Damn, You're Cute (Michael Clifford)

Chapter 61

Michael and I stood upstairs so that we didn't disturb Ashton who was silently snoozing on his basement couch. His anger and sadness had melted away into a peaceful sleep that would soon be roughly awaken by a piercing headache.

Upstairs, Michael paced for a few moments, organizing his thoughts, before stopping and standing square in front of me. He clasped his hands and rested them on his stomach while eyeing me carefully.

"Look, Leah, I know you're angry with me," he said with his signature stance. If he wasn't trying to dig himself out of trouble, I would be taking notice to the way he held himself: loose limbs yet a firm posture, giving off the illusion of intimidation. His ankles were crossed one over the other, his black converse lazily tied as if he barely had any time to get ready before rushing over here. "And I want to change that. I don't like fighting with you."

I nodded in agreement because it was difficult being mad at him. Whenever I'm upset, he's who I go to, so when my anger is directed toward him, there is no one to comfort me or cheer me up except Luke. The only problem is Luke has Abigail to deal with now, so I was alone. It pained me, however, to realize that I didn't rely on Caroline to be there for me. I considered her a close friend but recently she's become so full of her own problems and mistakes that she didn't really care about mine. Maybe it was selfish of me to say it, but Caroline was slowly slipping away.

"And how do you plan on fixing this?" I asked, pretending like I had no intention of forgiving him. I was just frustrated that he didn't trust me enough to tell the truth. I honestly couldn't care that he experimented with drugs once in his life. It was hard to find a boy who hadn't. What bothered me was the fact that he purposefully left the detail out after the hundreds of times he told me the dramatic tale of that night.

"You want to help me out by giving a few ideas?" he said, sheepishly looking at me. I quirked an eyebrow without saying one word and Michael held up his hands in defeat. "Okay, okay."

I had a feeling in the pit of my stomach that Michael didn't feel like he should be apologizing. For some reason, this thought that he only wanted lessen the flame inside me instead of righting his wrong seemed accurate. He didn't appear particularly guilty or remorseful for anything.

"Michael, are you taking this seriously, because I'm not joking around! You didn't trust me and I'm not okay with it!" I told him, raising my voice. He quickly held out his hands and stopped me from continuing.

"No, I know! I'm serious, I should have told you everything," he said earnestly. "I was stupid and wrong and I promise I will trust you with everything from now on."

I gave him a stiff nod, avoiding his gaze as a grin began to slowly appear on his face because I was growing weak. He knew I couldn't keep up this indignant act for much longer.

"So, am I forgiven?" he asked with an adorable expression full of big pleading eyes.

"I think I need a little more convincing," I sighed and fought the urge to smile, craning my neck to look away and crossing my arms over my chest. Michael chuckled and stepped toward me, tugging me closer to him by my belt loop and sliding his hands onto my hips. He squeezed my sides lightly and ducked his head toward mine so our eyes were level. I couldn't suppress my grin much longer.

"I could apologize a little more," he offered and I nodded seriously, but a smile broke out on my mouth as he tickled me around my hips. I giggled, thrashing away and he wrapped his arms all the way around me, practically suffocating me as his lips found my jaw.

"I'm sorry, princess," he said and pressed a light kiss to my skin, his grin evident. "It won't happen again, I promise."

"It better not," I gave in and Michael hugged me tighter, peppering my face with light kisses. I laughed, trying to escape but his strong hold was too much. "Okay, okay! I forgive you!"