Chapter 68: Chapter 67: Turning Over A New Leaf

“Wait just a minute, she slapped you? Actually slapped you?”

Alex growled under his breath. “How else do you think I got this red mark on my face?”

Annette shrugged. “I just thought maybe Jenna was into some kinky shit.”

It was the following day and Alex had joined both Annette and Ellie for his very first Slogger match. It was part of the deal he made with Annette to teach her swimming, even though she let slip that she’d actually done it before. Even still, he wanted to learn Vesta’s favorite game, and it allowed him the chance to get away from Rick’s home.

Slogger was an interesting game that reminded Alex heavily of disc golf. The only noticeable change was that the Vestan version had hoops that were set up between the thrower and target, and you had to make it through the hoops in order to get extra points. That brought an entirely new dimension to the game, but the more leisurely pace of play allowed them plenty of time to talk.

Sure enough, the mark on his face instantly started the conversation about what happened, and Annette and Ellie wasted no time in pulling out all the details.

All the details.

“You little slut, I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you two slept together,” said Annette, hitting Ellie on the arm. “You tell me everything! Why didn’t you tell me that?”

Ellie actually managed to look embarrassed as she pointed to Alex’s face. “That’s why I didn’t tell you. I had a feeling this would happen if it got out and sure enough, it did.”
Annette pursed her lips. “I’m feeling left out now. Does this mean that we can finally do it, Alex?”

Alex shook his head. “Sorry, Annette. Truthfully, I think I’m even taking a risk being seen with Ellie right now. No offense, Ellie, but you know how it would look. That’s why I’m glad Annette is here so my hole doesn’t get dug any deeper.”

Annette sighed. “What I wouldn’t give to have someone deep in my hole right now.”

That actually made the other two laugh, breaking some of the tension.

One thing that Alex noticed was that Ellie was very quiet during the conversation, even looking sullen at certain points, which was unlike her. Alex suspected that she was feeling the guilt about what happened but she didn’t come right out and say it.

“So how do we make this right?” asked Annette finally as they set up on the last target. “Do you want me to talk to Jenna? I know both of you well enough now that I think I can be a middle ground.”

Alex shook his head. “I got the same offer from Nikki yesterday and I turned her down too. This is my mess and I have to be the one to fix it. I appreciate the offer though. It’s tempting but I don’t think it will help me.”

Annette nodded slowly and looked at Ellie. “Kind of reminds you of that time a few years back when all the women started sharing, doesn’t it? Alex’s situation played out a hundred times across the people of Vesta.”

“Yeah, and it all happened at once,” replied Ellie with a groan. “It was awful for everyone until we got it figured out.”

“From what it sounds like, the new arrivals are now going through it,” said Alex. “It’s going to be an interesting time for all of us until it gets settled.”

That seemed true enough and the game continued until Alex hit his last target. As could be predicted, he scored third, getting crushed by the other two ladies.

“You know, we should have let you win in hindsight,” teased Annette. “If only to make you feel better about something.”

“I guess we’ll just have to keep playing until I get better,” noted Alex. “But this was fun. And it let me get out of Rick’s housing unit for a while.”

Annette nodded and looked at her P-com. “Well, I have to jet. I’m glad you had fun with your first Slogger match, Alex. Even if we did kick your butt.”

Alex chuckled. “See you, Annette. Talk soon.”

The redhead waved goodbye to them, leaving Alex alone with Ellie. It was at this point that Alex thought to separate himself from Ellie just as a precaution but she surprised him with a new request.

“Alex, do you think we can talk for a bit?” asked a nervous Ellie. “Nothing against Annette, but I was hoping we might have a chance to talk privately.”

Alex raised an eyebrow. “Just talking, right? You don’t have lingerie hidden under that outfit, right?”

Ellie actually laughed at that. “No, I have a very plain bra on but that’s besides the point. No games or tricks. Just talking. Is that okay?”

“The situation can hardly get any worse,” said Alex, nodding. “Where do you want to go?”

“Follow me, I want to show you something.”

Alex followed Ellie off the main quad and into Biosphere One, which was now mostly allocated toward farming for the Vestans. Not all of it was for farming though, and Ellie led him down a narrow hallway where there was a locked door at the very end of it.

“Only Councilors can get in here,” said Ellie, gesturing to the biometric thumb pad. “I used to have access but you’ll have to get us in for now.”

“What is this place, Ellie? Are we even supposed to be here?”

Ellie didn’t look worried. “You’ll see. Besides, the only person who will care that we were back here is Belladonna. And I really don’t care if I piss her off anyway.”

“Good point,” said Alex, using his thumb to trigger the door. “Lead the way.”

They entered a small room with another door, going through it again. The room on the other side actually stopped Alex in his tracks.

It was full of gold and silver. Completely full. They were all neatly stacked in bars on pallets throughout the room. It was more than a small fortune, enough to keep a few people happy for the rest of their lives.

“Holy shit, that’s a lot of gold,” said Alex, letting out a small whistle.

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“That’s the entire output from the mines for the last six months,” replied Ellie. “This is where we keep it after it’s refined and put into bars. Think of this as Vesta’s personal piggy bank. Eventually, we’ll get a trade ship that comes to the colony and we’ll use this gold to buy the things that we need but it stays here until that happens.”

“Incredible,” whispered Alex. “No wonder Belladonna doesn’t want anyone in here. I’d have to imagine she probably sleeps in here most nights.”

“You’re implying that she needs to sleep at all,” joked Ellie. “Vampires are usually awake during the night.”

Alex chuckled. “So why did you bring me here? This is very cool and all but I’m still trying to figure out the connection.”

Ellie let out a deep sigh. “All of this gold and silver represents Vesta’s lifeline. If all of this went away, Vesta as a colony would die. I know that, my father knew that, and even my grandfather knew it. Our first responsibility is to do what’s right, and for Vestans, that means ensuring the colony’s survival. But for me, doing what is right means that I owe you a really big apology.”

“No, you don’t,” said Alex, shaking his head.

“Yes, I really do,” she insisted. “Alex, this is all my fault. Jenna is pissed because I seduced you, not the other way around.”

“I don’t know if I’d call it a seduction . . .”

Ellie raised her eyebrow. “Oh? What would you call being met at the door in my best lingerie?”

“In ordinary circumstances? A damn good time.”

Ellie smiled. “Compliments aside, this is still my fault. I know I’ve been a little . . . relentless in pursuing you.”

“You haven’t made it easy for me to turn you down, Ellie. Eventually, I just caved because I didn’t feel like holding you at bay anymore.”

The smile fell from her face. “I don’t feel like a good person right now. You’re in a bad spot because of me and what I did.”

“You’re forgetting that I did it too,” said Alex. “I had sex with you just as you had sex with me. It takes two to tango.”

Ellie let out a deep sigh. “We’re supposed to be friends first, Alex. And friends wouldn’t do what I did.”

“So you’re friend-zoning me now? This last twenty-four hours just keeps getting worse,” joked Alex.

“No, I’m not friend-zoning you,” corrected Ellie. “In any other situation, I’d already have your clothes off. I’m not kidding you when I say this, Alex—that was the best sex I’ve ever had. And I’m not exactly a virgin as you’ve probably noticed.”

“It was very good sex,” admitted Alex.

“But what I’m trying to say is that once I really thought about it, I’ve realized what a shitty thing it was for me to do to you. I don’t know if your relationship with Jenna is even repairable because of me. Jenna and I might have our differences but she’s still a good person and she didn’t deserve this either. And now she probably wants to scratch my eyes out.”

“She’s still running a little hot,” admitted Alex. “If I were you, I’d avoid being around her for a few days still.”

“I don’t want it to be like that,” said Ellie, hanging her head. “The more I think about this, the worse that I feel. Screw a relationship, I don’t even feel worthy of being your friend right now. You deserve better.”

“Ellie, it’s not entirely your fault,” replied Alex. “We can’t take back what we did but I’m still the one that caved. I could have walked out but I didn’t. I stayed and we have to live with the consequences.”

“A real friend wouldn’t have put you in that place to begin with,” said Ellie quietly.

“A real friend admits when they’ve fucked up,” corrected Alex. “Like what you’re doing right now.”

“You still want to be my friend, Alex? After all of this?”

“Ellie, I like you. I like you too much which is the source of some of my problems. I like Annette too for that matter. And I really like Jenna. I’m stuck right now between all three of you. I know the Vestan way is just to have a relationship with all of you but I’m still from Earth. I’m still learning your customs, as is Jenna. But despite how I feel about you, I can’t do anything with you until I figure out my situation with Jenna.”

To his surprise, Ellie nodded eagerly. “That’s the smart thing to say. I had a feeling that was coming and I don’t blame you.”

“Don’t get me wrong—I want to,” said Alex. “I’d like nothing more than to have a round two or three or four.”

Ellie’s eyes assumed a dreamy quality. “You’d probably break my pussy in the process but it would be such a fun way to go.”

“But I need to do what’s right first,” finished Alex. “That’s why I think we need to focus on being friends for the time being. Are you going to be okay with that?”

“I’m going to make myself live with it,” promised Ellie. “Okay with it permanently? Well, that really sucks to be fully honest. But I promise you, I’m not going to make the situation worse. And I’ll do whatever possible to help reconcile the relationship with Jenna. You have my promise on that, as a friend.”

Alex smiled. “I could certainly use a good friend right now.”

Ellie held out her arms. “Can friends hug too? Without any issues?”

Alex nodded and embraced her quietly. Ellie held on tight.

“I’m so sorry, Alex,” she whispered in his ear. “We will absolutely make this right. I just know it.”

Alex took a deep breath. “I really hope so, Ellie.”

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