Between the Kennedy's death, the kiss, and me killing someone, Brittany had slipped my mind. Maybe I had unconsciously assumed that given the intimate interaction, she wouldn't be a part of the equation anymore. He had said it wasn't serious, that he didn't know where he wanted to take their relationship.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx4Os80CW6
He failed to mention that she works for Travis too...which inevitably keeps her around in some way shape or form.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMts6uv88n2
The change in atmosphere makes it abundantly clear that whatever was going on between them definitely hasn't stopped. Her entrance was a pretty good give away too...
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGRJkuU7xX
It's best to play it cool, right? Maybe I should keep any of knowledge of me knowing who she is to myself. Judging by the attitude she's wearing so confidently already; I don't want to boost her ego any more. So I do my best to act nonchalant.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpKjbbqpTR
"Nice to meet you." I settle on saying, maintaining an indifferent way about myself.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOvg59Q85d
"Most people would say otherwise." Brittany replies in a matter a fact tone. She openly gives me a once over, making it slow and analytical.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneONgCNZ9E
"It's true." Malachi agrees, leaning towards the side get closer to me and still sporting that pleased grin. He stands straight up again. "I must say; this is the first time I've ever been okay with your presence. This will make for an interesting weekend."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIqGDpK3l8
Maverick's silence doesn't go unnoticed, neither does the way he's scratching the back of his neck and keeping his focus on the floor.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W4Kv32FKG
Even Malory notices. I'm sure she's very confused about what's going on but can't miss the fact that the vibe is very clearly off.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n4j6d3IYr
Malory intervenes, saying; "The weekend will go great as long as everyone is minding their manners." She hints at Brittany, giving her a warning glance before letting her calming smile return to the group. "Now if you'll excuse us, Brittany; Malachi and Maverick have business to attend to." She waves her hands in a circle in front of her. "You all can finish this up later."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecLM7whC2n
Let's not do that.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡct7QjaLlN7
Maverick, who still had yet to meet Brittany's eye, didn't notice her lingering gaze before disappearing down a hallway.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuT5IB98mS
"Can you breathe again?" Malachi jokes, chuckling at Maverick who has finally lifted his guilty head up.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhKqEoQCbv
"Only slightly." Maverick jokes back, making it clear that me standing here is still adding to the weight on his shoulders.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG7GCcDbJ4
"I don't know what drama you two have stirred up..." Malory begins. "But I highly suggest you don't let it interfere with Travis's plans. You know how Brittany can get." She says the last words in a harsh whisper.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVEIFEqq9K
Malachi puts a hand on his chest. "Oh, I could never take credit for such work, Malory. This was all Maverick's doing." He gives Maverick's arm a slap and then uses his index finger to point at Malory. "Tell her all about it."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBumRB9GBj
"I-"
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshC3Aa0KPa
Maverick is interrupted by Malachi. "Fine. If you won't tell her, I will." He states. "So Maverick has been fucking Bri-"
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YoJfhsKgW
"Shut the fuck up!" Maverick hisses harshly at the same time that Malory is saying; "That's unnecessary, really."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpgg0iqcXn
It's obvious what Malachi was about to say. Mental images of Maverick and Brittany together run through my head. Conversations about her replay in my head, reminding me that what's going on between them isn't nothing. Maverick has been having feelings for Brittany.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZXfGC5MKW
The only thing missing between the two is a label...
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySBzfPzfcB
Unlike Maverick and I who are already labeled as best friends.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pQgiaKrvu
Brittany is steps ahead. She's already got me beat.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqyU7Hm5RN
Malory must have put two and two together, realizing that I'm the reason Brittany and Maverick's relationship is such a big deal. She reaches between the two men, taking my hand as she instructs, "Come with me. I'll show you to your room."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstgVyqyNZj
I'm happy to get away from Maverick. The more I think about the unwanted situation, the more jealousy arises that I was trying to keep at bay.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBxJz4Iw8V
He's already slept with the girl plenty of times, goes on secret little hangouts. I can just imagine him staying the night with her when he's not at my place or his.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3fGeHEtcY
Has he gone to see her since we kissed?! And why kiss me in the first place if he's already fucking someone else?!
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvt79sqEaEZ
It makes me wonder if I really matter that little to Maverick, if he doesn't take whatever we have seriously. Is it all in my head? Is it one sided? He has no problem screwing her whenever he wants but I can barely get a lick of attention after one kiss?! What am I supposed to think?
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzl2gTx0pWX
"I added a few things to the room so you feel more comfortable. A record player and some books." She gives a heart warming look as we reach the top of the staircase. "I heard you struggle with anxiety. Being in new places with strangers probably doesn't help." She gives a short laugh, keeping the tone light.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rmb1y6Ozb
I return her look with a soft smile as I follow along side her down the dimly lit hall. "Did Maverick tell you?"
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoOOKlRM7c
"Oh, honey, no." She laughs more genuinely. "Malachi did." She clarifies in a tone as if I should've known that already. "He really looks out for you."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWzM5x0r2r
My immediate reaction is to scoff, arching an eyebrow as we turn down another hall.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGC3jcmdsi
Malachi is the reason my life is a big fucking question mark...even more so than before...
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXJr80iU1L
Instead of saying what I'm thinking, I go with ; "Yeah, I seriously doubt that."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRqHTB0ggR
"It's true." She defends her statement. "You know...Malachi doesn't put himself around anyone by choice but Maverick? You're the only other person I've seen him be around in over ten years." She tells me as we stop at a dark brown door.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfglrHKgBn
Malory doesn't know the only reason for that was to get me to join whatever they call this. So either way, I would still be someone he has to be around.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zg2R1tdFO
"I think Malachi feels obligated to me because I'm friends with Maverick." I tell her in the nicest way possible.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHRszF0K3o
She laughs as she opens the door, stepping inside the large room. "Oh, you must not know Malachi as well as I thought you did." She swings open the door further, stepping to the side so I can enter. "Malachi is obligated to no one. No one but Travis that is."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNp0SWq9fm8
My eyes flicker over at her before taking in the massive bed with maroon bedsheets. There's a chandelier in the bedroom, what the hell?
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMU8ltaJCT1
"Malachi is one of the most ruthless men I've ever seen." She then adds emphasis when saying, "And I have seen many come and go."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A8rj6s0LJ
Malory moves swiftly to the window, drawing the curtains back. "If you knew Malachi the way we do, you'd know him instructing us on what would make you comfortable is a massive change in character." She raises the blinds, adding more sunlight. "He's just prideful and doesn't want to express it to you." She tuts, waving a hand.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7IUefeBDd
Most of her words go in one ear and out the other, partly because I'm in awe at what they call a bedroom and partly because it all sounds ridiculous to me. Believing Malachi is anything other than a manipulative serial killer would be naive.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIshij3cUbH
"And don't let Maverick get to you." She turns away from the window, pointing at me. "He's just a boy..." she shrugs sheepishly. "He's has no idea what he's doing. I've never seen someone so contradicting and unsure." She gives a laugh.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUEcLi06kD
I let out a puff of breath, agreeing with her. "He doesn't know what he wants."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OIoQAHUuh
"You're right." She nods. "Neither of them a good people, Lilliana...but they do have a caring spot in their hearts and if one finds they have place there...they'd do anything to make them happy. I have a feeling you'll learn a good bit about Malachi and Maverick this weekend."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2NuAVp3kB
I don't know if I need to.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjQX9jtPnG
"Anyway..." she laughs lightly and starts for the door. "Make yourself comfortable. If you need anything at all, come find me. Or there's a call box on the wall right here." She points to the wall next to the door. "Someone will be up to get you shortly for your meeting with Travis."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9PQdQScOC
I give a nod and the best smile I can. "Thank you, Malory."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpb6MwCCug
"Anytime at all, Lilliana." She replies before closing the door with a soft click behind her.
ns216.73.216.123da2
