Tinashé really couldn't help herself but pout at Carson's continued persistence that the entire situation was his fault. Was it stupid for drunk him to have invited a probably equal Alexandra over? Yes, but did anyone ever really think things clearly when they were drunk? It also wasn't his fault that Owen went crazy. She had admitted to knowing about Lex and Carson (even though it didn't justify Owen's outburst in her mind). Owen made the choice to say what he did - to act like he had. He was a grown ass adult. He made his decisions and he chose to act foolishly, and not actually listen. Granted, she understood Owen's overprotectiveness. They were siblings after all. At the same time, there was only so much of his antics Shay could take before even she snapped at him. She couldn't even begin to fathom what he probably already said to Alexandra.
However, she couldn't focus on the girl she didn't want to consider a sister at the moment or Owen's fit earlier. Not when Carson was actually blushing and well...he was absolutely precious going on about his feelings. It was like one of those times she had once teased Rose for finding Nick really cute when they were on tour and trying to convince her friend to actually say what she felt. It didn't work, but she understood the feelings then. The warmth that apparently made its home on her cheeks to the point that her entire face felt hot, the pleasure that raced through her, and the nerves she had felt so many times throwing a bitch fit in her belly. Not even his claiming that he didn't want to ruin her familial relationships over them was enough to wipe away the wide grin that had formed on her face and despite herself, Shay couldn't help but giggle.
She had been afraid before that perhaps the crush was only on her side. The kiss earlier had been enough to confirm that it wasn't, but actually hearing that it had always been returned - that she had not been on the precipice of ruining their friendship all this time was comforting. She was still anxious and scared. What if it didn't work out? What if he realized she wasn't good enough? What if they both realize this was all a mistake and they made Owen even more mad than he already was? There were a lot of what-if scenarios going on in her head, but they weren't nearly powerful enough to stop Shay from releasing Carson's hand, taking his face between her hands, and kissing him deeply. Owen had been allowed to go after Ariana earlier. It probably wasn't fair to throw that in his face, but she was tired of thinking about his feelings in all of this. How he wouldn't approve. Or maybe how he would feel betrayed in some way. She was tired of thinking that she shouldn't try, that she should just go back to burying feelings she once thought weren't returned. Besides, she had told Owen that she was done pretending. Shouldn't this count as well?
Pulling away (and minutely thanking her heels for still allowing her to be at a good height without having to actually throw herself at him to even reach his face), Shay could only smile - the first genuine one before the catastrophe of a night they had came to a head - at Carson for a moment, breathing him in before saying, "But if I lose my so-called family because I want to be happy, then how real would they be as my family? Having them shouldn't have to come at a price, especially not after what Owen said and how Lex acted. If they really loved me, then there shouldn't be any conditions." She hummed thoughtfully as she wrapped her arms around his neck, lacing her fingers behind his head. "Besides, you can't get rid of me that easily. Who else is gonna remind you that you suck at bowling?" The last part was said with a cheeky chuckle, her mind unwilling to allow her to put aside her feelings for the sake of a sister who's made it clear that Shay was nothing to her and a brother she didn't want to think about anymore.
However, she couldn't focus on the girl she didn't want to consider a sister at the moment or Owen's fit earlier. Not when Carson was actually blushing and well...he was absolutely precious going on about his feelings. It was like one of those times she had once teased Rose for finding Nick really cute when they were on tour and trying to convince her friend to actually say what she felt. It didn't work, but she understood the feelings then. The warmth that apparently made its home on her cheeks to the point that her entire face felt hot, the pleasure that raced through her, and the nerves she had felt so many times throwing a bitch fit in her belly. Not even his claiming that he didn't want to ruin her familial relationships over them was enough to wipe away the wide grin that had formed on her face and despite herself, Shay couldn't help but giggle.
She had been afraid before that perhaps the crush was only on her side. The kiss earlier had been enough to confirm that it wasn't, but actually hearing that it had always been returned - that she had not been on the precipice of ruining their friendship all this time was comforting. She was still anxious and scared. What if it didn't work out? What if he realized she wasn't good enough? What if they both realize this was all a mistake and they made Owen even more mad than he already was? There were a lot of what-if scenarios going on in her head, but they weren't nearly powerful enough to stop Shay from releasing Carson's hand, taking his face between her hands, and kissing him deeply. Owen had been allowed to go after Ariana earlier. It probably wasn't fair to throw that in his face, but she was tired of thinking about his feelings in all of this. How he wouldn't approve. Or maybe how he would feel betrayed in some way. She was tired of thinking that she shouldn't try, that she should just go back to burying feelings she once thought weren't returned. Besides, she had told Owen that she was done pretending. Shouldn't this count as well?
Pulling away (and minutely thanking her heels for still allowing her to be at a good height without having to actually throw herself at him to even reach his face), Shay could only smile - the first genuine one before the catastrophe of a night they had came to a head - at Carson for a moment, breathing him in before saying, "But if I lose my so-called family because I want to be happy, then how real would they be as my family? Having them shouldn't have to come at a price, especially not after what Owen said and how Lex acted. If they really loved me, then there shouldn't be any conditions." She hummed thoughtfully as she wrapped her arms around his neck, lacing her fingers behind his head. "Besides, you can't get rid of me that easily. Who else is gonna remind you that you suck at bowling?" The last part was said with a cheeky chuckle, her mind unwilling to allow her to put aside her feelings for the sake of a sister who's made it clear that Shay was nothing to her and a brother she didn't want to think about anymore.
After leaving the two lovebirds to do what they will, Colette had Richard speeding down the highway to get back to LA. She was not taking any chances with Owen trying to go to bed before she could say her piece to him and she definitely didn't want to miss getting Oliver to do some work for her. It was probably mean, her expectation that the latter do what she wanted when she rarely ever made it her mission to remember his name. However, she needed to get back at whoever came for her girl and helped make this night a living hell. And if using some college kid was going to get the job done, then so be it. Besides, it wasn't like Oliver had much to do, right? Classes weren't in session and he obviously did not have a girlfriend, so he should be more than willing to have Colette monopolize his time. All she would have to do is smile sweetly and continuously praise his skills, that should do the trick!
It took them, surprisingly, another twenty minutes to get to the large estate. That was with Richard taking back ways and various shortcuts Colette probably would have never wanted to venture through if she wasn't in a rush. However, his diligence was appreciated and as they drove up the long driveway, she offered him a small smile from the back. "I have to say, Roger. I'm thoroughly impressed." Richard, who knew she purposefully didn't say his name correctly this time around, smiled briefly, a quick flash of congeniality and maybe even affection for the smart-mouthed and expressive Rockefeller sibling. "Any time, Miss Rockefeller." Satisfied, Colette relaxed back against the comfortable seats before she jolted forward, still seeing Shay's vehicle in the driveway. That was uncommon. Everyone's cars were typically put away, especially if the others had already been at the house for some time. "Stop here, thank you." Richard paused immediately and Colette climbed out, shutting the door behind her. She didn't wait for Richard to turn the vehicle around and head back on the path to return to the Rockefeller home. Instead, she traipsed over to the large black truck, peering onto the driver's side to see...Owen still there?
"Good, you haven't gone inside yet," she began smartly, peering at him through the drawn down window. That was how Shay typically drove the truck. With the windows down and no one usually bothered that. "Just the right environment for me and you to have words. What the hell was all of that?" Unlike Ariana, who did not snap or yell most of the times, Colette had no such filter. She didn't feel the need to hide her emotions. If she was angry, then she was damn well angry and someone was going to know it. And Owen...Owen was the only one who made her this upset and he was going to hear her mouth, whether he wanted to or not.
It took them, surprisingly, another twenty minutes to get to the large estate. That was with Richard taking back ways and various shortcuts Colette probably would have never wanted to venture through if she wasn't in a rush. However, his diligence was appreciated and as they drove up the long driveway, she offered him a small smile from the back. "I have to say, Roger. I'm thoroughly impressed." Richard, who knew she purposefully didn't say his name correctly this time around, smiled briefly, a quick flash of congeniality and maybe even affection for the smart-mouthed and expressive Rockefeller sibling. "Any time, Miss Rockefeller." Satisfied, Colette relaxed back against the comfortable seats before she jolted forward, still seeing Shay's vehicle in the driveway. That was uncommon. Everyone's cars were typically put away, especially if the others had already been at the house for some time. "Stop here, thank you." Richard paused immediately and Colette climbed out, shutting the door behind her. She didn't wait for Richard to turn the vehicle around and head back on the path to return to the Rockefeller home. Instead, she traipsed over to the large black truck, peering onto the driver's side to see...Owen still there?
"Good, you haven't gone inside yet," she began smartly, peering at him through the drawn down window. That was how Shay typically drove the truck. With the windows down and no one usually bothered that. "Just the right environment for me and you to have words. What the hell was all of that?" Unlike Ariana, who did not snap or yell most of the times, Colette had no such filter. She didn't feel the need to hide her emotions. If she was angry, then she was damn well angry and someone was going to know it. And Owen...Owen was the only one who made her this upset and he was going to hear her mouth, whether he wanted to or not.