Mel was sulking as she pulled the stuffing out of the oven. Everything was ready to be eaten. All they needed were the other two people to show up. Turning to Lyle, who was sitting at the table, she griped, "I still don't see why the friend had to come along."
"It's the only way you'd get to meet Addison," Lyle stated simply. There was a knock on the door and Lyle jumped up to answer it. He almost had his hand on the doorknob when Mel hip checked him out of the way.
She opened the door and was really surprised by what she saw on the other side. There were two girls standing there. That couldn't be right. She scrutinized them.
One was a short pixie of a girl with brown hair, hazel eyes and the biggest boobs Mel had ever seen. Mel didn't envy her one bit. She probably got horrible backaches. The other honestly looked like a model. She had a very thin build, beautiful shining blue eyes and dark brown hair. She looked like she was only a few inches shorter than Lyle's six foot five height.
"Can we come in?" the little pixie growled pushing her way into the house. The tall girl followed with an apologetic half smile directed at Mel.
Mel slammed the door shut and turned to the two women. "Alright, which one of you is going out with that bozo over there?" she asked jerking her head in the direction of Lyle. The man was picking himself up off the floor from the earlier abuse suffered at the hands of his best friend. That had been a pretty solid check.
Addison was just about to tell Mel that he was said person when Lyle cam e and kissed him in greeting. "That answer your question?" Lyle asked smugly. Speechless, Mel nodded. "Okay what's wrong? I thought you were gonna get to know each other."
Mell swallowed. There really was no delicate way to put it. How exactly did she phrase this without sounding like an ass? She thought about it for a little bit before deciding she didn't care how she sounded. Turning to the tall girl she said, "Don't take this the wrong way, but you're about 100% more girl than I expected Lyle to date."
And to her surprise Lyle and the pixie laughed at her.
The other one cried out, "I'm not a girl!"
"Sure do look like one," Mel crossed her arms.
"Oh, yeah," the girl leaned over and whispered something in Lyle's ear.
"I'll show you," Lyle answered and grabbed her hand gently pulling her away. Mel noticed she was carrying a backpack... and hoped the girl wasn't planning on stealing anything.
"You know Addison's not a girl," the pixie stated.
"Sure looks like one," Mel said again.
"That's a disguise," Lyle chimed in rejoining the group. "Trust me, he's all male."
"And where is he currently?"
"Taking off his girl parts," Lyle answered. He looked from Eva to Mel and realized he hadn't introduced them yet. "Eva, Mel. Mel, Eva," he motioned to each in turn.
"And what's your boy's name again?" Mel asked curiously.
"Addison," said a fourth voice. All three of them looked over to the boy joining the conversation.
Mel had to admit he was a very pretty thing, and definitely male. As far as looks went he was, without a doubt, fit to stand next to an elite like Lyle Prince. But good looks alone were a dime a dozen. She needed to know that this guy wasn't after Lyle for his money.
They sat down after the introductions and enjoyed the meal. It was wonderfully cooked and the atmosphere was comfortable despite its rocky start.
After the meal Eva announced that she had to leave. She ate supper with her mom and dad on Thanksgiving and had a two hour drive ahead of her. Saying goodbye to Addison, Lyle and Mel, she left.
Mel had to think of a way to get Addison alone. It was about time to find out why this guy was dating Lyle. "Uh, Lyle... could you go get some ice cream? I want to make sundaes."
"Mel, get your own goddamn ice cream," Lyle shot back.
"Addison," Mel decided using him was a good way to get Lyle to comply, "you want ice cream, don't you?" she asked giving him a look that said he'd better play along or bad things would happen.
Addison saw the look Mel was giving him and reluctantly agreed that he'd enjoy some ice cream. Lyle sighed and got up. He gave Addison a quick peck on the cheek before he left the house to go buy Mel her fucking ice cream. He just hoped he'd be back before she scared Addison into leaving.
~ARC~
He looked at the girl sitting near him warily. There was the distinct feeling in the air that he was about to get one of those talks. And sure enough, Mel fixed him with an iron hard gaze. "So... Addison, was it?" she asked sweetly. He just nodded his head and waited for her to continue. "Why are you going out with Lyle?"
Addison sighed. He knew a question like that was bound to come up. Honestly, he expected her to beat around the bush a little longer before asking it, but he definitely appreciated her frankness.
"Uhh," he began articulately. Honestly, he didn't know what to say. He found the guy attractive. He liked his personality, how Lyle could be a total ass and unbearably sweet. His kisses. His gentle touch. "I like him," he finally decided. It came out a lot lamer than it had sounded in his head.
"But what do you like about him?" Mel pressed.
Everything. Addison knew that couldn't be true. There were bound to be things he didn't like about the man. He hadn't liked how they met but, that aside, the novelty of the relationship hadn't exactly worn off yet. Secretly, he hoped that it never would. He decided it was probably best to list the things about Lyle that he like the best. "His... his personality, how he can be a total ass one minute and so sweet the next. His kisses, touch. Even his flaws. Really, everything about him."
"Then surly the money also interests you," Mel stated.
Addison adopted a bashful smile and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. Ahh... Mel smirked sardonically, he was going to confess. That was the face of a guilty person.
"To tell you the truth," Mel leaned forward listening intently. She wanted to remember every word this man was saying while his boyfriend wasn't around. It was better to stop the relationship before it got too deep rather than wait and tell Lyle that this beautiful man had been playing him the whole time. "I don't have a clue how much money he has."
Mel almost fell out of her chair. How could this guy not know how much money Lyle Prince made? "Are you for real? Because I find this whole clueless act kind of annoying."
Addison held up a placating hand, "I swear on my parents' graves, I have no clue how much money Lyle makes. Don't really care either. I also didn't even know that he was Lyle Prince until after I smacked him at that Halloween party," he chuckled fondly at the memory. He had been royally pissed at the time, but looking back on it now, with how things worked out, it really was quite funny.
"You're joking?" Mel said flatly.
Addison shook his head. Sure he knew the man was supposed to take over his father's company but he knew no specifics when it came to their monetary status.
"Do you live under a rock?" she asked incredulously.
"Nope, usually I'm locked in an attic," Addison deadpanned.
And Mel was staring at him again. She couldn't figure out if this guy was telling the truth or not and it frustrated her. There were way too many things she had learned about this boy that seemed so far fetched but yet too strange to have been made up. One, he had no clue what Lyle Prince looked like before being introduced. Now, Mel had to admit, Lyle had always been good about keeping his face out of the tabloids, but he didn't seem to care how many news shows recorded interviews and what not with him. Two, both of his parents were dead. Not totally unheard of, but he was so young. Three, he was locked in an attic. Apparently a lot.
She decided to drill him with questions to see if his story changed. Slightly cruel, but totally effective. If he was telling lies, he was bound to slip up somewhere. After all, it worked in Legally Blonde.
"What's your full name?"
"Addison Montgomery," Addison answered.
"Do you go to school?"
"Yes."
"What do you study?"
"Music education."
"What instruments do you play?" Mel was genuinely interested in this answer. She liked music a lot and played the trumpet all throughout school. Still had the instrument somewhere. Maybe she'd get it out to play sometime.
"I got in for violin and voice. I also play the steel drum and piano," Addison knew exactly what was going on here. He knew Mel didn't believe that he was telling the truth about his earlier admission that he had no clue how much money Lyle had. If this was her idea of a test, he'd pass it with flying colors. He saw absolutely no reason to lie to her. He'd answer all of her questions, even though he thought a majority of them were just stupid.
"How do you pay for school?"
"Tuition grant, and I have two jobs."
"Ooh, where do you work?"
"A grocery store and a drag bar called Spicy.
"Do you dress in drag there?"
Addison just gave her a duh look.
"Right," Mel couldn't think of any more questions. Oh wait, "How'd you meet Lyle?"
"At a Halloween party. He touched my butt. I slapped his face."
Mel snorted at that. She'd have to tease Lyle about that later.
"When was the last time you were locked in the attic?" She asked thinking back to something he said earlier and hoping to catch him off guard.
Addison's features grew dark and he looked away ashamed. "Today, he admitted through the lump forming in his throat.
"What! Why?" Mel hadn't been expecting him to be able to answer that one. She thought he was joking when he said that.
"My stepmother was angry," He answered vaguely.
"You live with her?"
Addison nodded, "Her and my two stepsisters."
"Why?" why would he live with someone that treated him so horribly?
"I don't have anywhere else to go," he admitted.
"Move out."
Addison wished it was that easy. "I don't have enough money."
"So you do need money?" Mel smirked enjoying the flustered red that crept onto Addison's face at that statement.
"No!" Addison hissed. "I have money. My father left it for me when he died but she's keeping it from me."
Hmmm, interesting. She fixed a gentle gaze upon his panicked face. "How'd your father die?"
"He had a heart attack while umpiring my baseball game," it had been the worst day of Addison's life.
"How old were you?"
"Eight," he managed to squeak out.
"And your mother? What about her?"
"She died when I was a baby," Addison spoke softly.
Mel reached a hand forward and placed it gently on top of Addison's. She gave his hand a comforting squeeze.
Addison flashed her a tentative smile. Apparently whatever test she had conducted, he had passed. And right on time. Lyle came barging in the door. "Got your ice cream you butthead."
They ate sundaes and talked and laughed. All too soon it was time to leave. Addison went and changed back into his girl outfit and walked to Eva's.
After changing back into his everyday clothes at Eva's, Addison texted Rachel and started home. When he arrived at the house he crawled up the rope that Rachel had thrown down for him. There in his room stood Rachel waiting for him.
"Hey, Addison!" Looked like tonight was gonna be a talk night.
~ARC~
Lyle sat with Mel in her living room, "So, does he pass the Mel seal of approval??" he asked looking at his friend for answers. She never had anything good to say about anyone he dated and, more often than not, she tended to be spot on when judging them.
It was fucking annoying.
So when Mel looked at him seriously and grabbed his hands, gazing straight into his eyes, he expected the worst. Instead he got, "Lyle, I hate to say this, but if you hurt this one I might have to rip your dick off."
Jesus, why was everyone always threatening his manhood? It had never done anything to anyone... unless they asked really nicely.
"He's a good guy," Mel added. "Can you believe he doesn't know how rich you are?"
Lyle barked out an incredulous laugh. Yes, he could very much believe that. "He didn't even know who I was until I introduced myself at the Halloween party."
"I know," Mel smirked.
"Yeah, I bet you do," Lyle bet she got Addison's whole freaking life story.
~ARC~
Addison went and sat down on his bed, motioning for Rachel to join him. "It's been a long time since we've talked like this."
"'Cause you're always working," Rachel accused pouting.
"So, how was your Thanksgiving?"
"Better than yours," Addison answered smugly.
"Duh! Those two are insufferable!" she griped.
"So, the question I have for you then is," Rachel scooted close like a starved housewife looking for her latest gossip fix. "What's it like dating the Lyle Prince?"
Shit! Addison was so screwed. "Rachel, please don't tell anyone," he practically begged.
"So it is you. Why are you dressed like a girl?"
"So they don't find out it's me."
"Well," Rachel began looking at her stepbrother, "they don't know yet and I'm sure as hell not gonna tell 'em. It's funny hearing them cry over this Daniella girl that just seemed to pop out of nowhere."
Addison laughed.
"Just one more question: why the name Daniella?"
"That was my mother's name," Addison admitted.
Oh yeah, Rachel had forgotten that was her name. It all made sense now.
She hugged Addison and said goodnight before leaving the attic. "Oh, by the way," she called over her shoulder when she reached the door," she unlocked your door about two hours ago."
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