Pool Party

Normally, Zach preferred to avoid Dom's parties. They tended to go wild. He was like a frat boy or something, and even when he was in college Zach steered clear of that group of people and their activities of choice. Maybe Dom was right and he was an old man before his time, but that really wasn't his type of thing. If he went to one, it was either because it was part of his work, because he needed to moderate Dom or because his friend actually organized something small and less wild for his close friends, the "like family" ones. He promised it would be that kind of party. He was pretty insistent too. Must be for his sister, since she didn't know a whole lot of people yet. And Audrey wasn't as sociable as her brother. He eventually yielded. He was not all too interested in swimming but he could show up for a little while. A break could be good after all.

He arrived at the time Dom told him to. He had a bit of a chat with Audrey before she left to talk with others. He didn't mind. If he could laze out for a little while on his own, he was fine with it too. He just didn't want to feel like he was working right now. He'd rip Dom a new one if that was how it would turn out in the end. He could do some idle talk with the other guests but he would rather be left alone if possible. How the two of them could be such great friends was a true mystery!

He had actually gone back inside for a moment when the sisters arrived, meaning that by the time Lindsey went outside with her sister, he was not there for her to spot him. It was impossible to miss him though as he came to apologize so he could walk pass them and recognized them. He looked at the two then gave a quick glance at Dominic at the bar. "Hi," he merely said with a nod. He knew the two of them and couldn't just ignore them, not when they were so close to each other. "I had no idea he invited you too." But why wouldn't he? Maybe because he said close friends and he didn't know they were that close.

What was Dominic thinking, inviting them? He knew that Zach was in talk to have the collaboration he wanted so much with Ellie happen, was that all a ploy to make it a reality? But that was not exactly his kind of ruse. Zach thought that he was usually less subtle than that. Lindsey was talking about relaxing, and their schedule. He nodded to her. "About your clothing line you want to start, right?" He did pay attention and remembered after all. He even talked of it with her sister. He then turned towards Ellie. "And rehearsal, I imagine. How is it going?" He had no idea whether she still worked out to regain her full strength or not, or had any other medical tests to do for that matter. He was not even paying attention to her legs and the scars she may still have, focusing on her face instead as he talked with her.

Like him? He stared at the two in alternance. If that meant she was calm, he was okay with that, but he was not sure about shaking things up. "If she's anything like me, then I suppose she's fine with how things are shaken up usually. And that you're her Dominic. Or he's you to me, whichever you prefer." Pretty women. That was the kind of things Dom would demand for his parties, he'd say. Maybe that was why he invited them.

It was funny to see Dominic coming over to serve them like that. Not entirely unlike him, but still funny. And he was being strangely caring. It was nice that he remembered all of that about Ellie though. "Don't worry, he just moved all of the alcohol from your glass to ours," he retorted, tongue-in-cheek, as he grabbed the glass that was apparently for him. He did wonder just how much alcohol he really put in there.

It was a bit funny to see Dominic being attentive but also far from unusual for Zach. He knew the guy well, he was aware of this side of his. He just didn't expect him to go to this extent. Or perhaps was it very little. Either way, he couldn't help but feel like he invited Ellie more because he wanted ot invite Lindsey and chose to be nice by including her sister. And why Lindsey? Probably to mess up with him. That was the kind of joke Dom would enjoy pulling, no doubt. Didn't he claim that Zach could have Lindsey all wrapped up around his finger if he wanted?

Ellie explained that she was still on physical therapy. "Ah, I see, you still have those. Well, it's good. It would be bad if you pushed yourself too hard without your body being prepared for it." And she would have a professional watching over her, someone more qualified than some random trainer whose only knowledge is how much they like to flex.

He nodded, agreeing that they would refer as quiet, or calm, while their counterparts were the loud, outspoken ones. Something that Dom was also quick to bring out as the reason why more people like that was needed to have an actual party. "I think Eleanor and I could give you examples of parties that don't call for that. Then again, they wouldn't be your kind of parties and I'd be afraid to go to one like that held by you." The day Dom would turn into some sort of country club, cigar smoking, poker playing guy, Zach would know he had died and was in hell. Or just warped into another reality.

Zach did hesitate. He doubted that Dom would pour only strong liquor in his drinks. It was too early to have him passed out drunk in a corner. But he also knew he could have a heavy hand when it came to pouring down the liquid, so he brought the glass to his nose, just to see if he could tell through the smell how much he poured. Of course, this was not the most accurate of tactics so he slowly took a sip and tried not to cough as it burned down his throat.

Zach was not usually at Dom's parties. They would often turn wild and it was bit his thing. The two men were friends but they didn't bond that way. Partying was Dom's thing. He was a social animal, he needed people around him. He also loved attention, whether he was ready to admit it or not. It didn't have to be a bad thing, it just meant he needed some of it. He was good at creating a buzz, even if it was around someone else. He was toned down this time. And also, Zach was under the impression it was supposed to be something very casual with few people. Almost like just Zach, Audrey and Dominic chilling by the pool. There were more people than that in the end, and he had to have invited Lindsey and Eleanor. Zach had no idea Dom was crushing on Ellie, meaning he thought it was just a ploy to have Zach and Lindsey together. He told his friend to drop it, that it would not happen. yet, here they were.

Zach nodded. Stage, interviews, performance for a show, it could all be tiring if she was not well prepared enough. She may be able to perform but it was not better if she crashed right after. "And I heard you've gone back to studio. That's a good start." He didn't feel the need to add one step at a time and whatever thing people said in the circumstances. She still needed to get back on her feet quickly after all. This industry was fickle. He turned towards Lindsey. "And I heard you've gone independent." He should have known she would follow through with her plan. He hoped it got as well for her as she intended.

Dominic joined in and the overused arguments of parties needing loud music, drinks and lots of people came in. Zach sighed, although more on a playful manner. "Hey, I don't listen to classical music that much," he defended himself. He was more into jazz and old blues. He almost let out that he knew the use Dom preferred for his hot tub but held it in as he remembered who else was around. "I'll take the good drinks and friends though," he conceded. It wasn't a party without people.

He watched as Lindsey tasted the drink. Zach did not fully trust Dom. He could have a heavy hand, especially on purpose. He would be disappointed if he thought that would make him more sociable. He gently tried his. It was strong but tolerable. "You didn't do your worst just yet, that's good." He might have said that, but Dom did add more alcohol than anything else in his drink. He would have to sip gently if he didn't want it to get to his head in an instant.

Zach would know everyone at the party, if only from name and reputation. He would make sure to know about Dom's entourage, as he didn't want any to cause unnecessary scandal. Having magazines report that Dom hosted a party was in line with his personality and image, it was fine, but he didn't need too much controversy. There was one girl he didn't seem to know but she looked quiet and was not sticking to Dom so he figured she was a guest's plus one.

He nodded to Ellie. If she were anything like Dom, she would have missed recording and doing shows. She didn't appear as much of a show-off, but it was her job and from the conversation he had with her, she seemed to really like it, and like her band. He was also glad to hear that Lindsey followed his advice. She might have been pissed by it but she listened, it was all that mattered. And now it reminded Zach of why he needed Dom in such events. He would talk of topics that would likely bore guests the likes of Lindsey. Dom was the party animal and needed to come over.

He did, with drinks. Quite strong drinks. Zach would need to keep an eye on whatever Dom would give him and be suspicious of it. He also wanted to talk to him, call him out on his little ploy, but he couldn't do that in front of the ladies. It would be rude to accuse Dom of scheming to get Zach and Lindsey together with her around. He intended to ask him what this was about as soon as he could get him in a corner.

Zach was good at humouring rich, influencial people while conversing with them. He did it all his life, as he came from one such family. He knew how to talk business, he knew how to be a bit more casual. But the people here weren't that kind of crowd, if they did have money. They were no businessmen or entrepreneurs. They weren't big producers or CEOs. Zach needed to adjust himself to the crowd, but it proved hard, as he was far more comfortable in his business mode than this. If he wanted to chill, he would go to jazz club, a gym or watch a movie on his own. Not much of that.

Somehow, Dom felt quiet to him. He knew the guy for yeards, longer than his career for sure, and he rarely saw him like that. He frowned as he wondered what that was about. But Lindsey said something about being bland. "I doubt anyone here would ever call you that," he argued. She was no soubt the bombshell here and if her sister proved to be rather appealing too and could attract attention, all eyes would turn on Lindsey, with or without more tan. He would let her go to a lounging chair if she wanted though. He didn't see why she would stick around him.

Was Lindsey really there for him? After their last meeting, he would have thought she was a tad angry towards him and wouldn't want to spend time at a party with him. No, she had to have come because it was a party and because she wanted to take her sister out more. Dominic did imply that she knew he'd be there though, so Zach had to assume that she either got over their discussion or was ready to ignore it for today. Either was fine by him, although he would have to remember not to talk as a manager so much. And go easy on anything Dominic would serve him, because that drink was strong!

Zach was about to agree with Lindsey and point out how sometimes, image was everything, but he stopped himself, as it might sound to manager-like. Instead, he focused on Dominic. "Another one of your random passions you chose to pick up," he pointed out. He could easily hire someone to make drinks, he didn't need to be there serving them. Maybe he wouldn't all day, but he chose to make some custome drinks specifically for them. It was weird though, because Dominic didn't sound like he was boasting as much. Zach would have thought that he would have, yet it sounded more like he justified himself for making good cocktails. Zach stared at his friend, wondering what was going on.