Grr, more filler than I wanted, but it was necessary. Hope you all enjoy! The next chapter will be updated as soon as possible :D

P.s. - A while ago, I'm not sure if I said so, but I made it so that anonymous reviews would be accepted. I realize that some readers may not have accounts and I wanted to make the option available. So... yeah. Enjoy!

Ch. 14

I woke up warm, comfortable, on a pillow... that was breathing. I opened my eyes to find I was still on the couch, face pressed into Teo's chest. I shifted my gaze to look up at him, finding it adorable how his face was squashed into the couch. I smiled and looked at the small clock on the couch side table and saw the time.

Needless to say, I stopped smiling.

"Teo," I whispered, tapping his arm. He shifted a bit.

"Teo." Still, not much response.

"Teo!"

His eyes shot open and he jolted up, almost knocking me off the couch. "What? What'd I miss?"

I glared at him. "If we don't leave now, we'll be late."

He turned around to look at the clock and blanched. "Shit..."

"Yeah, shit is right."

We looked at each other, then both jumped up and bolted for the bathroom. I thanked my lucky stars as I made it there first, slammed the door in his face, and flicked the lock. I turned on the sink, trying to make myself look halfway decent as I listened to Teo pound on the door, telling me to hurry the hell up. I laughed and told him to be patient. Half a minute later I was finished cleaning up and I barely moved out of the way before Teo slammed the door in my face.

By 10:28, we were out the door and booking it down the street. The second Teo's watch struck 10:30, we were in the door. Panting and gasping, we gave the restaurant a look. I swear, for a moment, every eye was on us. That didn't stay for long, but it was still awkward.

Teo left to go back in the kitchen to prepare, while I took my time, stopping at the counter to greet Alex. He looked up from the cash register with a smug grin on his face. "Have a little fun last night?"

I gave him the ,'I have no idea what you're talking about,' look. He raised his eyebrows. "Now Dean, don't think I didn't notice who you came in with there."

I tried not to blush, but Alex saw it. "Just tell me this dude."

I nodded.

"Does Amber know?"

I sighed and involuntarily glanced around to see if anyone was listening. "To be honest, I think she has her suspicions, but I don't know if she's sure. I don't want her to know."

Alex nodded. "You're good with me, man. She's a bitch, and I just wish Teo had the balls to tell her off." He clapped his hand on my shoulder. "Have you actually done it yet?"

I shook my head and blushed even harder. "No, no we haven't"

"Well, you should. It looks like you both need it."

I tried to come back with a response, but before I could speak, Alex laughed and walked past me into the kitchen. Jerk.

After the workday, which as usual left me thoroughly exhausted, I expected to go 'home' to a somewhat comfy motel bed and sleep as long as possible. But that didn't exactly go to plan.

I was two steps from the door when Giovanni cleared his throat in the middle of the dining area. I turned around to see him standing on a chair. "Tomorrow, we have our monthly 'company' camping trip and I would like to see every one of you there." I could have sworn he looked directly at me. "Food and lodging as usual will be provided, and remember to bring your fishing and hunting gear."

I walked over to Alex who was sitting at a table with Armando. "What is he talking about?"

"Each month we go on a little camping trip for a few days, usually just upstate. We close up the restaurant and get out of the city for once," he told me. "You wanna come?"

I thought for a moment. "Sure, I guess. I mean, what else would I do?"

Alex nodded. "Cool. Better be prepared to get up early and be on your toes. Giovanni likes the 'group activities'."

"Yeah," Armando agreed. "They're physically challenging, of course, but mostly a pain in the ass."

I chuckled. "Sounds like fun. I'll be there."

"Great."

There was something in his voice though, I couldn't tell what, that made me wonder if there was more to what he was saying. I brushed it off and headed for the door, eager to get back to the motel and sleep.