More Than Friends

Part 142 (Hardin)

"Tess, hurry up so we can leave before I change my mind about this whole damn idea!" I yell through the apartment.

"Hardin! Stop being so grumpy!" Tessa yells back from the bathroom.

Fifteen minutes later, she finally exits the bathroom in a very sexy red dress. "Okay, I'm ready to—"

"I thought I said nothing revealing."

"You did. That's why I picked this." She grins a very defiant grin.

"I'm going to bold, underline and highlight the part about promising to obey me," I half joke.

"You're never getting sex again..." she sings as she grabs her purse and heads for the door.

"You've won this round, Theresa, but I don't give up easily." I grab my keys off the counter and follow her out the door.

We finally arrive at the frat house, despite trying to kidnap Tessa and take her somewhere we can be alone without any frat boys... or Zed.

"Remember Tessa, we're only hanging out with Emma, Nate and Steph."

"I didn't know I brought my dad to this party." She rolls her eyes.

"Tessa, I'm serious. There's a bunch of sleazy guys here, just trying to get laid. I know. Unfortunately, I used to be one." I sigh.

"Hardin, I'm here with you. We're here to hang out with our friends and celebrate the new year. That's all. Let's just have fun."

I reluctantly get out of the car and walk into the frat house with Tessa. It's easy to remember why I left this place. It's noisy, dirty and it smells. And people are always touching your shit. Well, no one better touch my Tessa, or else...

"Hardin? Did you hear me?"

"What?"

"I said there's Emma and Nate," she repeats as she points across the room at them. Tessa pulls me over to them and the 'fun' begins.

"Hey guys!" Emma chirps. "I'm so glad you could make it!"

"Yeah, Hardin was dying to come." Tessa giggles.

"Yep, that sounds like Hardin." Emma giggles back.

"Come on, let's go find Steph," Tessa suggests, leaving me alone with Nate.

"So, how was the rest of your Christmas, man?" Nate asks.

"Very... satisfying." I smirk to myself, remembering a very naked Tessa covered in strategically placed icing.

"Alright..." Nate chuckles.

"So... how are things going with Emma?" I ask, trying to make small talk, even though I would rather be anywhere else, fucking Tessa's brains out.

"Things are going really well. I've missed her so much. I really think she's the one."

"Really? You just got back together, though."

"I know, but it just feels right. I'm going to marry that girl. I just hope she feels the same."

"Wow. Well, just remember, Tessa and I are first in line to be married," I half joke.

"I heard about your impending nuptials and I think a toast is in order," a very familiar voice slurs from behind me.

"Zed, what the fuck are you doing here?" Nate asks in shock.

"I live here."

"You were supposed to be away for the holidays."

"And miss the opportunity to wish my favourite couple well?"

"Zed, just leave before you make an ass of yourself," Nate tries to reason with him.

"Too late for that," I mumble.

"So, where's your fiancée, Hardin? I'd love to give her my best," Zed says and gives me a devilish grin.

"You already tried that and she didn't want you. She wanted me," I say snidely.

"I wouldn't brag too much about marrying the slut who made sex tapes." He cackles.

"Shut your fucking mouth! Your fucking lies almost cost Tessa everything!" I shout as I clench my fists at my side, trying my best not to clock him.

"Zed, you really need to go," Nate tries to say calmly.

"I live here, remember? Hardin is the one who is a guest in my house."

"I know what you did to Tessa and you really are a fucking asshole. She's the sweetest person and didn't deserve any of that. And you definitely didn't deserve to be with her. Now just go back to whatever rock you crawled out from under and leave everyone the hell alone," Nate says.

I'm beginning to really like this guy.

"I bet you feel like a big man now, defending poor innocent Tessa's honour." He laughs.

"I'm just trying to do what's right. You should try it sometime."

"Like you're so perfect..." Zed slurs.

"Well, I'm certainly better than you," Nate boasts.

"Who are you to talk? Your girlfriend really gets around." Zed cackles in between taking sips from his red plastic cup.

"Excuse me?" Nate asks with the angriest face I've ever seen him have.

"First she wanted Hardin here, then she dated Tessa's ex, and then she just spent Christmas with yet another guy. I hate to tell you, buddy, but your girlfriend is a bit of a whore."

I know Nate is a calm, mellow guy, but even he can't resist the urge to punch Zed's lights out. Time seems to slow down as I gleefully watch Nate clock Zed.

"Fuck!" Zed shouts. "Hey, man, if you can't accept that you're dating a slut, that's not my fault."

"You better shut your mouth before I shut it for you!"

I'm beginning to like Nate more every minute.

"Nate, as much as I'd love to watch you flatten Zed, I think Emma will have your balls if you get into a fight."

"Wow, Tessa really has you whipped. The Hardin Scott I used to know would never walk away from a fight," Zed says, trying to goad me.

"I don't need to fight a low life like you, Zed. Tessa loves me and that's all that matters to me."

"She used to tell me the same thing." He smirks.

"But she means it when she says it to me. She never did with you," I say smugly.

What I said seems to strike a nerve with Zed and I watch as his fist comes toward my face. Luckily, he's already drunk and I'm able to move out of the way. Instead of hitting me, he trips and stumbles into the furniture, but Zed manages to recover and punches Nate.

Nate stands there stunned for a moment and contemplates hitting Zed back.

"You're really lucky that you get to go home with Emma tonight. I bet she knows a lot from all her... experience." Zed smirks.

So much for Nate taking the high road with me. Nate goes to punch Zed again and this time I get ready to sit back and enjoy the show, with absolutely no consequences or chance of Tessa being mad at me for this shit.