Part 2- This is Your Pilot Speaking

Chapter 18

"You dare me to what?" Alice hadn't heard Bruce right. She thought he had dared her to kiss him, but surely that wasn't what he had said.

Bruce gave her a wide grin, "I dare you to kiss me." he repeated.

Alice didn't know what to say. She knew what she should say...but....

"I don't think that would be a good idea..." she murmured.

Bruce sat closer to her, his clothes were still wet. Alice shivered when his jeans made contact with her leg. "Why not? It's just a game, isn't it?"

Alice shook her head, "Bruce, we can't. I'm with Griffin now, and you're with Paddy. We can't....we shouldn't....."

Bruce cupped his hand under her chin and made her look up at him, his eyes burning into hers, "We can....and we should...." he closed the distance between them, giving her a soft kiss on the mouth.

Alice groaned when she felt his mouth on hers. She felt the familiar burning desire in her body that she had felt when they were together. She kissed him back, she hadn't realized how much she missed him.

Bruce pulled himself away from her. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling as he traced his fingers around her mouth. "I've missed you Alice. I've missed having you in my arms, kissing you, making love to you...."

Alice stood up and sat on the chair opposite Bruce. She had to get away from him, put some distance between them. She knew if she didn't she would regret it. "Bruce, I'm sorry, but we can't do this. I miss what we had too, but it's not fair to Paddy or Griffin. I love him. He makes me happy, he makes me laugh...."

"Don't you love me? Don't I make you happy?"

Alice nodded, she couldn't lie to him, "Yes, I do still love you. But it's not the same any more. I don't want to hurt your Son." she stood up and walked toward the house, "I have to go. Will you please call me a taxi? I can't stay here any longer."

Bruce walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. "What if I told you that we can be together, and that neither Paddy or Griffin will know. Or if you'd like...you and I can start our lives together. Leave everything behind..."

Alice pushed him away, "NO!! We can't. I can't carry on having a relationship with you and hurt Griffin. And I can't believe you're willing to risk your relationship with your Son for me. What kind of Father does that? I'm sorry Bruce. But no." she opened up the sliding patio door, "Don't worry, I'll call myself a taxi and wait outside for it. I'm not going to come over unless Griffin is with me. Have a good night."

Bruce wanted to follow her, He wanted to grab her and make love to her, let her know that he meant what he said. But, she was right...what kind of Father was he? Betraying Paddy was one thing, but betraying Griffin? His Son?

He grabbed the bottle of wine and took a swig of it, hoping he could get drunk enough to forget everything and everyone.
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Griffin neared his parents house. He saw a figure waiting outside the gate. It wasn't until he got closer that he realized it was Alice. What was she doing? Where was Bruce?

He got out of his car and walked toward her, "Alice? Darling?"

Alice turned when she heard her name, she began to cry when she saw Griffin. He had come back for her. Once Griffin noticed that she was crying, he rushed to her side, wrapping his arms around her. He felt her collapse into him.

"Alice? Love...what happened? Why are you crying?"

What had she done? Here was the man she loved, he had come back for her. She grabbed onto him, sobbing into his chest. "I'm sorry...." she managed to say in between sobs, "...I'm sorry Griffin...I love you."

Griffin had no idea what had happened. He sat down on the curb, pulling her onto his lap. "Sorry? For what? Please, tell me what happened."

Alice shook her head. "I....I'm so sorry Griffin...."

At that moment, Bruce opened up the gate. He wanted to try to persuade Alice to come back in the house with him. He was surprised to see Griffin, and Alice sitting on his lap crying. Had she told him what had happened?

"Griff, what are you doing here?" Bruce tried to act nonchalant.

"I came back for Alice. I wanted her to stay with me. What happened Dad? Why is she crying? Why is she saying she's sorry.." Griffin didn't want to think the worst of his Dad and his girlfriend, but why else would she say she was sorry.

"I....uhmmm....we....." Bruce didn't know what to say. He shrugged his shoulders and looked down at his feet.

"Fucking hell Dad. I can't even trust to leave my girlfriend with you? You have to fucking ruin everything? You don't have to tell me what happened, I can figure it out myself." he looked at Alice, "Did you reciprocate to him?"

Alice looked away from him, "He kissed me, I kissed him back...but that was it. I promise you Griffin. As soon as I realized what I was doing I stopped myself. I told him that I loved you."

Griffin didn't know what to believe. "How the fuck am I supposed to trust either of you? How the fuck am I supposed to believe that this wasn't a ruse to get back together?" he stood up and started to pace, "Poor Griffin. Let's fuck with his head. Let's make him believe that this beautiful woman loves him. Let's laugh behind his back..." he could feel tears begin to fall down his cheeks. He couldn't bring himself to care if Alice or Bruce saw him crying.

Bruce wanted nothing more than to hug his Son, but he knew better. "Griff, Son...I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. It's true, I did kiss her, and I wanted to do more. But she stopped me. Please Son, believe her. She loves you."

Griffin chuckled, "She may love me, but I don't think you do. I'm done with your lies Dad. I'm done with your bullshit. You obviously care more about yourself than you do anyone else. You can fuck off...." he looked at Alice, "I love you. Please just give me a few days to think things over. I may call you, I may not....I don't know...." he wiped his face with his hands, "...I love you Alice...."

Griffin walked towards his car, not looking back at either Bruce or Alice. He needed to be alone. He deserved to be alone......