Jeremiah wrapped his arms around Talia. She squeezed him so tight her arms burned. Pulling away from him she led him to the couch to sit.

"Is this why you haven't been returning my calls?"

"Of course, hun. I wanted it to be a surprise." Jeremiah's gaze landed on Zeke with contempt. "Now, tell me. What the hell happened to you? Before you answer, it better not consist of that entitled asshole hurting you."

Zeke looked over from his conversation with his megastar friends, Max Hamilton and Terence O'Sullivan. Max was dressed like he'd walked straight off a runway. His buzzed cut hair and trimmed beard add a bit of rugged to his look. With his sunglasses propped on top of his head he seriously looked out of place. Terence, on the other hand, looked wrecked. He was swaying. His normally coifed dark hair looked greasy. Clearly, he was a moment from puking on the floor.

"Sally's an asshole. I fell down running away from her." Talia shrugged.

Jeremiah had a very confused look on his face. "Sally did this to you? Who the hell is Sally?"

"A pet skunk. It's a long story. Tell me why you are here. Did you fly in with those guys?"

Jeremiah blinked at Talia then shook his head. "Uh ok. I want the details later. So, I am here because of that stupid article that ran. I wanted to make sure you were ok. These two ass wipes just happened to be on the same flight. That one-," Jeremiah pointed to Max. "That one was a two-pump chump with a stewardess in the mile-high club." Jeremiah pointed to Terence. "That one emptied the booze cart. The reason that he looks like he's going to puke is because he probably has to."

"Hey! Who are you calling a two-pump chump?" Max walked in front of Jeremiah and Talia.

"You! I timed you when you took that stewardess in there. Two minutes! I would have expected more from a hot shot such as you."

Max stepped menacingly toward Jeremiah. Jeremiah stood ready to show the movie star who was boss.

"Max! Knock it-"

A horrible warm wave hit Talia. Terence stood behind her vomiting directly on her. Puke landed all over her. It covered her from her head to the top of her shorts. Frozen in shock she didn't know what to do. The stench was making her want to vomit. She had to hold back so she didn't make the situation worse.

A cackling laughter drew her gaze. Max was bent at the waist laughing. "Oh my God that's perfect! Good aim, Terence. You didn't want to ruin the couch. You threw up on something disposable."

In a weak voice, Terence said, "I'm so sorry."

"What the fuck did you just say?" Jeremiah said.

"It's not like the vomit can make her any worse. In fact, in only makes her more valuable. She's a good couch protector." A sinister smile crossed his face.

Talia needed to get up. She needed to shower. Needed to get away from these horrible people. As she tried to stand, Max landed on the floor. Snapping her gaze up she saw Zeke standing over him menacingly.

"Don't you ever speak to her that way again! I will end you, motherfucker. Stay your ass down so I don't have to wreck that pretty face. God knows that's your money maker not your acting."

Zeke stepped over Max. Picking Talia up off the couch he headed for the stairs. But, then they heard a crash behind them. Terence had finally landed on the floor in an unconscious heap. Zeke sighed and looked at Jeremiah.

"Can you do me a favor and make sure he doesn't choke on his own vomit? I don't care what you do to the other one."

Jeremiah nodded but barely audibly said, "I should just let the fucker choke."

Taking the stairs two at a time, Zeke carried her straight to her bathroom. Talia stood in the middle of the room. Each of her movements were followed by a plop. Vomit dripped from her hair and clothes. The smell was making her gag. She needed out of her clothes now. Zeke started the shower then helped get her out of her vomit-soaked clothes.

"Are you ok to shower on your own?" Sincerity sparkled in his eyes.

"I will be fine. You should probably get a shower now too."

That damn sexy smirk crossed his face. "Ok."

Talia stepped gingerly into the warm shower. Steam enveloped her as she closed the door behind her. A moan escaped her. Suddenly the shower door flung open. Zeke, fully clothed, stood there. He took two steps toward her. Talia's eyes watched his white shirt mold to his muscles as the steam dampened the material.

"Nice ass, Lia." He kissed her swiftly, patted her butt, then left her to finish showering.

Talia could have melted into a puddle with that one little kiss. Her heart pounded to the beat of the shower. It wasn't just the warm spray of water that lulled her into relaxation.

Washing off the vomit with the sweet-smelling soap called to her. Using a loofa, she scrubbed her body clean. A shampoo/conditioner combo with a tropical breeze scent washed away the dirt and vomit from her matted hair. No matter how much soap she used or how hard she scrubbed she couldn't wash off the disgusting comments from Max. The stain they made was a permanent one.

After a half an hour with her skin scrubbed red and her hair washed twice, Talia gave up. Shutting off the shower, she gingerly stepped from the shower. Waiting for her with a towel, was a freshly washed Zeke. He wrapped the towel around her then helped her to the bed where Jeremiah sat waiting.

"I will leave you two alone. I've gotta clean up the mess down stairs." Zeke kissed her on her forehead then left them.

Jeremiah stared at Talia for a few moments. He walked to her dresser. Digging through her clothes he picked out an easy outfit consisting of cotton shorts, t-shirt and socks. Talia stood waiting to be handed the clothes. When he didn't immediately hand them over she moved to sit back down. Jeremiah grabbed her arm stopping her. Opening the shirt, he put it over her head. Talia threaded her arms through the shirt pulling it down to her waist. Jeremiah held the shorts open for her to step into. Using his shoulder to keep her balanced she stepped into each leg then took them from Jeremiah pulling them up. Talia whipped the towel from around her now clothed body.

"Thanks."

Jeremiah smirked. "I debated watching you struggle but figured I'd be a good friend for once."

"You're the best friend I have."

"A best friend who has no idea what is going on between you and Zeke. There is definitely more than fighting going on between you two." Jeremiah gasped. "Did you finally ride the pony?"

"What?"

"You know do a little reverse cowgirl on the anaconda in his pants."

"Oh my God!" Talia covered her face and giggled.

"You did, didn't you?"

"Ugh! No, Jeremiah. Not everyone is a slut like you."

"Hey! Life is like a candy store you need to taste a little of everything to know what you like."

"That's not a thing."

"Life is like a superstore? Bigger is better with a large quantity?"

"Still not a thing."

Jeremiah shrugged. "Fine. I guess I can be a little easy."

Talia put her arm around him. "Honey, you are easier than kindergarten math."

"So, are you going to tell me what is going on?"

Talia took in a deep breath then nodded. The words poured out of her. She told him about running into her former classmates, her fights with Zeke, dinner with her family (left out her grandpa's shenanigans though he'd get to see that soon enough), the storm, the night Zeke asked her to become more, ending on her romp through the forest, Sally and finding out the truth from Zeke.

"Holy Hell, girl! That's the story you need to make into a book." She blushed.

"I already have one started. It's actually getting pretty good." Jeremiah smiled.

"Good. I'm glad this is all working out for you. Now, before you get too comfortable we are going into this small ass town. I need to check into the bed and breakfast where I booked a room."

Sadness washed over her. "You could stay here."

"Sweetie as much as I'd love to, when you two finally do the thing that shall not be named I don't want to be here."

"Voldemort? You are shit with your idioms."

Jeremiah waved a dismissive hand. "Now, get your cute ass in gear. I need to see this wretched home town of yours.

Talia slid her feet into her sneakers. Hooking her arm with Jeremiah's he helped her walk down stairs. It felt weird not being in Zeke's arms while using the stairs.

Already she was becoming one of those girls. Ugh!