Between The Books-Michael Clifford

Twenty Nine

"How are you, Laney? I haven't seen you much lately. Are you studying someplace new?" Nate says.

I'll say. In Marcus's bed.

"Um, I've just been busy. We went out a couple nights this week. How are you?"

"Ok. Who you been going out with?"

Really Nate?

"Star, and the guys from Lickit. They're friends with Jax." Laney is being nice, not ignoring him. That's good.

I mean after all, she's the one who cheated. She can't really hate on him.

"Laney, um...I think maybe Becca and I will go..." I start to say.

"No, it's ok, Star. You don't have to leave. I'll be back, I'm gonna go get a beer. Maybe Jax is on his way?"

Yeah, maybe. What the fuck Jax? He leaves and Becca and I relax. It's weird being around two people who are awkward with each other.

"Well that went pretty good." Laney says.

"Yeah, so far. He's been drinking though. You can smell it on him." I say.

I look up on stage. They're about to start playing. They look like they all matched their outfits tonight. All of them are wearing black skinny jeans and black shirts. Scutter is talking to Synna, laughing with her. They really are cute.

Toby has a plain black T-shirt, Michael us in his black Ozzy tank, which Synna is right about, very hot. Marcus has on a black tank with some sort of metal band's name, Helix, from the 80's. It shows off all his tattoos. Yummy. Scutter has on a black button up shirt, which is almost completely unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up.

Seriously, they ARE the most attractive band ever.

"So Nate, he's your ex, I'm assuming?" Becca says.

"Yes, we broke up the week before I met Marcus, he doesn't know I'm with him. Star says he's here to try and get me back. I'm trying to get the message across, I'm not interested, without getting Marcus into it." Laney says. She's watching Marcus, smiling.

"Well you're gonna have to be more discreet, Honey. You absolutely light up around that boy." Becca says, smiling.

She does.

"Shit. I don't know how to stop that!" Laney says, blushing.

"Just tell Nate you heard he was interested in getting back together, and that you just don't think that's good idea. Maybe he'll take the hint and leave." Becca says, picking up another shot.

The band starts playing and Synna is back at our table. "So have you told Nate to get lost?" Synna has no filter. She picks up a Loopy and tips it back.

"Not yet, he's getting a drink."

The boys have so much fun when they're playing. Scutter starts singing and Synna immediately starts whistling and yelling at him.

"Yeah Baby! Whoo!"

Nate is walking back this way. He brings Laney a beer. Oh, this is going to be hard to watch.

"Oh, thanks, Nate, but I'm doing shots tonight." She says.

"All night? Baby you're gonna be passed out by midnight, take the beer."

"I'll pace myself." She says.

"Whatever. So you're friends with Lickit now? They seem cool. Jax says they're good guys. Maybe they'll drink with us after they're done with their set." He takes a long pull on his beer.

Shit. Every girl at this table is taken by one of them. I smile to myself. I like the way that sounds. We're the girlfriends.

"Um, Nate why are you here? Did you come with somebody, or are you thinking you'll just crash our girl party?" Synna says.

In this case her bluntness might come in handy.

"Oh, friendly aren't you? Not crashing your party, just wanting to talk to my girl. Plus I thought Jax was gonna be here." He says, drinking almost the rest of his beer without stopping.

"Nate, I heard that you might be wanting us to get back together...." Laney jumps right in, taking Becca's advice.

The boys finish their first song. Everyone's clapping and yelling. I look up at Michael. He's so sexy. Totally in his own bubble when he's playing. He looks over at me and puts his hand over his heart.

Oh my God, I just want him so bad.

"Listen, Laney, I know we weren't perfect before, but we were really good. I miss you. You miss me too, I know you do. Let's just skip the chase and get back together " He puts his arm around Laney's waist.

Laney moves away, but he doesn't let go.

I look up at the stage. The boys are starting the intro to their next number, Scutter's introducing the guys. When he says Marcus's name, he stands up and looks over to our table, seeing Nate with his arm around Laney. His face, which was smiling....isn't now.

He looks at me, I hold up my hand to let him know to give Laney a chance to handle it. Nate's back is to us, so he has no idea he's minutes away from death if he doesn't get his hands off Laney.

Why is Jax not here? Did he actually forget...

"Hey, Star! Sorry we're late, Tyler decided to ho home and change after we left you guys. Where's Jax?" Leo says, smiling at everyone.

Jesus, in all my drama about Michael and Nate, I totally forgot they were meeting us!

"Hey, Leo! Where's Stella and Tyler? Oh, guys, this is Leo, my bff from work. Leo, this is Synna, Becca, and my roommate Laney. This is her...uh, friend Nate." I say.

I take out my phone and text Jax again.

"Hey Leo! Star loves working with you. She talks about you all the time." Laney says, smiling at Leo.

Then she turns to Nate, who's still holding her.

"Nate, please remove your hand. We're not together." Laney pushes it off gently.

"Does she?!" Leo smiles at me. "Tyler's getting beer and Stella went to the bathroom. Nice to meet you guys. Like shots I'm guessing?" He says, laughing.

Leo is a big hit with my girls. He continues talking with them as I watch Laney trying unsuccessfully to get Nate to back off.

"Nate, Jesus, Buddy! Laney's done with you, ok? She's with someone else now." Synna blurts out after another ten minutes of Nate hitting on Laney.

This would be bad except, since Jax is a no show, I guess someone has to step in.

"What?" Nate says, first looking at Synna, then back at Laney. Then he laughs, grabbing Laney around the waist with one hand and jerking her into him, causing her hair to fly back....exposing her hickey.

"Nate, let go of me..."

"Oh! What the fuck is this on your neck?!" He says, loudly.

Laney starts to push Nate off but he grabs her wrist.

"Nate! Let go of me! You're hurting...."

"Wow, Laney! Didn't take you long to find someone new to fuck!"

Nate's more drunk then I thought. Everyone at the table has stopped talking and is looking at Nate and Laney.

I look up at the stage. The band's just finished their third song. Scutter's starts talking. I see Marcus stand up. He looks at me.

I wave him over.

Ok. This is going to get bad.