_____LOADED GUN.

Zak stood silently before her, listening to every word she had to said. His posture flickered a bit as she came to the end, an apology falling from her lips. He shook his head, and with a step forward, he placed a hand down upon the surface of the counter that separated them. “I would like to believe that I’m not an overly jealous person, Isobel. I’d like to believe that I could trust whoever I am with to be upfront with me. And quite frankly, I’m not a moron. Guys are going to stare, they are going to comment, they are going to try and touch you, and they are going to try and pick you up. I know this, and depending on the level of the situation, I can’t promise that my fist won’t meet their jaw.” He began to explain to her, dark hues resting firmly upon her features. “But what’s most important to me, is knowing that the person I’m with isn’t going to go for it. That I can trust them not to make a complete and utter goddamn fool of me.” His words weren’t particularly aimed at the girl, in fact, she hadn’t done really anything wrong for them to be. He was simply voicing his stand in the matter, and after the disaster that was his relationship with Annabelle, he’d be damned if he’d put himself in a position where he could so easily be dropped. “I’m a very one woman kind of guy, nor would I have the time for it to be more than one. When I’m for you, I am for you. There is no one else. And I’ll be the one if you want me to, but do you — want the same old thing? Because I’m not quite sure that you do.” He told her, “I’m into more than just the pretty face, and the sex. Are you?”

The fact that Zak had had time to sit and ponder over everything had been more help to this situation then either of them knew. Because while Zak could be a male to act on a whim, usually landing him in some deep shit; he was also the kind of guy that if you gave him some time would come to see reason behind most things. This had been one of those situations, because truth be told, he had used the word boyfriend in hopes that it’d drive whoever this guy was away. Since most people looked at him, and just assumed that he knew how to kill someone, and then dispose of them to never be found again. Or, better yet, was into some weird ass witch craft shit. There were times that this irritated him, and others where it came in handy. But the truth of this matter was, that they weren’t together. They were simply seeing each other, sure, but they weren’t anything more than that. At least as far as he knew for the time being, therefore, he couldn’t quite place blame on her when she wasn’t really his to begin with. “If you would have walked in about five minutes after it happened, then you would’ve gotten just that.” He admitted, “But we’re not dating, so who am I to say what, or who, you can do or not do.” His tone had hitched a bit, almost a growl, yet not quite that. As he wanted to remain as level-headed about this as one could be, all the while the twisting in his gut telling him he wasn’t nearly as okay with that as he was leading on. His back been turned upon her, allowing her to digest that however she found suitable. It would be the next few words that would seem to cause him to tense up. His jaw tightening, and a silence evading him as he inhaled sharply. Releasing some of the tension in his jaw, he was able to bring himself to turn enough that he would be able to see her. “Talk about what?” He asked, cocking a brow, “How you’re seeing other guys on the side?” Shaking his head, “Nah, not really. And if that is something that gets you off, then, well, gotta tell ya, I ain’t the right man for it.”

@isobelopez

Zak had planted himself upon the brunette’s couch, as she ran out for a few errands. That of a basketball being twirled and tossed behind both hands, as the aroma of a roast filled the air around her apartment. The place was silent, and the male was calm, relaxed even. Half naked, with only a pair of cut up sweat pants into shorts covering him. The sound of the door being opened, caused him to look over the arm rest where his head had previously laid. That of a brunette girl appearing before him. Within a swift motion, he had placed the ball down, and appeared upon his feet, “Hey, babe.” He greeted, as he made his way towards her, pausing briefly to pressed a quick kiss against her lips, before continuing towards the kitchen where he had a assortment of different things cooking. After he checked on the food, he would turn back towards her and proceed closer towards the counter that separated them. “I know I said we’d go out, but —” He gave a shrug, “ — I lied. Oh, – and, uh, some guy came by looking for you today. He asked for you by name, I said yeah, this was your residence. He asked who I was, and I just said your boyfriend.” Not really the truth, but it was worth the wide eyed expression the male had been given. “And I guess that scared the guy away, because he then lied and said he had the wrong place.” Turning slightly, “I’m assuming he was looking for the wallet that I’d come to find tucked deeply into your couch.” His words were soft, no real malice about them. In fact, they were simply matter of factly. Nothing more, nothing less, as he was aware that he had no real right for it to be anything more. “It’s sitting on the coffee table. I don’t know what you want to do with it, he might be back. But I’ll leave that one to you.” He stated, as he pressed his lips into a quick smile.

Isobel smiled as she entered her apartment. It smelt amazing, whatever was cooking, that was. Her mouth filled with saliva even before she closed the door of her apartment, smiling at the male who came up to press his lips to hers. “Hey, something smells good.” The brunette said as she shrugged off her jacket and followed him towards the kitchen. The brunette leaned on one side of the island, putting her weight upon its surface as she listened to him. Her lips parted to mention something after he said they wouldn’t be going out, only for her words to falter with what came next. The array of emotions on her face came one after the other. Confusion at the mention of a strange male, surprise when he had told the stranger he was her boyfriend and finally, complete dread at the mention of a wallet tucked between a couch. A sigh escaped as she nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, prepared to tell him the truth. However, he didn’t seem bothered or angered by the notion, and that confused her more than anything else. “I....” the brunette commenced as she peered at the wallet briefly, gaze returning to him. “I don’t really know what to say to all of that because I would have expected some yelling, maybe some kind of... emotion.” While it seemed that she was turning the tables on him, it wasn’t the case at all. In fact, she was merely confused considering their status had been a mystery to her, and now, that seemed all the more complicated and confusing. “Do you ... want to talk about it?”

Wesley yawned softly before taking another sip of his coffee. “I love me job, I love my job…” He trailed off to himself. The saying was true, but after just getting off one of his longest and exhausting shifts since he’s been working.

“What’s wrong with your job?” She asked curiously as she folded her arms above her chest. He looked fit, so she guessed it had to be something physical. Luckily for her, she was one of the few people who didn’t work and could afford it. 

Norah sat at the counter of the bar, her finger ran around her cup of whiskey as she heard the husky voices in the back along with the soft country music on the background. Everything about the bar was extremely calming for her. She looked at the person beside her and a little smirk formed on her lips “Would you like a drink? My treat” she took a sip of her whiskey, her eyes never leaving the person beside her as she waited for their answer.

“I’ve never said no to someone who’s offering to pay for my drink.” Isobel said with a small smile as she crossed her arms above her chest. “What’s this for?” Usually people payed drinks for something in particular and she was wondering what it was with the blonde.

Zak arched his brow at the Latina as she mention his sex drive, causing him to choke on air. Coughing it away, before clearing his throat, he turned his attention upon the woman, “I’ll give you that. I enjoy sex, the art of a woman’s body is something I sure damn do admire.” He admitted, with a nod, “But if I have one of a teenage boy, then I’d really hate to put a label on yours.” He commented, as he continued to eyed the beauty, challenging her to disagree on that. A while knowing she wouldn’t, because just like himself, she was a fan of the art as well. As Zak started to move away, he found himself hauling as a small hand grabbed out his shirt. Giving into the motion, he found himself closing the gap he had put between them second before, and the taste of her lips upon his tongue. Once he was able to pull away, he smirked at her, followed by a wink in her direction, and then the shutting of her door.

Zakary listened to her as she spoke her thoughts, it a lie if the idea of staying in the room didn’t allure him. Simply because he could’ve used the power nap, but also, he knew they both needed food. Something solid before they went to this thing, and forced to shove mini crab cakes down their throat all night. “Well, to be honest, throwing my ass down on that bed–” He glanced over at the bed in question, “–sounds real good right about now. But, if we pass up this pizza, then we’re going to be in a world of hurt later. So —” He began towards her, “Lets hit up the streets. Are we still confident enough in the sweats, or do we need a moment to change?” He questioned Isobel.

Isobel didn’t need to look at him twice to know that he was someone who enjoyed sex, especially when he was in her presence. The subtle glances and the way his eyes moved down her body, she knew very well just how capable he was. Most people enjoyed sex, but even she could admit that most people didn’t have sex the way that they had sex. “I’m a teenage boy as well.” The brunette said with a little grin on her face since she often felt starved when it came for sex. Finally, it seemed that she had met someone who could both tame and keep up with her. Though she wouldn’t get ahead of herself too much. They would take whatever this unconventional connection and bundle of feelings for each other one day at a time and explore whatever it was they were feeling for one another. With the press of her lips, the brunette grinned at him when he winked and walked away. 

Zak huffed as the brunette admitted those truths to him, only to claim that she’d deny it if he ever brought it up again. This, he decided to take as a challenge. “We’ll see about that.” He smirked, before then following behind her into the hall. A chuckle would then fall from his lips, “Me? You’re telling me not to get distracted? Oh – okay. Lets go with that, babe.” He nodded, as they made their way out to his truck. A long pause as her comment lingered in the air, “You have no idea.” Making his way over to the passenger side door, he popped it open for her, and waited for her to hop in. Taking a hold of her bag, the impression that he would be it away more than known. “I got it.” He assured, with a quick smirk.

[A couple of hours later, boom.]

With both his bag, and hers, tossed over either shoulder, while another bag rested in the hand at his side, he proceeded to unlock the door to the hospital room, and make his way into the dimly lit room. Dropping the luggage off to the side, before turning to face the edge of the bed. Attention among his phone that now rested within his hands, a quick text message, before looking up at Isobel, and tossing the device down upon the bed. “We’ve gotta be ready to go by eight. But since we still have some time, are you hungry?” He asked, then moving towards the desk, “Pizza? Or we could go out, hit up a place around here?”

Her gaze met him on a shake of her head, smiling then. “There’s no ‘we’ll see’, only that you’re not going to repeat it unless you want to be punished.” Her brow rose, winking at him teasingly, though there was a clear indication of some kind of threat or promise behind those words. Her eyes rolled, tucking a strand behind her ear. “You’re the one with the sex drive of a teenage boy, and with me looking like this by your side,” she teased him, knowing full well that she probably looked worse than he’d ever seen her before. There was no form fitting attire in what she bore. Sliding into his truck after the male opened the door for him, her eyes moved over him as she nodded her head. Only leaning forward to grab his shirt when he went to leave, the brunette pulled him back and pressed her lips to his briefly, before releasing the male so they could get on the road sooner rather than latter. 

[TIMESKIIIIIP]

“Is that so?” He stepped forward, wrapping his hands around her waist loosely, and tucking his forehead down to meet hers. Piercing grey eyes flashed across her own, and he felt her finger slip down her chest just as the words danced across her rosy lips. To an onlooker this would look like two people, flirting innocently. But to them they knew what it was; what it had always been. which was a game. an attraction. a toying of who could get who down to their most vulnerable parts quicker. Isobel usually tended to win this part, but Dakota had grown stronger in the weeks without her, more in control of his emotions and how he chose to let them affect his actions. He had yet to brake, and as he skirted his lips across her jaw, he smirked, pulling away quickly to laugh. “Dolce and Gabbana…that ought to be cheating…”

Elliot couldn’t help but chuckle as he listened to Isobel’s words and he smiled when she said yes to him buying her a drink. “I’m glad to hear that and I already know a bar where we can get drinks at,” he said, yet to tell her that he was taking her to his bar that he owned. “After you,” he said, motioning the way towards his bar.

Isobel grinned at him then. “I’ve always liked a guy who has a plan even before I need to suggest anything.” Her head tilted as she turned on her heel and followed the direction in which he was headed, already curious to see where he had planned on bringing her. 

Zak didn’t reply, instead he watched the brunette change from the form-fitting dress into a pair of sweats and a shirt. Hues lingering over the the petite figure she showed off with pride. With a smirk, he finally flickered his attention up to her features, as she turned towards him. Bag now over her shoulder, “Is that a problem?” He asked, with a arch of his brow. “We can go.” He agreed, standing out to the side, and holding out a hand to motion for her to go first. Then following behind her, as dark orbs fell to the way her clothes hung off her body. “Sure make anything look good, babe, don’t ya?” The words were slightly taunting.

Sex did wonders for the single girl. It released the tension and increased  endorphins and did all sorts of wonders but there were just some things that sex couldn’t fix. Her life was falling apart, her friends or the people she’d thought of as friends were happy- extremely so and she  well… Liana was still on the outside looking in. She wanted to be part of something. She wanted to come home on days that were particularly stressful and kiss her son, cuddle up with the little boy to have him fall asleep in her arms. She wanted friends that could be her friends and she wanted someone to kiss the back of her neck and tell her they loved her. Throwing punches at the bag, hitting harder and harder one after another she’d been wrapped up in her thoughts and throwing her hand at the wrong angle she winced. Clutching the hand to her chest she was sure she sprained it. Swearing under her breath. “Fuck… this is what I get isn’t it”

“Hypothetically speaking —-” He began, probably more then aware of the answer already. If he knew his children, at all, he knew this answer. But he really only cared to ease his mind of those chances, by taking a poll. “If you have a date, say with the "Hottest guy” —“ He paused, giving a small shrug, and tilt of his head, ”— or girl. Whatever your preference happens to be, and you spent a couple of hours getting ready for this super hot date—“ He couldn’t suppress the eye roll that followed, "but then this date comes to your door, but you’re still not ready. Therefore, your father answers, and he immediately decides that he doesn’t like him. Therefore, might have or might not have threaten to put said date six feet under if he ever came near you again. Ruining the date, and over all what you claim was your "social status”— how long would it take for you to forget and forgive?“

“A few hours.” He replied, without hesitation, before finally turning to face the woman. “And, no, actually. It’s a weekend event kind of thing.” Zak added, before making his way passed the brunette. Adding space between himself, and Isobel, “Did I forget to mention that? –Sorry, but if you want to back out, you’re more than welcome too. Choice is yours.” He added a careless shrug, before then crossing his arms as the female seemed surprised by his words. Him himself not thinking much of it. “I did?” He spoke, a slight confusion among his words. “I have a bad habit with pet names.”

Charlotte smiled at other when she had heard she was okay. “Good I’m glad. I would have felt terrible if I hurt you,” she said softly. “I am so sorry again. I just know that I need to pay more attention when I walk now.” Charlie felt terrible for running into the girl and did not know what else she could do except apologize.

Isobel bit her lower lip as she eyed the blonde girl. While it had hurt initially, she was almost shocked by the genuine apology she received. It wasn’t that bad, at least not as bad as the blonde felt like it was. “Relax. It’s totally fine. My arm is good, and you seem fine. I’m fine. We’re all fine.” She laughed then, placing her hand upon the other’s arm. “I’ll get you a coffee, okay?”

“What? You saying we’re hipsters now?” Jace shrugged lightly, he honestly wasn’t all that bothered what she was implying — if she was or not. Coffee was coffee and that was that. “That’s caffeine for you,” he added, smiling. “Drug of choice.”

“I figured that was pretty much the name that most accepted, or is that still a name that most people would rather not being called.” She didn’t know much of anything given that the most coffee that she drank was the one she had at home. “At least you’re not doing something out. Your mother must be proud, you do seem like a good boy.”