A/N: This chapter I HAD to edit to make sure the parts were all in the right place, since our style of collaboration was "Writer A writes these characters, Writer B writes those characters" and the POVs were all jumbled. It's not perfect, but I do plan to fix it later. I did not edit grammar outside of Microsoft's suggestions. We still die like men and dine in Hell tonight!

"Baby blister" is a reference to Easy Virtue, which was one of my favorite movies at the time.

Fun fact about vasodilators: Baby aspirin has that function.

xoxo

Chapter 17: Bad Things

Trent was excited as he drove them to the theater. He'd never been to the movies with a girl before! This was the kind of thing he only knew people did from popular culture.

After they parked, he wrapped an arm round Rebecca's waist and cuddle-walked with her to order their food, which they could eat in line or have delivered to their seats.

"I think I'll have the mushroom ravioli and brut rosé, please," he ordered. "What would you like, princess?"

Rebecca was excited too. Secretly, she had never really been to a movie with a guy before. Well…one where she actually watched the picture and enjoyed the company. All her previous boyfriends, when she was younger, were just…not worth thinking about.

Cuddling against Trent as they walked together, she felt so light. Nothing could spoil this night. "Hmmm…I think I'll have the Lasagna and a glass of the same, please." She smiled up at Trent as they placed their orders.

—

When they approached the theater, Nathaniel thought he saw someone in the distance. No… Couldn't be. He focused on finding somewhere to park. He opened her door for her again, then held her hand as they walked into the theater, had the usher scan the QR code for the tickets, and waited outside their theater for the screening to start.

Once they arrived, Cat took his hand and thanked him for opening her door again. See? Who says boys can't be 'trained'? That thought made her snicker softly to herself as they waited in line together.

Nathaniel's eyes flicked over to the neighboring movies. To the left was a heartland comedy; to the right was a romantic musical. Weird place to put a slasher, he thought.

Though, Cat was sharper than Nathaniel in every aspect and she didn't miss who was here, waiting to see another movie, in another line. Ohhhh! This night just got interesting indeed!

"They put our musical right next to a slasher movie. So weird!" Trent exclaimed. Then, "Uh-oh, SpaghettiOs."

He pulled Rebecca into a hug and whispered into her ear, "Pretend you've never seen Catherine. She and Nathaniel are in line for the slasher."

Rebecca tilted her head at Trent's request but nodded slightly and smirked faintly up at him. So, Catherine had gotten Nathaniel to go out with her. Of course.

She leaned against Trent, her arm wrapped his waist as she heard Nathaniel's voice greet her, in a slightly civil tone. She turned as if surprised and even managed a smile for him. But it didn't reach her eyes.

Nathaniel did a double take when he noticed the couple in the next line. So he had been right after all.

"Rebecca," he said. It took all he had to ignore Trent, but after all, Trent was ignoring him too. "Uh— this is Cat. Cat, this is Rebecca, my ex."

"Nathaniel…hi." Rebecca's words were polite, but held no warmth, until she turned her attention to Catherine. "Hello Cat. So nice to meet you." She held out her hand for the other woman to shake. "This is my boyfriend, Trent." She turned to introduce her Lover to Catherine, to maintain the façade and cast him a warm, loving smile.

Catherine noticed right away how Nathaniel's attitude changed at seeing both Trent and Rebecca, but she kept her face schooled to warmly polite as she pretended that she didn't know either of them.

"Pleasure Rebecca, Trent. Nice to meet the both of you too." She beamed at them both and looked back at Nathaniel. How could he not see it in both her and Trent's smiles? They might not look the same, but they were close in looks when they both smiled.

"Pleasure," said Trent, nodding to Catherine.

"Strange that this place would host both a Rom-com and slasher film in the same place." Catherine said trying to make conversation. "So weird right?"

Rebecca almost laughed at hearing her phrase come out of the beautiful woman's mouth. Nathaniel was really oblivious.

"I know, right?! What are the odds. So weird."

Nathaniel still avoided looking directly at Trent, but he could see the man in his peripheral vision. The way his turtleneck clung to his arm muscles but only hinted at the true power of his well-built body… That deceptive dimpled smile… He'd coordinated his outfit with Rebecca, and Nathaniel did not like that one bit. He wished he could tear that sweater right off Trent's body and—

Catherine was saying something. "Yeah," he answered vaguely. "Weird. You said it." Actually, they had all said it except him.

The night had taken a far more interesting turn of events then Rebecca would ever have imagined. Running into Nathaniel had not been what she had been expecting, nor to see him out with Cat, but if he remained civil then she could too. Though it was hysterical to her that Nathaniel didn't seem to get it yet, just who Cat was and how she was related to Trent. Though they were all dropping hints like they were bombs! Damn, that man really was stupid.

Trent's phone pinged.

"Oh— I should turn this off before we… Auntie." He inhaled sharply and pressed the dial button.

"Auntie, it's Trent…. Yes, she's fine…. It's a Friday night, why would she pick—…. yes, ma'am. Sorry, ma'am…. What? What happened?…. … … That's impossible…. Because he'd have to have a heart in the first place?…. Yes, ma'am. I'll let her know, but the soonest we can fly out is Monday…. Because, Auntie, I have plans!…. Uh, my WEDDING?! I think that's pretty important!" Having realized what he'd just revealed, in front of Rebecca, he clapped a hand over his mouth and blushed. "A-auntie, I have to go. I'll see you Monday."

She disengaged herself for when Trent pulled away to make his phone call and while she tried not to listen and instead engage Cat in some casual talk, girl talk, she couldn't help but overhear. "So, how did you meet Nathaniel?" She asked pleasantly, though she knew the answer.

"He came to see Josh the other day and he was so charming and cute, that when I texted him later, after he friended me online, and he asked me out, I said yes. It really has been such a charming evening." But even she went quiet at hearing who Trent was talking to and her pale complexion only went paler as she heard what was said, as far as Trent's words went.

He hung up and powered off his phone. "Sorry. That was my Aunt Annmarie. Dad's had a heart attack. He's in the hospital. If it were up to me, I'd say let him rot, he cheated on my mom with her own sister and then kept my baby blister a secret for three years" —he scowled viciously and clenched a fist at his side— "before deciding that was the family he wanted, so…. But Auntie is insisting on a family reunion." He disentangled himself from Rebecca's embrace and went down on one knee, taking her fair little hand. The concession cashier handed him a small box.

"I intended to propose to you under FAR more romantic circumstances." He handed her the box the concession cashier had given him. "I was going to have this put in your wine. It was going to be perfect. But…" He blinked a few times and swallowed, composing himself.

"Rebecca Nora Bunch, goddess of my soul, light of my life, will you do the honor of making me the happiest man in the world? And also, will you come meet my parents on Monday?"

What was happening?! Rebecca's mind completely stopped at hearing Trent's words to his Auntie and her eyes bulged a second before she flushed three shades of red in both excitement and shock. Wedding? Trent? Her? WHAT!? Was that why he wanted her to go to the spa for the weekend? Why that devious, evil, handsome, cunning man! She was all aflutter for a few seconds, till she heard the reason for the call. She sympathized, for both Trent and Cat, for her dad had walked out on her too. She could tell talking about his father upset him and she went to comfort him but before she could do so he was dropping to one knee and looking up at her in complete adoration and love, handing her a box as he spoke to her.

He was—WHAT?! Was this really happening? OMG! WORDS! WORDS were GOOD! She had to respond as she opened the box and inside was the most gorgeous ring she had ever seen in her life! Her jaw dropped as her emotions got the better of her, and her eyes watered with happy tears as she looked back at the man she loved.

"Yes…." She said softly at first, before her voice broke in a laugh as she put her hand to her mouth to hold back her emotions and looked back at him. "Trent…YES! Of course, my love…yes!" She sniffed and bit her lip as so many feelings flooded her. She felt like she was flying. "It is perfect, my Love. Anything you do is perfect, because it is you! Trent, I love you more deeply than I have ever loved anyone. You are my world, my life, my heart. Without you, I would be so lost, for you give my life purpose, direction with your sweet affections and gentle attentions. I cannot imagine my life without you in it so…YES! Baby…YES!"

Cat tried to play it off though and turned to give Nathaniel's hand a gentle squeeze, only to go stock still at Trent's confession for a few seconds before she too, put her hand to her mouth and silently squealed! Trent was getting MARRIED!

The call from Trent's aunt had taken some of the wind out of his sails, but Rebecca's warm words of love buoyed him right back up again. He was grinning ear to ear as the concession cashier brought them a bottle of champagne and two glasses to toast. Trent quietly asked for two more, for his "friends", and they were provided.

Nathaniel was still struck dumb. He watched Rebecca's reaction with a sort of detached fascination as multiple emotions ran through him. "Congratulations," he said hollowly, toasting with them. The sip of champagne jolted his mind back into place. He turned to Cat with a charming smile.

"Wedding fever," he remarked. "Isn't it grand?"

Watching his ex get engaged right in front of him was something that… if it hadn't been to that creature, he would not have been bothered in the slightest. Cat was a HUGE upgrade from Rebecca, in every conceivable way, except maybe her actual pedigree, but he could hold off judgment on that for now.

Rebecca was still flying high on the emotions that were raging through her and her feelings couldn't help but be infectious. She was so utterly happy that not even Nathaniel being there, could ruin this moment, nor his snide congratulations. She was too fucking happy to care! The love of her life had just asked her to MARRY him!

Cat turned and smiled at Nathaniel and chuckled softly, moving her hand from his to wrap around his arm, in a cute, and slightly suggestive way. "It is….so Grand! Honestly, Congratulations to you both! I am so happy for you!" She practically beamed as she took the offered champagne and raised it to them. "Very happy life to you both. Long life, and good health and an abundance of love. For that is what makes life worth living…"

Nathaniel smiled and gently placed his hand on Cat's. "I couldn't agree more," he said. He would find that someday, if he wasn't busy being distracted by other matters…

His watch beeped. It was time for his pain pill. He took the packet out of his inside blazer pocket and took one single pill, per George's instructions, then downed the rest of his champagne. Good, he needed to take the edge off.

Trent smiled and nodded at Catherine's words. "I couldn't have said it better myself," he said pleasantly. It was one of few areas in their personal lives where they agreed on anything.

Turning when Cat heard Nathaniel's watch beep, She noticed him take something and her eyes furrowed ever so slightly. 'Really?' She thought to herself, feeling a sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach, but doing her best to not notice.

Trent had narrowed his eyes at Nathaniel's mixing pain pills with alcohol. "You'd better eat something," he warned. He knew Nathaniel was on the cusp of anorexia. As far as he was concerned, their score was settled now that he, Trent, had leverage.

Nathaniel ignored Trent, as he'd been doing this whole time. Fair enough, thought Trent.

It wasn't long until Cat and Nathaniel were called for their movie, and she turned to hug Rebecca and whisper, "I am so glad for you hun." before she pulled back and smiled at Trent. "Congrats again. You two enjoy your night. Nathaniel?" She turned her thousand-watt smile to him. "Ready to go see our movie?"

Nathaniel and Cat walked into their theater and found some cozy seating near the back of the theater. Nathaniel settled in and put up their armrest so he could cuddle with Cat. They could also lean their seats back, but he would leave that up to her.

Cat followed with Nathaniel, till they found their seats and took hers, excited for the show to begin. She wasn't like most women, who liked flowery things and mushy sagas. Oh don't get her wrong, there was nothing wrong with romance, and she liked it just as much as the next woman, but movies like these…slasher/horrors, were her favorite!

She cuddled up to Nathaniel, and smiled over at him, before setting one hand lightly against his thigh. She may very well be a flirt and know how to do it well, but she wasn't easy, and she made sure to keep a decent amount of space between them, while still cuddling against his side. If he was a gentleman like he had been this whole night so far, he would understand. Cat….had standards, and Claws.

—-

Trent wrapped his arm around Rebecca and slipped her ring on for her. The heart-shaped blue diamond, just like the Heart of the Ocean, surrounded by smaller white diamonds, sparkled impressively under the theater lights. This shade of blue was perfect for Rebecca, and it exactly matched the turtleneck he had lent her.

She couldn't believe this was real, all of it, was real! Trent had asked her to marry him, and she had said yes. As he slid the beautiful deep blue, heart shaped diamond ring on her finger, she felt such a deep love and a connection with him that she had never felt with anyone else. Was this what true love felt like? What a wonderful, powerful, indescribable feeling!

"Will you go find our seats, my love?" Trent asked. "I'm just going to get our food."

"Sure babe. See you then." She turned and waved at Cat as she left with Nathaniel and went to find her and Trent's seats. They were far enough back to be semi-private, but still close enough to be able to see everything. What a wonderful place. She had never heard about this place before now and she wondered how she could have missed it. But she was glad that she got to share this moment with Trent.

Trent turned back to the concession counter and picked up the trays he and Rebecca had ordered. Then, in an undertone to the cashier, he said, "Would you send my friend in the slasher movie something healthy and dense? He just took medicine and is drinking on a nearly empty stomach, and he's a real health nut. Please add it to my tab. Thank you."

When the order was confirmed, Trent took his trays into the theater, quickly located his love, and sat down next to her. He handed her the food she had ordered and rested his head on her shoulder briefly.

"Are you ready for 'The Maiden's Voyage'?" he asked excitedly.

She turned and kissed the top of his head before resting against him and smiled. "Very much excited, my Love. Sharing any moments with you is always special!"

Trent nestled against her. "Just to warn you, I did look this movie up before I ordered tickets. There are a couple of…dirty scenes," he said delicately. "Now let's dig into our food so we can lay back and enjoy the movie together," he purred.

—

Nathaniel smiled peacefully as Cat cuddled into him. He wasn't sure he wanted her hand on his thigh, but he didn't pull away. He liked this girl, but considering the reason he'd chosen a slasher film, he didn't want to be too stimulated, especially since he was already starting to feel the buzz from his mixed drugs. He cozied into his seat a little more.

Just as the previews ended, a waiter came in with a tray of food for Nathaniel.

"I didn't order anything," he said, frowning.

"Your friend ordered this. It's already been paid for," said the waiter, handing him the tray and walking off.

Nathaniel looked down at the food. Chicken wings and grilled vegetables? Not bad. That salad really hadn't been substantial enough to support what else was in his system.

"Want some?" he offered to Cat in a whisper.

Cat was watching Nathaniel out of the corner of her eye. He seemed a little woozy, so she relaxed a little more when a waiter brought him over a tray of food that both looked and smelled so good.

Hearing his offer, she nodded. "Yes please. Thanks." She took a few of the wings and nibbled on them as the movie began in earnest. Not bad! Not as bad as her families cooking, but they were tasty and practically fell off the bone, she left the rest of the food for Nathaniel. She didn't want him to have any complications from his previous actions. Tonight was supposed to be fun, and it had been thus far.

—

Rebecca giggled softly at her Fiancé's words and nodded in agreement. Fiancé. Trent just wasn't her boyfriend anymore; he was her Fiancé! Soon to be her husband! Just the thought of it made her so happy!

But she turned her attentions to her food, which was heavenly. Trent's cooking was Devine, so it was no comparison, but it was still so good. "Want to try some?" She asked, looking over at him as she cut a small bite off and motioned to it with her fork. "It's really good. Not as good as your cooking, but still." She smirked over at him.

Trent accepted the bite that was offered to him. "Not bad," he said agreeably. "Would you like to try some of mine?" he asked.

"Yes please." Rebecca smiled, took the offered bite, and tilted her head before she nodded. "That's different. Good, but different." She had finished her meal and had settled down to watch the show with Trent, leaning lightly against him.

The musical was beautiful, a pastiche of the '90's Titanic film, but just the parts before the crash. A beautiful young woman shipped out to sea in a luxury liner where she met a street-smart young man, and they were smitten with each other after a disdain-to-lovers slow burn. The actors sang and danced beautifully, and in the split screen power ballad where they realized they were in love, Trent could have cried, it was so beautiful. He kept a tight hold on his fiancée's delicate hand as they watched together.

It told a story of love in the most realistic and moving way. Rebecca identified with main female lead right away. Wanting a fresh start in life, leaving home behind, chasing her dreams, and then finding love when she wasn't looking for it. All of it, could have been read right out of a page of her life story. For a long while, she had been lost too. Trying to find her way in a world she didn't fully understand. Surrounding herself with things that were beautiful and people who were shallow to fill a hole within her that she swore would never be filled. A frightening, frustrating path from which there had been no end….until she met HIM….

She stole a look over at Trent during one of the emotionally charged scenes, and her smile was sad yet soft, but in a happy way. She had fought her feelings for him too. Pushed him away until it had broken them both. But, somehow, they had found their way back together again and now she couldn't picture her life without him in it. How was that possible? It was magical!

When that power ballad played out on the screen, Rebecca did cry. Tears escaped and ran down her cheeks as she squeezed Trent's hand tightly, leaning to rest her head against his shoulder.

Life was beautiful, and it could be just like in the movies, Trent reflected. He had loved Rebecca since the moment he had seen her, and though it had taken her a while to really see him, now here they were, committed to spending the rest of their lives together. He had known this moment would come; he'd bought her this ring the day Valencia Perez had asked to meet him, and kept it in a safe deposit box all this time. It was the most beautiful ring he had ever seen, deserving only of the most beautiful woman in the world, with a design that referenced from the most romantic movie from his childhood.

He brought Rebecca's hand to his lips and kissed. Life was perfect.

She turned and kissed his cheek, cuddling into him. This was so beautiful…and she relished every moment of it, because she got to spend it with him!

—

Nathaniel dug into his food. It was dark in here, no one could see him except Cat, and besides, the food had been free to him, so why waste it? It tasted fairly good, he thought, and more than that, it was filling and reasonably healthy. He'd just double up on his workouts once his pain pills ran out and he would be fine.

He enjoyed the movie pretty well, watching it with casual interest until the first chase. He jumped slightly. One of the killers was a dead ringer for Trent. He shook his head and ate another forkful of food, wondering if he was imagining it, but no, the actor looked exactly like Trent. Same side part, same face down to the damn dimples, same faux-innocent smile, same— holy crap. Same body. Nathaniel leaned forward, his eyes glued to the screen, eating his food automatically without thinking about it. Whoa. He knew each person in the world had six close lookalikes, but helling damn!

When that killer spoke, he even had a similar, slightly lisping, voice. Fascinating, and uncanny.

'oh my God, oh my God, oh my God,' Nathaniel mouthed to himself, bringing a chicken wing to his mouth and realizing there was nothing left now but bone.

Not-Trent was an expert with a scalpel; he knew how to keep his victims on the brink of death without pushing them over. This was ….

Oh God, the gratuitous practically-nude scenes. Not-Trent swam like a fish, chasing his victims through the ocean tide, waiting for them to be exhausted and then bringing them back to his base and carving them up. Was the actor a SEAL or something? Damn…

And the carving scenes, ooh, the carving scenes…! Nathaniel felt his heart beating like a hammer and sweat pouring off him as he watched. This was so real, so visceral. It was the first horror flick he'd seen in a long time that didn't rely on cheap tricks and jump scares. It did have a few jump scares, but they were tastefully executed and effective.

One of the victims had more sense than the others and went straight to trying to seduce the killers when she was captured. Whoa. WHOA. Nathaniel's eyes bugged out. He hadn't looked into this movie at all before buying the tickets. They were really… Was this… a horror porno?

"I am so sorry," he whispered to Cat, his face on fire with shame. "I had no idea. If you want to leave, that's entirely justified."

The movie took a very unexpected turn, and Cat had to smirk when she saw that one of the actors looked a bit like her boss. That was both unfortunate and revealing as it drew her attention to the man at her side as the film went on.

Nathaniel had been eating the food sent to him, thank god, but when that killer appeared on screen, his whole demeanor shifted. She 'ceased' to exist to him as she noted how his eyes were glued to the screen every time that particular killer made an appearance. Interesting.

She only got slightly uncomfortable when Nathaniel started muttering to himself, without seeing to realize that he was doing it. Leaning forward in his seat as if to get closer to the screen, his expression one of complete lust as he sweated and acted like a lovesick puppy! This was not what she had been expecting at all, from him and she turned her attention back to the movie and scooted a bit away from him.

It was kind of off putting to be honest. The movie was good as far as slasher films go, but Nathaniel's actions, let alone who to, made her uncomfortable. But she decided to stick it out because who didn't love a good slasher/porno flick?

"No, it's alright. We can stay. I like it." She looked at him and raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you ok though?"

"I-I'm on pain pills," Nathaniel whispered back distractedly. Holy shit. Holy fucking shit. This was so hot! A girl and two guys, one of whom looked exactly like Trent! Being a lawyer in SoCal, he was at least passingly aware of how actors went about shooting scenes for the R-rated movies, but this was definitely not that. This had all the professionalism and plot of a big studio film, and all the passion of an amateur porno.

—

During the scenes where the two leads physically expressed their love, Trent averted his eyes. He understood what those scenes added to the narrative, but he could perfectly hear their pillow talk without looking at the screen, and he had no desire to look at anyone else's nude body besides the woman beside him. She was his world. When they'd been broken up, he hadn't even tried to date anyone else, although he had made a comment about period sex the second time they'd gotten together before, mostly to see her reaction.

In his opinion, the dirty scenes were not at all tastefully done, and they went on longer than he would have liked. In a way, even though he and Rebecca had been at it like rabbits since they'd gotten back together, he was still very innocent, and he didn't like wanton displays of sexuality being shoved in his face.

But other than that, the movie was beautiful, romantic, and sweet, he thought. And he got to see it with someone he felt the same way about as the movie was portraying, which made it even more enjoyable.

Rebecca smirked lightly to herself when, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Trent look down during the physical parts of the romance. That was cute and showed her just how innocent her fiancé really was. She gave his hand a light squeeze to catch his eye and smirked lightly and winked at him, before cuddling back up against him.

It also made other thoughts infiltrate her mind as they watched the movie together that damn near had her smile in such a devious way, before she managed to school it off her face. Her Trenty Bear was so innocent, was he? The things they could do together, learn together. He liked to be rough, used a safe word, what else did he like?

But that was for later as she shifted lightly against him and sighed deeply in contentment. It was a beautiful movie, with parts of it that echoed so deeply within her. She was so lucky to have Trent in her life, and she hoped he realized how much she loved and adored him. Nothing would ever part them. Not ever!

—

Nathaniel swallowed hard. Unfortunately for him, his pain pill also acted as a vasodilator (i.e. Viagra) and his body was definitely reacting to what was going on, on screen.

"Why is he so beautiful?" Nathaniel whispered to himself deliriously. "So unfair…"

He still had the presence of mind not to masturbate in the middle of a movie theater, and he put the armrest back down and scooted to the other side of his seat so he wouldn't offend the lady. He bit his lip and squirmed, though, watching how the actors touched (and more than touched) each other.

Cat could not believe what she was seeing! What she had been asked to endure. Get close to him, ok. Go on a date with him, sure, but THIS! This was nuts! He was nuts! Ohhhhhh her boss owed her big!

Speaking of which, she subtly took out her cell and turned it on, dimming the screen so Nathaniel wouldn't noticed and typed out a quick message to Trent.

[Have *no* idea what you have put me through tonight. The man obviously *wants* to fuck you! Lead in the movie looks *exactly* like you and he is damn near masturbating in his chair! Not yet, but close! YOU. OWE. ME. BIG!]

With that sent she, threw one hidden look of disgust Nathaniel's way and settled in till the end of the movie. Sitting as far away from him as she could.

—

Trent beamed and leaned his seat back, pulling her in close for snuggles and watching her watch the dirty scenes. He did see them in his peripheral vision, just enough to blur out the actual actors in his mind and picture himself and his fiancée instead. That made it less mortifying, at least.

He couldn't wait to take her to Iowa to meet his family! He couldn't wait to be her husband! The father of her children! Wait, they hadn't discussed children yet. Did she want any? Would she feel comfortable being a mother, with her career and some of her hereditary struggles?

Actually, he thought, this would be a suitable time to step out and add "discuss children" to his wedding planning list. "I'll be back," he whispered to Rebecca, kissing her forehead tenderly before ducking out of the theater.

He headed into the men's room and switched on his phone. He had a dozen angry messages from his Auntie, about how family was important, and he shouldn't forsake his father because that's still his blood, and who was this girl he was marrying that they've never met? Not the same one he was mooning over all through college, and had put him in the hospital? What was wrong with him, and why did he always base his decisions on what his you-know-what wanted?

Trent sighed and deleted the thread. He had no desire to engage with any of that, and he had more important things to tend to. Before he forgot, he added the line about the children to his to-do list and moved some of his Monday appointments to next Saturday, or this Saturday (tomorrow) if they could see him on such short notice.

Then he got Catherine's message.

[That makes sense], he typed back. Then he sent her $10,000 to keep her mellow, and followed up with,

[Stick it out. I'm not paying you to act on your personal emotions. But I will take you off-assignment if the second and third dates also tank :)]

Cat looked down at her phone, reading Trent's text about sticking it out and sighed deeply. He was paying her well, so she tried not to make too much of an issue about it, but Nathaniel had done a complete 360 from their time at dinner and it was disgusting for her to watch him mooning over someone who looked similarly close to her boss.

Though a few moments later, she got another message from Trent and frowned. Motherfuc—! She texted him back swiftly and with a slight smirk.

[Easiest 10K ever made. I should charge you double cause of how offensive he is as a person! Next time *will* be double! You really are a Bastard sometimes you know that right?]

She smirked and then in another text wrote,

[Have *fun* taking care of him till his ride shows up. Whoever that poor sap should be. I don't envy them *at* all!]

And with that, she watched the movie till the final credits rolled across the screen. It had been a good movie, but the night had gone so awry, and she didn't know what to think. All this was a complete mess! No wonder Rebecca ran away from Nathaniel as fast as she could, she thought. If I knew it was going to be this bad, I probably would have said no!

—

When he saw Not-Trent actually cum on screen, Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. "Please excuse me," he whispered to Cat, and stumbled out of the theater.

When he got up and left, she let out a breath of relief, at least she didn't have to sit there and watch him act like a complete fool but could finally settle back and enjoy the movie.

Nathaniel made a beeline for the bathroom and locked himself in a stall, then took down his pants and started relieving his tension. No one else was in here, or so he thought, so he didn't bother trying to be quiet or censor himself. He moaned and cried out for Trent, until he heard someone's throat clear in the stall next to him.

Nathaniel froze. "I— I'm sorry," he stuttered, humiliated. He was really out of it lately.

"Why?" asked an all-too-familiar voice.

Nathaniel's heart stopped.

"I happen to like hearing you scream my name," Trent continued, "but unfortunately for you, we're both here with our dates. And you are tanking yours. You're seriously in here masturbating— to me— when there's a girl in that theater who's had to put up with God knows what drugged-up antics you've been subjecting her to."

Nathaniel crawled out from under the stall and locked the door of the bathroom itself.

"You're right," he said huskily. "I shouldn't be masturbating to you." And he launched at Trent and forced a kiss on him.

Trent pushed him off almost immediately. "Did you not hear me?" he demanded. "I'm here with my fiancée, whom I proposed to right in front of you! The only reason I'm even in here is because I needed to work on wedding details and field my aunt's texts! And because the rosé went right through me."

Nathaniel nodded, he had heard Trent, he just didn't care. He kissed Trent again and groped him roughly. "Fuck me," he begged. "Please."

Trent grimaced. He'd gone too far with getting into Nathaniel's head. "Okay, alright," he said placatingly, resting a hand on Nathaniel's hip. "Not here, though. Let me call a ride."

That sounded good. Nathaniel nodded and leaned on Trent, nibbling and kissing his neck.

Trent ignored Nathaniel and pulled out his phone. Angling the phone so Nathaniel couldn't see it, Trent hacked into the Mountaintop employee directory and texted George:

[You need to pick up Nathaniel. IMMEDIATELY. He's at Starlight Cinema & Eatery.]

Then he sent a text to Rebecca:

[I'm so sorry, babygirl. Ran into N in bathroom. He's drunk. Waiting for G to pick him up, then will be back.]

Then he unlocked the door, picked Nathaniel up, and carried him out to the lobby. He let Nathaniel curl up and rest his head in Trent's lap, but "only if you behave yourself."

Lastly, he texted Catherine:

[N going home w G. Waiting in lobby. So sorry about the date LOL]

Rebecca looked down at her phone as it silently trilled, and her eyes furrowed as she read what flashed across the scream. Fucking Nathaniel! But she kept her cool the time and shook her head and replied.

[I am sorry to babe. Nathaniel is not the best when he is drunk. But then, he never is when he's sober either. I'll be right here waiting for you. Oh, and if he so much as touches you, remind him of a little threat I made to him a while back. He will get it, even in his state. :) I love you, so much!' 3 3 3]

—

George was sulking as he sat the table in the kitchen. He had been staring at the same page of a book he had been attempting to read for the past hour and when he realized it, he nearly threw it!

He was not waiting for Nathaniel! Who was out on a date with a beautiful woman right now! The audacity of it all! He had told him that he loved him! HIM! George! And then had said yes to going on a date with…with a girl! He was confused and mad, he could spit!

Standing, he decided once and for all to go to bed. To hell with Nathaniel! But, as he strode toward the bedroom, his cell went off. Pulling it out of his pocket, he saw the message from Trent—TRENT! Nathaniel hated Trent and had told him to stay away from Rebecca, who was very obviously dating him. What the hell!

He texted back swiftly as he grabbed his keys and headed out the door.

[On my way! Thanks for the heads up!]

It didn't take him long either, to get to the theater and after explaining why he was there without a ticket, he was let in and walked in on a scene he thought he would never live to see. Nathaniel was basically draping himself all over another man…! It was indecent, and he had gone on a date with a woman? Where was she?

"NAT!" His voice didn't have to be loud, to carry over the lobby, but it did have that commanding tone that he had used last night. Ohhhh, Nathaniel was in big trouble!

—

Trent laughed as he saw Catherine's text.

[Know your worth,] he said, and sent her another $20k. [The person taking him home is his PA, who's hopelessly in love with him LMBO! Circle(jerk) of love! So weird, right? HAHA!]

Then his phone pinged from Rebecca. He sighed and texted back, honoring their promise to be honest.

[He tried to kiss me 2x & groped me 2nd time. I pushed him away & let him think I'd xxx him elsewhere if he would let me call a ride. He sucked on my neck when I was trying to find G's # and text him. Now he's passed out in my lap. I love you too & I'm sorry abt this :( promise to make it up to you /3]

When George finally arrived, Trent didn't notice him until he heard someone yelling about a gnat. Oh— Nat. Right. Trent moved his leg, unceremoniously dumping Nathaniel off his lap.

Nathaniel stirred, then blinked his eyes open. "Trent," he murmured.

"Hey, sleeping beauty," Trent answered. "It's time for you to go home."

Nathaniel was crestfallen. "We're not going to…?"

Trent shook his head. "No. Go home and sober up. Let the person who loves you take care of you."

Nathaniel laughed derisively. "No one loves me, crazy," he said. "I'm a mess. I even fell for you!"

"Well, I'm unavailable," said Trent simply, even gently. "Rebecca won't go for a triad, and she's right. You should be with someone who will give you all of their attention and devotion."

"I don't know anyone like that," Nathaniel said, tears starting to slip down his cheeks as he felt his heart broke. "And I gave up monogamy after Mona and I broke up. I'm too restless to be with just one person."

"Okay. Go home, little bug. George is here to pick you up. Get some rest, and apologize to Cat in the morning." With that, Trent stood and went back into the theater to rejoin Rebecca. He hoped she wouldn't be too mad at him for not being able to keep Nathaniel 100% off of him when he was trying to get him home safe.

Cat rolled her eyes as she stood and stretched as the lights came back on in the theater she was sitting in, as she read Trent's latest text. She texted back,

[Damn right I know my worth! whoever that sap is coming to get him, I don't see how he can put up with him.]

She walked out and smirked at seeing Nathaniel cuddled up to Trent as she passed almost out of eyeshot, but she knew Trent saw her and she stopped, smiled, and waved as she was tempted to throw him the bird, but she had more class. so she simply texted him again as she was walking out the door.

[So cute! Jerk! :'D :)]

Trent gave Catherine an exaggerated smile and wave, being as over the top and sarcastic as possible as he passed to go back to Rebecca.

Rebecca looked at her phone again and read Trent's text….and read it again…and one more time just to be sure she was reading it right.

Taking a deep breath, she bit her lip and focused on the remainder of the movie before for a few seconds to still her temper. It would do no good to act out here, and she was not going to let this ruin their night. Nathaniel wasn't worth it.

She texted her fiancé back and smirked to herself as she did so.

[It's alright, Babe…I'm not mad at *you*. :) :) Come back to me when you can. Love you! 3 3 :-*.]

Another deep breath past her lips and she felt the anger fading slowly. Maybe therapy was helping after all, with her fluctuating emotions. She snorted at that thought and turned to look at Trent when he finally rejoined her.

"You alright, Babe?" She asked him as she took his hand back into hers and cuddled gently back up against him, to show him that she wasn't mad at him. Her anger was for the one person who deserved it, though it still simmered just below the surface, and she tried not to let Trent feel it because it wasn't his fault Nathaniel acted like a complete bitch!

Trent was relieved Rebecca wasn't mad at him. He slid back into his seat and kissed her cheek. "I'm okay," he said. "I explained to him that I'm unavailable and he should be with the one who loves him, I practically spelled it out for him, but it's no use. He's completely oblivious, and he's probably going to forget everything anyway. I also sent Catherine $30,000 to appease her about this whole situation. She's getting better at negotiating," he noted. And he cuddled gently with Rebecca until the lights came on.

—

George went to help Nat up and shook his head at him, seeing the state he was in. Now was not the time to be angry with him, that would come later. When the man was sober!

He nodded at Trent and turned his attention back to the derelict man before him. "Come on Nat. Let's go home. We can get you changed and hydrated and then curl up in bed, alright? Things will look better in the morning. I've got you. You're safe."

He helped his poor Nat out the door of the theater and out to his car. Once making sure he was safe, he drove them home in silence, well on his part. And once home, he sat him at the table and made him drink water, before helping him undress and tucking him up into bed, he curled around him, kissing his cheek. "Sleep well Nat. Things will be better tomorrow. Love you…." He whispered that last part, but it felt good to say.

Nathaniel was too delirious to realize anything that was going on. He couldn't even fully process that he'd been rejected just now. All he knew was that he was a mess, and he was glad his pills and alcohol existed, and however he got into bed he was warm and cozy. He felt someone else in bed with him, but he was just too out of it to care. That movie had been great, though, best he had ever seen. He would have to look up the cast and follow the rest of that actor's work….