Literally blown away. Wow, okay so I was expecting to have at least until today to get 550 votes. Since all of you are amazing (and some good hackers I think) we got to 550 in like an hour. It was my dad's birthday yesterday so I didn't update then, so hopefully this is up when you wake up. But of course, thank you so much. I'll say it a thousand times: you all are the best.

I also love how passionate many of you are about the story! It's great how much you're in love with it! However, I want everyone to keep in mind that this story might make you upset or disappointed with relationships or whatever, and that's fine. I would like to hope that you all keep in mind that this is my story and to not dismiss it and dislike it because something doesn't go how you would like it to go or how you expected it to go. It is not tagged as a Berica story as of now. It never was. I want it to be realistic and exciting! It would give it away if I spoiled it like that. It will definitely not be an entire story of fluff, that's for sure. In real life, if you want to get fluff, you have to go through a ton of angst. For anyone who's been in a relationship, you know that it is not always, and rarely is, all smooth sailing. And also, not all relationships work out too! Haha just a friendly reminder not to dislike the story based on what happens with your favorite relationship. And plus, doesn't it make it more exciting? Thank you for listening to my Ted Talk.

Haha with that in mind, please enjoy chapter 17 and thanks for all the votes! :)

I woke up cranky. Who could blame me? After witnessing that disturbing scene, I immediately fled back to my room. There was no way I was going to get in between that and I most definity didn't want to talk to Erica after that. No way. If she wants to be a jerk and kiss me and then make out with Cameron, she could do what she wants. I don't care anymore.

It was 9:30 in the morning. At around 9:45, Zoe called my room. She said she and Erica were heading downstairs for breakfast if I wanted to join them. So I got dressed and headed to the breakfast area. I had absolutely no intention whatsoever to speak to Erica.

I got down there and it was FANCY. It was traditional breakfast buffet style, but all the foods were fancy, posh breakfast foods (like instead of an omelet, it was an egg white omelet with filet mignon chunks). But I was living it up right now, so I loaded my plate with the food and went to find Zoe and Erica.

They were sitting towards the back of the dining area. Zoe looked tired and Erica looked completely normal. As much as I said I didn't care, I was super curious if Erica and Cameron spent the night together. But Erica has no indication of such, so I had no idea. Plus, she didn't look hungover either, so that makeout session was definitely not a result of a drunk night, at least on Erica's part. I felt disappointed before I could stop myself.

"Good morning, Ben," Erica said politely. She was acting like nothing was different, like nothing unusual happened the night before. She didn't know that I saw her either, so I was debating whether I should come clean and look like a creep, or sit on it a while longer. I was going to sit on it, at least until I saw Cameron.

I responded to Erica with a gruff, "Morning." She gave me a confused judgemental side eye, but I ignored it. Zoe gave me a bit of a dirty look too, with the way I was acting. If only she knew. The rest of breakfast was pretty quiet; Zoe led the conversation with talk about the weather or the news or something. I don't know, I wasn't really paying attention. I was studying Erica for behavior cues about last night, but I was getting none. I found it kinda rude that Erica was mentioning the kiss to me. Why wouldn't she address that? But there was no way I was going to bring it up after last night. Was I being a little bit petty? Maybe. I don't care.

When we were about wrapping up, the devil himself approached the table. I couldn't hide my hatred towards him. I gave him a dirty look when he came over.

"Good morning, everyone!" Cameron said cheerfully, "How did you all sleep?" Oh how did you sleep with Erica? I couldn't help thinking.

"Good!" Zoe said with matched enthusiasm, "The beds are so big and comfy!"

I was really focusing on Erica right now. She had no visible reaction to Cameron approaching the table at all. She was also not paying much attention to him either. It didn't seem like it was in hatred or glee, just in boredom. A waiter mine as well have approached the table. It was the same reaction. Erica was excited, angry or happy or anything at Cameron here. That was interesting.

Cameron also had no reaction to Erica either. He was acting like nothing had happened. But Cameron wasn't really looking at Erica. It wasn't like he was avoiding looking at her, but he was definitely not seeking her attention. Based on this, I'm 99% sure they didn't sleep together last night. Thank god. I would not have been able to handle that.

He laughed. "I'm glad you liked the room. They're nice, aren't they? I'm so sorry to have to ask this of you but will you please join me in conference room B? I just finished a meeting with Mike and the MLB and they just decided what to do with him. He would like to tell you the news. Follow me."

As much as I hated Cameron, I really wanted to see what happened to Mike. I had no doubt he was in big trouble, but the question was how big of trouble was he in. We all stood up and started following Cameron. Erica was standing next to him. Cameron kept looking over at Erica, like he wanted to say something, but was scared too. He obviously wanted Erica to notice him doing that and wanted her to start the conversation. She noticed him, but chose to ignore it. I didn't seem like it was in anger or spite or anything; she was just pretending to be oblivious. Interesting. Zoe remained oblivious to the entire thing, however, as she was going on about the great rest she had last night. I'm glad someone got good sleep.

We got to conference room B. As we were walking in, a tide of suits filed out of the room, most with grim looks on their face. I could take that as a bad sign. Mike was sitting at the middle table with his people surrounding him, asking questions or for approval or whatever, He looked very overwhelmed. But when Cameron entered the room with us, they dispersed and left the room. It was just us five.

Mike looked like absolute crap though. It was worse than yesterday, if that's even possible. It looked like he hadn't slept a wink the entire night. It also looked like he drank a lot after the game. His hair was a mess and he had dark circles under his eyes. And his eyes looked completely lifeless. His suit was all wrinkled, like he just threw it on. Cameron's suit however was nicely pressed and steamed.

Zoe looked at him with concern, like a mother looking at her son, "Oh my gosh, Mike, are you okay?" She sat next to him and laid a hand on his back. Mike was hunched over the table.

"No," he cried miserably, "My career is over!"

"Not yet," Cameron reminded him gently, in a comforting way, "You're suspended, on paid leave for now. You have two months and then if you pass a drug and alcohol test, you're back in. Mike, the Red Sox still want you. You've done so much for the team. You just need to get your life together right now."

He shook his head, "The fans and the team hate me! I can't go back!"

"Mike," I started sympathetically, "I'm here for you, man. I am." I felt so bad for Mike. Yes, it was his fault he was in this mess and I should have been glad that karma finally caught up to him. But I wasn't. Mike's still my childhood best friend. We learned how to ride our bikes together, we played the first season of little league together and we were there for each other through the bad times. I wasn't going to stop that now.

"Ben," he said looking up at me with empty eyes, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry man." He took a deep breath.

"I was a complete jerk to you in high school. Once boarding school was over, I was too focused on popularity and my baseball career to think of anything else. I know I completely ditched you and I know how sh*tty that was. I left my best friend and all these years I was too ashamed to reach out to you. I'm sorry, man, I truly am."

Cameron backed out of the room, looking uncomfortable with Mike's sudden emotion, "Um... it seems like you guys need to talk in private. I'll see you later." He left and shut the door.

I was taken by surprise at this too. What Mike just said was something I dreamed of hearing him say. I hated the rift that came between us. I wanted things to go back to normal. I immediately forgave him. It seems like reality (instead of drugs) just slapped him in the face, hard.

"Mike, I've missed you, man. I forgive you. It's okay, I'm here for you." He smiled and got up to hug me.

"I don't know what to do. I just got suspended from my dream job. It hurts. I need to turn my life around." Mike admitted to all of us.

Erica nodded in agreement, "And since you're suspended, we have a proposition for you." Erica then proceeds to explain the Joshua Duncan/Hallal thing to him. This brightened Mike up and he listened attentively. After she was done, Erica asked if he was in.

He thought for a short time, but then smiled, "Yes. Yes, I'm in. This should be good for me. I'll remember the good old days and that'll hopefully get me out of this funk. And get me off drugs. It'll be great."

Erica smiled, "Great! We're glad to hear that!" For some reason, that last comment sent me. I think I was boiling, and I was finally boiling over.

I scoffed really loudly, in a mocking tone. All heads swung towards me.

Erica glared at me from across the table, "Excuse me? Something wrong?"

"Yeah, something's wrong!" I snapped bitterly, "It's not we. You're acting like this was your idea and your plan, like you always used to do. It was my idea and my plan!" It wasn't really about that, I'm sure we all know what it was really about.

Erica rolled her eyes, which fueled my agitation, "Oh I'm sorry," she said sarcastically, "It was all Ben's idea. Pardon me."

Zoe could sense something was happening and tried to intervene, "It's okay, I'm sure Mike knew what you were talking about."

"Yeah, Ben, seriously," she said, acting like I was being ridiculous, "No need to make it a big deal."

That really sent me over the edge. I guess now is as good as any time to have this conversation.

"No need to make it a big deal?" I snarled, "That's really funny coming from you. Because nothing is a big deal to you, isn't that right, Erica?"

She looked shocked. Mike and Zoe did too. "Excuse me? What is that supposed to mean?" she asked.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. You're gonna kiss me and pretend like nothing happened?" I barked back. Zoe looked shocked and Mike gasped. I'm pretty sure he was grinning a little bit too, like he found this amusing.

She threw her arms up with a scoff, "So this is what the cold shoulder this morning is about, huh? I give you a little peck for not even a full second when I was excited? I'm sorry, okay? Trust me, I had NO romantic intention behind it. I was swept up in the excitement of that play and hugged and kissed you without thinking about it. I'm sorry I didn't make a big deal out of it for you! I'm so sorry! And look, if you're making it such a big deal, I'm guessing you haven't been kissed much in these last ten years. You know what Ben?" She asked, rambling on. I was so angry I could hardly see.

"I don't know how to get it through your head that this isn't ten years ago. This isn't too teenagers by the lake, sitting on the log. My life changed drastically in these ten years. I gave you a tiny little peck at the game yesterday. I was into the game, and I guess I did that. But you know what? There were no romantic thoughts behind that kiss whatsoever and that's why I didn't make a big deal of it. I just gave you a small little kiss and I'm so sorry that you thought it was more. It was nothing."

"Like the kisses you gave Cameron last night?" I accused, very calmly.

This shocked Erica to silence. Her mouth parted slightly and was blindsided by the comment. Zoe gapsed really loudly and Mike looked excited, like he was watching a soap opera.

Before Erica had a chance to respond, Zoe butted in with, "Ben, you spied on Erica last night? Despite whatever she did or didn't do, that's not cool."

"Ben, what the hell? You were spying on me?" Erica now, instead of being annoyed, looked furious. I was in trouble.

"Erica, you made out with my agent? Ha!" Mike barked out a laugh. He found this whole thing amusing.

"So you're telling me you were spying on me last night? Is that why you've been bitter all morning?!" Erica yelled at me.

"Well, I don't appreciate you kissing me, and then making out with Cameron hours later! That seems rude and disrespectful to me!"

"Ben!" Erica cried out, completely exasperated, "You cannot be serious right now! Look, I can make out with whoever I want! I am twenty six years old! I am an adult and I don't need you telling me who I can or can't kiss. Ben, you're acting like we are in a relationship. We. Are. Not. We might have had a thing for each other ten years ago. Did you really think I haven't made out with anyone else since then? If you haven't, then I think that's your problem more than it is my problem. I can make my own decisions and you can't get mad everytime I do!"

Unfortunately, I understood what she was saying, and she was right, for the most part. I was hurt. I wanted to be, I guess, special? I don't know, I was confused.

I calmed down significantly, "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I spied on you, I'm sorry I got mad, okay? But why? Why did you make out with him?"

Erica then paused at this question. Not because it was a weird one (although it was). But like she was thinking. Debating something in her head. She finally put up her cold facade again and said,

"I don't need to explain myself to you, but I did it because he's hot and I wanted to." Erica said icily.

Mike finally couldn't keep it in any longer. He burst out laughing, "HAHAHA Erica you made out with Cameron last night?! Oh my god that's hilarious! And you think he's hot?! HAHAHAHA!"

And of course, Cameron chose this moment to walk back in. Erica's face turned bright red and she grabbed Mike's arm and twisted it hard. He stopped laughing immediately.

"Wait, did I hear this right?" Cameron asked with a sly smirk, "Erica, you think I'm hot?"

She pulled a disgusted face and said "Oh god, no, absolutely not. You're crazy. And get out!" Erica yelled the last part and Cameron left the room again, his face fell.

"Look," she hissed at all of us, "Let's leave what we said in this room here. We won't speak of it out of this room. Mistakes were made. You know what? I'm done." She tapped away on her phone. The rest of us sat in silence.

"We're heading to Nebraska. Flight leaves in three hours. Pack your things." She stood up and we followed.

"Wha-why?" Zoe asked.

"We want to solve this whole Joshua thing right? Well, we have to go to the source. Joshua Duncan replaced Mark Dazy's spot in the House of Representatives. Mark died at home in Nebraska while Joshua was present. That can't be a coincidence. We're going to the root of the situation: Mark's death. To see if there was any foul play."

That made sense. We all packed our bags and said brief goodbyes (luckily, Erica was embarrassed at what Cameron overheard that she didn't say bye to him). We were off to the airport.

I know that chapter may have left you with more questions than answers. I honestly hope it did. Erica and Ben blew up at each other and nothing was solved. And trust me, we are revisiting Cameron and Erica's makeout session later. It will be quite important for a specific storyline later. And now we are finally going into the actual plot. If you forgot the whole situation, re-read chapter 3. It explains everything there. Until next time! Hope you enjoyed it!