77 Switching tanks

After such an emotional ceremony, everyone was in need of a good time, and no one had any issues getting one started. On top of the wine and champagne they received from Lirael and Lance, three kegs were brought along with plenty of different bottle of liquor. It was a little crazy when it came to drinks, but as long as you were not picky, you had one in your hand.

David may have not been able to dance with Alyssa standing up, but the slow dances, she was in his lap as he moved them across the floor, spinning his chair about with ease. I took and so did everyone else, a lot of pictures. Sarina and I were able to take some of the best ones, where they were gazing into each others eyes, laying kisses on each others cheeks, David staring at Alyssa with so much love in his eyes.

I'm spinning Sarina out on the dance floor, making her giggle in delight, when we spot Amanda and Dass, dancing out on the floor too.

"Guess someone gave up on their crush?" I tease Sarina.

"Stop it." She smacks my arm playfully, turning red.

""How did you respond to that confession, by the way?" I ask her, moving her around the dance area.

She groans and lays her head on my shoulder, "Her confession was more of a request...."

Intrigued, I move us to the far side of the dance area, where less people were, "Please go on."

She sighs and her head swivels to see who's around us, pacified by the lack of people she reveals what happened. "I asked her why it seemed like she always wanted to say something to me, like she had a secret or something like that. She told me that she did have something to say, that she liked me... that..."

I pull her from the area, walking with her a little farther away from people.

Awkwardly she continues, "Thanks, but she said she knew we were serious with each other, but seeing how we are members of the club... She asked..." She grows more flustered and shakes her head, "she asked if we could make up a contract. She wanted to be with me... but only me... She rushed to tell me that you could be in the room to watch, just she didn't want to have sex or have you touch her like that." Her face is the color of a tomato and my eyes only widen further.

"What was your response to such a request?" I dip my chin to look into her eyes that want to look anywhere but mine, she's so embarrassed.

"I ... I.." She stammers, "I told her no. I said I was flattered but I just couldn't do that with another woman." She covers her face in embarrassment and I lift my hands to pull them away from her face.

"Hey, it's okay. She's alright, you're okay, everything is good." I run my hands over her cheeks, "See I told you, there was nothing to worry about between her and I. All those silly doubts, when you were the desired person." I click my tongue, "Although, I do admit... may be not Dass, but the thought of another woman eating you out while I watch... is kind of..."

She smacks her hand over my mouth, "Don't you dare finish that." She says in shock, "Not going to happen. That's for you and you alone."

My smile widens under her hand and I flick my brows at her, nipping her fingers for her to remove her hand. "I prefer it that way." I purr at her, bringing my lips close to hers to lay my claim on those luscious petals that frame her mouth.

A clearing of a throat, breaks us apart, and I can't help the scowl that crosses my features before I reign it back in.

Sarina, breathless from our kiss, clears her throat. "Oh, hello John." She turns to me and back to him, "Brian this is John, John this is my boyfriend Brian." She smiles back at me before I extend a hand out.

"John." I say his name in greeting, as John takes my hand and gives it a firm shake but nods in return.

"Were you here for the ceremony?" Sarina asks, trying to fill the silence that's between us.

John nods, "Yes. I've been trying not to be spotted by too many people. There are some individuals present, I'd rather not talk to. I was hoping you could ask the newly married couple if they could meet me out front so that I could wish them well before I leave."

Sarina scans the crowd, "Why who's here that you... oh..." Sarina's eyes stop on an attractive red head, dancing with a equally attractive man.

"Hannah's with someone new, again." Sarina rolls her eyes, "Don't worry, SHE wasn't invited actually. Terry works with Alyssa, that's why she's here, they're not even that serious." Sarina waves it off.

"I don't care, but you know how she is. I would rather not have her cause a scene if she spots me." John says acting aloof.

I internally roll my eyes, but offer up, "I'll go grab them for you. I'll be right back." I give Sarina's hand that I've had a quick squeeze and head on over to find David and Alyssa.

Finding them kissing sweetly over by the table with the cake, I hate interrupting the moment.

"Hey David, Alyssa. John's wanting to speak to you two out front. He wants to say by and is avoiding some one here."

David sighs, "That would be his ex Hannah..." He looks around spotting the woman, "Alright, we're coming." He keeps Alyssa on his lap, propelling them forward to the front yard. I follow behind them and see Sarina is talking to John, her arms crossed over her chest, brows raised, her jaw set in annoyance.

John says something back to her and her jaw drops and hands fly to her hips as she starts to say something, but David cuts her off.

"Whoa, man. What did you say to piss off my sister?"

John shrugs, "She didn't like what I had to say, even if it was just my opinion."

Sarina flips John off, "Opinions are like assholes, John. Everyone has one and they all stink, no matter how much you try to mask it."

"I'm not masking anything, Sarina." John grits out.

"Bullshit." She mutters, crossing her arms and walking over to me. "Come on, Brian. I wanna dance with you, I can argue with him tomorrow." She grabs my arm and starts to pull me away when David asks a question.

"What's going on tomorrow?"

"We have a business meeting tomorrow." John informs him, messing with his nails.

"Business meeting?" Alyssa looks confused, her gaze going to all three of them as Sarina pauses and turns on her heel.

"Oh yeah. Business of breaking promises and destroying dreams." Sarina tosses her hair over her shoulder pulling me back out to the dance floor.

"What was that just about?" I ask her, "He might not be willing to listen to your proposal tomorrow if you piss him off."

Sarina huffed, "Because he says he's willing to hear me out, but it most likely won't change anything." Tears formed in her eyes that she quickly blinked back, "Someone is interested in the whole building...." She stopped herself, taking deep breaths. "Come on, let's dance and enjoy the night. We will deal with tomorrow when it's tomorrow."

I do as she says she wants, still concerned about what she just said. Someone was interested in the whole building? So what, he's going to give her hope and listen, then crush her when he denies her?

Her hand on my face snaps me from my thoughts. "Hey, tomorrow we can worry about it. I can tell you want to go say something to him, but just leave it be. Besides I have a feeling my brother is giving John a piece of his mind and reminding him why he is where he is today."

I turn and sure enough, with narrowed eyes David is pointing to a tight lipped John, who avoids his gaze.

"You have got to explain that to me sometime." I tell her, pulling her close to me and giving her a kiss.

"Explain what?" She raises a brow, her smile forced to falter between a genuine one and confusion.

Cracking my neck in the same direction as David, "How your brother is so damn..... influential? No.... That's not the right word for what I'm trying to say.... treated with so much deference?"

Sarina's lips purse, "Because before he started ever getting high and was in that wreck, he was a good man. He took care of his friends, his employees. I know I've talked a lot of shit about him, but I was just angry with him. Yeah, he did fuck up quite a bit, but part of the reason he almost bankrupted our family's company, was loaning John the money for his investments. They took a lot longer to pay off and make the money back to pay him back. That's part of the reason why John bought the company from him, he owed him, big time." She waves it all off with a roll of her eyes.

"Come on, my brother's done talking to him, let's go have a good time with him." She takes my hand, leading me to her brother who still looks annoyed but gives us a smile anyways.

"Come on you two, only smiles on your faces the rest of the night!" Sarina pulls Alyssa with her, releasing my hand as she drags her out to the dance area.

"Need a drink, David?" I ask him as he pulls out a handkerchief and coughs up in to it.

"No, not yet." The thick mucous sound of his throat makes it hard to believe. "However, can you help me and switch this bottle for a full oxygen bottle? The smaller one? I think I need this one changed out."

"No problem, I can do that." We head into the house and as soon as he's inside, he's coughing again. I grab a trash can for him as he coughs and hacks up bloody phlegm.

He's coughs up a decent amount before he rasps out for water which I rush to get him. I come back with it and he's opening up a pill bottle to take a pill.

"What's that?" I ask him.

"Pain pill. Can you pour me some of that cough syrup right there on the counter please? The purple bottle." He points to the bottle on the counter and grab it for him.

"How much?"

"Fill the cup, than we can trade out this tank." He takes the cup from my hand and knocks it back before sipping on the water and handing me back the glass.

While I'm switching out the tanks, David is quiet, too quiet.

"Everything all right there man?" I turn the valve on his tank and he nods.

"Yep, that's a little too high, turn it down some please."

I adjust the valve down, for him to give me the all good. I start to head to the door so we can rejoin everyone, when David grabs my arm.

"Thank you, Doc. For everything. I don't know if I'd..." He shakes his head, "I would be here to experience my redemption in my sisters eyes and to have Alyssa as my wife... You saved my life you know. How you walked in there and had me all figured out and the way you addressed it all, like it was plain as day. I don't know it just clicked something inside of me and made me realize, even though I didn't have much time left, I shouldn't be ending it quicker by being stupid. I needed to make things right with those I could and pull myself out of my self pity and pain. I don't know how I to tell you... except .. Thank you." He wipes his red, glistening eyes and smiles at me.

For a second his smile reminds me of my brother, even though they look nothing alike. I give him a quick hug and pat on the back before leaning back and gripping his shoulder firmly.

"No problem, brother. I understand where you're coming from."

"Oh! There you two are! You disappeared on us! It's time for cake." Sarina comes in and waves us to follow, David wheeling himself out.

"Sorry, needed a new tank sis." David takes her hand as he passes, "By the way, why didn't you tell me about this bull with John?"

"I didn't want to get you involved and stress you out. I mean this was my deal with him, not yours." She rolls her eyes, staring up at the patios ceiling as we walk out towards where the cake is set up.

David tugs her hand firmly, making her jerk back and stare at him with narrowed eyes.

"That may be true, it is your deal with him, but I'm still here. I'm still your big brother. If I can help you, I will." His eyes are firm with sincerity as she stomps her foot and grumbles.

"Come on, then. Let's go cut your cake." I break the tension between them, making them join the rest of the guests again.