Chapter 22: The costume
POV: Gabby
October 30, 2007
Max had gotten home very early but his door was shut and I didn’t bother him, I knew he was probably tired and wanting sleep like I had so when Stella arrived at 10:30 I was left quietly. She had left her hair down and chose blue jeans and a frilly looking tan shirt. Truthfully, the way Taylor spoke of her she was very different than me. She ran the bookstore downtown and volunteered at the library too sometimes, she was a heavy reader but liked different genre’s than I did. She was driving her car a little small compact car that felt like a sardine can.
“Do you not drive?” She asked.
“I do drive; I drove a lot when Zac wanted gummy worms from across town. But, I just don’t have a car. Max has one but I’m not on his insurance or anything.”
“I wondered because well Maxwell brought you and all, I didn’t know if you didn’t drive or if there was some other reason.”
“No reason beyond no car.”
“I understand that and Taylor does too. The garage called, the repairs would cost more than the car. So, he told them to scrap the car. He is going to see if after the tour Ike or Zac will humor him and take him car shopping.”
“Nice, Taylor’s car did look rough.”
“Oh god, it’s beyond rough. I’m glad he’s finding something reliable.”
“How long have you known Taylor?”
“About two years, he came into the bookstore where I worked and for a bit we talked and flirted and then he asked me out. We’ve been official since June of last year. We are taking it slow.”
“You live with him?”
“I stay sometimes, yes. But I have my own apartment a few blocks away.”
She parked at Mexicali’s and we went inside, lunch was low key where we talked about what we liked and didn’t, she really was different from me. More country music and pop where as I tend to go more for rock and harder stuff with a sprinkling of pop. We had different genres for books, she was more young adult and romantic stuff and I was more drama and action. We learned a lot, mostly that we really were complete opposites. Yet, it was good to talk to someone who didn’t know anything about me. Just like when I ordered the mild salsa to try it, she didn’t tell me not to. Which, the salsa was hot but it wasn’t that bad.
“Taylor said you were super quiet, he obviously didn’t lie. You’ve barely asked anything without me asking first.”
“He told me nothing about you; I don’t usually do well with first meetings.”
“Typical for Tay. Don’t feel bad; when he first brought it up I was skeptical. He said you’d asked about me.”
“Strange, he told me the same thing.”
It must have hit us both at the same time; this was Taylor’s way of playing match maker, only with friends because we both laughed at the same time.
“I should really get him for that.” I said.
“He must have had good intentions. He really has talked about you when we’ve talked.”
“Oh god, how much of an ass did he make me out to be?”
She smiled. “He didn’t, he said he thought you were a decent person and that he wishes that they’d met you sooner. Said you were a hard worker, paid attention, and even though Zac was a complete asshole most of the time he’s even seen some improvement in him. He thinks you’re great.”
“He got all that and we barely talked?”
“Taylor is an observer, he may not always talk but he still watches.”
I really hadn’t spoken to Taylor much; really I seemed to spend a lot more time with Carrick, Austin and Zac than anyone else on that bus. The waiter brought our entrees and like with the Salsa I’d ordered something different and she’d actually tried the same thing. Never said I shouldn’t.
“Oh god this is good.”
“I agree, so sad I hadn’t ordered it before.” I said.
We spent the next part of the meal quietly eating and then we paid our bills and headed across town to the costume warehouse place she knew about.
“Is Halloween your favorite holiday?” I asked.
“It has to be, it’s my birthday too. Is it yours?”
“Second favorite, July 4 th is my favorite. Fireworks. I share a birthday with Zac.”
“Christmas is second for me and ouch, I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. So, do you know what you’re aiming for?”
“Taylor agreed to a couple’s costume, he said nothing stupid but if I could find something that fits he would wear it. If not, he said he wanted to be something simple. He doesn’t want to do a lot of stuff.”
“Simple is good.”
“What about you? Any idea?”
“Well, I’ve been told that nurses, pirates, and a ripped up sheet were perfectly fine.”
“By a man I presume?”
“Yep.”
“Nice. Well, we’ll have thousands of choices and I am sure you’ll find something.”
That’s what I was afraid of! Thousands of choices could take me hours to narrow down! We made it and sure enough there were thousands of options for adults. She even seemed overwhelmed by the numerous amounts of costumes. For a little bit we browsed alone but she found me and dragged me over to one.
“Oh my god, hilarious!”
She was pointing to a costume that indeed was hilarious; it looked like some type of bird. Maybe a chicken or oh my god it was a turkey! It was completely stupid and I snapped a picture of it and sent it to Zac.
Perfect! Right?!
We giggled over how insane that turkey one was and then there was the banana costume and when my phone pinged I looked.
NO!!!!!!!!!! I swear to god Gabby, if you walk out wearing that I WILL make you change. IDK if it is a sheet with eye holes.
But…you said...
No! Do not make me come down there and pick something for you. I am not above putting on pants today!
I smiled and wondered something, Stella was looking at the hilarious couples ones and even was talking to Taylor, who apparently said no to the dog one, not that I’d blame him on that, who wanted to be a dog?
So…what do I get for NOT buying it? Another picture maybe?
“So, whatcha think?”
“I think I’m passing on the turkey but I just don’t see anything that I like, which is weird.”
“Are you going with someone?”
“Yes.”
“What does he like?”
“Blondes.”
It was an instant reaction to the question and Stella kind of looked at me confused, like he likes blondes why invite me? I wasn’t a blonde by any stretch of the imagination.
“Okay, um.. anything else?”
“If I left it up to him I’d probably be wearing a bra and panties.”
“Nice.”
My phone went off and it was Zac’s tone, but I really didn’t expect what I got, a silly picture maybe but not the one he sent. Not the one of his cock fully erect. I felt the instant heat just set my face on fire, felt that spreading heat just sweep through my entire body. Wait…why the hell did I suddenly want to be there with him instead of here?
“My…that must have been one hell of a message.”
I closed it out, realizing that there were hundreds of people here. But I could feel the burning still, fuck I didn’t blush like this. I finally found the strength to look at Stella.
“Wow, your whole face is like four shades darker. Who texted you?”
“Z…Zac.”
Wait…had I just. FUCK!
She turned to face me, looking quite stunned. “Wow, are we talking the same Zac? Taylor’s brother Zac?”
I could only nod and that wouldn’t help anything either, but the spreading heat was more and sure, I had seen him naked, been a lot closer but it was dark and really, I didn’t get to see him that well! The picture was clear, well lit, and fuck I wanted to be there.
“He’s the one taking you to the party?”
“Yeah. It was him texting.”
“I would ask what he sent, but based on your face I’m not going too.”
“Probably a good idea not too. I know what he’d like, short skimpy, and barely there.”
She smiled and I just knew she had some devilishly good idea.
“Don’t wear anything like that, what are you comfortable in?”
Well, the best way to show that was to show her the picture he’d seen of me and well, I’d added a few others also so I showed them to her. She was another female and really, she’d showed zero interest in women so I felt safe that her reaction wouldn’t be sexual.
“Holy shit, that’s you?”
“Yeah, back when I was a little wilder.”
She looked at the pictures and then me. I kind of felt like I was being sized up or something. Surely my lesbian radar wasn’t that far off. She then got my hand and pulled me to the back of the store where not many people were, granted when I saw the costumes I understood why. The ones here were cat suits or full body jump suits. They were really for adults only and probably single women.
“He expects you to choose something you know he will like. Sexy nurses and pirates are over rated. No, wear something that covers more. Leave more for him to guess on, believe me he’ll like that slutty nurse but he’ll find this just as sexy. Maybe even more.”
She made sense and Newton had once said that my full body suits had driven him more insane than anything else, Zac didn’t seem to have a preference there. I looked at several of the outfits here and there was one with a cut on the side but I wanted more. My eyes finally settled on the right costume. I pulled it off the shelf and smiled.
“This will do.”
“Sure?”
“Yeah. So, what about you and Tay?”
“Grease. Sandy and Danny, we’ll be the main characters in the last scene, it’s simple.”
We checked out at the front and I opened the package once we were in the car, laid the lacy part down and snapped a photo. She giggled at me.
“Are you being mean to him already?”
“Maybe?”
I went to his messages, that picture was right there and yeah I felt the spreading heat again.
Mmm, yeah that picture was worth not buying that one…perhaps this will be better…?
I sent the picture, which was just lace against my hand; he would not have a clue as to the real costume.
“So, do you mind me asking why you’re going with him?”
“Well, I lost a video game challenge. Earlier in the tour he tried to be sneaky. Challenged me with like a loser does whatever the winner wants, it was my game and I won. He was mine for three days.”
“Damn, I would die for that opportunity. He’d be scrubbing my grout.”
I laughed. “He did my laundry and fetched tampons and Midol.”
“No he did not?”
“I tried to give him an out, he wouldn’t. He got them. Anyway, he issued another challenge Sunday and I lost, 48 hours I am his. He said he wanted me on Halloween and wanted me to go to the party.”
“Didn’t you also go with him to the fair? Taylor had some pictures.”
“I did, state fair before our birthdays. You’ve known Zac for a while right?”
“Kind of, he was flirty until he realized I was dating Taylor. Um, we got done early do you want to come to my house and hang out?”
“Sure, I would imagine Max won’t mind. He got in late last night; I know he’s probably tired.”
Her apartment was a few blocks down from Taylor’s, which was strange. It was the top floor and we took the stairs to work off some of the calories from lunch.
When we entered the apartment we came into the kitchen. The cabinets were dark cherry, granite counter tops and she had some plain stools in front of the island. Straight ahead was a pantry and it was spotless, there were some flowers on the counter top but beyond that it was empty. The hardwood floor carried throughout the main room, which had a living room to the right and then a small table in front of the sliding glass doors. There was another huge vase of flowers on the table.
The living room was simply furnished with a large sofa in a grey color with pink and purple accent pillows and a chair that reclined. She had a corner bookshelf with some family photos and trinkets. When I inquired about the bathroom she directed me through the bedroom to the door. The bedroom had soft, plush carpet and a huge queen size bed. She had a pink spread with purple pillows. There was a huge bookshelf at the foot of her bed with tons more books and pictures, there was some of her and Taylor and they were just sweet. The bathroom was pretty standard, hardwood floors and more pink towels. I didn’t open the door to what I assumed was her closet. I came out and she had cans of soda ready.
“Want to sit outside or inside? It’s fairly chilly but the balcony has a good view.”
“Outside should be okay, it’s not cold as hell yet.”
She opened the door and we stepped outside, she had a two person lounge seat with a rocker and more plants. We sat down and it was quite a few moments.
“Everyone keeps telling me that Zac is this complete asshole. Granted, he did act that way and cocky bastard too. He hasn’t been acting that way though.”
“I really haven’t spent a great deal of time with Zac. Usually it’s family events or parties. He was flirty with me until Taylor told him who I was, but then he’s been fairly respectful toward me. You are right, he does have some obsession with blondes and I know from Taylor telling me that he also has had quite a few sexual partners. It’s actually something Taylor worries about.”
“My friends keep telling me to stay far away from him, that he’s no good, that he doesn’t want anything and that what I am seeing as sweet is actually him just luring me in.”
“What do you see as him being sweet? What does he do?”
“Well, there was the challenge and he didn’t have to get the tampons or the Midol or bring me dinner. He did that on his own; I told him I would go. He then did the massage and let me sleep on his crotch basically.”
She giggled. “On his crotch really?”
“Literally, that’s where I fell asleep. He woke me up because I nearly shoved my hand underneath him. The fair, he wouldn’t let me pay for anything, didn’t mind when I all but buried myself behind him on the double Ferris wheel, held my hand, got me his shirt when I got cold. We did both agree that it was a date.”
“Anything else?”
“He stopped Simon from dragging me away and the most recent would be cake and presents. My friends flew out and they got me something but after the show he surprised me with like a small party. He got me my own cake; I didn’t even have to share it. He got me a Nook which he gave me alone later that night.”
“Who is Simon?”
“Ex-boyfriend, abusive and controlling. He surprised me because I refused to answer his texts and he was going to force me to join his tour bus. Zac wouldn’t let him.”
“Well, there is one thing about Zac I can state as true he doesn’t take kindly to men who hit women for any reason. Those are all things that I wouldn’t say Zac would normally do either. He’s usually pretty self-oriented. He got you a Nook?!”
“Brand new one with a hundred dollar gift card for books. I thought Taylor or Isaac did the little party thing but Taylor assured me it was all Zac. He bought everything and set it up, even had my friend distract me so others could get on the bus.”
“So, what are your friends saying about him and do they personally know him?”
“Abigail doesn’t know him but Maxwell toured with them. He basically tells me everything Zac is doing is to lure me into saying yes. He’s come on to me before and I said no. He respected that and even this time with 48 hours he told me he wouldn’t ask. Yet, Maxwell seems to think that all Zac wants is to fuck me once and he’d leave. They make it sound like it’s a game to him.”
“What are they worried about?”
“They don’t want me to end up with another Newton or another Simon.”
I realized that she knew nothing about my past so I asked if she wanted to know and then told her much the same Zac got but with less emphasis on the sex parts. She listened quietly and only asked questions if I confused her.
“So, your friends just think all Zac wants from you is a one night stand?”
“Basically. That all the little things are just like...buttering me up I guess. But, Zac knows I don’t want that and yet he isn’t really giving up.”
Speaking of Zac, my phone went off and I got it.
Mmmm…Lace? I could like that option.
“Zac?” She asked.
“Yeah, he said he could like the lace option.”
“I’m sure he will. Although, it sounds like you’re doing as much flirting as he is.”
“Pretty much, I mean I can’t totally blame him for our interactions. I’m the one that licked icing off his face, I showed him those photos, and he even saw some worse than those. I mean I told him about Newton and Simon, and even Max. He told me about Crystal and Priscilla.”
“So, Max and Abigail keep telling you he only wants to use you. Do you feel like he does?”
“No. After the fair I got lonely and asked to come over, I was drinking. I was the only one drinking actually; we did race for questions, which is where he got a lot of the information about my past too. Sometime that night I threw myself at him.”
“Really?”
“Oh yeah, shoved him back on the couch fully intent on everything and he stopped me. He wouldn’t do anything with me. Even slept beside me, although he admitted his plan was for me to fall asleep and then him take the couch. He didn’t try anything and when I asked why, he said he knew it wasn’t something I wanted.”
“What do you want?”
“Something solid and stable, like you and Taylor have. I don’t really want one night stands.”
“Some one night stands lead to forever. I’m not certain that Zac would be that way but I also know that he hasn’t dated anyone since Priscilla. He doesn’t do things like you’ve mentioned.”
“It’s why they think he’s just…I guess playing a game? They both keep telling me to stay away from him, to not fall for it because I deserve better.”
“Well, I can agree with the part of you deserving better. I’m not so sure I agree with the rest.”
“Why not? You know him better than I do and maybe better than them.”
“What do you think?”
“Doesn’t matter what I think.”
She turned. “You don’t think your own opinion matters in this situation?”
“Let’s be real Stella, my decision making skills are pretty shitty. Dying my hair, letting Newt drag me all over the place, when he cheated I left and drifted. I can’t condemn Zac for multiple partners, I’m worse and at least he assured me he used protection. It took Abigail pretty much slapping me to draw me out of those just going man to man and then I chose Simon. Simon was the same way, flirty and nice and then he ended up being worse.”
She sat there a moment and she was probably thinking about it.
“I want your opinion. I want to know what you, Gabriella, would do if Abigail and Maxwell weren’t telling you that he was evil and a man whore, god I feel bad calling him that.”
“Hey, he deserves it. I’m not sure what I would do.”
“Well, let’s take the facts you gave me from your personal interactions with him. Do you think all he wants is a one night stand?”
“I’m not sure but it doesn’t feel that way. If that’s all he wanted then he wouldn’t have cared that Thursday, he wouldn’t have stopped me , he wouldn’t be wanting me to attend some party. I’d be at his house. The deal was anything the person wanted.”
“Yet, what he wants seems to be your time and attention?”
“Oh he was clear if I said yes, he’d take it and he damn sure tries hard.”
She smiled. “Zac has his ways; I’ve seen him in ultimate flirt mode. So, do you feel like your friends are right?”
“Sometimes. Max is worse he’s told Zac to leave me alone and it’s almost like he doesn’t believe Zac could be anything else.”
“It sounds like maybe Max is jealous, but he has no right to be. You told him how you felt before and he had his chance. So, that impressive blush earlier. Going to assume Zac’s message was either very naughty or highly sexual.”
“Both? He sent a picture.”
“Ahh, one of those. But, didn’t you say Simon also sent those kinds?”
“Daily and he includes videos.”
“Yet, your face doesn’t blush and you don’t react, you know when you checked his message you actually kind of perked up a bit, smiled more. I think you really do want to pursue something but you’re afraid to because they keep telling you he’s just going to use you, but you don’t seem to believe that.”
“I don’t know what to believe.”
She nudged me. “I’m going to assume if he’s sending you naughty pictures that you’ve done something.”
That blush returned but not as bad. “I have a thing about watching men masturbate. He um, came in the back and didn’t know I was there. I’ve actually seen him naked but he hasn’t seen me.”
“Nice. About time he gets some new experiences. Boy seems to be vanilla as hell. I’m going to assume that you’ve wanted too, but you’re stopping?”
“They keep telling me he’s just going to leave and I don’t want that.”
“You may not want my opinion but I’m giving it to you anyway. I think you need to stop listening to them. I understand they are your friends and you value their opinions and thoughts, it’s what friends do. But, they have to realize that you are an adult and your opinion matters just as much as theirs. They don’t know Zac that well; I don’t even know him that well. You can certainly ask Taylor or Isaac, I am sure they can tell you if he’d just being an asshole or not. But, ultimately it comes down to what you want. If you want to just tease him for eternity then do it, if you want to ask him up front if he wants more, do it. If you simply want to fuck him because you want too, then do it. Don’t listen to them and then regret your decision later on.”
“I just don’t want to fuck up again.”
“Gabriella I can assure you that Zac is not like Simon. He will not ever hit you or force you to do anything, he may try to seduce you into it but he won’t ever force you.”
“You make a lot of sense…so any ideas how I tell them he’s taking me to that party?”
She laughed. “Your life, you don’t have to tell them until he picks you up.”
“I knew you had a evil streak. Max will nag me though.”
She smiled. “It sounds like they’re good friends, want what’s best but they don’t know what is best for you. Only you do.”
It grew quiet and then my phone rang, she just giggled as she could see Max’s name.
“Hello?”
“Where are you? Please tell me you aren’t with Zac.”
“Would it matter if I was?”
“Yes. It would.”
“I’m with Taylor’s girlfriend Stella. She and I had lunch and then we went costume shopping. I haven’t seen Zac since I got off the bus.”
She looked at me and frowned and truthfully it was beginning to bother me that he’d just assume that I was with him like it was a crime.
“Good. You don’t need too. Are you coming home for dinner?”
“Yeah, I’m at Stella’s now we came here after we were done.”
“Where is here?”
“Her apartment, it’s a few blocks from Taylor.”
He was quiet and I just knew he was about to tell me I was lying but Stella smiled.
“Gabby do you want another soda?”
“Please?”
She got up and I knew she’d said it loud enough for him to hear on purpose.
“Abby said you were doing lunch but you had to be back in time to get ready, girl it won’t take us that long.”
“It might, she’s suppose to call with a time tonight. Not sure when we’re doing lunch.”
“Okay, I’ll see you for dinner then.”
“Okay.”
I hung-up and she came back with another cold soda.
“Going to assume you didn’t like the first sentence?”
“Asked where I was and then ‘please tell me it’s not Zac’s’, like I’d be there. Thank you for saying something because I don’t think he believed me.”
“It’ll be fine. Taylor called while I was inside and I asked him how Zac was with Crystal and Priscilla, random question from me but he answered anyway. Apparently he was always doing something nice, when he was with Crystal he flew home for her birthday and got her things, called a lot and the same with Priscilla. Concerning after her he said Zac really didn’t do anything for the ones he was with, it was literally about the sex and that was it.”
“That’s good to know. So, enough about me. What about you?”
We spent the next two hours talking about her family, her job, why she likes Taylor. She had an older brother and a younger sister, her younger sister was married and they were expecting their first baby soon. She wanted children eventually, but she wanted to be married and more settled before that occurred. She admired Taylor but admitted they weren’t quite to the engagement stage yet, they loved each other but they weren’t ready for that commitment yet. I understood that concept well. It was nice to have someone to talk too and I really didn’t want to go home but I did. She dropped me off at 5:45 and I braced for something explosive but there was a plate on the kitchen table and a note saying Abigail had called him and she was picking me up at 10 for lunch and he’d be back about 10 tonight.
That confused me because she said she would call me, I heated up dinner and ate it there in the kitchen and then played some. Zac sent me another message about 8.
Did my lace comment upset you?! You never replied. Surely, I didn’t upset you…
I smiled at the message and hit reply.
No, I was talking to Stella and trying to explain why my face went 10 shades of red when you texted me a picture in the *middle* of the store!
Oops…Did you have a good day at least? Simon back off?
I did have a good day; we spent a long time talking. Simon? Back off? Please. He hasn’t sent as many messages but still every few hours.
Have you considered changing your number?
Yes, but why? He’ll just find it somehow and keep on.
Just worried he’s not going to give up. So…are you telling me what that lace was?
Nope. You’ll have to just wonder until you pick me up.
5. We’ll grab dinner first and then head there. You may want to pack an overnight bag ;-)
Overnight bag? Seriously?
48 hours Gabriella, YOU had me for 3 days straight, it won’t be the first time you’ve stayed here.
I was absolutely certain that Max would not be happy with that scenario.
You DO realize I have to sleep?
What? You think I don’t? Is there some other problem?
No, no problem.
He must not have believed that because he called me.
“There’s not a problem.”
“You wouldn’t have hesitated if there wasn’t. Let me guess, you haven’t even told Max you’re going with me yet?”
“He’s not home to tell him, I haven’t even seen him really.”
“You think he’ll be mad if you stay here?”
“Probably.”
“Gabriella. You’re an adult what you do is not any of his business.”
“I know.”
I also knew that if he kicked me out, I’d be homeless. Abby roomed with two other’s already and I didn’t know anyone else, well except my foster parents and I would seriously take a box on the street over them.
“Are you staying?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“See you at 5.”
I hung-up and played another hour, Max was suppose to be here by now but he wasn’t. I finally turned the TV off and got up. I texted Abby to see if she was still coming over and she just said yes. I laid down about ten and stared at the ceiling. My phone went off and it was Zac, again. I picked it up and looked, yet another very hard cock picture.
Sweet dreams ;-)
Sweet?! I think you’re confused on that!
What are you wearing tonight? My shirt or something else?
T-shirt, underwear. What are you wearing?
That should be very obvious, nothing. What kind of underwear?
You are being a pervert and I am going to sleep. You *can* wait until I’m there to do that.
I just want to know what kind of underwear... :-(
I sighed and wondered what I could do and then I took a photo of my hip, it showed the color, black but not much else and then I sent it to him.
Now you can have sweet, wet dreams. Good Night Zachary.
Good Night Gabriella :-)
I laid the phone down and was about asleep when Simon sent a picture, weird his did nothing to me. I laid the phone under the pillow and went to sleep.