Post by Sloane Taylor on Jan 18, 2010 6:51:06 GMT -5
School had been a drag as always but when she arrived home, the emptiness weighed down on her until she realised that she would be having a guest over. Tyler had never been to her house before so with a quick text to her only boy friend, she took a quick shower and dressed herself in a dark blue turtleneck and a pleated skirt. She pulled her hair up in a ponytail and got to making a simple pasta dish before grabbing a bottle of white wine from the cellar and set things up. She checked her watch and saw that it was still early so she went to the TV room and flipped through channels.
A casual dinner with friends, or friend as the situation would turn out to be (hopefully not too casual and platonic though), was exactly what Tyler needed after what was a very interesting week, topped by his little run-in with Sandy that afternoon. He just needed a few hours with those who knew him well enough by now that he wasn’t forced to act like something he was not, where he could just be himself. Settling on black dress pants and a shirt almost as dark, he drove over to Sloane’s, a bottle of Moet beside him. You never went to dinner empty handed. Turning up just a few minutes before he was expected, he walked slowly up to the door, hoping his friend’s brothers would still not be home, as he knocked on it.
The knock on the door prompted Sloane to get off the couch and greet her friend with a smile on her face. "No wise cracks about the fact that Bree's not coming." She started before her eyes roamed down to the bottle. "How thoughtful of you." She took the bottle and ushered him in after pecking him on the cheeks. "You look nice...for a change." She smirked before guiding him through to the dining room, setting the bottle on the buffet just opposite the dining table. "You prefer your Moet or that?" She pointed to the white wine chilling in the ice bucket.
“Fine, I’ll just keep the wise cracks to myself.” Tyler grinned, immediately feeling at ease. Having friends of the female persuasion had turned out to be beneficial, well worth all the trouble. “And you yourself look gorgeous. For a change.” he smirked as he followed Sloane inside, his eyes flickering over to the ice bucket. “That will be fine, it’s cold at least. So, why isn’t Bree able to make it?”
"Plans." Sloane answered simply. She wasn't entirely sure what those plans were but seeing Mew Fischer and Bree together was a bit odd. If they were together, Bree never mentioned it to her so Sloane was drawing up blanks. "She seemed a bit cold...actually I don't really know what was up with her." She paused before deciding not to indulge Tyler in her innermost feelings. It wasn't like Sloane to do that anyway. She needed to keep a cool head about this. Tyler and her had a business meeting of sorts so she decided to get right down to it. "Let's start on dinner. We can discuss what you have planned for this little stunt I've pulled." She beckoned for him to sit down as she did too.
It struck Tyler as odd that Sloane didn’t seem to know what plans Bree might have had, why the girl was seemingly cold. He figured those two to share everything with each other. He might have to try talking to Bree himself at the brunch, see if he could find out what, if anything, was wrong. “All business, I like that Sloane.” he chuckled, but did not take his seat just yet. Instead, he opened the wine, pouring them both a glass before sitting down. “I must admit, it’s an interesting situation you’ve gotten yourself in to.”
"You know me, Durnham." Sloane shrugged with a playful smirk. The pouring of the wine was silently observed and she raised her glass when he sat. "Well, I'll just admit that I'm the type to keep people on their toes. Can't be too boring all the time. Speaking of which...how are you with that Veloz girl? Done the deed yet?" She tilted her head slightly.
He considered lying, but Sloane was just as talented as him at that little talent, she would easily catch him out. Besides, he was loathe to lie to a woman, no matter what it was about. He was a womaniser, but he liked to think of himself as an honest one. “No.” Tyler admitted, raising his glass in turn before taking a sip. “She’s seemingly intent on making it harder for me, drawing it out. I have to go through all these dating...rituals first. It’s rather drawn out. I don’t know how you do it with two people.” he chuckled.
Sipping from her glass she couldn't help but chortle. "It takes a lot out of you but then again I've had a lot of practice. I'm a serial dater, unlike you." She admitted before inviting him to eat up. "But really...what exactly do you have in mind for what I'm currently facing? They're both fascinating and both are very easy on the eyes. Very talented too." She smirked before inserting a spoonful of pasta in her mouth.
“Well, I’m rather partial to May myself. Not so fussed on Nolan.” Tyler smirked, trying some of his own food. Swallowing, a lazy grin spread across his lips as he raised an eyebrow. “And you can cook too. You are a woman of many talents. Well...” he considered, between bites, “If it was me, which clearly it wouldn’t be as dating one person is more than enough, I would string both relationships out as long as possible, have fun as long as I could. After all, you haven’t said anything to either of them about the relationship being serious, exclusive?”
"Nothing in black and white but I did take Nolan's ring." Sloane chewed her food slowly before swallowing it. "But I suppose I could just continue doing what I've been doing. Although that usually means I'm going to be on the track more often." Sloane chuckled as she remembered how much food she had been digesting ever since she started dating Nolan and May.
"I'm quite amazed you've been sticking on to Veloz. She's a geek, although a cute one, but she's related to that closeted confused Republican." Sloane commented. She didn't know either one personally but Maggy was just not friendly with her personally so she shouldn't hold back what she wanted to say just to spare Tyler's feelings.
“Well, in that case, I’ll have to make sure to keep a watch out for you on the track. I love watching you run.” Tyler smirked slightly, piling more pasta on his fork as he at slowly. “That’s what I would do. A ring’s just a piece of metal after all, it’s not like you’ve sworn a vow to him to be faithful. Besides, it is partly their fault, nearly everyone at both schools knows your reputations, they should know what they got themselves into. Have fun while it lasts, I say.”
Sloane wasn’t the only one amazed that he’d lasted this long with Maggy. “You know me, I’m stubborn, I don’t like giving up until I’ve gotten what I’m after. And she’s really not making it easy on me. All in good time though, I’m sure she’ll give in to me soon enough. And Phil...” Tyler chuckled softly at this. “He’s actually been a help to me, not that he knows it. After his little stunt at the park clean up, Maggy needed someone to turn to, luckily I was there.”
"You were a geek's booty call? That's rich." Sloane chuckled, dropping her fork on her dish to sip a little of her wine. "Never pegged you for a stayer I suppose." She shrugged delicately before scooping more of the pasta into her mouth. "And I think they both know about my reputation. One is just too naive to believe it and the other probably thinks he can change me." She chuckled even though she knew she was changing already under Nolan's possession.
There was no situation, no matter how good, that couldn’t be improved by more wine, so the moment Sloane set her glass down, Tyler filled both glasses up. He wouldn’t have considered himself a geek’s booty call, mainly as he considered a booty call to consist of sex, and that was the one thing sorely lacking in his relationship with Maggy, the one thing he really wanted. And he couldn’t believe he was thinking of it as a relationship.
“I’m not a stayer, just persistent is all.” Tyler quickly assured her. “Nolan thinks he can change you? Now, that sounds unlikely.” He smiled at this though, knowing full well her friend was indeed changing under Nolan’s ‘good’ influence. She would never have excepted his ring in the first place otherwise. “It seems like we get ourselves into some very interesting predicaments Sloane.”
"Agreed. I might have done better just being with you." She let out a bark of laughter before setting her fork down and leaning back on her chair. "At least then I would just have ignored you and gone for everybody else." She looked up at Tyler and smirked. "Too bad it's just better for us to say no to each other...don't you think?"
Bree drove fast and rather recklessly for her. She really needed time with her friends, she only hoped they weren't going to be touchy feely with each other or she might throw one or both or all three of them in the pool. She pulled into the drive and parked with a squeal of tires. She practically threw herself out of the car and pounded on the door bell several times to be sure she was heard as she wasn't expected.
Sloane frowned when the doorbell rang in succession. "Who could that be?" She excused herself and walked to the door, opening it only to find a rather haggard looking Bree. "Bree...babe what happened...?" She smelt something odd and frowned. "Have you been drinking?"
Hearing it was Bree, and then hearing she could be drunk, Tyler stood to investigate himself, knowing that was quite unlike the girl, not to mention the drunk driving that might have went with it. It must have been some good plans that held her up from joining them until now. “Bree, something wrong?”
Bree laughed a touch hysterically. "Not yet, but I plan to. Can you oblige me or should I go to one of my hotels and get drunk there?" she asked not sure after their stiff conversation the day before if Sloane wanted anything to do with her. "Hey Tyler, its good to see someone that I at least know what to expect from him. Good boys are too damn confusing."
Ushering Bree into the house, Sloane was glad Bree was losing her inhibition right about then. She hadn't been sure about their relationship either. Although her next words were quite confusing. Was she talking about Mew Fischer? Is that why the normally sane girl had been in a drinking binge?
Tyler grinned, taking Bree’s words to him as a compliment. “Well, in that case, come with me Bree, we have wine in the dining room.” Tyler offered his arm, flashing a grin at Sloane as he led their friend into the other room. “Any good boy in particular, is upsetting you? I’m more than happy to have a word with him.” Tyler grinned, breaking away only to pour her the wine.
Bree gratefully went with Tyler. "Mew! He can't seem to make up his mind whether he wants to date me or not. It's like being a yo yo. Am I totally unattractive Tyler? Tell me the truth. If I am a dog or too fat I need to know it," she asked, completely unaware how ridiculous it was for her to be worried about being fat. She was one of the skinniest girls in school and not necessarily in a good way.
Sloane kept quiet and stepped back when Tyler took over taking care of Bree. This was how their relationship was. Bree would go straight to Tyler and Sloane was going to have to take the backseat. In many ways, she delighted in the fact that someone else could take care of Bree better than she ever could but in some ways it just hurts that Bree could be so short with her yet say nothing or act normally towards Tyler. She silently cleared away the table and let the other two talk. So it was true...her eyes weren't playing tricks on her. Bree was with Mew...
“The man must clearly not be in his right mind if he doesn’t want to date you.” Tyler smiled, handing over the glass to Bree. He was just a little confused though, after the scene at the park, he had presumed the guy was gay. Perhaps not. Even so, he couldn’t even begin to understand why Bree went for the guy in the first place, she was clearly out of his league.
“You’re one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever had the pleasure of laying eyes on Bree.” he admitted honestly. He wasn’t one to pull punches after all, even if they needed to be, which clearly wasn’t the case now. “And you’re on the opposite spectrum of fat. If you want my honest opinion, I think you could only look better if you gain just a little bit of weight.” He still wasn’t used to being in this position, one he found himself in often as of late, and he glanced over to Sloane, as if for support.
Bree's blue-green eyes widened for her father had always given her a hard time about gaining weight. She too looked to Sloane to see if she agreed with Tyler's assessment. For Tyler was never above lying if it could get him where he wanted with a lady. "What do you think Sloane?" she asked quietly.
Looking up from her glass, Sloane turned to Bree. "You know I'd gladly hook up with you if you weren't my best friend. You have a face that could launch a thousand sails." She grinned lazily, meaning every word of it. "And you want fat? Try my thighs." She chuckled although it wasn't all too happy but she had years of practice to hide it so it didn't come off as anything weird. At least she hoped it wouldn't. "Tyler's right. Although you already look fine, if you had a bit of something something going on in your belly and your behind...I wouldn't care about our friend status." She smirked slightly.
“I couldn’t have said it more eloquently myself.” Tyler chuckled, moving to drape himself on the closest chair, reaching out to take his own wine glass to sip from. “If you weren’t one of my closest friends, well, Sloane would have some competition. Now, why don’t you sit down Bree, we were just about finished with dinner.” He had a thought about wanting to try Sloane’s thighs, but kept it to himself.
Bree sat down and sipped from the glass that Tyler had given her. She had actually eaten dinner because she didn't want to insult Mew's mother by only nibbling. She averted her eyes from their dinner because she felt full and rather sick because of it. "I think I am going crazy. Nothing is right. I turned down a gorgeous college guy to go out with Mew and he doesn't really want me. Sometimes he does I think... I am even learning Dungeons and Dragons. I am just going to end up making a fool of myself," she stretched her arm across the back of her chair and rested her face against it.
Sloane walked over to where Bree was sitting and dragged a chair so she was close to her best friend. She pushed the other girl's hair back before hooking it behind her ear. So her plans weren't for Mew. It was a gorgeous college guy. Mew just happened to be in the way. That still didn't remedy the situation.
Pulling Bree's chin up with two fingers, Sloane forced the other girl to look her in the eye. "Nobody makes a fool of you. Not even yourself. You're Bree Marcus, cheearleader and volunteer extraordinaire. And you've got the two of us as your friends. You have got nothing to worry about. Now drink up. Before Tyler gets lonely." Sloane smirked as she saw her glass full again. She drained the whole glass and decided to get something harder. "Anyone for tequila?"
A college guy, even an unknown one, was at least a little better a thought than Bree and Mew. That just wasn’t right. “Exactly, nothing to worry about. You’re queen of the school, you shouldn’t let some little boy get to you like that. You’re much better than him, above him after all. And of course Sloane, need you even ask? It’s like you don’t know me at all.” he chuckled.
"I'll stick to wine," Bree said softly, she had to do business in the morning and a hangover from mixing alcohol with wine would not be a good thing. "So what's the occasion? You've never thrown a dinner party before, Sloane? Are you marrying May and Nolan in a double wedding? And Mew is pretty cool when you get to know him. Not everyone has to find me irresistable. That is your job," Bree said with a crooked grin.
"Hardly a party seeing as Tyler's the only who showed up." Sloane went and grabbed two short tumblers and a bottle of tequila from under the buffet. She poured for herself and for him and set the bottle on the table and the glass in front of him. "More of a business meeting since you had other plans apparently," Sloane did her best to get rid of the bitterness in that sentence.
She threw back the drink and poured herself another glass. She laughed at Bree's suggestion of a double wedding and she even made a joke. So she was calming down. Which was good. She didn't much like Bree being all weird.
“Anyone who does not find you irresistible is clearly not of clear mind.” Tyler offered as a theory, draining his glass before placing it empty back on the table. He grabbed the bottle, reaching over to fill up Bree’s glass without being asked while Sloane went to get their own drinks. “I think three close friends spending a night together is more than occasion enough to celebrate.” Grabbing the glass, he tossed it back himself before placing it down for a refill. “I tend to think of myself as a one man wolf pack. But now, there are three of us in the wolf pack.” he chuckled, thinking of his current favourite movie. If only the other two were guys, they wouldn’t be nearly as attractive to look at, but the fun they could have.
"I am beginning to think you two have the right idea, why stick to one person who will more than likely break your heart anyway. The problem is it is hard to stick to one night stands when you can't manage to get past kissing," Bree said with a sigh. She lifted her glass, "To friends, always there for each other."
Sloane smiled and raised her glass and took a sip before doing the most natural thing in such an unnatural situation. She set her and Bree's glass aside and cupped Bree's face before pressing their lips together. It was a tight close-lipped kiss but it was something. She took the non-resistance as a good sign before she sat back down and poured herself another drink, giving Tyler another glass. Unlike the first time they had a drinking binge, she was full and could hold down her liqour better. "Never say I never gave you anything." Sloane smirked at Bree.
“Always.” Tyler agreed, before Sloane took both himself and Bree by surprise. Any guy, any straight guy anyway, would agree, there wasn’t many sights hotter than two girls kissing, and even the fact that it was his two best friends didn’t bother him in the slightest. He stayed silent as the girls kissed, not long enough for him, remaining silent still as Sloane poured him another drink and he tossed it back. “You certainly don’t give me anything.” he smirked, before turning his attention to Bree. “Nor you.” A guy could dream.
Having Sloane kiss her didn't frighten her, but unfortunately it didn't get her hot and bothered. She had accepted a long time ago that she was full-fledged heterosexual. "Thank sweetie," she said and then ran her hand down her friends arm not as a tease, but as a gesture of affection. Bree looked at Tyler in amusement. "You have gotten more from me than any man alive. If I didn't think it would really freak me out to see you with someone else afterwards I probably would have chosen you instead of Mew," she said perfectly seriously.
Sloane raised an eyebrow at Tyler. "That's because you're not desercing of my lips." She chuckled before turning her attention to Bree. "Not a problem babe. Hey...you got over the kissing. Just come to me when you need lessons." She grinned.
Bree's next words were honest and finally she understood why Bree had been so curt with her the last time they spoke. Bree liked Tyler. Of course it wasn't surprising but it was still something new. Sloane didn't say anything as she smiled knowingly at Bree before filling her glass up once more. She was feeling slightly tipsy already but she drained her glass anyway, loving the burn she got from the shot.
Tyler didn’t read too much into what Bree said about choosing him over Mew. He wasn’t surprised, in the sense that he thought any girl would easily choose him over Mew, except for that Lexi girl, but there seemed to be something odd about her. The possibility that Bree’s attraction to him may be more than just innocent never occurred to him. After all, if Bree didn’t mind him being with other women, if their relationship was more like the one he shared with Sloane, he would pursue her in a heart beat. “I take that as a great compliment Bree. But still, I’m rather hurt that none of you think I’m deserving of a kiss.” he teased.
Bree snorted rather inelegantly and waved her glass. "I would feel real sorry for you Tyler if it weren't for the fact that Sarissa Zevoloupisky or something hadn't had her lips and hands all over you and her tongue cleaning out your wind pipes earlier in the cafeteria," Bree said, managing to get that out without sounding jealous, something she was rather proud of.
At the mention of Sarissa and Tyler, Sloane couldn't help but chuckle as she drained another glass of tequila before deciding it was enough for the night. "That girl needs a lecture on class. Saying no to Tyler and then making out with him in broad daylight is just not something you do. Tease yes but actually doing it is just so...wrong." Sloane said, not entirely sure what the hell she was talking about. She stood up and swayed slightly before going to Bree once more to place a kiss on top of her head affectionately. "You're better off without Tyler messing with your heart, Aubrey." Sloane said, sliding the tips of her fingers across Bree's chest as she walked off to the kitchen to get a bottle of water.
Finding one, she staggered back to where the other two were and sipped her water.
“It’s pronounced Zouvelekis. Though I think I prefer your version.” Tyler chortled, taking the glass waving as a sign that Bree wanted another drink. He slammed his glass down on the table a couple of times, a hint to Sloane he wanted the same, before standing and pouring the rest of the first bottle of wine into Bree’s glass, the footballer than slumping back into his chair. “Hey, what about my drink?” he protested playfully as the girl walked off, before looking genuinely confused. “What’s she talking about Bree?”
“Actually, thanks for reminding me. I’ve got a night to think of a...let’s just call it a date idea, for lack of a better term, that no woman could turn down. And no sex. I know, I know, where’s the fun in that?” he chuckled, his eyes bright, the alcohol starting to work its magic. “Any ideas? Tee totalling now Sloane? Where’s the fun in that, it’s a Friday night!”
Bree giggled not sure what part Tyler didn't understand. "Aubrey! That's my name... didn't you know that? Mew didn't either, had to sing him the song and everything," she laughed and rolled against Tyler. "Sloane you can't poop out on us. Poop!" this made her laugh hysterically.
Sloane chuckled at her friends antics. She poured Tyler and Bree their drinks but stayed with her water. "I'm actually hoping to drive sober tonight. Can't be smelling too much like alcohol when I got over to the Ahlstrom's. Nolan's dad's not..." Sloane paused and stopped herself from going further. She shook her head in amusement and grabbed another glass and poured almost half the glass before downing it in one straight shot. "Damn it..." she chuckled.
“Your name’s not Aubrey, it’s Bree. If you don’t even know your own name, you’ve had too much to drink. You’re getting cut off.” Tyler smirked, grabbing her glass and polishing it off before she could. “That’s really, really good wine Sloane. Got another bottle Bree, if you want more. Moet! Moet’s good. It’s no tequila though. Tequila!”
He gave another short cheer when Sloane had another drink. “That’s the way, to hell with Nolan! You can always catch a cab, or forget about him and stay here. Make sure I don’t take advantage of Aubrey.” Tyler laughed. “Anyway, what are we...oh yeah! Okay, what could a guy do, where could he take you, that would impress the hell out of you?”
"Promise her the stars and take her to the planetarium, present her with star lilies and fruit salad with star fruit... then take her to Grohman's Chinese," Bree suggested running out of star references. She rolled off the couch and staggered to her feet to look for the Moet. She tripped into Sloane's arms and spun her around. "Then dancing under the stars!"
Sloane was dizzy as it was and the spinning around didn't help one bit. She held on to Bree tightly but both stumbled on to the couch with Sloane on top of Bree. "Okay...too much to drink." She laughed as her face was inches away from Bree. Logic told her she should get off because Bree didn't swing that way but having her best friend under was making her respond way too eagerly.
Blinking, she looked up to face Tyler. "My bed. My house. With my parents downstairs. That would be impressive." She had a hard time pushing herself off Bree and twice her body collided against Bree's. "Oh hell..." she whispered with an amused grin.
Tyler wasn’t exactly sure if Sari was a planetarium, star fruit and Chinese kinda girl, but it wasn’t a bad idea. He laughed so hard (the alcohol clearly getting to him now) at Sloane’s take on his question, it took him a moment to realise what position the girls were in. “No fair, you two get all the fun!” he slurred, pushing himself off his seat only to find himself lying on the floor. “Get down here, it’s comfy! And I should really have a girl on me, only fair.”
Bree laughed and turned over trying to push Sloane on top of Tyler, but ended up rolling them both on top of him. "Oof" she complained, though she was on top so had the least to complain about. "Better?" she asked laughing after a moment.
Sloane was sandwiched in between her friends, her front on Tyler's and her back with Bree's front on it. "Omigod, Sloane sandwich!"
“Much better, thanks Aubrey Bree!” Tyler grinned, now pinned securely to the floor by both girls. “Like you’re not loving every moment of it. Though, does that mean I get a bite?” he wondered aloud. “Now be gentle with me girls.”
Aubrey decided the Bite comment was deserving of punishment, so she reached around Sloane and began to tickle Tyler not even thinking what the wriggling might do to Sloane. "Gentle? Give him both barrels Sloane. He wanted a pajama party, well you got it Babe!" she said imitating his usual greeting to her.
Sloane was usually so accommodating but at the moment, she was in a compromising situation with Tyler in between her legs...She bit her lower lip before sliding inelegantly out of the sandwich so Bree was on top of Tyler this time. She had to catch her breath before she could even be mobile again. Then she helped Bree tickle Tyler. "There you go. Double barrels as promised." she laughed.
“No fun, I was comfortable Slo...don’t you...dammit!” His words may have sounded angry, but that was far from the way he was saying it. It was hard to stay angry when you were far too ticklish than was comfortable. “Not the kinda...party I had...in mind. Stop it!” he continued to laugh, shaking softly under Bree, tears almost forming in his eyes.
Bree grew quieter when it was her with the boy she was crushing on beneath her, his body shaking against her. The horror of her own personal history was that as much as she hated it, she hadn't been unaffected by it. She had needs too, they were just usually overwhelmed by fear. The fear was losing out to the alcohol and the fact that it was Tyler who didn't scare her like other boys.
Pulling both of them up, Sloane poked Bree and grinned. "Come on, chica. We've got someone to tackle." Sloane grabbed a cushion off the couch and smacked Tyler with it. "Sleepover 101. Pillow fights aren't always the ones you imagine girls have." She winked before hitting Tyler again with the cushion
He’d been rather enjoying himself, even being tickled, but getting hit by the cushion was enough to distract him from complaining. “Hey, that’s unfair, I can’t hit a girl! Time out, time out! And if it’s a sleepover, shouldn’t we all be less dressed?” he asked, rolling out of the way as best he could.
A casual dinner with friends, or friend as the situation would turn out to be (hopefully not too casual and platonic though), was exactly what Tyler needed after what was a very interesting week, topped by his little run-in with Sandy that afternoon. He just needed a few hours with those who knew him well enough by now that he wasn’t forced to act like something he was not, where he could just be himself. Settling on black dress pants and a shirt almost as dark, he drove over to Sloane’s, a bottle of Moet beside him. You never went to dinner empty handed. Turning up just a few minutes before he was expected, he walked slowly up to the door, hoping his friend’s brothers would still not be home, as he knocked on it.
The knock on the door prompted Sloane to get off the couch and greet her friend with a smile on her face. "No wise cracks about the fact that Bree's not coming." She started before her eyes roamed down to the bottle. "How thoughtful of you." She took the bottle and ushered him in after pecking him on the cheeks. "You look nice...for a change." She smirked before guiding him through to the dining room, setting the bottle on the buffet just opposite the dining table. "You prefer your Moet or that?" She pointed to the white wine chilling in the ice bucket.
“Fine, I’ll just keep the wise cracks to myself.” Tyler grinned, immediately feeling at ease. Having friends of the female persuasion had turned out to be beneficial, well worth all the trouble. “And you yourself look gorgeous. For a change.” he smirked as he followed Sloane inside, his eyes flickering over to the ice bucket. “That will be fine, it’s cold at least. So, why isn’t Bree able to make it?”
"Plans." Sloane answered simply. She wasn't entirely sure what those plans were but seeing Mew Fischer and Bree together was a bit odd. If they were together, Bree never mentioned it to her so Sloane was drawing up blanks. "She seemed a bit cold...actually I don't really know what was up with her." She paused before deciding not to indulge Tyler in her innermost feelings. It wasn't like Sloane to do that anyway. She needed to keep a cool head about this. Tyler and her had a business meeting of sorts so she decided to get right down to it. "Let's start on dinner. We can discuss what you have planned for this little stunt I've pulled." She beckoned for him to sit down as she did too.
It struck Tyler as odd that Sloane didn’t seem to know what plans Bree might have had, why the girl was seemingly cold. He figured those two to share everything with each other. He might have to try talking to Bree himself at the brunch, see if he could find out what, if anything, was wrong. “All business, I like that Sloane.” he chuckled, but did not take his seat just yet. Instead, he opened the wine, pouring them both a glass before sitting down. “I must admit, it’s an interesting situation you’ve gotten yourself in to.”
"You know me, Durnham." Sloane shrugged with a playful smirk. The pouring of the wine was silently observed and she raised her glass when he sat. "Well, I'll just admit that I'm the type to keep people on their toes. Can't be too boring all the time. Speaking of which...how are you with that Veloz girl? Done the deed yet?" She tilted her head slightly.
He considered lying, but Sloane was just as talented as him at that little talent, she would easily catch him out. Besides, he was loathe to lie to a woman, no matter what it was about. He was a womaniser, but he liked to think of himself as an honest one. “No.” Tyler admitted, raising his glass in turn before taking a sip. “She’s seemingly intent on making it harder for me, drawing it out. I have to go through all these dating...rituals first. It’s rather drawn out. I don’t know how you do it with two people.” he chuckled.
Sipping from her glass she couldn't help but chortle. "It takes a lot out of you but then again I've had a lot of practice. I'm a serial dater, unlike you." She admitted before inviting him to eat up. "But really...what exactly do you have in mind for what I'm currently facing? They're both fascinating and both are very easy on the eyes. Very talented too." She smirked before inserting a spoonful of pasta in her mouth.
“Well, I’m rather partial to May myself. Not so fussed on Nolan.” Tyler smirked, trying some of his own food. Swallowing, a lazy grin spread across his lips as he raised an eyebrow. “And you can cook too. You are a woman of many talents. Well...” he considered, between bites, “If it was me, which clearly it wouldn’t be as dating one person is more than enough, I would string both relationships out as long as possible, have fun as long as I could. After all, you haven’t said anything to either of them about the relationship being serious, exclusive?”
"Nothing in black and white but I did take Nolan's ring." Sloane chewed her food slowly before swallowing it. "But I suppose I could just continue doing what I've been doing. Although that usually means I'm going to be on the track more often." Sloane chuckled as she remembered how much food she had been digesting ever since she started dating Nolan and May.
"I'm quite amazed you've been sticking on to Veloz. She's a geek, although a cute one, but she's related to that closeted confused Republican." Sloane commented. She didn't know either one personally but Maggy was just not friendly with her personally so she shouldn't hold back what she wanted to say just to spare Tyler's feelings.
“Well, in that case, I’ll have to make sure to keep a watch out for you on the track. I love watching you run.” Tyler smirked slightly, piling more pasta on his fork as he at slowly. “That’s what I would do. A ring’s just a piece of metal after all, it’s not like you’ve sworn a vow to him to be faithful. Besides, it is partly their fault, nearly everyone at both schools knows your reputations, they should know what they got themselves into. Have fun while it lasts, I say.”
Sloane wasn’t the only one amazed that he’d lasted this long with Maggy. “You know me, I’m stubborn, I don’t like giving up until I’ve gotten what I’m after. And she’s really not making it easy on me. All in good time though, I’m sure she’ll give in to me soon enough. And Phil...” Tyler chuckled softly at this. “He’s actually been a help to me, not that he knows it. After his little stunt at the park clean up, Maggy needed someone to turn to, luckily I was there.”
"You were a geek's booty call? That's rich." Sloane chuckled, dropping her fork on her dish to sip a little of her wine. "Never pegged you for a stayer I suppose." She shrugged delicately before scooping more of the pasta into her mouth. "And I think they both know about my reputation. One is just too naive to believe it and the other probably thinks he can change me." She chuckled even though she knew she was changing already under Nolan's possession.
There was no situation, no matter how good, that couldn’t be improved by more wine, so the moment Sloane set her glass down, Tyler filled both glasses up. He wouldn’t have considered himself a geek’s booty call, mainly as he considered a booty call to consist of sex, and that was the one thing sorely lacking in his relationship with Maggy, the one thing he really wanted. And he couldn’t believe he was thinking of it as a relationship.
“I’m not a stayer, just persistent is all.” Tyler quickly assured her. “Nolan thinks he can change you? Now, that sounds unlikely.” He smiled at this though, knowing full well her friend was indeed changing under Nolan’s ‘good’ influence. She would never have excepted his ring in the first place otherwise. “It seems like we get ourselves into some very interesting predicaments Sloane.”
"Agreed. I might have done better just being with you." She let out a bark of laughter before setting her fork down and leaning back on her chair. "At least then I would just have ignored you and gone for everybody else." She looked up at Tyler and smirked. "Too bad it's just better for us to say no to each other...don't you think?"
Bree drove fast and rather recklessly for her. She really needed time with her friends, she only hoped they weren't going to be touchy feely with each other or she might throw one or both or all three of them in the pool. She pulled into the drive and parked with a squeal of tires. She practically threw herself out of the car and pounded on the door bell several times to be sure she was heard as she wasn't expected.
Sloane frowned when the doorbell rang in succession. "Who could that be?" She excused herself and walked to the door, opening it only to find a rather haggard looking Bree. "Bree...babe what happened...?" She smelt something odd and frowned. "Have you been drinking?"
Hearing it was Bree, and then hearing she could be drunk, Tyler stood to investigate himself, knowing that was quite unlike the girl, not to mention the drunk driving that might have went with it. It must have been some good plans that held her up from joining them until now. “Bree, something wrong?”
Bree laughed a touch hysterically. "Not yet, but I plan to. Can you oblige me or should I go to one of my hotels and get drunk there?" she asked not sure after their stiff conversation the day before if Sloane wanted anything to do with her. "Hey Tyler, its good to see someone that I at least know what to expect from him. Good boys are too damn confusing."
Ushering Bree into the house, Sloane was glad Bree was losing her inhibition right about then. She hadn't been sure about their relationship either. Although her next words were quite confusing. Was she talking about Mew Fischer? Is that why the normally sane girl had been in a drinking binge?
Tyler grinned, taking Bree’s words to him as a compliment. “Well, in that case, come with me Bree, we have wine in the dining room.” Tyler offered his arm, flashing a grin at Sloane as he led their friend into the other room. “Any good boy in particular, is upsetting you? I’m more than happy to have a word with him.” Tyler grinned, breaking away only to pour her the wine.
Bree gratefully went with Tyler. "Mew! He can't seem to make up his mind whether he wants to date me or not. It's like being a yo yo. Am I totally unattractive Tyler? Tell me the truth. If I am a dog or too fat I need to know it," she asked, completely unaware how ridiculous it was for her to be worried about being fat. She was one of the skinniest girls in school and not necessarily in a good way.
Sloane kept quiet and stepped back when Tyler took over taking care of Bree. This was how their relationship was. Bree would go straight to Tyler and Sloane was going to have to take the backseat. In many ways, she delighted in the fact that someone else could take care of Bree better than she ever could but in some ways it just hurts that Bree could be so short with her yet say nothing or act normally towards Tyler. She silently cleared away the table and let the other two talk. So it was true...her eyes weren't playing tricks on her. Bree was with Mew...
“The man must clearly not be in his right mind if he doesn’t want to date you.” Tyler smiled, handing over the glass to Bree. He was just a little confused though, after the scene at the park, he had presumed the guy was gay. Perhaps not. Even so, he couldn’t even begin to understand why Bree went for the guy in the first place, she was clearly out of his league.
“You’re one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever had the pleasure of laying eyes on Bree.” he admitted honestly. He wasn’t one to pull punches after all, even if they needed to be, which clearly wasn’t the case now. “And you’re on the opposite spectrum of fat. If you want my honest opinion, I think you could only look better if you gain just a little bit of weight.” He still wasn’t used to being in this position, one he found himself in often as of late, and he glanced over to Sloane, as if for support.
Bree's blue-green eyes widened for her father had always given her a hard time about gaining weight. She too looked to Sloane to see if she agreed with Tyler's assessment. For Tyler was never above lying if it could get him where he wanted with a lady. "What do you think Sloane?" she asked quietly.
Looking up from her glass, Sloane turned to Bree. "You know I'd gladly hook up with you if you weren't my best friend. You have a face that could launch a thousand sails." She grinned lazily, meaning every word of it. "And you want fat? Try my thighs." She chuckled although it wasn't all too happy but she had years of practice to hide it so it didn't come off as anything weird. At least she hoped it wouldn't. "Tyler's right. Although you already look fine, if you had a bit of something something going on in your belly and your behind...I wouldn't care about our friend status." She smirked slightly.
“I couldn’t have said it more eloquently myself.” Tyler chuckled, moving to drape himself on the closest chair, reaching out to take his own wine glass to sip from. “If you weren’t one of my closest friends, well, Sloane would have some competition. Now, why don’t you sit down Bree, we were just about finished with dinner.” He had a thought about wanting to try Sloane’s thighs, but kept it to himself.
Bree sat down and sipped from the glass that Tyler had given her. She had actually eaten dinner because she didn't want to insult Mew's mother by only nibbling. She averted her eyes from their dinner because she felt full and rather sick because of it. "I think I am going crazy. Nothing is right. I turned down a gorgeous college guy to go out with Mew and he doesn't really want me. Sometimes he does I think... I am even learning Dungeons and Dragons. I am just going to end up making a fool of myself," she stretched her arm across the back of her chair and rested her face against it.
Sloane walked over to where Bree was sitting and dragged a chair so she was close to her best friend. She pushed the other girl's hair back before hooking it behind her ear. So her plans weren't for Mew. It was a gorgeous college guy. Mew just happened to be in the way. That still didn't remedy the situation.
Pulling Bree's chin up with two fingers, Sloane forced the other girl to look her in the eye. "Nobody makes a fool of you. Not even yourself. You're Bree Marcus, cheearleader and volunteer extraordinaire. And you've got the two of us as your friends. You have got nothing to worry about. Now drink up. Before Tyler gets lonely." Sloane smirked as she saw her glass full again. She drained the whole glass and decided to get something harder. "Anyone for tequila?"
A college guy, even an unknown one, was at least a little better a thought than Bree and Mew. That just wasn’t right. “Exactly, nothing to worry about. You’re queen of the school, you shouldn’t let some little boy get to you like that. You’re much better than him, above him after all. And of course Sloane, need you even ask? It’s like you don’t know me at all.” he chuckled.
"I'll stick to wine," Bree said softly, she had to do business in the morning and a hangover from mixing alcohol with wine would not be a good thing. "So what's the occasion? You've never thrown a dinner party before, Sloane? Are you marrying May and Nolan in a double wedding? And Mew is pretty cool when you get to know him. Not everyone has to find me irresistable. That is your job," Bree said with a crooked grin.
"Hardly a party seeing as Tyler's the only who showed up." Sloane went and grabbed two short tumblers and a bottle of tequila from under the buffet. She poured for herself and for him and set the bottle on the table and the glass in front of him. "More of a business meeting since you had other plans apparently," Sloane did her best to get rid of the bitterness in that sentence.
She threw back the drink and poured herself another glass. She laughed at Bree's suggestion of a double wedding and she even made a joke. So she was calming down. Which was good. She didn't much like Bree being all weird.
“Anyone who does not find you irresistible is clearly not of clear mind.” Tyler offered as a theory, draining his glass before placing it empty back on the table. He grabbed the bottle, reaching over to fill up Bree’s glass without being asked while Sloane went to get their own drinks. “I think three close friends spending a night together is more than occasion enough to celebrate.” Grabbing the glass, he tossed it back himself before placing it down for a refill. “I tend to think of myself as a one man wolf pack. But now, there are three of us in the wolf pack.” he chuckled, thinking of his current favourite movie. If only the other two were guys, they wouldn’t be nearly as attractive to look at, but the fun they could have.
"I am beginning to think you two have the right idea, why stick to one person who will more than likely break your heart anyway. The problem is it is hard to stick to one night stands when you can't manage to get past kissing," Bree said with a sigh. She lifted her glass, "To friends, always there for each other."
Sloane smiled and raised her glass and took a sip before doing the most natural thing in such an unnatural situation. She set her and Bree's glass aside and cupped Bree's face before pressing their lips together. It was a tight close-lipped kiss but it was something. She took the non-resistance as a good sign before she sat back down and poured herself another drink, giving Tyler another glass. Unlike the first time they had a drinking binge, she was full and could hold down her liqour better. "Never say I never gave you anything." Sloane smirked at Bree.
“Always.” Tyler agreed, before Sloane took both himself and Bree by surprise. Any guy, any straight guy anyway, would agree, there wasn’t many sights hotter than two girls kissing, and even the fact that it was his two best friends didn’t bother him in the slightest. He stayed silent as the girls kissed, not long enough for him, remaining silent still as Sloane poured him another drink and he tossed it back. “You certainly don’t give me anything.” he smirked, before turning his attention to Bree. “Nor you.” A guy could dream.
Having Sloane kiss her didn't frighten her, but unfortunately it didn't get her hot and bothered. She had accepted a long time ago that she was full-fledged heterosexual. "Thank sweetie," she said and then ran her hand down her friends arm not as a tease, but as a gesture of affection. Bree looked at Tyler in amusement. "You have gotten more from me than any man alive. If I didn't think it would really freak me out to see you with someone else afterwards I probably would have chosen you instead of Mew," she said perfectly seriously.
Sloane raised an eyebrow at Tyler. "That's because you're not desercing of my lips." She chuckled before turning her attention to Bree. "Not a problem babe. Hey...you got over the kissing. Just come to me when you need lessons." She grinned.
Bree's next words were honest and finally she understood why Bree had been so curt with her the last time they spoke. Bree liked Tyler. Of course it wasn't surprising but it was still something new. Sloane didn't say anything as she smiled knowingly at Bree before filling her glass up once more. She was feeling slightly tipsy already but she drained her glass anyway, loving the burn she got from the shot.
Tyler didn’t read too much into what Bree said about choosing him over Mew. He wasn’t surprised, in the sense that he thought any girl would easily choose him over Mew, except for that Lexi girl, but there seemed to be something odd about her. The possibility that Bree’s attraction to him may be more than just innocent never occurred to him. After all, if Bree didn’t mind him being with other women, if their relationship was more like the one he shared with Sloane, he would pursue her in a heart beat. “I take that as a great compliment Bree. But still, I’m rather hurt that none of you think I’m deserving of a kiss.” he teased.
Bree snorted rather inelegantly and waved her glass. "I would feel real sorry for you Tyler if it weren't for the fact that Sarissa Zevoloupisky or something hadn't had her lips and hands all over you and her tongue cleaning out your wind pipes earlier in the cafeteria," Bree said, managing to get that out without sounding jealous, something she was rather proud of.
At the mention of Sarissa and Tyler, Sloane couldn't help but chuckle as she drained another glass of tequila before deciding it was enough for the night. "That girl needs a lecture on class. Saying no to Tyler and then making out with him in broad daylight is just not something you do. Tease yes but actually doing it is just so...wrong." Sloane said, not entirely sure what the hell she was talking about. She stood up and swayed slightly before going to Bree once more to place a kiss on top of her head affectionately. "You're better off without Tyler messing with your heart, Aubrey." Sloane said, sliding the tips of her fingers across Bree's chest as she walked off to the kitchen to get a bottle of water.
Finding one, she staggered back to where the other two were and sipped her water.
“It’s pronounced Zouvelekis. Though I think I prefer your version.” Tyler chortled, taking the glass waving as a sign that Bree wanted another drink. He slammed his glass down on the table a couple of times, a hint to Sloane he wanted the same, before standing and pouring the rest of the first bottle of wine into Bree’s glass, the footballer than slumping back into his chair. “Hey, what about my drink?” he protested playfully as the girl walked off, before looking genuinely confused. “What’s she talking about Bree?”
“Actually, thanks for reminding me. I’ve got a night to think of a...let’s just call it a date idea, for lack of a better term, that no woman could turn down. And no sex. I know, I know, where’s the fun in that?” he chuckled, his eyes bright, the alcohol starting to work its magic. “Any ideas? Tee totalling now Sloane? Where’s the fun in that, it’s a Friday night!”
Bree giggled not sure what part Tyler didn't understand. "Aubrey! That's my name... didn't you know that? Mew didn't either, had to sing him the song and everything," she laughed and rolled against Tyler. "Sloane you can't poop out on us. Poop!" this made her laugh hysterically.
Sloane chuckled at her friends antics. She poured Tyler and Bree their drinks but stayed with her water. "I'm actually hoping to drive sober tonight. Can't be smelling too much like alcohol when I got over to the Ahlstrom's. Nolan's dad's not..." Sloane paused and stopped herself from going further. She shook her head in amusement and grabbed another glass and poured almost half the glass before downing it in one straight shot. "Damn it..." she chuckled.
“Your name’s not Aubrey, it’s Bree. If you don’t even know your own name, you’ve had too much to drink. You’re getting cut off.” Tyler smirked, grabbing her glass and polishing it off before she could. “That’s really, really good wine Sloane. Got another bottle Bree, if you want more. Moet! Moet’s good. It’s no tequila though. Tequila!”
He gave another short cheer when Sloane had another drink. “That’s the way, to hell with Nolan! You can always catch a cab, or forget about him and stay here. Make sure I don’t take advantage of Aubrey.” Tyler laughed. “Anyway, what are we...oh yeah! Okay, what could a guy do, where could he take you, that would impress the hell out of you?”
"Promise her the stars and take her to the planetarium, present her with star lilies and fruit salad with star fruit... then take her to Grohman's Chinese," Bree suggested running out of star references. She rolled off the couch and staggered to her feet to look for the Moet. She tripped into Sloane's arms and spun her around. "Then dancing under the stars!"
Sloane was dizzy as it was and the spinning around didn't help one bit. She held on to Bree tightly but both stumbled on to the couch with Sloane on top of Bree. "Okay...too much to drink." She laughed as her face was inches away from Bree. Logic told her she should get off because Bree didn't swing that way but having her best friend under was making her respond way too eagerly.
Blinking, she looked up to face Tyler. "My bed. My house. With my parents downstairs. That would be impressive." She had a hard time pushing herself off Bree and twice her body collided against Bree's. "Oh hell..." she whispered with an amused grin.
Tyler wasn’t exactly sure if Sari was a planetarium, star fruit and Chinese kinda girl, but it wasn’t a bad idea. He laughed so hard (the alcohol clearly getting to him now) at Sloane’s take on his question, it took him a moment to realise what position the girls were in. “No fair, you two get all the fun!” he slurred, pushing himself off his seat only to find himself lying on the floor. “Get down here, it’s comfy! And I should really have a girl on me, only fair.”
Bree laughed and turned over trying to push Sloane on top of Tyler, but ended up rolling them both on top of him. "Oof" she complained, though she was on top so had the least to complain about. "Better?" she asked laughing after a moment.
Sloane was sandwiched in between her friends, her front on Tyler's and her back with Bree's front on it. "Omigod, Sloane sandwich!"
“Much better, thanks Aubrey Bree!” Tyler grinned, now pinned securely to the floor by both girls. “Like you’re not loving every moment of it. Though, does that mean I get a bite?” he wondered aloud. “Now be gentle with me girls.”
Aubrey decided the Bite comment was deserving of punishment, so she reached around Sloane and began to tickle Tyler not even thinking what the wriggling might do to Sloane. "Gentle? Give him both barrels Sloane. He wanted a pajama party, well you got it Babe!" she said imitating his usual greeting to her.
Sloane was usually so accommodating but at the moment, she was in a compromising situation with Tyler in between her legs...She bit her lower lip before sliding inelegantly out of the sandwich so Bree was on top of Tyler this time. She had to catch her breath before she could even be mobile again. Then she helped Bree tickle Tyler. "There you go. Double barrels as promised." she laughed.
“No fun, I was comfortable Slo...don’t you...dammit!” His words may have sounded angry, but that was far from the way he was saying it. It was hard to stay angry when you were far too ticklish than was comfortable. “Not the kinda...party I had...in mind. Stop it!” he continued to laugh, shaking softly under Bree, tears almost forming in his eyes.
Bree grew quieter when it was her with the boy she was crushing on beneath her, his body shaking against her. The horror of her own personal history was that as much as she hated it, she hadn't been unaffected by it. She had needs too, they were just usually overwhelmed by fear. The fear was losing out to the alcohol and the fact that it was Tyler who didn't scare her like other boys.
Pulling both of them up, Sloane poked Bree and grinned. "Come on, chica. We've got someone to tackle." Sloane grabbed a cushion off the couch and smacked Tyler with it. "Sleepover 101. Pillow fights aren't always the ones you imagine girls have." She winked before hitting Tyler again with the cushion
He’d been rather enjoying himself, even being tickled, but getting hit by the cushion was enough to distract him from complaining. “Hey, that’s unfair, I can’t hit a girl! Time out, time out! And if it’s a sleepover, shouldn’t we all be less dressed?” he asked, rolling out of the way as best he could.
