Not Expecting to Collide (COMPLETE) - ABP Fanfiction

Chapter 4 - Connections

Filming had wrapped early in the evening. Cast and crew had all been transported back to the Hoonah House Lodge at the end of the day. October returned to her room to freshen up and trade her camera bag for her laptop. By the time she opened the front door of the tavern most of the dinner crowd was getting ready to leave. Spying an empty four-top near the fireplace at the back of the room, she claimed the table and set up her computer to upload the day's photos off her camera's memory card. Half an hour later, she was so engrossed in her work she didn't notice Bam and Gabe until they were standing directly in front of her.

"Is this seat taken?" Gabe asked as he pulled out the chair beside her. She peered up from her screen and looked at him curiously. Then her gaze travelled over his shoulder to Bam. The corners of her mouth turned up into a warm smile and she sat up straighter in her chair.

"No, not at all." She replied without breaking eye contact with Bam. He returned her smile and chose the seat directly across the table from her. Bam was freshly showered and his still-wet hair glistened in the flame from the fireplace. Gabe's deep voice interrupted October's thoughts and she dragged her eyes away from Bam's curls to look at him.

"What are you working on?" He asked.

Bam spoke up before she answered. "You're not googling internet rumors again, are you?" He accused, sounding much sterner than he looked.

She grinned "As a matter of fact, I was looking at entertainment news and according to this-" she gestured to her computer screen, "there's a new rumor that the show is completely fake and you -" she turned towards Gabe, "-are actually married."  She slyly winked at Bam across the table.

"Cool!" Gabe exclaimed. "Are there pictures?  Is she hot?"

"Who?" October asked suddenly confused.

"My internet wife. I wanna know if she is hot?" Gabe looked at her eagerly.

"Oh, I didn't say you were married to a girl!" October replied smugly. Bam snorted.

"What?" Gabe's eye grew wide.

"It's all right here."  She squinted at her computer screen in the dim light if the restaurant and read off the article. "Gabriel Brown, 25, has been in a committed monogamous relationship for several months. Those close to him say they have never seen him happier. Brother, Noah, adds 'I always knew Gabe had a romantic side to him. I just never expected it to manifest itself this way, but love is love."

Gabe's cheeks tinged pink as he opened his mouth is disbelief. "Let me see that!" He reached across the table for the computer but October moved it out of his reach before he could get it. "Noah would never-" Gabe raised his head and searched the bar for his brother. "Noah!" He yelled after spotting the younger man near the entrance. "Get over here!" Bam was trying very hard to contain his laughter but he was not doing very well.

October continued reading the article. "Ami Brown, anxious to have grandchildren, says she won't expect the happy couple to procreate but - hey!" She gasped as Gabe made another lunge for the laptop, this time successful. Gabe's face turned red he saw the picture of himself and Mr. Cupcake that October had taken that very morning.

Gabe pointed to the screen. "You're not even connected to the internet." He narrowed his eyes accusingly.

October grinned and shook her head. "Nope!" And started to giggle. Bam, meanwhile, was covering his mouth with his hand and silently shaking in laughter.

"You-" Gabe pointed his finger at her and glared. "You- watch out. Beware the wrath of Gabe!"

"Oh I'm so scared." October yelled behind him as he walked away. She turned back towards Bam who was still laughing heartily. "Should I be scared?"  She asked as her eyes went wide.

Bam shook his head. "No. He's harmless."

October closed up her computer and put it away. "Would you like to join me for dinner?" Her eyes were hopeful. Bam internally winced that he would have to disappoint her.

"I can't. Our family is having dinner together tonight."

"Oh, that's nice." She said softly.  "Special occasion?"

"No, it's just family time. It gets a little crazy with the show and all. Everyone gets a bit scattered over the course of the day. Mom insists on having us all together for at least a meal at the end of it." October leaned forward and curled her fingers around his forearm. Her hand was warm against his skin and he immediately wanted more.

"You'd better go. Can't disappoint Mom. She's pretty important." She whispered. Bam shook his head, all the while wanting to stay right where he was. She released his arm and sat back in her chair. Bam reluctantly stood, hesitated like he was going to say something, and then changed his mind.

"See you later." He sighed. She smiled and waved. Bam headed for the exit with a frown. He loved his family. He loved spending time with them but tonight he wanted to be with October. As he weaved through the tables toward the front door he noticed the entire film crew gathered at a large table against the front window. They were chatting loudly and enjoying each other's company in much the same way his family would be in a few minutes. Then he turned back to look at October sitting alone in the back corner reading over a menu.

October glanced over the menu and decided she wasn't hungry. Her stomach growled in protest. She heard the film crew's table over the music in the restaurant. They had been on location for six weeks and during that time, they had become a family. She on the other hand had only been there for five days and hadn't even learned all their names yet. She decided she would return to her hotel room, make a protein shake and try to fall asleep to some bad pay per view movie.

A shadow fell across her face and she looked up, expecting to see a waitress. "Bam!" She said quietly.

"You're coming with me." He stated, not a question.

"Where are we going?"

"You're coming to have dinner with me and my family."

Her smile faltered and she shook her head. "No, Bam. I couldn't intrude on your family time."

"You're not intruding. I want you to come." He slipped her laptop bag off the back of her chair and slung it over his shoulder. He held his hand out and turned his blue eyes to her. "Come on girl, are you with me or not?" She brought her eyes to his and slid her hand across the rough skin of his palm. She nodded.

"Ok, Bam. I'm with you."