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Chapter 32 – Not Just A Chance

"I freaking love this club!" Oriana enthused as she stepped into the newly opened club. Her heart immediately accelerated to the pace of the thick beats. Dozens of teenage bodies bounced to the beat as boys struggled to locate girls to dance with for the songs. Oriana didn't seem to notice as all of the male persuasions eyes immediately followed to Teagan and herself, obviously ready to jump. "Let's go—"

"Cherry Bomb! You're finally here!" Luke interrupted with a grin as he pushed his way through the crowds to catch up with the group.

"Luke!" Oriana shrieked with happiness, immediately embracing Luke in a tight hug. He squeezed her just as tightly with several affectionate kisses before releasing her in an arm's length to view her outfit. Oriana blushed faintly as a bunch of cat-calls released from their group of football players. "Do you approve?"

"I definitely approve! Come on, the salsa mixes are just about to start!"

"Dude, don't you think you should be asking her boyfriend before you just take her away?" Alex questioned without any emotions, just stepping up for his sister and best friend. "I mean, that's why she came to the club, to dance with Howie."

"Oh, Jamie—"

"No, no, he's right. I should ask Howie first," Luke agreed, turning to Howie. "Is it alright if I steal Oriana for a few salsa dances?"

"Luke---" Oriana tried to protest.

"No, Cherry Bomb," Luke shushed, placing a finger to her glossed lips for a moment. He smiled softly at his best friend before turning back to Howie. "I'd expect the same curtsey if someone wanted to dance with my beautiful girlfriend. So, Howie, is it okay? Or do you want first dibs?"

"Of course it's okay," Howie agreed with a smile. "I'd like to see the two of you show your stuff when it comes to salsa so I can add on to that later."

"You dance?" Luke asked as the DJ started to scratch through the end of a song to add a different flavor.

"Yeah. I never really took lessons, but my parents taught my brother, sisters and myself a few dances."

"Salsa? Oh yeah, Puerto Rican, right?" Luke laughed, shrugging his broad shoulders.

"You got it," Howie agreed with a wink. "We're also Irish, so I know some of that dance, too."

"Dude, my Irish brother," Luke laughed, slapping Howie a high five, causing the other football players to snort with laughter.

"I'm guessing you're Irish," Howie laughed as well.

"Luke's nickname is Leprechaun," Oriana teased with a roll of her eyes.

"Like you can tease me, Miss Green Eyed Riley," Luke groaned, poking her exposed stomach.

"So? How else do you think I get those red highlights in my blonde hair?" Oriana questioned blankly, causing Teagan to smirk with approval.

"Yeah, but—"

"Are you two going to salsa or what? The song's starting," Howie interrupted the bickering.

"Oh, shit!" Luke groaned when he heard the fresh beats of Christina Aguilera's Infatuation thump through the speakers. He smiled eagerly toward Oriana, pressing a quick kiss to her neck. "This is what Maggie's always playing. We can nail this! C'mon!"

"Okay, okay, meet you down there," Oriana laughed as Luke ran off to clear their usual spot right in the middle. Oriana smiled faintly as she leaned up to brush her lips against Howie's lips. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Howie smiled, kissing her once more. "Have fun."

"Check you later, Gabby?" Oriana warmed, pressing a kiss to Teagan's cheek.

"Definitely," Teagan winked before heading off to find someone to dance with and get her mind off Brian.

"You think she would have danced with you..." Oriana trailed, not liking the thought of Howie dancing with anyone else but a close friend.

"I'm just going to watch for awhile, anyway. She'll come around and end up dancing with me," Howie dismissed it, pushing Oriana gently. "Go on, Luke's waiting for you."

"Okay," Oriana whispered shyly, carefully slipping down the length of the club. She passed by tons of cat-calls, but the football team made sure to keep others paws off their favorite player. She seemed eager to pull away, immediately reaching Luke's already waiting embrace. He dipped her with a sensual toss before yanking her upward for a close embrace, her curls falling seductively over her heart-shaped face. He then immediately locked his hands against her hips, leading them through a variety of steps from the sweetly seductive beats.

"Damn... She's good..." Alex breathed in shock to Howie, mesmerized by his sister's talented movements for that moment. He had never seen something so addictive and enraged with sex in his life.

"I know. It's like she was born to dance..." Howie nodded, continuing to watch the couple, as did everyone else in the club.

"I've seen you salsa at your sister's wedding... You're damn good at it, too. You two together would just be..." Alex couldn't even find the word to explain something so wonderful within his vocabulary. He smiled faintly as Oriana started to gyrate her hips down the length of Luke before he pulled her up into the quick thrusting movements as he twirled her extensively.

"You think so?"

"Dude, I know so. When they take a break, sweep Oriana into your arms and show her what you can do," Alex encouraged with an abrupt slap on the back. "Just keep an eye on them while I go scope out for my numbers."

"Why?"

"So you make sure that the gyrating doesn't turn into anything too serious..." Alex trailed with a smirk, glancing back out to the dance floor where a circle had gathered to watch Oriana and Luke. Though, something surprised Alex. Usually, Oriana concentrated fully on the steps, but she was glancing back at Howie as she mouthed the words to the song: 'Skin the color of cinnamon / His eyes light up and I melt within / Feels so good it must be a sin / I can't stop what I started / I'm giving in / He brings life to my fantasies / Sparks a passion inside of me / Finds the words when I can not speak / In the silence, his heartbeat is music to me.'

"Dude, she's singing to you," Alex announced with a sly smile.

"What?" Howie looked over at Oriana and blushed when he realized the younger boy was right.

"She loves you, Dude," Alex exclaimed with a grin, shaking Howie's shoulders.

"She loves me," Howie repeated, a silly smile growing on his face as he continued to gaze in Oriana's sparkling eyes before she broke contact to concentrate on the dance moves.

"You finally figured that out?" a feminine voice teased as Alex slipped away to catch a glimpse of some girls. Howie turned in surprise to see Teagan there. She really didn't have the heart to dance with some random guy. Even if she was upset with Brian, she couldn't deny that she loved him. So, she decided a safety date was the next best thing for the night. Howie could get rid of her anger.

Howie blushed even more as Teagan laughed softly. "No, but—"

"I'm only teasing. Listen, I was wondering... since Ori's busy with Luke and everything... would you like to dance?"

"You and me?" Howie mocked, hold a playful hand to his chest as if his heart had burst. "I never thought you'd see me in that kind of way, Teag!"

"I cannot help it! The way your Latino body moves just when you walk... I almost faint!" Teagan sighed, waving a hand as if to cool herself off.

"You better not let Ria hear you say that, she might throw you in the mud," Howie teased, gently twirling Teagan before stepping her carefully into the simple salsa moves. He decided not to throw all his magic into that dance, saving it for Oriana. Besides, he didn't need Brian killing him again over a different issue.

"I've been thrown in the mud enough times growing up with that girl to know better," Teagan laughed, trying to figure out the moves. "You weren't kidding when you said you could salsa."

"Need a quick lesson," Howie chuckled, watching her stumble slightly in her thick heels.

"Please," Teagan nodded thankfully.

"Okay," Howie agreed, stopping for a moment. He put Teagan's hands onto his shoulders and then gently grasped her lean hips. They both glanced toward their feet as he slowly started through the various movements, going slow enough so she could observe. "Just let me know when you want to go faster, okay?"

"Okay..." Teagan concentrated on the moves for a few minutes before she began to get the hang of it. "Let's go faster, now."

"You sure?" he laughed, noticing her dark blue-gray eyes spark with determination.

"Positive. Lay it on me, Dorky Dwaine."

"I'm not laying anything on you, alright?" he teased, stepping towards her to start the faster pace.

"Oh yeah, the mud thing. No, laying stuff on me would be bad," she laughed, moving right along with his movements.

"I've never seen her get so jealous like that, you know?" Howie pondered aloud, sweeping Teagan around the dance floor as most kept their eyes on the couple in the center.

"Believe me, neither have I. But I think it's cute, because that means she really does love and care about you," Teagan replied, waving to Oriana as she saw them over Luke's shoulder. She mouthed 'Thank you' and Teagan winked in reply. "It just those girls in band and most of the cheerleaders are jealous that you're with someone like Oriana and not them. So, they try to get your attention away from her."

"They could never take my attention away from her," Howie breathed with a soft sigh, still keeping a trained eye upon Luke and Oriana while concentrating on Teagan. "God couldn't even keep my attention away from her."

"I know that, Howie. But Oriana's really insecure about things like that, and she needs to be reassured of that," Teagan replied sympathetically.

"The girl can read my eyes, Teag... She should already know—"

"Just keep telling her all those sweet things you tell everyone else when they ask about her," Teagan encouraged, affectionately kissing Howie's forehead. "She needs that. Along with the whole beautiful speech I know you gave her upstairs. She doesn't trust in herself enough, when we all know she's gorgeous... Damn, she could run me out of the title as most popular..."

"Okay, I really can't say anything without getting smacked in that area," Howie laughed as the music abruptly ended and a round of applause erupted for Oriana and Luke. He smiled down at Teagan. "Because, on one side, no one could ever take your place as most popular. You're gorgeous Major T and everyone knows it. But on the other hand, Oriana's got the key to my heart and no one can be more beautiful to me than her."

"That's a very good answer," Teagan approved with a smile, giving Howie a hug. "No wonder Oriana loves you so much."

"Yeah, you just remember Brian loves you just the same," Howie replied soft, squeezing Teagan. He tried to turn from the major group of people, watching boys rush to join the next salsa dance with Oriana. He didn't want to see that outcome, so he decided to use his golden heart. Truth be told, he didn't agree with Brian right now, but he couldn't hardly allow Teagan to tear away from him. "Brian may be going through some shitty stuff right now and I don't agree with his attitude, but... He loves you and he's a different person around you... You know?"

"Yeah, a different person that calls me a suffocating bitch with a big-ass mouth," Teagan muttered, looking down at her feet. She may have been cruel with words, but Brian's actions at the game had been uncalled for. "He wanted to crash the car just so I would stop lecturing him. But he had thrown the game on purpose, Howie! I know he did and he deserved a lecture!"

"Yeah, he deserved everything he got tonight... And I really can't tell you what to do tonight, because I'm not exactly on the best terms with him right now. But I do know you make him different and you make him see that the world's not such a bad place, even for a selfish brat like him," Howie gently explained, rubbing Teagan's shoulders.

"I know," Teagan sniffed, taking a deep breath. "He just really scared me deep inside, you know? It was almost like Xander again with his spiteful words and actions..."

"Brian would never hurt you."

"He almost did tonight, Howie."

"How—"

"Come on, let's dance."

"Teag—"

"I overreact all the time, I don't even think he was close to hurting me. Don't worry about it, okay?" Teagan looked up with a quivering smile.

"Would you just tell me what you think happened?" Howie groaned, gently leading her away from the dance floor. He didn't know whether to suspect if Teagan was correct or not. Brian had never struck one of his girlfriends before, but with Oriana...

"It's stupid, Howie—"

"I'll let you know if it is. Just talk to me, Teag."

“I'm telling you it's stupid. I didn't mean he almost hurt me, because the car didn't crash. We just came really close all the way home is all," Teagan bit on her nails.

"Are you sure?"

"I banged my head on the window from a sharp turn, but he never hit me. Like I said before, it was a stupid thing to say because he didn't hurt—"

"Is your head okay?" Howie instantly responded, bringing two gentle hands into her short locks. He peered down where she had rubbed, noticing just a small bump. He affectionately kissed it. Teagan laughed in surprise as he stared into her eyes. "If it makes you feel better, the boy’s a demon on the road whenever he's pissed or excited. He's almost killed Alex a dozen of times. Not that it excuses him from what he did... But, I know he'd never hurt you purposely..."

"I know that he wouldn't, deep in my heart. But then my brain screams out about past boyfriends..." Teagan sighed heavily, rubbing her temples. "I just want to take the whole fight back, even if I wasn't in the wrong."

"Funny how that happens when you fall in love, huh?" Howie chuckled faintly.

"Yeah... I just don't think he would want to talk to me after all the things we called each other."

"Never know unless you try," Howie replied with a simple shrug, hearing someone loudly clear a throat from behind.

"I leave for three salsa songs and I come back to this! Teagan Gabrielle, I told you to dance with my boyfriend, not steal him!" Oriana exaggerated as if she were one of their infamous cheerleaders. She annoyingly tapped her foot upon the ground while flickering her layers of hair behind her shoulders with a smack of her lips. Luke muffled a laugh behind, knowing her impression was quite accurate.

"I don't see your name on him!" Teagan spat back in the same manner, standing on her feet and snapped her fingers with a crank of her neck, causing Howie to burst out laughing.

"Oh no you didn't!" Oriana exclaimed.

"Oh yes I did! What you gonna do 'bout it?!"

"I'm... I'm... I'm taking my Louie for a romp!" Oriana growled with a frustrated pout, pretending to smolder a kiss onto Lou's awaiting lips, though no one noticed her good hand slip between their mouths for safety measures.

"Scandalicious!" Teagan laughed, clapping.

"Mmm, you're telling me," Oriana purred with approval as she peeled back from Lou, licking her bottom lip with seduction. She kept close to his side, affectionately playing with the collar of his shirt.

"What the Hell do you think you're doing?" Lou whispered, noticing fire lighting within Howie's dark eyes. He tried to take a step back from Oriana as if going to the bathroom, but she kept hold, running her hand down the length of his arm. Usually, he wouldn't be too frightened of another man, considering he was a football team. But boys that fell for Oriana always had a way of becoming fiercely protective. And Howie seemed like not the type of person to mess with in that area.

"Having fun?" Oriana purred softly with a sensual pout. "What, we can't have fun?"

"This isn't fun," Lou disagreed, shaking his head.

"Because of him?" Oriana drawled, flicking her eyes back to Howie as if she were uninterested.

"Last time I checked, he was your boyfriend. C'mon, Ori, this isn't a funny joke anymore—"

"What joke?" Oriana deadpanned with the utmost seriousness, causing Lou and Howie to freeze in their places. She batted her long eyelashes at Lou with another innocent smile. "C'mon, Lou. You've always tackled me on the field, how about a little tackling off the field?"

"Oriana!" Lou gasped in shock.

"What?" she denounced innocently.

"I...uh... I think I need a drink," Lou blurted, stumbling away from the group. He backed into a chair, actually falling into the seat, before he and the chair tumbled to the floor. Luke broke into a hysterical laughter as Lou ran to the bathroom in hopes to rescue himself from a brutal beating.

"And that's why I never dated Lou," Oriana recalled with her infamous giggle.

"I knew it was a joke!" Teagan exclaimed, pushing on Oriana's shoulder. "Damn, girl!"

"What?" Oriana yelped with a small smile as Teagan accidentally hit her right shoulder. Oriana shied away for just a moment to rub off the pain, her eyes immediately casting to Howie. "You knew it was a joke, right?"

"A joke? Some joke..." Howie muttered, feeling hurt.

Luke's eyes grew wide for just a moment, already sensing the hostility throughout the room. He glanced to Teagan, immediately leading her out onto the dance floor for a quick dance, even if Teagan was eager to get home to Brian. Oriana really didn't seem to notice as she focused on Howie's pained chocolate eyes. She winced subconsciously, running her good hand down his cheek. "What's wrong?"

Howie sighed, biting his bottom lip. "It really looked like you were serious with Lou... I mean, he's a big, strong football player... I wouldn't blame you if—"

"What? That kiss thing?" she laughed, unable to keep from interrupting him.

"No, the whole thing. It seemed like you were pretty interested in hooking up with him..." Howie replied, his face like stone and eyes still radiating pain.

Oriana fell quiet when she noticed the deep flickers or remorse and agony embedded within Howie's soulful eyes. She glanced downward for a moment, understanding the conflict. Christina had branded him just like her mother's boyfriends had branded her. They both had come from rocky places. Howie needed just as much consoling as Oriana did. She sighed as she stepped toward him. "I could never be interested in anyone like I'm interested in you. Besides, have you looked at yourself in the mirror? Saying Lou's a beast, damn, Baby..." Oriana affectionately slipped her hand beneath his wife-beater to run her hand down the length of his chest to his lower torso. "You're rippled to perfection, trust me."

"B-But—"

"You're perfect and you're the only person I want to be with, okay? It was all a joke, but I should have remembered everything that happened in your past and I didn't. I'm sorry."

“Ria---"

"I only have eyes for you. Only you," she repeated firmly, standing on her tip-toes to capture Howie's lips in a sensually sweet kiss.

"Ria--"

"Do I have to stop you again with a kiss?"

"No...Yes...Please?"

"Does that mean you forgive me?"

"Do I get another kiss is I say yes?"

"What do you think?" she laughed, quickly leaning up to kiss him before he could say yes or no as a bonus.

"Then yes, I forgive you. I know you're not ready to say it... but I do love you, Ria. More than anything," Howie whispered, cupping her chin.

Oriana's soft blue-green eyes stared with awe into Howie's sweet chocolate orbs. Her bottom lip quivered ever so slightly. Never had he said it with such conviction or determination. "R-Really?"

"Really. Never forget that, alright?" Howie replied, gently pulling their lips together for a kiss.

"Now that was the cutest thing I have ever seen!" Teagan gushed as she waited for them to part. She affectionately threw her arms around Oriana's shoulders, kissing the younger girl's cheek. "What'cha say to taking me home so I can do the same?"

"I knew that was coming," Oriana groaned with an affectionate smile, reaching to squeeze Howie's hand.

"Well, you can thank your boyfriend for that," Teagan laughed, leaning over to kiss Howie's cheek as well. "Thanks again, Dorky Dwaine."

"You're welcome," Howie approved, kissing her back.

"Hey, those are for me," Oriana pouted.

"Okay!" they both bent down and kissed Oriana's cheeks on each side.

"Hey, that was cheek, I meant here," she pouted further, tapping her glossed lips.

"That's Howie's territory, not mine," Teagan shook her head with a laugh.

"Please, you've kissed me there plenty of times, not in public...but..." Oriana thoughts were cut when Howie grabbed her by the hips to pull her in. She gasped softly as her lips met with his for a sweltering kiss, causing her insides to melt. "Was that for the road or what?"

"No, this one was," he replied with a wink, delivering an even stronger kiss.

"Mmm," she whimpered softly into his mouth, feeling her feet slightly give as she became dizzy with excitement and the sheer thrill.

"DAMN!" Teagan hooted, clapping her hands.

"We've got to go..." Oriana whispered, finally pulling away from Howie in shock. She had never felt so tightly wound before. He knew the exact way to erupt such a steep flood of romantic hormones into her system, yet he didn't even seem to understand.

"I'll go find Alex, you girls head to the car," Howie pulled out the Hummer keys and tossed them to Teagan. He kissed Oriana's forehead and went out to search for the lost group member among the sea of girls.

"What was that all about?!" Teagan squealed excitedly into Oriana's ear, immediately threading her arm through Oriana's arm as they shifted through the crowds.

"What? The kisses?" Oriana played dumb.

"Yes, the kisses! Those were freaking hot! I could see your legs give a little, too."

"No..." Oriana trailed with a deep blush.

"Did too, did too!"

"What's the big deal if they did?"

"It only means one thing. You love—"

"Well if it isn't my two favorite girls!" a familiar voice cackled from behind them, causing Teagan to immediately lurch in fear. She was about to break into a run for the door, but Xander caught her roughly by the upper arm while threading his arm around Oriana's hip. "My, my, my, Cherry-Bomb has certainly grown up, hasn't she, Teagie?"

"Damnit, Xander! You gave me your word!" Teagan blurted, trying to get out of his grasp.

"Ah, ah, ah," Xander cooed, immediately hoisting her backward. He pressed his face in between the girls' heads, mashing their cheeks to his. "Maybe for you... But not your little Wild-Cherry-Bomb. She could use a night of loving... Hell, we could even go out of town and get a nice tattoo on this hip of hers..." Xander grinned mechanically as he furiously squeezed Oriana's hip with a crushing pain before moving to palm her behind and Teagan's breast. "Or maybe her ass and one on your tit..."

But, Oriana quickly countered as Teagan freaked. She grabbed Xander roughly by the arm, yanking it backward and twisting it upward. She pulled it further up the length of his back to initiate a break with once swift move. Xander yelped with a furious pain, but Oriana maintained the hold with only one hand. "Who the Hell do you think you are? I told you once and I've told you twice, leave my Gabby alone. I'm not up for your damn games."

"Let go of my fucking arm, bitch—" he yelped again as she yanked his arm harder.

"I can easily break your arm right now, if you want me to. Then it'll be REALLY easy for the cops to find you if you come near my Gabby again!"

"Damnit, Oriana! Stop!" Teagan yelped in shock as Xander struggled beneath Oriana's crushing grip. She feared that Oriana would be severely beaten by Xander. Oriana wasn't as strong with a broken arm and Xander could damage it more. Naturally, Teagan feared for Oriana's life after Xander's threatening remarks made that day in the school parking lot. He was out to exact revenge on Teagan, knowing her true weakness lay within Oriana.

"No, I'm fucking tired of this asshole chasing you around trying to scare you all the time. He's going to know the meaning of a restraining order! Get the fuck outside, Jerk," Oriana growled, pulling his arm upward further behind his back. Xander actually rose to his tip-toes as Oriana shoved him violently toward the exit. He tipped up yet again as she yanked further, causing him to yelp wildly.

Oriana kicked her foot into the back of his knee, causing him to stumble to the cold ground outside the club. His friends closely followed along with others, but Oriana didn't care what embarrassment Xander suffered. "How does it feel, Xanie? Forced down on the ground without a second's notice as a sharp pain invades your body. Do you feel inferior? Because, damnit, you should. That's what you made Teagan suffer through every damn day and frankly, I think you should know what it feels like!"

"Oriana, don't! He won't learn anything from this!" Teagan begged, trying to pull Oriana away. She may have been afraid of Xander, but she would rather have herself get hurt than her best friend.

"Xander..." Oriana was almost prepared to break the bastard's arm, but Teagan tugged furiously upon Oriana's pants like a flustered child. Oriana turned for a moment, noticing the tears actually staring to trickle down the length of Teagan's usually sunny face. Oriana grunted with a sigh, releasing Xander's arm and kicking him squarely in the back to cause him to fall forward. "Get the fuck out of my sight, you freaking Walking STD and don't bother my Teagan again. You fucking hear me?"

"You're going to be sorry. The both of you," Xander grunted as he climbed to his feet, cradling his right arm that Oriana at least sprained.

"Sorry that we ever laid eyes on your sorry ass," Oriana snorted as a few members of the clouded circle started to snicker with amusement, flaring Xander's frustrations.

"She's fucking dead, Teagan. Do you hear me? I'm going to slit her throat from ear to ear, saw her head off, and put it in your bed!" Xander growled as his friends started to pull him away, noticing someone start to dial for the police.

"You're not going anywhere NEAR her, you sick fuck!" Teagan finally snapped, lurching towards Xander in a fit of rage. Hearing those words had finally set her off. Throughout the abusive relationship, he had always threatened to kill Oriana and this time was the breaking point.

"Damnit, Xander! Stop fucking around! Let's go!" a gruff man barked as Howie and Alex started to break through the crowd with shouts of threats.

"She's dead, Teagan! Do you hear me?! I'm going to slaughter her when you least expect it and force you to drink her blood! How about that?!" Xander screamed as he was pulled toward a sleek black car, continuing to rage about Oriana. "You're dead, Bitch! Fucking dead!"

"Just get the Hell on," Oriana murmured, watching the car hurriedly peel from the scene before more trouble could arise.

Teagan turned to Oriana and enveloped her in a fierce hug. "God, Duckie, I'm so sorry! This is all my fault—"

"It's not your fault," Oriana wheezed as Teagan practically crushed Oriana's lean body against her own. Tears were already started to soak Oriana's bare shoulders as Teagan shook furiously with disbelief and fear. Oriana sighed, pulling the cast out of the sling so she couldn't feel the agonizing pressure from Teagan's hug. She let it hang limp as she wrapped her other arm around Teagan's neck for comfort. "C'mon, he was just talking shit to scare you."

"He's carried out his threats before on me! I don't know what I would do if something happened to you—"

"Nothing's going to happen to me, okay? I plan on staying around here for a long time, just to drive my Gabby crazy," Oriana interrupted, gently running her fingers through the back of Teagan's locks.

"You don't understand!" Teagan sobbed further, not relieved by Oriana's simple gesture. "He's always threatened to kill you, but I stood up for you... That's how I got hurt, I let him take it out on me. But, I'll go crazy without you! You can't do that anymore! You can't yell at him! He's crazy! He's going to come back tonight and get us! We've got to lock all the doors and...and... He's going to kill you, Duc—"

"Are you two okay?" Howie breathed in shock as he finally pushed toward the middle of the crowd, breaking free with Alex. They had heard the commotion and struggled to aid in the girls' rescue, but everyone had seemingly blocked them. Howie's heart slammed against his ribcage as he hurriedly cupped both of the girls' cheeks in search of injuries. "What happened?"

"We're fine," Oriana objected, pulling away from Howie's touch. She bent down to gently kiss
Teagan's forehead. "C'mon, let's go home."

"He's going to get us, I know it!" Teagan sniffed, burying her face in the crook of Oriana's neck. "He's going to get us!"

"Teagan, you're such a drama queen," Oriana teased, trying to lighten the situation as Alex reached them. She avoided the boys' shocked gazes, knowing that they were becoming all too familiar with the emotions that leaked through her eyes. Truth be told, Xander's words had chilled her very core. Seeing Teagan in the hospital during their junior year from Xander's 'threats' continued to play throughout Oriana's head. She had been the first to stumble upon Teagan's battered body, which still gave her nightmares. The idea of Xander threatening Oriana with worse punishment just made her sick.

"But he will! Lock the doors, the bay windows... no, ALL the windows... then we have to set the alarm! Do you have a baseball bat and mase—"

"Let's just get to the car first, then we'll worry about setting up for Armageddon at home, alright?" Oriana groaned, feeling Teagan cling especially tighter to her side. Oriana flicked her eyes upward to catch Luke and the rest of the football team eyeing her cautiously. She mustered an apologetic smile. "Sorry, guys. Not much of a pick-me-up, huh?"

"Are you girls alright?" Gabe asked, noticing Teagan's body tremble violently as she clung onto Oriana.

"We'll be fine," Oriana promised as Teagan whimpered pathetically into the crook of Oriana's neck. Teagan finally seemed to be loosing all control with Xander's last threat, but Oriana refused to crumble. "She just needs a warm bath with my rubber ducky."

"Are you sure?" Luke replied with an open frown. He had heard Xander's threats and didn't like the idea of Oriana leaving their sight.

"Yes, we're just going to go home. We can salsa again another time, okay, Luke?" Oriana replied, gently nudging Teagan toward the Hummer. Teagan clung tighter, refusing to walk alone without being attached to Oriana.

"We could always hang out at your house for awhile—"

"Thanks, but not tonight. Luke, everything's fine, really. Don't worry about us."

"Cherry-Bomb, I don't like the idea of you being alone tonight with that psycho—"

"That psycho has been around for almost two years, Luke. If he wanted to kill me; he would have done it already," Oriana groaned, causing Teagan to squeeze tighter. Oriana yelped, hurriedly whispering some kind of soothing words to Teagan to relax her grip. She glanced back to Luke with an apologetic smile. "I'm going to be fine, okay? We're going to be fine—"

"I still don't like the idea of you being alone--"

"Howie and Alex are going to be there, so I won't be alone. I'll give you a call tomorrow, okay? I promise," Oriana replied, rubbing Teagan's back to keep her calm. "But I really need to get her home so she can relax."

"Relax?! You expect me to relax with Xander out there?" Teagan blurted, choking back a sob.

"Yes, I expect you to relax... Damnit, even if I have to give you a Valium to make you relax," Oriana forced, offering yet another smile to her team-mates before moving Teagan toward the car.

"Wait, you promise you guys are going to be there tonight? You won't let her out of your sight?" Luke yelped, immediately reaching to grab Howie's upper arm before they could catch the girls. Luke was used to Oriana promising one thing about her safety then doing another. Usually, she would be by herself at night and the team wasn't agreeing with that.

"I'm going to be there all night, and Alex lives there. We'll keep an eye on her, I promise," Howie replied, watching Oriana pry herself off Teagan to get her into the Hummer before climbing in herself.

"Howie, we're trusting you with some special cargo. A piece of cargo that is a large chunk of all our hearts," Luke impressed, wanting Howie to see the severity of their thoughts.

"I understand that, Luke. She's my life, and I won't let anything happen to her," Howie replied honestly.

"Okay," Luke relented, finally taking the time to inhale. "Thanks, Howie. We really appreciate it."
"No need to thank me. See you guys later," Howie gave a small smile and waved before he headed to the car with Alex in tow.

"Um, D, I have a small problem..." Alex finally announced after a few seconds of contemplation, watching Oriana ease out of the Hummer for a few minutes. She paused, immediately leaning back in to obviously secure Teagan's fears. Alex sighed, "Maybe we should drop you off at home tonight..."

"What the Hell are you talking about? I'm not going home," Howie objected, stopping for a moment.

"I'm talking about my brother..." Alex tried to explain, noticing the immediate fire licking at Howie's irises. He backed for a moment, holding his hands up in defense. "It's not that I don't want you to be with Ry, but I got to thinking. He had a major blow-out with Teag tonight… He's probably blaming Ry for this mess and will be looking to strike at her. What if he starts telling Mom and Dad that you two are sleeping around or something? Dude, that'd be a damn massacre. Especially if you come home tonight with us and spend the entire night with Ry. We should just drop you off—"

"I'm not going home, damnit. I promised the team I would protect her and I'll be damned if anyone's going to be stop me," Howie interrupted, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I understand that, but Howie, you will be damned if Mom and Dad get hold of you for having sex with Ry."

"But I haven't!"

"I know that, but what's to stop Brian from saying you have?"

"Well, he doesn't have proof for one thing? And your dad knows that I wouldn't do that with Oriana, because neither of us are ready."

"But with the way you two act sometimes, it looks like you're ready. Can you just for once try to understand where I'm coming from? I know you're bound and determined to spend the night..." Alex groaned softly as he listened to Teagan erupt into another list of hysterics about a trunk. "If you're bound and determined to spend the night, will you at least crash in my room to protect your relationship?"

"But—"

"D, please."

"Alright... I'll stay in your room tonight," Howie relented.

"Thank you. It's for the best, you know?"

"Yeah, I know."

"Okay," Alex replied with confirmation, moving toward the passenger side. He reached for the handle and pulled, only to notice it was locked. He jiggled it for a moment, only to hear Teagan's incessant babbling about locking all doors.

"Damnit, Teagan Gabrielle," Oriana grunted, pulling hard on her lanyard that Teagan's fingers gripped like a vice. "Give...me...the...fucking...KEYS!" Oriana yelped in surprise as she stumbled backward, finally freeing the keys from Teagan's grasp as she hurriedly ducked down between the seats to be shielded from the trunk. Oriana rolled her eyes with frustration, turning to see Howie standing behind her. She offered him a soft smile, immediately noting the murky color of his usually vibrant eyes. "You okay, Babe?"

"Yeah, I'm fine—"

"Don't lie, you're horrible at it."

"I'm just worried about you," he confessed softly, reaching out to rub his thumb across her cheek. "I heard what he said, Ria. That's not something to take so lightly, you know?"

"I can handle myself," Oriana disagreed, leaning up to capture his lips into a sweet kiss in hopes to distract his thoughts.

"I know, but that's what Teagan thought junior year and I don't need to tell you what happened. I'm worried," he replied, now cupping her cheek. "You can't blame me for being worried when someone like him threatens the love of my life."

"No, I can't blame you for being worried," she whispered faintly, listening to Alex start to bicker with Teagan about opening the doors. "But, just trust me, I'm going to be fine."

"I love you," he whispered, pulling her in for a gentle hug.

"Yeah, I know," she laughed faintly, feeling better just being in his arms. She rubbed her hand along Howie's back for a moment, just inhaling the sweet scent of his cologne. "But you'd love me even more if you'd drive on the way home so I can keep Teagan from killing my car."

"Deal," he smiled softly, kissing the top of her head before leading them to the car.