Chapter 53

Geena stood, not even hearing David's come hither joke towards Carly. "Can't I do it for her? I mean not with Richie, but let me take her dare?” Geena nervously stepped towards David, a panicked look in her eyes.

David grinned, his mind on the blonde perfection beside him, Geena's near fear not even registering. "Sure if she wants to lose the game."

Bri’s eyes went a little wide as she heard the dare, her gaze flicking over each person. He wanted her to go into a closet, but he didn't know her history. God love G and Rich, they did, but it wasn’t THAT closet, and it was with RICHIE. What better way to keep her mind off of it all? She could do this. She just knew it. Shaking her head at G, she managed to keep her voice normal. "It's okay Geena. Seriously its okay."

She held her hand out to Richie and managed to smile. "Lead on."

Richie leaned in and whispered "Are you sure Darlin’? You don't have to do this."

She nodded and felt her heart tilt a little sideways at the warmth and concern in his voice. "I'll be with you right?"

Jon stood up and moved to David, swatting at the back of his head. "You won't lose if you choose a different dare."

Bri shot a grateful glance at Jon before replying. "Hey ya play with the big dogs ya take what lumps ya get." She paused a moment, forcing a slight smile to her lips. “I mean seriously, I’m sure Richie can either bore me or keep me occupied for at LEAST seven minutes right?”

David jerked his head away from the next impending swat and looked at Jon curiously, "What the fuck I do?"

"I'll be right there with ya honey." Richie led her to the closet and opened the door. They both stepped in and he slowly shut the door.

Before Jon could explain, Geena shook her head as her gaze moved to the closet, her nerves skittering as she watched the door waiting on Bri to bolt.

She stepped closer to what she thought was Richie as the door shut, the tiny jitters starting without her realizing it. "He didn't know." And as the darkness settled around them both she reached for Richie and prayed for sanity. Taking a step forward she bumped into wall and hissed.

"Where are you? Fucking big closets."

"I'm right here baby." Richie reached out to tug her back into his arms, his grasp tightening securely. “It’s not so bad see?”

She took a deep breath, counting quietly to herself. Just a few more minutes to go, just a few more. As his arms settled around her she whimpered slightly and turned, her lips reaching to find his in the dark.

He felt her lips pressing against his and he captured them with intensity, hoping that if he kissed her breathless she would make it thru this stupid ass dare of David’s. He really couldn't be mad at David, he didn't know the entire story, but the protectiveness he felt for Bri was over riding his good sense as he thought up a dozen ways to artfully throttle his friend.

She moved closer, her arms wrapping tightly around him, almost trying to climb into his skin with him. God his kisses were heavenly, his hands doing that little slidey thing along her back felt sublime. Just a few more moments to go Bri. You can do this.

Richie was proud of her. She really was doing well. About five minutes into their closet dare he felt her shiver and knew the panic was starting to kick in. "Baby we can leave now. All you have to do is say the word," he whispered as he stroked her hair.

She wanted to tough it out, for him, for herself, but the darkness was making it hard to breathe.

The dark of closet was darker than anything else, even with Richie there to keep her safe. As his hands soothed over her hair and along her back she finally gave in, her head nodding as she tightened her hold on Richie. "God yes please out."

"Ok baby," Richie answered. With one arm still around her he opened the door and stepped out, slowly walking her to the bed. " Glancing to the open bedroom door he called out. “Someone pour her some wine , please? " Richie sat down on the bed pulling her onto his lap cuddling her, reassuring her it was over." You did good baby, I'm proud of you."

She snuggled into his lap, attempting a smile, her gaze encountering Geena as she entered the bedroom with the glass. Taking the glass from her friends outstretched hand she took a sip and smiled at the overly protective glare in her friend’s eyes. "G, stop, don't be mad at Dave, he doesn’t know."

"Maybe not, but he could have changed the damn dare. He could have let me and Jon go in your place." Geena scowled.

She shivered slightly, "Now G, that’s not how the game is played. It’s ok. I might have lost the game but I made it for a few minutes, that’s a good thing. It’s a victory for me no matter how you look at it."

The anger Geena dissipated when she looked at her friend a genuine smile seeping into her gaze. "Yes you did, and I'm so proud you. Take that asshole.” She glanced at Richie suddenly, her cheeks flushing, “Not you Rich."

Richie grunted, his hands constantly soothing over her skin as he tried to erase the shivers from Bri's body. "Knew it weren't me." He settled Bri on the bed, his brows waggling, "I'll be back in a second precious. Geena stay with her." He stalked from the bedroom, his eyes intent on David.

"Of all the things why that?"

Glancing at Jon and noting the unspoken question he spoke. "She’s sorta settled, but I don’t want to move her. Sleep in my suite tonight man? Fuck that, sleep in Geena’s."

David was at a loss. What had he done? Seven minutes of heaven was one thin they’d thrown at each other countless times, usually with a dog, but there had never been any problems before this. "Man, I'm sorry but for what?"

Jon nodded at Richie, gathered his carry-on luggage and started for the door. "In this one instance, yeah. He held his hand out for the keycard and smiled, "You'll have to swap back in the morning since all my shit’s here.”

Carly wrapped her hand in David’s and took a deep breath. "They’re not telling you, I know, but when Bri was married, well, her husband was sort of a nut. He would lock her in the closet if meals weren’t perfect and stuff."

"Oh fuck!" David cursed then guilt flooded over him. " I'm so sorry I didn't know or I wouldn't have."

Richie nodded slightly and turned to go back to the bedroom. "That's why you're still walking man. Otherwise..." His voice trailed off, he didn’t have to explain, they'd all come to blows often enough for David to remember the sting of his fists. "IF she weren’t taking this like a trooper man, if she wasn’t seeing the few minutes she made it as a victory?" He walked into the bedroom, nodding for Geena to leave, then shutting the door behind her.

Geena glanced at her friend one more time and left the room. She spared David a glance, trying to not glare because he really didn't know. "Carly see you bright and early in the morn?" Geena wasn't sure where she was going. Jon was already heading out the door, so she just assumed she was going back to her room and back to reality. Maybe its best this way.

He stopped at the door, something inside of him alerting him that she'd reappeared. "Heya G,walk with me?"

The relief that he wanted her around arose with ruthlessness, as she felt herself shiver. "Ok," Geena answered quietly, her steps falling in step with his as they moved towards the door.

"Not too sleepy yet, thought we could enjoy our last night here, you up for that G?"

Geena knew she should say no. Spending one last night with Jon would just make it more difficult to leave in the morning. Although her mind was screaming no, she heard her lips say "Yes."

"Well come on, let me dump this shit in HIS room." He chuckled a moment. "The things I do for Sir Galahad."

David glanced at Carly a moment, then to Jon and Geena as they left the room. "Well gorgeous. How’s about we find someplace quiet and less occupied to say good bye?"

A shy smile lit Carly's face. "I'd like that."