Between The Books-Michael Clifford

Twenty Seven

"Is this guy gonna give you shit, because I can't just sit back and let that happen, Laney." Marcus says, running his hands through his hair.

The three of us are standing in the back hallway of the Ugly Tuna. Laney's telling him about Nate, who hasn't shown up yet, and I'm standing here trying to will myself anywhere else.

"No, I don't think so, but I don't really know. We went out for a little over a year, you know? He's not gonna love it, Marcus, I'll be honest. He doesn't know I'm with someone. He can get out of hand sometimes, especially if he's drinking...." She's wiggling all around. She has to pee.

Laney tells him to hold on and hurries into the bathroom, leaving me with Marcus, who's looking like he could pound somebody's head in.

"Star, how much do I have to worry about Nate? Really." He says, looking me straight in the eyes. Um, that's just...what?

"Star? Is he going to be a problem?"

Fuck. I'm really pathletic. Someone should slap me.

No, Marcus is just mind-blowing.

"Well, Nate usually is a pretty good guy....but Laney's right, when he's drunk, he's loud, cocky. She can probably handle him, but honestly, if he's like that, Marcus, she's going to need help. I'll have Jax keep him under control. They're friends, he listens to Jax."

I don't even know where Jax is. He hasn't shown up yet. He was supposed to meet us, but that was a while ago. He's not answering my texts either.

"Is Jax even here? I haven't seen him." Marcus is leaning up against the wall, tying his hair back in a bandana. Really hot.

"He's coming. Just late. Don't worry, we'll handle Nate." I say, with more confidence then I actually feel.

Laney comes back out of the bathroom and looks at Marcus. She walks into him, grinning, her arms wrapping around his waist. He puts his arms around her hips, hands on her ass. They fit together perfectly. His anger and worry, just soften, replaced by....wow, he is completely in love with her.

"It's ok, you know. I'm with you. Not going anywhere." She smiles at him. Her usually animated dramatic personality, calming, as she talks to him.

"Right." He reaches up, putting his hand on the side of her face. "If you need me tonight, Laney, let me know. I won't interfere unless you ask....but fucking ask, because if he gets in your face...."

"I will, Marcus. I promise." She says, softly. The way she's looking at him. Complete devotion to this guy....and he's the same with her.

Then he leans down and kisses her. I am standing four feet from this, and while it should be awkward and embarrassing for me, it's not. I realize standing here, that this....this kind of complete closeness, I don't have this with Jax. This is what we're missing. This is what Laney didn't have with Nate.

This....is what I want, and I want it with Michael.

Laney finishes saying goodbye to Marcus and we go back out to the bar, getting a table on the left side of the room. It's really starting to fill up. Lickit has quite the following, a lot of the same people that were here last week, along with the same group of skanky girls who were all over them Saturday.

"Hey! What'd I miss?!" Synna crashes into me, smiling. She's got three shots with her, looks like Loopy.

"Well, Laney's ex is coming tonight to try and get her back." I say, taking one of the shots from her.

She hands the other to Laney. "No shit?! Nate, right? Did you tell Marcus?" She says, swallowing her shot and turning the shot glass upside down. For some reason this has become our thing, to make a tower out of the empty shot glasses.

"Yes. I told him I could handle him, and if he gets stupid, Jax will get him under control or make him leave." Laney downs her shot. She's nervous. Probably no one else can tell though.

"Have you seen Mikey tonight, Star? He looks fucking hot. He's wearing his black Ozzie tank." She winks at Laney.

Obviously she started drinking without us.

"No, is he here?" I look around but don't see him.

"Yeah, he's unloading their stuff with the boys. Becka's here too. She'll be over in a minute. She's getting more shots for us. Drinks are on Marcus again, so drink up!" She turns around and disappears into the crowd, no doubt looking for Scutter for a quickie before they go on stage.

"Why does Marcus always pay for the drinks?" I ask, tipping my glass back. Yep Loopy.

"He's fucking loaded as shit, Star! No seriously. His mom and dad own the Crew."

"Whose crew?" I'm still looking towards the stage in case the boys come in.

"THE Crew, Star. Columbus Crew? The soccer team?"

Seriously? I guess that might explain their huge house and all the nice stuff. Not typical college student living.

As I'm contemplating Marcus being ridiculous hot, AND stupidly rich, I see Mikey walk up on stage with his guitar. He looks over at us and smiles at me.

My stomach flips and I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

"Guess Mikey's on stage? I can't see from here, but I know you don't blush when Jax walks in a room." Laney says, laughing.

"Um, yes...shut up! It's just hot in here. Where is Jax anyway? How's he gonna difuse fucking Nate if he's not even here?" I say, looking around. Still no Jax. He's almost an hour late.

"You know don't you?!" Laney says, in shock.

"Know what?" I take out my phone and text Jax again.

*hey, you ok? They're about to start playing*

"You decided you want Mikey! I KNEW IT!! She says, too loud as usual.

"Laney, yes, ok, but listen..."

"Hey, Star. You got a minute?" I hear Michael say, from behind me. I didn't even see him walk up!

"Um, yeah. How are you?" I look at Laney. He didn't hear that right?

"Ok....so I think I'll go find Marcus! Good luck tonight, Mikey!" She looks at me and winks.

Wow, obvious.

"Not sure if she meant on stage or with you." He says, grinning

I nervously laugh, unsure what to say.

"Ok, so I'm just....oh, I'm good, Star. How was your week?" He starts to say something, looked like it was important, but then stopped himself to answer my question!

How cute is that?!

"Good, um....so I did a lot of studying..the last few days."

He's just so yummy, I can't even put together a full sentence! More alcohol. That's always a good idea.

"Is Jax here?" He asks, looking around.

"No, he's..."

And then before I can finish....he puts both hands on either side of my face.....and kisses me.