Ocho

Dakota stared blankly as her sister continued to talk to her. She couldn't make out what she was saying, not bothering to pay much attention. She had too much on her mind with Oliver and Nicholas to concern herself with Elaine's constant whines about their mother.

She felt a sting in her chest. She had flat out rejected Oliver. There was no other way to look at it. She had no choice she couldn't kiss him after what Nick had done.

"Dakota?" Elaine snapped her fingers until her sister gave her the attention she wanted.

"Sorry, you were saying?"

"Ok, what's up with you?" Elaine leaned back in her seat.

"Nothing." Dakota sipped on her bubble tea.

"Cut the crap." Elaine scoffed. "Its guy trouble isn't it?"

"What in heavens are you on about?"

"You must be having a fight with the new guy?"

"I already told you there is no guy."

Elaine shook her head. "It's like pulling teeth with you. I will pry it out of you."

Dakota sighed a relented. "There was a guy. But I'm afraid I may have poisoned what we had. So there nothing else to tell."

Elaine chuckled dryly. "Ha. No there is so much more you NEED to tell. Who was this guy? What happened? I need details."

"You shall get nothing more from me vulture." Not that she could tell her right now, anyhow.

"You do not play fair at all."

"That's tough." She sipped on her tea again. "What was this drink called again?"

"It's bubble tea...? Boba tea...? One of those. Passion fruit is the one you got. It's good, right?"

"I can not quite understand exactly how I feel about this concoction. I can't stop sipping it either way." It would be better with more sugar or some alcohol.

"You just thought about mixing it with liquor, didn't you?" Elaine asked bluntly.

Dakota nearly choked before fixing herself. "Ludicrous. Perish the thought."

"Uh huh. See, the thing is. I don't believe you. You have a problem. What are you going to do if you get so drunk you do something seriously illegal?"

Dakota scrunched her lips together knowing her sister called it again. She had gotten drunk and done something so clearly illegal with Oliver already. Though everything after was done in her right mind. What does that say about her right mind?

"Your concern is welcome but is not necessary. I am a big girl."

Now Elaine sighed in defeat. "Fine, I'll drop it. Oh yeah, Nick said he was throwing a barbeque tonight, Alec suggested we use the new grill he bought so it'll be at my place...."

"I think not." She responded flatly.

"Come on Dakota the more the merrier. I'll make sure there is plenty of food and 'drinks'. Plus mother won't be there. You can even bring your guy. Try to smooth things over with him, or find a new guy. There will be plenty of options from Alec's job coming."

"I have too much to do tonight. You will have to do without me." Dakota stood and pushed her frames up. "If that is all I really must be on my way.

Dakota left the restaurant swiftly and walked with no real destination. For the first time in a very long time, she was lost and without control. She wanted to see Oliver but was afraid to face him. They had grown so close in such a short time. She really cared for him much more than she allowed herself to think about.

Still, how could she stand before him while on Nick's leash? Maybe she could fix it after Nick was no longer around to be an issue. Everything was working like clockwork before he arrived. But for now, zero contact was the only thing she could do.

Before she realized it she was walking into a pub she frequented and hopped onto one of the bar stools. She sat her purse on the bar and sighed.

"Sounds like a long day." The Bartender smiled. "Get you the usual?"

"Thank you, Tyson, you are my knight." She responded. Turning in her seat.

Her eyes wandered around the pub. They scoped all over the walls and the decor as they always did. She didn't wish to run into any of her colleagues while she unwinds.

Tyson returned with her drink in a small glass. "Rum Punch, no ice, with extra pineapple on the side. And for you, the first one is on me."

"That's very sweet, Tyson thank you. Do be a dear and ready another. This will not be nearly enough."

"Should I queue you up a Lyft?"

Dakota sipped her beverage and continued her surveillance of the bar. Then her eyes got a glimpse of someone she shouldn't.

"Hold off on that, Tyson. I think you may have some underaged patrons." She subtly points to a booth in the back

"You know I was iffy on them too but there ID's held up."

"You should consider stricter entrance policies, lest you be shut down. One is a student of mine."

Tyson watched Dakota stride over to a booth in the back. "Hello miss Crestmere. I'm almost positive you should not be in a place like this.

Alison jumped in her seat like she had seen a ghost. Then she cursed her group in a whisper for picking the one place her teacher was. She turned slowly to face Dakota. "Miss E? Hey girl! You're looking TOO good in that top."

"And you are looking TOO young to be here." Dakota clapped back.

"Well...that's my cue..." Alison tried to slip away.

"Not so fast miss Crestmere. Do not presume to think you may get off so easily."

She smiled nervously, turning back to Dakota. "Wait, you don't plan to tell my parents, do you? That would be bad for me...ya know?"

"As your instructor, it is my duty to do as such. But before that, is that you mister Julien?"

Ricardo, who had slumped in his seat in an attempt to hide, waved. "Hey...miss Elkins."

"You two bring shame upon me." She looked around for any more familiar faces. None to be found, which saddened her a fraction. "Oliver seems to be missing from your merry band today."

"Well yeah, he said he wasn't interested in drinking with us." Ricardo said throwing on his best charms.

Alison elbowed him and whispered. "Leave that last part out idiot."

"I see. Well then, up we go children. The likes of you do not belong." Alison and Ricardo slowly rose disappointed. Dakota pushed up her frames and crossed her arms. "I assume the rest of you are just as underaged. Do not force me to create a scene. You may yet leave with dignity."

The rest of the group smacked their lips but ultimately got up to leave. And she allowed them that mercy. With that taken care of, Dakota returned to the bar, with thoughts of Oliver.

When she had spotted Alison a moment ago, her mood rose thinking she might get to at least see him in passing. It had already been a few days since he was last at her house and, because she took the whole week from work, she hadn't seen him since.

She swallowed the rest of her punch. And wiped her mouth with a napkin. She laid down some cash. Tyson nodded.

"Another one?"

She waved a hand. "No Tyson, my mood has been ruined. This is for the first."

He picked up the bills and handed them back. "Next time then." Dakota nodded.

***

Dakota unlocked her front door and walked in tossing her keys in the dish and sat a few bags on the counter. Then she walked to her couch and flopped facefirst into it. Like that she remained for a few blissful moments as she let tears fall one after another.

"How pathetic." She whispered. She had spent an hour sitting in the park with her own thoughts, uninterrupted, and she regretted it. Then, after walking the shopping district for a bit, she stopped by a corner store for a little comfort food -ice cream and Little Debbie cakes- before turning for home.

A shuffle rounded the corner from the back as he called out. She silently cursed his timing and wondered how he even got into her house.

"Knew you would try to hide out here. Sit up, Dakota." She hesitated at the sound of Nick's voice. It got angrier and more assertive in response. "I said RISE!"

She stood up and faced him. Her eyes still damped and puffed from crying. He walked over to her and raised his hand. She spoke in a hushed voice. "Nick...please..."

"Relax Dakota I won't hit you." He brought his hand back gentle to her cheek and wiped her tears. "You seem to be under a lot of pressure. Let your big brother take care of you. Elaine said you didn't want to come to the barbeque."

"I..."

He cut her off. "It will be good for you. I even just recently made special plans with you in mind. Do I have to make it an order?

Dakota didn't like the sounds of it. But she didn't have the strength to go against him. "Ok. I'll go."

He took her by the wrist and pulled her closer. Slowly, with his tongue, he licked the side of her neck. She closed her eyes. It felt as if a slug had left its trail on her.

"I want to have a little fun before we go, don't you? How about your pleasure your master?" He undid his belt and freed himself from his pants. "Oh and I'm sure you know already but that's an order."

A few more trails of tears ran down her eyes as she dropped to her knees. She took him in her hand. He was already erect. She slowly opened her mouth and then he was inside.

Nick thrust his hips forward till her lips touched his base. Her eyes started to roll from the surprise of the motion but she was able to hold herself together. If it were Oliver's she'd have probably died.

Nick pulled himself out, allowing Dakota to take a few deep breaths. Then he did it again. This time she was prepared and weathered it with little effort. He sucked his teeth. Then his phone rang.

He stepped away and answered while Dakota put herself back together. "Yeah? Oh, I'm just at our sister's place. Yeah, I convinced her to attend the kickback. Well what can I say, people can't say no to my charming ways. Yeah yeah, we will be there shortly. Ok later." He hangs up then to Dakota says. "Let's get to it

As soon as Dakota and Nick walked around back to the barbeque, Dakota's stomach turned and her heart sank. She found herself staring at Alison, Jacquelyn, Gyll, Ricardo -and Oliver. What were they doing here? Now?

"Oh hey Miss E." Alison waved walking to right in front of her as Nick walked away. Then she spoke in a hushed tone. "About earlier...".

Dakota reapplied her facade. "Its a discussion for another time miss Crestmere. For now, answer, how did you find yourself here?"

"Oh. Well after Ricardo and I left the bar we meet up with Jac and Gyll. We just happened to run into Nick and were shocked to find out he was your brother. He invited us to free food. I don't turn down free food."

Gyll walked up beside them and greeted Dakota. "Hi, Ms. Elkins."

"Hello to you as well miss Valentine."

"What are we whispering about?" Gyll turned her question to Alison.

"Oh, I was telling Miss E how we bumped into Nick and got invited."

"Yeah. It was a little weird, right?" She smiled unsurely.

"Weird? Random encounters happen all the time, don't they?" Alison shrugged.

"I mean...it felt like he was looking for us specifically? It's just, didn't it seem like he knew a lot about Oliver and Oliver wasn't even there?"

"You weren't with Oliver!?" Dakota started to shout but hushed herself at the last moment.

Alison rubbed her chin. "Now that you mention it, that was pretty weird. He made us promise to bring him too."

Dakota had a bad feeling about tonight. What was Nicholas planning? Elaine waved her over. "Dakota! So glad you changed your mind. Come here, I have some people I want you to meet."

Dakota walked over to the grill where her sister and others where gathered. Jacquelyn and Gyll slowly walked to join their friends.

Gyll pointed out to Alison in a low tone. "Odd...she used his first name."

Before Alison could respond, Jacquelyn crashed in. "Yooo Alison. These things are bomb." She said with a mouthful of rib, waving the bone around."

Alison's eyes lit up. "Where'd you..."

"...Had Nick slip me one while no one was looking."

"Me next Nick!" Alison yelled rushing to where the food was being kept with Jacquelyn chasing behind.

"Its like they have no home training sometimes." Oliver stood at Gyll's side, replacing Alison who had just run off.

She instantly became flustered remembering how nice his lips felt and that she actually kissed him last night. "Uh...yeah... Some things never change." She smiled.

"Luckily some things do." He returned her smile and she blushed. "I didn't get to ask before now but our date didn't get ruined at the end?"

Gyll blushed harder. "No...I was surprised I had the nerve to actually do it. It was my first kiss, I hope it wasn't too bad."

Oliver stumbled over his words. He was really referring to the Ferris Wheel incident opting to not bring up the kiss since she was shy to these things. "It was actually really nice for me."

"Tha-thank you." She smiled.

As the two of them talked, a ways away from everyone Dakota couldn't help but notice them from the corner of her eye from the back patio. She really wanted a lot right now. She wanted to be next to Oliver like Gyll was. At the same time, she wanted him far away from what Nicholas was planning, somewhere safe. Even still she wanted to ignore him. Maybe she wanted to apologize properly. Or to kiss him. Mostly she just wanted him to hold and comfort her. Shield her from Nick.

As if he could read her thoughts there he was behind her, his hand groping her ass. "Are you insane!?" She said shushing her voice.

"I doubt anyone knows what I'm doing from this position." Nick looked out in front of them where everyone was enjoying themselves. Then he eyed Oliver and Gyll. "Though it would be pretty funny if he did, huh?"

Dakota's eyes widen before she caught herself. "Why would you say something like..."

"Don't try to play games, sweet sister. I can tell there's something forbidden about the air between you two. It's very reminiscent of the forbidden air we share. To think you would actually have that kind of relationship." He frowns with displeasure and spits. "Disgusting."

He lifted her skirt and slipped his hand into her panties sliding down till he touched the source of her heat. "There are too many people who could see...Nick, you have to stop."

"Those people don't matter there is only one person who does. In fact, you should call him over and we can finish what we started at your house right in front of him."

Dakota covers her mouth and snuffs out the sounds trying to escape her lips when he pressed his two fingers into her. "Nick...please...don't make me do that."

He smirked. The same one she was afraid of and hated. "Do it now Dakota. Your master commands it."