Chapter Nine

~ ~ ZAC ~ ~

After the phone call from Taylor, I kept one eye on the door, I knew he was up to something, but I didn't know what. I was guessing it was something to do with crystal, but I hope he wouldn't come here with crystal, not when he knew how Claire would react to it.

Or would he? Yes he would.

I looked up again, to find Crystal standing at the bar, Taylor wasn't around, so I got up to investigate what was going on before anyone else noticed her standing there. More importantly get her out of sight before Claire spotted her standing there.

"Hey Crystal", I walked up and hugged her, turning my back in the direction of the table, knowing no one would be able to see her stood behind me. Claire had her back to us so I was pretty sure she wouldn't see her mom. "Oh hi zac, Tay's just gone to the bathroom, he'll be here in a moment. How are you, I was surprised to see you back today, I bet Claire was pleased to see you". I was shocked and confused at this admission, had Claire not told her mom we were back.

I was just about to question her comment when Tay tapped me on the shoulder, "hey Zac, did you sort out the extra placing at the table? I bet you were surprised to see Crystal here tonight". I could see the anger, sitting behind the sarcasm he just spat. "Tay, I had no idea she hadn't told crystal. Crystal just told me she wasn't expecting us to be back today, I'm as shocked about it as you are. I'll deal with it, I'll speak to Claire about it, just don't start anything tonight, not tonight.…..please". I said holding my hand up in a gesture to stop anything he had planned, I know Tay, and I know he won't let Claire get away with this.

Taylor looked from me to Crystal; he saw the same unsure look of hurt that I saw in her eyes. I could see any public display of revenge would upset her. So he put his arm around her bare shoulders pulled her closer, and as she smiled, he looked at me with that I'll-get-my-own-back-later-look and smiled. "We're cool aren't we Crystal?" he said kissing the side of her head. She smiled and nodded, as we walked towards the table.

~ ~ SAM ~ ~

I looked up to see Taylor Hanson talking to Zac, there was someone else there too, I couldn't see who it was but I was more than intrigued to see the girl he passed me up for. Not that I was bothered, I was now with Isaac, and he was so nice to be with, a real gentleman. When Taylor leaned in to kiss her head, Zac turned and I got a glimpse of who it was, OH….MY….GOD!

Claire saw the look of shock on my face, "what's wrong Sam, you look like you have just seen a ghost". I looked at Claire and smiled trying to pretend there was nothing wrong. "It's okay Claire", but just as I said that, they started walking towards us, I had to warn her. I leaned over the table to whisper to her. "Claire, Taylor's here," she smiled and said "it's okay, don't worry about it, it's his look out he missed a chance to have a date with you, you are better off with Ike anyway, he'll treat you much better than him, he's a looser". She said. "No Claire it's not that, he has a woman with him, and well, It….it's your mom and he kissed her a minute ago". I leaned in and whispered it so not to embarrass her in front of the others.

She just closed her eyes, the look on her face as she span around was not good, I knew she was annoyed, but god so would I be if that was my mom. I know there's a distinctive difference between my mom and Claire's mom, my mom is sort of Momsie and well Claire's mom, she doesn't look like a mom never has. But seeing her attached to Taylor's arm, well it's a shock. I love her mom like my own, but I don't know if I like this at all, what is she doing. Claire looked back to see the confusion in my eyes and whispered "I'll tell you about it later".

~ ~ Taylor ~ ~

As I walked towards the table, I could see Claire and her friend having a little private discussion, no guessing what that was about, when she spun around the look of pure unadulterated hatred was looking straight at me. I thought, yes Claire, I have a few words for you too, but not now, the last thing I wanted was to hurt crystal tonight. I decided to ignore any repercussions of me bringing her here and headed straight for Ike.

Ike stood as we walked towards him, his eyes never leaving crystal, the look of awe plastered all over his face, he looked from Crystal to me, and finally spoke. "Tay, you've been holding out on me, you found your jogger". He smiled straight at crystal and added, "Tay was absolutely knocked out by your beauty the day we saw you jogging, how did he find you. He guessed you were a nurse, was he right?" he looked back at me. I smiled leaned in to his ear, "Ike, that jogger, Crystal here is Claire's mom". His head went back in amazement, he looked from Claire to Crystal and shook his head, "No way, how can you be, I mean, hell I don't know what I mean." He said throwing his arms in the air in disbelief. "Here Crystal sit down, here", he said tapping the seat next to him. I sat the other side of her with a satisfied grin on my face taking the first sip of my drink.

I watched as Ike chatted with crystal very animatedly, he seemed to really like her, he talked with her about our music, asked about her jogging and also about Claire's recovery after her accident. Crystal had the look of relief at the fact she'd gained his acceptance. They talked about her jogging, telling Ike all about the London marathon she was about to embark in and the amount of training she has had to do for it. All the time he was smiling and now and then looked up at me and winked, this was Ike giving his approval.

Once we'd eaten Ike and Sam left, he wanted to make sure she got home before he retired to bed. Claire hadn't spoken to either Crystal or myself but I knew what was coming, and I was ready.

"So Taylor", Zac said trying to break the icy atmosphere that suddenly washed over the four of us, "do you want another drink", he said gesturing for me to go with his head. I took the hint, stood up and stretched, "nah zac, I'm gonna go to my room and show Crystal my record collection". I said, jokingly lifting my eyebrows in the suggestion of what that excuse meant. We both burst into fits of laughter, It was sort of a family joke, Ike used that excuse at home to get his girlfriends in his bedroom. Claire and Crystal looking at each other red faced knowing full well what it meant.

"I think mom wants to go home, don't you mom", Claire spat, looking at her mom with the same hurtful look she earlier gave me. "I don't think so Claire", I interrupted not giving Crystal chance to reply. "We are going up to my room". I finished, entwining my fingers with Crystal's

And lead the way. "What for", Claire included as we turned to walk away. I knew then she wanted an argument, I wasn't about to upset Crystal so I turned and smiled before walking away, I knew that would get her riled.

As we got to the front desk I asked Crystal to get the key and wait by the lift. I walked back to the table where Claire and Zac were already into a heated discussion. "Claire" I said, and she turned, her eyes were wild with anger. "Listen, the last thing I want to do is fall out with you over this, but I'm In Love with your mom, I'm not going anywhere, I'm going to see her, so you might as well get used to it. And, don't pull anymore tricks like the one you pulled today because I can see straight through your little scam". I said what I had to say and walked away.

Crystal smiled as I met her at the lift, "did you forget something at the table", and I smiled back and nodded yes. Once we were in the lift, I pulled Crystal closer, kissing her with the intense need I'd felt all evening, She felt so good to be holding at last.

Crystal

"Now where were we earlier", I looked up frowning at Tay's misplaced words, I hadn't a clue what he was talking about. "You know", he stated. "Back at the house, oh yeah that’s right, I was just saying, I was gonna let you know just how much I liked what your wearing". He said with a wide grin, his tongue traced his bottom lip leaving it wet in preparation. I knew what was next, but let him carry on mastering is seduction technique. "Now I come to think of it Crys, you'd look much better out of this," he said as he flipped open the clasp at the neck. The flimsy material fell, exposing the top half of my body, his eyes ran down my body, his hands brushing softly over my pert nipple, then sliding his hand down my arm finally holding my hand as we kissed.

My breathing was getting alarmingly faster, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. Not from being out of breath, but from the feel of his fingers delicately skimming my body. I watched his hand as it ran along the flat of my stomach, and pushed the fabric lower until it dropped to the floor in a silky heap, exposing the rest of me to him.

Looking up our eyes met, his tongue dragged along his bottom lip again, as he leaned in to kiss me. His tongue probed my mouth instantly, no passionate build up, it was desperate and needy from the start. So desperate it took my breath away, my heart pounded almost through my chest in reaction. "I missed you so much baby", he whispered as our lips parted. "Me too Tay, me too.".

He picked me up, to walk towards the bed, and the door flew open. I didn't know what to do, I was there naked in my lovers arms, and had no idea what to do or where to go, I ran for the bathroom.

Taylor

"What the fuck", for a second I had no idea what was happening, the door flow open then Crystal was gone. "What's going on Zac"? I screamed at him about to let him have a peace of my mind for barging in like that. It was then I noticed how distraught he was, he stood there in the doorway, looking away until he was saw Crystal was in a safety from his view, his face streaked with the painful tears that burned his skin of his cheeks, almost making them glow in the dark. His chest was heaving as he held out his arms, he was desperately trying to tell me something, the pain in his chest and the sob in his throat not allowing the words to come out.

"Help me Tay", he managed between each sobbing heave of his chest.

I wrapped my arms around him, gave him the comfort I felt he needed, I had no idea what had made him like this, it was heart wrenching to watch the brother I loved so much in such pain. I held him tight, comforting his pain, we sat there wrapped in each other's arms feeling each other's pain, and I sort of knew what he was about to say. I knew what was about to happen would rip my life in shreds. "I need to talk to Crystal Tay".

I heard the bathroom door click, and Crystal was in front of us wrapped in my bathrobe. " She finished with you didn't she Zac", I looked at Crystal as the all consuming question fell from her lips. Zac nodded, I looked at Crystal, the look of guilt and regret staring back at me shattered my heart in a thousand peaces.

"I'll go talk to her Zac," she said as she collected her clothes, and went to get dressed.

"It's no good Crystal, she's made up her mind", Zac added as he rubbed at the tears, "I already begged her, it's too late".

"Do you love her Zac", she questioned, he nodded the affirmative. "Then it's not too late". She added as she walked towards the door, not looking at either of us.

"Crystal", I called as she went to open the door to leave.

"Hmmm…" she didn't turn around.

"Does this mean …… what I think it means", I asked, already knowing the answer she nodded and closed the door behind her.

At that very moment my whole life fell apart, and I knew this time Claire had won, I knew this time it was for good.

"But I Love You", I called after her, knowing she couldn't hear my pleading words.

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