[he stands up}
Thanks for breakfast. And for being cool about finding me here. Drop by the Phoenix. I meant what I said. I do a mean peppered steak....
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AndyC90 |
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I got a job. I'm a chef at a local restaurant. Come over and check it out...dinner's on me this time...Lily's a class act. I'm just the guy in
the kitchen, you know? But I'd treat her good. Better than good. If she was interested. But, maybe it was just one of those things that looked a better
option at night than in the early morning light? We'll see.
[he stands up} Thanks for breakfast. And for being cool about finding me here. Drop by the Phoenix. I meant what I said. I do a mean peppered steak.... Everybody lies....but not all the time...
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PhoenixBG07 |
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Under the windshield wiper on Andy's car:
This key... ...unlocks a door in one of these three places... Does it unlock Door number 1?
Door number 2?
...A hero rises...
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AndyC90 |
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[Andy grins, tosses the keys up in the air and catches them before dashing for his car...he had a few calls to make... first time lucky, maybe?]
I think she likes me...bloody hell, what am I waiting for...? [He drives to the Big Sur Inn...parks all over the place and dashes in, calling to the reception as he enters the door...] You got a room 101? Key like this? [The woman laughs and shakes her head saying 'it's not one of ours...'] [Out he goes again... runs to the car and drives off to his next stop...Tickle Pink...but he has a feeling that the place isnt really Lily's style, so on a whim he drives past and heads for number three...Inside, he finds the lobby empty so he lopes up the stairs and locates Room 101....straightening his shirt and running a hand through his unruly hair, he takes a deep breath and turns the key in the lock...] Lily? You there? You better had be or I'm in big trouble... Everybody lies....but not all the time...
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black lily 13 |
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|Romance is like cliff diving. When she was younger, she and friends used to do it from different points along the coast,
sometimes, just barely missing their deaths below. You close your eyes, take a huge breath, and leap out into the air, hoping you don't hit the rocks.
Leaving the key to this room for him to find her was that jump. If you don't master your fear of the cliff, you never learn how freeing it is to fly for
even a few seconds. Drowning is a worry for later.
Lies back on the bed, waiting to hear the key turn in the lock, letting her mind wander over the furnishings in the room, the soft, thick comforter on the huge king-bed, the faux walnut boudoir and desk, the terrace view outside the glass door, now lit only by the moon and stars...| Lily? You there? You better had be or I'm in big trouble... I'm here. |She pats the bed next to her, and holds out a hand toward him| "There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk
it took to blossom."
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AndyC90 |
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[He pulls off his T-shirt and advances over to the bed where he stops, dead suddenly overawed by her...]
God, you're so beautiful...I just want to touch you. I know we should talk and do all that grown up relationship stuff before we get down to it...but Lily, I can't help wanting you. I see you and I want you...It doesn't mean I'm just taking advantage. You know what I mean? [he sits down on the edge of the bed, his hand smoothing along the slender planes of her legs...] So beautiful..so perfect...what the hell you doing with me? Everybody lies....but not all the time...
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black lily 13 |
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|Sitting up, she wraps her legs around his hips and lightly explores his body with her fingertips- a body somewhere between
the gangliness of youth and the muscle-bound hardness of manhood. But it belies an old soul that doesn't see what's readily obvious, but beyond, clear
down to the heart.|
I don't know why it has to be you. It just does. Maybe because you see me for me, and I feel like I can tell you anything, and you get it. I don't get that a lot. "There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk
it took to blossom."
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black lily 13 |
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Continued from the Phoenix Bar & Grill...
You know that saying, "Before you meet the handsome prince, you have to kiss a lot of frogs?" What if all the frogs you've been kissing on lately have turned out to be princes? Okay, the dark horse in the running hasn't had enough time to prove his nobility yet, not really, but still. It doesn't make it any less cruel a joke to one day realize you actually have to choose when you never really thought you'd get that option, or that it would magically fall into your lap and we'd all live happily ever after. Sooner or later though, someone is going to get left out. That's just how life goes. There's no way around it, no way to play it safe. Life's a bitch, and I feel like the world's biggest bitch right about now. It's not that I necessarily want to boot Andy out of the way to make room for Logan while I figure out what's what. He doesn't deserve that, and it's not how I roll. When Andy and I got together, Logan was not in the picture. I don't know how to explain to myself what drives me to be so consumed with him, but that's how it is. I don't expect Andy to get it or accept it. Neither does he have to stand around waiting for me to make up my frigging mind when he could be out kissing frogs and finding a real princess for himself. He sure didn't get her with me. God, what a mess. |Takes the latte he hands her and sips at it while he pulls up the chair across from her and swallows a hard mouthful of his tea. His earnest gaze never wavers from her face, trying to read the truth in there while she picks out what words she wants to say.| "You know Ann's friend, Drover?" He nods. Of course he does; Andy was the one that pointed him out to Lily. "Well, like you guys, he has a sort of twin- Logan- who came to us that weekend you were gone to San Francisco…" She closes her eyes momentarily and inhales a breath of courage. "We've been together almost every day since. I wanted you to hear it from me before rumor gets out of hand. I'd just rather you hate me for that, than something someone's fertile imagination made up for lack of details." Exhaling slowly, she looks out the window, not wanting to see the hurt or the anger, or maybe the guilt is too much too bear right now. "There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was
more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
Last Edited By: black lily 13
06/12/09 10:42:58.
Edited 1 times.
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AndyC90 |
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[Andy listens intently to what she is saying showing no reaction at first. The he reaches over and touches her face, turning it back to look at
him...]
You mean you've met a guy and it's working for you both? That's great, Lilly. Really it is. Don't be embarrassed and feel like you're letting me down. You're not. We've had a good run you and me- but let's be honest. We were just fuck buddies really. Pretty good ones for sure- but I was never going to be the love of your life. I'm not ready for that kind of commitment anyway. But we had a great time, didn't we? The best. [he smiles] I'm really happy for you. I also feel less guiltly for leaving you alone recently. I thought I was messing you about. I just, you know? Sometimes, you just need some space...Bloody hell, I'm bollocks at this sort of stuff. Jut be careful with this guy. Something weird's happening again. Ever since Wade showed up, things have been out of whack. These guys are not one of us. You just don't know. And that guy you're with looks a bit of an animal..[he grimaces] sorry, don't mean to offend you...Take care. Please, take care , sweetheart...And I hope you know you'll always be my mate...anytime, you know that don't you? Anytime... Everybody lies....but not all the time...
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black lily 13 |
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So why do I feel so rotten?
"I don't deserve you, Andy. I don't. " She thinks about what he says about how things are weird again, and how Drover and Logan are not 'one of them.' No, they aren't. But why would the thing that brought the guys like Andy here be only for them? What about Ellen, who found herself in a different time maybe, but here nonetheless from a film? She's not one of the men of this place, but like them. This place is a secret haven for people who need a hiding place. And while Logan is certainly more rough around the edges than most of the guys here, he needs protection too, even if the reasons are not clear yet. "Don't worry. He's already getting the first degree from Mike. And Dom. And Colin. And Johnny. And Hando. I suppose I can bring him by and let him pass the buddy test too, huh? Just like every girl you ever go out with from now on will have to pass the Lily exam." "There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was
more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
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PhoenixBG07 |
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...A hero rises...
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paulogallagher |
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You got one as well? [Paul wanders into the kitchen the next morning to find Andy reading the brunch invitation with a puzzled look on his face]
I was hoping to get to you before that did. Listen, mate, I know this puts a lot of extra on your plate - but we're closing the place for the day - on His Master's sayso- you need any extra help, we'll all give a hand. Jeff's around too... ..Thing is, mate, we need to talk about something first. I was wondering if we could grab a few minutes later? There's something I want to talk to you about...and a favour I need to ask... |
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AndyC90 |
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[Andy listens to Paul's explanation with an increasing look of disbelief on his face]
Mate, I would have no objection to taking a free shot as this Logan guy's ugly mug but fortunately I know when I'm beaten. The bloke's a bloody animal, never mind anomalies. Anyone can tell. He'd make mince meat out of me. Logan's one thing though, OG, but Lil's another. She's my friend. I care about her. She'd never let me down, you know? How can you expect me to rat her out? I can't do it, mate. I can't try and open her up and then betray her by spilling my guts out to you lot afterwards. I just can't do it to her. And you shouldn't ask it of me, just because of my relationship with her. It's not on, mate... would you do it to Jeff? Or like it if he did it to you, more's the point? I mean, who says you're not a bloody...what was that word again? anomaly....Yeah, maybe there's heaps of guys walking around looking like you out there. Does that make you dangerous? Everybody lies....but not all the time...
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paulogallagher |
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[Paul shrugs]
You could be right. I totally feel what you're saying. Jesus, I've been tossing all night dreading having to ask you this. But the thing is, what if there really is a problem and we just sweep it under the carpet? I keep thinking of little Joey. What would happen to him if something in the time space continuum went pop? What about Lily? You said the guy was an animal. Okay, she seems happy enough with him but she might be in denial. That can happen when you fall for someone. What if he is dangerous and she ends up getting hurt...really hurt? How would you feel if you'd stood by and let it happen because you were too concerned about what she might think to try to check him out? We're only asking for you to see if she will share any fears or concerns she might have. Just listen to her. maybe nothing will come of it - buy maybe you will save her life...isn't it worth the risk? Even if she is angry with you for interfering? You asked me what I would feel like if Jeff did this to me. I'd bloody hate it. But if it saved Joey...it would be worth it...
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AndyC90 |
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[Andy gives it some thought]
Leave it with me. I need to have a think. I'll let you know, okay? Meanwhile, I've got a lot of extra work to do planning for this brunch. This what it's about? They gonna tell everyone? [Paul nods] And you need to prime me first so I can get to work pronto? [Paul nods again] Terry Thorne in charge? He was in the other night...thought something was going on then... [Paul hunches his shoulders. 'Sort of'. Andy sighs.] He's not one to mess about without a reason...okay...I'll think about it. Seriously. Now bugger off and let me get to work... [Paul leaves but Andy doesn't go to work. Instead he slips outside to have a cigarette. There's a lot on his mind...]
Everybody lies....but not all the time...
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AndyC90 |
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...So you and this Logan guy, it's the real deal, huh?
Everybody lies....but not all the time...
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black lily 13 |
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She starts up the truck and pulls out of the lot toward the little cafe Andy directs her to, while thinking on his questions. "What would you call it,
when a couple dozen guys start popping into some town in California, and they're out of movies? I mean, everyone has a twin, but you guys take it to
extremes." She grins at him, then checks her rearview for traffic. "But yeah, Logan and I are together, I think."
"There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was
more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
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AndyC90 |
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[Over coffee]
Ya think? You don't sound so sure. He's not what I expected...but what do I know? If you're happy then that's all that matters...you are happy, aren't you? He's a decent bloke, hey? You wouldn't stand for any nonsense from a bloke, would you? Only...he looks like he might be trouble. You'd let me know if he messed you about, wouldn't you? I wouldn't stand for that, Lily...he's good to you, isn't he? You're not scared of him or anything, are you? That why you didn't tell him about us?
Everybody lies....but not all the time...
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black lily 13 |
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"No, Andrew. I didn't tell him your guys' secrets because they're not mine to tell. Just like I don't go around telling people
Logan's."
"There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was
more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
Last Edited By: black lily 13
08/16/09 01:49:47.
Edited 1 times.
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AndyC90 |
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So Logan's got secrets, has he? [Andy immediately jumps on that]
And I wasn't actually referring to us guys...I meant you and me. Does Logan know we used to have a thing?
Fair enough, Lil, there are things about me I don't want anyone outside to know - but everyone here knows about the skeletons in my closet, just like I know about theirs - our past lives are laid out on the line for everyone to see. Maybe we need to share a bit of detail about Logan's past? If he's going to be hanging around here much longer. Aren't you curious? I mean, he's not quite like other people, is he? Everybody lies....but not all the time...
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black lily 13 |
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"Did everyone else know we were seeing each other? I mean, besides Paul and Jeff? And yeah, Logan does have a good idea, since I apologized to him for
the other night too. It wasn't exactly a treat for him either.
Why should he have to divulge his past to everyone and their dog? So far, the only one of you guys who has really given him a shot at feeling like he's welcome around here is John Biebe. And while we're at it, what does that mean, "he's not quite like other people?" You mean, he's not quite like you, Terry, the guys in my shop, who all have your little skeletons? He has his problems, but not being 'one of you' isn't one of them." She's good and angry. "Andy, if you're hurt, I get it. I'm sorry. I've said it a dozen times. If there's something on your mind, just tell me. Don't do the stoic thing. I get enough of that at home." "There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was
more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
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