Chapter Summary

The foursome are getting along famously and hanging out more. April and Will are doing their best at keeping their true intentions buried but alcohol always brings out the truth.

Chapter Notes

So I was listening to Live Lounge which big artists cover even bigger artists' songs and the version of Elastic Heart covered by FKA Twigs was featured so that's the one that plays when April is dancing.

Although there were moments of calm between April and Will, the tension was always right under the surface, simmering on the stove. They played their parts pretty well especially in front of Connor and Natalie but they were beginning to fall back into old looks and gazes from afar that would reveal the hidden burn to want to be together; the other none the wiser to the theft.

Natalie was actively snowed; denying and sinking any doubts or thoughts that made her question the relationship beyond its friendship. For Connor it was different, probably because of the lack of sexual activity between him and April. His garden of suspicion had a few too many seeds and it was being constantly nourished with all the questions he still had about April's therapy, and the weed that was growing in his mind about Will and April and their co-habitation.

The positive feelings over their last outing and the agreed upon sentiment to make another plan to hang out came up when Natalie spotted a guitar in Will's closet. She suggested a night at a certain bar that she knew had karaoke and she'd invited April and Connor. When they accepted they made plans for the following Saturday to go out to a place called "Shout."

"Where have you taken us Nat?" Will asked, side eyeing her with suspicious smile.

There was a small stage and a semi-large television screen behind it.

"Surprise! We're doing karaoke!" Natalie yelled arms stretched to the scenery.

"Oh god," April groaned, "I'm just going to let you know now I CANNOT sing!" she laughed looking Natalie in the eye with certainty.

"Me neither," Natalie admitted bursting out laughing.

Two drinks later and a few shots down it didn't matter because occupying the small stage with a mic in each hand were Natalie and April singing. Poorly. "I Love Rock and Roll."

"HE WAS WITH ME, YEAH ME!" they both yelled trying to keep the tune but failing miserably.

Connor and Will were both red faced and practically barreled over laughing at their table.

"Oh my god, so beautiful yet so horrible," Will said through each gasp as his laughter brought him to tears.

"Oh man….so so bad," Connor said with the same hilarity holding his stomach laughing.

The song finished and the ladies bowed between sparse clapping throughout the bar.

"Yeah, 'Ha Ha Ha,'" Natalie said walking up to the table.

"Oh as if you two could do better?" April asked.

She and Natalie's arms were draped over each other's shoulders; their other hands on their hips, like a pair of judgmental moms.

Will went to shake his head before Natalie started, "-Uh un fair is fair."

He looked over to Connor and he nodded.

"They asked for it," Connor said with a humored regret; getting the binder full of songs.

He and Will went through the list deliberating with a faux seriousness that made April and Natalie smile even though they were both sitting back in their chairs, arms crossed, holding the guys to their challenge.

"That one?" Connor asked looking over to Will.

Will let out a small giggle that was almost too adorable for April not to smile at. He nodded his agreement at the choice and they put the request into the DJ. A bad country warble later and the DJ called their names.

"Alright let's see whatcha got!" Natalie yelled as they walked over.

Will turned and raised an eyebrow with a smirk. He and Connor took the small stage as the first guitar strings struck the familiar tune that didn't really resonate with either Natalie or April until Connor stepped forward his hand over his chest,

"You are my fire, the one desire," he belted out.

The richness of his voice carried across the and Natalie screamed as they looked to each other in an almost disbelief but nothing was as shocking as when Will moved next to him,

"But we, are two worlds apart, can't reach to your heart," he sang his tone smoother but just as in tune as Connors.'

"Oh my god," April said her cheeks burning as Natalie was gripping her hand still looking at the stage and then back at April in astonishment.

The guys continued their performance reaching notes neither woman knew they were capable of until the song ended. The bar erupted in cheers, applause, and whistles as the DJ congratulated their sound.

"Wow," April said still fully shocked, "I didn't know that was in you!" she finished moving towards Connor as he put his arm around her.

"I have a few secrets of my own too," Connor answered, giving her a quick peck on the lips.

The words were playful but expressed his recognition over the things unsaid between them. April smiled a little uncomfortable at the admission.

"I feel like dancing," she said looking up to him, "You guys up for that?" April asked; mainly to Natalie.

"YES!" Natalie responded quickly and cheerfully.

Karaoke had soared the groups' mood to a new level so they hit another club after a quick phone call to bottle service to order a table. April was finally ready to let go or maybe it was just the booze but as soon as they arrived she grabbed Natalie and they ran to the dance floor. Natalie was jumping up excitedly at the song swaying her hips to the beat. If the men ruled at karaoke than the ladies dominated the dance floor. April and Natalie pointed to Connor and Will cycling their arms for the men to join them to dance.

"I think we're being beckoned!" Will yelled towards Connor.

Connor laughed, "I have to use the restroom! You're on your own buddy!" He patted his chest and skipped to the bathroom.

Will shot Connor a playful disappointed look and crossed his arms; firm to his commitment to not be on that dance floor.

The song's beat hit; the room vibrating against the floor. Will began to walk over reluctantly; he wasn't exactly confident in his dance moves. Natalie stopped a moment to feel her leg it; was buzzing. She almost didn't notice because of the massive vibrations going through the dance floor. She put her finger up and walked over to Will.

"It's my sitter, I'll be right back!" she yelled as the song silenced.

They laughed at the awkwardness of her yelling over nothing and she excused herself to find a quieter spot to take her call.

April was still on the dance floor until the music slowed down and she allowed the energy of the alcohol she'd consumed to flow through her like syrup. Will recognized the song's lyrics as Elastic Heart but it was a version he'd never heard before.

His eyes met the dance floor as the flashing lights caught April's movement in a static pattern. The lights finally slowed and she was slithering and winding her small frame around.

When the break came he realized he had been staring at her and only her. She caught his gaze and stared back neither breaking eye contact as her movements rolled through her stomach and grinded to her hips and crotch; that she had brought a hand to. Her hips hitting every beat as the song slinked through her. She was gyrating and swaying her hips to the beat; still keeping eye contact with him. He thought about what it would be like to touch her again. What her skin smelled like. The tiny moans she released when they made love. Will hadn't realized he'd been completely hypnotized until he heard Connor yell his direction.

"Will! I need your help!" He said, his tone serious and his face urgent.

Will snapped out of the trance; almost panicked, afraid he'd been caught staring at April by none other than her boyfriend. Will looked slightly confused toward Connor but followed. April was letting alcohol take the wheel and she blew off the guys' disappearance until moments later Natalie was next to her yelling.

"The paramedics are here!" Natalie said walking toward April; her face confused and concerned.

April finally let a sort of sobriety in and she was just as confused.

"What's going on? Where is everyone?" Natalie continued.

The stretcher produced her answer with Will and Connor in tow giving directions to the paramedics.

"We'll ride with you," Will stated.

"Follow us to Gaffney," Connor yelled towards April and Natalie.

They ladies arrived at the hospital. Will was giving the rundown to Dr. Choi; they had to assign the patient to him because they had both been drinking. Natalie's sitter said that Owen seemed fussier than normal and a fever had confirmed her observation so Natalie headed home. Connor and April shared a cab with his place being the first stop.

"You want to come up?" Connor asked feeling out the speed of their relationship.

"Not tonight," April said regretfully.

The sultry show she'd given Will had not been forgotten and she felt conflicted but her "off limits" topics still had not been explored in therapy so sex was still off the table. She still hadn't told Connor and his frustration was felt with a deep sigh.

"Okay, I'll call you tomorrow." He gave her a kiss and exited the cab.

April began to feel the guilt of what she was doing to Connor, Will, and Natalie; her friend.

"What was that on the dance floor?"

What was she doing? The whole thing was rotten and she knew she had to come clean and come clean soon otherwise her secrets and actions would destroy everything she held dear.