Chapter Thirteen ~ Bonding Session
"Rachel, they all know," Erik said noticing the sly grins he was receiving from all his new friends.
"Erik, I don't care what they think they know, because they know squat all!"
"They see us together, and I accidently may have let slip that I liked you, and well, none of them are stupid. They can put two and two together."
"Until we announce that we are a couple, all that they have are acqusitions, that won't hold up in a court of law, or anywhere else for that matter."
"Rach, just promise me we won't have to keep this relationship a secret forever."
"As soon as the final five guys are choosed we can come out in the open. Until then, Erik, please, just keep this hush hush for both of our sakes."
"It's a deal," Erik agreed leaning in to give Rach a quick kiss before remembering that was something he had to refrain from doing.
Ashley sat with Paul on the edge of the pool while he atched as Nicole, Jacob, Trevor, and Mike all had pretend fights in the water.
"Your sister really is a special girl," Paul said breaking the silence. "Do you have a girlfriend back home, Ash?"
"Yeah, her name is Shelli. My family don't like her that much, but I love her."
"Even Nikki? She doesn't seem like the type that dislikes people without a just cause."
"Especially Nic. Those two have been enemies since day one. Nicole doesn't think Shelli cares enough about me, and Shell thinks I care too much about Nikki."
"Nicole just cares about you Ash, and she doesn't want to see you hurt. I'm sure that she supports your decision to stay with Shell though right?"
"Yeah, just as long as she doesn't have to be anywhere near her."
"Why don't you invite your girlfriend out for a while? Carrah is coming out in the next couple of weeks to visit and get to know everyone."
"Paul, right now my sister needs me. She's going through a lot in her life and she needs me now more then I need Shell."
"Angel-man I give you a lot of credit. Your sister must really mean the world to you."
"She does man, she really does," Ashley said quietly more to himself then anyone else as he jumped in the pool to join everyone else.
After about an hour outside in the pool and hot tub everyone decided that it ws getting a little bit chilly and it would be warmer inside. They gathered in the living room after changing out of their wet clothes, for another "bonding session" as their group discussions had jokingly been named. Rachel and Erik were sitting side by side on one end of the sofa along with Jacob and Ashley, while Nicole was cuddled in the overstuffed chair wrapping herself in a sweater that she had taken from her brothers drawer, and everyone else was huddled around on the floor.
"So, Rach when are the final five gonna be choosen?" Trevor asked looking over at a shivering Nicole.
"Not sure yet, Trev. Thats not really up for me to decide. Lou asks everyone who they think would be good for the band and then he makes the final decision. Probably sometime in January."
"Tell him to pick me pick me," Trevor said walking over to Nicole and sitting down next to her, taking her in his arms to try to warm out her shivering body. "Nic, your freezing!" he said hoping that she didn't mind his actions.
"Yeah, guess I'm just not used to the weather down here."
"Sis, we're from Cali," Ashley laughed. "Your probably just tired. Why don't you call it a night?"
"Thats a good idea, I have to admit, I'm kind of tired myself," Jacob said following Nicole into their room, hoping to get a chance to talk to her before she fell asleep.
Nicole changed from her clothes into her pajamas and then climbed into bed. Her bed was opposite Jacob's and Ashley had agreed to sleep in the top bunk.
"Nicole, I can't lie to you," Jacob started.
"Lie about what Jake?"
"Ashley told me. I know what your going through."