Damien Fox's Story

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She smirked when he pulled her to him roughly, she could feel his body pressed against hers and she could hear the steady beat of his heart as she lay against his chest. She couldn’t help but grow a little jealous at the thought of Jamie laying on his chest every night and she wished it was her.

"I'd dance with you if my leg was broken babe." She looked up at him, her blue eyes meeting his brown ones.
With her arms around his neck she gently pulled his lips to hers. She kissed him deeply, like she hadn’t seen him in years and she never wanted it to end. It was perfect, he was perfect. She pulled away laying her head back on his chest.

“Well, guess this will make the qualifiers interesting.” She smirked “Jamie free…Dustin Free, now if we could only convince my dad to stay home.” She smirked. “I mean think about it.” She started “Jessie will want to go with Kat, of course once they get everything ironed out and you know daddy, he’ll let him go.” She said already hatching the idea “You and Jessie can stay in a room together and Kat and I can have a second room, Jessie will beg you to switch with me, and I mean it’s not that big of a deal in the first place” she said stepping back as the song ended.

She grabbed the whisky, pouring it in to the cup and handing it to him before taking a drink herself. “I mean before mom…” she paused “Anyways, me and you use to share a room anyways and Mom and Dad hand a separate room.” She smirked. “Jessie switches with me, you and I end up in the room all alone together,, no one thinks anything of it.” She said waiting for his reply.

Qualifiers for Nationals was always a week after the big party and the D’ Angelo team normally consisted of Kat and Niki of course, Mr. D’ Angelo, Mrs. D’ Angelo, and Damien. Mr. D' Angelo didn't like extra tag along that had little experience with the competitions, therefore Dustin, Jamie, and Olive had to stay home

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Kat kissed Jessie passionately though rough and he smiled against her lips kissing her back just as rough and passionate. She moved closer until she was in his lap one leg on each side straddling him. She began to kiss is jawline and he closed his eyes taking in every single sensation as her lips touched his skin. He just couldn’t explain it the way she touched him, no other girl he’d ever been with could make him feel the way she did.

Her lips moved back to his and he tipped his head to the side just slightly to get a better angle. Her placed his arm around her waist pulling her in closer.

She pulled away from him and he wished she hadn’t, he never wanted their kisses to end. “I Love you Jay.” She whispered to him.

He didn’t reply right away he kissed her again, it was deep and passionate, and possibly even apologetic for everything that happened tonight. He pulled away his thumb rubbing her cheek gently as if she was breakable.

“I love you too Kitten.” He whispered back “Even when I’m not myself, just know I still love you.” He smiled placing his lips to her again. “What do you say we spend the night together.” He said pulling away again. “Up here in your studio.” He offered.

---

The CD in the stereo was of course one of Niki’s famous burned CDs, with an endless amount of slow songs, it was nearly the only thing she listened. She smiled as the next song came on. Of course knowing every damn song slow song known to man.

"You're an evil genius." he smiled over the rim of his glass and she smirked.

“Oh stop, your making me blush.” She teased.

"Can't wait." he said pulling her to him and she didn’t fight it.

"We get the room farthest away from your parents." She rolled her eyes at this.

“I swear, sometimes it’s like you don’t know me at all DJ.” She fake pouted, biting her lip.

“Don’t worry about, my little plan.” She winked kissing his neck. “All you need to worry about is making sure me and Kat are read for next Saturday.” She said in an honest tone. “I’m mean I know Kat’s ready, her posture is flawless. But I may need a little extra help from my ridiculously attractive trainer.” She said playfully, pulling his lips to her, biting his bottom lip playfully.

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"My parents would kill us." She smirked, grabbing on to his shirt and he offered a cocky smirk in return "But I think that sounds perfect." he chuckled.

“Nah, don’t worry about your parents, I’ll make sure and sneak out before anyone wakes up. Trust me, everyone’s going to sleep in until at least noon tomorrow.” He said as she kissed him again.

Her tongue slipping past his lips, he trembled a lightly as he his tongue played with hers. Turning his head to the side kissing her even deeper he stood up on his knees placing his hand behind her head as he laid her down, holding himself over her with what strength he had left in the aching body.

He kissed down her neck slowly, making sure to let each one sink in before moving to the next one. Moving from her jawline to her collarbone, before bringing his lips back to hers. He pulled away, from her kissing her forehead, before laying down next to her on the blanket.

“God damn Kat, I really, really want to have some fantastic make up sex right now.” He laughed “But, I can’t do that to you, at least not tonight, not after everything I put you through.” He said pulling her to him and maneuvering her so she was laying on top of him before he pulled the remainder of the blanket over the top of them and wrapped both arms around her.

“You mean more to me than that.” He whisper kissing the top of her head.

---

Her breath was shallow as he kissed her, it was like electricity. She’d never been with someone dominate like Damien, she had a strong personality and guys tended to be submissive towards her. It excited her, the way Damien pinned her to the piano and she felt her whole body heat up. She wanted to be with him so badly. She smiled against his lips as he lifted her on to the piano and she wrapped her legs around his waist pulling him closer.

His lips trailed down to her neck, each one sending cold chills through her body. He continued to the lost point of the V-neck, she moaned softly. She felt his hands rough, warm hands slip up her shirt and she winced on the inside. He pulled away and she was almost positive it was because he’d felt her tense. She looked away, not wanting to meet his eyes.

"I want to go further." though his words forced her to meet his gaze "But I can't. I just can't do that, and then go back and lay in a bed with Jamie." she relaxed once she realized he hadn’t pulled away because of her "Honestly, it wouldn't be fair to either of you." but because he couldn’t stay afterwards if they went further and he could face Jamie.

She smiled as he helped her off the piano, still slightly shaken up about how steamy it had just been between them.

"But hey." she heard him whisper causing her to be brought from her thoughts "If you still love me by then, we've only got to suffer through one week." she rolled her eyes as he chuckled.

“Oh I’ll be fine, I’m not the one who has to go home to Holly Homemaker every night.” She smirked playfully kissing him “Now get out of here before we get caught.” She said pushing him towards the stairs before turning back to clean up a bit. She heard his footsteps as he made his way up the stairs.

“D.” she called after him though not waiting for him to reply before she continued “I love you.” She said softly, though just loud enough for him to hear.
___
Niki woke up with a terrible hangover, she fumbled to find the Tylenol, next to her bed finally able to pop a few. She laid their and groaned in pain, in fact her whole body was sore. She pulled herself out of bed, pulling her messy curls into a bun. Before lazily heading down stairs, she yawned stretching her arms. The clock in the kitchen reading ten.

“Morning Daddy.” She smiled throwing her arms around his neck kissing his check, before making her way into the kitchen, pouring herself a bowl of cereal.

“So you started playing again?” her father’s question made her freeze “the door to the studio was left open, last night.” He smiled to her “What did it?” he asked curiously

Niki simply shrugged “My mental break down possible.” She laughed and her father let out a light chuckle.

“I’m just glad you’re playing again Nik. Your mother would be proud of you.” He said gently before going back to his paper.

“Nikota, you and Kat have a lot of work to do this week to get ready for Qualifiers.” He said as if remembering.

“Already on it dad, heading out after this to get started for the day.” She reassured him.

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Just like he’d promised, Jessie woke up almost as if his internal alarm clock was on high alert. He smiled, Kat still laying on top of him, he gently lifted her off him and to the side. Covering her with the blanket, kissing her forehead, before heading down stairs, closing the door to her studio behind him.

He jogged towards the house ignoring the pain that surged through his body. The sun was barely creeping up, which mean it was barley six am. He opened the front door quietly, slipping through and shutting it behind him just as quietly. He was almost safe as soon as he made up the stairs he’d be home free.

“Jessie.” He stomach tied in knots at the sound of Mr. D’ Angelo’s thick Italian accent.

He was completely panicked on the inside, though he remained calm on the outside. “Oh, Hey boss man.” He said walking into the kitchen nervously.

“I was young once too.” Mr. D’ Angelo glanced over his newspaper, taking a sip of his coffee. “I won’t tell the misses.” He smirked “I don’t mind that you spend the night together.” Mr. D’ Angelo stated in a low voice “But keep your hands to yourself or I’ll chop them off.” He said completely serious.
“Ye…Yes sir.” Jessie wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or terrified. Jessie turned to make his way back up the stairs.

“Oh and Jay, if Mrs. D’ Angelo finds out about your little slumber party, she’ll kick your ass to the curb.” He said taking another sip of his coffee. “Bracelet goes back on today and I don’t ever want to see that friend of yours on my property again.” He called after Jessie and he rolled his eyes.
Mr. D’ Angelo had eyes everywhere or at least it seemed like he did, it was hard to get anything past him.

“Don’t worry after last night I’m sure he won’t be back.” He informed him before closing the door to his room and collapsing onto his bed.
___
Jessie tossed and turned a bit before sitting up rubbing the sleep from his face glancing over to the clock on his night stand, he’d only gotten a few more hours of sleep and he mumbled under his breath irritated, before heading into the bathroom to shower.

---

Niki wrapped the towel around her body as she stepped out of the shower, her head starting to hurt again as the Tylenol wore off. She made her way from her bathroom to her bedroom slipping on her bra and under ware she had laying out on the bed.
She wrapped her hair up in the towel, before looking over the scars that covered her torso. Running her hands along then, stopping at the bullet wound that had faded with time. Her thoughts drifting back to last night when Damien’s hands had slipped under her shirt.

She hadn’t thought of it until then if they did go further, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to let him go any further. She didn’t want him to see that part of her, she didn’t even like looking at herself. She sighed slipping into a simple light blue tank top and a pair of jean shorts. She pulled the towel off her head, before pulling her long blonde hair into a high ponytail.

She pulled a bottle of pain pills out of her dresser drawer, pooping two of them into her mouth, swallowing them dry. She hoped they’d make her feel a little better, enough so she could focus on other things besides her pounding head. She headed down stairs seeing Damien and her father carrying on a conversation.

“So Dj…where were you hiding all last night?” she interrupted

“Yeah I didn’t see much of you.” Her father agreed “Or Jamie for that matter.” Her father chuckled lightly.

Niki looked at her father confused. Where had Jamie been? She could be an even bigger attention whore than Kat and Niki combined. For her father not to see a lot of her at the party was a bit odd, but it was a perfect out for her and Damien so she simply shrugged.

“Oh that’s where.” She teased, knowing full well where Damien had been most of the night.

“Dustin tells me you two are back together.” Her father said glancing to Niki, before glancing back to Damien “He also said you were harassing Nikota last night and when he confronted you about it you nailed him in the face.” Her father questioned, though there was suspicion as if he knew Dustin’s story had been a lie.

Niki scoffed “Oh please, Damien harassing me, that would be one cold ass day in hell.” She smirked “And me and Dustin getting back together, I’d rather willing drown myself in acid.” She said honestly “If you want the truth about what happened, Dustin was drunk and told me I was a freak.” She stated, it had been the truth, she’d just adjusted it. “So Damien knocked him on his ass and told him to sober up.” Her father sighed.

“Il mio amore My love” her father started “You really should think about giving Dustin another try. He can be a little...” Niki interrupted her father

“A little bit of a rich pompus prick.” She cut in and her father simply sighed

“But, he really does care for you.” Niki rolled her eyes “Than you date him daddy.” She said harshly with a fake smile before disappearing into the kitchen.

She lend against the kitchen counter, wanting to scream. She couldn't understand why her father wanted her to be with Dustin so badly. She hated him, couldn't her father see that. She rubbed her fingers against her temples willing the fast approaching migraine to go away.

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Jessie dried his hair with his towel, his body ached and he knew one of his ribs was fractured at the least, but he ignored the pain. He’d be beaten up worse than last night and if there was one thing Jessie knew how to do, it was block out both physical and emotional pain. It had been the only way he lived without Kat for that whole year, he’d blocked out all the pain.

Jessie was once again craving drugs, anything that would give him that high, but he knew he needed to try and go without them at least today. He felt guilty for sleeping with Olive and that had been caused by the drugs, than everything he’d said to Niki that had been the drugs talking, then nearly killing Damien again the drugs; he wasn’t completely sure he’d even be able to face him, and last but not least all the physical and mental bruises he given Kitty in the past few days, all the cause of him being strung out on drugs.

He pulled on a plain white shirt and a pair of worn out dark blue jeans, running a hand through his damp hair he slipped out of his room and headed downstairs. He sighed as he saw Damien and Mr. D on the couch, he figured his apology would come later, or else he’d have to explain to Mr. D’ Angelo why he was complaining and then they’d more than likely send him packing. He heard them mention something about Qualifiers and his ears perked up a bit, he was familiar with it only because he’d been around the D’ Angelo’s long enough to pick up on all the horse lingo.

“Oh, that reminds me…” he started only just now having the thought come to mind “You think I’d be able to tag along to that thing.” He said trying to avoid eye contact with Damien. “It’d be cool to surprise Kat.” He surprisingly meant it. Jessie wasn’t exactly a romantic person or the type to plan surprises, but this seemed like a good way to make it up to Kat.

Mr. D’ Angelo was silent for a moment debating. “If I let you go…” he paused “You have to be on your best behavior.” He said in a more serious tone “This is not some kind of game for you to go play around and be free Jess, this is the girls’ life, if you do anything to mess up Kattrina’s confidents, your ass will be back in jail.” He threatened.

Jessie simply nodded in agreement, he wasn’t exactly sure how he was going to behave, but he knew Mr. D’ Angelo meant it, so he’d have to figure it out.

---

"Hey Nik, you're missing out on the intervention." Kat’s voice brought her from her thoughts.

“Oh no trust me, I’m not missing out.” She said still frustrated with her father, she watched as Kitty disappeared back into the living room.

"He's just looking out for you Nik." She glanced up to Damien watching him grab a water bottle from the fridge as he continued. "He knows you're not going to get back with Dustin if you don't want to." she rolled her eyes "No one can make you do anything you don't want to." she sighed.

“Yeah maybe when your twenty seven.” She said a little harsher than she meant “Last time I checked your parents can make you do whatever they want until your eighteen.” She said letting a breath out.

"So." she knew what was coming next "You good to practice, or you too dead today?"

She didn’t answer him right away as if debating whether or not she’d be okay today.

“Actually, I need you to take me into town.” She decided “Yesterday, Macho and I had a little fall and he cut his leg open, nothing too bad, but were all out of antibiotics and Midnight needs new knee pads for Qualifiers.” She said stepping closer to him, snatching the water bottle from him playfully and taking a drink.

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Jessie smirked as Kitty joked about it being an intervention. He watched her walk into the kitchen and he continued talking about their new little surprise for her.

“Alright, go” she reappeared next to him, taking a bite of her poptart.

Jessie’s laughed “You got it all wrong Kitty, no intervention, this is an exorcism.” He said snatching her poptart and shoving the rest of it into his mouth.

He knew she’d be pissed about him stealing her food, so he dashed back up the stairs stopping half way and calling back to Mr. D’ Angelo “Nice talk today warden we should do it more often.” He said before quickly continuing up the stairs and closing the door behind him once he was in his room.

It was the perfect way to lure her up there, Kat was as addictive to him as his drugs and he was craving her lips against his, more so than he’d been craving the drugs this morning. He lend against the wall coolly as if nothing had happened, an arrogant smirked painted on his face as he lit a ciggerette taking a long drag off of it.

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Niki knew she was being a little dramatic about the whole situation, though she wouldn’t admit it. "We're not in the dark ages. It's not like your dad can tell you who to marry." this made her rolled her eyes and she followed after him towards the front door.

"Where ya' going' babe?" Jamie asked, Niki opened her mouth to say something sarcastic, but Damien cut in before she could say anything.

"Gotta take the princess into town to get a few things." She scoffed, irritated with his nickname for her, she’d heard Jessie call Kat that on several occasions and she’d always hated it.

She climbed into the front seat of his lifted truck, clicking her seat belt into place. Digging through his glove box, knowing he kept cigarettes in there. She pulled out the half empty pack along with the black zippo lighter, she flipped open the lighter, placing one of the cigarettes in her mouth, lighting it and taking a long drag off of it.

Once they were down the road and away from the house she scouted closer to him kissing his cheek before moving to his jawline, placing a kiss next to his ear. He hand resting on his leg.

“Try not to get to distracted.” She whispered playfully before continuing down his neck.

She pulled away, placing the cigarette between his lips, before sitting back and lighting another for herself.

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Jessie smirked as she came through the door, just as he knew she would. She snatched the cigarette from him, causing him to laugh. He watched her as she put distance between them and he rolled his eyes closing his bedroom door granting them privacy from the outside world.

"That'll teach you to steal other people's food you jerk." She teased.

“Too bad I don’t learn my lesson…ever.” He smirked

He made his way across the room closing the distance between them. Slowly backing her up into the wall, the room was quiet. He pinned her roughly against the wall, only this time it was playful and not rough enough to leave bruises, but just enough to get a rise out of her.

The corners of his lips, forming into a more wicked smile. He placed his lips to hers softly, passionately. His lips tingled and his body trembled, he continued to kiss her slowly moving from her lips to her neck, passing her jawline this time. Much like last night, he placed gentle linger kisses along her collar bone.

Her skin was warm under his lips and it made him smile against her skin. On hand still pinning her against the other, while the other one ran down the length of her arm, until it reached her hand, he quickly snatched the cigarette from her fingertips, stepping away from her with a victorious smile.

“And apparently neither do you.” He teased, knowing neither of them ever learned their lesson when it came to each other.

He took a drag from the cigarette, watching her.

---

"You nearly killed us." she smirked taking a drag of her cigarette.

Once they go to town, Damien pulled out front of the tack store. “My turn” he said grabbing hr wrist tightly so she couldn’t get away. She smiled against his lips, kissing him back just as deeply, not caring if anyone saw them.

"Let's just hope no one in the shop saw." he said pulling away and she shrugged.

“Even if they did…it there word against ours.” She said confidently giving him another quick kiss before he got out of the truck. She waited for him to open her door “After you.” he gestured, she rolled her eyes hopping out of the truck.

Niki didn’t bother to wait for Damien she simple blew him a kiss as she passed him heading into the store. She could hear Damien following her, in public Niki acted exactly the way everyone people believed she was. A spoiled rich girl, with daddy’s credit card, who gets whatever she wants, and does nothing for others. In reality that wasn’t Niki at all, but she figured if that’s what people wanted to stereotype her as before getting to know her, then that’s what they’d get.

“Miss D’ Angelo, nice to see you.” The owner of the store smiled, he was an older man who was pretty close with her father. “Mr. Fox, what brings you two. Must be close to qualifiers” He chuckled lightly. Niki rarely ever came shopping for the horse that was Damien’s job more often than not.

Niki smirked “Right on the money Mr. Hammond.” Niki winked before heading to find what she needed.

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He was thoroughly satisfied with his effect on her, he was feeling the same way. Out of breath, flushed, wanting more, but he hid it from her. He was good at hiding weakness, like Kat. He assumed that’s why she’d been safe for so long, because as far as everyone in Jessie’s world was concerned. Kat meant nothing more to him than sex and as long as he kept them believing that she was safe.

"Don't be such a tease Jessie." he smirked when she grabbed his shirt pulling him back, kissing him along his jawline and he trembled at the touch of her lips against his skin.

She grabbed the cigarette from him, causing him to let out a breath and roll his eyes, but he couldn’t help but smile as she spoke "I win."

“I let you win.” He shrugged sitting down on the corner of his bed pulling her into his lap, wrapping an arm around her waist, holding her close to him. “So you dad caught me sneaking in this morning.” He kissed her neck as if it was no big deal. “He seemed pretty cool with it.” He laughed “He did say though, if I become a distraction for you this week I’m dead.” He rolled his eyes “Well something along those lines anyways.”

He placed his free hand on the back of her neck pulling her lips to his, kissing her rough, but deep and loving, before pulling away and looking into her blues eyes with his own. “But, I don’t know why he’s so worried seeing as your the one who’s always distracting me.” he smirked

He gently lifted her from his lap the bed, so she was sitting next to him. He stood up offering his hand to her.

“What do you say we go find a place where I won’t be tempted by drugs and where that blonde bimbo can’t find us.” His tone was honest “Maybe we can go a day without fighting seeing as I’m somewhat sober.” He winked.

---

Niki smirked at the way Damien played along, with a flip of her long hair she turned her back to the girl and snapped her fingers ordering Damien to follow, just to prove the girls point.

“See you in the ring.” She called over her shoulder.

She climbed back up into the truck, irritated at what Britney had said, but trying to ignore it. She glanced to Damien as he climbed inside the truck, she roughly ran her finger through her hair, before returning her gaze out the window.

“I heard Jamie talking to my father this morning.” She started as he started the truck “She’s trying to convince him to let her go with us, she says she’s not sure you can handle both Kitty and I.” she rolled her eyes. “Dad’s leaning towards letting her go.” Her tone was seemed uncaring. “If she comes, that means he’ll let Dustin come too.” She frowned “Why the hell is everything changing all of sudden. Dad would have never considered it before…” she finished, focusing in the quite country music that circulated through the cab of the truck.

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Jessie nodded when he said to surprise her. He glanced around for a moment trying to decide how they were going to make a run for it. Anywhere they were to go, would be too far on foot and all the keys were in the house, he wouldn’t be able to grab a set of keys without anyone seeing.

Then as if something snapped a devious smirk lit his face, without a word he grabbed her hand and pulled her behind him as they snuck around the house, until they got to the long driveway, he didn’t stop he continued down the road a ways, until they reached the old shed behind the garage.

Jessie finally released Kat’s hand, before pulling his pocket knife from his back pocket and picking the pad lock. He grinned widely at the motorcycle. It was his, the one thing he owned and before he’d left he’d asked Mr. D’ Angelo if he could keep it in the old shed. Then he was gone and Kitty probably would have assumed he’d be coming back if she’d known it was here this whole time. Only everyone had thought he’d taken it, because no one ever went out to the old shed.

He glanced back at Kitty, he looked like a little kid on Christmas morning. He circled into for a moment, admiring it, the keys still in the ignition like he’d left it. He threw his leg over making himself comfortable on it. Memories of before he left coming back to him, he started the ignition as the motorcycle roared to life.
“Hope on Kitten, I’m feeling dangerous.” He smirked.

He waited until she was on the back and hugging his waist before peeling out and taking off down the road. He hadn’t taken his motorcycle because it was the only real thing that was his, that he’d bought with his own money and he knew if he took it, it would either get stolen or he’d lose it in a bet. He cruised into town trying to decide where to go, without running into anyone which was pretty hard considering everyone within a hundred miles knew who Kat and Niki were. Finally he decided on a small bar in town, he knew they wouldn’t question him, he had a fake ID and Kat could always bat her eyelashes and they wouldn’t bother asking.

---

She listened as he convinced her he’d save the day, his voice calming her down. Finally she sighed, she couldn’t really argue with him, because she knew he was right, if anyone could talk her father out of something it would be him.

"Now that we're home, you can carry your own bags." he laughed, she playfully glared at him sticking out her tongue.

“Yeah, Yeah.” She smirked “You better go let everyone know were back, before your wifey starts having separation anxiety, she said glancing up towards the house where Jamie stood waiting for Damien.

Nikota watched him head towards the house, before carrying her bags out to the tack room organizing everything in its place.
So how was last night? She heard Midnight ask.

The party where Jessie almost killed Damien or the part where Damien punched Dustin? she replied a little harsher than she meant.

Wow, that bad huh? Sorry Nik he sighed, but she didn’t answer back, she just continued to go through all of her tack, making mental notes of what she was going to need to move to the trailer before Friday.

“Nikota?” The voice caught her off guard, she jumped before taking a deep breath. She turned to see Dustin leaning in the door way, he looked upset. She didn’t answer her, she turned her back to him ignoring him hoping he’d just go away. “Nik…I’m sorry.” He was being genuine and his voice was shaky as if was going to fall apart. “Everything I said last night, I…I didn’t mean it.”
Niki sighed, she knew he was drunk and she knew that wasn’t Dustin, she also felt bad, because she’d almost asked for it, playing Dustin like a Ken doll, then openly flirting with Damien right in front of him.

“You know…I think the world of you Nikota.” He said honestly and she felt her stomach twist in knots. “I just wanted to apologize…I’ll go.” He sighed.
Niki rolled her eyes, she was going to regret this later, but for now, she felt bad for him. “Dusty…Wait.” She called after him. He turned back to face her. “You can start by helping me pack the trailer for Qualifiers.” She said giving him a warm smile.

---

---

You're sober," he smirked [b]"So you take us to a bar."[/] she said ordering a drink and the guy acted as though he didn’t want to give it to her and he was prepared to talk the bartender into it if he didn’t but eventually as he predicted, the bartender gave in.

He order himself a drink, taking a large swing, half of it gone in his first drink. He shrugged “Old habits die hard…or they don’t die at all in my case.” He laughed lightly.

She looked at Kat taking in her beauty as she took another drink, he was so in love with her, it was something he never imaged he feel, yet he couldn’t figure out how to get it right as much as he wanted to as soon as thing were going good between them he found a way to mess it up. Whenever they got to close he’d push her away.

“I’m going with you.” He finally said running the surprise he was never really good at keeping secrets. “To you horse thing…whatever the hell it is.” He smirked finishing off his drink. “Figure if I didn’t go you’d miss me.” He said confident in his explanation “Already cleared with the big guy and everything…it was supposed to be a surprise, but I’m not very good at those” he shrugged asking for another drink.

---

She was oddly enough enjoying Dustin’s company as they sorted things out in the tack room. He was actually likable, he was acting normal. More like a the tough bull rider he was and less like her little lap dog and she wonder if Damien had knocked some sense into with the punch, or maybe it was the knee to his groan, that she was still pretty proud of, whatever it was she liked this Dustin better.

“So I saw Miss. Bitchy Britney.” Niki laughed “She was as insulting as ever.” Niki rolled her eyes.

Dustin laughed “She’s just mad cause your better than her at everything.” he said moving a few boxes. “Besides she’s always had it out for Damien. I’d watch out she just might steal him away, she’s conniving enough.” Dustin said plainly as if he knew about her and Damien.

Her heart pounded in her chest and she turned away pretending to be busy, she shrugged as if she didn’t care. “Well she can have him and she can deal with Jamie.” She breathed. Dustin laughed, causing Niki to let out a silent breath of relief. Before glancing back to Dustin. “Alright Dusty, looks like that’s it for today, you thirsty?” hee nodded in reply to her question.

Once they got inside they found everyone hanging out in the living room, Jamie on Damien’s lap, causing Nik to roll her eyes.

“Dustin’s here.” She announced as if to make herself present, continuing into the kitchen, Dustin gave a small wave before following Niki into the kitchen. She tossed Dustin a water bottle as she rounded the corner, leaning against the counter she took a small drink from her own bottle.

“So Dusty, when you going to teach me to bull ride. You promised last summer.” She teased.

“Anytime you want Nik, Although it’s a little rough. You’d have to be careful.” He said happily.

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"We'll have a room. All. To. Ourselves." she said leaning closer to him and he simply lend in and kissed her hard, like she had moments before.

“Good, cause I think Damien and I might kill each other if we have to share a room.” He sighed “I can almost grantee it.” He rubbed the back of his neck looking down a bit remembering the events, before glancing back up to Kat. “You think Drama Queen will be okay with that?” he smirked “She’s kind of a stickler for the rules isn’t she?” he asked, in all honesty wanting to know how Kitty was planning on pulling the switch off.

He took drink from the second glass the bartender had placed in front of him, before pulling out hi pack of cigarette and lighting one taking a long drag letting the smoke feel his lungs, before passing the cigarette to Kat, waiting for her answer, watching her body language as if trying to predict her next move.