I'm Not The Only One (Scomiche)

13: Interrogation

"These nights never seem to go to plan. I don't want you to leave. Will you hold my hand?"

Stay With Me by Sam Smith

 —-

The short program at the start of the party provided enough distraction for the girls to lay off Scott. I knew they wouldn't leave him alone, but at least Scott was given a solid 20 minutes to get settled in, breathe, and prepare for the onslaught of questions that was bound to come.

At some point during the program, I reached for his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze for whatever comfort or reassurance it could provide. He looked at me and gave me a weak smile then mouthed, "I'm okay."

As soon as it was announced that the buffet was open, I leapt up from my seat. "I'm starving. Scott? Let's go?" I extended my hand to him.

He reached for it and stood up, and together we made our way to the buffet. 

While we were waiting in line, I leaned close to him. "Hey, are you okay?" I asked for probably the fifth time since he arrived.

He put his arm around my shoulder. "You don't have to keep asking, Mitch. I'm okay. Besides, I wasn't really expecting a warm welcome."

I sagged into his chest. "You know they'll find a way to interrogate you, right? Or throw shade or whatever?"

He pulled me closer to him. "I would be surprised if they don't."

"I'm sorry."

"Baby," he whispered. "You don't have to apologize, okay?" He briefly kissed my temple. "Let's just focus on one thing at a time. For now, food. I'm hungry."

When we arrived at our table, the girls and Chadd were still in line. I took the opportunity to eat properly although I was still so nervous. I knew that I couldn't keep Scott away from the girls for long.

They eventually came back and sat down one by own. For the next few minutes, they all ate in silence, obviously just waiting for someone to start the ball rolling.

Chadd was unexpectedly the first to break the ice. "So, Scott, what do you do?"

Scott finished chewing his food and swallowed. "Advertising. I'm a senior account executive. You?"

"Field service engineer."

Scott nodded a couple of times. "I see." Then there was an awkward silence between them, neither of the boys not knowing what to say next.

"You play sports?" Chadd asked after a while.

"Used to. Volleyball. In high school and college. And you?"

"Basketball. And boxing."

A second round of awkward silence dawned upon the group.

"Oh for god's sake. Chadd, honey, nice try, but we'll be asking the questions now," Brookes said. She turned to Scott and smiled sweetly at him. "So... Scott. How are you knees?"

"Excuse me?" he answered with a confused look on his face.

"I'm guessing your company covers your health insurance?" Caty chimed in.

"Girls," I warned.

"What?" Lia asked, a little too innocently. "We just wanted to make sure he has health coverage just in case, and this is totally off the top of my head, he gets run over by a car or gets food poisoning or -"

"Ophelia," I said sternly.

They did a collective, exaggerated gasp then their eyes turned to me. I glared back at them, none of us saying anything.