Morgan looked up quickly, the soft, sultry voice startled her. She blinked away the tears and stared into the depth of Apolo�s eyes.
�Yeah. I�I don�t know what to say,� she murmured, now averting her gaze from J.J., who lay sprawled stone cold on the floor.
�A thanks would be nice,� Apolo joked.
Morgan smiled weakly as she watched him feign a wince and tenderly rub his right hand. �Thank you.�
Before he could answer, Lauren frantically pushed her way through the gathering crowd, of course, with a gorgeous, built, blonde in tow. She looked from the J.J. to Apolo, and finally to Morgan in stunned silence.
�Someone care to tell me what happened here? You look like you�� Lauren trailed off as she unexpectedly embraced Morgan, nearly knocking her over.
�Lauren, I�m alright,� said Morgan, prying her friend�s fingers out of her back. She stared at Lauren�s obviously confused expression, and chuckled lightly. �I�ll explain it to you later.�
�No, you�ll explain it to me in the car. We�re going. I think it�s already been one hell of a night.�
�Hey,� interjected the brawny beefcake. �I thought we were going back to my place.�
�Things change, hon. Deal.� Lauren gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and grabbed Morgan�s hand, leading the way to the front door.
Morgan quickly glanced back at Apolo. She didn�t know what to make of him now. Here was this friend, this great, good friend, and somehow, she knew that title just wouldn�t fit anymore. How Morgan had convinced herself before was a plain mystery. Funny, it all seemed so clear before. Fate is weird that way, I guess. She should�ve felt ashamed for letting her guard down. For a guy. Not just a guy, a total asshole of a guy. Probably a dickless total asshole of a guy. And yet, it was strange that on a night when there was everything left to lose, Morgan saw all she had to gain. Love. True, pure, passionate love. And sadly, as she and Lauren approached the door, she also realized how much she would have to sacrifice. So is it worth it? Morgan asked herself as she grabbed her coat. Yes.
�Morg! Morgan!�
She swiftly turned around at the sound of her name, and half-grinned. Apolo. His shirt sleeves were still rolled up to his elbows, revealing his tanned, now sweaty, arms. Morgan sighed. No matter what would happen to their twisted relationship, one thing would always remain the same: he made her gush and swoon with desire. And Morgan was not one to gush and swoon. Ever. Well, not much that is.
�Do you need a ride home?�
�No, that�s okay, I came with Lauren��
Apolo reassuringly ran his hands across her shoulders, his eyes not quite meeting hers full on. �Let me rephrase that. Do you want a ride home?�
Speechless, Morgan turned toward Lauren, her eyes pleading with her friend to understand.
�Oh, just go on. But you better call me in the morning and tell me EVERYTHING. Or else, I�ll just have to kick your ass,� Lauren quipped, pulling Morgan in for quick hug.
�Thanks. I�ll call you tomorrow. That�s a promise. You can give me ideas on how to fix my paper, too.�
�You�re such a user.�
�I know.�
* * *
Morgan watched out the window as the closed shops passed her by. The glow from the street lamps coupled with the starlight and dark city intrigued her. She caught herself before getting lost in the night. J.J. had also intrigued her upon first glance. Morgan shuddered at the thought. Screw intrigue.
Besides, she knew it in her gut; she was getting too old to keep chasing after the naughty charmers since the one she hoped for sat right before her. Yet, he was so perfect. Almost too good to be true. And untouchable, but that was beyond her control.