of his eyes as the scales finally fell completely from his eyes. "I've got a meeting I'm gonna be late for if we don't leave soon. I've met his mother, so he could keep going for a while before the shock wears off enough for these two to put a stop to it. And it's not like you care or are hearing anything the man has to say so why waste his breath or my time?"

"Thomas!" she gasped in shock.

"You insulted my sister," he snapped. "Repeatedly. To my face. You disrespected my sister. You happily dragged her name through the mud to make yourself feel better about your shortcomings and you did it to my face. You clearly have no respect for me or my family so why would I or should I defend you?"

Her eyes widened further in shock and confusion. "You know i-it's not like that," she stammered in her defense, "I would never intentionally offend you. You have to know that."

Thomas shook his head in disgust. "The only sister I have left after my other sister died thanks to the games your big brother used to play with my family. And you consistently denigrate her to my face as if she should mean nothing to me. Michael defended her. Whose side did you think I would take?"

"I'm sorry," she murmured shamed, but not broken of her need to defend her own sibling. "But that was a long time ago, and it wasn't Rick's fa—"

"Don't!" Thomas practically growled. "If you ever expect us to get along again, don't defend what your brother did to my family, the way he used them. And that didn't even end with Phoebe's death! No, it continued as he tricked Steffy out of her virginity and into an engagement that she thought was real, but was really just a ruse to break up my dad and your mom! You would never tolerate someone talking about your family the way you do mine. And the best you have to offer is sorry." He ignored the gasps from Liam and Hope, who had never heard the whole story of what happened between Steffy & Rick. "You know, you say all the right words and you claim to care, but less and less often do I find you back them up with actions. Makes your word seem pretty meaningless to me. This is not the first time or even the fifteenth. Just because I'm forced to tolerate it does NOT mean I accept it or approve. Marcus, I need to get my bag & briefcase from your car. I'm catching my ride with Michael. Sorry, man."

Marcus simply nodded and followed, still shocked by the direction the afternoon had taken.

"Look, kid," Michael sighed. He suddenly felt old, and never wanting to be cruel, he softened slightly. "I don't know you personally just like you don't know me, but I'll tell you something about me. Loyalty, to my friends and to my family, has been instilled in me since birth. And the first friend I made here was Steffy. Before I met your fiancé, Steffy's brother, your cousin, oryou. I know her about as well as she knows me by now, if not better. I understand why she's done the things she's done and while I don't agree with all of her methods, I respect her for who she is, faults and all. PERIOD."

After Thomas's defection and Marcus & Liam's silence in lieu of defense, Hope began realizing her eroding position and chose to accept the olive branch for what it was. "I'm sorry that I offended you." She sighed as if confused. "Maybe if I hadn't, we wouldn't have gotten to this place. Maybe we'd be on our way to our own friendship."

"Yeah," Michael sighed noncommittally as he noticed the coy look she threw him as she mentioned them building a friendship. You mean you'd have a new pet admirer. Never! He thought cursing that he had his Great Grandma Lila's soft heart and had opened it even a crack to such a manipulative little twit. "I am sorry it got so out of hand." I only wish you'd learned something.

"Maybe... we could try to start over?" she hedged her eyes big and teary, but lit up like a puppy hoping for a new friend or a special treat. "Maybe by the next time we meet, I'll be able to prove you wrong about me. You and Thomas."

"Sure, why not?" he offered nonchalantly accepting her outstretched hand before moving his eyes to Liam's meaningfully. When Liam nodded his understanding that it was for him and not out of any personal desire to reconcile, Michael returned his gaze to the annoying blonde before him. "We can try. It can't hurt." Much. Returning his gaze to Liam's, he gave his friend all of his focus. "How about you? We cool?"

Liam, for once, had a pretty decent poker face before he cracked. "Yeah, man," Liam sighed his relief clear. "No need to hold a grudge. But only on one condition..."

"NO!" Michael yelled adamantly. "I don't care how long I end up in LaLaLand with you people. The answer will ALWAYS be no! There will be no tofu. I'll give you no pizza and no burger & fries. But we compromise. How about Chinese or Japanese takeout?"

"Deal," Liam chuckled.

"So movie night's still on?" Marcus asked as he & Thomas rejoined the group, feeling relieved at the lighter atmosphere. "Dayzee will have to pass on this one, but she'll be there for the next."

"Is it about her coffee shop?" Michael asked. "You know me and the family are always up to help and we can still have movie night after."

"Nah," Marcus replied. "Movie night is a go as planned."

"I'm in!" Thomas chimed in.

"About time, TommyBoy," Michael chuckled.

"Oh, yeah," Liam laughed, rubbing his palms together dramatically. "You're timing your first one perfectly. I just wheedled us some Chinese or Japanese takeout!"

"Let's be clear," Michael jumped in. "That does NOT mean sushi, smart guy. And I'm warning you now. I don't care how hard you & Steffy try to gang up on me with the Bob Hope movies. One only... IF you're lucky!"

"Ah, come on!" Liam whined.

"Thank heavens," Thomas mumbled not adverse to Bob Hope, but not up for nursing his sister's—and obviously Liam's—obsession with his movies.

"Ha, see!" Michael mocked.

"You couldn't have found that backbone LAST time, Mikey," Marcus grouched on the way back to his car.

"It's not my fault Steffy got to Spencer," Michael defended as he and Thomas began climbing into his SUV.

"What's movie night?" they heard as they shut their car doors.

"You don't think—"

"Just... start the car, man," Thomas sighed feeling his good mood waning already. "Just start the car."