Chapter Five: Rivals

Don, Jess, Lindsay, Danny, Hawkes, and Aiden were all in the first SUV and Mac, Stella, Adam, Chad, Kendall, and Sam were in the second. They arrived at Frisco’s and all got out of the vehicles. They walked into the entrance of Frisco’s and gathered around a large 표, 테이블 for big parties. All twelve members sat around the 표, 테이블 and ordered their drinks. There was a local rock band playing on the performance stage at the front of the bar and some of the members of Blue Squad gathered around to listen and dance to the music. Mac and Stella found a cozy little booth towards the back of the club and sat down to have a private talk.
    “So this is nice getting to hang out with the squad and getting to know each other better, Mac you’ve been kind of quiet tonight is something bugging you?”
    “No, I’m just a little apprehensive about the upcoming mission. I don’t know what’s going to be required and if I’m ready to lead our squad in a potentially dangerous mission. That’s all really.”
    “Oh don’t worry babe, you’re going to be great! Blue Squad is lucky to have 당신 as its leader! Is there anything 당신 want to talk about 또는 do 당신 want to go dance?”
    “Nah. I’m okay let’s go dance. There’s a slow song playing now, finally something I can actually dance too.”
Stella smiled at Mac and he led her to the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him. She then returned the gesture 의해 wrapping her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder as they swayed slowly to the 음악 being played.
    “You look gorgeous tonight 의해 the way.”
    “Thank you, 당신 look good too.”
    “You know what Stella?”
    “What?” she raised her head and looked him in the eyes.
    “I 사랑 당신 so much!” he whispered in her ear.
    “Really? 당신 really mean that Mac?”
    “I do I’ve known 당신 for five years and never felt this way about any other woman. No one gets me and accepts me like 당신 do; I should have told 당신 this months ago.”
    “You just made my night Mac; I 사랑 당신 too, so much! You’re the best guy a girl could ever get.”
Stella laid her head back on his shoulder and hugged him tighter as they continued to dance.
    “Oh great!”
    “What, what is it Mac?”
    “Look who just showed up.”
Stella looked over to the entrance and saw Frankie, Peyton, and a few other members of Red Squad making their way into the club.
    “You’ve got to be kidding! Damnit and my night was going so well.”
    “Just ignore them maybe they won’t see us. Keep dancing.”
Frankie, Drew, Brendan, Shane, Peyton, Aubrey, and Quinn all walked into the club and made their way over to a table. Frankie scanned the club looking for someone in particular while the others ordered their drinks.
    “Well it looks like everyone on Blue Squad is here this should be fun.” Shane said enthusiastically with an evil grin on his face.
    “Hey Mala, looks like Taylor’s dancing pretty close with your girl!”
    “Yeah, I see that Casey I might have to make my entrance a little earlier than I planned.”
Peyton rolled her eyes at Frankie and looked over at Mac and Stella.
    “Honestly I don’t see what’s so great about Miss “big haired” Bonasera that all 당신 guys pant over?”
    “Now, Driscoll no need to get jealous just because she’s dancing with Taylor.” Frankie said.
    “Jealous? Of her please!”
    “Face it Driscoll ever since Taylor started dating Stella you’ve been envious of their relationship. 당신 just wish it was 당신 he was dancing with out there like that.”
    “Casey don’t make me hurt 당신 here in front of everyone!”
    “Okay, okay missy I’m just saying and 당신 know I’m right!”
    “Peyton what do 당신 say 당신 and I go pay the little couple a visit? Care to dance?”
    “Why yes Frankie, that sounds like a good idea.”
Frankie and Peyton walk over to the area that Stella and Mac are at and start casually dancing close to them.
    “Walsh 당신 want to dance with me? Shelby asked.
    “Sure Quinn I would 사랑 to dance with you.”
They too headed out to the dance floor to dance, leaving Aubrey, Shane, and Drew at the table.
    “Hey barkeep can I get another Budweiser?”
The bartender handed Shane another beer.
    “Now that’s 더 많이 like it about another ten of these and I’ll be ready to party.”
Frankie and Peyton got closer to Mac and Stella and Frankie strategically bumped into Stella.
    “Oh Miss Bonasera I’m sorry I didn’t see 당신 there.”
    “Well maybe 당신 should watch where your stepping Mala!”
    “Ooohhh I 사랑 it when 당신 get all feisty! 저기요 Taylor what do 당신 say we switch partners for a few songs?”
    “Not a chance Mala now why don’t 당신 and the rest of your team leave the same way 당신 came in?”
    “Typical Mac Taylor thinks he owns the place. We can dance and drink here if we want too. There’s no sign saying “Blue Squad Only”!”
    “Yeah well maybe there should be!”
    “Come on Miss Stella don’t be like that. Oh I heard 당신 and Driscoll got into it after the game what’s wrong can’t keep up with a good athlete?”
    “That’s it!”
    “Stella, don’t come on let’s go see what Flack and the other’s are doing.”
    “Little Miss Bonasera can’t even fight her own battles without her boyfriend sticking up for her.”
    “Peyton if I were 당신 I would keep that big mouth of mine shut! Come on Stella let’s go see what everyone else is up too.”
Mac practically dragged Stella to the other side of the bar.
    “What was Mala saying about 당신 and Peyton getting into it after the game? Stella please tell me 당신 didn’t do anything stupid. I can’t do this upcoming mission without 당신 and if 당신 did something that might get 당신 in trouble with Sinclair…”
    “Relax Mac. Believe me I wanted too but Jess held me back and talked me out of it. Driscoll was running her damn mouth again like she always does and just said something that got under my skin. It’s cool though. Jess won’t let me do anything to get me kicked off of Blue Squad.”
    “That’s good Stella but Jess and I aren’t always going to be around to stop 당신 from attacking Peyton. Please baby you’ve got to let this beef 당신 have with her go.”
    “Mac how would 당신 feel if 당신 constantly had to watch Mala and the rest of the guys on Red Squad drool over me? I bet you’d get pretty sick of it. I swear every woman on Red Squad wants to be the 다음 Mrs. Mac Taylor and it pisses me off! I’m sorry if I don’t act the way 당신 want me too!”
Stella started to storm away from Mac but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her back to him.
    “Hey, I’m sorry alright. What did Peyton say that made 당신 so mad?”
    “It’s nothing Mac just forget it.”
    “Stella come on talk to me.”
    “Well basically after dissing my 농구 skills which no I’m not the best player but she crossed the line. She said she didn’t know what 당신 see in me and I’m sorry Mac but it just set me off. Thankfully Jess was there 또는 I would have beaten the crap out of the little English bi…”
Mac startled to laugh at Stella.
    “What the hell is so funny?”
    “Nothing. You’re just very sexy when you’re angry.”
Stella rolled her eyes at Mac and playfully slapped him in the chest.
    “This is all your fault 당신 know that right Taylor?”
    “My fault? How 당신 figure that?”
    “Well if I wasn’t so damn in 사랑 with 당신 maybe I wouldn’t get so upset when some other woman makes googley eyes at you.”
Mac wrapped his arms around Stella’s waist and kissed her passionately.
    “There it’s about time 당신 shut up.”
    “Haha, very funny Mac come on let’s go see what everyone else is up too.”
    “Okay lead the way.”
Stella grabbed Mac’s wrist and led him over to the pull tables where everyone was watching Danny and Flack play at one 표, 테이블 and Lindsay and Jess playing at another.
    “So ladies who’s winning?”
    “Right now Monroe, not for long though.”
    “I wouldn’t bet on it Angell just ask Danny I’m a natural at pool!”
    “She is pretty damn good Angell.”
    “Well. Looks like I’m buying the drinks then.”
    “Stella everything alright with 당신 and Mac.” Flack asked her.
    “Yeah, we’re good he’s not too happy about me getting into it with Peyton but…”
    “Stel, I swear I didn’t say anything.”
    “Don what are 당신 talking about?”
    “Jess told me about the game and warned me not to say anything to him.”
    “Oh I see. Don’t worry Mala did it for you.”
    “Mala, that scumbag’s here?”
    “Yep him and six other members of Red Squad got here about twenty 분 ago. He and Driscoll came and harassed Mac and I but we just left them alone… after a few heated words.”
    “Amazing we got a big mission coming up and both squads are pretty much at each others throats how are we supposed to work together if we can’t stand each other?”
    “Don when it comes to the job we are all professionals even Red Squad. Trust me nothing is going to jeopardize this mention especially a bunch of junior high antics. Everything’s going to be cool.”
    “So everything’s good with 당신 and Mac?”
    “Yep better than ever actually.”
Frankie and the other members of Red Squad walked over to the pool tables where Blue Squad was gathered around.
    “Well if it isn’t Mr. Big Bad Mac Taylor and his “elite” Blue Squad? YO! Everyone gather around we got a celebrity in the house!” Frankie came walking over screaming to the crowd.
    “Shit, I spoke too soon.”
    “Yeah Mac doesn’t look too happy either. This could get ugly.”
Frankie walked over to Mac and stared him down.
    “Mala we don’t want any trouble tonight so 당신 and your team please mind your own business.”
    “Well 당신 see Taylor I am minding my business 당신 have something that belongs to me.”
Frankie looked over at Stella and smiled his shit eating grin.
    “You son of a bitch. Don’t 당신 dare talk about Stella that way.” Mac went to throw a 펀치 at Frankie but Danny and Adam held him back.
    “Damn, I’ve got to go stop this.”
Stella walked over to Mac and Frankie.
    “Mac, come on baby let’s go outside and get some fresh air. Come on.”
Mac continued to glare right back at Frankie but after a few 초 followed Stella outside.
    “Okay suddenly this isn’t so much fun com on Jess let’s get everyone back to the base.”
    “Okay Blue Squad we’ve had enough fun for tonight let’s head back to the base!” Angell announced to all of her squad mates.
    “Hm I see Taylor isn’t so tough after all! Let’s his girlfriend order him around. Yeah 당신 guys got one hell of a leader.”
    “Frankie give it a rest they’re leaving you’ve had you’re fun.”
    “Trust me Driscoll I’m just getting started.”
All of the members of Blue Squad loaded up into the SUV’s and headed back to the base.
It was around 23:15 when they got back and none of them were ready to turn in for the night just yet. They all got out of the SUV’s and Don and Mac returned them to the base garage. While walking back they came up with an idea. As they approached the Patterson Barracks the announced their plan to the rest of the squad.
    “Listen up team since our evening out was cut short Mac and I thought we would all go into the lobby area of the barracks and just hang out for the remainder of the night so we can get to know each other better before we go on our big mission 다음 week. Everyone head inside and I’ll put some coffee on and see what alcohol we got stored up if anyone wants some. We also got snacks and games, whatever to keep us entertained for a few hours.”
All twelve members of Blue Squad headed inside to the lobby area and got situated.