Forbidden Love - Segment 15

[itztigress3]

Segment 15 - July 4
POV: Emily & Zac
Word Count: 3950
Warnings: Alchohol use, otherwise None
Authors note: AU here too. In this story so far only Taylor has children and that is Ezra, he is less than a year old. Same birthday though (10-31).

-Emily-

July 4, 2007

Since the album release party the orders had come in and they were moving smoothly. Because I had agreed to go on tour with them, telling them in May, I had hired new employees. Thomas was still working here but I hired Stephanie Waters as my assistant, she would be staying here while I traveled. I also hired one other woman, Samantha Craven to be here on a part time basis. I had been training Stephanie since she was hired and so far she was doing great. Thomas had asked both of them for pictures and both declined because I told them too when I hired them.

The tour was leaving in two weeks, just after my birthday and while everyone was busy planning, prepping, and practicing for the tour the boys were also planning a huge bon fire for tonight, so everyone was trying to get out by 2. I sent Thomas and Samantha home at 1 and Stephanie and I were done by 1:45, she left before I did though. I walked by Taylor’s office, knowing Zac was in a conference call and Isaac was not here.

“I’ll see you all tonight.”

“Remember, it’s my house. Do you have the directions?” Taylor asked.

“Yes, Zac gave me very detailed directions from my apartment complex to your front door. I think I even got land marks to make sure. Still six right?”

“Yes. Natalie is planning to eat at 6:45, but I bet 7. After that it’ll be party time! Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.”

“Ok.”

I walked by Zac’s office on my way out and I waved and smiled and he waved and smiled back, I then left. I went to Craig’s apartment first though; he had asked me to come before I left if I had time. He let me into the apartment but he sat me down in the chair, which was never good.

He was dressed in just shorts and nothing else, leaving his chiseled body exposed. His brown hair was short but unkempt and still looked decent and his blue eyes seemed icy at the moment. If I had not always known he was gay, if he hadn’t been such a great friend and brother to me, I might would have fallen for him.

“Alright, you my home girl and I love you but we have to talk.”

I looked at him confused and unsure about what exactly. “Ok.”

“It’s about you and Zac.”

“What about us?”

He frowned, his eyes deicing some. “I am not sure how to say it and I know you will not want to hear it, but I spoke with Amanda and we agree that you do not need to join the tour. You need to stay here in Tulsa.”

“Craig, I cannot back out now. I have already agreed to go and there counting on me.”

“At least ride the other bus.”

“I can’t. Isaac actually assigned me to their bus. He wanted the tour manager too but Taylor insisted that a manager needed to be on that bus. It’s already arranged and I had nothing to do with that.”

“Honey, you are going to get hurt. You admitted to me that you love him, but sugar pie he does not love you.”

“How do you know for sure? You have never seen him around me. Amanda has but that was during a public event. She caught him kissing me for crying out loud.”

He got my hand and held it tightly, he use to do that when he had bad news for me. Like when my father’s trial was.

“I saw him with his wife, just last week at the mall. He was holding her hand and they were talking, they seemed amicable and friendly. He is using you Emily, I don’t know if they are really not having sex but he is using you.”

I yanked my hand away from him. “No. He is not.”

His face softened again and that angered me some.

“Has he said anything about leaving her for you? It’s been five months since you first had sex with him.”

“It’s complicated.”

“No, it’s not. If he does not love his wife, he should divorce her. It’s pretty simple actually.”

“No, it’s not. She is tied to him financially and it involved their business, he has to make sure that it will not affect the business that it will not leave her in charge of any portion of their business.”

“Ok, if you know has he mentioned that he was doing anything to take steps in that direction?”

He would know if I lied to him, he was great at reading lies on me. Zac had not mentioned him doing anything to solve the problem, just that it existed. “No...but…” His finger stopped me.

“Take me with you tonight. He will not get jealous because Zac knows I am gay.”

“Craig, its Taylor’s personal residence, I would need his permission.”

“Call Taylor and ask him if I can come.” He smirked at me.

I got my phone and called Zac, he would know Craig already. “Hey.” He said.

“Hi, um...would Taylor mind if I brought Craig with me tonight?”

“Were you thinking of asking him to come?” His voice was even but cautious.

“Even though I am an employee and others will be there, it might be better for you if I came with someone. You already know about him and he knows about you, he will maintain your cover as well.”

“I am sure he will not mind, but let me ask him.”

He used the speaker system for the building and I heard Taylor’s response, which was sure bring him on.

“You hear that?” Zac asked.

“Yes. Thank you.”

“No problem, I’ll see you tonight. Emily..Please, don’t wear a dress.”

“Aww, come on I had this really tight skirt picked out and this like tube top it was going to be awesome.”

Craig rolled his eyes and Zac groaned into my ear. “Please, Emily, I am begging you. Don’t wear that.”

“Fine! I’ll just wear that Monday to work. I will see you in a little while.” I then hung-up and looked at Craig.

“Girl, you can be so evil at times.” He said.

“I know. Taylor said it was fine, why do you want to go though?”

“Well, I want to meet him face to face, all I have really heard is what you have said and I know what our cover story is. I want to see how he acts with you as you know I am an excellent judge of character.”

“Craig, it would not be fair to judge him here. I am sure Kate will be there and he cannot interact with me with her there. How can you get a fair representation of how he is around me when he can’t be himself?”

He raised his eyebrow, gave me a smirking tell all look. “I will know how by how he acts, even if he cannot touch you or kiss you.”

I looked at him and finally relented. “Don’t make waves Craig.”

He smiled. “I won’t do that. Now go get ready and so will I.”

I went home and showered and got dressed, I really hadn’t planned on a skirt or anything, I went with simple tan shorts and a black shirt with blue lines running diagonally across the middle. Craig said he would drive so I used Zac’s directions to get to Taylor’s house.  We walked to the door and Taylor greeted us and let us inside. His house was very nice, two stories with plenty of rooms because they planned to have more children. Taylor took us around the house quickly, showed us where the bathrooms were.

“Where is your son?” I asked.

“He’s outside with Isaac and the younger siblings. I’m headed back out as it’s the men duty to watch the kids and make the bon fire. Craig, are you ok with that?” Taylor asked.

“Bon fires are my specialty, kids not so much, but I’ll be glad to help.” Craig replies.

He follows Taylor outside and I went to the kitchen where Natalie was standing alone.

“Did everyone abandon you?” I asked.

“Not really. Diana and Walker decided to do something together and Jessica is with her boyfriend and Avery is also. So, we have the two youngest with us. I’d rather cook with adults.”

“I understand. What can I do?”

“I need lettuce, tomatoes, and veggies cut up.” She replied.

I smiled and asked for the cutting board and knives, because I had no idea where they were.

“It’s been a few weeks since I saw you, since the release party.”

“It’s been busy at the studio. Prepping and planning and they’ve been practicing.”

“It’s always that way before a tour, Taylor said you were actually going with them this time?”

Her question was harmless, no hint of jealously or animosity at all. “That’s right. Merchandise Manager is what they officially told me my title was.”

“They needed one! Last tour was horrible.”

I was cutting up the lettuce and had not really paid any attention to the front door.

“I personally do not care what your title is, as long as you stay away from Zachary.” She snapped.

Natalie and I both looked at the doorway to the kitchen, I swallowed hard but still felt the sharp pain in my hand, but the fact that she was standing there in front of him, actually held his hand was hard for me. I felt my heart slow and then it felt like it slammed into my chest. I could feel pain in my hand but I was too focused on them standing there. Sure, it wasn’t the first time I had seen them but it was the first time since I realized that I truly loved him. I vaguely saw him moving, before feeling his hand on mine and then being lead to the sink.

“Natalie, can you please get the first aid kid?” He asked.

I wondered why and looked down at my hand, which was covered in blood.

“You could let Natalie do that Zac, I am sure Taylor and Isaac could use your help.” Kate said.

Natalie left the room and returned but never came near me.

“Zachary.” Kate said. He kept his hand on mine.

“Kate, you know I can’t help her because I’ll pass out. Besides, Zac is far better at that than I am.” Natalie said.

I couldn’t see Kate’s face but whatever it was apparently Natalie didn’t like it. “I will not tolerate snippy comments all night Kathryn, if that is your sole purpose for gracing us with your presence then you can go home. Zac is just tending to a wound on her hand, chill out and back off.” Natalie said.

The room was quiet and Zac was patting my hand dry carefully. “You should seriously watch what you’re cutting.” He said.
I didn’t reply, but let him lead me to the dining room where he sat down with the kit and started to clean, disinfect, and bandaged me up. I could feel her eyes on me. Natalie was able to clear the cutting board and get a clean one. Craig must have seen us through the doors because he looked up and then came jogging inside.

“What happen?” He asked.

He came up behind Zac, kneeled down in front of me and the look on Zac’s face was pure jealously. Even the grip on my hand tightened some.

“She cut her hand.” Zac said.

Natalie’s head snapped toward Kate and I assumed she had started to say something, but no words came from her mouth. Craig looked at Zac, smiled at him even.

“Is it bad?” Craig asked.

“No. It’ll be fine. It wasn’t very deep thankfully.” He said.

Craig smiled at him some, but his eyes were on his hands as he finished taping the bandages on mine.

“Glad you were here to bandage that up.” He said.

“I dealt with cuts all the time growing up; I was a klutz and so was Taylor.” Zac said.

He let my hand go, gave me a slight smile. “I’m going to find Taylor and Isaac.” He said.

Zac got up and walked out of the dining room, finding Taylor at the BBQ.

“You ladies ok?” Craig asked.

“We’re just fine.” Kate said.

“Peachy.” Natalie said.

I wasn’t fine, there was a part of me that really wanted to go back home. When I didn’t say anything he looked at me. “Emily?”

“I’m ok Craig. Stop fretting.” I said. I wanted to go home, but I needed to be here. I needed this. I got up and walked back to the kitchen and went back to what I was doing. Craig looked at me for several moments before he went back outside.

“He seems very protective, boyfriend?” Kate asked.

“No, he’s like my brother.”

Natalie put Kate on fixing something and it was awkward and quite. Another woman came in and I had no idea who she was but she looked at me and damn she scared me! I felt her eyes on me, appraising me.

“Layla! It’s been forever!” Natalie almost yelled. The two met halfway for a hug.

“My husband’s schedule, it’s such a mess right now and so is mine.”

I saw Kate’s nasty look at her. “Hi, Layla.”

Layla looked at her. “Hello Kate, is everything ok?”

“Yes, it is.”

There interaction was forced and it sounded like they were being nice for the sake of everyone else.

“Where is Mark?” Natalie asked

 “He’ll be here in about fifteen minutes, he got caught at work.”

“You know Kate already, this is Emily she works with the boys at the warehouse.”

Kate snorted and I used my good hand to shake hers. She looked at my bandaged hand and smiled.

“I see Zac’s already had to tend to a wound today, hopefully no more.”

“Hopefully.” Natalie said.  I smiled but she held my hand a little longer than needed before finding a task.

Dinner was just a little late because of the wound and the cooking times, so it was 7:30 when we sat down to eat. Craig sat beside me on the right, Zac put himself across from me, and Layla sat down on my left side. Kate was across from Craig and while she did keep smiling at him Craig ignored her and spent time talking with the boys about music, the business, even politics. Although, the longer he ignored her, the more I saw the irritated face.

“What do you and Zac do on those days you’re together all alone?” Kate asked.
Layla chocked on the bite of salad she just put in her mouth, Isaac gagged on his beer, Zac dropped the fork into the sauce and everyone else sat very quietly all eyes on Zac or Craig. Ezra was the only one who kept eating. Craig looked up at her and a brief glance to Zac who looked truly terrified.

“Well, it is certainly not what you are implying. In general, he sits at my house and plays video games or we talk about what is going on with the world. Politics, artwork, it just depends.” Craig replied.

“He goes there to play video games?

“Kate.” Zac said.

“You have a system at home Zachary.” Her tone of voice was so commanding and I saw him flinch some, but the others ignored it.

“He has an X-box system; I have a Play station at my house. Basically, I allow him to use my home to decompress from stresses in his life. I am usually not even there.”

“Besides, what he and Craig do is none of our business.” Nikki said.

“I agree with them.” Natalie said.

“I am just glad he has a place to escape too.” Layla said, she turned Craig’s direction but her eyes were on me.

But the way Kate looked at her made me wonder if Layla was more than just a friend of Zac’s. Once dinner was done I stayed inside with Layla, Natalie, and Nikki while everyone else went outside. Although, Natalie and Nikki did not stay inside long and that left Layla and I alone, she got my wrist before I could escape. She kind of scared me.

“Emily.” She said.

I looked at her. “Yes?”

“I know who you are and I know what’s happened between the two of you.”

I swallowed hard, tried to not show that she was terrifying me.

“I am sure Craig does as well. I am also sure his house is not where Zac is.” She said.

“Who are you? His Ex-girlfriend?”

She laughed. “God no! He is way too crazy for me. You see how Mark is, laid back and relaxed. Zac and I have been friends for a long time and Kate hates me. Likewise, I don’t like her. I will not lecture you as I am sure Craig already has. Please, be careful with him I don’t want to see his hurting and I have a feeling it’ll end that way.”

“I don’t plan to hurt him Layla.”

She smiled at me and we both joined the party outside. Diana picked up the three children about ten and then we really got to party,
Isaac was mixing drinks and I asked for a strong one, which he complied with.

“Is that a good idea?” Craig asked.

I looked at him and smiled. “You are driving.”

He smiled and got a bottle of water. “Sapping all of my fun.”

Zac had played with Ezra and his two younger siblings until Diana picked them up. About eleven I was standing at the bar pouring myself another strong drink, I found the alcohol helped me avoid Kate and her stares.

“Is that wise of you?” Zac asked.

I looked at him and smiled. “Yep.”

“Pour me one too, and make it pretty strong.”

 I saw Craig turn and watch from across the yard.

“What kind do you want?” I asked.

“Whatever you want to fix.”

“Oh, dangerous.”

I fixed one and handed it to him. “Sex on the beach.”

“My favorite drink and those shorts are topping the list also.”

“Blue...always blue.”

He knew exactly what I was referring too and I saw the small bite to the lips. “Dangerous is right.”

He finished the drink and both of us moved away, Taylor had music playing and after maybe one or two drinks too many I grabbed Craig’s hand and dragged him out to where everyone else was dancing too. He gave me a weird look before he leaned down.

“Please god Emily, do not make me a surrogate for him tonight.” He whispered.

“I won’t.” I said.

-Zac-


I finished the fourth drink and got another one, I would need it because I was sure Kate would scream at me all the way home and then scream for him all night. I turned around and saw her with Craig, she was close to him and his hands were on her lower back. There was a strong urge to mark over and rip him from her, Bastard!  I added three more ounces of Vodka.

“Slow down Zac.” Ike said.

I looked at him and finished the bottle off. He got a drink for Nikki and walked away. I stood there, could see Kate talking with some of the other friends that had shown up after dinner, saw Natalie who was not drinking and that could mean her and Taylor were expecting again, but no telling with them. I moved my eyes back to Emily and Craig watched her dance. I was not aware she could dance but some of her moved were fairly sexual. I knew for a fact Craig was gay, so the person on her mind was not him.

“You better stop staring at her Zac, Kate is already pissed.” Layla said.

I glanced at her, watched her fix another drink for Mark. “She is always pissed.

I found her and watched Kate walk toward Craig and Emily, I watched unsteadily as she tried to cut in.

“Fuck my life.”

Layla turned around and stared a moment. “Is she serious?”

I finished the glass and got the new bottle of vodka and opened it. Emily’s facial expression showed Kate cutting in had pissed her off. She looked right at me and the look on her face made me wonder.

“I hope to hell she does not come over here and start grinding on you. That may not end well for her or Kate.”

“I don’t think she would do that Layla, she knows the situation.”

But when she smiled at me, that sweet seductive smile that usually meant there was something up her sleeve, I wondered if she would do that. Instead, she looked back toward Kate and just joined them. What was turning me on was not Kate, but the simple fact that Emily was there.

“I need a cold fucking shower now.”

Layla laughed beside me. “I could shove your ass into the pool.”

“Not a bad idea actually.”

She looked at them. “Kate does look confused, but really Zac you need to stop this. You both need to stop this.”

“Two more weeks and Kate will be miles away.”

“What about when you come home? Zac, she is falling for you or already has. It’s going to end up hurting her.”

I could not and would not tell her the number of times that Emily had said she loved me when we were having sex; I was not sure myself if Emily was completely aware that she was saying it.

“I’ve been talking with the lawyer; there is just no easy fix for the fuck up in our prenup.”

She nearly dropped her glass. “What?”

“You heard me Layla.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes. I spoke with him once and then everything else has been via e-mail. I cannot risk her seeing the e-mails and solutions.”

“Be careful, you still do not want to hurt her.” She then walked away toward Mark.

I watched them dance and eventually Kate walked away confused and probably pissed that Craig never touched her, he’d touch Emily though. We set off the fireworks about midnight, Taylor set fire to the bonfire about eleven and it had been burning a while. The night went well after that, she and I didn’t dance and about 2 Craig walked to me, Emily was already in the car the number of drinks had clouded her already.

“Light drinker is she?” I asked.

“She doesn’t drink often; I’m taking her on home. I wanted to thank you and your brothers for allowing me to come.”

“Not a problem.”

He handed me a sheet of paper. “If you ever want to actually hang out, then give me a call. I’m sure you have downtime when she’s working. I’d actually like to have a little talk with you before you leave.”

I looked at the paper; his phone number was on it. “I should have some time this week. I’ll give you a call Monday.”

“Assuming she doesn’t wear that mini skirt and tube top?”

I saw that mental image. “Let’s hope not…but yeah, if she does it might be Tuesday.”

He laughed. “Have a good night Zac. I’ll take care of her and get her home safe.”

I smiled and watched him leave. Maybe, talking with him would not be bad, he did seem like a good guy and while he was muscular I knew he was into guys. But, hopefully not me!