Nicki and myself are writing this together ;D here is the preview vid for the fic ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ENi38tUtuo
The Broken Road
By Carrie and Nicki
Chapter One
The tall blonde man had barely snuffed out one cigarette before reaching into his pack and withdrawing another. “I thought you said you were going to quit.” His friend, a head or so shorter than him, with longer brown hair that curled slightly at the ends, said as he rolled his eyes.
The cigarette bobbed on the edge of the man’s lips as he lit it and inhaled deeply before letting it exhale from his nose and offered his friend a grin. “I did, I just failed to mention when.” He tapped the end into a tray as he nursed his beer. “Why are you such a…what do you call it? Fuddy duddy?”
“On the contrary, smoking is a relatively common past time back home…I just find the habit disgusting.” The comment elicited a short chuckle from his friend.
“And what habits don’t you find disgusting?”
“Oh, certain habits that I’ve developed behind closed doors, those are the ones I enjoy.” He picked his beer up by the neck and brought it up to his lips as he raised his eyebrow and smirked, "Shagging and getting ****** of course." In pure confusion and again needing translation Fox eyed Aiden with annoyance. Aiden chuckled "Sex and alcohol for you Americans."
“Please…” his friend chortled, “the ladies just love when you whisper in their ear with that accent.”
“I can’t help it if I’m language blessed.”
“I do not want to get into another debate about the superiority of the English language over our Americanized version of it. I still say that I’m blessed to speak American, the whole world understands an American.”
“No.” He argued setting his drink down, “Everyone hears an American. There is a significant difference Nick.”
“Get off your high horse, Aiden. Aren’t Britain and America supposed to be allies?” He turned to lean back against the bar as he surveyed the area. “Where the **** are the ladies tonight? This place is usually swarming this close to the start of a new term.”
“Maybe it’s you.”
“I was thinking the same thing about you.” He leaned back onto his elbows and pursed his lips. “Maybe the new girls just haven’t heard the news yet.”
“What news, that this place is getting dried up?”
“No, that Fox Crane hangs out here.” He said nonchalantly raising his eyebrow giving Aiden a look that seemed to wonder why Aiden would even ask the question.
“You are the epitome of the American stereotype Nick. No wonder the world hates you blokes.”
“The world may hate Americans, but can’t get enough of Nicholas Foxworth Crane…set to inherit millions and notoriously sharp business person.” He said with a smug smile as he picked up the beer again and scanned the bar.
“You need to stop reading those rags.” Aiden snorted, “Surprised your head fit through the door. The way they praise you is sickening, maybe someday they’ll be able to knock you down a peg or two.”
“Why? You want to be taller than me finally?” He laughed at his own joke as he looked at his friend who glared at him. “Hey, you can’t help if you’re vertically challenged. Do you even hit six feet?”
“I’m not short, I’m strategically placed. Besides, I’ve got size in areas that compensate for my lack of…” He paused and considered his words, “verticalness”
“Is that a word?”
“Of course it’s a word, I’m British, and we only use real English terms.”
“Ah ****…I do not want to start term again.” Fox groaned as he twisted in his seat back to the bar and signaled for another drink. “How long til we’re through?”
“Two terms Nick, Keep your pecker up.”
Fox stared at him with a raised brow then shook his head with a laugh, “And they say American men are perverted.” He lifted the beer to his lips as he continued to laugh. They both sat in silence for a few more beats before Fox let out a sigh, “I don’t even know why I’m here. I don’t need the degree. I’ve been doing this job…degree-free…for my whole life.”
“Must be tough, to know that you’ve got a career waiting when you finish. I, and the rest of your fellow classmates, have to go out into the real world, like normal people do, and beg for jobs.”
“If you beg me…I’ll shoot you.”
“Though that sounds promising, Crane Industries isn’t my calling. I definitely enjoy journalism.” He raised his brow as he looked across the room at a table. “Speaking of investigative reporting, you said you were off your game, there’s a few birds aching for it to give you some practice.”
Fox turned in his seat and glanced dejectedly at the table that had caught Aiden’s attention. “I’ve already slept with two of those girls there…but have at it if you will.” He said shrugging his shoulders, “they’re both good…maybe you could convince them to go at it together.”
“Ah, **** off.”
“Jealous?”
“A might.” Fox sighed and turned back and hunched over the bar. “Who is the new guy?” Fox glanced up a moment in Aiden’s direction as the man hovered in the door frame. They couldn’t make out any features as the backlighting cast a shadow over him. Fox shrugged and went back to staring at the label on his bottle. The man surveyed the area a moment before strolling to the bar and taking the seat a few down from Aiden.
“Barkeep, I’d like an ale.” His voice drawled out in a deep accent that seemed to have a slight hint of Irish to it.
“You’d like a what?”
“Forgive me…a beer.” The word came out in a sneer as he corrected his slip. “If you will.” The bartender glared at him a moment before turning and popping open a bottle for him and dropping it down in front of him. “Cheers.” He said indignantly then began to mutter under his breath, “Bloody brilliant Americans, don’t even know how to run a decent pub.”
“Finally, a man that understands the tragedies of this nation.” Aiden said with a chuckle and Fox rolled his eyes. “Northern England I presume?”
“Indeed, Newcastle . I see you’re from the great island as well. The name is James Truscott.”
“Aiden Reed.” He shook James’ hand firmly, “From Staffordshire.” He nodded. “This is Nicholas Crane.”
“Fox.” Fox interjected quickly as he offered his hand. “People call me Fox, Aiden calls me Nick…if you call me that, you’ll regret it.”
“Duely noted.”
“Did you just transfer in?” Aiden asked.
“Unfortunately, something snapped in my head last term and I thought it might be brilliant to finish my degree in America. If I had known what I’d find…”
“I can sympathize.
“Well, it looks like you’ve finally found an ally. You Brits sure seem to stick together.” Fox clapped Aiden on the back. “I’d just like to take this time to remind you who won that great war. Twice.”
“You cocky Yanks fail to recognize how lucky you got.” James retorted.
“Don’t waste your breath, I’ve been trying to make him see the light for years.”
James laughed and took a sip of his beer. He tipped it up and finished it off with a sigh, “Man I could really use a *** and another brew about now."
Aiden chuckled and piped in, "Nick over here could help you with that." Fox's eyes widened and he shot a glare at Aiden. "I love Americans." Aiden tilted his head back in a laugh. “You can relax Fox…he meant a cigarette.”
“As exciting as this love fest is, I really must be going.” Fox said with a chuckle. “Mr. Crane wants me to join him this evening in a conference call coming in from some far reaching Asian country.” He pushed himself up off the bar. “Good to meet you James, see you around.”
“Right Mate, good to meet you.” Fox strolled across the bar and lazily pulled the door open to be met by a two young women who were about to enter the bar. One of the girls, with the most silky dark hair Fox had ever seen looked up at him with wide eyes for a moment before blushing at the shock of nearly running into him.
“After you ladies.” He said offering her his most charming smile as she offered him a shy smile and brushed past him. Fox turned his head and cocked it to the side taking a long look at her behind as she walked inside. Part of him had half the mind to turn back into the bar and go after her. But he shook his head with a laugh.
A roll in the hay with a random woman wasn’t worth screwing up his business interests.
Theresa turned a moment back to the door to catch the man staring at her and she couldn’t help but groan and roll her eyes as he made no secret to his less than noble intentions but she said nothing as she turned back away from him and joined Molly at the table. “Was he checking you out?” Molly asked as Theresa set her purse down and pulled a chair out.
“It seemed that way. Men are such pigs.” Molly leaned to the side to catch a final glimpse of the man as the door shut behind him as Theresa placed a drink order.
“Well, that pig may be a fun one to roll in the mud with.” She said with a slight laugh. “Where is Rachel?”
“Oh, she said she was going to be here soon, probably primping herself.” Theresa said as she took a sip of the drink the waitress had just set in front of her. “You know how she is. I swear if she could get her makeup tattooed on her permanently she would.”
“Didn’t she already do that tattooed eye lining?” Molly chuckled, “Or was that something she was just thinking of.” Theresa let out a laugh throwing her head back slightly as she shrugged her shoulders. “You figure out who her fling boy is yet?”
“No, that’s definitely something she’s keeping tight lipped about. That’s an interesting relationship wouldn’t you say? She’s been seeing him off and on for over a year, but I don’t think the two of them have ever gone anywhere in…public.”
“Hey, I don’t begrudge the girl how she wants to live her life.” Molly shrugged as she took a sip of her cosmopolitan. “Cheers to her!” Theresa nodded and tapped her glass to the side of her friend’s. “Just wish I knew who he was! He must be good if she keeps going back for more.”
“My ears are burning Ladies!” Came the peppy voice as she flipped her hair back off her shoulder taking a seat with a smile. “Talking about me?” She asked with a mock pout.
“Well, you are an interesting topic of conversation.” Molly responded honestly and Rachel nodded with firm agreement as she motioned for the waitress with her pristinely polished finger.
“Not going to deny that.” She said with a smile and a shrug. “And by the way, I’m not easy, I’m horizontally accessible.”
Theresa laughed out loud at her friend’s cavalier attitude toward sex. “Ready for the start of term?”
“Please Theresa…” Molly scoffed, “Don’t ruin one of our last nights before we have to get back to the books.” Theresa chuckled slightly but said nothing. “We need to be having fun!”
“I agree with Molly darling. I think, we need to get you a man.” Rachel looked around the bar her gaze quickly evaluating the potential victims in the room. “Short supply huh?” She said cynically as she swirled her drink in the glass.
“Not all of us are lucky enough to have a sugar daddy like yours Rach.” Molly nodded to the flashy new necklace around her neck.
“Yeah…” She said dreamily as she touched the stones on the golden chain. “I am lucky huh?”
“So, when are you going to reveal him.”
“I prefer to keep him to myself.” She said with an innocent smile.
“Pardon me ladies, but we were wondering if we could buy you a round?” The British accent purred in interruption to their conversation.
Theresa looked up at Aiden with a scoff but before she could say anything Rachel cut in with a smile, “Depends on if this round comes with strings.”
“Strings?” James asked feigning innocence as he winked in Molly’s direction and she blushed slightly and dropped her eyes to the table fiddling with the fork.
“Yes, strings, like, what do you Brits call it? A SHAG in the aftermath?” Theresa said in a mocking British accent. “To put it plainly…a drunken stupor.” Theresa smiled and brought the glass to her lips and her eyes swept over him. Aiden cocked his head to the side as he caught her curious glances.
“Maybe a few strings…” Aiden confessed as he slid into the seat nearest to Theresa. “But a shag wasn’t entirely what I had in mind Love.”
“Entirely?” Theresa rose her brow.
“Entirely…” Aiden echoed again with a slightly amused grin.
“It’s just too bad then that all you’ll be getting tonight is…” she paused a moment a coy grin playing at her lips, “what is you call it back where you’re from…the five knuckle shuffle?” James nearly choked on his beer as Theresa pulled her shoulders back in challenge against Aiden. Aiden said nothing in response but his grin widened as he sipped on the bottle in his hand.
“Tell me, do all American women come with as much bite?” James taunted as he looked over toward Molly.
“Oh Theresa’s mostly bark.” Rachel said with a wave of her hand. Theresa shot her a glare but Rachel merely laughed, “Oh don’t deny it Theresa. You’re a lover, not a fighter.”
“Theresa huh?” Aiden echoed cutting into their conversation. “So tell me Terri, what are you studying?”
“My name…is Theresa.” She corrected with a sneer. “Is this place getting crowded or is it just me?”
“Well, say the word my lady, and I can take you someplace less crowded.” Theresa turned to him with a smile and batted her eyes.
“Well aren’t you just a sad disappointment.” She said ruefully as she sipped her drink with a smile.
“And how is that Terri?” She frowned slightly at the nickname but said nothing to it.
“Here I thought the British were more clever. All I’ve heard are American come-ons draped in a British accent.”
“Ouch!”
“The lady has a point.” James contended with a teasing grin. “Maybe you’ve been in America too long. Careful, you might turn into one.”
“Bloody **** I will.” Aiden said firmly and Theresa laughed out loud at their banter.
“Girls, I have to get going.” Theresa said as she reached in her purse for her wallet. Aiden grabbed at her hand and stopped her.
“Please, let me.” He pulled his wallet out and laid a bill on the table. Theresa stared at him quietly evaluating him as her eyes swept over him, finally she relented and pushed her wallet back into her purse.
“Fine, but no **** or shags from this lady.” She said pointedly.
“I love a well versed American woman.” Aiden grinned, “No, no shags then. I guess I will have to settle for my five knuckles then wont I?” Theresa rolled her eyes and pushed up away from the table.
“Enjoy yourself while you’re at it then.” She said briskly before nodding to her friends and turning away. Aiden watched her go with a grin before taking another sip from his beer and turning back to the table.
“That’s quite a friend you ladies have there.” Rachel looked to the door watching Theresa leave, then looked back at Aiden with a wide grin.
“Oh she’s a pistol.” Her grin widened as she began to play matchmaker. “And silly her…forgot to give you her phone number.” She said as she pulled a pen from her purse.
Well, I hope you all will enjoy this one -- it's gonna be a lot more laid back than ASFAT that's for sure and a lot sexier thanks to Nicki lol -- but because I have a hand in it -- there will definitly be a good share of emotional drama too ;D
Now that I've finished this -- I can finish up the last chapter of ASFAT now ;D