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I'd been sitting in the same spot for two hours. It definitely felt longer though...

I hadn't moved since Easton fell asleep on the couch. Instead I found myself staring straight ahead and trying to sort out the scrambling in my brain. Every few minutes my gaze would drift to the blond whose face had turned away from me. All I could see was the tip of his ear peering from his wavy hair, and the way the side of his neck was on full display 

My brows furrowed again, jaw tightening as my fingers kept curling my hands into fists. 

It was difficult to explain how I was feeling. I wasn't angry... not even a little bit. I didn't even feel uncomfortable. There was no emptiness inside, either. There was definitely something I was feeling... I just couldn't pin point what it was. 

Hearing the groggy groan made me blink out of my thoughts and lift my gaze to the waking Werewolf on the couch in front of me. 

I remained where I was sitting with my arms resting on top of my knees, but the grip my hand had on my wrist tightened. My mind was reeling with whether or not I should mention what Easton and I had done. It was making me wonder if he remembered it himself, or even about him wanting to be friends again---or attempt to be, anyway. 

Easton scrunched his face, slowly rolling onto his side with another groan. His hand came up to run down the front of his face before finally deciding to pry open his eyes. But they widened when they saw me sitting there, and so I was mentally thinking that maybe he didn't remember what happened after all. 

Good for me... I guess. Though I'll admit there was some slight disappointment.

"Red...?" He blinked a few times, brows furrowing as he stared at me. Then he looked around with a deeper frown until seeing the bottles of beer I'd set on the table behind me. 

Easton's nose scrunched before glancing at me. 

I raised a brow, pursing my mouth to the side. The blond Werewolf groaned through a sigh, asking if the bottles were all his. When both my brows went up and I pulled in my lips as a silent response, Easton groaned while throwing himself backwards onto the couch. His hands came up to clamp over his face and keep them there. 

It was slightly muffled when he asked, "How long was I out?" because of his hands still on his face, but I answered anyway; shrugging back that he'd been asleep for an hour or two. 

"And you've just been sitting here?" 

He turned his head, pulling his hands away to his stomach and I looked to the side, pursing my mouth to the side. I nodded, glancing at him when admitting that I may have been a little concerned with the number of drinks the Werewolf consumed. 

"So I came over to make sure you were alright," I finished. 

"And...?" His brows rose, his blue eyes looking pretty worried with what I'd respond. 

Lowering a brow, I nodded to the side, "And... I had to wrestle you for, like, four of these bottles," I gestured with a nod to the bottles behind me. "Though you managed to drink half of one, you Moody Asshat." 

Easton blinked a few times, switching from me to the beer and then back. He sighed, squeezing his eyes shut tightly before muttering, "Something happened... didn't it?"

I stared back at him. The vision of how he'd pulled my face to his flashed in my mind. It was probably only right to let him know what happened, but then what if he went on a drinking spree again because he needed to punish himself. Because that's what Easton was doing all the time when he drank.

When he sits with Langley in the cemetery, he drinks. When he's at parties and wallowing in the corner on his own, he drinks. No wonder the guy is practically miserable. He drinks so he doesn't have to deal with anything. 

So maybe I won't mention what we did...

I sighed, shaking my head, "No... Nothing bad. You just gave me an apology and said something along the lines of wanting to be friends again."

When I looked up at him, Easton's blue eyes slowly narrowed as he lowered a brow. He turned his chin a little, studying me and I frowned, "What...?" 

The Werewolf stared a little longer before asking if I was sure that was all he did. I swallowed, glancing to the side and shrugged, "Yeah. That's it." 

He just kept staring at me. And it was kind of uncomfortable, but only because it was Easton. The way he stares at people was like a silent warning or something, and I just wonder if it's only me who reacts this way...

Easton grunted as he turned away to sit up. He leaned forward, letting out a long sigh as his hand came up to rest on the back of his neck. It rubbed against it for a second before he dropped his hand and then looked back at me. 

"So we're friends again?"

The corner of my mouth curled a little and I nodded, "Yeah, Ease. We are." 

Easton nodded, that ghost grin on his lips again before it disappeared by the time he turned away. I squeezed my eyes shut, scrunching my nose as my mind was poking me to mention the kiss before it was too late. But honestly, why? Why bother? It'll only make Easton uncomfortable about him not being able to "control his impulses" and I really wanted for this friendship to work. 

Mentioning the kiss would only knock me twelve steps back from the three I progressed just now. 

"Sigh... Okay, Red. Let's get you back to the party." Easton was turning to swing his legs off the couch and sat up properly. "Don't want your Dad to flip his shit." 

I frowned, tilting my head. "What do you mean?"

Easton grinned a little when he glanced at me that my dad seemed the type to be attached to me and would probably start putting up missing persons flyers if I didn't show up before the end of the night. I shot him a look, sneering that he was such a funny guy. 

"My dad doesn't care where I go. If anything," I looked down and shrugged, "He'd probably throw a fuckin' party because I was socializing." 

I was standing up, and raised a brow to tease, "Even if it is with you." 

Easton feigned a hurt expression, scoffing and placing a hand to his chest as he shook his head a little. 

"Red... That hurts. That really hurts."

I smiled, rolling my eyes. "Whatever, Easton." 

I looked at the table and gestured to what was going to happen with the beers, and the cooler that was in the backyard. 

"There's a cooler in my backyard?"

I laughed a little, nodding as I told him about him dragging the whole thing over here and how he managed to run inside the house with an armful of the beers. 

Easton scrunched his nose, glancing at me when he squinted, "Did you punch me in the balls?"

It was difficult to keep a straight face. The corners of my mouth twitched and I ended up looking down to laugh. 

"You did!" Easton scoffed. "No-fucking-wonder it hurts!" 

I raised a brow, pursing my mouth to the side as he bent a little to run a hand along the side of his thigh near his groin. He shook his head, looking up at me that if I wasn't so cute that he'd punch me back. 

Ignoring the 'cute thing', I sneered that he already did. His eyes widened, straightening as he repeated, "I did?"

I nodded, shrugging a shoulder that it was really a dick move on his part. Then I glanced at him, tilting my head in his direction as I muttered, "No pun intended." 

Mr. Moody Pants smiled, a small chuckle escaping. I blinked a second, mentally patting myself on the back for that accomplishment. 

When I gestured to the beers again, asking what he was going to do with them, Easton shrugged as he stared down at them. 

"Probably drink 'em." 

I frowned at him, waiting for him to look my way and frown back, "What...?"

"Did you not hear the fuckin' part where you were almost in a drinking coma? I had to carry your large ass to the couch, Easton. That wasn't very fuckin' fun for me! And as much as you drink, you Moody Asshat," Easton's brow rose at the nickname. "You're a fuckin' light weight!" 

The Were's eyes widened, frowning back at me like the God damn child he was, "Am not!" 

I rolled my eyes, nodding, "Oh. Right. You're not." then gestured to the couch. "That's why you woke up two hours later not remembering what the hell happened."

Easton stared back at me and then turned his chin upward in a different direction as he mumbled, "No, I didn't..."

I rolled my eyes again, shaking my head as I was moving out of the living room. I heard him following me, saying that he'd deal with the cooler later. He rather just get me back to the party. 

Throwing a frown over my shoulder, I shook my head asking, "Do I look helpless to you or something? Do I give off that kinda vibe where I stand in the corner and shiver like a coward?"

It was actually kinda bothering me that he would think any of that. I know that I don't look like much, but I can stand on my own two feet! Was Easton like this with Leo, too?

"No," Easton answered, "I'm quite sure that you can kick some ass if you wanted to. I just figured that I could make up for being an ass a few days ago up on the mountain. Thought maybe we could make plans to hang out again soon."

I stared at him, narrowing my eyes a little. Blinking once, twice, thrice, I sighed out a long breath. 

"Fine. I guess hanging out wouldn't be so bad..." He grinned until I slipped in, "Gives me opportunity to figure out your fuckin' mood swings." and then his lip curled, growling a little that satisfied I'd won this little conversation. 

When I was heading to the front door, Easton whistled which made me halt and look behind me at him going in the direction of the back door. I frowned, asking what he was doing, but he just nodded for me to follow him. Looking upward, I was silently asking for patience with this Werewolf before following through with heading to the back door. 

Outside, Easton was making his way across the grassy yard to the ivy covered fence. I raised a brow, tilting my head a little when he stood by it and nodded for me to hurry up. 

"For what?"

To answer, Easton stared at me while pushing his hand forward against the fence and a part of it swung open. My eyes widened, looking at the fence again. That was actually kind of neat, not gonna lie. 

"C'mon, Red!" 

I nodded, jumping off the porch and jogged over to Easton's side. He nodded in gesture for me to go through first and I glanced at him before poking my head in. I was surprised that there was actually a hidden alleyway between the back of the houses and the forest. I stepped out and looked around as Easton shut the fence door behind him. 

He explained that Dennison used to use the hidden alleyway to take a shortcut to Thea's house when they first started dating. He mentioned how Dennison had to sneak out of his house and then run to Easton's so that he could use the alley. It was less likely for him to get caught at the time. 

My brows rose, nodding, "Go Dennison..."

Easton grinned, nodding in agreement before staring forward as we walked. He mentioned how the alley wasn't used anymore, but that we could use it to sneak back into the party without making it seem we'd been missing. 

"Well you certainly thought this through..." I scoffed, looking at the small rock that I kicked along the way. 

The Were nodded, pursing his mouth and then glanced at me to cheekily grin, "It may have also been a ploy to get you alone, Red." 

I shot him a look, elbowing him and he chuckled, holding his side where I hoped I'd nudged him hard enough. Then I muttered that I should just get used to him making side comments like that to me. Easton nodded, agreeing that I should. Rolling my eyes, I walked on with him in silence. 

For, like, a minute.

"So..." 

I frowned, glancing away before looking back at him. "So what...?"

"So how long are you going to not say anything about me kissing you back there?" 

My eyes widened, stumbling a bit in my step and then swallowed hard before asking what he was talking about. He couldn't have possibly remembered that... could he!?

Easton's blue eyes narrowed, not in that mean way he'd stare at anyone else, but more like he was curiously watching me. He had already stopped walking when I stumbled forward, and was now facing me with his head tilted a little. He was patiently waiting for me to say something and I didn't know what to say. 

"I... Uh..." 

I bit my lip, frowning down at the space between us. 

Shaking my head, I shrugged since I really couldn't string any words to say anything. That is until I gave him a look and accused him of knowing this whole time about kissing me? That I thought he was stupid-drunk to remember anything.  

The Werewolf raised a brow, pursing his mouth to the side then shrugged a shoulder. 

"I'm not gonna lie, Red, and say that I remember every fuckin' detail... But I do remember being sober enough---thanks to your punch to my nuts--- that I made out with you a little bit." 

I felt my face grow hot, frowning at him as I grit my teeth and told him that we did not make out. 

Easton's brows shot up, looking amused. "Is that right?"

"Yes." 

Mr. Fucking Moody Pants frowned then, his blue eyes narrowing into slits. A low growl made its way out of his chest and I glanced down at it before meeting his gaze when he questioned how he kissed me then. I replied I didn't understand his question.

Easton nodded, shrugging, "Well yeah... If it wasn't a make out... what was it?"

Scrunching my nose, I shook my head, shrugging back that I didn't know.

"Then how do you know it wasn't a make out?"

"I..." I swallowed, stepping back as I was feeling suddenly cornered. "I just do, okay?" 

Easton's lip curled a bit. "Not good enough, Red." 

"Well what do you want me to say, Ease!?" I snapped back, holding out my arms as I shook my head at him. "I honestly don't know what you want from me!"

Mr. Moody was quiet, his blue eyes looking my face over, then replied, "I want to know how I kissed you. That's what I want." 

Frowning, I shook my head that I couldn't tell him that. That I didn't know how to describe it---let alone didn't want to. Easton nodded slowly then spoke low that he wanted me to show him then. 

My eyes widened, blinking repeatedly before stepping backwards. Raising my brows, my voice went up an octave when I repeated, "Sh---Show you?" 

"That's what I said, Red."

I bit my lip, shaking my head that I couldn't do that either; all while backing up since Easton was so adamant of taking a step towards me. I stumbled back a little, looking over my shoulder and then faced the Werewolf as I bumped back into the ivy covered wall. 

Being in this hidden alley probably wasn't such a great idea after all...

I could feel my heart pounding in my ears the closer he got, his blue eyes shimmering into that golden hue. Swallowing again, I stammered out for Easton to stop messing around. His brow rose, closing in on me, and assured me that he wasn't messing around at all. That he genuinely wanted to know how I got kissed back at his house. 

"Does---Does it matter?" My voice kept squeaking like I was going through puberty, and it just made it known how nervous I was at the moment. 

"Oh trust me..." Easton raised a brow, nodding, "It matters."

Pinning myself as much to the wall behind me, lowering my chin a little, Easton had raised his hands to rest on the wall beside each side of my head. That golden hue never fading, the Werewolf lowered his voice again as he bent closer to me. 

"Tell me, Red... Was it a simple kiss...?" 

He glanced down at my mouth then met my gaze for a split second before closing in and pressing his lips to mine. It was a soft peck he left, then pulled back a few centimeters to stare at me. 

"Did I kiss you that way?"

I couldn't talk. I didn't think I even knew how! All I could do was frown as I slowly shook my head which made Easton grin a little. 

"No...? Then maybe it was a little more...?"

He bent closer to me again. 

"Like this?" he whispered before using his mouth to cover mine completely. 

My eyes shut with the feel of his lips pressing more against mine, and I parted mine a little for him to get a better hold. I felt the tension in my shoulders lessen with my concentration on the way Easton's tongue slipped in my mouth. It was definitely not something I was used to. 

I felt his hands against the side of my face, holding me still, before feeling him close the distance between us. With him against me, Easton let out a  hissed groan... but then I realized that was because my hands had a mind of their own and had slipped under his flannel to grip tightly to the t-shirt underneath it. The thing is that, thanks to the way I was holding the hem of his shirt, my fingers brushed against the sliver of skin underneath it. 

I pulled back a moment, breathing heavily while blinking at what just happened. Easton's golden eyes slowly slipped back to their natural blue while looking my face over. His brow lowered when he looked down at the closeness of us against one another then he slowly asked if that was the right kiss.

Swallowing, I blinked a few times before shaking my head and then stammered quietly that it was nothing like that. 

Shaking his head a little, Easton peeked up at me. "Was this time better... or worse?"

I could feel his hands still against my jaw, and the way his thumb caressed against it. It was making it really fucking hard to concentrate on what he was asking me.

"...what?"

Easton grinned a little, shaking his head again and sighed as he bent towards me, "Nevermind, Red. I think I know." 

My eyes instantly closed once his mouth found mine again. This time... this time I was the one stepping closer, and a low growl rumbled out of the Werewolf's chest before his kiss became more demanding. I pulled back a little, frowning a bit at him. Easton lowered a brow, still holding my face in his hands and then he slowly nodded.

"Okay, Red... I got it... Too fast."

I swallowed, not sure how he was able to read that from me just pulling back as I did. But I waited for him to slowly lower his hands from me, stepping back a few steps to let me breathe easier. I saw the way his fists clenched at his sides, and when I glanced up at him, Easton grit his teeth to simply mumble that it was 'hard to control his impulses'.

"Especially because it's you, Red."

Not saying anything, I just nodded. My hand came up behind my neck to rub at it as I glanced to the  side and let out a slow breath. 

"You alright?" I found myself asking him. 

Easton raised a brow, tilting his head, "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

I rolled my eyes, shrugging a shoulder. Muttering, I replied that I was fine. That I wasn't upset or anything, if that's what he meant. He nodded that it was, and so I assured him that I was okay. 

"It's just... I've... I'm not used to kissing someone..." I glanced away, swallowing, "Like that."

When I looked back at him, Easton's blue eyes squinted curiously. They slowly raked down my person before raising to meet mine. 

"Red..." 

"What?"

Easton tilted his head to the other side, "Are you..." He raised his brows, "Have you ever..."

Not understanding, I raised my  brows and leaned my head forward, "Have I ever what?"

The corner of Easton's mouth curled a little as he bit his bottom lip. I'm not gonna stand here and lie to you guys when I say that my eyes instantly landed on him doing that before looking up at him. Mr. Moody Pants' smile widened as he asked if I had even kissed anyone before. 

Widening my eyes with a frown, I stepped back and scoff, "Yes! Tons of times!" 

Easton's brows shot up. "Tons? Really?"

Yeah... That wasn't very convincing. 

I sighed, running my fingers through the front of my hair and groaned that back when I had a link---I noticed that Easton's eyes narrowed a little---that Anh and I would kiss here and there, but it wasn't anything close to the few I'd had with him. 

He stood there, looking at me and I honestly was worrying about what he was thinking. I asked him to say something because it was annoying of how he was just standing there and not saying anything to me. 

It was certainly surprising though when Easton nodded, letting me know that he didn't find that weird at all. He shrugged that he was just glad that I hadn't punched the shit out of him by now. He said he appreciated that I let him be my first official kiss. 

Shooting him a look, I reminded him that the first time he just planted one on me. Like every other time, to be factual. 

Easton grinned, rolling his eyes and nodded. He sighed, "I'm sorry, Red. Like I said... With you around... my impulses are hard to control."

Narrowing my eyes, I sneered, "Yeah... Well... Let's make sure those impulses don't go pass making out, huh?"

When his brows shot up, that ghost grin of his on his face, I frowned, "What...?"

Tilting his head, Easton smugly replied that it sounded like I was giving him permission to make out with me more often. I frowned, looking to the side to think over what I said and then shot him another look before grumbling that he knew what I meant. 

The Werewolf laughed, walking towards me and I glared at him even as he wrapped his arm around my neck and was tugging me along the alley road again. I grunted, trying to nudge him off me but Easton was in a too-chipper mood now that he didn't seem fazed by my struggle. 

Go figure.

I relented, sighing as we walked all "buddy-buddy" and I glanced at him when Easton nodded, "You know what, Red?"

"What?" I grunted, attempting once more to pry his arm off me. No luck. 

Easton squeezed me closer and I widened my eyes in surprise because I almost tripped over my feet. He tilted his head in my direction as I looked at him. He grinned, his blue eyes looking my face over again as I frowned at him warily. 

He muttered how he liked that I was still willing to give him miffed looks even though we were friends, and that he liked seeing how many times I'd let him kiss me. This earned him another hard nudge in his side, but again, the guy didn't care. Instead he pulled me closer, raising his hand to ruffle the top of my hair.

"Argh! Ease! Quit it!" I grumbled, pushing at him so that I could try to escape. But again, no luck. 

With a bright smile, Easton chuckled---once he stopped ruffling my hair---as we walked on, "This is quite a start to a beautiful friendship." 

And there I was, still struggling as we walked on, to pry his arm off and that damn Moody Asshat waited til the last possible second where I was pushing against him to lift his arm. I ended up flying backwards.

Opening my eyes to the darkening sky, I narrowed my eyes at it. Then Easton's face came into view with that stupid grin of his. He raised his brows, smugly saying that I wanted to be friends, and this is what that entailed. 

Sneering, I shot back, "And what... You make out with your friends too?"

  "Are you kidding, Red? No way! But you and I are more best friends now..." 

Easton's blue eyes twinkled before they were coated with that golden hue. The corner of his lips turned up into a smirk and I narrowed my eyes for some stupid ass remark. 

"So making out with you is a bonus." 

"Fuck you, Ease," I grumbled as I took his hand he offered to help me up. 

As we were walking back to the party, Easton laughed, wrapping his arm around my neck casually and I frowned at it before shooting him the same look. He didn't notice. 

Instead, he smugly shrugged, "Eventually, Red. We'll get to that point eventually. But for now... Let's just stick with hidden alley make outs, okay?" 

Hilarious, Easton. Fucking hilarious.