and those eyes can hypnotize

It had been incredibly difficult for Eli not to refer to Alicia as a snack – he had to mind his manners and his frat boy ways sometimes.  He made a mental note of the list she just gave him, which coincidentally also included things he liked.  So, check that off as a snacking match.  He chuckled, and bashfully shrugged his shoulders a little.  “I… do drink wine, too.  I even like those wine cooler things that Bacardi makes.  They don’t get me stupid drunk so I like them for uh… Netflix nights.”  He was talking way too much.  So he started to walk towards his door to drive to the shop, but paused when she underestimated his manliness.  Or whatever.  “Hey, I love scary movies!  Don’t worry, you can cuddle against me if you and your pretty face get scared.  I won’t tell anyone…”

Dean fell silent when the guy began to defend Aaron.  He kept his eyes on his hands that were pouring the last of the cooling fluid under the hood of the car.  “If you say so….”  He chucked the empty container in a bin nearby, screwed the top on the cylinder, and closed the hood of Blake’s car.  “I thought the two of them were friends.  Seemed that way, anyhow.  But… none of my business.”  He shrugged.  Who was he kidding, the entire town made it their business.  Dean grabbed the rag from his belt and wiped his hands before he walked to the counter and wrote on the paper he had for the order.  “It’s just… strange timing, is all.  But who knows.  Supposedly some big city detectives are coming in to investigate Kit’s disappearance and the other murders.  No longer trust our own cops, I guess….”  Not that he minded – Dean would sleep much better at night once this was all behind them.  Besides, his brother was on the force in the city which meant that he might be one of the detectives sent down.

Was she excited to see Jaime?  Of course.  Ava never stopped thinking about him, even if her life got messy and busy and took her far away from him.  He’d had a traumatic life, and while she tried her best to be there for him and heal him, she couldn’t.  Ava knew her strengths, and she wasn’t the best caretaker.  He needed someone who could give more, someone who had the patience and understanding.  Not that she didn’t, Ava was just a bit inept when it came to expressing and taking care of deeper feelings.  She had them, of course she did… but she didn’t know how to express it.  Jaime needed more, and she wanted him to have that.  But it wouldn’t stop her from being his friend.  So, when he invited her over, she jumped at the chance and showed up with a bottle of imported whiskey — even if he didn’t drink it, it was a nice bottle to have at home for entertaining.  After hugs and lots of kisses pressed to his cheek, she sat down with him.  Food was the last thing on her mind, she was focused on him.  “I’m so glad you asked me here… I missed you.”  She smiled at him.  Ava had done enough digital digging to know what he’d been up to the last few months, and she had to admit (only to herself) that she was a little jealous.  This Olivia girl got a side of Jaime she never did – but she also had to remind herself that he deserved this.  He deserved all the happiness.  “I’ve thought about you a lot… and I would have made it a point to see you again Jaime.  Not seeing you ever again was never an option…”  She smiled and reached across the table to gently touch his hand.  “I only got back two weeks ago…..”

Jaime was a man, he didn’t always want to be around somebody he could cling to so he’d always enjoyed spending time with Ava, even if it was sometimes difficult to help her understand his past. “Yeah, same,” he commented when she said she’d missed him. The two had been very close friends and whilst they’d never put a label on what they had, Jaime had always had feelings for the woman. He wasn’t sure if he could call it love, love came slow now, ever since he’d loved somebody who’d torn him apart in every way, but there were definite feelings. “And I never stopped thinking about you and how great you were after I split up with my ex. I really appreciated it, even if I couldn’t quite find the words to tell you.” 

Violet: yes I know what you meant

Violet: why did she — yknow what, nevermind

Violet: so what are ya asking if I’m free for

Noah: sex

Noah: god ya confusin', you

Karson: why are you like this

Karson: 🙄

Karson: you know... you can just... slip into the shower with me

Ben: because u want me to be

Ava: yes all over bc you just can’t leave him alone

Ava: Jaime haunts me. I can’t look at him without remembering that I couldn’t save him and that he’ll just always be at an arms length away. I wanted a relationship but he can’t give that to me for good reason but I loved him too much not to be with him romantically. refuse to tell him that though.

Ava: oh right yes. Burn the bras etc.

Roxanne: Okay I didn't need the massive paragraph right after I said no man talk. Stop it!

Karson: I miss you too

Karson: But.... it’s a little complicated rn

Karson: after we split, I uh... I sort of started messing around with someone

Mila: I am unable to comment on that. You were free to do as you wanted.

Violet: model skinny so yeah she’s your type I suppose

Violet: you absolutely are fussy when it comes to that

Violet: yeah I’ll be free in a little bit. Why?

Noah: meant sex love not text

Noah: sorry some chick had her tits hangin’ out, took me eyes off ma phone

Ellie: can’t a girl just want to see her fav guy?

Ellie: no? not buying that?

Ellie: fine. got new neighbors who creep me out a bit and I’m alone for the weekend so... come spend the night?

Kyle: Yeah but it’s difficult when I’m everyone fave guy. Enough of me ta go round tho.

Karson: is that... what you want?

Karson: tbh i didn't, only bc i didn't think something like that would work on you

Mila: I think so.

Karson: yeah no worries I’m only just your step family yea?

Karson: whatever yea that’s fine to put me down as your contact

Ben: Obviously

Violet: the tall skinny one that you’re playing Bonnie and Clyde with

Violet: didn’t seem like your type, she isn’t blonde after all

Noah: needed some help is all. she were fit though

Noah: who said i got a type? ain't fussy when it comes to text

Ava: wait aren’t you all over that sabien guy

Ava: honestly if I were back in New York, this wouldn’t be a problem

Ava: there’s all sorts of men there and it’s not always the same faces as here

Roxanne: 'All over'? Fucking hell woman do you even know me?

Roxanne: Always the same faces? You mean Jaime?

Ellie: you’re not too busy for me tho, yea?

Ellie: I need to see you

Kyle: I can make myself free

Karson: it’s just stuff, mila

Karson: unless what?

Eli had been on his way to the gym to meet Alicia for one of their off-schedule workouts.  He’d heard about one of the bootcamp classes at the gym and asked her if she wanted to try it out.  He shoved his wallet in his gymbag, grabbed his keys and walked out of his front door – only to almost stumble over a very small girl perched on his front step.  “Whoa… hey… hey, you alright?”  He set down his bag and keys, then leaned down to help her up.  “Come on… careful… you’re alright…”  He hummed gently, helping her up and being careful not to let her fall over anything.  “Do you want to come in?”  Of course it was alarming to find her in near pieces by his door – Cleo was one of the few people he’d be concerned over.