He was full of a hot, tingling feeling, electrical impulses going off at every one of his nerve endings. He moaned softly, holding her closer to him, feeling her amazingly soft skin that was still holding moisture from her shower. He was overwhelmed with desire. The realization of love, the way her skin was so soft, the way she smelled so good... He ran his hand over her shoulder, his fingertips lingering on her collarbone momentarily. She ran her hand back to tangle in his hair. Dave groaned softly, his fingertips trailing lower in a very slow, tentative motion. He reached the knot of her towel where it had been twisted and cinched just above her breast. Pausing for a moment, he attempted to pry the material out of itself.
Jeanine gripped his hand immediately, tearing her lips from his.
"Leave." She ordered, moving back from him with blazing eyes. "I want you to leave. NOW." She started to get up and turned her back on him.
"What? What's wrong?" Dave asked frantically, frenzied by lust and emotion at that moment. He swallowed thickly, desperately trying to see what he had done wrong when everything felt so right for the first time in a long time.
Jeanine pointed to the door in a sharp motion, feeling the tears well in her eyes. "Leave!" she shouted. "You're just like him! All you want is sex! That's ALL you want! And you know that I'm vulnerable right now... I gave my heart to you Dave! God... just go!" she cried, wrapping her arms around her waist and hunching forward as her body racked with stifled sobs. Her wet hair fell over her shoulders. "Just go... You're just like him."
Dave got up from the bed, finally able to collect himself. "No." he said with a severe lowness to his voice. "I'm NOT like him. I will NEVER be like him."
Jeanine had never heard such force and anger in his voice and she was startled. She looked up at him as he approached.
"I love you and I mean it." He informed her firmly. "And I want you to be my girl."
She lowered her eyes from him as his hand grazed her left shoulder.
His tone softened. "Jeanine. I love you. And I don't need to have sex to prove it. I'm sorry things got out of hand. But that's not what I'm here for."
It was frustrating to know that she was finding it so hard to trust him.
"Dave... just go." Jeanine whispered. "I want... I need to be alone right now."
He was silent, staring at her deeply, pleading for her to change her mind. He needed to be with her. He couldn't just leave things the way they were. Now that he knew he loved her, everything was so different.
"Please." She pleaded, raising her brown eyes to his, her brows furrowed in emotion.
Dave sighed dejectedly. "Okay." He murmured, squeezing her shoulder and sighing. "I love you." He stated.
Jeanine swallowed, nodding slightly. "I love you." She mimicked, as if he had not said anything.
"I--- I guess I'll call you later." Dave added hopefully.
Jeanine nodded and smiled slightly, glancing up at his face for only a moment.
He went to kiss her but she turned her face away.
* * *
Timber exited her bathroom, enveloped in a cloud of steam and a plum colored towel. The smell of fragranced body wash trailed after her, permeating her bedroom as it diffused into the air. She looked at the alarm clock by her bed. The digital numbers read six-thirty-seven.
"Shit." Timber muttered, hugging the towel to her body as she pattered to her closet and flung both doors open. "What to wear, what to wear, what to wear..." she chanted, her eyes frantically scanning the growing contents of her wardrobe. "A skirt?" she asked herself, chewing on the inside corner of her bottom lip. "Slacks?" she challenged. " SHIT!!!" she screamed then burst into laughter at her outburst. "Think Timber think!!! Fucking think!!!" she chuckled, leaving her closet altogether and crossing to the vanity mirror set over her desk. She studied her reflection for a moment, transfixed by her appearance and seeming to forget her previous dilemma.
She was going out with Bob that night. The prospect alone put butterflies in her stomach. Though she didn't expect it would be anything more than a casual friendship-outing, she still looked forward to being alone with him in a romantic setting. She logically knew that she was setting herself up for a freefall as she became further enmeshed in his existence and as she allowed herself to harbor more and more feelings for him. It was going to hurt in the longrun; it was going to hurt like hell.
But, as masochistic as it sounded, she wasn't afraid to take that gamble.
* * *
In a house across the street, Bob strolled down the steps in a pair of pressed black trousers, a deep blue button-down shirt, his shiniest pair of black dress-shoes, and a shiny black leather belt to match. His neatly brushed hair fluttered on his pristine cheeks, his clean complexion glowing in the minimal lighting of the kitchen as he alighted.
"Hubba-hubba!" Clint said lewdly, grinning as his twin entered the room. "You going to go sweep Carmen off her feet?" he asked, shutting the refrigerator doors as he extracted a Hot Pocket from the big box on the top shelf. He turned and looked towards his brother briefly for an answer.
Bob just smirked. "Nope." He replied. "Timber and I are going out." He replied, snatching the keys to his father's beloved Beamer off the hook by the door to the garage.
"You and Timber?" Clint asked, his voice cracking prepubescently.
"Yup." Bob smiled candidly, checking his watch. "I kinda feel bad for pissing her off today, and besides... Timber and I haven't like... gone out together in a long time so... yeah." He shrugged excitedly, making his way back to the island counter and watching Clint go about preparing a meal for himself.
Clint raised a skeptical eyebrow as he fought to open the packaging around his ham and cheese wrap. "Fuck!" he shouted. "Could you open this?" he asked, batting his long eyelashes cutely.
Bob raised a comic eyebrow. "Calm down Clint. It's a Hot Pocket man." he reminded his brother as he easily opened the plastic wrap and handed the sandwich back to his brother.
"Thanks." Clint smiled. "Anyway... shouldn't you be trying to fix shit between you and Carmen? I mean, you pissed her off far more than you pissed Timber off and I think the Carmen situation is kind of a cumulative thing. I mean... she was livid. Besides... if she finds out that you're going out with Timber of all people, she'll be two times as pissed!" he reasoned as he prepared his sandwich for the microwave.
Bob pondered this for a moment before nodding slowly. "Yeah..." he agreed. "Your hypothesis is well-researched, but you failed to see the big picture."
Clint shut the microwave, turned it on for four minutes, and scratched his balls with a grin at his twin before leaning back against the counter that wound along the side wall of the kitchen. "And the big picture would be...?"
"The big picture is that Carmen is pissed for absolutely no reason at all. No legitimate reason at least. Timber's pissed because we were really mean to her. So Carmen needs to get over that shit on her own and you know? I don't feel like talking to Carmen right now so..." he trailed off, shrugging before checking his watch once more. "Six fifty-five. I gotta go." He grinned.
"Have fun!" Clint called to his brother who exited through the garage. "Use a condom!!!"
Bob caught his brother's ending comment and chuckled as he shut the door. The phone rang almost immediately. Sighing lazily, Clint pushed off of the counter and grabbed the cordless that was in its cradle on a counter across the room.
"Moffatt's house of pain, how can we hurt ya?"
"Bob?"
"Clint."
"Hey Clint." The person on the other end of the line's voice noticeably dropped with disappointment.
"I don't care if you're not happy to hear me. I like hearing me." Clint said, defiantly sticking his nose in the air.
"Where's Bob?" Carmen asked, her irritated tone showing her lack of interest in Clint's jovialities.
"He went out with Tim.... Timothy. That boy that lives three blocks away." Clint quickly covered for his mistake, his eyes going wide.
"He went out with Timber?!" Carmen shouted.
Clint held the receiver away from his ear for a moment. "No Carmen." He said when his hearing returned to him. "You're not listening. I said Tim-o-thy."
"Oh bull-shit Clint." Carmen snapped. I can see him parking in front of her house right now."
"I tried. Make sure they put that on my gravestone."
"Ughhh." Carmen moaned. "Clint, you'd tell me if something was going on... right?" she asked after a moment.
The microwave bell sounded.
"Carmen, nothing is going on." Clint said firmly, though he really could not be sure.
"How can you be so sure?" Carmen challenged him, as if reading his mind.
Clint winced.
"Carmen. Do you honestly think Bob would cheat on you?" Clint asked her, trying to evoke the good sense he knew lived within her and antsy to tend to his Hot Pocket before it got too cold. "Bob of all people?"
He could hear the silence of her pondering his question. "Well..." she finally said, slowly coming around.
Clint rolled his eyes, starting to fidget from foot to foot with anticipation for his Hot Pocket. "Damnit woman!!! This is BOB here! Bob is a GOOD GUY!!! JESUS CHRIST!!! GET A GRIP!!!"
"Are you out of your DAMNED mind?!" Carmen shouted back. "Did you just YELL at me?"
"No." Clint lied. "I merely was speaking strongly trying to inspire you." He covered with a smirk, though he couldn't care less if she was mad at him or not. He was hungry.
Dave entered the kitchen through the side door.
"Look Carmen... why don't you come over and have Hot Pockets with me? That way, when Bob gets home, you guys can kiss and make out."
"Isn't it 'kiss and make-up'?" Carmen asked, grinning.
"That too." Clint agreed, knowing that if he didn't consume his Hot Pocket soon, he would explode. The smell was killing him. "Bye!"
Before she could respond, he clicked the off button, dropping the phone back in its cradle and scampering to the microwave. "OH BABY!!!" he shouted, opening the doors slowly and ceremoniously. He could almost see the aura his dinner was giving off. "Come to papa!!! MMMMMMM!!!"
The first bite was pure heaven as ham and cheese exploded into his mouth. He moaned rapturously.
Dave, who had taken a seat at the kitchen table to hang his head and have sympathy for himself looked up. "Are you out of your DAMNED mind?" he demanded once witnessing his brother's behavior.
"You're the second person to ask me that in the last three minutes." Clint informed his triplet.
"Well you're acting like you're on crack." Dave informed him.
"Mmmmm... Hot Pockets..." Clint took another bite and his eyes rolled back in his head.
"You ARE out of your damned mind." Dave shook his head.
Clint just shrugged, then paused, seeing that Dave was indeed in a quite overcast mood. He eyed his Hot Pocket, then his brother. "You want half man? You look pretty down."
"Naw... that's alright." Dave shook his head.
"What's eating you man?" Clint persisted, satisfied that he could covet his Hot Pocket and savor every last bite.
Dave didn't want to discuss it. "Nothing really." He shook his head.
"Well come watch TV with me and Ben... Ben's in the living room. Well, he's napping, but he'll be up soon. And Carmen's on her way over. Maybe having some friends around will cheer you up?" Clint suggested, itching to know what was bothering Dave but knowing he would not get any dirt if he pushed it.
Dave just shook his head, his eyes suddenly darkening. "Actually... where's Scott? I have a bone to pick with him."
"He's not home." Clint replied, heading for the living room.
Dave stared straight ahead, his eyes narrowing. When Scott got home, he'd be waiting.
* * *
Bob skipped up the front steps of Timber's house, checking his watch again. Six fifty-eight and thirty seconds. He passed the next minute and a half in anticipation before ringing the bell. The front door opened almost immediately and Timber smiled at him.
"You're right on time." She grinned.
His eyes scanned her for a moment. She looked nothing short of amazing. She was wearing a sleeveless, sheer, chiffon mock turtleneck in a dark green and blue paisley print with a sash around the waist that fluttered halfway down her hip. In the evening breeze, the fabric billowed slightly on her skin. The light from the porch illuminated her at a certain angle and the translucent chiffon material seemed to shimmer over the black strip of fabric she wore underneath it. She also wore a pair of loose black slacks on the bottom, with little black leather shoes that very closely resembled soled ballet slippers. Her hair was pulled back in a twist, shorter wisps swirling around her neck and tickling her cheeks. Bob sighed.
"You look gorgeous." He informed her.
Timber shouldered her black leather handbag and smiled. "Then I guess we make quite the handsome couple because you're looking pretty nice yourself." She circumlocutionized as she turned her back on him and shut the door.
Turning back around, she came face to face with him and smiled. Bob produced a pale orange rose from behind his back and smiled charmingly. "For you... since this is a date and all."
"Whoa. That's a really cool color! I didn't know roses came in that color." Timber said in amazement. She looked up at him and smiled. "Thanks Bob. I'll remember to stress this part of the story when I tell our grandkids."
Bob grinned. "Damned skippy." He said softly but with a slight chuckle.
Timber stared at him long and hard for a good minute. The entire situation felt so surreal and as much as she tried to stir up comedy in each moment, she felt him resisting, which was bad. When he resisted the lighthearted humor that made their relationship pure comedy, she was forced to face her feelings for him.
Her next words were a whisper. "Will you put it in my hair?" she asked, not knowing where this soft side of her had come from.
Bob's lips twitched slightly into a smile. "Yeah." He replied.
She turned around, closing her eyes and cursing at herself for being so emotionally open. Bob inserted the thornless stem of the rose down the center of her twist, bending the long stalk upwards with it's limited malleability and tucking it away amongst the bobby pins that held her short wisps of hair in place.
"Thanks." She said, realizing he was finished and turning back around to face him.
"Nooooo problem." He smiled, slipping his hand into hers and giving it a squeeze before starting down the porch with her in tow. "Your chariot awaits." He grinned.
Timber's eyebrows rose. "Frank let you take the Beamer?" she asked, scoping out the shiny black BMW that was parked on the street in front of her house.
Bob shrugged. "I've been good these days." He responded with a cheesy grin, opening the passenger's side door for her.
"Yeah right." Timber jabbed at him. "Thanks." She said, entering the vehicle and waiting for him to stroll around and enter from the other side.
She took a deep breath in his absence. Let the illusion begin...
He entered on the other side of the vehicle, grinning briefly at her before fastening his seatbelt and inserting the key into the ignition. Timber watched these motions listlessly, marveling over how beautiful his hands were. He reached over to the panel between them and turned on the radio.
Crazy... how it... feels tonight. Crazy, how you... make it all alright, love.
Crush me.... with the... things you do. And I'll do, for you... anything too.
Sitting... smoking... feeling high. And in this, moment... oh, it feels so right...
Timber sighed at the placidity of the smooth jazz doing nothing short of wafting from the speakers.
Lovely lady, I am at your feet... oh, God I, want you so badly... And I wonder this, could tomorrow be... so wondrous as you... there... sleeping...
Bob peeled slowly away from the curb and she closed her eyes, leaning back into the leather of the seat and sighing silently.
let's go... drive till... the morning comes. Watch the, sun rise... and fill our souls up.
Drink some... wine till... we get drunk...
He smelled amazing; she nearly moaned at the sensation his scent gave her.
Crazy, I'm thinking... just knowing that the world is round... and, here, I'm dancing on the ground... am I rightside up or upside down, and is this real.... or am I dreaming...
They headed together for the main street, not a word spoken, but plenty merely flowing from the radio speakers and mingling between them. Words of the utmost devotion; words that Timber could fully understand. She opened her eyes and gazed out the window, watching the lights of the night streak by in smears of red and silver and blue; watching the stars swirl together above them, feeling so full of excitement at just the thought of him near her.
Lovely lady, let me drink you please... won't, spill a, drop no, I promise you. Lying under this, spell you cast on me... each moment, the more... I... love... you...
She looked back at him, his eyes peeled, watching the road ahead of them. There was a slight smirk lingering in the corner of his lips. He glanced at her, taking his eyes from their future just long enough to gaze longingly into her dark eyes, holding her stare for a record time, but feeling the moment was too fragile and all that needed to be said was already in the air.
Crush me... come on...
She looked away, smiling, and he grinned. She never did like eye contact.
Crazy, I'm thinking... just knowing that the world is round... and, here, I'm dancing on the ground... am I rightside-up or upside-down, and is this real.... or am I dreaming...
He removed his right hand from the wheel and reached out to her, intertwining his fingers with hers.
Lovely lady, I will treat you sweet-ly... adore you... I mean... you crush me... And it's times like these... when my faith I feel... and, I know, how... I... love... you...
She gently moved her thumb over the back of his hand, the music speaking of all the devotion she could feel.
Come on... come on... Lady... Crazy, I'm thinking... just as long as you're around... and, here I'll be dancing on the ground... am I rightside-up or upside-down, to each other... we'll be facing...
My love, my love... we'll beat back the pain with love... you know... I mean to tell you all the things I've been thinking... deep inside my friend... with each moment the more... I... love... you...
Timber, gazing out her side window, closed her eyes again, still able to see the rushing of lights all around them. Everything was so chaotic and moving so fast around her, but here they were, moving steadily with one another, right in the middle of it all.
Crush me... come on... Baby... So much, you have, giv-ven love.... that I would give you back again and again...
Here they were, just the two of them, separate from everything.
oh... the love... meaning I'll hold you... but please, please... just let... me... al... ways...
* * *
'La Mer' on the pier was an upscale remake of the typical Seattle fish market. With the common mixture of rich, maple-colored wood and fogged chrome, offset by glowing recess lights and candles, the effect of the restaurant was posh and classy. Bob clasped Timber's hand in his own as the BMW was valet parked and the two of them headed into the rather open building.
The hostess had her back to them as they entered through the double glass doors. She had a head of thin, unnaturally red hair that glinted in the overhead lighting. Turning to face them, she smiled, her lips painted the same color as her hair. Her eyes had been rimmed darkly, but were actually a pale shade of blue, the shadowing outline causing them to stand out even more. Timber noticed right away that she was quite attractive and wondered if Bob was thinking the same.
"Hi." Bob smiled. "I have reservations for seven-o'clock. Bob Moffatt."
She maintained her gleaming smile as she lowered her face to scan the leather bound book set on a stand in front of her. Timber scanned the area past the hostess's shoulder. The restaurant looked very nice, but she couldn't help but become uneasy at the fact that she and Bob would certainly be the only ones under twenty-five that evening.
"Right this way." The hostess smiled and Timber wondered if she had been preserving that expression on her face all day. The thought alone made her own face ache.
The two were seated at a table that was right next to a large window overlooking the water. It was already dark outside and there were plenty of stars out; studding the sky like little pinpricks. Timber looked out at the dark blue sky, trying to fabricate a plan to overcome the next obstacle that would be arriving momentarily.
"Here are you menus. There will be a waiter with you momentarily." The hostess smiled pleasantly, passing each of the two best friends a leather booklet. She then turned and briskly walked off, her short red hair bobbing on her shoulders.
Bob looked across the table at Timber and smiled before opening his menu. "I haven't had sea food in a long time." He informed her. "Living off of hot pockets, cold cereal, and those pizzas you make in your oven may sound pretty cool, but after a while..." he chuckled.
She just smiled slightly, slowly opening her menu and scanning the contents briefly.
"What looks good to you?" Bob asked, glancing up at her.
Timber shrugged. "I don't know." She replied truthfully. "I'm not like... excruciatingly hungry..." she set the menu down and closed it. "You order for me."
"Well... since they don't have popcicles or gum on the menu, I'm lost as to what you'd like." He joked.
Timber managed a soft smile. "Well... whatever you're having is fine. I don't really care, I'm up for anything."
"Let's get a little of everything, that way we can try something new." He suggested.
Timber nodded, liking his idea. "Good idea." She smiled. "Bob for president."
Bob beamed. "Yeah. I know. I'm just so rational."
Timber giggled, shaking her head as she eyed him adoringly.
* * *
"Carmen. Sit down. You're making my head spin." Ben directed, secretly wishing she'd quit obscuring the television set each time she paced in front of it.
Carmen turned to him with a scowl on her face. "Where the HELL are they?!" she demanded.
Clint continued to nibble on his second hot pocket, seemingly oblivious to all that was taking place. "They've been gone for like, less than an hour Carmen. Chill out man. Have a hot pocket."
Ben glared at Clint who was seated over on the loveseat. "Hey Clint, why don't you just marry your frickin' Hot Pocket and be done with it?!"
"If only it could be done Ben, if only it could be done..." Clint sighed then halted for a moment in intense cogitation. He looked up at his friend. "You know, a hot pocket is a lot like a wife." He stated, nodding at his idea.
Carmen stopped walking to glare at him, awaiting his punch line that would be either extremely corny or extremely lewd.
"I mean, it's tidy, it comforts you when you've had a bad day, and you can eat it." He grinned.
Carmen seethed seeing that he had chosen the latter of the two options. "You MUST be out of your damned mind." She huffed, shaking her head in disgust and starting to pace again.
Ben chuckled. "Clint, you have me rollin'."
Clint shrugged as he worked on another mouthful.
"ARGHHHH!!! WHERE ARE THEY?!?!?" Carmen exclaimed.
* * *
Thirty minutes of light chatter later and two waitresses brought trays of diverse dishes to the table. Timber took another sip of her virgin strawberry daiquiri and tucked her hands under the table.
"What do you want to try first?" Bob asked after thanking the two gentlemen. He looked up at her as she eyed each of the eight dishes in turn.
"Ummm... I dunno." She replied slowly.
"Fetuccini with shrimp. That looks more than good." Bob stated, grinning. "Try some." He suggested, taking his fork in hand and stabbing a tiny shrimp and putting it in his mouth. He nodded. "Mmmmm." He grinned, wiggling his eyebrows at her.
Timber had to grin at his display.
"Come on Kiddo." Bob smirked, scooting his chair halfway around the table so he was seated closer to her. He took another shrimp on his fork and guided it towards her mouth. "Try it." He coaxed.
Timber sighed impatiently, growing extremely uncomfortable.
"Try it." Bob murmured, leaning close to her ear.
He touched the morsel to her lips, getting cream sauce on them. Timber giggled, licking it off. She opened her mouth and allowed him to feed her.
"Now this." He suggested, maneuvering with his fork and knife to slice shrimp sushi into edible pieces. "This looks just delicious doesn't it?" he asked in an intimate tone.
Timber sighed at the sound of his voice. The way he was speaking to her and only her... she melted. She was willing to do anything he wanted her to. She was willing to submit to each and every one of his wishes and desires. She only wanted to be good for him.
They continued to eat off the same fork, him feeding her and taking bites in between. Timber closed her eyes and succumbed to his soothing tone and the taste of him on every bite he placed in her mouth. It wasn't long before they had worked their way across each dish, successfully polishing off all that was appealing and leaving all that had been vetoed on the dishes. Timber looked at the mostly empty dishes in amazement. Everything seemed to disappear without her even knowing it. She closed her eyes for a second, trying to dispel the panic she felt.
"Hey..." Bob grinned, still leaning close to her. "I have an idea."
She was still in a daze, drunk on the scent of his cologne, dizzy with a swelling stomach and overly-quelled appetite.
"Pass me your ring." He requested quietly.
Timber returned to reality, still high, however, on his presence, and wordlessly wrangled the piece of jewelry normally worn on a chain around her neck off her finger. Bob grinned as she placed it in his palm under the table.
"This will be funny as hell." He informed her, standing up and walking around the table to meet her all the way on the other side with his back to the rest of the restaurant. "Timber," he announced, drawing the attention of the few tables nearby. "You and I... we've been together for a little while now, but since I met you... I knew you were the one." He said clearly, looking deeply into her confused eyes but fully aware of the attention he was receiving. "I know we haven't been together for many years, but you so quickly became a part of me that... that I know this is right."
Timber's eyes went wide and she wanted to burst into laughter.
"I love you Timber Moore; I love you." Bob said, not realizing that he now held the entire restaurant in suspension as everyone eaves dropped on his philippic. He managed a straight face as he slowly lowered himself to one knee in front of her and took her hands in his. "And because I love you, and because you're my best friend... the most important person to me... I'm asking you to..." he bit back fake emotions. "I'm asking you--- I'm asking you to make me the happiest man on this green earth." He held the ring up to her, taking her left hand in his and still holding her eyes with his own. "Marry me Timber."
Timber held him in suspense, visualizing how funny it would be if she said 'no' in front of the whole restaurant. The hopeful look in his eyes was the only thing that drove her to sacrifice comedy.
But then she saw something else. She saw a part of him that was sincerely adoring her, whether she had imagined it or not, and she felt a warmth spread inside her like a vapor.
"O--- okay." She stammered softly, feeling the tug in her chest.
He smiled brilliantly, his eyes twinkling, and she inhaled in sharp surprise as she felt his lips on hers.
* * *
The plaudits of the restaurant patrons still rang lightly in her ears and Timber felt her face burn as she remembered his lips... the sensation of his lips against hers was enough to make her lightheaded. She was thankful for the chilly breeze coming off the water to cool her skin that suddenly felt as if it were overheating.
Bob swung their hands together gently, his hair whipping in the wind that suddenly rustled through. "That was funny as hell." He commented in retrospect, as if reading her mind and remembering the moment they had shared.
Timber swallowed in silent response, wishing she hadn't seen that glimmer in his eyes... or felt those lips... She turned her face away to look off the edge of the pier, wishing for another breeze to cool her overheating skin. She suddenly chuckled at how ridiculous she was being. Bob obviously hadn't thought anything of it so why was she making it into such a big deal? She had the power to control her emotions if she only stopped reading so much in to everything that happened between them. If she would just relax and let things flow smoothly, she wouldn't harbor feelings for him at all.
"Thanks for dinner Bob. This is an awesome date." Timber grinned.
Bob grinned salaciously. "The date ain't over yet girly. We need to have unisex."
"Unisex?" Timber asked, looking at him with a puzzled smirk.
"Yeah. Unisex. U-N-I sex." He grinned at his pun.
Timber started to laugh. "You are such a... I don't even know anymore." She laughed.
Bob just shrugged; feeling words weren't necessary on a night such as that. He realized that he was comfortable whether in silence or in noise with her. That was what made their relationship so beautiful.
The walked for another few moments, heading for the end of the pier.
"I don't care if Monday's blue, Tuesday's grey and Wednesday too, Thursday I don't care 'bout you, it's Friday, I'm in love..." Timber started to sing.
Bob chuckled and stopped walking. They had reached the end. He turned to face her. "I love you man. You're super cool." He informed her.
She met his eye before looking away. She never really knew how to respond when he said such touching words. When she said she loved him, she meant it in an entirely different way than he did. "I love you too, man. You're not so bad yourself." She said, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Are you cold?" he asked her, not waiting for her response. He pulled her to his chest, his arms enveloping her completely. He could smell the rose that was intertwined with her twisted hair and the blissful scent caused him to close his eyes.
Timber squeezed her arms out from where they were tucked between her chest and his and wrapped them around his waist, hugging him close. She was not a physical person in the least, and had never been able to revel in closeness with someone, but somehow, she felt comfortable opening herself to him in such a way. Perhaps she was growing as a person... or perhaps it was just him.
She would place her bet on the latter.
She had been so deep in thought that she hadn't even noticed the music begin to play from somewhere nearby.
Bob grinned against her temple. "Perfect timing." He commented softly, pulling back from her slightly and taking her right hand in his left, his other arm going around her waist.
Dancin' where the stars go blue... Dancin' where the evening fell... Dancin' in your wooden shoes... In a wedding gown...
It took her a good moment of swaying in bliss to put two and two together. She raised her eyes to his. "Did you plan this?" she asked, a smile growing as she realized his answer in the gleaming of his eyes.
"I got skills." He replied, grinning as he pulled her close to him again. "I told you I'd make this a night to remember..."
Dancin' out on seventh street... Dancing through the underground... Dancin' little marionette... Are you happy now?
She closed her eyes, taking a deep and labored breath with his words.
A night to remember.
But just a night.
Where do you go when you're lonely? Where do you go when you're blue? Where do you go when you're lonely, I'll follow you... When the stars go blue...
They had stopped moving their feet and were just gently swaying, holding each other, him shielding her from the breeze. She forgot everything... Carmen... the food she had consumed... the fact that she may never get to hold him the way she was at that moment...
Laughing with your pretty mouth... Laughing with you're broken eyes... Laughing with you're lover's tongue... In a lullaby...
His fingers twitched slightly against her back, reminding her that he was touching her. She breathed in his cologne, sighing audibly as she exhaled it, trying to remember that scent forever, afraid of what would happen if it faded in her memory. What if she never saw him again? What if this was the last time he could hold her and make her feel so alive and so fulfilled? It had been such a hard journey, finally coming to terms with what she was feeling, but the truth was that she wasn't afraid to love him. Even if love were to happen for a moment, she would always remember how it felt to fall in love with him for the first time.
Where do you go when you're lonely? Where do you go when you're blue... Where do you go when you're lonely, I'll follow you... When the stars go blue...
* * *
He was antsy again, despite the repeated gratification he had received that day. It was nearing eleven o'clock when he finally pulled up into his driveway in his father's expedition, sighing as he realized he had completed all tasks he had set for himself that day.
"Ain't life grand." Scott commented to himself, dismounting from the great vessel and breathing in the evening air that possessed the slightest chill.
He stared ahead at his house and she crossed his mind.
Scott cringed, clapping a hand to his forehead and shivering at the thought of her. He could not go back there. He had been productive that day. He had moved on. He could not go back there.
He could not go back there.
"Get a fucking grip you fucking pussy." He murmured through barred teeth, straightening up and progressing to the side door.
He could not go back there.
* * *
Bob released Timber's hand as they found themselves back on her front porch. She turned to him and looked up at his face, not wanting the night to end. She never wanted it to end when she was with him. The moments were so savory, so mouth-wateringly good that she couldn't even fathom the thought of him not being in her myopia.
Bob jammed his hands deep in his pockets and smiled slightly, raising his eyes to meet hers. He held her eye contact for a record amount of seconds; she never made eye contact; eye contact scared her. He smiled.
"So... I guess..."
"This is it." She concluded, nodding slowly and grinning.
Bob chuckled. "Well... we have to make this as cliché as possible." He reminded her, looking past her head then turning his face out all together to look out at the street. After a moment of wandering, he turned back to her. "I had a nice time tonight." He smiled.
Timber grinned modestly. "I think I'm supposed to say that."
Bob paused for a moment, reviewing the rehearsed lines in his head, silently and slightly lipping the words through as his eyes aimed upward in recollection. "Ah yes." He finally accorded. "You are. Take two. Go."
"I had a really nice time tonight." Timber grinned, fighting the urge to chuckle. "Thank you for showing me an exquisite evening, you were a perfect gentleman."
Bob just smiled, looking back into her eyes for a prolonged moment. "My pleasure... hopefully."
Timber's eyes widened at his insinuation. "Bob!" she exclaimed, punching his arm.
"What?!" he asked. "Are you playing Drew Barrymore: Never Been Kissed, or Demi Moore: Disclosure?"
Timber wrinkled her nose at the options given. "I'm thinking more along the lines of... Reese Witherspoon: Cruel Intentions. Short and Sweet."
Bob grinned. "I can hang with that." He agreed.
Timber suddenly realized the implications of her suggestion. "Ughhh... not like that Bob." She said shaking her head but laughing.
Bob chuckled. "I know, I know. All perv thoughts are silenced for now." He grinned.
Timber smirked, looking him in the eyes again. He sure had pretty eyes...
"Well..." Bob started to say again, removing his hands from his pockets and clapping them together in front of him. "I guess I should do the gentlemanly thing and say goodnight right now."
Timber nodded, though she hardly agreed to his suggestion.
"Okay... so... goodnight." Bob trailed off, hesitating before stepping forward and dropping a gentle peck on her cheek, millimeters from the corner of her mouth. He had kissed her so close to her mouth that she would taste him on her skin if extending her tongue.
He stepped back and started down the front steps after giving her no more than a wave. Timber was planted to her spot and watched, longingly.
Halfway down the walk, Bob paused. He tentatively turned back and stared at her for a good moment. Then he smiled and took the steps back up to her.
"Okay, obviously you're coming over."
* * *
Dave looked up from the television set as Scott strolled into the living room.
"What's up people?" he announced, addressing Clint and Dave, seated on the sofa, Carmen, on the loveseat, and Ben, in the recliner.
"Hey man." Ben said listlessly.
"Sup?" Clint asked.
Scott just shrugged as he rounded the loveseat and sat himself beside Carmen. "I'm pretty worn out. It's been a really busy day." He smirked fondly.
Dave had had enough. He abruptly stood and glared at Scott. "Fuck you." He growled, ready to start something. He did not care to curb his anger right then. He was pissed off and the world was about to know it.
Scott just grinned, leaning back on the chair and extending his arms to drape over the back on either side. "Why Gilbert? What's eating you?" he asked dramatically.
Dave seethed, his face becoming florid. "You know perfectly fucking well what's eating me Scott." He snarled through barred teeth.
The other three looked confused.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Scott simpered.
"You took my girlfriend's virginity!"
Clint nearly spat out the bite of Hot Pocket he was chewing.
Scott sat forward, his eyes going wide in shock. "She was a virgin?!" he exclaimed, seeming surprised. "She sure didn't do it like a virgin! Playboy Bunny, maybe, virgin, no. Gee. They sure don't make 'em like they used to... 'eh Dave?"
"Man, FUCK YOU!" Dave shouted, lunging at Scott.
Scott was ready for him, popping up from his spot and grappling onto his brother.
It started as a battle of strength, the two boys gripping each other in a dead lock, trying to match power, trying to defeat the other. Their feet wove in and out, stumbling to and fro, the boys traveling a great ground while grunting and growling. Carmen screamed and jumped out of the way as both brothers fell back onto the sofa.
"CUT THAT OUT!" Clint shouted through a mouthful of hot pocket. "Dad's going to come down and knock your heads together!"
"Dude! You guys!" Ben barked, growing rather annoyed.
Dave threw a wild punch that knocked right into the side of Scott's head. He was then shoved backwards, sprawling over the carpet, but struggling to his feet immediately. He was upright just in time to adequately defend himself against one of Scott's fists.
Clint climbed back onto the sofa, standing on the cushions. "STOP!!!" he shouted, the food still filling his mouth. "NOW!"
"Oh my God!" Carmen cried, struggling to climb up next to Clint as Scott punched Dave hard, sending him backwards into her.
Clint grabbed Carmen's hand and pulled her to safety before she was able to fall.
"Fuck! Knock it off!" Ben shouted, getting up from the recliner and trying to pull Scott back from Dave.
"Get the FUCK off me! Stay out of this!" Scott ordered, shoving Ben back into the recliner.
"Scott!" Clint shouted, finally swallowing. "Are you out of your DAMNED mind?!?!"
Bob and Timber walked into the room just in time to see the blood spray from Scott's nose as Dave slugged him good and hard.
"What the Hell?!" Timber shouted.
Bob lunged to grab Dave. "What the fuck are you two doing?!"
He grabbed Dave from behind, looping his arms up under his brother's then back over his shoulders.
"And why the fuck are you all just watching?" Bob added, glaring it Clint.
Scott was hunched over and went to wipe his nose, seeing the blood drizzle over his fingers. "Fuck." He spat, raising his angry slits of eyes to give his youngest brother a death stare. "You're done." He snapped, becoming crazy with anger. He was angry that Dave had punched him, that Dave had pushed him, that Dave had started a fight with him, that Dave had fucked his girlfriend.
Not even processing conscious thought, Scott made a move to attack Dave.
"No Scott!" Timber shouted, stepping forward and trying to stop him.
The next events happened so fast it had the entities present in the room wondering what had actually occurred. Scott had raised his fist to land Dave a hard punch, as his brother was handicapped with Bob's grip on him. Timber had jumped in front of him. Scott's fist had met Timber in the side of the head with such intensity that she fell back onto the coffee table, clutching her contusion.
The haze of unclearness lifted and everyone stood staring down at their friend, sprawled on the table, jaws slacked.
"You fucking ASS HOLE!" Bob roared, releasing Dave and lunging at Scott. He violently shoved his eldest brother backwards.
"Bob, don't!" Clint exclaimed, jumping down off the sofa and grabbing his twin's arm.
Bob eyed Scott hatefully. "You'd better quit fucking around Scott, I don't know what your fucking problem is!"
"Just chill Bob." Clint advised soothingly, a hand on his twin's back.
Bob turned to Timber, who was just starting to sit up, her eyes closed in pain.
"Timber, are you okay?" Scott asked, stepping past Bob in an attempt to make amends. "I am SO sorry Timber, God, it was an accident."
Timber's left foot quickly wedged between his legs. "So was that."
Scott gasped quickly, his eyes rolling back in his head as he grasped himself, slowly sinking to his knees.
"Come on." Bob advised, anger still in his tone. He grasped her hand and pulled her up.
Timber stood for a moment before rolling her eyes in annoyance. She knew she shouldn't have eaten so much at dinner. She had felt nauseated on the car ride home and with a head rush from standing up, she only felt worse.
Bob followed behind her as she rushed into the hall to the bathroom.
"I'm afraid to leave you two alone here!" Clint shouted, still in the scolding mode. "Look at you! Look at you! Pitiful! PITIFUL!" he exclaimed, looking at Scott who was still clutching himself and groaning on his knees, then Dave who was wiping at his rapidly bleeding nose. "Both of you with bloody noses... Timber in the bathroom puking... Scott! You know you shouldn't fight because you look like SHIT when you get all bruised up! You know what happened last time on your bar-fighting escapades! And Dave! You've got a girlfriend now! She won't want to kiss you if you're bruised and gross!"
"Yeah, a girlfriend who my brother FUCKED!" Dave screamed.
"You fucked mine first!" Scott shouted back.
"I NEVER had sex with Angela! I thought that was common knowledge! That's what she came to tell me this morning. We NEVER had sex. She would NEVER do that to you because she loves you! Or did you not see that?"
Scott look up and stabbed a finger at Dave. "SHUT UP!" he shouted, not wanting to hear the words he knew were the truth. "SHUT UP!" he shook his head to drown out the words.
"You're the one who fucked up with her. I mean, if you hadn't have been so untrustworthy; she wouldn't always think you're cheating! You're only mad because you know she deserves better than you." Dave smiled.
Scott glared at his younger brother, his eyes welling with tears.
"You have such a beautiful thing... or... you had a beautiful thing... and you fucked it up. For nothing." Dave continued, liking the emotion he saw on Scott's face. "I know you loved her. I saw how much you loved her, I see how much you still love her. But she's gone Scott. She's gone because of you. Because you're a screw up. Because you can't stand to let yourself be happy. But you know? I don't think you deserve to be happy after all of the terrible things you do to people. In fact, you don't deserve anything good at all. You're a horrible person."
The words he had always felt coming from someone else stung worse than any physical pain ever could. Scott rocked back on his heels and just looked at Dave for a long moment. In the next moment, his face completely changed and he began to sob uncontrollably into his hands.
Dave stopped speaking, watching Scott weep for a long time. He was numb with the notion of breaking someone down in such a hostile fashion. He realized right then that physicality meant nothing. Him starting a brawl with Scott meant nothing at all. It was the words that gave Dave the power.
Clint knelt down to comfort his brother, trying to put his arms around him, to show him that he wasn't alone.
"Scott..." Dave started to say.
"Just shut up Dave." Scott managed, pushing Clint away from him.
Turning the tables meant nothing. Dave felt no better than before; he simply could not take pleasure in someone else's pain. Risking all he had, he went to his brother, knowing he would be denied, but making the effort regardless.
"Scott..." Dave whispered, trying to seclude their conversation as he knelt beside his trembling sibling. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean any of it. I'm so sorry."
Clint, seated nearby, watched carefully, prepared to act fast in case Scott switched into attack mode. He nearly flinched into action as his older brother uncoiled and wrapped his arms around Dave's shoulders. Dave passed a moment in shock before responding.
* * *