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alj4890 · 10 months

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Mixed Signals

(Dr. Tobias Carrick x F!MC *Chris Valentine) (Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC*Chris Valentine) (Dr. Bryce Lahela x F!MC*Chris Valentine) in an Open Heart Fan fiction.

A/N I've written only a few drabbles for Open Heart, but after the disappointment of Book 3 and no book 4 to fix everything, the idea for this series has been in my mind ever since the attack in Book 2 began.

Masterlist

Song Inspiration for this series: Sparks by Coldplay

Prologue

Mass Kenmore Hospital...

"Dr. Valentine?" Tobias said in surprise. "What brings you deep into enemy territory?"

Chris took a hesitant step forward. Her fingers twisted the material of her wool skirt as she faced the man partly responsible for saving her life.

What did one say to the very person that she had insulted, labeled the enemy, and fought so hard to beat?

After all that she had done, Dr. Tobias Carrick had dropped everything and rushed to Edenbrook on the day of the attack to find a way to save her life.

Licking her lips, she lifted her eyes to his. "If you're not busy, Dr. Carrick, I was wondering if I could speak to you," she looked about at the nurses and doctors rushing past on the fifth floor of Mass Kenmore, "alone?"

His smug smirk peeked out. Stepping to the side, he waved her down the hall. "Fourth door on the left is my office."

With shaky legs, she walked toward the direction he pointed.

He opened the door for her and followed her inside.

Smoothing her damp hands down her skirt, she once more faced him.

Tobias sat down on the edge of his desk, his smirk slowly disappearing. "You okay, Chris?"

She nodded and took a deep breath to try and keep her tears at bay.

He reached for her hand. "Hey. It's okay. Take your time."

She bit down on her lip. That gentle bedside manner of his touched her heart. He had used it when he swooped in to see if he could find a cure for the poison she had inhaled. Hearing it once again made her feel...well, feel for the first time in a long time.

"I just...I just wanted to stop by and thank you--"

"You already thanked me." He told her, smiling again.

"I know." She swallowed once more. "This is my first day out of the hospital and I wanted to thank you again when I'm not..."

When I'm not what? Out of my head? Weak from nearly dying? Heartbroken over losing Danny and Bobby? Worried about Rafel? Wondering why neither of the two men I work with and have feelings for won't say what we are?

"Chris?"

"Sorry." She sniffed and reached for a tissue on his desk. The movement made her move directly between his legs.

She heard the light intake of breath and looked up. Their faces were close to one another's, so much so that she could smell both the peppermints he preferred and the light splash of cologne he had on.

He was completely still yet tense with his body poised for whatever she was going to do next.

Without any thought or plan for where this might go, she kissed his cheek and hugged him.

His arms lifted to hold her when he felt her stray warm tears against his neck.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked softly, gently squeezing her close.

"Not really." She admitted. "Everyone keeps telling me to give myself time and all." She eased back. "I wish they would leave me alone."

He kept his hands on her waist while studying her. "Then tell them."

"Ha. You've met them." She snorted. "They don't take orders like that well."

"True." He replied. "You want me to do it?" His smirk brought a grin to her face. "Ethan already considers me a pain in his ass. What's one more mark against me?"

She laughed, while dabbing at her eyes and nose. "After what you did for me? No way am I letting you continue to be the bad guy."

"Aww shucks, Valentine." Tobias teased. "You're going to give me a big head."

"As if it wasn't already big enough." She teased back. Tilting her head, she pretended to study him. "How do you lift it?"

"I work out." He winked then stood up. "I'm glad you came by."

"Me too." She held her hand out.

He shook his head. "You already hugged me. I figure that could be our thing."

"Our thing?"

Tobias pulled her back into his embrace.

"Yeah." He hugged her close. "Now that you won't let me be the big bad guy, I think this means you want us to be friends."

"Whoa. I'm merely a girl coming to thank a guy for saving her life." She teased. "Don't go thinking this means more than that."

"Sorry. Thought is already there." He countered, letting her go. "You're stuck with me now Chris whether you like it or not."

"Ugh, fine." She playfully grumbled. "I already deal with so many ego maniacs. What's one more?"

He opened his office door for her. "I knew you would agree."

"Just because you won this round doesn't mean you'll win them all, Dr. Carrick." Chris warned, completely unable to keep from grinning at him.

"Allow me to let you in on a little secret, Dr. Valentine," he leaned down close to whisper. "I win all the rounds that are important to me." Swiping up the folder he had previously been studying, he saluted her. "See you soon."

*****************

A couple of weeks later...

"Baz and I will go talk to the patient." June offered.

"Good, I'll..." Ethan's eyes widened when the door of the diagnostics office opened.

Chris calmly walked in and flashed a brief smile. "Good morning. Sorry I'm late. My landlord needed some help being admitted."

"Chris?" Ethan's brow furrowed. "We didn't expect you back so soon."

Baz bounded over to wrap her in a hug while June questioned her about any lingering side effects.

"A little tired still and occasionally breathless, but other than that I feel mostly back to normal."

"Fascinating." June's smile formed. "I'd love to sit down and discuss with you--"

"Kerri Monroe's diagnosis." Ethan bit out. "That's what you need to focus on now."

"On it." Baz whispered how happy he was to have Chris back as he followed June out the door.

"Anything I can do?" Chris walked over and picked up the medical file. "Should I order some labs for Mrs. Monroe or--"

"Sit down." Ethan ordered. "You shouldn't have come back so soon, Rookie."

"Why?" Chris looked up at him, surprised he called her that particular nickname again. "There are things to do here. People need my help more than I need to sit on a couch all day."

He ran a hand through his hair. "You don't need to exert yourself. We don't know if--"

"You weren't worried about me exerting myself after the funeral." She muttered.

His cheeks flushed at the reminder of what had happened in his car on that stormy night. "Chris, I'm still your superior. I don't know--"

She quickly waved her hand dismissing his same reason of why he wouldn't fully commit to her. "I get it. No need to tell me again."

An awkward silence fell between them.

"If," she coughed to cover her embarrassment, "if you don't need me right now, I'll uh, I'll go make my rounds."

"Go ahead." Ethan said softly. His eyes drifted over her face before he forced them elsewhere.

"Just page me if you need another set of eyes." She tried to sound like her old self, yet it held a shrill edge at the end.

"Will do."

She tried to keep her steps from rushing out the door.

"Chris?"

Taking a steadying breath she turned back toward him.

"Don't overdo it." He ordered.

With a quick nod, she walked out the door.

******************

A few hours later...

"...and then Robin flips over the bad guy and..."

Chris couldn't stop smiling at her seven hear old patient telling her his favorite stories of Batman and Robin. Throughout examining him, he had shown her his toys and comic books that his parents had brought into his room.

"How's you're tummy feel?" She asked when he paused for breath.

His little face dimmed of happiness. "Still hurts some."

"I promise it will feel better soon." She then addressed his parents about the afternoon's surgery.

A knock had them all turning to see Bryce walking in, wearing a Robin mask.

"I heard that a hero needs some..." His eyes widened. "Chris! What are you doing back at work?"

She shrugged while helping them move the patient to the gurney. "It felt like it was time."

His brow furrowed much like Ethan's had when seeing her.

"Walk with me?" He asked as soon as they began to wheel towards surgery. "And wait until I drop him off."

"You're not performing the surgery?" She asked.

"Not today. I have one in about an hour scheduled that Dr. Tanaka wants me for."

A few minutes later, Bryce motioned for her to follow him to the cafeteria. It was for the most part empty, save for a couple of doctors grabbing a late lunch.

"You want anything?" He asked.

"No thanks." She sat down at a table while he went to get a snack.

He grinned as he sat down across from her. "Here." He pushed a bag of peanuts toward her. "You should eat something."

Her nose wrinkled. "I really haven't gotten my appetite back yet."

She noticed the concern in his eyes so like her roommates' and knew she would have to force down some of the peanuts just to make it stop.

"So?" She tried not to gag on what once was her favorite goto snack. "How have you been?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" He bit into a burger. "I mean," he said between bites, "of the two of us, you've been the patient."

"Yeah." She slumped some in her seat. "I wasn't too sick to talk on the phone though." Her eyes narrowed somewhat on his. "Or have visitors."

Bryce winced. "Sorry about that, Chris. I guess I didn't know what to say or do?"

"Really?" Her eyes narrowed more.

How often had she stressed to him within the past year that he was important to her, that she wanted to be with him. Then when he wouldn't say he wanted that too and reverted back to calling her a friend, she gave in to trying something with Ethan.

Only for both men to keep her on a yoyo string to pull back and forth whenever they needed her.

What do I see in them to keep swallowing my pride and allowing them to basically use me for sex whenever they want?

Chris was fed up. The longer Bryce stammered about his busy schedule and not wanting to disturb her rest, the more she wanted to chunk the peanuts at his stupid, much too handsome face.

She didn't even want the damn things. Might as well use them as a quick release to her frustration.

Her fingers curled around the bag. Her bicep tightened in preparation to throw them, when Sienna walked up.

Her friend's excited hug and squeals of seeing her at work again were what saved Bryce's overly confident face.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming back?!" Sienna sat down next to her. "I would have made celebration pancakes this morning!"

Chris couldn't stop from smiling. She could always depend on Sienna's sweetness to boost her mood.

"I didn't really decide until you had left for work. Then Farley came by to check on me and he wasn't feeling too good..."

She continued to tell her about his diagnosis of lime disease.

"Hate to break this up, but I have to get ready for surgery." Bryce smiled at them both. "Take it easy, Valentine. I don't want to have to operate on you next."

Chris bit back a bitter retort that he better hope she needed surgery. It would be his only chance to catch her naked again.

"Meet us at Donahue's later!" Sienna shouted. "We will celebrate Chris being back."

"There's no need." Chris began.

"Yes, there is!" Sienna squeezed another hug out of her. "My best friend is back with us and I'm over the moon about it!"

Bryce smirked at her. "She's right. We have to celebrate our friend's return."

Our friend. Chris despised the word, friend. Why did she keep placing her hope on him seeing her as something more than a mere friend?

And to make things worse, Ethan walked past.

"Dr. Ramsey!" Sienna called out before Chris could stop her. "Come have a drink with us tonight in honor of Chris's return!"

Ethan hesitated. That action nearly earned him peanuts in his handsome face too.

Gawd, I hate that look. The sad, yearning eyes. The slight frown. Man up and either say you want to date me or leave me alone for good! This back and forth is killing me worse than the poison did.

"Where at?" Ethan finally asked.

"Donahue's." Sienna beamed when he said he would try and stop by on his way home.

Chris mumbled a goodbye as Bryce left and Ethan headed off to find something to eat.

"Who else should we invite? I know Rafe is still too sick to get out." Sienna tapped her fingers on the table while scrolling through her contacts. "We can invite the rest of the diagnostic team and Ines and--"

"I'll send an invite to Tobias." Chris decided.

"Tobias? Who's...oh!" Sienna's eyes widened. "Dr. Carrick, right?"

"Yeah." Chris sent a text to him before she could think too much about it. "He did rush over with Aurora to try and save my life."

"I thought he was the enemy?" Sienna whispered while her eyes cut to Ethan. "Don't they have bad blood between them?"

"Something like that." Chris grumbled. "They can get over it."

Her phone vibrated with Tobias's response.

You want me to come deep into Edenbrook territory for a drink?

She snorted while answering.

Too scared, huh? And here I was longing for your company.

Well hell, Chris. I've never been able to refuse someone longing for my company. I'll be there. Just make sure no one sticks a scalpel in my back.

Don't worry. I'll protect you.

My hero.

Sienna leaned over, her eyes growing larger with each of their responses.

"Oh my gosh! You like Tobias!"

Chris's smile disappeared. "I don't hate him. But like like him? No."

"You're flirting in your texts!" Sienna giggled. "That is so cute. I haven't see you like this since our first year with--" she clapped a hand over her mouth.

"Uh huh." Chris pushed her chair back. "Anyway, I'll see you after work." She patted her friend's shoulder as she walked away. "Don't worry, I'm not upset with you over the name you almost said."

"Yeah, but." Sienna chased after her. "There is also another person who is interested in you."

"If you mean the one I think, then no. He made it perfectly clear this morning that we can't."

"No!" Sienna wrapped a comforting arm around Chris. "Why not?"

"He's still my boss." Chris mumbled. "And he won't abuse that. No matter how often he gives in to temptation."

"I think he's in love with you." Sienna whispered.

"Not enough to be with me." Chris grumbled.

#choices open heart #dr. ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #dr. bryce lahela #bryce lahela x mc #tobias carrick #tobias carrick x mc #choices fic writers creations

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nmvord · 2 years

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After all this time, they're still together.

#playchoices #choices stories you play #foreign affairs #open heart #bryce lahela #tatum mendoza #bryce lahela x mc #tatum mendoza x mc #open heart mc #foreign affairs oc #bryce x mc #tatum x mc #open heart fanart #foreign affairs fanart #digital illustration #digital fanart #sketch #favourite couples!

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alj4890masterlist · 10 months

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Mixed Signals

(Ethan Ramsey x F!MC) (Bryce Lahela x F!MC) (Tobias Carrick x FMC)

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

#choices open heart #ethan ramsey #tobias carrick #bryce lahela #ethan x chris #tobias x chris #bryce x chris #ethan ramsey x mc #tobias carrick x mc #bryce lahela x mc

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mynotsohealthyobsession · 7 months

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Ask Game: Did your MCs have already watched the new Barbie movie in the cinema with their LIs?? Was convincing their LIs hard? 🩷✨️

Hi there my darling! Ooooh though question! Obviously depends a lot of the couple! NB MC would have to drag Nik to watch it with her, like literally force him lol

In my mind, Bryce would surprise MC with the tickets, wearing a pink shirt and doing his hair like Ken(and looking absolutely adorable and hot while doing it!). In my mind, it is kinda:

Beyce: "Guess what movie are we going to watch today, Valentine?"

MC: *Watching him, smiling.* Jeez, Bryce, I don't know. Oppenheimer?

Bryce: *Rolling his eyes* C'mon, MC.

MC: *Laughing.* I would absolutely love to go to see Barbie with you, Lahela. *Hug him* I'll be the Barbie to your Ken.

And for Adrian:

Adrian: "Are you free next saturday, my love?"

MC: "You know for you I'm always free. Why?"

Adrian: *Hands her a pink envelope, smiling.*

MC: "...Oh my god! Adrian! They are tickets for the premier!" *Read the details* No way...

Adrian: Yes? *Proudly smirking.*

MC: "It's for the premier in L.A... With the whole cast?" *Astonished.*

Adrian: "Of course it is. Only the best for you, my love."

MC: *Run to him, hugging his neck while jumping in his arms.* "Best husband ever."

✨️

#choices stories you play #playchoices #ask response #thanks for the ask!#barbie #bryce lahela #bryce lahela x mc #adrian raines x mc #adrian raines #barbie movie

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storyofmychoices · 2 months

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FunkoPop! Bryce & Olivia 💛

I'm super excited to share these! I was going to wait until I had a better picture because this one's a little blurry but I'm too excited!

How precious are they?!?!!!! I love them so so much! I really wish I could turn Bryce's sneakers into crocs though! lol

[Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley Masterlist]

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dalishessence · 2 months

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From the Nest to Flying Free

Book: Open Heart

Main Pairing: Bryce Lahela x F!MC (Dr. Samantha Shepard)

Summary:

"Would you have asked me to the mall if we'd met when we were her age?" "In a heartbeat. Would you have said yes?" "Of course! I would have had a major crush on you." "It would have been mutual." In another life, Bryce Lahela met Samantha Shepard when he was nothing more than a "surfer who got good grades without trying", and Samantha was nothing more than the Lahela's live-in staff's daughter.

Rating: Teen (might change later in the story).

Tags: Alternate Universe, Childhood Friends to Lovers, First Love, First Relationship, Alternate Timelines, Flashbacks included, Dual POV.

Also available on AO3 here.

Chapter 1: Hatchling in the Nest

“Clear blue water

High tide came and brought you in

And I could go on and on, on and on, and I will…” ~ Taylor Swift

Bryce

2019 ~ 26 years old

Bryce hit the gas, his car speeding up despite the 20 mph speed limit sign. He was itching to get to one of the last, if not the last parking spot of Edenbrook Hospital, and he noticed another driver eyeing the spot. He blew past the car, nearly hitting another car, a luxury sedan, in the process – whose driver looked mildly annoyed – before sliding into the parking space and shutting off the engine.

The driver of the first car looked at him furiously, before driving deeper into the parking lot in search of another empty space. Meanwhile, the luxury sedan pulled up into a reserved parking spot that read Dr. Ethan Ramsey.

Shit, Bryce thought, but couldn’t help but chuckle. I almost hit an attending… Almost. He grinned, raising a hand in apology to the attending.

Dr. Ramsey narrowed his eyes, rolled them and shook his head slightly, before locking his car and going inside.

Bryce chuckled, and pulled his phone from its car holder. It was 5:45 a.m. and in the span of the last half hour, his phone had blown up with messages. There was a message from Alex, his best friend, wishing him good luck today. He smiled a genuine smile before texting Alex back.

There were also almost fifty messages in the “Edenbrook Surgical Interns” group that he’d joined a few days ago. Of course, none of them had actually ever met before – they’d all meet today – but he’d found the link to the whatsapp group on the Facebook group that someone had created for the 2019 generation of surgical interns in Edenbrook Hospital. So far, he’d talked to several people, and most seemed pretty nice. Bryce still knew they were his competition, but hey, it couldn’t hurt to be friendly. Anyhow, right now, several people were asking for directions, a couple others were already at the hospital and asking if anyone wanted to meet up so as to not go in alone… Bryce grinned and shook his head, wondering if anyone who was scared to go in alone was actually cut out to be a surgeon… before reminding himself not to judge and keep it friendly. Those who’d make the cut will make the cut, and those who won’t… It wasn’t his business. He’d make the cut and he knew it.

Bryce grinned and answered a couple of texts, before going to meet up with a couple of the interns who were by the basketball court. He got out of his car, shooting a grin at a couple nurses who were outside having a smoke and looking at him curiously – or at least, he thought they were nurses by the color of their scrubs. One of them rolled her eyes good naturedly, and the other grinned at him back.

He chuckled before making his way to the basketball court, and found a small group of seven or eight surgical interns chatting. He stepped up, introduced himself and shook hands with a couple of them. He immediately memorized a couple of names and faces. There was Rosa, who looked pretty serious and professional in her white blouse and blue-green blazer, and was one the few that shook his hand hard. As far as first impressions go, he thought she would probably be his biggest competition. There was also Thomas, who looked pretty friendly, clapping Bryce’s before adjusting his glasses that had slipped down his nose. The others didn’t make much of an impression.

They talked for a while, before someone suggested a friendly game of ball to get rid of the first day jitters. Bryce looked at his phone and since they still had time before orientation he agreed to a game. Thomas also joined, and two other interns whose names Bryce had already forgotten. Oh well, I’ll learn them during the year anyway, he guessed. Anyhow, between the four of them, they had enough players for a friendly game of two on two.

Bryce paired up with Thomas and the other two interns paired up, and the game began. One of the other interns had the ball and passed it to his teammate, but Bryce swooped in and took it. He feinted a pass to Thomas, and the other rushed at Thomas in an attempt to block him. In that moment, Bryce seamlessly turned, ran closer to the hoop and scored.

“Whoo!” He raised his arms, and Thomas ran to clap him high five.

A few of the other surgical interns watching cheered or clapped.

“1-0!” Thomas yelled.

The other interns laughed good naturedly, and the friendly game continued until Rosa yelled from the sidelines, “Guys! It’s 6:30! We’re going inside to register, get out I.D.’s and change!”

“Cool! Cool, cool, cool!” Thomas yelled.

“Raincheck?” One of the other interns asked.

They all nodded.

“Yeah, let’s go with them. Don’t wanna be late.” Bryce yelled.

Once inside, they were greeted by a tall, blond and blue eyed senior resident. “Fresh meat!” She chuckled. “I mean, interns! Welcome to the party. I won’t ask your names, or bother to learn them, because most of you probably won’t be here by the end of the year. My name’s Dr. Constance Davenport and I’m in charge of babysitting you this year. Now, come on, this way. I’ll take you to get your I.D.’s then show you to the locker room.”

Bryce grinned, not at all offended by her attitude. Some of his fellow interns were already grumbling or rolling their eyes at her, but Bryce knew that in this field, in this hospital, in this program, that level of confidence had to be backed up by talent. So the fact that she was that cocky meant she was probably that good, and she’d fricking earned it.

Anyhow, he followed his resident, got his picture taken and told her his name.

“Lahela… Hawaiian?” Dr. Davenport asked.

“Yep. Born and raised.”

Davenport nodded. “Huh… Let’s hope you make it, Lahela.” She tossed him his I.D. with a challenging grin. Then she looked back and saw that the line of interns had somehow gotten longer and sighed. Then she looked back to the group of interns who’d already had their I.D.’s and were waiting off to the side, and sighed. “Okay, I’m not going to have time to get you all your I.D.’s and show you around and stuff, so you…” She pointed to Bryce, Rosa, Thomas and their group. “The locker rooms are from this hall, through that waiting room, then you take a left, a right, another left and you’ll see it. Go.”

The surgical interns looked at each other and went on their way. Thomas, who claimed he had a good sense of direction, led the way. He actually did and soon they were in the locker room. Bryce pulled out his phone to check his Notes app, where he had written his locker number. He also took a clean towel from a towel rack nearby and went to his locker, which was right next to a cute Indian girl’s locker, mercilessly shoving a vintage leather jacket into her locker. As she saw him approaching, she looked him up and down critically.

He gestured to his locker and shot her a charming grin. “Hey. Looks like we’re neighbors. Bryce Lahela. Surgical intern.”

She merely looked at his hand. “A scalpel jockey, huh?” The corners of her lips twitched, and Bryce knew this was friendly banter. “Jackie Varma. Internal medicine.”

“You’re one of those, huh?” Bryce smiled teasingly.

“One of the actual intelligent doctors? Damn right.” She grinned right back.

Bryce immediately liked her.

Jackie sniffed the air. “You should shower before orientation, scalpel jockey.”

“Do you want me to take my shirt off? I mean, since we’re locker neighbors, you’ll have plenty of time to admire all this.” He gestured to himself.

Jackie did not seem amused as she rolled her eyes. “Oh, joy, all of my dreams have come true.” She said in a bored, monotone voice.

Bryce laughed, before grabbing his towel and heading in for a quick shower. He’d worked up a sweat during their brief basketball game.

After a quick scrub, he wrapped a towel around his waist and headed back to his locker, where he saw Jackie was already terrorizing someone else: a tall woman, clearly another intern, with long black hair that was dyed red at the ends.

“... How’d you make it through med school without ever seeing a bra before?”

“I’m sorry!” Bryce heard this other intern say as he approached them. “I just wasn’t expecting–”

The woman turned, bumping into his chest. Bryce chuckled, steading her by placing his hands on her shoulders. “Go easy on her, Jackie. It’s the first day for all of us.”

For some reason, Bryce felt the woman tense immediately, and he briefly thought that maybe she didn’t like to be touched. But then she looked up, and he saw a very, very familiar face staring back at him, sending his heart into overdrive.

“Sam?!”

************************************************************************

1999 ~ 6 years old

"Bryce! Get down here, please!" His mother, Anita, yelled from downstairs. "Come meet Luna!"

Bryce looked up from his pull-back car -- or rather, his pull-back car parts. He hadn’t broken it. Not exactly. It’d just stopped working, and Bryce had wanted to figure out why. And what better way to do that than take it apart? But so far, he’d been on it for most of the morning, and he still couldn’t really figure out why. When he’d taken it apart, he was excited to find all these little gears inside, all different colors and connected to each other, and this metallic spring inside that he still wasn't sure what it did exactly…

“Bryce!”

The little boy got up with a sigh, and stood up. He’d come back and fix his toy car later. Better go see what Mom wanted now. She got annoyed when she had to repeat herself. And so he made his way down the stairs, only to find his mother sitting down on the couch next to a woman he’d never seen before. The woman was small, with long blond hair tied back in a braid, but what Bryce liked most were her eyes. She had pretty green eyes...

“Bryce! There you are! Didn’t you hear me calling?” His mom stood, the lady following her lead.

“Sorry.” Bryce mumbled.

“It’s okay, hon. Come meet Luna.” Anita smiled and gestured to the woman… Luna.

Luna smiled at him and knelt down to his eye level. “Hello, Bryce. I’m Luna.”

Bryce smiled back at her, his “megawatt smile” as Mom would say, before stepping up. “Hi, Luna. Who are you?”

Luna looked up to his mom, chuckling.

“Luna is our new housekeeper,” Anita told him. “She’s going to be helping me with the house, the cooking, the cleaning…”

“But Mom, you don’t do any of those things.” Bryce said.

Both women laughed for some reason he didn’t really understand -- he’d said nothing but the truth -- but he smiled, anyway. Maybe he was just funny.

“Well… he’s got a point there.” Anita smiled at him and ran a hand through his hair.

“Children. Mine also just blurt out whatever goes through their heads.” Luna agreed, laughing brightly, before turning back to Bryce. “How old are you, Bryce?”

He raised his whole hand with his five fingers outstretched, like the big boy he was. “Five.” He said proudly.

Luna’s eyes widened excitedly. “Five?! No!”

“Yep!” He nodded eagerly.

“Guess what?! I have two kids and my kids are five, too!” Luna told him, dropping her jaw.

“Hear that, Bryce? You’ll have two new friends!” Anita told him, and he nodded eagerly. She lowered her voice, but Bryce heard her anyway. “I’m so happy we found you and your husband. Not just because of the jobs, but when you told us you had twins the same age as him… He gets so lonely here in this big house. He doesn’t really have many chances to socialize with other children his age, other than the occasional playdate.”

Luna laughed, and gently patted Anita’s arm. “Oh, well. My twins are a handful but I’m sure they’re going to get along just fine.” She turned back to Bryce. “Bryce, would you like to meet Sam and Alex?”

“Okay!” Bryce nodded, reaching for Luna's outstretched hand.

He took Luna’s hand with one of his and his mother’s hand in the other, and let both women lead him to the smaller house that was behind his. This house wasn’t really that small, it was just that his house was so big. It had a big backyard for him to play in, and a pool, and farther away it even had stables where the horses slept in.

Sometimes Bryce got lonely in his house, though. It was really big and had a lot of fun places inside and outside, but he always had to play alone because his mom and dad were always working, and Lucy had… Returned? Retried? Bryce couldn’t remember what his mother had said. Anyway, she had gotten older and she had to stop working in his house. That had made Bryce a bit sad, since Lucy always played with him when she wasn’t busy.

But now, his mom had found Luna, and Luna had two kids he would be able to play with! Bryce was really excited. He always wanted a brother, but his mom always said no. Maybe he could ask Luna’s kids to be his brothers. And instead of only one, he would have two now!

“Bryce,” Luna told him, squeezing his hand slightly when they came upon the small house.

There was a car and a truck parked outside, and a big man with black hair was carrying a giant box down from the truck like it weighed nothing. He set it down when he saw them, and walked towards them, nodding at his mom. "Mrs. Lahela."

"Jack." His mom nodded back.

Up close, he looked even bigger! He was bigger than his dad! Bryce was pretty sure this was the biggest man he'd ever seen. He hoped he would grow up to be as big when he got older.

The man, Jack, caught him staring and smiled. Like Luna, he knelt down to Bryce's eye level. "And who is this?"

"I'm Bryce!"

"It's nice to meet you, Bryce."

The man offered Bryce his giant hand, but Bryce wasn't scared and he shook it like he'd seen his dad do. The man's palm engulfed his hand, but he still shook it as hard as he could.

"I'm Jack."

"Jack is my husband, and the twins' father. He’s going to be your family’s driver too." Luna added.

Bryce nodded. "Hi, Jack. Are you going to drive me to school?"

Jack laughed. “Yes, Bryce, I am.”

"Honey, where are the kids? I wanted them to meet Bryce." Luna told him.

Jack smiled one last time at Bryce, before standing back up. "They're upstairs. Want me to go get them?"

"Please. Thanks, love." Luna nodded with a gentle smile.

Jack nodded and winked at Bryce, before going inside. Bryce watched him walk away -- he looked so cool! -- and tried to wink, too. He closed both eyes, scrunching them up a couple of times, before finally getting the wink right. He hoped he looked as cool as Jack did.

A few moments later, Jack finally came out, holding out a boy's hand… and a girl's. The boy had blond hair just like Luna, while the little girl had long black hair like Jack.

Bryce raised his eyebrows, confused. Sam and Alex were boys' names…

"Bryce… this is Sam," Jack raised his hand, dangling the little girl's arms as she looked shyly at Bryce. "And this is Alex." Jack repeated the motion with his son.

Alex waved excitedly with his other hand.

"But Sam's a boy's name." Bryce blurted out.

"No, it's not!" The girl, Sam, glared at him, her shyness forgotten at the insult. "It's short for Samantha! Samantha Keilani Shepard!"

All the grown ups laughed, while Samantha glared at him, pouting.

Samantha.

Bryce had never heard of that name. It was a big name. It was too big for such a little girl. No wonder they'd shortened it to Sam.

"Heh. Easy, Sammy. Bryce probably didn't know that." Jack squeezed her hand softly, smiling down at him.

"Sorry, Samantha." Bryce mumbled. His mom squeezed his hand reassuringly.

Sam let out a sigh, before her gaze softened. "It's okay… You can call me Sam, if you want.”

Bryce smiled at that. He liked Sam. Samantha was too long for her. “Okay, Sam.”

“What’s your name?” She asked.

“Bryce.”

“Bryce…” Sam repeated.

“I like it. Sounds cool.” The boy, Alex, said.

“Do you want to be friends, Bryce?” Sam asked softly, looking a bit shy again.

Bryce brightened up instantly. "Sure!"

"Cool! Wanna see my room?! It’s upstairs." Alex asked.

"Okay!"

"You can see mine next!" Sam added.

"Mom, can I invite them to our house so they can see my room too?" Bryce asked, looking up at his mother hopefully.

She chuckled, before nodding. "Of course, baby."

"Thanks, mom! Do you guys wanna come to my house after? You can see my room, and then the pool…"

"You have a pool?!" Alex asked, his jaw dropping.

"Yeah! A big pool!"

"Come on, let's go!" Sam took Bryce's hand. Alex took her other hand, and she began leading them both inside.

Bryce followed them, very happy with his new friends. Even if one of them had turned out to be a girl instead of a boy, Bryce still had a feeling they'd all get along just fine.

#open heart fanfiction #open heart fanfic #bryce lahela x mc #bryce lahela x f!mc #bryce lahela

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lilyoffandoms · 1 year

Text

Bryce x Jensen by @weetlebeetle for @mydemonsdrivealimo

Happy Valentine’s Day from your fandom secret admirer @mydemonsdrivealimo!

I have admired your Jensen from a far for a while now so it was the obvious pick for me. I found (and then lost again) an ask that talked about Jensen being more likely to give hand kisses so hopefully that’s still in fashion for him. Also I love your art of their pup (asshole that steals food no.1). So hope you enjoy this piece by @weetlebeetle!

Thanks for being a part of our little fandom and adding your beautiful art and writing to it!!

#choices secret admirer #choices oph #bryce lahela x mc #choices open heart #bryce x jensen

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mydemonsdrivealimo · 3 months

Text

Conversation Hearts

book: open heart

pairing: bryce lahela x m!mc (jensen valentine)

warnings: none

words: 572

summary: jensen and bryce share some conversation hearts during a night in

~~~

The TV played in the background as Bryce and Jensen curled up on the couch. Bryce was sitting considerably more normal than usual, but that was only to make space for Jensen leaning on his shoulder, and to keep the bag of candy conversation hearts in his lap from spilling.

Bryce pulled another one from the bag and laughed loudly. "This one is not for you."

He tilted it so Jensen could see. It read Sweet Pea. Jensen rolled his eyes but couldn't help the smile spreading across his face.

Playing along, Jensen read the next heart--Cutie Pie. He sighed, a nickname Bryce often used just to annoy him, but set it in Bryce's hand and getting a sweet little smile out of him.

"Aww, you think I'm a cutie pie--"

"No," he cut him off. "I'll take it back."

Bryce tossed it in his mouth before he could but finally went silent, only smiling satisfactorily.

Passing him one a moment later, Jensen read it as Bryce set it in his hand, a simple XOXO.

"Is this you asking for a kiss?"

"I mean a hug too, but I suppose a kiss would be enough." he said sarcastically, leaning over and getting a short peck on the lips.

Jensen stuck his hand in the bag next, pulling out a grape one. He made a disgusted sort of grumble before handing it to Bryce, not even reading it as he went in for another.

"Wow, Jensen, I'm honored." Jensen looked over to where he was readimg the heart. "Don't you think it's a little too early for that, though?

Bryce turned the heart towards him, reading Marry Me.

Jensen broke out into a laugh. "Sorry, I didn't read it."

"Damn, and here I was thinking I was marriage material," Bryce said exaggeratedly, Jensen just giving him a look.

"You're the last person I'd ever describe as marriage material," he responded, utterly deadpan. Bryce made an offended noise before tossing one at him.

Jensen smiled before grabbing it from where it fell in his lap. Instead of a clear word, the ink was just a smudge of pink over a faint engraving. Jensen squinted at it, holding it up to the light to try and see the details.

"Does this say...'BIF'?" Jensen asked, Bryce leaning over his lap to see it. His expression was just as confused.

"Yeah, looks like it. It was probably supposed to be BFF, though.

"Nope, it's BIF. I said so," Jensen said after the light hit it in a way that was convincing enough for him. He popped it in his mouth, meeting Bryce's smile.

"I'm gonna start calling you Bif."

Jensen expression fell to utter unamusement. "No you're not."

"Yep," Bryce said happily, turning back to the TV. "Added to the list."

He dug around in the bag as Jensen shook his head. "I hate you."

Bryce didn't answer, reading the heart in his hand before giving it to him. I Luv U.

Jensen read it, face still utterly flat. "You're not cute."

"Oh, but I am," he said without missing a beat. "A cutie pie, even."

He waited a beat before glancing over, breaking out in a laugh as Jensen's expression didn't change at all. He started to smile while Bryce tried to hide his behind his hand, looking away. Bryce leaned over and kissed his cheek as he settled, Jensen rolling his eyes despite his grin.

~~~

@choicesficwriterscreations @cariantha @kyra75 @lilyoffandoms @gutsfics @jerzwriter @inlocusmads

#jensen valentine #bryce lahela × jensen valentine #bryce lahela #bryce lahela x mc #open heart #open heart mc #open heart choices #choices open heart

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openheartfanfics · 2 months

Text

Newly Added Fics

Feb 17 - 23, 2024

Bryce x F!MC

A Dinomite Find - @storyofmychoices 📱

Bryce discovers dinosaur chicken nugget pillows and they are a must!

From the Nest to Flying Free - @dalishessence 📚🛸

[extended: wip] In another life, Bryce Lahela met Samantha Shepard and their relationship went from friends to lovers.

CH 1: Hatchling in the Nest

Untitled Fic - @sunshine-gumdrop ☁

Bryce shows he earned the Golden Retriever nickname.

Ethan x F!MC

Beach Cleanup Date - @liaromancewriter 📷

Cassie brings Ethan along for her annual beach cleanup volunteer gig.

Birthday As A Mom - @potionsprefect 📷

Victoria celebrates her first birthday as a mother.

When life has other plans - @coffeeheartaddict2 📚🛸

[extended: wip] A competition has commenced for the interns at Edenbrook hospital. A horrid first day leads to an unexpected test of a new machine but what is Dr. Ethan Ramsey hiding?

CH 11: Let’s Play Ball

Open Heart MC

Green-Eyed Girl - @liaromancewriter 📱

Random convo between Cassie and Max about family traits.

Rafael x F!MC

Moving In - @rafasgirl23415 📚

[extended: wip] Follow up to We Belong Together. Set a few years into the future.

CH 20: Daddy's Special Girl

CH 21: Sienna’s Dream Wedding Feat. Sienna x M!OC

Tobias x F!MC

Happy 40th Tobias! - @jerzwriter 📷

Tobias turns 40 today, and his wife and bestie are there to make it Insta-official.

Part 1

Part 2

Love in the Afternoon - @storyofmychoices ☁

Tobias and Casey enjoy an afternoon dance.

Not So Fast - @jerzwriter ☁💘

It's their fourth third Valentine's Day together, and it looks a little different than the rest. Still, all is going well until Tobias drops a little bombshell.

SUBMIT OPEN HEART FICS & WRITERS HERE

#open heart #open heart fanfics #open heart fanfiction #playchoices #choices fanfics #choices fanfiction #open heart choices #bryce lahela #bryce lahela x mc #ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #rafael aveiro #rafael aveiro x mc #sienna trinh #sienna trinh x oc #tobias carrick #tobias carrick x mc #newly added fics

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a-cloud-for-dreams · 4 months

Text

The Scholars of Bellachoix Lane Masterlist

"In one of the most prestigious universities in the world, follow several college students adjusting to their new lives while navigating school, drama, and an intriguing mystery..."

So, a while ago, I posted about making a College!AU series for my Choices characters/pairings, so that's what this series will be! I made a header and everything so I can commit. I'll post the chapters on Ao3 too! Some details will be subject to change, but here's a rough outline of the chapters I plan to write for. I also want to clarify that all characters besides my MCs and OCs belong to Pixelberry!

Chapter 1: Midnight Rain (Bryce Lahela x Chandini Ramakrishnan)

Chapter 2: Crown Jewel (Trystan Thorne x Haelyn Rózsa)

Chapter 3: Knight in Shining Armor (Mal Volari x Salem Nightingale)

Chapter 4: Night Shift (Nik Ryder x Lyra Lexington*)

Chapter 5: Enchanted (Shreya Mistry x Verena Solaris)

Chapter 6: Cherry Blossom (Sebastyan Thorne x Cerise Hexley)

Footnotes

*Lyra Lexington is one of those MCs turned OCs that I wrote a really complicated backstory for. She can be tied to Ride or Die (LI: Colt), Nightbound (LI: Nik Ryder), AND Crimes of Passion (LI: Trystan Thorne). But for the sake of simplicity, she will most likely be paired with Nik because 1) the RoD LIs being actual college students doesn't make a lot of sense, 2) I have a second CoP MC (Haelyn) who ends up with Trystan, and 3) Nightbound is the book closest to explaining her supernatural background so it makes sense that she would be closest with him in this series

Taglist

@choicesficwriterscreations

@ladylamrian (Nik, Trystan, Mal, Bryce Centered Chapters)

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alj4890 · 9 months

Text

Mixed Signals

(Dr. Tobias Carrick x F!MC *Chris Valentine) (Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC*Chris Valentine) (Dr. Bryce Lahela x F!MC*Chris Valentine) in an Open Heart Fan fiction.

Masterlist

Chapter 1

"Wow!" Sienna exclaimed when Chris stepped into the living room. "You look gorgeous!"

Chris grinned as she obediently did a slow twirl for her roommates. The off the shoulder gray dress she had on not only highlighted her gray/green eyes but also hugged her lithe figure like a glove.

"Trying to make the rest of us look bad, Chris?" Aurora teased.

"Nope." Chris sat down next to her. "Just felt like dressing up tonight.

"You look great." Elijah told her.

Jackie snorted. "You look like someone who is going to be doing a walk of shame come five in the morning."

Chris rolled her eyes. "No walk of shame tonight. I've got an early morning at work to worry about."

"What a waste." Jackie pointed out. "That dress is meant for only one thing and hanging out with your coworkers isn't one of them."

Chris shrugged. "Tonight, this dress is meant to celebrate the fact that I'm still here."

"Amen to that." Sienna swooped behind her for another hug. "Let's get this night started!"

It didn't take long for the group of five to make their way over to Donahue's. By the time they arrived, the bar was packed with doctors attempting to destress before heading home for the night.

Chris smiled, exchanging a few words with those who called out to her, as she made her way to the bar. Squeezing between two men, she yelled out her group's drink order.

"Look who finally decided to show their face again!" One of the men next to her exclaimed.

Chris glanced up and found herself genuinely smiling. "Hey Mike!"

"Hey yourself. So you singing with us tonight or what?" He asked. "The crowd goes wild every time you join us for a few songs."

"I don't know." She glanced at the stage over in the far corner to see his band setting up for the night's entertainment.

Chris was known for having an amazing voice. She'd even been offered chances by producers during her college years to record some songs. Her heart though had always belonged to medicine. As much fun as she had performing, nothing gave her more satisfaction than trying to solve the mysteries of the human body.

Mike heard her singing karaoke one night and begged her to join his band. When she told him she couldn't possibly with her work schedule, he then pleaded with her to at least sing a few songs whenever she felt like it. Her roommates demanded she sing their favorite songs and so she usually spent at least one night every week or two performing for the patrons of Donahue's.

Singing had always been cathartic for Chris, especially in dealing with the two doctors who seemed destined to leave her in constant uncertainty. All she needed to help get over them pushing her away again and again were a few heartbreak songs. Then, she was good to go for the next round with them.

"Sienna told us what happened." Mike added. "It's good to see you're back to your old self."

"Thanks Mike."

He leaned closer to her. "Look, you can't tell me no about getting up there. That dress alone will make Reggie give us a bonus for performing tonight."

"She'll be up there." A man said over her shoulder.

Chris whirled towards the familiar voice on her other side only to find Tobias.

"I will, huh?" She asked, fighting back a smile.

"Uh huh. You owe me a chance to find out why this guy is begging you to sing." His eyes drifted down her figure. "I've been dodging Edenbrook staff left and right waiting on you to show up. You owe me one song for that sacrifice alone."

"And here I thought the chance to hang out with me was worth the effort." Chris shook her head in mock sadness.

"That too." He winked at her. "But you can't expect me to hear something like this and not demand a demonstration."

She bit back her laughter. "Okay. One song."

"Four." Mike pleaded.

"Not you too!" She playfully pushed the musician away. "I'm still recovering."

"Three." Tobias countered.

"You literally saw me on my death bed a few weeks ago." She reminded him.

"Yeah, I did. But looking at you now," his lips slowly curved, "I'm starting to doubt you were ever near Death's door."

Chris tried to remain firm but found herself capitulating with the full force of his smile directed at her.

"I'm only doing one song tonight, two if I feel up to it." She bit down on her bottom lip to keep from laughing. "Some of us aren't too sure our lungs are completely healed yet."

"I'd be more than happy to take you somewhere private and do an examination." Tobias offered with an unrepentant grin.

Chris playfully swatted his arm.

"I bet you would."

Mike watched their interactions quietly. With an understanding smile, he told Chris to come find him when she decided which songs she wanted to perform.

"I'll make sure she does." Tobias told him. "No way I'm leaving until I hear her sing."

"You're lucky I'm in such a good mood." Chris said once Mike was gone. "Normally I would have fought against caving under pressure."

He nudged her with his elbow, chuckling as he took a long sip of his drink.

She nudged him back.

It felt good to simply joke around with someone again and not be wondering what it all meant.

The two continued to tease one another as they discussed their day. Chris found herself forgetting about being there for a party as she listened to Tobias discuss a new mysterious case he was working on. He asked for her opinion, then offered his own with a patient she'd been given.

It was eye opening how different he was compared to the diagnostic team she worked with. Though he was just as intelligent as they were, he wasn't above admitting he hadn't thought of something. There was genuine admiration she could detect when he thanked her for a new possibility with his patient.

Granted, Ethan would usually give her a special smile when she came to a conclusion that he, Baz, nor June came to, but this was different. Maybe it was because she didn't feel like she was in a race to hurry and be the first to diagnose a patient.

Once the tray of drinks was set between them, Tobias helped her carry them to the table her friends were sitting. Chris was not really that surprised to see Bryce sitting with them. He usually left his fellow surgeons after a few drinks and remained with her and their friends the rest of the night.

The one that nearly floored her sitting there though was Ethan.

Chris couldn't recall a time when she'd ever seen him join anyone at the bar, much less the group she typically sat with. He'd never been one to purposely socialize.

She noticed Sienna squirming a bit beside him. Her eyes darted back and forth between Ethan, Tobias, and Chris.

Sienna was clearly in a panic over the fact that she practically yanked the doctor down to sit at their table as he walked past. She'd been determined to have everyone who loved Chris there to celebrate. She simply forgot about the possible animosity between him and Tobias.

Chris broke the tension first that seemed to leave everyone unusually silent.

"Here we go." She set the drinks out. "Sorry, Ethan. If I'd known you'd arrived, I would have ordered you something too."

The silence unnerved her as Ethan narrowed his eyes upon her and Tobias. His eyes remained on her a touch longer as if trying to discern what was truly going on between them. Chris could only handle the scrutiny for so long before she tried to escape.

"I'll, uh, I'll go order you something."

She whirled around and plunged back into the crowd, ignoring the multiple voices who told her not to worry about it and the offers of taking care of it for her.

Crap. I don't know why I thought this night would be fun. When has that ever been the case when the men in my life are added to the mix? The sexual tension alone never ends well, at least for me. Should I have invited Tobias out somewhere more neutral where I wouldn't run into Ethan, even if I want to just be friends with him?

Once she reached the bar, she took a deep breath and waited to get the nearest bartender's attention.

Chris nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt a hand touch her back.

"I told you I would get my drink." Ethan grumbled, sitting down beside her. "Besides, why are you paying for everyone's drinks tonight?"

"I'm celebrating life." She mumbled, wondering if he was even aware he still had his hand along the small of her back.

"We're the ones meant to celebrate that." He replied, settling his gaze on her profile.

Chris knew if she turned towards him, meeting those blue eyes of his, and saw any type of warmth in them that she'd weaken her stance on remaining romantically uninvolved with him.

She'd go back to longing for something she knew he'd say was difficult or impossible or whatever new argument he would use to keep her from getting closer to him. With this second chance at life, shouldn't she go for something new instead of something that usually leaves her heartbroken?

She glanced back at the table. Tobias was sitting in Ethan's vacated spot, talking easily to Bryce and her roommates.

At least that's going well, she thought.

"So?" Ethan drew her attention back to him. "Tobias was invited."

"He did save my life." Chris reminded him.

"That he did." He mumbled. "I didn't realize you two had gotten close since then."

"We've become friends." She explained.

"Friends?"

"Yes," Chris turned towards Ethan. "You know what a friend is?" Her eyes widened as if shocked. "Don't tell me that one of medicine's most brilliant minds has yet to learn what a friend is." She clucked her tongue in pity. "If you're still not sure, Google it."

Ethan rolled his eyes in response.

Chris grinned at him. She always got a thrill out of annoying him to the point he'd roll those blue eyes of his. It was an action she took a great deal of pride in causing. She knew if he didn't respond with a quip of his own that she'd won the round of banter.

"You two get together often?" Ethan asked after a few blessed seconds of silence.

"I think we will." Chris decided. "After all, he and I have a lot in common."

"Such as?"

"We're both doctors." She began.

"Which you have in common with nearly everyone in this bar." Ethan pointed out.

"We both have a sense of humor." She added.

"Once again, many here have one." He said, a tad impatiently.

Chris looked up at him. "Tobias and I have one more thing in common that I don't have with anyone here."

Ethan quirked an eyebrow in question.

"We both somehow manage to get under your skin faster than anyone else."

Before Ethan could respond to that, she paid for the drink that was set in front of him and began to edge her way back to her table.

"Chris!" He grasped her arm to stop her. "Wait a second."

She glared at his back as he pulled her towards the dark hallway where Reggie's office was. The owner's private room was behind a cleverly hidden panel that Ethan, Chris, and a few others had been given special access to.

"What do you want, Ethan?" She asked, once she shut the office door.

The desk lamp was the only light source and cast the room in shadows. Ethan's eyes had an almost glow to them as he stared at her. The room was a little larger than a typical book room, yet with the intense way he was looking at her, she felt the space shrink. Chris could only recall one other time he'd ever looked at her the way he was doing so in the dim light.

Miami.

Before she could blink, she found herself trapped between the door and Ethan's body. His lips crashed against hers, drawing a startled moan from her. Her body automatically arched against his as if determined to feel every inch of him.

She clutched him close, returning every bit of his kiss. When his mouth moved down her neck, she breathlessly asked him what this meant.

"I thought," she gasped when he kissed her once more, "I thought you said we couldn't be together because you're still my--"

"I know." His breaths were coming in and out quickly. "I still think that it is more complicated than either of us realize."

His hooded blue gaze held her gray eyes.

"I didn't want to fight against it anymore." Ethan admitted.

Chris's head dropped back against the door as she tried to control her racing heart. It was hard to think clearly with him not only this close, but also with his hands and mouth still caressing her.

"Ethan?" She whispered, closing her eyes. "What do you want from me?"

"You already know the answer to that." He kissed her once more, silencing any other questions she might have.

She did know. She also knew why this might not be such a good idea. If she didn't know his arguments by heart now, she never would. She understood he was still allowing his moral code over her career to keep him from fully committing to her.

The question was: could she continue to exist with him in this gray area of love?

Chris knew if he'd say the word, she'd commit to him without a second thought. Once he allowed it, she'd love him with every piece of her heart.

But he wouldn't say it. He wouldn't allow the chance to happen. He couldn't let them finally be together, out in the open, in every single way.

Even if he'd suggested they be together in secret, exclusively and on a regular basis, she'd give herself to him without a second thought while she worked out a way to make it so in their world.

And yet here they were again, giving into temptation, without any hope for the future.

"We should," she cursed herself for her voice shaking, "we should get back before anyone notices we're gone."

"You're right." He stepped away, his fingers caressing her cheek.

She opened the door and glanced back at him. "Would you like to talk about us later tonight? Maybe drive me home?"

His visible hesitation made her heart clinch.

Deciding she didn't want to hear his answer, she hurried back into the bar.

#choices open heart #ethan ramsey x mc #ethan x chris #tobias carrick x mc #tobias x mc #bryce lahela x mc #bryce x chris #choices open heart fan fic #choices fic writers creations #choices the stories you play #mixed signals

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