Romance Fan Fiction / Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Three's Company ❯ End of the Beginning ( Chapter 8 )

 

Why was the ride back home always faster than the ride to somewhere else? It was a question Alice pondered as she held on to Finn on the back of his motorcycle. It seemed like they'd just left the spot on the beach and yet she was near enough to home to recognize landmarks.

“Slow down,” she yelled, “we're almost there.” He touched her hand to let her know he understood her. She lay her head down on Finn's back, wishing the damn helmet was off so she could rest more comfortably. She wanted to do something daring—something one of her heroines (or heroes) from a manga would do, like touch him…there while he was driving. Her face heated up while she convinced herself the only reason she wasn't was because she didn't want to distract him while he was driving.

She lifter her head and tapped his leg. “Stop here,” she said. He slowed and pulled off to the side, removing his helmet.

“Which house is yours?” He asked. She didn't answer as she got off the bike and began removing her helmet. “Hey,” he grabbed her arm, “what's wrong?”

“Um,” she shifted uncomfortable with what she was going to say and didn't meet his eyes. “I live down and around the corner a little ways,” she mumbled. Now she did look up, earnestly. “Finn, I'm late—really late, for me anyway, plus I didn't call home to let them know where I was, what I was doing or that I was even going to be late. The best I can hope for is that Adam covered for me and will help me get around my parents. But I'm sorry—truly I am, but I'm just not nearly prepared to deal with what would happen if they saw you and realized I was out all this time with a guy who didn't wear veneers!” There was a long silence that Alice had no idea how to fill, so she just stood there and dropped her head.

“This was a one-off thing, then?” Alice's head shot up.

“The hell it was!” She clapped both hands over her mouth. Good lord! Did I say that out loud?

Finn chuckled and touched her face softly. “Good girl.” He put his helmet on and maneuvered his bike so it pointed back the way they came. He reached down into one of his saddlebags, dug around and pulled out a tattered business card. “Text me when you get home so I know you're all right.”

“I don't have a cell. I'd have to buy it on my own if I wanted any privacy and I don't have the money because—“

“You spend it all on manga porn.” He held a hand up, “Sorry, I meant yaoi mangas.” She frowned at him, knowing he only said that to annoy her. “Can you call me at least? There's no way I'm going to let you walk alone, in the dark without ever knowing if you made it home safely or not.” He paused and frowned. “Actually, I don't think it's a good idea at all. I'm going to see you to your door so,” he began turning his bike again.

“No, Finn, really, it's OK.” She put out a hand to stop him from changing direction. “I'm going to make a right at the corner and it's only two houses down after that. I'll be home in less than five minutes. Honest!”

He frowned. “Five minutes and a call or I'm coming over to check on you,” he warned.

“Five minutes, I promise!” She leaned in and kissed him. He grabbed the back of her head and deepened it. They broke apart, both breathing heavily and slightly aroused. She kissed him again, quickly, turned and ran off.

Finn watched until she turned the corner before starting his bike and slowly rolling down the street. “Five minutes and counting,” he murmured to himself.

Alice flew up the sidewalk and almost tripped as the front door opened before she reached it. No, no, no, no, no! She wailed mentally, only to switch to, “Yes, yes, yes, yes!” When she saw it was Adam at the door. “You have no idea how glad I am to see you!” She grabbed him and hugged him tightly much to his surprise. “Can I use your phone?” Adam stared at her for a moment.

“What for?”

Alice ignored the question, “Thanks,” she said and ran upstairs to call Finn. She wasn't sure how much of five minutes she had left and she could deal with Adam afterwards.

Adam narrowed his eyes and followed determinedly. She ran into his room and looked around. Where the hell was his cell phone? She turned and saw him holding it between two fingers. She snatched it.

“Jerk,” she said, distracted as she rushed to dial the number on the ragged piece of paper.

“Flake,” he retorted calmly. “Who are you calling? It better be Paul or the parents.” Alice looked up wide-eyed in shock. Adam stared back. “Do not tell me you forgot?” Alice blushed and returned to dialing on the phone. “You forgot! Do you know what I had to do to cover for you? And you forgot?” He glared at her as she put the cell to her ear. “I told them you had a test to make up and probably had to catch the late bus, and since you didn't have a cell, probably didn't get a chance to call us.” She mouthed `thanks', then, her eyes brightened as whoever she was calling answered the phone.

“Finn? Yeah, it's me. I'm home, safely, yes…just my brother…No, he covered for me—I told you he would…Um, yeah, OK, I'll tell him, later…OK, see you later, bye.” She closed the cell phone and caught an arrested look on her brother's face. “Adam? Are you all right?” He was staring at her as if he'd never seen her before.

“A guy? I went out on a limb for you, so you could go out on a date?” He stared at her for a second longer before running both hands through his hair and turning so all she could see was the tension in his back.

“Adam?” Alice had never seen her brother like this, well, she'd seen him angry, yeah, but not like this and not because of something she did. And what she'd done wasn't that bad, was it? She set the phone on the bed and went to touch his back he stiffened and she jerked her hand away. “Adam, I—“

“You better go and change. I told Mom and Dad I'd bring you to the Chandler's as soon as you walked through the door,” he said flatly, without turning. Alice bit her lip, not sure how to handle this version of her brother.

“Okay. Give me half an hour to shower and change.” He didn't reply, so she left confused and more than a little hurt.

 

Adam tried to calm himself with deep breaths. Shower! What the hell did she need a shower for? The only reason anyone showered after a date was— He couldn't even finish the thought without wanting to break something. He paced the room and finally sat down on the bed. You have to calm down before Alice comes back. She has no clue and she's not going to find out either! He lectured himself over and over. Then he saw the cell phone lying innocently on the bed. His hand slowly reached out and picked it up and opened it. He pressed the talk button the looked at the digits glowing on the LCD screen for a long time.