Teaming Up

Chapter 6

RUN

It was nearly six-thirty Thanksgiving morning when the whole team gathered along the shoreline of Seabrook Sound for the annual Turkey Trot. They were dressed in their team gear amongst the families and runners dressed in everything from Hawaiian skirts to Santa Claus suits.

Addison whistled for their attention. "Okay you group of fuck-ups, because we also have to work the refreshments today as part of your probation, on top of our long-standing charity commitment to complete this race, our goal this year is to come in at ninety minutes on the nose. That's a sub-seven-minute mile. Any questions?"

Wyatt groaned. He'd been pulling late nights working at the bar trying to come up with the money to cover the fines the bar had been handed, not to mention studying his ass off to make sure his grades stayed high enough to keep from being booted out of school after being placed on probation after the gambling bust nightmare.

"Ninety minutes only, Wy," Addison encouraged, bouncing in place. "You can do this." She looked around. "Where's Eliza? I thought she agreed to man the table for us until we finished."

"Here," Eliza said with a scowl, clutching a paper cup of coffee. "Is it nap time yet?"

Zed bit back a chuckle. He couldn't blame her. Getting up at the ass crack of dawn was the last way he'd want to spend his Thanksgiving if he didn't have to. Eliza had already been working around the clock trying to help out Wyatt and pay her own legal fees after the bust.

"Is Wynter going to make it?" Addison asked, her face full of concern.

Zed shook his head. "No, her doctor put her on bed rest. She's under too much stress right now. We've all been chipping in what we can to cover her fines."

Addison pat his arm. "She's lucky to have you guys watching out for her." She turned to the rest of the group. "Everyone ready? Don't forget to stay in time."

The fallout from the poker game raid could have been much worse, but thanks to the legal team the fraternity had at their disposal most of the recourse had come in the form of fines and probation. Unfortunately, that also included the team. Addison had been burning the candle at both ends trying to rally morale and keep them afloat. They all needed Crew. Even this year's Turkey Trot was being used as a team-building exercise, working to get them back in sync and working as one again. A sub-seven goal wasn't difficult. Most of them ran sub-six miles all the time. The challenge came in completing it together.

Addison led them through a round of stretching and light calisthenics, and before they knew it, they were off and running through the streets of Seabrook. Past the university, and through the posher neighborhoods surrounding the beach. The first third of the race was mostly uphill, making all of them feel it deep in their muscles, but luckily the last half of the race would be downhill.

Eliza met them at the halfway checkpoint forty-five minutes later, looking slightly more awake and slightly less grumpy.

They crossed the finish line at ninety minutes, thirty-seven seconds. Addison was a crazy ball of energy, bouncing around, high-fiving all the guys, pulling them all in for a picture for the paper. Anything to boost their spirits and improve the appearance of their now tarnished reputation.

Zed watched her for a full minute, amused and touched by the way she took each of them aside to compliment them and thank them, sending them off to their community service shift with a note of encouragement. "Don't forget, light workouts this weened, don't eat too much pie, and see you early and bright on Monday!"

He lingered until he was the last one there, hands jammed in his sweatshirt as he hovered nearby. He knew he should have left ten minutes ago. He wasn't on probation and didn't need to fulfill any service hours, but he just couldn't. There had been another subtle shift between them since the arrests. A softening, in a way… as if they'd moved beyond the straight-up sexual tension and into something that felt deeper. The downside was that it only made him want to be around her more.

Addison cocked her head when she turned around and saw him still standing there. "Don't you have someplace to be?"

Zed shook his head. "Not this year. My sister had a cheerleading competition in Orlando."

"Why didn't you go with them?"

"And miss the Turkey Trot? No way."

"But it's your family, Zed… I'm sure you need a break from all this."

The way she said his name startled him. For starters, she rarely used it. Mostly he was Necrodopolus. And if she used his full name, it was usually for a reprimand of sorts. But this time… it was full of concern. Full of friendship. He shrugged. "With the frat and the team on probation right now, I figured it was a good time for uninterrupted study time… I'll see them at Christmas."

She scoffed. "You're full of shit… you didn't tell them about the raid, did you?"

"Nope."

She shook her head and motioned towards the parking lot.

"So…" he said, walking next to her. "Where are you off to?" He had half a mind to invite her back to the house for Thai if she didn't have plans.

"As soon as I change, I'm driving up to Shoreline. My cousin is in town for the weekend and is crashing at my grandma's house."

"Why aren't you spending the holiday with your parents? Don't they live in Seabrook?"

She let out a heavy sigh and leaned against her rusted-out Volkswagen bug. "I told you I used to cheer, right?"

He nodded his head and leaned against the car as well, careful not to damage it any further.

"I didn't just cheer. I was already captain of the squad by my sophomore year. I was nationally ranked… Seabrook Highs pride and joy, you name it."

"Whoa…"

"Yeah," she said with another heavy sigh. "But that all changed when I blew out my knee. Long story short, my coach didn't think I had it in me anymore and I got kicked off the squad."

"That sounds familiar."

She laughed humourlessly. "Yeah… that's how Bonzo convinced me to give you a chance."

Zed feigned offense. "And here I was thinking all this time it was my good looks and natural charm."

Addison rolled her eyes and shoved his shoulder playfully. "Cheer was and still is everything in my family… when I got hurt and couldn't do it anymore…" she shrugged her shoulders. "Things just were never the same between us and... they kind of cut me off."

"Kind of?"

"Okay, totally."

"But you're still close with your cousin? Even after he left you in a lurch to find his replacement on the team?" He held his hands up, "Not that I'm complaining."

She smirked and shoved him again. "Bucky and I have a complicated relationship. But… at the end of the day, he gets me in a way no one else does. He had a nearly identical injury that ruined his cheer career. He's the one that got into Crew during his rehab. He introduced it to me. Crew became a lifeline for both of us."

"And now he's on the National team training for the Olympics."

She nodded her head. "Yeah."

"And your grandmother?"

Addison smiled. "My grandmother…" she shook her head and chuckled. "Grams is a character, Bucky and I take after her more than we'd like to admit sometimes."

"And you're driving a good three hours in this rust wagon? You know there's no cell service by the bluffs. What if you break down?"

"Hey! My car's a classic! It is more than capable of getting me there safely."

"Sure it is, Addie…" he said, patting the top of her head. He knew he was playing with fire, but fired up Addison was adorable.

"And what would you suggest I do then?"

Zed shrugged his shoulders. "You could take my car."

She snorted out a laugh. "No… not an option."

"Why not? I'm not using it today."

"Because I can't drive stick."

Zed shook his head and covered his mouth to keep from making the inappropriate comment on the tip of his tongue. After a brief moment to compose himself, he stood up a little straighter. "Then let me drive."

Addison's eyes went wide before she made a face of pure amusement. "Your chivalry cracks me up, Necrodopolus, but the answer is still no."

"Again… why not?" he pressed, mentally rearranging the rest of his day because now he wanted to spend Thanksgiving with her, and he was offended she was pushing him off.

"Because we're not dating," she said hotly.

"So arriving in my car says dating?"

"It screams that we'll be picking out china next."

He stepped into her personal space and caged her against the car, leaning in so she couldn't avoid his eyes. "Let's get one thing straight, gorgeous." He purposely chose the word because he knew it riled her up. He was so close to her that he caught a whiff of her scent, the same intoxicating mix of citrus and spice that haunted his dreams, and it zipped right to his dick like lightning. "If we were dating, it would be damned clear to everyone. With or without my car." He flicked his eyebrows up, making sure she caught his meaning. His dick was like iron in his pants, and it just served to irritate him more. "Furthermore, what kind of friend," he practically spat the word, "would let you drive that deathtrap through the bluffs with no cell service."

She glared at him, trying to hide the desire coursing through her veins. "Fine. You have a point."

"Thank you," he murmured, wanting nothing more than to tip her chin and kiss the stubbornness right out of her. Instead, he grazed his knuckles against her jaw, watching the goosebumps rise along the column of her neck, resisting the urge to follow their trail with his mouth.

Her breath caught as he leaned in even closer.

"So… on this drive, I want to learn all the things about you I still don't know. The name of your first-grade teacher, who was your first crush, who was your first kiss, everything, understand?"

Addison could feel her cheeks warm as she swallowed, trying to regain her quickly slipping composure. "Easy…" she breathed. "Mrs. Frank, Pierce Montgomery, and TrippWindsor."

"I mean it, Addie. I'm tired of being the last guy on the boat who learns things about you."

She smiled and looked up at him through her lashes. "Just remember… you asked for this. You should have run when you had the chance."

ZzZzZzZzZzZ

Addison: So… we have a bit of a development.

Bucky: Please tell me you're on your way? Grams has been cooking up a storm. I swear it's like she's cooking for an entire army.

Addison: Bahahaha. Sounds like Grams.

Bucky: I swear, it's true. I have a weight to maintain and she's going to send us home with a cooler of leftovers.

Addison: About that…

Bucky: OMG… you're not coming? Please tell me you're coming. I will never make weight if I have to eat all of this! Do not blow us off!

Addison: Opposite… I'm bringing someone.

Bucky: Who?! You better not say Tripp!

Addison: No, not trip. Necrodopolus.

Bucky: That name sounds familiar…

… …

OMG! ARE YOU SHITTING ME ADDISON? You're bringing a guy from your boat?! WHAT HAVEN'T YOU TOLD ME?!

Addison: Nothing! I swear! Strictly platonic. It just kind of happened.

Bucky: That's an excuse pregnant teenagers use.

… … …

Dear god, tell me you are not knocked up by someone on your fucking boat! That's a million times worse than a crewmance! I thought you were the smart one! How the hell do you expect to make the team when you're knocked up!

Addison: Seriously, cuz?

Bucky: Don't use that tone with me! Are you or aren't you?

Addison: I. AM. NOT. PREGNANT.

Bucky: Oh praise Jesus!

Addison: Look, I just don't want Grams getting all Grams on him. Think you could help reel her in?

Bucky: Of course. But you do know he's fair game in the car on the way back.

… …

Wait… I'm still coming back with you, right?

Addison: Of course. Tracey and Jacey are so excited to see you.

Bucky: Okay, whew. Alright, we'll talk when you get here.

ZzZzZzZzZzZ

Zed pulled up outside one of the vintage buildings a short distance from campus and texted that he was there. He stepped around the front of the car and waited patiently for Addison to come outside. The first thing he noticed when she finally stepped outside was her fuck-me-red boots. The same ones she wore at the Harvard regatta after party. But it was the rest of her that took his breath away. She was wearing jeans and a pink fuzzy sweater that perfectly set off her eyes. "Are you wearing makeup?" He was pretty sure his voice cracked like a teenager. She looked fucking incredible. His dick sprung to attention. She looked touchable, and edible, and perfectly fuckable. God help me, he silently thought to himself. He felt like he was right back where he was with her a few months ago when all the spare brain cells in his head were focused on what she looked like with her clothes off.

Addison giggled. "Try not to look so surprised. I'm more than just a jock," she teased.

In spite of his better judgment, he leaned in to kiss her cheek. "You look delicious… Oh, I mean gorgeous," he stammered out in correction, his brain misfiring as he caught another whiff of her perfume.

She smiled and shook her head. "Let's go, Necrodopolus. It's a long drive."

The drive from Seabrook to Shoreline usually felt like it took forever, but somehow, with Addison keeping him in stitches as she answered all his nosy questions about her childhood, the time seemed to fly by. It was nearly one in the afternoon when they arrived in Shoreline. They pulled into a long driveway and parked behind a vintage Cadillac. The thing was impeccably kept.

"Now that's a classic," Zed said pointing towards the car as he cut the engine to his own.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Stop hating on my car, not all of us can afford a new stang," she said through a bright smile. "You ready for this?"

"Anything I need to know?"

"That you don't already? I think you're good. You know all my secrets now," she smiled even wider, happy with that knowledge. Content even.

Zed's breath caught. He knew he'd do whatever he could to keep that smile on her face. "Except for that barely-there scar above your left eyebrow." She'd been holding back on that one and he couldn't figure out why.

"In good time," she replied with a wink.

He hopped out of the car and jogged around the front so he could open her door.

"Oh dear lord…" she said through a stiff smile. "My Grams is watching from the window."

Before either of them knew it, they were being welcomed in a flurry of arms and laughs, kisses, and hugs.

Addison's grandmother was a tiny thing, barely five feet by Zed's estimation, with the same bright blue eyes as her granddaughter. Addison leaned in and kissed her cheek. "Grams, this is my friend," she emphasized the word, "Zed."

Grams eyes lit up as she looked him up and down and smiled approvingly. "Sure, Hunny… whatever you say." She held out her hand, "Liv Buchanan, a pleasure to meet you."

Zed kissed the top of her hand, making her giggle.

"Oh, aren't you just the cutest… My, my, Addie, you sure know how to pick them."

"Grams…" Addison warned.

She patted her granddaughter's cheek. "Relax, deary. Why don't you go help your cousin finish setting the table while I get to know your 'friend' a little better."

Addison narrowed her eyes. "Don't make this weird… please?" she pleaded, silently mouthing the word sorry to Zed as she walked off.

Liv turned back to Zed and clapped her hands together. "So my grandson tells me you're on Addie's boat?"

"I am," he answered with a nod.

"And what position do you row?"

Zed's chest puffed a little with pride as he answered, "Stroke."

Liv gave him a knowing smile. "So you've got an ego and the skill to back it up then."

"I uh…"

She patted his shoulder. "Relax, it's a good thing, Zed. It takes a strong man to deal with that granddaughter of mine… so what exactly is your relationship with my granddaughter."

Zed swallowed loudly. "It's um… complicated?"

"That's one word for it," a male voice said from the doorway. "Crewmances sink ships."

"Bartholomew, I swear to god I will kick your ass…" Addison threatened from the other room.

"Oh, like you could even reach short stuff," he snapped back before turning back to Zed.

Zed bit back a laugh at their exchange. It was easy to see where Addison got her feistiness from.

"Bucky Buchanan," her cousin said, holding out his hand in greeting.

"Zed Necrodopolus," he replied, shaking Bucky's hand.

"So you're the guy that took my spot on the boat."

"And you're the guy who left the team in a lurch."

Liv covered her mouth to keep from laughing. "Oh, he'll fit in just fine around here… honestly, I don't know why Addie was so worried, if she hasn't sent him running for the hills I doubt we would."

Addison rushed back into the room. "Please ignore everything they say, I do."

Zed laughed and shook his head. "I am so glad I came with you."

The afternoon flew by in a blur. Zed was surprised at how the stress and tension in his shoulders seemed to melt away as he bantered easily with Addison and her family. It was at some point during his third slice of pie that he looked up to find Addison and Bucky, heads bent together laughing over something. An unfamiliar ache sprouted in his chest. She lifted her head and caught his eye, her mouth widening into a smile that lately he craved more and more.

It was dark when they finally arrived back in Seabrook, much later than Zed had intended. He helped Addison out of the car while Bucky grabbed his bag from the trunk. "See you Monday?" he asked Addison, feeling more than a little awkward in front of her cousin.

Addison was already backing up with a wave. "Don't forget, light workouts, and don't overindulge."

Bucky paused, speaking low so his cousin wouldn't hear. "I like you, Zed. You're good for her… just make sure you know what you're risking... Both of you." He hurried after Addison without a backward glance.

Zed swallowed a sigh of pure frustration, grateful that his balls hadn't shriveled and fallen off from the months of torture. He hadn't bothered to attempt a date in weeks. What was the point? Addison was the only one he wanted, and if the only way he got to spend time with her was in the friend zone, then so be it. He could wait another nine months for their one and only night. And he'd make sure it was so damn good that she couldn't help but demand more.


AUTHOR'S NOTE: Still not home. Still stuck in this hotel. Evacuations suck.