Wake Me Up

The next day, Meredith was talked into going to Toronto for the night. So, in typical girl fashion, Meredith and her friends took all day to get ready. The slow build of the day was swimming, showers, makeup, hair, outfits, and waiting for Meredith when an NHL update came on. Lauren, Lindsay, Jessica, and Meredith left for the city at 8. This way they had an hour to get there, and plenty of time to eat before hitting the club. Meredith wasn't really the club type, but she had promised her friends she would go.

Meredith stretched as she stepped out of the Jeep. Her long legs did not appreciate the hour long drive. She adjusted the skirt to her tight, black lace dress. Meredith's glittery heels clicked along the sidewalk as they followed Lauren to this new Italian place down the street.

It was a good thing they had plenty of time because when Meredith and the girls left the restaurant, it was time to go to the club. It was a place someone that Lindsay knew ran. Or, his older brother ran. Lindsay had just graduated from college, as well as Meredith. That's part of the reason they were all at the lake house: one last hoorah before they had to get real jobs.

It took a while to get to HASHTAG, the club. Due to Lauren's lack of a sense of direction and parking. So when they finally got in, Meredith stated, "I'm getting a drink." Her friends nodded in agreement and they headed to the bar. Meredith ordered a beer. She wasn't one of those girls who did Cosmos and that shit. Meredith took a huge gulp of the beer the second it was set in front of her. "We're going to dance!" Lindsay yelled over the thumping bass. "Have fun," Meredith half-heartedly smiled. She did not dance. Unless it was to All Star with James Neal. The thought of him made her smile. No, no! Meredith mentally snapped at herself. James Neal probably has a bombshell of a girlfriend, or someone to mess around with who is a lot prettier than her, in Pittsburgh.

A bump to her right shoulder interrupted Meredith's thoughts. She turned to see who was the cause, and came face to chest with this huge kid. He had an awful tan going on to match his ratty Rolling StonesT-shirt. "I thought a pretty girl deserves a pretty drink." He smiled, way to toothy. Mr. Toothy sat a pink, sugary looking mess in front of Meredith. "Uh, thanks but no." She had her best nice voice on. "Oh come on!" Mr. Toothy was becoming Mr. Pushy.

"The pretty girl is nicely turning you down, take a hint." A vaguely familiar voice said. She turned all the way around to see Michael Del Zotto glaring at the kid who didn't look a day out of college. "Oh, shit man, I didn't know she was yours. Geez, sorry Del Zotto." Meredith restrained her giggles until the wounded puppy was making his way to the other side of the bar. Michael smiled warmly at Meredith. "Hey," he said. "Hey!" Meredith stepped forward and was pulled into Michael's fit arms. "Thanks," she whispered. "Even if you're mine now, apparently?" He grinned. "Maybe.." Meredith lightly pinched his side.

"Well, I know somebody who wouldn't be too happy with that. The same person also wouldn't be happy if I don't take you to him." Michael said, slid up to the bar and ordered three beers. "Oh, really?" Meredith said, mock concern. "Then you should take me to him." Michael got the beers and motioned for Meredith to follow behind. They walked across the club and to a party deck marked "VIP". Michael told the bouncer that Meredith was "eh-okay" and they walked into the small lounge.

The second James saw Meredith, his heart started going nuts in his chest. She looked amazing. It made the half-naked, hammered chick in Drew's lap 10 times less attractive than she already was. "Hey, Nealer! Look who I found!" Michael hollered and handed James a beer. Michael handed Meredith the other beer and kept the one for himself. "Hey, beautiful." James beamed at her. "Hi," she blushed. "Come sit down, we have serious business to talk about." He grinned and gestured to the empty space on the couch. Meredith sat in the seat and said, "What is it?"

"I missed you." James whispered into her ear.
"I saw you last night!" Meredith laughed. "Yeah, but that feels like forever." James smiled and softly traced her collarbone with his fingertips. "Mmm, that feels too good." She closed her eyes. He leaned in and replaced his fingers with his lips.

Meredith's skin felt like it was on fire. Too fast, too sweet, too hot; she pulled away. James looked up at her, concerned. "I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself." It was his turn to blush. "I need to go find my friends. See you?" Meredith whispered. "Yeah," James smiled sadly.

Before she stood, Meredith leaned into James and placed her lips softly on his. She then silently stood, and left to find her friends who were probably falling over drunk by now.

Michael looked at a sad faced Neal. "Damn, dude, how do I get someone like her?"

"I don't know." James murmured.

Notes

Sorry for the wait! Things have been busy. This chapter is shorter too, but I'm going to try to post again soon!