My Love is Like Whoa..
Sometimes I wonder how I get away with these things. Like this morning; I had a nice breakfast with Jake, and Alex is none the wiser. She thought I did something nice for a random guy, and that it was a little unusual, but that didn't seem to tip her off. And if she knew, I would know that she knew. So she doesn't know. She just figures that I
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After all the crap I've been through trying to get into the city, and not being able to find Arianna, I need something to calm my nerves. I have to have set a record for most times barely escaping getting eaten by vampires.
So I think I'm entitled to a few drinks. Then, I'm going to find Arianna, and try and get a hotel room without getting killed. Why we had to meet back in Los Angeles, where as I hear it Carly still lives, is beyond me.
And I'm not going to think about where she might be, because it's not a good idea to look for her. I'll try talking Arianna into leaving as soon as I find her.
I came into the bar and looked around, and the first thing I spotted was some slutty looking hanging all over one of the bartenders. An awfully familiar looking girl... probably someone I used to know at some point. Whatever.
I sat down across the bar, and one of the other bartenders came over. "Shot of scotch. Double malt, on the rocks." He nodded, and went to fill the order.
I sighed, and looked around again. My eyes kept going back to that girl, but I still couldn't see her face. Why the hell does she look so familiar?
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We have got to get some kind of supernatural security system here.
I'd been just about to go and tell Kip he was done for the night when I heard someone approaching from behind. I knew who it was before I even turned around. The sound of her high heels clicking against the floor gave her away.
Besides, she'd promised she'd come visit.
"Think of me as your assistant bartender for the night."
I grinned back at her. "Good timing. Kip is just about to clock out," I told her, waving Kip out the door simultaneously. This was it. Just me and Carly for the rest of the night.
She looked good.
Granted, she always looks good, but it looked like she had really gone out of her way tonight.
"I think I'd be really good at assisting you."
"I have to agree. I've always thought you might have a natural talent for bartending."
I smirked. We both knew that bartending was nowhere near what she had in mind.
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Perfect. His coworker can go home, the alcoholics can drown their sorrows and leave us alone, and we'll have some fun. As long as no one calls the police on us, it should be a nice night. And on the off chance that the authorities do show up, I can talk my way out of almost anything. One of the few perk's of being a dead lawyer's daughter is how skilled I am at defending myself. I learned from the best. Law enforcement doesn't stand a chance.
"So it's just you and me then."
The customers don't count. I don't know why, but in my head, they just don't. I think it's because they're more likely to watch than they'd ever be to scold. Scruffy bar men. Ew.
"I have to agree. I've always thought you might have a natural talent for bartending."
Well, I've watched Coyote Ugly enough to fake it. I wonder if Jake will ever dare to disagree with me about these things. I'd be a little disappointed if he told me I'd make a shitty bartender, but it wouldn't slow me down very much. Possibly not at all, depending on his tone of voice. The point is, I'm interested, the exchange of words is insignificant, yet the games never get old with us.
Maybe that's because we took them to another level. We're pretty comfortable here.
"Well, I could tend to the bar...or I could tend to the bartender."
I gave him the most innocent smile I could manage without laughing--it's hard when you're up to no good. When Jake started to display a fair amount of anticipation, I killed the good act, started with the seating position. Spreading my legs, I moved Jake in between them and locked them around his waist.
I could be a little more subtle, but gee, we've already wasted enough time.
"So, what'll it be?"
Within reason; I can't exactly fuck him on top of the bar, but I can get under it.
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Honestly, it was all I needed. Just one. But since I'm sitting here, I might as well have a few more. I'll find Arianna in a little while, she'll be fine. I'll leave in a few minutes.
"Well, I could tend to the bar...or I could tend to the bartender."
I know that voice. I was fairly sure I knew the girl who was just begging for it from the bartender... but the voice, that voice I definitely know. If I was drunk, stoned, and on the verge of being unconscious because of an overdose on both, I would freakin' know that voice.
"So, what'll it be?"
And then I got a look at her face, before she went back to all eyes on Mr. Bartender. I think I'm going to need a few more drinks after this... just a couple.
Just... I have to process this part first.
Maybe I'm wrong, maybe it's just a lookalike. No... wait... there's the smirk... that's her. That has to be her. Why is that her? Why is she hanging all over Mr. Bartender who looks like he's the Ultimate Stud right about now?
"... Carly?"
You can't freakin' be serious.
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Grinning, lowered my head and began nibbling and licking at the tender crook of flesh where Jake's neck met his shoulder.
Yeah, we're the best of friends.
"... Carly?"
That was in my head, right? That had to be in my head. Because it sounded like someone who it definitely couldn't be. He's gone. Off being Europeanized with his whore of a wife who I don't know. I mean, it sounded like, but I'm probably hearing things, and....
Oh god, what if I'm not?
I pushed back from Jake and spun around quickly, making a decent one hundred and eighty degree slide before I fell forward, off of the other end of the counter, and into two stools that happened to be in my way. The thud I heard when I hit the ground was either me or the stools, which I was oddly tangled up in, and yet somehow, still face down on the floor.
That's the funny thing about being a vampire slayer. I'm faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than all the boring humans in the world, and able to leap large stairways in a single bound. I'm not Supergirl, though when it comes right down to it, I am pretty damn invincible.
But a fall like that hurts like hell.
"Ow..." I pushed the stools out of the way and pushed myself up on my knees. That was my first mistake.
Looking over to see who had called my name was the second one. Of course it was Sam.
And suddenly, the fall hurt a lot more.
"If either of you laugh, I swear to God there will be violence."
But swearing to God won't do me any good. He doesn't seem to like me at the moment.
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She's leaving it up to me? Good thing none of the bums in here have the energy to call the cops on us.
"Well, how about--" I began with a smirk, before finding myself interrupted by a voice from the bar. Stupid drunks! They all have their drinks. Can't they leave me in peace for a few minutes? I mean, they see I'm busy, don't they?
"... Carly?"
Hmm. A former conquest? A former conquest cutting in on my Carly-time? Not cool. Not cool at all.
Next thing I knew, Carly wasn't paying attention to me anymore, but had turned to look at whoever had called her name. I followed her gaze to see a guy about our age sitting at the bar, looking... shocked. Carly pulled away and started to turn on the bar, but apparantly, she had miscalculated.
"Whoa, Car--"
Too late. Carly landed on the floor with a couple of empty barstools, looking like she'd hurt a little more than just her dignity on that one.
"Ow... If either of you laugh, I swear to God there will be violence."
"Not laughing." I put my hands up, taking a step back from the bar. "Promise."
Now. Who was this guy intruding on our little bartender-tending session?
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"Me neither."
This'd be funny if I hadn't just been watching my ex play 'vampire' on someone who wasn't me. I still have the bite marks in some places, can Mr. Bartender Boyfriend say that? I freakin' invented that.
I headed over from my seat, and offered her a hand. "How's it going?" Real smooth Howell. Now try and smile and act like what you just saw is no big deal.
Now pretend that you're not a freakin' idiot without a clue.
"Sorry I startled you."
I'm pathetic.
I'm really going to need those few drinks after this one. Maybe if I'm lucky, Arianna'll find me. She's always had this bloodhound thing, I can get away with not leaving for a while.
Unless things between Mr. Bartender and Carly get too hot and heavy. Then I am so freakin' out of here.
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"Me neither."
If I wasn't on the floor, I'd be comforted. Comfort is not a great concept for me right now. My palms are stinging, my knees hate me, and my side will probably get a pretty two second bruise from it's sudden slam into the bar stool.
But it's alright because they're only laughing on the inside.
"How's it going?"
"That's not the best question to ask right now."
I took his hand and let Sam help me to my feet. It's not that I'm incapable of getting up on my own, it would just look kinda rude to ignore him. Although I'll admit, I'd love to ignore him if it meant I'd get to skip the details of his fabulous new life.
I don't want to do this.
"Thanks."
Why is it that everytime I try to plan a nice night, it gets royally screwed? Normally I don't go out of my way for a guy, but tonight I did. I got dressed up, made sure that Alex didn't have a clue, skipped slaying...and just when it was getting interesting, my ex decided to speak up and make his presence known.
Shit, Sam saw that then, didn't he? Wait-no, there's nothing for me to be ashamed about here. He went on with his life, and after a decent amount of crying and feeling sorry for myself, I went on with mine. Sam probably has it pretty good in his European casa with the slut bride.
I've never seen her, but I just know the bitch is a skank. Sam would be into that.
"Sorry I startled you."
It's really a little late for that now.
"It's not your fault. Just didn't think I'd ever see you again. It would have startled me no matter what I was doing."
Or who. Jake's presence makes it a little worse, the biting thing adds to it, and the way I was all up in his area? A lot more than a little embarrassing for me, that much I can't deny.
Oh crap. Introductions. I have to do those now.
"Sam Howell, this is Jake McKiernan, he's a...good friend. Jake, Sam and I dated in high school."
I don't think 'dated' even begins to cover it, but it's the best I can do until my brain starts working again.
Jake wouldn't want to know anyway. It would make him uncomfortable.
"So...how've you been? Marriage working out for you okay?"
I could have waited to ask Sam that--I just had to get it out. He's not the only one who's a glutton for punishment.
Why is he giving me that look? Did he think I wouldn't find out? That's lame.
"Noelle told me about it after she ran into you in Germany."
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Yeah, but it's common conversation. Remember that Carly? We used to do it all the time. Among other things... Things you're doing with Mr. Bartender all the time now instead of me, I'm guessing.
"Thanks."
"No problem."
"It's not your fault. Just didn't think I'd ever see you again. It would have startled me no matter what I was doing."
Or who, if I'd given her an extra ten minutes.
"Right."
"Sam Howell, this is Jake McKiernan, he's a...good friend. Jake, Sam and I dated in high school."
Dated is definitely one way of putting it. And she doesn't play vampire with good friends. Mr. Bartender Jake, is a boyfriend. And she just doesn't want to say it yet.
I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time, but that's just what it seems like. What is it about bartending that's such a freakin' turn on for women?
Whatever.
I tried to be polite, and nodded to Jake. "Hey." That's about as much as he's getting until I figure out for sure if he's a boyfriend or not.
"So...how've you been? Marriage working out for you okay?"
... Huh?
I blinked, looking at her. "Say what?" When was I ever... no, I've never been that drunk. I remember coming close a couple of times, which is why I can never hit Sweden again, but still...
"Noelle told me about it after she ran into you in Germany."
Germany... "Noelle was in Germany?" I blinked again, trying to remember. "I didn't see her in Germany... and I've never been married."
Who was I with in Germany? There was Inga, the kinky mistress... those were good times... and Gretchen. I know she wanted marriage, which is why I got the hell out of dodge, but I never did.
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Hey, what's with the hesitation there? Either I'm a good friend or I'm not. I'd like to think of myself as Carly's "good friend." A more appropriate term might be "boytoy of the week," but I didn't expect her to tell Sam that. After all, he was... her ex, apparantly.
... Carly had a steady boyfriend? Carly dated? In what dimension did this happen?
"So...how've you been? Marriage working out for you okay?"
"Noelle told me about it after she ran into you in Germany."
"Noelle was in Germany? I didn't see her in Germany... and I've never been married."
... someone's got their wires crossed, obviously.
It wasn't really my place to say anything, but things were getting really weird really fast. I cleared my throat to help break the awkward silence.
"... anyone need a drink?" I definitely did.
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Bullshit. Completely and utterly bullshit. Noelle is a lot smarter than Daphne, and okay, that usually wouldn't be saying much, but in this case, it says it all. She doesn't mix up words like 'girlfriend' and 'wife'. Gretchen is his wife, he's probably just trying to cover so that I don't feel bad because....
Oh yeah, because I'm alone. I have friends, flings, and buddies. Sam has a whole life type thing going on, with someone to love him. He's being nice, or pitying me, which would be a million times worse than me pitying him--even though I never did, the point is, he was always afraid that I would.
Dumb guy. Really.
"But..."
"... anyone need a drink?"
"I think I need about seven of them."
Apple jacks, all in a row. If I get desperate enough to drink myself to death, I want to do it on something good.
"Noelle was in Germany. She saw you... somewhere, went over to your...wife and talked to her."
I should pretend that I forgot a little more of this story. It's just tough to do that when you spent a bunch of nights being stupid and crying over it.
"Gretchen."
I should have never brought this up. Ever. I'm going to cause myself more pain with it. Sam's fine. He has a wife. I bet things are good for him.
And I'm not jealous at all.
"....It's okay, you know? You don't have to explain anything."
Even though you married her less than a year after you dumped and ditched me.
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... What, she doesn't believe me? Why does she look so confused? I've never been married. The fact that Carly thinks I would is bad enough as is. I don't know why, but it is. Maybe because she thinks I'd get married that fast.
"... anyone need a drink?"
"I think I need about seven of them."
"Vodka shot'll work." Who am I to turn down a drink? Especially in this situation. Why the hell would anyone be introducing themself as my wife?
"Noelle was in Germany. She saw you... somewhere, went over to your...wife and talked to her. Gretchen."
Gretchen.
That explains everything, doesn't it. I wonder how many people have heard about my 'marriage' to Gretchen. Freakin'...
"....It's okay, you know? You don't have to explain anything."
"There's nothing to explain." I don't get why she doesn't believe me. "Gretchen and I were never married. We dated, but once I found out she had our whole life pretty much planned out..." I took off for the nearest plane into Italy. "We broke up."
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"Vodka shot'll work."
I kept quiet as I started their drinks, an apple jack for Carly and a simple vodka shot for her... friend. I couldn't help watching them out of the corner of my eye as they talked, listening hard while I mixed Carly's drink.
"Noelle was in Germany. She saw you... somewhere, went over to your...wife and talked to her. Gretchen. ....It's okay, you know? You don't have to explain anything."
"There's nothing to explain. Gretchen and I were never married. We dated, but once I found out she had our whole life pretty much planned out... We broke up."
Have I mentioned yet that I really wish this weren't happening? Carly and I had been looking at some serious quality time. Needless to say, I was really looking forward to it. A lot. It was great until this Sam guy breezed in, talking about marriages and non-marriages and getting Carly all confused.
I served them their drinks in silence. It wasn't my place to butt in. Unfortunately, I was the only one of us required to stay put.
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Oh wow, he's serious. Sam was never married.
Which wouldn't be such a shock if I hadn't spent thinking that he was. To be perfectly honest, I tried not to think about it most of the time after I got the news, but the point is, I wasn't expecting this. When I heard about him and his little bride, I just assumed that he'd moved on, realized I hadn't, and did my best to get with the slutty Los Angeles program. In spite of feeling being confused, upset, and just about every other emotion under the sun, I did enjoy it.
By it, I mean my slutful ways. I do what I want now, and I don't have to worry about letting some guy down because I looked at Charlie Crackerhead the wrong way when picked up my books for me. Sam was my one, my only true boyfriend, but that's because after him, I realized I was better off without one.
I had to, he was gone.
It's just weird to think that things could have been different.
"Some women are crazy, I thought I taught you that one."
I tried smiling, but the whole thing...it just felt like one big mind screw, and I wanted out. Or I wanted sex with Jake, as planned. Sam killed that one just by being here. It's a free country, and this is a public bar, but I've always done my best to blame my problems on him before, I might as well let myself slip back into the habit just this once. Just for tonight. I'll probably never seem him again after this anyway.
"Thanks Jake. Just what I needed."
I successfully smiled at Jake when he gave me my drink. He was being quiet, so I figured that everything had to be almost as nerveracking for him as it was for me. We had plans, and now we can't follow through.
We probably can't follow through ever now. If he wanted to, I'd probably be game, but after the way I hit the floor? Even if Jake found me even remotely sexy before, he doesn't now. We were probably wrong to have sex with each other in the first place, but it didn't feel that way, and I didn't regret it. It was dumb how I got excited over something like that.
Spend the night with a stranger and I'll either wish I hadn't, or lose his phone number. Spend the night with my best friend's brother and...
I really wish I knew what I was doing. But it shouldn't have happened in the first place, and it's over now. I'm not going to get clingy about Jake.
Just like I'm not going to get sentimental about Sam. Even though seeing him brings back at least a thousand happy memories that I'd selectively forgotten.
Kinda like how Sam had forgotten me until he walked into the bar tonight. Lucky him.
Taking a sip of my drink, I did my best to keep myself something resembling normal. Sam doesn't even know what normal me is anymore, but Jake does. If you know me well enough, it's not hard to see that everything about being here right now is driving me crazy.
Or crazier, as the case may be.
"How's Arianna?"
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Clearly she doesn't get what I mean when I say 'whole life planned out'. I don't just mean marriage. I mean everything. So I may have freaked just a little, and 'break up' kind of transfers to me fleeing the freakin' country, but if you knew Gretchen, you'd say I was within my rights.
"Thanks Jake. Just what I needed."
She can't smile at me, but she can smile at Mr. Bartender Boyfriend Jake. Isn't that special. "Thanks." I nodded to him, taking the shot and drinking it. Doesn't compare to the burn you get with scotch or bourbon, but it's still good for nerves.
Like the your-ex-girlfriend-who-you're-still-in-love-with-found-someone-else nerves. Sure, I did too, but Carly's never met any of them. And I'd really like to keep it that way.
... And now I'm just realizing that I missed her, Mr. Bartender Boyfriend Jake being around non withstanding. I did. More than I originally thought I did before. So much for being over her.
I should have freakin' stayed in Paris.
"How's Arianna?"
"She's great." Should I tell her? Probably not, she doesn't even know about my extra talent, and I don't know if Carly's been enlighened about what goes bump in the night just yet. So, cover story it is. "She went overseas for a little bit for this study thing, she just got back. She wanted to meet me here."
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Since when does Arianna study? I mean, I know it's been a few years, but she wasn't into school. She hated it. Their parents pretty much screwed over any chance Sam and Arianna had at a happy normal life. I used to think that Sam was pretty happy with...well, I was wrong. He wanted to see the world, and I guess Arianna did too.
"You guys are weird. You should have just met in the middle."
Was that mean? I wasn't trying to be, but it made sense. Instead of both of them flying to Los Angeles, they should have split the distance between them and picked a location they liked. As long as it wasn't in Iraq or Colombia or something, it was the logical thing to do.
Wait, they never were big on logic. That explains it.
"When you find her, give Arianna a hug for me."
Arianna used to be my little sister. It's similar to the way I feel about Alex but...Alex is my best friend too. Arianna and I could never be that close, we'd kill each other, or Sam. Or one of us would kill Sam and the other would kill the remaining basket case. I loved Arianna to death, would have done anything for her...but neither of us were dumb enough to try and be best buddies.
It would have freaked Sam out too much.
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