know my part;

TILLY: .........

TILLY: u need to get laid, i'm telling mariah to call you

TILLY: you've lost your sense of humor somewhere up there in that king kong atmosphere of yours

MICK: what? come on, that was funny

MICK: no points for saying you could be the flower girl?

MICK: no you're not

“I don’t like anything that starts with you saying you’ve got a confession, Mick.” Hell, he didn’t like it when anyone opened with that. Brow raised, partly in amusement and partly in fear of what Dani and Mick could have possibly gotten up to that would need to be accompanied by a confession. “Especially if it involves Dani.” Liam appreciated the both of them when it came down to it, though his actual confession didn’t come as a surprise from two people who knew him as well as they did. “Ah, come on…what’d I tell you about not watching it? I’m not wearing a shirt half the time and I just really didn’t think you could handle that. I think you might have to go on it so I can watch you embarrass yourself…it’s fun doin’ that on national TV. Speaking of national TV…I saw Hannah over Christmas.” Pausing, Liam took a sip of his coffee, if only to give Michael a moment to digest the subject before he continued. “What’s going on there?”

   “Might have an unfair advantage on one of them shows,” it’s only because he knows Liam so well that Michael manages to sound so damn near arrogant as a hand gestures to himself in his towering frame. “Being such a fine specimen and all, paired with mountain rescue an’ ranger training? I’d be a top contender no problem.” A rickety laugh escaped him, knowing full and well his anti-social demeanor would serve him no justice on a reality show. Nor would he be able to stand having people all in his space twenty-four seven. The switch from his teasing to mention of Hannah swiftly brought about a frown, scoffing. “Why’s it matter? I don’t remember any rule saying I’ve got to be friends with my exes.” Not that Michael had been particularly against the idea until he’d by chance ran into the brunette on the mountain. Fate choosing to ironically toss them together in a moment hauntingly similar to the way they’d met all those years ago. Even then, it hadn’t truly been until the holiday that he’d become a bit more... begrudging. The topic of Milena had an immediate souring effect, not to mention the complication of a kiss under the mistletoe. “If you’re having daydreams of the lot of us getting on, I wouldn’t bet any money on it.” 

TILLY: sooo... i swung by the station today and u weren't there

TILLY: but wanna know who was???

TILLY: that cutie mariah 👀👀👀

TILLY: you're single right?? u should ask her out. my wingman offer still stands, y'know

MICK: maybe I already did

MICK: maybe we're dating

MICK: or engaged

MICK: I was going to ask you to be a flower girl

Forrest Everly had never been a party person. Throughout high school, he liked to keep it to his small circle of friends, only venturing outside of his comfort group when someone was on their knees begging and pleading. Time and age hadn’t done much to change that, but what had was his father’s rather good spirits now that his condition was only continuing to improve. Forrest was nearly indistinguishable: all white flashing teeth and dimples. With one hand on his drink and the other on his friend’s shoulder, he gives him a good natured pat.  ❝ You know… I was saying the same thing this time last year, but they either put something a little extra in the drinks this year, or it’s grown on me. C’mon, Mick, there’s no comparison to prom. I mean, look at you… you look good, buddy. — I’m starting to think I made a mistake going the sweater route. ❞  His lips turn downwards upon the realization. Fingers tug gently at the neckline of his turtleneck.  ❝ It’s a bit warm. I could do with something more versatile, and well… removable. ❞

    “You saying teenage me didn’t?” The offense coloring the man’s tone was in jest, one brow arched in feigned shock. “Here I was thinking the reason I didn’t date much back then was just because I was otherwise occupied.” That, and, like Forrest he hardly ever attempted to socialize. “Good to know I also looked a fool.” The laugh that finally followed ruined any trace of looking heartbroken by this supposed news. His friend’s spirits apparently rubbing very slightly off on him, “something removable?” A flicker of amusement danced in his dark hues. “Planning on this evening going that well? Do I get to play wingman?” Despite the complaints, Forrest’s sweater really seemed like the better option from his stand point. Though, his attire hardly seemed to blame for how uncomfortable Michael was. “You’ll have better insulation if you go out for the slopes. Besides, I can’t take much credit. Had a little help with picking it out. I think Sam might’ve had a bit of fun using me like a manikin.” 

Frankie nodded her head when he asked if that was where they were going. “The reason we don’t get along is a little one-sided, you grump.” That was false because she knew that she could push his buttons. “Sam just doesn’t let you get away with half the shit that I do.” Which could be more or less true because she knew the brunette didn’t fuck around in general. Plus, she felt he liked annoying her and she did in turn. She folded her arms over her chest and raised her brow. “Are you going to be staying there or are you just gonna shove me in a room by myself?” Probably the latter if she had to bet. Her nose wrinkled, however, as the male began to tell her all the nice things she’d done for him. “Which brings me back to why haven’t you done anything for me? — This suit,” she flicked her hand over his outfit. “I don’t like it.” The score needed to be evened out a little and this was an attempt at doing that. 

   “Oh-ho, okay, because you’re all sunshine and daises over there being offended that I suggested you were nice to me.” A harmless roll of his eyes followed suit, “that and we’d never muddied the water.” His amendment seemed like much more of an applicable reason as to why the pair were often at odds these days. It was complicated, they were exes, and it wasn’t like you could ever truly get a clean slate with someone. “I do plan on not being able to drive,” little did Mick know that actually he would end up being shockingly sober later that evening. “But I am sure you’ll have no problem finding someone else to share a room with.” He tossed her a wink. Another not-so-subtle laugh escaping the man when Frankie tried to backtrack on her compliment. “Funny, that’s not what you said all of two minutes ago Leon.” A hand raised, brushing off his shoulder for some degree of dramatic effect. “Come on, I am pretty sure you won’t combust if you acknowledge that I’m tolerable.” 

No drinking tonight. That was the one rule Lucy had for herself for this event, and clearly the rule was broken by the second hour. She lost count of how much alcohol she had consumed, and it had been a long time since Lucy has done this. It’s not that she needed it per-say, Lucy just liked numbing the pain. Maybe what she needed was to not keep things bottled up inside anymore, every time the women did that, it seems like alcohol was the way to go. “Yes you were!” Lucy slurred and then gave Michael a smirk, the blonde looked him up and down. She was mentally and physically exhausted. Being curled up on the couch with Michael the other day was exactly what she had needed, and to say the women needed it again was an understatment. However, the thirty-two year old didn’t want to ruin her best friends evening she laughed a little “Yeah well, I’m probably more drunk than you I think.” Lucy admitted and then took a breath, she pushed her hair out of her face and fixed her outfit from the back. “Well I should tell you more often, because youre looking really good right now and it makes me pissed off that I put you in the fucking friend zone, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Lucy said, not really making sense in her mind due to the amount of alcohol that she had drank. As Mick urged her to sit down, the blonde did as she was told and instead of sitting she decided to lay on the couch, and rested her hand on her head. Her head. It was spinning and Lucy wanted to make it stop. Seeing his smirk, she smirked back and then took a breath “Well thank you for saying that I look stunning, that’s really nice.” Lucy whined and then her face fell when he asked her the other questions “I did fuck stuff up with you, I got scared with you so I ran. It’s what I do.., I’m a runner.” Lucy laughed a little and then sighed, she still laid down but then looked at him “I don’t want to ruin your night so I won’t bother you with details or anything like that.” Lucy told him, and then looked at Mick again. He knew right away, just like he always did. He was her best friend, and he knew exactly what was wrong with her. Taking a breath, the blonde looked at him and felt extremly defeated. “I just fucked it up even worse, but it’s whatever.”

            “Look, that whole friendzone thing is bullshit anyways. Made up by a bunch of guys who wanted to victimize themselves.” He amended first and foremost, an eyeroll helping to cement his disdain for the who convoluted idea. “An’, I hate to tell you but it’s not like I was sitting at home sulking about it. It worked out for the best, that’s what we call a good choice. Let’s face it, you’d dump my sorry ass once you realized I plan on living in that old ranch house until someone puts me in the ground.” Again, his words are offered with the low whisper of a laugh coloring his tone. “Well you didn’t run very far,” Michael amended. A hand gesturing between them, long-legged strides leaving him to hover over the couch Lucy had sprawled out on. “You need some water?” He didn’t wait for an answer, gaze searching the room for the little coffee tray. Taking one of the cups to fill from the bathroom faucet. Lucy’s voice carried easily through the small space, “ruin my night? Are you kidding Luce? It’s impossible to make me anymore miserable. I hate these things. Always feel like the walls are closing in.” Thus, partly, why he originally had every intention of taking advantage of the open bar. “Doesn’t sound like whatever.” This time, the words were offered stood over her once again. Extending out the cup of cold water he’d quickly retrieved for her. 

Adrianna listened to him and nodded her head as he spoke, her gaze scanning the array of bids that were in front of them. There were a lot of things there and while she’d want a lot of them, coffee just felt like the one she’d get more use of. Her gaze flicked over to him and she nodded. “Of course. I must sound like such a selfish person.” Her head shook as she pouted a bit. “I’d just save a lot of money if I got free coffee.” Still, her hopes were very low. “I wanted to kind of sprinkle the money around and get involved with the bidding but I’m scared I’ll have to put it all in one place or just accept defeat already and not even waste my thought on it.” As he spoke, she nodded her head. “No, you’re absolutely right. I’m a nurse so I see what the search and rescue team does.” She turned to him and smiled. “What you do and thank you. We’re going to both make some donations to whatever because in the end, the money goes for charity and we will be content with being nice people who donate to good causes.”

    Quick as lightening his hand flew up to stop her, head shaking adamantly. “No, no.. God, no.” A deep rumbling laugh fell from Michael’s mouth. “You’re one of the least selfish people I know. I was just trying to use that logic to ... ya know, rationalize allowing me to double up your bet.” Which, as she said, all in all probably wasn’t a very fair approach. “One of the food options might be a good idea, might not have as much stiff competition. Unfortunately the whole island runs on caffeine.” At least, it seemed that way. “Not you too.” Mick grumbled, “As a nurse I am sure you understand I’d really rather draw a grand total of zero attention. Besides, me being on the Mountain Rescue team is gravy given I’m already a ranger. There’s a lot of other people who volunteer more of their time for the training an’ all. So, meh.” A broad shrug of his shoulders dismissed her thanks. “We’re good people?” He echoed with a slow grin. “I think I fall into more of a gray area.” 

She paused and looked at him with a nod. “Not something to joke about, okay.” Flashing him a soft smile, she grabbed his jacket and shrugged it on, pulling it tighter around her small frame. “I forgot that you’re one of the honourees tonight. Maybe one day I’ll let you save me.” She flashed him a wink before pulling her hair out from beneath her jacket. With a nod, she shrugged her shoulder. “You seem pretty stable on those skates so maybe we’re going to say I’m just good in fear that you end up being the one keeping me upright.” Still, the ice looked nice and smooth so maybe it wouldn’t be that bad after all. “That’s okay, you make up for it in many other ways.” Not that she would rob him. It would practically be a crime. Like hurting a bunny or something cute and soft. She caught the wallet and gave him a wiggle of her brow. “I’ll be back in a second. Don’t miss me too much.”

   “I’m not.” Michael corrected, a low hum of a scoff following the dismissal. Clearly, he wasn’t looking for a pat on the back. The ranger likely wouldn’t have even attended if someone above his head hadn’t heavily ‘suggested’ it was expected of him to attempt to make a good impression on possible donors. “Got a bit of amateur hockey under my belt, nothing to gawk at but I can stand on my own two feet.” He’s a little relieved honestly, willing to have caught Safiye if she was the sort to be in danger of falling on the ice but it was only in harmless jest he insinuated that may be the case. “Many other ways? I might need you to write a recommendation letter.” Not that Mick had ever actually used any form of online dating, but perhaps with the way his luck seemed to trend he should. The last set-up he had been on having seemingly vanished into thin air on him. Apparently ‘ghosting’ was an actual term. “I’ll try. No promises. Might just stand here looking like a lost puppy the whole time.” Mick attempted to pout for good measure, but instead it merely turned into a shaky laugh; a puff of white forming in the cool air. 

     For four years Tylene had been trapped in a life of big events where the wealthy and powerful pat each other on the back and thought up more ways to make a name for themselves and line their pockets even deeper. It had been a true study in sociology and psyche, and one that the mechanic had been spending her entire adult life trying to keep it in the past where it belonged. Just before the age of sixteen, Ty might have been a people person. One night changed that, and what followed opened her eyes to see people differently. Especially at social gatherings such as this. Other than Nas convincing her to attend, she really had no clue why she played with fire, why she strapped on memories and why she clicked heels into marble. Perhaps it was an attempt to regain something, but looking around she wasn’t sure what.

     “That’s why there’s this,” Tylene lifted her drink, “let us be grateful for the open bar.” It was definitely the fuel she needed to make it through the night, and that said a lot for someone that already had a troubled relationship with alcohol. “Don’t forget the mind-numbing conversation…” The tinest of smirks flashed his way. “Boring is a much happier and more peaceful life.” The mechanic had to toss that one out there, it had become something that grated her already very frayed nerves. These days people thrived on so much activity and drama in their lives, and she was constantly trying to run from that. “As long as it’s little… I’m game. I’m a mechanic, not made of money.” Interest piqued, Ty stepped forward some. “What do you have in mind? I could always yell at some people for ya… save your rep, people are already expecting it from me.”

     -

      If asked, Michael might claim to have a fairly balanced relationship with alcohol. Yet, earnestly, he’s still fairly susceptible to using it as a crutch. Especially in social settings, where his manners always feel clumsy and out of place. “Mind-numbing,” he agreed with a single bob of his head. “Love getting asked about my mother from people who only vaguely remember me and would know the answer if they actually cared to reach out to her.” Which, they never did, because all the years she had put into raising other people’s kids was often a fairly thankless job. Those conversations seemed to fall into the same repetitive circle. Where was he living, what was he doing. Mention of Fremont garnishing what he’d deem a pitying painted smile, as if he was down on his luck for choosing a life on that end of the island. A look soon replaced if he felt the conviction to inform them he was part of the Mountain Rescue, a feeble attempt to humble them; as, after all, it was part of the reason they’d all gathered on that evening to pretend to be charitable. 

     “Don’t worry, I’m not exactly rolling in a bed of money either.” A low snort of a laugh escaped him. “Besides, that’d just... play further into all this nonsense.” A wave of his hand dismissed the crowd they found themselves in; Masquerade, every face a different shade. “Oh-ho? Starting off strong. I’m liking the sound of that. Trouble is, not sure what I could exchange it for. My intimidation tactics are futile.” Nor normally, just in comparison to Tylene whom already was fairly capable all of her own of keeping people on their toes. Surely she didn’t require his assistance in that department.

With an incredulous laugh at his little nickname she looked away so he couldn’t see the annoyance in her eyes, taking a sip of her drink, gathering herself for a second before turning back. “Does it frustrate you that even if I’m a discount barbie you’ll still never be able to afford me , Forest Gump?” Good, she’d managed to garner a reaction out of him which was exactly what Amelia had wanted. The nickname was nothing new to him, taken from where he spent most of his time rather than any other similarity to the fictional character, but still it amused her. It was easier than having to actually call him by his real name which might imply a familiarity she didn’t want. “Ah, plaid, and that’s…better?” She offered, a pitying smile on her face as her gaze became patronising, both patterns just as bad in her opinion when not used in the right way at the right time. Well, for camo there was never a right time actually by that was another conversation entirely. “You own it? Well, it’s true what I’ve been told, you can find a rare gem in the discount store if you look hard enough. Plus there is no mud on it either, I’m almost proud of you.” Yet her voice still implied anything but.  

    “No, I’m not really in the habit of trying to buy women.” Michael would swear, had he not known first hand, that there couldn’t possibly be any relation between his biting current company and her older sister Madeleine.  A woman who’d wore a smile and helped him buy flowers for Shea without so much as batting an eyelash at the ranger’s lack of color coordination. “I’ve wondered if you’ve even seen that film. Might hint to you having a sense of humor, so likely not.” A simple nod would answer Mia’s clarification, somewhat wishing he had a drink in hand before he had so willingly walked into this particular song and dance. “Ah, right, because that is all I could afford.” The huff of a laugh colored his tone, again brazenly wearing a too broad grin. “Is that a vague sense of approval?” A hand fell to his chest, playing up the moment more than he might normally purely for the sake of possibly irritating Mia. “I am so... touched.” One hand still lingered at his chest, while the other reached to wipe away an imaginary tear. “Beard is all trimmed up too, can you believe it?” His brows arched, chin lifted as if to show off the feature in question. 

Mandy let out another soft laugh and nodded. “Well, you have perfect timing, then.” She scratched her head and wrinkled her nose a bit. “I guess veggies are easier to work than the actual sauce?” she pursed her lips in thought. She managed to get by with semi-homemade dishes. And she could say that she tried. “I mean, there are lots of recipes online too,” she mused, holding the jar in her hands and running over the label with her thumbs. “Do you have some pro tips for someone like me who knows very little about making homemade sauce. I’ve dabbled in soup, though, so that’s my proud mama feelings. Alright. Maybe I could try out doing it the fresh way. What’s the worst that could happen? I can’t exactly burn sauce, right? Wait… is it possible to burn sauce?”

    “Does still save you time, that’s fair.” He admitted with a humble nod. The tomatoes, and balancing out the acid, was one of the more complicated factors. “There are.” The ring of his laugh answered Mandy, “—sorry, I’m just amused because my family is made up of a lot of people used to manual labor. Not much desk work. They were a bit slow with the whole internet thing, my sister had a field day with all that. Now you’d never guess, they even have one of them... Alexa?” The fancy new version of the seemingly much older lights on, lights off clapper. “My mom had a field day when she realized how accessible all the recipes were online.” With Mick nearing his forties, his parents were on the older side of the spectrum. “I’ve got a few tips up my sleeve. Have to admit I cheat, usually got canned tomatoes at my place. A lot easier than going with fresh.” A louder laugh nestled in his chest the second time around. Amused by the blonde’s fretting, “You kind of can, yeah. If you let it set unattended too long. I think you’ll get it though. I’m far from being any kind of trained chef and I still manage.” Mostly through practice, when they were younger his sister had eaten a few burnt things for dinner like a champion. 

“Good.” She hums with a nod because she knows it means more than that. It’s often like pulling teeth when it comes to getting a compliment out of the male. Her tits are halfway up to her chin so she knows she looks hot but this is good enough. “I mean, you can dress yourself but it’s putting everything together that you lack.” There had always seemed to be something lacking — probably a woman’s touch when it came to Michael’s attire. Not that he didn’t look good as it would be a feat in itself to make a man like him look bad. “I’m sure you do. Can’t say that I blame you because I like her better than you also.” She folded her arms over her chest. “I was probably delusional. I don’t remember being nice to you.” She says with a shrug, unwilling to admit it. “You’ll have to be more specific.”

    “That’s where we’re going huh?” He snorted, the sound echoing in his chest. “Didn’t say I liked her better, just we tend to get along easier but alright. I like Samantha better.” Like a petulant child, Michael had nearly stuck his tongue out at Frankie. Except, there was no way he could’ve actually pulled that off without another humble laugh betraying him. It had suddenly become a lot easier to forgive Frankie for her choices when the universe decided to throw Hannah tumbling awkwardly back in to remind him why he’d taken the whole thing so personally in the first place. It was nice to stand there, having to fight back a grin; enjoying the blunt woman’s company. “Oh? I’ll give you the night at Anchor Inn for being able to blame alcohol, that an’ me standing up for you possibly earned a few points.” His brows waggled, “Though you were more than nice, considering you suggested a tumble in the sheets.” The majority of the night might be miserable, but at least he has a few moments stood there with her. “Then, last time, you bought my coffee. Maybe it was so I’ll owe you a favor?” 

               “I don’t know, I don’t know —” The low mumbling came from an inebriated Shane as she pulled open the passenger door to Michael’s vehicle. Somehow always the reliable one, even at a fancy fundraiser with an open bar, he offered the one who should’ve had a little more control with her intake. It wasn’t often Shane had a night free like this, and though she wasn’t typically the dress up gal she took advantage of a presented opportunity. “She was just saying something about the snow and a broken window.” If possible, the shrug of Shane’s shoulders hoped to convey that she didn’t get much out of the phone call before the call dropped. Either way, the mother on the verge of empty nest syndrome expressed her desire to get to Jenna, wanting to know everything was alright. Service was a little spotty and as they would descend down the mountain to return to town they would lose service altogether. Especially with the sky not looking so great. “Thanks for offering me a ride and not letting me drive.” Click. Seatbelt now secured, Shane sat antsy beside her longtime friend. “You don’t think I’m a helicopter mom, do you?” With Jenna at 23 and Shane having a hard time letting go of her daughter all grown up and moving into her adult life, she’d overheard someone say she was too attached. The open bar had been great, only the inspector was getting caught in the sensitive side alcohol brought out.

WHERE: Rockwater Resort

WHEN: Friday, January 22rd, 2021

WHO: @michaelbianchi​

     -

      It is only with good fortune that other circumstances forced Michael to sober up, or more so put a stop to his original plan of capping the evening in a drunken disarray. With a few hours grace beforehand he was able to happily volunteer to give Shane a ride, heck he’s thankful for the excuse to bail out early now that his original goal had been otherwise thwarted. “Alright, I'm sure it’s not all that bad.” He offered in reassurance, sliding into the driver’s seat. Keys in the ignition, “— not too surprised the line was finicky.” Mother Nature looked like she was about to demand some attention, “Just glad I could.” As, earnestly, there had been a solid chance he would have been in a state equal to Shane had his over-protective instincts with another friend not kicked into gear earlier on. 

“Do I get a say?” Mick asked with a low hum of a chuckle, gaze side-skirting to double check Shane was buckled in before he had began to back out of his parking spot. “Don’t got kids of my own, so probably doesn’t count for much but nah.” Really, he was too biased to listen to on the matter. Having nearly half raised his younger sister, kept an eye out for Lydia, and all-in-all stuck his nose into other’s people business with the intent of helping ( Shane included ) there was a solid chance if he was a parent that’s the exact category he would fall into. The sky unfolding above them was ominous, better sense might’ve told the ranger to try to get Shane to stay put but instead he’d let her worry dictate his actions as well. That, and, his own desperation for a good reason to ditch on the whole fancy handshaking ordeal of the evening.

 She wanted this event to be over, she wanted to be home in her pajamas curled up on her couch with a big tub of ice cream. She wanted to binge some crapy reality show and cry, that’s what Lucy always did when she was upset about something. However since staying the night at the resort last night, and since having her recent conversations with Remington, Lucy wanted to be anywhere but here. Her heart was hurting, her head was hurting, everything was hurting and she absolutely hated this feeling. Deciding to numb the pain like she always did, this time Lucy actually got wasted off of two things of whiskey and let the alcohol burn her throat. The women hasn’t see her best friend at all yet, and the Chicago native figured out which room he was in. Knocking loudly on the door, she opened it “Mick! Im here” She slurred, Lucy felt dizzy but the blonde didn’t care “Where the hell have you been? Why didn’t I see you last night?” She questioned out loud, and then found her way into the living area. Lucy was tiny, but loud when she was drunk. She then saw Michael standing there, looking handsome as ever. Pursing her lips, Lucy rolled her eyes “Are you ready to get wasted with me.. or what?” The women looked him up and down, and then laughed “Did I ever tell you how fucking attractive you are? Another relationship that I fucked up.” She said bitterly, but spoke the honest truth. @michaelbianchi​

    “Was I supposed to run my attire by you too?” Michael teased, but his expression soon fell. What little buzz he had going on suddenly feeling a lot less impactful once he’d got an eyeful of Lucy. “Not sure two drunks make a right in this situation,” he amended. It’s not her fault though, his initial plan to get blind drunk himself was a poor one. A pity party he had no real reason to spiral into. His umber hues narrowed onto his friend, taking her in again with a concerned scrutinizing squint. “Once or twice maybe,” why she was bringing them up seemingly out of the blue however was entirely lost on him. “Alright, hold your horses. Before you go back down and hunt for the bottom of another bottle. Sit, sit.” Mick ushered her into the room, technically the room wasn’t under his name the key card had just been passed around by a few buddies. Mostly for the sake of a secondary bathroom. “What part of the spiel should I go for first?” The hint of a warm, amiable smirk still lingered at the corner of his lips despite his concern. “The you look stunning minus smelling like a bar part, or the you didn’t fuck anything up with me part?” His arms crossed, “— does this have anything to do with what happened recently?”

“Will you stop moving for one second? I need to take my one and only selfie of the year so our parents will still love us.” Eva had never been the type to take selfies – her photos were mostly of other people or landscapes she found beauty in. “Smile and pretend you don’t hate this. I’ll make you dinner soon and I’ll even promise not to poison you.” She knew that his family valued Michael and the way he supported them more than anything, but she also knew that neither of their parents would let her live it down if she didn’t photograph him looking as handsome as he did. “Your mom might love me more than she loves you for this.”

   “You think we’re on that thin of ice?” A quirked brow questioned, the remnants of a laugh coloring his words. He’s had a drink or two, but nothing that would do more than leave the faint scent in its wake. “I think poisoning my parents golden boy would really do you more harm than it’d be worth anyways.” Mick rebutted, only giving Eva a hard time for his own amusement sake. Finally he would obligingly loop an arm around her slender shoulders, leaning in with a smile that was admittedly a bit forced. Like his company, selfies weren’t high up on the list of things he often participated in when avoidable. “Good luck with that,” he confidently scoffed. “What do you think I am still around the house so often for? To cement my unwavering Best Son pedestal.” 

WHO: @michaelbianchi​ WHERE: Rockwater Resort

She’d been on her way outside, ready to rent a coat and get in line for the snow tubes when she saw him.  Even in a room as crowded as this, Michael was easy to spot, his height and general gruff stature made him stand out. So she changed her path and veered directly for him, sneaking up behind him and playfully grabbing his sides. “So who’s the cute brunette?” She asked with a grin, moving to stand in front of him, hands on her hips as she tilted her head back to look up at him. “I’ve been trying to get your attention for at least a minute.” She’d attempt to look stern but she knew it’d do no good, so instead she glanced behind her then back to him once more. “But I know when to throw in the towel. You want me to go talk to her for you? I’m a great wingwoman.”

    Whether Michael had been scanning those in attendance for Hannah to better avoid her, or because a part of him just needed the reassurance he hadn’t imagined any of their last three ( ranging in level of awkward ) encounters was beyond him. Either way, he’d been struck still for a few moments longer than he would care to admit. Tilly’s arrival, though a bit startling, served as a welcome distraction. His head snapped in her direction, shock quickly melting into a playful scowl. “Could you not?” The roll of his eyes that followed as harmless as his amused, raspy tone. “A ghost,” he answered with a shrug. “—Of girlfriends past, so no, don’t need you meddling.” Things had already been going about as poorly as he might’ve figured they could. Michael took a step back, suddenly wearing a bit of a charming lopsided grin as he got a good look at the young woman stood before him. “What’re you bothering trying to get my attention for when you look that nice, hm? Much better candidates around.”

Adri quirked her brow when Michael seemed to calculate that in a matter of seconds. “Tell me that you already came with that calculation.” She said as she folded her arms over her chest. “Also, I’m really concerned about my caffeine addiction and the amount its costing me now.” More than that, she needed to win this caffeine bet if it was the last thing she did. “I was hoping I could bet like two hundred maybe but now you’re making me re-think it all.” Someone had surely bet more than that on it. She paused at his plan and gawked at him. “I can’t take your money and keep the prize!” She said with a shake of her head. It was unacceptable and she’d feel like she cheated. “I mean, technically it would be unlimited so we could both have our coffee but they’d probably figure it out if we swapped cards.” Her arms folded, narrowing her gaze lightly in consideration. “No, I can’t. I’d feel horrible.”

    “Don’t worry, been mulling it over myself for a few minutes before you’d asked. I’m no Ada Lovelace.” A low rumble of a laugh parted his lips. “Eh, I’m sure it’s not every day or always twice daily... even if it was, there’s worse.” He doesn’t buy much himself, between making it at home and the slowing dying coffee maker that lives in the ranger station. It’d be an extra stop along his route, so it’s rare to find him posted up at a coffee shop. “You aren’t taking the money, the organizers would be.” Amusement colored his tone, assured once more that Adrianna is the purest of the lot between their close circle of friends. “Isn’t that really supposed to be the point of donating?” Mick mused, “you just give the money. Nothing in return but knowing, hey it went to a good cause.” Perhaps that was why events like this always seemed so off-putting, but it was just the way the world worked he supposed. More often than not people needed an incentive. “Alright, alright. I take it back. No cheating the system.”