Mutual (A TheSyndicateproject/Tom Cassel)

Choices

"And here we go" Erica pulled to the curb. "You have to walk quite a ways, Ash. Are you sure you'll be alright?" 

"I'll be fine Er. I know where my house is" I opened the car door, stepping out into the crisp night. 

"Ashley" Erica looked down the dark street. She'd been forced to pull over a block and a half away becuase of the cars lining the street. "I don't think you should walk by yourself" She looked at me, nodded her head toward the backseat where Kevin was watching me with the same concerned look. 

I hesitated. Kevin and I had gotten along fine for the movie and through dinner. We'd kept each other company talking about the AC Unity and The Evil Within while Erica and Ze were doing their cutesy bit...but I hadn't really felt the connection with him that she'd wanted. But love happened over time right? And it was one date, I couldn't throw him out in the cold for being nervous on a double date with your co-worker, his girlfriend, and his girlfriend's coworker/friend-chosen-for-the-age-range. 

"Fine. Kevin...." I glanced away, unable to meet his eyes. "Would you mind walking with me? Just so Erica doesn't freak out or stalk me as I'm walking?" 

"Sure" I waited on the curb as he unbuckled his seatbeat and opened the door. 

"Bye, Erica. Ze" I said as Kevin joined me on the sidewalk. "Why don't you two head back to Erica's appartment? I can take Kevin back to the hotel when I get out of this stupid dress. You know, so you have the maximum ability to fuck" 

"A-Ashley!" Erica sputtered, her face turning red as Ze choked on the breath he'd taken. Kevin hid a chuckle behind a cough as the two of them glanced at each other. "Um...okay. Just make sure you t-two use p-protection" She retorted weakly. 

I rolled my eyes and shot her a smug look as I turned on heel and walked away, Kevin trailing after me as they pulled away onto the street. He watched the tail lights turn the corner before speaking. 

"That was evil. Pure Evil" He laughed as we walked. 

"I know" I nodded. "But she deserved it for setting both of us up on a blind date" 

"She didn't tell you anything either?" Kevin raised an eyebrow. "Regardless of the blindness...I'd say it was pretty successful" 

"It was. Fun at least." I nodded, digging my keys from my purse as we walked up the steps leading to my front door. "I'm going to change and then I'll take you back to your hotel...assuming you have a room key. If not we have a spare bedroom" I unlocked the door, pushing it open to be met with a dark house and a note from Emma saying she'd gone to record with a friend and would be gone all night. 

"Hey-oof" I squeaked as I found myself pressed against the closed door, Kevin's face inches from mine. 

"Ashley" I blinked as he spoke, his voice deeper than it had been a few seconds ago. "What if I asked you to be my distraction tonight? No strings attached if you don't want them. We tell Steven and Erica I forgot my key and didn't want to bother them..." 

My breath hitched as he pressed his lips to mine quickly. I faltered for a moment as he pulled back, clearly waiting for my response. On one hand...there was Tom. An all too real crush (let's be honest, probably more than that) in all his glory. And that damn kiss the other night I couldn't get out of my head. Then on the other there was Kevin. The cute, snarky idiot standing barely a centimeter away from me whose lips tasted absolutely delicious and who was comfortably taller than me....and actually liked me. This wasn't confusion and murk. Kevin was clear about his intentions and so was I. 

"You know..." I bit my lip, looking up at him. "After this week....that sounds really fucking great"