Chapter 12-So not the Drama

"Holly," Jeff called out as he walked through the door of his house on the beach in Sea Isle, New Jersey, "I'm back."

"I'm out here," she yelled and Jeff walked out to the patio where she was sitting, tanning her fair skin in the sun.

"I stopped and got you some food on the way here," he said, "I grabbed some pizza, ice cream, cookies, brownies, pretty much everything I know you crave."

Holly smiled as Jeff's hands travelled to her now four month’s pregnant stomach. Jeff thought Holly looked beautiful in the black and pink polka dotted maternity bathing suit that she was wearing.

Holly ran her nails through Jeff's scalp as he leaned down to kiss her stomach. He really surprised her since the drama at the hospital when they found out she was pregnant. He would always rub or kiss her belly and whisper to the baby. What surprised her most was how attentive he was to her, Holly and Lauren had been laid off from their jobs at the hospital and the Flyers season was over which meant her and Jeff had a lot of time together.

Even though she was capable of doing things herself, Jeff would help her get dressed or take a shower. He'd help her put her shoes on, and then tell her how beautiful she was. He was definitely changing and Holly liked the person he was becoming.

"Do you want to find out what we're having next week at the appointment," Holly asked as she dipped her pizza in the chocolate milk that Jeff bought.

Jeff scrunched his face in disgust before smiling at Holly who was glaring at him, "Yeah," he replied, "I got a bet going with Mike. He thinks it's a girl but I know it's a boy."

"I don't care either way as long as it's healthy," Holly said chugging down the milk before ripping the lid off the chocolate ice cream.

Jeff laughed as she ate the ice cream from the carton, "Want some," Holly asked holding the spoon out to him. Jeff smiled and took the bite from the spoon.

"Can I tell you something without you getting mad," Jeff asked.

Holly didn't know what to expect and didn't give a response as Jeff sighed, "Riley wants a paternity test done. He thinks the baby is his. Well, Holly does anyway."

Holly rolled her eyes and laughed sarcastically, "You're kidding me, right? That bitch is trying to get me to miscarry."

"I wish that I was, but I'm not. They have those fluid tests, with the one, you can miscarry but the other one is safe. They stick a needle in your vagina and use an ultrasound to test the cells that had produced the egg."

"You really have a way with words, but if it will get them to leave us alone then yeah, we'll get it done."

"I'm sorry if I upset you," Jeff said eating another bite of ice cream from Holly's spoon.

"I want to go swim." she said changing the subject, "I haven't been down there yet today."

"We’ll go down later. I was going to take a nap for a little bit. I’m tired from driving all morning.”

Holly looked at the clock that read it was noon, Jeff had been driving since 8 am, “I’ll wake you up at 1, is that okay?”

“One sounds good; don’t go outside until we go down to the beach. It’s too hot outside and I don’t want you passing out. Bake the brownies that I got you.”

“Okay,” Holly smiled excitedly.

Jeff laughed as he kissed her quickly on the lips and walked into his bedroom. Holly began making the brownie mix and when they were done, she put them on the counter to cool before lying down on the couch. Jeff woke up a short while later and found Holly asleep.

Jeff took it upon himself to put the fudge icing on the brownies. Holly woke up and found Jeff in the kitchen and wiped a blob of fudge on his chest, “You are going to get it,” he said smiling as Holly laughed and took the spatula from his hands.

“You suck at this,” she said as Jeff wiped at his chest with a napkin.

Jeff smiled before going outside on the patio. Holly washed her hands and joined him on the deck, “I love it here,” she said, “It’s so peaceful.”

“It is,” Jeff agreed, “Ready to go swimming?”

Holly smiled as they made their way down to the sand, she was starting to get used to being by Jeff’s side.

The next week, Holly and Jeff found themselves back in Philadelphia for Holly’s doctor’s appointment. She was close to four and half months pregnant now and they would be able to find out the gender of the baby that she was carrying.

The doctor performed the paternity test first that Riley had asked for and took the sample that he collected from Holly’s stomach and Jeff to the lab so that they’d have it when they left. Holly sat on the table with Jeff by her side making her laugh by playing with the medical equipment. Jeff was caught when the doctor returned, blushing Jeff sat down in the chair and Holly laughed at his ears that were redder than his face.

The baby’s heartbeat filled the room as the doctor moved the ball over Holly’s stomach. Jeff stood next to her with his arms crossed over his chest, “There’s the head,” the doctor said as the baby’s face appeared on the screen.

Holly smiled as the baby sucked its thumb. The doctor moved the ultrasound lower and smiled, “Do you guys want to know what you’re having?”

Jeff smiled and Holly nodded looking at the screen, “Congratulations! It’s a boy!”

Jeff laughed before leaning down to kiss Holly on the lips, “It’s a boy,” he whispered and Holly’s eyes filled with tears.

“We’re having a boy,” she said, “Oh my God!”

“Everything looks good,” the doctor said, “Schedule an appointment for next month. We’ll get these pictures printed off and get the results of the test back then send you on your way.”

Holly and Jeff were in the room texting rapidly on their phones when the doctor returned with the results of the test.

“Congratulations Mr. Carter, you are having a baby boy,” he smiled handing Jeff the folder. Jeff opened it up and saw that his DNA matched 99.99%.

Jeff shook his hand before helping Holly up from the table. They walked to the car and Jeff couldn’t help the smile from spreading wider across his face. The test confirmed what he already knew and he looked forward to showing his son how to play hockey. Holly was happy it was a boy but deep down she still wanted a girl. Jeff drove back to Sea Isle where Mike and Lauren were waiting for them. He was so over the drama with Riley and was looking forward to the birth of his baby boy.

Chapter 11-Down with the Sickness

“Hey,” Jeff said walking into the room of the hospital that Holly was in.

“Hi,” she replied sitting up as he leaned down to give her a hug.

“Are you feeling better,” he asked as he took a seat in the chair next to her.

Holly passed out at work a couple of days prior and was now in the hospital getting IVs for being dehydrated from working for almost five days straight. Holly barely found time to eat and drink in between which landed her here in the hospital that she worked in day in and day out.

“I still can’t keep anything down. They’re still running tests to see what else is wrong. They think it may be my blood sugar too but I’m not sure.”

“You’ll be fine,” Jeff replied suddenly worried that Holly was sicker than he thought, “Are you hungry?”

“A little bit but I don’t know if anything will stay down.”

“I’ll go and get you some soup at Panera,” Jeff said standing up, “I’m kind of hungry too; take a nap until I get back.”

Holly smiled as Jeff kissed her forehead and left the room. Holly was almost asleep when Jennifer, the nurse who was on duty and one of her coworkers came in to change the bag on her IV.

"Your blood pressure is good, so are your vital signs," Jennifer said as she placed the stethoscope back around her neck, "You just need a couple days to rest and you'll be fine but we'll see when your bloodwork from this morning comes back from the lab."

"When can I go home?"

"Doctor Hopkins said that if your bloodwork comes out okay and your scan comes back good, you can be released late tonight or early tomorrow morning."

"I just want to go home."

Jennifer laughed before writing something down on Holly's chart, "If I lived with your roommate, I'd want to go home too."

Holly laughed as Jennifer left the room. Closing her eyes, she was almost asleep a short while later when Jeff came back. Gone was the suit that he wore earlier and in its place was jeans and a black hooded Eagles sweatshirt underneath. He had on glasses that Holly barely saw him wear and a hat that matched his shirt.

Holly knew it was so he didn't draw attention to himself, Jeff didn't look like himself and Holly thought it was a good thing as she rubbed her eyes to wake up.

"Sorry I took so long but the suit was on my nerves."

"Don't worry about it," Holly said as Jeff sat the bags down on the small table in the corner of the room.

"I got you Chicken soup and a toasted asiago cheese bagel, is that good?"

"That's fine; can you bring it over here?"

Jeff took the lid off of the soup and sat it on the tray in front of Holly. Jeff went back over to the table and sat down to eat his lunch.

Holly felt distanced from him and scooted over in her bed, "Jeff!"

"What," he asked placing the sandwich down on the table.

"Come here," Holly replied patting the spot next to her. Jeff smiled before picking up his sandwich and filling in the empty space next to Holly.

"Better," he asked.

"Mhm," Holly replied finishing her soup. Jeff smiled down at her as Holly leaned up and placed a gentle kiss on his lips which left him speechless, "Thank you," she whispered putting her arm around his waist nuzzling into his chest.

"Anytime," he replied kissing the top of her head as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

They were watching a re-run of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air when Dr. Hopkins knocked on the door.

"Holly," he said peeking his head in.

"Hi Dr. Hopkins, how are you?"

"I should be asking you that question," he joked as he stuck his hand out to Jeff, "Dr. Hopkins, it's nice to meet you."

"Jeff," he smiled, "It's nice to meet you too."

"Well Holly, do you want the good news or the bad news," Dr. Hopkins said.

Jeff sighed as Holly grabbed his hand as Dr. Hopkins sat down on the chair next to the bed with her chart in his hands.

"Just be straight with us," Jeff said, "What's the bad news?"

Dr. Hopkins laughed causing Jeff to get frustrated, “The bad news is, she’s in here for one more day for observation.”

“That’s not funny, Dr. Hopkins,” Holly said, “I thought you were going to tell me that I had cancer or something.”

“Now Holly, don’t be getting yourself all worked up,” Dr. Hopkins said, “It’s not healthy for you or your baby.”

“Baby,” Holly and Jeff said in unison, “WHAT?”

Dr. Hopkins laughed, “I guess this is a surprise for the two of you."

“Wait,” Holly asked confused, “What?”

“You’re nine weeks pregnant, that explains the vomiting in the morning and the passing out that landed you in here.”

“Oh my God,” Holly said as Jeff’s arms fell from around her waist.

“I take it that this baby was unplanned?”

“You can say that again,” Jeff said as Dr. Hopkins stood up to leave the room.

“I’ll give you two some privacy,” he said leaving both Jeff and Holly alone.

Jeff stood up from the bed, pacing back and forth on the carpet. Holly looked at him and didn’t know what to do. Neither one of them were expecting this to say the least, they weren’t even together and now they were having a baby.

“Be honest with me right now,” Jeff said stopping his pacing to look at Holly, “Is that baby mine?”

“Jeff, it’s the beginning of April, I slept with Riley and Mike in January, and of course this is your baby.”

“I need some air,” Jeff said stepping out of the room. Holly curled up into a ball and let the tears fall freely.

Jeff walked into the elevator and went outside where he sat on the bench with his head in his hands, “Jeff,” Mike’s voice said breaking him out of his thoughts, “Jeff, what’s wrong?”

Jeff wasn’t sure how long he sat there with his head in his hands trying to wrap his head around things, “Nothing, I’m fine! Holly’s fine, I fucking need to get out of here,” he replied standing up but was pushed back into his spot on the bench by Lauren who looked furious with him.

“What the fuck is your problem,” she whispered to him so that she didn’t draw attention to them.

“She’s fucking knocked up,” Jeff replied, “Can you deal with the fact that Mike may be the kid’s father?”

Lauren went to walk away when Mike grabbed her arm and kept her in place as Jeff explained himself, “How far along is she,” Mike asked suddenly feeling nauseous.

“Nine weeks,” Jeff replied.

Lauren laughed sarcastically, “You are such a fucking asshole,” she said to Jeff, “Everything went down in January, she’s come home to you every fucking night. You spend time with her like you two are together but in reality, you’re just using her for sex. Imagine that, Jeff Carter using someone for sex. That’s never happen before.”

“Lauren,” Mike said trying to calm her down, “You know what, I’m not going to stand around and watch you walk all over Holly like she’s another one of your whores. Don’t bother going back upstairs because you will just upset her even more.”

“Dickhead,” Lauren said knocking Jeff’s shoulder as her and Mike walked around Jeff and into the hospital.

Jeff walked to the garage and climbed into his car before he sped off towards the house that he shared with Holly. Sighing to himself, he sat down on the couch and called his mom to tell her everything.

“Jeff,” Sue Carter greeted her son, “What’s wrong?”

Jeff sighed again for what seemed like the millionth time that day, “I need to talk to you about something. I don’t know what to do and you are the only person I could think of to call.”

“What’s wrong, honey?”

“Holly’s pregnant.”

There was silence on the other end of the phone as both Jeff and his mother processed the information.

“Jeff,” she sighed, “That’s wonderful, who’s the father?”

It was clear to Jeff that his mom didn’t know about the relationship that both he and Holly shared, “Mom, it’s my baby.”

“Oh my God,” Sue Carter said excitedly, “I didn’t even know you two were together. JIM, GET IN HERE QUICK!”

“Mom, I don’t know what to do. I’m twenty-two years old and I’m expecting a kid when I’m still a kid myself.

“Jeff,” Jim Carter said picking up the other phone in the living room so that both he and his wife could talk to him, “What’s wrong?”

“Holly’s having a baby.”

“You’re both having a baby,” Sue corrected, “It’s not just her.”

“What the fuck am I supposed to do, mom?”

“Well, Jeff you should have thought about that when you couldn’t keep your dick in your pants and treated her like another one of your whores that we always hear you sleep around with,” Jim Carter said.

“She is another one of the whores I sleep with, she fucking dated Riley while he was married and she slept with Mike. So yeah, she is another whore.”

“JEFF,” his mother yelled, “Do not talk about her like that. I’ve heard the story with Riley, she didn’t know he was married until you told her after she fell head over heels in love with him. She slept with Mike three times and once was with you.”

“What,” Jim Carter said.

“How…how did you know about that,” Jeff asked clearly embarrassed that his mother knew about the threesome he and Mike had with Holly.

“Your sister tells me everything and I know both you and your sister tell each other everything.”

“Mom,” Jeff sighed, “I don’t know what to do.”

“Why are you talking to your mother and not Holly?”

“She’s in the hospital getting IVs for being dehydrated since the pregnancy caused her to throw everything up I guess and plus she’s being treated for exhaustion.”

“Let me guess, you questioned who the father of the kid is when you know it’s yours,” Jim Carter asked.

“Yeah,” Jeff admitted.

“You are an asshole,” Jim said, “Your mother and I didn’t raise you like that, now get your ass back to that hospital and apologize to her. Man up son, your baby needs its father to act like a man and not a pussy who is running away from his mistakes.”

“I got to go,” Jeff said, “I’ll call you guys tomorrow. Are you still coming down for the last game of the season?”

“Yeah, we’ll be there,” Sue Carter assured her son, “Jeff, please go talk to Holly.”

“I am mom, I love her.”

“We love you, son but please don’t be a dick about this situation.”

“Bye dad,” Jeff said hanging up the phone grabbing his keys as he headed back to the hospital.

Mike bumped into Lauren playfully as they walked down the hall towards Holly’s room. Lauren pushed him against the wall and walked down the hall quickly. They were almost to Holly’s room when Mike pushed Lauren against the wall and claimed her lips with his.

“Not here,” Lauren growled as Mike claimed her lips with his won again.

“Why not?”

“I work here that’s why and there are cameras everywhere.”

“Never stopped me before,” he smirked kissing her again when Jennifer cleared her throat behind them.

“Go make out at home,” she said, “Not here.”

“Well, do you have an extra room we can use for a little bit,” Mike smirked causing Lauren to elbow him in the stomach.

Jennifer rolled her eyes, “I’m sorry we don’t give rooms out just so you can get your rocks off.”

Lauren pushed Mike towards the direction of Holly’s room and mouthed an ‘I’m Sorry’ to Jennifer who smiled slightly.

Jeff arrived back at the hospital to find Mike and Lauren already gone, “Surprise surprise,” he said to himself as he entered Holly’s hospital room.

She was lying in bed with her back towards him and her breathing was even which meant she was sleeping. Jeff sat down on the chair that was facing her and took her hand in his running his thumb over her knuckles. He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her lips before brushing the hair out of her face.

Jeff glanced down at her stomach and placed his free hand there, never in a million years would he imagine he’d be in this position at twenty-two. Who was he kidding, there were people in the world that had children at fifteen and sixteen.

Jeff wasn’t sure when or how he fell asleep but when he woke up, his head was on his arms as he supported himself on Holly’s hospital bed. Holly was up eating her breakfast that they had brought her when she noticed he was asleep.

“I’m surprised you’re here.”

“Listen, we need to talk,” Jeff said, “I’m sorry I walked out on you yesterday, it was a lot to take in.”

“How do you think I feel,” she said, “It was a lot for me too. I could have used you here yesterday.”

“I’m sorry!”

“You can’t just walk out on this kid when its born,” Holly said, “Every time you get frustrated and can’t take it anymore, you just can’t walk out on this kid and pretend nothing happened. This is OUR baby, Jeff. It’s YOUR baby.”

“I know,” he replied putting his head down, “Look, I know now is not the time to tell you this but it’s been eating me up inside for so long and I always got interrupted when I’d try to tell you.”

“Don’t change the subject, Jeff. This is our problem, we let things go too easily. We need to work things out, say what you have to say when you figure this out.

Jeff sighed defeated knowing that him admitting his feelings for Holly were going to have to wait once again as they worked on wrapping their heads around the fact that they were going to be parents in six months and had one more life to worry about in this ‘relationship’ that they had going.

“Do you think Holly and Jeff will be okay,” Lauren asked as her and Mike sat on the couch of his apartment in Old City.

“I hope so,” Mike replied, “I think that they are both shocked. They both need time to wrap their heads around everything.”

Lauren snuggled closer into Mike’s chest as he leaned down and kissed her. Lauren pushed herself up never breaking the kiss and straddled Mike’s waist. Mike slid his hands up her shirt as he deepened the kiss. Lauren moaned as Mike squeezed her breast in his palm.

Lauren reached down and undid the zipper of Mike’s jean before reaching for the hem of his shirt, “Are you sure you want to do this,” he asked, “I don’t want to push you into anything.”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything,” Lauren said as Mike picked her up and carried her to his bedroom down the hall.

Mike placed her down gently on the bed before removing his pants completely. Lauren reached to pull her shirt over her head but Mike swatted her hands away, “I’m doing this,” he said seductively as he bit down on her neck causing her to shriek before he pulled the shirt over her head. Mike make one swift motion of pulling off her jeans and underwear before he reached into the nightstand for a condom. Mike entered her slowly and she whimpered encouraging him to continue.

Lauren dug her nails into his back as he bottomed out inside of her picking up his pace, “Fuck,” she screamed earning a moan from him as her walls clenched around him.

“You’re perfect,” Mike whispered into her ear as Lauren flipped them over so that she was on top. It was new to her doing this and she loved the feeling of Mike’s hard cock hitting her gspot as she was sent over the edge as she moved her hips up and down.

“Let’s not worry about Holly and Jeff when we have ourselves to worry about,” Mike said when he collapsed on top of Lauren after making her scream his name.

Jeff sighed as he got Mike’s voicemail once again. He needed to apologize for overreacting the day before but he knew Lauren probably had spent the night. Jeff looked at Holly who looked content sitting on the couch of their house after being locked up in the hospital for almost two days, she was under a blanket watching “The Young and the Restless.” Jeff sat down next to her and pulled her close, “We’ll get through this Holly, I promise.”

Holly nodded her head praying that Jeff would keep that promise and wouldn’t let her down like so many of the men in her life had let her down before. One unkept promise and she was finished with loving a man who had let her down countless times but would always be there to pick up the pieces.

Chapter 10-Tonight, You're Mine

Holly sighed as she exited the elevator to begin her 12 hour work day at the hospital. She wanted to stay home in bed all day, so she didn't have to hear her co-workers gushing over their husbands and boyfriends sending them flowers and cute little notes. Holly hated Valentine's Day, she was always alone on the most romantic holiday of the year.

Putting her purse in the drawer next to her desk, she clocked in and began her rounds checking on her patients. They were all happy to see her back from her three week long vacation.

"Holly, welcome back," Patricia greeted as Holly walked by the other nurse's station at the end of the hall.

"Thanks Patricia, how are you?"

"I'm doing well, honey," the chubby middle aged woman said, "How are you?"

"I could be better but I'm not complaining."

Patricia smiled slightly before answering the phone that had begun ringing. Holly sighed as she saw Lauren sitting at the desk. She had two weeks to think about what had happened between the two of them, and she felt bad about arguing with Lauren.

"Hi," Holly said being the first to break the silence.

"Hi," Lauren replied smiling slightly.

"I'm sorry," Holly said, "I overreacted about everything. I shouldn't have slept with Mike either, but it hurt seeing my best friend with Jeff."

"I never should have slept with Jeff, I'm sorry. I regret that night and I'd change it if I could."

Holly sat down in the chair next to Lauren, "I love him," she admitted for the first time to someone other than herself. Riley knew, but he didn't care.

"Who," Lauren asked.

"Jeff," Holly sighed, "I realized I loved him after I spent the night with Riley a couple of days after I caught you two together. I snuck out in the middle of the night after writing him a note. I feel the same way about Riley now like I do about Mike. We can be friends and nothing more. I've been through everything with Jeff and it just feels right."

Lauren smiled, "I think he loves you. When he says your name, he has this look in his eyes that is pure love."

Holly smiled reaching put her arms to hug Lauren. Lauren stood up and hugged her back, "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too," Holly said, "Let's call it water under the bridge."

Lauren smiled and they fell into their normal work day routine like nothing had happened. The phone rang and Lauren answered it and found herself giggling. Holly rolled her eyes as she heard Lauren agree to go out for the night with Mike. It was good to see that those two had worked everything out.

Holly went to go check on her patients and when she came back, there were roses on the desk with her name on them. She found the card and she felt her breath hitch in her throat as she saw who they were from.

Holly,

I'm sorry! Be mine tonight, please?

--Jeff

Holly sighed as she shoved the card into the pocket of her shirt. Pulling out her cell phone, she texted Jeff and told him thank you for the flowers. Holly didn’t get a response right away and she knew that Jeff was probably still at practice and wouldn’t get back to her until later.

Lauren returned from the coffee shop downstairs and set a coffee down in front of Holly, “So, who are the flowers from?”

“Jeff,” Holly replied taking a sip of her drink.

“Aw,” Lauren gushed, “Mike sent me flowers this morning.”

“I’m glad you two worked everything out.”

Lauren sighed, “He followed me home that night and he wanted the truth. I told him everything and he told me that you two had slept together as revenge. We aren’t even together but Mike wants to start over like nothing happened. I never should have let it get as far as it did.”

Holly laughed as she looked at Lauren who looked at her like she was crazy, “What’s so funny?”

“I have just one question to ask you.”

“What?”

“How was he?”

“Who?”

“Jeff,” Holly replied.

“That was my first time but let me tell you, I think I have no expectations of men after him. How the hell do you keep up with him?”

“Mike is almost as good as Jeff,” Holly smirked, “I keep up with Jeff because I have the same sex drive he does. We just work when we’re together.”

Lauren couldn’t stop the blush from her cheeks and Holly laughed as her phone vibrated in her pocket.

I’m glad you didn’t give them to Patricia. I’ll pick you up tonight at your sister’s house be ready at 7. Make sure you wear something nice.

Holly put her phone back in her purse as her and Lauren fell into conversation as if nothing ever happened. Before Holly knew it, it was time to go home. Working 5am-5pm was stressful but she had tomorrow morning off and would be able to enjoy her night with Jeff without cutting it short because she had to work.

When Holly got back to her sister’s house, she searched through her makeshift closet trying to find something to wear. Holly called out to her Stephanie for help but when they couldn’t find anything in her closet, they went to Stephanie’s room. Stephanie found a dress that didn’t fit her anymore that still had the tags on it. It was a 1950s style red dress with a black belt. Holly fell in love with it as soon as she saw it.

“Who are you going out with tonight,” Stephanie asked.

“Jeff is taking me out.”

“Holly,” Stephanie sighed, “Are you sure that’s a good idea.”

“I talked to Lauren today; we both apologized to each other and Jeff sent me flowers. Please spare me the lecture.”

Stephanie sighed, “Okay, I’ll shut up.”

Holly was finishing curling her hair when the doorbell rang, “I’ll be there in a second,” she called out down the stairs. Stephanie and her husband had left to go out for the night.

Holly shrugged into her coat and opened the door. Jeff stood on the other side with a smile on his face and a rose in his hands. Holly wrapped her arms around him in a hug and Jeff kissed the top of her head.

“You look beautiful,” he whispered handing her the rose.

“Thank you, you don’t look so bad yourself,” Holly replied. Jeff was dressed in a black suit with a black shirt and a red tie.

“We match,” Holly smiled as Jeff walked her to the car.

“Your sister called me and told me what you were wearing. She also told me that if I fuck up again, she’ll hang my balls from the Rocky statue.”

Holly laughed lightly as Jeff drove back towards Philadelphia from Stephanie’s home in Haddonfield.

“Where are we going,” Holly asked.

“We’re going to Bliss. It just opened down on South Broad Street.”

“We always go to eat down there,” Holly joked causing Jeff to laugh.

They arrived in front of the restaurant and Jeff handed the keys to the valet before helping Holly out of the car. They were seated at a table towards the back of the restaurant. Throughout dinner, Jeff and Holly caught up to what was happening in each other’s lives for the last three weeks.

They ate their dinners in silence and Jeff paid the bill before grabbing Holly’s hand and leading her out of the restaurant. The temperature had dropped and Holly shivered. Jeff noticed and wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her in close to him.

Holly inhaled his cologne and for the first time in three weeks, she was happy. Jeff drove towards their house in Philadelphia. Holly sighed as she walked through the doors and immediately felt comfortable being back home.

“I’ll be right back,” Jeff said as he slipped into his bedroom. Holly sat down on the couch and took off her shoes.

Jeff came back to the living room with his shirt now untucked and his tie discarded. He sat down next to Holly and wrapped his arm around her shoulder pulling her close to him, “I’m sorry Holly, I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

Holly silenced Jeff with a kiss; she had been dying to do it all night. Jeff cupped Holly’s face in his hands and kissed her as if his life depended on it. Jeff lay back on the couch pulling Holly with him. His hands unzipped her dress and he brought the straps down her shoulders. Holly unbuttoned Jeff’s shirt and he sat up slipping it off. Jeff groaned as he saw the black lace bra and boy shorts that Holly was wearing. He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he made his way upstairs to his bedroom where he laid her down on the bed.

Holly gasped as Jeff slid the panties down her legs and traced her slit with his fingers, “You’re beautiful,” he whispered.

“Stop teasing,” Holly warned, “Please?”

Jeff slid his pants and boxers off while Holly took her bra off. Holly gasped as the tip of Jeff’s dick traced her slit and he entered her slowly. Her eyes rolled back into her head as Jeff made the first stroke.

“You feel so good, baby,” he whispered as Holly dug her nails into his back. Jeff reached between them and tweaked Holly’s clit with his fingers sending her over the edge before he spilled himself into her.

Jeff collapsed on top of Holly before placing a gentle kiss on her lips. Jeff rolled to Holly’s side and wrapped his arm around her waist and they stayed like that for a while just enjoying each other’s company. Holly heard Jeff’s breathing even out and she whispered what she had been dying to say but chickened out, “I love you,” she whispered before curling into his chest and falling asleep. Jeff heard her and he smiled to himself before drifting back off to sleep himself.

They had a long way to go before everything was back to normal between the two of them but little did they know nothing would ever be normal again in their lives. It would no longer be the two of them and they would have to learn to rebuild their lives around the change that was coming.

Chapter 9-S{he} Be{lie}ve{d}

Holly lay in the bed of the hotel room that Riley had booked for the two of them feeling like she had gotten ran over by a truck. Everything had hit her at once as she thought about everything that Riley had done for her when she arrived. It was picture perfect, but when he kissed her, all she could see was Jeff’s blue eyes staring back at her.

Riley was gentle with her whispering sweet nothings in as he made love to her. When Holly arrived, Riley greeted her wearing a white bathrobe while holding a glass of wine. Riley led her to the bathroom where he had candles lit on the sink and all over the room. Rose petals outlined the bed and the floor, when Holly had asked him why he had outdone himself, he simply replied, that she deserved it and that he’d do anything for someone that he loved.

Holly turned over on her side staring at the wall as Riley snored slightly behind her. She loved Riley but all she could think about was Jeff. He had hurt her deeply after he promised that he never would but Holly felt her clench at the thought of her possibly being in love with him. How she felt about Jeff now was the same way she had felt about Riley when she first met him, now all she felt for Riley was a friendly feeling that she felt for the other guys that she knew.

When she saw Jeff, she felt butterflies in her stomach and a desire to protect him from the fame monster that he sometimes fell victim to. Holly knew that although Riley said he loved her, he loved his wife more than anything in the world and that he lied to her so that she’d believe him and she’d end up sleeping with him.

Holly felt Riley shift in the bed behind her as he rolled over in his sleep. Securing his arm around her waist, he resumed snoring as Holly slowly and carefully lifted his arm before climbing out of bed. Holly gathered her clothes and got dressed. Grabbing the hotel supplied tablet and pen, she quickly scribbled down a note to Riley.

Riley,

Thank you for everything last night but we both know that this has to end for good. I loved you and I still do but I love you now like I love Mike, as a friend. I sat up all night thinking about things and I’ve realized that I love Jeff. How I feel about Jeff is the same way I felt about you when I first met you. You need to be with your wife who loves you more than anything in this world. We have some great memories that I will remember forever, but there’s only room in your life for one Holly…and I’m not her. You will always be the first man that I have ever loved, I wish you would have came into my life sooner but then again I don’t because I wouldn’t be in love with Jeff.

Love,
HollyHolly kissed the piece of paper leaving her lip prints on the sheet before she placed it on her pillow next to Riley. Making her walk of shame towards the elevators, Holly descended downstairs to the exit of the hotel where a cab was waiting to take her home.

Holly arrived home shortly before nine in the morning, Jeff was gone for the day which meant she’d get to sleep and be alone for awhile while she settled everything she was feeling before he came home. Opening the door with her key, she immediately saw the new dining room table and chairs. Smiling slightly, she hung her coat on the hook before heading upstairs to her room to sleep until she woke up.

Meanwhile, Jeff woke up the next morning not feeling well. The flu was hitting the Flyers hard, and Jeff knew that it was only a matter of time before he too caught the virus. Jeff was laying under three blankets but he couldn’t keep warm no matter how hard he had tried. He felt a wave of nausea overcome him and he rushed to the bathroom.

Holly heard dry heaving and gagging coming from the room next door to hers. She rolled her eyes figuring Jeff was just nursing a hangover before climbing into the hot shower that she had running. When she was finished, she heard Jeff on the phone with his coach explaining that he had caught the flu like the other guys on the team had came down with.

Swallowing her pride, Holly walked into the hall and saw Jeff’s pale face. He had on sweatpants and a sweatshirt with a comforter wrapped around him.

“Are you okay,” she asked as he hung up the call.

“Do I look okay,” he snapped but Holly chose to ignore it. Everyone is miserable when they’re sick but today was not Jeff’s day to take an attitude

Holly slowly approached Jeff, feeling his forehead, she frowned at how warm he was. Holly replaced her hand with her lips, something her mother used to do to her when she was sick with a fever that wasn't taught in nursing school.

“Go lay down, I’ll go get the thermometer then I’ll call Dr. Milano and tell him that you have come down with the flu.”

Jeff gave up without a fight and went into his bedroom where he crawled back in bed pulling the covers up to his chin.

"Open your mouth," Holly said sitting on the bed next to him placing the object in his mouth.

Holly placed her fingers on Jeff's wrist and looked at the clock on the wall, "Your pulse is okay," she said as the thermometer beeped. Holly pulled it out of Jeff's mouth and frowned at the numbers on the small screen, "102.3."

Jeff growled causing Holly to smile, "Fuck me," he groaned.

"Here, take these," she said reaching into her pocket to pull put two Tylenol that would hopefully break his fever, "Try to get some rest, I'll be back in when you wake up to see if your fever has gone down. I'm going to CVS to get your prescription, do you want anything else?"

"I need more condoms," Jeff said with a smirk, "We're all out."

Holly couldn't help but laugh at him, even sick with the flu, he was still a pig but that's why she loved him, right?

"I'll grab Gatorade and soup while I'm gone. Please stay in bed," she asked and Jeff nodded.

"There's a fifty in my wallet, take it to cover everything."

"It's fine, I got it. Call me if you need anything else, I'll be back as soon as I can."

Holly left Jeff's room suddenly not mad at him. He was sick and she hated seeing him so helpless. Jeff was always the strong one and Holly didn't like it when he looked weak.

Holly went to the drug store to get Jeff's prescription before going to Costco to shop for food Jeff would need over the next couple of days.

Holly laughed as she walked through the health section of the wholesale store and saw the 1000 pack of condoms, “If he goes through these, he needs help,” she whispered to herself as she made her way to the checkout.

The cashier gave Holly a weird look as she scanned the condoms and placed them into the box that held Holly’s groceries. Holly dared her to say something as she swiped her credit card. Holly had stayed out longer than she had intended to.

When Holly arrived home, Jeff was asleep while curled up under a blanket on the couch. Holly sat down on the coffee table and nudged him awake, he groaned as he slowly came to his senses, "How are you feeling," she asked as he slowly sat up.

"Like shit," he replied as she handed him the Gatorade and flu medicine.

"Are you hungry," she asked.

Jeff shook his head no and Holly stood up to go back to the kitchen when Jeff reached for her hand. Holly wanted to pull away but for some reason, she didn't. Jeff looked up at her sadly before pulling her down to his lap wrapping the blanket around them as he lay back with Holly on top of him.

"Jeff, I have to go make dinner," she said struggling to get up before her emotions got the best of her.

"Stay here a little while, please," he asked, "You're warm and I'm cold."

Holly reluctantly lay still trying not to cry as Jeff kissed her forehead gently, before he too fell asleep. The doorbell rang and Holly silently thanked the Heavens above for saving her. Carefully removing herself from Jeff, she walked towards the door.

Mike smiled seeing her clad in just sweatpants and a Flyers hoodie, "Look who has the I got laid last night look on their face," he replied smirking.

"Can we not talk about last night," she asked as her and Mike made their way to the breakfast bar in the kitchen. Mike sat in the stool as Holly put the groceries away. Holly threw the box of condoms in Jeff's lap before returning to the kitchen."

"Where'd you go last night? Jeff said you came home in a taxi this morning."

“I went to stay in a hotel, I couldn’t be under the same roof with him anymore.”

“So…you didn’t go to the Double Tree and have a romantic evening with Riley?”

Holly froze, “How did you find out?”

“Riley’s the one who was called up while Jeff is sick, he told me this morning.”

“FUCKING ASSHOLE,” they both heard Jeff scream. They turned their heads and saw him standing in the entryway of the kitchen, “What the fuck Holly? You keep going back for more and getting hurt, are you that much of a slut?”

Holly didn’t have time to react as Jeff’s head snapped to the side and the red handprint made its appearance on the left side of his face. Holly stormed upstairs and slammed her bedroom door shut. Holly knew Jeff would find out about her night with Riley but she had hoped that she’d be the one telling him when everything was finally settled between them.

Holly heard the doorbell ring downstairs and she knew someone had come over. She heard Lauren’s voice and she wanted to throw herself out of the bedroom window.

“Holly,” Mike said coming into the room, “Can you please come downstairs and talk to them? You haven’t let them explain anything. We have some explaining to do ourselves, let’s just get this over with.”

Holly sat up slowly on the bed and Mike sat down next to her. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he kissed her forehead telling her that everything would be okay and to relax.

“Everything will be okay,” he whispered, “I promise, come on let’s get this over with.”

He grabbed her hand and wiped the tears away from her eyes with his free hand, “Thank you, Mike.”

“Anytime Holly, I’ll always be here,” he smiled as they walked downstairs and saw Lauren sitting on the chair and Jeff sitting on the couch.

Holly stood in the doorway, “Someone better start talking,” she said, “I want this over and done with.”

“Holly, I’m so sorry,” Lauren cried, “I didn’t mean for it to happen.”

Holly laughed sarcastically, “No one ever means for it to happen but it does. I seriously thought I could trust you and that you weren’t friends with me just for who I knew.”

“I swear it was never like that.”

“Holly, stop making this a one sided situation,” Jeff said, “You are guilty too, I know you fucked Mike for revenge, he told me and I know you fucking spent the night with Riley last night. I don’t understand why you are yelling at Lauren when you are just as fucking guilty as all of us sitting in this room right now. With all of the shit you’ve done with Mike, Riley, and me…you are no better than any one of us. If anything, I think you were using me.”

“Using you,” Holly snapped, “Jeff, I’m a fucking nurse who can keep up with your monthly salary even though I don’t make as much as you. I never fucking asked you for anything, I pay for my own shit and I pay all of the utilities in the house and half of the mortgage now. I am not fucking using you. I could give two shits about the Flyers to be honest with you.”

Jeff sat there clearly not knowing what to say when Holly started on Lauren again, “I never took you for a slut but hey I don’t blame you for fucking Jeff, I mean look at him. I guess the only thing I’ve ever used him for was sex but he’s the one who suggested this whole fucked up relationship him and I have anyways,” Holly said trying not to let the tears fall, “For three years, I’ve watched Jeff use everything with a fucking vagina, so you’re no different than any of the other girls he fucked. He was drunk and you were convenient for him.”

“Slut,” Lauren laughed, “You seriously have the nerve to call me a slut when you have slept with Riley, Jeff, and Mike. If that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black then I don’t know what is.”

“Well you’re not a virgin anymore, so that makes you a slut since you fucked Jeff when he was drunk. At least I’ve had those three both sober and drunk. If that makes me a slut then so be it.”

“You two both need to stop before you both say something that you regret,” Mike said as Lauren started to cry. He was ready to forgive Lauren as he watched her break down. He knew there was something that she wasn’t telling Holly and he hoped it wasn’t what he thought it was.

“I WAS A FUCKING VIRGIN,” Lauren screamed causing the room to fall silent, “I was a virgin, okay and I slept with Jeff. I can never get that night back, Holly; I thought you were my friend. I should go,” she said standing up and grabbing her purse.

Mike breathed a sigh of relief and stood up, “I need to talk to her. You two need to work everything out. Holly, you are more than welcomed to stay at my house if you’d like.”

Holly whispered a thank you as Mike walked out of the house leaving her and Jeff to be there by themselves. Holly could see the color was still drained from Jeff’s face and he was still sick.

“You need to go get some rest,” she said, “You will never get better if you stress yourself out. Go upstairs and go to sleep, I’m going to stay with my sister.”

“Do whatever the fuck you want, I don’t care,” Jeff said standing up from the couch and walking upstairs.

Holly walked upstairs a couple of minutes later and packed her suitcase. She was moving out for now while everything cooled down. She needed to live her life without Jeff for a while and she didn’t know how she would do it, he was her everything, he just needed to realize that without each other, they were nothing.

Chapter 8-Revenge is the Best Medicine

Holly pulled into Mike's driveway as the tears threatened to fall. Lauren and Jeff had betrayed her, you don't screw around with someone's fuck buddy, it's just girl code. Jeff was on her shit list too for fucking her best friend.

Holly knew she had no reason other than Lauren breaking girl code to be mad; but she felt like her heart was ripped out of her chest, and she didn't know why.

Mike answered the door sleepily, wearing nothing but Flyers sweatpants and his brown curly hair was messed up slightly, "Holly," he said as he leaned against the door frame, "What are you doing here this late?"

Holly didn't respond, instead, she pushed her way into the house and shut the door behind her pressing Mike against it as her lips crashed down upon his

"Holly," he said when he had finally managed to pull away, "What's wrong?"

"Lauren," she began as a few stray tears fell down her face, "She--I walked in on her having sex with Jeff."

That was all Mike needed to hear, he had no time to be angry at his best friend, or the girl he was close to asking to be his girlfriend. He grabbed Holly by the waist roughly, slamming her hips against his before crashing his lips to hers.

Holly fumbled with her scrub top before pulling it over her head as Mike quickly pulled her pants off before picking her up. Holly wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her towards the couch in the living room.

“We shouldn’t do this, it’s not fair to them,” Mike said.

“What’s fair is foul and foul is fair, what they did is foul and we need to be fair with them. Please Mike,” Holly begged, “Mike, the girl you were going to ask to be your girlfriend fucked your best friend and my two best friends just fucked each other.”

Holly didn’t have time to react as Mike buried his face in her core. Holly gasped as Mike took his clit it his mouth and sucked on it before lapping at her.

“Oh God,” she panted as he changed his patterns on her before plunging two fingers into her. Holly went over the edge and arched her back off the couch, “Mike,” she screamed as his lips claimed hers again. Mike groaned as Holly reached between them and ran her hands over Mike’s dick. Mike leaned his head back as Holly jerked him off.

“I need to be inside you, right now,” he groaned as he felt himself ready to blow his load on Holly’s stomach.

“Condom,” she whispered and Mike reached into the couch cushions and pulled out a Magnum.

Mike rolled the condom over his erection before pushing into Holly. Holly gasped as Mike slid out all of the way before ramming back into her.

Mike sent Holly over the edge a short while later reaching between then to tweak her clit with his thumb, “FUCK,” she screamed as he collapsed on top of her.

Mike sat up pulling Holly with him carrying her upstairs to his room. Mike gently laid her on the bed before walking out of the room into the bathroom. Holly heard him turn on the faucet of the tub; Mike returned and smiled at her lightly.

“Take a hot bath,” he whispered into her hair before kissing her forehead. Holly smiled and walked next door to the bathroom. Holly leaned her head back against the wall and let the hot water relax her. The water turned cold before she decided to clean her body and return to Mike’s room.

When she returned, Mike was sitting in bed watching TV. He had his sweatpants back on and Holly noticed her clothes folded neatly on the dresser, Mike smiled over at her as she entered the room. She was wrapped in a towel and Mike gestured to the t-shirt on the bed that he had grabbed for her. Holly stepped into the hallway and put the shirt on before turning around and going back into the room.

“Want to talk about it,” Mike asked as Holly lay down on the bed.

“I told you everything,” Holly said, “I came into the door from work and I heard moaning, I walked into the dining room and saw Jeff fucking her.”

Holly started crying and Mike pulled her into his arms and held her while she cried, “I care about him a lot,” Holly said, “More than I thought, do you know what it was like walking into the house I share with him and seeing him fucking someone that wasn’t me? I don’t want to be with him but damn Mike, he could have told me that he wanted to see other people. I do it all of the time; I don’t know why it’s such a big deal.”

Mike smiled at her blubbering as she became incoherent and fell asleep. Mike kissed her temple before turning over and going to sleep. Mike woke up to the sound of his phone ringing on the nightstand.

“Hello,” he answered groggily.

“Where is she,” Jeff asked, “I know she’s with you.”

“Who,” Mike replied knowing just who Jeff meant.

“Holly,” he snapped.

“Yeah, she’s here,” Mike said, “We’re sleeping.”

“What do you mean ‘we’re sleeping?’?”

“Well since you think it is okay to fuck her best friend and the girl that was almost my girlfriend, she came over and we fucked. How does it feel, Jeff?”

“You son of a bitch,” Jeff yelled, “You fucking knew that I loved her. I was fucking drunk and Lauren was here.”

“That’s no excuse, Jeff,” Mike replied, “You of all people know how Holly feels about trust. I seem to be the only one she can now since Riley dicked her over, and by the looks of it…you and Lauren have too. Holly will be staying with me until this blows over.”

“You honestly think I am going to let her stay with you?”

“Newsflash Jeff, you don’t own her and you don’t tell me what to do. Now please, leave me alone and go fuck Lauren.”

Mike ended the call and slammed threw the phone across the room before putting his arm around Holly’s waist to fall asleep.

Holly woke up the next morning with swollen eyes. Mike was nowhere to be found but there was a note on the mirror of the bathroom letting her know that he would be home after the afternoon game the Flyers were playing that day. Holly saw that he had invited her to stay with him but she couldn’t stay here. She felt guilty for betraying Lauren even though Lauren betrayed her by having sex with Jeff.

Holly threw on her clothes from the night before and headed back to her and Jeff’s house. Holly locked the door behind her and walked into the kitchen. Sighing to herself, she grabbed the Lysol cleaner from under the kitchen sink and the dish towel from the oven handle before going into the dining room. Squirting every square inch of the table, Holly began disinfecting the now tainted table. Holly was finished cleaning the oak table that she had bought when they moved in when she saw the image of Jeff and Lauren in front of her eyes again. Sliding down the wall and burying her face into her knees, she started crying. Throwing the cleaner and the dish towel across the room, Holly stood up and grabbed her phone out of her purse.

She immediately dialed the number that she wished she didn’t remember to ask for help from the man she swore she’d stay away from. When he answered, Holly asked if he could come help her move the table to the trash. He agreed and told her he’d be there in fifteen minutes.

Holly took that time to take a shower and change her clothes. When she was finished, she heard the doorbell ring. Walking down the steps, she saw the tattooed arms of Riley Cote standing on the porch.

“Hey,” he smiled nervously as Holly opened the door.

“Hi,” she greeted, “Thank you for coming over.”

“You know I’d do anything for you,” Riley said hugging her.

“Can you help me move the table to the trash?”

“It’s a nice table, why would you want to get rid of it?”

“Jeff fucked Lauren on it last night.”

“Jeff fucked your best friend?”

“Did you expect anything less from him,” Holly asked sarcastically.

“I guess I shouldn’t be shocked, he’s a pig.”

“So are you,” Holly mumbled causing Riley to shoot her a pointed look.

Riley walked into the dining room and Holly helped him lift the table. Riley dropped his keys as they were walking out of the door, “You dropped your keys,” Holly said as they turned the table sideways to get it out of the house.

“Leave them there, we’ll get them when we come back in.”

They sat the table on the curb and walked back up the walkway to the house, “Do you need anything else,” Riley asked as he bent down to pick up his keys.

Holly didn’t respond, instead she wrapped her arms around him and uttered the words she never thought she’d say again, “Meet me somewhere tonight,” she whispered against his chest inhaling the scent of his cologne that she loved.

“You got it,” he smiled pulling away to give her a kiss, “Meet me at the Double Tree over on South Broad at 7.”

Holly smiled as Riley walked towards his car, she knew she would regret it but she didn’t care because Jeff Carter was dead to her. Meeting Riley would make him angry and she laughed to herself because revenge was the best medicine and Jeff was getting a taste of his own.

Chapter 7-I Think I Lo...

“Faster Jeff,” Holly moaned as Jeff thrusted inside of her. She wasn’t used to Jeff taking his time with her. He always gave it to her how she wanted it, rough and fast. That’s what made their sex life great, they both loved rough, hard, fast sex that would make the neighbors one street over hear their moans but what Holly didn’t know was Jeff was tired of it.

Jeff never once complained about their sex life and the only time he had one night stands was on the road when Holly couldn’t be there. Holly was there for him and wanted sex just as much as he did, therefore, that’s why they started this whole “roommates with benefits” thing that they had going.

“God, baby, you feel so good,” Jeff moaned silencing Holly’s scream in his mouth as his lips met hers as he sent her over the edge. Tonight was all about Holly, Jeff made his decision to show her what making love felt like. You heard it right, Jeff was in love with Holly. Over the last month, it took Riley coming back into her life and breaking her heart again for Jeff to realize that he wanted her and only her.

“Jesus Christ,” Holly gasped, “Fuck me already!”

Jeff groaned in defeat, picking up his pace as Holly fisted the sheets beneath her. Holly screamed Jeff’s name at the top of her lungs before arching her back off the bed. Jeff took the opportunity to pay attention to her breasts as he continued his thrusts.

At twenty-one years old, Jeff had had his fair share of women from the time he was 17; but right now, he was at a point in his life where all he wanted was that one person he could come home to that would love him for who he was and not the million dollar paycheck that he brought home. Jeff had known Holly from the time he was 19 when he played for the Phantoms. In the two years that they had known each other, Jeff never thought that they would be living together two years later when he made the big league and moved into a bigger house taking her with him. Holly was a struggling student at the time, and Jeff bought the house with her agreeing to pay all utilities and they’d split the cost of the food down the middle since Jeff had healthy things and Holly had her junk food that they occasionally shared.

Jeff moaned as he came like he had never came before, he collapsed on top of Holly and continued kissing her as he ran his hands through her hair. Jeff rolled off of her and onto his side keeping an arm around her waist.

“What the hell has gotten into you,” she asked as Jeff kissed her collarbone.

“Holly, the truth is, I lo-,” he went to say when her cell phone rang on the nightstand.

“Ignore it,” Jeff whispered as he kissed up her jaw ready to confess the words that he had almost said.

“I can’t, it might be the hospital calling me back in,” Holly said reaching for the iPhone.

Jeff got out of bed and walked into the bathroom slamming the door behind him when he saw Riley’s name flash on the screen causing Holly to stand up, pick up her clothes, and head into her bedroom.

Jeff didn’t know how much longer he could take being the shoulder that Holly cried on. He was fed up with picking up the pieces for her, he cared about her a lot more than she knew and each time she went back to Riley, it killed him knowing she was going to get her heart broken again. It was beyond his control. Jeff took a shower and walked back into his bedroom.

Jeff didn’t pay attention to his bed where Holly was returned wearing one of his t-shirts that she had taken out of his dresser while he was in the shower. Jeff removed his towel throwing on a pair of black boxer shorts before turning around and sighing as he saw Holly sound asleep on the bed. Even though he was mad at her for answering Riley’s phone call, he didn’t deny that he loved holding her in his arms at night every now and then when they slept with each other.

Jeff pulled the blankets back and pressed himself against Holly’s back. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he kissed her shoulder.

“I love you,” he whispered knowing she was sound asleep and wouldn’t hear it. Jeff turned the lamp off and fell asleep vowing that the next morning; he’d make Holly see what she had right in front of her.

Holly woke up to find Jeff’s side of the bed empty. She walked into her bedroom to shower and get ready for work. When she was finished, she walked downstairs to find Jeff flipping a pancake on the griddle that his parents had gotten him when he bought the house.

“Hey,” he said as Holly sat down at the counter.

“Hi,” she smiled as he handed her a glass of orange juice, “Do you have practice today?”

“Yeah, but not until three, what time do you start work?”

“I start at noon,” Holly replied looking at the clock.

“Good thing you have an hour to eat then,” Jeff smiled setting the plate down in front of her.

“You should cook in your boxers more often! You are going to make your future wife a very happy woman when she wakes up.”

Jeff sighed turning off the griddle before taking a seat at the counter across from Holly, it was now or never, “Holly, listen, can we talk?”

“Yeah, sure,” she smiled suddenly feeling nervous, “Is everything okay?”

“I’m not sure how much longer I can do this,” Jeff began.

“Do what? Cook?”

“No, not cook,” he said laughing, “Holly, I don’t know how to say this but I think I lo…,” he went to finish when the doorbell rang clearly not agreeing with Jeff’s confession.

Jeff groaned as Holly stood up and headed towards the foyer, “What the hell are you doing here,” he heard her ask as he rounded the corner and saw the tattooed arms of Riley Cote in the doorway.

“What’s up, Jeff,” Riley greeted and Jeff nodded his head in the older man’s direction.

“Not much, man, how are you?”

Jeff wanted to throw the door open and beat the shit out of him but he knew it would hurt Holly since part of her still loved Riley. Jeff excused himself and went upstairs where he stood by the railing out of sight where he could hear everything.

“Can we talk,” he heard Riley ask.

“You’re not welcomed here,” Holly replied, “I told you to leave me alone last month, what part of that didn’t you understand. I’ve been ignoring your calls for a reason, just leave me alone.”

“Holly, please,” Riley pleaded, “Five minutes.”

“Go home to your wife, Riley,” Holly replied and Jeff heard the door slam. Jeff smirked to himself clearly proud of Holly not giving into the man that had broken her heart on more than one occasion.

“Jeff, I’m going to work, I’ll call you when I get a lunch break,” she said and Jeff told her goodbye as he heard the door slam.

“Fucking prick,” Jeff said grabbing the crystal candy dish from the hallway and throwing it against the wall causing it to shatter.

Holly sat at her desk at work with Jennifer, a nurse who had just been hired, Lauren was off tonight.

“Holly, there’s a visitor for you,” Patricia, the nurse at the main station down the hall said on the intercom.

“I’ll be down in a minute,” Holly said standing up.

“How often do you get visitors,” Jennifer asked.

“Never,” Holly replied curious as to who was there to see her.

She rounded the corner and rolled her eyes as she saw the brown curly hair hanging out from underneath the backwards Flyers hat, “Hey,” Riley smiled handing her a bouquet of roses, “Delivery for Holly Petersen.”

“Riley,” she whispered, “Don’t do this here!”

“Holly,” he whispered, “Please.”

“I’m Holly,” she smiled, “Thank you, I wonder who they’re from.”

Riley sighed in defeat, told Holly to have a nice day and got on the elevator.

“What pretty flowers,” Patricia said, “Who are they from?”

“The married man I fell for that doesn’t know I want nothing to do with his ass anymore. Here you go, enjoy the roses.”

“Holly,” Patricia gasped, “Are you sure? They’re beautiful.”

“Take them, I don’t want them,” Holly reassured her ripping the card in half and tossing it in the trash before walking back to the nurse’s station. It was going to be a long night without Lauren working for her to vent to.

Jeff shuffled to pull on his jeans as he headed down the steps, “I’M COMING,” he yelled, “Hold your fucking horses.”

Jeff opened the door and saw Lauren standing on the other end with brown bags in her arms from the liquor store, “Hey Jeff,” she said with a smile, “Is Holly home yet?”

“Nope, she’s not due home until midnight maybe one depending on who relieves her. You are more than welcomed to come in and wait if you share the booze.”

Lauren laughed as Jeff held the door open for her to come in. Lauren took a mental image of his bare chest in her brain and willed herself not to sweat as she saw his abs and arms flex when he took the bags from her.

Jeff grabbed orange juice from the refrigerator and ice from the freezer while Lauren opened the bottles of vodka that she had bought. Jeff filled glasses with ice as Lauren filled glasses more than halfway with vodka as Jeff finished them off with orange juice.

They sat at the counter talking about Holly and Riley as well as Lauren hanging out with Mike. Half an hour later, they were both drunk after they started drinking the whiskey straight from the bottle.

“I fucking lava her,” Jeff slurred, “But all she fucking caress about is Riley. Fuck Riley!”

“He’s an ash hole,” Lauren slurred, “You’s so mush better lookings! I would totally fuck you! Whoops,” she burped as her and Jeff laughed.

“What do I have to do for her to love me back,” he asked, “I can’t take this shush no more.”

“I’ll fush you,” Lauren giggled and Jeff stood up pressing her back into the counter claiming his lips with her own. Before they could register what was happening, bottles were on the floor spilling their contents as Jeff and Lauren made the biggest mistake.

Holly finished her shift and headed home saying goodbye to Patricia and Jennifer as she headed to the parking garage. Turning on her phone, she was half way home when her phone rang.

“Don’t hang up,” Riley said, “Did you at least like the flowers?”

“Patricia loved them,” Holly replied.

“Who the fuck is Patricia,” Riley asked?

“The lady that called me out to come get your pity gift, I don’t want your pity, Riley. I want you but you don’t want me.”

“That’s not true,” he sighed, “I want you so bad.”

“I’m not going to be second best to your wife. I’m done, Riley, I mean it,” Holly said hanging up the phone despite Holly’s protests.

Holly saw Lauren’s car parked in the driveway and she sighed in relief, she had someone to vent to for the next how many hours after she changed her clothes. Opening the door, she heard moaning coming from the dining room. Walking into the kitchen, she saw Jeff’s ass as he pounded into someone who was moaning his name.

The female turned her head and Holly gasped, “WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE,” she shouted as Jeff stopped and suddenly came to his senses as he realized it was Lauren he was having sex with.

“Holly,” Lauren said sitting up pushing Jeff away from her.

“Holly,” Jeff said stepping towards her pulling up his jeans, “Let me explain.”

“Fuck you both,” Holly replied walking out of the house towards her car with Jeff chasing after her.

Holly watched as Jeff stood hunched over on the lawn watching her drive off, she was going to the one person’s house she knew she could trust and that person wasn’t Jeff or Lauren who Holly had just vowed to make pay for backstabbing her.