The Lovable Jerk (boyxboy)

Chapter 9

Westin

I grabbed Arlo's wrist and dragged him to my car without giving his ex-boyfriend a second glance. I said ex because I was assuming that this was their break up. The guy really was an asshole. I only told him to take care of what is his and should not go around fucking anything that's fuckable and he instantly thought Arlo was cheating on him with me.

He had no right to be angry. He was the one who was actually cheating and he got caught now he wanted to take out his frustration on the one person he should be apologizing to but instead he was being an idiot. Arlo jerked his hands away before we could get in the car and looked back at the idiot. I thought maybe he wanted to share a piece of his mind but no. Arlo teared up and cried in front of him.

"You have to believe me, I did not cheat on you, Xander."

Did he forget this Xander of his was the same guy he caught cheating on him or something? I was so stunned, I just stared at him. Did he really need someone to love him that much? Xander looked at him with a smirk. Satisfied much? I wanted to ignore what was happening in front of me and go home but for some reason I could not. Instead I grabbed Arlo's hand and walked him to my car. He was hesitant at first but eventually got in when I pushed him inside and closed the door.

I entered the car too and drove past Xander. The guy was lucky I did not hit the living hell out of him. I noticed Callen still sleeping on the back seat and wondered how in the world he could sleep through all that. I drove us home that is my house, of course.

As soon as I parked my car, Callen was the first one out. Which made me wonder if he was really asleep in the first place. Arlo did not move from his seat and it made me wonder if he was okay. I seem to be wondering a lot lately.

"Would you like to spend the night?" I asked him and he remained silent. I could see the situation was really taking a tool on him and that was the reason I did not want him to be alone. "Come on, Arlo. He was a jerk anyway. You don't need someone like that in your life..."

"Yes, I do need someone like that in my life I need him--"

"No, you don't." I interjected.

"Yes, I do!" He burst out and I could see tears threatening to come out. "I need him to love me." he whispered the last part and I do not know why but my heart sank as I heard him say that.

Was he really that desperate for love?

I gave him a hug and let him cry on my shoulders. He looked like he needed to let it all out. I had no idea why I was doing this though? He was nothing more than a stranger to me but seeing him cry seemed to hurt me and I did not like it but for some reason I could not stop myself. After at least five minutes he gathered himself up, sniffed and smiled pretending he was fine.

I guess he did not know it was really easy to read him. I could see from his eye bangs and skinny fingers that he has not been eating much. He definitely was not okay and it has probably been a while since he last ate.

"Thanks for everything but I think it's about time I go home." He stated.

"I said you can sleep over." I told.

It did not look like anyone was home when we got to his house. If someone were home he/she would have opened the door for Xander or at least come out as we caused a ruckus. The last thing I wanted was Arlo staying alone in the condition he is in.

"I don't want to ruin your family time." he whispered and I snorted.

"Oh please, I am always with them, I they're basically suffocating." I told him and he did not look convinced so I got out of the car and opened his door so he could get out.

He hesitantly got out and stood as I closed the door and locked the car. I walked in the house with him tailing behind me. I knew for a fact my parents would not have a problem because first of all they would not even be home and my dad adored Arlo ever since he met him yesterday. Pa on the other hand did not even know Arlo but because dad liked him Pa had no choice but to like him too.

When we walked in the sitting room we found Jillian watching a soccer match in some shorts and tank top with a bowl of popcorn on his lap. I could tell he enjoyed watching the game since he did not even make a move to look at us.

"Where's Callen?" I asked him.

Without even looking at me pointed in the direction of the kitchen and I knew Callen was eating my dad's leftover beef stew. The guy had a thing for my dad's cooking for sure. I told Arlo to sit down with Jillian and went to the kitchen.

"You are such a weirdo." I said when I saw Callen shove a spoon of rice and stew down his throat hardly chewing.

He raised a finger signalling me to give him a second to chew and I shook my head at him. When he was through swallowing he looked back at me with a goofy smile.

"I told you I was hungry." He said with a shrug and continued eating.

I shook my head once and opened the fridge. I grabbed leftover steak and salad and put them on the plate. Arlo definitely needed something in his system. He looked like has not been eating for a while. After heating the steak up I headed out.

"So you like him?" I heard Callen ask and sighed heading back to the kitchen.

I knew he was talking about Arlo and I honestly was not looking forward to this conversation.

"I know which type of like you are talking about and you know I can't let that happen. I'm just helping because I feel bad for him." I told him honestly and he shrugged clearly not believing me.

I really was trying not to fall for Arlo because I knew it could end badly just like the last time I was in a serious relationship. I grabbed the food and went back to the sitting room where I found Jillian and Arlo laughing looking at something in Arlo's phone. Curious, I leaned over and saw they were looking at baby pictures of Arlo's brother I was guessing.

"I brought you food." I told Arlo, whose eyes widened and he wildly shook his hand as he put his phone in his pocket. "Are you really going to reject food in my own home? That's rather rude." I said, grabbing the food from him and heading back to the kitchen.

"No, it's fine...I'll eat." He sighed quickly, standing up and taking the plate from me.

I smirked as I sat across from him. As Arlo started eating his phone rang. He grabbed it from his pocket without checking who it was, he answered.

"Oh my God, I'm sorry, I forgot to call...No, I didn't go home...I'm with Westin..." He said looking at me and suddenly he blushed looking away. "Shut up, Tobias." He scolded and it made me wonder what Tobias said. "Yeah...I...It's Xander, he broke up with me...I know you never liked him." Arlo rolled his eyes. "I'm with Jillian by the way..." Arlo said, grinning at my nephew. "Sure." Arlo said looking at Jillian and handed him the phone saying his brother wanted to speak to him.

I quietly played a game on my phone while Arlo glued his face to the TV screen. He did not look like he was focused on soccer match in front of him though. I say that because he would scowl and look at his food. I had a feeling he did not like to eat much, like that was the one thing he did not have to worry about because he barely did it or at least that was how it looked to me.

"Hmm-mm." Callen cleared his throat as he entered the sitting room while giving me the dirty look. "You are staring." he mouthed and I rolled my eyes looking back at my phone.

"The hell? What are you guys dating now?" Jillian asked and both me and Arlo stared at him. "Tobias you got in the way...I was aiming for him...I know I didn't mean what I said to both of you, I was just pissed off...Like I said I didn't mean to involve your brother!..." What the hell was he talking about? "Oh my god, Tobias I am not homophobic...My uncle is married to a..."Jillian stopped looking at me, Arlo and Callen who were just staring at him. "Unblock me and let me text you..." He said then hung up the call.

After that he gave Arlo his phone back and headed upstairs without another word being said. Part of me wanted to follow him and ask him what the fuck was wrong with him but that part was overshadowed by my laziness.

"What's that all about?" Arlo asked his brother on the phone.

It looked like Tobias hung up on him. Leaving Arlo to frown at the now blank screen.