It's Always the Quiet Ones [ON HOLD]

Chapter 8 - Punk'd

Scott's cell phone roused him from an unproductive sleep. He'd tossed and turned, dreaming of Lana again, and it left him feeling as grieved as the morning she had left him. His hand lazily slapped his bedside table several times before he was able to locate the offending phone. Rubbing his eyes, he brought it to his ear.

"What's up?" he grumbled.

"Scotty, I need your help."

Dallas' voice sounded desperate, and Scott was awake instantly. He sat upright, his legs hanging over the edge of the bed, his feet now on the floor.

"What's going on, D?"

"I think Dani's cheating on me," Dallas grumbled. Scott thought he caught a crack in Dallas' voice.

"No way, man," Scott argued. "Dani would never do that to you. You two are perfect for each other."

"Scotty, I found a reservation for the Marriott." Dallas' tone was grave and defeated.

"Dallas, she probably is surprising you with a romantic night away from home," Scott reasoned, leaning back into his pillows.

There was a silence for a moment, and when Dallas next spoke, his words were strained, and Scott knew he was trying not to cry.

"It was for last night, Scott. She told me she was staying the night with her sister, but I already checked, and she's not there."

Scott was floored. If ever there was a perfect couple, Dallas and Dani were it.

"I'm at the Marriott now," Dallas declared.

"What?!" Scott jumped from the bed, desperate to stop Dallas from doing something stupid.

"I need you to come, Scotty. I can't face her by myself."

"Dallas, I really don't think confronting her there is good in your current state of mind," Scott explained as he paced his bedroom.

"Please, Scott," Dallas begged, and Scott knew he couldn't deny him.

"I'll be right there, man. Give me thirty minutes."

He disconnected the call and hurried to the shower, wondering when the world went to hell in a hand basket.

***

Dallas disconnected his cell phone and turned to Kinsey, grinning from ear to ear.

"He bought it," he chuckled.

"Now for step two," Kinsey smirked, bouncing with excitement. She threw her arms around Talon and squealed.

Dani just looked at the group and rolled her eyes. "You owe me, baby. Scott thinks I'm a cheating whore right now." She pretended to pout, and Dallas pulled her to him and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

"I can't believe you made it so believable," Talon laughed.

Kinsey excused herself to step across the room and dial Lana. It was only eight-thirty on Saturday morning, but Lana was usually an early riser. Sure enough, her voice was alert when she answered the phone.

"Hey, Lana. It's Kinsey. I need a HUGE favor," she pleaded.

"Sure, Kins. What do you need?"

Kinsey held back her grin. This was really too easy. She leaned against a nearby couch and began lying her ass off.

"Talon brought me to the Marriott last night. It was a surprise, and I didn't remember that I had to open the shop this morning. My car is still there," she explained.

"I'll open for you Kins," Lana offered, and Kinsey mentally cursed. Leave it to Lana to be self-sacrificing. Rolling her eyes, Kinsey continued.

"No worries, Lan. Talon is off today and wanted to take me out again tonight. I can open. I just was wondering if you would give me a ride." Trying to think of a believable excuse, she blurted, "He's still asleep. He looks so peaceful, I hate to wake him."